When we last left our treasured trove of characters, Bobby had just informed Chris and Angel that Arn told Linda that Bobby was cheating on her with Angel. That rogue! This news caused the roaring party to come to a crashing halt. Will it ever get back on track? Find out today in …
Chapter 33: Turning Up the Heat (Part II)
“What?” Chris exclaimed.
“You heard me.”
“Why would she believe him?” Angel asked.
“Arn’s like a brother to her. She wouldn’t believe me when I told her what Arn did to me at first. After a while, she began to accept it. Then he started to become friends with her again. She got to trusting him like she used to. Little by little, he dropped hints to her that I was seeing someone on the side. She started questioning just how faithful I was. A week ago, she confronted me and I denied it and she got angry. I don’t want to go into the details. I really don’t.”
“Then don’t,” Chris said, trying to be as gentle as possible. He didn’t know how to comfort people. That was Angel’s department. Angel, perhaps sensing this, laid her hand on Bobby’s forearm. A sudden question popped into Chris’ mind. “Bob, if Arn’s whole fight with you was sham, why is he doing this now?” [good question. I can’t believe Chris/I remembered this. Huzzah, continuity!]
Bobby heaved a deep sigh. “Arn doesn’t know that I know the truth. I guess he’s playing the part. If he stopped, I‘d think he was willing to drop the whole thing. You see?”
Chris nodded.
“You seem to have thought a lot about this,” commented Angel. [are you seriously marveling at the fact that the man has given a great deal of thought to the end of his marriage?]
Bobby nodded.
“We should talk to her,” said Chris.
“No.”
“Wait, Bobby, Chris had a good idea. Let us talk to her.”
“I dunno.”
“It’s worth a shot, Bob.”
“I dunno,” he repeated. “This is too much for me!” he got up and walked around with his forehead in his hands. Chris and Angel exchanged worried glances. Angel rose and moved over to Bobby.
“Calm down, Bobby. Everything will be allright.”
“Allright?” Bobby’s normally hushed voice grew in volume until he was at a near-shout. “Angelica! How can it ever be allright?”
She took both of his hands in hers and her eyes softened when she saw how damp his were.
“You’re telling the truth, Bobby. That’s how I know it’ll be allright.” Angel pulled him back to the couch.
“But what if it’s not? What if Arn ruined my marriage? What’ll I do?” his voice broke and tears raced down his cheeks. [you know, we haven’t had egregious crying in far too long here. Welcome back!]
Chris put a hand firmly on his shoulder. He was so glad Angel was here. He wouldn’t have known how to handle it when Bobby broke down and cried. Giving Angel a shoulder to weep on had been hard enough. He hated to see people unhappy. Angel put an arm tenderly around Bobby’s shoulders. Chris stood.
“I’ll go make some coffee,” he said.
“Thanks, Chris.”
Chris sat at Angel’s kitchen table and watched the water boil. This is about as good as watching compost form, he thought with a smile. [was that a prescient shout-out to Slice?] He could hear Bobby sobbing quietly and Angel saying soft, soothing things to calm him down. He grabbed three mugs and poured the coffee. But when he entered the living room with the cups, Bobby had his coat on and was ready to leave.
“Where you off to?” Chris asked, setting down the cups on the table.
“I gotta talk to Linda. I’m real sorry, and I appreciate you guys going to all this trouble for me but …”
“We understand, Bobby.”
“Thanks.”
“If things go sour, tell us, and we’ll talk to her, ok?”
He nodded.
“Hey, this was a going-away-again party.”
“Yeah!” Angel chimed in.
“You’re leaving Sunday, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, I am.”
Angel hugged him. “I’ll miss you Bobby.” [what will you miss? Him moping and hushtalking?]
“Miss you, too.”
“Come back and visit soon.”
“I will.”
They exchanged goodbyes again, and Bobby left.
To be continued …
NOTES:
1) So let’s recap what happened in this chapter: Angel got sobbed on and Chris felt awkward and made coffee. Everyone up to speed? Excellent.
2) Yes, Clippy. Go talk to your wife instead of sending two strangers to try to sort things out. I can’t believe you actually made a sensible decision here.
3) I wish Arn had barged in and punched everyone.
COMING UP NEXT
The title “Turning Up the Heat” takes on a new meaning as Chris and Angel make out. Seriously. Clear your schedules for next Tuesday, folks, because you will not want to miss the first make-out scene in my literary canon. The best part is, of course, that I wrote it way before I actually ever kissed, much less made out with, anyone. Therefore, it’s rather brief. And then after the non-make-out session, Chris and Angel have an incredibly stupid conversation about sex. Sweet. See you next time for …
Chapter 33: Turning Up the Heat (Part III)
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Chapter 33: Turning Up the Heat (Part I)
March Madness is in full swing. You know what that means? That’s right: soap operas on CBS are pre-empted. So where can you turn for maudlin love scenes, unrealistic characters, bizarrely constructed revenge attempts, and plots so thin you can see through them? Here, of course. [No disrespect to CBS soaps. I’ve been watching Guiding Light for 15 years. It’s much better these days than it has been in the past. Even though Reva is pregnant and post-menopausal and has cancer and is on her sixteenth husband, it’s still better than all those times when Reva was Amish and a ghost and a clone and could read minds and fought Nazis by walking through a painting. None of that is made up. But I digress …]. Today at Unabashedly Bad, we begin a new chapter that will be split into three exciting parts. Is that too much for y’all to handle? The suspense begins in …
Chapter 33: Turning up the Heat (part I)
Violet Royce walked brusquely down the hall of the Laurel Heights Civic Center. The night’s main event, Chris Benoit and Bobby Eaton against Ricky Steamboat and Shane Douglas [that’s the main event? Yikes.] had ended in a double countout minutes earlier. Violet stopped around a corner near the “heel” dressing room. She smiled and waited quietly.
Inside the dressing room, Bobby and Chris had just changed into street clothes [shower scene implied, at the very least].
“All ready for your ‘party’ tonight, Bobby?”
“I guess.”
“Well, don’t’ be so enthusiastic, said Chris, dripping with sarcasm [he himself is dripping? Eew.]. “C’mon Bob, lighten up a little. It’ll be fun!”
“Yeah.”
“Angel’s at seven. Don’t forget.” [gasp! A nighttime party? I certainly hope there will be cookies and bell peppers.]
“I won’t.”
Chris gave Bobby a pat on the back and left the room. Bobby sighed. The last thing he wanted to do was have a party.
Violet heard the door creak open. She peered out into the corridor, made sure Chris was the one exiting, and unbuttoned the front of her shirt just a little. [harlot!] She hurried out of her hiding spot and bumped into Chris.
“Oh! I’m so sorry!”
“Violet! We’ve got to stop meeting each other like this!”
Violet laughed.
“I’m sorry to have to leave you so soon, Violet, but I’ve got to talk to someone.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Angelica Kerris. Know her?”
“Uhh … no, sorry.”
“Well, I’m sure she’d love to meet you. All her friends are guys, you know. If she doesn’t make a few more female friends, her membership to the Lorena Bobbit Fan Club will be revoked!” [oh, castration humor!]
Violet laughed as though it were the funniest thing she ever heard.
“Oh, Chris. I’d love to, but I’m in a bit of a rush myself. Ole is expecting me to file some things for him [bow chicka wow wow]. Nice to bump into you again.”
“Literally! You too. Take care.”
They both walked off in different directions. Chris, to Angel’s office. Violet, to the parking lot.
“Hey, Angel-face,” Chris greeted, bouncing into her office.
“Hi, Chris.”
Chris locked his arms around Angel’s waist and kissed her. After a few seconds, Angel pulled away. “Sorry, Chris. If I’m gonna be able to clean up this place and get home before six-thirty, I’d better hurry.”
“Want some help?”
“I’d love some. Thanks.” For the next half-hour, they tidied up the office. [half an hour with two people? WTF did she do in there? Reenact Nickelodeon’s awesome game show Finders Keepers? My mom never liked it when my brother and I tried to play our own home version.]
At six o’clock, they arrived at Angel’s house. From six to six-thirty, they set up for Bobby’s party. After they were done, Chris and Angel kissed for a while. [no time table for that?]
“I’m so worried about Bobby,” said Angel, pulling back from Chris’s lips.
“Why?”
“Oh, Chris, didn’t you see how weird he’s been acting lately?”
Before Chris could reply, the doorbell rang. Angel jumped up to answer it.
“Hi Bobby! Come in!” [It’s Bobby? Wait … where are the other guests? Three people is not a party. It’s three people hanging out in a living room. WTF did Angel have to “set up”? Was there a piñata?]
“Hi Angelica. Hey Chris,” Bobby greeted, stepping into Angel’s house. She hung up his coat.
“Bobby, before we get this party started, you have to talk to us.” She led him to the couch and he sat next to Chris. She sat next to him. “What’s going on with you, Bobby?” she asked.
“I dunno, I guess I’m just going to miss you guys.”
“C’mon Bob. We may be dumb, but we’re not stupid.”
Bobby drew in a long breath. “Linda and I are separating.”
“Oh, Bobby, I’m so sorry.” Angel touched his hand.
“Why? I thought things were going great with you guys,” Chris asked.
“They were.”
“So what happened?”
“It was that goddamned son of a … ‘scuse me.”
Angel dismissed his apology with a wave of her hand. [how benevolent of her]
“It was Anderson.”
“What’d he do?”
“He went up to Linda and convinced her that I was having an affair with you.” He gestured towards Angel with a jerk of his thumb. [not with Chris? But the showering, Bobby … didn’t that mean anything to you?]
To be continued …
NOTES:
1) I don’t know why I titled this chapter “Turning Up the Heat.” I suppose that I initially planned to make it more about Violet’s Evil Plan, but then got sidetracked by this compelling plot about Clippy (tm Carters).
2) Worst. Party. Ever. Sting would be ashamed.
3) Well of course Linda thinks Clippy and Angel are having an affair. Who would trust her husband around Angel, she of the radiant smile and shining hair and scrumtrulescent figure and wondrous heart and never-ending supply of tissues and hugs? I sure wouldn’t.
4) Good ol’ Arn. Pulling a Iago. Let’s cross our fingers that Angel is the Desdemona here instead of Linda. Although maybe I shouldn’t make any references to wife-killing when one of my main characters is … ahh, nevermind. That’s just wrong. And this blog is, if nothing else, a paragon of good taste.
How will Changel react to Bobby’s news? How long will it take before someone starts bawling? Will the party get any better? Will any of the characters make any coffee? All of these questions will be answered in …
Chapter 33: Turning Up the Heat (part II)
Chapter 33: Turning up the Heat (part I)
Violet Royce walked brusquely down the hall of the Laurel Heights Civic Center. The night’s main event, Chris Benoit and Bobby Eaton against Ricky Steamboat and Shane Douglas [that’s the main event? Yikes.] had ended in a double countout minutes earlier. Violet stopped around a corner near the “heel” dressing room. She smiled and waited quietly.
Inside the dressing room, Bobby and Chris had just changed into street clothes [shower scene implied, at the very least].
“All ready for your ‘party’ tonight, Bobby?”
“I guess.”
“Well, don’t’ be so enthusiastic, said Chris, dripping with sarcasm [he himself is dripping? Eew.]. “C’mon Bob, lighten up a little. It’ll be fun!”
“Yeah.”
“Angel’s at seven. Don’t forget.” [gasp! A nighttime party? I certainly hope there will be cookies and bell peppers.]
“I won’t.”
Chris gave Bobby a pat on the back and left the room. Bobby sighed. The last thing he wanted to do was have a party.
Violet heard the door creak open. She peered out into the corridor, made sure Chris was the one exiting, and unbuttoned the front of her shirt just a little. [harlot!] She hurried out of her hiding spot and bumped into Chris.
“Oh! I’m so sorry!”
“Violet! We’ve got to stop meeting each other like this!”
Violet laughed.
“I’m sorry to have to leave you so soon, Violet, but I’ve got to talk to someone.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Angelica Kerris. Know her?”
“Uhh … no, sorry.”
“Well, I’m sure she’d love to meet you. All her friends are guys, you know. If she doesn’t make a few more female friends, her membership to the Lorena Bobbit Fan Club will be revoked!” [oh, castration humor!]
Violet laughed as though it were the funniest thing she ever heard.
“Oh, Chris. I’d love to, but I’m in a bit of a rush myself. Ole is expecting me to file some things for him [bow chicka wow wow]. Nice to bump into you again.”
“Literally! You too. Take care.”
They both walked off in different directions. Chris, to Angel’s office. Violet, to the parking lot.
“Hey, Angel-face,” Chris greeted, bouncing into her office.
“Hi, Chris.”
Chris locked his arms around Angel’s waist and kissed her. After a few seconds, Angel pulled away. “Sorry, Chris. If I’m gonna be able to clean up this place and get home before six-thirty, I’d better hurry.”
“Want some help?”
“I’d love some. Thanks.” For the next half-hour, they tidied up the office. [half an hour with two people? WTF did she do in there? Reenact Nickelodeon’s awesome game show Finders Keepers? My mom never liked it when my brother and I tried to play our own home version.]
At six o’clock, they arrived at Angel’s house. From six to six-thirty, they set up for Bobby’s party. After they were done, Chris and Angel kissed for a while. [no time table for that?]
“I’m so worried about Bobby,” said Angel, pulling back from Chris’s lips.
“Why?”
“Oh, Chris, didn’t you see how weird he’s been acting lately?”
Before Chris could reply, the doorbell rang. Angel jumped up to answer it.
“Hi Bobby! Come in!” [It’s Bobby? Wait … where are the other guests? Three people is not a party. It’s three people hanging out in a living room. WTF did Angel have to “set up”? Was there a piñata?]
“Hi Angelica. Hey Chris,” Bobby greeted, stepping into Angel’s house. She hung up his coat.
“Bobby, before we get this party started, you have to talk to us.” She led him to the couch and he sat next to Chris. She sat next to him. “What’s going on with you, Bobby?” she asked.
“I dunno, I guess I’m just going to miss you guys.”
“C’mon Bob. We may be dumb, but we’re not stupid.”
Bobby drew in a long breath. “Linda and I are separating.”
“Oh, Bobby, I’m so sorry.” Angel touched his hand.
“Why? I thought things were going great with you guys,” Chris asked.
“They were.”
“So what happened?”
“It was that goddamned son of a … ‘scuse me.”
Angel dismissed his apology with a wave of her hand. [how benevolent of her]
“It was Anderson.”
“What’d he do?”
“He went up to Linda and convinced her that I was having an affair with you.” He gestured towards Angel with a jerk of his thumb. [not with Chris? But the showering, Bobby … didn’t that mean anything to you?]
To be continued …
NOTES:
1) I don’t know why I titled this chapter “Turning Up the Heat.” I suppose that I initially planned to make it more about Violet’s Evil Plan, but then got sidetracked by this compelling plot about Clippy (tm Carters).
2) Worst. Party. Ever. Sting would be ashamed.
3) Well of course Linda thinks Clippy and Angel are having an affair. Who would trust her husband around Angel, she of the radiant smile and shining hair and scrumtrulescent figure and wondrous heart and never-ending supply of tissues and hugs? I sure wouldn’t.
4) Good ol’ Arn. Pulling a Iago. Let’s cross our fingers that Angel is the Desdemona here instead of Linda. Although maybe I shouldn’t make any references to wife-killing when one of my main characters is … ahh, nevermind. That’s just wrong. And this blog is, if nothing else, a paragon of good taste.
How will Changel react to Bobby’s news? How long will it take before someone starts bawling? Will the party get any better? Will any of the characters make any coffee? All of these questions will be answered in …
Chapter 33: Turning Up the Heat (part II)
Monday, March 16, 2009
Chapter 32: Solitary Scott
Greetings, all. Welcome to another installment of stuff that makes me cringe when I read it. In today's chapter, Scott reveals a little bit more of his stalker side and Rick is creepy about stuff. Enjoy!
Chapter 32 – Solitary Scott
“Why isn’t she home?” Scott murmured to himself, slamming the receiver into its cradle. Scott had been trying to reach Marie for the billionth time in two days. “If I could just talk to her, everything would be OK! I know it!”
“Talking to yourself again, little brother?” asked Rick, entering Scott’s room.
“Hey, Rick.”
“Still can’t get Marie?”
“No.”
“Maybe her phone is broken.”
“Naw. I drove to her house yesterday. Noone was there.” [have you considered implanting a tracking device under her skin?]
“I talked to Angie.”
“Yeah? How is she?”
“Good. She wants to talk to you.”
“She does?” [why does this surprise you? Rick talking to Angel = Angel interfering in your life.]
“Yeah. Saturday. She’ll come here.”
“Fine.” Normally, Scott would have been a little angry with Rick for making plans without asking him first [wtf?], but he was so preoccupied with Marie, he barely noticed.
“See you later, Scotty,” Rick said, closing Scotty’s door behind him as he left his room. [he lets Scott have his own room? With a door that shuts? Woah!]
Scott sighed and tried Marie once more. No answer.
Outside, thunder rolled and a storm began. Wind gusted, fluttering papers around in the room. Scott went over to the window to shut it and then picked the papers up from the floor. A small card caught his eye.
You are cordially invited
To the marriage of
Dustin Rhodes and
Alexandra York on
April Twenty-First at
Saint Joseph’s Church.
RSVP by April Second
Scotty had almost forgotten about Dustin’s wedding. “Marie and I were going to get married.” Scott thought to himself. [oh yeah? When did that happen? Methinks Scott is inventing stuff. Either that or I was] “Stop it, Scott! You’re not helping anything by getting yourself upset!” he admonished. Scott closed his eyes and shook his head. Talking to Angel would help. [how?]
NOTES
1) Oh gross, Steiners. Your relationship is weird and gross.
2) Scott, you are made of crazy. Obsess much? Rewrite history much? Wig out much? Oh, I guess I can’t blame you. Rick has obviously screwed with your head to the degree that you are incapable of maintaining any sort of healthy relationship with anyone else. Poor Scotty. You know what he needs? A healthy dose of AngelSense.
3) Where could Marie be? Maybe Scott should check the glasses aisle of Lame Disguises 'R Us.
COMING UP NEXT:
Violet's dastardly plan continues to unfold and Bobby mopes around some more. Sweet! Join us next time for ...
Chapter 33: Turning Up the Heat (part I)
Chapter 32 – Solitary Scott
“Why isn’t she home?” Scott murmured to himself, slamming the receiver into its cradle. Scott had been trying to reach Marie for the billionth time in two days. “If I could just talk to her, everything would be OK! I know it!”
“Talking to yourself again, little brother?” asked Rick, entering Scott’s room.
“Hey, Rick.”
“Still can’t get Marie?”
“No.”
“Maybe her phone is broken.”
“Naw. I drove to her house yesterday. Noone was there.” [have you considered implanting a tracking device under her skin?]
“I talked to Angie.”
“Yeah? How is she?”
“Good. She wants to talk to you.”
“She does?” [why does this surprise you? Rick talking to Angel = Angel interfering in your life.]
“Yeah. Saturday. She’ll come here.”
“Fine.” Normally, Scott would have been a little angry with Rick for making plans without asking him first [wtf?], but he was so preoccupied with Marie, he barely noticed.
“See you later, Scotty,” Rick said, closing Scotty’s door behind him as he left his room. [he lets Scott have his own room? With a door that shuts? Woah!]
Scott sighed and tried Marie once more. No answer.
Outside, thunder rolled and a storm began. Wind gusted, fluttering papers around in the room. Scott went over to the window to shut it and then picked the papers up from the floor. A small card caught his eye.
You are cordially invited
To the marriage of
Dustin Rhodes and
Alexandra York on
April Twenty-First at
Saint Joseph’s Church.
RSVP by April Second
Scotty had almost forgotten about Dustin’s wedding. “Marie and I were going to get married.” Scott thought to himself. [oh yeah? When did that happen? Methinks Scott is inventing stuff. Either that or I was] “Stop it, Scott! You’re not helping anything by getting yourself upset!” he admonished. Scott closed his eyes and shook his head. Talking to Angel would help. [how?]
NOTES
1) Oh gross, Steiners. Your relationship is weird and gross.
2) Scott, you are made of crazy. Obsess much? Rewrite history much? Wig out much? Oh, I guess I can’t blame you. Rick has obviously screwed with your head to the degree that you are incapable of maintaining any sort of healthy relationship with anyone else. Poor Scotty. You know what he needs? A healthy dose of AngelSense.
3) Where could Marie be? Maybe Scott should check the glasses aisle of Lame Disguises 'R Us.
COMING UP NEXT:
Violet's dastardly plan continues to unfold and Bobby mopes around some more. Sweet! Join us next time for ...
Chapter 33: Turning Up the Heat (part I)
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Chapter 31: Revenge Begins
I’m typing this one outside because last night my dog ate half a bag of hershey’s kisses, wrappers and all, and I figure if they’re coming out, better for that not to be on our living room rug. The upside: it’s gorgeous out here. The downside: Slice is a novice composter and there’s a Tupperware full of rotting vegetables on the deck. It reeks.
Special shout out to all my readers, frequent commenters and lurkers alike. I just want to say that I appreciate all of y’all/youse guys. So hey out there in Naples, San Francisco, San Antonio, Irving, DC, Glenshaw, Houston, Nashville, Allentown, Chapel Hill, and anywhere else I’m not mentioning. Whether I know you personally or not, I’m super duper psyched that you’re reading, and I hope you’re having as much fun as I am.
Anyhoo … someone tell Angel to watch her back. A devious plot begins to unfold in …
Chapter 31 – Revenge Begins
Chris walked down the narrow corridor of Atlanta’s Omni, whistling an unidentifiable tune. His mind was off somewhere in space, so he didn’t notice the woman walking hurriedly in the other direction.
“Oh!” the woman exclaimed as they collided. Her papers spilled on the floor.
“I’m so sorry. I was kind of lost in thoughts,” Chris admitted, helping her scoop up the papers.
“I was a bit lost myself,” she said sheepishly.
Chris looked up at her. Her jet black hair was tied at the nape of her neck into a tight bun. Emerald eyes sparkled behind wire-rimmed glasses. [black hair and green eyes? Uh-oh. That can only mean one person. But glasses are a good disguise.] She was dressed in a dark linen skirt and top.
“I’m Violet Royce,” she greeted, offering her hand to Chris.
“Chris Benoit.”
“Nice to meet you, Chris. Maybe you can help me. Where is Ole Anderson’s office?” [why would he have an office at the arena?]
“I’ll walk you there.”
“Thank you.”
They started off into the direction of the office.
“So, what do you do here?” Chris asked.
“I’m a secretary for Ole. This is my first day.” [so my female characters consist of a nurse and a secretary. Nice.]
“Maybe I can show you around later.”
“I’d like that,” she smiled broadly.
Violet laughed to herself. This would be easier than she thought. [I dunno, Vi. It’s going to be tough to top Miss Elizabeth’s scheme.]
-----
“So the snail drives by and a guy says, ‘Hey! Look at that S car go!!’ Get it?” Angel finished her joke with a flourish.
Bobby smiled weakly.
“Oh, come on, Bobby. That at least deserved a groan!”
He shook his head silently. Angel hopped up on the cot next to him. She spoke gently. “Hey Bobby, you’ve been quiet all week. What’s up?”
“Nothing.”
Angel sighed. “Oh Bobby, you know I don’t believe that.”
He shrugged.
“I understand if you don’t want to talk.”
He nodded.
“You know where to find me if you change your mind.”
Another nod. Angel looked at her best friend for a long time. Seeing him like this really made her depressed. On an impulse, she threw her arms around him in a tight embrace. [Impulse? Hugs are the bread of Angel’s supermarket trips, not the Snickers bars. Mmm, snickers bars.]
“I love you, Bobby.”
“I love you too.”
“Don’t look so sad. You don’t deserve this.”
He looked into her eyes, smoothed her hair, and kissed her forehead.
“I’ve gotta go,” he said in a hushed voice. He jumped off the cot and left. Angel shook her head sadly. Poor Bobby, she thought. Maybe his going-away-again party this Friday would cheer him up.
---
NOTES
1) How was this a chapter? Chris bumps into Ole’s new secretary and Bobby pouts about whatever? Slow burn, ladies and gents. Slow burn.
2) The snail has an “S” painted on the outside of the car. I still like that joke.
3) Anyone think Violet/Marie/Sunny/Nightshade’s evil revenge plot is going to succeed? Anyone think I actually had a plan in mind rather than just making it up as I went along?
COMING UP NEXT ...
Another infernal Scott and Rick chapter. 'Nuff said.
Join us next time for ...
Chapter 32: Solitary Scott
Special shout out to all my readers, frequent commenters and lurkers alike. I just want to say that I appreciate all of y’all/youse guys. So hey out there in Naples, San Francisco, San Antonio, Irving, DC, Glenshaw, Houston, Nashville, Allentown, Chapel Hill, and anywhere else I’m not mentioning. Whether I know you personally or not, I’m super duper psyched that you’re reading, and I hope you’re having as much fun as I am.
Anyhoo … someone tell Angel to watch her back. A devious plot begins to unfold in …
Chapter 31 – Revenge Begins
Chris walked down the narrow corridor of Atlanta’s Omni, whistling an unidentifiable tune. His mind was off somewhere in space, so he didn’t notice the woman walking hurriedly in the other direction.
“Oh!” the woman exclaimed as they collided. Her papers spilled on the floor.
“I’m so sorry. I was kind of lost in thoughts,” Chris admitted, helping her scoop up the papers.
“I was a bit lost myself,” she said sheepishly.
Chris looked up at her. Her jet black hair was tied at the nape of her neck into a tight bun. Emerald eyes sparkled behind wire-rimmed glasses. [black hair and green eyes? Uh-oh. That can only mean one person. But glasses are a good disguise.] She was dressed in a dark linen skirt and top.
“I’m Violet Royce,” she greeted, offering her hand to Chris.
“Chris Benoit.”
“Nice to meet you, Chris. Maybe you can help me. Where is Ole Anderson’s office?” [why would he have an office at the arena?]
“I’ll walk you there.”
“Thank you.”
They started off into the direction of the office.
“So, what do you do here?” Chris asked.
“I’m a secretary for Ole. This is my first day.” [so my female characters consist of a nurse and a secretary. Nice.]
“Maybe I can show you around later.”
“I’d like that,” she smiled broadly.
Violet laughed to herself. This would be easier than she thought. [I dunno, Vi. It’s going to be tough to top Miss Elizabeth’s scheme.]
-----
“So the snail drives by and a guy says, ‘Hey! Look at that S car go!!’ Get it?” Angel finished her joke with a flourish.
Bobby smiled weakly.
“Oh, come on, Bobby. That at least deserved a groan!”
He shook his head silently. Angel hopped up on the cot next to him. She spoke gently. “Hey Bobby, you’ve been quiet all week. What’s up?”
“Nothing.”
Angel sighed. “Oh Bobby, you know I don’t believe that.”
He shrugged.
“I understand if you don’t want to talk.”
He nodded.
“You know where to find me if you change your mind.”
Another nod. Angel looked at her best friend for a long time. Seeing him like this really made her depressed. On an impulse, she threw her arms around him in a tight embrace. [Impulse? Hugs are the bread of Angel’s supermarket trips, not the Snickers bars. Mmm, snickers bars.]
“I love you, Bobby.”
“I love you too.”
“Don’t look so sad. You don’t deserve this.”
He looked into her eyes, smoothed her hair, and kissed her forehead.
“I’ve gotta go,” he said in a hushed voice. He jumped off the cot and left. Angel shook her head sadly. Poor Bobby, she thought. Maybe his going-away-again party this Friday would cheer him up.
---
NOTES
1) How was this a chapter? Chris bumps into Ole’s new secretary and Bobby pouts about whatever? Slow burn, ladies and gents. Slow burn.
2) The snail has an “S” painted on the outside of the car. I still like that joke.
3) Anyone think Violet/Marie/Sunny/Nightshade’s evil revenge plot is going to succeed? Anyone think I actually had a plan in mind rather than just making it up as I went along?
COMING UP NEXT ...
Another infernal Scott and Rick chapter. 'Nuff said.
Join us next time for ...
Chapter 32: Solitary Scott
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Chapter 30: Something's on His Mind
Welcome back, friends. Today we get a blissfully short interaction between Chris and Bobby that once again includes a reference to showering and a deepening of the relationship between Dustin and Angel that includes injured toes. I humbly submit to you:
Chapter 30: Something’s on His Mind
“Hey Bob,” Chris greeted, toweling off his hair.
“Hi,” Bobby murmured, lacing his boots.
“You looked great against Johnny B. Badd,” said Chris.
“Thanks,” muttered Bobby without looking up.
“Something up, Bob?”
“Naw. I gotta go.”
“Bye.”
Chris shrugged and finished drying off his hair. Sometimes Bobby was a bit secretive, and that was okay.
---
“Ouch!” Angel cried, rubbing her toe.
“Sorry,” Dustin apologized. “I really do appreciate this, Angel.”
“No problem.”
Angel was teaching Dustin to dance in preparation for his wedding, a mere two and a half weeks away. [Isn’t this something he should be doing with his freaking fiancé?]
“Let’s take a break, huh?”
“Sure.”
Both plopped down on the couch. Angel removed her shoes and examined her toes.
“Did I hurt you?”
“Nothing reconstructive service can’t fix,” [sic] she chuckled.
There was a moment of silence as Dustin stared into space and Angel put her shoe back on.
“What’re you thinking about, Dustin?”
“You and Alex. You’re both so similar, but so different.” [how does that even make sense? Also, shut up, Dustin. Go hang out with your wife.]
“How so?”
“Your personalities are kinda the same, but I feel so different about you two. I mean, I love you both, I would do anything for either of you, but it’s still different.”
“I understand what you’re saying.”
“I can’t imagine ever being able to cry on Alex’s shoulder like I did with you.”
“You can’t?”
Dustin shook his head. [uhm … that’s weird, buckaroo.]
“Hey Angel?”
“Yeah?”
“What was bugging you that day a while back?”
“Oh. I had just gotten into a fight with Chris. Why do you ask?”
“Just wondering.”
“You nervous about your wedding?”
“Hell yeah.”
“Where’s the honeymoon?”
“Tahiti.”
“Sounds nice.”
“Yeah.”
“Dustin, this will be a personal question, and I understand if you don’t want to answer it, but, will your honeymoon be the first time you and Alexandra ever had sex?”
“No. Why?”
“Just wondering.”
“Have you and Chris ever had sex.”
“No. I’m … a virgin.”
“Serious?”
“Yeah. You seem surprised.”
“I am.”
Angel’s clock struck six.
“I’d better go.” Dustin announced, rising from the couch. “Match starts soon.” [now the matches are at night?]
“Okay,” said Angel, following him to the door.
“Thanks again.”
“Anytime.”
Dustin kissed Angel on the cheek and stepped into the cold Minnesota night. His stomach began to launch into a series of somersaults as he thought of how close his wedding was. He shivered and zipped his coat up to his chin.
NOTES:
1) The title of this chapter is an oblique reference to a ridiculously obscure 4 Seasons song. How obscure? It’s a track from their Genuine Imitation Life Gazette album, which I think maybe six people worldwide have heard of besides me. I still have the tape. It’s also supposed to be a reference to Bobby’s internal struggle, which I forgot to elaborate on in this chapter.
2) Johnny B. Badd! Like Little Richard, only somehow more flamboyant. Look at this outfit!
3) Dustin and Angel (Dungel?). Where do I begin. Ok, I’ll start with the obvious. This combination of private dancing, cheek-kissing, and intense emotional closeness between two adult “just friends” who are married and/or exclusively dating other people is really inappropriate. That being said: one of my very best friends is a guy. We are such good friends that he came to my wedding dressed as a Viking. I love this dude and would do anything for him, much as the way Dustin loves Angel. Unlike Dungel, however, the scenario in this chapter would never, ever happen between me and The Viking. The closest we’ve ever come to kissing is me kicking him in the face (this happened a lot in college. Amy, you understand. Also, I think I kicked your husband in the face a lot too. Sorry if that was crossing some sort of boundary). Anyhoo, where was I? Oh yes. So The Viking and I have been BFF for about 10 years. I think he’s seen my cry once. And it was really weird. Slice has seen me cry plenty of times. And it’s never weird. And if I thought for a second that he’d feel weird crying around me, but not around some ladyfriend of his, I’d haul us in to the marriage counselor, because something ain’t right with that.
Aside from that, this here Dungel interaction is kind of interesting in terms of subtext. It’s rather obvious that Dustin and Angel are totally into each other. Aside from the aforementioned dancing and cheeking, she’s asking him about sex and he’s confessing a level of emotional insecurity between him and Alex. And after the dance lesson, we see Dustin more nervous than ever about his impending wedding (to the point where he’s shivering), perhaps because it’s to the wrong woman.
If I thought for a second that I did any of this intentionally, I’d be kind of impressed with 13-year-old me. Alas. I’m pretty sure that in my mind, Dustin’s nerves were the stereotypical “wedding jitters” I assumed everyone went through, the shivering was because it was cold, the sex-talk was to reestablish Angel’s Virtue, and the weird Dungel closeness was something any man could achieve with Angel, because she was just the most wonderful, compassionate, loving woman EVER.
Gak.
Well then … I think I’ve done enough rambling for now. Let’s see what’s on tap for next week:
Ooh … you’re not going to want to miss this one. We get to meet a new (?) character and watch Bobby brood. Plus you get the punchline of one of my favorite jokes. Whee! Join us next time for …
Chapter 31: Revenge Begins
Chapter 30: Something’s on His Mind
“Hey Bob,” Chris greeted, toweling off his hair.
“Hi,” Bobby murmured, lacing his boots.
“You looked great against Johnny B. Badd,” said Chris.
“Thanks,” muttered Bobby without looking up.
“Something up, Bob?”
“Naw. I gotta go.”
“Bye.”
Chris shrugged and finished drying off his hair. Sometimes Bobby was a bit secretive, and that was okay.
---
“Ouch!” Angel cried, rubbing her toe.
“Sorry,” Dustin apologized. “I really do appreciate this, Angel.”
“No problem.”
Angel was teaching Dustin to dance in preparation for his wedding, a mere two and a half weeks away. [Isn’t this something he should be doing with his freaking fiancé?]
“Let’s take a break, huh?”
“Sure.”
Both plopped down on the couch. Angel removed her shoes and examined her toes.
“Did I hurt you?”
“Nothing reconstructive service can’t fix,” [sic] she chuckled.
There was a moment of silence as Dustin stared into space and Angel put her shoe back on.
“What’re you thinking about, Dustin?”
“You and Alex. You’re both so similar, but so different.” [how does that even make sense? Also, shut up, Dustin. Go hang out with your wife.]
“How so?”
“Your personalities are kinda the same, but I feel so different about you two. I mean, I love you both, I would do anything for either of you, but it’s still different.”
“I understand what you’re saying.”
“I can’t imagine ever being able to cry on Alex’s shoulder like I did with you.”
“You can’t?”
Dustin shook his head. [uhm … that’s weird, buckaroo.]
“Hey Angel?”
“Yeah?”
“What was bugging you that day a while back?”
“Oh. I had just gotten into a fight with Chris. Why do you ask?”
“Just wondering.”
“You nervous about your wedding?”
“Hell yeah.”
“Where’s the honeymoon?”
“Tahiti.”
“Sounds nice.”
“Yeah.”
“Dustin, this will be a personal question, and I understand if you don’t want to answer it, but, will your honeymoon be the first time you and Alexandra ever had sex?”
“No. Why?”
“Just wondering.”
“Have you and Chris ever had sex.”
“No. I’m … a virgin.”
“Serious?”
“Yeah. You seem surprised.”
“I am.”
Angel’s clock struck six.
“I’d better go.” Dustin announced, rising from the couch. “Match starts soon.” [now the matches are at night?]
“Okay,” said Angel, following him to the door.
“Thanks again.”
“Anytime.”
Dustin kissed Angel on the cheek and stepped into the cold Minnesota night. His stomach began to launch into a series of somersaults as he thought of how close his wedding was. He shivered and zipped his coat up to his chin.
NOTES:
1) The title of this chapter is an oblique reference to a ridiculously obscure 4 Seasons song. How obscure? It’s a track from their Genuine Imitation Life Gazette album, which I think maybe six people worldwide have heard of besides me. I still have the tape. It’s also supposed to be a reference to Bobby’s internal struggle, which I forgot to elaborate on in this chapter.
2) Johnny B. Badd! Like Little Richard, only somehow more flamboyant. Look at this outfit!
3) Dustin and Angel (Dungel?). Where do I begin. Ok, I’ll start with the obvious. This combination of private dancing, cheek-kissing, and intense emotional closeness between two adult “just friends” who are married and/or exclusively dating other people is really inappropriate. That being said: one of my very best friends is a guy. We are such good friends that he came to my wedding dressed as a Viking. I love this dude and would do anything for him, much as the way Dustin loves Angel. Unlike Dungel, however, the scenario in this chapter would never, ever happen between me and The Viking. The closest we’ve ever come to kissing is me kicking him in the face (this happened a lot in college. Amy, you understand. Also, I think I kicked your husband in the face a lot too. Sorry if that was crossing some sort of boundary). Anyhoo, where was I? Oh yes. So The Viking and I have been BFF for about 10 years. I think he’s seen my cry once. And it was really weird. Slice has seen me cry plenty of times. And it’s never weird. And if I thought for a second that he’d feel weird crying around me, but not around some ladyfriend of his, I’d haul us in to the marriage counselor, because something ain’t right with that.
Aside from that, this here Dungel interaction is kind of interesting in terms of subtext. It’s rather obvious that Dustin and Angel are totally into each other. Aside from the aforementioned dancing and cheeking, she’s asking him about sex and he’s confessing a level of emotional insecurity between him and Alex. And after the dance lesson, we see Dustin more nervous than ever about his impending wedding (to the point where he’s shivering), perhaps because it’s to the wrong woman.
If I thought for a second that I did any of this intentionally, I’d be kind of impressed with 13-year-old me. Alas. I’m pretty sure that in my mind, Dustin’s nerves were the stereotypical “wedding jitters” I assumed everyone went through, the shivering was because it was cold, the sex-talk was to reestablish Angel’s Virtue, and the weird Dungel closeness was something any man could achieve with Angel, because she was just the most wonderful, compassionate, loving woman EVER.
Gak.
Well then … I think I’ve done enough rambling for now. Let’s see what’s on tap for next week:
Ooh … you’re not going to want to miss this one. We get to meet a new (?) character and watch Bobby brood. Plus you get the punchline of one of my favorite jokes. Whee! Join us next time for …
Chapter 31: Revenge Begins
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