| BEETHOVEN'S FIFTH IN THE PARK |
[Aug. 1st, 1998|04:51 pm] |
Continued Calldyn, "I stopped making patriarchal paintings a year ago. And I never ever will go back to it. I never ever will go back as long as the ground I'm standing on is fragile."
Continued Calldyn, "I spent one year without painting patriarchal artwork. I could easily spend another year avoiding patriarchal artwork. I'm more than comfortable with such a stance. I already have four paintings on their way to an art gallery. I don't need to mail in the Girl Getting Stabbed Inside the Refrigerator painting. I'm under no obligation to sent that piece of artwork in."
Continued Calldyn, "What about Raverdox Sikes? What about Eddie Nuenberg? Is Raverdox and Eddie able to handle another year of pro-feminist artwork? That's is exactly what they must face if they don't solidify the ground I'm standing on. Hell, I don't mind. The pro-feminist artwork is starting to be far more popular than the pro-feminist artwork."
Said Nicoletta, "You almost sound vindictive about this."
Smiled Calldyn, "Hell no. I'm not feeling vindictive Nicoletta. I love Raverdox Sikes. He's my sweetheart. Raverdox is the love of my life."
Said Nicoletta, "But there is a tiny bit of hostility in your tone of voice. You claim to know all the facts about Raverdox, but you are not even close. On his first world tour, he was attacked by a crazed female fan. The incident was so traumatic, that two songs on his album Running with Scissors and I’ve Been Loud and Noisy the Whole Entire Time addressed the issue. Two days later, another crazed fan mailed Raverdox a corrosive acid time bomb. One year later, yet another crazed fan was arrested trying to climb the fence that surrounded his residence. Raverdox Sikes's televised testimony against the crazed fan in question was used as fodder for the tabloids for months."
Continued Nicoletta, "Then there is you. Another dedicated fan with romantic aspirations. Except this time, the dedicated love struck fan doesn't have violent tendencies. Instead, she paints a massive avalanche of paintings of this rock star in various chameleon guises. Poor Raverdox is trying to mentally recover from two violent incidents and now you show up from out of the blue. I don't blame Raverdox for getting nervous and anxious about your persistent visibility. I don't blame Raverdox for nervously waiting for the other shoe to drop."
Continued Nicoletta, "It's one thing for you to spend your life playing poor helpless victim. It's quite another to spend a few hours trying to look at life from Raverdox's perspective."
Asked Calldyn, "Do you think I've been arrogant and selfish the whole entire time?"
Said Montgomery, "Maybe that's the message of the Calldyn Must Die! album. That maybe you better tone down the ego. Stop looking at Raverdox as omnipotent and try to look at him as a human being. You may wind up making some degree of progress."
Said Calldyn, "Don't get me wrong. I'm not feeling ungrateful. However, it is a double edged sword. Raverdox never wastes any time reminding me that it's not good to limit myself to any particular style of artwork. Yet, every time I seek to expand my horizons, I end up getting ripped to pieces by total stranger that I don't even know."
Continued Calldyn, "Total strangers who never once took the time learn anything about be are instant art critics. Total strangers I never met jump to the conclusion that any dramatic shift to art style is an insult that needs to be fought against. Yet, if I remain in that one particular art style, I'll be ripped apart by total strangers for having no imagination. I would love to directly ask Raverdox what his opinions are, but the man continues to be elusive ninety percent of the time."
Continued Calldyn, "I can't win. So I come to the conclusion that I'm going to be mauled to death no matter what I do. Total strangers I don't even know will continue to dissect everything I do. So I finally say to hell with it. I'll do what I want. If Raverdox wants to join me, so much the better. I'm getting fed up with trying to satisfy wants and desires that are never ever verbalized."
Said Nicoletta, "I'm sure Raverdox supports your art projects---No matter what direction they end up taking."
Said Calldyn, "I sure as hell hope so."
THE SETTING:
LE CAFE CAPTIVA
DEMOLITION CITY, ILLINOIS
MORNING, 6:30 P.M.
WEDNESDAY
Said California, "There is no such thing as a relationship that runs smoothly. Hell no. There is bound to be a few bumps on the road from time to time. The trick is figuring out how to handle these bumps as the appear."
Messalina was barely listening to California as she mixed bourbon and vermouth together then topped it off with a cherry.
She took a sip of her alcoholic cocktail, then she sat down at a table next to Charles Tarragon. Laura Ashley was seated at a table nearby. Big Jim and California Nyllsynn were standing.
Said California, "If somebody ever wrote the perfect foolproof manual to finding the perfect guy and keeping him, I'll be the first in line to buy it."
Said Messalina, "I won't pretend to be an expert in love and romance, because I'm not. I could make a few suggestions and then you could decide how to utilize my advice."
Said California, "Fair enough."
Said Charles, "You want to know how to succeed in love and romance? The first thing to learn is that there is no rules. There is no guaranteed guidelines that would work each and every time. You want to know how to succeed in love and romance? You must rely on gut instinct."
Said California, "It's nice to know that you could afford to be casual about this."
Said Charles, "If true love is to happen, then it would unfold on it's own accord."
Asked California, "How many times have you been in love?"
Said Charles, "I do have a strong affection for Calldyn. Though I tend to get overshadowed a lot in that area. I never ever gotten sexual with the girl. I have strong romantic desire for Messalina. Though I have only known the girl for only a couple of hours."
Said California, "Long enough to be conned out of nine thousand dollars."
Said Charles, "We all have our foibles."
Said Big Jim, "We all have our foibles. Listen to yourself. You stole nine thousand dollars from this restaurant, then you lost it in a card game. Messalina was your willing accomplice."
Continued Big Jim, "What the fuck am I going to do with the two of you? I'm making myself look like a bigger banana head the longer I refrain from telephoning the police."
Said Charles, "I stole and lost nine thousand dollars. Telephoning the police seems to be a viable option. Don't worry. Everything is going to be alright."
Asked Big Jim, "How can you be so certain."
Said Charles, "Because I can afford to be very certain of myself. I might come up with something brilliant. I might come up with something that's disastrously flawed. Who knows where these thoughts come from? They just magically appear from out of thin air."
Asked Big Jim, "Good God, is that the best response you could come up with?"
Charles shrugged his shoulders.
Said Big Jim, "I can't believe this. I'm in hell."
Big Jim stormed into the kitchen.
Said California, "I better check on the sirloin steak."
Asked Messalina, "Sirloin steak for breakfast?"
Said California, "We've got this crazy customer coming in every morning asking for steak and potatoes for breakfast. Don't ask me why. The whole thing doesn't make sense. But I only cook the food around here. It isn't my place to question the logic of other people. Of fuck, I forgot the shove the potatoes in the fucking goddamn oven."
Basia emerged from the kitchen. Said she, "I got the potatoes." Basia saw five customers enter the dinning room of the restaurant. Continued she, "We need to make some waffles and pancakes. Perhaps some sausage links as well."
Said California, "No problem. And to think that it was going to be slow this morning."
Said Basia, "Hah. Not a chance."
Basia and California entered the kitchen.
Asked Messalina, "So how the fuck did you end up in Chicago anyway. Is this your normal stomping grounds."
Said Laura, "Look, why don't you stop asking so many fucking questions. Worry about the nine thousand dollars you owe this fucking restaurant."
Said Messalina, "How the fuck are we going to come up with that much money? It doesn't grow on trees."
Said Laura, "You should've thought about that before you got mixed up in that fucking card game."
Laura Ashley got up to fix herself a cup of cappuccino.
Charles offered a frown and said, "It seemed like a perfectly good idea at the time."
Basia entered the dinning room and set two hot steaming plates in front of Charles and Messalina.
Said Basia, "Here we go. Two Florida Delights. And your order is on it's way Ms. Ashley."
Said Laura, "Wait a minute. These two jerks stole nine million dollars and they get served before me?"
Said Basia, "Don't worry Ms. Vinnitto. We'll get to you. Eventually."
Basia entered the kitchen.
Said Laura, "I'll be honest with you. This is the first time I ever stepped foot inside this restaurant. I don't visit Chicago as often as I should've. I always end up getting sidetracked in some form or another."
Asked Messalina, "Where do you normally dine at?"
Replied Laura, "I normally dine at cappuccino cafes, tiny hole in the wall restaurants and a few dimly lite punk rock nightclubs. I hardly dine at home. You should see my fridge someday. There's nothing inside it. I don't know why I even bother to plug the damn thing in."
Said Messalina, "You're exaggerating."
Replied Laura, "Exaggerating? You think I'm exaggerating. I'm normally out of the house around four in the afternoon. The first thing I would do is dine at a restaurant. Then I'm off to the punk rock nightclubs. And I stay there until morning. Then I spend the morning and most of the afternoon trying to recover from it all. It's an expensive lifestyle. I spend so much of my time jumping from nightclub, to movie theater, to restaurant, then back to another nightclub. I swear to God, that I don't even remember what my fucking apartment looks like."
Said Charles, "Well you need to crash at your apartment to catch up on your sleep."
Laughed Laura, "Yeah right. As if. I'm so plastered on alcohol, that I end up in bed with some guy that I don't even know. I don't even remember if I bothered to use a fucking condom. I don't remember anything about seducing this guy. I just wake up naked in bed with some guy I don't even know.
And I normally don't see this guy again for a couple of months. I got seven or eight boyfriends. One boyfriend for each day of the week. And I don't know anything about any of them."
Continued Laura, "And I rarely spend time in my apartment. The damn thing is probably gathering dust right about now. That's ok. I don't have much furniture in that place. No beds. No couches. No tables. No desks. No bookcases. No personal computers. I enjoy a Spartan lifestyle. Everything I own could be shoved into a tiny duffle bag."
Asked Messalina, "I know what you mean Laura. Everything I own could be shoved into a duffle bag. Literally. I don't own a bed. I sleep on the floor. I might string up a hammock if I could scrape together enough cash.
I don't have any food in my fridge. I eat out in restaurants all the time.
I don't have a normal nine to five job. I don't need one. I earn enough money to live on through my career as a con artist. Such as it is."
Said Laura, "Being a con artist is your only means of economic support? It didn't take me long to catch you."
Said Messalina, "I make my living as a con artist. I never said that
I was actually good at it."
Said Laura, "Yes, that much is obvious."
Said Messalina, "But it's enough to afford a cheap $300.00 apartment in the worst section of Demolition City. It's not all that bad Laura. I get to share my apartment with a swarm of rodents and a few insects. The gasoline and electricity bills wasn't paid for the past six months so I don't have either."
Continued Messalina, "I eat out at restaurants all the time, so who gives a fuck if the goddamn fridge and oven doesn't work. I'm so busy socializing that I never ever have the chance to use the damn thing anyway."
Asked Laura, "You never bother to bring any of your friends over to your apartment?"
Asked Messalina, "Nope. All of my friends have this rigid refusal to even consider entering my apartment. I don't know why. Sure it's infested with rodents and insects. Sure, it has this sickening revolting stench. It has no gas or electricity so you can't use the television or the stereo. But that's no reason for having a rigid refusal to enter my apartment. What about you Laura. Do you have any luck in getting your friends to actually walk inside your apartment."
Said Laura, "None of my friends ever bothered to walk into my apartment. I doubt that they ever will. My friends insist that I walk over to their apartments instead."
Laura Ashley lit a cigarette. She inhaled, then breathed out a cloud of cigarette smoke. Then she inhaled again.
Continued Laura, "Either that or my friends would make dinner reservations at some cheap shoddy hole in the wall and demand that I come over. And my friends typically wait until the very last second before giving me the invite. I'm normally stuck with the bill and I try to leave behind a generous tip for the waitress. It's the least I could do. Plus, nightclubs are not exactly a cheap place to hang out at and I'm normally stuck with the bill for that too. So I try to bring along enough cash. Throughout the entire month of January, I only spent thirty minutes inside my own apartment. It's impossible for anybody to get a hold of me. I'm serious Messalina, I don't remember what my apartment looks like."
Asked Messalina, "Do you have any rodent or insect problems at your apartment."
Said Laura, "I don't have any rodent or insect problems. But I spend so little time at my apartment, that I wouldn't give a damn if I did. I'd rather let the landlord or the next tenant worry about such matters."
Said Messalina, "That sounds reasonable enough."
Said Laura, "Yes. Yes. I totally agree."
Said Charles, "I've been inside Messalina's apartment. It wasn't all that bad."
Said Messalina, "How would you know. You were much too busy looking at my tits. You didn't bother to notice the swarm of rodents I have in the kitchen."
Said Charles, "Yeah, I suppose I didn't bother to notice that. But still, the apartment isn't all that bad."
Said Messalina, "Yeah, your right. It wasn't all that bad. Even the rodents agree that it's a great place to crash for a few hours. I have to admit that Charles is probably the best fuck I've had in ages. You wouldn't believe how many arrogant shitty turds there are running amuck."
Said Laura, "This is the way I see it. If you compare the number of guys who are shitty jerks with the number of guys who are kind, gentle and humane, the first group would outnumber the second group. It's enough to make a girl lose faith in the entire male gender. Almost, but not quite."
Said Messalina, "Declaring war against the entire male gender just because you had a few bad dates is a bit of an extreme position to take. That wouldn't be fair to the few guys who are trying very hard to be generous and accommodating. There are some nice guys out there."
Said Laura, "Yeah and most of them are married. There are some guys who actually take the time to remove their wedding ring before sexual intercourse. There are a few more who don't even bother to take the damn thing off. Just a friendly reminder that you're still second fiddle."
Said Messalina, "Hah. And you would know."
Said Laura, "I never been in that situation, but I've known girls who were. The extra-marital lover starts to get impatient that the spouse is getting all the attention. So now you have to sexually satisfy the extra-marital lover without pissing off the spouse. Then you have sexually satisfy the spouse without pissing off the extra-marital lover. I'm telling you, it can be a messy situation."
Said Messalina, "I never had that problem with Charles. There wasn't any woman around laying claim to the guy. There was no already occupied sign around his neck. Therefore, I had the freedom to move right in and make him mine to keep. And yes, he's a nice guy. And yes, he isn't married."
Said Laura, "Charles Tarragon is probably rebounding from a bad romance that went south for the winter. Isn't that correct Chuck?"
Said Charles, "Actually, I haven't had a decent fuck for the past year. The last girl I had a serious make out session with ended up dumping me for an alcoholic. Go figure."
Asked Laura, "You don't like alcohol?"
Said Charles, "I'm more of a coffee drinker. I love the caffeine buzz. I started to drink cappuccino on a whim, but I've become much more dedicated to the beverage lately. Though I'm still not any closer to buying myself a cappuccino brewer."
Asked Laura, "So it's final. You won't even touch alcohol under any circumstance."
Said Charles, "I used to be that way, but I've relaxed my anti-alcohol stance lately. I'm much more willing to drink an alcoholic beverage from time to time. I'm much more interested in drinking coffee. That and gourmet exotic teas."
Asked Laura, "Where the fuck did you find this guy?"
Said Messalina, "In a gas station."
Said Laura, "Your kidding. A fucking gas station. That's the last place I would ever consider picking up a guy. Were you the one to make the first romantic pass?"
Said Messalina, "Charles and I both made a romantic pass at each other. It was a bit like spontaneous combustion. The whole thing just clicked into place. I adore Charles Tarragon for his advantages. I adore Charles Tarragon for his faults. I'll take Charles Tarragon anyway I could get him."
Said Laura, "You can't be faulted for having a lack of romantic devotion to the guy."
Said Messalina, "Not the slightest."
Said Laura, "This is ridiculous. I'm going to check on the progress of my breakfast."
Laura got up and she entered the kitchen. She looked at Ben, Basia, California and Martin.
Asked Laura, "How much longer will I have to wait for my food damn it?"
Said California, "Be patient. Be patient. It will arrive."
Said Laura, "I sure as hell hope so. I'm not used to waiting this long for a fucking breakfast."
Laura slammed her way back into the dinning room.
Said California, "Do you ever get the feeling that she woke up on the wrong side of the bed?"
Said Basia, "That's funny. I feel the same way about Katie Galsworthy."
Asked Ben, "Is Katie going to show up today?"
Said Basia, "Kalsis is scheduled to show up. So I'm sure we'll be greeted by Katie's bright and sunny face. And I'm sure she's going to bring along some of those crazy nutcase tabloid stories she's always working on."
Said Martin, "Oh yes, that's right. The girl happens to be a journalist. Or rather, she likes to think of herself as a journalist. I'm not sure that writing lurid tabloid stories truly counts as reliable journalism."
Said Basia, "Close enough to get the rent paid."
Messalina entered the kitchen.
Asked Martin, "Is that with termites or without termites. Most of the apartments in this area are falling apart. The slum lord who owns them must be making a fortune."
Said Basia, "The slum lord who owns all these apartment buildings never bother to visit his own property. He probably forgotten the fucking address."
Said California, "The maintenance guy for my apartment certainly has. I've been trying to get the plumbing fixed for the past month or so. I can't turn on the damn faucet without getting brown colored water flowing out."
Asked Basia, "You've got rusted pipes too. Isn't that a fucking pain in the fucking neck."
Said California, "I have no choice but to buy bottled water. Assuming I got the cash for it."
Said Messalina, "My apartment doesn't even have running water. The fucking pipes broke during the winter and the fucking landlord refuses to fix them."
Said Martin, "I've got running water. It just doesn't look very good."
Said Messalina, "I don't mind. I hardly spend time in my apartment anyway. I'm much too busy crashing at other people's apartments. Most of them aren't any good either. And most of the people I know is either drunk or on drugs. People who get drunk all the time is far more sociable. And they usually have more food in the fridge."
Asked Basia, "How much food do you have in your fridge anyway Messalina?"
Replied Messalina, "I don't have any food in my fridge. I eat out to dinner all the time."
Messalina grabbed some paprika and some oregano. She exited the kitchen. Big Jim exited his office and entered the kitchen.
Asked Martin, "What's with the fly threads?"
Said Big Jim, "I just got out of jail and I need to wear something that was clean. This ratty old outfit was the clean article of clothing I've got. It's been a while since you were in prison."
Said Martin, "I don't know. Either I'm getting better at stealing cars or I'm trying to live a clean life. I'm already living on the edge of a fucking knife for far too long as it is. One more scandal could do me in permanently."
Said Big Jim, "For me I can't help it. I get drunk then I get into a fight. I normally end up in jail with a broken nose and wounded dignity."
Continued Big Jim, "Then I wake up the next morning. I'm released from jail. The day looks fresh and full of bright promises. Then I realize that the long elusive holy grail didn't fall into my lap yet. Then I demand that the holy grail fall into my lap by midnight tonight or else. By afternoon, I'm snarly and confrontational. By evening, I'm burning up with rage and I'm looking for a fight. Then I end up in jail with some broken arms, legs and another broken nose. Not to mention that my reputation and dignity is wounded again."
Continued Big Jim, "Then I wake up the next morning. I'm released from jail again. The day looks fresh and full of bright promises the next morning. It's a never ending cycle for me."
Asked Basia, "And how long have this been going on for you?"
Said Big Jim, "For the past two and a half years. I'm either a glutton for punishment or I'm fishing for something big. I can't decide which one it is just yet."
Said Basia, "But it wasn't always that way with you. Hell no. From 1995 to 1996, you were relaxed and casual to the point of being unconscious. You were not some snarly vindictive bad ass drunk looking for a fist fight on a daily basis. You were a relaxed pot smoking drunk who didn't give a damn about anything. The whole world and the promising opportunities it would offer flew right past you. But you didn't care. You had your weed. You had your collection of vintage wine. You had your trusty telescope to use for star gazing. Who the fuck cares about anything else. You certainly didn't."
Continued Basia, "So why are you suddenly this snarly vindictive drunk looking for a fist fight on a daily basis. Did you suffer a dark dismal tragic downfall in 1997 that you're not willing to share with us?"
Said Big Jim, "Maybe I'll tell you the whole sordid tale on some other date. Today isn't that time."
Said Basia, "Something significant must've happened to you two years ago in 1997. I would like to know what it is."
Said Big Jim, "Charles Tarragon stole nine million in store profits then lost it. Benjamin over here owes eight thousand dollars to some psychotic punk."
Said Ben, "I was worried about my sister. I hired Laura to find her for me."
Said Big Jim, "And I think that's perfectly honorable. But, you could've used a more legitimate resource."
Said Ben, "Katie Galsworthy insisted that Laura Ashley was the right girl for the job."
Asked Basia, "Hold on a second Benjamin. Katie Galsworthy and Laura Ashley are friends? Since when? Where they hell did those two women meet each other."
Said Ben, "Don't ask. You wouldn't want to know."
Said Big Jim, "To top it all off, Ebenezer Goode wants to sell Le Cafe Captiva and have this place turned into a fucking drug store."
Big Jim stormed out of the kitchen and entered the dinning room. Ben, Basia, California and Martin followed him.
Said Big Jim, "You hear that Charles Tarragon? Ebenezer wants to turn this place into a fucking drug store. Not just any ordinary drug store. No. He wants to turn this place into a shoddy commercialized chain drug store. Just one of many all across this great land of ours."
Said Charles, "Damn the man."
Said Big Jim, "You're missing the point Charles. The man owns this restaurant. The man is the one who pays our salaries. I'm the one the man hired to keep an eye on things. And you're the screw up who have just ruined it for everybody."
Said California, "Chill out boss. We'll find a way out of this mess."
Asked Big Jim, "And how the fuck are we going to do that?"
Replied California, "I don't know. But we'll find a way."
Said Big Jim, "I thank you for your optimism California. Right now, I'm ready to call the cops on this asshole."
Said Charles, "That would be a viable option."
Said Big Jim, "You're enjoying this Charles. Admit it. You're having a fucking blast with the knowledge that you could screw us around without any regrets to speak of."
Said Charles, "I stole nine million from this store in hopes of saving it."
Said Big Jim, "That's the dumbest thing I've heard all day. What the fuck am I going to do with you? Should I call the cops. Have you arrested. Have you thrown in jail. You're pushing your luck Charles. You're this close to falling off the ledge."
Calton Dover entered the dinning room. The man was wearing rumpled trousers, a badly stained tee shirt and a rumpled shorts jacket that was supposed to match his trousers. His badly styled hair was even worse than usual. He sat down at a table with a stern expression on his face.
Said Calton, "Well?"
Said California, "Oh yes, your breakfast. It's in the oven. It will be out in a few minutes."
Said Calton, "Oh please, take your time. Please feel free to disregard the basic fact that I'm a very busy man."
Said Messalina, "This is hardly a fast food joint."
Asked Calton, "Who the fuck is she?"
Said Big Jim, "She's another customer. Albeit, she's one who stole nine million from this restaurant." Big Jim faced California and said, "Will you please get Calton something to eat. We can't afford to get the man agitated."
Said California, "His breakfast is in the oven, but it's only half finished."
Said Big Jim, "Then get him a fucking salad."
Asked Basia, "For breakfast?"
Said Big Jim, "Get Calton Dover something to eat. Anything. I don't give a shit what you take out of the fridge."
Said California, "Right away boss. Come along Basia."
Said Basia, "Right behind you California."
California and Basia entered the kitchen. Big Jim faced Calton Dover.
Said Big Jim, "I'm sorry for the dely Mr. Dover."
Hissed Calton, "You better be damn it. My fucking breakfast is usually on my table by now. Do you know who I am? Do you? I'm merely one of the greatest playwrights of this century. The least you could do is treat me with some degree of respect."
Said Big Jim, "And again we apologize."
Hissed Calton, "You better be. What type of operation are you trying to run?"
Laura walked over to Big Jim. Whispered she, "What the fuck is his problem?"
Whispered Big Jim, "Calton Dover was born on the wrong side of the bed. It doesn't matter what you say or do. He's going to be grumpy no matter what."
Whispered Laura, "Thanks for warning me Jimmy."
Whispered Big Jim, "No problem Laura."
Laura Ashley walked over to Calton's table and she sat down next to him.
Asked Laura, "How long have you frequented this wonderful restaurant Mr. Dover?"
Replied Calton, "I've been eating in this lousy shit hole of a restaurant since it's opening day."
Asked Laura, "That long?"
Replied Calton, "Yes, that long. And my fucking breakfast was never late. Never. Not until now."
Replied Laura, "You know how it is Mr. Dover. It takes a lot of time and effort to pour of box of corn flakes."
Hissed Calton, "I ordered steak and potatoes for breakfast damn it. I always have steak and potatoes. And they never ever been this late before. Where the fuck are they?"
Said Laura, "You want to talk about lousy service? I'll tell you about lousy service. One of the waiters still owes me eight thousand dollars."
Asked Charles, "Are you going to say that to each and every customer that walks in here?"
Hissed Laura, "Why should you care Charles? I certainly don't. I'm eight thousand dollars richer thanks to you."
Basia emerged from the kitchen with a glass salad bowl on a tray. She placed the salad bowl on Calton Dover's table.
Asked Calton, "What the fuck is this?"
Replied Basia, "It's Waldorf salad."
Replied Calton, "I didn't order Waldorf salad. I ordered steak and potatoes. Where the fuck are they?"
Replied Basia, "It's still in the oven. But please have some Waldorf salad while you wait."
Replied Calton, "I might as well. I'm going to be ten years older by the time you slow pokes finally get my meal done."
Replied Basia, "Don't worry Mr. Dover. Your meal will be ready very soon. Sorry for the wait."
Basia entered the kitchen.
Asked Basia, "Is the steak and potatoes done yet?"
Said California, "The steak is nearly done, but the potatoes still need a lot of work."
California lit a cigarette. She casually grabbed a burlap bag of potatoes and carried them into the dishwashing area. Basia followed her.
Said California, "It doesn't matter how flawless your food service performance is. Calton Dover always finds two or three flaws to rip apart on. And Calton Dover can be so ruthless and merciless in his verbal attacks. He has no form of restrained whatsoever. The guy is practically the customer from hell."
Basia removed a filthy slimy mop out of the three compartment sink and casually tossed it onto the floor. The girl tossed fifteen potatoes into the filthy muck of the three compartment sink. She started to spray off the potatoes with water without bothering to scrub any of them. The girl lit a cigarette and started to smoke it as she continued to clean the potatoes. Cigarette ash fell into the three compartment sink.
Asked Basia, "Do you know the one part I have trouble understanding about Calton?"
Asked California, "He hates this place with a passion, yet he always shows up every morning. And he always shows up between six thirty to seven in the morning. Hell, you could set your fucking watch to the guy."
Said Basia, "Yeah, that's it."
Said California, "You can't fault the guy for being persistent."
Said Basia, "I suppose not. Do you think we need more potatoes?"
Said California, "It depends on how much customers we're expecting in the next hour or so. There's no point in baking fifty potatoes when only twenty of them are ordered. Besides, this isn't fast food. You have the freedom to take your time with the food preparation."
Said Basia, "Fair enough. Somebody ought to clean out that three compartment sink one of these days."
Asked California, "How long has it been dirty?"
Said Basia, "I don't know. I lost track. Perhaps for the past three or five months. I'm sure Big Jim would know."
Said California, "I'll bet you that Big Jim doesn't have a clue either."
Said Basia, "I guess it doesn't much matter anyway. I'm not going to clean out that damn thing."
Said California, "Neither am I. I have my dignity to consider. What's the big story behind Ben's long lost sister. Why was she long lost in the first place?"
Replied Basia, "Damn if I know."
California and Basia tossed the potatoes in a clear plastic hotel pan. They carried the hotel pan full of potatoes into the kitchen. Basia tossed the potatoes into the oven. She continued to smoke her cigarette as she checked out the steak.
Asked California, "Is it done yet."
Replied Basia, "It's not done yet, but it's getting there."
Said California, "Thank God. Do you think Calton Dover is going to be able to taste all that cigarette ash we keep dumping into the goddamn food?"
Said Basia, "He wasn't able to taste it before. What makes you think he's going to be able to taste it now."
Said California, "You've got a good point there."
Said Basia, "Toss some oregano and some paprika and he's not going to notice the difference. I doubt that anybody would notice the difference. The health inspectors who visit this place from time to time sure as hell doesn't."
Said California, "The health inspectors. How could
I possibly forget about them. When was the last time the city government inspected the sanitation of this place?"
Replied Basia, "Three months ago. We're not due for another inspection for another two months."
Said California, "It would be nice if they would give us advance warning before pulling these surprise inspections."
Replied Basia, "But they can't do that. It would give us more than enough time to clean out that three compartment sink before they show up. And that would give us too much of an unfair advantage over them."
Said California, "Heaven forbid."
Said Basia, "Oh God, heaven forbid indeed. Do you think we need to manufacture some more home made mayonnaise?"
Said California, "I doubt it. We're fine with what we've got. I need a bloody drink though."
Said Basia, "What type of drink?"
Replied California, "I don't know. How about vodka, tipple sec and Rose's Lime Juice blended together. Make that two. One for me and one for you."
Said Basia, "Fair enough. I need a good drink."
Said California, "I agree. There is no way I'm going to endure a double shift without some fucking alcohol now and then. Besides, I need something to wash down all that tobacco I've been smoking."
Said Basia, "I'll be right back then."
Basia exited the kitchen and entered the dinning room. She poured two kamikazes with a cigarette in her hand.
Said Big Jim, "What did I say about smoking on the job?"
Replied Basia, "Don't even consider it without tossing a few cigarettes towards your direction."
Said Big Jim, "Yeah, that's it."
Said Basia, "Fair enough then."
Basia walked over to Big Jim and gave him four Winston cigarettes.
Asked Basia, "Would that be enough?"
Said Big Jim, "That would be plenty. Thanks."
Said Basia, "No problem boss."
Basia returned to the alcohol bar to pour her alcoholic beverages.
Said Calton, "This is a nice racket you've got going here. You come in here ordering steak and potatoes for breakfast. You get a bowl of Waldorf salad instead. The poor shmuck ends up paying $13.00 when he only intends to pay $6.50."
Said Big Jim, "I told you that we'll only charge you half price for the salad."
Said Calton, "So you get $10.00 instead of $13.00. It's still one hell of a racket."
Said Basia, "We don't do this to all of our customers."
Said Calton, "I get it. I'm the lucky one."
Basia looked at Big Jim and said, "Can I have permission to slug the customer?"
Said Big Jim, "You better not risk it Basia."
Replied Basia, "Darn it."
Said Calton, "I didn't order alcohol either."
Replied Basia, "The alcohol isn't for you Calton. The alcohol is for me."
Basia entered the kitchen.
Asked Laura, "Is it normal for the employees to get plastered on alcohol this early in the morning."
Said Big Jim, "Not really. They usually wait until the afternoon before getting plastered."
Big Jim entered the kitchen.
THE SETTING:
BROKEN FURNITURE BEACH
DEMOLITION CITY, ILLINOIS
MORNING, 7:00 A.M.
WEDNESDAY
Katie Galsworthy sat near the shattered remains of a dinning room table and the demolished remains of a sofa. Her hand was close enough to the crashing waves that she could easily submerge half of her hand into the water. She looked at the crashing waves of Lake Michigan before removing her hand from the water. The girl lay down on her back and looked up at the bright blue sky. And the weather was fantastic. The temperatures was in the mid-seventies.
And she could see sea gulls circle above her. She could hear the cry of the sea gulls as they occasionally land upon the beach. A few of them were perched on top of some broken pieces of furniture that was left scattered about.
Katie Galsworthy closed her eyes then she reopened them. The sea gulls were still there. Still crying out in sweet harmony. Katie smiled. The girl was relaxed and she was at piece with herself.
THE SETTING:
DEMOLITION CITY UTILITY MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT
DEMOLITION CITY, ILLINOIS
MORNING, 7:30 A.M.
WEDNESDAY
Mack could hardly believe what he was hearing. The man was beside himself with rage.
Cried out Mack, "I'm fired? What do you mean that I'm fired. I'm one of the best employees you've got."
Said the Supervisor, "That's debatable. You didn't mark a single utility pipe for an entire month."
Cried out Mack, "There wasn't any utility pipes that needed to be marked in my area."
Said the Supervisor, "Then you help somebody else out in their area. This is supposed to be a team effort damn it."
Cried out Mack, "There wasn't any utility pipes that needed to be marked in my area and that's fine enough for me."
Said the Supervisor, "That's fine Mack. You're still fired."
Cried out Mack, "You can't do this to me. I haven't held a steady job for the past ten years. What the fuck am I going to tell my wife?"
Said the Supervisor, "You could tell your wife that she married a lazy unmotivated bum. I want your work area cleaned out by the afternoon."
Cried out Mack, "You can't do this to me. I got the rent to pay. I got bills to pay."
Said the Supervisor, "You should've thought of that earlier Mack. You're still fired."
The Supervisor was about to make a telephone call. Mack picked up a telephone and smashed it into tiny pieces. He picked up a nearby wrench and started to attack every single telephone in sight.
Cried out Mack, "You don't have the right to fire me."
Mack tossed the wrench across the room and stormed out of the building.
Cried out the Supervisor, "Somebody telephone security."
Cried out Mack, "Don't bother. I'm out of here."
Mack stormed out of the building and slammed the door shut. He lit a cigarette as he stomped into his pickup truck.
THE SETTING:
CALLDYN MARRYVILLE'S APARTMENT
DEMOLITION CITY, ILLINOIS
MORNING, 7:30 P.M.
WEDNESDAY
Calldyn, Nicoletta and Montgomery faced Raverdox Sikes inside Calldyn's tiny apartment. The window was open and the warm summer breeze floated in.
Said Calldyn, "I've been breaking my back trying to make you happy. I've gone beyond the call of duty for the love of God. And you don't have the maturity nor the decency to appreciate my efforts. The best you could say is that I'm a walking corpse living on borrowed time. And any and all attempts to pacify you falls flat on their face each and every time. As if I'm a piece of shit that no longer matters to you. Well?"
Asked Raverdox, "Well what?"
Said Calldyn, "The least you could do is to reassure me that I'm still an important part of your fucking goddamn life."
Said Raverdox, "Bite your tongue Calldyn. Do you think you're the only one?"
Asked Calldyn, "Is that be best you could say?"
Replied Raverdox, "That's the best I could say."
Calldyn picked up Raverdox's suitcase and she tossed it out of the window. And she watched the suitcase crash into the street below. Then she spun around to face Raverdox.
Said Calldyn, "I didn't need to invite you to my home. I didn't need to feed you dinner. And this is the thanks I get? Fuck you Raverdox."
Said Raverdox, "Give me a chance to explain."
Said Calldyn, "You keep saying that I'm a walking corpse living on borrowed time. You keep saying that the only way
I could pacify your rage is to up and die. And I keep feeding you dinner like a fucking numbskull. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't toss any more of your possessions out of the fucking goddamn window!"
Said Raverdox, "Calm down honey."
Screamed Calldyn, "You wanted me to bite my tongue. Hell, I'll do more than that goddamn it."
Said Raverdox, "Calm down darling. Give me a chance to explain. Please. Give me a chance to explain."
Calldyn sat down. Said she, "Go ahead and explain. I would like to hear what you have to say."
Said Nicoletta, "We all like to know what you have to say."
Said Calldyn, "I'm not alone in my opinion about you."
Said Raverdox, "Don't toss any more of my possessions out of the window. Please calm down darling. Give me a chance to explain myself. Please darling, give me a chance to explain."
Said Calldyn, "Ok, I'm listening. But it better be a damn good explanation."
Said Nicoletta, "I'm going to brew us a few mugs of tea."
Said Calldyn, "Let's be honest about this Raverdox. Your need for revenge may be justified. You got the God-like omnipotent power to toss my life down the crapper anytime you fucking want. MY NEED FOR REVENGE IS ALSO JUSTIFIED. MY REVENGE IS THAT I'M UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO COOPERATE! Try to remember that love and romance is a two way street Raverdox."
Said Raverdox, "Come on darling, there is no need for you to be so vindictive. I'm sure we can find a middle ground."
Said Calldyn, "That's fair enough. I'm willing to listen."
THE SETTING:
OUTSIDE LE CAFE CAPTIVA
DEMOLITION CITY, ILLINOIS
MORNING, 7:30 P.M.
WEDNESDAY
It didn't take long for Katie Galsworthy to casually walk from Broken Furniture Beach to Le Cafe Captiva. It was a five minute walk. The girl lit a cigarette as she stood next to the front entrance of the second rate gourmet restaurant. The girl inhaled into her cigarette, then she exhaled.
She leaned against the front entrance as she watched the cigarette smoke slowly float away into the distance. The girl inhaled into her cigarette again.
Katie Galsworthy could easy see Angel's Path Park from where she was standing. She could easily see Teddy Hersting, Sara Cayenne, Sherry Langham, Stilldyn Marryville and her infant son Kyle talking among each other. Katie could easily walk up to them and say hello, but she focused on her cigarette instead.
The girl inhaled into her cigarette, then she exhaled the cigarette smoke. And she watched the smoke vanish into thin air. The girl took a look at her cigarette. Katie focused on the cigarette as if it were the single most important thing in the entire universe. She inhaled into her cigarette yet again.
THE SETTING:
LE CAFE CAPTIVA
DEMOLITION CITY, ILLINOIS
MORNING, 7:30 P.M.
WEDNESDAY
Katie Galsworthy stormed into the dinning room with an angst filled expression on her face. She recognized Charles Tarragon, Big Jim, Martin John Paul, Ben Krakow and Calton Dover. The girl didn't recognize the girl sitting next to Charles.
Katie Galsworthy had no trouble recognizing Laura Ashley. Katie looked at Laura and said, "Hey, what's up."
Replied Laura, "I never knew you hang out in this place."
Said Katie, "Well, I'm in Chicago to cover a news story for the Seattle Underground Gazette and the Chicago Tribune. My boyfriend works in this restaurant so I'm here to say a hey what's up to him. Is he in yet?"
Replied Big Jim, "I thought you would know where he's at?"
Said Katie, "I wasn't with him all night. Kalsis must've been somewhere else. Pardon me."
Katie Galsworthy stormed out of the dinning room and she stormed into the ladies bathroom. Laura Ashley got up and walked over to the women's bathroom. The door was locked.
Asked Charles, "What the fuck is going on?"
Asked Laura, "What makes you think that I would know."
Said Charles, "You're the only person that Katie bothered to acknowledge. She just about ignored everybody else."
Said Laura, "If I had a dime for every time the girl confused the hell out of me, I'd be a wealthy woman."
Asked Charles, "In other words, you're about as clueless as the rest of us."
Said Laura, "That's about right."
Laura Ashley sat down next to Calton Dover.
Said Laura, "Calton and I are still waiting for our breakfast."
Said Big Jim, "Well young lady, this is the way we see it. Some punk comes storms into our place demanding $8,000 from one of our waiters. Then this punk spends an awful lot of her time insulting the speed of our cooking process."
Said Laura, "Messalina McGee would've been in a fucking crack house dying with a needle in her arm if it wasn't for me."
Said Messalina, "I'm not a drug addict. Perhaps I'm a con artist. Perhaps I'm a chronic gambler. I'm not a drug addict."
Said Laura, "Some of my best leads came from drug addicts you little piece of shit."
Said Messalina, "That doesn't make me a drug addict."
Said Laura, "Like hell it does."
Said Big Jim, "You want to do something helpful, try to find out what's up with Katie."
Said Laura, "I'm the customer damn it. I don't need to take any shit from you."
Said Big Jim, "I could have you thrown out if you don't cooperate for a change of pace."
Said Laura, "Yeah. Fine. Have it your way. You're fucking waiter still owes me $8,000."
Said Big Jim, "As if I'm going to forget anytime soon."
Said Laura, "You better not."
Laura arrogantly took a bite from Calton's Waldorf salad. When he tried to raise his voice to complain, she shot him a hostile glare. She arrogantly took another bite before strolling towards the ladies room.
Said Laura, "Hey shit head, let me in."
The door to the ladies bathroom was unlocked and swung open. Laura Ashley arrogantly strolled inside. The door to the ladies bathroom was locked yet again.
Said Messalina, "I'll bet you she as a criminal record a mile long. Where the fuck did you find her Benjamin?"
Said Ben, "You wouldn't want to know."
Said Messalina, "The next time you want to locate the whereabouts of your baby sister, try to hire somebody who's a bit more reputable. That Laura Ashley girl is starting to scare the crap out of me."
Said Ben, "She seemed like a good idea at the time."
Said Messalina, "I'm so sure."
Asked Big Jim, "How much money do you have in your bank account anyway?"
Said Ben, "I only had $4,000 in my bank account. That's why I hired Laura. She promised to find Messalina for that much money. I didn't know that she would double to price for me."
Asked Big Jim, "Did you bother to check her credentials?"
Said Ben, "I didn't think it was necessary."
Laura stormed out of the ladies bathroom. The girl slumped back into her chair next to Calton Dover. She started to take a bit from his Waldorf salad without asking.
Asked Big Jim, "Well?"
Asked Laura, "Well what?"
Asked Big Jim, "What the fuck is going on with Katie?"
Said Laura, "Don't ask."
Katie Galsworthy exited the ladies bathroom. Every strand of her hair was shaved off.
Asked Charles, "You did have hair when you stomped in here?"
Said Katie, "Yeah, it's still in the sink if you want to have it added to the fucking salad."
Katie stormed into the kitchen.
Asked Martin, "What's with the neo-Nazi boot camp make over?"
Said Charles, "Yeah, I'm curious about the same thing."
Said Laura, "You're asking the wrong person. I don't quite understand it either."
Said Martin, "But you seem to know her."
Asked Laura, "Do I?"
Replied Martin, "You were probably locked up in the same prison cell with her."
Hissed Laura, "Look, I don't see how this is any of your fucking business."
Said Martin, "A frequent customer shows up late and shaves off her hair in one of the bathrooms. I'd say it's our fucking business."
Hissed Laura, "Not from my perspective."
Said Martin, "Fine. Have it your way."
Martin John Paul entered the kitchen. Charles Tarragon followed him. Katie Galsworthy was in the kitchen with California Nyllsynn and Basia Salisway. Katie was grabbing some recently cooked pancakes for breakfast.
Asked Martin, "What in the fuck is going on with you Katie."
Said Katie, "Look, I don't want to discuss it."
Said Martin, "I think we should."
Said Katie, "No we don't. Now if you will please excuse me, I would like to see how Laura is doing."
Katie was about to exit the kitchen, but Martin got in the way.
Said Martin, "No! Not until you tell us what the fuck is going on with you."
Said Katie, "Nothing is wrong. Will you please excuse me? I would like to enter the fucking dinning room."
Katie tried to walk around Martin, but he refused to cooperate.
Said Katie, "What the fuck is your problem."
Said Martin, "I would like to ask you the same question."
Said Charles, "Let her pass Martin. She's going to be ok."
Said Martin, "How can you be so sure of yourself."
Said Charles, "Katie Galsworthy is great. She's cool. She's totally fantastic."
Said Katie, "Thank you for the words of encouragement Chuck. Excuse me."
Katie walked around Martin and exited the kitchen for the dinning room with her breakfast in her right hand.
Said California, "Will one you guys please tell Laura and Calton that their breakfast is done."
Said Basia, "I'll do it."
Basia exited the kitchen and entered the dinning room.
Said California, "So tell me guys, what do you think about Katie's new hairstyle?"
Said Martin, "It's gone."
Said California, "Yeah, I noticed that."
Said Martin, "What do you think about it."
Said California, "It's her hair. If Katie wants to chop it all off, then it's her decision. Who am I to criticize?"
Said Charles, "Don't worry about Katie. She'll be fine."
Said Martin, "It's nice to know that you could afford to be so optimistic about this."
Said Charles, "Katie Galsworthy is a lot stronger than you're willing to give her credit for."
Said Martin, "I'm so sure."
Said California, "Besides, there are other things for us to worry about."
Asked Martin, "Such as?"
Said California, "Trying to find a bulk rate discount for a pound of cocaine."
Asked Charles, "I thought you went drug free California."
California prepared two breakfast platters. Steak and potatoes on one of them. Pancakes and waffles on the other. California was smoking a cigarette and drinking a glass of wine as she prepared the meal.
Said California, "I fell off the wagon. Again."
Said Charles, "I noticed."
Said California, "Besides, all that cocain and LSD that
I take into my system doesn't affect my judgement too much. Sure, the world gets blurry now and then, but I'm still able to cook one hell of a pot roast."
Said Charles, "I'm surprised that you could afford a drug addiction problem on a restaurant employee salary."
Said California, "Some of us are born lucky Charles. I've been to drug counseling programs and halfway houses. I've seen people who were worse off than I. I'll be honest with you Chuck. It scared the living crap out of me."
Said Charles, "I could imagine."
Continued California, "I was roommates with Contadina Cayenne in one of those halfway houses. You remember what happened to her. She nearly burned herself during that nervous breakdown of hers."
Said Charles, "She succeeded in burning down the kitchen."
Said California, "Yeah, that's it."
Said Charles, "Thank God we had insurance to cover the fucking damage."
Said California, "That's putting it mildly. We go through life with this belief that we know all the facts. We go through life obsessed with the notion that only we know the truth. Then we realize that we're not that close to being omnipotent. Then we're forced to face the crossroads."
Continued California, "Do we compromise a little bit of our pride just to reconnect with those we've annoyed? Do we compromise a little bit of our arrogance just to make amends. Having arrogant pride is meaningless if we don't have any friends or family to share it with."
Asked Martin, "Since when were you ever a treasure trove of wisdom California?"
Said California, "Being locked up in a lunatic asylum forced me to reexamine my life. Being locked up in a lunatic asylum forced me to reexamine my priorities. If forced to examine what I want from life and how to get it."
Said Charles, "Yet, you continue to take drugs."
Said California, "I never made any claims to be omnipotent. I still have a long way to go. There are times when I wonder if I'll ever make it."
Said Charles, "I'm kind of frightened of the unknown myself."
Said California, "We all are at some point or another. The trick is to figure out how to deal with it."
California took a sip of wine. Continued she, "I probably would have better luck facing the unknown if I didn't take cocain so damn often. Drug addiction isn't exactly a great career path for a girl to take. The meal is ready. Would one of you guys like to have the honors."
Said Martin, "Allow me."
Martin John Paul picked up two breakfast platters and exited the kitchen for the dinning room. He delivered the two breakfast platters to Laura Ashley and Calton Dover.
Said Calton, "It's about time. What the fuck took you people so long."
Said Martin, "To be honest, we were a lot faster than usual Mr. Dover. Would you like anything else."
Said Calton, "I'm fine. No thanks to you."
Said Martin, "Have a good breakfast Mr. Dover."
Said Calton, "Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'm so sure."
Martin John Paul entered the kitchen. Basia followed him.
Calton took a bite from his steak. Then he faced Laura who was still seated next to him.
Asked Calton, "So you're from Seattle."
Replied Laura, "I'm from Seattle."
Said Calton, "It's quite a long way from Chicago. It's quite a long way from Demolition City."
Said Laura, "I'm not bothered. I've got a road map."
Said Calton, "But still, don't you get lost now and then."
Said Laura, "I'm much more worried about my rental car than navigating through the streets of Demolition City. Katie knows more about Demolition City than I do. Isn't that right."
Said Katie, "Yeah right. As if. It took me forever just to find the Museum of Science and Industry."
Said Laura, "I never been there."
Said Katie, "A shame. You're missing out."
Replied Laura, "Yeah, I suppose I am. I probably should drop by there on my way back to the airport. Just as soon as I get my $8,000."
Said Katie, "You don't need $8,000 just to visit the fucking museum Laura."
Said Laura, "Not really, but it certainly helps. Come on. Aren’t you interested in splitting the $8,000 loot?"
Said Katie, "It's going to drive Benjamin into bankruptcy."
Said Laura, "And your point is?"
Asked Calton, "Good God, don't you have any moral scruples whatsoever?"
Said Katie, "I don't. Neither does Laura."
Smiled Laura, "I'm the type of girl who adores a good time."
Said Katie, "We both do. When we're not involved in white supremist activities. I've been trying to find a decent white supremist group here in Chicago."
Said Calton, "I'm not going to begin to ask."
Smiled Katie, "Probably a good thing too."
Said Big Jim, "I don't understand why you bother to waste your time with white supremist groups. I'm not going to ask. If that's how you get your kicks, then so be it."
Said Katie, "A diplomatic enough answer."
Said Big Jim, "Just as long as your skinhead friends don't start a race riot anytime soon."
Big Jim entered the kitchen. He faced Charles, Martin, California and Basia who were gathered around a large metal preparation table.
Said Big Jim, "How is it going over here?"
Said Charles, "About as well as it could be expected."
Said Big Jim, "Look, are you in trouble? Is that why you stole nine million from this restaurant?"
Said Charles, "I was hoping the double the store profits in a card game. And it could've worked. If I knew how to play cards in the first place."
Asked Big Jim, "Did you even bother to think this through before jumping into this?"
Replied Charles, "Not really."
Said Big Jim, "I thought so."
Big Jim exited the kitchen and reentered the dinning room.
Asked Basia, "I thought you were supposed to stay in the dinning room and stay there. At least until the cops show up to haul your ass away."
Said Charles, "If Big Jim wanted to have my ass hauled away to jail, he would've done so by now. Besides, I'm starved. Messalina and I were going to eat halfway through our road trip to Wisconsin. We would've if Laura didn't mess things up."
Katie Galsworthy entered the kitchen.
Said Katie, "Hey Charles, I heard from Big Jim that you have committed the perfect crime."
Replied Charles, "Not entirely perfect."
Said Katie, "I heard that you owe money to both the mafia and to the restaurant."
Asked Charles, "And where did you hear that from?"
Replied Katie, "Reliable sources."
Said Charles, "You're only half right. I only owe money to the restaurant. I don't owe any money to the mafia. At least, I didn't the last time I checked."
Said Katie, "Keep the faith Chuck. Keep the faith."
Said Charles, "Don't I always?"
Katie exited the kitchen and entered the dinning room.
Said Basia, "Do you always screw up so flamboyantly?"
Replied Charles, "Only on my good days Basia."
Charles and Basia exited the kitchen and entered the dinning room. Martin faced California.
Said Martin, "Do you still have romantic feelings for Teddy Hersting."
Said California, "He's my roommate Martin. I know him like the back of my hand. And yes, I do have romantic affection for him. I also have romantic affection for my other roommate. There is no way I could possibly leave you out of the picture."
Said Martin, "And what about Teddy? He's sleeping around with Sara Cayenne. And he's sleeping around with Sherry Langham. And he's sleeping around with Sci-Fi Bonnie. Teddy Hersting is oblivious to moral consequences of his actions."
Said California, "And he pays his portion of the rent on time. What in the fuck is your point?"
Asked Martin, "Do you have any shame?"
Asked California, "Should I?"
California and Martin shared a long romantic kiss.
Smiled California, "Do you feel better now?"
Said Martin, "Teddy Hersting is playing you like a violin. I hope you know that." |
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