Poppy: Well, I'm off! Don't everyone miss me all at once!
Mouse (to Poppy): Have a safe trip! See you when you get back.
Delia (to Poppy): Then schedule me for next Tuesday. Sound good?
Poppy (to Delia): I'll see if I can fit you in, I think Tuesday is a day for repentance... & apparently, I have a LOT to repent. (to Mouse) Thanks, honey!
Delia (to Poppy): hmm.. I suppose that would depend on if they go in for original sin. Its so hard to find something original nowadays.
Poppy (to Delia): I guess I'll find out when I get there. The bus driver, yes I'm on a bus, says we should be getting there in an hour or so.
Delia (to Poppy): I get the feeling you're not excited by being on a bus
Poppy (to Delia): It's a little more up close & personal then I usually want to be with most of humanity, honey. There's a woman who seems to be holding a jar of urine in her lap... at least, I suspect it's urine.
Delia (to Poppy): … it could be apple juice. If it helps to think so that's exactly what it is.
Poppy (to Delia): I certainly hope so, honey, if she ends up being my roommate, I'm going to be really upset.
An hour or so later:
Vincent (to Mouse): What time are you two lovebirds landing back in our fair town?
Mouse (to Vincent): We're heading out in an hour. We should be home by 4pm or 5pm.
Vincent (to Mouse): OK, hun. See you then.
Mouse (to Vincent): Do I need to make Eep drive? So, you can talk at me?
Vincent (to Mouse): I'm OK, sweetie. I'm just feeling sad. I'm sure I'll manage to survive my own company a few more hours.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh, still down in the dumps? As soon as I get home I'll bake you some cookies. I know it won't help, but it couldn't hurt.
Vincent (to Mouse): You know I can't ever say no to cookies.
Mouse (to Vincent): Well, I'm not sure it'll help but Poppy left town this morning, so you won't be bumping into her anywhere. And, I promise I'll make your favorite.
Vincent (to Mouse): I know. We sort of said goodbye to each other last night.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh... is that why you're sad? Are you going to miss her?
Vincent (to Mouse): Of course. I'm going to miss spending time with her. I'm going to miss the friendship we had. God knows I'm going to miss other things best not mentioned to my delicate elder sister. ;-} Mostly, though, I'm sad I made her so sad. I really should get this lovely little head of mine screwed on straight.
Mouse (to Vincent): Sweetie, I'm really going to pretend I didn't hear that middle part & be very thankful that Eep is driving. And, it was kind of inevitable that someone was going to get hurt. You both treated your relationship kinda like a contest. No matter how much you both wanted to claim that you just wanted something casual, that's not at all how you behaved. I honestly think you had stronger feelings for her then you wanted to admit, you got scared & that's why you feel so bad. You can tell me I'm wrong, there may have been more going on that I didn't see, but having been the one that sat with you on several occasions when you thought it was over. I think the only one you've been fooling has been yourself. Sorry to be so harsh.
Vincent (to Mouse): You're my sister, hun. I love you. And I know you're only trying to help. And you're right about a lot of things. I cared for Poppy. I really liked her. I wouldn't have spent so much time with her if I didn't. And yes. I treated the relationship like it was a contest, something I could win at. I also used it as an excuse to hide from myself. It was easy with Poppy, hun. You're out with a girl and people don't stare, they don't shout lewd things or throw things at you. It doesn't bring up bad feelings w/ which you thought you were over & done. Everyone thinks I didn't want to go out with Ripper because I was afraid of how it would make Poppy feel. The truth was I was scared. Terrified, actually. And I was using Poppy as an excuse to hide from that. It wasn't fair of me. Dating someone to hide from your own sexuality is a TERRIBLE thing to do to her. You'll end up resenting her in the end.
Mouse (to Vincent): Wow. Little brother, you know. if you had told me that was the reason you broke up with her in the first place...
Vincent (to Mouse): You would have told me I'm a huge idiot. I know.
Mouse (to Vincent): I wouldn't have been giving you such a hard time about it. I'm actually really, really proud of you. Sweetie, I love you. I don't think you're an idiot, you do idiotic things sometimes, but I think you did the right thing. I certainly want you to be able to be who you are & if you feel like dating Poppy was hiding, then you should have ended it. I don't care who or what you date, I just want you to be happy.
Vincent (to Mouse): I know, sweetie. I really do. It's why I always say I'm so lucky to have you.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oooh, the cookies I will make for you!
Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. I look forward to them. Just not too many. I'm single again. I've got to watch my figure. :-P
Mouse (to Vincent): Of course, I wouldn't dare dream of it.
Vincent (to Mouse): Thanks for looking after me, sweetie. And thanks for understanding. I know discussions of a sexy nature make you squirm.
Mouse (to Vincent): That's what family is for... Though, I do wish you wouldn't share quite soooo much with me, but I appreciate the fact that you feel like you can.
Vincent (to Mouse): I promise that as soon as can find another soul I trust as much as you to assault with my sex life, I will. I could always bother Eep about it. ;-}
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh god, no! I just find it a little unfair. You tell me all sorts of stuff about your sex life & I can't because I'm dating Eep & that would just be weird.
Vincent (to Mouse): Weird, or hot? And don't make that face. I'm kidding. It's alright, sweetie. I'm not expecting tit for tat, you know.
Mouse (to Vincent): I know. You're just my best friend, so I'd like to be able to share stuff with you, but... well, you know.
Vincent (to Mouse): Boy, drunkenly tell a girl's beau ONCE that you'd sex his brains out if given the chance, and she never forgets it.
Mouse (to Vincent): Gee, I can't imagine why ANYONE would be upset by that.
Vincent (to Mouse): Does it help me earn forgiveness that I'm STILL mortified by that?
Mouse (to Vincent): I know you regret saying that stuff to him, which is why I feel it's safe to tease you about it...
Vincent (to Mouse): :-P
Poppy: This place is gorgeous. Wish you were here!
Four hours later:
Vincent (to Mouse): I forgot to tell you, looks like while you and Eep were gone, Inga was ousted from Pandora's Box.
Mouse (to Vincent): Wow... I can't really say I'm surprised after that stunt she pulled.
Vincent (to Mouse): Me either. I hope they lock her up and throw away the key.
Mouse (to Vincent): I agree... We're home now & cookies will commence shortly. :-)
Vincent (to Mouse): See you soon, sweetie.
Poppy: Dear god, this monochromatic color scheme is going to reek havoc on my complexion… What on earth have I gotten myself into? I've had to put all my worldly possession in a trunk & Mother Superior took the key. Quick thinking is the only thing that saved my phone. I may need to be rescued & given a martini.
Ripper (to Vincent): How you feeling today?
Vincent (to Ripper): Sad, mostly, but recovering, I think.
Ripper (to Vincent): Well, that's good to hear, not the sad part, of course.
Vincent (to Ripper): I'll survive. And Poppy will too.
Ripper (to Vincent): I have no doubt...
Vincent (to Ripper): Thanks. Now to just keep reminding myself of that. And get my head straightened out. Well... Metaphorically speaking.
Ripper (to Vincent): Yeah, you don't want it too straightened, I'd hardly recognize you.
Vincent (to Ripper): Heaven forbid. I might become an upstanding member of society if I'm not careful.
Ripper (to Vincent): We can't have that... Speaking of that, would you be my "date" for the prom on Saturday? It doesn't have to mean anything, I just hate going stag. We can act as shields or safety nets for each other.
Vincent (to Ripper): Oh. Actually, yes. That would be nice. Thank you.
Ripper (to Vincent): I should be thanking you, actually. Do you want to do it up right & get each other boutonnieres? :-) We can make all the girls swoon & the men slightly nervous. :-P
Vincent (to Ripper): Ha! You do know how to sweet talk a boy. And you have to ask if I want to act ridiculous and over the top with boutonnieres? I really must have been acting strange this week.
Ripper (to Vincent): Well, to be honest, you've been acting a bit like Eep, when he's been busy at the club & hasn't had a smoke.
Vincent (to Ripper): Now, that's not a fair comparison. I haven't threatened to kill a single person.
Ripper (to Vincent): I MAY have been exaggerating just a tad. I'm glad you're willing to go with me. What color tux are you wearing? I want to make sure the boutonniere matches.
Vincent (to Ripper): I don't actually own a tux, anymore. At least not one that fits. I suppose I'll be hitting the thrift stores tomorrow.
Ripper (to Vincent): Well, I'm wearing a purple tux with velvet trim that Delia helped me pick out. It's wonderfully tacky.
Vincent (to Ripper): Oh my goodness. That sounds AMAZING. Well, hopefully I can find something equally suitable.
Ripper (to Vincent): Ask Delia what the name of the store was that we went to, it had some amazing stuff... I'm totally blanking on it.
Vincent (to Ripper): I will. Maybe if I'm lucky I can find something in leopard print.
Ripper (to Vincent): That would be perfect.
Poppy: Dinner consisted of a salad, an apple, and a glass of water. Apparently, Thursdays are a light fast day... This monastic lifestyle seems to take a lot of discipline, no wonder some many gays end up in the clergy.
Delia (to Poppy): I think its got more to do with what their religion tells them is okay, rather than their planning and willpower. lol
Poppy (to Delia): Well, honey, it's definitely not for the food or wardrobe, either. Talk about boooooring.
Vincent (to Delia): Hey hun, which thrift store did you & Ripper find his purple tux? Was is it Out of the Closet or Twice in a Lifetime?
Delia (to Vincent): Out of the Closet. The one that's run by that guy that seems like he's right out of The Birdcage. Why, you wanna go?
Vincent (to Delia): I do. I need a tux for Goth Prom. Believe it or not, my old one is too short.
Delia (to Vincent): I love that place. When do you wanna go?
Vincent (to Delia): Will tomorrow afternoon work for you? I need something before Sat night.
Delia (to Vincent): Sure thing! What were you looking to get for prom? They have so many awful-mazing suits.
Vincent (to Delia): Something with tails and leopard print preferably. ;-}
Delia (to Vincent): That's... very specific. That may take some doing.
Vincent (to Delia): Or, you know, whatever we can find. Actually, I'll probably settle for any tux that will fit. Believe it or not, I'm a hard one to fit.
Delia (to Vincent): You don't say? You mean size femme little man isn't common?
Vincent (to Delia): Not as common as it should be.
A few hours later:
Poppy: Bedtime is at 8pm, I've been laying here on my cot for an hour staring at the plaster... This is the time when the day really begins for me… Oh, and there's a cross with a little man on it in my room across from my bed. Get off that cross little man, someone may need that wood!
Two hours later:
Ripper (to Mouse): Ready for me to take over the decks for a bit?
Mouse (to Ripper): Give me three more songs & then the decks are yours for a bit.
Ripper (to Eep): Hey, how was your mini-vacation?
Eep (to Ripper): Good. We had a good time. Well, except for the part where I had to smoke in the woods.
Ripper (to Eep): You had to smoke in the woods?
Eep (to Ripper): YES. There was a "designated smoking area" that was like a shack in the woods. I was just waiting for Jason to put a machete through my head.
Ripper (to Eep): Wow, that sounds terrible.
Eep (to Ripper): Eh. That was the worst of it, so I guess I can't complain. Oh Christ. We've got "prom" this weekend, don't we?
Ripper (to Eep): Yep, on Saturday...
Eep (to Ripper): This will either be hilarious or horrible.
Ripper (to Eep): I'm going to hope for hilarious.
Vincent (to Ripper): You have an admirer at the bar. She's been asking Delia & I about you all night.
Ripper (to Vincent): Oh? I guess that's nice...
Vincent (to Ripper): Awww. Come on now. She's cute. Let her buy you a drink. You can't be completely uninterested. If nothing else, it's at least an ego boost. Good gracious. You're as bad as Eep.
Ripper (to Vincent): I'm flattered & I probably should say no… but fine, what the hell, she can buy me a drink.
Vincent (to Ripper): She's the blonde at the end in the corset and red fishnet.
Ripper (to Vincent): Oh ok, this is the last song of my set, I'll head over & thank her.
Eep (to Vincent): You're awfully quiet tonight. You OK?
Vincent (to Eep): Well, aren't you, sweet? I'll be fine.
Eep (to Vincent): Yeeeeah. OK. You're weirding me out with this whole subdued, proper English routine.
Fifteen minutes later:
Ripper (to Vincent): I am going to kill you. "Bridget", if that is her real name just told me that we're soulmates & wants to have my baby.
Vincent (to Ripper): Oh good heavens. You're kidding! Yiiikes. She didn't SEEM crazy.
Ripper (to Vincent): I wish I was kidding.
Vincent (to Ripper): Oh no. I believe you. The look on your face says it all. I'll come over and distract her, and you can duck behind the bar.
