Ripper (to Vincent): Thank you again for being my date last night... and for the dance.
Vincent (to Ripper): Oh. You're welcome. It was fun. That sister o' mine is full to bursting with good ideas. I should be thanking you for asking me. Last night kept me busy & distracted enough that I didn't go gloomy on everyone. :-P
Ripper (to Vincent): Well, I know how I felt the week after my breakup, so I thought distraction would help. I'm glad it did. Are you feeling less gloomy?
Vincent (to Ripper): Mmmm. A bit I think. Having an event to focus on helped. Honestly, I feel more than a bit ridiculous about being so dramatic about the whole thing. We weren't together that long, & I was the one who called it off... But I suppose that's how you are with firsts: melodramatic.
Ripper (to Vincent): Yes, but I can't really picture you doing anything halfhearted. Be it being in a relationship or ending it. :-)
Vincent (to Ripper): Hee hee. Well, I can't argue with you about that. If I'm in for a pinch, I'm in for a pound. I think it was around the first Halloween I spent with her, Mouse remarked to me to "go big or go home." She has never regretted another utterance quite as much as that one.
Ripper (to Vincent): HAHA... I can't even picture her saying something like that. She's always been pretty quiet around me.
Vincent (to Ripper): That's probably because she's rather shy, actually. And she spent so many years hiding from all of humanity, I think she forgot how to interact with other people for a while.
Ripper (to Vincent): Wait... why was she hiding?
Vincent (to Ripper): She's had a lot of people close to her pass away. Her parents, her grandmother, friends... She spent a little too much time being alone, I think.
Ripper (to Vincent): Well, that's certainly understandable & explains a bit.
Vincent (to Ripper): Explains what?
Ripper (to Vincent): Oh, nothing really important... Years ago, I asked her out, I could tell she liked me but she gave me a bit of lame excuse as a refusal.
Vincent (to Ripper): Ah. That sounds like Mouse. I spent months trying to convince her to meet Eep.
Ripper (to Vincent): Speaking of Eep... weird question... Did I do something to piss off Eep?
Vincent (to Ripper): Not anything of which I'm aware. Why? Is he scowling at you more than usual? Pissy is his default emotion some days.
Ripper (to Vincent): Yeah, a bit. He & I seemed to be hitting it off pretty well. Then yesterday when I asked him about the Ed Wood marathon and last night at work, he didn't really seem interested in talking to me. I was just wondering if he had said anything. Maybe, I'm just being paranoid. He does seem to be one of those people whose normal setting is surly.
Vincent (to Ripper): Hmmm. Honestly, I don't know. Getting Gloomy to talk about how he feels is like trying to force rice through a fine mesh sieve. You could just ask him directly. If you catch him off guard or embarrass him, he'll usually talk. Or we could get him drunk.
Ripper (to Vincent): Yeah, you're right, I'll just ask him. I was actually worried that he had taken my movie invitation the wrong way.
Vincent (to Ripper): Ha ha ha! EEP? I highly doubt it. You could have been propositioning him in earnest, and he wouldn't have picked up on it.
Ripper (to Vincent): Well, I'll just talk to him. (to Eep) Hey Eep, did I do something to piss you off? Did you think my movie invitation was a date? If so, I'd like to apologize. I assure you, that was not my intention.
Vincent (to Ripper): Good luck! Remember, shock and awe tactics.
Eep (to Ripper): Wait. What? Why would I... uh, what? Sorry. You just... Really confused the shit out of me. Uhhhhhh... no. I didn't think you were asking me out. Why? Did Vincent say something weird about it being a 3 way or something? Ignore the little shithead. He loves fucking with me.
Ripper (to Eep): Wait... What!?! No, Vincent didn't say anything like that to me. I just tried to talk to you at work & you seemed pissed at me.
Eep (to Ripper): Oh. Oh! Uh, no. You didn't do anything. To me, I mean. It's, uh... Yeah. It's nothing. Just ignore me.
Ripper (to Eep): Did I do something to someone else? Shit. Is Leon pissed at me? I mean, I just went to dinner with Delia, nothing happened. Shit.
Eep (to Ripper): No, no! No, it's nothing like that. It's just, ehhhhhh... Fuck this is embarrassing. Um, Mouse told me that you guys, uh... you had a thing. Kinda. I mean, that you hooked up. And It, um, I mean, I ... Ehhh. Look, I'm trying not to be that guy, but... you know. Sorry. I didn't mean to freak you out. I'm juat not really all that good at... I dunno. Stuff.
Ripper (to Eep): Oh... yeah... a long time ago. Wait. I promise you, I am not interested in getting in between you two, at all.
Eep (to Ripper): No, yeah. I mean, I didn't think you were. It's just, uh... Shit! Look. I know I'm being a dick here. I'll get over myself eventually.
Ripper (to Eep): Oh man, I completely understand. I can't say that I wouldn't act like a dick, if roles were reversed. When I found out Marco was cheating on me & I wanted to punch him & the other guy, so yeah I understand.
Eep (to Ripper): Oh. Uh, I think that's the first time I've ever rambled on like that and had someone say "I understand."
Ripper (to Eep): But, yeah, it was years ago, the one time & she totally shot me down when I asked her to go out with me. It was quite a kick to the ego, I might add. Do you wanna punch me? I'll give you a free shot.
Eep (to Ripper): God, not even a little bit. I'm trying NOT to embody every stereotype about Latinos being jealous shitheads, thanks. :p
Ripper (to Eep): I certainly didn't want to imply that, I just thought to make the suggestion as a peace offering. But, I have to admit that I'm glad you said no. I have a feeling you're stronger than you look & you'd aim for the face. :-P
Eep (to Ripper): Heh. Probably. I was a short, skinny little shit with glasses growing up. I had to fight dirty. Jesus. I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to be all weird about this. You know? I mean, I'm not an idiot. Mouse is kinda fucking amazing, so, yeah. There were gonna be other guys. Duh. But... Well, whatever.
Ripper (to Eep): Like I said, I totally get it. Do you wanna call me an asshole or something? Would it make you feel better?
Eep (to Ripper): Heh. Only if you actually act like an asshole. Don't worry about it. Ignore me. I'll get my head out of my ass sooner or later.
Ripper (to Eep): So, you still up for the movie marathon tonight?
Eep (to Ripper): Yeah, if it's not gonna be too weird. Besides, Vincent would be pissed at me if I backed out.
Ripper (to Eep): Well, the movies are going to be weird, but as long as you keep your hands to yourself, I think we should be fine. :-P And yes, I do believe you're right about Vincent. He seemed pretty adamant about getting you to come with us.
Eep (to Ripper): Uh, yeah. I'm pretty sure I can be trusted not to feel anyone up. He seemed nervous about going with you alone. I never thought I'd EVER say this, but I think I miss the old perv Vincent.
Ripper (to Eep): Yeah, he's been a bit odd acting ever since the breakup. I teased him about needing a chaperone & he just said It's him, not me.
Eep (to Ripper): Yeah. I dunno what to think. Quiet Vincent freaks me out.
Ripper (to Eep): Well, I've got some errands to run. Do you wanna just meet at the theater or one of us pick you up?
Eep (to Ripper): Nah. I can walk to the theater. It's not far. And I have a tshirt with me so I won't have to wear the Yog Hut shirt all night.
Ripper (to Eep): Sounds good! I'll see you then.
Eep (to Ripper): See you then.
Several hours later:
Eep (to Mouse): Hey Killer. How's your day going?
Mouse (to Eep): Just fine, but vastly made better now that I've heard from you. :-) How goes the yog? Have they made you King?
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. Yes. I'm the King of the Yog. All hail.
Mouse (to Eep): I hope a better hat comes with the title. :-)
Eep (to Mouse): Ha ha! I can only hope. Though, I don't know that I'm holding my breath for that.
Mouse (to Eep): Thank you again for playing along with the Prom, last night. I know you have views & opinions on that type of thing. But, I did enjoy slow dancing with you. :-)
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Uh. Heh. Yeah. I've got stupid opinions on lots of shit. But, um, yeah, I liked so dancing with you too. It was fun.
Mouse (to Eep): So, looking forward to the movie marathon tonight?
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. Yeah. Kinda. Though apparently I freaked the shit out of Ripper with how I was acting last night.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh?
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah. He texted me this afternoon, and apologized for making me think he was hitting on me.
Mouse (to Eep): heehee, that's hilarious... wait. did you actually think he was hitting on you?
Eep (to Mouse): What? No! Of course not. He thought I was pissed at him for some reason, and I guess that's the first thing he thought of.
Mouse (to Eep): I didn't think you did... why on earth did he?
Eep (to Mouse): Fucked if I know.
Mouse (to Eep): So, did you guys get it sorted out?
Eep (to Mouse): Uh, yeah. I think so. He offered to let me punch him or call him an asshole, so I think it's all good.
Mouse (to Eep): Wait... is this some kind of weird guy thing that I should stop trying to figure out?
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. Uh, yeah. Probably.
Mouse (to Eep): I seriously need some female friends... men are just weird. :-P
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. Yeah. Yeah. Looks like Vincent and Ripper are here. See you later, Killer. Love you!
Mouse (to Eep): Love you, too. Have fun!
A couple hours later:
Mouse: Wow, I never realized until now how much I've come to depend on Eep & Vincent for company... I'm so incredibly bored.
Delia (to Mouse): You know, you can bundle up Otto and come hang out with me. lol
Mouse (to Delia): That is very true!
Delia (to Mouse): Why should the boys have all the fun? Besides, you haven't seen the new place.
Mouse (to Delia): Alrighty, I'm bundling up Otto, bringing some wine & heading over.
Five hours later:
Wanda: It's SNOWING!!! Woo hoo! Oh gods, I hope I get a snow day tomorrow. Hot chocolate and booze ALL DAY LONG.
Eep: Holy motherfucking mother of Christ. I just got out of theater, and it's SNOWING. What? (to Ripper) Thanks for the ride home. I was gonna freeze my ass off if I walked home in all that bullshit.
Ripper (to Eep): No problem! The walk to your place would have sucked.
Eep (to Mouse): Hey, pretty lady! Where are you hiding tonight?
Vincent (to Eep): Thank you again for going to the movies with Ripper & me. I really appreciate it.
Eep (to Vincent): Oh. Uh, you're welcome. It was actually a lot of fun. I've never seen most of those movies on the big screen. Hey. Can I ask you a weird question?
Vincent (to Eep): Oh. Of course. What do you want to know?
Eep (to Vincent): Are you OK? I mean, you've been so... I dunno, WEIRD lately. Is everything alright, I mean?
Vincent (to Eep): I'm fine. Just still a little unsteady, I suppose, after this whole thing with Poppy. Aren't you the sweet thing for worrying?
Eep (to Vincent): OK. I just... Well, you've been... I dunno. Out of character, lately. Why the fuck DID you want me to go to the Galaxie with you and Ripper so bad? I mean, I thought you'd be chomping at the bit to go out alone with Ripper & you didn't make any pervy comments all night.
Vincent (to Eep): Hee hee. You're adorable when you're concerned. Don't worry about it. I was just nervous. I'm fine. Thank you for asking. Good night, Gloomy Gus. I'll see you tomorrow.
