Mouse: First day at new job... I am so incredibly nervous that I woke up early. Heading there now. Wish me luck!
Eep (to Mouse): Bah! You're nervous over nothing. You'll be awesome.
Mouse (to Eep): Yeah, well... you're required to say those things. But, I appreciate it. :-)
Eep (to Mouse): True. It is in my boyfriend contract. Doesn't mean it isn't true, though. You're gonna amaze them.
Mouse (to Eep): Alrighty, I should be done around 4pm, at the latest. I'll see you then.
Eep (to Mouse): Take no prisoners! (to Ripper) Oh. Hey, Ripper. It's not gonna bother you if I smoke out here, is it?
Ripper (to Eep): Uh no... How are you? I uh, didn't expect you to be up & about this early.
Eep (to Ripper): Awake. Mostly. Mouse started her new job today. She was up early, and this is the time I usually start getting ready for work. Uh.... Not that I'm doing that now. Obviously.
Ripper (to Eep): Oh yeah, that makes sense.
Eep (to Ripper): She's working the lunch rush as the assistant chef over at The Bread Tree.
Ripper (to Eep): So, uh, Mouse started a new job? What's she doing?
Eep (to Ripper): Uh, you don't have to sit here and make small talk with me if it's making you feel weird, you know.
Ripper (to Eep): Heh. Is it that obvious?
Eep (to Ripper): Uh yeah, kinda. Hey, look. You don't gotta feel weird. It's not like I haven't replayed this scene before living with the ginger Don Juan.
Ripper (to Eep): Oh, so this happens a lot?
Eep (to Ripper): Oh... Oh shit! I didn't mean it like that! It's not like every morning or anything. And, I'm the WRONG guy to ask about how much is "a lot," you know? I was single for a long, LONG time before Mouse and I, so… You go on more than one date a year, and I'm fucking impressed. I'm so not making this any better am I?
Ripper (to Eep): No, no, I didn't mean to sound all wishy-washy. I haven't hooked up with anyone in quite awhile & I actually like Robert. That's all... playing the chase game with Vincent is fun & all, but he's a bit too much of a tease & way too young for me.
Eep (to Ripper): Oh, OK. Good. Thank fucking God. I'm not fully awake yet. The filter isn't on. Yeah. Robert's a good guy. And Vincent? He's... just so fucking Vincent. There's a person somewhere under all that bullshit, believe it or not.
Ripper (to Eep): Wow, you are way more aware of other people, then I originally gave you credit for. I always thought you were the staunch loner. But, you're just quiet & probably way too observant. :-)
Eep (to Ripper): Oh. Uh, I guess. Anyway, the"loner" thing has more to do with people's aversion to my personality anyhow. Shockingly, I wasn't Prom King.
Ripper (to Eep): Heh. Well, no worries, I wasn't either... Though, I did want to date the Prom King.
Eep (to Ripper): I... I don't even think I know who WAS Prom King. I really wasn't paying much attention to that kinda shit in high school.
Ripper (to Eep): Well, count yourself lucky. Speaking of high school, Robert mentioned that you guys were in school together and, now you're roommates? That had to be a little weird running into him.
Eep (to Ripper): Heh. Yeah it was. Especially we went to high school in Florida. I had just moved back, and needed a cheap place to stay. I answered an ad he'd put in the freebie paper. Honestly, at first, I couldn't remember where I knew him from. He remembered me, though. Guess he always felt kinda guilty about school.
Ripper (to Eep): Why would he feel guilty?
Eep (to Ripper): Oh. Uh, Robert was on the football team, and some of his teammates used to give me a hard time. One of the guys REALLY had it in for me. Holy Jesus was that guy a dickhead! He beat the royal shit out of me one time. I was sore for like two weeks. Anyway, Robert wasn't one of them. But he felt guilty by association, I guess.
Ripper (to Eep): Oh, that makes sense.
Eep (to Ripper): Heh. Yeah. Like I said. He's a good guy. I mean, I didn't realize it at the time, but he probably saved my life when he told... Oh. Never mind. Anyway... So, are you guys dating or what?
Ripper (to Eep): Wow... Way to me on the spot. Uh, I have no idea...
Eep (to Ripper): Oh God... I'm sorry. I'm an asshole. I just got uncomfortable and changed the subject. You don't have to answer that.
Ripper (to Eep): I wouldn't mind dating him. He's not like the other guys I've dated, which have been pretty much meatheads, now that I think about it. It's been nice to actually hold an intelligent conversation with someone, but I'm not sure that's what he's looking for. And, we're both adults, so if it happens, I'd be fine with it & if it doesn't, I'm cool with that, too.
Eep (to Ripper): Oh. And you answered the question anyway. Um... Right. Well, that's, uh, good? Right?
Ripper (to Eep): I hope I didn't weird you out...
Eep (to Ripper): No. No. I'm just, uh, like WAY out of my depth with this. People generally don't discuss relationships with me.
Ripper (to Eep): Oh sorry... You should probably get used to it, since you're in one. People will assume you know something special if you stay in one for longer than a few months or if you seem genuinely happy.
Eep (to Ripper): What? Seriously? Oh good. That'll be fun and not awkward at all. I'll write a book. Step 1: Be an utter fuck up. Step 2: Repeat for 10 years. Step 3: Get really fucking lucky. The end.
Ripper (to Eep): Hmm, maybe not a book... a pamphlet? Then, you can just hand it to people when they come to you for advice. Well, Eep, I hate to make you feel awkward & leave... but I really need to get home & get ready for work.
Eep (to Ripper): Heh. Nah. It's fine. I ought to start hitting town and job hunting anyway.
Ripper (to Eep): Talk to you, later... Oh, speaking of jobs... I was going to tell you, the Malcontent is hiring, if you're interested.
Eep (to Ripper): Oh. Thanks! I'll check that out. See you later.
Ripper (to Eep): Good luck with the job hunt!
Poppy (to Eep): Hey honey, is the little Missus, around? Was that Ripper? Oh, his eye looks terrible.
Eep (to Poppy): Mouse is at work 'til 4 or so. And yeah, that was Ripper. Next time don't hit him so fucking hard if you're so worried about his eye. That wasn't even close to a fair fight.
Poppy (to Eep): Honey, he's twice my size, I thought it was fair... How was I to know that he only knew how to box?
Eep (to Poppy): Yeah. Yeah. Peddle your sweet, innocent schlock somewhere else, Poppy. Do you need something?
Poppy (to Eep): Fine, honey... I'm out wandering the streets job hunting & I was hoping that Mouse could be a personal reference on my resumé. All of my job history is from the other side... and, I'm not having much luck. I have plenty of money back home, but it doesn't really convert over here without raising some eyebrows.
Eep (to Poppy): Oh. Yeah. That fucking sucks. You'll have to ask her, but she'll probably be willing to do it. She worked a party with the, uh, other you on New Year's and had nothing but good things to say. Uh, just so you know, the Malcontent downtown is hiring. Ripper just told me about it. It might not be your kinda gig... But any port in a storm, right?
Poppy (to Eep): The Malcontent? Is that the weird little bookstore next to the record store Mouse likes? I may check it out, unless you want it… I don't want to get in your way for finding a job. Though, I was hoping for something a little more glamorous, but like you said, any port...
Eep (to Poppy): Don't sweat it. I'll still apply, and they'll hire who they want. I've still got the gig at Drac's, at least. It'd be a real dick move not to tell you about someplace that's hiring when you haven't got anything.
Poppy (to Eep): Thank you, honey... That's really quite nice of you. If I hear of anything on my wanderings that I think would work for you, I'll let you know... So, honey, were you & Ripper boxing or was there something more interesting going on?
Eep (to Poppy): Boxing? Me? Really? That has got to be the stupidest question you have ever asked me. And that's saying something.
Poppy (to Eep): Well, honey, why else would he be here? ... Oh, are you two having a torrid love affair? Because, well, that would be hot.
Eep (to Poppy): No. We are not having a torrid affair. Sorry to disappoint you.
Poppy (to Eep): Well, that's good. I'm just teasing you, anyway. Alright, back to the job hunt.
Eep (to Poppy): Yeah. I should probably put a real shirt on and get to it myself.
Several hours later:
Vincent (to Mouse): How was your first day, chef Potter?
Mouse (to Vincent): Good, I think... I have so much to memorize & relearn. I am exhausted, but I really like everything so far... I think. Sorry, my brain feels like mush. I'll get the groove eventually, it's been awhile since I worked in a kitchen.
Vincent (to Mouse): Don't stress yourself too much, sweetie. You'll pick it back up before you know it.
Mouse (to Vincent): I know... I think I'm going to sit down with a glass of wine in the studio for a bit. I had an idea for something.
Vincent (to Mouse): You deserve it. Can I ask you something before you disappear into the recesses of your Bat Cave?
Mouse (to Vincent): heehee, sure. What is it?
Vincent (to Mouse): I hate to ask when you're feelings brain dead, but did Ripper mention a reporter to you last night?
Mouse (to Vincent): Yeah, I think so... Something about a folder in a trunk... He didn't tell me what it was about... What is it about?
Vincent (to Mouse): Good heavens. Where to start? A few months ago, around the time that letter from a lawyer about my aunt arrived... I got curious, and did a little internet sleuthing on my family. About a year or so after I left, my parents moved further south where my dad helped found a chapter of some bloated, ultra-conservative church. Since then, apparently, he's written a book, or two, and started founding these reprehensible "pray-out-the-gay" retreats.
Mouse (to Vincent): Fat Christ! What a tool!
Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. That's exactly how I felt about it, sweetie. I'll bet you can guess which son was left off of the Official Church Bio for "Pastor Nate." I'm the dirty little secret, I suppose. Especially since the core of these retreats seems to be "hate the sin not the sinner."
Mouse (to Vincent): Wait... Pastor Nate is your dad? Ooooh, I so want to go give him a piece of my mind. So, what does this have to do with the reporter?
Vincent (to Mouse): Well, it would be bad for book sales if it got out loving, "Good Christian" Pastor Nate beat the crap out of his 15 y/o son and never bothered to look for him after he ran away from home. Hence the call to the reporter. I'm going to speak to him on the condition of anonymity, and it will probably be a nothing story. But if it becomes news, I won't be hard to track down. That's why I wanted to talk to you. First, I mean. If I get dragged in the spotlight, you might end up getting involved too. I won't do it if that makes you uncomfortable.
Mouse (to Vincent): First off, I don't care about being dragged into anything but, I kinda wonder, if you're doing this for the right reasons? I'm thrilled that you finally want to deal with your past, but this seems more like vengeance than closure... Wouldn't it be better to, I don't know, write a letter? Call them? Go see them? And then, if that doesn't work, involve the media... I mean, what do you hope to gain from this? An apology or do you just want to hurt them because they hurt you?
Vincent (to Mouse): Well, part of is I can't STAND the hypocrisy... But, Honestly, hun? I don't know. You might be right. I guess I just assumed when I found out they didn't even file a police report about me when I ran away... Well, that was the end of Paul Jones as far as my folks were concerned.
Mouse (to Vincent): I mean, I'll stand by your side whatever you decide to do, I just want to make sure you're doing it for the right reasons.
Vincent (to Mouse): I'll think about it, sweetie. Thank you. Anyway, I shouldn't be taxing your brain like this after your first day of work. Go to your Bat Cave! I'll talk to you later.
Mouse (to Vincent): It's okay, that's what I'm here for... and, little brother, just in case I haven't said it lately. I'm very proud of you.
Vincent (to Mouse): Oh. Thanks, sweetie. That's really good to hear. You can take complete credit for me if I end up turning out OK in the end. Of course, that also means you'll have to take share in the blame if I don't. :-P
Mouse (to Vincent): I know you'll turn out okay in the end. I think you're pretty wonderful, now & you did it on your own... I just gave you a safe place to be.
Vincent (to Mouse): Hun, you did a lot more for me than just give me a safe place to be. You can't believe that. I didn't really spring forth from the head of Zeus fully formed like some goth boi Athena.
Mouse (to Vincent): Fine. I'm not going to argue with you... I'm awesome, it's true. :-P
Vincent (to Mouse): Indeed. And you'd best fucking recognize.
Mouse (to Vincent): Geez, between you & Eep, I'm going to become a raging megalomaniac with the ego-stroking I get from you both. I try to be modest and humble, and see what that gets me... :-P
Vincent (to Mouse): Oh no! People like you! However will you cope? How will you keep you mysterious DJ allure?
Mouse (to Vincent): Speaking of mysterious allure, I need to go track down Mister Giggles & see where he's hiding.
Vincent (to Mouse): OK, hun. Thank you again. I love you, big sister.
Mouse (to Vincent): Love you too, little brother. (to Eep) Hey handsome, are you hungry? I was going to make meatloaf for dinner.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Yeah. Shit! What time is it? I meant to be back before now. You shouldn't have to cook. You've been doing it all day, right?
Mouse (to Eep): It's alright, meatloaf is easy. What have you been up to all day?
Eep (to Mouse): I hung around most of the morning, and then went job hunting. Ripper mentioned the Malcontent was hiring, so I tried there and a few other places.
Mouse (to Eep): Any luck?
Eep (to Mouse): We'll see. The interview at the bookstore was ...odd. Really odd. The guy asked me if I was an anarchist. I told him no. When he asked why, I got kinda flustered and blurted out that I thought people were too stupid to self-govern. Not the answer he wanted, I'm sure.
Mouse (to Eep): HAHA... sorry, I shouldn't laugh.
Eep (to Mouse): It's alright. That's what the guy interviewing me did too.
Mouse (to Eep): Well, that's a good sign... I think.
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah. Like I said, we'll see.
Mouse (to Eep): So, did you run into Ripper while you were out & about?
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Uh, I saw him this morning. He and Robert went out on a date last night.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh. heh. I thought I saw his car parked out front when I left for work. I guess the date went well. :-)
Eep (to Mouse): Ha ha! Yeah. According to Ripper it did.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh god, now I'm curious to know what Robert thought... When did I become such a Nosey Parker? Oh yeah, when Vincent moved in. :-P
Eep (to Mouse): Suuuuure that's when it started. If you're so curious, ask him. He's used to living with Wanda. I don't think it'll even phase him. Besides, it's not like you don't know both him and Ripper.
Mouse (to Eep): heh... yeah, I'll just march up to him for no reason & just ask him about his date. I think that might be a little weird. I can probably handle not knowing… Though, I do have to get a movie back from Wanda that I loaned her yesterday... Maybe, I will ask him.
Eep (to Mouse): Once, when Robert was dating this big dude, I mean REALLY BIG dude, Wanda asked him if he was as hung as he looked. At the breakfast table. With the guy sitting RIGHT THERE. I doubt you'll embarrass him if you ask what he thinks of Ripper.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh, well I certainly wasn't going to ask Robert that. Alright, alright... I'll go ask... do you want me to tell you what he says?
Eep (to Mouse): Uh... You know what? No. There's not way in hell I'm getting involved. Gossip with Wanda if you must. I'm sure she's curious.
Mouse (to Eep): Heehee, alright, I'll keep it to myself, then. I'll just try the straightforward approach first...
Vincent (to Poppy): Hey, hun. Welcome back. How did the job search go?
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, honey, apparently I have the right demeanor to be a phone sex operator or a dominatrix, neither of which is appealing. So, I will continue the search. I left applications all over town, so something is bound to turn up.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh dear. I'm sorry. There's spaghetti and meatballs in the kitchen if you're hungry. It's not fine dining, I'm afraid, but it's edible and already prepped.
Poppy (to Vincent): That's sounds lovely, honey. Thank you.
An hour or so later:
Mouse (to Robert): Hey Robert, do you have a minute?
Robert (to Mouse): Sure. What can I do for my future daughter-in-law? Are you trying to weasel information out of me about my date last night?
Mouse (to Robert): Weasel is such an ugly word... but yes, I was curious.
Robert (to Mouse): Ha ha! You sounded just like Vincent when you said that. The date went well, as I'm sure you've surmised. Ripper is a nice guy, even if does have a ridiculous nickname.
Mouse (to Robert): Heh, I think you could call him Jacob & he wouldn't mind. He got nicknamed that by his brother & it just sort of stuck. And yeah, I figured it went well when I saw his car out front this morning.
Robert (to Mouse): I may have to. Calling him Ripper just makes me think of those fantasy roll playing kids Vincent used to hang around. Talk about a mood killer.
Mouse (to Robert): Oh god, have you actually met those idiots? I am so sorry. Though, I feel I should probably defend ridiculous nicknames... but, I have no excuse other than hatred for my real name.
Robert (to Mouse): Heh. I met them once. Briefly. I thought they were kind of cute, in a goofball kind of way. Wanda thought they were adorable. And, I believe Eep threatened to throttle the lot of them if they ever came back.
Mouse (to Robert): Yeah, his last encounter with them ended just about the same way.
Robert (to Mouse): Of course. Why am I not surprised in the slightest? So, did I satiate your curiosity, or are you waiting for a "but"?
Mouse (to Robert): I don't know, is there a "but"? Do you think you'll go out with Jacob again?
Robert (to Mouse): I'd love to go out with him again. We had a nice time, great conversation, and we had good chemistry. If there is a "but," it's that he might be a little too high-maintenance and monogamous-minded for me. But it's not like you know that for sure after only 1 date.
Mouse (to Robert): HAHA, you think he's monogamous-minded? Sorry, we are talking about the same guy, right? If he is, that's a recent thing... He was a bit of a player when I first met him... which was why I... oh, never mind... The high-maintenance part I will grant you to some degree...
Robert (to Mouse): Heh, well, I'm judging "monogamous-minded" by MY standards. I'm sure I have a different definition than most. And I don't mean high-maintenance as in needy or as a dig. I'm a stay-home-in-my-underwear-drinking-beer-on-Saturday-night guy. I'm not the go-to-the-gym-and-get-dressed-up-to-go-out guy. Clearly. So, am I right in guessing that you and Jacob had a thing back during his "player" days?
Mouse (to Robert): Oh... uh, it wasn't even a thing, really. I think I kinda played the player. It was a one-time thing & he asked me out on a date & I said no. I don't think he had ever experienced that before... and this was a long time ago.
Robert (to Mouse): Ha ha! Most likely he hadn't. Well, you are full of surprises this week.
Mouse (to Robert): Am I?
Robert (to Mouse): I learned that you and Poppy were the ones responsible for that impressive shiner Jacob was sporting. Poppy, I can see. But I didn't take you for a brawler. Interesting...
Mouse (to Robert): Oh... uh, yeah. I've been taking a self-defense class. Ripper offered to be my sparring partner. And, he made some slightly sexist comment, like, calling me a little lady or something & I belted him. He's been nice enough not to hold a grudge & he keeps sparring with me...
Robert (to Mouse): Ha ha ha! Well, he left that part out of the story. No doubt because he knew he deserved the shiner.
Mouse (to Robert): Well, I think my curiosity has been sated. Thank you for humoring me!
Robert (to Mouse): Not at all. It's nice talking to someone who either doesn't want TOO much information, or doesn't want to talk at all. If you don't mind, can I ask you a question? You don't have to answer, but I'm curious about it.
Mouse (to Robert): Oh, sure. What is it?
Robert (to Mouse): When are you and Eep going to announce that you've "officially" moved in together? Or can you not do that without freaking him out?
Mouse (to Robert): Whenever he decides to make it official. I asked him to make the move in with me permanent, but he freaked just a little bit. I was actually, going to ask you if he had talked to you & Wanda about it. But, I'm guessing that he hasn't.
Robert (to Mouse): Heh. I'm afraid not. Well, don't give up on him. He WANTS to, he just hasn't wrapped his head around that fact yet.
Mouse (to Robert): I think he wants a safety net, in case, "I come to my senses & realize he's terrible" or something equally ridiculous and he probably doesn't want to leave you guys in the lurch with rent.
Robert (to Mouse): That sounds like Eep. Do you want me to talk to him?
Mouse (to Robert): I leave that up to you. I'm sure he'll figure it on his own, eventually... but it may have driven us all crazy by then.
Robert (to Mouse): Heh. No doubt. I'll talk to him. I can't promise he'll listen to me, but I'll talk to him.
Mouse (to Robert): Thanks, I'll get out of your hair now. :-)
Robert (to Mouse): Don't be a stranger.
Poppy: Hey nerds! Guess who's got 2 thumbs, speaks limited French, watched an insane amount of sci-fi and hasn't cried once today? This moi!
Mouse (to Poppy): What on earth have you been drinking?
Poppy (to Mouse): Oh honey...
Mouse (to Poppy): Yes?
Poppy (to Mouse): What? That was it, I just thought you deserved an "Oh honey".
Mouse (to Poppy): Ooh, this will teach to poke at a crazy, drunk person... Have a nice night, Poppy.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh dear. Hun, you did realize this bourbon is 101 proof, right?
Poppy (to Vincent): It's 101% of awesome, honey, is what it is...
Vincent (to Poppy): I think you're a little sloshed, mon petit chou.
Poppy (to Vincent): I am not... I am mildly lubricated... Oh, that sounds naughty, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Non. Non, vous êtes ivre. Oh! Je parle français maintenant. Hee hee. I think I'm drunk too.
Poppy (to Vincent): I like it when you speak french to me... What other french things can you do, honey? ;-)
Vincent (to Poppy): Ha ha ha! You are in rare form tonight, mon cher. Hee hee. I can make crepes. Aaaaaand, I like poncing about in frilly shirts. Is that French? It sounds like it should be French. Oh! I should make crepes tomorrow. No. Wait. I have to talk to the reporter tomorrow. I should make crepes Wednesday.
Poppy (to Vincent): Close enough, I suppose... Did you know that job hunting sucks, honey? And, I should really stop drinking around you...
Vincent (to Poppy): I did, hun. I probably would have retired from this whole "pirate" nonsense by now if it wasn't such good damn money. Sorry. I've had a hell of a couple of days. Hence the bourbon. Hee hee. I'll tell you to bugger off next time I get sloppy.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh honey, it's not you, I'm worried about. I just get a little touchy feelie & you don't seem to like that cuz of RoboPoppy. Wow, I really have been watching too much sci-fi... stupid robot.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. RoboPoppy... Oh, hun... It's not that I don't like it. I like it a bit too much.
Poppy (to Vincent): And, doing things you like is a bad thing, honey? I'm just going to sit way over here, then.
Vincent (to Poppy): I, uh.... I don't have a good answer for that. Hun, as tempting as that is... As you are... I'm a bit of a mess, right now.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, is this like one of those things in the movies or on TV, when they say, "It's not you, it's me"?
Vincent (to Poppy): Well, in the past few months, the only people I've gotten involved with have either been creeps, or if they did care about me, I blew them off, or broke up with them, as in the case with your counterpart. So, yeah. I think it's me.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh honey, I'm not talking about forever, I was just talking for now. But, I like you & you intrigue me. Doesn't happen very often... actually ever. I mean, I was a bit enamored of Nikola, but he was way too busy with his experiments. Other than that, nope. But, I'll stop flirting with you... Hell, you know where I am.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh. I still don't have a good answer for that, hun.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, you're going to break your brain with all that thinking, if you're not careful.
Vincent (to Poppy): Tell me about it.
Poppy (to Vincent): You know, when this is over, we should really have angry sex... Just kidding, honey... But, I did love the look on your face.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh you...I'd love to be mad at you, but I'm pretty sure that was hilarious. I must have looked like a goldfish on land.
Poppy (to Vincent): You know, honey, if it would be easier for you if I went & stayed somewhere else. Just say so. I won't be offended... Well, I'd be a little offended, but I'd understand. I mean, I'm a reminder of the other me. And, it just dawned on me, that as fresh & exciting as this is for me, you've got a bunch of baggage associated with me.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh, sweetie... It's fine. I can cope. I'd never forgive myself if I tossed you out on your butt... Just because it got awkward for me. You ARE different from your counterpart, hun. I can handle it. It's only when you flirt with me that I get mightily flustered. It doesn't help matters that you're gorgeous, you know.
Poppy (to Vincent): Thank you, honey, for saying that... I'm just going to sit quietly over here, as everything I can think of to say sounds flirtatious or suggestive. Damn.
Vincent (to Poppy): You really don't want me to ever speak again, do you? Heh. Please pour me another one, hun. And you can take the bedroom. I'm too preoccupied to sleep right. I'll lay my head here tonight.
Poppy (to Vincent): Can I ask you a slightly personal & potentially embarrassing question, honey?
Vincent (to Poppy): Sure, hun. Three shots of over-proof bourbon, and you can ask me anything you like.
Poppy (to Vincent): It's been on my mind, well, ever since we, you know... Damn. I've become seriously tongue-tied, now.
Vincent (to Poppy): Since we had sex?
Poppy (to Vincent): Yes, since then... Well, was I any good? I mean, in comparison to the other me? She got to do it a bunch & well, I've only ever done it the once...
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh. OH! Wow. Um... Well, your counterpart and I, we had a lot of, um, well, time to kind of explore each other and what we liked... But... Well, with you, things were a bit less, and I realize the humor in this word choice, mechanical. You understand, of course, that before RoboPoppy, I wasn't exactly a man of the world either.
Poppy (to Vincent): I'm sorry, honey, I didn't mean to put you on the spot. I was just feeling a wee bit insecure.
Vincent (to Poppy): It's fine, hun. I just... Well, I shouldn't be revisiting that particular memory with this much alcohol in my system.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, are you alright, honey? Can I get you anything?
Vincent (to Poppy): No. No. I'm fine. Just... Oh good heavens. Poppy, please just sit a little further away.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh honey, I'm really sorry for bringing up such a sensitive subject. I should probably just go to bed... Can you hand me my pajamas? They're right under your arm on the chaise.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh. Of course, sweetie. Here you go.
Poppy (to Vincent): Are you going to be okay? Are you sure you don't need anything? Some water, maybe?
Vincent (to Poppy): No, no. I'm perfectly... Oh good God. Maybe I'm not OK.
Poppy (to Vincent): What's wrong, honey?
Vincent (to Poppy): I'm... Just... I'm just, well... Let's say that you are far more intriguing than your clockwork counterpart.... And I'm too drunk to be trusted to behave like a gentleman. So... a glass of water would be wonderful. And then I should say good night.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh well, gentlemen are boring. Give me a good scoundrel or rogue, any day. I'll just go and grab that water for you, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Thanks.
Poppy (to Vincent): Here's your water... Good night, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Right. Good night. Uh, I'll take the chaise lounge tonight, hun. Honestly. I'll see you in the morning.
Poppy (to Vincent): You know, we could just share the bed... I can sleep on top of the sheet or with another blanket.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh. Um... I mean, we COULD. The bed is big enough, after all. I mean, if that won't be awkward for you.
Poppy (to Vincent): No, it would make me feel better. I feel terrible about kicking you out of your own room. This way, we both get the bed.
Vincent (to Poppy): Right. So, I'll get some extra blankets, and if I... well, I have kind of a reputation for curling up next to anyone who sleeps too close. Just elbow me in the ribs.
Poppy (to Vincent): No worries, honey, I usually find a comfy position & then I sleep like the dead, I hardly move.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh. Right. OK. So, I'll see you in a few then.
