Robert (to Poppy): Good morning, Mother and son. What can I do for you two so bright and early?
Poppy (to Robert): Hi there, honey! We were out for a walk when I realized that there was something that I wanted to talk to Wanda about... Is she around? Or should I come back later?
Robert (to Poppy): I'm afraid not. She's off doing Wanda things someplace or another. Do you want me to give her a message?
Poppy (to Robert): If you could tell her to get in touch with me that would be wonderful, honey. I have a question for her & I'd prefer to ask in person.
Robert (to Poppy): This I shall do. Do you want anything to drink while you're here?
Poppy (to Robert): Oh, a glass of water would be lovely.
Robert (to Poppy): Jacob told me about your upcoming nuptials, incidentally. It sounds as though congratulations are in order for you & mister.
Poppy (to Robert): Yes, we're very excited about the wedding. We're holding off announcing it until after Mouse & Eep's party. We don't want to steal their thunder.
Robert (to Poppy): Well, that's very considerate of you. This seems to be the year for weddings, doesn't it?
Poppy (to Robert): I think every year is the year for weddings, honey. Or do you mean on a more personal level? Is someone else getting hitched?
Robert (to Poppy): Heh. Well, I'm legally banned from marrying anyone and I hope to god Wanda isn't planning a marriage anytime soon.
Poppy (to Robert): I will say that is one way that my home is a bit more progressive, they don't care who marries who as long as they pay taxes. Are any of your siblings married, honey?
Robert (to Poppy): Two of my sisters are married. One lives in Florida and one in Texas of all places. I have two nieces and a nephew. The rest are single. Of course, they're all younger than I am.
Poppy (to Robert): Big family, huh? I understand, I'm the youngest of a gaggle of brothers. Two of my brothers have been married before but aren't currently, that I'm aware of. Bernard is the only one right now. My other brothers seem to prefer bachelorhood either because of their jobs or simply no time or interest.
Robert (to Poppy): Heh. I thought I recognized a fellow sufferer. I'm the oldest of 6. I've got 4 sisters and a brother.
Poppy (to Robert): Anyway, I should be going. It's almost time for Victor's nap. Thank you for the water! I'll see you later.
Several hours later:
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, could you please get the door? My hands are a bit full with nursing baby.
Vincent (to Poppy): Of course, hun. I've got it.
Poppy (to Vincent): Thank you, lover.
Vincent: Oh for fuck's sake... (to Mary Jones) What? What on earth could you possibly want?
Mary Jones (to Vincent): Paul, please. Please don't shut the door. I need to talk to you. May I come inside?
Vincent (to Mary Jones): No. Say whatever it is you have to say outside.
Mary Jones (to Vincent): What? No. I can't! Your neighbors might hear. It's about Daddy.
Vincent (to Mary Jones): What about him? Unless you've come to tell me he's passed, I don't care what kind of bullshit he's embroiled himself in now.
Mary Jones (to Vincent): Daddy's missing! He's been gone for two weeks now. We've filed a missing person report and offered a reward for information...
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, who was at the door? (to Mary Jones) Oh... Hello there.
Mary Jones (to Poppy): Oh! Well... Hello. (to Vincent) Who is she?
Vincent (to Poppy): Hun, that's Mary, of the Joneses. (to Mary Jones) This is Poppy.
Poppy (to Mary Jones): Nice to meet you... (to Vincent) Do you need me to stay, honey? I was about to put Victor down for his nap but I can wait.
Vincent (to Poppy): Mary isn't staying. (to Mary) And what the fuck does that have to do with me?
Mary Jones (to Vincent): There's no need to be vulgar, Paul! I thought since it's the fault of you and that woman that he started drinking again, I'd give you the chance to make amends and help us find him. If you hadn't spread all those lies...
Poppy (to Mary Jones): Excuse me, Ms. Jones? But, are you really standing in our house and accusing him of lying? You have a lot of nerve, lady! Are you really so dense?
Vincent (to Poppy): It's alright, hun. It's alright. (to Victor) Hey, Little Man, we're OK.
Poppy (to Vincent): I'm sorry, honey... I'm going to put Victor to bed...
Vincent (to Poppy): I'll be right there. (to Mary Jones) I'm going to put exactly as much effort into finding Dad as he and Mom put into finding me when I was 15. Dad's an adult. He can take care of himself, I'm sure. Good bye, Mary. Wish I could say it was nice seeing you.
Mary Jones (to Vincent): But... You can't! Paul!
Vincent (to Mary Jones): My name isn't Paul. It's Vincent, and if you ever show up on my doorstep again, I'll call the cops. (to Poppy) So, that was Mary.
Poppy (to Vincent): So, I saw, honey... You know, I know a hundred ways to kill someone & make it look like an accident... I'm just saying. :-P I'm just kidding, honey... Well, mostly kidding.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. I know you are, lover. But don't think I don't appreciate the offer.
Ohhhh... Good God, she's lucky you and Victor were right there. I didn't want to start screaming and upset him.
Poppy (to Vincent): I know... How are you holding up, lover? Want me to fix you a drink? Or do you want to just cuddle up with me?
Vincent (to Poppy): I'm not sure, honestly. She wanted ME to help find my father? I don't even know in what reality she's operating. I'm in shock. Oh, and don't think I didn't notice her "that woman" comment... I don't even know what to say anymore.
Poppy (to Vincent): I know, honey... And, your father is probably at that cabin by the lake. The one that he has listed under a fake name. He probably doesn't want to be found. What? Why the look? Remember when I spied on him for you? I found all his financial records... I'm very good at what I do.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. That you are, hun. If I were more bloody minded, I'd tell them exactly where to find "Pastor Nate."
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, you are a far better person than they deserve... Heh... I was contemplating going to the cabin & dragging him back. And, depositing him hogtied on your mother's doorstep... But, that probably wouldn't be appreciated. It's moments like this I miss home. :-P
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. Thanks, hun. I'm sure Mary will head back to Idaho or Iowa or wherever she's from in a huff soon enough. And I'm sure my Dad will toddle home whenever he's done pouting. I'd rather stay as uninvolved as possible. It's funny how easily they tracked me down when they wanted something, isn't it? But when I was a teen-aged embarrassment...
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, honey... It's okay. Your former sister is clearly delusional if she's looking for outside sources to blame on her father's disappearance. No one wants to deal with the real issues & they just want to blame you rather than fix them. You are so much better off without them. I just love the fact that she didn't even once ask who I was, talk about self-absorbed. And, I was so looking forward to the look on her face when I told her I was your wife.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. I was tempted to introduce you as such, hun, just to see the look on her face, but I when it came time to do it... I have to admit; I felt too overprotective of you and Victor to do it. I don't want them anywhere near our son. He doesn't need people like that in his life. He needs people who will love him no matter who or what he is. We have that here. We don't need the Joneses or their toxic personalities.
Poppy (to Vincent): Awww, you're a good dad... and a good husband, lover. I have an idea... Why don't you call your sister & see if she and Mister Gloomy would like to come over for pizza & hanging out? I think you could use it.
Vincent (to Poppy): I try to be. And pizza and hanging out sounds like a very good idea, lover. I knew I loved you for lots of good reasons. (to Mouse) Hey, sweetie. Are you free tonight?
Mouse (to Vincent): I think so, I'm not sure what Eep's plans are, yet. It probably depends if the meeting he went to goes well or not. What's up? Do you miss your older sister?It's okay, just admit it. :-P
Vincent (to Mouse): Heh. Actually, I do. We just had a visit from Mary, and I could use a nice low key evening. We were thinking pizza and a movie.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh... Mary, as in your biohazard, I mean, biological sister? Yikes... How are you after all of that?
Vincent (to Mouse): I'm... I'm doing better than I would have expected. Apparently my father has gone missing, and she wanted my help to find him. You know, as penance. You've got to love the grand delusions of those who share my biology.
Mouse (to Vincent): Penance? Oh... For the fact that you came out of hiding & told the world what a rat bastard your dad is? They are insane.
Vincent (to Mouse): Heh. That was my take on it as well. And Poppy... Hee hee. Poppy looked like she was going to shoot her.
Mouse (to Vincent): Well, I'll ask Eep as soon as he comes home if he's up for a quiet evening & if he doesn't want to, I may come over alone.
Vincent (to Mouse): Anyway. We'll be happy to have you, either with the mister or solo. Head over whenever you like.
Mouse (to Vincent): Okay, see you soon! ... And, little brother, I love you.
Vincent (to Mouse): I know, sweetie. I love you too. Thanks. I'll see you soon.
A few hours later:
Vincent (to Eep): We'll see you later, guys. Thanks for coming over. I really appreciate it.
Eep (to Vincent): Yeah. No problem. You sure you're OK?
Vincent (to Eep): I'll be fine, Slim. I'll talk to you guys tomorrow.
