Miranda (to Ripper): Hush you! I don't ever get to sleep in a comfy bed. Leave me alone.
Ripper (to Miranda): Fine... I'm sorry. I'll leave you alone.
Meanwhile:
Vincent (to Poppy): Poppy? Sweetheart? Nevermind. Stay asleep, beautiful. I'll be back soon.
Eep (to Mouse): Um, so. Mars can read.
Mouse (to Eep): Huh? What are you talking about?
Eep (to Mouse): I think Mars can read. Robert gave me a copy of "The Blueberry Girl" for her. I just checked on her. She was reading it to Barrymore.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh. Wow. That's-- I have no idea what to say about that. So, um, what do we do?
Eep (to Mouse): Buy her more books. And put most of my books on a higher shelf. Um, or in a locked trunk.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh really? Do I need to go have a look at your books? :-P
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. There's nothing THAT bad, just not appropriate for a 3 year old. Probably.
Mouse (to Eep): Heh. I've got a bunch of my kids stuff in the attic, including books. We should probably go up there & see if there's anything.
Eep (to Mouse): Sounds good. I'll go grab the monkey. She's been dying to get into the attic. (to Marlena) Hey, kiddo. Your mom and I are going to go up into the attic to see if we can find some more books for you. Wanna come?
Marlena (to Eep): Oooo, yes please.
Eep (to Marlena): Yeah. I thought you might.
Marlena (to Eep & Mouse): Oh, I need my cape... and my hat.
Mouse (to Marlena): Sweetie, we're just going up to the dusty attic, not fighting villains. :-P
Marlena (to Mouse): Well then, why do you keep the door locked?
Eep (to Marlena & Mouse): Because it's full of shii--uh, crap. Um, junk.
Marlena (to Eep & Mouse): Heehee, Daddy almost said a dirty word.
Mouse (to Marlena): Yes, he does that a lot. He's silly, isn't he?
Marlena (to Mouse): Yes, he is the silliest daddy in the world.
Eep (to Mouse): Sorry. (to Marlena) And you, you little tattle tale! C'mon. We're going to the attic.
Mouse (to Eep): Heehee, it's okay. Besides, I have a feeling she may already know all the words.
Eep (to Mouse): It's not all my fault you know. I'm Argentinian. EVERYONE curses. I didn't understand there were "bad words" until I was like 8. Good thing I didn't talk much. My mom got enough calls from my elementary school teachers about my mouth as it was.
Marlena (to Eep): It's okay, Daddy. Mommy says those words, too.
Mouse (to Marlena): Hey, way to rat out your mother.
Marlena (to Mouse): Oops... Sorry.
Eep (to Mouse & Marlena): It's alright. I already knew that about your mom.
An hour or so later:
Vincent (to Ripper): Hey, Professor. Sorry it took me so long to get here. Poppy wasn't having a good night last night. Are you two ready to go?
Ripper (to Vincent): Well, I'm ready but little miss pirate captain has been taking her sweet time getting out of bed this morning. I'll head up stairs and see if I can roust her.
Vincent (to Ripper): Oh for fuck's sake... Please do.
Hiiri: Well, Miranda, it took some doing but I finally figured out where you're hiding... (to Vincent) Oh, little brother, this is a pleasant--
Ripper (to Vincent): Did you say something, Capt-- Holy shit! What did you do!?!
Vincent (to Ripper): I... She... I think I should sit down.
Ripper (to Vincent): Should we call the hospital? Is she alive? ... Is she dead? There's an awful lot of blood. God.
Vincent (to Ripper): No. I think... No. I'm pretty sure we're past doctor time. I got her right... Oh God in heaven...
Miranda (to Ripper & Vincent): Alright, alright. I'm up and dressed. You can't blame me for wanting to-- Oh, what the hell happened here?
Ripper (to Miranda): We've got a bit of a mess here... Um, I...
Vincent (to Ripper & Miranda): Hiiri. Tracked Miranda. She... She was behind me, and I... That. I should do, um, something.
Miranda (to Vincent & Ripper): Jacob, take the Captain into the kitchen. He's looking a little green around the gills... I'll take care of it.
Ripper (to Miranda): Oh right... Of course. (to Vincent) Ummm, come on with me, Captain.
Miranda: Those two! A pair of prissy little things. Act like they've never seen a dead body before... First, I need a sheet or a tarp.
Vincent (to Ripper): A tarp! I have one. In the Falcon. It's, um, it's... Jesus. I don't know where it is!
Ripper (to Vincent): Sit down, Vincent. You're in shock.
Vincent (to Ripper): No, I should go... God. I didn't...
Ripper (to Vincent): Sit the fuck down! ... I'm sorry. I'm going to make some tea.
Miranda (to Vincent): Captain, do you mind if I board your ship? I need a tarp.
Vincent (to Miranda): It's fine. There's one in... Christ. I don't know where the fuck it is. I think it's in the cargo hold.
Miranda (to Vincent): I'll find it. (to Ripper) Calm down... You can breakdown like a girl, later.
Vincent (to Ripper & Miranda): Yeah.
Ripper (to Miranda): ... I'm fine.
Miranda (to Poppy): Poppy, come in. Poppy? Do you read me, gel?
Poppy (to Miranda): Miranda? What's going on? Is my husband with you?
Miranda (to Poppy): We've had a bit of a situation here... Hiiri's dead.
Poppy (to Miranda): Good.
Miranda (to Poppy): No, lass, it's not as simple as that. Can you get to Jacob's house in New London? It's too much to explain right now.
Poppy (to Miranda): Fine, honey. Why do I get the feeling that I'm not going to like what I see once I get there. I'll be there as soon as I can. I'll need to get someone to watch Victor.
Ripper (to Vincent): Here... Uh... I'm sure I have some biscuits around here somewhere to go with the tea.
Vincent (to Ripper): No. No thank you.
Ripper (to Vincent): Why? ... Why were you carrying a knife?
Vincent (to Ripper): What? Oh. Grace had put that price on my heard. Hiiri is... was after Victor. I--I've carried weapons before. I didn't... ... I don't know.
Ripper (to Vincent): I should go see if Miranda needs help. Stay here. (to Miranda) ... Oh. Um, do you need anything? I, uh--
Miranda (to Ripper): What I need you to do is to keep an eye on Vincent for me? Oh, and a bucket of soapy water & some rags.
Ripper (to Miranda): ... I can do that, I think.
A couple minutes later:
Poppy: Oof... Bloody hell! That takes a lot out of me. (to Ripper & Vincent) Professor? Lover? What's going on?
Vincent (to Poppy): I... Sweetie, it's Hiiri. I... I killed her.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oooh, that's what she meant... Honey, let's get you squared away on the Falcon. (to Ripper) Go home, Professor. Miranda & I will take it from here... I suggest you go out the back way.
Ripper (to Poppy): But... I can help.
Poppy (to Ripper): No, no, you can't. Not with this. I'll lock up when we're done. Go on, git!
Ripper (to Poppy): Alright.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, where's the knife? I hope you don't still have it on you.
Vincent (to Poppy): Huh? Uh... No. No, I don't think... I don't know. I think I dropped it?
Poppy (to Vincent): Good, that means Miranda's got it. Let's get you cleaned up, honey. We can't have you sitting around in these clothes… Vincent, put one foot in front of the other and walk towards the shower. I need you to focus, please?
Vincent (to Poppy): I'm sorry, hun. A shower. That's a good idea.
Poppy (to Vincent): Yes. Do you need me to help you with that or can you do it?
Vincent (to Poppy): I've got it. I'm sorry. I think I'm a bit in shock.
Poppy (to Vincent): I know you are, lover, that's why I'm here. I'm going to go check on Miranda & then, I'll be right back. Okay?
Vincent (to Poppy): It's fine, hun. I'll be alright.
Poppy (to Vincent): Okay... I'll be back in ten minutes. (to Miranda) Miranda, how's everything going in here?
Miranda (to Poppy): As well as, can be expected. I've got the body wrapped and ready to go. Just need to know where.
Poppy (to Miranda): That's easy enough... Can you carry it to the cargo hold on the Falcon?
Miranda (to Poppy): Yeah, that shouldn't be a problem.
Poppy (to Miranda): Good. Then, stow it there & I'll take care of it. Once, you're finished up here, I need you to get back to Rangoon. I can make a few calls and get you a ride, if need be. I need to make Hiiri disappear.
Miranda (to Poppy): No, I should be okay. I had a ticket for the next airship to Qin, it should be leaving tonight. How's your boy?
Poppy (to Miranda): In shock... He'll be okay, eventually.
Miranda (to Poppy): Aye, aye. I'll get the house cleaned up and then be on my way.
Poppy (to Miranda): Thank you for your help. I should get back. I don't want him to wallow too long or try to drown himself in the shower. (to Vincent) Honey, Are you okay in there? I'm grabbing your dirty clothes. Your robe is hanging on the door.
Vincent (to Poppy): ... yeah. I'm... No. I'm not. Poppy, I just--just... Oh God. I think I'm gonna be sick.
Poppy (to Vincent): ... Oh honey, it'll be okay.
Vincent (to Poppy): I didn't even hesitate, hun. I heard her voice, I knew why she was there, and I just acted, and I...
Poppy (to Vincent): You killed her... She would have done the same to Miranda, Jacob & you, if you hadn't. I'm not shedding any tears over her.
Vincent (to Poppy): I know that, hun. I know. It's just... God, she looks like Mouse...
Poppy (to Vincent): But, I need to make sure you are okay. I know you... You're going to torture yourself, if you can help it. Stop it with that line of thinking right now, honey!
Vincent (to Poppy): I know that she's not the same as my sister, hun! God KNOWS I know that! But it's not like I can help but notice! But, I just slashed the throat of someone who looks... looks just like... Christ!
Poppy (to Vincent): Yes, and you have been gunning for her ever since you knew she was back. What the hell were you planning on doing once you caught up to her? Shake your finger at her and tell her that she's been naughty. You had to have known it was going to end like this... or were you hoping it was you laying on the floor?
Vincent (to Poppy): What? NO! Why do you think I've been so terrified? I wasn't gonna let Hiiri hurt me, or anyone else I love, without one HELL of a fight. Yes, I knew it was gonna end bloody. I KNEW that! But it's one thing to know that, & another... God, I'm sorry...
Poppy (to Vincent): Why do you think your sister & I were so worried about you, lover? ... It's okay. Climb in the bunk & get some rest. I've got a quick errand to run... We need to fly over the channel for moment and then we can head home.
Vincent (to Poppy): Do you need any help, hun? Are Miranda and Jacob alright?
Poppy (to Vincent): No... This is something you definitely don't want to be involved in & with that thought, stay out of the cargo hold... Miranda is fine. Jacob, well, Jacob is another story. But, I'm sure he'll be fine. You're my priority.
Vincent (to Poppy): Alright. I'll stay here. I... I think I've caused enough trouble for one day.
A short time later:
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, drink this...
Vincent (to Poppy): I'm not really all that thirsty, hun. My stomach is in a riot.
Poppy (to Vincent): This isn't for debate, honey. Drink it, it's a hot toddy. I think you need to sleep for a little while... It's this or I shoot you. So, take your pick.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh. Alright, hun. I'll have the hot toddy.
Poppy (to Vincent): Good choice, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Of the two... I thought that I... Oh. Oh, God. That--that wasn't only a hot toddy, was...
Poppy (to Vincent): It may have had a quarter of a sleeping tablet in it. Sleep tight, lover.
Meanwhile:
Mouse (to Eep): So, Mars is sitting quietly in her room with a mountain of books. What would you like to do while we have a quiet moment?
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. I don't know. Anything you haven't had a chance to do that you've really wanted to since you got back?
Mouse (to Eep): Ummm, I can think of a couple things, but I don't think we really have time & Mars is awake. ;-)
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Uh, heh. I'll, uh, I'll keep that in mind.
Mouse (to Eep): I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fluster you.
Eep (to Mouse): Heh heh. Yeah you did. Not that I'm complaining. You wanna curl up on the couch with a couple of beers and watch a movie?
Mouse (to Eep): Okay, maybe I did a little. You can hardly blame me that I think my husband is sexy... And a movie & beer sounds perfect.
Eep (to Mouse): Well, I could say something about your taste in men, but I'm glad. And, um, I'm really I'm here with you and Marlena. Sorry. Sorry. I'm being weird and cheesy.
Mouse (to Eep): It's okay, I like it when you talk to me about what you're thinking. Honestly, I think it was one of the things I missed the most about being separated from you.
Eep (to Mouse): That's what you missed the most, huh? Ha ha ha! Now who's flustered? Heh.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh... I... touché, mon amour.
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. Sorry. Couldn't resist. But, yeah. I, um, I like having Mars around. A lot. I mean, I know it's not all gonna be rainbows. But, um, yeah. Heh. I've got someone to watch cartoons with now, if nothing else. :-P
Mouse (to Eep): Heehee... I love you.
Several hours later:
Ripper (to Lulu): Hey, Can I get another drink?
Lulu (to Ripper): Are you sure, slugger? You've had quite a few.
Ripper (to Lulu): Hush you... It was a rough day. This'll be my last one. I promise.
Lulu (to Ripper): Alright... But, I'm going to hold you to that. You are not allowed to give me a hard time if I say no if you ask for another.
Ripper (to Lulu): Fine, I promise. Satisfied?
Lulu (to Ripper): Am I ever? But yes, that'll do. :-p
Eep (to Lulu): Hey. Can I get a glass of water and a Coke for Jules, please?
Lulu (to Eep): Oh sure... What on earth is going on with everybody?
Eep (to Lulu): Why? Are people being dicks at the bar tonight? We haven't had too many problems at the door.
Lulu (to Eep): No, not our customers. Our co-workers. First, Mouse quits, then Vincent runs out for no reason, and now Ripper is drinking all of the gin. And, I do mean all of the gin.
Eep (to Lulu): Oh. Uh, well I know with Mars, I mean, Marlena, um, our daughter around and all, she's been, you know, reevaluating and stuff, and Vincent's had some, uh...he's, um... Christ. He's working on a nervous breakdown as far as I can figure. I have no idea what the fuck is going on with Ripper… Thanks.
Lulu (to Eep): Well, I hope they all figure it out... Cuz if they don't, I'm going to start working on a nervous breakdown myself.
A short time later:
Eep (to Ripper): Hey. You, uh, you wanna a lighter? You're not gonna be able to get that matchbook to light. It's too damp out.
Ripper (to Eep): Oh yeah... Thanks. I really shouldn't be smoking, anyway. Robert hates it. But, I feel like I need one.
Eep (to Ripper): Yeah. Preaching to the choir. Why do you think I got in the habit of smoking outside? Um, you OK? You look kinda rough. Heh. Lulu was complaining you've been drinking all the gin.
Ripper (to Eep): Oh well, you know how she likes to exaggerate. It's been a rough kind of day. I'm not sure I should talk about it. I'll be okay.
Eep (to Ripper): Does she? Huh. I don't know that much about her, honestly. But, if you don't wanna talk, I'm not gonna make you. If you, you know, need a sympathetic ear or something... Anyway, you should probably get some water in you.
Ripper (to Eep): You're probably right... Hey Eep, thanks.
Eep (to Ripper): For what? Oh, Uh, I mean, you're welcome, I guess. I didn't do much. It's not like you haven't listened to me yak before.
Ripper (to Eep): Yeah, but you're not known for being Mister Talkative, so thanks... I should really go do my final set before Leon gets mad at me.
