Percy to (Vincent): Pssst! Don't tell Poppy... But, could you please come down to the police station near the zoo?
Vincent (to Percy): Oh good heavens. What kind of trouble did you get yourself in now, Percy?
Percy to (Vincent): Oh, it's not just me, honey... Wanda's in here somewhere. We got separated during processing... It's a very long story. I didn't know who else to call... Will you help? Please?
Vincent (to Percy): Wanda's... Oh dear. Why am I not surprised? I'll see you shortly, hun.
Percy to (Vincent): Thank you, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hey, lover. I have to run out for a a quick errand. Do you want me to pick something up for you while I'm out and about?
Poppy (to Wanda): Shhhh... I just Victor down for his nap. A coffee would be great, lover.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oops. Sorry. Inside voice. A coffee it is. Give me a kiss before I leave. I'll be back before you miss me.
Poppy (to Vincent): Okay, see you soon, lover.
An hour or so later:
Vincent (to Percy): How did you fare on the inside, hun? Did you have to kill a man to prove you meant business? :-P
Percy (to Vincent): Haha, very funny, honey. Wanda should be out in a minute, she was talking to one of the officers.
Vincent (to Percy): Hee hee. Come on. It's not like I've never been thrown in jail. Of course, never on this side, you delinquent. Do I even want to know what you two were doing?
Percy (to Vincent): Well, we just had a romantic dinner at The Gilded Lily. Wanda had been dropping hints for weeks that she wanted to go there and after dinner we went for a walk... that ended up here by the zoo. Let's just say that Wanda has a bit of a exhibitionist streak & leave it at that.
Vincent (to Percy): Oh dear.
Wanda (to Percy & Vincent): Knock it off with that scandalized act, Short Stack! I know for a fact you're a rotten little pervert.
Vincent (to Wanda): I'll have you know I'm a father and upstanding member of society, madam.
Percy (to Wanda & Vincent): I know of a ski resort that would definitely argue the point. ;-P
Wanda (to Vincent): Hee hee. Yeah, I'd be more convinced if you coulda said that without grinning. (to Percy) Oh! Good news! I got them to drop the charges. I explained you work out of town, and I've got roommates...
Percy (to Wanda): And, we didn't realize we were in the zoo?
Wanda (to Percy): I may have glossed over some parts. A little. I can go back and tell them the truth if you'd like more community service.
Percy (to Wanda): Don't you dare, pretty lady... I already have enough from the jellyfish incident.
Wanda (to Percy): OK, OK. I promise no more dates that might get us arrested.
Percy (to Wanda): Well, I wouldn't say never, honey... Let's just plan to not get caught... Unless, that's what you like about it. Oh wait... That IS what you like about it, isn't it?
Wanda (to Percy): Um, I plead the 5th. What? I mentioned my parents were anarchists, right? Dicking with the police was a family activity. (to Percy) You shoulda seen my wrap sheet before they sealed it when I turned... (to Vincent) And you can stop looking paranoid. Percy told me the whole thing about you two dating when he was a girl.
Vincent (to Percy & Wanda): He DID? Well...
Wanda (to Vincent): Did you seriously not know he was an automaton? For reals? You and me are gonna have to have a talk about sex, Short Stack. Though, you totes went and knocked up Poppy, so I'm guessing you figured some stuff out...
Percy (to Vincent & Wanda): Heehee, he sure did... Oh is he blushing?
Wanda (to Percy): Oh. Emm. Gee. He TOTES is! That's adorbz! (to Vincent) Dude, I have NEVER seen you blush.
Vincent (to Percy & Wanda): Keep in mind, I could leave you two here.
Wanda (to Vincent): You won't do that, cause you're a sweetie. C'mere you little perv! I love you, and I'm happy for you.
Percy (to Vincent): Oops... I'm sorry, honey. I didn't ask you to pick us up so we could tease you. Please don't. I'll behave. I can't vouch for her, though... She was raised by wolves... I mean, anarchists. :-P
Wanda (to Percy): Dude. Sometimes I think I woulda been better off with wolves. At least then I'd be properly socialized. (to Vincent) I can see you trying not to smile. You're just pretending to be mad. You're gonna have to learn how to look stern, Dad. I dunno why you'd be mad anyhow. You and Poppy are good together. ... And hot. (to Percy) Do you still have those photos from you and him at the ski resort? Can I see them? Say yes! PLEASE say yes!
Percy (to Wanda): I am sorry to say that I don't... Oh... They were on Poppy's phone...
Vincent (to Percy & Wanda): Heh. Thank God for small favors.
Percy (to Vincent): Please tell me that she didn't find them... Lie to me if you have to.
Vincent (to Percy): Ah. Of course not. Why would she go looking through the photos. On her own phone. (to Percy & Wanda) Now, where can I drop y'all? I get the distinct feeling that if I don't get you out of my car soon. I will end up having to hose out the backseat before too long.
Percy (to Vincent): Haha, honey... If you could take us to Wanda's that would be great. I left my rental car at her place.
Vincent (to Percy & Wanda): Here you go, kids. Please try not to get arrested next time, kay?
Wanda (to Vincent): No promises! Thanks, Short Stack. Gimme another hug, you! See you later.
Vincent (to Percy & Wanda): Later, taters.
Percy (to Vincent): Thank you, Vincent... And.... Oh... nevermind. See you later.
Wanda (to Percy): Do you have to rush off, or can I borrow you for a little bit?
Percy (to Wanda): I don't have any plans, honey. I am at your disposal.
Wanda(to Percy): Awesome! So what's with the face? You don't have to hang around if you don't wanna. You're not gonna insult me or anything.
Percy (to Wanda): Oh no, it's not you, honey... I just suddenly felt bad for Poppy finding those photos. I bet that was a bit of a shock for her. I think I've been a little hard on her... And now I feel guilty.
Wanda (to Percy): Yeah. I'd imagine it's tough for you guys to be around each other. It's like finding out you had a twin you didn't want. Or grow up with, so you don't have any of the sibling warm fuzzies. Just the competition. But, hey, it didn't turn out bad. She can't have been ALL that upset about finding those pictures. I mean, she still ended up hooking up with Vincent, right? Hee hee. She prolly liked those photos a little more than she'd ever want to admit. I would have. Though, I'd admit it.
Percy (to Wanda): Heehee, you're probably right... So, what do need to borrow me for?
Wanda (to Percy): Dude. Come on. Jail was a lonely and frustrating way to end our evening. It was NOT what I had in mind.
Percy (to Wanda): Oh? I have no idea what you mean... I'm teasing. Lead the way, pretty lady.
Several hours later:
Vincent (to Eep): Oh! Hey, Slim. What brings you to our little corner of the Piedmont. What's up?
Eep (to Vincent): Oh. Um, not much. This letter came for you. Whoever sent it, sent it to the Indy Weekly offices. They forwarded it to Mouse.
Vincent (to Eep): I see. Thank you for dropping it off. How is your art show going?
Eep (to Vincent): I do not even want to think about it right now. Look, uh, I got work tonight, so I gotta get going. But, um, if you need, you know, somebody, your sister's home and... Well, you know.
Vincent (to Eep): I know. Thanks, Eep. I'll see you guys soon enough, I'm sure. Have a good night at work.
Eep (to Vincent): Yeah. Right. Later.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, did I hear Eep out here? Where'd the smoking man go?
Vincent (to Poppy): He was just passing by to drop off this letter, lover. It's from one of my old teachers in Kentucky.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh? A friendly one, I hope.
Vincent (to Poppy): It is. It's from the English teacher I had as a sophomore, Mrs. Moore. She directed all the Shakespearean plays as well. Sounds like she'd always wondered why I disappeared from school, and is very glad to learn everything turned out well.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh well, that was nice of her.
Vincent (to Poppy): It is. She was always one of my favorites. She was the one who encouraged me to get involved with the drama club. Heh. It looks like my parents told her that I'd been sent to boarding school. Isn't that just typical?
Poppy (to Vincent): That doesn't surprise me at all, honey. Your biological family is terrible.
Vincent (to Poppy): They had their moments of decent behavior, but they're all obsessed with keeping up appearances, and... Oh. She apologized.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh? What for, honey?
Vincent (to Poppy): That's not something I was expecting. Apparently, several of my teachers had dark suspicions about my home life. She said she's sorry she didn't do anything or say anything when she had the chance. Well.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, that was nice of her... even if it's a little late.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. Looks like the rumor was exactly what happened: I stole money from my parents and ran away. I can't really be too upset with her, hun. My dad was the local pastor, and a well respected man in the ol' homestead. Even if someone had said something, nothing would have come of it. It wasn't unusual for parents to hit their kids. Hell... Most people in a position to do anything would probably have agreed I deserved a good whollop.
Poppy (to Vincent): It's not just the whollops that I have a problem with, honey... It's the fact that your parents weren't accepting of the person you were. I mean, you were a kid, you're not supposed know who you are or what you want. You're allowed to make mistakes & be a troublemaker.
Vincent (to Poppy): That's the irony, hun. I wasn't a troublemaker. Not really. Ha ha ha! You don't have to look so shocked when I say that. I had a smart mouth, make no mistake, and I DID sneak liquor out of my dad's stash, but I wasn't much of a rabble rouser. I had enough trouble just being myself. I tried to keep my head down as much as possible.
Poppy (to Vincent): I know, honey, I'm just saying that people often make excuses when they stand silent instead of speaking up about abuse. It's easy to say you're sorry for not speaking up after everything turned out okay.
Vincent (to Poppy): No, you're right, hun, and if I found out someone had done kept their mouth shut if something happened to Victor, Well, I'd throttle them. But, I have a hard time holding it against Mrs. Moore. She was one of the few decent folks I had.
Poppy (to Vincent): I'm sorry, honey... I'm just in mood, I guess. I'm glad you got a nice letter from your teacher.
Vincent (to Poppy): So I see. What's bothering you, lover?
Poppy (to Vincent): I found out where my brother Gideon has been hiding... and it looks like I'm going to have to deal with it.
Vincent (to Poppy): What? I'm so sorry, hun. Why is he YOUR problem? It's not like you don't... Nevermind. It's not important. What do you need me to do? How can I help?
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, I think he's hiding out on this side. I'm not positive it's him, it could be his counterpart but I need to find out. That's why it's my problem. If it's his counterpart then we go back to normal life... but if it's him, I need to take him back to Britannia.
Vincent (to Poppy): Good heavens! Well, I can honestly say I wasn't expecting that. Where is the supposed Gideon living?
Poppy (to Vincent): On of the apartment buildings over by the park. I saw him there this afternoon when I went out for a walk with Victor.
Vincent (to Poppy): In West Piedmont, no less! I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, with that huge off world portal in the Old Piedmont Hotel. What's the plan?
Poppy (to Vincent): I honestly don't know, honey... Family sucks... I mean, not our little family. Part of me would like to forget I saw him, but I don't know if I can.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. Well, I didn't think you meant Victor and I, hun. For what it's worth, I understand. He and Markus were the ones who got Percival killed, aren't they?
Poppy (to Vincent): Yes, they were, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Mmm. I remember. You know you can count on me to do whatever you need, don't you, lover? After all, we are married. Which means your brothers are as much my family as anyone's. Hee hee. Oh, I'm sure Bernard LOVES that.
Poppy (to Vincent): Heehee, Bernard likes you, honey... It's Peter you have to watch out for. :-P
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh no. Peter's fine. As long as I keep him drunk. Very, VERY drunk. I believe his words about us were, "Good God, man, she DESERVES you." Of course, I don't think he meant it as a compliment.
Poppy (to Vincent): Heehee... I think I'll ask Percy to do a background check on the people living in that building & take it from there.
Vincent (to Poppy): You're the boss, madam. Percy is probably still in town, by the by. He and Wanda are entertaining themselves.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh dear god... There's an image I didn't need in my head, lover. How did you know Percy was in town in the first place? Did you run into him at the café?
Vincent (to Poppy): I ran into him AND Wanda. They were... Good heavens. Words fail. Words fail ME. Percy apparently told Wanda about... Well, about almost everything. You and he. He and I. I was a taken back more than a bit.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh... Are you blushing, honey? They must have been doing something interesting. I just hope they kept their clothes on. He did tell her? That surprises me... I wonder what he's got up his sleeve.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. Fortunately, there was no nudity. I don't know that he's got anything up his sleeve, hun. I think he likes being his own keeper, and being involved with someone he doesn't have to lie to. It's not like we were ever honest with one another about who we are. That didn't all come out until much later.
Poppy (to Vincent): I'm sorry, honey, it's just every time I look at him I think of the year of my life I'll never get back & what I missed.
Vincent (to Poppy): I'm sorry. I wish I knew what to tell you about Percy. Maybe the further away from being "you" he gets... The easier it will be for you to deal with him. He has changed quite a lot.
Poppy (to Vincent): I hope so... I just wish he didn't look so much like my brother.. Sometimes, I forget & then he speaks. I'm just glad he's found someone that likes him for being him... And that it's not you. :-p
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. Truer words have never been spoken. Besides, how can he compete with you? It's impossible.
Poppy (to Vincent): And you are a silver-tongued devil, lover.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. I'll bet you say that to all the charming pirates you know. Come here, hun. Give us a hug.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well yes... But you're the one I married, honey. :-p
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. And I certainly hope I'm the last.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, you're my one & only.
Vincent (to Poppy): Likewise, lover. You'll of course forgive me if I like hearing you say it. Besides, how on earth could anyone follow you? A beautiful, intelligent, talented, ass-kicking spy... Normal girls wouldn't stand a chance!
Poppy (to Vincent): Heehee... Are you buttering me up for something, lover?
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. Why would you think that, lover? I haven't been doing anything untoward, have I? I've been a perfect gentleman. Perhaps I'm just tired of being well behaved...
Poppy (to Vincent): Heehee, you don't have to be well-behaved on my account, lover.
Vincent (to Poppy): Well, that's the best news I've heard all day.
