A day, like any other.

[Ravenloft]

Gill Bates:

Sitting in his office, waiting for five o clock to roll around, Gill looked over at his breif case and fought the urge to cry. His world was falling apart no matter how hard he worked to keep it together. It was like a dam that was springing leaks all over the place, and not a single patch he put into place was gonna stop the flood that was coming down on his head. He was married with a teen aged daughter. He'd been married with a teen aged daughter for nearly twenty years, or at least what he percieved as twenty years. He'd been a fool, he'd kept it that way... How many times had he given his daughter back her virginity? And stolen the memorys from her... How many times had he stolen memories from his wife? He'd reasoned that it was for the best, that he had to keep his family together... That was the way they were supposed to be... But he couldn't denigh the horrid feeling within him. He wanted to fix things again, but did that give him the right? Did it EVER give him the right?

He jumped when the phone next to him rang. He let it ring three more times, staring at it silently, then he picked up. "Hi dad, im not going to be home tonight, Chuck invited me over to a party, talk to you later, bye." And before he could say a word, his daughter had hung up. He'd have called it deja Vu if it hadn't happened nearly a hundred times now... It was a loop, a never ceasing loop... And he couldn't stop it, all he could do is patch it up afterwards... With a heavy sigh, he waited, waited for five o clock to roll around, and another day to pass.

 

[BlazeofLife]

OOC:

Cool thread, I'm starting to expect it from you. Pretty bad when I check out this thread for no other reason than that it has the Ravenloft name on it. Oh well. Keep up the good work.

 

[BlazeofLife]

OOC:

BTW, Gill Bates?
HaHaHaHaHaHa
Nice play on words there.

 

[Song]

Elizabeth

OOC: Hello stranger--mind if I play? This one looks interesting... ;-)

Elizabeth:

She hated forgetting things.

Elizabeth had just come home from her nearly half-dozen errands. First, a trip to the bank, then to the post office, next to the grocers and a quick stop at the drug store. The day had culminated in what was supposed to have been a relaxing visit to the manicurist. Unfortunately, Elizabeth had spent most of the time talking about her husband, Gill, and the tension that had been between them recently. Not exactly the relaxing, pampering session she had wanted.

Neverless, her nails were now perfect, to match her perfect hair and makeup, perfect clothes and body. The maid had been in while she was gone and the house was now perfectly clean. Everything in her life was as exact and orderly as she could manage, like a well-written script.

But she had forgotten to pick up vanilla at the grocery store. How was she supposed to make chocolate chip cookies for the church bake sale without vanilla? She sighed. Well, Gill would have to stop and get some on his way home from work. She picked up the phone and dialed his office.

 

[Ravenloft]

Gill:

He'd been resting his head upon his desk for the last fifteen minutes when the phone rang again. He jumped, even though he'd been through it all before, it still had a way of startling him every time.

He picked up the reciever. "H-hello?" He said hesitantly.

 

[Calamity Jane]

OOC: I'll post Gill's daughter's opening tomorrow

 

[bobo_daclown]

Chuck E. Cheezy

I knew it would work. I am twenty-five and I found an eighteen year old vigin. She was wrapped around my fingers--sometimes more literally than others. Earlier today, I invited her to a party at my place. She knows we'll be drinking, but she doesn't know about the drugs or my plans.

"Hello?"

"Oh, what's that?"

"You told your father?" I started to get pissed.

"He doesn't care?" My tension gone almost as quickly as it is brought on.

"Okay, I'll see you tonight. Oh yeah," I had almost forgotten, "wear something sexy. Don't you love me?" Without even waiting for an answer, I close my cell phone. I brush my dark hair back and use a rubber band to keep it out of my face. I know that she does and that she'll do anything for me--Anything.

 

[Song]

Elizabeth

"Gill, darling, I need a couple of things. Our loving daughter doesn't seem to be talking to me this week, so if she calls you, would you please ask her to come home for dinner tonight? She's been spending far too much time with that Chuck boy, and I don't entirely trust his motivations." The silence on the other end was all the answer she needed.

Her voice became very crisp at this point, her lips pursed, her fingers drumming on the countertop. "I see. She's already called, and you've already told her she can go out with him, haven't you? Gill, it takes two people to parent a child, especially a teenager, and it really is time for you to start taking some responsibility toward her." Elizabeth took a deep breath and relaxed her shoulders. "Look, we can discuss this later. I called because I need you to pick something up from the store for me on the way home."

 

[Ravenloft]

Gill:

Listening to his wife as she chided him over their daughter, Gill felt a small swell of anger but held it back. He'd done all he could to keep things together, more than Elizabeth would ever know... And knowing that, a small smile crossed his lips. With a breath, she continued, asking him if he would pick up some stuff after work. "Vanilla?" He asked in a small voice.

 

[Song]

Elizabeth

"Well...yes...actually. Did I... I mean, how did..."

Of course, she must have mentioned to him that she planned on making chocolate chip cookies for the church. And how many times had she bragged that the secret to her cookies was in using real vanilla, not that artificial extract stuff? He must have just been having an unusually clever moment. Lucky guess. That's all it was, of course--a lucky guess. Still, Elizabeth was left with a strange feeling--but a firm shake of the head brought her back to her logical, orderly world.

"Yes, dear, would you please pick me up some vanilla? Make sure it's the real stuff. What time do you suppose you'll be home?"

 

[Ravenloft]

Gill:

Falling silent, not wanting to answer how he knew. She saved him the trouble, asking him when he was going to be home. "I'm off in half an hour, I'll go to the grocer and pick up some vanilla, not the crappy extract stuff, should be home by five thirty... Listen... Honey... Im sorry about this whole Chuck thing... Its just... She didn't even give me time to say anything..." Gill trailed off then, with a sigh.

 

[Song]

Elizabeth

She sighed. "I know, I know, she's been hard to manage recently. It's just that I'm worried about her. I simply have a bad feeling about this Chuck boy. Call it mother's intuition, if you'd like, but I really think that she would be safer if she was home tonight."

Elizabeth made a conscious effort to turn her mind from the subject. Whenever she focused on it, she got terribly anxious--and that was an unpleasant feeling which didn't fit in with her orderly life. Neither did this tension between her and her husband fit well in her life. "Gill, dear, do you suppose...I mean..." She sighed, regrouped her thoughts. "I would like to have a nice evening with you tonight. Could we just...well..just, have a nice evening together?" She shook her head silently, feeling futile.

 

[Ravenloft]

Gill:

"Yes, yes I would like that... Just... Just a nice quiet night together..." He paused for a moment. "Sarah's a big girl, she'll be alright..." He lied, he knew what was going to happen. He just couldn't bare to let his wife know... "I'll get a bottle of wine and some sappy movie so we can cuddle up tonight hon..." He chuckled. He scared himself, he'd done this same routine so many times that he thought he could simply forget what was going to happen next, and after that, and after that...

 

[Calamity Jane]

Sarah:

Sarah called her father's office before she left work for the night. Chuck had invited her to a party at his place, and she was going, no matter what her parent's said. At least she could call dad instead of mom, he'd been so distracted lately, he'd probably agree to anything she asked. Mom, on the other hand, had always been wound so tight she seemed she might snap. Everything had to be perfect, logical, orderly. Sarah rolled her eyes as she thought of her mother and waited for her father's secretary to put her through to him.

The second her dad picked up the phone, Sarah started talking, "Hi dad, im not going to be home tonight, Chuck invited me over to a party, talk to you later, bye." She hung up, feeling slightly guilty, but sometimes it was best not to give the parents a chance to say no. She knew they didn't like Chuck, and truthfully, he made her a little uneasy sometimes too, he was so intense. But at least he was exciting. He seemed to be the only thing in her life that wasn't exactly the same every day.

She was feeling lately like there would never be another surprise, another decision that made her anticipate the outcome. Just the same exact life everytime she woke up. Something in the back of her mind kept nagging at her, something she felt she should remember, or know. But it was elusive, and she wasn't one for reflection.

Shaking her head, she called Chuck to see when he was picking her up.

"Hello?"

"Hi Chuck, it's Sarah. I just got off the phone with my dad to let him know I wouldn't be home. When are you picking me up?"

"Oh, what's that?"
"You told your father?"

"Yes, of course, otherwise he'd freak and have half the town looking for me. He really doesn't care where I go as long as he knows ahead of time not to expect me."

"He doesn't care?"

"No, he doesn't care. I getting off work now, and going shopping, pick me up at the mall at 7, ok?"

"Okay, I'll see you tonight. Oh yeah, wear something sexy. Don't you love me?"

"Of c.." Sarah shook her head as the dial tone buzzed in her ear. Sometimes Chuck was rude, and often demanding. But he made her feel a small amount of excitement, and she'd take that over listlessness any day. So if it was sexy he wanted, it was sexy he was going to get.

Suddenly, she couldn't wait for the end of the day. If her life wasn't exciting enough, maybe it was time she did something about it. Leaving work and heading to the mall, Sarah was planning tonight's wardrobe in her mind. Sexy, she could definitely do.

 

[Song]

Elizabeth

"That does sound nice. Yes, that *will* be nice. Get something interesting--something I haven't seen. I've heard that Bruce Willis movie is pretty good. It supposedly has a surprise twist at the end. And I'll make something special for dinner, and it will just be a relaxing night." Elizabeth paused. "Gill, I really do love you. You know that, right?"

 

[Ravenloft]

Gill:

"Um, Unbreakable or Sixth Sence?" Gill asked absently as he looked up at the clock again. "Mmm, something special for dinner eh?" Gill playfully growled. "I know, I love you too, you know that right?" He was teasing her a little, but he ment it with all his heart.

 

[Song]

Elizabeth

"Oh, I haven't seen either one. You decide." Elizabeth's heart lightened a bit at Gill's tone. Maybe it *would* be a nice evening, after all.

"I'll see you very soon, darling." She added, almost as an unconscious afterthought: "Drive carefully, okay? The roads are wet tonight and could be dangerous. Goodbye, love."

 

[Ravenloft]

Gill:

Five o clock rolled around and Gill left the office, went to the video store and picked up Sixth Sence, then motored to the corner store only three blocks from home and got some wine. Finally he pulled up in his drive way and got out of his car.

Whisking into the living room, Gill called out. "Honey I'm home!" Using a fake spanish accent.

 

[bobo_daclown]

Chuck:

Looking up from the Playstation game I'm playing, I notice the wall clock says seven. I silently wonder if I'm supposed to do something. Maybe I'm supposed to pick up Sarah. With that though in mind, I put down the beer bottle and finish the round.

I jump into my Mustang and overrev the engine, speeding through the traffic on the highway. Finally pulling up to the mall entrance at seven thirty, I see Sarah waiting outside of the main entrance. I park beside her and look at her sexy attire. Reaching over, I pull up the passenger lock so she can get in.

She sits on her bucket seat and her short skirt rides up a little, giving me a tease of her thighs. I lean over to her and greet her by placing my hand on the near thigh and suffocating her with my alcoholic breath as I kiss her deep. She pushes me off of her and removes my hand: looking at me with disappointment in her eyes.

"Don't you love me? Don't you trust me?" I ask her, using that same damn line that can get you into a girls panties. Little does she know what I've got planned for her tonight.

 

[Calamity Jane]

Sarah spends almost two hours wandering the mall, looking for just the right outfit for tonight. She's going to be meeting Chuck's friends for the first time, and she doesn't want them to think she's just some kid Chuck's seeing.

Finally choosing a black mini that rides low on her hips, a black sheer blouse worn open over a velvet tanktop, and a pair of spiky black heels, she rushes to the restrooms to change and do her makeup.

Sarah walks outside at 6:55, and sits on a bench waiting for Chuck. She's starting to feel a little excited about tonight, and she relishes the feeling. Maybe the monotony will finally be broken.

By 7:15, she's beginning to get irritated. Chuck always expects her to be early, and he's never on time. When he finally pulls up at 7:30, Sarah is pissed and cold. She climbs into the car and immediately, Chuck is touching her. His hand on her thigh sends heat through her body, and the anger melts away. Until he kisses her. He reeks of beer.

Pushing him away, she glares at him.

"Don't you love me? Don't you trust me?" Chuck asks her in a sad voice.

"Of course I do, I'm sorry." Sarah leans toward him and kisses him. She's tentative, always a litle shy around him. She doesn't want him to think she's a kid.

His hand moves further up her thigh, and though her first instinct is to pull away, to stop him, she remembers her promise to herself. She's going to get some excitement into her life. So she pulls him closer, her hands playing with his ponytail.

 

[Song]

Elizabeth

She giggled, feeling girlish. "Oh, Desi, guess what your little Lucy made for dinner tonight! Oh, you got Sixth Sense--I've heard that one's better than the other--more of a surprise ending."

Elizabeth started setting places for dinner, pulling out the best china and crystal. She lit two tall white candles and placed them in the center of the table. Cloth napkins, the real silver--all of the special stuff, to make the evening just right.

"After dinner, I'll need an hour to do the cookies--they have to be ready for tomorrow morning. And then we can spend the rest of the night just being *together*. Let me just put the vanilla away for now." She held out her hand toward Gill.

 

[bobo_daclown]

Chuck:

Her response is pleasing. It seems that daddy's little girl may be ready for a lesson on growing up. I smile at her as she plays with my hair. Removing my hand from her thigh, I shift gears as we leave the mall parking lot.

"Nice threads," I comment nonchalantly. Suddenly, she thinks I am interested in every facet of her clothing. Actually, I am much more interested int getting it off. She begins to tell me about shopping and all the different clothing; and, I lean over and turn on the radio to listen to something more entertaining. "... the radio star. In my car and in my mind, the country whine we've gone too far. The pictures came, they broke your heart. Put all the blame on VTR." I love the eighties.

Finally, after twenty minutes on the freeway, I got us back to my pad. Though Sarah has been here a couple of times before, it has always been a stop in for a minute on the way home kind of visit. I actually cannot remember ever showing her more than the living room. "Why don't I give you the nickel and dime tour?" I say to her, planning on making the bedroom the last place we wind up. With that, I walk into the kitchen and hand her a beer.

 

[Ravenloft]

Gill:

"Ohh Lucy, you made yourself for me?" Gill joked as he handed her the vanilla, taking her hand as he did, pulling her against him and kissing her chin. "Mmm, tastes delicious."

 

[Calamity Jane]

"Nice threads."

"Thanks! I picked them out for you. You said you wanted me to dress sexy, and I tried. I had to go to so many stores to find just the right thing."

Sarah talks until they arrive at Chuck's house. She doesn't think he's actually listening, but she's nervous, and talking helps her ignore the feeling.

As they walk into Chuck's house, Sarah looks around. She's only been here a few times, and never seen the whole place. Usually Chuck leaves her sitting in the livingroom, waiting on him to get ready.

"Why don't I give you the nickel and dime tour?"

"Oh, I'd like that."

Sarah follows Chuck into the kitchen and he hands her a beer. She doesn't really like the taste, but he makes fun of her if she doesn't drink. So she takes a long pull from the bottle. The beer tastes slightly funny, but Sarah decides it's because she's not used to it. Taking Chuck's hand, she smiles up at him. She feels a tingle of excitement at the look in his eyes, and stands on her tip toes to kiss him, pressing her body to his and wondering what tonight will bring.

 

[bobo_daclown]

Chuck:

Almost adventurously, Sarah tiptoes to kiss me. All emotionally, she holds my hand as she drinks her beer. By her face, I can tell she doesn't like it--oh well.

After showing her the kitchen and living room, I move upstairs to the two bedrooms. I push her up the stairs ahead of me, pinching her ass playfully. First I show her the extra bedroom where I let my friends crash sometimes. Then, I move the beads out of the way and enter my bedroom. In my bleak bedroom, I use no artificial light. Candles on the walls and on scattered tables show the way. The floor is covered with paper and trash and the large four-post bed is roughly unmade. The canopy above the bed and the dust-ruffle at the floor are old and starting to fray. I laugh to myself when I gaze at the four posts that surround my bed. Each of them is equipped with a locking velcro cuff to secure anyone on the queen-sized bed. That will be later, I smile inwardly.

Leading Sarah back downstairs, I tell her that some of the guys are coming over and may bring their girlfriends. "Since you're so young, I had to convince some of them to let you come. You'd better be on your best behavior." I mock her, coaxing her to acceptance. "You know: don't be like a baby and not want to try new things."

With that, I plop down on the sofa and turn on the Playstation 2. "They should be here in an hour. Don't be so impatient," I respond to her query. "Get me another beer and finish yours already."