[OOC -- This is a Companion Thread, a smaller story -- a date, essentially -- between David Lee Warren and Jessica Woodridge, within the larger story of "High School Whore House". You can subscribe to and read it now; or read it later, when we announce that it is completed. (I advise the first; sometimes, details mentioned in a C.T. are applicable to the greater story line. But, as I've said, sometimes it's more enjoyable to read an entire CT once it's finished. Have fun.)]
Thursday Morning; David Lee Warren's Home:
"So-o-o-o..." his mother egged him excitedly as she lathered a piece of toast with orange marmalade. "Who is she...?"
"Leave him alone," his father mumbled from behind the Wall Street Journal.
"Who? Who?"
"Nobody, mother," Daniel responded in a soft, respectful tone, stuffing his mouth full of poached egg, more to keep from answering than from hunger. His mother had been absolutely annoying since the night before when Daniel confirmed that he had a date for his father's dinner tonight. He took his time, chewing and swallowing, but once his mouth was clear and he found his mother's glare still steady upon him, he added, "Just a girl from school, mother. Jessica ... Jessica Woodridge. You don't know her."
His mother's face dropped a bit. "Not Candice Strait...? Or Gloria DeBreg...?" Did you ask..."
She began naming, one after another, all of the daughters of all of the women from their social circle, asking "did you ask..." or "wasn't she available..." in association to all of the families she would love to see merged with her own via a marriage to her son.
"Leave the boy be," his father mumbled again, still hidden behind the paper. David's mother continued on, then suddenly the paper dropped before his father and, meaning to sound informative and helpful, asked, "Have you purchased protection, son? If you need, we can stop by the drug store--"
"Oh my god!" David exclaimed popping from his chair like a Jack in the Box, knocking the chair to the hard tiled floor behind him. He looked between his two parents with an expression of shocked embarrassment. "Are you two serious...? It's just a date! With just a girl!" He looked to him mother. "I'm not getting married..." He looked to his father. "And I'm not getting laid!"
He spun and, nearly falling over the chair, headed quickly away toward his room, nearly colliding with the housekeeper, then a moment later with his father's driver. He stomped his way up the mansion's marble staircase to his room and, still grumbling, prepared for school. Unbelievable! was the word that kept going through his head. Absolutely unbelievable. He was sorry he'd decided to go to his father's business dinner; and he was sorry he'd said anything about having a date.
He was even beginning to reconsider taking Jessica at all. Not because there was anything wrong with her, but instead every thing was wrong with his parents! Then, he turned and looked at the opened copy of last year's Harrison High year book; Jessica looked up from one of the candid shots that popped up throughout the book. David moved the book and stared at the photo; Jess has been wearing a loose blouse that, from the shot's higher angle, revealed a considerable amount of cleavage and, at one breast, a nipple hardened by a fall breeze. The pic wasn't supposed to have gone into the annual at all; it had been rejected by the Journalism Instructor, who oversaw the year book project. But David, the book's Senior Editor, had slipped it back in. And over the last several months, he'd found himself late at night opening the book at bed time and using the photo as ... inspiration.
An Hour Later:
David chose to drive the Mercedes to school again, once again parking away from the buildings in his rented space; he wanted it close in case he needed transportation, but he didn't want the other students -- except Jessica, of course -- seeing it.
Once inside Harrison, he set about searching the halls for Jessica. He knew her class schedule by heart, and he knew where her locker and her typical hang outs were, as well. But he wasn't finding her, and he was getting concerned. She had confirmed that she would go to the dinner with him tonight, but David had mistakenly not gotten her phone number -- or given her his -- and now was afraid that she would either forget ... or, more devastating, change her mind.
The latter possibility, was based on a concern that had only come to him last night as he inspected the suit he would be wearing tonight: what if she has nothing to wear? It was a formal, black and white dinner, which would be populated by some of the most powerful men and most elegant women associated with the Publishing Industry.
David wasn't sure what to do about it, though. The solution that came to him was ... not subtle. And now, unable to locate Jessica, David was becoming desperate. He decided to give up on the search and, instead, headed to the school's Administrative Offices to deal with a permission slip issue ... and, ironically, that was where he found Jessica, beyond the windows in Mister Jacob's office for what he assumed was a college counseling session. He waited, standing off at an angle to give him a good look at his date; he couldn't believe that he was going out with Jessica Woodridge, even if she was simply accompanying David to a social event, not going out.
First bell rang, and he knew he had to get to class. In four years of school, David had never had an unexcused tardy, let alone an absence. He quickly grabbed up a pen, scribbled a note, folded it, stuffed a piece of plastic inside it, and slammed the stapler down upon it. He handed it to June, begging, "Will you please make sure Jessica Woodridge gets this when she comes out of Mister Jacobs office."
After getting assurance that it would get done, David hurried away, wondering whether his last act had been a good one or not.
When Jessica left Jake's office, the Office Assistant waved her down and gave her the note, explaining its source. Jessica opened it and found an American Express card and the words, "Don't have time to explain. So sorry. Use this for anything you need for tonight. Please don't be offended. I just want you to have anything you need. A car will come to your house to pick you up at 7. Call this number for arrangements. Can't wait! David. "
(OOC -- This is long. Just setting the stage. Will be on my phone off and on, so short posts will be great if you want.)
Thursday Morning; David Lee Warren's Home:
"So-o-o-o..." his mother egged him excitedly as she lathered a piece of toast with orange marmalade. "Who is she...?"
"Leave him alone," his father mumbled from behind the Wall Street Journal.
"Who? Who?"
"Nobody, mother," Daniel responded in a soft, respectful tone, stuffing his mouth full of poached egg, more to keep from answering than from hunger. His mother had been absolutely annoying since the night before when Daniel confirmed that he had a date for his father's dinner tonight. He took his time, chewing and swallowing, but once his mouth was clear and he found his mother's glare still steady upon him, he added, "Just a girl from school, mother. Jessica ... Jessica Woodridge. You don't know her."
His mother's face dropped a bit. "Not Candice Strait...? Or Gloria DeBreg...?" Did you ask..."
She began naming, one after another, all of the daughters of all of the women from their social circle, asking "did you ask..." or "wasn't she available..." in association to all of the families she would love to see merged with her own via a marriage to her son.
"Leave the boy be," his father mumbled again, still hidden behind the paper. David's mother continued on, then suddenly the paper dropped before his father and, meaning to sound informative and helpful, asked, "Have you purchased protection, son? If you need, we can stop by the drug store--"
"Oh my god!" David exclaimed popping from his chair like a Jack in the Box, knocking the chair to the hard tiled floor behind him. He looked between his two parents with an expression of shocked embarrassment. "Are you two serious...? It's just a date! With just a girl!" He looked to him mother. "I'm not getting married..." He looked to his father. "And I'm not getting laid!"
He spun and, nearly falling over the chair, headed quickly away toward his room, nearly colliding with the housekeeper, then a moment later with his father's driver. He stomped his way up the mansion's marble staircase to his room and, still grumbling, prepared for school. Unbelievable! was the word that kept going through his head. Absolutely unbelievable. He was sorry he'd decided to go to his father's business dinner; and he was sorry he'd said anything about having a date.
He was even beginning to reconsider taking Jessica at all. Not because there was anything wrong with her, but instead every thing was wrong with his parents! Then, he turned and looked at the opened copy of last year's Harrison High year book; Jessica looked up from one of the candid shots that popped up throughout the book. David moved the book and stared at the photo; Jess has been wearing a loose blouse that, from the shot's higher angle, revealed a considerable amount of cleavage and, at one breast, a nipple hardened by a fall breeze. The pic wasn't supposed to have gone into the annual at all; it had been rejected by the Journalism Instructor, who oversaw the year book project. But David, the book's Senior Editor, had slipped it back in. And over the last several months, he'd found himself late at night opening the book at bed time and using the photo as ... inspiration.
An Hour Later:
David chose to drive the Mercedes to school again, once again parking away from the buildings in his rented space; he wanted it close in case he needed transportation, but he didn't want the other students -- except Jessica, of course -- seeing it.
Once inside Harrison, he set about searching the halls for Jessica. He knew her class schedule by heart, and he knew where her locker and her typical hang outs were, as well. But he wasn't finding her, and he was getting concerned. She had confirmed that she would go to the dinner with him tonight, but David had mistakenly not gotten her phone number -- or given her his -- and now was afraid that she would either forget ... or, more devastating, change her mind.
The latter possibility, was based on a concern that had only come to him last night as he inspected the suit he would be wearing tonight: what if she has nothing to wear? It was a formal, black and white dinner, which would be populated by some of the most powerful men and most elegant women associated with the Publishing Industry.
David wasn't sure what to do about it, though. The solution that came to him was ... not subtle. And now, unable to locate Jessica, David was becoming desperate. He decided to give up on the search and, instead, headed to the school's Administrative Offices to deal with a permission slip issue ... and, ironically, that was where he found Jessica, beyond the windows in Mister Jacob's office for what he assumed was a college counseling session. He waited, standing off at an angle to give him a good look at his date; he couldn't believe that he was going out with Jessica Woodridge, even if she was simply accompanying David to a social event, not going out.
First bell rang, and he knew he had to get to class. In four years of school, David had never had an unexcused tardy, let alone an absence. He quickly grabbed up a pen, scribbled a note, folded it, stuffed a piece of plastic inside it, and slammed the stapler down upon it. He handed it to June, begging, "Will you please make sure Jessica Woodridge gets this when she comes out of Mister Jacobs office."
After getting assurance that it would get done, David hurried away, wondering whether his last act had been a good one or not.
When Jessica left Jake's office, the Office Assistant waved her down and gave her the note, explaining its source. Jessica opened it and found an American Express card and the words, "Don't have time to explain. So sorry. Use this for anything you need for tonight. Please don't be offended. I just want you to have anything you need. A car will come to your house to pick you up at 7. Call this number for arrangements. Can't wait! David. "
(OOC -- This is long. Just setting the stage. Will be on my phone off and on, so short posts will be great if you want.)