HOME FRONT42...The Play!

[ariosto]

OOC...Evening, June 14th,

The situation,

On this warm June night, Jack Becker is approaching the home of Elizabeth Moore where he's been invited to dinner following his rescue of her son David from the wrecked U-Boat crew. David's older brother Frank Junior will be there and his girl Maisy is expected to drop in later on. Most importantly to Jack though is the presence of
Toni Moore, the older sister that he would very much like to get know better.

Down in the town, Lieutenant Nels Bronson is
talking with Sophie Kelly at the Tradewinds Bar about the events of yesterdays rescue. Claire Fouree is working at the Harbor View Diner and is serving a rugged young AAF field officer, Thor Gunderson, recently assigned to Butler AAFB.

Working late in his office at the OVS, John Carmody is wondering how the town will entertain the boys on the cruiser Quincy due in tomorrow night.
He's at ease over the scheduled USO Dance on the Pavillion Pier, since he's left the arrangements to his assistant Toni Moore and he has every confidence in her...and her Mother.

Okay, I think that set's the opening positions for our current players.
Break a Leg everybody!


IC...

http://www.Bibracte.dreamwater.org/ATWAS/JackBeck.jpg


Jack was nervous as a cat. The walk from the bus stop up the tree lined street should have been pleasent on this warm Spring evening but each step seemed to take an enormous effort and the 6 blocks seemed like six miles. Then all too soon he was at the house. There was Davy waving from the porch.
Becker waved back and walked on unsteady legs up the wide front steps.

"Achtung Herr Beck."
Davy gave a mock fascist salute and grinned broadly. Jack smiled back, clicked his heels together smartly and bowed like a Prussian staff officer.

"Wow, where did you learn to speak German so good Mister Becker?"

"Call me Jack, Davy please."

Just then Toni appered in the open screen door and all his fears evaporated clean away. She looked fresh and lovely in that yellow
dress and again he noted her remarkable resemblance to Rita Heyworth. Maybe he should have bought some new clothes after all.

"Jack! Jack come in."
And taking a deep breath, he did.

 

[SexyChele]

Claire

It was 3 hours into my shift, and the dinner crowd was just starting to pick up. So far, it didn't look like it would be an overly busy night, yet with all the things going on in Fair Harbor it was hard to tell.

The letter that I had received from Jeremy that afternoon was tucked into the pocket of my uniform apron. His letter spoke of missing home and me, and looking to a brighter future, but I could tell there was a fearful undertone his words were trying to hide. Yes, boys were going to the farthest reaches of the world and dying. Almost every family in Fair Harbor had a son, husband, lover or other relative in active duty at the moment. And all were hoping, praying, wishing they would see their loved ones come home alive.

I brush those thoughts from my mind as I continue to wipe up off the counter, bringing its polished surface to a shine. Mel, the owner and short-order cook of the diner, rings me back to the station for a pickup. Yes, Colonel Gunderson's dinner. Such a nice looking man, shame he's eating alone on a lovely evening like this.

I pick up the plate of food, and grab the coffee pot as I head to his table.

"Ok, Colonel, the chef's 'special' just for you. Must say, between you and me, you must have a great deal of courage to eat Mel's 'specials'!"

I give him a bright, friendly smile as I lay down the food in front of him. Mel is actually a great cook, but I like to rib him - and he likes to shout at me for doing so. We have the perfect working relationship.

"More coffee with that, Colonel? Or can I get you something else?"

 

[MtnAngelWV]

Sophie Kelly

The Tradewinds Bar is full of men tonight. Men that have previously heated my body, even if not my soul. The Pabst Blue Ribbon is cold as it slides down my throat, cooling the remnants of the whiskey that had preceeded it. Getting drunk and getting laid are two of my most favorite pasttimes. It hadn't always been this way for me. I was in love once, when I was young and naive. You couldn't call him a boy, he was what I had thought a man. Too bad his actions were that of a boy when I told him the news of his impending fatherhood. The liquor hadn't taken effect yet and my thoughts turn melancholy as I think of those nights not all that long ago.

His voice raises to a fevered pitch as I tell him the news. I am with child, his child, but he doesn't believe me. He seems to know with certainity that the child I am carrying is not his. Nothing I say can appease him and I run from his angry accusations. The hot tears sting my cheeks as they roll down past them. My thoughts are jumbled together, trying to plan my next move. I know that he will never marry me and I will be the shame of Fair Harbor.

I find myself at the edge of the water ready to dive in and drown myself. What other choice have I? An unmarried pregnant woman will be an outcast to all of the townspeople. Even if I move away until the birth I realize that their will still be talk and innuendos. All at once it hits me. I recall some talk long ago about a woman who could make these problems go away for a set fee. I decide then and there that is what I must do.

That night is the beginning of my destiny. As the sharp, metal instruments probe and tear at the tender flesh, my unborn baby is ripped from its resting place. I feel the thick, warm blood ooze from between my legs. There are no tears shed, a silent vow I made to myself. Fate has spoken and for me a childless future is what I have to look forward to.

"This life is made from the consequences of my actions. No regrets. No fears. Just fun!" I think to myself as I empty the remains of the can.


OOC: attached is an image of Brigitte Bardot -- this is what I picture Sophie Kelly to look like!

 

[Maid of Marvels]

http://www.Bibracte.dreamwater.org/ATWAS/ritaplaid.jpgThe screen door slammed shut behind them as they walked into the living room causing Jack to jump. "Nervous?" Toni asked quietly. "We're just going to have a quiet family dinner. Mom's way of thanking you for saving the brat. Relax." Jack nodded, but truth was he couldn't remember the last time he had had a 'quiet family dinner'... ANY family dinner. God, he hoped he didn't make too big a fool of himself.

"Jack! Come in! So good to see you!" Bette hurried into the room, wiping her hands on her apron before hugging him. "How can I ever thank you enough for what you did yesterday? Make yourself at home, won't you? Dinner is just about ready." Jack squirmed a little at Bette's embrace and Toni laughed. "Okay, mom. You can let the poor guy go now. Come on, Jack. Let's go see what Frankie's up to."

"Frankie!" Toni called out. "Jack Becker's here. Come down from your room and be a person!" Her brother had come home the other day announcing that he had 'joined up'. Just waiting for his orders now, she knew it bothered her mom more than a little. His girl, Maisy, had been pretty quiet, too. "Yeah, yeah... I'll be down in a minute," came the muffled reply from behind her brother's bedroom door.

Shrugging, Toni grinned at Jack. "Well, I guess it's just us til dinner, huh?" Jack grinned his crooked grin as she slipped her arm around his waist.

Toni had avoided dating any of the 'locals' since coming back to Fair Harbor. Not because no one had asked. They had. She just wasn't interested in any of them. Then Jack Becker came along. There was an aura of mystery about him, a sort of 'bad boy' charm that she just couldn't resist.

http://www.Bibracte.dreamwater.org/ATWAS/JackBeck.jpgHe was exciting, clever, and smart even though he didn't seem to want people knowing that about him. When he spoke, his voice quietly intense, she found herself mesmerized by the rhythm of it, forgetting that anyone else was around. In his arms? Well...

Toni turned toward Jack, sliding her hand up his chest and around to the back of his neck as she drew him closer for a tender kiss. "Hello, Jack Becker. Sooo good to see you again." Just as he started to slip his arms around her, Bette called out. "Dinner, everyone! Boys? Let's go. Time to eat."

Jack and Toni grinned at each other as they walked arm in arm to the dining room.

 

[sojournerwolf]

Lt. Nels Bronson, USCG

Nels sauntered into the bar, the scent of the sea still strong in his nose. The Tradewinds was okay for a civvy bar, though a few too many of the Army fly boys hung out there for his taste. The town was still a-buzz with the news of yesterday's U=boat incident, and the fact that all anyone could talk about was Jack annoyed Nels. Hell, if it hadn't been for his crew, those Germans would have gotten away.

He shrugged and put it out of his mind. A good looking babe at the bar was sipping on a PBR, and for Nels, that was always a good start.

Sliding onto the barstool next to her, Nels gestured for the bartender to bring him a draft and another for the young woman. He studied her with a frankly appraising gaze for a moment.

"Hey, pretty lady," Nels said. "Looks like you've got a lot on your mind."

 

[MtnAngelWV]

Sophie Kelly

His voice breaks the revelry I am in and I turn to see him. He is an extremely handsome young man, one I do not remember meeting before this night.

"The only thing weighing on my mind is where my next beer was going to come from. But I see you have solved my problem," I reply as I pick up the can and savor its refreshing flavor.

My foot slips out of the sandal and winds its way up the calf of his leg; the first sign that I am more than interested. A melody wafts through the bar; "I'll Be Seeing You" is the tune. My eyes search his, hinting at my desire to dance and another promise of more.

 

[Ticklish Girl]

Elizabeth Moore

As she waited for everyone to come into the dining room, Bette surveyed the table, making sure that everything was just right. All the place settings were in order. She had put out the best china, silverware and linen napkins. The table was practically groaning under the weight of the food: carved roast beef, potatoes, carrots, gravy, and hot biscuits. The table centerpiece was a small basket full of a variety of fresh flowers. And because this was such a special occasion, two bottles of red wine were ready at the sideboard. There was also plenty of pop just in case anyone didn’t feel like having wine. Yes, everything was just right.

Bette tugged off her apron and darted back into the kitchen to put it away. She washed her hands, dried them and used the towel to wipe away the perspiration from her forehead. What a long and busy day! Between the cleaning and the shopping and the cooking, she had been on her feet since seven this morning. She was exhausted, and looking forward to sitting down. But she didn’t regret a minute of her labor – it was the least she could do to repay Jack Becker. And, to be perfectly honest, she was also looking forward to getting to know this handsome stranger who had made such a huge impact on her family.

Easy there, girl, she reminded herself with a chuckle. From the looks of things, Toni had already staked a claim on Jack. She would be furious if Bette started flirting with him. I shall be on my best behavior tonight, she promised.

She returned to the dining room and saw David already in his seat. Jack and Toni were standing near the end of the table, arm in arm. Toni looked up at her. “Where shall we sit, Mother?”

“Anyplace you like, darling,” Bette replied, smiling. She glanced at David, who looked none the worse for wear after yesterday’s ordeal. Her throat tightened and she felt her eyes sting as tears threatened. It suddenly occurred to her that there was another advantage to having a busy day: it saved her from having to think about what had happened with the U-boat. She just knew that if she stopped to consider how close she had come to losing her baby boy, she would start bawling like a baby. She took a deep breath and with an effort forced the tears back. No crying, she told herself. This is a happy day. Happy.

She turned to Jack and found that she was able to smile. “I hope you brought your appetite, young man,” she said.

 

[sojournerwolf]

Nels Bronson

Damn, Nels thinks to himself, hit the jackpot tonight, old son.

Smiling at the luscious looking woman, Nels offers her his hand.

"Care to dance?"

They move out onto the floor smoothly. Despite his size, Nels has a certain grace learned from years on stormy decks. His movements hint at a strongly controlled ferocity though not without some gentleness.

They flow across the floor, close. Nels hands, large and warm, strong enough to crack walnuts--or Army fly boy heads--mold around the woman's body. The feel of her breasts against his chest, her belly through its thin sheath brushing against his uniform shirt, the scent of her, all cause a faint glow of warmth to grow deep within his groin.

She's not offered her name, and that somehow seems right on a summer evening when the wind blows in off the channel and whispers softly through the town with the bright eye of the nomad moon trailing faint vapors of cloud in its eternal journey.

She lays her head on his chest a moment, and he feels a bit of dampness as if she had shed a tear, yet when she looks at him, her eyes are bright and her smile warm.

Nels hand glides slowly along her back to rest in the small hollow there as he they turn and turn and turn in slow gyre across the dimly lit floor.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Colonel Thor

"coffee, or something else..." Shaking myself back to the present, my eyes focus on the waitress standing by the table, looking at me strangely. I always seem to be planning the next day's training, worrying that if we fail to make theses kids good pilots, few will last six months over Germany..... I had popped into this diner on a whim. I had parked my staff car around the corner on Broad Street and was heading for the bar - trade -something - when I realized I was hungry and saw the diner at the same time. It was typical - red plastic seats, the counter stools, and the ever present nickel juke box remotes at the table.

"I'm sorry, what did you say. I must apologize, I was somewhere else." As I spoke, I looked at her for the first time. Pretty, probably half my age, blond, and well-built, judging by the way her uniform curved. For the hundreth time, I try to tell myself that I need to forget about flying, B-17's, the war.......

 

[ariosto]

Jack Becker...Dinner at the Moore's

Jack's apetite was almost alarming. After a slow start he warmed up quickly and was soon asking for second helpings and in the case of the roast beef, thirds.
He wondered how on earth she had the 'points' to buy a meal like this especially the meat. A butcher shop these days could be a grim and disapointing affair.
Toni seemed to read his thoughts. When he asked for 'just one more slice' she looked at her Mother and winked.
"Mister Batelli and Mom are real old friends, right?"

Jack remembered passing Batelli's Meat Market several times and not seeing a roast like this on display anywhere.
Well beggers cant be choosers and he was awfully damned tired of Campbell soup and peanut butter sandwiches.
He read Bette Moore right off as a woman who was tired of mourning her late husband and ready to start life again by finding a new man or two. She was a damned handsome woman too, she shouldn't have any trouble at all.

For a good part of the meal Jacks hand had been on Toni's smooth thigh and her foot had been rubbing his pants leg. All in all a delightful dinner.
That is until Frank Junior, who had been quiet for the most part spoke up and asked him pointedly if he was going to enlist.

"That's rude Frank." Bette admonished him.
"You don't ask guests questions like that."

"No that's Ok. I can answer him. There's a couple of reasons the army doesn't want me Frank. I'm a bit too old for one thing and I got hurt a few years ago. I get pretty bad headaches and my vision gets messed up."
Toni looked at him with consternation.

"What happned to you Jack?"
Guiless Davy asked the question on everyones mind.
Becker paused and looked around the table, then shrugged.
"I was a fighter...a boxer you know. Anyway I lost one. Lost it pretty bad. I got a concussion and was out of it...a coma, for two weeks."

Everyone was listening intently.
"It took a while to get my vision back and then the headaches would come...still do. It's better now, but..."

Just then the phone rang, two longs and a short.
"That's probably for you Franky, I bet it's Maisy calling. Ask her to hurry on over."

Jack's story and the phone effectively broke up dinner which was just fine with him. He couldn't wait to get Toni out on the porch and alone.

Davy tore upstairs to his room. Somewhere he knew he had a box of trading cards and on of them he was sure he had seen a picture of Jack Becker Middleweight contender.

 

[MtnAngelWV]

Sophie Kelly

His hand on the small of my back leads me to the dance floor. Nestling my head into the crook of his neck I detect the aroma of after shave and also the crispness of an ocean breeze. The mixture is tantalizingly erotic. I grind my pelvis against his muscular form as the music swells around us. My fingers wind their way up into his hair, pushing his lips into mine for a passionate kiss.

When the kiss is broken I look deeply into his eyes, a teasing grin playing across my lips. And so it begins. Starts with a dance and leads to so much more. My body yearns to feel his, the hardness of him pressed against my softness. Our lovemaking washing away the worries of yesterday and the cares of tomorrow.

 

[SexyChele]

Claire

I give a short laugh as I refill the Colonel's coffee cup.

"Yes, it does seem that everyone is pre-occupied with the war, doesn't it? I guess it's hard not to be what with all the new stuff happening around here, boys being sent off - "

I catch my breath slightly, as my fingers brush against the letter in my apron pocket.

"Yes, well, sometimes I think we all need a diversion, you know? Otherwise we just go crazy. Hmmm, well.....can I get you anything else, Colonel? Maybe a piece of our delicious apple pie to go with that? You know, we have the best apple pies in Fair Harbor!"

I stand, one hip cocked, with a warm smile......and I realize just what a handsome man the Colonel is. But I'll bet he's also married with a dozen kids running around as well....

 

[Moneytalks]

C:\My Documents\Maisy.jpg

Maisy waited for Frank Jnr to answer her call.

Finally his familiar voice could be heard on the other end of the line.

"Oh Frankie... hi... it's me... Maisy... " she giggled at stating the obvious, "am I too late for dinner?"
"Nope... Mom was just saying I should tell you to hurry on over... we've JUST sat down."
"Oh... okay... I'm leaving now... should be there soon."
"Okay see ya..."

Maisy sighed as she hung up the phone. Frankie had gone and enlisted yesterday. He was so gung-ho about it all... she hadn't the heart to tell him of her misgivings about it. She felt that saying anything would make her seem selfish in some way. She knew so many people who's brother's, boyfriends, husbands, had gone away. That was the problem. She dreaded living with that constant gnawing fear... what if? Is he okay? Is he alive? Is he safe? Hurt? Worse? She took a deep breath... willing all these horrid thoughts to go away. She had to be strong, for Frankie's sake. She loved him so.

She pulled on the varsity sweater he'd given her as a token of their going steady. It still smelt vaguely of his cologne and soap. She smiled softly to herself as she quickly pulled a brush through her hear before heading out the door.

She called out to her mother as she left...

"Bye Mom... I'm off to Frankie's for dinner!"
"Okay sweetheart... say hello to Mrs Moore..."
"Will do!"

Slam.

She walked the familiar streets to the Moore house and soon was knocking on the door.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Colonel Thor

I read the little tag on her uniform - OK OK, I wanted to have another "unobtrusive" look at her curves. "Claire, oh, I am being rude. I must introduce myself. I am Colonel Thor, the commander of the training wing at Butler AAFB. You are.....?"

I paused, waiting to see if she wanted to talk. I had several "close" encounters with women, but I was always too busy with my military career to become more than casually involved.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Dinner over, she stands and begins to clear the table...

http://www.Bibracte.dreamwater.org/ATWAS/ritaplaid.jpgJack grabs a handful of dishes following her into the kitchen. "This won't take long, Jack," Toni says as she begins to fill the sink with hot, soapy water.

Jack stands behind her, slipping his arms around her waist and pressing against the softness of her curves. She was intoxicating and he was drunk with the smell and feel of her. Toni tilted her head slightly as he lowered his mouth to the curve of her neck, kissing, nibbling. A soft "mmm... " escaped her lips. As the dishcloth glided over the plates one by one, Jack's hands slid smoothly up from her waist, cupping her breasts. Kneading. NEEDING...

Hands full of suds, Toni turned in his arms, placing a dollop on the tip of his nose with a grin. "If you help dry, we can finish a lot faster." She kissed him lightly as he wiped the soap from his face. "Consider it done!" he said as he grabbed a dish towel and set to his task. The sooner these were done, the sooner...

Before long, the dishes finished and put away, Toni and Jack headed for the porch. Maisy was just lifting her hand to knock as they reached the door. "Hey, Mais! Frankie's in the other room. You know the way." Jack nudged her in the ribs. "Oh, Maisy? This is Jack. Jack Becker. The man who saved Davy Jones."

He shook hands with the young woman whose eyes opened wide at the introduction. "Nice to meet you, Jack. You're... umm... quite the hero." Toni mumbled something that sounded like "If you only knew..." as she took his hand and fairly pulled him out onto the porch with a deep chuckle.

Over his shoulder, he called out "Nice meeting you, too," before turning toward Toni and pulling her into his arms.

 

[SexyChele]

Claire

I giggled slightly at the idea of him having just used my name to ask for it...

"I'm Claire, Claire Fouree. Full time waitress at the Harbor View Diner, and parttime volunteer hostess at the USO. And I am very glad to meet you officially, Colonel Thor. You must have a tough job getting some of those recruits ready to go overseas? From what I hear, Butler has increased dramatically with guys enlisting. So, tell me, just where you normally call home, Colonel?"

Noticing that no one else is seated in my station yet, I set the coffee pot down on the table, and lean against the other seat of the booth.

 

[sojournerwolf]

Nels Bronson

Dances end, as dances do, to make way for other dances. Why do we dance our dances? Is it the sheer pleasure of physical movement and contact all in one? Or do we sometimes seek to substitute instinct and rhythm for memories, at least for a little while?

Nels feels her molding into his body, her pelvis brushing at first, then pushing with bold insistence into his rapidly rising erection. He pushes back, a faint sliding motion between her thighs.

The woman's kiss is hungry, and he replies in kind, lips locked if but for a moment beyond propriety. Her hands tangle in his hair as he draws her closer. There's a grin on her face reflected in his own smoldering, glittering eyes.

"Folks, gonna take a break for a few minutes," breaks the spell but cannot quench it. The band moves off the stage. Yet, Nels still holds her close.

"There's a wide eyed moon and a million stars out tonight," Nels says softly. "Seems like maybe they'd be happier if they could see beauty like yours tonight. Let's take a walk along the beach."

Taking her hand, Nels leads her from the bar to the station's Packard he borrowed for the evening. He opens the door for her and gets in on the other side. Cranking up the ignition, he puts it in gear and they roll down the darkened streets toward the ocean, headed beyond the faint glow of town and harbor lights.

 

[Moneytalks]

Maisy @ The Moore's House

"Nice meeting you, too," Jack replied before turning toward Toni and pulling her into his arms. Maisy smiled to herself, something about the romance between the two warming her heart.

She entered the house and spotted Elizabeth Moore, Frank Jnr's mother.

"Hi Mrs Moore!" She called out in her young sing-song voice.
"Looks like you did your usual amazing dinner tonight?" She smiled. "Is Frank in ther other room?" Bette smiled in greeting and nodded in the affirmative. "Oh... and Mom says 'Hi'..." Maisy continued flashing another warm smile to Bette. She really adored Frankie's mother. To be honest, she didn't have ill feelings towards anyone... but Frankies mom just seemed so full of life and fun.

Maisy continued into the house, she waved and smiled at Davy... tousling his hair affecitonately.

"Awwww... cut it out Mais..." he shrugged off her hand with a youthful scowl that made her giggle.
"What you got there? Trading cards?" She smiled curiously.
He nodded at her... distracted. She smiled down at his head... intently bent over his box of cards as he looked for one in particular. She knew him well enough not to disturb him further.

Finally there was Frank sitting on the sofa finishing off a piece of pie which sat on a plate on his lap. He turned his head as she approached and flashed her that smile that made all the girls at school just melt. She smiled back bounding the last few steps over to him. She always felt so good around him.

"Hey there handsome..." she grinned, reaching over a finger to wipe some cream from the corner of his mouth before bringing it to her own. "Mmm... your mom is SUCH a good cook!" She smiled snuggling next to him on the sofa, completely comfortable.
"Hey there yourself beautiful..." he dutifully responded, smiling warmly at the intimate gesture.

 

[Guest]

Frank Jnr

Frank watches her as Maisy sucks the cream off her finger.

"You want some?" he says, offering her his plate. "You can have the rest."

"You sure?" she asks, her smile illuminating his face.

"Yeah! You know my mom, she always makes loads anyway."

Handing over the plate, he watches her as she quickly she quickly consumes its contents.

"That was smashing!" she beams, handing back the plate.

"Glad you liked it. However, you do realise that you have to do the washing up."

For a moment, Maisy just sits there as if she is studing his face, trying to figure out whether he is being serious or not.

He can't help but give her a sly grin.

"Oooh! You rat!" she exclaims, bashing him on the arm.

They both laugh.

Looking around, he notices that they are alone.

"Seriously," he ventures, "since you have a piece of my pie, I want something in return."

"And what's that?"

"A kiss."

Maisy laughs.

 

[ariosto]

Jack...On the porch

"Pretty girl."
Jack nodded over his shoulder.
"Yep, Maisy's way to good for Frank. She thinks so anyway."

"Oh yeah?"
Jack took a seat on the big comfortable
porch lounger which sat against the wall of the Moore house.
"This is a big porch Toni. A big house too."
Toni sat down next to him and he put his arm around her.
"I was born here. Mom is thinking about selling it but that would be terrible. I..."
Jack was sliding his hand along her thigh just as he had under the dinner table.

"I think I want you to kiss me Mister Becker."
"No sooner said than done Miss Moore."
Their lips met and melted together for a long moment. His hand glided up over her dress and cupped her breasts pressing lightly, caressing them. It had been nearly three years since he'd touched a woman this way and he realized his reaction was all to obvious.
"I'm sorry Toni." He said glancing at the evidence stretching the fabric of his trousers.
"Your so damned beautiful and..."

An electric shock passed through him as her fingers touched his cock and slid slowly up and down the length of it.
"Don't apologize Jack. I'm really happy that a kiss can get to you this way."

"Get to me! Lemme show you how you get to me!"
He took her in his arms again and crushed her to him. Their lips met and opened and soon their tongues were danciung in delicious harmony.
His hands were on her everywhere they could be.
He wanted to tear her pretty yellow dress right off her and...

"Hey everybody! I found it! I found it! Jack's card!...look!" It was Davy.
The sound of his footsteps running down the stairs
put a temporary end to their passionate embrace.
Toni grinned at him, her face was so beautiful.
"Don't worry my hero. The night's young and Im the one that will be driving you home."

 

[Ticklish Girl]

Bette Moore - unwinding after a long day

Bette peeped into the living room and smiled at the sight of Maisy curled up with Frankie on the sofa. They looked so cute and cozy together, it was almost as if they were brother and sister instead of boyfriend and girlfriend. Or maybe they just looked that way to Bette because she loved Maisy as if the girl were her second daughter. Sometimes, in fact, she got along better with Maisy than she did with her flesh and blood daughter.

If they looked up they would catch her watching them – they might even think she didn’t trust them. She quietly returned to the kitchen where her cup of tea was waiting. Toni and Jack, having finished the dishes, had gone off by themselves, Frankie and Maisy were ensconced in the living room, and Davy was preoccupied with his trading cards. For now she had the luxury of some quiet time to sit by herself and think.

Bette settled into the kitchen chair and sipped her tea, thinking that peace and quiet were all too rare these days – in fact, she sometimes thought that they had been rationed along with the fuel oil and gasoline. There always seemed to be so much to do, and so much to worry about. The weeks after Frank Sr.'s death had been the worst. She had spent most of that time in a fog. It was only within the last two months or so that she had begun to feel like herself again. She didn't know what she would have done if she didn't have her children and good friends like Joe Batelli and John Carmody. They had really helped her pull out of her depression and made her want to start living and enjoying life once more.

It wasn't so long ago that she wouldn't have been able to plan a big dinner like the one she'd given tonight. It would have seemed like an overwhelming task. But by gosh, she had pulled it off. The dinner had been a huge success. Jack Becker couldn’t have been nicer, and it was obvious that he and Toni were crazy about each other. Toni, for one, seemed completely besotted with him. Bette didn’t blame her one bit. If I were just ten years younger, I’d make a play for him myself, she thought, chuckling.

Oh yes. She was herself again, all right.

 

[Moneytalks]

Maisy

Maisy smiled and primly moved in to kiss Frank on the cheek. He saw this coming however and at the last moment moved to capture her lips... still sweet with the taste of the pie and cream. He felt her hand press lightly against his chest as if to push him away but her lips told another story... softening under his... returning the kiss.

Her mind reeled. He smelt so good... felt even better... her hands feeling the muscles of his chest. He'd been the best quarterback the school team had had in the last ten years. Everyone said so... she'd overheard the coach... over and over.

"Takes brains as well as brawn to lead the team... in Frankie we got even more... got sheer talent!"

Maisy always had to smile proudly... that was Frankie all over.

She felt his arms wrap around her... holding her protectively. The kiss deepened.

Suddenly they both heard...

"Hey everybody! I found it! I found it! Jack's card!...look!" It was Davy.

 

[Guest]

Frank Jnr

"Hey everybody! I found it! I found it! Jack's card!...look!"

Frank sighs as his young brother's outburst breaks the moment and feels Maisy pull away.

Taking the plate from her, he sits back and just looks at her.

He must be mad!

Finally, after his father's death, life is starting to pick up again.

He is going out with one of most popular girls in school. School's going well, both in class and on the field. Even his mother, who he has been worried about for the past year, is finally starting to come out of her shell.

He knows he's got a good future ahead of him, that there's a job waiting for him at Patterson's Shipyard when he graduates. It's almost taken for granted, by both his family and hers, that he and Maisy will probably get married one day.

In fact, his life looks pretty much mapped out for the next twenty years or so.

That thought sends a shiver down his spine.

It took his Dad's death to realise that this is not what he wants, that life's too short to do something he doesn't want to do.

He feels a little guilty about Maisy. Oh he's fond of her and she's being the girl he has ever dated. But how can he really love her when he finds himself, especially recently, noticing other girls and even women? It also doesn't help that he's got a thing for Sophie Kelly (what boy doesn't?).

That's why he has enlisted in the army. He has to get away, before it's too late. Before he gets trapped.

"Frankie..?"

Coming out of his reverie, he sees that Maisy is trying to get is attention. For a moment, her face is frowning.

"Sorry, Doll. Was miles away." Suddenly feeling uncomfortable in her presence, he gets up saying they should find out what Davy was shouting about.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Toni and Jack went inside to see what Davy had "found"...

They found him in the living room surrounded by her mother, Maisy and Frankie. "See I told you," he was saying as he showed them one of his trading cards. "Jack Becker. Middleweight Contender. 1934. Height: 5'10. Reach: 75". Weight: 160."

Toni took the card from his hand to get a better look. "Wow, Becker! Says you were 67-18 and 2 with 45 KOs. I AM impressed!" Jack took the card from Toni's hand and looked at the stats before turning it over to look at the picture of himself on the other side. "Yeah, well.. It was a long time ago. Done with fighting now. Here ya go, kid" he said as he handed it back to Davy Jones.

"Well, Mrs. Moore. Dinner was wonderful. Thank you for having me over. Maisy, it was a pleasure meeting you. Keep an eye on her, Frankie. She's quite a looker," Jack added as an aside to Frank Jr. who shrugged and grinned as Maisy blushed. "Ready, Toni? It's getting kind of umm.. late."

Toni chuckled and grabbed her keys off the telephone table by the stairs. "Ready, Champ." She kissed him lightly, whispering "Think you're still good for a couple rounds, Becker?" Jack slung his arm over her shoulder as they walked out the door. "Maybe I am, Miss Moore. Maybe I am."

 

[ariosto]

John Carmody

John Carmody stayed late in his office on the third floor of the National Bank building and watched the lights coming on in the gathering darkness. The Office of Volunteer Services would soon have a home of it's own but he would miss this view over the peaceful town.
Carmody loved Fair Harbor just as his Father and Grandfather had before him. Most of his life had been of service to the Community, he'd been editor and publisher of the Free Press until his forced retirement three years ago. He'd served one term as Mayor in the dark days of the early depression. When the war came he left the comforts of his home on Crescent Avenue and took over the OVS, establishing benchmarks that other offices around New England envied.
He was sixty years old and still considered one of the towns most eligable bachelors.
He'd had an invitation to supper at the Moore house tonight. Bette had been almost insistant on the phone in fact
but he'd begged off. There was a ream of legitimate work sitting on his desk and had it not been for Davy's rescue he would have asked Toni to stay late and help him. Tomorrow night, 1600 sailors from the Quincy would be on the streets of Fair Harbor looking for one last good memory before heading to the Pacific.
John Carmody too was very conscious of the mood of the town. Fair Harbor was growing but not by choice and hung on to many of the conservative values of it's past. Frank Moore senior had been another of the communities respected leaders. It was too soon to be adding kindling to the burgeoning rumours of his widows behavior.
He looked at his watch, just time enough to catch a quick dinner at the Harbor View.

OOC...I will play Carmody until we get someone else to take the part. Don't let his age fool you. John Carmody is still virile and handsome . He never married in part because he enjoyed his success too well as a ladies man. He is an inch over six feet, slender with no sign of aging. His hair is still thick, sandy colored with no trace of greying. He wears glasses when he needs to and walks with a slight limp from a wound recieved in WWI while acting as a correspondent for a Boston Daily. There may be some truth to the rumours about Carmody and Bette Moore