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along with the pomeron , which appears in qcd as a compound state of two reggeized gluons @xcite , the hadron phenomenology requires reggeons , which can be constructed as colorless states of reggeized quarks and antiquarks .
it demands further development of the theory of quark reggeization @xcite in qcd .
till now , this theory remains less developed than the reggeized gluon theory , although a noticeable progress was achieved in the last years , in particular , the multi particle reggeon vertices required in the next to leading approximation ( nla ) were found @xcite , and the next to leading order ( nlo ) corrections to the vertices appearing in the the leading logarithmic approximation ( lla ) were calculated @xcite .
all these calculations were performed assuming the quark reggeization hypothesis . however , this hypothesis was not proved even in the lla , where merely its self consistency was shown , in all orders of @xmath0 , but only in a particular case of elastic quark gluon scattering @xcite .
recently , the hypothesis was tested at the nlo in order @xmath1 in @xcite , where its compatibility with high - energy behaviour of the two loop quark
gluon scattering amplitude was shown and the nlo correction to the quark trajectory was found in the limit of the space time dimension @xmath2 .
then , by the explicit two loop calculations with the help of @xmath3channel unitarity @xcite the hypothesis was checked and corresponding correction to the quark trajectory was found at arbitrary @xmath4 . in this paper
we suggest a complete proof of the quark reggeization hypothesis in the lla for any quark gluon inelastic process in all orders of @xmath0 . the proof is based on the relations required by compatibility of the multi
regge form of qcd amplitudes with the @xmath3channel unitarity ( bootstrap relations ) .
we derive these relations and show that their fulfilment guaranties the multi regge form .
fulfilment of bootstrap relations is secured by several conditions ( bootstrap conditions ) on the reggeon vertices and trajectories .
we explicitly show that these conditions are satisfied by the known expressions for the vertices and trajectories .
the method of the proof is similar to one used for proving of the gluon reggeization in the nla @xcite , but instead of passing to partial waves we apply recently introduced operator formalism @xcite extended to consideration of inelastic amplitudes and quark exchanges .
the paper is organized as follows . in the next section necessary denotations , kinematics definition as well as the form of the multi
regge inelastic amplitudes are introduced and explicit expressions for particle particle reggeon , reggeon
particle vertices and quark and gluon trajectories are given .
the bootstrap relations are derived in section 3 .
section 4 is devoted to calculation of the s channel discontinuities of the amplitudes .
the bootstrap conditions for reggeon vertices and trajectory are derived in section 5 .
in the subsequent section 6 these bootstrap conditions are verified .
section 7 concludes the paper .
the only kinematics which is essential in the lla is the multi regge kinematics ( mrk ) which means that all particles participating in a high energy process are well separated in the rapidity space and have limited transverse momenta .
let us consider the process @xmath5 in the mrk .
we will use light - cone momenta @xmath6 and @xmath7 , @xmath8 , and denote @xmath9 , so that @xmath10 , where the sign @xmath11 means transverse to the @xmath12 plane components .
we assume that initial momenta @xmath13 and @xmath14 ( see fig .
[ fig1 ] for denotations ) have predominant components along @xmath6 and @xmath7 respectively .
for generality we do not assume that transverse components @xmath15 and @xmath16 are zero , but @xmath17 and remain limited ( do not grow ) at @xmath18 . for the final particle momenta @xmath19 , we assume the mrk conditions : @xmath20 and @xmath21 are limited .
it ensures that the squared invariant masses @xmath22 are large compared with the squared transverse momenta ; at @xmath23 @xmath24 and at @xmath25 submit to relations @xmath26 for the momentum transfers @xmath27 , @xmath28 , @xmath29 we have @xmath30 high energy behaviour of amplitudes in the mrk is determined by exchanges in @xmath27 channels .
the largest @xmath31 are amplitudes with gluon exchanges in all channels ; such exchanges give factors @xmath32 for each of @xmath27channel , and product of all these factors gives @xmath33 due to .
a quark ( antiquark ) in a channel with momentum @xmath34 leads to loss of @xmath35 .
our goal is to prove that the amplitude @xmath36 of the process @xmath37 has the multi
regge form @xmath38 where @xmath39 and @xmath40 are the particle particle reggeon ( ppr ) effective vertices , describing @xmath41 transitions due to interaction with reggeons @xmath42 for the gluon quantum numbers in @xmath27 channel @xmath43 is the gluon regge trajectory and @xmath44 ; for the quark numbers @xmath45 is the quark regge trajectory and @xmath46 @xmath47 are the reggeon
reggeon particle ( rrp ) effective vertices , describing production of particles @xmath48 at reggeon transitions @xmath49 . for definiteness we do not consider here the antiquark quantum numbers in any of @xmath27 channels .
it determines the order of the multipliers in . at that
, our consideration does not lose generality , since amplitudes with quark and antiquark exchanges are related by charge conjugation . in order to perform consideration of processes with gluon and quark exchanges in an unified way we introduced in denotations slightly different from usually used .
we denote particles and reggeons by symbols which accumulate all their quantum numbers .
we will use the letter @xmath50 for particles and the letter @xmath51 for reggeons independently of their nature , the letters @xmath52 and @xmath53 for ordinary gluons and quarks and @xmath54 and @xmath55 for reggeized ones . in these denotations
we have for the ppr vertices + a bcd @xmath56 @xmath57 as usually , we do not write colour and spinor quark indices ; @xmath58 and @xmath59 are the color group generators in the adjoint and fundamental representations . here and in the following the physical light
cone gauges @xmath60 and @xmath61 are assumed for polarization vectors @xmath62 of particles @xmath50 having momenta @xmath63 with predominant components along @xmath6 and @xmath7 respectively .
for production of gluon with momentum @xmath64 and polarization vector @xmath65 in transition @xmath66 of reggeons with momenta @xmath67 and @xmath68 we have @xcite for the case of reggeized gluons in both channels ( see fig . [ fig2]a ) @xmath69 and ( see fig . [ fig2]b ) ) @xmath70 in the case of reggeized quarks @xcite .
it is easy to check , that these vertices are gauge invariant , since @xmath71 in the gauges ( [ n2-gauge ] ) and ( [ n1-gauge ] ) the vertices can be presented as @xmath72 and @xmath73 respectively .
the vertices for quark ( antiquark ) production were found in @xcite .
for the case of reggeized gluon in the @xmath74 channel ( see fig . [
fig2]c ) we have @xmath75 and in the @xmath76 channel ( see fig . [ fig2]d ) @xmath77 in terms of integrals in the transverse momentum space the reggeon trajectories are presented as @xmath78 where @xmath79 for qcd is number of colours , @xmath80 is the space time dimension taken different from 4 to regularize infrared divergences . in the following
we will need more general multi
particle amplitudes @xmath81 , but in the same multi regge kinematics .
assuming the same ordering in longitudinal components , the amplitudes @xmath82 can be obtained from @xmath83 by usual crossing rules .
note that in we neglect imaginary parts of the amplitude since they are subleading .
therefore the crossing rules for the transition to the amplitudes do not affect the regge factors @xmath84 . here
it seems sensible to make two remarks .
the first one is that the hypothesis means much more than it is usually included in the notion `` reggeization '' of elementary particles .
it means not only existence of the reggeons with gluon and quark quantum numbers and trajectories , but also that in the lla all the mrk amplitudes are determined only by the reggeon exchanges , i.e. only amplitudes with reggeon quantum numbers ( that means , in particular , colour octet for pure gluon exchanges and colour triplet for exchanges with flavour ) do survive . the second remark concerns signature .
as compared with ordinary particles reggeons possess additional quantum numbers signature , negative for the reggeized gluon and positive for the reggeized quark .
therefore , in order to affirm that the amplitude is given by the reggeon exchanges we need to show that it has corresponding signatures in all @xmath27channels . in order to construct amplitudes with definite signatures one needs to perform `` signaturization '' .
in general the signaturization is not a simple task .
it requires partial - wave decomposition of amplitudes in cross - channels with subsequent symmetrization ( anti symmetrization ) in `` scattering angles '' and analytical continuation into the @xmath3channel .
the procedure is relatively simple only in the case of elastic scattering of spin - zero particles .
at that , generally speaking , even in this case the amplitudes with definite signatures can not be expressed in terms of physical amplitudes related by crossing .
fortunately , at high energy the signaturization can be easily done not only for elastic , but in the mrk also for inelastic amplitudes , for particles with spin as well as for spin
zero ones .
the signaturization ( as well as crossing relations ) is naturally formulated for `` truncated '' amplitudes , i.e. for amplitudes with omitted wave functions ( polarization vectors and dirac spinors ) .
the crucial points are that in the mrk all energy invariants @xmath85 are large and that they are determined only by longitudinal components of momenta ( @xmath86 ) . due to largeness of @xmath85 signaturization in the @xmath87channel
means symmetrization ( anti symmetrization ) with respect to the substitution @xmath88 .
since @xmath85 are determined by longitudinal components , it can be considered as the substitution @xmath89 ( or , equivalently , @xmath90 ) in truncated amplitudes without change of transverse components .
note that such substitution does not violate momentum conservation due to strong ordering of the longitudinal components . at that , all particles remain on their mass shell , so that the substitution is equivalent to transition into the cross - channel . in order to understand behaviour of the amplitudes under the signaturization
it is convenient to take the gluon production vertices in the physical light
cone gauges with gauge fixing vectors @xmath7 or @xmath6 ( see , ) . at that
, it becomes evident that they do not depend on longitudinal components of momenta , as well as the ppr vertices for the reggeized quark after omitting of wave functions .
on the contrary , the quark and antiquark production vertices and contain explicitly longitudinal components , so that they change their signs at the transition into the cross - channel . the same is true for the ppr vertices with the reggeized gluon : for the vertices for gluon scattering because they are proportional to longitudinal components , and for the vertices for quark and antiquark scattering because of difference in their signs .
after these remarks , with account of the fact that in the lla change of signs of @xmath91 does not affect the regge factors , it is not difficult to see that the amplitudes are invariant with respect to the signaturization described above , i.e. they have corresponding signatures in each of the @xmath27channels .
the proof of the form ( [ inelastic quark ] ) is based on use of the @xmath3channel unitarity , which provides us with discontinuities @xmath92 ( i.e. imaginary parts ) of the amplitudes in the @xmath85 channels .
we need to connect the amplitudes themselves ( which are real in the lla ) with these discontinuities .
it is not difficult to do for elastic amplitudes .
unfortunately , it is quite not so for inelastic amplitudes .
analytical properties of the production amplitudes are very complicated even in the mrk @xcite . but
fortunately , it turns out , that in the lla these properties are greatly simplified and allow us to express partial derivatives @xmath93 of the amplitudes , considered as a function of @xmath94 and transverse momenta , in terms of the discontinuities of the signaturized amplitudes .
it permits us to find all the mrk amplitudes loop by loop in the perturbation theory , using the born form of these amplitudes and the unitarity relations .
note that in the born approximation the representation was proved in @xcite with the help of the @xmath95channel unitarity . for the elastic amplitude
the partial derivative @xmath96 can be expressed in terms of the @xmath3channel discontinuity quite easily .
for the signaturized amplitudes radiative corrections depend on @xmath3 only in the form @xmath97 independently of signature . with the lla accuracy we can put @xmath98~. \label{dis1}\ ] ] therefore we have ( the superscript @xmath99 means signaturization ) @xmath100/{a}^\text{born}_{2\rightarrow 2}=\frac{\partial}{\partial \ln s } \ ; \left[{a}^\mathcal{s}_{2\rightarrow 2}/{a}^\text{born}_{2\rightarrow 2}\right]~.\label{dis2}\ ] ] division by the born amplitude is performed in order to differentiate @xmath3dependence of radiative corrections only . in the case of @xmath101
the main complication is that instead of @xmath3 we have @xmath102 large invariants @xmath22 , which are not independent because of the equalities .
equalities like connecting discontinuities in each of the channels and corresponding derivatives of the amplitude do not exist .
however there are equalities @xcite connecting definite combinations of the discontinuities and the derivatives @xmath103 : @xmath104\ , .
\end{split}\ ] ] here in the r.h.s .
the amplitude is expressed in terms of @xmath105 and transverse momenta ; the index @xmath106 takes values from @xmath107 to @xmath108 .
equalities can be easily proved with use of the steinmann relations , or , more definitely , of the statement @xcite that the amplitude can be presented as a sum of contributions corresponding to various sets of @xmath108 nonoverlapping channels @xmath109 ; at that each of the contributions can be written as a signaturized series in logarithms of energy variables @xmath110 with coefficients which are real function of transverse momenta .
remind that two channels @xmath111 and @xmath112 are called overlapping if either @xmath113 , or @xmath114 .
what is important : energy variables @xmath110 are independent , since the relations concern with overlapping channels ; it means , in particular , that we need to consider only leading orders in logarithms of these variables ; we need not to consider the coefficients depending on transverse momenta neither calculating the discontinuities , nor calculating derivatives over @xmath115 .
therefore , since scattering amplitudes enter the relations linearly and uniformly , it is sufficient to prove these relations in the leading order for the symmetrized products @xmath116 instead of @xmath117 . here
the exponents @xmath118 are different from zero only for some set of nonoverlapping channels and are arbitrary in all other respects ; @xmath119 means symmetrization with respect to simultaneous change of signs of all @xmath85 with @xmath120 , performed independently for each @xmath121 . indeed , due to above mentioned arbitrariness of @xmath122 fulfilment of for @xmath123 guarantees it for any logarithmic series . with @xmath118 calculating discontinuity of @xmath123 in one of the invariants
@xmath85 we can neglect in the leading order signs of other invariants , so that we have @xmath124 from other hand , taking into account that with the lo accuracy , @xmath125 we have @xmath126 from and it follows that the equalities are fulfilled .
these equalities allow us to express all partial derivatives @xmath127 through the discontinuities .
note that from @xmath128 equalities considered as equations for the derivatives only @xmath108 are linear independent , that can be easily seen taking sum of the equations over @xmath129 .
note here that requirement of equality of mixed derivatives taking in different orders imposes strong restrictions on the discontinuities .
if they are fulfilled , the amplitude is unambiguously defined by its value at @xmath130 , i.e. in the born approximation .
it means that the equalities permit to find in the lla all the mrk amplitudes using the born approximation for them and the @xmath3channel unitarity .
indeed , at some number @xmath131 of loops the discontinuities entering can be expressed with the help of the @xmath3channel unitarity through the amplitudes with smaller number of loops . therefore starting with the expression in the born approximation ( as it was already mentioned , in this approximation it was proved for arbitrary @xmath132 @xcite with the help of the @xmath95channel unitarity ) we can calculate loop by loop all radiative corrections to the born amplitudes and examine the formula . instead of such calculations it is sufficient , since the amplitudes are determined unambiguously , to check that the reggeized form satisfies . substituting into the r.h.s .
of we obtain the bootstrap relations : @xmath133 \frac{s_{k+1}^{\omega_{k+1}}}{d_{k+1 } } \prod_{i = k+2}^{n+1}\left(\gamma^{p_{i-1}}_{{\mathcal{r}}_{i-1}{\mathcal{r}}_{i } } \frac{s_{i}^{\omega_i } } { d_i}\right ) { \gamma}^{{\mathcal{r}}_{n+1}}_{b'b}\ , .
\end{split}\ ] ] in the l.h.s . of these equations the discontinuities
must be calculated using the unitarity relations and the anzats . since number of the bootstrap relations is infinite it is quite nontrivial to satisfy all of them using only several reggeon vertices and trajectories .
a crucial for the reggeization hypothesis fact , which is demonstrated below , is that all these relations are fulfilled if the reggeized vertices and trajectories satisfy several equations called bootstrap conditions . in the following we derive these conditions and
demonstrate that they are satisfied .
channel discontinuity @xmath134 . ]
let us start with the elastic amplitude .
for the process @xmath135 the discontinuity is @xmath136 where @xmath119 is the signaturization operator , the sum is taken over discrete quantum states of intermediate particles as well as over their number , @xmath137 is their phase space element , and the hermicity property of the amplitudes is used .
the discontinuity is presented schematically at fig .
[ fig3 ] , where the circles on the lines @xmath138 and @xmath139 mean the signaturization ( evidently its execution for both lines gives the same result as for one of them ) . to calculate the discontinuity we need to convolute reggeon vertices and to integrate over momenta of particles in the intermediate states .
all convolutions are known long ago @xcite .
the important fact is that they do not depend on longitudinal momenta . in order to present them , and then the discontinuities , in a compact way it is convenient to use operator denotations in the transverse momentum , colour and spin space .
we will use also denotations which accumulate all these quantum numbers .
thus , @xmath140 and @xmath141 are `` bra'' and `` ket''vectors for the @xmath95 channel states of the reggeized gluon with transverse momentum @xmath142 and colour index @xmath143 .
it is convenient to define the scalar product @xmath144 analogously , @xmath145 and @xmath146 with the scalar product @xmath147 denote the @xmath95 channel states of the reggeized quark with transverse momentum @xmath142 , colour index @xmath148 and spinor index @xmath149 .
we will use the letter @xmath150 for denotation of reggeon states independently of their nature . in the following
we will use the letters @xmath151 and @xmath152 also as colour indices , instead of @xmath143 and @xmath148 .
the states with two reggeons are built from the above ones . at that it is convenient to distinguish the states @xmath153 ( with corresponding `` bra''vectors @xmath154 ) and @xmath155 .
we will associate the first of them with the case when the reggeon @xmath156 turns up in the lower part of fig .
[ fig3 ] , i.e. in the amplitude @xmath157 , and the second with the case when it turns up in the upper part of fig .
[ fig3 ] , i.e. in the amplitude @xmath158 .
we define three types of states @xmath159 @xmath160 where summation over colour and spin indices is assumed .
interaction of scattering particles with reggeons is described by so called impact factors .
we define them as projections of @xmath95-channel states @xmath161 and @xmath162 on the two - reggeon states : @xmath163 where the @xmath164 ( @xmath165 ) sign stands for a fermion ( boson ) state in the @xmath95channel , @xmath166 , the sum is taken over quantum numbers of particles @xmath50 ( at that , these particles can be different in the first and the second terms ) and the factor @xmath167 is included in the definition for convenience .
the factor @xmath168 and the last term in serves for account of the signaturization ; at that , the bar over particle symbols means , as usually , antiparticles , while @xmath169 and @xmath170 are obtained from @xmath171 and @xmath172 correspondingly ( see , ) taking instead of wave functions ( polarization vectors and dirac spinors ) of @xmath173 and @xmath174 the wave functions of @xmath175 and @xmath176 from the first term .
quite analogously , @xmath177 where @xmath178 .
we introduce the operator @xmath179 of reggeon - reggeon interaction , related to real particle production .
it is defined by its matrix elements between the two - reggeon states , which are expressed in terms of convolutions of the rrp vertices .
the important remark which must be made here is that , because of the anticommutativity of the fermion operators the sign of the amplitude depends on their order in the definition of the state vectors .
we have defined the amplitudes @xmath180 without worrying about their signs or fixing this order , as if the operators were commutative . however in the relative signs of the amplitudes must be taken into account . in order to do this we must associate a factor -1 with each antiquark in the intermediate state ( that can be easily understood from the cutkosky rules ) . we define : @xmath181 where @xmath182 . in this formula
we account the above remark concerning @xmath183 for each antiquark in intermediate state by insertion @xmath183 into the definition of the vertex @xmath184 : @xmath185 @xmath186 and the vertices @xmath187 are obtained from @xmath188 ( see ) , ) by the substitution @xmath189 ( in accordance with momentum conservation ) and @xmath190 .
we introduce also the operator @xmath191 , so that @xmath192 denoting momenta of intermediate particles by @xmath193 , we have for the phase space element in @xmath194 where @xmath195 rapidities of the produced particles , obeying the conditions @xmath196 note that we have included the factors @xmath167 and @xmath197 in the definitions of the impact factors and , and the factors @xmath198 from produced particles @xmath48 in the definition of the matrix elements of the kernel .
now , taking into account that with the lla accuracy @xmath199 we can present the discontinuity in the form @xmath200 where @xmath201,@xmath202 and @xmath203 it is easy to see that the green function operator obeys the equation @xmath204 where @xmath205 with initial condition @xmath206 , so that @xmath207 eqs . and
give the the operator representation of the discontinuities of elastic amplitudes .
channel discontinuity @xmath208 . ] to give analogous representations for discontinuities of inelastic amplitudes we need to define new operators and new matrix elements .
let us consider the discontinuity schematically presented at fig .
[ fig4 ] , where the circles , as well as in fig .
[ fig3 ] , mean the signaturization .
analogously to the impact factors for scattering particles we define the impact factors for reggeon particle transitions as ( compare with ) @xmath209 where @xmath210 , the @xmath164 ( @xmath165 ) sign stands for the case of boson ( fermion ) production ; and @xmath211 where @xmath212 . finally , we introduce the operator @xmath213 for production of particle @xmath214 with momentum @xmath215 as having the following matrix elements : @xmath216 where @xmath217 .
now we are ready to give the operator representation for discontinuities of the signaturized inelastic amplitudes in the @xmath85channels . if @xmath218 ( see fig . [ fig4 ] ) then the value of @xmath219 can be obtained from the r.h.s of by the replacement of @xmath220 eq .
( [ substitution ] ) remains valid for @xmath221 with the substitutions @xmath222 and @xmath223 , as well as for @xmath224 , with the substitutions @xmath225 and @xmath226 .
the matrix elements are calculated using the full set of two - reggeon states , the completeness condition and the definitions of the operators @xmath227 and @xmath213 and the matrix elements , , , , and .
after derivation of the discontinuity the substitution ( [ substitution ] ) is practically evident . in the born approximation it follows directly from the above mentioned definitions .
the factors @xmath228 appear from sum of contributions of any number of intermediate particles with rapidities between @xmath229 and @xmath230 exactly in the same way as the factor @xmath231 in .
it completes the calculation of the discontinuities .
for elastic amplitudes the bootstrap relation and the representation of the discontinuity give @xmath232 where @xmath150 takes values @xmath54 and @xmath55 .
this equation is satisfied if the reggeon vertices obey the conditions : @xmath233 where @xmath234 are universal ( process independent ) eigenstates of the kernel @xmath227 with the eigenvalues @xmath235 @xmath236 and with scalar product @xmath237 where @xmath238 , @xmath239 .
note that the conditions for `` ket'' and `` bra''vectors in and are not independent , because these vectors are related with each other by the change of @xmath164 and @xmath165 momenta components .
it occurs that an infinite number of bootstrap relations for inelastic amplitudes requires besides only one additional condition .
this condition can be obtained from the bootstrap relation for amplitudes of the process @xmath240 .
taking in @xmath241 and @xmath242 and writing corresponding discontinuities according to , we have @xmath243 @xmath244 this equality will be satisfied if together with
the condition @xmath245 where @xmath246 , will be fulfilled . for the `` bra''vectors this condition is written as @xmath247 where @xmath212 .
let us prove that the equalities and , secure fulfilment of all infinite set of the bootstrap relations . consider the terms with @xmath248 and @xmath249 in .
corresponding discontinuities are determined by . using and for the @xmath250channel discontinuity
we obtain that the sum of the discontinuities in the channels @xmath251 and @xmath250 contains @xmath252 here the equation was used .
now the procedure can be repeated : we can apply to this sum eqs . and , and to the sum of the obtained result with the @xmath253channel discontinuity eq .
thus all sum over @xmath254 from @xmath255 to @xmath108 is reduced to one term
. quite analogous procedure ( with use of the bootstrap conditions for `` bra''vectors ) can be applied to the sum over @xmath254 from @xmath107 to @xmath256 . as a result
we have that the left part of with the coefficient @xmath257 , where @xmath258 , can be obtained from the r.h.s .
of by the replacement @xmath259 taking difference of multiplied by @xmath260 and multiplied by @xmath261 and using the normalization we obtain @xmath262 @xmath263 it concludes the proof .
thus , fulfilment of the bootstrap conditions and , secures implementation of all infinite set of the bootstrap relations .
let us start from the impact factors . as it was already mentioned , the conditions for `` ket'' and `` bra''vectors are not independent , so that in the following we consider only `` ket''vectors .
using the ppr vertices and the definition of the vertices @xmath264 given after it is easy to obtain @xmath265 @xmath266 @xmath267 clearly , in the first of these equations intermediate particles @xmath50 are gluons , in the first ( second ) term of the second equation they are quarks ( antiquarks ) and in the third equation vise versa .
note that the important fact of disappearance of all @xmath95channel colour states besides the colour octet one is provided by the signaturization .
all these three equations can be presented as @xmath268 consequently , according to the definition , for the case of boson - type @xmath95channel states the bootstrap condition is fulfilled , and the universal state @xmath234 , which we call in this case @xmath269 , is defined by the matrix elements @xmath270 in the following we will show that this state is the eigenstate of the kernel @xmath227 with the eigenvalues @xmath271 .
now we turn to the fermion - type @xmath95channel states . using the ppr vertices
and we obtain @xmath272 evidently , here in the first term intermediate particles are gluons and in the second quarks . note that due to the signaturization only @xmath95channel colour triplet does survive . to obtain one
needs to perform commutations of gamma matrices and to omit leftmost matrices @xmath273 , that can be done due to the strong ordering . the same we will do in the following with rightmost @xmath274 . in the same way we obtain @xmath275 and @xmath276 @xmath277 these equations give @xmath278 @xmath279 according to the definition
, the bootstrap condition is fulfilled for the case of fermion - type @xmath95channel states also , with the universal state @xmath280 , defined by its matrix elements @xmath281 @xmath282 now let us demonstrate that the states @xmath269 and @xmath280 are the eigenstate of the kernel @xmath227 with the eigenvalues @xmath283 and @xmath284 correspondingly . first we need to obtain explicit expressions for matrix elements of the operator @xmath285 . for matrix elements between states of two reggeized gluons
we obtain , using the vertices ( actually it is much more convenient to take them in any of the gauges , ) and the definition of @xmath286 given just after : @xmath287 @xmath288 @xmath289 now it is easy to see that the state @xmath290 is the eigenstate of @xmath291 . indeed , since this operator conserves fermion number , it is sufficient , with account of the completeness condition and , to show that @xmath292 using , and it is easy to obtain @xmath293 @xmath294 using the representation for trajectories in , we see that it is satisfied , i.e. indeed @xmath295 is the eigenstate of the kernel with the eigenvalue @xmath296 .
turn now to the fermion - type states .
the matrix elements between the states of reggeized gluon and reggeized quark correspond to @xmath297 @xmath298 where @xmath299 and @xmath300 @xmath301 where @xmath302 in order to prove that the state @xmath303 is the eigenstate of @xmath291 we need , taking into account and , to show that @xmath304 using , , and , , it is easy to obtain @xmath305 @xmath306 together with the representation it shows that is satisfied , i.e. @xmath307 is the eigenstate of the kernel with the eigenvalue @xmath308 .
the normalization conditions follow immediately from , , .
thus , we have demonstrated that the conditions are satisfied .
let us turn now to the last conditions .
we will consider the bootstrap conditions for `` ket''vectors and use the light - cone gauge .
first we need to find explicit expressions for the impact factors of reggeon - particle transitions and the matrix elements of the production operator @xmath213 between the vectors @xmath309 and two - reggeon states .
the expressions for the impact factors are calculated using their definition and the vertices , , . to find the matrix elements of the production operator we use the definitions of @xmath213 , the vectors , , and the completeness condition .
let us start with gluon production . in the case of boson - type @xmath310channel
we obtain for the impact factor @xmath311 @xmath312 @xmath313 for corresponding martix element of the kernel only two - gluon intermediate states in the completeness condition contribute , with the result @xmath314 @xmath315 now , with account of , it is quite easy to obtain @xmath316 which proves the bootstrap condition for this case .
another possibility for gluon production is fermion
type @xmath310channel . in this case
we have to consider projections on two different two - reggeon states : @xmath317 and @xmath318 .
for the first one we obtain @xmath319 @xmath320\left(\gamma_\bot + 2(m-\hat q_{(j+1)\bot})\frac{(k_{j}+r_2)_\bot}{(k_{j}+r_2)_\bot^2}\right ) + t^{{g}_j}t^{{{\mathcal{g}}}_{2}}\gamma_\bot\frac{1}{m-(\hat k_{j}+\hat r_1)_\bot}\hat r_{2\bot}\right)\,.\ ] ] calculating corresponding matrix element of the kernel one needs to take again only intermediate states of one type ( @xmath321 ) in the completeness condition .
the result is @xmath322\left ( \frac{(k_{j}+r_{2})_\bot}{(k_{j}+r_{2})^2_{\bot}}- \frac{k_{j\bot } } { k^2_{j\bot}}\right)\right.\ ] ] @xmath323 so that , with account of , we obtain @xmath324 so that the bootstrap condition is also fulfilled for this case . the projection on the state @xmath318
is considered quite analogously .
we obtain @xmath325 @xmath326\left(\gamma_\bot + 2(m-\hat q_{(j+1)\bot})\frac{(k_{j}+r_1)_\bot}{(k_{j}+r_1)_\bot^2 } \right)-t^{{g}_j}t^{{{\mathcal{g}}}_{1}}\gamma_\bot\frac{1}{m-(\hat k_{j}+\hat r_2)_\bot}\hat r_{1\bot}\right)\,,\ ] ] and @xmath327\left ( \frac{(k_{j}+r_{1})_\bot}{(k_{j}+r_{1})^2_{\bot}}- \frac{k_{j\bot } } { k^2_{j\bot}}\right)\right.\ ] ] @xmath328 so that , with account of , @xmath329 and we see that the bootstrap condition is also satisfied .
let us consider now antiquark production . here
again we have to consider projections on the states @xmath317 and @xmath318 . in the first case we obtain for the impact factor @xmath330
@xmath331\left(\hat q_{(j+1)\bot } -(\hat k_{j}+\hat r_1)_\bot\frac{q^2_{(j+1)\bot}}{(k_{j}+r_1)^2_\bot } \right)\right)\upsilon_{\bar{q}_j } \,.\ ] ] in the matrix element of the kernel now one needs to take intermediate states of the type @xmath332 .
we obtain @xmath333 \frac{\hat r_{1\bot}+\hat k_{j\bot}}{(r_{1}+k_{j})_\bot^2 } \upsilon_{\bar{q}_j}\,,\ ] ] so that , with account of , we see that the bootstrap condition for this case is also fulfilled , @xmath334 which proves the bootstrap condition for this case .
the projection on the @xmath335state is considered quite similarly .
we have @xmath336 @xmath337\left(\hat q_{(j+1)\bot } -(\hat k_{j}+\hat r_2)_\bot\frac{q^2_{(j+1)\bot}}{(k_{j}+r_2)^2_\bot}\right ) -t^{{{\mathcal{g}}}_{j+1}}t^{{{\mathcal{g}}}_{1}}\hat q_{(j+1)\bot}\right ) \upsilon_{\bar{q}_j}\,,\ ] ] @xmath338 \frac{\hat r_{2\bot}+\hat k_{j\bot } } { ( r_{2}+ k_{j})_\bot^2 } \upsilon_{\bar{q}_j}\,,\ ] ] and therefore @xmath339 finally , we consider quark production . here
we need to consider only progection on @xmath340state .
it is easy to obtain @xmath341 @xmath342 where the additional @xmath343 is introduced to avoid double counting caused by the fact that the vertices @xmath344 and @xmath345 are both include @xmath183 for antiquark in the intermediate state . here in the matrix element of the kernel intermediate states @xmath321 and @xmath346 contribute .
the result is @xmath347 @xmath348 with account of we obtain , @xmath349 it concludes the proof of the bootstrap relations .
the multi regge kinematics plays an outstanding role in high energy physics .
it is extremely important since it gives a dominant contribution to total cross sections of particle interactions .
the remarkable phenomenon is that qcd amplitudes in this kinematics have simple multi
regge form and are expressed in terms of the gluon and quark regge trajectories and a few vertices of reggeon interactions . the multi regge form of amplitudes containing quark exchanges was proposed in @xcite long ago , but up to now it was merely tested on its self consistency for several particular processes . in this paper
we have presented the proof of the multi
regge form in the leading logarithmic approximation for arbitrary quark gluon inelastic processes in all orders of @xmath0 .
the proof is based on the bootstrap relations required by compatibility of the multi
regge form of inelastic qcd amplitudes with the @xmath3channel unitarity .
it consists of three steps .
first , we derive an infinite set of the bootstrap relations and demonstrate that fulfillment of these relations secure the reggeized form .
second , we show that all these bootstrap relations are fulfilled if the vertices and trajectories submit to several bootstrap conditions , and .
this circumstance is extremely nontrivial since an infinite set of the bootstrap relations is reduced to several conditions on the reggeon trajectories and vertices . and
finally , we examine the bootstrap conditions and prove that all of them are fulfilled . although being simple in principle , necessary calculations were extremely cumbersome and tedious if they performed in the standard approach .
the operator formalism , recently introduced for consideration of elastic amplitudes with gluon exchanges and generalized in this paper for the case of inelastic amplitudes with arbitrary spin and colour exchanges , is very helpful .
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Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Fallen Angel
_**Foreword:
**_Hello there, or 'Nice to meet you,' in case we haven't met before.
My name is Zarosguth and I thank you for giving this story of mine a chance.
I have great (which is a relative term mind you) plans for this story. I have no idea how many of those I will be able to bring to fruition but I will do my best. The rating will be T, but might go M at some point should I want to add any content of a more mature nature.
I will try not to have too many Author's Notes. In a perfect world I would only have this foreword here and an afterword after the final chapter or epilogue but I'm sure there'll be a time when I will have to include an Author's Note somewhere to clarify something or otherwise.
Unfortunately I do not have the luxury of having a beta-reader. If you think you're up to the task feel free to shoot me a PM. Until I find someone I will proof-read this story myself so mistakes are bound to be made. If you see any mistakes, please point them out to me in a PM or review and I will fix them ASAP.
Oh yeah, final note: this story is the one that spawned from the poll I've had up a while ago. Just so you're aware.
Now then, with all of that out of the way, I hope you will enjoy this story.
_**Disclaimer:
**_I do not claim ownership of the Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha series or franchise. This is a non-profit fan-written story written exclusively for entertainment purposes.
**{]****-~*****(X)*****~-****[}**
_My name is Nanoha Takamachi. I am twenty-seven years old and am between jobs at the moment._
_I used to work in the military – specifically as fighter pilot in the air force – for five years. I nearly died in the line of duty when my plane got shot down. My survival was nothing short of a miracle and the scar that is left on my chest near my collarbone is a constant reminder of my near-meeting with death._
_After my brush with death I retired from service; my friends insisted. I understood their fear of me losing my life; my family knows more than enough when it comes to death. I lost my parents and my siblings back when I was fourteen years old._
_My parents – my mother Momoko and my father Shiro – used to own a humble coffee shop that also served as a bakery while my two older siblings – my brother Kyouya and sister Miyuki – were in charge of our family dojo. When I was younger I would occasionally join my siblings in their training and as a result, I am not too bad a martial artist myself._
_We were a happy family… until _that_ day._
_It was right before the weekend and me and my two best friends – Arisa Bannings and Suzuka Tsukimura – were going to have a sleepover at Suzuka's. We already had our sleepover supplies with us to school so after school we went straight over to Suzuka's house, or should I say 'mansion'._
_We had a great time, playing games and just hanging out when one of Suzuka's maids came rushing in, telling me I had an urgent phone call. It turned out to be the police. Time seemed to stop when they told me someone had attacked my parents' café in broad daylight. I instantly asked them what'd happened, if my parents were alright._
_They weren't._
_Then and there it felt like my world came crashing down. But it got worse; it turned out my siblings were helping at the café that day rather than being at the dojo._
_I had no one left._
_I was the only one that'd survived, the only Takamachi not at my parents' café – the Midori-ya – that day._
_Had it not been for Arisa and Suzuka I don't think I would've made it through that phase of my life. I even attempted suicide that following week but I was lucky Arisa had been looking out for me as she'd prevented me from pulling through with taking my own life._
_Their families were also more than happy to look after me financially, at least until I passed high school and could move on to college. After high school though I did not go to college. Instead, I enlisted to join the army where I served my country up until I got shot down._
_So now I am looking for a job. I've been thinking of going back to college and earn a teacher's degree; being a teacher always seemed like something I would love to be doing. Arisa and Suzuka offered to pay for it all but I declined; I don't want to become dependent on anyone and I never liked owing people._
_Yes, Arisa and Suzuka never separated. I'd always known they had something going on for each other. So it came as no surprise to me when Suzuka confessed to Arisa a few years back. The blush on Arisa's face was great, especially when Suzuka said the reason she confessed was because Arisa was just taking too damn long._
_The two of them even went on vacation to Europe solely with the intention to get officially married._
_That reminds me, I'm going to a bar with them tonight so that should be fun. I hope they're not going to get too lovey-dovey though. I have no problems with same-sex couples but I also don't need to have them constantly rubbing their happiness in my face. Especially considering I've never been in a relationship before._
_I just never really cared for any of that stuff –romance, dating or heaven forbid, getting married– I suppose._
* * *
***~-{ Fallen Angel }-~*
*~-{ Written by Zarosguth }-~***
***~-{ ****Chapter I**** }-~***
* * *
The streets were mostly empty, only the occasional car sped by while Nanoha was walking home, leisurely strolling along while enjoying the calming atmosphere. The light of the full moon made up for the lack of streetlights in the area while a cool breeze caused the lop-sided ponytail on the left side of Nanoha's head to flutter as her auburn tresses were caught in it.
Clutching on to her long white coat to shield herself against the cold, Nanoha berated herself for her choice of clothing for that night. It'd gotten way too cold to wear her thin, blue-and-white horizontal striped shirt with matching blue, knee-high shorts. At least her long white socks covered her calves and managed to keep them somewhat warm. Around her neck she wore a necklace that held a single, blood-red, pearl-shaped jewel.
The brunette took a deep breath while her sky-blue eyes took in the sight of the moonlit streets. Nanoha couldn't help but giggle a little when remembering what happened at the bar her two best friends had taken her to.
A group of three guys came up to them and when one of them started making advances towards Suzuka, which the purple-haired woman tried to wave off as politely as she could. The green-eyed blonde that was Arisa was glaring at the Casanova. When the guy didn't show any signs of backing off Arisa grabbed Suzuka by the shoulders and kissed her full on the lips. A kiss that Suzuka had no problem returning.
The look on the guy's face had been priceless and it didn't take long for him and his two pals to make themselves scarce.
Nanoha remembered when her two friends first came out with their relationship; it'd happened during high school, during the school dance to be exact. She still thought it hilarious how Suzuka was crowned queen of the dance while Arisa had been crowned king of the dance. Arisa didn't know whether to be happy or offended. Of course, not everyone was understanding and some people saw it fit to harass Arisa and Suzuka. Nanoha was always one to stuck up for her friends though and it didn't take long for people to back off, lest they suffer the wrath of the 'White Devil', a nickname Nanoha picked up while telling a large number of bullies off all by herself. The fact that she'd been training at the Takamachi Family dojo since she was young had sure made her a force to be reckoned with.
Nanoha's walking suddenly came to a halt. _What was that? _she swore she heard something, a noise she couldn't quite place but it sounded strangely familiar. Curiosity got a hold of her as she started going in the direction where she thought the noise came from.
She was going in a normal pace at first, but hearing the noise again she increased her pace to a light jog. Hearing the noise a third time caused her to go in an all-out sprint as she recognized the noise as the sound of combat. The brunette wasn't sure what it meant, but she had the feeling that the quicker she got to the source of the noise, the better.
**{]****-~*****(X)*****~-****[}**
Feeling like she was getting real close to her destination, Nanoha stopped at the bottom of a flight of stairs that led up a small hill. At the top of the stairs stood a big stereotypical red shrine gate.
_Is it here?_ the ex-fighter pilot thought as she started making her way up the stairs. Once at the top she looked over the grounds of the shrine at the top of the hill. Everything seemed peaceful and it didn't look like there was anyone there, much less anyone being in a fight.
Following the central path that led to the shrine's centre building where the offertory box stood Nanoha glanced around trying to find anything out of the ordinary. It was eerily quiet and the moonlight –which was still lighting up everything around her– encased everything in an eerie red glow.
_Wait. Red?_ Nanoha suddenly realized. Looking up at the moon she found the heavenly body to indeed be red rather than the greenish silver colour it normally had.
Thoroughly creeped out, Nanoha took a deep breath and calmed herself down. Surely there was an explanation behind the strange colour the moon suddenly had.
A twinkle from the corner of her eye caught the brunette's attention. She looked down to see a small blue jewel, not much bigger than a lighter lying on the ground. More twinkles caught her eyes as she noticed more of the same jewels scattered about.
The sound of someone groaning in pain caught Nanoha's attention. She quickly turned towards the source and saw a large tree standing near the podium the offertory box stood on. A human figure was sitting below said tree.
_How did I not notice that person before?!_ Nanoha wondered as she quickly made her way to the person sitting there. Upon closer inspection she could see it was a woman. she had long blonde hair which was bound near the end into a very low ponytail to prevent it from spreading everywhere. In the reddish moonlight Nanoha managed to make out her outfit.
She wore a white blouse with long sleeves under an open, black sleeve-less waistcoat. Around her neck she wore a crimson tie adorned with a gold-coloured tiepin. Her thighs were covered by a plain black miniskirt. Her anthracite stockings were just short enough to reveal a thin line of bare skin between her stockings and her skirt. Black gloves with flattened, golden studs on the knuckles covered her hands while black, high-heeled boots around her feet and a burgundy coloured belt around her waist –which it seemed she wore more as an accessory than out of necessity– as well as a choker she wore around her neck, all served to complete her outfit.
The choice of clothing made Nanoha believe the woman to have a job like waitress at a fancy restaurant or maybe she was a librarian.
The ex-fighter pilot did not have time to ponder about the blonde woman's job though as she noticed the woman's eyes were clenched shut while she was holding her stomach in a tight grip.
That's when Nanoha noticed the blood, this woman had to have a giant stomach wound. This was not good; she had to stop the bleeding and fast. Nanoha quickly took off her coat and used it to apply pressure to the blonde's wound. All the while she tried to calm the woman down but also to keep her conscious.
_Damn it! I need to call for help!_ Nanoha quickly grabbed her cell phone from her pocket but to her dismay found the battery was dead. _You've got to be kidding me! Why _now_ of all times?! _Nanoha was desperately trying to think of something she could do.
She was suddenly pulled out of her thoughts when she heard a hiss behind her. The sound caused Nanoha to tense up. She didn't understand why, but that particular sound instilled great fear in the brunette. Slowly, she turned around to see where that sound had come from. Nanoha couldn't believe what she saw.
Before her stood a small group of six black, shadow-like creatures that, while distinctly non-human, still were very much humanoid in shape. The black creatures had long, slender limbs. Their long toes and fingers ended in sharp claws and they had sharp looking spikes jutting out of their shoulders, knees and elbows.
Their most disturbing feature were their heads; they reminded Nanoha of some of the tribal masks she'd once seen in the office of Suzuka's mother. A large, flat shape that reminded Nanoha of the Greek letter 'omega' except if it were filled in. In the middle of the circular section of the face a single eye was visible. The iris and pupil were a solid black, like the rest of the creatures' bodies, but the sclera was a deep, cherry red. From the bottom of the creature's face, a small number of tentacle-like appendages –about five of them– were twisting and curling around wildly while the creatures otherwise stood perfectly still.
Nanoha held her breath; what the hell were these things? Where'd they come from? Were they the ones that had attacked the blonde woman?
The ex-fighter pilot managed to remain level-headed thanks to her military training. Her brain was working in overdrive as she tried looking for a way out of this situation. She didn't have to wonder if these… things… were hostile; they all but oozed murderous intent and their frequent hissing sent cold shivers up the brunette's spine.
She saw no potential way out of this mess.
**{]****-~*****(X)*****~-****[}**
Nanoha didn't know how long she'd been staring at the dark creatures while they just seemed to stand there, their only movement coming from the wild short tentacles that hung from their… mouths? Time seemed to have stopped, only a gentle breeze and the erratically moving tentacles betrayed that it hadn't.
Then, the breeze died down and an eerie silence fell.
Out of nowhere the black creatures lunged forward. Nanoha knew she had to move to evade but if she were to do that the monsters would be sure to hurt the unconscious blonde that lay against the tree. In a desperate attempt to defend herself Nanoha crossed her arms in front of her like a shield. She closed her eyes, bracing for impact.
Suddenly she heard a loud shrieking from the black creatures accompanied by the sickening sound of bones being crushed by heavy impact, as if someone had crashed headfirst into a wall at high speed.
Nanoha opened her eyes and saw a translucent, glowing wall of pink light had formed in front of her, blocking the creatures from getting to her.
As suddenly as the pink wall of light had appeared, it disappeared and while it did, Nanoha got a chance to see where it'd come from in the first place as the pink light flowed into the red jewel of her necklace.
Once the pink light was gone completely Nanoha looked back at the black creatures who were slowly coming back from their daze. As they recovered, they set their sights back on the brunette. Nanoha slowly stepped back, she doubted she'd get this lucky again so she had to do something. She had to get herself and the blonde out of here… _now_.
That was when a golden blur shot past the brunette from behind her. Suddenly the blonde that lay against the tree behind her unconscious just a second ago stood between Nanoha and the evil looking creatures.
Looking at her back Nanoha's eyes fell on the two gun holsters attached to the woman's burgundy belt. How'd she miss those?
The blonde grabbed the guns that were in the holsters with a single swift movement of her arms and aimed the twin guns at the threatening creatures. The distinct clicking sound of the hammer of a revolver being pulled back was heard before everything fell quiet again.
The monsters and the blonde woman had reached a standoff. Neither the creatures nor the two women moved. Nanoha held her breath. When the blonde had pulled her guns out of their holsters, Nanoha had recognized them as Colt Peacemakers, a type of revolver that was particularly popular in the old days of the Wild West. Something about the pistols was off though but Nanoha couldn't quite put her finger on it.
She didn't have any time to think about it however, as she saw one of the black creatures suddenly lunge at the blonde.
"Watch out!"
The dark creature lashed out with its sharp claw. The blonde quickly sidestepped to the right, evading the slash. In the same move she pressed the pistol in her right hand against the creatures head as its claw found nothing but air. The trigger has pulled and a loud bang was heard as the monster's head exploded in a yellow flash of light.
The now headless monster fell to its knees before its body suddenly burst into black and purple flames. As the flames died down, a small blue jewel emerged from them. Nanoha recognized it as the same type of jewel that she'd seen scattered all over the shrine before.
_If those gems come from those monsters, then how many of them were there here before I arrived?_ Nanoha wondered, in awe of the blonde's combat ability.
The other creatures shrieked in what could only be described as pure, unadulterated rage.
The blonde pulled the hammer on the gun she'd just fired back again and aimed in the direction of the five remaining creatures. Two of them immediately rushed forward. Not giving them a chance to get close enough to attack the blonde fired both guns simultaneously. Two bright yellow projectiles shot forth from the guns' barrels. As these projectiles travelled they left behind a yellow trail that crackled like electricity.
The impact of the projectiles hitting the creatures right in their eyes knocked them back as they also burst into dark flames and disappeared, leaving two more blue jewels behind.
With three of them left the remaining monsters rushed to surround the two women. Nanoha and the blonde looked around to take in their situation and despite having seen the blonde already take out half of the creatures, Nanoha didn't like the fact they were surrounded. What she liked even less was that she didn't have a weapon.
A golden glow coming from the direction of the blonde woman caught Nanoha's attention. When she looked at her there was indeed a faint glow coming from the woman who'd brought her arms down to her sides. The glow that first enveloped the blonde's entire body started concentrating itself of the woman's back.
Nanoha's eyes went wide when the glow stretched out from the blonde's back and took the shape of a single wing, protruding from the right shoulder blade.
A flash of light forced Nanoha to close her eyes. She heard the distinct ripping sound of fabric being torn apart. When the light had subsided Nanoha reopened her eyes which went wide once more almost immediately.
Where the glowing wing of light had been not a second ago there was now an actual wing with jet black feathers. The wing was almost as big as the woman sporting it. The feathered limb stuck through a large rip in the woman's clothing.
_What the hell is she?!_ Nanoha thought as she took in the woman's new appearance. With that dark yet angelic looking wing she felt like she was looking at a fallen angel. The red glow from the moon made her look even more otherworldly.
The woman brought her arms back up and aimed her revolvers at the two creatures off to the sides while keeping her gaze fixed on the third creature, right in front of her. Bright yellow lights appeared in front of the gun barrels and shaped themselves into a circular shape. Runic symbols adorned the circles and glowing orbs appeared at their centres.
"**Thunder Rage."** Nanoha barely heard the blonde whisper these words before a crackling sound preceded golden bolts of lightning flying from the glowing orbs of energy as the blonde pulled the triggers on her revolvers.
The lightning bolts were large enough to nearly engulf the entirety of the creatures that stood off to the sides of the pair of women. They were evaporated in seconds, leaving only more blue jewels behind.
Nanoha had felt the humongous amount of pure power radiating from the lightning bolts. The air had become heavy with static electricity as Nanoha stood stunned, having witnessed everything that'd happened so far. Her eyes were wide and her mouth hung open.
A loud, ear shattering shriek resounded from the last remaining monster. The blonde quickly brought both her guns to aim at it and fire in rapid succession. The creature turned out to be a lot smarter and more nimble than the others before it, as it evaded shot after shot of yellow energy the winged woman sent its way.
The monster let loose another shriek. The sound was so high in pitch it physically hurt, forcing both women to cover their ears.
The tendrils at the creature's 'mouth' suddenly shot in multiple directions. It took Nanoha a moment to realize the creature was trying to grab as many of the blue gems that were lying around as possible. The blue jewels glowed faintly before dissolving within the monster's tendrils. The same blue glow that'd come from the blue jewels just a moment earlier now enveloped the monster. Another deafening, high-pitched shriek escaped the monster as it started growing in size.
**{]****-~*****(X)*****~-****[}**
The crackling sound of electricity caused Nanoha to tear her eyes away from the monster that was now at least a good five meters tall and look at the blonde, winged woman standing in-between the black monster and herself.
Golden sparks of electricity were running along the black feathers of the blonde woman's wing. The woman's body visibly tensed as gloved hands tightened their grip on the two revolvers.
Another crackle of lightning was heard but this time it came from lower. The woman's feet sparked like her wings before she launched of the ground and all but flew towards the monster's head, leaving a trail of golden lightning in her wake.
The blonde crashed into the monster's face, to which it responded by clawing in her direction with its massive black talons, trying to swat her off its face like an annoying bug.
The winged woman jumped back to evade the huge claws swiping at her. With her body in a perfect horizontal line, her feet towards the creature's face, she aimed both her revolvers at the dark beast. The runic circles appeared in front of the guns' barrels once more, energy collecting at their centres.
Two bolts of golden lightning erupted from the central orbs of collected energy and crashed into the monster's blood-red eye with tremendous force.
The resulting explosion threw up a black smoke cloud. The winged woman ended her manoeuvre with a backflip before landing back on the ground with a certain elegance.
The atmosphere was tense as both Nanoha and the blonde fixed their attention on the black smoke enveloping the creature's head.
Nanoha gasped when black tendril shot out of the smoke towards the blonde woman. Being caught off guard, the blonde couldn't react in time before she found the black tentacles wrapped around her arms lifting her up in the air. The cloud of smoke dissipated revealing the dark creature was completely unharmed. The powerful lightning attack apparently only serving to piss it off.
The blonde tried desperately to get out of the monster's strong grip but it was in vain; the beast had no interest in letting its prey escape.
Nanoha stared, half in shock at everything that was going on. _I have to help her!_ she mentally screamed at herself.
She suddenly remembered the pink light that'd saved her life before the blonde woman jumped in. She looked down and let her eyes fall on the circular red jewel around her neck.
_Maybe…?_
The brunette wrapped her left hand around the red gem and yanked it off her neck. Realizing just now she'd collapsed to her knees at some point Nanoha scrambled to stand back on her feet as she pointed the hand holding the red jewel in the huge monster's direction.
_Please, please let this work!_ She prayed to the red gem with all her might; this _had_ to work!
Nanoha's eyes widened in surprise when a runic circle similar to the one that'd appeared at the barrels of the blonde's twin revolvers appeared at her outstretched hand. The one notable difference between hers and the one belonging to the other woman was the colour; hers was cherry blossom pink while the blonde's was golden yellow.
Nanoha felt a power she'd never felt before –yet at the same time it felt so familiar, so right– flow from her arm and toward the centre of the runic circle where it started to concentrate into a pink orb of raw energy.
The words came to her so naturally and left the brunette's mouth before she could stop and wonder about them.
"**Divine Buster!"** she yelled. The orb of power burst forth in the shape of a singular pink beam.
The pink beam of energy cut straight through the tendrils holding the blonde woman in place, allowing her to move freely again.
Once back on the ground the golden blonde kept her focus on the monster and took aim again. Nanoha did the same, trying to once more get that feeling of strange yet familiar energy flowing through her.
Capturing that feeling of control a second time, the ex-fighter pilot managed to create the runic circle again, focusing the energy to its centre.
Next to her, the winged woman stood, having created her own runic circles, which seemed to fuse together into a single, much larger circle, gathering energy to its centre as well.
"**Divine Buster!" **Nanoha fired another large pink laser beam.
"**Plasma Smasher!"** The blonde fired a large energy beam as well. Hers being a golden yellow and crackling with electricity.
The two beams hit the big dark creature dead-on in the middle of its single red eye and immediately pierced right through the beast's head. Its body spontaneously burst into purple flames as it collapsed to its knees.
The moment the flames dissipated and six blue jewels –one from the creature itself and the five it had absorbed– emerged from the flames, the moon reverted back to its regular silver sheen. Relief washed over Nanoha; the threat had subsided. She glanced over at the blonde woman, a smile gracing her features.
The blonde turned to Nanoha as well and that was when Nanoha caught sight of the other woman's eyes for the first time.
And the moment she did, she could not look away; the blonde's eyes were a beautiful burgundy that almost seemed to glow in the silvery light of the moon.
Even as the single black feathered wing protruding from the red-eyed woman's shoulder blade folded in on her back and faded away as if it had never been there, Nanoha could not draw her eyes away from those wine-red eyes; they were hypnotizing-ly beautiful; vibrant, strong.
Yet, at the same time, they held a sadness Nanoha felt like she'd seen only once before in her life. In her own eyes, shortly after her family was killed.
Nanoha was forced out of her stunned state however as those hypnotizing orbs slowly closed and the blonde woman started falling forwards.
By quickly dashing forward and ducking down Nanoha managed to prevent the blonde from hitting the ground face first. It was then that she remembered the state she'd found the blonde in. By all accounts it was a miracle she'd even been able to fight like she had done.
Nanoha felt a warm liquid staining her coat as she held the bleeding woman who'd managed to save the ex-fighter pilot with a huge laceration across her stomach.
Nanoha quickly laid the woman down on the ground on her back and took off her now blood-stained coat. She put it over the wound and started applying pressure in an attempt at first-aid.
She knew that that wouldn't help much however; this woman needed medical attention, and fast!
* * *
***~-{ End of Chapter I }-~***
* * *
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| fanfiction |
Mercedes Soler may refer to:
Mercedes Soler actress, Mexican actress
Mercedes Soler journalist, American journalist | wikipedia |
the drell - yan pair production remains up to now the theoretically cleanest way to access sea - quark distributions in hadrons .
necessary stage of such analysis is the measurement both with protons and neutrons , in which sea - quarks with different flavors are probed .
as the construction of a target containing free neutrons is not feasible , nuclear targets have to be employed . in the experiment that used the simplest nuclear target
the deuteron , the flavor asymmetry of the sea - quark distributions in the nucleon has been observed @xcite . at the same time
, analysis of the deep inelastic scattering off different nuclei shows that nucleon valence quark structure changes beyond mass - shell @xcite .
recent studies within the bethe - salpeter formalism point to the relativistic nature of this phenomenon .
relativistic effects should be manifested as modification of the sea quark distribution in the bound nucleon and , therefore , will change the contribution of the sea quark component in the nucleon structure extracted from the deuteron data .
this , in turn , affects estimations of the anti - quark component made by analyzing the deuteron and proton data . to clarify the role of the relativistic effects in the drell - yan ( dy ) pair production
, we study this process within the bethe - salpeter approach .
since the amplitude for the drell - yan scattering is defined by the imaginary part of the amplitude for the forward scattering @xmath2 in the cross - channel , we can obtain it within the bethe - salpeter formalism developed for dis @xcite . within this approach
the matrix element is defined by the nucleon space - time distribution and vacuum average of the t - product of the nucleon fields and nucleon electromagnetic current ( see ref .
@xcite ) . following this method
we get the following expression of the cross - section for the drell - yan scattering off deuteron : @xmath3 this expression gives the cross - section of the dy pair production off the deuteron in terms of the off - mass - shell dy nucleon cross - section @xmath4 and the nucleon distribution function @xmath5 .
this distribution function is defined by the bethe - salpeter amplitudes , and together with the denominator it composes the four - dimensional momentum distribution of the struck nucleon inside the deuteron carrying the total momentum @xmath6 . in that way eq .
( [ fermi4d ] ) expresses the nucleon blurring that results from the four - dimensional distribution of the nucleon inside the nucleus . by analogy with the non - relativistic @xmath7d momentum distribution
we call it four - dimensional fermi motion . due to the four - dimensional integration in eq .
( [ fermi4d ] ) actual calculations require information about nucleon cross - section @xmath4 in the kinematical region of the off - mass - shell values of the nucleon energy @xmath8 ( @xmath9 ) . the off - mass - shell behavior of @xmath4 is unobservable , since then explicit microscopic calculations of the cross - section have no experimental reference and strongly model dependent .
thus , eq . ( [ fermi4d ] ) has to be rewritten in terms of measurable quantities such as the cross - section for dy scattering off the physical nucleon .
the simplest solution of this problem is provided by the integration in eq .
( [ fermi4d ] ) with respect to @xmath8 .
analytical properties of the integrand in eq .
( [ fermi4d ] ) give a way to do it explicitly . within the assumption that @xmath10 and @xmath11 are regular with respect to @xmath8 the integrand contains a second order pole corresponding to the struck nucleon and a first order pole corresponding to the spectator .
these poles lie in the different half - planes of the complex plane @xmath8 .
so , we can choose one of the singularities to perform the integration . to express the nuclear hadron tensor in terms of the nucleon structure functions
it is necessary to choose the second order pole ( @xmath12 ) that corresponds to the struck nucleon .
the result of the contour integration in vicinity of the second order pole in eq.([fermi4d ] ) is defined by the derivative of the pole residue with respect to @xmath8 at the point @xmath13 .
doing the integration and using the relation in the bjorken limit @xmath14 we get the following expression for the cross section of the dy pair production off the deuteron : @xmath15 \frac{f^{n / d}(m_d,{\bf p})}{8m_{d}e_{\rm n}^2{\delta^{\rm n}_{\rm d}}^2},\label{s2a}\ ] ] where @xmath16 is the bjorken @xmath0 of the struck nucleon , @xmath17 is the nucleon on - shell energy , @xmath18 is equivalent to the total energy shift of the struck nucleon due to the binding and fermi motion .
the function @xmath19 together with the denominator composes the three dimensional momentum distribution of the struck nucleon inside the deuteron . according to the normalization condition for the bethe - salpeter vertex function this distribution satisfies the baryon and momentum sum rules @xcite and coincides with the usual nuclear momentum distribution .
thus , the first term in eq .
( [ s2a ] ) , which results from the derivative of the propagator of the nuclear spectator , expresses contribution of the conventional @xmath7d - fermi motion . the second term with @xmath20 results from the nucleon dis amplitude derivative : @xmath21 this term is responsible for the deviation from unity of the ratio of the cross sections .
its contribution is proportional to the coefficient @xmath22 ; which , therefore , characterizes contribution of the four - dimensional fermi - motion .
it is important to note that the struck nucleon pole gives the factor @xmath23 , since then the contribution from all other singularities ( for example nucleon self - energy cut or anti - nucleon pole ) are suppressed at least as @xmath24 @xcite .
since the mean value of the energy shift is small ( @xmath25 ) , eq.([s2a ] ) provide deuteron drell - yan cross - section with accuracy up to terms of order @xmath26 .
using the gluck - reya - voght ( grv ) parameterization @xcite for the @xmath4 and solution of the bethe - salpeter equation with the graz - ii separable kernel @xcite as @xmath19 we make numerical calculation fo the ratio @xmath27 .
it is important to note that the full grv parameterization is obtained within the approximation @xmath28 , therefore it already implies isospin asymmetry of the sea - quark distribution in the nucleon in order to describe the dy data . to check influence of the relativistic nuclear effects on the deviations of the ratio @xmath27 from unity we use the grv parameterization without quark - sea asymmetry ( @xmath29 ) .
the results of the calculation are presented in fig.[fig1 ] .
the dashed curve represents the calculation within the approximation with @xmath28 , the solid curve represent calculation with the four - dimensional fermi - motion taken into account .
it is clear from the comparison with the new fnal data @xcite , that the relativistic kinematics can reproduce the deviation of the cross - section ration without the flavor asymmetry of the nucleon sea .
it is important to note , that the @xmath30-dependence of the deviation is defined by the coefficient @xmath31 in front of the cross - section derivative same as in case of dis .
thus , we can conclude that observed flavor asymmetry results from the relativistic kinematics of bound nucleons ; the bound nucleon structure change have the same nature in the dis and dy processes ; the effect has the same @xmath30-dependence as emc - effect .
a more detailed study of the @xmath30-dependence of the effect and high-@xmath0 data can shed more light on the nature of the sea - quark flavour asymmetry in the nucleon .
i would like to thank g. smirnov , u. mosel , h. toki and o.lynnik for useful discussions .
i also thank research center for nuclear physics of the osaka university for the support and warm hospitality . the work is made under partial support of the fenu innovation educational programme in the framework of the national project `` education '' . | arxiv |
light - matter interactions in graphene , a two - dimensional ( 2d ) honeycomb crystal of carbon atoms @xcite , have been intensively explored in the past decade for both fundamental and applied purposes @xcite .
recent experimental advances have made it possible to monolithically integrate graphene with optical microcavities @xcite , paving the way for fundamental studies of cavity quantum electrodynamics ( qed ) @xcite at the nanometer scale with graphene as an active medium .
another approach , which has been successful @xcite in achieving the so - called strong - coupling regime of cavity qed @xcite in conventional 2d electron systems in semiconductor quantum wells , consists in coupling graphene carriers with the photonic modes of an array of split - ring resonators @xcite .
graphene - based cavity qed offers , at least in principle , a number of unique advantages .
first , graphene is a highly - tunable active medium since its electrical and heat transport properties can be easily controlled by employing gates @xcite .
second , graphene offers many pathways to achieve the strong - coupling regime : these include i ) the exploitation of intrinsic dirac plasmons @xcite and ii ) the combination of graphene with other plasmonic nanostructures @xcite .
third , the active medium can be enriched by employing 2d vertical heterostructures @xcite comprising graphene as well as other 2d crystals / systems such as hexagonal boron nitride @xcite , transition metal dichalcogenides @xcite ( e.g. @xmath0 , @xmath1 , @xmath2 ) , gallium arsenide quantum wells @xcite , etc . a central role in cavity qed
is played by the dicke model @xcite , which describes a non - dissipative closed system of identical two - level subsystems interacting with a single - mode radiation field .
for a sufficiently strong light - matter coupling constant , the thermodynamic limit of the dicke model exhibits a second - order quantum phase transition to a super - radiant state @xcite with macroscopic photon occupation and coherent atomic polarization . when an external magnetic field is applied to a 2d electron system ,
transitions between states in full and empty landau levels ( lls ) are dispersionless @xcite , mimicking atomic transitions and enabling @xcite a condensed matter realization of the dicke model .
the light - matter interaction in the dicke hamiltonian is linear in the vector potential @xmath3 of the cavity . for condensed matter states described by parabolic band models , a quadratic @xmath4 term
whose strength is related to the system s drude weight and f - sum rule @xcite , also emerges naturally from minimal coupling .
it has long been understood @xcite that the dicke model s super - radiant phase transition is suppressed when the quadratic terms are retained .
demonstrations of this property are often referred to as _ no - go _ theorems .
the problem is more subtle in graphene , where electronic states near the charge neutrality point are described in a wide range of energies by a 2d massless dirac fermion ( mdf ) hamiltonian @xcite .
the mdf hamiltonian contains only one power of momentum @xmath5 : minimal coupling applied to this hamiltonian does _ not _ generate a term proportional to @xmath4 .
the authors of ref . demonstrated that , in the strong coupling regime , the model for the cavity qed of the graphene cyclotron resonance _ must _ be supplemented by a quadratic term in the cavity photon field that is dynamically generated by inter - band transitions and again implies a _ no - go _ theorem .
the terms proportional to @xmath4 in the theory of the cavity qed of the graphene cyclotron resonance were derived in ref . by using as a guiding principle gauge invariance and by treating inter - band transitions in the framework of second - order perturbation theory .
the main scope of this article is to lay down a formal theory of the cavity qed of the graphene cyclotron resonance .
the key point is that one must derive a low - energy effective hamiltonian by taking into account the coupling of the two - level systems which are resonant with the cavity photon field to all non - resonant states .
this coupling is crucially important in the strong - coupling regime , where all the terms that are proportional to @xmath4 , which are generated by our renormalization procedure , must be taken into account .
indeed , these guarantee gauge invariance as well as a _ no - go _ theorem for the occurrence of a super - radiant phase transition , therefore corroborating the findings of ref .
finally , we go beyond this generalized dicke description by demonstrating that it is not adequate to describe the strong - coupling regime of the cavity qed of the graphene cyclotron resonance in the limit of high doping . in this case
we derive and discuss a renormalized hamiltonian for the entire stack of lls in conduction band , as dressed by the cavity electromagnetic field .
our article is organized as following . in section [
sect : twolevelsystem ] we employ a canonical transformation @xcite to derive an effective low - energy hamiltonian
( [ eqn : heff_sw])for the cavity qed of the graphene cyclotron resonance and discuss the limits of its validity .
we analyze in great detail the invariance of this effective hamiltonian with respect to gauge transformations by employing a linear - response theory formalism . in sect .
[ sect : thermodynamics ] we use a functional - integral formalism to study the thermodynamic properties of the system described by the effective hamiltonian . in sect .
[ sec : effectivemetalapproach ] we transcend the generalized dicke description of sect . [ sect : twolevelsystem ] and present a renormalized hamiltonian see eq .
( [ eqn : hmetal])that enables the study of the strong - coupling limit of the cavity qed of the graphene cyclotron resonance in the limit of high doping . finally , in sect .
[ sect : summary ] we report a summary of our main findings and conclusions .
in this section we derive an effective low - energy hamiltonian for the cavity qed of the graphene cyclotron resonance . at low energies , charge carriers in graphene
are modeled by the usual single - channel massless dirac fermion hamiltonian @xcite @xmath6 where @xmath7 is the dirac velocity . here
@xmath8 is a 2d vector of pauli matrices acting on sublattice degrees - of - freedom and @xmath9 is the 2d momentum measured from one of the two corners ( valleys ) of the brillouin zone .
a quantizing magnetic field @xmath10 perpendicular to the graphene sheet is coupled to the electronic degrees - of - freedom by replacing the canonical momentum @xmath11 in eq .
( [ eqn : weyl ] ) with the kinetic momentum @xmath12 , where @xmath13 is the vector potential that describes the static magnetic field @xmath14 .
the corresponding hamiltonian is @xmath15 we work in the landau gauge @xmath16 . in this gauge the canonical momentum along the @xmath17 direction , @xmath18 ,
coincides with magnetic translation operator @xcite along the same direction and it commutes with the hamiltonian @xmath19 .
thus , the eigenvalues of @xmath18 are good quantum numbers . a complete set of eigenfunctions of the hamiltonian @xmath19 in eq .
( [ eqn : weyl_wb ] ) is provided by the two component pseudospinors @xcite @xmath20 where @xmath21 ( @xmath22 ) denotes conduction ( valence ) band levels , @xmath23 is the landau level ( ll ) index , and @xmath24 is the eigenvalue of the magnetic translation operator in the @xmath17 direction . in eq .
( [ eqn : ll_rspace ] ) @xmath25 guarantees that the pseudospinor corresponding to the @xmath26 ll has weight only on one sublattice
. furthermore , @xmath27 with @xmath28 are the normalized eigenfunctions of a 1d harmonic oscillator with frequency equal to the mdf cyclotron frequency @xmath29 . here
@xmath30}$ ] is the magnetic length .
the spectrum of the hamiltonian ( [ eqn : weyl_wb ] ) has the well - known form @xcite @xmath31 each ll has a degeneracy @xmath32 , where @xmath33 is the spin - valley degeneracy and @xmath34 is the sample area .
we now couple the 2d electron system described by the hamiltonian ( [ eqn : weyl_wb ] ) to a single photon mode in a cavity .
we denote by the symbol @xmath35 the vector potential that describes the cavity photon mode .
carriers in graphene are coupled to the cavity electromagnetic field via the minimal substitution : @xmath36 the cavity vector potential @xmath35 will be treated within the dipole approximation .
we can neglect the spatial dependence of the electromagnetic field in the cavity because the photon wavelength is much larger than any other length scale of the system .
introducing photon annihilation @xmath37 and creation operators @xmath38 we can write @xmath39 where @xmath40 is a unit vector describing the polarization of the electromagnetic field , @xmath41 is the photon frequency , @xmath42 is the cavity dielectric constant , and @xmath43 is the volume of the cavity .
here @xmath44 is the length of the cavity in the @xmath45 direction .
the total hamiltonian reads @xmath46 where the first term is the cavity photon hamiltonian , the second term is the mdf hamiltonian in the presence of a quantizing magnetic field , i.e. eq . ( [ eqn : weyl_wb ] ) , and the third term describes the coupling between mdfs and the cavity photon mode .
more explicitly , @xmath47 @xmath48 and @xmath49 in eqs .
( [ eq : h0])-([eq : hint ] ) @xmath50 ( @xmath51 ) creates ( annihilates ) an electron with band index @xmath52 , ll index @xmath53 , and wave number @xmath24 . finally , @xmath54 and @xmath55 , @xmath56 and @xmath57 being the components of the polarization vector @xmath40 .
we consider the integer quantum hall regime in which a given number of lls are fully occupied and the remaining ones are empty . since the mdf hamiltonian is particle - hole symmetric , we can consider , without loss of generality , the situation in which graphene is @xmath53-doped and the fermi energy lies in conduction band ( @xmath58 ) .
we denote by @xmath59 the highest occupied ll .
the lowest empty ll is therefore @xmath60 and the fermi energy lies in the middle between @xmath61 and @xmath62 , i.e. @xmath63 the aim of this section is to present a systematic procedure that allows us to derive an _ effective _ low - energy hamiltonian for the ll doublet @xmath64 as dressed by light - matter interactions .
we are interested in the case in which the cavity photon is nearly resonant with the transition between the two conduction - band lls @xmath64 : @xmath65 we anticipate @xcite that the effective hamiltonian will be different from the _ bare _ dicke hamiltonian that one obtains from eqs .
( [ eq : hem ] ) , ( [ eq : h0 ] ) , and ( [ eq : hint ] ) by selecting @xmath66 and @xmath64 , i.e. @xmath67~.\end{aligned}\ ] ] here @xcite ,
@xmath68 with @xmath69 is a set of pauli matrices that act in the @xmath70-fold degenerate subspace of the ll doublet @xmath64 , @xmath71 being the @xmath72 identity and @xmath73 .
more precisely , the final result of the canonical transformation yields a generalized dicke hamiltonian of the form
( [ eqn : heff_sw ] ) : @xmath74~.\nonumber\\\end{aligned}\ ] ] we notice that @xmath75 differs from the bare dicke hamiltonian ( [ eq : baredicke ] ) because of the presence of three terms that are quadratic in the operator @xmath76 and that renormalize both @xmath77 and the light - matter interaction hamiltonian .
microscopic expressions for the parameters @xmath78 , @xmath79 , and @xmath80 are derived below .
we denote by the symbol @xmath81 the subspace of the fermionic hilbert space spanned by the two lls which are resonantly coupled to the cavity field , i.e. @xmath64 , and lay on opposite sides of the fermi energy .
the symbol @xmath82 , on the other hand , denotes the subspace of the fermionic hilbert space , which is comprised of all lls _ but _ @xmath64 .
we employ a canonical transformation with the aim of decoupling the ll doublet @xmath64 from the @xmath82 sector ( see refs . and also chapter 8 in ref . ) . before proceeding further , it is convenient to rewrite the hamiltonian ( [ eq : hfull ] ) in the following manner : @xmath83 where @xmath77 and @xmath19 have been introduced in eqs .
( [ eq : hem ] ) and ( [ eq : h0 ] ) , respectively , whereas the light - matter interaction hamiltonian @xmath84 has been written as the sum of two terms : i ) @xmath85 , which connects states either belonging to the subspace @xmath81 or to the subspace @xmath82 and ii ) @xmath86 , which connects states belonging to different subspaces .
therefore @xmath85 is a block - diagonal operator with one block referring to the @xmath81 subspace and the other one to the @xmath82 subspace . in the same representation
, @xmath19 is trivially a block - diagonal operator since it is a diagonal operator and @xmath77 is also a block - diagonal operator since it contains only photonic creation and annihilation operators and therefore acts as the identity operator with respect to fermionic labels . on the other hand , @xmath86 is a block - off - diagonal operator in the same representation .
we now introduce an unitary transformation @xmath87 where @xmath88 is its anti - hermitian generator .
the transformed hamiltonian reads @xmath89 the spirit of the canonical transformation @xcite is to transform the original hamiltonian @xmath90 onto an hamiltonian @xmath91 that has no block - off - diagonal terms .
a necessary condition to achieve this , is that the generator @xmath88 be a block - off - diagonal operator
. the operator @xmath88 can be found with the desired level of accuracy by following a perturbative approach .
we use the baker - campbell - hausdorff formula to rewrite eq .
( [ eqn : hswdef ] ) : @xmath92 + \frac{1}{2 ! } \left[s,\left[s,\mathcal{h } \right ] \right]+\ldots~,\ ] ] where @xmath93 $ ] denotes the commutator between the two operators @xmath94 and @xmath95 .
we now expand the generator @xmath88 in a power series : @xmath96 where @xmath97 is proportional to @xmath98 , i.e. the @xmath99-th power of a suitable dimensionless coupling constant that is controlled by the strength @xmath100 of light - matter interactions
( [ eqn : g_0 ] ) below . after inserting eq .
( [ eqn : taylor ] ) in eq .
( [ eqn : hsw_bch ] ) , we require that each term of the expansion cancels the corresponding block - off - diagonal term , order by order in the perturbative expansion in powers of @xmath101 .
this approach leads to a hierarchy of equations , one for each order in perturbation theory .
for example , the equation for the generator @xmath102 up to _ first _ order in @xmath101 reads as follows : @xmath103 + v_{\rm o } = 0~.\ ] ] the transformed hamiltonian is given by the following expression : @xmath104 + { \cal o}(g^3_0)~.\ ] ] we emphasize that @xmath91 is correct up to _ second _ order in @xmath101 .
, as defined in eq .
( [ eqn : g_0 ] ) , on the landau level index @xmath105 in the resonant case , i.e. @xmath106 .
different curves correspond to different values of the cavity dielectric constant : @xmath107 ( solid line ) , @xmath108 ( dashed line ) , and @xmath109 ( dash - dotted line ) .
panel b ) since @xmath101 increases as a function of @xmath105 for a fixed value of @xmath42 , we can define the maximum value @xmath110 of @xmath105 up to which @xmath111 .
we plot @xmath110 as a function of the cavity dielectric constant @xmath42 .
[ fig : one],title="fig : " ] , as defined in eq .
( [ eqn : g_0 ] ) , on the landau level index @xmath105 in the resonant case , i.e. @xmath106 .
different curves correspond to different values of the cavity dielectric constant : @xmath107 ( solid line ) , @xmath108 ( dashed line ) , and @xmath109 ( dash - dotted line ) .
panel b ) since @xmath101 increases as a function of @xmath105 for a fixed value of @xmath42 , we can define the maximum value @xmath110 of @xmath105 up to which @xmath111 .
we plot @xmath110 as a function of the cavity dielectric constant @xmath42 .
[ fig : one],title="fig : " ] the expansion parameter @xmath101 is defined by @xmath112 where @xmath113 is the difference between the energies of two lls . from the definition of @xmath101
we clearly see that the canonical transformation can not be applied if the photon cavity is resonant with a transition between a ll belonging to the subspace @xmath81 and one belonging to the subspace @xmath82 .
as stated above , we are interested in the case in which the cavity photon is nearly resonant with the transition between the two lls in the subspace @xmath81 , i.e. @xmath114 . leaving aside the case @xmath115 , which needs a separate treatment , the anharmonicity of the ll spectrum in graphene , eq .
( [ eqn : llspectrum ] ) , ensures that the same cavity photon can not be resonant with other transitions . in particular ,
in the resonant case , we obtain @xmath116 $ ] .
if we consider a half - wavelength cavity , we have @xmath117 and consequently @xmath118 , where @xmath119 is the qed fine structure constant .
[ fig : one]a ) shows a plot of @xmath101 evaluated at @xmath120 , as a function of the ll index @xmath105 and for different values of the dielectric constant @xmath42 . the procedure outlined in this section
is rigorously justified for @xmath121 . in this regime
the ll anharmonicity is larger than the light - matter coupling @xmath100 .
[ fig : one]b ) shows that , for a given value of the cavity dielectric constant @xmath42 , the inequality @xmath111 is satisfied up to maximum value of @xmath105 , denoted by the symbol @xmath110 , and that one can push the limit of validity of this approach to higher values of @xmath105 by increasing the value of @xmath42 .
in sections [ sec : hamiltonian]-[sect : secondstep ] we derive the desired low - energy effective hamiltonian by using the canonical transformation approach described in this section .
the procedure is carried out in _ three _ steps : i ) we first decouple the subspace @xmath82 from the subspace @xmath81 by applying the canonical transformation @xmath88 up to first order in the small parameter @xmath101eq .
( [ eqn : diffsw ] ) ; ii ) we then use a different canonical transformation to take care of inter - band transitions between lls belonging to the subspace @xmath82 ; iii ) finally , we take into account pauli blocking .
following the notation of sect .
[ subsec : sw ] , we start from the original hamiltonian in eq .
( [ eqn : hvv ] ) . here , @xmath19 , which has been introduced in eq .
( [ eq : h0 ] ) , refers to bare electrons in the presence of a quantizing magnetic field and it is diagonal with respect to spin projection , valley index , and the eigenvalue of the magnetic translation operator in the @xmath17 direction .
it does not couple states belonging to the subspace @xmath81 with states belonging to the subspace @xmath82 : @xmath122 here , @xmath123 and @xmath124 ( @xmath125 and @xmath126 ) are fermionic creation ( annihilation ) operators for a bare electron .
we emphasize that , in this section , the indices @xmath127 and @xmath53 are _ collective _ labels for the spin projection along the @xmath45 axis , the valley index , the eigenvalue of the magnetic translation operator in the @xmath17 direction , the intra - band ll integer label , and the conduction / valence band label .
the hamiltonian that couples electronic degrees - of - freedom with the electromagnetic field is written as a sum of a block - diagonal term @xmath85 and a block - off - diagonal term @xmath86 : @xmath128 and @xmath129~.\end{aligned}\ ] ] in eqs .
( [ eqn : sw_vd])-([eqn : sw_vo ] ) we have introduced @xmath130 where @xmath53 ( @xmath127 ) is the collective label @xmath131 ( @xmath132 ) .
each of these three numbers represents an intra - band ll label ( @xmath133 ) , a band index ( @xmath134 ) , and a collective label ( @xmath135 ) comprising the eigenvalue of the magnetic translation operator in the @xmath17 direction , together with the spin projection along the along the @xmath45 axis and the valley index . by solving eq .
( [ eqn : diffsw ] ) we obtain an explicit expression for the anti - hermitian generator @xmath88 up to first order in @xmath101 : @xmath136 where we have introduced the operator @xmath137 given the first - order generator @xmath102 , the commutator @xmath138 $ ] generates a new block - diagonal term . using the dipole selection rules
, the commutator reads @xmath139 & = & 2\left(a + a^{\dag } \right)^2\sum_{m \in { \cal s}_m , n \in { \cal s}_n } \frac{\varepsilon_{mn}}{\varepsilon_{mn}^2-(\hbar \omega)^2 } \nonumber\\ & \times & \frac{g_{mn } g_{nm } } { \mathcal{n}}\left(c_m^\dag c_m - c_n^\dag c_n \right ) + { \cal b}_{\omega}~,\end{aligned}\ ] ] where @xmath140 \bigg\ { \sum_{m \in { \cal s}_m , n \in { \cal s}_n } \frac{g_{mn } g_{nm}}{\varepsilon_{mn}^2 - \hbar^2 \omega^2 } \left(c_m^\dag c_m + c_n^\dag c_n \right)+ \sum_{m , m^\prime \in \mathcal{s}_m } \sum_{n , n^\prime \in \mathcal{s}_n}\bigg [ \frac{g_{m^\prime n^\prime } g_{mn}}{\varepsilon_{mn}^2- \hbar^2 \omega^2 } c_{m^\prime}^\dag c_{n^\prime } c_m^\dag c_n + \nonumber \\ & & \frac{g _ { n^\prime m^\prime } g_{mn}}{\varepsilon_{mn}^2- \hbar^2 \omega^2 } c_{n^\prime}^\dag c_{m^\prime } c_m^\dag c_n+ \frac{g_{m^\prime n^\prime } g_{nm}}{\varepsilon_{mn}^2- \hbar^2 \omega^2 } c_{m^\prime}^\dag c_{n^\prime } c_n^\dag c_m + \frac{g _ { n^\prime m^\prime } g_{n m}}{\varepsilon_{mn}^2- \hbar^2 \omega^2 } c_{n^\prime}^\dag c_{m^\prime } c_n^\dag c_m \bigg]\bigg \}~.\end{aligned}\ ] ] note that @xmath141 .
more importantly , the operator @xmath142 , being proportional to @xmath143 , is negligible in the limit of a macroscopic ll degeneracy ( @xmath144 ) . using eq .
( [ eqn : sw_eff ] ) and neglecting terms that are @xmath145 , we finally find the effective hamiltonian @xmath91 , which is correct up to order @xmath146 : @xmath147 here , @xmath148 is the sum of @xmath149 independent contributions , one for each value of @xmath150 , i.e. @xmath151 with @xmath152 where @xmath153 and @xmath154 have been introduced earlier in eqs .
( [ eq : ecalligrafic ] ) and ( [ eq : resonantcondition ] ) , respectively . the quadratic terms in the electromagnetic field , i.e. the terms in the second line of eq .
( [ eqn : h2lv ] ) , stem from the canonical transformation . in eq .
( [ eqn : h2lv ] ) we have introduced @xmath155 where the first term is independent of the cavity photon frequency while the second term , that we define `` dynamical '' , explicitly depends on the cavity photon frequency : @xmath156 and @xmath157}{[(2 m + 3)\omega^2_{\rm c}-\omega^2]^2 - 4 ( m+1)(m+2)\omega^4_{\rm c}}\nonumber\\ & + & \frac{\sqrt{m}[\omega^2-(4m-3)\omega^2_{\rm c}]}{[(2 m -1)\omega^2_{\rm c } -\omega^2]^2 - 4 m(m-1)\omega^4_{\rm c}}\bigg\}~.\end{aligned}\ ] ] note that @xmath158 for @xmath159 . finally , @xmath160}{[(2 m + 3)\omega^2_{\rm c}-\omega^2]^2 - 4 ( m+1)(m+2)\omega^4_{\rm c}}\nonumber\\ & -&\frac{\sqrt{m}[\omega^2-(4m-3)\omega^2_{\rm c}]}{[(2 m -1)\omega^2_{\rm c } - \omega^2]^2 - 4 m ( m-1)\omega^4_{\rm c } } \nonumber \\ & + & \frac{\sqrt{m+1}-\sqrt{m}}{(\sqrt{m+1}+\sqrt{m})^2\omega^2_{\rm c } - \omega^2 } \bigg\}~.\end{aligned}\ ] ] the second term in eq .
( [ eq : mezzastrada ] ) reads as following : @xmath161c_n^\dag c_n+ \sum_{n , n^\prime \in { \cal s}_n } \frac{g_{n n^\prime}}{\sqrt{\cal n}}\left(a + a^{\dag } \right)c_n^\dag c_{n^\prime}~.\ ] ] the hamiltonian ( [ eq : mezzastrada ] ) is not yet the desired result , i.e. an effective hamiltonian for the @xmath163 doublet .
indeed , @xmath162 contains fermionic operators that act on the subspace @xmath82 . in particular , we note that the last term in eq .
( [ eq : hn ] ) is an off - diagonal contribution in the labels @xmath164.we utilize a suitable canonical transformation that eliminates this term . for the sake of simplicity , we here report only the final result .
we find a renormalized hamiltonian operating on the subspace @xmath82 , which is diagonal in the labels @xmath164 : @xmath165 where the index @xmath166 runs over _ all _ lls .
since the dirac model applies over a large but _ finite _ energy region , we must regularize @xcite eq .
( [ eqn : hnprime ] ) by employing a cut - off @xmath167 .
moreover , we treat the fermionic portion of the renormalized hamiltonian ( [ eqn : hnprime ] ) as a mean field for the photons .
we therefore replace @xmath168 } + 1}~,\ ] ] where @xmath169 is the chemical potential of the electronic system .
the accuracy of this mean - field treatment will be justified below in sect .
[ sec : effectivemetalapproach ] . in the low - temperature limit , @xmath170 we can replace the fermi - dirac function in eq .
( [ eq : averaging ] ) with a fermi step .
we are therefore led to define the prefactor of the @xmath171 term in eq .
( [ eqn : hnprime ] ) as @xmath172 where the sums are regularized with the cut - off @xmath167 .
more explicitly , for every @xmath173 , we have : @xmath174 where @xmath175 and @xmath176~.\end{aligned}\ ] ] as explained in refs .
, we must regularize the expression in eq .
( [ eq : drudeweight ] ) by subtracting the cut - off dependent term @xmath177 . after applying this regularization
, one can take the limit @xmath178 , discovering that the quantity @xmath179 \nonumber \\ & = & \frac{g^2}{\hbar \omega_{\rm c } } { \cal i}^\infty_{m-1 } - \frac{g^2}{\omega_{m-1 } } \frac{\omega^2}{\omega^2_{m-1 } - \omega^2}~,\end{aligned}\ ] ] with @xmath180~,\end{aligned}\ ] ] is well defined .
discarding constant terms @xcite ( i.e. terms that do not contain the photon field operators @xmath37 and @xmath181 ) , the renormalized hamiltonian ( [ eqn : hnprime ] ) becomes @xmath182 we stress that @xmath78 as defined in eq .
( [ eqn : dmdef ] ) depends both on the ll label @xmath105 and the photon frequency @xmath41 and that it vanishes in the static @xmath183 limit . in summary ,
the correct low - energy hamiltonian is given by @xmath91 as in eq .
( [ eq : mezzastrada ] ) with @xmath162 replaced by @xmath184 in eq .
( [ eq : accaprimofinale ] ) , i.e. @xmath185 where @xmath186 has been defined in eq .
( [ eqn : h2lv ] ) and , without loss of generality , we have chosen a specific polarization of the electromagnetic field , _ i.e. _ @xmath187 .
( [ eqn : heff_sw ] ) is the first important result of this article and represents a low - energy effective hamiltonian for the cavity qed of the graphene cyclotron resonance .
it is evident that @xmath75 differs from the bare dicke hamiltonian ( [ eq : baredicke ] ) since it contains terms that are quadratic in the electromagnetic field .
we will therefore refer to the low - energy effective hamiltonian ( [ eqn : heff_sw ] ) as to generalized dicke hamiltonian ( gdh ) . as discussed earlier and as illustrated in fig .
[ fig : one]b ) , the gdh ( [ eqn : heff_sw ] ) is rigorously justified only for a finite interval of values of @xmath105 , which depends on the cavity dielectric constant .
for example , for @xmath109 , eq . ( [ eqn : heff_sw ] ) is justified in the interval @xmath188 .
this implies that for this value of @xmath42 the description of the cavity qed of the graphene cyclotron resonance in terms of the gdh may break down for @xmath189 .
below we discuss an alternative approach , which is valid for arbitrarily large values of the highest - occupied ll index @xmath105 and transcends the description based on the gdh . for future purposes , it is useful to highlight the following identity , @xmath190 and the following inequality @xmath191 which is valid @xmath192 . here
@xmath193 for large @xmath105 one therefore finds @xmath194 in the resonant @xmath106 case , the quantities @xmath195 and @xmath79 defined earlier in eqs .
( [ eqn : kz_sd])-([eqn : k_omega ] ) reduce to : @xmath196 and @xmath197~.\end{aligned}\ ] ] in this section we demonstrate that the gdh ( [ eqn : heff_sw ] ) is gauge invariant . to this end , we treat the cavity electromagnetic field as a weak perturbation with respect to the mdf hamiltonian in the presence of a quantizing magnetic field .
the cavity electromagnetic field induces a matter current that can be calculated by the powerful means of linear response theory @xcite .
in particular , the physical matter current in response to the electromagnetic field is composed by paramagnetic and diamagnetic contributions @xcite .
it is easy to demonstrate that the paramagnetic response function of a system described by the gdh ( [ eqn : heff_sw ] ) to the electromagnetic field is given by @xmath198 where @xmath199 and @xmath200 . in eq .
( [ eqn : chi_para ] ) we have introduced the kubo product @xcite @xmath201\rangle~,\ ] ] where @xmath202 denotes a thermal average and @xmath203 is the operator @xmath94 in the heisenberg representation , i.e. @xmath204 . similarly , the diamagnetic response function is given by @xmath205 where @xmath206 and @xmath207 .
the diamagnetic response function @xmath208 can be rewritten in a compact form as @xmath209 where @xmath210~.\end{aligned}\ ] ] in writing eqs .
( [ eq : omg])-([eq : omg_beta ] ) we have used the mathematical identity ( [ eqn : dm ] ) .
therefore , the physical current - current response function is the sum of these two contributions : @xmath211 in the static @xmath212 limit we have @xmath213 and @xmath214 paramagnetic and diamagnetic contributions in eqs .
( [ eq : omegatozero_1])-([eq : omegatozero_2 ] ) are equal in magnitude and opposite in sign .
hence , a quasi - homogeneous vector potential does not induce any response in the static limit : in this limit the vector potential represents a pure gauge and can not induce any physical effect unless gauge invariance is broken @xcite .
alert readers will note that the paramagnetic contribution to the physical current - current response function dominates over the diamagnetic contribution in the resonant limit @xmath215 .
indeed , @xmath216 has a pole at @xmath215 , while @xmath217 is finite at the same frequency . as we will see below in sect .
[ sect : thermodynamics ] , however , the quadratic terms in the photon field in eq .
( [ eqn : heff_sw ] ) , which yield a finite diamagnetic response , are absolutely crucial to ensure thermodynamic stability of the system . in passing ,
we notice that the current - current response function in eq .
( [ eqn : chi_j ] ) has the following asymptotic behavior @xmath218~,\ ] ] in the limit of zero temperature and for @xmath105 such that @xmath219 .
( [ eq : asymptotics ] ) is formally identical to the current - current response function of a doped graphene sheet in the absence of a quantizing magnetic field @xcite , provided that one replaces @xmath153 with the fermi energy @xmath169 .
for the sake of completeness , we now compare the main result obtained so far , i.e. the gdh ( [ eqn : heff_sw ] ) , with the results of ref . .
we start by recalling the effective hamiltonian that was derived in ref . .
in the notation of this article , it reads @xmath220~.\end{aligned}\ ] ] note that the term proportional to @xmath221 in the previous equation contains the pauli matrix @xmath222 : this corrects a mistake that was made in ref . . although the hamiltonian ( [ eqn : hdicke_prl ] ) respects gauge invariance in the sense of sect .
[ sect : linearresponsetheory ] , it misses dynamical contributions that are naturally captured by the canonical transformation .
the gdh hamiltonian ( [ eqn : heff_sw ] ) , indeed , reduces to eq .
( [ eqn : hdicke_prl ] ) when the dynamical contributions @xmath223 , @xmath79 , and @xmath78 are set to zero .
we remind the reader that in the static @xmath224 limit @xmath225 .
in this section we present a thorough analysis of the thermodynamic properties of the gdh ( [ eqn : heff_sw ] ) .
the partition function @xmath226 in the grand - canonical ensemble reads @xmath227~,\ ] ] where @xmath228 ( @xmath229 ) is the photon ( electron ) number and @xmath230 ( @xmath169 ) is the chemical potential of the photonic ( electronic ) system . here
, we assume that the chemical potential of the electronic system is fixed at @xmath153 , while the chemical potential of the photons is set to zero . in order to evaluate the grand - canonical partition function we use the functional integral formalism @xcite . in this formalism
the grand - canonical partition function @xmath226 is written as a functional integral over bosonic and grassmann fields : @xmath231 \int { \cal d}[\xi_{j k}^\ast(\tau),\xi_{j k}(\tau ) ] \nonumber\\ & \times & e^{-\mathcal{s}[\phi^\ast(\tau),\phi(\tau),\xi_{j k}^\ast(\tau),\xi_{j k}(\tau)]}~.\end{aligned}\ ] ] here , @xmath232 represent bosonic fields , which are defined on the imaginary - time interval @xmath233 $ ] and repeated periodically elsewhere , whereas @xmath234 are grassmann fermionic fields , which are anti - periodic in the same imaginary - time interval . in eq .
( [ eqn : zgc ] ) @xmath235 and @xmath99 labels the eigenvalues of the @xmath236 matrix @xmath237 , i.e. @xmath238 .
finally , the euclidean action @xmath239 reads @xmath240 ^ 2\right\}+ \sum_{k , j , j^\prime } \int^{\beta}_0 d \tau~\xi_{j k } ^\ast(\tau ) \left ( \frac{\partial}{\partial \tau } { \openone}_{j j^\prime}+ \frac{\omega_m}{2 } \tau^z_{j j^\prime } \right ) \xi_{j^\prime k}(\tau ) + \nonumber \\ & & \sum_{k , j , j^\prime } \int^{\beta}_0 d \tau~\xi_{j k } ^\ast(\tau ) \left\{\frac{g}{\sqrt{\mathcal{n}}}\left[\phi^\ast(\tau)+\phi(\tau)\right ] \tau^x_{j j^\prime } + \left[\phi^\ast(\tau)+\phi(\tau)\right]^2 \left ( \frac{\kappa}{\mathcal{n } } \delta_{j j^\prime}-\frac{\kappa^z}{\mathcal{n}}\tau^z_{j j^\prime } \right ) \right\}\xi _ { j^\prime k } ( \tau)~.\end{aligned}\ ] ] the simplest approximation to evaluate the grand - canonical partition function @xmath226 in eq .
( [ eqn : zgc ] ) is the so - called `` static path approximation '' ( spa ) . in the spa the dependence of the bosonic fields @xmath241 on imaginary time
is neglected .
therefore , quantum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field are absent in the spa .
the spa is a good approximation when the average photon number is macroscopic , i.e. when it is @xmath242 .
this is precisely what occurs in a super - radiant phase .
the gran - canonical partition function in the spa reads @xmath243 \nonumber\\ & \times&e^{-{\cal s}[\phi^\ast , \phi , \xi_{j k}^\ast(\tau ) , \xi_{j k}(\tau)]}~,\end{aligned}\ ] ] where @xmath244 and @xmath245 are just complex numbers and not fluctuating fields . carrying out the integral over the grassmann fields @xmath246 and over @xmath247
, we find @xmath248 where @xmath249 and @xmath250~.\ ] ] in the limit @xmath144 the integral in eq .
( [ eqn : z_sd_gc ] ) can be calculated by employing the steepest descent method @xcite , i.e. @xmath251 here @xmath252 denotes a maximum , i.e. @xmath253 and @xmath254 we now look for solutions of the saddle - point equation ( [ eq : saddlepoint ] ) . since @xmath255 depends on @xmath256 through @xmath257see eq .
( [ eqn : func_gc_inf]) @xmath258 is always an extremum of @xmath255 .
physically , the solution @xmath258 corresponds to the `` normal phase '' in which the number of photons vanishes in the thermodynamic limit .
we study the nature of this extremum by evaluating @xmath259 .
straightforward algebraic manipulations yield @xmath260\right\}~.\end{aligned}\ ] ] since @xmath261 and @xmath262 , the quantity @xmath259 can satisfy @xmath263 if and only if the dimensionless function @xmath264 is _ larger _ than unity .
note that @xmath265 is _ independent _ of the cavity dielectric constant @xmath42 . since we are interested in the resonant regime , we can set @xmath266 in eq .
( [ eqn : barfm ] ) . in this case @xmath267 becomes a function of the ll label @xmath105 only .
[ fig : two ] illustrates the dependence of @xmath268 on @xmath105 .
we clearly see that @xmath269 for every @xmath105 .
we can therefore conclude that @xmath270 is always a maximum , i.e. @xmath271 . in what follows
, we investigate the possibility of having a super - radiant phase , i.e. a phase with a macroscopic number of photons in the thermodynamic limit .
this phase corresponds to the existence of a maximum of @xmath255 located at a non - zero value of the order parameter @xmath256 .
we will show that if @xmath272 no such extremum exists .
this implies that the gdh ( [ eqn : heff_sw ] ) is _ not _ unstable towards a super - radiant state in the regime where its derivation based on the canonical transformation ( sect .
[ sect : twolevelsystem ] ) is rigorously justified .
we now prove that the saddle - point equation ( [ eq : saddlepoint ] ) does not admit any solution at @xmath273 . to this end
, we write @xmath274 $ ] as a sum of functions which are all _ concave downwards _ and have a maximum at @xmath270 .
this is easily accomplished by exploiting the binomial theorem : @xmath275 using eq .
( [ eq : binomialtheorem ] ) in eq .
( [ eqn : z_sd_gc ] ) we find @xmath276 where @xmath277\nonumber\\ & + &
\frac{\ell}{\cal n } \log \left [ \cosh{\left ( \frac{\beta \omega_m}{2 }
\chi(x ) \right ) } \right]~,\end{aligned}\ ] ] with @xmath278 let us now study the solutions of the equation @xmath279 we first notice that eq .
( [ eqn : nullification ] ) admits always the trivial solution @xmath280 because @xmath281 depends on @xmath256 only through @xmath257 .
we now investigate whether solutions exist at non - zero values of @xmath256 .
the trivial @xmath280 solution can be easily discarded by taking the first derivative of @xmath281 with respect to @xmath257 . requiring that this vanishes is equivalent to finding the solutions of the following equation : @xmath282 \nonumber\\ & = & \frac{\ell}{\cal n}\frac{\omega_m}{2}\tanh\left[{\frac{\beta \omega_m}{2}\chi(x)}\right ] \frac{d \chi(x)}{d ( x^2)}~.\end{aligned}\ ] ] defined in eq .
( [ eqn : barfm ] ) on the ll index @xmath105.[fig : two ] ] eq .
( [ eqn : srp_fl ] ) can also be written as following : @xmath283 where @xmath284 ^ 2\nonumber\\ & - & \left [ \frac{4 \ell}{\cal
n } \left(\frac{g^2}{\omega_m}-\kappa^z\right ) t_2(x ) \right]^2~,\end{aligned}\ ] ] @xmath285 ^ 2\nonumber\\ & - & \left [ \frac{4 \ell}{\cal n } \kappa^z t_2(x)\right]^2 \bigg\}~,\end{aligned}\ ] ] and @xmath286 ^ 2\nonumber\\ & -&\left [ \frac{4 \ell}{\mathcal{n } } \kappa^z t_2(x ) \right]^2 \bigg\}~,\end{aligned}\ ] ] with @xmath287 and @xmath288~.\ ] ] from the form of eq .
( [ eqn : biq_ell ] ) one clearly sees that in order to find a solution of eq .
( [ eqn : nullification ] ) at finite @xmath256 , one of the coefficients @xmath289 , @xmath290 , and @xmath291 must change sign for one value of @xmath166 and @xmath292 . it is easy to see that the functions @xmath293 with @xmath294 , and @xmath295 are positive definite for any temperature and any value of @xmath256 unless the following inequality is satisfied : @xmath296 since we are interested in the resonant regime , we can set @xmath266 in eq .
( [ eqn : fm ] ) . in this case
@xmath297 becomes a function of the ll label @xmath105 only , i.e. @xmath298 .
we find that , for every value of @xmath42 , there is a value @xmath299 of the ll index label @xmath105 such that the inequality in eq .
( [ eqn : fm ] ) is satisfied for @xmath300 . fig .
[ fig : three]a ) illustrates the dependence of @xmath299 on @xmath42 . by comparison with fig .
[ fig : one]b ) we clearly see that @xmath301 .
we therefore conclude that the necessary condition for the occurrence of solutions of eq .
( [ eqn : nullification ] ) at finite @xmath256 , i.e. @xmath302 , can not be achieved within the limit of validity of the derivation of the gdh ( [ eqn : heff_sw ] ) , i.e. for @xmath303 .
is plotted as a function of the cavity dielectric constant @xmath42 .
we remind the reader that for @xmath304 the condition @xmath305 is satisfied .
note that @xmath301see fig .
[ fig : one]b ) .
panel b ) the ratio @xmath306 as a function of @xmath256 for @xmath266 , @xmath109 , and @xmath307
. the solid line refers to @xmath308 , which is smaller than the value of @xmath110 for @xmath309 , while the dashed line refers to @xmath310 . in this case
the gdh ( [ eqn : heff_sw ] ) is not applicable.[fig : three],title="fig : " ] is plotted as a function of the cavity dielectric constant @xmath42 .
we remind the reader that for @xmath304 the condition @xmath305 is satisfied .
note that @xmath301see fig .
[ fig : one]b ) .
panel b ) the ratio @xmath306 as a function of @xmath256 for @xmath266 , @xmath109 , and @xmath307
. the solid line refers to @xmath308 , which is smaller than the value of @xmath110 for @xmath309 , while the dashed line refers to @xmath310 . in this case
the gdh ( [ eqn : heff_sw ] ) is not applicable.[fig : three],title="fig : " ] we have therefore demonstrated that , for @xmath303 , @xmath311 has no estremum at @xmath292 , for every value of @xmath166 . exploiting the binomial representation in eq .
( [ eqn : bin ] ) , we notice that the function @xmath312 $ ] can be written as a sum of concave downwards functions which have a maximum at @xmath280 .
therefore @xmath255 is also concave downwards and has only one maximum at @xmath280 .
the function @xmath255 has neither a global nor a local maximum at @xmath292 .
this implies the impossibility to have a transition to a super - radiant phase .
[ fig : three]b ) shows the quantity @xmath255 as a function of @xmath256 for two values of the ll index @xmath105 : @xmath303 ( solid line ) , where the gdh ( [ eqn : heff_sw ] ) is rigorously justified , and @xmath313 ( dashed line ) , well beyond the limit of validity of the gdh . in both cases
we see that @xmath255 has a maximum at @xmath280 , as demonstrated earlier . for @xmath303 , no other extremum of @xmath255
is present . in the case
@xmath314 , however , the function @xmath255 presents a minimum at @xmath292 and diverges for @xmath315 .
more precisely , its is possible to show that @xmath316 .
it follows that the partition function @xmath317 in eq .
( [ eqn : z_spa ] ) is ill - defined for @xmath318 .
the `` catastrophic '' growth @xmath316 for large @xmath256 stems from the application of the gdh ( [ eqn : heff_sw ] ) well beyond its limit of validity , i.e. for @xmath319 where @xmath320 .
[ sec : effectivemetalapproach ] will be devoted to the presentation of a theory that transcends the gdh and that is valid also for @xmath321 .
we can now finalize the calculation of the partition function in the spa by following the steepest descent method ( [ eq : steepestdescent ] ) .
we expand @xmath255 around the maximum at @xmath280 as @xmath322 where @xmath323~.\ ] ] using eqs .
( [ eq : phipp0 ] ) and ( [ eq : phi0 ] ) in eq .
( [ eq : steepestdescent ] ) , we find @xmath324 where @xmath325^{\cal n}[1+\exp{(-\beta \omega_m/2)}]^{\cal n}\ ] ] and @xmath326/\hbar ] \right \}^{1/2}~.\end{aligned}\ ] ] the quantity @xmath327 is easily recognized to be the grand - canonical partition function of the ll doublet @xmath163 in the absence of the cavity photon field .
it is also possible to evaluate the photon occupation number @xmath328 in the spa : @xmath329 which is formally identical to the spa occupation number of a photon gas that does not interact with matter ( i.e. @xmath330 ) , @xmath331 provided that one replaces @xmath332 . as a function of the ll label @xmath105 for @xmath106see eq .
( [ eqn : spa_n ] ) .
the ( green ) triangles denote the spa photon occupation number evaluated at @xmath330 , eq .
( [ eqn : spa_n0 ] ) , and for @xmath106 . in this plot @xmath333 and @xmath109.[fig : lognspa ] ] in fig .
[ fig : lognspa ] we compare the photon occupation number @xmath328 evaluated on resonance , @xmath106 , with the spa occupation number of the photon gas evaluated at @xmath330 , eq .
( [ eqn : spa_n0 ] ) .
we see that light - matter interactions do not cause any significant modification of the photon occupation number with respect to the @xmath330 case .
we therefore do not see any sign of a super - radiant phase .
we now show that a super - radiant phase transition can occur when the quadratic terms in the photon field are neglected @xcite .
in this case a maximum of @xmath255 at @xmath273 can occur if @xcite @xmath334 this implies that , choosing a suitable cavity dielectric constant for a given @xmath105 or a value of the ll index @xmath105 for a given @xmath42 , a super - radiant phase transition is possible .
consider , for instance , a half - wavelength cavity and set @xmath335 , where @xmath117 . in this case @xmath118 and the critical condition ( [ eq : nocan ] ) becomes : @xmath336 .
a super - radiant phase transition is therefore possible @xcite for large enough values of @xmath105 . if the condition ( [ eq : nocan ] )
is satisfied , the maximum of @xmath255 appears at @xmath337^{1/2}\ ] ] in the zero - temperature limit .
hence , one can gain energy when the photon occupation number becomes macroscopic , @xmath338 .
these are artefacts stemming from the neglect of quadratic terms in the photon field . within the spa
, we have demonstrated that the saddle - point equation ( [ eq : saddlepoint ] ) admits only the `` trivial '' solution @xmath280 , i.e. @xmath339 , for any value of the temperature @xmath340 . in this section
we present a careful study of the impact of imaginary - time ( i.e. quantum ) fluctuations of the photonic field @xmath341 around @xmath342 on the thermodynamic properties of the effective hamiltonian ( [ eqn : heff_sw ] ) . in other words , we want to verify whether the normal phase is robust with respect to quantum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field .
we rewrite the euclidean action @xmath239 in eq .
( [ eqn : eucl ] ) in the following form : @xmath343 ^ 2\right\ } \nonumber\\ & + & \sum_{k , j , j^\prime } \int^{\beta}_0 d \tau~\xi_{k j } ^\ast(\tau ) \left [ -g_0^{-1}(\tau)+ { \sigma}(\tau ) \right]_{j j^\prime } \xi_{k j^\prime } ( \tau ) , \end{aligned}\ ] ] where @xmath344 @xmath345 @xmath346\tau^x~,\ ] ] and @xmath347 ^ 2 \left(\frac{\kappa}{\mathcal{n } } \openone -\frac{\kappa^z}{\mathcal{n } } \tau^z\right)~.\ ] ] the key point now is to realize that the fermionic part of the action can be integrated out exactly , since it corresponds to a gaussian functional integral .
the resulting effective action is @xmath348 ^ 2\bigg\ } - { \rm tr}\left[\log \left(-g^{-1}_0 + \sigma\right)\right]~,\nonumber\\\end{aligned}\ ] ] where the symbol `` @xmath349 '' means a trace over all degrees - of - freedom , including the imaginary time . in order to study the effect of gaussian fluctuations ,
we expand the last term in the effective action @xmath350 in powers of @xmath351 up to _ second _ order in the bosonic fields @xmath241 . in order to do so
, we employ the identity : @xmath352 & = & { \rm tr}\left[\log \left(-g_0^{-1 } \right)\right ] \nonumber \\ & - & { \rm tr}\sum^{\infty}_{n=1}\frac{(g_0 \sigma)^n}{n}~.\end{aligned}\ ] ] neglecting terms of order @xmath353 we therefore find : @xmath354 ^ 2 \bigg\ } - { \rm tr}\left[\log \left(-g_0^{-1 } \right)\right ] \nonumber\\ & + & { \rm tr}\left[g_0 \sigma_2 \right ] + \frac{1}{2}{\rm tr}\left[g_0 \sigma_1 g_0 \sigma_1 \right]~.\end{aligned}\ ] ] we define @xmath355 + \frac{1}{2}\mathrm{tr}\left[g_0 \sigma_1 g_0 \sigma_1 \right]~.\ ] ] the first term in the previous equation is non - zero because @xmath356 is quadratic in the bosonic fields . hence , the grand - canonical partition function in the gaussian approximation reads @xmath357e^{\displaystyle -\int^{\beta}_0 d \tau~\left\{\phi^\ast(\tau ) \left(\partial/\partial \tau+\hbar \omega \right ) \phi(\tau ) + \delta_m \left [ \phi^\ast(\tau)+\phi(\tau ) \right]^2 + { \cal s}^{(2)}_{\rm fluct}(\phi^\ast(\tau),\phi(\tau))\right\}}~.\nonumber\\\end{aligned}\ ] ] where @xmath327 has been defined earlier in eq .
( [ eq : zfree ] ) .
we can now calculate the bosonic functional integral on the right - hand side of eq .
( [ eq : tobecalculated ] ) since it is a gaussian functional integral .
this is most easily done by using the matsubara representation of the photonic field : @xmath358 where @xmath359 with @xmath360 .
we find @xmath361 where @xmath362 and @xmath317 has been defined earlier in eq .
( [ eqn : zsd_gcan ] ) . as a function of the ll label @xmath105 for @xmath106see eq .
( [ eqn : n_gauss ] ) .
the ( green ) triangles denote the bose - einstein thermal factor @xmath363 . in this plot @xmath333 and @xmath109.[fig : lognb ] ] to evaluate the integral on the right - hand side of eq .
( [ eqn : z_matsubara ] ) we need the determinant of the matrix @xmath364 . for each positive integer @xmath127
this reads as follows , @xmath365~.\ ] ] we again analyze the resonant case @xmath106 .
it is easy to demonstrate that the function @xmath267 in eq .
( [ eqn : barfm ] ) needs to be larger than unity to drive at least one of the determinants @xmath364 to a negative value .
but we have already verified that @xmath366 for every @xmath105see fig .
[ fig : two ] .
hence , we have found that the normal phase is robust with respect to quantum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field .
the partition function ( [ eqn : z_matsubara ] ) can be written as @xmath367 we now exploit the identity @xmath368 where @xmath369 is the partition function of an harmonic oscillator with characteristic frequency @xmath41 .
we therefore conclude that the grand - canonical partition function in the gaussian approximation is given by the following expression : @xmath370 where @xmath371 ^ 2}{4}+4 \hbar \omega \omega_m g^2 \tanh\left(\beta \omega_m/4 \right)}}~.\ ] ] the quantity @xmath372 has been introduced earlier in eq .
( [ eq : omg_beta ] ) and is proportional to diamagnetic response function @xmath217 .
physically , the quantities @xmath373 represent the frequencies of the two integer quantum hall polariton modes . the quantity @xmath372 encodes all the contributions to the polariton modes that stem from quadratic corrections in the photon fields , which are present in the low - energy effective hamiltonian ( [ eqn : heff_sw ] ) .
neglecting these terms results in the following integer quantum hall polariton frequencies @xcite : @xmath374 of the smallness parameter @xmath375 as defined in eq .
( [ eq : smallness_emm ] ) and evaluated at @xmath106 .
different curves correspond to different values of the dielectric constant : @xmath107 ( solid line ) , @xmath108 ( dashed line ) , and @xmath109 ( dash - dotted line ) .
[ fig : met ] ] with the partition function at our disposal , we can evaluate the photon occupation number @xmath376 in the presence of gaussian fluctuations of the electromagnetic field .
we find @xmath377 \frac{\partial \omega_s}{\partial \omega}~,\end{aligned}\ ] ] where @xmath328 has been defined in eq .
( [ eqn : spa_n ] ) and @xmath378^{-1}$ ] is the bose - einstein thermal factor . in fig .
[ fig : lognb ] we compare the photon occupation number @xmath376 evaluated on resonance , i.e. for @xmath106 , with the bose - einstein function @xmath363 . from this figure
we clearly see the photon occupation number obtained from eq .
( [ eqn : n_gauss ] ) is comparable with the non - interacting photon thermal occupation number .
no evidence of a super - radiant phase transition is seen .
comparing @xmath376 in fig .
[ fig : lognb ] with @xmath328 in fig .
[ fig : lognspa ] , we immediately see that the spa , which treats quasi - classically the electromagnetic field , overestimates the photon occupation number .
we have therefore verified that quantum fluctuations of the electromagnetic do not drive the system towards a super - radiant phase and that , on the contrary , suppress the photon occupation number .
as we have discussed above , the description of the cavity qed of the graphene cyclotron resonance in terms of the gdh is not valid for @xmath379 , where @xmath110 has been illustrated in fig .
[ fig : one]b ) . in this section
we present a theory that transcends the gdh and that is valid for every @xmath105 .
we again employ a canonical transformation but this time we use it to `` integrate out '' the entire valence band , remaining with an effective hamiltonian for the entire conduction band as dressed by strong light - matter interactions . with the notation of sect .
[ subsec : sw ] , we denote by @xmath81 the hilbert subspace spanned by lls in conduction band , including the zero - energy ( @xmath380 ) ll , whereas @xmath82 denotes the hilbert subspace spanned by lls in valence band . in this case the dimensionless parameter that controls the validity of the canonical transformation is @xmath381 fig . [
fig : met ] shows @xmath375 for @xmath106 as a function of the ll label @xmath105 .
we clearly see that @xmath382 for any positive @xmath105 and that @xmath375 decreases as @xmath105 increases .
hence , the approach of this section allows us to study the cavity qed of the graphene cyclotron resonance well beyond the regime of @xmath105 values where the modeling described in sect .
[ sect : twolevelsystem ] works . following the approach summarized in sect .
[ subsec : sw ] , we find the following effective hamiltonian for the conduction band : @xmath383~,\end{aligned}\ ] ] where , once again , we have chosen , without loss of generality , a specific polarization of the electromagnetic field , _ i.e. _ @xmath384 . for the sake of simplicity
, we have dropped the label `` @xmath385 '' from the fermionic field operators @xmath386 and @xmath387 .
( [ eqn : hmetal ] ) is the second important result of this article . in eq .
( [ eqn : hmetal ] ) @xmath388 which is finite in the static @xmath224 limit , and @xmath389 where @xmath390 can be simply obtained by setting @xmath115 in eq .
( [ eq : iinfinitym ] ) . the quantity @xmath391 in eq .
( [ eq : deltaeffectivemetal ] ) vanishes in the static limit .
the quantities @xmath392 in eq .
( [ eq : kappan ] ) have been introduced earlier in eq .
( [ eq : weights ] ) . starting from the effective hamiltonian in eq .
( [ eqn : hmetal ] ) , we evaluate the grand - canonical partition function @xmath226 by using again the functional integral formalism . in order to decouple the electronic system from the electromagnetic field ,
we introduce four complex auxiliary fields , i.e. @xmath393 and @xmath394 via the hubbard - stratonovich transformation @xcite : @xmath395 \int { \cal d}[z^\ast(\tau),z(\tau ) ] \int { \cal d}[\phi^\ast(\tau),\phi(\tau ) ] \int { \cal d}[\xi_{j k}^\ast(\tau),\xi_{j k}(\tau ) ] \nonumber\\ & \times & \exp{\left[-\sqrt{\cal n } g \int_0^\beta d\tau |y(\tau)|^2 - { \cal n}\frac{g^2}{\hbar \omega_{\rm c}}\int_0^\beta d\tau |z(\tau)|^2 - { \cal s}_{\rm f } - { \cal s}_{\rm b}\right]}~,\end{aligned}\ ] ] where @xmath396 + \left[\frac{g^2}{\hbar \omega_{\rm c } } z(\tau ) + \delta \right]\left[\phi^\ast(\tau)+\phi(\tau)\right]^2\bigg\}~,\\ { \cal s}_{\rm f } & = & \sum_{k , n } \int^{\beta}_0 d \tau~\bigg\{\xi_{n k } ^\ast(\tau ) \left [ \frac{\partial}{\partial \tau}+ ( \varepsilon_{+,n } - { \cal e}_m ) - \kappa_n z^\ast(\tau ) \right ] \xi_{n k}(\tau ) \nonumber \\ & - & w_{+ , n } g y^\ast(\tau ) \left [ \xi_{n k } ^\ast(\tau)\xi_{n+1 k } ( \tau ) + \xi_{n+1 k } ^\ast(\tau ) \xi_{n k } ( \tau)\right]\bigg\}~.\end{aligned}\ ] ] the previous expression for @xmath226 is formally exact and contains only terms that are quadratic in the fermion / boson fields . in the following ,
we apply the spa for the auxiliary complex fields by neglecting their imaginary - time dependence and the steepest descent method with respect to the auxiliary fields . in order to find the saddle point we have to deform the contours of integration with respect to the static auxiliary fields in the complex plane @xcite .
we find that the saddle point is located at : @xmath397 where the grand - canonical ensemble averages @xmath398 are evaluated with respect to the following mean - field hamiltonian : @xmath399 here , @xmath400 and @xmath401~.\end{aligned}\ ] ] starting from the bosonic quadratic hamiltonian @xmath402 , we obtain the following relations between the mean fields : @xmath403 where @xmath404 since the ll degeneracy is macroscopic , i.e. @xmath144 , in eq .
( [ eqn : z ] ) we can neglect the first term on the right - hand side and write @xmath405 .
the corresponding mean - field fermionic hamiltonian ( [ eqn : hmf_f ] ) becomes @xmath406~.\end{aligned}\ ] ] for any @xmath407 , each eigenstate of the mean - field hamiltonian in eq .
( [ eqn : hfy ] ) has an energy that is a monotonically increasing function of @xmath408 and has a minimum at @xmath409 .
thus , the self - consistent problem has the following solution : @xmath410 where @xmath411^{-1}$ ] is the fermi - dirac thermal factor .
we emphasize that the solution ( [ eqn : mf_sol_1])-([eqn : mf_sol_4 ] ) of the mean - field problem posed by the hamiltonian ( [ eqn : hmf ] ) is an _ a posteriori _ check of the mean - field treatment we adopted in eq .
( [ eq : averaging ] ) of sect .
[ sect : secondstep ] . by using the steepest descent method , we can explicitly write the grand - canonical function as @xmath412 where @xmath369 has been introduced in eq .
( [ eqn : sum_id ] ) , @xmath413 is given by eq .
( [ eq : omegabarfunctionofz ] ) evaluated at @xmath414 as from eqs .
( [ eqn : mf_sol_1])-([eqn : mf_sol_4 ] ) , and @xmath415^{\cal n}~.\ ] ] note that @xmath416 is the grand - canonical partition function of the multi - level system @xmath417 in the absence of the cavity photon field . in this section
we investigate the stability of the mean - field solution given in the sect .
[ sect : mftheory ] by calculating the fluctuations of the hubbard - stratonovich auxiliary fields @xcite . to this end , we expand the grand - canonical partition function in eq .
( [ eqn : zgc_hs ] ) around its saddle point up to quadratic order . following a procedure analogous to the one sketched in sect .
[ sect : quantumfluctuations ] , we find @xmath418 where @xmath419 g_m(\omega_n)~,\ ] ] where @xmath413 has been defined after eq .
( [ eq : mfpartition ] ) , @xmath420 , and @xmath421 $ ] with @xmath422 . .
filled ( red ) circles denote the upper polariton branch @xmath423 in units of @xmath154 and evaluated on resonance @xmath106 .
similarly , filled ( blue ) triangles denote the lower polariton branch @xmath424 in units of @xmath154 . in this plot @xmath425 and @xmath107 .
the results in panel a ) have been obtained by _ including _ the contribution to the polariton modes that is due to quadratic terms in the electromagnetic field
( [ eq : wpm ] ) . on the other hand , in panel
b ) the quantity @xmath372 due to quadratic terms in the electromagnetic field is artificially set to zero eq .
( [ eq : wpm_c ] ) . in this case
the lower polariton branch @xmath426 softens at a sufficiently large value of @xmath105 ( @xmath427 for @xmath428 ) signaling an artificial second - order phase transition to a super - radiant phase.[fig : seven],title="fig : " ] + .
filled ( red ) circles denote the upper polariton branch @xmath423 in units of @xmath154 and evaluated on resonance @xmath106 .
similarly , filled ( blue ) triangles denote the lower polariton branch @xmath424 in units of @xmath154 . in this plot @xmath425 and @xmath107 .
the results in panel a ) have been obtained by _ including _ the contribution to the polariton modes that is due to quadratic terms in the electromagnetic field
( [ eq : wpm ] ) . on the other hand , in panel
b ) the quantity @xmath372 due to quadratic terms in the electromagnetic field is artificially set to zero eq .
( [ eq : wpm_c ] ) . in this case
the lower polariton branch @xmath426 softens at a sufficiently large value of @xmath105 ( @xmath427 for @xmath428 ) signaling an artificial second - order phase transition to a super - radiant phase.[fig : seven],title="fig : " ] in the low - temperature limit @xmath429 and for @xmath430 @xmath431}\ ] ] and @xmath432 in writing eq .
( [ eq : detmlowt ] ) we have used that the fermi energy lies between the @xmath105-th and @xmath433-th ll , i.e. that @xmath434 .
it is easy to see that @xmath435 if and only if @xmath436 , where @xmath267 is defined in eq .
( [ eqn : barfm ] ) .
this condition has already been discussed in sect .
[ sect : proofphi ] and is always satisfied .
moreover , since @xmath437 for any positive integer @xmath127 , no instability of the mean - field state occurs .
hence , we have demonstrated that the mean - field state is robust with respect to gaussian fluctuations of the hubbard - stratonovich fields .
the grand - canonical partition function can be written , in the low - temperature limit , as @xmath438 where @xmath373 are the frequencies of the integer quantum hall polaritons in the low - temperature limit @xmath439eq .
( [ eq : wpm ] ) with the replacement @xmath440 .
similarly , @xmath441 is defined in eq .
( [ eq : wg ] ) and needs here to be evaluated in the low- temperature limit @xmath439 , i.e. @xmath442}~.\ ] ] figs . [
fig : seven]a)-b ) illustrate the dependence of the frequencies @xmath373 on @xmath105 .
in particular , panel b ) shows that the frequency of the lower polariton branch @xmath426 vanishes in the case in which quadratic terms in the photon fields are neglected , i.e. when @xmath372 is set to zero eq .
( [ eq : wpm_c ] ) . for the values of the parameters chosen in this figure , this occurs at @xmath427 .
the softening of the lower polariton branch signals the occurrence of an artificial second - order super - radiant phase transition at a large but finite value of @xmath105 . in fig .
[ fig : seven]a ) we see that , for any @xmath105 , the polariton branches @xmath443 evaluated for @xmath444 are positive definite . in particular , fig .
[ fig : seven]a ) shows that the frequency of the lower polariton @xmath426 is a monotonically decreasing function of @xmath105 : using the definition ( [ eq : wpm ] ) we find that @xmath445 for @xmath446 .
this result ensures that there is no finite @xmath105 at which @xmath426 crosses zero , if @xmath444 . in summary , we have verified that there is no occurrence of super - radiant phase transitions in the cavity qed of the graphene cyclotron resonance .
this statement is true also for large values of the highest occupied ll @xmath105 where the two - level system description adopted in sect .
[ sect : twolevelsystem ] fails and one has to resort to the multi - level effective hamiltonian in eq .
( [ eqn : hmetal ] ) . finally , we highlight that the partition function in eq .
( [ eqn : zgauss ] ) formally coincides with the partition function of the two - level system effective model , eq .
( [ eqn : zfluct ] ) , provided that @xmath416 is replaced by @xmath327 .
in this article we have presented a theory of the cavity qed of the graphene cyclotron resonance .
we have first employed a canonical transformation to derive an effective hamiltonian for the system comprised of two neighboring landau levels dressed by the cavity electromagnetic field ( integer quantum hall polaritons ) .
the final result is in eq .
( [ eqn : heff_sw ] ) .
this effective hamiltonian , which we have termed `` generalized dicke hamiltonian '' , respects gauge invariance and contains terms that are _ quadratic _ in the electromagnetic field .
we have then used eq .
( [ eqn : heff_sw ] ) and a functional integral formalism to calculate thermodynamic properties of the integer quantum hall polariton system .
we have corroborated the results of ref . by confirming that no super - radiant phase transitions are possible in the cavity qed of the graphene cyclotron resonance .
starting from a careful analysis of the smallness parameter @xmath101 of the canonical transformation , eq .
( [ eqn : g_0 ] ) , we have proved that the generalized dicke hamiltonian description fails for sufficiently large value of the highest - occupied landau level index @xmath105see sect .
[ sect : proofphi ] .
the maximum value @xmath110 of @xmath105 up to which the derivation of the generalized dicke hamiltonian is reliable depends on the value of the cavity dielectric constant @xmath42 , as illustrated in fig . [ fig : one]b ) . for @xmath447
one has to transcend the generalized dicke hamiltonian description . in this case
we have used a canonical transformation to project out the entire stack of landau levels belonging to the valence band .
the end result of this approach is an effective hamiltonian for the entire stack of landau levels in conduction band , as dressed by light - matter interactions .
this result is reported in eq .
( [ eqn : hmetal ] ) . in this article
we have discarded electron - electron interactions , which play a very important role in low - dimensional electron systems and , in particular , in the quantum hall regime where the kinetic energy is quenched and interactions are dominant .
future work will be devoted to understand the role of electron - electron interactions in the theory of quantum hall polaritons @xcite .
it is a pleasure to thank allan macdonald for many enlightening conversations .
we acknowledge support by the ec under graphene flagship ( contract no .
cnect - ict-604391 ) ( m.p . ) , the european research council advanced grant ( contract no
. 290846 ) ( l.c . ) , the italian ministry of education , university , and research ( miur ) through the programs firb ideas " - project esqui ( grant no .
rbid08b3fm ) ( v.g . ) , firb - futuro in ricerca 2010 " - project plasmograph ( grant no .
rbfr10m5bt ) ( m.p . ) and prin grant no .
2010llkjbx ( r.f . ) , and a 2012 sns internal project ( v.g . ) .
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the detailed comparison of quasar absorption spectra with the predictions of cosmological hydrodynamic simulations has established that the ly@xmath8 absorption ` forest ' is caused by a smoothly - fluctuating neutral component of the intergalactic medium ( igm ) ( e.g. , cen et al .
1994 ; zhang , anninos , & norman 1995 ; hernquist et al .
the simulations also reveal a strong correlation between absorber hi column density and gas overdensity @xmath9 , so that the study of @xmath10 absorbers gives information about the igm for @xmath11 at @xmath5 ( e.g. zhang et al . 1998 ; dav et al .
furthermore , studies of civ , siiv and ovi have revealed that the low - density igm is not as was long expected chemically pristine , but has been enriched to @xmath12 ( with a scatter of @xmath13dex ) down to @xmath14 ( @xmath15 ) ( e.g. , meyer & york 1987 ; songaila & cowie 1996 ) , and perhaps to even lower overdensities ( e.g. , cowie & songaila 1998 ; ellison et al . 2000 ; schaye et al .
2000 ) .
this enrichment may have occurred during a population iii star - formation epoch at @xmath16 ( e.g. carr , bond & arnett 1984 ; ostriker & gnedin 1996 ; haiman & loeb 1997 ; abel et al .
1998 ) , later through the disruption of small ` protogalaxies ' at @xmath17 ( e.g. gnedin & ostriker 1997 ; gnedin 1998 ; madau , ferrara & rees 2001 ) , or even more recently by the ejection of metals from fairly massive galaxies at @xmath18 .
earlier enrichment might allow more uniform igm pollution ( depending on how strongly biased the star formation is ) , but is constrained by the amount of metal that can be generated at early times ; conversely , sufficient metal is easily available at late times , but the larger inter - galaxy spacing may preclude a homogeneous metal distribution ( which observations may or may not indicate ) . in this paper , we address enrichment of the igm by supernova - driven winds from galaxies of ( gas+star ) masses @xmath19 at @xmath20 .
our calculations employ a smoothed - particle hydrodynamics ( sph ) simulation with @xmath21 dark matter particles and @xmath21 sph particles in a @xmath22 box , adopting a cosmology with @xmath23 , @xmath24 and @xmath25 .
the simulation is described in more detail in aguirre et al .
( 2001 ) and in weinberg et al .
these simulations do _ not _ include winds , but we use a parameterized prescription , described in [ sec - method ] , to add metals in a way that models their ejection and distribution by supernova - driven galactic outflows .
this post - processing method allows us to easily vary our assumptions and parameters , and we give results for a number of representative models .
we then compare the resulting intergalactic metal distribution to the quasar absorption line observations and discuss the implications for wind enrichment of the igm .
the method by which we calculate igm enrichment is discussed in detail in aguirre et al .
briefly , our method employs a limited number of outputs from already - completed sph simulations that include star formation .
each unit of forming stellar mass instantaneously generates @xmath26 units of metal mass ( @xmath27 is assumed for all models ) .
we then deposit this metal mass in nearby gas particles as follows : 1 .
particles are grouped into bound objects ( ` galaxies ' ) .
the mass of star formation is tallied for a given galaxy , for which we also compute the mass , star - formation rate ( sfr ) , and an area @xmath28 based on an empirical relation between disk area and mass ( gavazzi , peirini & boselli 1996 ) .
galaxies with sfr / a @xmath29 sfr@xmath30 are assumed to coherently drive steady - state , mass - conserving winds with velocity @xmath31 at the center of star formation and with a mass outflow rate of @xmath32 times the sfr .
here @xmath33 parameterizes the fraction of supernova kinetic energy in the wind , if we assume @xmath34ergs are released per 100@xmath35 of star formation .
based on observations that generally @xmath36 ( heckman et al . 2000 ) , we use @xmath37 .
we allow galaxies with sfr / a @xmath38 sfr@xmath39 to drive winds also , but with the wind energy attenuated by @xmath40 ^ 4 $ ] .
we divide the volume about the center of star formation into @xmath41 regions of equal solid angle about directions @xmath42 , with @xmath43 galactic gas particles per region ( thus @xmath41 increases with galaxy mass ) .
4 . for each angle
@xmath42 we integrate the equations of motion of a ` test shell ' beginning at radius @xmath44 containing 10% of the galaxy s mass .
the shell at radius @xmath45 feels accelerations due to gravity , the ram pressure of the wind ( attenuated by the potential difference between @xmath45 and @xmath44 ) , the ambient thermal pressure , and the sweeping up of a fraction @xmath46 of the ambient medium ( matter could be left behind by the shell either if the ambient medium is inhomogeneous , or as the shell fragments and leaves part of itself with lower velocity .
we take a fiducial value of @xmath47 ) .
all accelerations are computed using the simulation particles contained in the solid angle about @xmath42 ( see aguirre et al .
2001 for details ) .
eventually , the shell stalls ( i.e. has a negligible velocity with respect to the local medium ) at a radius @xmath48 .
we also stop the shell if / when its propagation time exceeds the time between its launch and the redshift at which we quote our results .
5 . in each angular region ,
metals are distributed among gas particles within @xmath48 such that the metal mass in a shell at @xmath45 of thickness @xmath49 is @xmath50 we generally take @xmath51 , but the resulting enrichment is rather insensitive to @xmath8 for @xmath52 ( aguirre et al .
2001 ) . 6 . if @xmath53 for some angle , the corresponding metal mass is not distributed as per the wind prescription , but is deposited ` locally ' over the 32 gas particles nearest to its progenitor star , using the sph smoothing kernel ( see , e.g. , hernquist & katz 1989 ) . the process is repeated for each galaxy , at each time step .
new stars are formed with the metallicity of the gas from which they form .
metals accumulate in gas particles ( which move between time steps ) , and the distribution of metals in stars and in galactic and intergalactic gas can be assessed at each time step .
we first give results for six illustrative models .
the first four have all their parameters fixed ( to the ` fiducial ' values given above ) except for the wind outflow velocity @xmath31 , which we take to be @xmath54 , @xmath55 , @xmath56 , or @xmath57 ( uniformly distributed in the given range for each model ) , independent of galaxy mass ( as suggested by heckman et al .
next , we fix @xmath58 and vary the entrainment fraction @xmath46 from 1% to 100% . the key results of the calculations are shown in fig .
[ fig - windres ] .
the top two panels give a sparse sampling of individual particle metallicities , versus the gas overdensity @xmath59 .
the stellar yield @xmath26 is uncertain by perhaps a factor of two , and all of the curves could be scaled vertically for a higher assumed value .
the metallicity at @xmath60 could also be ( roughly ) scaled down by a factor @xmath61 if a fraction @xmath62 of the metal produced is assumed not to be incorporated into the wind .
panel a shows that in the @xmath63 model , the enrichment is fairly uniform .
a significant fraction of particles ( shown in a bar at the bottom with an artificial 1 dex of scatter added ) have zero metallicity , but the rest have a metallicity spread at a given overdensity of @xmath641 - 2 dex .
in contrast , the @xmath65 model ( panel b ) has _ some _ metal rich particles at low densities , but many more pristine regions that the winds have not reached .
panels c and d show the median and mean gas metallicities vs. overdensity for all six models .
the shaded box indicates the rough range of metallicity found in most absorption systems for which metal lines are detected .
the area with vertical lines indicates the region where the metallicity is agreed upon by independent groups ( e.g. , rauch , haehnelt , & steinmetzet 1997 ; dav et al .
the horizontal lines indicate yet smaller overdensities to which this metallicity may extend ( e.g. , ellison et al . 2000 ; schaye et al .
2000 ) . even if the observational results were complete , neither the mean nor the median particle metallicities we quote are directly comparable to the observational results , but should bracket the quantity that is comparable
. the mean would be too high because ( especially in cases with inhomogeneous distributions ) it tends to be dominated by a small number of high - metallicity regions ; the median gives information about the _ number _ of lines that would be metal rich , but is an underestimate because an absorption line would generally probe more than one simulation gas particle , decreasing the scatter .
in panel e the gas metallicity is multiplied by the fraction of gas at the given overdensity , showing what fraction of all cosmic metal lies at a given density . for the models that can plausibly account for the observed metal lines in the igm ,
@xmath66 of all metal is extragalactic ( eg ) , i.e. is not in cooled gas or stars in galaxies the curves show that the assumed wind velocity at inception is quite important in the resulting igm enrichment .
slow winds tend to be confined , as can be seen from the small fraction ( @xmath67 ) of all metals outside of galaxies in the @xmath68 model ( see panel e ) .
those that escape tend to stall at relatively small distances where the density is still high , and fail to effectively pollute the low - density igm .
increasing @xmath31 both increases the total eg metal density ( raising the eg fraction to 50% for @xmath69 ) and shifts the metals to lower density regions ( increasing the @xmath70 mean enrichment by a factor of several hundred ) .
changes in the entrainment fraction also have a fairly large effect .
if ( instead of the fiducial 10% ) only 1% of the ambient gas were entrained , 20% of all metals would be outside of galaxies in our fiducial 300km / s model ; while only 4% would be extragalactic if all ambient gas were entrained .
changing our other model parameters within a range of reasonable values has a smaller but still substantial effect ; doubling sfr@xmath39 or changing @xmath33 by a factor of two changes the ejection fraction by @xmath71 and changes the mean enrichment at @xmath70 by @xmath72 ( lowering sfr@xmath39 would have little effect since most galaxies at @xmath73 are already driving winds for our assumed value . )
two methodological points concerning our results merit discussion .
first , resolution tests reveal that galaxies with @xmath74 in baryons are well - resolved .
galaxies below this limit exist ( and are used in the analysis ) but will be under - represented both in their number and in their star - formation rates ( weinberg et al .
studies of dwarf galaxies at high @xmath75 have concluded that at @xmath76 , galaxies of baryon mass @xmath77 are suppressed by photo - evaporation ( e.g. , ferrara & tolstoy 1999 ) , leaving a ( redshift - dependent ) ` gap ' in mass where galaxies may exist but are not resolved by our simulations .
second , our method necessarily neglects the effect of the outflows on the galaxies .
galaxy formation studies with ineffective feedback generally predict more low - mass galaxies than are observed , and the simulations used here may over - estimate the cosmic sfr and stellar mass for this reason ( see weinberg et al .
1999 and aguirre et al .
while we can not quantify exactly the effect these two ( opposing ) inaccuracies will have on our results , comparison of the mass functions for different numerical resolutions indicates that we can probably hope to estimate the enrichment by @xmath76 galaxies to within a factor of a few .
because igm enrichment is so sensitive to @xmath31 , we can set a lower limit on that quantity if the observed enrichment is primarily due to winds of the type discussed in this paper .
to achieve the _
mean _ metallicity of @xmath78 observed in @xmath79 absorbers , @xmath80 is necessary , and @xmath81 would be needed to enrich absorbers down to @xmath82 with a similar metallicity ( though this may _
over_-enrich higher column density systems ) .
a higher velocity is probably necessary if the observed enrichment is fairly uniform ; for a _
median _ metallicity of @xmath83 down to @xmath84 , a wind speed of @xmath81 is probably required , though a more detailed analysis is necessary for a robust comparison .
these conclusions depend on the assumed entrainment fraction ( and more weakly on the other parameters ) , but changing these assumptions can not increase the enrichment very much because enrichment is always limited by the available time between shell launch and @xmath85 thus if the observed enrichment turns out to be uniform at column densities @xmath86 , enrichment from smaller and/or higher redshift galaxies would be required .
in addition to providing estimates of intergalactic enrichment , our calculations also shed light on the physics of wind escape .
figure [ fig - wqz3 ] gives information about the outflows propagating between @xmath87 and @xmath88 from individual galaxies in the @xmath89 model .
panel a shows the shell stalling radius for each shell about a sample of 500 simulation galaxies ; each point corresponds to one propagation direction and each vertical ` stripe ' to a galaxy . at @xmath90 about half of all galaxies are driving winds that reach @xmath91kpc . the variation in @xmath92 for a given galaxy is due to anisotropies in the galaxy and igm ; variations in @xmath92 among galaxies of a given mass are due to combined variations in the outflow velocity , the sfr and the properties of the nearby igm . since we have assumed that wind velocity is independent of galaxy mass , the most massive galaxies drive winds ineffectively because of their relatively large potential wells .
the cutoff at @xmath93kpc is due to the finite time between @xmath94 and @xmath88 ( where we stop each shell s integration ) .
this is shown in panel b , which displays the stalling time for the shell segments ( one point for each angle ) .
as shown in panel c , at @xmath95 almost all of the galaxies exceed the assumed critical sfr/(area ) .
but as long as this threshold is satisfied , the areal sfr does not strongly influence how well winds escape .
panel d allows a comparison of our results for wind escape with two other investigations .
the points in the figure indicate the supernova energy injection rate for each galaxy in units of @xmath96ergs , converted from star formation rates by assuming that one supernova releasing @xmath97ergs forms per per @xmath98 of star formation .
the vertically shaded region indicates the range of sfrs measured in bright , wind - driving lyman - break galaxies by pettini et al .
( 2001 ) , converted in the same way .
the solid line is a fit that extrapolates the simulation results to lower - mass galaxies , and the dotted line represents our fiducial critical sfr / area ( i.e. we assume that galaxies above the dotted line are driving winds coherently though the winds may ultimately be retained as shown in panel a ) .
mac low & ferrara ( 1999 ; see also ferrara & tolstoy 2000 ) have studied galactic winds in dwarf galaxies using numerical simulations , for the range of galaxy masses and supernova energy injection rates shown by the shaded box .
they find that only the lowest - mass galaxies ( @xmath99 ) can ` blow - away ' the bulk of their ism , though higher mass galaxies can allow ` blowout ' where hot , metal rich gas can escape .
their results agree roughly with the estimates of silich & tenorio - tagle ( 2001 ) , who find that winds can only escape spherical galaxies ( corresponding to ` blowout ' ) for energy injection rates above the dashed line of panel d ; winds can escape flattened galaxies for rates above the dot - dashed line . according to our calculations , winds can escape the simulation galaxies ( which are not highly flattened ) , even for entrainment fraction unity , from galaxies with mass @xmath100 .
this would seem to conflict with the findings of mac low & ferrara ( 1999 ) , but the disagreement is probably due to the rather small energy injection rates they assume for their largest galaxies @xmath101 times smaller than the rate indicated by the cosmological simulations .
the simulated galaxy sfrs at high @xmath75 are high enough to fulfill the ( extrapolated ) ` blow - away ' criterion of silich & tenorio - tagle for all galaxy masses , as are the sfrs of the lyman - break galaxies ( unless the galaxies have masses @xmath102 . ) in figure [ fig - forces ] we show plots of both igm enrichment and stalling radius vs. mass in the fiducial model with each effect on shell propagation turned off in turn .
first ( panel d ) we remove the time constraint .
this shows that some shell fragments from @xmath95 galaxies would ultimately propagate to @xmath103mpc ( the cutoff comes from the distance @xmath104 at which @xmath105 ) .
panel e shows the results if the wind is turned off @xmath106years after the shell launch .
this is roughly the minimal interval @xmath107 over which a starburst ` event ' could drive the shell , since the energy deposition rate is roughly constant for @xmath108yr after a coeval starburst ( tenorio - tagle et al .
1999 ) , and the wind ( or thermal pressure ) will still drive the shell for the time @xmath109 it takes the wind ( or sound ) to cross the shell radius . if the shell speed is comparable to the wind speed , @xmath110 so @xmath111 .
the effect of truncating the wind is noticeable but slight . in panel
f we have turned off gravity , and essentially all of the shells escape , showing that in this case gravity is the dominant effect in confining winds . of the shells that still do not escape ,
about half are retained due to thermal pressure , and about half due to the sweeping up of matter .
panel g shows the effect of very low mass entrainment : winds escape to slightly larger radii on average , but can actually increase the escape radius in some cases because higher entrainment adds more momentum to the shell .
entrainment actually causes as much deceleration on the shell as gravity ; but since gravity also attenuates the wind ( decreasing the acceleration of the shell ) , it has a larger overall effect .
panel h shows that taking into account infall from the igm is not very important , but tends to slightly decrease the stalling radius . in summary , we find that only the hot wind , the entrainment of ambient material and gravity are important in determining shell propagation in most cases at @xmath88 . more hot gas ( especially in clusters ) and stronger infall ,
however , might make thermal pressure and ig infall more important at low @xmath75 .
the most important factor limiting the enrichment of very low density regions is the time constraint as shown in fig .
[ fig - times ] .
if we assume that the winds can propagate ` instantaneously ' into the igm , they reach quite low - density regions , and the enrichment at @xmath88 is only slightly higher and more uniform than at @xmath95 .
but if the time limit is respected , the enrichment spreads to significantly lower - density regions between @xmath95 and @xmath88 due to the extra gyr of propagation time .
metal enrichment of the @xmath112 igm has also been investigated by gnedin & ostriker ( 1997 ) , gnedin ( 1998 ) and cen & ostriker ( 1999 ) using simulations that include chemical evolution .
gnedin finds that supernova blow - apart of protogalaxies is ineffective , but that dynamical removal of metals can explain the metals in low - density regions though this requires a metal formation rate at @xmath113 that is about 10 - 50 times that observationally inferred at @xmath114 ( e.g. , steidel et al . 1999 ) and implies more efficient dynamical removal of metals than found by aguirre et al .
( 2001 ) .
cen & ostriker ( 1999 ) assume a fixed metal ejection fraction into regions of @xmath115 ( the resolution of their grid - based hydrodynamical treatment ; see cen & ostriker 2000 ) .
their results for mean metallicity are similar to our @xmath116 model , though their metallicity distribution at fixed @xmath59 shows almost no scatter at @xmath88 ( but becomes more inhomogeneous with time ) .
in contrast , our calculations find a highly inhomogeneous metallicity distribution , which becomes somewhat more uniform with time .
this may be due to the rather low spatial resolution of their simulations or may indicate that stars are forming ( and expelling metals into the igm ) in very low density regions in cen & ostriker s simulations , in contrast to ours .
comparison of quasar absorption spectra to simulated spectra shows that @xmath117 dex of scatter in gas metallicity ( among absorbers in which metals are detected ) may be necessary to explain the variation in observed civ / hi ratios ( rauch et al . 1997 ; hellsten et al .
1997 ; dav et al .
1998 ) , so this point merits further investigation , but will probably require the generation of synthetic spectra from our simulations .
an important physical effect that is not addressed by our treatment is that of the outflowing winds on the igm : if metals are transported directly from galaxies to very low density regions by movement of large quantities of gas , then this kinetic energy must be absorbed by the igm . yet
the widths of low - column density ly@xmath8 forest lines are typically @xmath118 , and line ratios indicate photoionization , not collisional ionization ( e.g. songaila & cowie 1996 )
. our method does not allow us to assess the effects of winds on the igm ( see theuns , mo & schaye [ 2000 ] for some discussion ) , but we can make some general comments . if expanding shells of swept - up gas maintained their integrity and propagated to roughly the inter - galaxy spacing , they would completely re - make the structure of the ly@xmath8 forest , except perhaps in deep voids . but this is not the expected scenario : upon leaving a galaxy , the wind and ` shell ' will likely mix into a complex , multi - phase outflow consisting of fragmented shell(s ) , the hot wind , dense clouds of entrained ( but not swept - up ) ambient medium , etc .
small , dense blobs might maintain fairly low temperature through efficient cooling , and could reach large radii before stalling and mixing with the igm ( and by definition when the wind stalls it has small local velocity and will not greatly heat the medium ) .
in addition , the hot wind itself will not be observable in absorption , and will flow more more easily in low - density directions .
hence it may not seriously disrupt the relatively dense filaments that give rise to much of the ly@xmath8 absorption .
these issues merit further study because our results , combined with observations of high-@xmath75 galaxies , indicate that significant outflow from @xmath5 galaxies seems inevitable .
essentially all of the simulated galaxies at @xmath5 display specific time - averaged sfrs exceeding the observed threshold for driving superwinds in local ( starburst ) galaxies and stochastic star formation should result in much higher rates for short periods .
moreover , available observations of @xmath0 galaxies reveal that they _ are _ driving winds , with characteristic velocities exceeding those of our fiducial model : pettini et al .
( 2001 ) find that lyman break galaxies at @xmath119 with sfrs of @xmath120/yr drive winds at @xmath121 ( as measured by absorption lines ) or @xmath122 ( in ly@xmath8 emission ) .
these galaxies correspond to the highest ( @xmath123 ) mass simulated galaxies ( see fig .
[ fig - wqz3 ] and dav et al . 1999 ) .
the outflow signatures in the spectra are quite similar to those in the nearby wind - driving starbursts upon which we base our method , so the observed velocities should roughly correspond to our assumed initial outflow velocities . in this case , as shown in fig .
[ fig - lybr ] , the outflows tend to escape the galaxies even for an entrainment fraction unity , and propagate to large distances
none of the forces we include in our calculations would be capable of containing the outflow .
thus we predict that winds from lyman - break galaxies do escape those galaxies potentials and enrich the igm , population . ] and expect that this would hold for lower mass galaxies as well .
we have simulated the enrichment of the @xmath88 igm by galactic winds from @xmath124 galaxies , assuming that most drive winds with properties similar to those observed in local starbursts and in lyman - break galaxies .
we find that for winds with outflow velocity @xmath125 enrichment is significant , and that if @xmath126 , the winds can ( roughly ) account for the metallicity of the low - column density ( @xmath127 ) ly@xmath8 forest .
higher velocities could enrich yet lower - density components of the igm .
our treatment of wind - driven outflows includes forces due to gravity , thermal pressure , ram pressure of the ambient medium , and the hot wind itself .
we find that at @xmath112 thermal pressure and the the infall velocity of the igm are generally negligible , but that outflows can be confined by gravity or ambient material for sufficiently high mass galaxies and/or low velocity winds .
our results suggest that the winds observed in lyman break galaxies should escape and travel to fairly large distances .
if the lyman break galaxies represent high - mass , non - starburst galaxies , then the lower - mass @xmath88 galaxies should drive outflows to large distances as well , unless outflow velocity depends strongly on galaxy mass .
the effect of such winds on the physical and thermal structure of the igm is essentially unknown .
the good agreement between simulations like these and the observed statistical properties of the ly@xmath8 forest suggest that the effect can not be extremely large .
we find that the main effect preventing the enrichment of very low - density regions of the igm is the time available for metal - rich material to propagate from galaxies ( which are concentrated in filaments ) into the voids .
this leads to a picture in which a given set of galaxies enriches a progressively larger cosmic volume with decreasing redshift , and we predict that if low - density regions are enriched by winds from @xmath124 galaxies at @xmath76 , the median metallicity of low - density regions should be a very strong function of redshift .
the scenario described here , enrichment of the igm by massive ( @xmath124 ) galaxies at modest ( @xmath76 ) redshift , is but one of several interpretations for the origin of metal in the ly@xmath8 forest .
other possibilities , distinguished by epoch and mass scale , include enrichment by population iii stars at @xmath128 , or the disruption of low - mass protogalaxies at @xmath129 .
how are we to decide which , if any , of these three scenarios is most relevant to the real universe ? based on our modeling , we anticipate that these mechanisms will predict differences in the metal distribution of the igm that can be tested observationally .
in addition to the mean enrichment , the dispersion in metallicity at a given overdensity and the trend of metallicity with overdensity can both be measured .
it seems natural to expect that metal deposition at relatively higher redshift will lead to a rather different distribution of metals than that inferred from our analysis .
thus , future modeling , combined with observational samples of increasingly large size , may discriminate between the various scenarios . to the extent that this goal can be realized , the metals discovered in the @xmath112 ly@xmath8
forest may provide a direct probe of the conditions responsible for the production of the first metals in the universe .
we thank t. heckman for useful comments and information on superwinds .
this work was supported by nasa astrophysical theory grants nag5 - 3922 , nag5 - 3820 , and nag5 - 3111 , by nasa long - term space astrophysics grant nag5 - 3525 , and by the nsf under grants asc93 - 18185 , aci96 - 19019 , and ast-9802568 .
jg was supported by nasa grant ngt5 - 50078 for the duration of this work , and aa was supported in part by the national science foundation grant no .
phy-9507695 and by a grant in aid from the w.m .
keck foundation .
the simulations were performed at the san diego supercomputer center .
weinberg , d. h. , dav , r. , gardner , j. p. , hernquist , l. , & katz , n. 1999 , in photometric redshifts and high redshift galaxies , eds .
r. weymann , l. storrie - lombard , m. sawicki , & r. brunner , asp conference series 191 , san francisco , p. 341 ; astro - ph/9908133 | arxiv |
mayer - rokitansky - kuster - hauser ( mrkh ) syndrome refers to the congenital aplasia or severe hypoplasia of the structures that derive from the mullerian ducts , including the upper vagina , uterus , and fallopian tubes .
it is estimated to occur in one in 4,000 to 5,000 births.1 developmental abnormalities of some of these structures can be found in other entities , but they have a central role in mrkh . although a plausible explanation for the classic findings of a rudimentary or absent uterus and vagina in an individual with an xx karyotype would be the abnormal activation of mullerian - inhibiting substance , which would be further conducive to the inhibition of the development of paramesonephric structures in females , there has not been molecular evidence of this so far.2,3 there are multiple genes implicated in the normal development of the mullerian , renal , and bone structures , but two groups appear to be the strongest candidates : the hoxa genes and the wnt4 genes.46 since hoxa10 represents the area of the developing uterus , hoxa11 the lower uterine segment and cervix , and hoxa13 the vagina , it is biologically plausible that altered expression of these genes would result in the anomalies found in mrkh .
interestingly , the hox genes are also associated with the normal development of the kidneys , bone , and vascular structures , which would reinforce the hypothesis of dysregulation of developmental genes involved in the embryonic origin of the female reproductive tract.46 due to the difficulty in classifying the various clinical presentations , multiple authors have proposed systems that either reflect the embryologic correlate of the abnormality7 or the predominance of particular clinical findings.8 in general , it is accepted the existence of a typical form ( fallopian tubes , ovaries , and renal system normally developed ) , atypical form ( with malformations in the ovary or renal system ) , and the murcs association ( mullerian , renal , and cervico thoracic somite malformations).2,9 the latter refers to associated anomalies in the renal system and in the axial skeleton , although vascular anomalies have also been described.10 in this review , we will describe the most commonly recommended diagnostic modalities and management options , and summarize the current data regarding treatment results in terms of sexual function and social and reproductive issues .
the typical initial presentation in mrkh is primary amenorrhea in an otherwise normally developed adolescent female .
when physical examination findings are consistent with absent or hypoplastic vagina , the immediate differential diagnosis includes mrkh and complete androgen insensitivity syndrome , which is due to an inactivating mutation in the androgen receptor .
once the diagnosis of mrkh is suspected , imaging studies have a central role in unveiling the degree and extension of gynecologic and extra - gynecologic abnormalities . in a large review of cases , oppelt et al
had found that associated malformations were present in almost half of patients , with the renal and skeletal systems as the most frequent.2,11 renal anomalies were present in 30% of cases , and among those , renal agenesis was present in more than half of them .
the main options among imaging studies are ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging ( mri ) .
ultrasound is easily accessible and readily available in many settings , but it is not always effective in identifying underdeveloped mullerian structures and ovaries , which are usually located high in the pelvis , often at the level of the pelvic brim .
the presence of extra - pelvic ovaries has been reported in 16%19% of the patients.12,13 for surgical planning , mri is the most useful method , but it is more expensive than ultrasound.14 there is agreement in multiple studies that mri alone is the modality of choice for further evaluation of all uterine anomalies , and this includes mrkh.2,11,1517 an overall correlation above 95% between mri and laparoscopic findings has been reported in a case series of 214 patients with mrkh,18 which included 75% patients with bilateral uterine rudiments , 15% with unilateral uterine rudiments , and 10% with complete uterine agenesis . in 85% of cases where uterine rudiments were removed ,
additionally , mri was able to diagnose the presence of normal ovaries in more than 97% of patients .
likewise , during laparoscopic evaluation in patients undergoing the vechietti procedure for treatment , there were mullerian remnants in 87% of cases , of which 26% had some endometrial tissue . in settings where mri is not readily accessible , clinical exam with ultrasound has been found to be almost equivalent in the ability to make the initial diagnosis , with the caveat that ureteral anomalies and skeleton anomalies may not be adequately diagnosed.16,19 computed tomography is rather avoided because it rarely offers any advantage over mri in these cases and includes radiation .
laparoscopy is sometimes necessary , particularly when there are pelvic symptoms due to the presence of uterine horns and mullerian remnants with functional endometrium ; however , it is not preferred as a diagnostic tool because it is invasive and requires general anesthesia . additionally ,
if surgical management is planned for treatment , there might be an opportunity to do further assessments at that time .
following the diagnosis of mrkh , these young women often experience anxiety and psychological distress surrounding their diagnosis . it is imperative that the physician adequately counsels the patient prior to embarking on any treatment options .
the sensitivity and compassion with which these patients are initially treated with will have lasting effects on them .
the timing of the creation of a neovagina is elective , but treatment should be deferred until late adolescence to allow informed consent and compliance.20 there is agreement among pediatric surgeons , pediatric urologists , and gynecologists about refraining from creating a vagina for girls with mrkh during childhood .
long - term follow - up has shown that vaginas created during childhood have high failure rates and require additional procedures for the creation of a functional vagina . even in rare cases where parents of girls with mrkh may seek consultation for surgical correction during childhood to
resolve the anomaly , it is recommended that any technique for creation of a functional vagina be postponed until the mid to late teens , when the patient can comfortably decide for herself , and is willing to be compliant with her role in the process.21 multiple web - based resources are available for helping patients and families , such as www.mrkh.org and www.youngwomenshealth.org .
the range of treatment options includes both non - surgical and surgical approaches ( table 2 ) .
vaginal dilation therapy is widely considered as the first line treatment.22 because of the physically low complication rate and an overall success rate of 75%85% , vaginal dilation as first choice treatment seems to be justified.2327 the most commonly used non - surgical method includes frank s dilator method and the ingram method .
the frank method was published by frank in 1938 and includes an initial demonstration of the introduction of a vaginal mold as a dilator device by the physician , which is then done by the patient for 20 minutes daily , progressively increasing the length and width of the dilator .
this method requires the presence of a short vaginal dimple to start , and typically takes 6 months to reach a functional depth and width .
some commonly cited barriers to success have been identified such as cramping and fatigue of the patient , lack of comfort , privacy issues , and lack of time to dilate daily.23 in the early 1980s , ingram sought to overcome these obstacles by using the patient s own body weight and gravity to assist with the dilation , describing a method with progressively increasing dilators attached to a bicycle seat , where patients provide perineal pressure by sitting and slightly leaning forward .
the patients are asked to do this in 1530-minute intervals for at least 2 hours per day.28 in a similar fashion as the frank method , the dilators increase in size progressively .
the advantages of any of these methods include no hospitalization , patient control , cost - effectiveness , and minimal morbidity and complications .
furthermore , if these methods prove ineffective or the patient is unable to complete the treatment , the option of surgical intervention would still be available .
the fact that the patient may become more familiar with the use of a mold is regarded to be an advantage , because the mold must also be used extensively after surgery .
the patient s skills and motivation to use a mold can be assessed during the period of dilation ; if a surgical option needs to be considered , the lack of the patient s postoperative cooperation may lead to failure of almost any further therapy.24 the same can not be said of surgical approaches , since the presence of scar tissue may not allow for enough dilatation and appropriate size of the neovagina in cases of failure or complications .
although there are clear advantages with the non - surgical methods , disadvantages include the length of time required to achieve a functional vagina , discomfort , and increased risk of vaginal prolapse.23 the various surgical methods are divided into subcategories for ease of discussion : traction methods and graft - based methods .
surgical traction methods have been described and thoroughly used , such as the vecchietti procedure.29 with laparoscopic assistance , an acrylic olive is attached to the vaginal dimple and a thread that courses through the female s vesicorectal space and into the pelvis then through the anterior abdominal wall with attachment to a traction device .
the tension is increased on the device to increase the stretch on the vagina every other day as an outpatient.30,31 after a functional length of 78 cm is obtained , the bead is removed and dilators are used to maintain the length .
this approach uses surgical methods to create a vagina through tissue stretch , much like the frank and ingram methods , but because it requires careful dissection , it is only recommended for surgically nave tissue . a variety of tissues including skin grafting , use of a bowel segment , or more recently the use of bioengineered tissue have been described for the creation of a neovagina .
the abbe - mcindoe procedure is the most well - known among these procedures,32 and utilizes a vaginal approach with a split thickness tissue graft taken from the anterior thigh or buttock .
the graft is then placed over a vaginal stent and introduced into the previously dissected space between the bladder and rectum . the vaginal stent that serves as a mold for the graft stays in place for the first 7 postoperative days . after the initial healing from the surgery , the patient has a functional vagina .
an interesting modification of the original mcindoe procedure has been reported with the use of autologous in vitro cultured vaginal tissue , then neovaginoplasty with the autologous vaginal tissue as the graft material.33 in a report of 23 cases , all patients completed the female sexual function index questionnaire at 12 months after surgery , with scores consistent with a satisfactory quality of sexual life .
there is ongoing , promising research on development of autologous cell lines derived from the vaginal mucosa for autologous transplant in the treatment of patients with vaginal agenesis.34 an intestinal vaginoplasty can be performed using a segment of sigmoid colon , ileum , or jejunum . with this approach
, there is a low risk of tissue shrinkage and little need for long - term vaginal dilation .
the tissue produces lubrication ; however , the discharge at times can be excessive . harvesting the segment of bowel
usually requires a laparotomy although laparoscopic approaches have been reported with bowel resection and anastomosis which can be associated with increased morbidity.35,36 the davydov procedure relies on epithelization of the vagina by using an autologous peritoneal grafting technique .
the concept was first described by ott in 1897 , but it underwent several modifications , including the use of laparoscopy for the dissection and mobilization of the peritoneum of the douglas pouch .
vaginally , a space is created similarly as for the other grafting procedures , until the peritoneum is reached .
the mobilized peritoneal sac is then opened and pulled downward to connect with the vaginal epithelium .
the peritoneum is finally closed abdominally , over a vaginal stent that stays in place for 7 days .
the postoperative care is similar to the other grafting techniques , requiring regular use of vaginal dilators to prevent obliteration .
a recent review of the long - term results of this approach in a comparison with the frank non - surgical treatment showed that the most common complications of the surgical approach were rectal injury and obliteration of the neovagina.24 in one of few prospective randomized controlled trials comparing different techniques , it was found that although both the intestinal graft and the davydov procedure achieve a similar vaginal length , the latter is associated with less discomfort and less vaginal secretion complaints than the bowel graft procedure.37 the decision of which surgical method to offer is often based on the surgeon s personal experience and preference .
referrals to centers with expertise should be sought and recommended to the patient because the primary surgery is the most likely to succeed.21 multiple studies have shown that subsequent surgeries increased the chance of operative morbidity with injury to surrounding organs and poor functional outcome .
interestingly , outcomes of surgical treatment were not changed by the previous use of non - surgical techniques or attempted intercourse.24
the vast majority of the literature suggests that patients with mrkh , although subjected to social and personal distress due to the inability to have normal intercourse and bear children , can have a satisfactory sexual function once treated , and can have the option of building a genetically related family with the use of in vitro fertilization ( ivf ) and a gestational carrier.3841 because of their different embryologic origin , ovaries are usually normal and it is possible to obtain oocytes with ovarian hyperstimulation and subsequent transfer of the embryos to a woman who is willing to be a gestational carrier.38,40,42 since there is no need to coordinate the embryo transfer with the endometrial dating , ovarian hyperstimulation can be conducted with random start protocols , in a similar way as urgent oocyte cryopreservation protocols for oncological patients.43 previously , there have been reports on the use of ovulation monitoring to ascertain the menstrual cycle timing and allow the use of conventional protocols for ovarian hyperstimulation.42 the response to treatment in terms of number of oocytes retrieved , fertilization rate , and embryo quality has been reported to be slightly lower than average ; likewise , pregnancy rates reported so far have been below the average for infertile patients .
additionally , the unique anatomy of the pelvis in mrkh might require the retrieval of oocytes by a transabdominal route instead of the usual transvaginal approach.40 in summary , the number of reported pregnancies after ivf in mrkh patients is still small but has emerged as an attractive option for women who were previously hopeless about having children .
although these children of patients with mrkh are typically normal , in the setting of the relative uncertainty of the etiology of mrkh , it would be important to follow - up on the health of the offspring born after such procedures.44 a recent , extensive review on particular quality of life issues in mrkh patients,45 found that in patients who are able to undergo treatment with creation of a neovagina , there is a restoration of self - confidence .
still , others had found that , compared to matched controls , patients with mrkh scored significantly worse in questionnaires measuring phobic anxiety and self - esteem , as well as in inventories reflecting eating disorders.46 although these results were found in a small study , the fact that patients were well past the time of the initial diagnosis indicated that the use of brief assessments of psychological distress should ideally be done at regular intervals after the time of diagnosis and after treatment .
the successful creation of a functional neovagina addresses what often manifests as sex role insecurity
, due to the initial question that the absence of uterus and vagina poses about the ability to fulfill the female sex role , personally and socially .
interestingly , there is scant guidance for practitioners and patients about how to best manage information disclosure issues to the patient and , as often appropriate , to the family , which might be important in patients who are typically very young at the time of diagnosis and treatment consideration . as a general rule ,
once the diagnosis is made , it is important to emphasize to patients that , with treatment , it is possible for them to have sexual intercourse and build healthy sexual relationships .
the american college of obstetrics and gynecology recommends that patients be given a brief , written explanation of their condition , including a description of additional organ anomalies .
this information could be very useful in cases where patients need to undergo urgent care by practitioners who might not be familiar with mrkh.22 although a successful treatment of the anatomical abnormality is central to the achievement of sexual well - being , the addition of psychological support and adequate information contribute to the fulfillment of the complexities of female sexual response.47,48 of note , studies that had questioned the partner s perception of the newly created vagina have found that there s a high level of satisfaction and that partners were not able to tell whether the vagina was artificially created or not.49 additionally , it has been reported that the length of the neovagina is not generally correlated with sexual satisfaction from the patient s
perspective.24 many articles in the literature of the treatment for mrkh associate sexual outcomes with vaginal length , but as an example of the dissociation between this measure and patient satisfaction , the bowel vaginoplasty offers the longest overall average vaginal length and , nevertheless , has the lowest overall subjective sexual satisfaction scores.50 in the same review of cases , authors found that the full - thickness flap method has been reported with some of the highest subjective sexual satisfaction at 97.8% ( 69 out of 72 ) in patients currently sexually active ; however , this method had the least number of respondents engaging in sexual activity posttreatment ( 69.2% ) .
overall , these results underscore the difficulty in assessing the results of different approaches , and reconciling measures of treatment success with patient satisfaction .
although there is still much to learn about the etiology of mrkh , steady progress has been made in the last decades regarding efficient diagnostic modalities and appropriate medical management .
non - surgical approaches for the creation of a neovagina are at the center of therapeutic options , and should be recommended also for most patients who undergo surgical treatment , in order to preserve functional results .
treatment in childhood or early adolescence is not recommended , because of unacceptable complication rate and because full understanding and engagement from the patient is required for optimal results .
fertility options through ivf using autologous oocytes and a surrogate gestational carrier are increasingly available at referral centers . continued surveillance of psychological well - being of these patients should be considered . finally , because this condition is rare , there are limitations to obtaining data from long - term follow - up studies , which in turn hampers the ability to offer evidence - based options when counseling mrkh patients .
efforts toward the creation of international centers of excellence for the care of women with complex congenital anomalies with development of associated databases may help to facilitate more accurate comparisons of current management options . | pubmed |
Torques on a spinning soccer ball
I have a project in university.
it is a simulation of soccer kick so I created all the forces like magnus and drag and friction and gravity and so on.. now the ball is moving and has a linear velocity and angular velocity. I know that the linear velocity will decrease because of the friction, but how the angular velocity will decrease.
what torques effect the ball while it is moving and spinning.
It's really very much the same as for linear velocity, i.e. friction with the air. Since the frictional force opposes the velocity of the surface, a spinning ball experiences a torque opposing its rotation from its surface rubbing against the air around it.
| stackexchange/physics |
Long after office hours on Wednesday, Germany's Bundespatentgericht (Federal Patent Court) ruled in Apple's favor and invalidated in its entirety (including any proposed amendments) the German part of Samsung's EP1005726 on a "turbo encoding/decoding device and method for processing frame data according to QoS", a patent Samsung had declared essential to the third-generation wireless standard, UMTS. Dr. Ariane Mittenberger-Huber, the Munich-based court's spokeswoman, confirmed this outcome of the nullity proceeding.
Samsung can appeal this decision to the Bundesgerichtshof (Federal Court of Justice).
Samsung was originally seeking injunctions against Apple over this patent as well as other wireless standard-essential patents (SEPs). According to a preliminary antitrust ruling by the European Commission -- a Statement of Objections (SO) issued in December 2012 -- the pursuit of injunctive relief against Apple, a willing licensee, was abusive conduct. A few days before the SO, Samsung withdrew all of its European SEP-based injunction requests against Apple, but it keeps suing for damages (it's also trying to win injunctions, as well as damages, over non-SEPs).
In January 2012 the Mannheim Regional Court ruled that Apple did not infringe this patent. Under Germany's bifurcated patent litigation system, defendants challenging the validity of a patent have to bring a separate nullity action before the Federal Patent Court. Infringement is adjuged by regional courts (district courts), which stay cases if they deem a patent (that is, unlike this one, found infringed) "highly probable" to be invalidated by the Federal Patent Court. Nullity actions typically take longer. In this case, almost fifteen months passed between the infringement ruling and the validity decision.
On June 26, 2013 the Karlsruhe Higher Regional Court, to which Samsung had appealed the Mannheim decision, will hold a hearing on the infringement case. If it does not affirm the Mannheim finding of non-infringement anyway, it's a given that it will under these circumstances stay the case until the Federal Court of Justice has ruled on the validity of this patent (assuming that Samsung appeals today's ruling).
In March 2013 the England and Wales High Court declared the UK part of this patent as well as two other Samsung declared-essential patents invalid -- another recent victory for Apple.
Samsung originally asserted the U.S. equivalent of this patent in California but withdrew it shortly before the jury trial in the summer of 2012. There have also been assertions in Italy, where a preliminary injunction was denied, and Australia.
In a recent filing with the United States Federal Trade Commission, Apple pointed out that Samsung and Google's Motorola Mobility have lost the vast majority of their SEP cases against Apple. Google has won only one case out of ten, and Samsung approximately one out of eight. With every favorable ruling Apple strengthens its argument that the royalty rates demanded by these companies are excessive and that any FRAND rate determination by a court (or arbitrator) must take into consideration the enormously high rate of overdeclaration. For the standards at issue in these disputes there's no independent vetting and companies tend to declare patents standard-essential that actually aren't infringed by implementations of the standard, and/or aren't valid. Apple argues that Samsung overdeclares at twice the average rate in the industry.
An Apple filing with the United States International Trade Commission, published last week, revealed that Samsung had recently reduced its wireless SEP royalty demand. Whatever Samsung's latest demand may be, Apple considers it to be irreconcilable with Samsung's FRAND licensing commitment, and rulings such as the one Apple won today add pressure on Samsung to go further down.
Last Thursday Samsung, alongside Google's Motorola Mobility, won a nullity case at the Federal Patent Court against Apple, achieving the (also appealable) invalidation of the famous slide-to-unlock patent. | slim_pajama |
Candy Candy 1. Chapter 1
**Enigmas del Corazón**
_**1. Mudanza a la ciudad**_
Caminaba por la calle sin detenerse, la gente pasaba a su lado sin voltear a verlo. Era una sensación nueva para él. Estaba acostumbrado a que lo vieran, e incluso que murmuraran a su paso. No podía estar más agradecido por estar en aquella ciudad tan llena de gente. Apenas había visto un par de automóviles en su vida y en ese momento cerca de él podía contar más de una docena. Aquello le parecía fantástico, no se arrepentía de estar en esa gran ciudad.
Atravesó con un brinco un charco de agua, había estado lloviendo en la mañana y el cielo amenazaba con otra. Sin embargo eso lejos de preocuparle le parecía divertido, de hecho todo en la ciudad le estaba resultado más entretenido y mucho mejor.
Pronto estuvo frente a un viejo edificio y después de saludar frugalmente al hombre que estaba en recepción, subió rápidamente las escaleras, el pasamanos de bronce lucía reluciente, si bien era un edificio viejo, por dentro no lo parecía, estaba muy bien cuidado incluso podría decirse que era lujoso. Llegó ante la puerta del apartamento 3, sacó una llave de su bolsillo pero al tratar de darle vuelta se percató de que el cerrojo no estaba echado. Sonrió con resignación, abrió la puerta y escucho una voz que provenía desde algún lugar del amplio departamento.
–¿Eres tu hijo?
–Sí mamá –respondió con cierto fastidio.
–¿Pasa algo? –preguntó –te escucho enojado.
–Mamá, tú fuiste la primera en decir que la ciudad era mucho más peligrosa que el pueblo, y eres tú quien deja la puerta abierta.
–No estaba abierta –sonó la voz.
–No de par en par –señaló el muchacho mientras se quitaba la chaqueta y la dejaba en el perchero que estaba al lado de la puerta –pero no tenía el cerrojo.
–Tampoco hay que preocuparse de más –dijo la voz.
–¿Estás en la cocina? –preguntó el hijo.
–Sí, ven, quiero que pruebes algo.
El muchacho sonrió, su madre no iba a cambiar nunca, siempre iba a ser despreocupada y algo temeraria, y él definitivamente tampoco quería que cambiara. Lo único que siempre le había agradado del pueblo era ver a su madre contenta. Entró a la cocina y miró a su madre que había dejado su marca por todo el lugar, había harina hasta debajo de los muebles. Nunca había averiguado como ella conseguía ensuciar todo así hiciera dos simples huevos estrellados.
–Prueba esto –le dijo su mamá estirando la mano con una cuchara llena de algún tipo de salsa.
El joven se acercó y probó lo que su madre le ofrecía.
–Sabe bien –comentó –¿Qué es todo esto?
–Pastelitos –contestó ella muy divertida.
–Eso puedo ver –mencionó él con un dejo de resignación–, más bien quiero saber para quien hiciste tantos, parece que quieres alimentar a un regimiento con ellos. ¿Es que acaso tengo que recordarte que solo somos tú y yo?
–No, no tienes que recordarme nada –dijo ella –y no, no son para nosotros.
–Ah ¿no?
–No –señaló la mujer –son un obsequio.
–¿Obsequio? –preguntó intrigado –¿Se puede saber para quién?
–Pues eso si es una sorpresa, el día de hoy tenemos una invitación.
–Espera –el muchacho se sentó en una silla que había en la cocina –pensé que no conocías a nadie en la ciudad.
–Ah, te equivocas.
–Nunca has mencionado que conozcas a alguien aquí –le refutó su hijo.
–Que nunca lo haya hecho no quiere decir que no conozca a alguien, porque si conozco, y desde hace mucho tiempo, antes de que tú nacieras.
–¿Por qué nunca he visto a nadie que te visite?
–Si los conoces, pero eras muy pequeño en aquel entonces, no lo recuerdas.
El joven se levantó de la silla y después miró inquisitivamente a su madre. Nunca le había parecido una desconocida, pero en ese momento la sonrisa y el brillo de sus ojos le indicaban que había muchas cosas sobre ella que estaban lejos de su conocimiento.
–¿También yo estoy invitado?
–¿Por qué lo preguntas? –inquirió su madre –¿es que acaso en un día has logrado conseguirte una novia en la ciudad?
–¡Mamá! –exclamó el muchacho un poco sonrojado.
–Sólo preguntaba –dijo ella muy divertida.
–No, no he conseguido nada –respondió él –, espero que esta noche no hables de mi vida amorosa con tus amigos.
–¿Me lo estás prohibiendo? –preguntó ella –Porque entonces estás cortando la mitad de temas de los que quería hablar con ellos.
El muchacho abrió la boca con indignación y su mamá comenzó a reír con fuerzas.
–¡Oh! No temas –continúo la mujer –¿es que acaso te he puesto en ridículo alguna vez?
–Pues…–vaciló el chico.
–Está bien, mejor no contestes –dijo ella con una gran sonrisa en la boca.
–Bueno voy a mi cuarto –mencionó él.
Se acercó a su mamá y le dio un beso en la mejilla. Después tomó un pastelito y se lo llevó a la boca.
–¡Uy! –dijo él –¿estás segura de querer llevar esto de regalo? Te aconsejaría que lo llevaras junto con remedio para el estómago.
–¡No seas grosero! –dijo su mamá riendo.
El muchacho se acabó el pastelito camino a su habitación. Todo allí era un caos, había cajas acumuladas unas sobre otras, y las que estaban abiertas parecía que algo había explotado dentro. Tomó una que estaba sobre la cama y empezó a acomodar lo que había dentro en diferentes cajones. El cuarto era amplio y estaba bien iluminado, algo que le gustaba a él. Desde la ventana alcanzaba a ver la calle, aunque su madre le había dicho que necesitaría cortinas, él pensaban que aunque las tuviera no las usaría nunca, siempre las mantendría abiertas.
El resto de la tarde la pasó acomodando lo que había dentro de las cajas, a media tarde la lluvia que había amenazado se soltó, primero con fuerza y después más tenue, las gotas salpicaban los vidrios de la ventana. El muchacho se asomó hacía la calle y vio como mucha gente corría a refugiarse por las inclemencias del tiempo. Él sólo sonrió, incluso la lluvia era más agradable allí.
Cuando sólo le quedaban por desempacar dos cajas se encontró con una caja llena de libros. La mitad de ellos eran nuevos, al menos para él, porque los habían adquirido antes de partir para la ciudad. Y pues la mayoría eran libros de segunda mano. Sin embargo el muchacho los había empacado con mucho cuidado y estaba repitiendo el mismo procedimiento en ese momento que los estaba desempacando, los abría podría decirse que hasta con cariño, los limpiaba con un paño suave y después los acomodaba en un librero que estaba a un lado de su viejo escritorio que había sido llevado desde el pueblo hasta la ciudad. Para cuando había terminado de acomodarlos, ya había oscurecido y había tenido que prender la luz de la habitación. Miró durante varios minutos el librero ya repleto de libros, se sentía feliz de estar allí, sabía que no se arrepentiría por la mudanza.
Su mamá llamó a la puerta y le hizo recordar del compromiso de esa noche, había pasado tanto tiempo ordenando su cuarto que se le había olvidado. Después de gritarle a través de la puerta que no tardaba en salir, entró al cuarto de baño para asearse y estar listo a tiempo. Poco tiempo después salió y se encontró con su madre quien usaba un exquisito vestido que no recordaba haber visto antes, ella se miraba al espejo y sonreía. El muchacho se sintió un poco intimidado, por segunda ocasión en tan sólo un día su propia madre le parecía alguien a quien no conocía.
–¡Ah! –exclamó su madre al verlo –no te vi. Vámonos que se nos hace tarde.
–¿Iremos caminando?
–Claro que no –dijo ella tomando la canastilla donde había acomodado los pastelillos que había hecho ese día –hace rato llegó el carro.
¿Carro? Se preguntó el joven, ¿desde cuándo tenían dinero para gastar en un carro de sitio?, sin embargo veía tan feliz a su madre que prefirió guardarse sus preguntas, tomó su chaqueta y siguió a su mamá hasta la entrada del edificio donde no había un carro de sitio sino un lujoso carro con chofer. Este abrió la puertezuela para que su madre subiera, él la siguió aumentando las preguntas a sus pensamientos.
El carro condujo por toda la ciudad, los altos edificios y los comercios dejaron de verse en el paisaje, de pronto vio que entraban en una zona residencial, donde hermosos jardines engalanaban las enormes mansiones que estaban apostadas una al lado de la otra, por más que pensaba no podía deducir a qué tipo de gente conocía su madre en esa parte de la ciudad.
El chofer giró el volante e ingresó el automóvil en una de las lujosas residencias, el joven miró los cuidados jardines adornados además de las diferentes flores por estatuas de mármol y algunas fuentes. El carro se detuvo frente a la puerta de entrada, tanto él como su madre bajaron del automóvil. Allí los recibió un mayordomo.
–Bienvenidos. Los esperan –dijo con mucha solemnidad.
Después los guío hasta un salón donde una pareja estaba sentada, la mujer al verlos se levantó y abrazó a su madre.
–Candy –exclamó ella –pensé que no volvería a verte.
2. Chapter 2
_**2. Noche en vela**_
La cena había transcurrido sin muchos incidentes. El joven había estado presente sin intervenir mucho en la conversación. El amigo de su madre era alto y extremadamente elegante, su esposa era una mujer delicada y de apariencia fina. Aunque los había escuchado durante horas hablar acerca de sus años del colegio, él seguía sin entender cómo era posible que su mamá, una persona sencilla y que tenía años viviendo en un diminuto pueblo tuviera tales amistades.
No obstante era evidente que se conocían muy bien, y tal vez con un poco de celos pudo comprobar que sabían cosas sobre ella que él desconocía. Él sabía que su madre era enfermera, pero jamás se había imaginado que había estudiado en un prestigioso colegio de Londres.
La noche que parecía haber sido corta para los adultos, para él había sido todo lo contario, si, era bueno escuchar a su mamá reír, pero los nombres que salían a colación eran nombres que él jamás había escuchado y por lo tanto aquello le resultaba información innecesaria y lo que hablaban sobre su propia madre no le agradaba mucho.
–Vaya que el tiempo pasa volando cuando se está contento –mencionó el hombre elegante.
–Archie, hace tanto que no nos veíamos que teníamos tanto de que hablar –apuntó Candy –esto ha sido maravilloso.
–Debiste avisarnos que vendrías a vivir a Chicago nuevamente –Archie sonreía –¿le has dicho a alguien más?
–No –respondió la rubia mujer –y apreciaría mucho que no se lo dijeras a…
–¿Es que vas a ocultárselo? –inquirió la esposa de Archie.
–Annie –dijo Candy con resignación –es que…
–Entiendo –comentó ella –sé que las cosas no han resultado de la forma en que se esperaba.
–Confío en que guardaran el secreto.
–Esto es Chicago ¿sabes? –interrumpió Archie –no vas a poder esconderte para siempre.
–Lo sé. Pero mientras sea posible lo intentaré.
–Quédense a dormir aquí esta noche –les sugirió Annie –además mañana llegan nuestros hijos.
–No los he visto desde que eran unos bebés –dijo Candy.
–Entonces no puedes despreciar la oferta –aseguró Annie sonriendo.
A pesar de que el lugar era muy elegante, estaba repleto de lujos, él no se sentía bien allí, la cama era cómoda, pero no podía dormir. Se levantó y se dirigió a la ventana, le sorprendió ver el gran jardín que se veía desde allí. Ni aun estando allí mirando todas esas cosas podía decir con precisión cuánto dinero tenía esa gente y se preguntaba una y otra vez cómo era que su madre los conocía.
Salió del cuarto, con la idea de que si daba un paseo por los alrededores cuando regresara sería capaz de conciliar el sueño. El pasillo de la lujosa mansión estaba muy oscuro, no se escuchaba ningún ruido cerca, él recordaba que había algunos adornos y estatuas a lo largo del mismo, así que con cautela decidió caminar por el centro para no tropezar con algo.
Los pasos resonaban en las paredes, el siguió derecho hasta que se topó con un ventanal que daba a otra parte del jardín, se quedó unos minutos contemplando una de las muchas fuentes que había a lo largo del mismo. Sonrió para sí, tenía que regresar a su habitación, no podía deambular toda la noche por los pasillos. Iba a regresar sobre sus pasos cuando alcanzó a escuchar unas voces que provenían de la recamara más próxima.
–Estoy preocupado por Candy –sonó una voz que en seguida el muchacho supo que era del amigo de su madre
–Yo también –le respondió la voz que reconoció era de la esposa de aquel hombre.
–No quiere que nadie más sepa que ha regresado a la ciudad, pensé que después de tantos años habría cambiado de opinión –comentó Archie.
–Yo la miraba tratando de deducir si ahora si iba a ser capaz de decirnos la verdad –señaló su esposa.
–Yo a quien miraba era a su hijo.
El joven contuvo la respiración, ¿por qué razón podría ese tal Archibald Cornwell estar interesado en él?
–Es muy guapo –dijo Annie –, su cabello rizado y rubio se parece mucho a ella. Sólo los ojos son azules en vez de verdes.
–Sí, es lo que te iba a decir, en cierta manera quería conocer a su hijo, pensaba que podría saber…
–¿Quién era su padre con sólo mirarlo?
–Sí –Archie lanzó una pequeña risa de resignación –tal vez fue una tonta idea.
–Deberemos atenernos a lo que ella quiera decirnos.
–Y sí…
–Se lo que estás pensando –la voz de la mujer sonaba molesta –no voy a permitir que la hostigues con preguntas innecesarias, cuando ella se sienta cómoda para hablar lo hará, mientras tanto no la molestemos más, su vida no ha sido fácil y lo último que espera de sus amigos es que seamos precisamente nosotros quien remueva las viejas heridas.
–Pero…
–No, no y no, no hay peros que valgan, ¿entendiste?
–Es que…
–Querido por favor, no le hagamos más difícil su estancia en la ciudad, acaba de regresar y bien sabes que en cuanto la familia se entere no la va dejar tranquila.
–Está bien, seguiré tu consejo.
–Promételo Archie –dijo su esposa.
–Sí, lo prometo.
–Entonces no se hable más.
La habitación quedó muda, la pareja de esposos se habrían dormido, en el pasillo sólo la respiración del muchacho se alcanza a escuchar y él se había quedado tan inmóvil como las estatuas que estaban apostadas a lo largo del pasillo.
Aquella plática que había escuchado le había despertado una vieja idea… Desde que recordaba había preguntado por su padre, su mamá se había limitado a responderle que había sido un hombre muy bueno, durante muchos años, esa respuesta le había sido suficiente. En parte lo había sido porque nunca había necesitado de un padre, ella siempre lo había mantenido y le había dado más cariño de lo que muchos niños con ambos padres llegan a tener en toda su vida. Sin embargo ahora comenzaba a entender porque su madre se había mostrado renuente a ir a la ciudad. ¿Es que acaso su padre aún estaba vivo? ¿Esas personas tan elegantes lo conocían? Una parte de él quería quedarse allí pero otra quería averiguar más. Pero no podía quedarse en el pasillo, tenía que regresar a su habitación. No para dormir, porque sabía que aunque se fuera a la cama no conciliaría el sueño.
Regresó en medio de la oscuridad y dos veces equivocó el camino antes de encontrar la puerta de su cuarto. Entró rápidamente a ella como si con eso se hubiera borrado su caminata nocturna. Una vez dentro prendió la lámpara de noche que había a un lado de la cama. Pero no se acostó, paseó de un lado para otro por más de media hora. El reloj marcaba las tres de la mañana. Un rato más y el sol saldría.
La felicidad que había sentido esa mañana se estaba desvaneciendo, tanto tiempo se había obligado a no pensar en su padre y en ese momento no podía pensar sino en él.
Se detuvo delante del espejo, quien le devolvió la imagen de un muchacho alto y un poco desgarbado, esto le hizo acercarse más. Su cabello rizado y rubio como el de su madre, pero sus ojos no, sus ojos eran azules… siempre eran ellos quienes delataban el origen de su padre. En algún punto de su vida había odiado que sus ojos fueran tan diferentes a los de ella. Porque le hacían preguntarse de quien los había obtenido. Se miró por varios minutos.
–Patrick –dijo en voz alta –te vas a volver loco.
Suspiró, movió la cabeza con resignación y después se metió en la cama, como quiera que fuera la identidad de su padre había sido algo que nunca había conocido, y pasarse la noche en vela no le iba a traer las respuestas que sólo su madre sabía. Tal vez más adelante podría averiguar más sobre su vida.
3. Chapter 3
**3. Los hermanos Cornwell**
Al día siguiente Patrick se sentía muy cansado, no había podido conciliar el sueño, estar en aquella fastuosa mansión le estaba volviendo loco, quería salir de allí lo antes posible, pero sabía que su madre iba a querer quedarse todo el fin de semana. Cuando salió de su habitación no deseaba hablar con nadie así que en lugar de ir hacía el comedor donde estaban tomando el desayuno caminó al jardín. El aire frío le pegaba en la cara, se sentó en una de las bancas de piedra y miró el cielo nublado, ese día llovería de nuevo. Entonces lanzó un suspiro.
–Hola –le saludó una voz detrás de él.
El muchacho volvió la cabeza y se encontró con un chico de cabello negro elegantemente ataviado y ojos azules.
–No te había visto antes –le dijo al tiempo que se sentaba a su lado –¿quién eres?
–Mi nombre es Patrick –contestó el chico.
–Creo que no había escuchado hablar de ti, ¿Qué haces en mi casa?
–Soy invitado del Sr. Cornwell.
–El Sr. Cornwell es mi padre –dijo con orgullo el muchacho –mi nombre es Alistear Cornwell. ¿Así que dices que mi padre te invitó?
–Realmente la invitada es mi madre.
–¿Quién es tu madre? –inquirió el muchacho con interés.
–Es Candice White.
–¿Eres hijo de la tía Candy?
–¿Tía Candy? –preguntó alzando la ceja Patrick
–Sí, ella es prima de mi padre, ¿es que no lo sabías?
–Espera –mencionó Patrick –¿dices que mi mamá y tu papá son primos?
–Sí… me parece raro que no conozcas esto.
Alistear sonrió mostrando su perfecta dentadura, y después miró a Patrick con detenimiento.
–Lo que quiere decir que nosotros somos primos también.
–¿Estás seguro de lo que me dices? –preguntó Patrick –porque eso significaría que mi madre tiene familia. Y yo pensé que ella era huérfana.
Alistear miró a Patrick y después cambió su expresión.
–En verdad no lo sabías… por un momento pensé que estabas bromeando conmigo.
–Toda mi vida la he pasado en un pueblo lejos de todo, créeme me resulta difícil pensar en que tengo una familia de la que no sabía nada.
Patrick se quedó callado, la noche anterior acerca de su padre y ahora sobre una familia de la que no sabía nada, ¿es que su madre le había mentido toda su vida?
–Ali – una melodiosa voz despertó a Patrick de sus cavilaciones.
–¿Cuántas veces te he dicho que no me digas así? –observó Alistear.
–Hermanito –una chica de cabello castaño y ojos azules como los de Alistear se tomó del brazo del muchacho –estoy aburrida… y él ¿quién es?
–Es Patrick, hijo de la tía Candy.
–Oh , ¿en serio?, Hola Pat..
–Disculpa a mi hermana, suele acortar los nombres de todos –dijo Alistear –ella es Edna.
–Pareces algo distraído Pat, ¿Qué es lo que sucede?
–No pasa nada –mintió Patrick –es que..
–Creo que lo que pasa con Patrick es que no sabía que la tía Candy tenía familiares.
–¿Bromeas? –río Edna –La tía Candy no solo tiene familia sino que es parte de una de las familias más importantes de Chicago. Ella es heredera de los Andley.
–Eso no puede ser cierto –refutó el chico rubio –toda la vida hemos vivido de forma humilde, si mi madre fuera heredera de una familia rica no habríamos vivido así.
–No te estamos queriendo tomar el pelo –agregó Alistear –es verdad, es más tu mamá aparece en el libro familiar.
–Ven, síguenos –le dijo Edna al tiempo que lo jalaba del brazo.
Patrick siguió a los hermanos Cornwell hasta la biblioteca de la lujosa mansión.
–Mira –Edna le pasó un libro grueso con una pasta de cuero.
El muchacho abrió el libro y comenzó a pasar por distintos nombres de los cuales no reconocía a ninguno.
–Esos son los ancestros, ve casi al final –le sugirió Alistear.
Patrick adelantó las páginas hasta llegar a las últimas páginas donde encontró la foto de su madre cuando era joven. Y leyó bajó la imagen "Candice White Andley" su foto aparecía junto a la imagen del joven Sr. Cornwell y otros dos muchachos.
–Él es el tío Stear, me llamaron Alistear por él –dijo el joven Cornwell –él murió en la gran guerra ¿sabes?
–Y cómo puedes ver aquí está la tía Candy –apuntó Edna.
–No puedo creerlo –mencionó Patrick –yo siempre creí que mi mamá era huérfana.
–Bueno la historia es muy larga y poco hablan de ello, sin embargo yo soy una excelente investigadora –dijo Edna muy ufana –Verás, la tía Candy era huérfana tal como dices, una vez escuché hablar a la tía Eliza al respecto, decía algo de que tu mamá había sido su sirvienta, así que me puse a investigar, y efectivamente, tu mamá llegó como dama de compañía de la tía Eliza, pero tiempo después el tío Abuelo William la adoptó como hija de los Andley. Desde entonces ella no ha dejado de serlo…
–Pero mi mamá…
–La única forma en que ella puede dejar de ser una Andley es que el tío Abuelo la repudie…. Y hasta donde yo tengo conocimiento eso no ha sucedido.
–Es que no entiendo…
–Patrick –añadió Alistear –eres heredero de una gran fortuna, eres el descendiente directo de los Andley.
Patrick miró el nombre de su madre otra vez y entonces se quedó petrificado, acababa de notar que su madre utilizaba el mismo apellido de soltera, el apellido que él tenía. "Patrick White", ¿Qué quería decir eso? Siempre había pensado que su papá se apellidaba White y que él ostentaba su apellido. De repente sintió que el aire le faltaba.
–Te ves algo pálido –dijo Edna –¿te sientes bien?
–No, no me siento bien –comentó.
–¿Qué sucede? ¿Estás enojado porque tía Candy te ocultó a tu familia?
–No lo molestes con tus preguntas –le aconsejó Alistear.
–Pues no se siente bien –refutó Edna –y pues…
Los hermanos siguieron discutiendo mientras que Patrick trataba de asimilar todo lo que su madre le había ocultado no sólo le había mentido sobre su familia, también sobre su padre y el apellido. Mientras pensaba alcanzó a escuchar partes de la conversación que sostenían los hermanos Cornwell. Palabras como "yo he investigado" y "la tía Eliza me lo dijo" llegaron a sus oídos. Entonces sonrió para sí.
–Edna –dijo finalmente Patrick –¿crees que podrías ayudarme?
–¿En que podría ayudarte?
–Por lo que escucho, sabes mucho de la historia de la familia.
–Bueno, podría decirse que sí.
–Siempre se está metiendo en los asuntos de los demás –señaló Alister.
–Llámalo como quieras, pero siempre soy la primera en enterarme de todo lo que sucede en la familia.
–En eso tienes razón, si Patrick, si quieres saber algo de la familia la persona correcta es mi hermana.
–¿Qué es lo que quieres saber?
Patrick miró con indecisión unos minutos, pero finalmente habló.
–Quiero que me ayudes a descubrir quién es mi padre.
4. Chapter 4
_**4. La familia Andley**_
Pasó más de una semana desde los días que pasaron en la mansión Cornwell, Patrick había iniciado sus clases motivo por el cual se habían trasladado a la ciudad, para él todo estaba resultando nuevo y diferente, hasta el momento había estudiado con un tutor particular quien lo había promovido para estudiar en el colegio más importante de Chicago, mismo donde Alistear Cornwell estudiaba también.
Los dos muchachos se habían encontrado el primer día de clases y desde entonces iban juntos a todas partes.
–Es la escuela más importante de la ciudad –le había informado Alistear a Patrick –, aquí sólo vienen los hijos de las familias aristocráticas
A Patrick le habría gustado pensar que él con su esfuerzo se había ganado el lugar en el colegio, pero después de averiguar que él era el heredero de la familia más acaudalada de la ciudad le resultaba difícil hacer tal estamento. Una de las cosas buenas de estar en la escuela era que había podido seguir indagando sobre la familia. Edna hacía su aparición de vez en vez y le platicaba sobre todo lo relacionado con los Andley.
–El tío Neal se casó con una mujer de la alta sociedad –Edna le había dicho –sin embargo es bien sabido que sostiene romances con varias mujeres.
–No deberías de decir esas cosas –le había reprendido Alistear.
–¡Oh por favor! No te pongas en el mismo supuesto que nuestros padres que evitan hablar de estas cosas porque no vayan a mancillar nuestros castos oídos, creo que es peor enterarse de estas cosas por terceros que por nuestra propia familia.
–Tienes razón Edna –Patrick sentía que él se estaría ahorrando muchos problemas si su madre hubiera sido más honesta con él -, creo que lo peor son las mentiras, al menos si uno conoce a los demás así sean defectos sabremos cómo defendernos de ataques externos.
–Me comienzas a preocupar –dijo Alister –sonaste justo como la tía Elroy
–¿La tía abuela a la que todos tienen miedo? –inquirió Patrick
–No todos –respondió Edna –ya está muy grande y últimamente muy enferma apenas y sale de casa
–Es una pena –mencionó Alister con un dejo de sarcasmo.
Patrick no pudo evitar reír, los hermanos Cornwell no podían ser más diferentes, rara vez estaban de acuerdo en algo, solían pelear todo el tiempo. Y él se estaba acostumbrando a sus peleas continuas.
–Muy bien, entonces el tío Neal ¿tiene hijos?
–No, al menos con su esposa, aunque las malas lenguas dicen que tiene alguno por allí regado.
–¿Y que hay sobre la tía Eliza?
–Es la más venenosa de todas –apuntó Alistear -, además de que está un poco loca.
–No está loca –refutó Edna –eso lo inventaron los mayores.
–¿Cómo puedes estar tan segura?
–Porque si dicen que está loca, sus palabras carecerían de veracidad, y créeme es la única que habla de lo que ha sucedido con la familia, es mejor para los ancianos hacerla creer loca para que nadie la escuche o la tome en cuenta.
–¿Entonces? –volvió a preguntar Patrick.
–La tía Eliza conoce muy bien a la familia, y a veces si he de admitir que le pone de su cosecha –comentó Edna –ella se casó con un rico banquero de apellido Spillman, ahora es Eliza Spillman, tiene tres hijos.
–Todos odiosos y pretenciosos –mencionó Alistear
–Y primos de nosotros –aclaró Edna.
–Ni tan cercanos, más bien lejanos –apuntó su hermano.
–¿Me dejas hablar?
–Bien, pero si vas a hacerlo, da todos los detalles.
–Bueno, como mencionó Alistear, son primos lejanos pero aun así forman parte de los Andley y la tía Elroy los tiene en alta estima, por cierto uno de ellos está en su escuela ¿no se lo has presentado Ali?
–No –dijo él –¿sabes por qué? Porque eso significaría que le tengo que hablar y no pienso hacerlo. Y deja de llamarme Ali.
–Bueno si escuchas el apellido Spillman va a ser él.
–¿Y qué más? –quiso saber Patrick
–Pues está el tío abuelo William –dijo Edna –él no se ha casado, pero está comprometido con una bella mujer.
–Que le escogió la tía Elroy –comentó Alistear.
–En fin, este sería su segundo compromiso, de acuerdo a lo que me ha comentado tía Eliza, hace unos 15 años estuvo comprometido, pero algo salió mal y no se casó.
–¿No sabes que pudo haber sido? –preguntó Patrick.
–Ni idea, ni siquiera a ella le gusta hablar sobre ese tema.
–¿Alguna vez han hablado algo sobre mí? –quiso saber el chico rubio.
–La tía Eliza sabe que existes…
–Deberías de decirle como se expresa de él para que sepa a qué atenerse – le sugirió Alistear.
–La tía Eliza, suele llamarte –Edna dudó unos segundos –"pobre bastardo"
–¡Vaya! –exclamó Patrick un poco desilusionado.
–Ella una vez me dijo que conoció a tu padre, pero la verdad creo que se le escapó, porque todos evitan hablar del tema… ella me dijo algo sobre que la tía Elroy corrió a la tía Candy
–¿La tía Elroy? –inquirió con interés Patrick.
–Sí…
–Ella es la clave –mencionó emocionado el chico rubio –ella debe saber quién es mi padre.
–¿Y piensas que te lo va a decir así porque sí? –Alistear alzó una ceja –ella no suelta prenda… es la mujer que se ha hecho famosa incluso en nuestro círculo por ser capaz de guardar secretos.
–Durante un tiempo dijeron que el tío Abuelo William era un hombre viejo y enfermo –le informó Edna.
–Pero él es sólo unos años más grande que nuestros padres.
–¿Y sabes durante cuantos años guardo ese secreto? –preguntó Edna que no esperaba respuesta de su pregunta –más de 15 años
–Querer sacarle una verdad a la tía Elroy de algo que quiere ocultar será algo casi imposible –comentó Alistear.
–Sería más fácil encontrar una aguja en un pajar.
Patrick suspiró, sabía que conocer la verdad sería difícil pero jamás se imaginó que una familia fuera capaz de guardar tantos secretos.
–¿Pero no han escuchado nombres o algo así? –preguntó Patrick.
–No –respondió Edna –, pero no te preocupes, yo creo que sería bueno hablar con la tía Eliza, ella debe saber más de lo que nos ha dicho. Pero eso implicaría ciertos sacrificios de su parte.
–¿Cómo qué? –quiso saber Patrick.
–Como hacerse amigos de David.
–¡Oh! No –exclamó Alistear –de ese pesado.
–Sí –dijo Edna –no me importa lo mal que te llevas con él, pero es hijo de la tía Eliza y es posible que él también tenga más información que nosotros.
Para Patrick tanta información sobre sus parientes a los que no conocía todavía resultaba un poco sobrecogedor, podía imaginarse a un tío Neal del cual solo conocía el nombre en un tugurio con varias mujeres a su alrededor, a una pobre anciana postrada en cama pero aun así mandándoles a los demás que hacer y que no, a un tío abuelo joven y a una tía Eliza loca y con un montón de información. Tal vez lo mejor era hablar directamente con su madre.
Esa noche en la cena, Patrick tomó los alimentos muy nervioso, no quería decirle a su madre todo lo que ya sabía, pero tampoco quería seguir ocultándole algo tan importante a ella. No quería hacerle lo mismo que ella le había hecho.
–Mamá –le dijo finalmente cuando obtuvo el valor para hacerlo.
–¿Qué sucede? –preguntó Candy sonriente como siempre.
–¿Sabes? Alistear…
–¿El hijo de Archie?
–Sí, él… me ha platicado cosas e ideas que tiene
–¿Sobre la escuela?
–No, no tiene nada que ver con la escuela… es sobre la familia Andley
–¡Oh! –dijo ella sin mostrar más sorpresa
–Me ha dicho… que él y yo somos primos.
–¿Cuándo te dijo eso? –quiso saber
–El fin de semana –dijo él algo avergonzado.
–Sabía que tarde o temprano te lo dirían una vez estando aquí… no pensé que sería tan rápido y mucho menos que me lo ocultarías.
–Hablando de ocultar.
–Nunca fue mi intención ocultarte mi relación con los Andley, pero créeme, hablar de ellos nunca ha sido fácil, y desde hace mucho tiempo que he vivido lejos de su poder y de su encanto
–¿Él me ha dicho la verdad? –inquirió Patrick.
–Sí y no –respondió Candy –hace un tiempo yo fui hija adoptiva de los Andley pero eso terminó antes de que tú nacieras, por eso no podemos decir que estemos emparentados.
–¿Entonces?
–No, no somos parte de los Andley, y es mejor que se lo digas así a Alistear, él puede tener una falsa impresión y sólo podrías meterte en problemas.
–Pero y…
–¿Te ha faltado algo en este tiempo? –preguntó su madre –¿Crees que hubieras sido más feliz por pertenecer a los Andley?.
Patrick pensó en el tío juerguista, la tía abuela rígida, la tía loca y el tío abuelo que había pasado oculto durante años.
–No, no lo creo –dijo finalmente.
–Es por eso que no te lo mencioné antes –señaló Candy –de todos ellos solo Archie es con quien he seguido manteniendo contacto, él siempre fue como un hermano, cuido de mí y me ayudó en momentos difíciles, pero aunque nos veamos así, no dejamos de ser solo amigos. Sé que te gustaría tener una gran familia, pero pues sólo somos los dos. ¿Te decepciona?
–No, siempre ha sido así, ¿por qué habría de decepcionarme?
–Me alegro que pienses así, en cuanto a Alistear, él es un buen muchacho, no ha conocido el dolor ni la necesidad, tener a un amigo como tú le hará mucho provecho, si él quiere tratarte como primo o hermano, déjalo que así sea. Ambos van a salir beneficiados de esa relación.
–Está bien –dijo Patrick.
Esa noche Patrick fue a dormir con más preguntas que respuestas, tenía que averiguar qué había pasado cuando su madre lo iba a tener, y que relación tenía la identidad de su padre con el hecho de que la tía Elroy hubiera corrido a su madre de la familia Andley.
5. Chapter 5
**5. La tía Loca.**
Muy a pesar de Alistear, al menos así le pareció a Patrick, los siguientes días buscaron en el colegio a David Spillman, el primo "muy lejano" añadiría Alistear, de ambos.
−Es el colmo –dijo Alistear cuando había pasado una semana y no lo encontraban.
−¿Estás seguro que estudia aquí? –preguntó Patrick
−Claro que estoy seguro además Edna te lo dijo ¿no?
Patrick asintió con la cabeza, y hasta el momento Edna no le había mentido ni una sola vez.
−¿Sabes que es lo más extraño?
−¿Qué? –quiso saber Patrick.
−Que ese David siempre anda al acecho de lo que hago o dejo de hacer, y ahora que lo ando buscando parece que se lo trago la tierra.
−¿No tiene amigos?
−Yo que se –mencionó Alistear −¿tengo cara de amigo de ese idiota?
−No sabría decírtelo –añadió Patrick –porque no tengo idea de cómo sea ese "idiota".
−Sí, ponte de su lado, espera a que lo conozcas y me darás la razón.
−Edna no cree que sea tan idiota…
−Si lo cree –señaló Alistear –sólo que no quiere admitirlo.
Patrick dibujó una sonrisa en su rostro. Alistear le lanzó una mirada desaprobatoria.
−Tú y mi hermanita se llevan de maravilla, me gustaría tener un aliado para variar.
−Tú también me caes bien –dijo Patrick –pero me gustaría comprobar lo idiota que ese Spillman para no hablar sin conocimiento de causa.
−Créeme cuando digo que David Spillman es un idiota, es porque es un idiota…
−¿Qué te traes con David? –preguntó un muchacho mal encarado.
−Ahh, hola Nat… −saludó Alistear.
−No me saludes así, antes dime que te traes con mi amigo.
−¿Con David? –inquirió Alistear con una sonrisa torcida en la cara.
−Sí, con él.
−Pues que hace varios días que no lo veo… ¿sabes dónde rayos se metió?
−Pues está enfermo ¿es que no lo sabías? ¿Y te dices su primo?
Alistear abrió la boca y Patrick intuyó que iba a decir que eran prácticamente desconocidos, lo cual no le servía mucho para la situación.
−Lo siento, no lo sabíamos –se apresuró a contestar Patrick −¿sabes si está en casa?
−¿Te vas a acercar?
−No tiene nada de malo ir a visitar a un enfermo ¿no? –comentó Patrick.
Alister hizo un mohín de disgusto cuando escuchó a Patrick, pero no le dijo nada.
−Sí está en su casa… y si van a ir, sería bueno que le llevaran estos apuntes –Nat les pasó unos papeles –y pues le dicen que se mejore.
Nat caminó por lo largo del pasillo, dejando a los dos muchachos solos.
−Bueno, ahora sabemos la razón de porque no está aquí –mencionó Patrick.
−Esto no me agrada nada, eso de visitar enfermos no es lo mío.
−No te preocupes, yo voy solo si no quieres ir… sólo dime dónde se encuentra la casa de David.
−¿Estás loco? –exclamó Alistear −¿crees que te voy a dejar ir solo? Si lo hago Edna me mata, además de que iría con el chisme con mis papás de que te estamos ayudando a averiguar… bueno lo que tú ya sabes…
−¿Sería malo?
−Pues como dice Edna, si no nos han querido decir nada hasta el momento es porque hay algo turbio… es muy al estilo Andley, hacer ese tipo de cosas.
−Está bien entonces, vamos a la salida.
Alistear hizo cara de resignación, pero no se negó. Las dos horas que faltaban para que finalizaran las clases a Patrick se le hicieron eternas, cuando sonó la campana de salida, tomó con rapidez sus cosas y salió del salón para encontrarse con su primo que caminaba parsimoniosamente por el pasillo como atrasando lo más posible la tarea que se habían puesto.
−Apúrate –le apremió Patrick.
−Te lo repito, si supieras como son los Spillman, no estarías tan ansioso para ir a visitarlos.
−Ahh, a veces la ignorancia es una bendición –señaló Patrick con un dejo de sarcasmo.
Cuando los dos muchachos llegaron frente a la mansión Spillman, Patrick pudo notar lo elegante del lugar. Alistear tocó a la puerta y un hombre de aspecto adusto atendió. Después de hacerlos pasar al recibidor, los dejó un momento solos.
−El mayordomo de los Spillman, es un hombre muy serio, pocas veces lo he visto hablar, apenas y dirige unas cuantas palabras.
−Qué raro, eso de los mayordomos –observó Patrick –nunca había tenido que tratar con servidumbre, en casa mi madre se encarga de todo.
−Aún no puedo creer que la tía Candy se haya apartado de todo, es muy raro.
−Pues… para mí ha sido mi vida, no he conocido otra cosa –agregó Patrick.
−Buenas tardes –les interrumpió una mujer muy hermosa, que iba opulentamente vestida.
−Tía Eliza buenas tardes –saludó Alistear.
−Alistear Conrwell, eso sí que es una sorpresa –dijo la mujer –pasa "sobrino".
Patrick le dio un codazo a Alistear.
−Tía, quería presentarle a alguien…
−¿A mí? –dijo ella sonriendo.
−Sí, él es…
−Creo que conoce a mi madre –se adelantó Patrick.
Por primera vez Eliza lo miró con detenimiento, sus ojos castaños lo recorrieron de pies a cabeza y la expresión en su cara cambió.
−Esta sí que es una sorpresa –señaló la mujer –el mismo hijo de Candy en mi casa. ¿Desde cuándo lo conoces?
−Desde hace un tiempo –agregó Alistear –es mi compañero de escuela.
−¿Mi David también lo conoce? –preguntó con interés.
−No estoy seguro –dijo Alistear –no tenemos clases con él. Pero es posible que lo haya visto por la escuela.
−Él está enfermo en este momento… tiene fiebre y no ha podido salir de la cama.
−Le traemos los apuntes de la escuela –dijo Patrick.
−Que atento de tu parte –Eliza se acercó al muchacho y lo tomó del brazo –supongo que se quedaran a cenar.
Alistear frunció el entrecejo, pero Patrick sonrió.
−Por supuesto señora Spillman.
−No, no, no… no me digas así, llámame Tía Eliza, ¿si sabes que eres mi sobrino?
−Sí, algo me han comentado –observó Patrick.
Eliza los guío al comedor y allí les sirvieron la cena…
−Y el tío ¿dónde está? –preguntó Alistear.
−Está de viaje en New York –dijo Eliza –se llevó a Robin y a Samuel con él. Sólo David no pudo acompañarlo porque se enfermó, así que su visita me ha venido de maravilla, comer con alguien es mejor que hacerlo sola.
−Me hubiera gustado conocerlos –añadió Patrick.
−Los conocerás, no te preocupes… pero dime, y tu madre ¿dónde está viviendo ella?
−Aquí en Chicago –mencionó Patrick.
−¿Está en Chicago? –preguntó Eliza.
−Sí, vivimos en un departamento cerca del liceo.
−Desconocía que ella había regresado, eso es interesante.
−De hecho estamos aquí por mí, porque ingresé a la escuela.
Por el contrario de lo que Patrick había esperado, la tía Eliza había realizado un interrogatorio exhaustivo acerca de su vida, él apenas y había podido preguntar algo a ella. Patrick, le habló sobre su vida en el campo, sobre su tutor y la tranquilidad en la que había vivido durante tantos años.
Al igual que había sucedido con los chicos Cornwell la tía Eliza parecía sorprendida de que él no hubiera sabido nada de los Andley hasta hacía poco tiempo, después de su llegada a Chicago.
−Pero ¿Por qué tu madre te ocultó su linaje? –le preguntó la tía Eliza.
−No estoy seguro, supongo que porque a ella le gusta ser independiente.
Los ojos inquisitivos de la tía Eliza, no habían cedido terreno esa noche, Alistear parecía aburrido, tal vez porque Patrick ya le había platicado acerca de todo lo que estaba repitiendo. Y para el punto de vista el muchacho que pensaba que decirlo una vez resultaba aburrido, escucharlo dos veces debía ser como la muerte.
No obstante haciendo gala de su buena educación Alister no bostezó ni una sola vez, aunque era evidente que sentía deseos de hacerlo. Asentía de vez en cuando y sonreía con resignación a la que parecía una interminable cadena de preguntas y respuestas. Patrick se sentía un poco abrumado ante el interrogatorio, pero tenía que portarse bien con la tía que podría darle algún tipo de información valiosa.
Pero al terminar la cena, Patrick no había podido escuchar nada que valiera la pena, se sentía un poco cansado de haber hablado tanto, y ni siquiera había podido ver en persona a David, quien no había salido para nada de su habitación.
Ya era de noche cuando Eliza los acompañó a la salida de la mansión.
−Definitivamente… te pareces mucho a tu madre –le dijo Eliza en un tono que Patrick no supo descifrar si era sarcasmo o en serio.
−Sí, eso me han dicho…
−Sin embargo también te pareces a tu padre.
Alister abrió los ojos y Patrick dio un respingo.
−¿Es que conoció a mi padre?
−¿Tu padre? –preguntó Eliza
−Sí, lo acaba de mencionar –dijo Patrick mirándola con los ojos lleno de esperanza.
−Ah, debes de haberte confundido… −mencionó Eliza –dije a tu madre, a tu madre es a quien conozco…
Patrick entrecerró los ojos… ¿acaso había escuchado mal?
−Bueno es momento que se vayan, ya es de noche, y como no está mi marido le di el día al chofer… espero que no sea la última vez que me visiten.
−Seguro que no –dijo Alistear ya que Patrick seguía sin poder decir nada.
−Hasta pronto entonces.
Eliza se dio la media vuelta y el mayordomo cerró la puerta tras ellos.
6. Chapter 6
**6. El odio por la familia Andley**
A pesar de que Alistear podía haber pedido un carro de sitio, los dos caminaron por las calles de Chicago… el sol se había ocultado por completo y la luna hacía una débil aparición en el casi oscuro cielo. Patrick caminaba silencioso y su primo le hacía compañía en su callado paseo.
−Patrick… ¿vas a regresar a casa de los Spillman? –preguntó Alistear cuando pensó que el silencio se había alargado demasiado.
−Seguro.
−Pero ya ves que la tía…
−La tía Eliza sabe más de lo que dice… ¿o es que no te diste cuenta de lo que dijo cuando ya nos íbamos?
−Sí, pero también sé que todos dicen que está loca… es posible que se le hayan salido las tuercas…
−¿De verdad crees eso? –preguntó Patrick –o sólo repites lo que dicen en la familia porque no te gustaría creer que todo lo que dice es verdad.
−Dice muchas cosas llenas de veneno –le informó Alistear –habla mal de quien se deje y no me agrada su forma de ser.
−En cuanto se recupere David se convertirá en mi nuevo mejor amigo…
−¿Lo dices en serio?
−Ya lo dije muy en serio cuando se lo pedí a Edna, tal vez tú puedas vivir tranquilo sin hablarles pero yo no, porque hasta hace poco he descubierto que tengo una familia de la que no conocía… y que esa familia sabe más de mi propio padre que yo.
−De eso no estás seguro –añadió Alistear –tal vez lo que dijo la tía Eliza fue para ver que más podía sacarte, mira que sin reservas le contaste tu vida entera.
−No tengo nada que ocultar –señaló Patrick –odio las mentiras y los engaños. Y si no me agrada eso no voy a ser el primero en mentir.
Alistear sonrió con resignación.
−Está bien, no te voy a dejar solo, estaré contigo y trataré de ayudarte, aunque sigo pensando que no vas a ganar nada siendo amigo de ese pretensioso.
Pretensioso, esa era una palabra que le quedaba pequeña a David, que sin necesidad de que Patrick lo buscara se había convertido en la sombra del muchacho… y superando las referencias que Alistear le había dado sobre el primo Spillman, no podía sino darle la razón, no sólo era odioso, era inaguantable.
−En serio, no sé para qué quiere estar aquí a mi lado todo el tiempo –dijo Patrick dos semanas después de la primera visita a casa de los Spillman –no entiendo que puedo tener de interesante…
−¿no lo sabes o finges? –comentó Alistear en medio de risas –te dije que te ibas a arrepentir pero no me hiciste caso.
−Sí, lo se… para la próxima te hago caso –mencionó Patrick.
−¿Y qué van a ir de nuevo a mi casa? –se escuchó una voz entrecortada por la respiración que venía de atrás de ellos.
David, era un chico alto, de cabello lacio y castaño, sus ojos eran de color café, muy parecidos a los de su madre, era evidente que había ido corriendo para alcanzarlos. Patrick sonrió ligeramente… habían pasado casi todas las tardes de las dos últimas semanas en casa de los Spillman, donde Patrick había perdido casi todo el interés, después de esas pocas palabras que o se le habían salido sin querer o que sólo las había dicho para captar la atención del chico había pronunciado Eliza, no había pasado de nuevo. Cada vez le parecía más difícil lograr algo con ella. Pero tampoco quería quitar el dedo del renglón. Aunque eso significara aguantar a David.
−Cuenta con ello.
Alister le lanzó una mirada asesina a Patrick…. Lo comprendía, David se la pasaba hablando de los lugares que había visitado y no dejaba de presumir el carro que su papá le acababa de comprar y sobre las "supuestas chicas" que hacían fila para salir con él. Patrick cada vez creía más en el refrán que decía "dime de que presumes y te diré de que careces"… David era tan arrogante y pretencioso que difícilmente tendría a una chica a sus pies. A nadie le gustaba la gente presumida, eso siempre se lo había dicho su madre, y ahora sabía que eso era verdad… David no le gustaba a nadie, bueno a excepción de dos o tres tipos lamebotas que se clamaban amigos suyos, pero que sabía que lo hacían por encomienda de sus padres que buscaban algún tipo de beneficio con el grupo Spillman.
−¡Oh! −Exclamó David cuando entraban en el carro que les había llevado de la escuela a su mansión −parece que por fin papá llegó de su viaje.
Patrick sonrió, quizá eso era algo bueno, no tendría que soportar toda la tarde escuchando hablar a su primo.
−Supongo que Robin y Sam también vienen con él…
−Sí, hace rato que no veo a mis hermanos…
−Fascinante –dijo Alistear en un tono que demostraba sentir todo lo contrario a lo que acababa de decir.
Bajaron del auto y David se apresuró a entrar a la casa, mientras que Alistear se tomaba todo el tiempo del mundo al igual que Patrick. Caminaron despacio por el adoquinado camino que los llevaba a la entrada de la casa…
−Así que tú eres Patrick ¿o me equivoco? –sonó la voz de una mujer.
Patrick giró la cabeza, buscando a la dueña de la voz. Sus ojos se encontraron con unos ojos café claro casi color miel. Era una chica de tez blanca y cabello oscuro y corto, que hacía resaltar más el color de sus ojos, y que en ese momento parecían casi verdes, tal vez por la ropa que llevaba puesta. Un vestido suelto a la moda, que le llegaba un poco debajo de las rodillas, varios collares de perlas y un adorno de plumas en la cabeza.
−Hola Robin –saludó Alistear.
−¿Desde cuándo vienes de visita?
−¿Es que se me tiene prohibido? –preguntó el joven Cornwell.
−Simplemente se me hizo raro –contestó la chica.
−Pues aquí Patrick que está afianzando lazos familiares –señaló Alistear.
−Pensé que no nos considerabas parte de los Andley –agregó Robin.
−La sangre es más espesa que el agua –comentó el muchacho.
−No deja de parecerme raro.
Patrick la miraba con los ojos muy abiertos.
−¿y tú no dices nada? ¿es que el ratón te comió la lengua?
−Hola –saludó Patrick –buenas tardes.
−Patético –mencionó la chica.
−¿Perdón?
−Mi madre… has venido sólo a alterarla ¿sabes?
−No, no era mi intención –balbuceó Patrick.
−No le hagas caso –susurró Alistear a su oído.
−Quiero hablar contigo…
−Pues hazlo –dijo Alistear.
−A solas –señaló la chica mirando sólo a Patrick.
Patrick encontró la mirada de Alistear quien asintió levemente la cabeza.
−Está bien –dijo Patrick.
Alistear hizo un mohín de disgusto pero sin decir más entró a la casa, mientras que Patrick seguía a Robin por el camino hasta llegar cerca de una fuente.
−¿Así que eres el hijo bastardo de la recogida?
−¿Perdón?
−¿No te gusta que te digan así? –preguntó Robin con una nota de maldad en sus palabras –sé que mi madre te ha tratado de las mil maravillas en estos días… increíble si me lo preguntas a mí… después de lo que han hecho con los Andley por culpa de tu madre.
−No sé de qué hablas –le interrumpió Patrick.
−No sé si pensar que eres un estúpido o sólo un ignorante –señaló la chica.
Lo miró inquisitivamente durante unos segundos…
−creo que un poco de la primera y un mucho de la segunda –agregó con un dejo de malicia.
−Es que…
−Dije que quería hablar contigo… no que quería que me platicaras tus patéticas excusas.
Patrick apretó los labios y ella sonrío o mejor dicho torció una sonrisa en su boca.
−No sabes nada, y por allí me enteré de que Edna ha sido quien te ha dicho lo que sabes –Robin echó a reír –esa estúpida, si quieres tener información fiel será mejor que no le creas a ella.
Robin se sentó en una banca de piedra que había junto a la fuente y con la mano señaló el lugar a su lado, Patrick se dirigió hasta allí y se sentó.
−Ella es una amateur si me lo preguntas, sabe lo básico de la familia…
−¿Y tú no lo eres?
−Sé igual o más que la tía Elroy, ¿sabes porque?
Patrick negó con la cabeza.
−Tal vez te han comentado que mi madre está loca ¿no?
−Este…
−Tienen que habértelo dicho, a los Andley les encanta hablar al respecto, y puesto que eres tan amigo de los Cornwell, no deben haber tardado en decírtelo… Familia asquerosa.
Patrick entreabrió los labios.
−No te espantes querido… −dijo Robin –el que busca… encuentra, si tanto quieres saber, yo puedo ayudarte, pero no te garantizo que lo que descubras te vaya a gustar.
−Yo sólo…
−Si ya se, sólo quieres saber la verdad ¿no?
−Sí.
−Pues sólo averiguaras lo desleal y mala gente que son esos Andley.
−¿Por qué hablas de ellos con tanto odio? ¬–preguntó Patrick.
−¿Crees que no tengo motivos para odiarlos a todos ellos?
−No se…
−Pues claro, que va a saber un ignorante como tú… mi madre, los odio por como la han tratado, ¿sabías que mi madre lleva la sangre de ellos? Pero que para ellos es más importante una huérfana. Y no me hagas caras, hablo de tu madre, una huérfana sin apellido ni noble cuna, pero que sí, ocupa un lugar más importante en la genealogía de la familia. Mi madre que sólo deseaba complacer a la tía Elroy, se ha visto humillada y maltratada por los "Nobles Andley" que de nobles no tienen nada… son la peor clase de calaña que me ha tocado ver en persona.
Patrick se encogió de hombros, si bien era cierto que él no había tenido mucho contacto con los Andley, sentía que sus venas ardían. No soportaba escuchar a alguien hablar mal de ellos, de su familia.
−Por si no lo sabías tu madre es una huérfana que creció en un orfanato…
−Si lo sé –dijo Patrick conteniéndose de no decirle algo más a Robin.
−Ella llegó a casa de mi madre, es decir de los Leegan cuando era una chiquilla, llegó en calidad de sirvienta, o "dama de compañía" si es que quieres usar un eufemismo, y pues desobedeciendo reglas conoció al resto de los Andley, dicen por allí que tenía mucho carisma y que se ganó su cariño, al final el tío William decidió adoptarla… pero después de un tiempo murió el tío Anthony enfrente de ella, mi madre dice que tu mamá tuvo algo que ver con su muerte.
Patrick bajó la mirada, él no sabía nada de eso, no sabía con exactitud cómo había sido que su madre siendo una huérfana era parte de una familia tan acaudalada como los Andley. Y mucho menos algo acerca de una muerte.
−Mi madre dice que para protegerla todos mintieron al respecto, claro está que mi madre está loca así que nadie le hace caso… después de eso los mandaron a un colegio a Inglaterra donde tu madre seguía sin seguir reglas y puso en ridículo el nombre de la familia como un millón de veces, al final cuando la descubrieron actuando inmoralmente con un compañero del colegio fue que la tía Elroy decidió repudiarla, pero la cosa era que sólo el tío William podía hacerlo y él se negó.
Así que su madre había hecho todo eso, para Patrick su madre siempre había sido algo así como una santa, le tenía en una estima muy alta, pero Robin decía lo contrario y no sólo eso, parecía muy segura de sus palabras.
−Sin embargo abandonó el colegio para seguir al muchacho con la que la habían encontrado, regresó a Chicago y fue cuando se convirtió en enfermera, después de eso vivió un tiempo con un hombre, y aunque resultó ser el tío William que había perdido la memoria, tu madre no sabía nada de eso… en la familia Andley es fácil callar el comportamiento inmoral pero no soportan que la gente les diga las verdades en su cara. Mi madre fue tachada de loca por saber esas conductas inapropiadas…
−Dices que mi madre vivió con un hombre ¿sin casarse?
−¿Es que ahora vas a fingir inocencia? Pues claro que sin casarse… por lo que para cualquiera tú podrías ser hijo del tío William.
−¿El tío William es mi padre?
−¡Oh Dios! –exclamó Robin –no dije eso, dije que para cualquiera, porque fue un hecho conocido por casi todos, incluso fue la razón por la que la despidieron del hospital, por su mal comportamiento.
−Entonces tú sabes quién es mi padre…
−Se muchas más cosas querido –señaló la chica.
Patrick sonrió levemente y pensó que tal vez ahora si sabría la verdad.
−Ahh aquí están –gritó David desde la puerta –ven Patrick mi padre te quiere conocer…
−Si quieres saber más será mejor que nos veamos lejos de ellos –dijo Robin –en especial de mi hermano, que sólo piensa en dinero y como presumirlo…
−¿No te agrada eso? –preguntó Patrick.
−A mí me interesan más otras cosas.
−¿cómo qué? –quiso saber Patrick.
−En parte soy como tú, porque me agrada la verdad y creer que esa verdad en un futuro reivindique a mi madre frente a los que yo más odio pero que ella más ama en el mundo… la familia Andley.
7. Chapter 7
**7. El tío William.**
Patrick había regresado a su casa esa tarde después de conocer a Robin, cuando entró y vio a su madre cocinando no pudo dejar de pensar en todo lo que le había dicho… sentía que la imagen perfecta que tenía sobre ella se había desvanecido en un momento. "Carisma" "Romper reglas" "Mala conducta". Si lo pensaba fríamente su madre tenía carisma, siempre se ganaba el afecto de la gente a su alrededor, pero al mismo tiempo su hábito de romper las reglas le hacía enemistarse con alguno que otro amante de las leyes. Pero lo que había dicho sobre su mala conducta si era algo nuevo para él. ¿De verdad la habían encontrado en una posición inmoral con un compañero de la escuela? Y si había sido así ¿con quién había sido? Ni siquiera sabía que había asistido a ese prestigioso colegio londinense, menos iba a conocer a los que habían sido sus compañeros.
Sin embargo aunque esa noticia le había afectado, saber que su madre había vivido con un hombre durante mucho tiempo era algo que le daba vueltas a la cabeza "para cualquiera podrías ser hijo del tío William" había mencionado Robin, y tal vez si él supiera quien era su padre eso no le afectaría tanto, nunca había visto ni una foto, para él hasta hacía unos meses el nombre de Mr. White era el que tenía grabado en su cabeza con la imagen de un rostro desconocido, de rasgos que nunca había visto, que de lo único que estaba seguro era de que los ojos de su padre serían azules como los propios.
Podía no reprocharle nada a su madre, jamás le había hecho falta amor, tampoco alimentos o dinero para cubrir las necesidades básicas, pero tal vez su madre no entendía que la figura paterna en la vida de cualquiera es muy importante. Entonces ¿Por qué lo había ocultado? Aunque los primeros años de su vida había creído que su padre estaba muerto, ahora ya no estaba tan seguro de eso.
Al día siguiente se había quedado de ver con Robin y siguiendo las indicaciones de la chica había excluido a Alistear, no le agradaba dejarlo fuera, pero si quería reunir la información necesaria era algo preponderante.
La joven Spillman señaló el lugar de reunión, lo que para Patrick era algo inconveniente ya que desconocía las calles de la ciudad, después de caminar tres veces por la misma calle sin encontrar el restaurante donde se reunirían comenzaba a pensar que la hermana de David había decidido jugarle una broma… dio la media vuelta dispuesto a regresar a su casa.
−¿A dónde crees que vas? –preguntó Robin.
−Hola… lo siento pero creí.
−¿Te perdiste? –dijo ella elevando una ceja en señal de desaprobación.
−Las calles están un poco confusas –se excusó el muchacho.
−Vamos adentro –se limitó a decir Robin.
Patrick no sabía con exactitud que había en esa chica que le hacía obedecerle, sin preguntar nada, la siguió hasta una apartada mesa dentro del restaurante, dejó que ella ordenara la comida y una vez que el mesero se retiró, ella comenzó a hablar.
−Te dije la última vez que yo sabía muchas cosas –mencionó la chica.
Patrick asintió con la cabeza y ella esbozó su sonrisa torcida.
−No te mentí, no me gusta mentir.
−Tampoco a mí –señaló el muchacho.
−Edna se ha limitado a conocer lo que los grandes dicen. Presta atención y piensa que con eso ella descubrió el hilo negro…
−Sabe mucho de la familia.
−Pero no lo más importante –le interrumpió Robin –Edna quiere como todos los mayores ocultar el origen de su madre… ¿sabías que su madre y tu madre se conocieron en el orfanato?
−La señora Cornwell –preguntó asombrado Patrick.
−Sí, tuvo la fortuna de ser adoptada por una familia de mucho dinero y rango social, durante años la gente desconocía el origen de la hija de los bien ponderados Britter. Hasta que estando en el colegio en Londres un día se le escapó la verdad…
−Desconocía eso…
−Lo que desconoces en más grande que el océano Atlántico –señaló la muchacha con un dejo de malicia.
Patrick pensó en lo diferente que habría sido su vida si su madre se hubiera casado con alguien como Archibald Cornwell. Su madre se vería igual de refinada que la madre de Alistear.
−Como podrás darte cuenta, conocer la verdad se ha transformado en un pasatiempo muy entretenido… −dijo Robin.
−Sí eso puedo ver.
−A veces hablar con los criados aunque mi madre lo encuentre detestable puede traer más verdades que hablar con los mayores… y no sólo eso, por allí encontré hace tiempo el diario de mamá. Lo inició casi cuando conoció a tu madre, no dice muchas cosas interesantes, sólo hablaba de lo mal que le caía tu mamá.
−¿En serio?
−Sí, habla mucho de ella y del tío Neal, pero creo que las partes que más llenan es cuando habla del tío Anthony.
−¿Anthony?
−Sí, recuerdas que te dije que el tío Anthony murió…
−Sí, ya recuerdo.
−Bueno, mi madre estaba enamorada él. Al menos es lo que creo al leer su viejo diario. Pero entre eso, los periódicos viejos y otras cosas que he encontrado en el desván de la mansión Andley te puedes enterar de cosas muy interesantes.
−¿Has estado en la mansión Andley?
−Sí, el que odien a mi madre no quiere decir que nos hayan cerrado las puertas, cuando era niña solíamos ir mucho, algo que encontraba detestable, sin embargo ahora cuando tenemos que ir, de inmediato subo al desván… es sorprendente lo que el tío Stear escribía en sus papeles de los inventos, muchos piensan que también estaba algo loco, mas creo que era un poco incomprendido, él estaba enamorado de tu madre, pero decía muy claro que no iba a interponerse en el camino del tío Anthony.
−No entiendo.
−Te dije que tu madre era muy carismática, pues al parecer también lo era coqueta, ya que al ver esos papeles del tío Stear, pude comprobar que no sólo él amaba a tu madre, sino que también el tío Anthony y sí, aunque te sorprenda el tío Archie también. Pero a la muerte del tío Anthony tu madre puso sus ojos en alguien más no en alguno de ellos dos…
−¿De quién?
−Te sorprenderías… es alguien que ahora es muy famoso.
−¿Alguien famoso?
−Sí, el chico con el que fue encontrada en el colegio, mi madre tenía un enamoramiento de él… creo que aún lo tiene, y no puedo culparla, él es muy bien parecido.
Patrick la miró desconcertado, no tenía la menor idea de quien hablaba.
−¿Conoces al actor Terry Grandchester?
−¿El actor de Hollywood?
−Sí, de él hablo… él estudiaba en el Colegio San Pablo, después del escándalo con tu madre se fue a vivir a New York, donde se convirtió en actor, y según lo que dice mi madre es que estuvo a punto de casarse con una actriz muy famosa llamada Susana Marlowe que tuvo que retirarse porque sufrió un accidente, pero que al final no se casó con ella debido a que tu madre fue a buscarlo…
−¿Mi madre y el actor?
−Sí, mamá dice que estaban juntos… si me doy a entender ¿no?
Patrick entendió a la perfección…
−Así que él también podría ser tu padre.
−¿El actor Terry Grandchester?
−Sí −dijo ella.
−Entonces… ¿es el actor o es el tío William?
−Pues… podría ser alguien más… −la muchacha de pronto dio un respingo –agacha la cabeza
Patrick obedeció nuevamente a Robin.
−¿Qué sucede? –preguntó.
−No mires hacía la puerta pero el tío William acaba de entrar al restaurante.
Por primera vez en esa tarde el muchacho desoyó a Robin y levantó la cabeza buscando a la persona que acaba de ingresar al local. Un hombre joven de aspecto elegante y sofisticado caminaba por el pasillo, deseó poder verlo de cerca, tal vez ese hombre era su padre, quería comprobarlo… y como si los dioses concedieran su deseo el bien conocido William Andley atravesó el restaurante y se fue a sentar a una mesa cerca de donde estaban sentados ellos.
Robin, se giró de espaldas para que no la viera, pero Albert la alcanzó a ver, se levantó de su asiento y se dirigió a su mesa.
−Robin ¿cómo has estado? –saludó el tío.
−Tío William –dijo ella en un tono muy poco amable –¡qué sorpresa!
−Supe que viajaron a New York este mes ¿te divertiste?
−Si no estoy haciendo algo divertido, me encuentro otras actividades con que distraerme –apuntó la chica.
−Buenas tardes –le saludó a Patrick sin apenas mirarlo –lamentó interrumpirles, pero mi sobrina…
−¿Es que no lo reconoces? –preguntó Robin con descaro.
Patrick sintió nerviosismo, habría querido que Robin no hablara más, pero por otra parte deseaba conocer a ese hombre que si bien no era su padre, al menos era la cabeza de la familia a la que pertenecía.
−¿Perdón? –dijo Albert al tiempo que giraba su cabeza para ver a Patrick, al verlo bien su expresión cambió.
−Buenas tardes –mencionó Patrick –yo soy hijo de…
−¿Candy? –preguntó Albert −¿eres el hijo de Candy?
−Así es tío, ¿es que no lo conocías?
−Que torpeza la mía –dijo Albert –sabía de tu existencia, pero no había tenido oportunidad de conocerte en persona, a veces es raro el destino ¿no crees?
−No se preocupe –respondió Patrick.
No podía asegurarlo, pero sintió una ola de tranquilidad que lo invadió, sus ojos… los ojos de Albert y los de él eran muy parecidos… tal vez, tal vez había encontrado a su padre.
End file.
| fanfiction |
Guásimas is a barrio in the municipality of Arroyo, Puerto Rico. Its population in 2010 was 4,030.
History
The United States took control of Puerto Rico from Spain in the aftermath of the Spanish-American War under the terms of the Treaty of Paris of 1898. In 1899, the United States conducted its first census of Puerto Rico, finding that the combined population of Guásimas, Palmas, and Ancones barrios was 596.
See also
List of communities in Puerto Rico
References
Category:Barrios of Arroyo, Puerto Rico | wikipedia |
mucinous cystadenocarcinoma ( mca ) is a very rare tumor of the breast . in the literature , only a handful of cases have been reported .
these tumors are a rare , clinicopathologically distinct type of primary breast carcinoma that should be distinguished from typical mucinous ( colloid ) carcinomas of the breast and , more importantly , metastases from other sites such as the pancreas and ovaries .
a 52-year - old premenopausal woman presented with a mass in her left breast . there were neither nipple discharge nor skin retraction .
she has no children and no history of hormonal treatment or tumor history in the family
. physical examination revealed a big firm tumor of 5 10 cm in size in the breast .
mammography showed a well - defined multilobular mass in the left breast involving nearly the whole breast .
the tumor was well - defined and had neither spiculated margins nor intralesional microcalcification ( fig .
gross inspection revealed a grey , gelatinous , multilocular cystic tumor containing mucinous material with some necrosis .
there was residual tumor in the specimen and tumor in the nipple , but no skin infiltration .
immunohistochemically , the tumor cells were positive for estrogen receptor ( er ; 95% ) ( fig .
4 ) , and completely negative for progesterone receptor ( pr ) and c - erb - b2 receptor . also cytokeratin 7 ( ck7 ) , 20 ( ck20 ) , and chromogranin immunoreactivities were negative . according to the american joint committee on cancer staging system , the tumor was staged as stage iia ( t3n0m0 ) . because of er positivity ,
the patient has been followed for 24 months without chemotherapy ( ct ) and radiotherapy ( rt ) and has no metastasis or recurrence .
mucin - producing breast carcinomas have been broadly categorized into mucinous carcinoma , in which malignant cells are suspended in extracellular mucin , and signet ring cell carcinoma , in which the mucin is predominantly intracellular .
primary mca of the breast , however , demonstrates both intracellular and extracellular mucin and is histologically similar to primary mca of the pancreas and ovary .
it may be misinterpreted as a benign lesion because the small biopsy specimens may only consist of tumor cells with bland nuclei .
all the known mca cases showed loss of er and pr expression , but this case shows that mca can also be er - positive .
according to the literature , the prognosis seems good even in tumors with a size of 10 cm .
ovary and pancreas mucinous adenocarcinoma are usually ck7+/ck20 + , while mca of the breast is usually ck7 + and ck20-
. the antibody panel including ck7 and ck20 may be useful to make a differential diagnosis between primary and metastatic mucinous tumors , but detailed clinical evaluation is necessary .
neuroendocrine differentiation with expression of chromogranin is frequently demonstrated in mucinous carcinoma , but not in all mcas nor in our case .
the mcas of the breast in the literature , including the present case , are presented in table 1 .
notably , in the 9th case reported in the literature , too , both er and pr in the primary mca of the breast were negative , whereas er and pr in the mca were often expressed .
since the mcas were er- and pr - negative , the hypothesis can be made that these tumors have been developed free from estrogen stimulation .
therefore , no patients received hormonotherapy . the fact that our case was stained highly er - positive led to the idea that these tumors are also estrogen - sensitive , as the other primary breast tumors
therefore , when determining the treatment of patients presenting with this kind of tumor , hormonotherapy should also be considered as an option .
this inhibits both translocation and nuclear binding of tamoxifen receptor , thereby preventing estrogen responsive genes from transcriptional activation .
tamoxifen induces apoptosis and prevents tumor growth , protein inhibits kinases and provides the regulation of tumor growth factors [ 11 , 12 ] .
moreover , insulin growth factor affects regulatory cytokines such as tgf , and basic fibroblast growth factor inhibits angiogenesis . in in vivo studies , it was determined that the level of vegf that has an impact on angiogenesis was also decreased .
we hoped that tamoxifen would be effective in our patient considering all the mechanisms mentioned above .
er , pr and c - erb - b2 is stained negative in mca [ 5 , 8 ] .
our case was stained er - positive and pr- and c - erb - b2-negative .
as it is known , er , pr and c - erb - b2 triple negative breast tumors are associated with poor prognosis .
indeed , it could be expected that the receptors of these tumors , which are nonmetastatic , without local recurrence and with good prognosis , would be positive .
patients were between 47 and 96 years old and older patients were likely to develop mca [ 5 , 8 ] .
mca was noted to originate from the main ductus close to the papilla [ 5 , 8 ] .
papilla involvement in the mammographic images and histopathological investigation in our case also supported this hypothesis . out of 10 patients ,
2 developed lymph node metastasis , which is considered to be associated with the long history of the primary tumor [ 2 , 5 ] .
treated a patient presenting with a 6-cm conglomerate of axillary metastatic lymph nodes with mastectomy ( m ) and lymph node dissection ( lnd ) , and after 46 months of follow - up without adjuvant therapy , the patient died from a disease other than mca .
these facts lead to the assumption that axillary lymph node metastasis is not associated with poor prognosis .
with respect to postoperative adjuvant therapy , 1 patient received rt , while 2 patients [ 2 , 8 ] received ct . in the study of koenig and tavassoli , a third case presenting with a 8.5-cm diameter sarcomatous component
the ct given to this patient was a combination including antracyclin , which seems logical as it included a sarcomatous component .
the second patient receiving ct in the literature was the one presenting with a 3-cm diameter tumor but no nodal metastasis , and undergoing m and lnd .
rt indication was not suggested when the patient was assessed for rt to the chest wall . in the literature , a patient presenting with a 19-cm tumor and lymph node metastasis was treated with m and lnd , but did not receive ct and rt .
if the case had been assessed classically , as the other invasive breast cancer types , this patient would have been delivered rt and ct .
however , during a 24-month follow - up , no disease was observed in the patient .
the other patient presenting with lymph node metastasis and with a 2-cm diameter tumor was treated with lumpectomy and lnd , but did not receive rt and ct , and the patient died from a disease other than mca at the end of a 46-month follow - up .
this contributes to the hypothesis that surgery is indeed sufficient for the treatment of this disease . in the study of rosen et al .
, the patient presenting with a 6-cm diameter tumor and undergoing mastectomy and lnd , but not receiving adjuvant therapy , did not experience any symptoms related to this disease in a 9-year follow - up . as indicated in table 1 , for the 4th , 6th and 9th patients undergoing breast - conserving surgery , for the first patient presenting with a 19-cm diameter tumor , and for the patients presenting with metastatic axillary lymph nodes [ 3 , 8 ] rt
none of these patients developed locoregional recurrence , and therefore , we should pay attention when suggesting rt for these patients .
compatible with this , in the light of current literature we did not suggest ct and rt for our patients . because er was highly positive in our patient and because we found invasive atypical epithelial hyperplasia ,
although it is not sufficient to discuss only a few patients with good prognosis of these rare breast tumors , it can be seen that the patients were not affected by ct and rt .
the follow - up period reported was 9 years at the most and 8 months at least .
although the nature of breast mcas is invasive , these carcinomas are associated with a good prognosis .
however , it is necessary to differentiate primary mca of the breast from other benign lesions of the breast releasing the typical mucin and mucinous carcinoma [ 5 , 7 , 8 ] .
more importantly , it is necessary to conduct detailed clinical and histopathological investigations in order to differentiate the organs in the abdomen and pelvis from mca metastases in the pancreas and ovaries [ 2 , 5 , 8 ] . in conclusion
, we need to observe a certain disease progression and therefore more cases to answer the question whether only surgery or , as in other invasive breast tumors , a combination of surgery , ct and rt is to be used for the treatment of this rare breast cancer with good prognosis . | pubmed |
'NOT BELIEVABLE'
Gayle King Faces Down R. Kelly: 'What Makes You So Special?'
The 'CBS This Morning' host tells the R&B singer to stop ranting as she questions the credibility of his claims to his face.
Barbie Latza Nadeau
Correspondent-At-Large
Gayle King, host of CBS This Morning, stared down R. Kelly as he loomed above her—ranting and shouting—during an interview about the numerous abuse accusations leveled against him.
King maintained her composure throughout, telling the R&B star to his face that his account lacked credibility.
The veteran interviewer posted an Instagram shot of Kelly towering over her during the interview as he shouted "You don't want to believe this!"
King, who called Kelly by his first name, Robert, during the interview, asked the singer, "I am surprised that you agreed to do it. Why are you sitting down with us today?"
He explained that he had been "assassinated" and that he wanted to clear up the lies about him.
"What are the lies that you're hearing that disturb you most?"
"Oh my God," Kelly responded, fighting back tears. "Um... all of them, got little girls trapped in the basement… helicopters over my house trying to rescue someone that doesn't need rescuing because they're not in my house."
"Handcuffing people, starving people," he added. "I have a harem, what you call it—a cult. I don't even really know what a cult is. But I know I don't have one."
King pressed Kelly, who was beyond defensive, asking him if he had ever had sex with anyone who was under the age of 17. When Kelly denied it, she pressed him further, telling him "it's so hard to believe that."
At times, Kelly was out of control with King, who was trying to take back the reins of the interview by repeating his name over and over.
"I don't want you just ranting at the camera," King said.
"I came here for them to hear me talk. I need help!" Kelly countered.
"What kind of help?" King asked him, trying to calm him down.
"This is the kind of help I need. I need somebody to help me not have a big heart, because my heart is so big. People betray me, and I keep forgiving 'em!"
Not missing a beat, King responded: "You sound like you're playing the victim here. You sound like, R. Kelly—you do. I listen to you and it does sound like you're playing the victim card."
"I'm just telling the truth," he said. "I'm just telling the truth. And the reason I'm emotional—and I apologize for that.."
Throughout the 80-minute interview, Kelly wavered between tears and tirades. At one point, shaking his finger at her, he said "I'm going to tell you something, Gayle," before she interrupted him and repeated, "What women said about you.."
King kept her composure throughout, trying at times effortlessly to keep him on message. "So they are lying on you? That's your explanation, they are lying on you?"
Kelly put his head in his hands and repeated. "Absolutely. Absolutely. Absolutely."
"And they want to tear you down?" King asked. "What makes you so special that they think 'You know what, I'm going to lie on R. Kelly'—What makes you so special that they want to tell a lie about you?"
"Or," she asked again, rephrasing the question. "What makes you so unlikable that they would want to tell a lie on you?"
Kelly, visibly agitated, responded, "I'm not unlikable. The problem is that I'm likable." Then he went on to explain that the reason these women have come forward now is because "things didn't work out, and if things don't work you..."
King will run a separate interview Friday with Azriel Clary and Joycelyn Savage, who currently live with Kelly. Savage's parents have accused the singer of "kidnapping" their daughter and keeping her in a sex cult against her will.
King confronted Kelly with the accusations. "These aren't old rumors," she said.
"Not true. Whether they're old rumors, new rumors, future rumors, not true," Kelly pleaded.
"Correct me if I'm wrong that you've never held anybody against their will?" King pressed.
"I don't need to. Why would I? How stupid would it be for R. Kelly, with all I've been through in my way, way past, to hold somebody, let alone 4, 5, 6, 50, you said—how stupid would I be to do that?"
Kelly was acquitted of child-pornography charges in 2002 and similar charges of making child pornography were dropped in 2004. "You can't double-jeopardy me like that," he said. "You can't. It's not fair. It's not fair to nobody. When you beat your case, you beat your case."
King then calmed Kelly down. People are seen rubbing his shoulders. "Have you done anything that you regret, have you done anything wrong?" she asked.
"Lots of things wrong when it comes to women that I apologized, but I apologized in those relationships at the time that I was in the relationships, OK?" he said.
"Why would these women say the same thing about you?" King pressed. "That you are controlling, that you are abusive, that you tell women when to eat, when to go to the bathroom, when they can sleep, where they can dress?"
"Right. Right. Until you hear the explanation. You can start a rumor on a guy like me or a celebrity just like that," Kelly said. "All you have to do is push a button on your phone and say so and so did this to me, R. Kelly did this to me, and if you get any traction from that, if you're able to write a book from that, if you're able to get a reality show… then any girl that I had a relationship in the past that it just didn't work out, she can come and say the same exact thing." | slim_pajama |
Is there a relativistic theoretical upper limit to tensile strength per unit density?
When considering structures that support mainly themselves with tensile strength (e.g. [space elevators](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_elevator) and rotating [space habitats](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_habitat) like [rotating wheel space station](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotating_wheel_space_station), [Stanford torus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanford_torus) and [O'Neill cylinder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O%27Neill_cylinder)), a relevant property is the tensile strength of the building material divided by its density. For example, maximum possible radius of a rotating space habitat with a fixed simulated gravity (say, $1g$) grows linearly with said property.
It is interesting to note that this property has dimensions of velocity squared, which seems to hint that there might be a relativistic theoretical upper limit comparable with $c^2$.
Is there such a limit?
On the first glance, tensile strength per unit density seems unrelated to special relativity (SR). However, there is this hint from dimensional analysis and even more than that. Namely, looking microscopically, this property seems to correspond (up to dimensionless quantities) to force between particles times distance between them divided by their mass, which seems to similarly correspond to binding energy per mass and if this is around $c^2$ or higher, then it seems that trying to tear it apart would cause a pair production (similar to the one in QCD when trying to pry individual quark from a hadron) before reaching the limit imposed by the supposedly higher tensile strength because the state with "inserted" particles would have a lower energy.
However, the above consideration is very non-rigorous. Is there a theoretical result that imposes that kind of limit in a more rigorous way? I am looking for a "clean" result in SR which would be like [Buchdahl's theorem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buchdahl%27s_theorem) in GR, in the sense of not assuming any particularities about available particles.
I think what you are looking for is the [dominant energy condition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_condition) (DEC), or one of its relatives. The DEC states that the matter density (in natural units) must be bigger than the pressure or tension: $\rho \geq |p|$. This is basically demanding that we cannot observe any matter fields moving faster than light. So here you would indeed have have the critical specific force $c^2$.
[The problem here is that this is not internal to general relativity](https://arxiv.org/abs/1405.0403): this is a condition we may add as a sanity check to what fields and stuff are allowed in the theory. Their status is debated, and there are some people who think they are wrong. Still, letting them go also seems troubling.
As far as I know there are no GR theorems putting nice bounds on tension per density; all papers I have seen use the energy conditions.
**Addendum:**
[There are theoretical arguments](https://arxiv.org/abs/1408.5116) bounding the speed of sound in hadronic matter to less than $c/\sqrt{3}$. This in turn implies a maximal specific tensile strength of $c^2/3$.
| stackexchange/physics |
People do what they want to do and you can't do anything to stop them. I don't care how good you look, how much money you make, or how good your love making skills are, if your mate wants to cheat they will. Blame it on what you want to, a cheater is a cheater, and the reasons don't matter. If someone wants someone else and they are in a relationship, they should be single. If a person is getting mistreated, thats a reason to leave not cheat. Most will stay and cheat until they get caught, and they cheat because of this sinful human that we have! Its time to stop overthinking this subject, people do what they want to do point blank period. | slim_pajama |
the uk cprd is a large , longitudinal , population - based electronic medical record database that contains data on approximately 10 million people .
the uk national health service provides universal coverage ; therefore , the database contains a representative sample of the uk general population .
participating general practitioners ( gps ) contribute data in an anonymous format including medical diagnoses , physical findings , symptoms , details of hospital stays and specialist visits , and deaths .
several validation studies have been published on the accuracy of information recorded in the cprd , which indicate that the data are of high accuracy with regard to recorded clinical diagnoses with more than 90% of information from the manual medical records present in the gp 's office recorded on the computer .
this cohort study was conducted using the cprd data from january 1 , 1988 , through december 31 , 2012 .
the psa cohort included all patients in the cprd with a diagnosis of psa who had at least 1 year of medical information in their record before the first psa diagnosis code .
one year of history was required to ensure that we identified patients with new diagnoses of psa that were not diagnosed before the start of the patient record .
the cohort entry date was the date of the first recorded psa diagnosis . for each psa patient
, we identified up to 10 patients with no recorded diagnoses of psoriasis or psa ( henceforth referred to as the non - psa cohort ) matched on age , sex , and general practice attended .
all patients without psa were required to be present in the database on the cohort entry date of their matched patient with psa , and the cohort entry date of each patient with psa was assigned to the matched patient without psa .
separate subcohorts were identified for each outcome of interest ( ie , solid and hematologic cancer , nonmelanoma skin cancer , and opportunistic infections ) . for solid and hematologic cancers ,
any patient who had a diagnosis of a solid or hematologic cancer before the cohort entry date was excluded from that subcohort .
we did not exclude any patients from the nonmelanoma skin cancer subcohort or patients from the opportunistic infection subcohort because previous diagnoses were not thought to influence development of these outcomes at a later date . in each subcohort , patient follow - up began at the cohort entry date and continued until the end of the study period , end of registration with the practice , death , or until they developed the outcome of interest . the accumulated time was expressed as pys either exposed to psa or not exposed .
diagnoses of interest were identified using automated searches of the electronic records of all patients in each subcohort . for each outcome included in the study , we reviewed samples of electronic medical records to review the accuracy of our case selection process .
a patient was identified as a case if he or she had a diagnosis of the outcome of interest ( solid , hematologic , nonmelanoma skin cancer or opportunistic infection ) recorded after the cohort entry date .
if a patient had more than one diagnosis of the outcome of interest under study , we included the first to occur .
opportunistic infections under evaluation were pneumocystis pneumonia , cryptospodiosis , tuberculosis , diseases caused by mycobacteria , bartonellosis , leukoencephalopathy , candidiasis , cryptococcis , other mycoses , cytomegaloviral disease , herpes simplex , herpes zoster , human papilloma virus , viral hepatitis , epstein - barr virus , histoplasmosis , or toxoplasmosis . among those with psa
, we further evaluated the effects of having treated versus untreated psa . for each patient in the psa cohort , we accumulated person time on any psa systemic therapy and for nonexposed time .
systemic therapies included dmards / biologics ( eg , methotrexate , sulfasalazine , and adalimumab ) , immunosuppressants ( eg , azathioprine and leflunomide ) , and corticosteroids ( codes are available upon request ) . for the analysis of the cancer outcome , person time of exposure to psa therapy was accrued from the date of the first prescription through the end of follow - up or until the date of the cancer diagnosis minus 1 year ( the induction period ) for cancer cases . people who received only 1 prescription were considered unexposed .
we conducted a sensitivity analysis to assess the appropriateness of this induction period definition by expanding the induction period to 2 years before the cancer diagnosis date .
a patient could be exposed to more than 1 type of therapy . for the analysis of the opportunistic infection outcome ,
person time of exposure to these drugs was accrued starting at the date of the prescription for a psa therapy through the end of the supply ( based on the amount prescribed divided by the number of times per day ) plus 30 days .
time during follow - up was treated as not exposed to systemic therapy when no drug prescriptions were issued . to assess the appropriateness of this exposure time window definition , we conducted sensitivity analyses where the period after the end of supply was extended to 90 days .
analyses were further stratified by type of psa therapy prescribed . a patient contributed person time to 1 type of therapy until the end of supply plus 30 days for each therapy separately , and a patient could be exposed to more than 1 type of therapy at a time . within each subcohort , we estimated irs per 1000 pys and ir ratios ( irrs ) with 95% confidence intervals ( cis ) for psa compared with non - psa cohorts and stratified by sex and age ( < 30 , 3049 , 5069 , 70 years ) .
we estimated the risk ( cumulative hazard function ) of each study outcome using the kaplan - meier method and tested the differences using log rank test .
we stratified the rates of nonmelanoma skin cancer by whether patients had a previous nonmelanoma skin cancer diagnosis and , separately , if they had a diagnosis of solid or hematologic tumor before cohort entry . in the psa cohort
, the results were stratified by receipt or nonreceipt of prescriptions for systemic psa therapy and by the type of drug prescribed .
statistical analyses were performed using sas release 9.2 ( sas institute inc , cary nc ) .
the protocol for this study was reviewed and approved by the independent scientific advisory committee of the cprd .
the uk cprd is a large , longitudinal , population - based electronic medical record database that contains data on approximately 10 million people .
the uk national health service provides universal coverage ; therefore , the database contains a representative sample of the uk general population .
participating general practitioners ( gps ) contribute data in an anonymous format including medical diagnoses , physical findings , symptoms , details of hospital stays and specialist visits , and deaths .
several validation studies have been published on the accuracy of information recorded in the cprd , which indicate that the data are of high accuracy with regard to recorded clinical diagnoses with more than 90% of information from the manual medical records present in the gp 's office recorded on the computer .
this cohort study was conducted using the cprd data from january 1 , 1988 , through december 31 , 2012 .
the psa cohort included all patients in the cprd with a diagnosis of psa who had at least 1 year of medical information in their record before the first psa diagnosis code .
one year of history was required to ensure that we identified patients with new diagnoses of psa that were not diagnosed before the start of the patient record .
for each psa patient , we identified up to 10 patients with no recorded diagnoses of psoriasis or psa ( henceforth referred to as the non - psa cohort ) matched on age , sex , and general practice attended .
all patients without psa were required to be present in the database on the cohort entry date of their matched patient with psa , and the cohort entry date of each patient with psa was assigned to the matched patient without psa .
separate subcohorts were identified for each outcome of interest ( ie , solid and hematologic cancer , nonmelanoma skin cancer , and opportunistic infections ) . for solid and hematologic cancers ,
any patient who had a diagnosis of a solid or hematologic cancer before the cohort entry date was excluded from that subcohort .
we did not exclude any patients from the nonmelanoma skin cancer subcohort or patients from the opportunistic infection subcohort because previous diagnoses were not thought to influence development of these outcomes at a later date . in each subcohort , patient follow - up began at the cohort entry date and continued until the end of the study period , end of registration with the practice , death , or until they developed the outcome of interest .
diagnoses of interest were identified using automated searches of the electronic records of all patients in each subcohort . for each outcome included in the study , we reviewed samples of electronic medical records to review the accuracy of our case selection process .
a patient was identified as a case if he or she had a diagnosis of the outcome of interest ( solid , hematologic , nonmelanoma skin cancer or opportunistic infection ) recorded after the cohort entry date .
if a patient had more than one diagnosis of the outcome of interest under study , we included the first to occur .
opportunistic infections under evaluation were pneumocystis pneumonia , cryptospodiosis , tuberculosis , diseases caused by mycobacteria , bartonellosis , leukoencephalopathy , candidiasis , cryptococcis , other mycoses , cytomegaloviral disease , herpes simplex , herpes zoster , human papilloma virus , viral hepatitis , epstein - barr virus , histoplasmosis , or toxoplasmosis .
among those with psa , we further evaluated the effects of having treated versus untreated psa . for each patient in the psa cohort , we accumulated person time on any psa systemic therapy and for nonexposed time .
systemic therapies included dmards / biologics ( eg , methotrexate , sulfasalazine , and adalimumab ) , immunosuppressants ( eg , azathioprine and leflunomide ) , and corticosteroids ( codes are available upon request ) . for the analysis of the cancer outcome , person time of exposure to psa therapy was accrued from the date of the first prescription through the end of follow - up or until the date of the cancer diagnosis minus 1 year ( the induction period ) for cancer cases .
we conducted a sensitivity analysis to assess the appropriateness of this induction period definition by expanding the induction period to 2 years before the cancer diagnosis date .
a patient could be exposed to more than 1 type of therapy . for the analysis of the opportunistic infection outcome ,
person time of exposure to these drugs was accrued starting at the date of the prescription for a psa therapy through the end of the supply ( based on the amount prescribed divided by the number of times per day ) plus 30 days .
time during follow - up was treated as not exposed to systemic therapy when no drug prescriptions were issued . to assess the appropriateness of this exposure time window definition , we conducted sensitivity analyses where the period after the end of supply was extended to 90 days .
a patient contributed person time to 1 type of therapy until the end of supply plus 30 days for each therapy separately , and a patient could be exposed to more than 1 type of therapy at a time .
within each subcohort , we estimated irs per 1000 pys and ir ratios ( irrs ) with 95% confidence intervals ( cis ) for psa compared with non - psa cohorts and stratified by sex and age ( < 30 , 3049 , 5069 , 70 years ) .
we estimated the risk ( cumulative hazard function ) of each study outcome using the kaplan - meier method and tested the differences using log rank test .
we stratified the rates of nonmelanoma skin cancer by whether patients had a previous nonmelanoma skin cancer diagnosis and , separately , if they had a diagnosis of solid or hematologic tumor before cohort entry . in the psa cohort
, the results were stratified by receipt or nonreceipt of prescriptions for systemic psa therapy and by the type of drug prescribed .
statistical analyses were performed using sas release 9.2 ( sas institute inc , cary nc ) .
the protocol for this study was reviewed and approved by the independent scientific advisory committee of the cprd .
we identified 8493 patients with psa and 82,601 patients without psa in the solid and hematologic cancer subcohorts after exclusions .
these two cohorts are composed of the same individuals because in both we excluded any person with a diagnosis of solid or hematologic cancer before cohort entry .
distribution of characteristics of patients with and without psa : cancer subcohorts the rate of incident solid cancer was similar between the psa cohort and the non - psa cohort ( 5.4/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 4.86.0 ] vs 5.3/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 5.25.5 ] : irr , 1.01 [ 95% ci , 0.901.13 ] ) ( table 2 ) .
rates were lowest for the youngest age group ( < 30 ) and increased with increasing age in both psa and non - psa cohorts .
the analysis of cumulative hazards demonstrated that there was no statistically significant difference between the psa and non - psa cohorts in the solid cancer analysis ( p > 0.9 ) ( fig .
incident rates of cancers in patients with and without psa cumulative incidence of solid cancer in the psa and comparison cohorts .
the rate of incident hematologic cancer was slightly higher in the psa cohort compared with the non - psa cohort ( 0.7/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 0.50.9 ] vs 0.4/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 0.40.5 ] : irr , 1.52 [ 95% ci , 1.102.10 ] ) ( table 2 ) .
rates were lowest for the youngest age group ( < 30 ) and increased with increasing age in both psa and non - psa cohorts .
the difference in risk / hazard was very small but significant in the hematologic cancer analysis of cumulative hazards ( p = 0.011 ) ( fig .
2 ) . cumulative incidence of hematologic cancer in the psa and comparison cohorts . in the psa cohort ,
rates of incident solid cancer were higher in patients who received prescriptions for psa drugs compared with those who did not ( irs , 8.4/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 6.910.1 ] and 4.7/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 4.15.3 ] , respectively : irr , 1.80 [ 95% ci , 1.442.27 ] ) ( table 3 ) .
similarly , rates of incident hematologic cancer were higher in patients with psa who received prescriptions for psa drugs compared with those who did not ( irs , 1.6 [ 95% ci , 0.92.4 ] and 0.4 [ 95% ci , 0.30.7 ] , respectively ; irr , 3.50 [ 95% ci , 1.926.36 ] ) ( table 3 ) . for both solid and hematologic cancer , patients who were prescribed dmards / biologics had the lowest rates of these cancers .
the results did not differ when we expanded the induction period to 2 years before the cancer diagnosis in the sensitivity analyses .
rates of solid , hematologic , and nonmelanoma skin cancer in patients with psa , stratified by receipt of psa drug prescriptions we identified 8677 patients with psa and 86,413 patients without psa in the nonmelanoma skin cancer subcohort .
the rate of nonmelanoma skin cancer was similar between the psa cohort and non - psa cohort ( [ 2.5/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 2.12.9 ] vs 2.5/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 2.42.7 ] : irr , 0.97 [ 95% ci , 0.821.14 ] ) ( table 2 ) .
rates were lowest for the youngest age group ( < 30 ) and increased with increasing age in both psa and non - psa cohorts .
rates of nonmelanoma skin cancer were highest among patients with a history of solid or hematologic cancer or a history of previous nonmelanoma skin cancer ; however , these rates were not significantly different between the psa and non - psa cohorts .
the analysis of cumulative hazards demonstrated that there was no statistically significant difference between the psa and non - psa cohorts in the nonmelanoma skin cancer analysis ( p = 0.61 ) ( fig .
3 ) . cumulative incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer in the psa and comparison cohorts . in the psa cohort ,
rates of nonmelanoma skin cancer were higher in patients who received prescriptions for psa drugs compared with those who did not ( irs , 4.6/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 3.56.0 ] and 1.9/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 1.62.3 ] , respectively : irr , 2.42 [ 95% ci , 1.763.34 ] ) ( table 3 ) .
rates were highest among those treated with corticosteroids ( 8.0/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 0.929.0 ] ) and similar among patients who were prescribed dmards / biologics or immunosuppressants ( 4.9/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 3.76.3 ] and 5.0/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 1.611.7 ] ) .
the results did not differ when we expanded the induction period to 2 years before the cancer diagnosis in the sensitivity analyses .
we identified 8677 patients with psa and 86,413 patients without psa in the opportunistic infection subcohort .
the rate of infection was higher in the psa cohort compared with the non - psa cohort ( 24.6/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 23.325.9 ] vs 17.7/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 17.118.1 ] : irr , 1.39 [ 95% ci , 1.311.47 ] ) ( table 5 ) . in both psa and non - psa cohorts , rates were more than double for females compared with males and highest in the youngest and oldest age categories .
rates of infection were consistently higher in the psa cohort compared with the non - psa cohort at each time point after cohort entry ( p < 0.0001 ) ( fig .
distribution of characteristics of patients with and without psa opportunistic infection subcohort rates of incident opportunistic infection in patients with and without psa cumulative incidence of opportunistic infections in the psa and comparison cohorts . in the psa cohort ,
rates of opportunistic infection were significantly higher in patients who received prescriptions for psa drugs compared with those who did not ( irs , 36.1/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 33.340.4 ] and 21.5/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 20.222.9 ] , respectively : irr , 1.71 [ 95% ci , 1.521.91 ] ) ( table 6 ) .
rates for users of dmards / biologics were similar to the rates in users of immunosuppressants , but the rate was higher in current users of corticosteroids .
the results did not differ when we redefined the exposure window to 90 days in the sensitivity analyses .
rates of opportunistic infection in patients with psa , stratified by receipt of psa drug prescriptions
we identified 8493 patients with psa and 82,601 patients without psa in the solid and hematologic cancer subcohorts after exclusions .
these two cohorts are composed of the same individuals because in both we excluded any person with a diagnosis of solid or hematologic cancer before cohort entry .
distribution of characteristics of patients with and without psa : cancer subcohorts the rate of incident solid cancer was similar between the psa cohort and the non - psa cohort ( 5.4/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 4.86.0 ] vs 5.3/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 5.25.5 ] : irr , 1.01 [ 95% ci , 0.901.13 ] ) ( table 2 ) .
rates were lowest for the youngest age group ( < 30 ) and increased with increasing age in both psa and non - psa cohorts .
the analysis of cumulative hazards demonstrated that there was no statistically significant difference between the psa and non - psa cohorts in the solid cancer analysis ( p > 0.9 ) ( fig .
incident rates of cancers in patients with and without psa cumulative incidence of solid cancer in the psa and comparison cohorts .
the rate of incident hematologic cancer was slightly higher in the psa cohort compared with the non - psa cohort ( 0.7/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 0.50.9 ] vs 0.4/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 0.40.5 ] : irr , 1.52 [ 95% ci , 1.102.10 ] ) ( table 2 ) .
rates were lowest for the youngest age group ( < 30 ) and increased with increasing age in both psa and non - psa cohorts .
the difference in risk / hazard was very small but significant in the hematologic cancer analysis of cumulative hazards ( p = 0.011 ) ( fig .
2 ) . cumulative incidence of hematologic cancer in the psa and comparison cohorts . in the psa cohort ,
rates of incident solid cancer were higher in patients who received prescriptions for psa drugs compared with those who did not ( irs , 8.4/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 6.910.1 ] and 4.7/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 4.15.3 ] , respectively : irr , 1.80 [ 95% ci , 1.442.27 ] ) ( table 3 ) .
similarly , rates of incident hematologic cancer were higher in patients with psa who received prescriptions for psa drugs compared with those who did not ( irs , 1.6 [ 95% ci , 0.92.4 ] and 0.4 [ 95% ci , 0.30.7 ] , respectively ; irr , 3.50 [ 95% ci , 1.926.36 ] ) ( table 3 ) . for both solid and hematologic cancer , patients who were prescribed dmards / biologics had the lowest rates of these cancers .
the results did not differ when we expanded the induction period to 2 years before the cancer diagnosis in the sensitivity analyses .
rates of solid , hematologic , and nonmelanoma skin cancer in patients with psa , stratified by receipt of psa drug prescriptions
we identified 8677 patients with psa and 86,413 patients without psa in the nonmelanoma skin cancer subcohort .
the rate of nonmelanoma skin cancer was similar between the psa cohort and non - psa cohort ( [ 2.5/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 2.12.9 ] vs 2.5/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 2.42.7 ] : irr , 0.97 [ 95% ci , 0.821.14 ] ) ( table 2 ) .
rates were lowest for the youngest age group ( < 30 ) and increased with increasing age in both psa and non - psa cohorts .
rates of nonmelanoma skin cancer were highest among patients with a history of solid or hematologic cancer or a history of previous nonmelanoma skin cancer ; however , these rates were not significantly different between the psa and non - psa cohorts .
the analysis of cumulative hazards demonstrated that there was no statistically significant difference between the psa and non - psa cohorts in the nonmelanoma skin cancer analysis ( p = 0.61 ) ( fig .
3 ) . cumulative incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer in the psa and comparison cohorts . in the psa cohort ,
rates of nonmelanoma skin cancer were higher in patients who received prescriptions for psa drugs compared with those who did not ( irs , 4.6/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 3.56.0 ] and 1.9/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 1.62.3 ] , respectively : irr , 2.42 [ 95% ci , 1.763.34 ] ) ( table 3 ) .
rates were highest among those treated with corticosteroids ( 8.0/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 0.929.0 ] ) and similar among patients who were prescribed dmards / biologics or immunosuppressants ( 4.9/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 3.76.3 ] and 5.0/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 1.611.7 ] ) .
the results did not differ when we expanded the induction period to 2 years before the cancer diagnosis in the sensitivity analyses .
we identified 8677 patients with psa and 86,413 patients without psa in the opportunistic infection subcohort .
the rate of infection was higher in the psa cohort compared with the non - psa cohort ( 24.6/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 23.325.9 ] vs 17.7/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 17.118.1 ] : irr , 1.39 [ 95% ci , 1.311.47 ] ) ( table 5 ) . in both psa and non - psa cohorts , rates were more than double for females compared with males and highest in the youngest and oldest age categories .
rates of infection were consistently higher in the psa cohort compared with the non - psa cohort at each time point after cohort entry ( p < 0.0001 ) ( fig .
distribution of characteristics of patients with and without psa opportunistic infection subcohort rates of incident opportunistic infection in patients with and without psa cumulative incidence of opportunistic infections in the psa and comparison cohorts . in the psa cohort ,
rates of opportunistic infection were significantly higher in patients who received prescriptions for psa drugs compared with those who did not ( irs , 36.1/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 33.340.4 ] and 21.5/1000 pys [ 95% ci , 20.222.9 ] , respectively : irr , 1.71 [ 95% ci , 1.521.91 ] ) ( table 6 ) . rates for users of dmards / biologics were similar to the rates in users of immunosuppressants , but the rate was higher in current users of corticosteroids .
the results did not differ when we redefined the exposure window to 90 days in the sensitivity analyses .
rates of opportunistic infection in patients with psa , stratified by receipt of psa drug prescriptions
rates of hematologic cancer were higher in patients with psa compared with patients without psa , whereas rates of solid cancers and nonmelanoma skin cancers were similar for the 2 groups .
rates of all cancers were higher in patients with psa who received prescriptions for systemic treatments ( dmards / biologics , immunosuppressants , and corticosteroids ) , although the rates did not differ by type of treatment prescribed .
rohekar et al also reported similar rates of all cancer compared with the general population ; however , their results suggested more breast cancers ( standardized incidence ratio , 1.55 ; 95% ci , 0.922.62 ) and fewer hematologic cancers ( standardized incidence ratio , 0.69 ; 95% ci , 0.261.83 ) among psa patients .
similar to our study , a study in sweden reported a slightly higher hazard ratio ( 1.2 ; 95% ci , 0.91.7 ) of lymphoma in psa patients compared with the general population .
a recent analysis of a us population reported similar incidence of malignancies in both patients with psa and patients with rheumatoid arthritis ( 5.6/1000 pys ) . reported irs of solid , hematologic , and nonmelanoma skin cancers in patients with psa in this us study ( 2.8/1000 pys , 0.7/1000 pys , and 3.5/1000 pys , respectively ) were similar to those we found in our analysis . in our study ,
rates of opportunistic infection were higher in patients with psa compared with patients without psa and highest among psa patients who received prescriptions for systemic therapy .
rates were similar in current users of dmards / biologics and immunosuppressants but were higher among current users of corticosteroids .
these results suggest that exposure to systemic treatment increases the rate of opportunistic infection , yet untreated patients with psa also had a higher rate of infection compared with that of patients without psa ( 21.5/1000 pys non - treated psa , 17.7/1000 pys non - psa ) .
our results are similar to published results of a cohort of patients with psoriasis in an administrative database where hospital infection events ranged from 16.5/1000 pys in phototherapy exposed to 26.2/1000 pys for anti
the finding of the highest irr in the corticosteroid group is similar to the results from germano et al , where the highest irr for opportunistic infection ( 3.6 ; 95% ci , 1.588.20 ) was found among patients treated with dmards and corticosteroids compared with dmards alone .
combined with our results , this suggests that patients with psa treated with corticosteroids have the highest risk for opportunistic infection .
we used a very large and well - established , validated , longitudinal primary care database , the cprd , which is known for its high accuracy and completeness of diagnoses .
the mean length of follow - up was more than 7 years in both the psa and non - psa cohorts for each outcome of interest . by excluding patients who had less than 1 year in their history before the index date
, we reduced the risk of including patients with prevalent , rather than incident , psa .
first , it is possible that we included some people who did not actually have psa .
results of validation studies have indicated that the diagnosis of psoriasis and psa in the cprd has high positive predictive value .
in addition , we reviewed the electronic medical records of the patients with psa and assessed the presence of and number of psa diagnoses , codes for psa symptoms , and treatments for psa to provide confidence in the psa diagnosis .
we found that approximately 98% of potential patients with psa identified had at least one of these supporting codes , so we are confident that the vast majority of people in the psa cohort did have the disease .
to be eligible for inclusion in the psa cohort , a patient had to have a recorded diagnosis of psa ; thus , if a gp did not record the diagnosis , the patient was not included in the study .
therefore , the results of this study are generalized to patients with diagnosed psa that comes to the attention of the gp .
patients with psa who receive treatments are likely to have more severe or active disease than patients with psa who do not ; thus , the elevated risks of observed among treated patients with psa compared with patients with psa who did not receive treatment may be explained by disease severity or activity .
third , it is possible that some patients with psa stopped taking systemic psa therapies sooner than was assumed in our estimation of person time . to assess this ,
we conducted sensitivity analyses where we extended and shortened the exposure time window , and there were no material differences in the rates of opportunistic infection in these analyses . finally , in the united kingdom , biologics are often prescribed by consultants ( specialists ) and thus may not be captured in the gp record ; thus , it is possible that we misclassified some exposed person time as nonexposed .
the incomplete capture of exposure to biologics also limits our ability to separate independent effects of biologics from dmards . in summary
, we found that the rates of solid and nonmelanoma skin cancer were similar in patients with psa compared with patients without psa , but rates of hematologic cancer and opportunistic infections were higher in patients with psa . in patients with psa ,
rates of all outcomes were higher among those who received prescriptions for systemic psa therapy . | pubmed |
Persona Series 1. Chapter 1: Drive
**A/N:** _I usually don't write-long term fanfics because I don't really have the time for them, but this is probably the only pairing that I'm genuinely invested into. I love the psychological dynamic between Souji and Adachi, and I hope that I do them justice. If people like it enough, I'll definitely make it 10+ chapters, and while I have the intention of eventually writing smut, I'm not going to do it until I've fleshed out the context/plot to their potentials. The length of this indefinitely depends on reception since I'm writing it on my free time. Anyways, I hope everyone enjoys! Feedback is always appreciated!
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"_What do you think will happen if I shoot you?_"
_Click._
"_You can't shoot me."_
Souji Seta blinks, and wipes his eyes. The dream usually ends there. He knows because he writes summaries of how they begin and how they end, and the patterns are clearer than the television world when he equipped his glasses. The dreams' exposition and finale are always the same; it's what happens in between that is different. While the dreams had a sinister edge to them, he finds them comforting, so he doesn't mind.
Souji never questioned himself as seriously as he did now. Even nods given in menial circumstances feel strange, and he almost doesn't hear the woman on the train ask him if he's visiting his relatives. He shakes his head and answers that he isn't; he wouldn't be staying with the Dojimas this year. Two years had passed since he'd first left Inaba, and he sometimes wondered if he'd ever left at all. Yosuke and Nanako made themselves strongly extant through their impressive efforts in keeping in touch, but even then, Souji often questions if the chronic distance of two years could make any noticeable difference. He doesn't expect the woman to understand in the same way that he doesn't expect any of his friends to. He remembers giving her his usual, blank stare but he also recalls telling her, a complete stranger, the evident truth. Truth was all he cared for during his time spent in Inaba, and truth was what Tokyo could not reciprocate. Tokyo offered many things that Inaba also had and often more, yet, Souji knew that he wasn't "complete" in Tokyo, not because he missed his friends, but because he missed an opportunity that he could have taken, but chose not to. Smiling lightly, he murmurs to the woman that he's visiting a monster, well, not really, he had actually said, "a horrible person", but the terms are nonetheless synonymous. The monster is horrible, and so is Seta Souji. His only regret was that he didn't make it clear in their final encounter that the two of them were, frankly, at a mutual understanding.
The train passes through the final tunnel until reaching its destination, and the woman, for a brief second, is in more literal darkness than she'd know. Light fills the train car when it exits the tunnel, and the woman looks perplexed. Souji doesn't expect her to react much differently, but can't help but feel slightly discouraged when she turns away from him and ends the conversation with an "oh". He steps off at Inaba when the voice on the telecom announces his arrival. He never sees the woman again, but she isn't important. She's more of a stranger to him than that person could ever be, and his "ability" makes this clear enough to him. There is no sound of breaking glass when he speaks to her, and no Arcana is registered to her person either. Every relationship formed in Inaba had meant something to him, and he often found them lewd. He is a natural at dissecting others like a surgeon unraveling his patient. Discovering Yosuke's secret had been stimulating, fascinating almost. Yosuke's trembling voice, his display of weakness, and strangely enough, his strength among peril, was truly amazing. It was the first spark, the first of Souji's collection, but as he filled himself with more-Yukiko, Chie, Naoto, Kanji, Rise, Teddie even, he knew that he was no different from that monster.
Truly, Seta Souji performed his own operations under blacklight, and only that person figured him out. Everyone else was simply being developed; Izanami couldn't have picked a better metaphor. The goddess only chose tools competent enough in bearing fruit anyways, and Souji was glad that she had a decent eye. It was easy for him, since people were easy _to _him. He knew how to care for them without putting any serious, emotional investment into his relationships with them, and they were fine with it, mostly because they perceived him as someone else. Simply put, the world is not challenging.
He waits in the Inaba rain to be picked up. The train station is desolate, and he takes comfort in knowing that he's the only person there, waiting, unseated. The wet atmosphere doesn't bother him. He didn't pack much, not really, and his motives have never been anything far from ulterior. The rain is helpful, and the only thing that Souji bothers protecting from the perspiration at all is the bag of cabbages under his arm. They are, after all, Tokyo cabbages. Souji himself wouldn't know the difference between Inaba and Tokyo's cabbages, but the vegetable's recipient most likely would.
When a black car finally pulls up, Souji doesn't bother to knock, and lets himself in regardless of the driver's identity. The door opens with ease, and he's surprised that the driver had already unlocked it beforehand. Shrugging and poking his head in, Souji gives an odd half-smile, and cheerfully says, "_Konnichiwa_, Adachi-san."
A pregnant pause.
"_Konnichiwa_, Souji-kun," comes the monster's reply, and Souji tries to conceal his disappointment at how Adachi Tohru doesn't look any different at all. Adachi's trademark suit fits him in the same way that it had two years prior, and his lanky form had not changed. Still, Souji sits himself down, and wonders if this is actually true and that the detective did not adapt. The latter proves Souji wrong by turning on the radio with a swift movement of his thumb and a smile, and Japanese pop music fills the car's interior. Adachi Tohru is _happy_, and Souji occupies himself by wondering if this, too, is a facade.
"It's amazing," Adachi begins, drumming his fingers on the wheel. He has a faraway look in his eyes, but there's nothing about Adachi's character, to Souji at least, that's distant. "Just amazing."
"Yeah. Aido's debut album's doing better than the critics expected," Souji comments, and Adachi's lips tighten.
"It's amazing," the detective corrects, "That you have my number, and after all these years, the first person you choose to see in Inaba is me." He pauses. "You're a dumbass, y'know?"
"I don't." Souji answers, blank as ever.
Adachi's charcoal eyes glaze over Souji's greys, and he's silent for awhile before he starts muttering again.
"Sure you are. If there's anything you need, you could just call me. You know better than anyone that I could never ignore your call. You're my accomplice, kid."
Souji nods, aloof. His reply, to Adachi's chagrin, is a terse one.
"Yeah," the boy agrees.
"But you don't call me."
"Not really."
"You know, Souji-kun, you aren't very chatty over the phone. It's the police's duty to keep tabs on those who've committed crimes. The police don't like it when you don't give them the full truth. It makes you suspicious."
"No. It's just you," Souji retorts, and Adachi's smirking again, but Souji doesn't feel uncomfortable; neither Fools ever did, and it's what makes their capabilities occupational. Souji had burned the evidence on his own accord, he, too, bored of his own game, tired of its concept. Burning the papers had been a herculean feat; Souji had never blatantly done anything so morally unacceptable in his life before, but he's certain that it was Adachi's presence that made all the difference. It had been a cerebral feeling of affinity, and it was what tied him to Inaba. He'd assumed that Inaba could do better than Tokyo, only to be confronted with how wrong he was. Inaba was as mundane as Tokyo, but Adachi Tohru was anything _but_. Conniving, jaded, and idealistically _kind_, he was all sorts of interesting, and Souji simply couldn't risk turning a rare treasure over to the police.
The teenager leans back against the passenger seat and watches Adachi drive. The latter is slightly distracted, but manages to pull through traffic, grimacing as he watches the street signs.
"How's school?" the detective asks, not because he actually cares, but because it's a clue. A hint. Something to go off on. Something he could use to fuck with the kid. He hasn't done so in awhile.
"Good." Souji replies, denying the other man any conversational triumph. And then tosses out his own, "How's work?"
Adachi laughs his "bumbling fool" laugh and gives the teenager a bemused look. Contrary to the front that he puts up with Dojima, Adachi _hates_his partner's little snot of a nephew, and abhors how the latter could be so fucking casual with his own blackmailer. Adachi's suspects that the little shit probably assumes that he's got the detective all figured out, and that he knew how to please or rile the detective in the same way that he did with his friends and family. And he looked so fucking dull doing it too, with his empty stare and boy-band haircut.
"Same old, same old," Adachi finally states. "And it's all thanks to you." He grins, waiting.
It becomes increasingly clear that the teenager's return to Inaba isn't without purpose, and Adachi has the inkling that the kid honestly can't hold it in much longer.
"I came back because I wanted to see you," Souji blurts, plainly, candidly, and openly. He says it calmly, and he doesn't look away from the road ahead. It seems to Adachi that the younger male had wanted to confess this for some time, and it's intriguing.
Adachi turns and truly studies the teen for the first time since he'd gotten on the car, and adverts his eye back towards the road also.
"Amazing," Adachi marvels with a whistle. "Just amazing. Life is so easy for you, Souji-kun. So easy."
"It's not," Souji dejectedly says, and ruffles his own hair. This wasn't going over the way that he'd planned it, and Adachi's reactions were short of what he'd wanted them to be. "I don't think you understand why I came back, Adachi-san."
"Sure I do. You're finally actually not out of your mind. You're gonna try to get out of this situation. Put me in jail."
This time, it's Souji that chuckles, and surprisingly, chills run down Adachi's spine.
"Not at all, Adachi-san." murmurs the teenager, his voice strangely gentle. "You've shown me your World; and from one Fool to another, I never got the chance to show you mine."
Souji's poised towards Adachi now, his own grey eyes filled with something that even the detective can't quite decipher. It's something borderline predatory and hunger, and Adachi barks an uncharacteristic laugh.
Things just got more interesting.
"Good, good," he chuckles, and presses harder down on the pedal, and his voice gains the same edge that it did two years ago in the TV world.
Static.
"_I've got all the time, kid_."
2. Chapter 2: Machiavellian
**A/N: **_This chapter's more dialogue heavy, as promised. It's still largely setup, but expect action from Chapter 3 forwards. Feedback lets me know if I'm doing this correctly and portraying the characters in a new, fascinating way, while keeping them true to their skins. __**Please R&R!**_
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Adachi smirks underneath his smile, feeling the adrenaline that he hasn't gotten since the fucking kid let him have his own way with Inaba's climate, literally and figuratively. The detective is pleased that Doujima's nephew, like him, gracefully cuts the shit. Adachi himself had stopped killing, not that he'd confess to anyone about being the culprit. Killing was simply the journey, not the destination. He gives the teenager a sideways glance, and assumes that the latter is not yet aware that the Fog Murders are over. Adachi shrugs. The murders are minutely relevant to him, and the Inaba Police Department reflects this. Doujima had been instructed by his superiors to close the case. The Fog Murders had been filed away two weeks ago as unsolved. It would undergo station procedures like its arcane predecessors, and Adachi was instructed to focus on other tasks and to act less like a rookie.
The gun in his holster weighs like air now.
His passenger breaks his train of thought.
"I brought you some stuff," Souji adds, gesturing to the cabbage.
"Noticed. Thanks," Adachi mumbles.
"You're welcome. But I got you some books, too."
"Don't have time to read. I work overtime for your uncle, remember?"
"You don't have to read them. I'll read them to you."
"Are you trying to be funny? You're the kid," Adachi scoffs, and makes a left turn when he remembers to. "And you're not my kid. You don't read to me."
Souji frowns and feigns a rare look of hurt.
"Well, I can cook, and I'm on winter vacation." he says with a nonchalant nuance; Souji is smiling, Adachi can hear it in his voice. "And you're working overtime for my uncle. Gutters for you."
Adachi is silent again, and Souji's voice resonates warmly with the chilly, outside air. The boy lowers his passenger window and Adachi raises it back up with an irritated press of his thumb. The car stops in front of a leaky apartment, and Souji wonders which of the brown doors belong to the detective, and if the interior of his room looks any better than the exterior of his apartment complex. The man had always implied his living situation subtly, it didn't take Naoto to make the assumption that Adachi Tohru did not live as well off as he had thought he would. Frankly, Souji was certain that Naoto knew more of peoples' surfaces than their marrow, so this did not surprise him. What surprised him was how wrong she often was. Quiet is all that permeates when errors occur, only sound disrupting the silence is Adachi's fingers' rhythmic drumming on the steering wheel.
When Adachi finally speaks, he sounds curious
"How long?" he inquires, staring ahead still.
"Two weeks," Souji replies cheerfully. "I won't be a bother."
Adachi grunts.
"Two weeks my ass. Does Dojima know you're here?" the latter mutters, thinking it strange that his partner's nephew would choose to be secretive about his own arrival. His eyes are overcast again, static, like the midnight channel. It didn't make sense no matter how Adachi looked at it. Was Souji truly more clandestine than he thought him to be? The detective didn't think so, and didn't _want _to think so, because the idea was not only infuriating but also mundane. He prefers thinking of the brat as, well, a little shit. Yet, due to previous encounters, Adachi's conscious that the boy cannot, by any means, be an idiot. Souji suffices in his answer.
"Nobody knows I'm here." Souji says, and echoes himself a bit.
Adachi shifts in his seat and unplugs his car key.
"I could kill you here, y'know."
"You can't. You won't. I know."
The detective snorts and heaves his weight on the car door, allowing it to swing open with more ease.
"Come on. We have to climb a few stairs. Give me those bags," he gestures, and Souji obliges. He hands Adachi the books and cabbages, keeping only a small duffel bag to himself.
Inside Adachi's apartment, Souji revels in dripping rainwater everywhere. Adachi hadn't noticed how drenched he was during the car ride, but after he'd had the lights switched on, the man had cried out in alarm and returned with a towel, looking as disarrayed and slightly peeved. He didn't bother cleaning his abode in preparation for his guest, mainly because unruliness had become an ugly habit. Messiness, among all Adachi's other vices, was something that he didn't figure needed fixing. Who would commend him for doing so? Nobody would, and he knew that he certainly could care less about himself, he, an ex-Hokkaido U honor student. Eventually, he became less keen to his own deprecation. Among others, Adachi also doesn't seem aware of Souji's newfound fascination with the apartment's furnishing and decor, rather, lack of. A worn sofa rests peacefully in the corner of the one-room apartment, and Souji figures that it was probably donated from a tenant who decided to retire it. All of Adachi's furniture emitted the same aesthetic vibe; none of them matched each other or the thematic, cracked, grey look of the room, and on the surface, they were far from novelty. Yet, they don't embarass Adachi, and Souji doesn't find them disturbing. He moves the books and cabbages onto a sloppy kotatsu, and sits himself down beside it. There's a small TV on the far side of the room, and it had been turned on without Souji noticing.
"_Ah! Sangoku san! You have pulled the RABBIT CARD! That means that you get to hop into the foggy, boiling hell!"_
"_Does everyone want Sangoku san to jump into the pit?"_
A game show is playing and its sound muffles when Adachi lowers the television's volume.
Adachi chooses to throw himself on the sofa, appearances being the least of his concerns. He leans back further against the cushion, and has his arms crossed over his chest. He'd sit beside the little shit when a snowball found its way into hell, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to interrogate him any further; he is, after all, an Inaba detective. It'd almost be hilariously _irresponsible._
Souji returns his glare with his own, sheepish stare.
"Hey. There are ground rules." Adachi states, his glare emphasized by his inhospitable tone. "First rule. If you're going to live here, you can't be doing that. That's fucking with me."
Souji cocks his head, brows raised.
"I meant that. Stop doing that. That creepy staring thing you do; stop it."
The boy gives a slow nod and fixes his gaze on something else, and Adachi relaxes.
"Good. Second rule. You buy your own food. I'm not your dumbass caretaker."
"Sure. I can cook," Souji shrugs, and Adachi grits his teeth and ignores the retort.
"Third rule. You transport yourself. I'm not your dumbass driver."
Souji smiled.
"I have legs," the teenager fondly answers.
Adachi chooses to ignore that also.
"Fourth rule. No bringing your stupid friends in here."
"You sound like an older sister, Adachi-san. They don't know I'm here."
"Whatever. Fifth rule." A stark pause, and the detective frowns. "-If I come up with one, there will be a fifth rule. That's all there is for now."
Adachi exhales, and Souji mimics the action. The latter grins and props his cheek against a fist.
"I'm surprised that you didn't kick me out," laughs the boyish Fool, and Adachi laughs darkly himself. He sounds hollow and suspicious when he does, but he's almost comforted by the fact that he doesn't need to explain this to Souji Seta. Contrary to what the brat would know, Adachi, too, feels curiously inviting. He convinces himself that it's nothing short of curiosity, and the desire for truth, to understand, is normal to the two of them.
"Yeah well, don't get used to it." the detective says with a regal air, and Souji scratches his head.
"Nah. I think it's quite opposite. I did offer to cook for you before," the younger Persona user says, bemused.
"Same answer. I'd prefer it if a girl came over."
Souji laughs again, and picks up the bag of cabbages in preparation for dinner, and Adachi, finding nothing "rich" to do with himself, fumbles through the books that Souji had brought over, and gets lost again. He thumbs through the pages faster than he'd ever done with police documents, and feels his hands going numb. It had to be coincidence, there was no way that the brat could have known that the texts were identical to the ones that he'd enjoyed as a student from Hokkaido. He'd sold them for train tickets and living expenses, like he had with the rest of his bulk when he'd moved to Inaba for his new job. Yet, they were here again, in different editions, but they were here nonetheless. He didn't understand why the little shit had purchased these, but it's not important. Machiavelli, Franz Kafka, Shakespeare-they're all here, in their translated glory. Books that he himself, as a student, had found enlightening, frightening, and wonderful. His fingers tightened around _The Prince_'s spine. He didn't know if he'd let go this time.
Souji's "_Itadakimasu_" startles Adachi, and the latter drops the volume he's holding and gapes. Chopsticks are raised between the boy's fingers, and he has a bowl of cabbage soup in his non-dominant hand. Adachi supposes that cabbage soup didn't take long to prepare, and hopes that the little shit doesn't eat more than Adachi would like him to.
"Are you familiar with them?" Souji asks between chews and swallows, and Adachi says nothing.
"I read them untranslated in Tokyo. I didn't know if you're familiar with English, so I bought the translated versions instead. Machiavelli seems like someone you would like."
Adachi glares down into his cabbage soup. He hates how good it smells. Fuck.
"You should eat," Souji gestures, and Adachi does. He didn't need some snotty city kid to tell him when to succumb to his appetite.
"I don't need you to read these to me," Adachi mutters. "I can do it myself."
"Sure."
"You bought these for me?"
"Yeah. I was curious about how alike we are."
"Don't compare me to you."
"You compared me to yourself first back then," Souji said pointedly, jabbing a chopstick in Adachi's direction. "I just analyzed that thought a bit more. You said that I'm the plague."
"And I don't feel any different about that now. Freeloading plague."
"I said I can cook."
"You also said you have legs. Tell me something I don't know, dumbass."
"I just did. I'm a monster too. Let's eat."
"You say the dumbest shit."
"Only the truth."
The two finish their meals in silence. Souji, to Adachi's chagrin, begins breaking rule number one again, but after awhile, the detective had learned to ignore it, and Souji had learned that Adachi didn't mind it anymore. He thinks about the times that the boy had been malignant towards him, and he cannot think of one. Yet, the bowl-cut plague here, and eating at his kotatsu in all his youth glory, his expression thoughtful. Simply the thought of the kid thinking himself similar to Adachi at all infuriates him. Still, there was a part of him that questioned how true that was; and while he did not yet know that Izanagi was a resident of both of their souls, there was something that made a connection function. Could it be possible...?
No, the boy had friends. Family. A future. A girlfriend probably.
"It's fun getting to know people," says Souji after downing his cabbage soup.
Adachi jumps. _Shit, is the kid psychic now, too?_
"But it's just fun to be relied on. It's fun to feel cared for, and that's really all there is to it," the younger persona user summarizes, and gestures between himself and Adachi with cabbage-free chopsticks. "So, in the end, I'm not much different than Adachi-san."
"You shut people out because you're afraid that they're actually monsters."
Adachi feels his jaw tighten.
"Adachi-san. I think it's important that you know that I'm a monster because I let people in," Souji says a little louder this time, and lowers his voice when he remembers what he was going to say earlier.
"Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are," the boy recites. "Machiavelli. You remember."
"For, in truth, there is no sure way of holding other than by destroying," the detective replies. "Machiavelli. I do remember."
Souji's lips turn upwards, and his smile is as radiant as an unkind sun.
"Don't." Adachi cuts. "I know you're going to say something. Shut up."
The detective buries his face in his hands, having finished his own meal.
"How much does someone need to destroy to find truth?" he mutters.
He's almost begging Souji to answer, because it's _opportune._
But the boy doesn't, and Adachi grins darkly.
After both had decided that the silence had, by then, permeated enough, Souji gathers and washes the plates on his own, leaving Adachi sitting alone at the kotatsu. Adachi is drumming his fingers again, his own sleeves a stained contrast to Souji's rolled up, clean ones. The boy pauses after finishing with the bowls before moving onto the chopsticks and spoons.
"Just enough," Souji finally says.
Adachi looks up.
"One needs to destroy just enough to find truth."
Souji drops a plate to prove his point.
3. Chapter 3: Coefficient
**A/N: **_Thanks for the reviews this far, guys! It's nice to know about what I'm portraying well, so that I can work hard on keeping that consistent. I altered a bit of chapter 2 to match up better with this one, but the plot remains largely unchanged. I know that the setup is still taking awhile, but it's easier for me to write this way, since it lets me truly flesh out the climax better. This chapter's a bit short, but chapter four is going to be twice as long as what I usually write, since it's close to Christmas anyways! There is crossdressing in this chapter only because it's relevant to the overarching theme of sexes in this chapter. Again, like always, I'd really appreciate it if feedback is given on this chapter also! I'm also looking for a beta reader (I'm relying on my IRL best friend right now) since two pairs of eyes are better than one. If you'd like to offer your kind services, feel free to send me a PM! Finally, **p**__**lease R&R!**_
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Adachi's expression of stricken, bewildered rage is enough to make Souji think before he speaks again. Souji assumes that the plate had held significant sentiment to Adachi, but it isn't the kind of sentiment that the boy had in mind. It came from a tableware set- a gift from a kind neighbor's daughter that Adachi had fancied as a teenager, though they fell out of contact when he attended Hokkaido U and she went her own way elsewhere. He liked her non-perversely; she was an accessory to his daily life, something he saw on a regular basis that didn't seem to have an opinion of him. If she did, she never acted on it, since she was rather gestural with how she communicated with him anyways, through smiles and "_Konnichiwa Adachi-san_"'s when she noticed him exiting the gates of his home. He likes people who behaved one-dimensionally towards him, and she was the last person that treated him that way. She had long, black hair that he couldn't really meticulously describe. It had a pleated nuance to it, but it framed her face just the way that it should; appropriately. He doesn't remember what her lips looked like, but there was a utopia in her eyes somewhere. When she spoke to you, you never wanted her to stop. Her body was an Eden in its own right, ripe, flavorful, curvaceous (probably); her uniform humbled her form.
Yet, he never desired her.
Truthfully, he never lusted for women for the sake of them being women.
They were just commodities that his mother and father felt that he should _feel _interested for, should consider being involved with and invested in, though he never found any benefit in them. What if love was not a priority? What if relationships weren't either? But that's ridiculous to his parents, so he never made himself look separately opinionated. Women represented the other half of society that was bred to become a part of him, that was _meant _for men to have, to own, to marry; the world is built with a patriarchal framework. He'd tried pursuing women in high school. He can't remember the last time he fucked, and he can barely recall his last girlfriend. Sluts, whores, cunts was all he learned. How strange that Yamino and Konishi thought themselves otherwise, or at least, implied that _he _was the social stigma. They might have denied _him, _but he knows that there is a man that neither of them could deny, though the identity of that man is unique to both women. For every woman, there is a man, and for every man, as Machiavelli would say, is a world made to rule.
He watches Souji briskly apologize whilst cleaning the shattered debris, but he's still thinking about the fucking women.
Adachi doesn't expect Souji Seta to understand him, and he hates that the latter is _trying_. Being Adachi Tohru was fucking awful, and living the life of Adachi Tohru was...
Was shit.
"Hey. Leave it alone." Adachi says, a little too loud, and Souji stops in mid-sweep.
"I broke it. I should clean it up," explains Souji, his fingers still cupped around powdered shards.
"In Doujima's house, maybe. Not here. Just leave it."
He'd prefer the remnants to be left alone like the nice neighbor girl. Both the plate and she had been a part of his daily life that he didn't feel anything particular for. The silver-haired boy, however, was making him feel many different things at once, mostly discomfort and frustration. Souji must have noticed, for he'd taken his duffel bag and directed himself to the bathroom. The detective is glad that his boss's nephew at least had the decency to give him peace when he most needed it. Souji Seta is, at this point, much more complex and plague-like than Adachi had painted him to be, and like Van Gogh's impressionist pieces, his traits are developed through details.
Adachi closes his eyes and exhales.
Dinner had sedated him enough, so he sleeps at the kotatsu.
Adachi's morning is, perhaps, literally, the most moving experience he's ever had in his entire career as an Inaba detective. When he opens his again, he's sputtering something, and something is moving against him, something warm and heavy, something he definitely did not remember being on top of him before he'd fallen asleep.
That was not there the night before.
There is a woman in his room.
She was not in his bedroom the night before.
Hell, _he _wasn't in his bedroom the night before.
The side of her face is pressed against his chest, and her breathing is even, her lashes casting morning cat shadows upon her cheek. Twin, silver braids curl around her shoulders, and despite the dark gradient under her eyes, she's "beautiful" in society's standards. Her dreams are intense; he can tell because her fingers keep digging themselves further into his shirt, and her legs kick against his periodically. Yet, he wonders if she looks as elegant awake as she does asleep. Whether the entire night before was actually a dream is a mystery to him. For all he knew, what had truly occurred was that he'd gotten himself and a Yasoinaba high school girl drunk with him-and that this was the result of some unruly incident that could seriously complicate his job. He debates waking her, and inhales sharply when she does so on her own.
Her grey eyes catch his coal ones, and her lips form something similar to "ohayou", _good morning_, before she pushes herself off him and stretches. Mesmerized, he can't bring himself to do the same, and she watches him lazily out of the corner of her eye, her lips tugging into a smile when she makes the jurisdiction to be the first to speak properly.
"That was a good, short break," she comments with a yawn, and takes his hand, leading him to the kotatsu room. "Come, Adachi-san. There's things to be done."
He gapes a little more at his living space and how _clean _it looked, and the rings under the girl's eyes suddenly make sense. She gestures to the kotatsu and curtsies politely, and he squints at the...the pancake and coffee assortment that had been prepared in addition to a morning newspaper placed encouragingly beside it. He sits himself across from her, staring. Adachi is less interested in the food than he is about what had entailed from the night before. The girl was not supposed to be here. The little shit, however, was. The latter had wanted to stay, and Adachi had decided that he honestly couldn't scrape off any more of his ass than he already had.
"What," he finally manages when the pieces fall together.
There is a girl in his home, but she wasn't there the night before.
Souji Seta was in his home the night before, but he isn't here now.
"You-You're-" he sputters, and the girl smiles blankly.
"Yes?"
"You-! You're a _g-girl_ now? Wh-what the hell are you _trying _to do?!"
Souji shrugs shoulders.
"You said that you'd prefer it if a girl came over, and you didn't seem comfortable with me yesterday night. If this helps, then I'm glad."
Adachi slams his palms onto the table, perhaps a little too forcefully, and tries to articulate something that would make some sort of point.
"It's not whether it helps or not, but whether this is..this is really acceptable..." he mutters, eyes wide.
"You didn't seem to complain about sleeping with a woman. I then decided to stay like this because I assumed that you wouldn't mind living with one."
"_I was asleep when you did that. Of course I couldn't complain_."
"Is it bad though, Adachi-san?" Souji inquires, leaning forwards, and Adachi instinctively turns away.
"It...It's fine as long as you sleep somewhere else," he darkly says, and Souji chuckles into a sleeve. "You don't seem like the type that's into that kind of crossdressing shit."
"That's cute. Are you really that shy?"
The detective scowls, because he really isn't. He's forwards, actually, forwards like the direction that he pushed Saki Konishi in when he dropped her into the Television World.
"It's not that. It's something that you wouldn't understand, so please fucking stop trying to," Adachi snapped.
Adachi's retort makes something in Souji click, and his charming girl persona shatters almost instantly. The sunshine demeanor that had existed previously is now overcast with a serious one, and Souji's voice sounds tense. The realization that Souji Seta had come for reasons other than trying to understand Adachi Tohru became clearer now, and at the moment, Adachi wasn't sure if he felt disappointed by that revelation or more interested.
"I have to try, because there's only one person that understands building a conscious, personal world within '_that world'_, and it's you, Adachi-san." Souji explains, eyes hardening. "I came back because I had to meet you. It has to be you. You'll help me, won't you, Adachi-san?"
"Help with what," Adachi breathes, voice thinning.
Souji's smile, this time, is almost as startling as the antichrist's.
"Teach me how to do it. Teach me how to make a New World, and then destroy it."
"And why would I want to do that."
Souji places a hand on Adachi's cheek.
The latter is surprised that it isn't warm.
"Because we're partners," Souji concludes, and at this, Adachi is silent.
4. Chapter 4: Partners
**A/N:** _This is the __**plot-heavy**_ _chapter that I've been slowly working on. The tonal difference between this chapter and its predecessor is implied, but I'm trying my best to be delicate with it. I apologize for that in advance if it comes off as jarring, I'm working to create smoother transitions, so bear with me! Each chapter has its own encapsulated theme, though I'm not sure how coherent I was in trying to imply that. I took some creative license with the Persona-Shadow concept, and I'll definitely expand on it some more in the future chapters (as plot naturally unfolds). Anyways, thanks for being patient with me, and I hope you enjoy this installment! __Also, I'd like to give a warm shout out/special thanks to my beta reader, tumblr user __**andagainseeklove**__! I really couldn't have done it without you, and you were an enormous help in helping me solidify this! Thank you so much! Again, feedback is always appreciated. **Please R&R!**
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Adachi wastes no time in roughly shoving Souji aside. The boy catches himself before he falls and looks just as disheveled as his "partner". Adachi's uneven breathing settles between the unspoken score between them, but it does little else. Souji's fixes his own grey eyes on the shaken Pierrot, and the latter wishes that he'd look elsewhere. Adachi's irises dilate; his mortified expression becomes static, and he's angry at himself for _displaying vexation _at all. He hisses a venomous "_fuck you_" in response to Souji's all-too-familiar smile. At this, the boy's lips form a thin line again; he's almost forgotten that his usual, borderline, sociopathic strategies were ineffective here. Still, he makes Tohru Adachi uncomfortable, and he realizes at the apex of this moment, that nobody else honestly could. Adachi's glare is enough to affirm this.
The detective briskly stands up and strides over to the entrance of his apartment, his mind as stormy as the literature purchased for him. He gives the doorknob a strong twist. A forceful push sends the door swinging, and outside, the wet tempest continues to pour. The diabolic weather, like the television world's fog, clouds the Pierrot's melancholy.
"Get out. The deal's off." Adachi snarls. If the little shit can come up with shit like...shit like _this, _Adachi doesn't want to doubt him for what else he's capable of. He swears mentally, but his eyes are cursing too. The crossdressing has nothing to do with it-Adachi doesn't give two shits about the hobbies that Dojima's nephew fancied himself with. The fact that Souji had explicitly tried to form _contact_with him, however, upsets him. Souji Seta had learned nothing from their last encounter, and this above all, disappoints Adachi tremendously.
"Is it the costume?" says Souji quietly, his tone, to Adachi's surprise, convincingly apologetic. Adachi doesn't reply to the question, and for once, Souji can't assume anything. Slowly, the Fool regains his own composure, and gives Adachi the most self-incriminating look that the detective has ever received. Its sincerity never mattered; the fact that Souji had given it, however, did. The boy tentatively steps towards Adachi, who firmly stood his own ground by physically not retreating. No Adachi has ever shown weakness, and Tohru Adachi plans on retaining his family's honor-if he's had any honor inside him to start with. He grits his teeth visibly.
Rain pours onto a few inches of the carpet, and the draft outside begins rendering Adachi's heater ineffective. Yet, Souji does not make any sign to leave.
"_Gomen_, Adachi-san. I didn't want to make my presence uncomfortable for you."
"It's _fucking weird_. Why, for _fuck's sake_, would any _normal person_ find that _comforting_?""
"Please don't take this as an offense, but neither of us are 'normal' people, I should say."
"_Shut up._You don't know anything-"
"I know that you're alone here-I know that you have questions-"
"-about me. You don't know me. Nobody does; not Dojima. Not you. Get out."
His voice crawls to a hush, and Souji cannot, for once, decipher Adachi's emotional implications, even after his discovery of...of..."_that_". It's obvious that the detective is angry, but for what reason, the Fool can only guess. He picks his next words carefully, not exclusively because he's relying on them to stay here. Adachi, to some extent, needs them too. He convinces himself to see Tohru Adachi not as _Tohru Adachi, _but as anyone else. It was difficult, because primarily, Souji had always accepted Tohru Adachi as "the exception".
He'd have to compromise.
The rain outside was a tangible reality, and everything else that Souji knew, was simply the "Form" of an idea. He closes his eyes and opens them again. He needs to see Adachi Tohru as _the same as everyone else_. The man before him is Satonaka Chie, a self-conscious girl. He is Hanamura Yosuke, a self-conscious boy. He is Dojima Nanako, a burdened child. He is not Tohru Adachi, and therefore, Souji can speak to him differently. He can tell him about "_that". _He had been meaning to delicately reveal his secret to Adachi, rather, Adachi's secret to Adachi, but at this point, it cannot be helped. Souji knows that if he isn't aboveboard with his cards now, he'd never be able to be. It was a desperate gesture, but as a psychological gambler, Souji had become accustomed to taking risks. So he tries again, sidesteps, and minimizes the distance between himself and his "partner".
"You've grown used to building walls instead of bridges. This is a strategic time to build a bridge, even if you hate me."
He pauses.
"I know you have questions-Adachi-san, about your grandmother. About yourself. Doubt separates the Self from the Persona. I've been keeping track of Inaba's news. I'm not stupid enough to think that the murders stopped without reason."
The rain diminishes, the door creaks, and Adachi's hand falls to his side. He doesn't say anything, but to Souji, Adachi's silence is testament enough. Adachi turns so that he's facing away from Souji. The Pierrot feels more at ease this way.
After a pause, the door closes, and Souji breathes a small sigh of relief. Adachi's breathing is steady again, but Souji's conscious that the real tempest is premature.
Adachi's lips twitch. What comes next comes easy.
"And what's your conclusion?" he smirks, and gives Souji the same misogynistic leer that he gave to that fucking reporter. It's easier for him because the boy is in the guise of a woman. It's also harder for him because Souji's vestment is merely a costume, and nothing representative of his true self. Souji squats down beside Adachi, and leans back against the same wall. Exhaling, he finishes laying down his cards, and weariness washes over his blank features.
"My best guess?" asks Souji, quiet. He removes his wig.
"Yeah," answers Adachi, who really wishes he had a cigarette at this moment.
"You no longer resonated with your Persona. It became a shadow again."
A second silence falls in place.
"Yeah," affirms Adachi, and Souji smiles into his wrists.
He honestly didn't expect that to be the truth, but the evidence argued otherwise.
"Would you...Would you like me to tell you what I know?" Souji carefully says. "About your situation?"
Adachi gives him a sideways glance. "That I'm a liar? Go for it."
"_Is it possible to 'lose' a Persona?"_
_Igor smiled at the question, and tilted his head to his assistant expectantly. The blonde woman, in response, gave Souji a sharp look before returning to her task. There was always something about this...this visitor in particular that bothered her. Whereas Elizabeth had been infatuated with her Fool, Margaret wanted little to do with her own. The eldest assistant flipped through her compendium, bookmarking an "Alice" and "Oberon" offhandedly. She gave Souji a fleeting glance before she conjured up an answer, as vague as it may be. Truthfully, she didn't like the question, not because it was unusual, but because it was asked dishonestly. There was always something about the Fool that Margaret didn't like, but she never openly exhibited her feelings. Perhaps that was why she made an effort in being monotonous towards him. Regardless, she shut her book and fulfilled her responsibility as a Velvet Room assistant. _
"'_Lose', no. Once attained, a Persona cannot be lost," she corrected. "Simply put, if its user doubts their Self, their Persona may come to doubt its authenticity and cease to be effective. It will return to its original state, and become a Shadow again."_
_Perplexed, Souji leaned back in his limousine chair. "And that results in...?" he breathed._
"_A secondary shadow experience," comes her dulled reply, and Igor adds on._
"_A 'secondary shadow experience' is different from a primary shadow encounter." Igor continued, burrowing his nose further behind his fingers. He grinned toothily. "It occurs when a Persona user subconsciously 'rejects' their Persona, because they doubt their accepted 'Self'. Their turmoil resurfaces, and if they cannot face it and accept it a second time, their Persona de-evolves into its original Shadow form."_
"_Mm. If that's true, why have my friends avoided these experiences?." Souji quizzed, brows furrowed._
_Igor gave a small chuckle._
"_Dear visitor," began the devilish manifestation, "all Personas need to be nourished. Your friends have your support, and your care for them fosters the strength of their Personas. It works both ways. Personas provide mutual support for each other through Social Links."_
"_If you lack Social Links, then your Persona cannot grow, and the likelihood that it will become a Shadow again may increase," Margaret explained. She clicked her nails. "We stress the importance of Social Links because ignoring them is detrimental. Social Links prevent Personas from reversing into Shadows."_
_Souji mulled over this with a slow nod._
_He leaned forward, and slowly revealed the question that he'd been holding back. "Could... someone with a Persona-Turned-Shadow still enter the other world?"_
_Margaret gave him a hard look._
"_No. They'd need someone with a Persona to bring them in."_
"_Mm... So if someone's Shadow self appeared in the other world again, it's likely that they can no longer enter the other world again on their own, and it's also likely that they cannot use their Persona?"_
"_Correct," Margaret hesitantly replied, not because she was unsure of her answer, but because the Fool's question was strange. The boy before him had asked nothing of the sort, if Elizabeth had truly told her as much about him as she'd claimed to. Still, her answer satisfied Souji, and when she looked up from her compendium again, he'd left the Velvet Room._
"A 'secondary shadow experience', huh?" says Adachi softly.
"That's what it is, Adachi-san," Souji agrees. "You doubted your actions after I let you go. I was still able to enter the television world while I was in Tokyo."
Adachi laughs.
"You do realize that I'm a police officer, and that lying to me would be breaking the law." he darkly answers, pressing his palms to the carpet. "There's no way you'd be able to find my Shadow if you entered the other world through a random TV in Tokyo."
"But I get it, like I got it two years ago." He grabs Souji by the forearm and tightens his grip until his knuckles go white. "_You're still playing detective._"
Souji winces and fails in brushing the detective off.
"No. It's like you said two years ago. I'm on your side. I'm on the killer's side. I understand what that means."
The Fool tries to chuckle off the Pierrot's suspicions. "Your Shadow found me. An important event in your life took place in Tokyo, didn't it?"
Adachi crumples slightly, though his gaze does not waver.
"How...much did he tell you?"
"Enough to be disappointed and interested in you. He seemed a lot more passionate about the killings than you during our last encounter-in the police station."
"And what do you want with me."
"I'm your accomplice; what you want is what I want. Do you want to continue? I can help you enter the television world again. If those murders were your long-term goal, then I underestimated you."
The silence, this time, feels shared. Adachi isn't sure whether Souji's reply warrants anything personal, but trusting him is a necessary risk. His eyes finally meets the younger Persona-user's, and they remain focused there.
"I want you to first get dressed. Get out of that thing." He gently says. "We'll talk after."
He purses his lips and swallows.
"You...You can stay."
End file.
| fanfiction |
A few weeks ago the Standard ran an article questioning whether the NASA coalition was broke or their coffers were running dry. Though I thought the article was a bit unrealistic and having no basic statistics to back it I actually became a little bit concerned because they had not released any advert.
However the article also went to great lengths by reaching out to the communication side of the campaign team which went ahead to confirm they were not out of funds but they were using their funds for strategy and making sure they have "guarded" their votes.
A few weeks after the story the team released an advert this seems to be hitting out at the administration. The advert which seems to be looking at the sudden rise in debt and a lot of other issues such as corruption and the rising cost of living which have been crippling the nation's economy. Raila also goes on to criticize the Uhuru government for its PR tactics and what he calls "show business".
His experience in politics is also played down in the advert and his role in politics for the last over 3 decades. He talks about detention to defending the rights of Kenyans and an oppression government. He also highlights his 2007 and 2013 to his stint in the NARC and Grand Coalition government where he played a pivotal role in delivering a greater economy and delivering a new constitution respectively.
The whole advert is well thought out and has been able to highlight the plight of Raila Odinga in the run up to being the president of the Republic of Kenya. The adverts do have a point and they do scream I want to be president of Kenya and I want you to make me realize this dream.
However there are a lot of red flags on this advert. For one it will be hard to get it to challenge the air time the PDU adverts have been running. Though it is a good attempt at making sure they have matched it up it because it will only be running for the next few weeks while the PDU adverts have been running for the last few months (since April).
The advert has also come at a time when most of the people have already tried to make sure they have given the right thing. The right thing would have been to run the adverts since Raila Amollo Odinga was declared the flag bearer of the NASA coalition. This would have been a better media strategy and making sure they have done a good job.
The time the advert has been running is also something they need to think about. If they could have moved the adverts from anytime to prime time then it will be a good job. They have been able to make sure they have done the show very well. The timing is very daunting but all in all they have released an advert which covers their ideology in the long run and they have done a good job there. | slim_pajama |
"REAR WINDOW"
by
John Michael Hayes
Based on a short story
by
Cornell Woolrich
Final Draft
December 1, 1953
FADE IN:
INT. JEFFERIES' APARTMENT - DAY - LONG SHOT
Although we do not see the foreground window frame, we see
the whole background of a Greenwich Village street.
We can see the rear of a number of assorted houses and small
apartment buildings whose fronts face on the next cross-town
street, sharply etched by the morning sun.
Some are two stories high; others three; some have peaked
roofs, others are flat. There is a mixture of brick and wood
and wrought iron in the construction.
The apartment buildings have fire escapes, the others do
not.
The neighborhood is not a prosperous one, but neither is it
poor. It is a practical, conventional dwelling place for
people living on marginal incomes, luck -- or hope and careful
planning.
The summer air is motionless and heavy with humid heat.
It has opened windows wide, pushed back curtains, lifted
blinds and generally brought the neighborhood life into a
sweltering intimacy. Yet, people born and bred to life within
earshot and eye glance of a score of neighbors have learned
to preserve their own private worlds by uniformly ignoring
each other, except on direct invitation.
THE CAMERA PULLS BACK until a large sleeping profile of a
man fills the screen. It is so large that we do not see any
features, but merely the temple and side of the cheek down
which a stream of sweat is running.
THE CAMERA PANS OFF this to the right hand side of the window,
and MOVES TO a thermometer which is hanging on the wall just
outside the window. It registers 84.
THE CAMERA MOVES ON into the open, and brings nearer to us a
room with a large studio window. We are able to see inside
this room. A short, balding man is standing near the window,
shaving, using a small bowl of water and a portable mirror
which he has set up on a shelf.
To the right of him is a battered upright piano. On top of
the piano is a radio. The music selection coming from the
radio stops, and the announcer is heard.
ANNOUNCER
The time -- 7:15 A.M., WOR, New York.
The temperature, outside, 84 --
Friends -- is your life worth one
dollar?
The man shaving quickly puts down his razor, hurries to the
radio, and changes the station, moving past a number of
commercial voices until he again finds some music.
Contented, he returns to his shaving.
THE CAMERA MOVES ON AND OVER to a far building. It passes
over the face of this building until it comes to fire escapes.
It goes up and near enough to one which has become the outdoor
bedroom of a couple. We are near enough to see an alarm clock
hanging from the rail which is now ringing vigorously. A man
rises lazily to a sitting position. He gropes to switch the
alarm off.
We see that his pajamas are stained with sweat. In his sitting
position he leans forward and shakes somebody beside him. To
our surprise, the head of this other person -- a woman --
rises where his feet are. They have been sleeping in opposite
directions. They sit limply looking at each other with
bedraggled and weary expressions which show they enjoyed
very little sleep in the heat of the night.
THE CAMERA NOW MOVES DOWN toward the left onto another low
building. It MOVES IN A LITTLE to a living room window. Just
inside the windowsill, a small fan is oscillating. The fan
sits on the right side of the table, and to the left of it
is an automatic toaster.
Behind the toaster stands a full-bodied young woman,
apparently wearing only a pair of black panties. Her stomach,
navel, and the lower part of her chest are naked. Just below
her breasts, the curtain, partly drawn, has thrown a deep
shadow which extends upward, hiding her breasts, shoulders
and head. Two pieces of toast pop up in the toaster. She
takes them out, butters them. Then she turns around and bends
over another table on which stands an automatic coffee-maker.
She picks up the coffee-maker, and swings back to the table
to sit down. She does this so deftly that her breasts are
never exposed, but hidden by the fan as she sits down. The
fan moves back and forth as she pours coffee, far enough to
reveal that she wears no bra, but not far enough to fulfill
the exciting promise of her lack of clothes.
THE CAMERA MOVES ON to a distant street corner seen between
two buildings. The traffic is very light at this hour, but a
Sanitation Department truck moves through the intersection
spraying water out behind it to cool the pavement and keep
the dust down. Three little kids in bathing suits run behind
the truck, playing in the water.
THE CAMERA MOVES OFF and around to some buildings at the
side. As it skims this building, we see a hand emerge from
one of the windows, and remove the cover from a birdcage
which is hanging from a hook on the wall outside. In the
cage are two lovebirds -- arguing.
THE CAMERA NOW PULLS BACK SWIFTLY and retreats through the
open window back into Jefferies' apartment. We now see more
of the sleeping man. THE CAMERA GOES IN far enough to show a
head and shoulders of him.
He is L. B. JEFFERIES. A tall, lean, energetic thirty five,
his face long and serious-looking at rest, is in other
circumstances capable of humor, passion, naive wonder and
the kind of intensity that bespeaks inner convictions of
moral strength and basic honesty.
He is sitting in an Everest and Jennings wheelchair.
THE CAMERA PANS along his right leg. It is encased in a
plaster of Paris spica from his waistline to the base of his
toes. Along the white cast someone has written "Here lie the
broken bones of L. B. Jefferies."
THE CAMERA PANS to a nearby table on which rests a shattered
and twisted Speed Graphic Camera, the kind used by fast-action
news photographers.
On the same table, the CAMERA PANS to an eight by ten glossy
photo print. It shows a dirt track auto racing speedway,
taken from a point dangerously near the center of the track.
A racing car is skidding toward the camera, out of control,
spewing a cloud of dust behind it. A rear wheel has come off
the car, and the wheel is bounding at top speed directly
into the camera lens.
THE CAMERA MOVES UP to a framed photograph on the wall.
It is a fourteen by ten print, an essay in violence, having
caught on film the exploding semi-second when a heavy
artillery shell arches into a front-line Korean battle
outpost. Men and equipment erupt into the air suspended in a
solution of blasted rock, dust and screeching shrapnel. That
the photographer was not a casualty is evident, but surprising
when the short distance between the camera and the explosion
is estimated. A signature in the lower right hand corner of
the picture reads -- "L. B. Jefferies."
THE CAMERA PANS to a second photograph of a picket line at
an aircraft plant strike. Strikers, non-strikers and police
are embroiled in a bitter and confused riot.
Clubs, fists and truncheons swing, blood flows, faces twist
with emotion and fallen victims struggle to regain their
feet. The picture represents no distant, cautions photographic
observation, but rather an intimate report, so immediate and
real that the viewer has the nervous feeling the fight
surrounds him and he had best defend himself. The same
signature, "L. B. Jefferies," is in the corner.
THE CAMERA PANS TO another framed picture, this one a
beautiful and awesome shot of an atomic explosion at
Frenchman's Flat, Nevada. It is the cul-de-sac of violence.
The picture taken at a distant observation point, shows some
spectators in the foreground watching the explosion through
binoculars.
THE CAMERA MOVES ON to a shelf containing a number of cameras,
photographic film, etc. It then PAN ACROSS a large viewer on
which is resting a negative of a woman's head.
From this, THE CAMERA MOVES ON to a magazine cover, and
although we do not see the name of the magazine, we can see
the head on the cover is the positive of the negative we
have just passed.
THE CAMERA FINALLY COMES TO REST ON a pile of magazines --
perhaps a hundred or so. They are all of the same publication.
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
INT. GUNNISON'S OFFICE - DAY - CLOSE UP
The screen is filled with the top of a desk. In addition to
the usual telephones, blotting pad, etc., the most prominent
feature is the number of glossy photo prints, and even larger-
sized mat prints. Some of them have slips pasted over with
descriptions. The center of the desk is occupied by a large
layout of photographs on one magazine page. Behind this we
hear the murmur of two voices of men who can be vaguely seen
beyond the desk.
THE CAMERA PANS UP and we are now face to face with IVAR
GUNNISON and JACK BRYCE. Gunnison is sitting on a window-
ledge, and beyond him we realize we are high above the New
York streets. Bryce leans against a wall at right angles to
him.
Gunnison is holding a cablegram in his hand. Bryce has a
cigarette in his mouth. He scratches a match, and is about
to light it, when he notices that Gunnison, still reading
the cable, has reached into an inside shirt pocket, and
produced a cigarette. Quickly, Bryce moves over to light
Gunnison's cigarette. Then he settles back to light his own.
Gunnison doesn't even bother to thank him.
GUNNISON
(Looks up)
Indo-China -- Jeff predicted it would
go sky-high.
BRYCE
From the looks of Davidson's cable,
it might even go higher than that.
And we haven't even got a camera
over there.
GUNNISON
(Stands)
This could go off in a month -- or
an hour.
BRYCE
I'll pull somebody out of Japan.
GUNNISON
(Heads for his phone)
Bryce, the only man for this job is
sitting right here in town.
(Picks up phone)
Get me L. B. Jefferies.
BRYCE
(Puzzled)
Jefferies?
GUNNISON
(To Bryce; still
holding phone)
Name me a better photographer.
BRYCE
(He can't)
But his leg!
GUNNISON
Don't worry -- it comes off today.
Bryce gives Gunnison a startled look.
GUNNISON
I mean the cast.
(To phone)
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Shooting through the open window, onto Jeff. He is shaving
himself with an electric razor as the phone rings. He shuts
off the shaver, picks up the phone.
JEFF
Jefferies.
GUNNISON
(On filter)
Congratulations, Jeff.
JEFF
For what?
GUNNISON
For getting rid of that cast.
JEFF
Who said I was getting rid of it?
At this moment, his attention is drawn to something across
the way. He looks up, expectantly. There is almost a touch
of eagerness in his expression.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - LONG SHOT
While Jeff is continuing his phone conversation, we see the
object of his look. Two pretty girls have appeared on the
distant roof. They are smiling and talking, although we cannot
hear their dialogue. Each wears a terrycloth robe. With their
backs to the CAMERA, they take off the robes, slipping them
down over their shoulders slowly. Then, seductively, they
turn -- revealing the full beauty of their tanned and bathing-
suited bodies. It is almost as if they want to be noticed,
the center of neighborhood attention. They at least have all
of Jeff's attention. Then they spread the robes in front of
them, and lie down on the roof, and out of sight. Jeff seems
a little disappointed.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
During the whole of this previous action, the conversation
between Jeff and Gunnison has gone on as follows:
GUNNISON
(With logical proof)
This is Wednesday.
JEFF
Gunnison -- how did you get to be
such a big editor -- with such a
small memory?
GUNNISON
Wrong day?
JEFF
Wrong week. Next Wednesday I emerge
from this plaster cocoon.
GUNNISON
That's too bad, Jeff. Well, I guess
I can't be lucky every day. Forget I
called.
JEFF
Yeah. I sure feel sorry for you,
Gunnison. Must be rough on you
thinking of me wearing this cast
another whole week.
INT. GUNNISON'S OFFICE - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Gunnison is now seated at his desk, with the phone receiver
to his ear. His assistant, Bryce, can be seen vaguely in the
background.
GUNNISON
That one week is going to cost me my
best photographer -- and you a big
assignment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSE-UP
Jeff asks, eagerly and alertly.
JEFF
Where?
We hear Gunnison's reply.
GUNNISON
There's no point in even talking
about it.
Jeff's eyes become set upon something else in the neighborhood
he sees.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - LONG SHOT
Jeff's attention is now drawn to another feature of his
backyard entertainment. THE CAMERA IS NOW FOCUSED on the
window of the small building where we earlier saw the girl
behind the oscillating fan. Loud ballet music is pouring
from her open window. The girl, now dressed in dark and
revealing leotard, and ballet slippers, has just turned away
from a portable record player. She begins the first graceful
movement of a modern ballet interpretation.
She gracefully moves across the room to the rhythm of the
music and dance, toward the ice box. With her feet still
moving, she throws open the door, and then rhythmically moving
back to the center of the room, gnaws the chicken bone,
occasionally waving it in the air as part of the choreography.
She now twirls over toward a table at the other side of the
room on which is an open package of bread slices, some butter
nearby.
With swaying body, she puts down the chicken leg, and
gracefully and rhythmically butters a slice of bread.
She picks up both bread and chicken leg and continues her
interpretive dance, alternately munching the bread and butter
and chicken leg.
INT. APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff's eyes drop from the ballet dancer's room to the one
underneath.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - LONG SHOT
THE CAMERA PANS from the window of the dancing girl, to the
window below. Someone is reading the New York Herald Tribune.
The paper lowers, and we see an elderly lady, in her late
sixties. She is a faded, refined type. She looks up in the
direction of the music and in a calm routine fashion adjusts
the volume of her hearing aid. She resumes her reading.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff is amused by what he sees, but continues his conversation
with Gunnison, which has gone on through all the scenes with
the ballet dancer.
JEFF
(Insistent)
Where?
GUNNISON
(Filter)
Indo-China. Got a code tip from the
bureau chief this morning. The place
is about to go up in smoke.
JEFF
(Pleased; excited)
Didn't I tell you! Didn't I tell you
it was the next place to watch?
GUNNISON
You did.
JEFF
(On filter)
Okay. When do I leave? Half-hour? An
hour?
GUNNISON
With that cast on -- you don't.
JEFF
(On filter)
Stop sounding stuffy. I'll take
pictures from a jeep. From a water
buffalo if necessary.
GUNNISON
You're too valuable to the magazine
for us to play around with. I'll
send Morgan or Lambert.
JEFF
Swell. I get myself half-killed for
you -- and you reward me by stealing
my assignments.
GUNNISON
I didn't ask you to stand in the
middle of that automobile race track.
JEFF
(A little angry)
You asked for something dramatically
different! You got it!
GUNNISON
(Quietly)
So did you. Goodbye, Jeff.
JEFF
(Won't let him hang
up)
You've got to get me out of here!
Six weeks -- sitting in a two-room
apartment with nothing to do but
look out the window at the neighbors!
At this moment we hear the sounds of a piano playing.
It is a simple, but broken, melody as if someone was just
learning to play the piano, or carefully composing a song.
It clashes abruptly with the music from the ballet dancer's
apartment. It irritates Jeff as he looks in the direction of
the new music.
JEFF
It's worse than the Chinese water
torture.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
We now see the source of the piano music. It comes from the
apartment with the studio window which we saw earlier where
the man was shaving and listening to the radio. The short,
balding man sits at the piano playing a few notes, then
transferring them by pencil to notepaper on the piano rack.
He continues this process, fighting the interference of the
ballet music. The opening bars of his melody are beautiful
and ear-catching.
It is slow, hard work, and the ballet music finally becomes
such an interference that he gives up and walks to the window
to look down toward the dancer's apartment.
He stands by a table at the window which is littered with
records, the morning coffee cup, unwashed, the remains of
breakfast, old newspapers, song sheets, etc.
He takes a cigarette out of his mouth, looks for an ash tray,
and ends up putting it out in the coffee cup. He then returns
to the piano and begins picking out the melody the dancer is
playing on her record player.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff frowns at the double sound, and raises his voice a
little. He continues the conversation which has been heard
all through the previous scene.
GUNNISON
Read some good books.
JEFF
I've been taking pictures so long I
don't know how to read anymore.
GUNNISON
I'll send you some comic books.
JEFF
(Low, tense)
Listen -- if you don't pull me out
of this swamp of boredom -- I'll do
something drastic.
GUNNISON
Like what?
JEFF
(On filter)
I'll -- I'll get married. Then I'll
never be able to go anywhere.
GUNNISON
It's about time you got married --
before you turn into a lonesome and
bitter old man.
JEFF
Can you see me -- rushing home to a
hot apartment every night to listen
to the automatic laundry, the electric
dishwasher, the garbage disposal and
a nagging wife.
GUNNISON
Jeff -- wives don't nag anymore --
they discuss.
Jefferies glances out across to the other apartments as he
sees:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
We see a three-storied, flat-roofed apartment house.
The brick is weather-worn and faded. Each apartment has three
windows facing the back, one showing a hallway, one a living
room, and the window on the right opening into a bedroom.
On the second floor, a man has entered the living room from
a hallway door. He carries a large aluminum sample case common
to salesmen. He sets down the case heavily, removes his hat,
and slowly wipes his brow with the back of his right hand.
He takes off his coat and tie. His shirt is stained with
sweat underneath. He rolls up his sleeves, and his well-
muscled arms heavy with hair confirm his dark, husky build.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
With his eyes still focused on the distant apartments, Jeff
continues talking with Gunnison.
JEFF
Yeah? Maybe in the high rent districts
they discuss -- but in my
neighborhood, they still nag.
GUNNISON
Well -- you know best. Call you later,
Jeff.
JEFF
Next time, have some good news.
He hangs up and resumes his attention on the apartment of
the salesman.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The salesman looks toward the bedroom door, hesitates, then
reluctantly walks toward it. For a moment he is hidden by
the wall.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff shifts his look more to the right.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The man enters the bedroom. We can see a woman lying on the
far bed. Near her, a small table is covered with medicine
bottles, spoons, boxes of pills, a water pitcher and the
other impedimenta of the chronically ill. The woman sits up
as the man enters. She takes a wet cloth off her forehead.
Before the man even reaches her, she begins talking, somewhat
vigorously. Pointing to a wristwatch, she seems to be saying
something such as "You should have been home two hours ago!
I could be lying here dying for all you'd know -- or care!"
The man stops short of the bed, makes gestures of trying to
placate her, but she goes on scolding. His attitude changes
to weary patience, then irritation, then anger.
He shouts back at her, turns and goes out of the room.
Back in the living room, he picks up his hat, throws it
against the wall in anger, and leaves the apartment, slamming
the door behind him.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff's attention is suddenly diverted to himself. His leg,
under the cast, begins itching. He squirms, tries to move
the leg a little. It gives no relief. He scratches the outside
of the cast, but the itch gets worse. He reaches for a long,
Chinese back scratcher lying on the windowsill. Carefully,
and with considerable ingenuity, he works it under the cast.
He scratches, and a look of sublime relief comes over his
face. Satisfied, he takes the scratcher out. As he replaces
it on the windowsill, his attention is drawn back to the
scene outside the window.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
We see the man who left his apartment in anger come out of
the doorway into the backyard. He is easy to identify through
the color of his garish necktie. In one hand the man carries
a small garden hoe and rake, and in the other a pair of
trimming shears. He goes to a small patch of flowers, perhaps
three feet square.
They are beautiful, multi-colored three foot high zinnias.
He kneels down, inspects them, touches them affectionately
and with some pride. His anger seems to have left him,
replaced by the kind of peace that flowers bring many people.
He stands up, carefully hoes the ground, them rakes it. Then
he snips a few leaves off the lower parts of the plant.
Finally, he waters them.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff's attention is turned to something else of interest.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Into the next door yard we see emerging from the apartment
below the ballet dancer, the elderly lady.
She wear a broad sun hat, dark glasses, and a sunsuit
consisting of pink shorts and halter. She carries a copy of
the Herald Tribune, and still wears her hearing aid. She
settles into a folding, canvas deck chair.
Her skin is dead white, and her body is thin to the point of
emaciation. No sooner has she settled into her chair, than
she is attracted by the sound of the salesman working in his
garden. She gets up, walks to the fence, and looks over. He
notices her, but doesn't speak.
She begins gesturing to him how to take care of his flowers.
He listens for a moment, then looks directly at her. The
strong movements of his mouth show us that he objects
vigorously to the annoyance of her comments. She moves away
from the fence, started and a little shocked.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff is seated in the foreground, in a waist shot.
Behind him, the entrance door to his apartment opens.
STELLA McGAFFERY comes in. She is a husky, unhandsome, dark-
haired woman who is dressed like a district nurse, with dark
coat, dark felt hat, with a white uniform showing underneath
the coat. She carries a small black bag.
Stella pauses on the landing to watch Jeff. He doesn't appear
to notice her entrance.
STELLA
(Loud)
The New York State sentence for a
peeping Tom is six months in the
workhouse!
He doesn't turn.
JEFF
Hello Stella.
As she comes down the stairs of the landing, holding on the
wrought iron railing with one hand:
STELLA
And there aren't any windows in the
workhouse.
She puts her bag down on a table. It is worn, and looks as
if it belongs more to a fighter than a nurse. She takes off
her hat coat, and hangs them on a chair.
STELLA
Years ago, they used to put out your
eyes with a hot poker. Is one of
those bikini bombshells you always
watch worth a hot poker?
He doesn't answer. She opens the bag, takes out some medical
supplies: a thermometer, a stop watch, a bottle of rubbing
oil, a can of powder, a towel. She talks as she works.
STELLA
We've grown to be a race of peeping
Toms. What people should do is stand
outside their own houses and look in
once in a while.
(She looks up at him)
What do you think of that for homespun
philosophy?
A look at his face shows he doesn't think much of it.
JEFF
Readers' Digest, April, 1939.
STELLA
Well, I only quote from the best.
She takes the thermometer out of its case, shakes it down.
Looks at it. Satisfied, she walks to Jeff.
She swings the wheelchair around abruptly to face her.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff starts to protest.
JEFF
Now look, Stella --
She shoves the thermometer into his mouth.
STELLA
See it you can break a hundred.
As she leaves him holding the thermometer THE CAMERA PULLS
BACK as she crosses to a divan. She takes a sheet from
underneath, and covers the divan with it. Talking, all the
time.
STELLA
I shoulda been a Gypsy fortune teller,
instead of an insurance company nurse.
I got a nose for trouble -- can smell
it ten miles away.
(Stops, looks at him)
You heard of the stock market crash
in '29?
Jeff nods a bored "yes."
STELLA
I predicted it.
JEFF
(Around thermometer)
How?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Stella stops for a moment, and looks at Jeff challengingly.
STELLA
Simple. I was nursing a director of
General Motors. Kidney ailment they
said. Nerves, I said. Then I asked
myself -- what's General Motors got
to be nervous about?
(Snaps her fingers)
Overproduction. Collapse, I answered.
When General Motors has to go to the
bathroom ten times a day -- the whole
country's ready to let go.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
A patient, suffering look comes over his face. He takes out
the thermometer.
JEFF
Stella -- in economics, a kidney
ailment has no relationship to the
stock market. Absolutely none.
STELLA
It crashed, didn't it?
Jeff has no answer. Defeated, he puts the thermometer back
into his mouth.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Stella goes on with her work.
STELLA
I can smell trouble right in this
apartment. You broke your leg. You
look out the window. You see things
you shouldn't. Trouble. I can see
you now, in front of the judge,
flanked by lawyers in blue double-
breasted suits. You're pleading,
"Judge, it was only innocent fun. I
love my neighbors like a father." --
The Judge answers, "Congratulations.
You just gave birth to three years
in Dannemora."
THE CAMERA PANS HER over to him. She takes out the
thermometer, looks at it.
JEFF
Right now I'd even welcome trouble.
STELLA
(Flatly)
You've got a hormone deficiency.
JEFF
How can you tell that from a
thermometer!
STELLA
Those sultry sun-worshipers you watch
haven't raised your temperature one
degree in four weeks.
She gets down the thermometer. Sterilizes it with a piece of
alcohol-soaked cotton in her other hand.
She gets behind the wheelchair the CAMERA PULLS back as she
pushes it over to the divan. She puts the thermometer away
in its case. Then she helps him off with his pajama top. She
helps him stand on one foot.
He hops one step, then she lowers him, face down, on the
divan. She gets a bottle of rubbing oil.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSE SHOT
The CAMERA is very low at one end of the divan. Jeff's head,
half-buried in the sheet, is large in the fore-ground.
Beyond him Stella looms large and powerful-looking.
JEFF
I think you're right. There is going
to be some trouble around here.
Stella takes a handful of oil, slaps it on his back. He
winces.
STELLA
I knew it!
JEFF
Don't you ever heat that stuff up.
STELLA
Gives your circulation something to
fight.
(Begins massaging his
back)
What kind of trouble?
JEFF
Lisa Fremont.
STELLA
You must be kidding. A beautiful
young woman, and you a reasonably
healthy specimen of manhood.
JEFF
She expects me to marry her.
STELLA
That's normal.
JEFF
I don't want to.
STELLA
(Slaps cold oils on
him)
That's abnormal.
JEFF
(Wincing)
I'm not ready for marriage.
STELLA
Nonsense. A man is always ready for
marriage -- with the right girl. And
Lisa Fremont is the right girl for
any man with half a brain, who can
get one eye open.
JEFF
(Indifferent)
She's all right.
She hits him with some more cold oil. He winces again.
STELLA
Behind every ridiculous statement is
always hidden the true cause.
(Peers at him)
What is it? You have a fight?
JEFF
No.
STELLA
(After a pause)
Her father loading up the shotgun?
JEFF
Stella!
STELLA
It's happened before, you know! Some
of the world's happiest marriage
have started 'under the gun' you
might say.
JEFF
She's just not the girl for me.
STELLA
She's only perfect.
JEFF
Too perfect. Too beautiful, too
talented, too sophisticated, too
everything -- but what I want.
STELLA
(Cautiously)
Is what you want something you can
discuss?
Jeff gives an exasperated look.
JEFF
It's very simple. She belongs in
that rarefied atmosphere of Park
Avenue, expensive restaurants, and
literary cocktail parties.
STELLA
People with sense can belong wherever
they're put.
JEFF
Can you see her tramping around the
world with a camera bum who never
has more than a week's salary in the
bank?
(Almost to himself)
If only she was ordinary.
Stella sprinkles powder on his back, spreads it around.
THE CAMERA PULLS BACK as she helps Jeff to a sitting position.
He buttons on his shirt.
STELLA
You're never going to marry?
JEFF
Probably. But when I do, it'll be to
someone who thinks of life as more
than a new dress, a lobster dinner,
and the latest scandal. I need a
woman who'll go anywhere, do anything,
and love it.
THE CAMERA MOVES IN as she helps him into the wheelchair,
listening to him with exaggerated attention. He, stops as he
notice her attitude. Then he goes on with less conviction:
JEFF
The only honest thing to do is call
it off. Let her look for somebody
else.
STELLA
I can just hear you now. "Get out of
here you perfect, wonderful woman!
You're too good for me!"
JEFF
(After pause)
That's the hard part.
She swings him around in front of the window. He starts to
look out.
STELLA
Look, Mr. Jefferies. I'm not educated.
I'm not even sophisticated. But I
can tell you this -- when a man and
a woman see each other, and like
each other -- they should come
together -- wham like two taxies on
Broadway. Not sit around studying
each other like specimens in at
bottle.
JEFF
There's an intelligent way to approach
marriage.
STELLA
(Scoffing)
Intelligence! Nothing has caused the
human race more trouble. Modern
marriage!
Jeff swings his chair back to look at her.
JEFF
We've progressed emotionally in --
STELLA
(Interrupting)
Baloney! Once it was see somebody,
get excited, get married -- Now,
it's read books, fence with four
syllable words, psychoanalyze each
other until you can't tell a petting
party from a civil service exam
JEFF
People have different emotional levels
that --
STELLA
(Interrupting again)
Ask for trouble and you get it. Why
there's a good boy in my neighborhood
who went with a nice girl across the
street for three years. Then he
refused to marry her. Why? -- Because
she only scored sixty-one on a Look
Magazine marriage quiz!
Jeff can't help smiling.
STELLA
When I married Myles, we were both
maladjusted misfits. We still are.
And we've loved every minute of it.
JEFF
That's fine, Stella. Now would you
make me a sandwich?
She relaxes.
STELLA
Okay -- but I'm going to spread some
common sense on the bread. Lisa
Fremont's loaded to her fingertips
with love for you. I'll give you two
words of advice. Marry her.
JEFF
(Smiles)
She pay you much?
Stella leaves for the kitchen in a huff. Jeff turns his chair
to the window.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff now looks out to see what has happened to the old lady,
and the man with the flowers.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The elderly lady is now asleep in her deck chair, her face
covered with the Herald Tribune. There is no sign of the man
with the flowers.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff's eyes travel up to the ballet dancer's window.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
She is sitting near the window looking into an upright mirror.
Dreamily, and methodically, she is brushing her long copper-
colored hair.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
His eyes are suddenly turned in another direction, sharply
to his left.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
He is now looking at the windows of the apartments nearest
to him. A shade has gone up, and a man, obviously a caretaker
is raising a window with some effort. Having accomplished
this, he turns back into the room, and we now see him approach
a young man and woman who are standing just inside the
doorway. He hands a key to the young man, and then obligingly
brings in two suitcases which he places on the floor beside
them. He gives them a studied, but agreeable nod, then
departs.
We now see that the girl has a small hat with a veil, and an
ornate corsage pinned to her light blue tailored suit. The
boy, who like the girl is perhaps twenty years old, wears a
dark blue serge suit and a grey felt hat. He takes off the
hat, and scales it over to a nearby chair. Quickly they are
in each other's arms, kissing passionately, crushing the
girl's corsage and pushing her hat back a little. They part,
the boy laughs nervously, and takes a furtive glance out
toward the corridor. He looks back into the room, and beckons
her to come out. She follows him wonderingly. For a moment,
both are lost from sight. When they reappear, he is carrying
her in his arms, over the threshold. He sets her down, closes
the door, and they kiss again.
They part, still holding hands and looking into each other's
eyes. Then slowly, and significantly, she looks toward the
open window. He releases her hands, goes to the window and
pull down the shade, as she is reaching upward with both
hands to unpin her hat.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
There is a soft, understanding look on Jeff's face, and he
gives an involuntary sigh. He is unaware that Stella is now
standing behind him.
STELLA
(Quietly)
Window shopper.
He freezes, turns slowly to look up at her.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SUNSET - LONG SHOT
The CAMERA makes a short sweep around the neighborhood showing
that some of the rooms are now with their lights on.
The CAMERA PULLS BACK into Jeff's apartment until his head
fills the screen. He is asleep. A shadow of some other person
creeps over his face. His eyes start to open. He looks up.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SUNSET - CLOSEUP
The screen is filled with the eyes, nose and mouth of a woman
coming nearer and nearer to the CAMERA to kiss Jeff. The
face is more or less in shadow, a faint light coming onto
the profile from the window. It moves down until the lips
move out of her bottom of her screen, and just the remain
for fill the screen.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SUNSET - CLOSEUP
The two big profiles filling the screen. The girl kisses
Jeff firmly, but not passionately. Then her head moves back
an inch or two. She speaks.
LISA
(Softly)
How's your leg?
JEFF
Mmmm -- hurts a little.
LISA
And your stomach?
JEFF
Empty as a football.
LISA
And you love life?
JEFF
Not too active.
LISA
Anything else bothering you?
JEFF
Uh-huh.
She gives a low. Warm laugh, and the CAMERA PULLS BACK to
show that Lisa has been bending over Jeff's wheelchair from
the side. As she straightens up, it PANS her swiftly over to
the corner of the room, keeping her in big closeup. She turns
on a low, hanging light.
We see her full facial beauty for the first time. It is a
warm, intelligent face.
LISA
(As she moves)
Reading from top to bottom --
(Light on)
Lisa --
The CAMERA FOLLOWS HER quickly to another lamp. She gets a
little farther away from us so that we now see her down to
her waist. She turns on the second lamp and the light shows
us that her beauty is not alone in her face.
LISA
Carol --
The CAMERA PANS HER over to a third lamp which she turns on.
She is now full figure, beautifully groomed and flawless.
Her dress is high-style fashion and dramatic evening wear.
LISA
Fremont.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SUNSET - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff looks across the room at her.
JEFF
The Lisa Fremont who never wears the
same dress twice?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SUNSET - SEMI-LONG SHOT
LISA
Only because it's expected of her.
She does a professional model's turn in the dress showing
off its features.
LISA
Right off the Paris plane. Think it
will sell?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SUNSET - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff replies:
JEFF
Depends on the quote. Let's see --
there's the plane tickets over, import
duties, hidden taxes, profit markups --
LISA
-- A steal at eleven hundred dollars.
JEFF
(A low whistle)
That dress should be listed on the
stock exchange.
LISA
We sell a dozen a day in this price
range.
JEFF
Who buys them? Tax collectors?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SUNSET - MEDIUM SHOT
She laughs pleasantly.
LISA
Even if I had to pay, it would be
worth it -- just for the occasion.
She looks down at the long mahogany table beside her which
is littered with a number of his personal effects.
Her own handbag is also on the table. As she talks her eyes
scan the table as if she's looking for something specific.
JEFF
(Off -- puzzled)
Something big going on somewhere?
LISA
(Looking up from the
table)
Going on right here. It's a big night.
JEFF
(Off)
It's just a run-of-the-mill Monday.
The calendar's loaded with them.
Lisa finds what she has been looking for. Picks up an old
and cracked cigarette box, examines it as she talks.
LISA
It's opening night of the last
depressing week of L. B. Jefferies
in a cast.
JEFF
(Off)
Hasn't been any big demand for
tickets.
She turns to look at him, and moves toward him, carrying the
cigarette box.
LISA
(Smiling)
That's because I bought out the house.
This cigarette box has seen better
days.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SUNSET - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa facing Jeff in the chair.
JEFF
Picked it up in Shanghai -- which
has also seen better days.
LISA
It's cracked -- and you never use
it. And it's too ornate. I'm sending
up a plain, flat silver one -- with
just your initials engraved.
JEFF
Now that's no way to spend your hard-
earned money!
LISA
I wanted to, Jeff.
(A sudden intake of
breath)
Oh!
She turns around quickly and dashes to the door, dropping
the cigarette box on the table as she passes, THE CAMERA
PANNING with her. She goes up the two steps, stops, turns
back to Jeff.
LISA
What would you think of starting off
with dinner at the "21"?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SUNSET - SEMI-CLOSEUP
JEFF
You have, perhaps, an ambulance
outside?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SUNSET - SEMI-LONG SHOT
She reaches for the doorknob, turns it:
LISA
(Simply)
Better than that. The "21."
She swings open the door and stands to one side. Framed in
the doorway is middle-aged waiter wearing a white linen pea
jacket with a red collar. He's carrying in one hand a large
portable warming oven, and in the other hand an ice bucket
containing a bottle of wine covered with a napkin.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SUNSET - CLOSEUP
His reaction is one of tender amusement.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SUNSET - MEDIUM SHOT
LISA
Thank you for waiting Carl.
He smiles, nods enters. He goes down the stairs, as she
follows. THE CAMERA GOES with both of them.
LISA
Kitchen's on the left. I'll take the
wine.
He hands her the wine bucket and she places it on the table.
He moves toward the kitchen.
CARL
Good evening, Mr Jefferies.
JEFF
Hello.
Carl goes into the kitchen.
LISA
(Up, to Carl)
Just put everything right in the
oven Carl. On "low."
CARL
(Off)
Yes ma'am.
LISA
(Enthusiastically)
Let's open the wine now. It's a
Montrachet.
JEFF
(Appreciatively)
A big glassful.
She moves to a small bar set in the wall cabinet.
Produces two glasses, hold them up.
LISA
Big enough?
JEFF
Fine. Corkscrew's on the right.
She finds it. Puts the glasses on the table, uncovers the
wine, and begins screwing in the corkscrew.
LISA
I couldn't think of anything more
boring and tiresome than what you've
been through. And the last week must
be the hardest.
JEFF
Yeah -- I want to get this thing off
and get moving.
LISA
(Struggling with cork)
Well, I'm going to make this a week
you'll never forget.
Carl comes out of the kitchen carrying the empty warming
oven. He sets it down he sees Lisa struggling with the
corkscrew.
CARL
Let me, madam.
She does. He takes out his own professional corkscrew, quickly
inserts it and levers the cork out. He deftly wraps the napkin
around the bottle and pours the wine, replacing the bottle
in the wine bucket. Lisa has opened her purse to produce
some money, in bills. She hands it to the waiter.
LISA
This will take care of the taxi as
well.
Carl, without looking at the money, puts it in his pocket.
CARL
Thank you, Miss Fremont.
He picks up the warning oven.
CARL
Have a pleasant dinner, Mr. Jefferies.
JEFF
Thank you.
Carl goes up the stairs and out the door, while THE CAMERA
REMAINS on Lisa and Jeff. She picks up both glasses of wine
and walks toward Jeff. She seats herself on the windowsill
as she hands him his glass. We notice that the outside is
considerably darker by now, and the lights are beginning to
come on in the various apartments outside. They raise their
glasses in a silent toast, and sip the wine. THE CAMERA CLOSES
IN until they are both in a tight TOW SHOT.
LISA
What a day I've had!
JEFF
Tired?
LISA
Not a bit. I was all morning in a
sales meeting. Then over to the
Waldorf for a quick drink with Madame
Dufresne -- just over from Paris.
With some spy reports. Back to the
"21" for lunch with the Harper's
Bazaar people -- that's when I ordered
dinner. Then two Fall showings --
twenty blocks apart. Then I had to
have a cocktail with Leland and Slim
Hayward -- we're trying to get his
next show.
(Softly, looking up
to him)
Then I had to dash back and change.
JEFF
(Mock seriousness --
one girl to another)
Tell me -- what was Slim Hayward
wearing?
LISA
(Seriously)
She looked very cool. She had on a
mint green --
She breaks off with a little laugh, and a slight reproachful
look at Jeff. She sips her drink then says:
LISA
And to think, I planted three nice
items about you in the columns today.
Jeff's opinion of that is a short chuckle.
LISA
You can't buy that kind of publicity.
JEFF
That's good news.
LISA
Someday you might want to open up
your own studio here.
JEFF
How could I run it from say --
Pakistan?
She puts down her glass and slides along the window seat
nearer to him, THE CAMERA CLOSING IN. She looks up at him
with a serious frankness.
LISA
Jeff -- isn't it time you came home?
You could pick your assignment.
JEFF
I wish there was one I wanted.
LISA
Make the one you want.
JEFF
(As if he can't believe
her)
You mean leave the magazine?
LISA
Yes.
JEFF
For what?
LISA
For yourself -- and me.
(She adds eagerly)
I could get you a dozen assignments
tomorrow... fashion, portraits --
Jeff interrupts her with soft laughter.
LISA
(Offended)
Don't laugh. -- I could do it!
JEFF
That's what I'm afraid of.
(He gazes into space)
Could you see me -- driving down to
the fashion salon in a jeep -- wearing
combat boots and a three day beard?
(He chuckles at the
thought)
LISA
I could see you looking handsome and
successful in a dark blue flannel
suit.
JEFF
(Looking directly at
her)
Let's not talk any more nonsense,
huh?
She stands up. THE CAMERA PULLS BACK.
LISA
I'd better start setting up for
dinner.
She moves away behind him, into the kitchen.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff gives a sigh of relief, exhaling his breath, then looks
down toward his legs in thought. He holds this attitude for
just a moment, then seems to shake off his concern to lift
his head and turn his attention to what might be happening
in his neighborhood beyond his window.
Behind him we see the vague form of Lisa bringing in a card
table, which she proceeds to unfold.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Jeff's attention is concentrated on an apartment we have not
seen before. This belongs to a single woman, about forty
years of age. She lives alone. Her apartment is below that
of the salesman with the invalid wife.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff leans forward with increased interest. Behind him we
get vague figure of Lisa laying a cloth over the card table.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
A nearer view show us a more intimate picture of the woman
Jeff is concentrating on. She is thin and unattractive. At
the moment, she is putting on her make-up in front of the
bedroom mirror. She gives a half turn and picks up a pair of
horn-rimmed glasses, which she puts on, and leans nearer to
her mirror. She picks up a lipstick and proceeds to paint
her lips carefully.
Having completed her make-up, she takes off her glasses and
surveys her face in the mirror. She stands up, swings the
skirt of her dress around, admires herself in the mirror.
She is quite flat-chested, and the dress hangs unattractively.
She lifts her chin, gives one last look, and turns toward
her living room. As if she's preparing to meet someone.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Without taking his eyes from the scene, Jeff picks up his
wineglass and drinks. As he drinks, his eyes move slightly
over.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
THE CAMERA HAS PANNED slightly to the woman's living room
window. A small, candle-lit table is set up, with dinner for
two. The spinster sweeps into the room, smiling. She goes to
the door, opens it, and in pantomime admits an imaginary
caller. She pretends to kiss him lightly, take his hat, and
place the hat on a chair. Then she shows him to a seat at
the table, disappears into an unseen kitchen and returns
with a bottle and two glasses. She sits down, pours two
drinks. She lifts her drink in a toast to the imaginary man
opposite her.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff gives a faint, sympathetic smile, and subconsciously
raises his glass in response. In the background, Lisa, having
just placed a pair of candlesticks on the table, is returning
to the kitchen.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Having finished her drink, the lonesome woman pours herself
another one. Then she starts to take a sip, smiling across
the table at her imaginary guest. She lowers the glass onto
the table. The smile fades from her face as her head drops.
Suddenly she buries her head in her arms over the table and
starts to sob.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff, his glass in hand, looks out sympathetically. He is
unaware that Lisa is standing behind him, and is also watching
this little drama.
LISA
That's what is know as "manless
melancholia."
JEFF
(Nods agreement)
Miss Lonely Hearts. At least that's
something you'll never have to worry
about.
LISA
Oh? You can see my apartment all the
way up on 63rd street?
JEFF
Not exactly -- but we have a little
apartment here that's probably about
as popular as yours.
(He points)
You, of course, remember Miss Torso.
Both of them swing their eyes a little to the left.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The kitchen-lining room combination of the ballet dancer's
apartment has now been made more presentable.
The ice box is now skillfully concealed by a large Chinese
screen. All kitchen utensils have been put away, replaced by
more attractive effects, and lamp light softens the
surroundings.
Miss Torso is now wearing a cocktail dress, which shows off
her figure to great advantage, especially when she leans
toward three assorted men to offer them a plate of hors d'
oeuvres. She is the perfect hostess, animated, charming, and
with an added personal touch for each guest. She is behaving
with a sophistication which was not apparent when we first
saw her in the morning. Her every movement is followed
admiringly by the eyes of the three men -- one wearing black
tie, with a touch of grey in his hair, a Long Island socialite --
a young rather handsome, actor in grey flannel suit -- and
last, a bright, pleasant, young man who might possibly be
from Wall street, wearing a blue-pin-striped suit. The latter
two are engaged in an animated conversation. The young man
in the grey suit is showing the other young man some newspaper
cuttings he's taken from his pocket.
Miss Torso sees that the cocktail glass of the third man is
empty. She takes it over to the window, and starts to fill
it. The man in the tuxedo follows her over, with a casual
glance toward the other two. He stands beside her as she
makes the drink. He looks at his watch with some impatience,
and makes a side comment to her as to the lateness of the
time. She turns, gives him a light kiss on his cheek, as if
she's telling him to be patient. Instead of pacifying him,
it makes him more amorous, and he puts an arm around her
shoulder an plants a heavy kiss on her cheek. She turns to
face him, they look into each other's eyes a moment, and she
allows herself to be kissed on the lips -- but only long
enough so as to attract the attention of the other two men.
With a little admonishing look, she moves away from him, and
makes him rejoin the other two.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff turns and looks up to Lisa with a grin.
JEFF
Well, she picked the most prosperous
looking one.
LISA
She's not in love with him -- or any
of them.
JEFF
How can you tell that -- from here?
LISA
You said it resembled my apartment,
didn't you?
She moves away with a significant look to him. THE CAMERA
MOVES IN until Jeff is in semi-closeup, alone.
He ponders over her last remark, then changes his look to
another direction.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
The newlyweds's apartment has the shades still drawn.
Although there's a light burning inside.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
There is a slight, but warm, smile on Jeff's face as he looks
at the drawn shade. His eyes move away from the newlyweds'
apartment, and slowly explore the neighborhood to his right.
He finds something of interest, and stops to stare at it.
His face sobers at what he sees.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The salesman's apartment. We see both the living room and
the bedroom. The salesman has prepared a dinner tray, and is
carrying it from the kitchen, through the lining room, into
the bedroom. He places it on the lap of his wife, sitting up
in bed. He puts a couple of pillows behind her back to make
her more comfortable.
She doesn't bother to thank him, but is busy examining the
content of the tray. Her attitude shows her dissatisfaction.
Nothing is right. It's not what she wanted, and it's badly
prepared. She begins criticizing him. He starts to answer
her back, but decides better of it, and instead, leaves the
room. He goes to the kitchen reaches up to a wall cabinet,
takes down a bottle and pours himself a drink. Then he returns
to the lining room, listens a moment. The wife is grudging
beginning to eat the dinner. The husband quietly lifts a
phone from the cradle, and dials a number.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff becomes completely absorbed with he sees. He leans
forward a little.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
We get a better view of the salesman waiting while his
connection is being made. Whoever he has called answers. And
instantly there is a marked change in his attitude. He
relaxes, smiles, is warm. He talks softly, perhaps guardedly,
with an occasional glance at the bedroom door. In the bedroom,
his wife has become aware of the call.
Quietly she moves the tray, gets out of bed, and goes to the
bedroom door to listen. The wall hides her from our view.
Then suddenly, she apparently opens the door, because the
living room, we see her arm suddenly appear, pointing at the
man and the telephone. He speaks quickly into the phone, and
hangs up. His face is flushed and angry as he goes toward
the bedroom. In the bedroom his wife appears walking back to
the bed, followed by the husband. She is laughing, and he is
answering her in angry tones. She climbs in bed laughing.
The more she laughs, the more angry he gets, and the harder
she laughs. Finally, he leaves the room, goes into the living
room, back into the kitchen and has another drink. He stands
there, controlling an outburst of emotion, and seems almost
to be crushing the shot glass in his clenched fist.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
While Jeff has been engaged in watching this little drama,
the SOUND of a piano has started. He now diverts his attention
from the salesman's apartment to the source of the piano
music. He turns his eyes in the direction of the composer's
apartment.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Through the studio window of the song-writer's apartment we
see the man at work again on his original melody, and he is
farther along the line of the melody than before.
It is beginning to take some shape, and give promise of its
full beauty.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff, listening to the composer. His head turns as Lisa's
voice comes over:
LISA
(Emerging from kitchen)
Where's that music coming from?
THE CAMERA QUICKLY PULL BACK as Jeff swings his chair around.
Lisa is emerging from the kitchen, carrying the serving dish
of their lobster thermidor.
JEFF
Oh... some songwriter. In the studio
apartment. Lives alone. Probably had
an unhappy marriage.
LISA
(Putting down the
food)
I think it's enchanting.
She pulls up a chair and seats herself at the card table. We
now observe that two small lit candles adorn the table, and
the rest of the room lights are out.
LISA
Almost as if it were being written
especially for us.
JEFF
(Pleasantly)
No wonder he's having so much trouble
with it.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
A faint shade of disappointment is seen on Lisa's face; but
she quickly recovers and looks down at the table.
LISA
Well, at least you can't say the
dinner isn't right.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff looks at her soberly.
JEFF
Lisa, it's perfect
(Looks down at the
food, without
enthusiasm)
As always.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
The brightness drains from Lisa's face, and she lowers her
eyes slowly toward the table.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa slowly helping Jeff to lobster from the main dish.
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Shooting over Jeff's shoulder we see beyond him the divan-
bed upon which Lisa is stretched out. There is one light
burning, behind Lisa's head. A fierce discussion is in
progress. Lisa gesticulates with her hands, body and legs.
LISA
There can't be that much difference
between people and the way they live!
We all eat, talk, drink, laugh, sleep,
wear clothes --
Jeff raises both his hands.
JEFF
Well now, look --
Lisa draws back one leg, and points a finger challengingly.
LISA
If you're saying all this just because
you don't want to tell me the truth,
because you're hiding something from
me, then maybe I can understand --
JEFF
There's nothing I'm hiding. It's
just that --
LISA
(Won't let him break
in)
It doesn't make sense to me. What's
so different about it here from over
there, or any place you go, that one
person couldn't live in both places
just as easily?
JEFF
Some people can. Now if you'll let
me explain --
LISA
(Ignores him)
What is it but traveling from one
place to another, taking pictures?
It's just like being a tourist on an
endless vacation.
JEFF
All right. That's your opinion. You're
entitled to it, but --
LISA
It's ridiculous for you to say that
it can only be done by a special,
private little group of anointed
people.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff begin to get desperate.
JEFF
I made a simple, but true statement
and I'll back it up, if you'll just
shut up for a minute!
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa, stretched out on the divan. She looks at him for a
moment without speaking. Then:
LISA
If your opinion is as rude as your
manner, I'm not sure I want to hear
it.
We see Jeff's hand coming to the foreground with a restraining
gesture.
JEFF
(Soothing her)
Lisa, simmer down -- will you?
LISA
(Something starts her
up again)
You can't fit in here -- I can't fit
in there. According to you, people
should be born, live an die on the
same --
JEFF
(Loud, sharp)
Lisa! Shut up!
Lisa turns on her side, and stares into the room, angrily.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
After a moment of silence, Jeff says earnestly:
JEFF
Did you ever eat fish heads and rice?
LISA
Of course not.
JEFF
You might have to, if you went with
me. Ever try to keep warm in a C-54,
at fifteen thousand feet, at twenty
below zero?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Lisa, still looking out into the room, and without turning,
says:
LISA
Oh, I do that all the time. Whenever
I have a few minutes after lunch.
JEFF
Ever get shot at, run over, sandbagged
at night because people got
unfavorable publicity from your
camera?
She doesn't answer, obviously annoyed at the unnecessary
questions.
JEFF
Those high heels would be a lot of
use in the jungle -- and those nylons
and six-ounce lingerie --
LISA
(Quickly)
Three.
JEFF
Well, they'd be very stylish in
Finland -- just before you froze to
death. Begin to get the idea?
She turns at last, and looks across at him.
LISA
If there's one thing I know, it's
how to wear the proper clothes.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
SHOOTING OVER LISA'S SHOULDER, and down her body, with Jeff
in the chair beyond. Jeff says, as if remembering some old
experience:
JEFF
Huh? Try and find a raincoat in
Brazil. Even when it isn't raining
(Squints at her)
Lisa, on this job you carry one
suitcase. Your home is the available
transportation. You sleep rarely,
bathe even less, and sometime the
food you even look at when they were
alive!
LISA
Jeff, you don't have to be
deliberately repulsive just to impress
me I'm wrong.
JEFF
If anything, I'm making it sound
good.
(A thoughtful pause)
Let's face it, Lisa... you aren't
made for that kind of a life. Few
people are.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Lisa realizes she is getting nowhere.
LISA
You're too stubborn to argue with.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff, getting angry.
JEFF
I'm not stubborn! I'm truthful!
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Lisa, with sarcasm.
LISA
I know. A lesser man would have told
me it was one long holiday -- and I
would have awakened to a rude
disillusionment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff is definitely angry.
JEFF
Now if you want to get vicious, I'd
be very happy to accommodate you!
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Lisa starts to rise from the divan, THE CAMERA PANNING UP.
She moves away from THE CAMERA into the center of the room,
as she says:
LISA
(Wearily)
No. I don't particularly want that.
(She turns, faces him)
So that's it. You won't stay here --
I can't go with you.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff looks across at her with some concern.
JEFF
It would be the wrong thing.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa, from Jeff's viewpoint.
LISA
You don't think either one of us
could ever change?
JEFF
Right now, it doesn't seem so.
Lisa begins to move around the room assembling her possessions
preparatory to leaving. She puts a comb, and other effects,
into a handbag. She gets her stole.
All this as she talks.
LISA
(Simply)
I'm in love with you. I don't care
what you do for a living. Somehow I
would just like to be part of it.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff starts to say something then thinks better of it, and
remains silent.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa pauses in the act of gathering her things together.
LISA
And it's deflating to find out that
the only way I can be part of it --
is to take out a subscription to
your magazine. I guess I'm not the
girl I thought I was.
JEFF
There's nothing wrong with you, Lisa.
You have the town in the palm of
your hand.
LISA
(Looks at Jeff)
Not quite -- it seems.
(Tosses a stole over
her shoulder)
Goodbye, Jeff.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
JEFF
You mean "goodnight."
LISA
I mean what I said.
Jeff's eyes follow her up the steps toward the door. He calls
out to her, impulsively, as we HEAR the SOUND of the door
opening.
JEFF
Lisa!
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Lisa turns in the half-opened door.
JEFF
Can't we just sort of keep things
status quo?
LISA
Without any future?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI LONG SHOT
Jeff tries to be pleasant, and offhand.
JEFF
Well -- when'll I see you again?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Lisa, standing in the open doorway.
LISA
Not for a long time. Not, at least
until --
(She begins smiling)
-- tomorrow night.
Continues smiling as she close the door softly behind her.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
The pleasantness on Jeff's face slowly melts into baffled
discouragement. He reaches for a nearby phone picks up the
receiver, dials. It buzzes on filter.
Receiver up on filter.
GUNNISON
(Filter)
Hello.
JEFF
Gunnison?
GUNNISON
Yeah. Is that you, Jeff?
JEFF
It's me.
GUNNISON
Something wrong?
JEFF
The word is "everything." Now what
time does my plane leave Tuesday?
GUNNISON
(Unhappy)
Jeff --
JEFF
(Won't give him time
to argue)
I don't care where it goes -- just
as long as I'm on it.
GUNNISON
(Wearily, after pause)
Okay. Indo-China. Tuesday. We'll
pick you up.
JEFF
That's more like it. Goodnight, old
buddy.
GUNNISON
Yeah.
Jeff hangs up, looks up to the door through which Lisa left.
He's not particularly happy.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff returns to the window. He lights a cigarette and smokes
it peacefully, as he contemplates the neighborhood.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The CAMERA slowly sweeps over the various apartments with an
odd window lit here and there. In the distant street there
is still some traffic passing, with one or two pedestrians
going by. THE CAMERA completes its sweep, and starts to move
back again. Somewhere a dog howls. The PANNING CAMERA comes
to a sudden halt.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff smiles a little, but as the howl continues, his
expressions sobers. His eyes begin to scan the neighborhood,
as if looking for the source. He fails to find it, and sits
there, puzzled and disturbed. The scene, and the sound of
the dog:
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff's chair is turned facing the window so that we see the
darkened room behind him. There is just one side light
burning, which illuminates the side of his face.
His head nods sleepily as he dozes. He opens his eyes and
looks out, as a slight sound of rain starts.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - LONG SHOT
From his viewpoint we see the first few drops of rain starting
to fall. It is sort, gentle rain, not a downpour. There are
still some windows lit in the neighborhood. The apartment
house corridors all have small night lights burning.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff wakens a little more fully as his attentions is drawn
to:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
The couple who sleep on the fire escape. The increasing rain
cause them to hastily gather their things to retreat inside.
The man, hurriedly untying the alarm clock from the railing
of the fire escape, lets it slip through his fingers. As if
falls to the garden below, the CAMERA FANS SWIFTLY down with
it. When the clock hits the ground, the alarm goes off sending
a shrill sound through the neighborhood.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff smiles at the incident, and then lowers his eyes slightly
as something else catches his attention.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Coming out of his apartment into the corridor on the floor
below is the salesman with the nagging wife. The shades are
drawn in his apartment, but a light burns dimly behind them.
The salesman carries a large aluminum suitcase -- the same
one we saw him with earlier in the day. The sound of the
alarm startles him. He turns toward the window a moment
listening. Then reassured that is is nothing important, he
turns and moves down the corridor.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff is puzzled. He looks down a moment in thought. Then he
darts his eyes and swings them toward the left.
He looks steadily toward the distant street corner.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The street corner, lighted by a lamp, is deserted. A moment
later, the salesman, still carrying the suitcase, moves
diagonally across the corner, head down against the rain.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff looks wonderingly at this nocturnal activity. Then he
looks down at his wristwatch.
INSERT
Jeff's watch reads 1:55.
QUICK FADE OUT:
QUICK FADE IN:
INSERT
The watch now reads 2:35.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
More puzzled, allows his eyes to travel from the street to
the apartment corridor.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
The salesman is see coming down the corridor to his apartment,
still carrying the aluminum case. He quickly enters his
apartment door in a business-like manner.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff starts to assume a thoughtful air, when he is startled
by a light which falls across his face from the right. He
looks toward the light.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
The light comes from the song-writer's apartment. His door
is open, and he is hanging onto the door frame, his hand
still on the light switch. He surveys his apartment. He
appears rather drunk. He comes into the apartment, closes
the door behind him, and sways a little. He wears a hat,
pushed back on his forehead, and no raincoat. His clothes
are quite wet. He might have even fallen.
He looks disgustedly at the piano, then lurches toward it.
There is no doubt now as the state of his drunkenness. At
the piano he viciously sweeps all the note paper off the
music stand. This seems to give him some satisfaction, but
he loses his balance, twists sideways, and fall into a nearby
chair. He remains there, bleary-eyed and a little sick.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
What he has observed seems to give Jeff an idea. He moves
his wheelchair backward and to the left alongside the side
board. Awkwardly, with his left hand, he reaches up for a
bottle of whiskey. He cradles the bottle in his lap, and
reaches for a tumbler. He then wheels back to the window,
and pours himself a good, long drink. He lifts up the glass,
starts to drink, but something happening beyond his window
startles him and he stops in the middle of his drink, his
eyes a little wider then usual.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The salesman is again leaving his apartment with his aluminum
suitcase.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff's eyes travel down to the street.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
A brief moment or two. Then the salesman, carrying his
aluminum case, crosses the street.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff's face is expressionless. He just stares.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff's head is nodding and dozing again. The side light from
the song-writer's apartment is no longer on his face. Jeff's
eyes open, then his head comes up quickly, trying to clear
the sleep from his mind, as he remembers the object of his
vigilance.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
The salesman's apartment shows the shades drawn and a dim
light burning behind them. The CAMERA PANS to the empty
corridor.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff's eyes turn sharply in the direction of the street.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The street is deserted. At the right hand side of the screen
a light goes on. THE CAMERA PANS OVER and we see that Miss
Torso has returned from her date. She is wearing a three-
quarter length coat over her evening dress. She is inside,
with the door two-thirds closed, but she leans out to kiss
someone goodnight. Then it takes some coaxing to get the
door completely closed.
She turns the key in the lock. She listens a moment then
comes to the center of the room. She takes her coat off and
drapes it over chair. She removes the screen in front of the
ice box, then opens the ice box.
She searches it for something to eat; finds a big piece of
pumpkin pie. She closes the ice box. She starts to eat the
pie as she moves in the direction of the bathroom. Stopping
a moment, she puts the piece of pie on a table, and proceeds
to take off her dress. Undoing the zippers, she slides it
over her head as she passes into the bathroom. The dress is
thrown on a nearby chair, and the bare arm picks up a piece
of pie. She is now in the bathroom. We see her slip down the
brassiere straps, but the window does not permit us to see
any lower. As she munches on the pie, she pulls out a few
pins holding up her hair, which she proceeds to brush
rhythmically. She turns and moves down her bare back.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff's eyes suddenly switch to the street.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI LONG SHOT
We catch a quick glimpse of the salesman, just passing the
alleyway, suitcase in hand. The CAMERA PANS across the ballet
dancer's apartment, over to the salesman's apartment. It
waits, until he appears in the corridor.
He enters his apartment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff sits in his wheelchair, looking quietly out at the
neighborhood, sleep beginning to take hold on him again.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - LONG SHOT
THE CAMERA PANS slightly over the whole of the neighborhood.
The lights in Miss Torso's apartment snap out. Only one light
remains. It burns behind the drawn shades of the salesman's
apartment.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAWN - CLOSEUP
A big head of Jeff. He is still in his wheelchair, sound
asleep. The CAMERA PANS off his face, out through the window.
The rain has stopped, and the general light of dawn is coming
up. The CAMERA COMES TO REST on the salesman's apartment and
corridor, which is still dimly lit by the electric lights.
We see the salesman emerge into the corridor, pause a moment
to allow a woman to proceed him. Her back is to the CAMERA
and we do not see her face. They move away, down the corridor.
The CAMERA PANS BACK into Jeff's sleeping face.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - LONG SHOT
It is now mid-morning. The sun is shining. Miss Torso is
practicing her dance to the sound of ballet music.
We can hear the song-writer at work, but the thing that
attracts our attention mostly, is some action that emanates
from the fire escape where the couple sleep at night. On a
long rope, the woman is lowering an open wicker basket in
which sits a small dog. When is reaches the yard below, the
CAMERA PANNING DOWN, the dog steps out and runs off to explore
the yard. The woman pulls up the basket, and leaves it on
the fire escape. The CAMERA PULL BACK into Jeff's apartment
where Stella is busy massaging Jeff's back at he lies face
down on the divan.
STELLA
You'd think the rain would have cooled
things off. All it did was make the
heat wet.
Stella hits a sore muscle in Jeff's back. He jumps.
JEFF
That's a stiff one.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - MEDIUM SHOT
A low camera has Jeff's head on the foreground, with Stella
just behind him, at work on his back. She attacks the sore
muscle vigorously.
STELLA
The insurance Company would be a lot
happier if you slept in your bed,
not the wheelchair.
JEFF
(Between clenched
teeth)
How did you know!
STELLA
Eyes bloodshot. Must have been staring
out the window for hours.
JEFF
I was.
STELLA
(Massaging harder)
What'll you do if one of them catches
you?
JEFF
Depends one which one.
She stops massaging, reaches for the oil.
JEFF
Now Miss Torso, for example --
Stella hits his back with a palmful of cold oil. It takes
his breath.
STELLA
Keep your mind off her.
JEFF
She's real eat, drink and be merry
girl.
STELLA
And she'll end up fat, alcoholic and
miserable.
JEFF
Speaking of misery, Miss Lonely Hearts
drank herself to sleep again. Alone.
STELLA
Poor girl. Someday she'll find her
happiness.
JEFF
And some man will lose his.
STELLA
Isn't there anyone in the neighborhood
who might cast an eye in her
direction?
JEFF
Well, the salesman could be available
soon.
STELLA
(Interested in the
scandal)
He and his wife splitting up?
JEFF
It's hard to figure. He went out
several time last night, in the rain
carrying his sample case.
STELLA
(So?)
Isn't he a salesman?
JEFF
Now what could he sell at three in
the morning?
STELLA
(Shrugs)
Flashlights. Luminous dials for
watches. House numbers that light
up.
JEFF
He was taking something out of the
apartment. I'm certain.
She helps him to a sitting position.
STELLA
His personal effects. He's probably
running away -- the coward.
JEFF
Sometimes it's worse to stay than it
is to run.
STELLA
(Looks at him)
But it takes a particularly low type
of man to do it.
Jeff turns his head away for a moment. She helps him into
the chair. Hands him his shirt, which he proceeds to put on.
The back of his chair is to the window.
STELLA
(Putting oil and power
away)
What about this morning? Any
developments?
JEFF
No. The shades are still drawn in
their apartment.
STELLA
(stops)
In this heat?
(Turns, looks over
his shoulder)
They're up now.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
He quickly turns his wheelchair around to the window until
he is in profile.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The salesman, having just raised the shades in the living
room, is now looking out the window. It is not a casual look,
but a long, careful, searching appraisal of all the apartment
house windows in his neighborhood, starting from his left to
his right. His eyes move closer toward Jeff's apartment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff in his chair, facing the window, Stella beside him.
Jeff nearly knocks the startled Stella off her feet with his
arm.
JEFF
Get back! Out of sight! Quick!
He propels his chair backward quickly, and Stella moves to
the side with surprising agility. They are both in shadow.
STELLA
(A startled whisper)
What is it? What's the matter?
Jeff keeps his eyes trained on the window.
JEFF
(Quietly)
The salesman's looking out his window.
Stella relaxes, gives Jeff a disgusted look, and starts to
move out of the shadows.
STELLA
A Federal offense.
JEFF
(Sharply)
Get back there! He'll see you!
She moves back into the shadows.
STELLA
I'm not shy. I've been looked at
before.
JEFF
(Still peering toward
window)
It's not an ordinary look. It's the
kind of look a man gives when he's
afraid somebody might be watching
him.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The salesman completes his searching glance at the
neighborhood. Then something directly below his window catches
his attention. He looks sharply downward, his body visibly
tensing.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff, with a restraining hand to Stella, begins to edge his
chair cautiously forward so that he can see what the salesman
is looking at.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
THE CAMERA MOVES FORWARD, and as it reaches the edge of the
window, PANS DOWN and shows us what the salesman is looking
at. The little dog that was lowered in the basket is sniffing
at the salesman's personal flower bed.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff's eyes move up quickly to look at the salesman.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The salesman leans forward and grips the window sill as he
watches the dog. The CAMERA PANS DOWN and we now see that
the old lady with the hearing aid is leaning over the fence
admonishing the dog. We can faintly hear her voice saying
something to the effect that he'll get into trouble. The dog
turns to glance at her and apparently taking heed, moves
away. The old lady is wearing a faded house-robe.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff is amused at the dog incident. Behind him, Stella moves
to the center of the room, saying:
STELLA
Goodbye, Mr. Jefferies. I'll see you
tomorrow.
JEFF
(Grunts)
Uh-huh.
She begins putting her equipment back into her black bag.
Jeff's eyes lift to the salesman's apartment, and the
amusement drains from his face. He leans forward a little,
tensely.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The salesman has his aluminum case on the table near the
center of the room. He is carefully wiping out the interior
with dust cloth.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff watching intently. Stella putting the last of her things
into her bag.
STELLA
And don't sleep in the chair again.
Jeff continues to what the salesman, his face showing a great
concentration of thought.
JEFF
Uh-huh.
Stella picks up her bag, stares at Jeff's back a moment,
then starts for the door.
STELLA
Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Great
conversationalist.
Jeff swings half-way around in his chair just as Stella
reaches the top of the steps.
JEFF
Stella.
She turns around. Jeff points to a coat-stand near the door.
JEFF
(Goes on quickly)
Will you take those binoculars out
of the case and bring them to me.
She puts down her bag, reaches for the binoculars, takes
them out the case. She comes down the stairs, brings them to
him. He immediately swings to the window, and lifts them to
his eyes. Stella sniffs, then goes to the door, as she says:
STELLA
Trouble. I cam smell it. I'll be
glad when they crack that cast, and
I get out of here.
As Stella goes out the door, the CAMERA MOVES IN until Jeff's
head, and the binoculars, are filling the screen.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The salesman has completed his cleaning of the case. He is
in the act of placing it on the floor. He turns and again
glances out of the window.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff quickly lowers the binoculars and edges back a few
inches. He watches a moment, then cautiously lifts the
binoculars again.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SEMI-LONG SHOT - (DAY)
The man is now moving out of the living room, and the
binoculars PAN him though to the small kitchen which is seen
through a side window.
The man starts to busy himself in this kitchen with his back
to us, but the image is very unsatisfactory.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff lowers the binoculars and there is an expression of
exasperation on his face. He throws the binoculars down, and
then looks about him. He backs his chair up quickly toward
the main cabinet on his left. He leans down, opens a cupboard
door and takes out a long-focus lens. Then from a shelf above
he takes a small Exacta camera. He quickly takes off the
existing lens and puts on the telephoto lens in its place.
He wheels himself back to the window and raises the camera
to his eye.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - CLOSE SHOT
Through the view-finder of the camera, we are now brought
into close proximity with the salesman in his little kitchen.
His back is still to us. He half-turns and takes a used
newspaper. He spreads it open, along the drainboard. From
the sink he takes out a large butcher's knife, and a long,
narrow saw. They disappear from sight as he lays them on the
newspaper and proceeds to wrap them up. Having completed his
job, he emerges from the kitchen carrying the newspaper-
wrapped parcel.
For a moment he is lost behind the wall that separates the
kitchen recess from the living room. He does not reappear
for a moment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff lowers the camera for a moment, and watches tensely.
Suddenly he puts it up to his eye again.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - CLOSE SHOT
Half of a man's body is now seen in the living room.
Then the salesman turns and moves to the center of the room.
He is not carrying anything. He sits down on a couch, with a
display of fatigue. He yawns and stretches out of sight at
full length on the couch.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff lowers the camera. He watches the living room for a
moment. Then his eye travels briefly back to the kitchen;
then return to the living room. His brow knits a little as
we:
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
The thermometer outside of Jeff's window, registering 83
degrees. The CAMERA PANS OFF to the left until it comes to
rest on the song-writer's studio. He is dressed only in
bathing trunks, and is vigorously cleaning his rug with a
carpet sweeper. In the middle of his sweeping, he stops,
hurries a step or two to the piano. He plays a couple of
notes with one hand, while he stands.
Listens, plays them again. Decides they are no good, and
returns to his carpet sweeping.
THE CAMERA PANS FARTHER LEFT to the salesman's apartment.
There are no lights burning behind the drawn shade of the
bedroom, but the living room and the kitchen are lighted.
There is no sign of the salesman.
THE CAMERA CONTINUES ITS PAN to the left, to include the
couple who sleep on the fire escape in the hot weather.
We now get an opportunity to examine these people more
closely. The man is balding, and middle-aged. He is wearing
striped pajamas. He is in the act of laying out the mattress.
His wife is slightly younger, peroxided, faded show girl
type. Also wearing pajamas, with a fluffy handkerchief in
the left pocket, the wife is leaning over the railing holding
onto the rope which leads to the dog's basket now on the
floor of the courtyard. Having been a one-time siffleuse,
her call to the dog is clarion and melodic.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The little dog emerges reluctantly from the shadows, and
steps into the basket. It begins to move upward, and THE
CAMERA FOLLOWS it. When the basket reaches the fire escape,
THE CAMERA PANS ON to the apartment of Miss Torso. She is in
the bathroom brushing her long hair, while her thoughts seem
to be far away.
THE CAMERA DROPS DOWN to the apartment below, occupied by
the elderly lady with the hearing aid. For the first time we
see something of her activities inside the apartment. She
wears a short smock, although her legs are still bare. She
is hard at work on a piece of abstract sculpture. It takes
the form of a piece of mahogany through which a simple hole
has been carved.
THE CAMERA MOVES ON much farther to the left, and eventually
comes to rest on the newly-weds' apartment with the shade
still drawn.
It MOVES ON and at last passes though Jeff's window, and
comes to rest on the two bid heads of Jeff and Lisa.
Her lips are brushing lightly against his cheek as she speaks:
LISA
How far does a girl have to go --
before you notice her?
Jeff moves his eyes slightly to something outside the window.
JEFF
If she's pretty enough, she doesn't
have to go anywhere. She just has to
"be".
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The salesman's apartment, just as we saw it a moment ago.
The shades drawn and lights out in the bedroom, the shade up
and lights on in the living room and kitchen. Still no one
in sight.
LISA
Well, "ain't I?" -- Pay attention to
me.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - TWO SHOT
We are now able to see that Jeff's apartment is in darkness,
only faintly lit from the distant light of the neighbors'
window. By her position, Lisa is seated on Jeff's sound knee,
her arms around his neck.
JEFF
I'm not exactly on the other side of
the room.
LISA
Your mind is. And when I want a man,
I want all of him.
She starts kissing him.
JEFF
Don't you ever have any problems?
LISA
(Murmurs, kissing him)
I have one now.
JEFF
So do I.
LISA
(Kissing)
Tell me about it.
JEFF
(Slight pause)
Why would a man leave his apartment
three times, on a rainy night, with
a suitcase? And come back three times?
LISA
He likes the way his wife welcomes
him home.
JEFF
Not that salesman's wife. And why
didn't he go to work today?
LISA
Homework. It's more interesting.
JEFF
What's interesting about a butcher's
knife and a small saw wrapped up in
a newspaper?
LISA
Nothing, thank heaven.
JEFF
(Looking again)
Why hasn't he gone into his wife's
bedroom all day?
LISA
I wouldn't dare answer that.
JEFF
(After pause)
Lisa -- there's something terribly
wrong.
She gives up trying to interest him in romance, and moves
back from the embrace. THE CAMERA PULL BACK.
LISA
And I'm afraid it's with me.
Lisa stands, straightens out her dress, stretches a little
then she turns to the divan, apparently not too interested
in his observation about the salesman's life.
JEFF
(Looks at Lisa)
What do you think?
LISA
(Without returning
his look)
Something too frightful to utter.
Jeff is thoughtful for a moment, then he relaxes and smiles
a little. He turns to the window to look out again. Lisa
exits the picture.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa stretches herself out on the divan. Her head rest on
the cushion at the far end, and she instinctively falls into
an attractive pose. However, her expression is disturbed as
she watches Jeff.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
He stares intently out the window.
JEFF
He went out a few minutes ago -- in
his undershirt -- and he hasn't come
back yet.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Lisa weighs this information, trying to make some sense out
of it.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff turns his eyes from the salesman's apartment, and looks
down reflectively. He looks up again, and then his eyes
catches sight of something. He leans forward slightly.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Torso is lying, face down, on her divan bed. The only
light in the apartment is from a reading lamp. She is reading
a book held in one hand, while eating a sandwich in another.
Her back is bare, and all she wears is a pair of brief dark
blue shorts. At one point, she lifts her torso up slightly
to brush crumbs out from beneath her.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
He looks away from Miss Torso, thoughtfully.
JEFF
You know -- that would be terrible
job to tackle.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Lisa leans forward and looks out the window to see what Jeff
is referring to. She turns back to him with a blank stare.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff turns and looks at her, quite unaware of her surprise
at his comment.
JEFF
How would you begin to cut up a human
body?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa sits bolt upright on the divan. She reaches back quickly
and pulls on the overhead light. At that moment the songwriter
returns to his composing. We can see him over Lisa's shoulder.
He is beginning his song again, and it has taken on new
fullness and melody.
Although it is not complete, it is farther along then before,
and he plays his theme a number of different ways, trying to
move it note by note to its completion.
Lisa just stares at Jeff for a moment.
LISA
Jeff -- I'll be honest with you --
you're beginning to scare me a little.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff is staring out of the window again. Over this we hear
Lisa's voice:
LISA
(Quietly insistent)
Jeff -- did you hear what I said?
You're beginning to --
Jeff puts out a restraining hand.
JEFF
(Interrupting)
Be quiet! Shhh!
(Pause)
He's coming back!
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
At last the salesman is seen coming along the corridor.
He does not wear shirt, but only an undershirt. Slung over
one shoulder, with his arm through is, is a large coil of
sturdy rope. He goes through the living room into the bedroom.
He does not put on the bedroom lights.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff reaches quickly for his binoculars, and trains them on
the salesman's apartment.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
As seen though the binoculars, the salesman comes out of the
bedroom, to the kitchen, where he gets a carving knife. He
turns around and goes back to the bedroom.
The lights go on behind the draw shades, after a short moment.
The dim shadow of the salesman is seen moving around the
room.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa, still stretched out on the divan looking at Jeff,
suddenly sits upright and then getting up from the divan,
mover over to Jeff, THE CAMERA GOING WITH her.
In a sudden surprise move, she swings his chair completely
around so that his back is to the window. He drops the
binoculars into his lap in surprise. THE CAMERA MOVES IN as
Lisa leans over Jeff, gripping both sides of his chair
LISA
(sharply)
Jeff -- if you could only see
yourself.
JEFF
Now, Lisa --
LISA
(Abruptly)
Sitting around, looking out a window
to kill time, is one thing -- but
doing it the way you are --
(She gestures)
-- with, with binoculars, and with
wild opinions about every little
movement you see -- is, is diseased!
JEFF
Do you think I consider this
recreation?
LISA
I don't know what you consider it --
but if you don't stop it, I'm getting
out of here.
JEFF
You'd better before you catch the
disease!
LISA
(Insistent)
What is it you're looking for?
JEFF
I want to find out what's wrong with
the salesman's wife. Does that make
me sound like a madman?
LISA
What makes you think something's
wrong with her?
LISA
A lot of things. She's an invalid
who needs constant care -- and yet
the husband nor anyone else has been
in there all day.
LISA
Maybe she died.
JEFF
Where's the doctor -- the undertakers?
LISA
She could be under sedatives,
sleeping.
(Looks up)
He's in the room now.
Jeff tries to turn around, but she won't let the chair move.
JEFF
Lisa, please!
LISA
There's nothing to see.
JEFF
There is -- I've seen things through
that window! Bickering, family fights,
mysterious trips at night, knives,
saws, rope -- and since last evening,
not a sight or sound of his wife!
Now you tell me where she is and
what she's doing!
LISA
Maybe he's leaving his wife. I don't
know, and I don't care. Lots of people
have saws, knives and ropes around
their houses. Lots of men don't speak
to their wives all day. Lots of wives
nag, and men hate them, and trouble
starts -- but very, very, very few
of them end up in murder -- if that's
what you're thinking.
JEFF
It's pretty hard to stay away from
that word isn't is?
LISA
You could see all the things he did,
couldn't you?
JEFF
What are you getting at?
LISA
You could see that he did because he
had the shades in his apartment up,
and walked along the corridor, and
the streets and the backyard?
JEFF
Yeah.
LISA
Jeff, do you think a murderer would
let you see all that? That he
shouldn't keep his shades down and
hide behind them?
JEFF
That's where he's being clever. Acting
nonchalant.
LISA
And that's where you're not being
clever. He wouldn't parade his crime
in front of the open shades.
She turns the wheelchair slightly to her left so that he can
see the newlyweds' apartment.
LISA
(Pointing)
For all you know -- there's something
a lot more sinister going on behind
those shades.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
The drawn shades of the newlyweds' apartment. A dim light
burning behind them.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff looks, turns back to her, trying to suppress a chuckle.
JEFF
No comment.
LISA
Don't you see how silly you're being?
JEFF
Okay, Lisa -- probably you're right.
He's probably in the bedroom now,
entertaining his wife with the indian
rope trick. I'll admit to criminal
insanity. Now when do I start the
cure?
Lisa half looks up and out the window. She opens her mouth
to answer, but a new look overtakes her face. It is concern,
surprise, and a little shock. Jeff sees the change, is
sobered, and quickly turns the chair around.
He looks out the window, using his binoculars.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The shades in the bedroom are now up. Both beds are empty,
and stripped of their linen, the mattresses thrown up over
the end of the beds. The salesman, sweating heavily, stands
over a large, square trunk in the center of the room. It is
stoutly bound by the heavy rope we previously saw him bring
into the apartment. He wipes one forearm across his brow,
and then heads for the kitchen. In the kitchen, he produces
a bottle, pours himself two or three straight drinks, then
leans with a display of exhaustion against the kitchen sink.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff lowers the glasses. His look is sober. Lisa stands behind
him, one hand on the back of the wheelchair. She, too, is
serious. THE CAMERA MOVES IN until Lisa's head fills the
screen. She says, slowly:
LISA
Let's start from the beginning again,
Jeff. Tell me everything you saw --
and what you think it means.
She is still staring out the window, as the scene
FADES OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff is seated in the dark, his face lit by the faint glow
from the distant street. He is looking out of the window
tensely, as THE CAMERA MOVES IN, until he is in big profile.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - LONG SHOT
From Jeff's viewpoint, all the windows are dark. The couple
are sleeping on the fire escape. The salesman's apartment is
dark as well. Suddenly a match flares, and we see the salesman
light a cigar. The flame of the match illuminates his face
for a moment. When is dies out, we see just the glow of the
cigar burning.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
The CAMERA is now facing Jeff. We see that his left hand
rests on the telephone receiver which is close to him. The
phone starts to RING, but makes only the slightest sound, as
he instantly picks it up. As he talks, in a low voice, he
keeps his eyes on the salesman's apartment.
JEFF
Yeah?
INT. PHONE BOOTH - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
We get an impression of Sixth Avenue behind Lisa at the phone.
Lisa also talks in a low, quiet voice.
LISA
The name on the second floor rear
mailbox reads Mr. And Mrs. Lars,
that's L-A-R-S, Lars Thorwald.
JEFF
(Filter)
What's the apartment house number?
LISA
125 West Ninth Street.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff, still looks toward the salesman's apartment.
JEFF
Thanks, Lisa.
INT. PHONE BOOTH - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Lisa smilingly says:
LISA
Okay, chief. What's my next
assignment.
JEFF
To get on home.
LISA
All right -- but what's he doing
now?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff is still looking toward the salesman's apartment.
JEFF
Just sitting in the living room. In
the dark. And he hasn't gone near
the bedroom. Now get some sleep.
Goodnight.
He puts the receiver down, and resumes his vigil.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - LONG SHOT
All we can see is the glow of the salesman's cigar.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff is seated by the window in his wheelchair. He is talking
on the telephone while his eyes are still on the neighborhood.
There is a touch of urgency in his voice.
JEFF
Look, Doyle -- it's just one of those
things I can't tell you on the phone.
You have to be here, and see the
whole set-up.
The CAMERA PULLS BACK slightly as Stella emerges from the
kitchen. She is carrying a tray with breakfast on it. Eggs,
bacon, toast and coffee.
JEFF
It's probably nothing important --
just a little neighborhood murder,
that's all. As a matter of fact, I
did say "murder".
Stella squeezes past the right side of Jeff, and places the
food tray on a windowseat in front of him. She peers out
cautiously toward Thorwald's apartment for a moment. Then
she squeezes back, moving to the sideboard against which
leans a small table on an adjustable stand.
JEFF
My only thought was to throw a little
business your way. A good detective,
I reasoned, would jump at the chance
to detect.
Stella returns with the table, and sets it up so that it is
across Jeff's lap. She gets the tray of food pausing to look
toward Thorwald's apartment. Then she places the breakfast
on the tray table in front of Jeff. He has moved back a little
to avoid getting the phone cable tangled in the food and
dishes.
JEFF
Well, I usually took my best pictures
on my day off.
(nods)
Okay, Doyle -- soon as you can.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
He hangs up. Stella takes the phone and puts it down for
him. He looks at the breakfast, reaches for a knife and fork.
JEFF
Stella, I -- I can't tell you what a
welcome sight this is. No wonder
your husband's still in love with
you.
STELLA
Police?
JEFF
(Pauses in cutting
food)
Huh?
STELLA
You called the police?
JEFF
Oh. Well, yes and no. It wasn't an
official call. He's just a friend.
(Almost to himself)
An old, ornery friend.
He begins eating, appreciatively. She moves behind his chair,
pausing to look toward Thorwald's apartment again. Jeff is
just lifting a piece of bacon to his lips when Stella speaks.
STELLA
(Half to herself)
Now just where do you suppose he cut
her up?
The hand carrying the bacon to Jeff's mouth hesitates for a
moment.
STELLA
(Answering herself)
Oh -- of course! In the bathtub.
That's the only place he could wash
away the blood.
The hand holding the bacon moves back to the plate.
Jeff just stares ahead. Stella turns and walks into the
kitchen. Jeff pushes the food away, and picks up the coffee
cup instead.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff's eyes, over the coffee cup, are staring intently at
the backyard.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald's apartment. The shades up. No one moving.
The rope-tied trunk still sits in the bedroom.
To the left we see the basket lowering with the dog in it.
We HEAR the woman WHISTLING an aria.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
His eyes stray in an upward direction as he puts down the
coffee cup.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The CAMERA PANS UP past the woman lowering the dog, up to
the roof where one of the sunbathers can be seen sitting up,
rubbing her body with sun tan oil.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff's eyes moves down again. Abstractedly his hand strays
toward the piece of bacon. He picks it up.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald's apartment. We are now aware that the salesman is
now in his living room, lying out of sight on the sofa,
because the smoke from a newly lighted cigar is starting to
ascend toward the ceiling of his room.
Stella's voice is heard calling out from the kitchen:
STELLA'S VOICE
He'd better get that trunk out of
there before is starts to leak.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Again the bacon stops before is reaches Jeff's mouth.
He puts it down on the plate again, as his eyes move slightly
toward the left.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Torso, in ballet outfit, is hanging up a small wash on
a clothes line. It consists mostly of lingerie. She is doing
her inevitable leg practice at the same time.
THE CAMERA PANS OVER SUDDENLY TO Thorwald's apartment, and
except for the smoke rising from the unseen sofa, there is
no activity.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff seems to be getting a bit listless, or bored, by
constantly watching Thorwald's apartment. His eyes sort of
stray around the neighborhood, and end up looking toward:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - MEDIUM SHOT
The newlywed's apartment. Shade down, business as usual.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff smiles affectionately, and starts to turn his eyes away;
but something startles him, and he looks quickly back.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - MEDIUM SHOT
The shade suddenly going up in the newlywed's apartment.
The young husband leans his hands on the windowsill, and
looks out. He is wearing only his pajama bottoms, because of
the heat, and we see that he is a well-muscled, attractive
young man. He looks around with some satisfaction. He turns
at the sound of a woman's voice behind him.
GIRL'S VOICE
H-a-a-r-r-e-e...
He turns his head, is thoughtful for a brief moment, then he
pulls down the shade.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
His smile almost becomes a private chuckle. Stella's abrupt
voice breaks in urgently:
STELLA'S VOICE
Look! Look -- Mr. Jefferies!
Jeff's head snaps toward the center of his window.
Stella has appeared behind his wheelchair.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Two men wearing tan coveralls are standing outside Thorwald's
door. One of them carries a clipboard.
Suddenly Thorwald is seen sitting up on the living room sofa.
His hair is disheveled and he is unshaved. He stands up, and
moves toward the door.
He opens it, and after a short exchange of dialogue, he admits
the two men, leaving the door open behind them.
He leads the two man across the living room to the bedroom.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Stella and Jeff watching intently. He is feeling down
alongside his wheelchair for his binoculars.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - BINOCULAR SHOT
A close view shows the two man carrying the trunk across the
living room toward the corridor.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff lowers the binoculars quickly.
JEFF
(Agitated)
I thought Doyle would get here before
the trunk went -- or I'd have called
the police.
(To Stella)
Now we're going to lose it.
Stella moves toward the door quickly. Jeff turns quickly
over his shoulder to watch her. She is already going up the
steps.
JEFF
Stella, don't do anything reckless!
As Stella goes out the door, she calls back:
STELLA
I'm just going to get the name of
their truck!
JEFF
(Up)
I'll watch the alleyway -- in case
it goes that way.
We hear nothing from Stella, but the sound of her heavy tread
down the hallway stairs. Jeff returns to Thorwald. He eases
himself back into the shadows a bit and then raises his
binoculars.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - BINOCULAR SHOT
Jeff concentrates his attention on the alley-way that leads
to the street. Just normal traffic. The binoculars swing to
Thorwald apartment. The salesman is now at the telephone. He
has picked up the receiver, and proceeds to dial 221.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
The binoculars still up to Jeff's face. Under them his mouth
moves, as if he's talking to himself.
JEFF
Long Distance.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - BINOCULAR SHOT
The salesman speaks some words to the operator. Placing the
call. As he does this, he reaches with his other hand for a
nearly bottle, and working the cork out with one hand, he
pours a stiff drink into a tumbler. He drinks it as soon as
he finishes talking with the operator.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff lowers the binoculars a little, and takes a normal eye
sight on the alleyway.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - LONG SHOT
Pulling across to the far side of the street we see the hood
and cab of a freight truck.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff quickly puts the glasses up.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - BINOCULAR SHOT
By the time the binoculars are up, another truck has crossed
from the left. In momentarily blocks out the side of our
freight truck. By the time the two trucks part, we can only
see the back half of the freight truck before it pulls out
of sight. Jeff is only able to read the words "FREIGHT LINES".
The binoculars are held for a moment until we see a puffing
and blowing Stella arrive at the opening of the alleyway.
She looks toward the front of Thorwald's apartment house.
And by her attitude we can see that there is no truck outside.
She looks about her for a moment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff lowers the binoculars, discouraged.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - LONG SHOT
The figure of Stella is seen, looking up toward Jeff's
apartment, and arms outspread in a helpless gesture.
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
SHOOTING TOWARDS the big window, with the neighborhood beyond,
Jeff is as usual seated in his wheelchair on the left of the
window, but now turned toward a newcomer.
The second man is standing near the divan looking out the
window with the binoculars. This newcomer is POLICE DETECTIVE
LIEUTENANT THOMAS J. DOYLE, the man Jeff phoned earlier in
the day. He is an intelligent-appearing, well-dressed modern
detective. He has a sense of humor. He lowers the glasses,
and turns to Jeff.
DOYLE
You didn't see the killing, or the
body? How do you know there was a
murder?
JEFF
Because everything that man's done
has been suspicious. Trips at night
in the rain, saws, knives, trunks
with rope, and a wife that isn't
there any more.
DOYLE
I'll admit it all has a mysterious
sound -- but is could mean a number
of different things. Murder is the
least likely.
JEFF
Go ahead, Doyle -- tell me he's an
unemployed magician -- amusing the
neighborhood with sleight-of-hand.
Doyle paces a little.
DOYLE
It's too stupid and obvious a way to
murder -- in full view of fifty
windows -- and then sit over there --
(He points)
-- smoking a cigar -- waiting for
the police to pick him up.
JEFF
Well, officer -- do your duty.
DOYLE
You've got a lot to lean about
homicide, Jeff. Morons have committed
murder so shrewdly that it took a
hundred trained police minds to catch
them. That salesman wouldn't just
knock off his wife after dinner,
toss her in a trunk and put her in
storage.
JEFF
I'll bet it's been done.
DOYLE
Almost everything's been done --
under panic. But this is a thousand
to one shot. That man's still sitting
around his apartment; he isn't
panicked.
JEFF
(A pause)
You think I made all this up?
DOYLE
I think you saw something -- that
probably has a very simple
explanation.
JEFF
For instance?
DOYLE
(Shrugs)
His wife took a trip.
JEFF
She -- was -- an -- invalid!
DOYLE
You told me.
(Looks at watch)
I've got to run, Jeff.
JEFF
All right -- you don't believe me.
Doyle saunters toward steps, picking up his hat on the way.
Stops.
DOYLE
I -- uh -- won't report it to the
Department. Let me poke into a little
on my own. No point in you getting
any ridiculous publicity.
JEFF
(Coldly)
Thanks.
DOYLE
We know the wife is gone. I'll see
if I can find out where.
JEFF
Do that.
He goes up the steps to the door, putting on his hat.
He pauses his hand on the door knob.
DOYLE
You have any headaches lately?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff answers, showing only the slightest irritation.
JEFF
Not 'til you showed up.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Doyle, still at the door:
DOYLE
Uh-huh. Well, it'll wear off in time --
along with the hallucinations. See
you around.
He starts to go out the door, and closes it behind him.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
From Doyle's viewpoint. Jeff lifts his hand in a feeble
parting gesture.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Before the door has completely closed, Doyle opens it again,
and looks in.
DOYLE
By the way what happened to your
leg?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
JEFF
I was jaywalking.
DOYLE'S VOICE (O.S.)
Where?
JEFF
(With nonchalance)
The Indianapolis Speedway.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
The door starts to close again, as if Doyle considered Jeff's
answer quite reasonable. Then the door pops open and Doyle's
head comes in, a surprised expression across his face.
DOYLE
During the race?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff answers with a straight face.
JEFF
Yup. It sure stopped traffic.
We don't see Doyle again, but only HEAR the sharp slam of
the DOOR off. Jeff chuckles. Then he turns back to the window.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff's attention is drawn to something in the yard below.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The little dog is busily scratching away at Thorwald's pet
flower bed.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff smiles mischievously. Suddenly his face changes as he
sees:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald coming out of his basement door, carrying a watering
can. He fills it from a nearby faucet. He does not notice
the little dog's destructive activities.
When the watering can is filled, he straightens up, turns
toward the flower bed. He stops for the briefest moment,
when he sees the dog. He walks to the dog, gently lifts him
out of the garden, and giving him a friendly little pat,
sends him off. He proceeds to patiently brush back the
disturbed earth, and then begins his watering.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff is frankly puzzled by the salesman's friendly attitude
toward the dog. He looks off in another direction, as he
catches of:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - LONG SHOT
Doyle, who has appeared, at the street opening. The detective
is surveying the front of the apartment building where
Thorwald lives. A paper seller behind him offers to sell him
a paper. Doyle isn't interested.
As Doyle saunters forward toward the salesman house, the
scene:
LAP DISSOLVES TO:
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - MEDIUM SHOT
Doyle is nonchalantly leaning up against the side board,
with a highball in one hand. Jeff has turned his chair around
from the window to face him.
DOYLE
He has a six months lease, and has
used up a little over five and a
half months of it.
(Takes a sip of drink)
Quiet. Drinks, but not to drunkenness.
Pays his bill promptly, with money
earned as a consume jewelry salesman --
wholesale. Keeps to himself, and
none of the neighbors got close to
him, or his wife.
JEFF
I think they missed their chance
with her.
DOYLE
(Studies drink)
She never left the apartment --
JEFF
(Interrupting)
Then where is she -- in the ice box?
DOYLE
(Continues)
-- until yesterday morning.
JEFF
(Alert)
What time?
DOYLE
Six ayem.
Jeff looks thoughtful a moment, and then says, with a touch
of discouragement:
JEFF
I think that's about the time I fell
asleep.
DOYLE
Too bad. The Thorwalds were just
leaving the apartment house at that
time.
He puts down his drink, and strolls toward the window, looking
out. THE CAMERA MOVES IN slightly to tighten the shot.
DOYLE
Feel a little foolish?
JEFF
Not yet.
Doyle becomes interested in watching something out the window.
Unconsciously he smooths out his coat and tie.
He even smiles somewhat secretly to himself at what he sees.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Torso, in ballet costume, practicing her dance on the
outside balcony. She is exciting and desirable.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - TIGHT TWO SHOT
Jeff notices Doyle's interest.
JEFF
How's your wife?
Startled at being observed, Doyle moves quickly away from
the window, affecting nonchalance. THE CAMERA MOVES BACK as
Doyle returns to his drink. Jeff smiles at catching Doyle
enjoying Miss Torso.
DOYLE
Oh -- oh, she's fine.
(Not too convincing)
Just fine.
He tosses off the rest of the drink, and his movement is
almost a comment. Jeff's face grows serious.
JEFF
Who said they left then?
DOYLE
Who left -- where?
JEFF
The Thorwalds -- at six in the
morning?
Doyle quickly collects his thoughts, and gets back to the
case at hand.
DOYLE
The building superintendent, and two
tenants. Flat statements -- no
hesitation. And they all jibed to
the letter. The Thorwalds were leaving
for the railroad station.
JEFF
Now how could anybody guess that?
They had, perhaps, signs on their
luggage, "Grand Central Or Bust!"?
DOYLE
(Sighs)
The superintendent met Thorwald coming
back. He said Thorwald told him he
had just put his wife on the train
for the country.
JEFF
A very convenient guy -- this
superintendent. Have you checked his
bank deposits lately?
DOYLE
Jeff -- huh?
JEFF
(Sharply)
Well -- what good is his
information?!! It's a second-hand
version of an unsupported statement
by the murderer himself -- Thorwald!
Anybody actually see the wife get on
the train?
DOYLE
I hate to remind you -- but this all
started because you said she was
murdered. Now did anyone, including
you, actually see her murdered?
JEFF
Doyle -- are you interested in solving
a case, or making me look foolish?
DOYLE
If possible -- both.
JEFF
Well then do a good job of it! Get
over there, and search Thorwald's
apartment! It must be knee-deep in
evidence.
DOYLE
I can't do that.
JEFF
I mean when he goes out for a paper,
or a drink, or something. What he
doesn't know won't hurt him.
DOYLE
I can't do it even if he's gone.
JEFF
(With sarcasm)
What's the matter? Does he have a
courtesy card from the police
department?
DOYLE
Now don't get me mad! Even a detective
can't walk in anybody's apartment
and search it. If I were ever caught
in there, I'd lose my badge inside
of ten minutes!
JEFF
Just make sure you're not caught. If
you find something, you've got a
murderer and nobody will care about
a couple of house rules. If you find
nothing -- he's clear.
DOYLE
At the risk of sounding stuffy, Jeff --
I'll remind you of the Constitution,
and the phrase "search warrant" issued
by a judge who knows the Bill of
Rights verbatim. He must ask for
evidence.
JEFF
Give him evidence.
DOYLE
I can hear myself starting out. "Your
Honor -- I have a friend who's an
amateur sleuth, an one night, after
a heavy supper --"
(He shakes his head
"no")
He'd throw the New York State Penal
Code right in my face. -- And it's
six volumes.
JEFF
By morning there might not be anything
left to find in his apartment.
DOYLE
(Looking out window)
A detective's nightmare.
JEFF
What do you need before you can search --
bloody footsteps leading up to the
door?
DOYLE
(Looking out window)
One thing I don't need is heckling!
You called and asked me for help --
and now you're acting like a taxpayer!
DOYLE
(Turns and look at
Jeff)
How did we ever stand each other in
that same plane for three years?
JEFF
You know, every day for three years
I asked myself that same question?
DOYLE
Ever get an answer?
JEFF
Yeah -- frequently -- it ran something
like this: "Your request for transfer
turned down --"
He can't help smiling, and neither can Doyle.
DOYLE
Sorry I had to turn it down.
(He checks his watch)
I'm going over to the railroad station
and check Thorwald's story.
He moves to the sideboard, picks up a felt hat.
JEFF
Forget the story -- find the trunk.
Mrs. Thorwald's in it!
DOYLE
Oh -- I almost forgot!
He pulls a slip of paper out of his pocket. Jeff watches him
intently.
DOYLE
(Looking at Jeff)
There was a postcard in Thorwald's
mailbox.
(Refers to paper)
Mailed yesterday afternoon, three-
thirty P.M. from Merritsville --
(Looks up, speaks
pleasantly)
-- That's eighty miles north of here.
(Back to paper)
The message read "Arrived O.K. Already
feeling better. Love, Anna."
He looks at Jeff with some smugness.
JEFF
(Slowly)
Is -- is Anna -- who I think it is?
DOYLE
(Nods "yes")
Mrs. Thorwald.
He puts on his hat, and goes toward the door.
DOYLE
(Maliciously)
Anything you need?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff is sober.
JEFF
Yeah. A good detective.
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - CLOSEUP
The sun has just set. THE CAMERA is concentrating on the
long-focus lens camera which fills the screen. Just beyond,
there is a plate on which a solitary sandwich.
Jeff's hand comes in, picks it up. We PAN US with the sandwich
until Jeff's head fills the screen. (Except for a small light
in the kitchen, Jeff's apartment is in darkness.) As he
munches, he keeps his attention on the neighborhood.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DUSK - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald's apartment is darkness. THE CAMERA PANS slightly
to the left, as we see the dog being lowered in its basket.
We follow the basket down to the yard which brings Miss Lonely
Heart's apartment into view. She is wearing a Kelly Green
suit, and is seated at her dressing table. She seems to be
putting on the final touches of her make-up, prior to going
out.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - CLOSEUP
Jeff looks down, he smiles to himself. He turns, and we see
him raise the long-focus camera to his eye.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DUSK - CAMERA SHOT
The long-focus lens brings Miss Lonely Hearts into an enlarged
picture which reveals details we have not previously noticed.
A pair of ill-fitting, horn-rimmed reading glasses rest half
way down her nose, and she has to tilt her head back slightly
as she applies lip-stick, with their aid.
Satisfied, she takes off the glasses, and examines her face
as a whole, through squinting eyes. She has faded good looks,
has fairly nice clothes, but is badly in need of advice on
hair dressing. Her hair-do makes her seem middle-aged. She
reaches for a tall glass of liquor next to her, and takes a
long drink. Putting the glass down, she squints to see if
she has disturbed the lipstick. Unable to see clearly, she
puts on the glasses again, looks, and touches up her lips
slightly.
She puts her glasses in a handbag, then stands to put out
the lights. She walks into the living room, finishing the
drink. The long-focus lens moves with her. She goes straight
for a bottle of liquor, and pours out a final neat slug, and
tosses it off. Then she leaves the apartment, with a show of
determination.
She turns out the lights behind her.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff lowers the long-focus lens, and turns his head to the
right as he hears the first notes of the songwriter's melody
which we have heard him trying to complete.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DUSK - MEDIUM SHOT
The songwriter is at the piano, poking out his melody, slowly,
note by note. He is in black tie, and from the looks of the
apartment he is preparing for guests. An attractive girl is
setting out trays of canap�s, glasses, ice and liquor. She
pauses as she crosses the room carrying a tray of food. She
listens a moment to the songwriter's melody. Her expression
shows that it pleases her, and moves her romantically. She
comments on it to the songwriter, who starts from the
beginning again, playing it more fully.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - SEMI-CLOSEUP
A new source of music comes in to interfere with the piano
playing. It is orchestral ballet music, in a modern style.
Jeff's head turns in this new direction.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DUSK - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Torso, and a male partner whom we have not seen before,
are practicing a pas a deux. He is a tall flowing-haired
young man, lithe and graceful beyond normal masculine
capacity.
They stop, at one point, to listen to a word of comment from
a woman who is watching. By her gestures, she is obviously a
professional choreographer.
THE CAMERA PANS from this to the street beyond.
Standing there, on the sidewalk, looking up and down the
street is a Kelly Green clad figure.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - CLOSEUP
He quickly raises his long-focus camera to his eye.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DUSK - CAMERA SHOT
We are now given a waist-high shot as the focus is adjustment
by Jeff. The figure is that of Miss Lonely Hearts. She seems
to be trying to figure out what to do, or where to go. She
nervously looks at a couple of men passers by. Getting no
reaction, she crosses the street, and seats herself at an
empty table in front of the cafe. She orders a drink.
She is suddenly blotted out by a figure of a man who enters
the picture from the left side. He is much nearer the lens,
because he is on this side of the street. He is, therefore,
slightly out of focus. The lens suddenly sharpens. It is
Thorwald, carrying a light-weight cardboard box under his
arm. THE CAMERA PANS him over to the right until he is lost
behind the building.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - SEMI-CLOSEUP
He lowers the lens, and we see Jeff's eyes travel across the
screen, as he imagines Thorwald's progression. Then sharpening
his look, he picks up the long-focus lens, and easing himself
back cautiously, begins watching Thorwald.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DUSK - CAMERA SHOT
Thorwald comes up the corridor, and stands unlocking his
door. As he hesitates, we are able to see the cardboard box
he is carrying has the name of a laundry on it. He enters
the apartment turns on the living room lights.
He proceeds to the bedroom, and the lights go on there.
A number of suits and top coats are lying on an orderly pile
on the bed. He takes the laundry out of the box and puts in
on the bed next to the suits. Then he goes to the dresser,
and instead of putting the laundry away,
he proceeds to take out the contents of the drawers --
pajamas, shirts, sox, etc. He piles these on the beds.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff lowers the camera quickly. He picks up the phone and
dials a number, still keeping his eyes on Thorwald.
The phone buzzes on filter, then is picked up and answered
by a woman:
MRS. DOYLE
(Filter)
Hello.
JEFF
Mrs. Doyle?
MRS. DOYLE
Yes.
JEFF
Jeff again.
(A note of urgency)
Has Tom come in yet?
MRS. DOYLE
Not yet, Jeff.
JEFF
You haven't even heard from him?
MRS. DOYLE
Not a word.
For a moment, Jeff looks desperate. He doesn't know what to
say.
MRS. DOYLE
It is something really important,
Jeff?
JEFF
I'm afraid it is, Tess.
MRS. DOYLE
I'll have him call the moment I hear
from him.
JEFF
Tell him not to waste time calling.
To get over here soon as he can. I
think Thorwald's pulling out tonight.
MRS. DOYLE
Who's Thorwald?
JEFF
He knows.
(As an after-thought)
Don't worry, Tess. It's a man.
MRS. DOYLE
(She laughs)
Goodnight, you idiot.
JEFF
(A slight smile)
Goodnight, Mrs Doyle.
He hangs up. Then, his brows knit a little, as if he's puzzled
about something he sees across the neighborhood.
He lifts up the long-focus lens.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - CAMERA SHOT
Early night. In the dresser Thorwald finds an alligator
handbag. He holds it up thoughtfully. We have previously
seen this handbag hanging from the bedpost when Mrs. Thorwald
was in bed. Thorwald takes the bag into the living room,
where he picks up the phone and dials.
JEFF
Long distance again.
Thorwald reaches his party. As he talks, thoughtfully, he
takes some jewelry from the handbag -- a couple of rings,
diamond wristwatch, brooch, pearls, etc. He discusses each
piece, apparently trying to make some decision. Then,
seemingly satisfied, he replaces them in the bag and hangs
up.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff lowers his camera lens and edges his chair forward in
an effort to hear what Thorwald is saying. But a sudden rise
in the SOUND coming from the song-writer's apartment, causes
him to turn his head toward the studio with exasperation.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
The first four of the song-writer's guests come through the
door, admitted by the song-writer's girl friend.
There is a squeal from the woman who great each other, and
hearty "helloes" from the men. The song-writer dashes off a
LOUD VAMP of greeting on the piano, then gets up to offer
drinks.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff turns his attention back to Thorwald, but gives up any
attempt at listening. He lift the long-focus lens up to his
eyes again.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - CAMERA SHOT
Having completed his call, Thorwald returns to the bedroom
carrying the handbag. He goes to a pile of coats lying on
the bed. He lifts the top two coats slightly, and slides the
handbag under them and out of sight.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
There is the SOUND of footsteps coming down the corridor to
Jeff's apartment. He lowers the camera lens, and turns his
attention to his door.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The door opens, and Lisa stands silhouetted in the entrance,
black-lighted by the corridor lights. It's an attractive
picture.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff's head is turned toward her, his back more toward the
neighborhood.
JEFF
Quick. Take a look. Thorwald's getting
ready to pull out for good!
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff abruptly turns back to the window, as Lisa dashes into
the picture behind him, and looks out. Jeff's expression
changes a little, as they see:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The lights are out in Thorwald's bedroom, and Thorwald is in
the act of pouring himself out a drink in the living room.
He comes to the window, glass in hand, and looks down into
the garden, nonchalantly. Over this, we HEAR Lisa's voice,
questioningly:
LISA
It doesn't seem to be in any hurry.
JEFF
(Stares out the window,
exasperated)
He was just laying all his things
out on one of the beds! Coats, suits,
shirts, sox, even his wife's --
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
He stops, turns to her quickly.
JEFF
That alligator bag his wife had on
the bedpost --
LISA
What about it?
JEFF
He had it hidden in the dresser!
Well, at least it was in there. He
took it out, went to the phone and
called somebody long distance. --
His wife's jewelry was in the handbag.
And something about it worried him.
He was asking somebody advice over
the phone.
LISA
Someone not his wife?
JEFF
I never saw him ask her for advise
before.
(Smiles)
But she volunteered plenty.
Jeff turns back to the window.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald is standing at the window with his drink in his
hand. Then he turns, puts his unfinished drink down on a
table, and goes to the door. He puts the light out in the
living room and goes out the door. He walks briskly down the
corridor.
LISA
I wonder where he's going now?
JEFF
I don't know.
LISA
Suppose he doesn't come back again?
JEFF
He will. All his things are still
piled on the bed.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa moves toward a nearby lamp.
LISA
Well, I guess it's safe to put on
some lights now.
JEFF
(Looking to left)
Not yet!
He picks up the long-focus lens and trains it on the street
intersection, as Lisa moves back to him.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - CAMERA SHOT - NIGHT
The street intersection. Some traffic, mostly pedestrian.
Miss Lonely Hearts still sitting at the cafe table, alone.
Drinking. There is no sign of Thorwald.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
He lowers the lens.
JEFF
He must have gone somewhere to the
right.
The CAMERA PULLS BACK as Lisa starts around the apartment
turning on the lights. As she light increases, we see that
she is wearing another extravagantly beautiful dress. She
seems quite animated, moving gracefully, her skirt and hair
swinging with her movement. Jeff turns around to face the
room.
LISA
All day long I've tried to keep my
mind on work.
JEFF
Thinking about Thorwald?
LISA
(Nods yes)
And you, and you friend Doyle --
(Stops, to Jeff)
Did you hear from him again -- since
he left?
JEFF
Not a word. He was going to check on
the railroad station, and the trunk.
He must be still on it.
As he talks, she seems to be thinking something over to
herself. He starts pacing, trying to distill her thoughts.
We see that she has brought an oversized handbag with her,
which lies prominently on the table.
Jeff watches her.
JEFF
Something on your mind, Lisa?
LISA
It doesn't make sense to me.
JEFF
What doesn't?
LISA
Women aren't that unpredictable.
JEFF
(Losing a little
patience)
Lisa -- I can't guess what you're
thinking.
THE CAMERA CLOSES IN, Lisa stops, faces him. Her eyes sparkle,
and her body is tense with concentration.
LISA
A woman has a favorite handbag -- it
always hangs on her bedpost where
she can get at it. Then she takes a
trip and leaves it behind. Why?
JEFF
Because she didn't know she was going
on a trip -- and where she was going
she wouldn't need a handbag.
THE CAMERA eases back.
LISA
But only her husband would know that.
(Starts to pace again)
And the jewelry! Women don't keep
all their jewelry in a purse, all
tangled, getting scratched and twisted
up.
JEFF
Do they hide it in their husband's
clothes?
LISA
They do not! And they don't leave it
behind them. A woman going anywhere
but the hospital would always take
makeup, perfume and jewelry.
JEFF
Inside stuff?
LISA
Basic equipment. You don't leave it
behind in your husband's drawer in
your favorite handbag.
JEFF
I'm with you, sweetie, but Detective
Thomas J. Doyle has a pat answer for
that.
LISA
That Mrs. Thorwald left at six ayem
yesterday with her husband?
JEFF
That's what the witnesses told him.
LISA
Well, I have a pat rebuttal for Mr.
Doyle -- that couldn't be Mrs.
Thorwald -- or I don't know women.
JEFF
Still -- those witnesses.
LISA
We'll agree they saw a woman -- but
she wasn't Mrs. Thorwald. -- That
is, yet.
She comes over to Jeff. He reaches up, takes her hand.
JEFF
Come here.
He pulls her into his lap. She puts her arms around him. She
is very happy, and kisses Jeff's cheek.
LISA
I'd like to see your friend's face
when we tell him. He doesn't sound
like much of a detective.
JEFF
Don't be too hard on him. He's a
steady worker. I wish he'd get there,
though.
LISA
(Nuzzling Jeff)
Don't rush me. We have all night.
There's a pause. Then Jeff moves back a little to look her
straight in the eye.
JEFF
We have all -- what?
LISA
Night. I'm going to stay with you.
JEFF
You'll have to clear that through my
landlord --
She cuts him off with a kiss. When she pulls back
LISA
I have the whole weekend off.
JEFF
Well that's fine, but I only have
one bed, and --
Lisa smothers him with another kiss. She lets up.
LISA
Say anything else, and I'll stay
tomorrow night too.
JEFF
Lisa, I won't be able to give you
any --
She smothers him with still another kiss. Then moves back.
JEFF
-- pajamas.
She laughs, gets up. Goes to the large handbag on the table.
Is is a Mark Cross ladies 'attache' case.
LISA
You said I'd have to live out of one
suitcase
(Picks up case)
I'll bet yours isn't this small?
JEFF
That's a suitcase?
LISA
(Starting to open it)
A Mark Cross overnight case, anyway.
Compact, but ample enough.
She has opened it, and surprisingly enough, it is a compact
outfit of pajamas, slippers, toothbrush, toothpaste, and all
the general necessities for a comfortable overnight stay.
She comes to Jeff, sits in his lap again, displaying the
inside of the case
LISA
I'll trade you -- my feminine
intuition for a bed for the night.
JEFF
(Gives in smiling)
I'd be no better than Thorwald, to
refuse.
The SOUND from the party in the song-writer's apartment
becomes more noticeable as his party grows. And at this point
he begins playing the song he has been composing for the
past few days.
LISA
There's that song again.
She gets up from Jeff's lap, and puts the overnight case on
the table. Open. She goes to the window, and looks toward
the song-writers' apartment. Jeff turns with her.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The party at the song-writer's has grow considerably larger.
An assortment of well-dressed people have now crowded into
the studio. They are drinking, eating, etc. At the moment, a
number of them are crowded around the piano, listening to
the composer's newest song -- which isn't quite completed.
However, the melody has become more beautiful than ever.
During the following scene, we HEAR the melody being played
a number of different ways on the piano.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa stands, listening, entranced.
LISA
Where does a man get the inspiration
for a song like that?
Jeff watches her.
JEFF
From his landlord -- once a month.
LISA
It's utterly beautiful.
(Turns to Jeff)
I wish I could be creative.
JEFF
You are. You have a talent for
creating difficult situations.
LISA
(Happily)
I do?
JEFF
Staying the night here, uninvited.
She sits down on the edge of the divan near Jeff. She leans
toward him.
LISA
Surprise -- is the most important
element of attack.
(She smiles)
And beside, you're not up on your
private eye literature. When they're
in trouble, it's always their Girl
Friday who gets them out of it.
JEFF
The same girl who keeps him out of
the clutches of seductive show girls,
and over-passionate daughters of the
rich.
LISA
The same.
JEFF
But he never ends up marrying her.
Strange.
LISA
(Stands up; deadpan)
Weird.
(She does a complete
spin, then,
ingenuously)
Why don't I slip into something
comfortable?
JEFF
You mean -- like the kitchen? And
make us some coffee?
LISA
Exactly what I had in mind -- along
with some brandy.
She goes to the kitchen, humming with the song-writer's melody
which we can HER off. Jeff turns back to the window, looks
out.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
The shade is going up in the newlyweds apartment. The young
husband throws up the window an lights a cigarette. He takes
a deep and satisfying drag on the cigarette, glancing toward
the song-writer's party.
Just as he starts to exhale the smoke, we HEAR his young
wife's voice off:
GIRL'S VOICE
H-a-a-r-r-e-e-!
He chokes on the smoke, sputtering and coughing. When he
recovers, he throws the cigarette down to the back-yard with
a show of irritation. Then slowly he pulls the shade down.
Behind us is SOUND of a door shutting
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Over Jeff's shoulder we see Doyle coming down the steps
slowly, and seemingly preoccupied. Jeff swings the chair
around so that his back is to us.
SEMI-CLOSEUP
Without looking at Jeff, Doyle comes into the apartment takes
off his hat and places it on the table. He runs a hand over
the side of his head and down the back of his neck, which
seems to indicate some fatigue.
SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff. Looking expectantly at Doyle.
SEMI CLOSEUP
Doyle reaches for a cigarette on the table, and puts it to
his lips. While searching his pockets for a match, he HEARS
Lisa humming. His eyes turn upward.
MEDIUM SHOT
Over the cabinet which divides the living room from the
kitchen, we can see a glimpse of Lisa's shadow on the ceiling.
SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff, has followed Doyle's look.
SEMI CLOSEUP
Doyle picks up cigarette lighter from table, and lights his
cigarette. As he is placing the lighter back on the table,
he sees:
CLOSEUP
From his viewpoint, Lisa's bag containing her lingerie and
overnight effects.
CLOSEUP
Jeff. His eyes turn from the lingerie up to Doyle.
CLOSEUP
Doyle's look is completely noncommittal. His eyes turn at
the sound of the song-writer's party. He moves forward to
get a better view, as the CAMERA RETREATS in front of him.
He stops to glance out of the window.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
The party is now full progress. The room is overcrowded. And
some people are now sitting on the floor with their backs to
the window. Others are outside. A crowd hides the piano
player, but music can be head competing with the babble.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Doyle turns his head away, and looks straight out. His
expression hardens a little, as he sees:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The window of Thorwald's apartment, completely dark.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
He also is looking toward Thorwald's apartment. He turns his
eyes anxiously back to Doyle. He seems to be trying to
penetrate Doyle's mind.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Doyle turns his head from the window, and looks down at Jeff.
He asks, quietly:
DOYLE
What else do you have on this man
Thorwald?
Jeff's tension eases off a little, by he is eager to talk.
JEFF
Enough to scare me that you wouldn't
get here in time, and we'd lose him.
DOYLE
(Soberly)
You think he's getting out of here?
JEFF
Everything he owns is laid out on
the bedroom, ready for packing.
Doyle looks back toward Thorwald's bedroom. We see the dark
apartment beyond him. Doyle nods thoughtfully. He turns his
head suddenly at the sound of Lisa coming out of the kitchen.
She holds two large brandy snifters containing some brandy.
They are cupped in her hand, the stem between her fingers.
She is rotating them gently toward the body to warm the
brandy. She is quite beautiful.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Doyle reacts to her appreciatively.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
She continues rotating the brandy.
LISA
I'm just warming some brandy.
She comes forward hands one snifter to Jeff. She offers the
second to Doyle. (NOTE: In the following set of scenes,
whenever anyone holds a brandy snifter, it is being rotated-
regardless of their attitudes.)
LISA
Mr. Doyle? -- I presume.
Doyle sort of smiles, and takes the snifter awkwardly.
JEFF
Tom, this is Miss Lisa Fremont.
Doyle bows his head slightly, but his eyes remain on her in
a fixed stare.
DOYLE
How do you do?
Lisa smiles in return.
LISA
We think Thorwald's guilty.
She turns around, and goes right back into the kitchen.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Doyle stares after her, ignoring her remark, still not
recovered from the fist sight of her attractiveness.
Then quickly, his eyes move down and to the left.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
The open overnight case with its displayed lingerie.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT SEMI-CLOSEUP
Slowly Doyle's eyes travel back to Jeff.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Quickly guessing what's on Doyle's mind
JEFF
(Cautiously)
Careful, Tom.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Doyle's eyes travel past Jeff to look out the window.
He still holds the brandy snifter in one hand, and a cigarette
in the other. Absentmindedly he still rotates the brandy.
The SOUND of the phone ringing is heard.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff picks up the phone.
JEFF
Hallo?
He listens, and then looks up to Doyle.
JEFF
Just a minute, please.
Doyle crosses and stands behind Jeff, as Jeff hands him the
Phone. He juggles the cigarette, the brandy snifter and the
phone all at once. This is all done deadpan.
DOYLE
Doyle speaking.
(He listens)
Uh-huh. -- Yeah. Mummmm -- Mmm. Hmm --
Okay. Thank you, and goodbye.
He hands the receiver back to Jeff, who hangs up. Lisa comes
back in with her own brandy snifter, rotating it.
LISA
The coffee will be ready soon.
(Urgent)
Jeff, aren't you going to tell him
about the jewelry?
Doyle looks suddenly interested. He asks tersely:
DOYLE
Jewelry?
JEFF
He has his wife's jewelry hidden in
among his clothes over there.
DOYLE
You sure it belongs to his wife?
He turns his head to Lisa, who answers.
LISA
It was in her favorite handbag --
And, Mr. Doyle, that can lead to
only one conclusion.
DOYLE
Namely?
His head snaps back to Jeff, who answers:
JEFF
That wasn't Mrs. Thorwald who left
with him yesterday morning?
DOYLE
You figured that out, huh?
His head moves back to Lisa as she answers with a touch of
pride in her voice.
LISA
It's just that women don't leave
jewelry behind when they go on a
trip.
Before Doyle can comment, Jeff asks impatiently:
JEFF
Come on, Tom -- you don't really
need any of this information, do
you?
Doyle smiles at Jeff, and then strolls over to the table
where he puts out his cigarette and puts down the brandy
snifter.
DOYLE
As a matter of fact, I don't.
Doyle goes to the window and looks out, as they watch him,
expectantly. He speaks without looking at them.
His voice is flat and to the point.
DOYLE
Lars Thorwald is no more a murderer
than I am.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff and Lisa stare at him in astonishment. Then Jeff
recovers, and answers with some anger:
JEFF
You mean you can explain everything
that went on over there -- and is
still going on?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
He spins around, and his face has lost all its friendliness.
DOYLE
No!
He starts to place the room.
DOYLE
And neither can you.
(Points out window)
That's a secret and private world
you're looking into out there. People
do a lot at things in private that
they couldn't explain in public.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Lisa and Jeff. She replies with some sarcasm.
LISA
Like disposing of their wives?
DOYLE
(Off)
Get that idea out of your mind. It
will only lead you in the wrong
direction.
JEFF
But Tom -- the saw, the knives --
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Doyle breaks in, takes a step forward.
DOYLE
Did you ever own a saw?
JEFF
(Off)
Well, in the garage, back home, we --
DOYLE
(Interrupts)
And how many people did you cut up
with the couple of with it? Or hundred
knives you've probably owned in your
lifetime?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff, reasoning:
JEFF
But I'm not a killer!
DOYLE
(Off)
Your logic is backward.
Lisa cuts in spiritedly.
LISA
You can't ignore the wife
disappearing! And the trunk -- and
the jewelry -- !
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Doyle starts to pace up and down, throwing out a hand in
careful explanation.
DOYLE
I checked the railroad station. He
bought a ticket. He put her on the
train ten minutes later. Destination:
Merritsville. Witnesses. This deep.
(He holds his hand a
few feet off the
floor)
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff and Lisa.
LISA
It might have been a woman -- but it
couldn't have been Mrs. Thorwald.
That jewelry --
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Doyle comes up to the CAMERA, looking at Lisa.
DOYLE
Look, Miss Fremont. That feminine
intuition sells magazines -- but in
real life, it's still a fairy tale.
I don't know how many wasted years
I've spent running down leads based
on women's intuitions.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff is resentful of Doyle's comments to Lisa.
JEFF
I take it you didn't find the trunk --
And this is just an old speech you
once gave at the Policeman's Ball.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Doyle has turned away into the center of the room. He swings
around.
DOYLE
I found the trunk -- a half hour
after I left here.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Lisa speaks again with continuing sarcasm:
LISA
Of course, it's normal for a man to
tie his trunk up with a heavy rope.
DOYLE
(Off)
When the lock is broken -- yes.
JEFF
What was in the trunk? A surly note
to me?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Doyle comes toward the CAMERA again.
DOYLE
(Carefully)
Mrs. -- Thorwald's -- clothes. --
Clean -- carefully packed -- not too
stylish -- but presentable.
LISA
(Off)
Didn't you take it to the crime lab?
Doyle gives her a scathing look.
DOYLE
I sent it on its merry and legal
way.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff challenges Doyle:
JEFF
Why -- when a woman only goes on a
simple trip, does she take everything
she owns?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Doyle, with a studied, gracious gesture, to Lisa.
DOYLE
Let the female psychology department
handle that one.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Lisa answers, but very coldly:
LISA
I would say that is looked as if she
wasn't coming back.
DOYLE
(Off)
That's what they call a family
problem.
JEFF
(Persisting)
If his wife wasn't coming back --
why didn't he tell his landlord? --
I'll answer it for you -- because he
had something to hide.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Doyle hesitates a moment, and lets his eyes wander, to:
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
The overnight case, with Lisa's lingerie.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
His eyes going back to Jeff.
DOYLE
(Blandly)
Do -- uh -- you tell your landlord
everything?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff replies, pointedly:
JEFF
I told you to be careful.
Lisa looks down at Jeff, not comprehending.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Doyle points to one of the photographs on the wall.
DOYLE
If I'd been careful piloting that
reconnaissance plane, you wouldn't
have taken the kind of pictures that
got you a medal, a big job, fame,
money --
JEFF
(Expressionless)
All the things I hate.
Doyle has a complete change of manner. He relaxes and smiles.
DOYLE
Now -- what do you say we sit down
to a quiet, friendly drink or two --
forget all about this, and tell lies
about the old days in the war? Hmmm?
He looks from one to the other.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Neither Jeff or Lisa display even the slightest friendliness.
Their faces are cold and set. Then Lisa speaks, icily:
LISA
You're through with the case?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Doyle is relaxed.
DOYLE
There isn't any "case" to be through
with, Miss Fremont. Now let's get
down to that friendly drink.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff and Lisa remain unmoved.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
A little self-conscious, Doyle checks his watch, and says
with a pleasant laugh:
DOYLE
Maybe you're right. I guess I'd better
get home and get some sleep.
He waits. No response comes across. His face sobers a little,
he reaches for his unfinished drink of brandy.
He tries to toss it off like a straight shot of liquor.
Part of it shoots out of the brandy snifter, down each side
of his face, and into his suit. He sputters a little, and
puts the glass down.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff and Lisa deadpan.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Doyle is wiping his coat lapels with a handkerchief. He looks
at them pleasantly.
DOYLE
I'm not much of a snifter.
He starts away toward the door.
DOYLE
If you need any more help, Jeff --
consult the yellow pages of your
telephone directory.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Lisa, still burning:
LISA
I hate funny exit lines.
JEFF
Who was the trunk addressed to?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Doyle picks up his hat.
DOYLE
Mrs. Anna Thorwald.
He starts up the steps to the door.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff points out a challenging finger.
JEFF
Let's wait and see who picks it up.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Doyle poises on the step. He snaps his fingers.
DOYLE
Oh -- that phone call!
(To Jeff)
I gave them your number -- hope you
don't mind.
JEFF
(Off)
That depends on who "they" were.
DOYLE
(Pleasantly)
The police Department at Merritsville.
They called to report. The trunk was
just picked up -- by Mrs. Anna
Thorwald.
He puts on his hat, smiles, and says.
DOYLE
Don't stay up too late.
He quietly closes the door behind him.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Lisa and Jeff. Jeff turns his chair around, and looks out to
the neighborhood. Lisa stands glumly behind him.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
The song-writer's party is now in full swing, and fairly
crowded. It is a happy, gay affair.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
None of the gaiety is reflected in Lisa and Jeff. Some new
music is heard coming across the courtyard and Jeff turns
toward it with some irritation.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Torso's apartment has the door closed, and all that we
can see of her, as she is lying on the divan, is her legs
swinging in arcs as she exercise to record music.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Lisa is not looking in the same direction as Jeff. All during
this, she has been staring out at Thorwald's apartment. Now
her eyes are looking at the apartment underneath. She murmurs
to Jeff:
LISA
Look.
Jeff turns his eyes in the same direction as hers.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
A light has gone on in Miss Lonely Hearts' apartment.
They look. Surprise of surprises, she has returned with a
lover hooked. He is much younger then she, and a little more
keyed up to the promise of an adventure still fresh to him.
Her actions are coy, and over-feminine.
She slips away from his hasty embraces and exploratory kisses
with the proper flush of confusion and nervous giggle that
seems to say, "It's quite a surprise you find me so desirable,
but me mustn't do anything improper, you know. After all,
we're practically strangers -- and what would you think of
me?"
She pours a drink for each of them with gestures over-genteel.
As she sips her drink and look at him over the rim of the
glass, he tosses his off with nervous dispatch.
He moves toward her, this time more cautiously. An embrace,
a long kiss. She puts her drink down on the edge of the chair.
It spills over onto the rug. He begins kissing her cheek,
her ear, her neck.
Suddenly and fiercely she pushes him away. Slaps him across
the face. He moves back with shock as she loudly and
emphatically orders him out, out, out. He flushes with anger
and embarrassment, and his mouth twists into unpleasant shapes
as he slaps degrading words back at her, telling her what
she is. She screams at him to get out. He leaves, slamming
the door behind him.
She goes back dumbly to the spilled liquor, makes a futile
effort to clean it up, and the collapses onto the rug sobbing
hard enough to shake her whole body.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa turns away from Jeff's chair to get a cigarette from
the table. She lights it, as Jeff turns his chair back to
the room.
JEFF
As much as I hate to give Thomas J.
Doyle too much credit, he might have
gotten a hold of something when he
said this was pretty private stuff
going on out there.
He indicates the outside neighborhood with a movement of his
head. She doesn't answer, but studies the photographs on the
wall of his room.
JEFF
Do you suppose it's ethical to watch
a man with binoculars, and a long-
focus lens -- until you can see the
freckles on the back of his neck,
and almost read his mail -- do you
suppose it's ethical even if you
prove he didn't commit a crime?
LISA
I'm not much on rear window ethics.
JEFF
Of course, they have the same chance.
They can look at me like a bug under
glass, if they want to.
LISA
(Turns to him)
Jeff -- if anybody walked in here, I
don't think they'd believe what they
see.
JEFF
Huh?
LISA
You and me with long faces -- plunged
into despair -- because we find out
that a man didn't kill his wife.
We're two of the most frightening
ghouls I've ever known.
Jeff starts to smile at the realization.
LISA
You'd think we could be a little bit
happy that the poor woman is alive
and well.
Jeff smile is broad, and he starts to chuckle. She relaxes
and joins him. She sits on his lap, her arms around his
shoulders.
LISA
Whatever happened to that old saying
"Love Thy Neighbor."
JEFF
I think I'll start reviving it
tomorrow, with say -- Miss Torso for
a start?
She gets up, goes to the blinds, and proceeds to lower them
one by on.
LISA
(As she get up)
Not if I have to move into an
apartment across the courtyard and
do the dance of the seven veils once
an hour.
(As she lowers the
blinds)
Show's over for tonight.
He smiles. She goes to the table, picks up he overnight case.
LISA
Preview -- of the coming attractions.
She goes to the kitchen entrance, pauses.
LISA
Did Mr. Doyle think I stole this
case.
JEFF
(Mock seriousness)
No, Lisa -- I don't think he did.
She shrugs, goes into the kitchen, the CAMERA PANNING her.
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff is sitting on the wheelchair near the bar, a drink in
his hand. He starts to take a sip from the glass, when Lisa
comes out of the kitchen. She is an ethereal beauty, in sheer
peach nightgown, covered by a gossamer matching kimono. She
turns gracefully in front of Jeff.
He lowers his drink.
LISA
(Softly)
What do you think?
Jeff puts his drink on the bar. He tries to decide how to
answer her question. He can't.
LISA
I'll rephrase the question.
JEFF
Thank you.
Lisa holds out the folds of her kimono.
LISA
Do you like it?
JEFF
(Studying it)
Well, -- if there was one less thread
this way --
(motions horizontally)
-- and two less that way --
(Motions vertically)
-- I might give up bachelorhood.
Lisa turns playfully toward the kitchen.
LISA
I'll be right back.
Blood-curdling scream from the courtyard outside suddenly
cuts through the night.
Startled, both Jeff and Lisa move quickly for the window --
Lisa lifting the blinds up. The long scream subsides into
near-hysterical sobbing.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - LONG SHOT
We get a high comprehensive view of all the apartments.
Light are going on in some windows, shades are lifted on
others, people are beginning to lean out looking for the
source of the cream and sobbing. The song-writer's party
comes to a sudden halt, as his guest crowd to the window.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
Lisa and Jeff at the window, looking out, startled.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
The landlord, beneath the newlyweds, looks out. Tilting his
head up toward the center of the yard.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
A couple comes out on the high balcony to the right.
Look down.
MEDIUM SHOT
The newlywed's blinds come up, and for the first time we see
both of them at the window, the girl looking over the boy's
shoulder.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
Some members of the song-writer's party move out to the patio-
balcony, to get a better look down in the yard.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
The bird woman comes to the window. Her white face looks
forward toward the center of the courtyard.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Torso, pulling a around her, comes out onto her porch,
and looks to her left.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Hearing aid comes quickly into her backyard.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
The couple who own the dog are standing on their fire escape.
They are both looking down, but while the husband is quiet,
the wife is holding her hands to the side of her head, sobbing
loudly. We have heard her sobbing since the moment of the
scream which she uttered.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
Lying near the sidewalk in the backyard below the couple's
fire escape, is the silent body of the little dog they own.
Miss Lonely Hearts comes running out of the basement door.
She goes directly to the dog, picks it up in her arms. Then
she slowly turns and looks up at the sobbing woman above
her.
LONELY HEARTS
(Her voice clear)
It's dead! It's been strangled and
the neck is broken!
SEMI-LONG SHOT
Instead of increasing her sobbing, this news quiets,
momentarily, the woman who owned the dog. Her hands go down
to the railing of the fire escape, gripping it fiercely. She
lifts her face to the neighborhood, her lips set and her
eyes burning. Her chest moves convulsively from the crying.
SIFFLEUSE
Which one of you did it?
(Loud)
Which one of you killed my dog?
(No one answers; her
voice is acid)
You don't know the meaning of the
word "neighbor". Neighbors like each
other -- speak to each other -- care
if anybody lives or dies. But none
of you do! You don't talk, you don't
help, you -- you don't ---
(Fighting tears)
Even see. But I couldn't imagine any
Even of you being so low that you'd
kill a little helpless, friendly
dog! The only thing in this whole
neighborhood who liked anybody!
SEMI-LONG SHOT
The guests at the song-writer's party begin to move silently
back to the studio apartment.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
The people move off their balcony into the apartment.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
The woman almost screams at the people now, as she looks up
at the apartment.
SIFFLEUSE
Did you kill him because he liked
you? Just because he liked you?
She breaks out sobbing anew, and returns to her apartment
and out of sight, the crying growing fainter with her retreat.
The husband leans over the fire-escape, and motions Miss
Lonely Hearts to place the dog in the basket, which is already
lowered.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Lonely Hearts puts the dog in the basket, and watches
as the husband draws it slowly up.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
The bathing beauties go inside their apartment.
MEDIUM SHOT
The newlyweds draw their shades again.
MEDIUM SHOT
The landlord moves away from the window.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
The dog moves closer to the fire escape, slowly, the husband
pulling the rope in hand over hand.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Torso goes back to her apartment.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Hearing Aid turns down the volume of her hearing aid
and goes back to her apartment.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
The dog reaches the fire escape, and the husband tenderly
takes it out of the basket. He turns to carry it's into the
apartment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff and Lisa are at the window. He is holding on of hands.
Jeff speaks without looking up.
JEFF
For a minute, Doyle almost had me
convinced I was wrong.
LISA
But you're not?
JEFF
In the whole courtyard, only one
person didn't come to the window.
(He points)
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald's apartment. It is dark. The only light that can be
seen in it is the glowing end of a cigar in the center of
the room, back from the window -- as if Thorwald was sitting
quietly on his sofa, smoking.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa looks down at Jeff.
LISA
Why would Thorwald want to kill a
dog?
(Almost a laugh)
Because it knew too much?
He nods solemnly and then turns back to the window, as both
he and Lisa look again towards
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald's apartment. Still dark, and only the unmoving glow
of a cigar showing in the center of the apartment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff, Stella and Lisa are grouped at the window, looking
out. THE CAMERA is behind them. Jeff holds the long-focus
lens to his eye.
EXT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - CAMERA SHOT
We wee the upper part of the bedroom window, belonging to
Thorwald.
The lower part of the window is covered by a wall. In the
bathroom, Thorwald is wiping the enameled wall with a damp
cloth. He rubs at particular spots now and then.
Over this we hear:
JEFF
Do you think this was worth waiting
all day to see?
LISA
Is he cleaning house?
JEFF
He's washing down the bathroom walls.
STELLA
Must have splattered a lot.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - MEDIUM SHOT
We now see their faces. Jeff lowers the camera with a long-
focus lens. Neither he nor Lisa make any comment.
Finally Stella blurts out:
STELLA
Well, why not? That's what we're all
thinking. He killed her in there,
and he has to wipe up the stains
before he leaves.
Lisa turns away from the window.
LISA
Stella, your choice of words --
Stella also turns, interrupting her
STELLA
Nobody's invented polite words yet
for killing.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - CLOSEUP
Jeff, who is still staring out the window, has a look of
sudden discovery on his face. He calls quickly:
JEFF
Lisa -- Lisa -- on the shelf over
there -- get me the small yellow box --
He turns halfway around, and points. We see Lisa moving behind
him toward the shelf. He adds:
JEFF
And that little viewer.
He turns back to the window, holding out his right hand to
the side, waiting for the box and viewer. The CAMERA PULLS
BACK a little as Lisa comes up, and places the box and viewer
in his hand. He opens the box, which contains color slides,
and holds one or two of the slides up to the light. Lisa
looks down at him curiously and Stella comes forward from
the background.
JEFF
(Half to himself as
he searches slides)
These aren't more than two weeks old --
I hope I didn't take all leg art.
(Discovers the right
slide)
I think this is the one.
Puts the other slides to one side and puts the selected one
onto the viewer, with sounds of satisfaction. As he lifts
the viewer to his eyes Lisa asks impatiently:
LISA
Jeff -- what are you looking for?
He squints out through the viewer, then looks away a moment
without it.
JEFF
Something -- that if I'm right --
might solve a murder.
He looks back through the viewer.
STELLA
Mrs. Thorwald?
JEFF
Uh-uh. The dog. I think I know now
why Thorwald killed it.
He takes the viewer from his eye, hands it to Lisa.
JEFF
You take a look and tell me what you
see.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - CLOSEUP
Lisa raises the viewer to her eye.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DUSK - CLOSEUP
Through the viewer we see the identical view out of the
window.
JEFF
(Over)
Now take it away.
The viewer moves away, and we are left with the identical
scene, but not quite so still, a slight breeze stirring the
foliage.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff looks up to a puzzled Lisa.
JEFF
Well?
LISA
It's just a picture of the backyard,
that's all.
JEFF
I know. But there's one important
change. The flowers in Thorwald's
pet flower bed.
STELLA
You mean the one the dog was sniffing
around?
JEFF
(To Stella)
And digging in.
(Points out window)
Look at that flower bed.
They all lean forward to look.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DUSK - MEDIUM SHOT
The flower bed. The flowers have a slight dip in the center.
Jeff speaks off:
JEFF
There's a dip at this end. And since
when do flowers grow shorter in two
weeks?
STELLA
There's something buried there.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - MEDIUM SHOT
All three ease back in awe. Lisa, still looking out, says:
LISA
(Breathing it)
Mrs. Thorwald!
Suddenly Stella begins to chuckle. They look around at her.
Her face sobers as she answers their unasked question:
STELLA
You haven't spent much time in
cemeteries, have you?
(they don't answer)
Mr. Thorwald could hardly put his
wife into a plot of ground scarcely
one foot square.
Jeff and Lisa slowly turn their heads to look out at the
garden.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DUSK - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The garden again with its small indentation of flowers over
this we hear the ghoulish voice of Stella:
STELLA
Unless, he puts in standing on end --
which would be very original and not
require the use of either a knife or
a saw. My guess is she's scattered
all over town. A leg in the East
River -- an arm --
LISA
(Cuts in)
Stella, please.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff looks at Stella.
JEFF
Something's in there. Those flowers
have been taken up, and put back
again.
LISA
(Has a hard time saying
it)
It could be -- the knife, and the
saw.
STELLA
(Quickly)
Call Lieutenant Doyle!
LISA
No -- let's wait. Let's wait until
it gets dark. I'll go over and dig
it up!
Halfway through Lisa's speech, Jeff begins speaking.
JEFF
(To Stella)
I'm not going to call Doyle until I
show him the body of Mrs. Thorwald --
(To Lisa)
And you're not going to dig up
anything, an get your neck broken
too.
THE CAMERA EASES BACK to allow Lisa to sit on the divan, and
Jeff turn his chair toward her. Stella still look out the
window, thinking.
JEFF
What we've got to do is find some
way to get in there, and --
Stella's quiet voice brings him to a halt.
STELLA
He's starting to pack.
Jeff whips back to the window; Lisa turns to look.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald, in the bedroom, methodically folding a suit into a
suitcase. Another suitcase, unopened, is visible.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff is staring out, gripping his chair tightly. There is a
touch of desperation on his face. He looks down at the
flowers, briefly, then swings around abruptly. He wheels
away from the camera to the wall cabinet. We see him take a
piece of notepaper, a pencil and an envelope.
He puts a name on the envelope, and then proceeds to write
something on the sheet of paper. Stella and Lisa edge up
behind him, and look down at what he is writing.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
THE CAMERA RUSHES DOWN over Jeff's shoulder, just in time to
catch the last word as he finishes writing the message. The
envelope is addressed to "LARS THORWALD."
The massage reads, simply, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH HER?"
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff at the window, looking through the long-focus lens.
We get a glimpse of Stella behind him. He is watching:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - CAMERA SHOT
The alleyway and street. Just regular traffic.
Suddenly Lisa comes into the picture from the left. She is
carrying a white envelope. She stops, waves her hands at
Jeff, smiles, and then hurries on. The lens slowly pans to
the right and stops on Miss Torso's apartment. She is standing
on a small stepladder, nailing curtains above her window.
Her legs are bare, though she wears high-heel shoes. We do
not see more than half-way up her thighs. The lens takes
this in for the briefest split-second of hesitancy then moves
on to await the arrival of Lisa along Thorwald's corridor.
She does not appear yet. The lens moves back to get another
glimpse of Miss Torso, who is now descending the ladder. She
is wearing a leotard. Over this, we hear Stella's voice:
STELLA
What are you going back for?
The lens quickly swings back to Thorwald's corridor.
Lisa is seen turning the corner, and approaching Thorwald's
door on tiptoe.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff lowers the long-focus lens to get a more comprehensive
view of Thorwald's apartment and corridor outside.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Lisa approaches the door of Thorwald's apartment. The salesman
comes into the living room. He finds a package of cigarettes,
extracts one, and lights it. Lisa kneels down, and carefully
slides the letter under the door.
At this moment, Thorwald extinguishes the match, tosses it
into an ashtray, and turns toward the door. He freezes as he
sees the letter on the floor. This momentary hesitation allows
Lisa to straighten up, turn, and walk carefully but swiftly,
away. Thorwald moves rapidly toward the door. He bends down,
scoops up the letter, and examines it briefly. Lisa is just
turning out of sight at the end of the corridor, as Thorwald
throws open the door. He looks and sees no one. He takes a
few questioning steps down the corridor, then stops to examine
the letter again. Slowly he turns and makes his way back to
the apartment, tearing open the envelope.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff lifts the long-focus lens to his eyes again. His
expression is tense.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - CAMERA SHOT
Thorwald stops in front of his door to read the note.
There is some curiosity on his face. As he reads, all movement
and emotion drain from his body. He stands there, frozen.
Jeff's voice is heard over:
JEFF
You did it, Thorwald! You did it!
Suddenly Thorwald turns and dashes down the corridor.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff whips the long-focus lens from his eye.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
As Thorwald dashes down the corridor, we hear Jeff's voice.
He cries out instinctively, but almost to himself:
JEFF
Lisa! Look out! He's coming!
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Both Stella and Jeff frantic.
STELLA
(Accusingly)
You shouldn't have let her do that!
If he ever --
JEFF
(Interrupting)
Look!
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Lisa suddenly appears at the ground floor door below
Thorwald's. She hides, pressing back against the wall tensely.
In the corridor above, Thorwald returns, frustrated. He comes
out onto the fire escape directly above Lisa. She is aware
of him, and immediately retreats into the doorway. She
disappears down the lower corridor, as Thorwald searches his
fire escape.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
There is a sigh of relief from both of them.
STELLA
Thank heaven that's over!
JEFF
I have a feeling we've just begun.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald is now passing through the living room into the
bedroom. He picks up a shirt and puts it on. He then returns
to packing his suitcases, moving unhurriedly.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff rubs his chin thoughtfully. Stella is scanning the
neighborhood. We hear a radio, or a television show, off;
and there is distant, rhythmic music coming from the cafe on
Thorwald's street.
JEFF
No doubt of it. He's leaving. The
question is -- when?
Stella's brow knits a little as she sees something. She
reaches for the long focus lens.
STELLA
Mind if I use the portable keyhole?
Jeff hands it to her.
JEFF
Not as long as you tell me what you're
looking at.
She lifts it to her eye.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - CAMERA SHOT
Miss Lonely Hearts' apartment. She has opened a small brown
bottle, and taken out four red capsules which she places on
the white table cloth of her little table.
There is a candle burning in a holder, and other lamps also
light the apartment. She is dressed in sedate street clothes.
She sits at the table, and by the light of the candle proceeds
to open a black-covered book, and read it. The print is fine.
She bends over it a moment, looks up at the capsules, and
returns to the book. She seems quite at peace. Stella and
Jeff are heard over:
STELLA
I wonder.
JEFF
What?
STELLA
Miss Lonely Hearts just laid out
something that looks like sodium
trieckonal capsules.
JEFF
You can tell that from here?
STELLA
I handled enough of those red pills
to put everybody in New Jersey asleep
for the winter.
JEFF
Would four of them -- ?
STELLA
(Breaks in)
No -- but it makes the rest easy to
take. And she's reading the Bible.
JEFF
(After a slight pause)
Then I wouldn't worry too much. But
let's keep an eye on her.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Stella lowers the long-focus lens.
STELLA
You know? You might not be too bad a
bargain for Lisa after all.
JEFF
You don't say! I might just take
that compliment as an insult.
The door bursts open, and they both turn quickly toward the
entrance.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Lisa comes in, panting and flushed. She stands a second at
the door, catching her breath, but smiling with the pleasure
of sampling danger and escaping unharmed.
LISA
Wasn't that close?
JEFF
(Off)
Too close.
She comes down the stairs.
LISA
What was his reaction? I mean when
he looked at the note?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
As Lisa comes up to the two of them.
STELLA
Well, it wasn't the kind of expression
that would get him a quick loan at
the bank.
Lisa comes close to Jeff, speaks warmly.
LISA
Jeff -- how did I do?
He takes her hands.
JEFF
Real professional. Would have made a
great layout for the Bazaar. The
model pressed back against a brick
wall, eyes wild, tense. Low cut
bodice, in new suspicious black,
with a --
Some of the pleasure goes out of her face. Stella notices
it.
STELLA
(Interrupts Jeff)
You'd make a good door prize at a
wake.
It relieves the slight friction, as both Jeff and Lisa laugh.
Lisa happens to look toward the window, and the laugh dies.
LISA
Jeff -- the handbag.
Jeff and Stella turn toward the window. Jeff grabs the long-
focus lens, lifts it up.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - CAMERA SHOT
Thorwald has the new alligator bag belonging to his wife, in
his hand. He moves slowly across the bedroom, out of sight
behind the door. He doesn't appear in the living room. In a
moment he reappears, moving back to his packing. He puts the
handbag into one of the suitcases -- the one which he has
almost completed filling. He goes on with his packing.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff puts down the long-focus lens, and turns around toward
the room. The two women watch him expectantly.
JEFF
Suppose Mrs. Thorwald's wedding ring
was among the jewelry he has in the
handbag.
(Supporting his
proposition)
During that phone conversation he
held up three rings -- one with a
diamond -- one with a big stone of
some kind -- and one plain gold band.
LISA
(Excited)
And the last thing she'd leave behind
would be her wedding ring!
(To Stella)
Do you ever leave yours at home?
Stella lifts her left hand, and looks fondly at her ring
finger.
STELLA
The only way anybody could get that
off would be to chop my finger --
Let's go down and find out what's
buried in the garden.
LISA
Why not? I always wanted to meet
Mrs. Thorwald.
Jeff looks at them aghast.
JEFF
What are you two talking about?
STELLA
Got a shovel?
JEFF
No.
STELLA
There's probably one in the basement.
JEFF
Now wait a minute --
LISA
Jeff, if you're squeamish, just don't
look.
JEFF
Now hold on. I'm not a bit squeamish
about what might be under those
flowers -- but I don't care to watch
two women end up like that dog --
Stella grows a little uneasy. Her eyes drift toward Thorwald's
apartment.
STELLA
(To Lisa)
You know, Miss Fremont -- he might
just have something there.
JEFF
There's no point in taking unnecessary
chances.
(He points)
Give me the phone book, Lisa.
Lisa moves for the phone book on the stand near the kitchen.
LISA
What for?
JEFF
Maybe I can get Thorwald out of the
apartment.
Lisa hands him the book.
STELLA
We only need a few minutes.
Jeff looks for Thorwald's number in the directory.
JEFF
I'll try to give you at least fifteen
minutes.
LISA
How?
JEFF
(Finds the number)
Chelsea 2-7099.
(He looks up, reaches
for the phone)
We scared him once. Maybe we can
scare him again.
(Picks up receiver;
pauses)
I'm using that word "we" a little
too freely, I guess. I don't take
any of the chances.
LISA
Shall we vote him in, Stella?
STELLA
Unanimously.
The two women smile. Jeff picks up the phone and dials Chelsea
2-7099. The women watch him tensely. He holds the receiver
away from his ear a little, and the buzzer is heard sounding
on filter. Lisa looks toward Thorwald's apartment; then
Stella; then Jeff.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald's apartment. He comes out of the bedroom toward the
phone. He wears a light summer coat and tie, despite the
heat. In the bedroom, everything is packed with the exception
of one open suitcase. We see another suitcase, his sample
case, and a couple of topcoats across the bed. He approaches
the phone hesitantly, undecided whether or not to answer it.
JEFF
(Off, half-aloud)
Go ahead, Thorwald -- pick it up.
You're curious. You wonder if it's
your girl friend calling. The one
you killed for. Pick it up, Thorwald!
Quickly Thorwald does pick it up.
THORWALD
(Cautiously, on filter)
Hello.
JEFF
(Off)
Did you get my note?
There is a pause as Thorwald gropes for an answer. We can
almost hear his breathing.
JEFF
Well -- did you get it, Thorwald?
THORWALD
Who are you?
JEFF
I'll give you a chance to find out.
Meet me in the bar at the Brevoort --
and do it right away.
THORWALD
Why should I?
JEFF
For a little business meeting -- to
settle the estate of your late wife.
THORWALD
(After a pause)
I don't know what you mean.
JEFF
(Firmly)
Now stop wasting time, Thorwald, or
I'll hang up and call the police.
THORWALD
(Breathing heavily)
I only have a hundred dollars or so.
JEFF
That's a start. I'm at the Brevoort
now. I'll be looking for you.
He hangs up before Thorwald can reply. Thorwald looks at the
receiver a moment, then he slowly hangs up. He stands at the
phone thinking. He doesn't suspect he is being watched through
the window. Then he makes up his mind and starts for the
door. After he goes out he tests the door to make certain it
is locked.
LISA
(Over)
Let's go, Stella.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff turns his wheelchair halfway around as Lisa and Stella
start quickly for the door, THE CAMERA PANNING THEM across
the room. They pause at the sound of Jeff's voice.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff calls after them:
JEFF
One of you watch this window. If I
see him coming back, I'll signal
with a flashbulb.
The door slams off and we hear the footsteps of the women
dying down the corridor as Jeff picks up the long-focus lens
and takes a sight on the alleyway.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - CAMERA SHOT
Thorwald goes past the alley opening.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff puts down the lens and wheels quickly to the wall
cabinet. He finds a box of flash bulbs and a reflector.
He puts them in his lap and returns to the window, putting
the chair sideways. He leans out a little and looks down.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa is in the courtyard directly below Jeff's window.
She has reached the stairway leading up and to the right.
She looks, waves at Jeff as Stella comes up to her carrying
a shovel. The two women hurry up the stairs toward the iron
ladder they will use to climb the wall between Jeff's yard
and that of Thorwald's.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT
Jeff picks up the phone and quickly dials. The buzzer sounds
on filter, then the phone is lifted. A woman's voice is heard
and Jeff seems a little puzzled at the sound of it.
BABY SITTER
This is Doyle's house.
JEFF
This is L. B. Jefferies, a friend of
Tom's. Who am I talking with?
He squints out the window.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Lisa has climbed over the wall and is helping Stella down
into Thorwald's yard. The shovel is lying on the ground beside
Lisa. Jeff's conversation continues over the action of the
two women.
BABY SITTER
This is the baby sitter.
JEFF
Oh. When are they expected home?
BABY SITTER
I'm hired 'til one. They went to
dinner and maybe night-clubbing.
JEFF
Well, if he calls in, tell him to
get in touch with L. B. Jefferies
right away. I might have quite a
surprise for him.
BABY SITTER
Does he have your number, Mr.
Jefferies?
JEFF
He has it. Thank you.
BABY SITTER
Goodnight.
Jeff hangs up. Stella is now beginning to dig, carefully
lifting the flowers off the center of the bed where they had
dipped down. She places the flower plants on the sidewalk.
Lisa stands facing Jeff's window and occasionally glances
over her shoulder uneasily at Stella's work.
At this moment, the sounds of musical instruments begin to
be heard from the songwriter's apartment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT
A little annoyed at the interruption, Jeff turns to look at
the studio apartment.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
In the songwriter's apartment, several of his musician friends
have gathered. One plays a guitar, another a clarinet, and
so on. One by one they try out the theme of the songwriter's
new melody, running through it in turn to become familiar
with the notes. We, therefore, hear the melody played
informally in different ways with different instruments.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff shifts his eyes from the songwriter's apartment back to
the courtyard.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Stella is busy, expertly handling the shovel. Lisa has her
back to the nurse, but looks apprehensively over her shoulder.
She then looks up toward Jeff's apartment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff gives her an encouraging little gesture with his hand.
Then his eyes lift a little as he looks up.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Lonely Hearts is sitting on the sofa, writing a note
with a pad on her knee. Next to her, on the table, the pills
are still in evidence.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff picks up the long-focus lens and trains it on the
alleyway.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - CAMERA SHOT
The alleyway and street intersection, with normal night
traffic, but no sign of Thorwald. THE CAMERA LENS PANS across
and down to the hole being dug by Stella. We get an impression
of Lisa's legs as we go by. The spade comes out of the hole
and rests on the side. THE CAMERA LENS PANS up just in time
to catch Stella turning up to Jeff. She throws out a helpless
hand and shakes her head. "Nothing."
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff lowers the lens and looks down at the two women with
evident disappointment.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Lisa glances up to Thorwald's apartment. She turns and
gestures some instructions to Stella. Then she looks up at
Jeff and gestures her intention to enter Thorwald's apartment.
She turns and dashes toward Thorwald's fire escape as Stella
makes a fruitless grab to restrain her.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff, shocked and alarmed, calls out:
JEFF
Lisa -- no!
He looks quickly toward the intersection and then right back
to Lisa. Apparently no sight of Thorwald.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
While Lisa starts up the fire escape, we see Stella running
toward the wall in the foreground to climb over it. Stella
has abandoned the shovel and left the flowers and dirt strewn
over the walk.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff, tense and wide-eyed, watches Lisa climb the fire escape.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Lisa climbs the fire escape to the second floor and the
outside of Thorwald's apartment.
She tries, unsuccessfully, to get through the window which
opens into the kitchen from the fire escape. And then, with
some difficulty, stretches and succeeds in getting in through
the living room window, which is open. She goes directly to
the bedroom and we see her bending over one of the suitcases.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT
Jeff quickly picks up the long-focus lens and trains it on
the salesman's apartment.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - CAMERA SHOT
Lisa turns from the suitcase with the alligator handbag in
her hand. There is an expression of triumph on her face. She
opens it and her expression changes to dismay. She looks
toward Jeff's apartment and, to communicate her dismay, she
turns the handbag upside down. Nothing falls out. Empty.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
He lowers the long-focus lens and he is sweating with anxiety.
He mutters, almost to himself:
JEFF
Come on. Come on! Get out of there!
His eyes turn quickly to the alleyway and back again to Lisa.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Lisa has dropped the bag on the bed and is now looking around
the bedroom, looking for some place to start searching for
the jewelry. She moves quickly to the dresser and begins
opening the drawers to check them.
She finds nothing.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
As Jeff watches tensely, the door bursts open behind him and
Stella hurries into the apartment.
STELLA
Ring Thorwald's phone the second you
see him on the way back!
Jeff swings toward Stella. He reaches for the phone.
JEFF
I'm going to ring him now!
As he picks up the receiver, Stella pushes his hand down
again.
STELLA
Give her another minute -- She's
doing this for you.
Stella looks out the window and her face registers shock.
Jeff turns quickly to the window again, forgetting the phone
for the moment.
STELLA
Miss Lonely Hearts!
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Miss Lonely Hearts is in the act of popping an envelope up
against the table lamp on the table next to the sofa.
From the same table, she takes a pill bottle and empties the
contents into her left hand. Replacing the bottle, she picks
up a glass of water.
STELLA
(Off)
Call the police!
We hear the sound of the receiver picked up, and Jeff starting
to dial New York Police. At this moment, from the song-
writer's apartment which has been quiet for a while, comes a
new burst of melody. It is the melody which the song-writer
has been composing during the past few days. Now it is rich,
and full, and completed, as the musical group plays it. Miss
Lonely Hearts lifts her head to listen, and slowly lowers
the pills and glass of water into her lap, her whole purpose
arrested by the beauty of what she hears.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff and Stella turn for a quick glimpse of the song-writer's
apartment.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
A quick flash of the song-writer's apartment, and his musical
group gathered around the piano.
STELLA
Maybe that music will delay her taking
the pills.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff and Stella look back to Thorwald's apartment. Jeff has
the receiver to his ear, and the buzzer can be heard on
filter.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
At the bottom of the picture, Miss Lonely Hearts is still
listening to the music, while in the apartment above Lisa
appears into the living room from behind the doorway that
leads to the bedroom. She looks across to the source of the
music. She is as arrested by the melody as Miss Lonely Hearts.
Then looking across to Jeff, she holds up her hands
triumphantly to show him the jewelry she has discovered. At
this point, Thorwald appears coming along the corridor of
his apartment house! Lisa is completely unaware of his
approach.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Stella is so shocked, she can only gasp for breath.
Jeff, in near panic, shouts in anguish!
JEFF
Lisa! Lisa!
At this moment, the phone is picked up on filter, and a voice
speaks:
POLICE
Precinct Six -- Sergeant Allgood.
Jeff opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out, as his
attention is focused on:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald at the door, unlocking it with his key. We see that
Lisa has heard the sound, and looks toward the door, all but
frozen with alarm. The Policeman on the phone repeats with
studied irritation:
POLICE
Precinct Six -- Sergeant Allgood.
Lisa dashes back into the bedroom just in time to avoid being
seen by Thorwald as he opens the door and enters the
apartment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff, urgently into phone, with a serious and rapid voice:
JEFF
A man is assaulting a woman at one
two five west ninth street. Second
floor rear. Make it fast.
POLICE
Your name?
JEFF
L. B. Jefferies.
POLICE
Phone number?
JEFF
(Impatiently)
Chelsea 2-5598.
POLICE
Two minutes.
Phone is down on filter, and Jeff replaces his receiver.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald crosses the living room, and goes into the bedroom.
Suddenly he looks onto the bed. He picks up the open alligator
handbag. He turns, facing the window, looking down at the
bag. He looks up in the direction of the living room. Then
suddenly his whole frame stiffens, his head turns a little
further around to his right. He is looking directly at Lisa
who is out of our sight in the corner of the bedroom. He
holds out the bag, and without moving, starts to question
the unseen Lisa. He takes a little step forward, and his
head begins to turn slightly to the left as Lisa begins to
emerge into the living room, backing away slowly. By her
gestures, and nervous laughter, she appears to be offering a
lame excuse for being found in his apartment.
He comes towards her, and enters the living room as well.
Lisa edging toward the door, points to it as she apparently
argues with him as to the way she came in.
He points to the window. She makes one more step toward the
door, but Thorwald reaches out quickly and grabs her by the
wrist. He twists it brutally, and flings her sideways into
the sofa beneath the window. Her head snaps back against the
head rest. With his right hand he throws the handbag across
the room in anger, and with his left open-palmed he demands
something from Lisa.
Slowly her right hand comes up and opens.
He takes the jewelry from her, looks at it for a surprised
moment, puts it into his coat pocket. He reaches down with
both hands, and by the wrists jerks her to her feet. He is
talking viciously to her. We can hear Lisa calling out
faintly: "Jeff! Jeff!"
Thorwald suddenly looks out at the neighborhood. He realizes
that somebody might be watching him. He drags her across the
room, reaches up with one arm, and the lights go off. The
faint light from the bedroom illuminates their struggle, but
not clearly.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
An angry Jeff is staring, and trying to penetrate the semi-
darkness of Thorwald's room. Then he bends his head forward
in despair, and after a brief moment speaks:
JEFF
(With deep sincerity)
Stella -- what can we do?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Stella staring out, tense, frightened. Then her expression
changes sharply as she looks slightly to the left.
STELLA
There they are.
Jeff looks up quickly.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Two policemen move quickly and professionally up the corridor
toward Thorwald's apartment. They stop at the door, listen a
moment, and then push the buzzer insistently. Inside the
apartment, lights go on, and Thorwald is in the center of
the room looking toward the door. Lisa staggers away from
him, trying to rearrange her clothes and her hair. She is as
surprised at the interruption as Thorwald. He listens, looks
back questioningly toward Lisa, then goes to the door. He
passes into the kitchen.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff and Stella visibly relax. Jeff doesn't say anything,
but a gesture of rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand
gives an indication of how deep his tension was.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
After a moment's hesitation, Thorwald goes to the door and
opens it.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff quickly puts a hand out and takes up his long-focus
lens. He looks through the finder.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - CAMERA SHOT
Thorwald's head and shoulders fill the screen. For a moment
Thorwald is genuinely frightened by the sight of the police.
We see him listening to the policeman out of the picture.
Thorwald turns slowly and we see him lose much of his fright
and regain some control of his face. He completes his turn
and is looking at the girl a little puzzled. He then swings
back toward the police.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
A quick flash of Jeff and Stella looking. Jeff still has the
long-focus lens to his eye.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald is displaying indignation and complaint to the police
as he nods his head vigorously toward Lisa. At this the police
start to advance into the apartment, going directly for Lisa.
She flashes a quick look toward Jeff's window. She turns
back as the first policeman reaches her. He starts to question
her.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Stella turns away and goes quickly to the table for the
binoculars. Jeff still is using the long-focus lens.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - BINOCULAR SHOT
We see Lisa start to excuse her presence in the same manner
she used with Thorwald previously, as if to say she came
into the apartment by mistake. Thorwald, listening, comes
quickly forward to contradict her, vigorously. He holds out
the jewelry in his hand, and then picks up and shows the
empty handbag. The policeman, impressed, looks back to Lisa
for an explanation. She has none. Over this we hear Stella
frantically asking:
STELLA
What's she trying to do? Why doesn't
she turn him in?
JEFF
Smart girl.
STELLA
Smart? She'll be arrested!
JEFF
That'll get her out of there, won't
it?
The first policeman indicates that Lisa is to come along
with him. He pauses momentarily to tell the second policeman
to take a statement from Thorwald about the attempted
burglary. The second policeman reaches for the jewelry in
Thorwald's hand, and takes it for examination. In the brief
pause while the two policemen speak to each other, Lisa starts
to wave her left hand behind her back.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff looking through his camera.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - CAMERA SHOT
We get a closer view of the waving hand. She stops waving
and holds her fingers spread out. With her other hand she
points to the wedding ring on her left hand.
STELLA
Mrs. Thorwald's ring!
THE LENS PANS UPWARD AND ACROSS until it brings Thorwald's
profile into the picture. He is looking down directly at
Lisa's hands. His head slowly turns, and he looks right up --
directly into the lens. Suddenly he becomes aware that Lisa
is signaling to someone who is watching him.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff and Stella. He drops the camera into his lap.
JEFF
Stella! The lights! He'd seen us!
Stella hurries from the window, turning off lights, as Jeff
backs his chair into the room.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
As Thorwald's attention is drawn back to the second policeman
to answer further questions, the first policeman takes Lisa
by the arm and leads her out of the apartment. He goes down
the corridor pushing the curious people away from the door.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
The last light out, Stella stops to catch her breath, and
turns to Jeff.
STELLA
When you took your first snapshot --
did you ever think it would bring
you to this?
JEFF
(Urgently)
Stella -- how long do you think he'll
stay there?
STELLA
(Squinting out window)
Unless he's dumber than I think, he
won't wait 'til his lease is up.
Jeff points to a drawer in the wall cabinets.
JEFF
My billfold! In the right hand drawer.
Stella moves to get it.
STELLA
What do you need money for?
JEFF
To bail Lisa out of jail.
She finds a billfold, hands it to Jeff. He takes it, extracts
some bills and begins counting them. As he counts, Stella
comments:
STELLA
You know -- you could just leave her
there until after next Tuesday -- so
you could sneak away safely -- as
planned.
He looks up sharply at her, and then without comment goes
back to counting the money.
JEFF
(With obvious
disappointment)
One hundred and twenty-seven.
STELLA
How much do you think you'll need?
JEFF
First offense burglary --
(He shrugs)
-- probably two-fifty.
(Gets an idea, points)
The piggy bank.
Stella, following his pointing finger, gets a piggy bank
down from a shelf on the sideboard. He takes it, cracks it
on the knee of his cast. It splits open, and some money comes
out. Mostly bills, a few silver halves.
What he doesn't get, Stella picks up.
STELLA
Ten here.
JEFF
Thirty-three here. Totals one-ninety.
Not enough.
STELLA
I got twenty or so in my purse. Give
me what you've got.
Jeff does, as Stella gets her purse.
JEFF
What about the rest?
STELLA
When those cops get a look at Miss
Fremont -- they'll even contribute.
Stella goes up to the door. The phone RINGS. Jeff grabs it,
picks it up. Stella pauses.
JEFF
(To phone)
Just a minute.
(To Stella)
I'll tell you who it is when you get
back.
Stella goes quickly out the door. He returns to the phone
call, glancing at the same time toward the courtyard.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
JEFF
Jefferies.
DOYLE
(Filter)
This is Doyle, Jeff.
JEFF
(Urgently)
Tom, I've got something real big for
you.
DOYLE
(Wearily)
Look Jeff, don't louse up my night
with another man killer stuffing a
grisly trunk that turns out to be --
JEFF
(Interrupting harshly)
Listen to me! Lisa's been arrested.
DOYLE
(Slightest pause)
Your Lisa?
JEFF
My Lisa. She went into Thorwald's
apartment, and he came back. The
only way I could get her out was to
call the police.
DOYLE
(Angry)
I told you that --
JEFF
(Interrupting)
I know what you told me! She went in
to get evidence, and she came out
with it.
DOYLE
Like what?
JEFF
Like Mrs. Thorwald's wedding ring.
If that woman were still alive, she'd
be wearing it.
DOYLE
(Grudgingly)
A possibility.
JEFF
(Talking fast)
A fact! Last night he killed a dog
for pawing in his garden. Why? Because
he had something buried in there.
Something a dog could scent.
DOYLE
Like an old hambone?
JEFF
(Fast)
I don't know what pet name Thorwald
had for his wife. And that night he
went out half a dozen times with the
metal suitcase. He wasn't taking his
possessions, because they're up in
his apartment now!
DOYLE
You think perhaps it was "old
hambone?"
JEFF
In sections! And one other thing,
doubting Tom -- it just occurred to
me that all the calls Thorwald made
were long distance! If he called his
wife the day she left -- after she
arrived in Merritsville -- why did
she need to send him a postcard saying
she'd arrived?
DOYLE
(After pause; a
detective)
Where'd they take Lisa?
JEFF
Precinct Six. I sent a friend over
with bail money.
DOYLE
Maybe you won't need it. I'll run it
down, Jeff.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - LONG SHOT
We see Thorwald leave his apartment and proceed down the
corridor.
JEFF
Just don't dally. Thorwald knows
he's being watched. He won't hang
around long.
DOYLE
If that ring checks out, we'll give
him an escort. So long.
He hangs up, and just as he does, Jeff looks toward Thorwald's
apartment. He rolls forward to the window.
He seems a little puzzled by what he sees.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald's apartment. Completely dark. No movement, or glow
of a cigar. The corridor outside lighted, but empty.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT
Jeff scratches the side of his chin, studies Thorwald's
apartment as if he might see some small clue as to where the
salesman is. He looks toward the intersection to his left.
Apparently he sees nothing. He turns to look down into the
garden.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Lonely Hearts is standing in the yard outside her
apartment, looking up to the porch of Miss Torso. The ballet
dancer is in high heels and a fresh summer dress.
MISS TORSO
(Faintly heard)
Have you heard that song he's been
writing?
She indicates the song-writer's apartment. Miss Lonely Hearts
turns, looks up at the studio apartment a moment, then looks
up at Miss Torso.
MISS LONELY HEARTS
(Nods yes)
I'm glad I was here when he played
it.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSE SHOT
He sits quietly a moment, thinking. Suddenly he jumps a little
as the phone rings. He reaches for it, picks up the receiver.
JEFF
(Still looks out window)
Hello.
(No answer)
Hello, Doyle? Tom? Tom, I think
Thorwald's left. I don't see anything
of --
(He looks at receiver,
then:)
Hello.
Slowly he looks up toward Thorwald's apartment. Then, back
to the receiver. On filter, a receiver can be heard carefully
being replaced. Jeff slowly lowers the phone into the cradle.
He looks once more toward Thorwald's apartment. Then he turns
his chair around quickly and looks toward the door to his
apartment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
The door. Quiet in the apartment, and in the corridor.
Light showing beneath the door from the hall light.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSE SHOT
Jeff watching, waiting, nervous at first. He reaches for the
phone, changes his mind. He looks around for some kind of a
weapon, finds none to suit him. He hears the slightest squeak
of a floorboard, and looks quickly toward the door again.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
The door. Another squeak of a floorboard, so light and quickly
passing that at any other time it would have no significance,
even if it could be heard. Then the light beneath the door
disappears. Black.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSE SHOT
Jeff squints at the door, blinks, squints again.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
The door. No doubt about it, black.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT
He looks again for a weapon, and almost by instinct he
snatches up his flash holder and the small packet of bulbs
he had taken out to signal Lisa earlier. He tries to move
his wheelchair farther into the shadows. His eyes are glued
to the door of his apartment, and his senses are sharp as a
hunting dog's. He scarcely breathes.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Only the slightest sound is heard as the doorknob turns.
The door slowly and carefully swings open, but the corridor
is too dark to tell at first who is entering.
The door closes just as quietly. From the shadowed recess
comes a heavy voice. A threatening voice.
THORWALD
What do you want from me?
Jeff doesn't answer. Thorwald steps to the top of the stairs,
and is now somewhat visible. He looks tall and huge and
explosive.
THORWALD
Your friend -- the girl -- could
have turned me in. Why didn't she?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff doesn't answer. His eyes watch Thorwald. He licks his
lip with nervous tension and grips the flash holder.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Thorwald comes down the two steps, pauses at the bottom.
THORWALD
What is it you want? A lot of money?
I don't have any money.
Jeff doesn't answer.
THORWALD
Say something!
He moves forward a couple of steps.
THORWALD
(Sudden loud anger)
Say something! Tell me what you want!
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff still doesn't speak. He grips the flash holder a little
more tightly, lifts it just the fraction of an inch as if he
is prepared to use it.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Thorwald has advanced to the middle of the room, his eyes on
Jeff and his hands clenching with the effort to control his
anger.
THORWALD
Can you get me that ring back?
JEFF
(Quietly)
No.
THORWALD
(Loud)
Tell her to bring it back!
He advances a step.
JEFF
I can't. The police have it by now.
THORWALD
Then if the police get me -- you
won't be around to laugh!
Thorwald starts to move threateningly for Jeff.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
From a three-quarter angle toward Thorwald. Jeff lifts the
flash holder to face level and closes his eyes. He explodes
the flash.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Thorwald's face fills the screen registering shock, confusion.
He throws up his hands for protection and recoils, making an
involuntary sound of surprise.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
A vision of Jeff and the apartment as seen by Thorwald.
It is distorted and out of focus, filled with large twisting
balls of bright yellow color.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Thorwald blinking, trying to regain his sight.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff ejects the used bulb and quickly inserts another.
He works furiously, sweating. He gets the bulb in the flash
holder just in time to meet Thorwald coming at him. Jeff
closes his eyes and another bulb explodes in Thorwald's face.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Thorwald's face, full screen again, as he recoils from the
flash.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The apartment as seen by Thorwald again. Big, twisting balls
of blinding yellow.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Thorwald stumbles back against the side table, knocking
objects off onto the floor, struggling for balance and sight.
Jeff works rapidly to put a fresh bulb in the holder.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT
Thorwald regains his equilibrium and some of his sight.
Orienting himself, he starts for Jeff again. This time, when
the flash holder goes off, we see it from Jeff's angle.
Thorwald is lighted almost white, shockingly outlining every
detail of his face, clothes, hands. His rage and frustration
are fixed for a brief but terrifying moment. He stumbles
backward again, trying to brush the light away from his face
almost as if it were a solid enveloping substance.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT
Jeff ejects a bulb, puts his last bulb into the flash holder.
He tries to move the wheelchair a little further away from
Thorwald. Then he raises the flash holder again.
In b.g. we see: Doyle, Lisa, Stella and the detectives come
to Thorwald's door, try it. Locked.
One of the men steps forward with a flat steel jimmy and
snaps the lock open. They move quickly into the darkened
apartment. Doyle hits the lights inside the kitchen. The
group goes into the living room. The lights go on. No sign
of Thorwald. Doyle, Lisa and Stella instinctively turn and
look toward Jeff's apartment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
From Thorwald's apartment shooting at Jeff's window. A sudden
bright flash is seen as the last flash bulb goes off. And it
lights the scene of Jeff in the wheelchair and Thorwald diving
through the air at him. Darkness rushes in, blacker than
before.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Thorwald has finally reached Jeff, knocking the flash
equipment out of his hands and coming to grips with him.
It is apparent that he is trying to pull Jeff out of the
wheelchair. Jeff fights him off.
The wheelchair crashes over, spilling Jeff to the floor.
Thorwald is on top of him, lifting, dragging him to the
window. Jeff grabs everything he can to keep himself away
from the window, but Thorwald is far too powerful for him.
He strains to raise Jeff to the windowsill.
THORWALD
I'll give you a good look out the
window.
Slowly, inexorably, he raises Jeff to the windowsill.
Jeff frantically grabs for the upright window frame, wrapping
his arms around it. Thorwald shoves the rest of his body
over the windowsill.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Doyle, Lisa, Stella and the two detectives, crossing
Thorwald's yard, see Jeff going out the window. Lisa is
panicked.
LISA
Jeff! Jeff!
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM LONG SHOT
From Doyle's viewpoint, Jeff hanging out the window and
Thorwald hammering at his hands and arms with bare fists.
Doyle pushes Lisa to one side and starts to scale the wall,
preceded by the two detectives.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Thorwald fights to dislodge Jeff's grip.
EXT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSE SHOT
Looking down on Jeff's face, showing his strain and the pain
of Thorwald's attack. The brick floor of the patio seems a
hundred feet below.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Thorwald and Jeff struggling.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT
Doyle pulling himself to the top of the wall. Lisa, Stella
and the two men below, looking up. Lisa is white-faced and
frightened.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Thorwald smashes at Jeff's arms and hands. Jeff's grip begins
to slip.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT
Doyle reaches the top of the wall, looks up at Jeff.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM LONG SHOT
Jeff, as seen from Doyle's angle, hanging, somehow weathering
Thorwald's insane attack.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT
Doyle reaches for his service revolver. He doesn't have it!
He looks down, and calls one of the detectives back.
DOYLE
Creel! Your Thirty-eight!
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT
Looking down at the two detectives from Doyle's point of
view. Creel grabs for his gun expertly. The holster breaks
away. It is in his hand and with a deft movement he tosses
it upward.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT
Doyle catches it, turns up to Jeff's apartment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Thorwald still trying to loosen Jeff's grip. The salesman,
in a complete, wild, sweating rage, is beyond all reason.
His glasses hang from one ear, his coat is torn, his tie
pulled to one side.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM LONG SHOT
Shooting over Doyle's shoulder as he steadies himself against
the wall, lifting the service revolver up for a shot at
Thorwald. His aim is careful, slow, painfully deliberate.
Jeff seems about to fall.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
The two detectives ahead of Doyle are moving up below the
window. Lisa stand looking up, her hands at the sides of her
head, frozen with panic.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Two detectives appear behind Thorwald and grab him. The
startled Thorwald stops his attack on Jeff as he looks wildly
around to find the source of his new attack.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff, hanging from the window frame. He claws desperately
for a hold.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - COMPREHENSIVE SHOT
People rush to their windows, looking out at the excitement.
Some people on the ground floor come out into the yard. Doyle
and the two detectives come into the patio beneath Jeff.
Doyle directs them to improvise something to break Jeff's
fall -- leaves, greenery, their coats, cushions from the
patio furniture -- anything they can find. The four uniformed
policemen rush into the backyard. Lisa and Stella come over
the wall into the patio beneath Jeff. They look up at Jeff,
encouraging him to hold on.
A detective goes into Jeff's cellar door, trying to reach
his apartment before Jeff loses his grip.
The siffleuse and her husband are standing on the fire escape
in plain, almost somber clothes. They watch expressionlessly.
Beneath them the empty basket which once held their dog swings
silently in the night air.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff, hanging from his windowsill. He loses his grip and
plunges down into the patio below. Two detectives throw
themselves beneath him. They are knocked to the ground as
Jeff's fall tumbles both of them. After Jeff hits, he lies
still, twisted over to one side.
Doyle and Lisa rush over to Jeff. There is an audible
SOUND of shock in the neighborhood as Jeff has fallen --
various oh's, ah's, and possibly a stifled scream or two.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT
Lisa kneels down, cradles Jeff's head in her lap. There are
tears in her eyes. Her clothes are disheveled and her dress
torn. Her hair is disarranged. But withal, her face is as
beautiful as ever, with love.
LISA
Jeff -- Jeff darling!
He opens his eyes. Winces with pain.
LISA
(To the detectives)
Get an ambulance.
(Down to Jeff)
Don't move. Try to lie still.
JEFF
Lisa -- I -- I -- can't tell you how
scared I was that you -- you might --
LISA
(Affectionately)
Shut up. I'm all right.
JEFF
(To Doyle)
Think you've got enough for a search
warrant now?
DOYLE
Oh sure. Sure. I can make it.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
At that moment, a man appears leaning out of Jeff's window.
He looks down to the patio.
DETECTIVE
Lieutenant Doyle?
DOYLE (OFF)
(Looking up)
Yeah?
DETECTIVE
Thorwald's ready to take us on a
tour of the East River.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Stella tugs at Doyle's arm and stands on tiptoe to whisper
something into his ear. Doyle then looks up to the detective.
DOYLE
Did he say what was buried in the
flower bed?
DETECTIVE
Yeah. It's over in his apartment. In
a hat box. Wanna look?
Doyle turns quizzically at Stella.
STELLA
Oh, no thanks -- I don't want any of
part of her
(She pauses, then
does a surprised
take back to Doyle)
What did I say?
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - PAN SHOT
Beginning on Jeff's window thermometer, the CAMERA PANS FROM
RIGHT TO LEFT around the neighborhood.
In the songwriter's apartment we see the songwriter with a
guest -- Miss Lonely Hearts. Both in dress and manner she
seems quite happy and adjusted to life. The songwriter is
placing the first recording of his new song on a record player
for her to hear. It is a full symphonic arrangement which is
heard over.
CONTINUE TO PAN
Thorwald's apartment is empty, stripped of its furnishings.
Two painters are repainting the walls.
The siffleuse and her husband are on their fire escape,
training a new white dog to ride in their basket.
Miss Torso is practicing her ballet again. She wears a white
leotard. The sound of someone at the door interrupts her.
She goes to the door, opens it an inch or two cautiously.
When she sees who is outside, she throws open the door. An
innocuous, unhandsome and somewhat shy army private enters
with a barracks bag slung over one shoulder. She kisses him
fondly after closing the door. He puts down the barracks
bag, tosses his hat into a chair and, with the attitude of a
man who belongs there, goes to the icebox to see what's to
eat.
The newlyweds are arguing.
The CAMERA PANS past Jeff who is asleep in his wheelchair
facing away from the window. CAMERA MOVES DOWN to the lower
part of his body and we see that both his legs are now in
casts. The CAMERA LIFTS SLIGHTLY to show Lisa sitting on the
sofa nearby. She wears Levis and a plaid cotton shirt. She
is reading a book on travel. She looks up briefly at Jeff.
When she realizes he is asleep, she puts down the travel
book and reaches for the latest copy of Harper's Bazaar. She
settles down to study it as we
FADE OUT:
THE END
Rear Window
Writers : Cornell Woolrich John Michael Hayes
Genres : Thriller Mystery
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Purpose: The purpose of the public meeting is to provide information regarding transportation projects and programs that might affect bicycle use on the state system in the Austin area.
Description: All citizens are invited to attend the public meeting and provide input.
In the event such request is received, the public meeting to be held April 3, 2014, will include a formal public hearing beginning at 6 p.m. | slim_pajama |
Evangelion 1. IN00
Imagine Normality: Prelude
by: Al-I-Bus
[email protected]
Neon Genesis Evangelion and all of its characters are owned by Gainax. I am
using them without permission, and do not intend to benefit financially from
this, or any other work, using these characters and ideas.
I restarted this series because I lost all of my directoin. I have a basic
timeline, and I know what I want to do now. Another note is that I will be
writing in prose rather than the script format that IN had been before.
SPOILER WARNING: This fic contains spoilers for End of Evangelion, as well as
the series. Things from End of Eva may be altered slightly. This fanfic picks
up where Eva:R left off, kinda.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
Asuka saw the sword approaching and raised her AT-Field to its max. Even though
the field protected her she lurched back from the force of the impact as the
sword made contact with the field. Maya was screaming something in the
background, but Asuka wasn't paying much attention. Already she was devising a
strategy, when suddenly everything went ape shit.
" No Asuka no! It's an inverted At-Field, your field won't be able to hold it."
Maya was screaming frantically into the console, but there was no response. The
group in the control room looked on in horror as the sword suddenly transformed
into a Lance of Longius. A pattern of orange octogons came into existence
briefly, then they shattered and the lance continued, unhindered towards its
target.
" Oh Sh----" was all Asuka had time for before the lance buried itself in her
right eye. She felt herself, and her Eva, falling to the ground. Gritting her
teeth in determination she put one hand to the lance and tried to pull it out of
her eye. A moment later eight other lances rained down on her, pinning her to
the ground.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
Unit-01's eyes blazed with an unnatural light, as Shinji sped towards the
surface. * Hold on Asuka I'm coming* Shinji thought to himself as he quickly
leapt from level to level, rapidly approaching daylight and the world above.
With a final leap, Shinji cleared the top of the elevator shaft and rolled into
a crouch. Cautiously he glanced left and right, but nothing threatening came
into his field of vision. The he turned around.
Asuka's Eva-02 lay on the ground, pinned down by countless Lances of Longius.
Shinji turned on a com channel to talk to her, only to have his ears assailed by
German curses and tears.
" BAKA-SHINJI!!!!!!!! I WOULD HAVE COME TO HELP YOU SUPERHERO!!!!!!!! I Would
have....i would have...." Shinji cut off his com channel, unable to listen any
longer.
Pain lanced through his back, and he toppled forward, a fist through his Eva's
back and out of his chest. As the ground rushed up to meet him, his vision
suddenly turned white.
Strange voices filled his mind. There were questions, answers, voices,
accusations. He tried to fight against it as best as he could, then one
question popped into his awareness clearly.
SHINJI IKARI. DEATH OR REBIRTH?
He blinked, trying to gather his thoughts, but the question repeated itself.
SHINJI IKARI. DEATH OR REBIRTH?
" Rebirth." He whispered finally. Suddenly everything went black. The last
thing he heard was a familiar angry voice yelling at him.
" Get up baka!!!! we're gonna be late!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
2. IN01
Imagine Normality
by: Al-I-Bus
[email protected]
Eva and it characters are owned by Gainax. Eva:R is an Orbit Production, and
End of Evangelion is owned by Gainax. All characters are created by Hideo Anno
( stupid dickhead), except those characters from Eva:R which were created by
Orbit Productions
Look, this is part one, I'm redoing it...I don't know why. I guess it'll make
it better, I know for one thing that it's a lot easier to describe things in
prose than script. I'm gonna keep a lot of the shit from the orignial series
so.....
You may want to buy some face soap or whatever you use to keep it clean cuz this
is chock full of sweetness. I mean super sugary, WAFFY!!!!! I didn't know I
had it in me...I even gave myself a Warm and Fuzzy Feeling.
IMPORTANT NOTES: SPOILER WARNING...I GUESS THERE ARE SPOILERS HERE......
Other notes: * * indicates thoughts, indicates an action noise. And
finally a string of ****** denotes a change in time/location.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
" Wake up asshole!" Shinji felt himself being dragged up from the depths of a
dream. Well a nightmare more precisely, one where Nerv had gotten its ass
kicked by the UN, Asuka had been hurt badly, and everyone was going to die. He
shuddered as he remembered the dream. Then he had the air in his lungs forced
out by a powerful blow to the chest.
Groaning, he opened his eyes slightly and saw a red blur flash in and out of
focus. Then he realized he was being shaken.
" I swear to God, third child, if you don't wake up, it's all over for you.
I'll make your life sooooooooo miserable."
Asuka was angry, but she had a twinkle in her eye. For some reason this seemed
to be fun today. More fun than usual. Not to mention the fact that she enjoyed
stradling Shinji, even though she'd never admit it to him.
Shinji's vision cleared up and all of his awareness returned just as Asuka
pushed up and then slammed down on him again. This time Shinji had a normal
teenage male reaction to being ridden by a beautiful, well-developed, teenage
female. Unfortuanetly for him, Asuka thought he had taken it a little to far
when she felt something pushing against her panties ( REMEMBER THEY WEAR SKIRTS
TO SCHOOL)
SLAP!!!!SLAP!!!!!! " BAKA!!HENTAI!!!! YOU PERVERTED ASSHOLE!!!!!!!"
*******************************************************************************
Five minutes later Shinji and Asuka can be seen sprinting down the street
heading towards Tokyo-3 Municipal Junior High School. They were two blocks away
from the school when they halted to let traffic pass. As he watches the cars
whiz by, Shinji can't help but glance over at his red-headed roommate.
* She's so pretty, I can't help myself. Maybe I'll ask her today......*
He was snapped back into reality by a playful smack from Asuka.
" Hey what're ya lookin at third child? Was it my flawless face? Or perhaps it
was my lovely body. Maybe you were gazing into my beautiul azure eyes?
Well.....? Which was it you moron!?"
Shinji blushed profusely as he searched for a response.
" Umm..I was just......umm...i was just..umm..thinking! About...ummm....the
synch tests."
* Phew she almost had me*
Asuka just nodded knowingly. She turned away from Shinji and faced the traffic
again, speaking softly to him over her shoulder.
" Of course....nevermind, I guess....... when you assume Sigh you make an ass
out of you and me." Sigh
Shinji cocked an eyebrow, confused.
* What's going on? One second she's being normal, teasing and tormenting me,
now she's being all soft and sensetive......maybe it's that time..*
" Hey Asuka, is it that time of the month already?"
She turned back to him, her face taking on a myriad of expressions. First she
looked shocked, then surprised, then angry, then finally, right before she
lashed out at him, amused.
" Oh you're so dead, Ikari!"
She fired a quick right out at Shinji, who ducked and tried to run past her, but
Asuka was quicker than him. Lashing out with her right foot, she connected with
his thigh causing him to stumble. Unfortuanetly for her, he stumbled right into
her causing her to lose her balance and tumble to the ground with him. Asuka
rolled as she hit the ground, and Shinji rolled with her. They ended up,
tangled up, next to a bench, in a small park next to the road. They little trip
had carried them into a little secluded patch of the park, surrounded by bushes.
Shaking his head to clear out the cobwebs, Shinji looked up. On top of him, and
a bit dazed also, was Asuka. She looked down at him, her perfectly blue eyes
shining with joy, one of her rare I'm_Real_Happy_And_You_Better_Feel_Lucky
smiles plastered on her face. In a blind moment of bravery Shinji reached up,
pulled her down to him, and kissed her gently on the lips.
The fact that Shinji had gathered up enough balls to kiss her was amazing to
Asuka. What amazed her even more, and scared her a little, was the fact that
she liked it, and kissed back. She suppressed a giggle as she felt Shinji tense
up beneath her as she explored his mouth with her tongue. Finally she pulled
away, looking at him expectantly.
" Well...you can ask now."
Shinji blushed a little, a scratched his head ( NOT THAT ONE!) embarrassed.
" Umm...well...I..uh I, ahem, I really like you Asuka...and I was wondering
if...if...if you'd like to ..ummm go out with me?"
Asuka's smile brightened, if that was possible, and she hugged Shinji, laying
her head on his chest, listening to his, now, uneven breathing.
" Yeah why not?" she answered flippantly.
They lay like that for a moment when a light bulb suddenly flashed over Asuka's
head. Pushing herself up off of Shinji she yanked her bookbag off the ground,
and yanked him upright. Pausing to brush some of the twigs and other annoyances
off of her skirt, she turned to Shinji.
" We are late. Very late. I suggest running now."
That said she took off sprinting, dragging Shinji behind her ( His legs had
fallen asleep while Asuka was resting on him.)
*******************************************************************************
Misato sat up suddenly, and immediately put a hand to her forehead. She looked
around her bedroom wildly, eyes searching for something. Then she saw it. Next
to her, on the night table lay her ivory white cross. Sighing she sank back
into the warm recesses of her covers.
Sleep didn't return, however, as the memories of her dream still plagued her.
She had been taking Shinji to his eva to help Asuka when she was shot. She
remembered giving Shinji her cross and then kissing him, a moment later Kaji had
appeared in front of her and then....well then it was all blank after that.
She shuddered involuntarily at the idea that she was that close to death. Even
though it was a dream, it felt so real. Misato shrugged and turned over,
closing her eyes. A moment later she was awakened, realizing two things. One,
there was an incredible amount of banging and squawking going on at her door,
and two, there was an incessant blaring in her ears as the phone rang.
Jumping up, Misato made it to the phone just in time to hear Ritsuko say goodbye
on the answering machine.
* Stupid phone, and stupid penguin.*
" I HATE THE MORNING!!!!" she screamed out to no one in particular. Grumbling
she pressed the play button on her answering machine. Ritsuko's tired voice
came through the speaker:
" Good morning Misato. YAWN SIGH You don't have to come in today, unless
there is an emergency. Tell the kids that their synchronization tests will be
canceled for today, unless they are informed otherwise. The stupid machines
aren't running right, and guess whose gotta stay and be triple shifted in order
to fix things up again. Oh well another day in the life of the beautiful, mad
scientist. See ya!"
The machine beeped and was silent as Misato danced happily.
" I've got the day off, hahahaha, No work for meeeee!!!" Grabbing Pen-Pen's
fins she proceeded to do a quick jig around the apartment with the protesting
penguin, who was struggling to get away.
Finally she ceased her singing and dancing and noticed Pen-Pen laying on the
floor, holding his stomach. Raising an eyebrow curiously she poked the penguin
in the head.
" What's wrong with you? C'mon get up!"
The penguin just rolled around more on the floor. Glancing around the kitchen
Misato noticed that a frozen fish was laying on the floor.
" I see, you're hungry!" Pen-Pen leapt up and nodded enthusiastically. Misato
giggled and picked up the fish.
" I'll make it for you!" Pen-Pen shook his head in horror, waving his flippers
franticaly.
Misato noticed and stuck her tongue out at him,
" I can do it...."
*How hard can it be to heat up a fish anyway?...................*
*******************************************************************************
" And you expect me to believe that you were unable to cross the street because
of traffic for TWENTY minutes?!"
The professor eyed Shinji and Asuka suspiciously. Asuka, as usual, looked
confident, but the other one, Shinji, seemed very nervous, even more so than
usual. Grinning slyly the professor continued onwards with his assualt.
" And I suppose that the reason your hair is full of twigs and leaves, Ms.
Sohryu, is because you were standing under a tree, hmmm?"
Asuka gulped audibly and nodded shakily, Shinji on the other heand, was blood
red and having trouble breathing. Behind them the class had erupted into
laughter, even Hikari joining in. Eventually things quieted down and Asuka and
Shinji were given bucket duty out in the hallway.
Of course, seeing as it's middle school, romours started to fly around about the
real reason that Asuka and Shinji were tardy. By lunch things were a bit out of
hand. The worst part of it all was that Shinji and Asuka couldn't even defend
themselves. As further punishment for being late, they were given clean up duty
during lunch.
Hikari plopped down next to Toji and Kensuke. Glancing at first one then the
other she asked,
" Okay, so what's the newest one?"
Kensuke grinned, swallowed a bite of his lunch, and replied:
" That Shinji got Misato pregnant and Asuka was furious with jealousy and she
sprinted out of the house. Shinji followed her and finally caught up with her
in the woods. After apologizing and convincing her that she was the apple of
his eye, they made sweet, sweet, passionate love under an apple tree."
He looked up, proud at being able to remember the whole tale and waited for
their reaction. Hikari fell to the ground, being toppled over by a enormous
sweatdrop, while Toji's face was bright red from laughing.
" That's gotta be one of the funniest things I've ever heard in my life! Wow
what idiot thought that one up?"
Hikari gave him the glare and his mood suddenly sobered up.
" Uh..I mean, what a shame that these children have such active imaginations."
She shook her head at him in despair, finished her lunch, looked at her watch
and declared:
" Well enough of this nonsense, I'm gonna go find out from the source!"
Standing from the table she marched across the courtyard and turned into the
building.
Kensuke loked at Toji,
" Well she has you perfectly trained."
" What was that?"
Toji retorted, baring his teeth and waving a fist threateningly.
Kensuke stood up,
Ahem, " I said that she has you perfectly trained", then he sprinted off after
Hikari, hoping he could find safety in her presence. Toji wasn't far behind.
Our eye-glassed hero was speeding through the hallway, glancing back at Toji
every now and then to make sure he still had a good lead. As it happened, one
of the times he glanced back was just before he made it to the door of the
classroom. Since he wasn't watching where he was going, he plowed into the back
of Hikari, who, until then, had been standing, slack-jawed at the door.
They would have been fine, except for the fact that Toji slipped on puddle of
spilt milk and slid into the back of Hikari and Kensuke, hurtling them through
the door and onto the hard floor of the classroom, which startled Shinji and
Asuka, who jumped back from each other and continued the tasks they had been
assigned, but with a blush on their faces.
( One sentence and it wasn't run on, how amazing was that?)
Hikari's voice shot out of the pile of people, causing Shinji and Asuka to
cringe slightly:
" Ohmigod what were you two doing? That's soooooo cute!!!!!!"
She leapt from the pile, somehow separating herself from Kensuke and Toji,
pointing a finger at first Asuka, then Shinji.
" They were kissing! I saw it I saw it! The rumours must be true, well at
least some of 'em!"
Toji and Kensuke muttered some incoherent nonsense, as they were still
struggling to get untangled. Meanwhile Asuka jumped in front of Hikari and
clamped a hand across her mouth. As she dragged Hikari from the room she made
eye contact with Shinji and shrugged.
*******************************************************************************
" And that's how it happened. You knew I kinda liked him, why're you so
surprised?"
Asuka sat on the windowsill in the girl's bathroom, as Hikari paced the floor.
She had just finished relating to her friend the adventures of the morning and
was now waiting for a reaction.
Hikari finally removed her chin from her hand,
" I don't know it's just so....so....so weird! Everyone knew you liked him, but
I didn't think that he'd ever grow the balls to ask you out, and I didn't think
you'd lower your pride enough to accept." she received a dark glare for that
one, but Hikari knew how to handle the ill-tempered one.
" It's so kawaii! Two of earth's defenders, fighting for each others love.
Sigh It's like something out of a movie, so romantic! You're lucky."
" But what about Toji? I thought he and you were....well....."
Asuka prodded, trying to even the score.
Hikari dropped her gaze, reddening slightly,
" Oh, well, we are...kinda, but I mean...well, he's not exactly the most
romantic guy around, but I mean...uh, well he's got this...oh I don't know, he's
got this other side to him that's like for me only. I don't know...."
She grinned up at Asuka
" I guess I just don't know! Now stop trying to change the subject! What about
Rei? Has anyone said anything to her?"
Asuka sighed
" Ok, me and blunderboy have been dating now for about three hours. It wasn't
planned, very spontaneous, there wasn't much time to tell anyone. And Rei can
go kiss my ass for all I care. In fact I hope she did want Shinji so I can get
into a fight with her or something."
Hikari shook her head and rolled her eyes.
" You do realize that you're hopeless don't you."
Just then the bell rang. Asuka jumped down to the floor and followed Hikari out
of the bathroom.
" Oh and one thing pigtails. Keep it under your hat, I don't need to have the
whole school privy to my business."
Hikari grinned and winked at Asuka.
" You know you can trust me Asuka! You're secrets safe with me!"
*******************************************************************************
Nearly a mile down, and just a tad to the right ( Thanks to Jackson Ferrel)
Ritsuko finally snapped. She sat upright in her chair and started to laugh out
loud. As her giggling slowed, she jumped out of her seat and ran over to Maya.
Grabbing Maya in a big bear hug she pulled the technichian out of her chair and
proceeded to dance with her across the control room. Maya giggled as Ritsuko
led her in a neat little jig.
Realeasing Maya, Ritsuko turned to the garbage can in the corner ( Perhaps the
only thing in the room that is not more expensive than anything in MY LIFE!) and
began to kick it furiously and violently. Done with the garbage abuse, Ritsuko
turned her gaze up to the Commander's office, where she knew he was watching.
Giving the office the classic " Beedah!", Ritsuko marched out of the room
calling over her shoulder.
" FUUUUUUUUUUCK THIS! I'm going to sleep! You can suck my left big toe Gendo
Ikari for all I care! Put the damn S2s in yourself. See ya tomorrow Maya!"
Maya watched her leave, sweatdrops clinging to her head.
* WOW! I never ever ever in my whole life thought I'd ever see that!*
" So now what do I do?"
she asked the Magi system, which quietly hummed in response.
Looking around she realized that she was quite alone. It was sorta spooky.
" Hello? Is anyone there? HELLOOOOOO!!!!???"
She shivered slightly for no reason
* It sure is spooky down here.....*
*******************************************************************************
" Hello!!!..... Yes I am at 123 Elm St. Apartment 26B........ Uh Huh, please
hurry!.....Me? Nothing.......Yes really.......No I'm fine!!!! It's not
me!......It's my pet!......Don't hang up! C'mon!.......I think I killed
him!.......Trying to make him breakfast........Are you coming or
what?......Please.......What!?!?.....Well uh.....36-25-34.......Maybe if you
hurry.....and if you're cute......Well hurry up!!!!.......I swear if my penguin
dies........I know that........Hurry! Click"
Misato slammed the phone down, red faced.
On the floor Pen-Pen writhed in pain, the remains of a fish lay next to him. He
squawked weakly, rubbing his stomach with his flippers. Looking accusingly at
Misato he squawked some more, and tried to peck her foot.
" Ow! I'm sorry Pen-Pen!!! I was just trying to make you breakfast!!! How was
I supposed to know that you can't simmer a fish in curry and beer to thaw it
out!!!!! I called 911, I think they're coming to help you."
The penguin just glared at her angrily and contuned to roll around on the floor,
in obvious pain.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------
Well there we have it. Chapter one of Imagine Normality. I remember saying
that about a year ago when I finished chapter one of the first version. Well
I'm having fun and that's all that matters to me.
Phat shout to all those who helped me out with this. Chenalos, EbaronE,
BakaAndy, Axel, and anyone else I forgot.
A special shout out to the archives...SDAT ( Thanks Andre!), Everything Anime (
Thanks Greg!)
Oh yes..this is very important.
FUCK ADDISON GODDEL..BITCH ASS...
Peace look for part two in a while I guess.....
[email protected] ( author of: " Fan Fiction", " The Entry Plug Trilogy", and
many more great fics that you need to read)
[email protected] ( Author of " The Child of Love" and " An Amnesic
Angel")
3. IN02
Imagine Normality
by: Al-I-Bus
[email protected]
Neon Genesis Evangelion and all of its characters are owned by Gainax and were
created by Hideo Anno. Eva:R, Eva:R' and all of its characters are owned and
created by Orbit Productions. End of Evangelion is also owned by Gainax. The
characters held within the following story are used without permission.
Here is chapter 2 of the New and Improved Imagine Normality....I'll work more
characters in slowly, because I want to be able to develop my ideas before
bringing in too many characters. That way I can focus on the central idea which
is...........a secret.
End of Evangelion Spoilers ahead!!!! Eva:R Spoilers ahead!!!!! Spoilers for
everything ahead!!!!!!!!.
Remember: " " speech, * * thought, ********* change of time/scene, and is an
action noise.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------
Rei Ayanami sat up in her bed screaming. She swung her head wildly from right
to left, sweat dripping off of her brow, her chest heaving from the effort of
breathing. A pale hand reached down to examine a pale stomach. Her eyes
following her hand, Rei let out a sigh of relief. Gendo's arm was not sticking
out of her stomach, it had been a nightmare. Taking another deep breath, Rei
got up out of bed and padded softly over to the window.
The sight of a billion souls floating in the sky, all crying out at once,
greeted Rei as she gazed out of the window. Rei fell to her knees, hands
clutching at her hair. She started to scream.
*******************************************************************************
Rei Ayanami woke up abruptly. Gazing wildly around her room, she checked
herself to make sure that Gendo's appendages were not hanging off of her.
Finding no extra limbs, Rei leapt out of bed, and approached the window. A blue
sky greeted her roving eyes, and she sighed in relief.
* Just another nightmare I guess...*
Turning from the window, Rei began to head for the bathroom, when a deafening
thud broke her tranquility.
Running to her door, Rei exited her apartment and sped down to the street. In
the middle of the road lay the disembodied head of Lillith, dead eyes glaring
into her soul. Putting her hands to her mouth did little to halt the shriek of
anguish that she emitted a few moments later.
*******************************************************************************
Rei Ayanami woke up screaming and falling at the same time. She hit the floor
with a hollow thud. Rubbing her backside, she got up slowly. Sweat dripped
from her brow, chills ran up and down her spine. Running a hand across her
stomach she discovered no limbs, turning to the window she saw no soul-filled
sky, and glancing down into the street, she saw no decapitated head of Lillith.
Keeping her guard up, Rei walked over to her phone and picked it up. Breathing
rapidly she waited as the shrill ringing echoed in her ears. Finally, after an
endless few seconds, there was a click on the other end of the line.
" Hello?" a timid voice floated into her ears.
" Hello Shinji-Kun. Is everything alright?" Rei asked, muscles still tensed,
guard still up.
There was a pause on the other end of the line before Shinji answered.
" Well Rei. I woke up here on the beach, and it was just me and Asuka.
Umm.....do you know what's going on?"
Rei slammed her phone down and started screaming furiously.
" This sucks!!!!!! Stop this SHIT and let me wake the hell up!!!!"
Throwing her phone, Rei began to kick anything she could. Her garbage can flew
across the room, followed by her school clothes, her books, her Pen-Pen clock,
and her pillow.
As Rei wound up to kick at her wall, she accidentally slipped on a piece of
paper that had fell out of the garbage can and fell onto her back again, hard.
Frustrated, she began to scream out her anger.
*******************************************************************************
Rei Ayanami woke up in her bed screaming. Angrily she jumped up and out of the
bed. As she headed to the window she checked her stomach with one hand, while
reaching for the phone with her other. Dialing, as she looked up at the blue
sky, and down at the busy street, Rei's face flushed red with anger as she
listened to the phone ring.
" Hello" a sleepy voice came through the phone. Rei's patience gone, she
snapped. " Shinji! Are you dead? Are you on the beach with Asuka!?"
There was a long pause on the other end of the phone, as Shinji tried to make
his mind work.
" Umm..Rei? Are you alright" he finally managed to sputter out.
Rei breathed a sigh of relief, a sputtering Shinji was sign that everything was
right in the world.
" Nevermind Shinji. I'll talk to you later." Hanging up the phone, Rei lay back
on her bed. She gazed up at the ceiling and breathed softly. After a few
moments of glaring at the ceiling, a small smile crossed her face.
The small smiled, widened slowly, until it became a brilliant grin that split
her whole face. Laughing, softly at first, then progressively harder, Rei
clutched her stomach as she rolled around on her bed. Feeling better she got up
and headed for the bathroom. She needed a shower.
*******************************************************************************
Over at a certain apartment in Tokyo-3, Shinji looked at his cell phone in
disbelief. A massive sweatdrop stood out on his head and his eyes were wide
open and unblinking. After a moment he shrugged and got back into his bed.
*******************************************************************************
Rubbing her blue hair with a towel Rei stepped out of the bathroom. She slid
gracefully into her bedroom, and paused in front of the mirror.
The red eyes caught her attention first. The blue hair second. For some reason
they didn't seem to hurt her appearance at all. In fact they helped. She had
seen pictures of Shinji's mother, and she could easily see the resemblance. Rei
giggled to herself for a moment as she imagined being Shinji's mom.
" Yeah, I'm sure that would make Asuka really happy."
Rei stepped away from the mirror and turned to her drawer, looking for something
to put on. Opening her dresser she found one drawer filled with panties and
bras, and another filled with socks. The third drawer was empty. On top of the
dresser was an alarm clock and a pair of glasses.
Sighing to herself, Rei slowly put on her underwear, then approached the closet.
She hesitated before opening it, as if hoping that some new clothing would
magically appear there. Of course it did not happen. All that was in her
closet were three school uniforms, hung neatly. The fourth lay in a crumpled
ball on the floor.
A growl began to build up in her throat as Rei glanced around her sparse
apartment again. A brief image of Misato's apartment flashed through her mind.
Rei slammed her closet door, and stamped back to her bed. Plopping down heavily
on the bed she started to whine out loud.
" This isn't fair! They have a nice apartment! They aren't alone! My
apartment sucks! It's all empty and I hate this! It's not fair! I hate this!
Mine is all empty and theirs is so...so...well....so...lived in!"
Flinging her pillow to the floor, Rei rose from her bed determined.
* I've had it! I'm moving out! And you can't stop me! Commander Ikari!*
*******************************************************************************
In his office at the Geofront, Gendo Ikari sneezed.
*******************************************************************************
Deep within the bowels of the Geofront, Dr. Ritsuko Akagi sat up slowly. She
opened and closed her eyes, trying to work out the grit that had built up during
her 8 hour trip into the realm of the sandman. Her head was pounding, her mouth
was dry, and her palms were sweaty. In short she was very hungover, and today
was the set date for completion of the installation of the S2 engine in Unit-00.
" Great....just fucking great! Well, Maya'll be here soon, until then let me
get some coffee."
Ritsuko rose from her chair and shakily made her way over to the always running
coffee machine. As she reached the machine, she saw that a red light on
Melchior was blinking, indicating that there was a message of some sort waiting
for her. Curious she made her way to the computer, and sat down. Bringing up
the message screen, she quickly entered her passcode.
Password: Hi Mom Return
The machine hummed quietly for a moment, then flashed to life. Ritsuko's eyes
widened as she read what was on the screen before her. Her breath caught in her
throat, and she raised a hand to her mouth. Leaping from her chair she bolted
out of the room towards the Commander's office.
Back in the computer room, Melchior hummed quietly again, its job done. Splayed
across the screen in blood red letters one sentence could be seen.
TELL MY HUSBAND TO STOP...............
*******************************************************************************
Misato stretched and yawned. Sitting up in her bed she looked slowly around the
room. It was a mess, as usual. Shrugging she got out of the bed and strode out
of her room. It was quiet. Very quiet. Raising an eyebrow she glanced into the
living room. No television, no food, no arguing, not even a penguin.
She scratched her head,
* Very curious. Where is everyone?*
Misato poked her head into the kitchen. She grinned slightly at the sign over
the oven which read,
The Tokyo-3 Council has decided that the owner of this apartment, one Misato
Katsuragi, must remain ten feet from this appliance at all times!
Even here in the kitchen it was silent, save the slight humming coming from Pen-
Pen's freezer. She didn't dare check on Pen-Pen, he was still mad at her from
her incident in the kitchen.
Misato glanced up at the clock, 1:15 PM, she glanced at the calendar, May 12th,
Saturday. There were no tests today, no school, no emergencies. So where the
hell was everyone? There was no way that Asuka and Shinji outslept her.
A growling stomach reminded Misato that she was hungry, turning to the fridge
she noticed a lock on the door. There were two card slots, one read Asuka and
the other Shinji. A button near the top of the lock read " beer", but there was
no card slot for Misato to get into the fridge. Sighing she pressed the " beer"
button, and watched, amused, as a can of Yebisu slid down and out of a shoot
next to the ice dispenser.
" Fine if they want to play that way then...." she paused, dramatically, "
SHINJI!!!"
She sat down at the table to wait, ears straining to pick up the noises of
Shinji coming to heed her call. She waited.........she waited...........she
waited........nothing.
A little annoyed now, she got up and stomped over to Shinji's room. Banging on
the door, she called to him again.
" SHINJI!!! Get out here, NOW!!"
She slid the door open slightly, expecting to see a bundle wrapped up in covers
on the bed.
The bed was empty, in fact the room was spotless. It was totally cleaned, as if
he had already risen from bed and headed out somewhere.
* So where's he at?*
Turning to Asuka's room she quickly slid the door open. Her room was messy, but
showed signs of her having gotten up and leaving. She noticed a piece of paper
on the floor with her name scrawled out on it.
Unfolding it, she read it aloud to herself.
" Hey Misato, me and Shinji went out okay? We'll be together and we both have
our phones if you need to reach us. Stay out of the kitchen, unless you're
getting a beer. We'll be home by five with dinner. Asuka".
Smiling to herself, Misato put the piece of paper on top of the table in the
living room, where she had wandered while reading. So they were getting along
okay. But what was she going to do?
" I'm bored.......maybe Kaji's home!"
Grinning mischievously she turned to the phone.
*******************************************************************************
" Great idea third child! Now we're lost." The frustration could be seen
clearly on the face of the red-head as she pushed Shinji. He stumbled for a few
steps and then turned on her.
" Well...I didn't see you coming up with any bright ideas!" his voice trailed
off slightly, " Don't know why you won't just shut up and look for
landmarks....."
As his luck would have it, Asuka heard his final remark. Stamping the ground in
anger, she put her hands at her sides.
" Fine! I'll look for landmarks! From right here. Stupid Male! I'm not
walking one more step with you!"
Shinji sighed, very frustrated. Throwing his hands up he turned back to Asuka.
" Why can't you just help me! You're always such a baby!"
" Fine I'll be a baby! All by myself!" she spun on her heels, ignoring Shinji.
Both children were standing on a street somewhere in Tokyo-2. Shinji had wanted
to take Asuka out to the spot that Misato had shown him after he beat the first
Angel. Unfortunately they had gotten on the wrong bus and ended up deep within
the shopping district of Tokyo-2. Not a bad thing as far as Asuka was
concerned.
She ended up dragging Shinji into countless clothing stores, trying on dresses,
shoes, and anything else that she could find. At first Shinji was proud to be
seen with her, but after two or three hours of waiting he quickly began to tire
of this exercise. After an eternity spent in the mall, he was able to drag her
away. It was still only 3:00, maybe he could still find the place. Then they
could go home.
An hour and a half later, they were still lost in Tokyo-2 and they hadn't gotten
dinner yet. What was worse was that the phone in the apartment seemed to be off
the hook.
*******************************************************************************
Misato brushed the annoyingly ringing phone off of the table as Kaji slid on top
of and into her.......
*******************************************************************************
" Asuka! C'mon Asuka! I'm sorry...." she continued to ignore Shinji, turning
her back to him every time he tried to face her. Finally, fed up with the whole
situation, Shinji snapped.
" Look I'm sorry I tried to take you out so we could have a good time!!! I was
only trying to be nice, but, of course, ' Mein Fuhrer' had to find something to
fight about. Just forget it...."
He turned away from Asuka and started to walk up the country road, hoping to
find a payphone or something somewhere. Asuka started to shout after him.
" Don't you dare walk away from me Third Child! I'm not done with you yet!" she
took off up the road after him.
Stopping in front of Shinji, she squared off against him. Eyes glaring into
his, she began with a figurative right hook.
" You always do that! Play that innocent victim act! I'm not gonna fall for
it! You got us lost! I'm supposed to be happy!?"
Shinji's head snapped back as he caught the figurative hook in the jaw, but he
recovered quickly and returned with a rapid verbal body blow.
" Well I tried!!! And you were the one who insisted we shop instead of getting
on the bus going back the other way!"
Her eyebrow twitched.
" Well how was I supposed to know that it was the last bus heading back into
Tokyo-3!!! It's not my fault that the stupid Japanese Bus System is
retarded!!!!!!"
" Well it's not my fault either!" Shinji retorted, subtly closing the small
distance between his face and Asuka's.
" Of course it is!! You're the male!! It's always the male's fault!!" Slyly she
slid her face a few millimeters closer to Shinji's.
Finding himself confronted by those fabulously captivating blue orbs, Shinji was
at a loss for words.
" Well..Well...Well....Ummm...."
A moment later he didnt' need to search for words anymore as Asuka pressed her
lips against his. Grinning she pulled back and gazed into his puzzled eyes.
" baka..." she whispered softly. Shinji smiled. She took his arm, and leaned
against his shoulder slightly, and, together, they made their way up the road.
Meanwhile the Nerv security team behind them threw up, feeling sick to their
stomachs.
" Too much damned sugar!!!" One of them yelled.
*******************************************************************************
Gendo sneezed violently again. Blowing his nose, he threw the tissue into the
already full wastebasket. Hidden behind his dark lenses, his watery, red eyes
squinted in annoyance as the tissue tumbled to the floor. Frustrated he rose
from his seat and stapled the tissue to the top of the pile. Satisfied he
returned to his seat..........only to sneeze again.
His office door opened and in strode Fuyutsuki, glass of water in hand. After
the massive journey across the office, Fuyutsuki presented Gendo with two
Alkaseltzer Cold Tablets and the glass of water.
" You must be getting sick........maybe we should push back this whole ' melt
the world into LCL' thing until a little later."
Gendo sneezed again, his glasses nearly sliding off. He quickly pushed them
back up to the bridge of his nose.
" No it's not a cold," he paused, gulping down the water and medicine, " I just
can't figure it out yet."
Suddenly the door to his office swung open, and off its hinges with a crash. In
stamped Rei, her eyes redder than usual, her hair wildly unkept, and just a hint
of an At-Field visible around her. Gendo assumed his trademark postion, as
Fuyutsuki dove for cover. It all made sense now.
*******************************************************************************
Rei looked at the two before her. After getting over his initial shock, the
sub-Commander had risen to his feet and brushed himself of. Neither looked
overly distresed at the situation. The only thing that was slightly out of
place was the overflowing wastebasket next to the Commander's desk.
* Say no and I hurt you Commander*
Gendo sneezed again.
Rei began
" Commander Ikari, I would like to request a transfer out of my apartment."
There she had said it, she had been trying to work out exactly how to start, the
whole afternoon.
Behind his glasses Gendo Ikari's eyes glittered wickedly. The corners of his
mouth turned up slightly, but both Rei and Fuyutsuki picked it up. Both raised
an eyebrow and leaned in at perfect synchronization as Gendo's head slipped down
to his desk slowly.
" Hey Kozo..........I think that medication causes drowsiness."
Then his head hit the desk and he was asleep.
*******************************************************************************
Shinji helped Asuka out of the cab and leaned into the driver's side window. He
gulped audibly and reached into his wallet, pulling out the last of his money.
The driver nodded as he accepted the money from Shinji, and made no motion to
give back change. Asuka watched with interest.
" Ummm...well, thanks for the ride..so...umm..you can keep the change as your
tip." Shinji stammered, trying to save face in front of his girl. The driver
huffed and chuckled wryly.
" Yeah sure whatever kid." Putting his foot down he sped off, kicking up mud
onto Shinji.
Asuka rolled her eyes and walked into the apartment, mumbling something about
spineless wimps who were lucky they had such mesmerizing eyes. Shinji turned
red.
Opening the apartment door, Asuka poked her head into the apartment. Misato was
sitting on the couch in her lounging clothes, boxer shorts and a t-shirt,
watching television, a beer in hand and two or three next to her.
" Hey Misato! Sorry we're late...but we brought dinner." Asuka cringed,
expecting to be chewed out. She looked at her watch, it was 7 Pm. They were
about two hours late. Shinji cowered behind her, trying to hide.
Misato just nodded and smiled dumbly.
" Have a nice day?" she didn't move her eyes from the TV, or wipe the silly grin
off her face.
Asuka cocked an eyebrow and exchanged glances with Shinji. He stepped forward,
taking the food from Asuka and setting it on the kitchen table.
" Yeah we had fun, even though we got kinda lost....So.....how was your day?"
Misato just kept smiling, she turned her gaze to the two teens and winked.
" Hehehehe...........Spectacular!"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------
Okay, Okay that's enough from this chapter. Look for part three soon....well
maybe not so soon. We'll see.
Special Thank you to Godsend777 for help with that scene. It tied everything up
really well.
Special Thank you to EBJ for being my super-pre-reader once again. Just like
old times.
Special Thank you to Chenalos for being my dog. He knows the deal.
Thanks goes out to my whole crew
EBJ, Chenalos, Axel, Krumm, i3akaAndy, Godsend777 and everyone else.
Shout to Tabris Enterprises, Kaoru, English Shinji, and big shout to ANDRE
GARDE!!!!!
Big ups to Greg Thomas, Corey Holmes, and whoever is reading this. Thanks for
real.
Go read some other stuff now, how about something by Chenalos, I promise you
won't regret it. " Entry Plug Trilogy" is a gem. Throw in a little " Child of
Love" and it'll be all good. And don't forget some spam stuff, a little " Is
Nothing Sacred", is very called for. Okay that's enough.
Go read Home, by Corey Holmes.
Thanks to the Doc ( " Adam and Eva") and Richard Spoorer ( " Elsewhere").
Goddel can take my dick and suck on it. Just him. No offense to anyone else.
Part Three coming when I finish it.....shit when I start it
4. IN03
Imagine Normality
by: Al-I-Bus
[email protected]
Characters owned by Gainax, Evangelion created and owned by Gainax. Eva:R is a
creation of Orbit Productions. All characters from Eva:R ( Aoi, Lyn, Seyoko,
Goro, Tenkei) owned and created by Orbit Productions.
Chapter 3 is here now. Well let's go and see what develops.
Project Start: Jun 2, 1999
Project End: Jun 20, 1999
SPOILERS AHEAD!!!! End of Eva, Eva:R, Eva TV series
" Speech", * thought*, action, ********change in scene/perspective
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------
Ritsuko stormed out of Gendo's office, furious. Here she had been slaving away
for the better part of a week installing S2 organs, here she was warning Gendo
of, seemingly, inevitable danger. And all she gets is tossed out of his office.
Well at least she had given her message to Fuuyutuski; it was out of her hands
now.
* But why did I get kicked out like that? Something is up, and I don't like
being left out.*
At that moment, the door to the commander's office, which had been propped up
against the doorframe, was shoved over a bit, and Rei Ayanami squeezed through
the opening.
The fact that Rei was coming out of the office wasn't what shocked Ritsuko; it
was the fact that she had a giant grin plastered on her face. Waving happily at
the scientist, Rei headed out of the office, humming to herself.
Ritsuko pulled herself off the floor, wiping the giant sweatdrop away. As a
custodian leapt forth to mop up the now wet floor, Dr. Akagi walked out of the
office area, shaking her head slowly.
*******************************************************************************
Pain. Utter pain. That is what Toji Suzuhara was feeling at this moment.
Immense pain, as Hikari dragged him out of the classroom by the ear.
" When are you going to learn to watch your mouth, Mr. Suzuhara!?"
He winced again. She was pissed.
" C'mon Hikari..OW.....I was only kidding, STOP, OW!!!!!"
Depositing him in the hallway, Hikari spun on her heels and stomped back to the
classroom. Just as she got to the door, she turned and winked at him, grinning
" You're soooo cute when you're in pain!" SLAM The sound of the door being
shut, snapped him back to attention.
Moments later, the door opened and shut again, as Shinji and Kensuke were
hurtled out.
" Go on! Join him! Bakas!" SLAM
The door snapped shut again. Kensuke grinned, while Shinji scratched his head
and smiled sheepishly.
" Well we sure showed her!"
Kensuke's glasses glared brightly for a moment in triumph.
The three stooges slowly slid down to the floor. Outside the rain fell in
sheets, absolutely soaking anything that happened to dare to venture from its
cover.
Pulling a deck of cards from his pocket, Toji began to deal out a hand of poker,
when a figure appeared at the end of the hallway. Walking slowly down the hall,
humming lightly to herself, carrying an umbrella, was one Rei Ayanami. When she
got to the threesome on the floor, she smiled at Toji and Kensuke, and bent down
to hug Shinji.
" Hiya Shinji-Kun! Hello everyone!"
Standing up straight, she opened the door, and strolled into the classroom. On
the floor, the three stooges all stared at one another. The floor began to
rapidly fill up with liquid, as each boy shed sweatdrop after sweatdrop.
Finally, the shrugged and returned to their game.
* What in the hell is going on with her?* Shinji wondered.
Meanwhile a child from one of the other classes, entered the hallway, and
slipped on a puddle that had formed, falling hard to the ground.
*******************************************************************************
Asuka sighed, and drummed her fingers against the desk. She was bored.
" School sucks!" her utterance startled Hikari out of her trance-like state.
Sitting upright, she snapped her notebook closed.
Narrowing her eyes, Asuka approached dangerously.
" And what were we doodling deary?"
Snatching the notebook from Hikari, Asuka fled to the other side of the
classroom. Hikari plopped next to her and tried to get the notebook away, but
Asuka succeeded in finding the page.
" Hikari Suzuhara? You must be kidding me! How sickening!"
Hikari turned a beautiful shade of crimson. Asuka was about to continue when
the classroom door opened.
Rei strutted in, humming softly, smiling a little. Seeing Asuka staring, Rei
smiled a little and approached, uncertainly. She stopped in front of them, and
greeted Hikari.
" Hey class rep, sorry I'm late....I was at Nerv."
Hikari could only nod dumbly. Rei turned to Asuka.
" Ummm....Asuka I think we need to talk................"
*******************************************************************************
" She's WHAT!!!!!!!!" Misato sat upright on the couch, her beer and the
television remote plummeting to the ground. Pulling the phone away from her
ear, she slipped a finger in, as if to clean out the wax. Then putting the
phone back to her ear she asked the speaker to repeat himself.
" Yes Major I just heard from the Vice-Commander." Hyuuga's ear was still
ringing, " Rei is moving in with you three. She'll be there this evening, in
fact she's supposed to come home with either Shinji or Asuka from school."
Misato shook her head incredulously.
" B-b-bbbut where is she gonna sleep? I'm out of room, we're over crowded as it
is. And Asuka's going to have a fit!"
On the other end of the line Hyuuga shook his head.
" What's Asuka's biggest problem with Rei, other than just being a bitch?"
Misato narrowed her eyes
" Don't talk about my roommate like that you GEEK!"
Hyuuga grinned, " Sorry, but anyway. Why does Asuka hate Rei so much?"
Misato thought for a moment, ( causing smoke to rise from her head!)
" I guess the fact that Rei is so....so...puppet-like."
Hyuuga nodded again.
" Exactly, but Rei's not like that anymore."
Misato raised an eyebrow, this was news to her, the smoke set off a fire alarm,
but Pen-Pen waved a towel in front of it, shutting it off.
" That's news to me. What's going on?"
Grinning into the phone, Hyuuga shook his head and chuckled.
" You be better off finding out on your own. You'd never believe me if I told
you......."
*******************************************************************************
" And that's why I think we should be friends. It just doesn't make sense for us
to fight. I'll see ya later." Rei sprang up from her seat and went over to her
common chair in the classroom as the bell rang, ending the lunch period.
Asuka and Hikari looked at each other dumbfounded. Both girls had their jaws
hanging open, their eyes wide and unseeing, and massive sweatdrops plastered to
the backs of their heads. And they sat that way until the end of the day. No
one bothered them, fearing Asuka's acid tongue and Hikari's " Clean-up Duty"
attack. Toji happily accepted the role as class rep for the remainder of the
day.
DING! " Ahem. Faces down! Butts up! That's the way we like to F---" Toji
was cut off in the midst of his closing instructions
" Mr. Suzuhara! Clean up duty for one week! Have a good afternoon all!" The
professor glared at Toji again as he made his way out of the class.
*******************************************************************************
Gendo Ikari stood in front of the giant that was Eva-01. His normal drab attire
was replaced by a loose-fitting plugsuit, identical to the one Shinji wore.
Ikari sighed, remembering for a moment before pressing the seal on the suit.
With a hiss, the suit form-fitted itself to his body. He strode purposefully
towards the plug. Smoothly sliding over the side of the entry plug, Ikari
plopped into the fluid filled cockpit, and slid into the pilot's chair.
Pressing a few controls, the plug slid noiselessly into the base of the giant
creature's neck. It was dark. It was tight. It smelled like blood. Gendo
suddenly found himself unable to breathe. Head darting from side to side, the
elder Ikari searched for a way out of this hell. Suddenly his purpose entered
his mind again, and he fought to control himself.
Inhaling the LCL deeply, the Commander of Nerv was able to regain control of his
thoughts and actions. He sighed.
* It is always like this*
Closing his eyes, and tilting his head up, Gendo prepared to synch with the
machine. There was a slight hum as the machine portion of the eva sprang to
life. The plug lighted slightly. Increasing his focus, Gendo was able to bring
the eva completely online. He glanced over at the monitor, 29%.
A slightly smile crossed his face briefly, and the satisfaction was apparent in
his voice.
" I am here....now let us begin."
Closing his eyes once more, Gendo began to focus. As his concentration
increased, the synch ratio rose, slowly at first, then it increased rapidly.
35%........42%....44%.......68%.....90%.....99%
As Gendo passed the 100% synch ratio he felt another presence enter his
conscience. He smiled.
Moments later, his synch ratio had jumped to nearly 400%. Outside the plug,
Eva-01's eyes began to blaze brightly.
Ikari opened his eyes and looked down. His body was still there. He looked at
the synch ratio, 450%. He had done it.
Raising his head, Ikari searched the entry plug for signs of life. He did not
seem surprised at all, when an image of Yui Ikari materialized out of the LCL.
In fact, he smiled brightly.
" Well.....I heard that you wanted to have a word with me."
*******************************************************************************
Asuka ran into the kitchen, followed closely by Shinji. Rei brought up the
rear, strolling in, with a very un-Rei like grin visible on her face. Pulling
out a chair, Rei plopped down while Asuka paused to catch her breath.
" Misato!!!! What is going on?" her breath was back as well as that terribly
grating screech that she puts into her voice when she wants to be particularly
annoying.
" Why is Wondergirl acting so weird? Why don't you seem surprised to see her?
What is going on?". The wonderful shade of red that Asuka's face had taken on,
deepened as she noticed that Misato had her fingers in her ears. Growling she
reached up and yanked the older woman's hands down.
Realizing that the German Tornado was done, Misato put on her " try to be
cheerful" smile and started.
" Yeah, well...you see...the thing is. AHEM I received an order from the
Commander today. A construction team will be in and out during the day tomorrow
and they will be knocking down a few walls, making our apartment bigger. Due to
the increase in size, we have been ordered to take on another roommate. And it
seems that Rei here is the prime candidate.
Asuka blinked once, twice, and a third time. She looked at Rei, back to Misato.
Back to Rei, at Shinji for a moment, then back at Misato. Finally she spoke, in
a surprisingly soft manner:
" But I don't want her to live with me."
Rei sighed and glared at Asuka.
" Can't you try to be my friend? I'm willing to try."
Asuka looked her over thoughtfully for a second.
" Hmmm...lemme think for a moment..........NO!!!"
Rei huffed and turned away from Asuka.
" Fine!!!! I didn't want to be your friend anyway!!!!!"
Grabbing Shinji's arm she began to lead him out of the room, claiming she needed
him to help her move her stuff. She turned her head towards Asuka.
" I'll take real good care of him".
Asuka bolted upright slamming her hand on the tabletop.
" No way in hell you flitchen schwul!" Steam started to come out of her ears.
" It's one thing for YOU to barge into my home, but there is no way you're going
to cozy up to MY Shinji!!!" she grabbed Shinji's arm.
Misato and Rei both shot questioning glances at Shinji, who blushed and nodded
sheepishly. Rei lowered her gaze somewhat sadly.
" Oh..........Oh..well I can respect that if it's what Shinji-Kun wants." She
lifted her head,
" But you can't tell him who he can and can't be friends with!!!" she ran a
finger up Shinji's arm, to his neck and then traced a line seductively around
his chin. " Isn't that right Shinji?"
As they all looked towards Shinji to see his response they noticed he was
missing. Where he had been standing there was a puddle of LCL. Getting out the
mop, Misato sighed and collected him into a bucket. As she poured him out, his
AT-Field returned and reshaped him.
Giving him a viciously evil glare, Asuka tugged on his arm, leading him out of
the kitchen.
" Hands off Wondergirl!"
As she led him away, Rei grabbed onto his other arm, yanking him back towards
the kitchen.
" He's not your doll!!!"
If not for the fact that they were figting over Shinji, Asuka might have fallen
back in horror. What did that damned Wondergirl know about dolls?
Misato and Pen-Pen looked on as Asuka and Rei fought over the boy, literally
yanking him back and forth across the kitchen. When he looked over to them for
help all they could do was shrug and sweatdrop.
As luck would have it, today was the day that some of the cartilage and calcium
in Shinji's back merged to form the beginnings of a backbone. It wasn't much,
and it could probably only be seen with a microscope, but it was there.
Jerking his arms free of the two girls Shinji stood his ground.
" Stop!"
Crossing her arms and tapping her foot, Asuka glared at Rei.
" See! He doesn't even want to help you move!"
Rei stuck her tongue out at Asuka, then pouted at Shinji.
" That's not true is it Shinji-Kun?"
His newly found backbone suddenly melted away back into nothingnes as he was
confronted by one set of amazingly kawaii red eyes, on an amazingly kawaii pout.
" N-n-nn-nnnno, that's not true Rei...It's just THWACK!
Shinji's excuse was cut short as he fell face first to the floor. Asuka stamped
off to her room yelling curses over her shoulder. Stopping at her door she
turned and gave Shinji a look that....well lets just say that if looks could
kill ( and all that).
" Stupid male! There will be trouble for you Third Child!"
Spinning she slammed her door shut.
Pulling down an eyelid with her middle finger, Rei stuck her tongue out at
Asuka's door. ( Hey that was the classic Beedah position!). Grabbing Shinji's
arm again, she dragged him out of the apartment calling to Misato that they
would be back soon.
Back at the kitchen table, Pen-Pen and his violet haired owner sat. Both had
the " super facefault" plastered on their faces ( You know! The basketball
sized sweatdrop, super squinted eyes, acute angle arched eyebrows, arms askew,
little swirly thingies on their cheeks, etc.). Leaning back in her chair Misato
hit the beer button on the fridge twice. Popping her can of Yebisu open she
slid one to the penguin.
" You're gonna need one too it seems."
She leaned further back in her seat.
Pen-Pen didn't even look up when she fell over.
*******************************************************************************
As our heroes back in Tokyo-3 struggled with everyday life, something was amiss
in England. Well that was kinda obvious when you looked at the fact that a giant
yellow and white robot seemed locked in battle with a group of white robots.
Eva Unit 06 ran, jumped, and flipped across the British countryside. As the eva
sprang back and forth it fired at the numerous enemies that pursued. Rapidly
the unit found itself running out of land as it neared the English Channel.
Glancing back, the pilot saw that he was surrounded from behind. Nowhere to go
and nowhere to hide. This was definitely not a winnable battle. At least not
here.
Turning back towards the channel, the yellow and white unit sprinted for the
edge of the cliff. Not hesitating, Unit-06 launched itself over the precipice,
falling out of the sights of its pursuers, who slowed, cautiously.
For a moment nothing was heard, the enemy units crept to the edge, waiting for
the splash that would signify a successful mission. He wasn't using the type-B
equipment. It never came.
As the first unit poked its head over the edge, an energy blast shot up,
decapitating the white monster. Seeing that their comrade had fallen, the four
other units rushed to the edge of the cliff, only to be flung back as a yellow
and white blur shot up into the air, spurting fire as it swept by.
Another unit fell, and the remaining three looked up bewildered. Floating in
the air, golden wings of energy behind it, was Unit-06. Even as the enemy Evas
looked upwards, the positron rifle spit another round at the crowd.
The two remaining secondary mass production Evas, rolled out of the way, as
another of their number fell to the earth.
In his entry plug, Lyn Anouilh smiled grimly, and swooped down. Landing feet
first on the head of one of the units, Unit-06 opened fire with its positron
rifle once again, immobilizing the final enemy unit.
Looking around at the devastation, Lyn sighed in relief. Slinging the rifle
over his eva's shoulder, he began to tramp back into the direction of the
smoldering ruins of Nerv-England.
* Pick up Seyoko and Aoi, and then I guess it's off to Tokyo-3 a little earlier
than anticipated. God bless these S2 thingamajigs....*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------
End Already
Special thanks to my prereaders:
Chenalos, EBJ, Godsend777, Axel, KillaKoala, Dr. Kaiton and I3akaAndy.
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed......bye for now.
Al-I-Bus ( [email protected])
Chenalos ( [email protected]) author of The Entry Plug Trilogy and Fan Fiction.
Godsend777 ( [email protected]) author of Is Nothing Sacred, Strangely
Darkfic, Dead Children, Death of One
Axel T. ( [email protected]) author of The Child of Love, An Amnesiac
Angel.
KillaKoala ( [email protected] ) author of A Pilot's Day Off
Dr. Kaiton ( [email protected]) author of Evangelion: Adam and Eve
5. IN04
Imagine Normality
by: Al-I-Bus
[email protected]
Evangelion and all of it's characters are owned by Gainax and were created by Hideo Anno. Eva:R and all of it's characters are property of Orbit Productions.
Just a few notes: " " indicates speech, * * indicates thoughts, ----- indicates beginning/end of fic, as well as any notes by me, ****** indicates a change in scene/time/prespective.
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Shinji slowly opened the door before him. sure he was frightened, to say anything else would be a lie, but he had gathered his courage, and was ready to face this unspeakable horror. The moon shone into the room, illuminating it in an eerie silvery light. She was seated in a corner.
The moonlight lit up her face. It made her appear more of a goddess than a real person. Her red hair was tied back in a ponytail and her eyes were shut. Shinji noticed his SDAT player in her hand, the earplugs in her ears.
Creeping quietly upon her, Shinji pounced. Her eyes flew open, and her scream of surprise was cut short as he dragged her to the floor in a tight embrace. The usually clear blue orbs that were her eyes, were now clouded over with absolute fury. Shinji, it seemed, had made a mistake.
" Get_Off_Of_Me_Third_Child. NOW!."
Forcing him off of her Asuka stood up, glaring angrily down at him.
" Have fun with the doll, Shinji?"
Shinji raised an eyebrow,
" What's wrong with you?"
Asuka glared harder,
" Nothing you idiot! I just don't appreciate you tramping around town with that little blue haired..."
Shinji cut her off,
" Stop!"
She looked at him, her eyes betraying a certain amount of pain.
" Oh, so now you're defending her."
Shinji shook his head, he was confused.
" What is wrong with you Asuka? Wait!"
Understanding flashed in his eyes, and his mouth formed an uncertain grin.
" You're jealous!!!!!"
Turning her back to him to hide her quickly reddening face, Asuka muttered.
" Am not!"
Shinji's smile widened,
" Are too!!!"
Asuka spun quickly on him,
" You can't retort to an ' Am not' with an ' Are too'. It's childish."
Shinji's eyes twinkled.
" Can too!"
Asuka growled,
" Can not!!! "
Laughing, Shinji stood up and walked behind her. He tried to put his arms around her, but she shrugged his embrace off.
" I already told you not to touch me!"
Rolling his eyes, Shinji backed away.
" Yeah fine, but admit it......you were jealous when she grabbed my arm."
" Shut up! I was not jealous, you can spend as much time with that dumpkoff flitchen as you want! See if I care." Turning away from the younger Ikari, she stalked out of her bedroom.
Tired, frustrated, angry, and hurt Shinji followed her into the living room. She was seated on the couch, arm wrapped around Pen-Pen, watching the television. Driven by his newfound backbone, Shinji strode around to the front of the couch. Blocking her view of the television, he locked gazes with her.
Asuka turned her eyes from the television and locked them ont Shinji's. She had another insut ready at the tip of her tongue, but something in the way his eyes flashed, something in the way he set his mouth, something about him stopped her. The insult died in her throat, and her glare softened visibly.
" Shinji I...." she began. Shinji did not wait for her to finish, however.
" No Asuka! You listen to me! I have no idea what you want from me! Is it that you don't trust me? After all we've been through together!!! Dammit! I lo..care about you so much, and you keep bringing it down to petty childish levels. I'm not yours to posses, but I'm yours in another sense."
She flinched, he had never been this harsh towards her,
" Shinji....it isn't that I don't trust you, it's just...."
" It's just What!!!!" Shinji snapped.
She hung her head, squeezing Pen-Pen to herself more tightly.
" I'm...I'm scared......."
" Scared?" Shinji began, only to be interrupted by Asuka.
" Yeah scared! I mean....I'm always so mean to you, but it's just how I am....and Wondergirl, she's always nice to you, and..and...she's pretty....and I just don't think I could compete with it....so I reacted like I usually do."
The two faced off in silence. Shinji standing, not looking angry anymore, just confused, and Asuka sitting, clutching the penguin. After a long moment Shinji spoke.
" You were still jealous......"
Asuka started to grin, then she let out a small giggle. Shinji followed suit, reaching an arm down to his ' girlfriend'. As Asuka took Shinji's outstretched hand, Pen-Pen took this opportunity to scamper back to the relative safety of ihs freezer. Standing, she leaned into his embrace, placing her lips gently on his.
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Yui vanished and Gendo Ikari was left in a darkened entry plug. He glanced down at his watch and saw that over six hours had elapsed while he was in synch with the eva. Even more impotant was the alert siren that blared thorughout the complex.
The elder Ikari ejected the entry plug and hastily made his way to his office. Stripping the plug suit off of himself, Commander had just finshed donning his everyday attire when Fuyutsuki walked in.
Sub-Commander looked at Commander, countless unanswered questions in his eyes.He only asked one though.
" And...what did she have to say?"
Gendo glanced at Koze, making no effort to mask the amusement visible in his eyes.
" My wife seems to have.....to have grown a conscience."
The Commander turned away from Fuyutsuki at that point, making it obvious that the matter was closed for the time being. Kozo shook his head slowly and turned to the intercom.
" What is the status?"
Shigeru Aoba's voice shot back through the intercom.
" There is no enemy pattern apparant anywhere sir, but we are picking up small energy releases far to the west of here."
Fuyutsuki raised an eyebrow puzzled, he turned to look at Gendo who kept his eyes glued to the window in front of him. He turned back to the intercom.
" See if you can get a fix on those energy readings, and make sure you keep an eye out for localized blue patterns."
" Understood sir." the clacking of keys being pressed frantically was audible as Aoba cut off the connection.
A few moments passed with Fuyutsuki starig at the back of Ikari's head. Finally Gendo broke the silence.
" Would you like to know what is going on?"
Kozo could only nod, it was very unlike the Commander to offer any infomation.
" Well.....SEELE has decided that things are progressing much too slowly. In order to make sure that things are brought about more hastily, they have launched an attack on our branch in England. They were able to destroy the complex there, but the sixth child is on his way to us as we speak."
As if on cue Maya's voice was heard through the intercom.
" Commander, sub-Commander....it seems that Nerv-England has been destroyed. There are no signs of the 6th unit anywhere."
Kozo was about to reply, but he was stopped by Gendo.
" Excellent work.....that will be all....alert status may be lifted now. You three are free to go, but you will be on stand-by for the remainder of the day. Good day."
As Ikari cut the intercom off, a redlight on his desk begn to blink. Withing seconds, his office had darkened, and a holographic image of Kihl Lorenz appeared at the head of his desk.
" Ikari, a mistake was made in England. You are not to concern yourself with it. There will be no repurcussions at this time against the Japan based Nerv complex. Continue as before....the sixth will be in your possession soon."
That said the hologram vanished, and Gendo's office resumned its normal settings.
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End file.
| fanfiction |
Osmium tetroxide and meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid
Can these be used to induce acetal ring closures? For example, when dealing with a molecule that has both a C=O functional group and an alkene as part of its structure and there is the possibility of creating a 5 or 6 membered ring through intramolecular -OH attack on the C=O ... can we **just** use the $\ce{OsO4}$ to create the diol and expect it to provide us sufficient acidity to catalyze ring closure?
Same question goes for meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid.
With osmium tetroxide, no it does not appear that dihydroxylation and acetalization can be done simultaneously. Usually dihydroxylation is carried out with catalytic osmium tetroxide with a stoichiometric amount of N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMO). The latter regenerates the Os(VIII) species necessary to carry out the dihydroxylation and results in the formation of N-methylmorpholine, which is a weak base. Without an acid available for catalysis, the acetalization does not occur. The sequence can be accomplished in "one-pot" however. In practice, you can monitor the progress of the dihydroxylation reaction. When it is deemed complete, add catalytic acid directly to the same reaction mixture, which allows the acetal formation.
[Reference: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2012.02.045](http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tetlet.2012.02.045)
Similarly, the overall transformation has been accomplished with mCPBA, but it's not clear if happens without any further intervention. In the referenced paper below, it's not entirely clear to me when the epoxide opens, because the procedure specifies that the epoxidation step is carried out with exclusion of water. It's likely that the epoxide is stable until addition of water, which opens the epoxide to the diol and then the acetalization can occur, catalyzed by the meta-chlorobenzoic acid byproduct from the epoxidation. In some cases, they simply isolate the epoxyketone as well.
[Reference: 10.1002/ejoc.201101087](http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ejoc.201101087)
| stackexchange/chemistry |
accessory spleens result from the failure in the fifth week of foetal life of groups of mesodermal cells in the dorsal mesogastrum .
they are relatively common , with an autopsy study involving 3000 patients identifying 364 accessory spleens , of which 61 were found in the pancreatic tail .
whilst the pancreatic tail and the splenic hilum are the most common sites , accessory spleens can be found in the stomach , jejunum , mesentery as well as the ovaries and testis . despite being common ,
accessory spleens themselves have no clinical consequence unless a patient suffers from a disease like idiopathic thrombocytopaenic purpura .
however , as they are commonly mistaken for tumours , patients undergo needless operations for removing the lesion .
consequently , it is important to accurately differentiate an accessory spleen from other pancreatic lesions requiring more aggressive treatment .
a 76-year - old male presented to his general practitioner with nausea , weight loss and change in bowel habit .
a recent colonoscopy was unremarkable , a computed tomography ( ct ) abdomen and pelvis showed a homogenously enhancing 13-mm lesion in the tail of the pancreas , with the reported differentials including neuroendocrine tumour or a pancreatic adenocarcinoma . a subsequent magnetic resonance imaging ( mri ) illustrated the lesion enhancing homogenously in the portal venous post - contrast phase suggesting a solid neoplastic lesion , likely to be primary ( fig . 1 ) .
pathology revealed a splenunculus with no evidence of malignancy ( fig . 2 ) .
figure 1:mri : small round lesion in the pancreatic tail measuring 11 cm , enhancing homogenously in the portal venous post - contrast phase suggesting a solid neoplastic lesion .
the differential includes primary pancreatic lesion such as a small mucinous cystic pancreatic tumour or an islet cell tumour
figure 2:histology of the lesion showing the normal pancreas on the left with the accessory spleen on the right mri : small round lesion in the pancreatic tail measuring 11 cm , enhancing homogenously in the portal venous post - contrast phase suggesting a solid neoplastic lesion .
the differential includes primary pancreatic lesion such as a small mucinous cystic pancreatic tumour or an islet cell tumour histology of the lesion showing the normal pancreas on the left with the accessory spleen on the right
pancreatic cancer was the fifth leading cause of cancer - related deaths in australia in 2010 .
surgery offers the only chance of cure ; however , most patients have unresectable disease at the time of presentation . in potentially resectable disease ,
the high false - negative biopsy rate of 20% and the potential complications arising from the biopsy generally discourage most surgeons from pre - operative tissue biopsy . because of this
mri , ct , ultrasound scan ( uss ) and scintigraphy are all used for this purpose .
ultrasound usually shows an accessory spleen as a round , mildly echogenic mass with homogenous texture and posterior enhancement .
importantly , doppler uss has a sensitivity of 90% when a vascular hilum entering the lesion is identified . also
, inhomogenous enhancement due to the differing flow rates between the red and white pulp of the accessory spleen may indicate splenic tissue . during the other phases ,
triple - phase ct is usually performed to differentiate pancreatic lesions , and the attenuation of accessory spleens in the pancreas is usually identical to that of the spleen in all three phases .
generally , this means that the splenic tissue will be brighter than the normal surrounding pancreatic tissue . in comparison ,
most pancreatic tumours ( including islet cell tumours ) are brighter on the arterial phase , and lower on the venous phase .
pancreatic tumours share signal characteristics with that of the spleen , which makes differentiation difficult . despite this ,
the fact that the signal intensity ( si ) of accessory spleens is usually identical to that of the spleen can lead to the diagnosis .
in rare instances , the si is different due to differing amounts of the red and white pulp in the accessory spleen .
another differentiation can be found with the fact that tumours usually contain areas of haemorrhage and necrosis , which is readily demonstrated with mri .
scintigraphy using tc-99 m heat - damaged red blood cells ( hdrbcs ) is a highly specific medium used to detect accessory spleen tissue .
the technique uses autologous hdrbcs which are converted into rigid spherocytes , injected and then sequestered in the spleen , as well as any functioning accessory splenic tissue . despite this
, the sensitivity is poorer than other modalities as it requires a certain amount of functioning splenic tissue .
endoscopic ultrasound ( eus ) with fine needle aspirate ( fna ) is increasingly used to characterize both solid and cystic lesions in the pancreas and obtain specimens for pathological diagnosis .
there is minimal literature on pre - operative diagnosis of intrapancreatic accessory spleens ( ipas ) with isolated case reports of confirmation on histology and immunohistochemical staining for cd3 and cd20 to distinguish from adenocarcinoma of the pancreas .
adequate sampling with confident pathological reporting may result in the avoidance of distal pancreatectomy and also of prolonged surveillance if a
modern radiological techniques will lead to an increasing number of ipas identified and this poses a significant diagnostic and treatment challenge .
pre - operative diagnosis based on radiological findings can be difficult and aspiration cytology can be misleading . identifying
the ipas is very important as it can mimic either primary or secondary lesions of the pancreas which may result in an unnecessary operation with the involved risks entailed . in our case
, emerging imaging modalities may have resulted in an operation being avoided with confident radiological / cytological diagnosis .
emerging techniques such as eus with fna may provide confident diagnosis of ipas ; however , equivocal pathological findings will continue to lead to unavoidable operations for ipas . | pubmed |
in the following , we formulate a one - electron microcanonical distribution for triatomic molecules . we denote the positions of the nuclei by @xmath1 , @xmath2 and @xmath3 and the inter - nuclear distances by @xmath4 , @xmath5 and @xmath6 , see fig .
one can show that the coordinates of the nucleus c are expressed in terms of the inter - nuclear distances as follows : we denote the position vector of the electron by @xmath8 and the distances of the electron from nuclei a , b and c by @xmath9 , @xmath10 and @xmath11 , respectively .
we then define the confocal elliptical coordinates @xmath12 and @xmath13 using the nuclei a and b as the foci of the ellipse , that is , where @xmath15 and @xmath16}$ ] .
the third coordinate @xmath17}$ ] is the angle between the projection of the position vector @xmath8 on the xy plane and the positive x axis ; it thus defines the rotation angle around the axis that passes through nuclei a and b. the potential of the electron in the presence of the nuclei a , b and c , which have charges @xmath18 , @xmath19 and @xmath20 , respectively , is given by @xmath21 this potential is expressed in terms of the confocal elliptical coordinates as follows the one - electron microcanonical distribution is given by @xmath23 where @xmath24 is the ionization energy of the one - electron triatomic molecule .
note that the energy is given by @xmath25 . the electron momentum in terms of the confocal elliptical coordinates
is expressed as follows the @xmath36 distribution goes to zero and is thus well - behaved when the electron is placed on top of either nucleus a or b. however , when @xmath37 , i.e. , the electron is placed on top of nucleus c , @xmath38 .
we eliminate this singularity by introducing an additional transformation . setting @xmath39 , @xmath40 and expanding @xmath41 around @xmath42
we find @xmath43 where @xmath44 and @xmath45 are the values of @xmath12 and @xmath13 , respectively , when the electron is placed on top of the nucleus c. to eliminate the singularity in eq .
( [ eq : sing ] ) , we introduce a new variable @xmath46 , such that @xmath47 .
the new distribution takes the form since @xmath16}$ ] , @xmath49 and @xmath46 take both negative and positive values and therefore , if we choose one @xmath50 for all values of @xmath13 , @xmath50 must be odd .
moreover , to avoid the singularity when the electron is placed on top of nucleus c , @xmath50 must be such that @xmath51 , i.e. , @xmath52 . combining the above two conditions , yields @xmath53 .
the new distribution @xmath54 goes to zero when the electron is placed on top of the nucleus c , i.e. , when @xmath55 , @xmath56 and @xmath57 . to set up the initial conditions we find @xmath58 so that @xmath59 and equivalently @xmath60
we then find the maximum value @xmath61 of the distribution @xmath54 , for the allowed values of the parameters @xmath12 , @xmath46 and @xmath62 .
we next generate the uniform random numbers @xmath63}$ ] , @xmath64}$ ] , @xmath65}$ ] and @xmath66}$ ] , with @xmath67 and @xmath68 .
if @xmath69 then the generated values of @xmath12 , @xmath46 and @xmath62 are accepted as initial conditions , otherwise , they are rejected and the sampling process starts again . following the above described formulation , we obtain the initial conditions of the electron with respect to the origin of the coordinate system . to obtain the initial conditions for the position of the electron with respect to the center of mass of the triatomic molecule , @xmath70 , in terms of the ones with respect to the origin , @xmath8
, we shift the coordinates by @xmath71 , where @xmath72 is given by @xmath73 with @xmath74 with @xmath75 , @xmath76 and @xmath77 the masses of the nuclei . as an example , we next obtain the probability densities of the position and the momentum of the electron that is initially bound in @xmath78 when the molecule is driven by an intense infrared laser field . we assume the other electron tunnel - ionizes in the initial state .
we consider the @xmath78 triatomic molecule in its ground state , where the distance of the nuclei in the equilateral triangle arrangement is 1.65 a.u . and
the first and second ionization energies are @xmath79 a.u . and @xmath80 a.u .
, respectively .
we find the ionization potentials and equilibrium distances of the initial state using molpro , which is a quantum chemistry package @xcite .
for the microcanonical distribution the relevant ionization energy is @xmath81 , since @xmath82 is associated with the electron that tunnel - ionizes in the initial state . in fig .
[ position ] ( b ) we plot the probability density of the position of the electron on the x - z plane for @xmath83 using the above described microcanonical distribution . to compare , in fig .
[ position ] ( a ) we plot the quantum mechanical probability density of the position of the electron on the x - z plane .
that is , we plot @xmath84 , where @xmath85 is the quantum mechanical wavefunction for the @xmath86 molecule , which we obtain using molpro .
the two plots , fig .
[ position ] ( a ) and ( b ) , show that the two probability densities for the electron position compare well .
however , the microcanonical probability density underestimates the electron probability density between the nuclei and overestimates the electron probability density around the nuclei .
[ ht ! ] plane .
the middle panel shows the microcanonical probability density of the electron momentum plotted on the @xmath87 plane for all values of @xmath88 .
the right panel shows the projections on the @xmath89 axis of the probability densities plotted in fig
. [ momentum ] ( a ) and ( b ) .
, title="fig:",scaledwidth=50.0% ] in addition , in fig
. [ momentum ] ( b ) for all values of the electron momentum component along the y - axis , @xmath88 , we plot the probability density of the electron momentum on the @xmath90 plane using the microcanonical distribution . to compare , in fig .
[ momentum ] ( a ) we plot @xmath91 , which we obtain by first computing the quantum mechanical wavefunction in momentum space using the quantum mechanical wavefunction @xmath85 computed from molpro and then by integrating over @xmath88 @xmath93 the two plots , fig .
[ momentum ] ( a ) and ( b ) , show that the two probability densities for the electron momentum compare well . however , the microcanonical probability density overestimates the higher values of the electron momentum .
this can be seen more clearly in fig .
[ momentum ] ( c ) where we plot the probability density of the electron momentum along the @xmath89 axis both quantum mechanically and using our microcanonical distribution . to obtain the plots in fig .
[ momentum ] ( c ) we project the probability densities of the electron momentum in fig . [ momentum ] ( a ) and ( b ) on the @xmath89 axis .
[ momentum ] ( c ) clearly shows that the probability density of the electron momentum obtained from the microcanonical distribution overestimates the higher values of the momentum component @xmath89 .
this is consistent with our previous finding that the microcanonical distribution overestimates values of the electron position around the nuclei resulting to higher values of the momentum . in conclusion , in the current work we have formulated a microcanonical distribution for a general one - electron triatomic molecule .
this distribution can be used to describe the initial state of the bound electron in semiclassical models of strongly - driven two - electron triatomic molecules .
10 meckel m , comtois d , zeidler d , staudte a , pavii d , bandulet h c , ppin h , kieffer j c , drner r , villeneuve d m and corkum p b 2008 _ science _ * 320 * 1478 lefebvre c , lu h z , chelkowski s and bandrauk a d 2014 _ phys . rev . a _ * 89 * 023403 liu j , ye d f , chen j and liu x 2007 _ phys .
_ * 99 * 013003 emmanouilidou a and staudte a 2009 _ phys .
a _ * 80 * 053415 emmanouilidou a , lazarou c , staudte a and eichmann u 2012 phys .
rev . a * 85 * 011402 ( r ) hugh h , lazarou c and emmanouilidou a 2014 _ phys .
rev . a _ * 90 * 053419 landau l d and lifshitz e m 1977 _ quantum mechanics _ ( pergamon press , new york ) ; delone n b and krainov v p 1991 _ j. opt .
b _ * 8 * 1207 murray r , spanner m , patchkovskii s and ivanov m y 2011 _ phys .
lett . _ * 106 * 173001 meng l , reinhold c o and olson r e 1989 _ phys .
a _ * 40 * , 3637 werner h j. knowles p j , knizia g , manby f , schtz r m , et al .
2012 _ molpro , version 2012.1 , a package of ab initio programs _
, see http://www.molpro.net | arxiv |
is a beat 'em up video game developed and published by SNK that was released for Neo Geo arcades and home consoles in 1991 and the Neo Geo CD in 1995.
Gameplay
There is no character selection in Robo Army : Player 1 controls Maxima and Player 2 controls Rocky. Both cyborgs must cross six levels before reaching the end boss. During these levels, they will face the Professor's henchmen, as well as a sub-boss and a boss in each stage. The two heroes can of course fight with their fists and feet, but they can also defend themselves by collecting improvised weapons car carcass, barrel, destroyed robot arm. They each have a power gauge allowing them to launch powerful attacks according to the power gained. Maxima and Rocky can also be transformed for a brief moment into an invulnerable armored vehicle.
Development and release
Reception
Robo Army received mixed reception from both critics and reviewers alike since its initial release in arcades and Neo Geo AES.
Notes
References
External links
Robo Army at GameFAQs
Robo Army at Giant Bomb
Army'' at Killer List of Videogames
Robo Army at MobyGames
Category:1991 video games
Category:ACA Neo Geo games
Category:Arcade games
Category:Beat 'em ups
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Neo Geo games
Category:Neo Geo CD games
Category:Nintendo Switch eShop games
Category:PlayStation Network games
Category:Science fiction video games
Category:SNK games
Category:Video games developed in Japan
Category:Video games set in the future | wikipedia |
How to calculate the concentration of all relevant species in a buffer of a given pH?
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> You prepare $1.0~\mathrm{L}$ of a $0.25~\mathrm{M}$ acetic acid solution with a final $\ce{pH}$ of $6.0$. What are the molar concentrations of all relevant acetic acid species ($[\ce{HA}]$ and $[\ce{A-}]$) given that the $K\_a$ for acetic acid is $1.74 \cdot 10^{-5}~\mathrm{M}$?
>
>
>
I am getting confused with this problem.
Since the $\ce{pH}$ is given, I know what the $[\ce{H^+}]$ is.
So now when I try to do the ICE table
$$
\begin{array}{l|ccc}
& \ce{HA} & \ce{H+} & \ce{A-} \\\hline
\text{Initial} & 0.25 & 0 & 0 \\
\text{Change} & -x & +x & +x \\
\text{End} & 0.25 -x & +x & +x \\\hline
\end{array}$$
And from here I begin to assume $[\ce{H^+}] = [\ce{A^-}]$, which I am not sure about.
Then I set $x = 10^{-6.0} = 1\cdot 10^{-6}$ so I get $[\ce{A^-}] = 1\cdot 10^{-6}~\mathrm{M}$ and $[\ce{HA}] = 0.24999~\mathrm{M}$ which I think is incorrect, and to even further ensure my that it's incorrect, when I attempt to check the $K\_a$ value with this, it does not match.
My second approach:
$[\ce{HA}] = 0.25~\mathrm{M}$
In this I determine the $\mathrm{p}K\_a$ from the $K\_a$ which turns out to be $4.759$, which indicates that there should be more $[\ce{A-}]$ than $[\ce{HA}]$.
I now use the Henderson–Hasselbalch equation:
\begin{align}
6.0 &= 4.759 + \log\left(\frac{[\ce{A-}]}{[\ce{HA}]}\right)\\
17.40 &= \frac{[\ce{A-}]}{[\ce{HA}]}\\
17.40 &= \frac{[\ce{A^-}]}{0.25~\mathrm{M}}\\
[\ce{A-}] &= 4.35~\mathrm{M}\\
\end{align}
I feel more confident about my second answer.
Can someone please help me out with this particular problem and perhaps tell me procedure I should use as well as what the correct answer should come out to be and why?
The value given for the pH of the solution seems to be incorrect\*.
As the reaction is $\ce{HA <=> H+ + A-}$, your initial assumption that $[\ce{H+}]=[\ce{A-}]$ is correct.
From your chart,
\begin{array}{l|ccc}
& \ce{HA} & \ce{H+} & \ce{A-} \\\hline
\text{Initial} & 0.25 & 0 & 0 \\
\text{Change} & -x & +x & +x \\
\text{End} & 0.25 -x & +x & +x \\\hline
\end{array}
it follows that
$$K\_a=\frac{[\ce{H+}][\ce{A-}]}{[\ce{HA}]} = \frac{x^2}{0.25 -x} = 1.74\cdot10^{-5}.$$
We can solve this for $x$:
\begin{align}
x^2 &= 1.74\cdot 10^{-5}(0.25-x)\\
x^2 + 1.74\cdot10^{-5} x - 4.35\cdot10^{-6} &= 0\\
x &= 0.00207698~\mathrm{M}\\
\end{align}
Thus, $[\ce{HA}] = 0.25~\mathrm{M} - 0.00207698~\mathrm{M} = 0.24792302~\mathrm{M}$ and $[\ce{H+}]=[\ce{A-}] = 0.00207698~\mathrm{M}$.
Also note that in your second attempt, the value $[\ce{A-}] = 4.35~\mathrm{M}$ makes no sense, as the amount of $\ce{A-}$ present should be in a 1:1 ratio to the amount of $\ce{HA}$ consumed in the reaction, and $[\ce{HA}] < 4.35~\mathrm{M}$.
The given $\ce{pH}$ is likely incorrect because the concentration of $[\ce{H+}]$ ions for the given molarity and concentration does not match with the given $\ce{pH}$, and because the given $K\_a$ is close to values of $K\_a$ provided online.
**Ratio of protonated to deprotonated species**
We know the pH and the acid dissociation constant. Using the equilibrium constant expression, we can calculate the concentration ratio of acetate to acetic acid:
$$\frac{[\ce{A-}]}{[\ce{AH}]} = \frac{K}{[\ce{H+}]} = \frac{\pu{1.74e−5}}{10^{-6}} = 17.4 $$
**Ambiguity in the question**
To complete the exercise, we have to understand the question. They might be saying that $\pu{0.25 M}$ is the concentration of acetic acid, or this value refers to the total concentration of acetic acid plus acetate. The latter is more likely, as they talk about "the molar concentrations of all relevant acetic acid species". This implies that acetate is viewed as a acetic acid species, and probably was not added to the acetic acid but was made in situ when setting the pH of the solution. In the lab, we would maybe label this solution "acetic acid buffer, 0.25 M, pH = 6" or more clearly "0.25 M acetic acid, adjusted to pH = 6 with NaOH".
**Concentration of species**
If we take the total concentration of acetic acid plus acetate to be $\pu{0.25 M}$, $\frac{1}{18.4}$ of it will be acetic acid, and $\frac{17.4}{18.4}$ of it will be acetate.
If we take the final concentration of acetic acid to be $\pu{0.25 M}$, the acetate concentration would be $17.4$ as big, i.e. more than four molar. There might not be any acetate salt that soluble in water (assuming water is the intended solvent).
Definitely not a watertight case.
| stackexchange/chemistry |
In this Lagrangian, what does the last term mean?
The **Lagrangian** of a single particle of mass $m$ is
$$ L=\dfrac{1}{2}m\dot{\textbf{r}}^2 -\dfrac{1}{2}kr^2+m\dot{\textbf{r}} \cdot (\vec{\omega} \times \textbf{r}) \tag{1}$$
where $\vec{\omega}=\omega \textbf{e}\_3$.
*Hint*: the generalized coordinates are $(r,\theta)$ because the particle moves in $(x,y)$ plane for all time $t>0$. The motion equations are
$\hspace{6cm}\cases{r=a \cos(\Omega t)+\dfrac{\dot{r}(0)}{\Omega}\sin(\Omega t), \\ \theta=\theta\_0 -\omega t,}$
where $r(0)=a$ and $k,\omega>0$. The relation between the two frequencies is
$\hspace{6cm}\Omega \equiv \sqrt{\dfrac{k}{m}+\omega^2}.$
The *constants of the motion* are the Hamiltonian $H$ and the polar generalized momentum $p\_\theta$.
Here some trayectories in $\mathbb{R}^2$ for different parameters ($0\leq t \leq 4\pi)$:
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/BinT3.jpg)
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Tk9VY.jpg)
>
> The **question** is *what does the last term in the above Lagrangian mean*: (energy dimension)
>
>
>
$\hspace{6cm} E=m\dot{\textbf{r}} \cdot (\vec{\omega}\times \textbf{r}) $
This term is (minus) the generalized velocity-dependent potential for the Coriolis force, cf. my Phys.SE answer [here](https://physics.stackexchange.com/a/248866/2451).
| stackexchange/physics |
Wonders of the Monsoon also known as Lands of the Monsoon is a BBC documentary series which ran for five episodes between 5 October 2014 and 2 November 2014, and aired on BBC Two. The series focus for a variety of locations around the world features including India, Australia and islands of the Pacific Ocean which are all the focus of the monsoon rains.
The series was composed by Nitin Sawhney and narrated by Colin Salmon.
Episodes
All original and international episode names were given from BBC website. All broadcast dates refer to the original UK transmission.
Merchandise
A two-disc DVD and two-disc Blu-ray set for the series were released on 17 November 2014.
In Australia and New Zealand, DVD was released by ABC DVD/Village Roadshow on 21 October 2015.
References
External links
Lands of the Monsoon at BBC Earth Asia
Category:2014 British television series debuts
Category:2014 British television series endings
Category:2010s British documentary television series
Category:BBC television documentaries
Category:Documentary films about nature
Category:English-language television programs | wikipedia |
Lost Girl Let It Go
_**A/N: This just wouldn't leave my head. Having dealt with the loss of my mother when I was young I kinda see Tamsin reacting to Kenzi's death in a certain way. I was going to add this to I Surrender, but realised that it didn't fit. If I was going to add it, it should have been in the first couple of Chapters. So here it is, one shot (maybe, depends on what people think as to whether or not I attempt to continue this, so review!). Sorry, it will hurt. **_
Let It Go
The days just seemed to drag, the rain constantly fell though Tamsin didn't really notice it, the light had gone from the world. Her world. She would give anything to bring it back, but she couldn't, it was gone. She leant up against the wall at the Clubhouse, keys in hand, trying to find the right key for the lock. Life had been so much easier when they didn't lock the door, those days were long gone.
Bo was standing in the kitchen, listening to Tamsin outside fumbling with her keys, all she had to do was knock, all she ever had to do was knock. But she never did. She would much rather struggle on her own than ask for help. Especially help from Bo. Bo couldn't help but think that Tamsin had completely closed her out.
The Valkyrie finally got the key in the lock and the door open, she couldn't help but hope that Bo was already asleep. As she walked through the door she banged into the doorframe.
"Sorry…" she said, turning and apologising to it.
Bo laughed a little, she couldn't help herself.
"You really don't have to wait up for me to get home every night Succubus." Tamsin said, walking through the living room area, heading to the stairs.
"I just get worried about you." Bo said.
"No need," Tamsin replied, her foot already on the bottom stair, "I'm perfectly fine."
As Tamsin disappeared upstairs, Bo sighed.
"I wish I could believe that…" she said quietly.
Tamsin walked into the room she had once shared with Kenzi. She didn't want to be there, she spent as little time there as possible. If she was being honest she was only staying there at all for Bo. As much as her relationship with the Succubus had broken down, she still felt a sense of duty to Bo, Kenzi wouldn't want her to be alone.
She sat on her bed and took her jeans off, the action being a little harder than she remembered, she nearly fell off the bed a few times and that was just one leg. Once the jeans were gone she lay back on the bed, looking at the ceiling, her feet still on the floor. She put her hands on her stomach and let out a sigh. The Clubhouse used to be the one place that felt like home for her, now a cave in the middle of the forest would feel more like home. Without Kenzi the feeling of home, the sense of belonging, was gone.
"Long gone…" Tamsin said to herself.
She was listening for the tell-tale sound that let her know Bo was going to bed. As the door to the Succubus's bedroom softly clicked closed Tamsin stood up and went to turn out the light.
"Night Bo…" she said quietly as she turned the light off, the bedroom falling into darkness.
As Tamsin climbed into bed she couldn't help but think back to when she shared the room with Kenzi, the room was never dark, the fairy lights kept the room illuminated. The lights still hung where Kenzi had put them, but Tamsin couldn't bring herself to turn them on.
x-x
When Bo made her way downstairs the following morning the house was quiet, it was always quiet now. No one saved the world from robot hookers anymore, no one cursed out their cousin in Russian, no one argued with the Valkyrie about her having watched that episode of the X-Files a million and one times. She walked over to the island in the kitchen to make herself some coffee, as she grabbed the coffee pot it felt warm. Which meant that, yet again, Tamsin was out. It seemed to Bo that the Valkyrie was always out, she only ever came back to the Clubhouse to sleep, pouring herself into bed in the early hours of the morning. Lauren had pointed out to Bo that people deal with grief in different ways, this was probably Tamsin's way. What Bo didn't understand was why, if it was so hard for Tamsin and she was having such a hard time dealing with the loss of Kenzi, did she still come back to the room she shared with the little human. Bo had no idea where Tamsin went during the day, all she knew was when the Valkyrie returned home it was clear she had found the alcohol wherever it was she went.
x-x
As Bo made her way down the alleyway to the Dal she could sense someone behind her.
"Whatever this is about I'm really not in the mood." Bo said, turning around.
Behind her was a group of 6, very ugly, very scary looking guys.
"We've got a message for you Succubus." One said.
"Oh yeah and what's that?" Bo asked.
"You really shouldn't have interfered." Another said.
As a group they moved like one over to where Bo was standing, they were a lot quicker than she expected them to be, within moments she was curled up in a ball on the floor as they played kick the Succubus. Just as Bo was about to make her peace with whatever god it was she believed in. She heard a huge crash. Moving her hands away from her face she saw as Tamsin grabbed another of the guys throwing him in the direction of the wall as the one she had just thrown into the trashcans started to stir and stand up.
"You always have to get involved in things that don't concern you Valkyrie," the guy who Bo figured was the leader said, turning his attention to Tamsin, "you'll never learn will you."
"What can I say," Tamsin said, "never was one for minding my own business."
"That pain you feel inside will fade with her out of the way," he said, as Bo locked eyes with Tamsin, the Valkyrie had a serious look on her face, "once she's gone, you can heal."
"I've been around 3000 years," Tamsin said, "it's going to take more than the death of one Succubus for me to start to heal."
With that her features darkened, within seconds the group were on the floor.
"Thanks…" Bo said, standing up, "I owe you one."
"Whatever," Tamsin said, "you might want to find your pet wolf, you need to heal."
Tamsin started to walk back out of the alleyway away from the Dal, and away from a very confused looking Bo.
"Tamsin wait!" Bo called.
The Valkyrie stopped.
"Where are you going?" Bo asked.
"Away from here." Tamsin replied.
"Come to the Dal," Bo said, "we all miss you."
"You see me every day Succubus." Tamsin said, again starting to walk away.
"Tamsin why are you shutting me out?" Bo called after her.
"In what way am I closing you out?" Tamsin asked, turning back to Bo, "I come back to that ridiculous crack-shack you call home every night. I make you coffee every morning. I sleep in a room that makes me realise exactly what I've lost, even though it makes waking up every morning the most painful thing I have ever experienced in my entire existence. I do all that for you."
"I miss her too Tamsin…" Bo said quietly, a little alarmed at how angry Tamsin was.
She hadn't seen the Valkyrie this angry for a very long time, she knew Tamsin was hurting, she never once thought it would be this much.
"Yet you never show it," Tamsin said, "you never break down, you never laugh, you never remember. If it wasn't for you she'd still be here."
"Excuse me?" Bo asked.
Tamsin turned and started to walk away.
"Don't you dare walk away from me Tamsin." Bo said.
"Oh I dare." Tamsin replied, continuing to walk away.
The Valkyrie could sense the air behind her start to crackle, almost like it was becoming electrically charged. She smirked a little.
"You want to play Succubus?" she asked, turning back to face Bo, smirk still in place.
At that moment Dyson walked out of the Dal to see Bo and Tamsin facing off in the alleyway. Bo was in full Succubus mode while Tamsin had gone all out Valkyrie.
"What the fuck is going on?" he asked, walking over to them so he was standing in-between them.
"Tamsin was just telling me how Kenzi dying was my fault." Bo said.
"I was just being honest Succubus," Tamsin said with a smirk, tilting her head to one side, "that is what you always liked about me right?"
"You two do not want to do this." Dyson said.
Neither girl said anything, Dyson could feel the air around him start to get extra charged.
"Bo, you're injured, you can't sustain a fight right now," he said, before turning to look at Tamsin, "Tamsin… you're hurting, I get that, but this isn't the way to deal with it."
"If it wasn't for her," Tamsin said, "Kenzi would still be here…if she had stopped being selfish for two seconds she could have seen what was right there in front of her. But no, she was too busy focusing on feeling sorry for herself. Oh poor Succubus, weight of the world on her shoulders, no one around her to help take the load. Well guess what, we were there, we were all there. Anytime you needed us. But the one time that Kenzi needs you and you're too busy off rescuing your waste of space girlfriend. Anything you needed Kenzi to do she did it without question. She risked her life, for _you_, she put her life on hold, for _you_. She died for _you_. She paid the ultimate price, for _you_. And the one time she needed you, the one time she needed her best friend, you were just too busy. Well congratulations Succubus, now you don't have anyone but yourself to worry about, you can be as selfish as you like."
"She was my best friend…" Bo said.
"She was my everything." Tamsin replied, "She showed me how to live in the world again, rather than just exist in it. She showed me just how amazing the world can be. She was my family."
"She was my family too." Bo said.
"If that's how you treat your family thank fuck I was never part of it." Tamsin said, she looked up and took off into the grey skies over head.
"You were a part of it…" Bo said quietly as she watched Tamsin vanish.
End file.
| fanfiction |
What is fundamentally happening that causes light to change its orientation when repeatedly polarized?
When light is passed through two polarizers successively, its intensity and orientation afterwards depends on the angle between the polarizers and the orientation of the most recent polarizer, respectively.
Why is this the case? What is physically happening, in the most fundamental terms possible, between the electric field and the polarizers that makes the light oscillation change its orientation to that of the newest polarizer, and why is the new intensity governed by Malus's law?
Maybe to help communicate the intent behind my question, my original question was this:
>
> Why is light not fully blocked by one vertical polarizer, one
> polarizer at 45° from the x axis and one horizontal polarizer, set up
> in that order?
>
>
> By my mental model, only vertically oriented light passes through the
> first, then, of that light, only a limited amount (half, by Malus's
> law, though I don't understand how this works; see the paragraph
> below) should make it through the 45° rotated polarizer. Why is this
> light not still vertically polarized and unable to propagate through
> the horizontal polarizer?
>
>
> I have trouble with the fact that any makes it through the 45° rotated
> polarizer at all. My mental construction of what light waves are must
> be quite flawed. I visualize light such that, were its oscillations of
> macroscopic size, they could be completely hidden behind a vertically
> oriented pencil. Trying to drop a pencil through a slit in a cardboard
> box would only succeed were the box slit of the exact orientation as
> the pencil. Could someone please explain to me the correct mechanics
> or give me a better analogy of this situation?
>
>
>
I then encountered [this](https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/61918/three-polarizers-45%C2%B0-apart) question. From it I can see *what* happens, but I don't understand why the polarizer makes light behave that way.
After reading the Wikipedia page on polarizers, as suggested by ACuriousMind, below is my current guess as to what's happening. Is this correct/close?
---
Instead of a box with a slit, imagine a sieve of wire with one component of the mesh removed, so every strand of wire is aligned (and all the perpendicular strands are gone). 'Passes through' is bad terminology: the light that propagates on the other side of the polarizer accompanies the magnetic field that arises from the movement of the electrons in each wire. Everywhere on this wire half sieve that the 'pencil' touches, electrons in the wire will vibrate with the same orientation.
If the incident polarized light is aligned with the wires in the sieve, the electrons in the wire will be able to move the greatest amount, moving along each wire's length. If it is perpendicular to the wires, electrons will only be able to move the width of the wire; the oscillations in the electric field this causes on the other side of the sieve/polarizer will therefore be minimal. If the light hits the sieve at an angle like 45°, the electrons will be able to move further than the horizontal width of the wire, so the intensity will be greater.
There must be some factor, a resistance in the wire, that limits electron movements, as the following diagram is clearly not correct for the red induced movement when the incident light is aligned. The width of the wire equivalent in the polarizers must be such that it limits electron movement much more than the wire's resistivity does (or the intensity left from perpendicular incident light wouldn't be much less than incident light at 45°).
At the fundamental level a beam of light is composed out of a huge number of [photons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photon) with energy=h\*nu . The photon is an elementary particle and obeys quantum mechanical equations. A classical beam, a solution of Maxwell's equations, [emerges from the synergy](http://motls.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-classical-fields-particles-emerge.html) of the wavefunctions of all [those photons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spin_angular_momentum_of_light), here is a simple example:
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/ehDaa.png)
>
> Left and right handed circular polarization, and their associate angular momenta.
>
>
>
As you can see in this image the photons which have each spin either +1 or -1 orient themselves to give the circular polarization of a classical wave. This happens because the wavefunction that describes a photon has several components one of which is connected to polarization.
The wave function of each photon is described by a complex number, there exists an amplitude whose square gives the probability of finding the photon at (x,y,z) at time t, and a given phase . In an ensemble of photons the phases will build up the electric and magnetic fields that are seen macroscopically.
Polarisation of the classical light means that the electric and magnetic fields are built up in a specific way, linear or circular. An innumerable number of photons contribute to the build up . Each individual photon will have its spin either along the direction of motion or against it, the synergistically built up electric field which defines macroscopic polarization is not a simple addition.
When a light beam hits a polarizer each individual photon is filtered through according to the fields of the polarizer in such a way that a linear polarization is built up in the case you discuss. It is the behavior of the individual photons that is important, whether they will be absorbed or deflected outside the beam , so that the ones left in the beam display in synergy the new polarization direction, that is the way to look at this. Polarizers allow photons whose wavefunction agrees with the axis of polarization. That is what is happening at a fundamental level.
When one is dealing with optics, it is not necessary to go through all the mathematics of second quantization in order to study macroscopic effects. Classical electromagnetism and optics works very accurately as the classical theory can be shown to be consistent with the quantum mechanical.
This is not my field of expertise but I am sure that Malus' law describes what is happening to the number of photons with respect to the orientation, and should be derivable from basic photon interactions with matter.
Are you asking why describing an arbitrary polarization can be described as a combination of linear polarizations (not necessarily in phase), or what the physical mechanism is within the polarizing material?
The answer to the first case is relatively simple: any polarizer will block the component of incoming light perpendicular to its axis and pass the other axis. Since any vector can be decomposed into 2 perpendicular components, you can repeat this process, albeit with loss of total signal, ad infinitum.
The specific mechanism of polarization is related to nonhomogeneous structure in the medium, which could be stressed molecules (typical plastic polarizing sheet), asymmetric crystals, and so on.
Whenever someone investigates the interaction between photons and edges we interpret fringes behind an edge as manifestation of particles wave character. And at the same moment we always emphasize that this waves are not observable direct. So it's only one of the possible interpretations that from fringes with a wavelike intensity distribution behind an edge we can conclude about a wave-particle-duality.
To interpret the fringes as a result of the interaction between photons (or electrons) and the electric field of the electrons of the edges surface is not common but has some charme. No more need in intepretation of self interference of an electron (or photon) with itself in single particle experiments. No more sentences like "we can mathematically write down but not describe what happens".
The common field between photon and electrons is quantized and fringes are the manifestation of this quantized field. This has to be proofed for example by changing the electric potential of the edges.
As any interaction is related at the end to surface electrons or an electric or magnetic fields by the wave-particle-duality one describe this interactions (Schrödinger, Dirac). And trying to inspect this interaction one need other photons or some other field. This disturbs the common field between edge and particle and the fringes disappear.
It is not exact to say that closing one of the slits in a double slit experiment fringes disappear at all. Every edge produces fringes and in the case of one slit ore in the case of an edge one see fringes too.
A well designed polarizer let approx. 50% of the light through. The polarization direction of the incoming photons is usually equal distributed. Most of the 50% of the incoming photons is turned than by the electric field from the surface electrons. The polarized photons have than no chance to go through the 90° polarizer. The evidence for the interaction between photon and the edges is the polarizer under 45° between the two twisted polarizers.
P.S. [This picture](https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Moellenstedt_biprisma_voltage_shadow.JPG) shows the influence of a changing electrical field to fringes made by electrons.
[Here](https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Moellenstedt_biprisma_schematic_arrangement.JPG) you see how this experiment with electrons was arranged in generally.
| stackexchange/physics |
THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK
by
Randall Wallace
FIRST DRAFT
September 18, 1995
FADE IN:
From the BLACKNESS before the first images, we hear a young
woman's tortured SCREAM, muffled by her own will. We see her
mouth, open in agony; her face, beaded with sweat. Her name
is ANNE, and she is Queen of France. She lies in
A ROYAL BEDCHAMBER
The royal DOCTOR kneels at the foot of her bed; her own royal
mother grips her hands...
On the opposite side of the huge bedchamber, and separated
from the queen's bed by an artistically painted screen, are
royal ADVISORS sweating and anxious for any word to take to
their king. They wince as the Queen moans again in the pain
of childbirth.
Her fingers claw out for help, but her Doctor ignores her
need to be touched and comforted; he is concerned only for
the baby. Only her PRIEST, FATHER BELLES, sits at her head,
stroking her hair gently and rapidly whispering prayers.
DOCTOR
The head is born! One arm... the
other arm... it is a boy!
The advisors, disregarding the Queen's privacy, scurry around
the screen to see the doctor lift the beautiful baby, wet
with birth. The mother -- the Queen -- is still in agony,
yet she struggles to lift her head.
ADVISOR 1
I shall tell the king!
ADVISOR 2
I shall tell him!
They hurry for the door. But their race to be first to bring
this great news to the King is interrupted as the Queen emits
another cry; it surprises the doctor.
DOCTOR
M'lady...?
He kneels again to examine the Queen.
DOCTOR
Another...? It is another!
The joy vanishes from the faces of the advisors. They look
gravely at each other, as they hear a second BABY'S CRY.
SMASH TO:
A DARK COURTYARD - NIGHT
A door groans open in a hidden corner of the palace courtyard
and into the darkness steps a dashing figure. His face is
hidden in shadow, but we know from the silhouette of his
cloak and plumed hat that he is a MUSKETEER.
He carries an OBLONG BASKET.
A carriage is just rattling onto the flagstones of the
courtyard. The Musketeer steps into its interior, with a
sharp word to the driver --
MUSKETEER
Away.
The whip CRACKS and the carriage plunges into the night.
TIME DISSOLVE:
EXT. ESTABLISHING THE ISLAND FORTRESS PRISON - DAY
On a gash of rock thrusting upward from the sea along the
southern coast of France stands an island fortress, a prison,
like an Alcatraz of the Mediterranean. Just off a coastline
renowned for its beauty, the fortress is horrible and
foreboding. As we SUPERIMPOSE:
1662
TWENTY-TWO YEARS LATER
INT. THE FORTRESS PRISON
With the camera as our moving POV, we survey the prison. It
is a horrible place: dungeons where prisoners lie in their
own filth; corners where jailers rut with unresisting captive
women; long twisting corridors lined with cells, from which
prisoners whimper, or moan in madness. Up a long winding
staircase our POV moves; we push through the barred window of
a cell... It is somewhat cleaner than the rest of the places
we've seen, but still a prison. We PAN the cell.
And we see a man. A MAN IN AN IRON MASK. It is terrifying,
to think of anyone imprisoned in this way. We push in on his
eyes... They are blue, childlike.
A greasy jailer -- the prisoner's KEEPER -- puts his face to
the barred window of the door, and speaks with bored cruelty.
KEEPER
You dead yet?
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
No, Keeper.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ESTABLISHING PARIS - DAY
SUPERIMPOSE:
PARIS
EXT. PARIS STREET - NIGHT
Through the narrow streets of the old city gallops a dashing
figure, his cloak flying behind him and catching the
moonlight, his horse's hooves clattering along the
cobblestones as he dodges the beggars living in the filthy
shadows. He is a magnetic sight, riding the horse as easily
as if they were racing across an open field and not through a
cluttered street, and guiding the stallion as if its grace
and power came not from the animal but from the rider.
Sitting lightly in the saddle is
D'ARTAGNAN
famous Musketeer, Captain of the King's Royal Bodyguard. He
is still handsome at mid-life, still erect, unambiguous in
his courage and his loyalty.
He rides past a knot of angry beggars, moving through the
streets breaking windows and scavenging for food. When they
see d'Artagnan, some throw rocks at him. They sail by
d'Artagnan's head; he ducks them with the fluid grace of a
boxer dodging punches, and keeps on riding.
OUTSIDE THE CATHEDRAL
D'Artagnan rides into the courtyard of a grand old residence
beside Notre Dame Cathedral. Priests are dispensing food to
beggars gathered in the courtyard. As d'Artagnan reins his
horse to a stop the wretched people stare with contempt at
the royal symbols on his uniform. But d'Artagnan is not a
man anyone would be quick to confront; as he dismounts and
moves toward the doorways the people part for him.
He pauses as he sees, parked to one side of the old
residence, a big rickety carriage. D'Artagnan smiles.
D'ARTAGNAN
Porthos too!
D'Artagnan hears drunken feminine giggles echoing down the
staircase of the tower above him.
INT. PRIESTS' RESIDENCE - A STAIRWAY - DAY
Four people are moving up a winding stairway; three are
women, bosoms spilling from their gaudy dresses; the fourth
is PORTHOS, the former Musketeer, now a nobleman of great
wealth and even greater girth. He and the women are drinking
wine as they stagger up the stairs, the women towing Porthos
like rowboats tugging a ship to dock. Porthos is not so
drunk that his hands fail to find pleasant places to grip
their bodies as they walk and giggle.
PORTHOS
Ah ha! Here we are! Aramis!
Porthos is here!
They reach a doorway. Porthos kicks it open, staggers back,
and begins shoving the women inside.
INT. A PRIEST'S APARTMENT - DAY
The first of the partying women tumbles inside; she stops
short at what she sees. The second and third stumble in
after her and they too stop dead still, sobered by what they
see. Then with a great roar Porthos barrels in.
PORTHOS
Aaaaaaaramis!! Porthos is --
He stops dead in his tracks. From the POV OF PORTHOS AND THE
WOMEN, we see ARAMIS. Always the most theological of the
Musketeers, and ruthlessly brilliant, he is still lean and
powerful. And still handsome, or at least he would be; but
now he kneels before a single candle at a private altar,
wearing sackcloth and ashes in penitent prayer.
PORTHOS
Sorry, my dears. You would have
enjoyed it too. He's hung like a
donkey.
WENCH 1
So are you.
PORTHOS
Really? I haven't been able to see
it for fifteen years. Go on now,
leave His Holiness alone. I'll
bring you back tomorrow when he's in
a better mood.
He whacks their bottoms, herding them out, then swaggers to
Aramis, heaving himself to a seat beside his praying friend.
PORTHOS
Please revel with me, Aramis, I need
my spirits lifted. I'm old, I'm
weak, my strength is gone --
ARAMIS
Be quiet, you fat fool. Can't you
see I'm praying?
PORTHOS
I just said you're praying! Are you
deaf too? I know you're blind,
because if you had seen the tits
that just walked out of here, you'd
have tears in your eyes.
ARAMIS
(trying to ignore him)
There are more important things than
tits.
PORTHOS
Really? If you can name me one
thing, one single thing, that is
more sublime than the feel of a
plump pink nipple between my lips,
I will buy you a new cathedral.
Aramis is still trying to pray, but rises to the bait.
ARAMIS
Forgiveness.
PORTHOS
Forgiveness?
As if in reply, Porthos lets rip an enormous rolling fart.
PORTHOS
(beat)
Forgive me.
Aramis' fingers clamp down on the rosary beads, as he tries
to keep praying.
PORTHOS
Am I forgiven?
Aramis abruptly backhands his huge friend. Porthos reels
backwards, landing in a chair.
PORTHOS
I observe your forgiveness isn't
sweeter than a plump nipple.
ARAMIS
Can't you see I'm praying,
goddammit?!
Porthos raises a foot and kicks the bishop in the balls.
Aramis staggers back and grabs a chair to throw it; Porthos
picks up the whole table -- just as d'Artagnan enters.
PORTHOS AND ARAMIS
D'Artagnan.
Porthos tosses the table aside and bear hugs d'Artagnan.
PORTHOS
How are you, you skinny little pup!
Aramis sets the chair down in embarrassment.
ARAMIS
A simple theological discussion.
D'ARTAGNAN
Aramis -- the King wishes to see
you.
ARAMIS
Still you serve him loyally --
though people hurl rotten eggs at
his royal emblem.
Aramis lifts d'Artagnan's cloak as evidence: near its hem,
sure enough, is the remnant of a broken egg.
D'ARTAGNAN
I see your mind is sharp as ever.
The King said, "Right away." Cut
deep and hard, my friends.
PORTHOS
Deep and hard, D'Artagnan.
D'Artagnan clasps Porthos' hand, then that of Aramis, and
leaves, as Porthos shakes his head.
PORTHOS
We were all Musketeers once, eh? Oh,
I forgot. For the poor, the ones
you were praying for.
He hands a purse to Aramis. Surprised, even touched, Aramis
reaches for it. Just as he takes the money, Porthos throws a
haymaker; but Aramis sees the sucker punch coming and ducks.
Suddenly the two old warriors are circling again.
PORTHOS
I wonder how Athos is doing.
INT. A SMALL HOUSE - DAY
ATHOS stands at the dressing table in a modest room; dressed
in a dark plain coat, he too is a former Musketeer -- gray
haired and handsome, intensely intelligent, with a hard crust
of manners masking seas of emotion. He opens a small wooden
box and digs through medals of heroism; he finds what he's
looking for just as his son RAOUL enters. RAOUL is in his
mid-twenties; he wears the uniform of a soldier in the French
Army. He is nervous, pacing, looking at every angle in the
mirror.
RAOUL
Do I look all right?
ATHOS
None of the ladies will be able to
take their eyes off you.
RAOUL
I care only about Michelle. Should
I ask her when we first arrive?
Or... or when we're leaving? I
could ask her in the carriage -- but
it is more romantic at the palace.
I get so confused...
ATHOS
Perhaps this will help.
He hands Raoul the simple gold ring he took from the box.
RAOUL
Mother's ring. I can't take this.
ATHOS
She died giving you to me. And I
want to die knowing it is one the
finger of the women my son loves.
They embrace. Athos' eyes mist, but he smiles.
ATHOS
Now go, and bring back your fiance.
ESTABLISHING - THE ROYAL PALACE - DAY
The Palace glows golden in the Parisian sunshine. Carriages
deposit guests for the lavish party in the royal gardens.
EXT. THE ROYAL PALACE - GARDENS - DAY
Attractive young adults strut about in the extravagant attire
of Louis XIV's France, the men like peacocks, the ladies in
gowns that seem to squeeze their entire bodies up into their
bosoms. They laugh and smile and strike courtly poses
pretending to talk with each other -- but all eyes are on the
doorway, through which the king is about to come...
JUST BEYOND THAT PALACE DOORWAY
KING LOUIS the Fourteenth is having his wardrobe adjusted by
a flock of tailors. He is twenty-two, and would be quite
handsome, except for the total self-absorption. He's
checking himself in a full length golden mirror as two of his
advisors, PIERRE and CLAUDE, try to speak with him.
PIERRE
Your Majesty, I know it is a... a
festive time, but before --
KING LOUIS
The blue sash. No, the burgundy!
PIERRE
... before the party begins --
KING LOUIS
The party has already begun -- so
why are you delaying me?
PIERRE
We do not wish to delay you,
Majesty, but... as your advisors, we
feel it is our -- our --
CLAUDE
... our duty.
PIERRE
Yes! It is our duty to let you
know... there are riots in Paris.
LOUIS
Riots? My people live in the
world's most beautiful city, their
king has the grandest palaces on
earth. Why should they feel
anything but pride and contentment?
PIERRE
Well yes, of course, Majesty, and
I'm sure they are content... except
that... well, they are starving.
LOUIS
Sometimes the poor do grow hungry.
But why would they riot about it?
As he says this, a replica of the Matterhorn made of fruits
and meringues is carried past the window by a team of chefs.
PIERRE
Majesty... We have more than enough
food set aside for your birthday
celebration next week. If we
distributed some of that, we would
have time to gather more before --
LOUIS
Aramis! I have been expecting you!
(to the tailors)
We are satisfied, that will do.
The tailors and advisors withdraw as Aramis -- still in his
simple priest's robe -- strides forward and bows to the kind.
ARAMIS
Your birthday celebration, your
Majesty?
LOUIS
Next week. This is a mere garden
party -- and I wish to join it, so I
will be brief. I am experiencing
resistance from the Jesuits.
ARAMIS
Well... perhaps you should speak
with them, your Majesty.
LOUIS
I have demanded it -- and common
priests present themselves! Can you
imagine the arrogance? Common
Jesuit priests try to act as my
equals, and they refuse to reveal
the names of anyone else in their
order! No one can keep secrets like
the Jesuits can, and the identity of
their leader is the darkest secret
they hold. Even the Pope himself
does not know who leads the Jesuit
Order in France! He suspects the
Governor General of Jesuits, whoever
he is, is angling to become Pope
himself.
ARAMIS
How can I serve you in this?
LOUIS
Perhaps you can find out who this
secret leader of the Jesuits is.
You are now a priest, but you were
once a Musketeer, serving the throne
of France, a throne ordained of God.
Can you accept this mission, and
keep it private?
ARAMIS
If I find out the identity of this
Jesuit rebel. I will kill both him
and the man who told me.
LOUIS
Once a Musketeer, always a
Musketeer, eh?
Aramis bows and Louis turns back to his mirror. There are
mirrors everywhere in his palace, and he loves his
reflection, adorned as he is all in golden cloth, like fabric
from the sun. Aramis leaves and the advisors return.
LOUIS
Ah yes, the riots. We have food
stocks on the wharves right now, no?
PIERRE
That food has spoiled. That is why
it was not shipped to the army.
LOUIS
Exactly why it should be given away.
PIERRE
What... an excellent idea, your
Majesty!
EXT. PALACE GARDENS - DAY
Among the guests are Raoul and MICHELLE, a stunningly
beautiful young woman. Michelle is awed by the richness all
around them, while Raoul sees only her. He holds the ring.
MICHELLE
Isn't it glorious!
RAOUL
Michelle...
But just as he starts to speak, trumpets blast and the King
steps through the doors and out into the lavish gardens; the
party goers give him a rousing ovation. Raoul returns the
ring to his jacket, to wait for another moment.
Everyone watches the King, who begins guzzling wine and
telling jokes to his sycophants, who howl at the King's
witticisms. Then Louis catches sight of Raoul and Michelle,
and lowers his voice, to his FRIENDS...
LOUIS
Who is that?
FRIEND 1
Raoul, son of Athos.
LOUIS
Not the soldier, you idiot!
FRIEND 2
Her name is Michelle.
The king is transfixed.
D'ARTAGNAN
is presiding over a huddle of fresh faced young Musketeers,
directing them to their positions around the gardens, like
secret service agents protecting a president. He leaves
them, and quickly moves to the King.
D'ARTAGNAN
Your Majesty...
LOUIS
What is it, d'Artagnan? Assassins
falling from the sky now?
The sycophants laugh loudly.
D'ARTAGNAN
The plans for use of the maze were
not disclosed to me.
LOUIS
I decided it this morning.
D'ARTAGNAN
Then you must allow me to stay close
to you so that --
LOUIS
I am King, d'Artagnan. I will
change my mind as I wish, and I will
enjoy my banquet as I wish!
D'ARTAGNAN
But I deployed the Royal Guards
according to your previous --
LOUIS
Let us play a game, d'Artagnan, let
us pretend I am King and you are
Captain of my Musketeers. Let us
behave as if my wish is law. And my
wish is to enjoy this party!
D'Artagnan bows sharply as the young sycophants chuckle.
D'Artagnan retreats, then looks back to Louis and follows his
gaze to the tender young beauty who caught his eye.
D'Artagnan recognizes Raoul, son of his friend Athos.
RAOUL AND MICHELLE
As the guests mix and mingle, Raoul tries again.
RAOUL
Michelle, I... Ever since I returned
I've been wanting to speak with you
about... about --
A gaunt SERVANT interrupts, presenting a tray of delicacies.
SERVANT
Monsieur, Mademoiselle...?
RAOUL
No! Thank you -- Michelle, I --
They are interrupted by the SQUEAL of a piglet, squirming in
the hands of the king's dwarf, who holds the fat little
animal above his head and runs among the startled guests.
LOUIS
It pleases us to announce an
entertainment for our guests! A
contest of agility and cunning!
He takes the pig from his dwarf; the pig is clean and
perfumed, a colorful fake horn tied onto its head.
LOUIS
Behold our unicorn! Whichever of
our guests captures the unicorn
shall win its treasure!
With this announcement the King produces a diamond the size
of a pecan, suspended from a ribbon; the guests gasp at its
richness. The King ties the diamond around the pig's neck.
RAOUL AND MICHELLE
Michelle is amazed at this.
MICHELLE
I have never seen a diamond so
large!
It almost makes Raoul ashamed of the modest ring hidden in
his hand.
LOUIS
Into the maze! All of you!
Disperse, I command you!
The dwarf releases the pig, poking him through a tiny break
in the hedge; the critter skitters as only a pig can, eluding
the first laughing lunges of the guests.
THE PIG CHASE is a merry melee, as the maze becomes a tangle
of confusion. LOUIS climbs to a platform above the top of
the ten foot hedge that forms the maze. From his perch he
looks down on all the action, and calls encouragement.
LOUIS
Are you men or mice?!
MICHELLE squeals as the pig scurries by and Raoul dives for
it. He almost has the pig... then it kicks free.
RAOUL
The pendant will be yours!
With that he races after the pig.
MICHELLE tries to follow, this way, that way, through the
maze. Then she stops, face to face with the King, entering
through a gate hidden in one of the maze's dead corners.
LOUIS
Michelle, isn't it?
Speechless, she nods.
LOUIS
I would have said it was impossible,
but I believe the excitement of the
chase has made you even more
beautiful.
MICHELLE
Sire, I --
LOUIS
You blush! You do not wish to be
beautiful to your King?
Her eyes go still; she understands what is happening.
FROM BEHIND THE GATE, we see d'Artagnan, watching as Louis
tries to seduce the young woman. Even as d'Artagnan watches,
the pig comes rooting through the hedge; with a deft movement
d'Artagnan catches the animal's leg and lifts it with the
sureness of the farm boy he once was. The pig is quiet and
comfortable in d'Artagnan's hands.
D'Artagnan watches as the King approaches Michelle, and she
allows him to touch her cheek. The king leans to kiss her...
Michelle does not move...
WHHEEEKKKK! The pig sails over the gate and hits the ground
running, right at Louis' feet; it sets him dancing.
The spell of the king's royal attention is shattered; as the
pig scrambles away, Michelle backs away.
LOUIS
Wait! Michelle, I --
Too late, he sees the shadow of the man looming above him,
leaping down onto him from the observation platform. It is
the servant who offered the tray to Raoul and Michelle; he
has armed himself with a knife from the carving table, and is
diving now to plunge the blade into the king's throat.
The king is helpless, frozen. The assassin leaps, falling
toward the king... and is impaled on the sword of d'Artagnan,
springing through the gate to save his king.
Michelle screams, the king gasps, and the assassin drops,
mortally wounded. They stare down at him now; the would-be
assassin gurgles words through his agony...
ASSASSIN
Feed... your... people.
Party guests, having heard Michelle scream, are running in to
find them. Michelle rushes off, to find Raoul; several
people are coming up.
ASSASSIN
Your people starve...! Feed --
The king snatches out his own dagger and imperiously cuts the
throat of the dying man, to stop these offensive words. The
king looks at his stunned subjects.
LOUIS
A pitiful madman, nothing more.
Come, let us continue our chase!
Where is our unicorn?
The King prances away. It takes the guests a moment, but
they know that only gaiety will please their King, and off
they go again, laughing as if nothing happened.
D'Artagnan stands still as the young Musketeers under his
command come rushing up with swords drawn.
YOUNG MUSKETEER
Captain!
Seeing the dead assassin, their eyes fill with admiration.
YOUNG MUSKETEER
You are the best --
D'Artagnan can't even listen; with a last glance at the King
he turns quickly and walks away.
INT. FORTRESS PRISON
The Man in the Iron Mask sits on the floor. A key rattles in
the lock and his keeper shuffles in, carrying food.
KEEPER
Food, moron.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
Thank you, Keeper.
Not watching what he's doing, the bulbous keeper trips on
something and stumbles, dropping the food. The prisoner
jumps to his feet, concerned.
KEEPER
Look what you've done!
He picks up the tray and slings it at the prisoner.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
I'm sorry, Keeper...
The keeper looks for what he tripped on -- a worn Bible. He
snatches it up and grabs a hunk of pages from its middle.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
No, Keeper, it's my only book!
Hearing the pleading in the prisoner's voice, the keeper
looks squarely at him -- and rips out the pages.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
What number did you tear out?
KEEPER
Eh?
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
What number, on the first page?
KEEPER
... Two-thirty-seven.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
Two-thirty-seven: "... And the
descendants of Japeth are these:
Obediah, Zebulon, Hezekiah..."
As the prisoner rattles off the names of Biblical genealogy,
the jailer gawks at the pages in his hand.
KEEPER
You've... memorized...?
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
What was the end page?
As the keeper is speechless, the prisoner looks for himself.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
Six-two-one: "... Though I speak
with the tongues of men and angels,
and have not love, I am but a
clanging cymbal or --"
The Keeper staggers in shock; the prisoner bubbles with joy.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
We're playing, Keeper! A game!
Take another page, any page! Keeper
and I are playing a game!
And the prisoner takes the keeper's fat hands in his own and
begins to dance and sing.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
A game, a game, we're playing a --
The keeper's left arm goes rigid, and he clutches his chest
with his right hand; he drops upon the stone floor.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
Keeper...?
The prisoner approaches the jailer; the man is stoned dead.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
No... No! Keeper, please, you
cannot die! You're my only friend!
The prisoner tries to wipe his eyes, but he can't get at
them, inside the mask. He edges to the open door.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
Help! Someone! Keeper is dead!
He slumps down beside the open door, and weeps.
INT. PALACE - D'ARTAGNAN'S ROOM - EVENING
D'Artagnan's room is spartan: a cot, and weapons laid on a
plain table. It has a single small window, and d'Artagnan
stands at it now, looking out into the Palace garden below.
The guests have all gone home; the party pavilions have been
cleared away. And now in the blue dusk, a solitary lady
walks. She is Anne of Austria, the Queen Mother, the lady we
saw in the opening.
Now, twenty years later, she is a slim frail figure. Her
clothes are drab and simple, like the dress of mourning; she
walks in silence, watched at a distance by nun attendants.
She glances up, and sees d'Artagnan's form in the window.
When he sees her looking, he pulls away from the window.
INT. PALACE CORRIDOR - EVENING
D'Artagnan's room is along the same corridor as the Royal
Apartments. D'Artagnan sits at the small table, going over
paperwork. Through his open door he sees that Anne and her
attendants are filing along in the corridor, and he rivets
his eyes back to his work.
IN THE CORRIDOR
Anne reaches the door to her apartment, and looks back to
where d'Artagnan's door is open.
INT. D'ARTAGNAN'S ROOM
The Queen Mother's ATTENDANT appears at d'Artagnan's door.
ATTENDANT
She wishes a word with you.
INT. THE CORRIDOR
D'Artagnan approaches the Queen Mother, and bows.
D'ARTAGNAN
M'lady...?
ANNE
I understand you saved my son's life
today.
D'ARTAGNAN
God smiled upon us.
ANNE
And you were not hurt?
D'ARTAGNAN
No, M'lady.
ANNE
That is good.
Without a change of expression on her still beautiful but sad
face, she enters her room.
INT. D'ARTAGNAN'S ROOM - EVENING
D'Artagnan returns to his room, just as a young LIEUTENANT of
Musketeers (Andre) arrives with two of the Royal Guards.
LIEUTENANT
Duty lists of the day, Captain!
D'ARTAGNAN
Thank you, Andre.
They hand him the list and salute again, to leave.
D'ARTAGNAN
Wait. There is an entry here --
"Messenger sent by King to residence
of Mademoiselle Michelle Beaufort."
Why was that?
The young Musketeers try not to smirk.
LIEUTENANT
Well, Captain...
INT. ATHOS' APARTMENT - NIGHT
Athos sits alone, playing a haunting melody on a violin. It
is a sad tune, played with feeling; he stops as he hears a
KNOCK at his door, and opens it to --
ATHOS
D'Artagnan!
D'ARTAGNAN
Athos, my friend!
They embrace with deep affection -- friends who have shared
each other's darkest times.
D'ARTAGNAN
It's been too long.
ATHOS
Life is too long. Except when we
have our friends. Look at you!
You're still a boy! Sit, sit! I'll
open a bottle of wine.
D'Artagnan takes one of the wooden chairs, by the meager
fire. The whole place is modest at best.
D'ARTAGNAN
Thanks, but not for me.
ATHOS
You can't drink with a friend you
haven't seen in months?
D'ARTAGNAN
I have ordered a drill of the Royal
Guard for midnight, and must be
clear-headed for it.
ATHOS
Midnight! Mon dieu! Driving the
youngsters hard, eh?
D'ARTAGNAN
They must stay sharp. There was an
attempt on the King's life today.
ATHOS
Another? How many times have you
saved his life in this year alone?
Three? Four?
D'ARTAGNAN
I heard your playing.
ATHOS
I was feeling sorry for myself.
Raoul is getting married, he
proposed today! I love that boy
beyond all measure, I've spent
everything I own to give him
education and opportunity. Now he
has complete happiness, and I mope.
A cloud passes d'Artagnan's face; he has something to tell
Athos.
D'ARTAGNAN
Athos...
But whatever it is that d'Artagnan wants to say is
interrupted by the sound of someone climbing the stairs. As
Athos' face brightened with the arrival of d'Artagnan, now it
glows as he jumps up to welcome his son.
ATHOS
That must be Raoul! Raoul! Look,
d'Artagnan's come to visit...!
What's wrong? You look awful!
RAOUL
Michelle, she -- The king has
invited her to come live in the
palace.
Athos is stunned; d'Artagnan witnesses this with agony.
ATHOS
But -- are you sure?
RAOUL
We were at her door. I was just
taking the ring from my pocket, for
the third time today, when a young
Musketeer brought the invitation for
her to become a lady-in-waiting for
the Queen Mother.
ATHOS
Michelle cannot possibly accept!
RAOUL
She cannot possibly refuse. Her
family is poor, they have even less
money than we do. And along with
the invitation, the King sent the
diamond pendant, from the piglet.
ATHOS
Piglet -- ? What are you -- ?
RAOUL
Never mind, Papa, it doesn't matter
now. She loved me once. I want to
die remembering that.
ATHOS
Die? What...?
RAOUL
I have rejoined the army, and asked
to resume my commission at the head
of the troops of General Fromberge.
ATHOS
Fromberge...?! At the front?! No.
RAOUL
It is already done. I have just
stopped at Mother's grave, to say
goodbye, before coming to tell you.
ATHOS
Raoul, no... You cannot do this. No
matter how your heart is broken --
But Raoul stops him, with an embrace.
RAOUL
Goodbye, father. I am sorry.
ATHOS
Raoul --
Raoul breaks away, and runs from the room. Athos, so joyful
moments before, holds his head as if his brain might erupt.
ATHOS
This cannot be. Everyone knows the
Queen Mother is a recluse, and the
ladies-in-waiting are but
mistresses for the king!
D'ARTAGNAN
If the young woman truly loves
Raoul --
ATHOS
She's a woman, d'Artagnan! From a
poor family. You may still be young
enough to believe love conquers
everything, but I am old and hard
and I've seen too much. Even when
kings are hunchbacks they have any
woman they desire, because power
seduces even more than love!
D'Artagnan is silent, and even ashamed. Athos realizes --
ATHOS
You knew this was happening. You
knew and that's why you came.
D'ARTAGNAN
I fear I know our King. I came to
try to bring you hope.
ATHOS
What hope is there? A wartime
commission cannot be vacated except
by the king, and what chance is
there of that? Fromberge is on the
battle line, and Raoul --
D'ARTAGNAN
I have dispatches a message to
Fromberge requesting that Raoul be
kept far from the fighting.
ATHOS
Raoul is everything to me.
D'ARTAGNAN
I know.
ATHOS
Oh my friend.
Athos grips d'Artagnan in gratitude and desperate hope.
D'ARTAGNAN
I will also speak with the King, for
he is surely unaware of the problems
his invitation to Mademoiselle
Beaufort has caused.
ATHOS
You trust his character more than
anyone else does.
D'ARTAGNAN
Raoul is hurrying to the front, so I
must hurry too.
ATHOS
Save my son, d'Artagnan.
They embrace once more, and d'Artagnan leaves.
EXT. PARIS STREETS - DAY
Magnificent public buildings -- palaces and cathedrals --
grace the city's skyline, but here in central Paris all is
squalor. On a narrow, filthy street, beggars bother the
sullen city peasants who are weak with hunger themselves.
But interest perks up when two soldiers drive up in a wagon,
and one of them, Lieutenant Andre, announces --
LIEUTENANT
Here is food, the gift of your
loving King, on his birthday! He
gives to himself by giving to you,
in that he loves you so much!
Slowly at first the paupers stand and shuffle forward. As
the soldiers begin handing out foodstuffs -- bread, cabbages,
tomatoes, eggs -- those nearest the wagon begin to jostle
each other, and a large crowd gathers quickly.
LIEUTENANT
No need to fight, there is plenty
for all!
It's looking like a holiday celebration... until a RUFFIAN
breaks open a loaf of bread, and wrinkles his nose.
RUFFIAN
This stuff stinks. It is rotting!
The King gives us rotten food!
He hurls the moldy bread back at the soldiers. Other paupers
sniff the food, and its stink set off an explosion of anger:
they throw food at the soldiers... Then a paving stone
crashes through a shop window, and suddenly it's a riot, with
the mob overwhelming the soldiers and dragging them down the
streets in the direction of the palace.
D'ARTAGNAN, riding toward the palace himself, turns a corner
and sees the mob coming. And they see him: the elegant,
dashing Musketeer on the prancing stallion.
And at that moment, two more soldiers race out of a side
street, fleeing a similar mob, coming from another direction.
D'Artagnan understands everything at a glance; the second
pair of fleeing soldiers reach him in panic.
PANICKED SOLDIER
Back, toward the palace! We cannot
hold them off! We will fire a
volley into them!
D'ARTAGNAN
No! Run to the palace and close the
gates. But do not fire!
The two new soldiers race away; d'Artagnan waits calmly on
his horse, as the mobs from both directions converge on him.
THE MOB, seeing the dashing Musketeer wait so confidently for
them, slow up; but the ruffian urges them on.
RUFFIAN
Come on! To the palace!
D'Artagnan sits calmly in their way. He doesn't even draw
his sword, though members of the mob grab the reins of his
horse. Some of the mob recognize him, and murmur...
MOB
It's d'Artagnan! Le Generale de
Musketeers!
The mob hesitates -- for the name d'Artagnan means heroism
and patriotism to all of them.
RUFFIAN
One Musketeer can't stop us!
D'ARTAGNAN
Stop you? You are Frenchmen, are
you not? I am one of you.
RUFFIAN
The King is a Frenchman, but he is
not one of us!
D'ARTAGNAN
Citizens of Paris! Give ear to me!
RUFFIAN
We'll give you their ears!
With that he draws a dagger from his filthy shirt and puts it
to the ear of the young Lieutenant who is already bloody from
being dragged through the street.
D'ARTAGNAN
Wait -- and listen! I beg you!
RIOTER
They give us garbage, not fit for
rats! They think we are garbage!
With that one of the rioters hurls a moldy beet at
d'Artagnan, who draws his sword in a slick liquid movement,
he cuts the vegetable from the air.
The display of expertise is startling. Someone else throws a
head of lettuce; d'Artagnan slices it in half, and as the
pieces fly he skewers one with the point of his sword.
D'ARTAGNAN
I'm on my way to a salad! Doesn't
anybody have any endive?
The mob laughs at this panache, and the amazing display of
swordsmanship that lies behind it. Someone tosses more
lettuce, and d'Artagnan divides and skewers this one as well.
This time the crowd applauds.
D'ARTAGNAN
A tomato?
Can he do it? Someone fires a tomato right at his head, and
sure enough d'Artagnan spears it. Then, with a victorious
flourish, he takes a bite of it. His face contorts with the
taste, and he spits the pieces out; the crowd is hushed.
D'ARTAGNAN
You are right. It is rotten. I
will speak to the King myself. You
have my word.
The mob is completely won over by d'Artagnan; the ruffian,
angry that his riot is fizzling, raises his knife again over
the soldiers, but now the point of d'Artagnan's sword flicks
to the ruffian's neck.
D'ARTAGNAN
And you will release those men --
for they serve France... and you.
RIOTERS
Three cheers for d'Artagnan!
Hurrah...!! Hurrah...!!
The soldiers who moments before were about to be ripped apart
now stand and look at d'Artagnan in gratitude and awe. The
mob has forgotten them; they see only d'Artagnan as he rakes
his blade clean, returns it to its scabbard, reins his horse
around, and slowly rides away, escorting the soldiers back
toward the palace.
INT. PALACE - NIGHT
D'Artagnan strides into the long hallway leading to the royal
apartments. As he reaches the door to the king's rooms, he
finds a knot of royal advisors -- among them Pierre and
Claude -- gathered outside the king's door.
CLAUDE
We already know about the riots!
D'ARTAGNAN
Does he know?
PIERRE
We will tell him, when it is...
CLAUDE
Convenient.
Blocked by the advisors, d'Artagnan leaves them, turning down
one hallway, and then another; he reaches the Hall of Mirrors
and touches the golden frame of one mirror at its corner; the
mirror becomes a door, revealing a secret passage within the
walls. D'Artagnan steps through and the portal closes again,
leaving no trace of its existence.
INT. PALACE - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Within a bed whose tapestried posts stretch to the sixteen
foot ceiling, the king is making love; the YOUNG WOMAN lying
beneath him is doing her best to sound sincere.
YOUNG WOMAN
Oh yes! So good! Ooo, wonderful,
Marvelous! Fan-tas --
Louis climaxes with a grunt. She tries to sound pleased.
YOUNG WOMAN
Oh, Louis, that was incredible. It
was better than ever before. It --
LOUIS
I'm hungry.
He hops up, throwing on a silk robe embroidered in gold.
YOUNG WOMAN
I will have food brought.
LOUIS
I like to eat alone.
He moves to what appears to be a wardrobe, standing against
the far wall, and opens its door, revealing a secret
staircase hidden within the thick walls of the palace.
LOUIS
By the way, you'll be moving
tomorrow.
Leaving the girl without another word, he moves down the
concealed stairs.
INT. THE KING'S BEDCHAMBER - NIGHT
Louis reaches the bottom of the stairs, disguised behind a
similar wardrobe in his own bedroom. He steps out -- and is
startled as the lifesize portrait of Louis XIII on the other
side of the room opens to admit d'Artagnan.
LOUIS
Aaa! D'Artagnan! These passages
were constructed for the King's
security, not so you could step from
my father's portrait and startle me
to death!
D'ARTAGNAN
It is for your security that I have
come, your Majesty -- for the
security of your honor.
LOUIS
I already know about the riots,
d'Artagnan, I heard them out there
whispering. Some fool gave the
order to distribute rotten food. I
will deal with it tomorrow.
D'ARTAGNAN
Then there is one more thing, of an
even more personal nature.
LOUIS
A personal nature?
D'ARTAGNAN
Mademoiselle Michelle Beaufort. She
is betrothed to Raoul, the son of
Athos the Musketeer, who has served
France through many tribulations.
The King begins to eat from the food laid out on the table.
LOUIS
Betrothed? I think not.
D'ARTAGNAN
In his mind, anyway, and soon enough
in hers. She had written him many
letters of love.
The King pokes at his food.
LOUIS
Miss Beaufort has accepted our
invitation. By this we can only
suppose that she wishes to come --
as we wish her to be here.
D'ARTAGNAN
Your Majesty has had many women --
LOUIS
That is my desire, and my desire is
what should concern you, not the
sentiments of some commoner!
D'ARTAGNAN
It is not Raoul's heart alone that
concerns me. It is yours. I know
you find women compliant --
especially the poorer ones like
Michelle. But do they love you? Do
you love them? What about a queen
to love? A son of your own?
LOUIS
What quaint notions, d'Artagnan!
But they contradict my father, who
picked his queen when he was old,
and only then to bear me.
D'ARTAGNAN
There is more to love than he knew,
or that you know.
LOUIS
You dare criticize my father?! Or
lecture me?!
D'ARTAGNAN
Not criticize -- plead. Love. Love
your people, and you will not bear
to see them hungry. Love women, and
they will love you. Love yourself,
and --
LOUIS
That is enough! You are a good
servant, d'Artagnan, but you forget
your place!
D'ARTAGNAN
At least help Raoul.
LOUIS
Silence! I order you!
D'ARTAGNAN
Order Fromberge to keep him in
safety! It is the least you can do,
to protect your own honor!
LOUIS
I will consider it. Now leave me.
D'ARTAGNAN
Thank you, your Majesty.
D'Artagnan bows, steps to the lifesize portrait of Louis
XIII, touches a hidden button on its frame and moves into the
secret passage the painting reveals as it swings open.
CUT TO:
CLOSE ON PIERRE'S FACE...
He is sweating, exceptionally pale, as he tries to project
his voice past a huge lump in his throat...
PIERRE
... And I only say that... the
rotten food was... all my fault...
and I take... full responsibility...
and beg the forgiveness of you all.
He steps back, having accomplished something terrifically
difficult, and glances toward
THE KING
who steps to his advisor and shakes his hand, whispering
quietly...
LOUIS
Well done, Pierre. It will be good
for your soul, that you have taken
responsibility for your errors. And
don't worry, I will look after your
family.
Pierre can only nod... He takes two steps, kneels, crosses
himself, and places his head between two upright rails of
THE GUILLOTINE
The King, Pierre, and other attendants are standing on a
platform before a crowd of Parisians. The blade drops,
Pierre's head hits the basket, the crowd cheers.
The King raises his hands to quiet the crowd.
LOUIS
Do not rejoice -- but know that your
King does not tolerate blunders that
hurt his beloved people. More food
is on its way, and my advisors tell
me the new harvests are sure to be
bountiful!
He shoots a glance at his advisors, and they are pale from
the display they've just witnessed.
LOUIS
And I have new joys to announce to
you! Today we decree a fresh glory
for Paris, and for all of France!
The laying of the foundations to
expand Versailles, and make it truly
a palace of the sun!
The advisors all applaud furiously, but from the crowd there
is almost no reaction at all; the triple ranks of soldiers
surrounding the square discourage any protest, and as the
King leaves the platform the crowd begins to melt away.
NEAR THE PLATFORM
Aramis, watching the crowd disperse, hears behind him --
VOICE
Aramis.
Aramis turns to see the King, who moves up alone.
ARAMIS
Your Majesty...
LOUIS
How goes that favor I asked of you?
ARAMIS
I grow closer to my target, your
Majesty.
LOUIS
You bring me the heart of the Jesuit
General, and you will have a palace
of your own.
The King moves away, followed by his fawning advisors.
INT. THE FAVORITE MISTRESS' PALACE ROOMS - DAY
A young Musketeer ushers Michelle into the palace bedroom
previously occupied by the King's last mistress. The
Musketeer leaves her alone, frozen in the center of the room,
awed by the opulence. Her eyes play over the details:
-- The handcarved, richly upholstered furniture, beneath her
fingertips...
-- The carved figures of cherubic angels, gleaming with gold,
upon the posts of the bed...
-- The murals on the walls and ceiling...
Her reverie is interrupted by a HANDMAIDEN who bustles in
carrying a magnificent dress.
HANDMAIDEN
After your bath put on this, it is
the King's favorite color. That
letter on the desk came here for you
this morning.
She tosses the dress onto the bed and is gone. Left alone,
Michelle lifts the letter, and recognizes the writing.
MICHELLE
Raoul!
She opens the letter and reads quickly.
MICHELLE
The army! Oh Raoul, don't despair!
I will always be faithful...
She interrupts herself as her eyes fall on the gorgeous
dress. She looks around at the sumptuous palace apartment,
and gazes again at the murals painted above the bed.
They depict naked gods and goddesses, in Olympian orgies.
CUT TO:
CLOSE - STEAMING WATER, POURED INTO A TUB
The Handmaiden has prepared a 17th Century bathtub for
Michelle, and now retires.
HANDMAIDEN
If you need me further, just ring.
As the handmaiden leaves, exiting frame, we PUSH IN on one of
the murals on the wall. The eye of one of the figures there
is no longer the painted eye it was before, but is a real
human eye, disguised by the mural...
THE KING, IN THE SECRET PASSAGEWAY
is spying on Michelle.
THE KING'S POV
as Michelle undresses and steps into the bath. Louis catches
tantalizing glimpses of her richly sensual body in the soapy
water, and it stokes his desire.
INT. PALACE - MICHELLE'S NEW ROOM - DAY
Michelle stands before the mirror, staring at herself,
breaktakingly gorgeous in her new dress. She stares for a
long time, surprised at her own beauty.
She reaches to a vase of roses and pulls one out, blotting it
around her neck, perfuming herself with its fragrance. She
looks into the mirror, at her eyes... In guilt for what she
is already feeling, she lifts Raoul's letter to read it
again. Then she gasps -- the King stands right before her.
MICHELLE
Sire! I -- How did you --
LOUIS
How did I get in? You're new here,
and will soon learn many secrets.
What is that?
MICHELLE
... Nothing.
LOUIS
A letter. May I see?
He takes the letter; she has no resistance against him. The
King reads, his eyes hardening suddenly; but then he smiles.
LOUIS
From Raoul. He urges you to guard
your honor -- as if it could be in
any danger... from your king.
MICHELLE
Raoul... is in love...
LOUIS
Enough of this, our dinner waits.
Tossing the letter aside, he offers her his arm. She takes
it and allows him to escort her from the room.
INT. PALACE - THE HALL OF MIRRORS
The hall is alive with glorious light, fiery gold frames
surrounding silvery mirrors blazing with reflections.
Musicians line the length of the hall, and when Louis and
Michelle appear at the far doorway they begin playing for the
couple as they parade past. Michelle is speechless, as Louis
smiles at her awed innocence.
INT. ROYAL DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Louis leads Michelle into a towering room surrounding a
magnificent table, decked out with candelabra and sumptuous
delicacies -- set for just two.
THE DINNER
Louis and Michelle sit opposite each other, attended by a
dozen servants. Michelle stares at her plate.
LOUIS
The food doesn't please you?
MICHELLE
It's lovely. It's just...
LOUIS
This is more than you are used to.
Your mother is a seamstress, your
father is dead. You have three
younger sisters, two of whom suffer
from consumption. Don't look so
surprised, Kings know such things.
MICHELLE
I... we are humble people...
LOUIS
Wait, no! Do not be ashamed. The
straits of your family need not be
permanent. It is a simple matter to
have them brought to one of my
country estates, where they may have
fine meals, and physicians to look
after them.
MICHELLE
You would do that, your Majesty?
LOUIS
My dear, I've already done it.
She rushes to him and throws herself at his knees, weeping in
gratitude. Louis smiles, as if embarrassed.
LOUIS
Please, darling, that isn't
necessary. We are friends now.
Mademoiselle needs wine!
A servant quickly approaches with wine; the goblet at
Michelle's place is quite large, and he pours it full.
INT. MICHELLE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Louis leads Michelle back to her room; she's a bit unsteady
from the wine; but she grows alert as she notices him closing
the door behind her. He stares into her eyes.
LOUIS
You are beautiful. You know you
are.
MICHELLE
Sire, I --
LOUIS
If you don't want to be so
appealing, why did you touch the
rose to your skin? Where was it?
Here?
He touches his lips to her throat. She gasps, but then pulls
away. She glances at the letter on the writing table.
LOUIS
What is it? Raoul? If he really
loved you, he would have proposed
marriage. He didn't, did he?
He sees her hesitation and uncertainty. He's smooth, gentle.
LOUIS
You have never known love until you
have known the love of a king.
He kisses her; for a moment she seems frozen... and then she
yields. Never having doubted that she would. Louis pulls
the gown from her shoulders. She doesn't resist.
INT. THE FORTRESS PRISON
The old Jailer, carrying a torch that barely pushes back the
darkness, leads another guard up the winding stairs.
JAILER
It's a jolt at first, so brace
yourself.
INT. CELL OF THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK
The Man in the Iron Mask lifts his head as a key rattles into
his door. The door opens, admitting his old Jailer, and a
NEW KEEPER. The New Keeper is just a younger version of the
old one -- greasy, fat, and cruel.
NEW KEEPER
Ugh! He looks 'orrible.
The Man in the Iron Mask rises and takes a step forward; the
new keeper recoils and raises his club threateningly.
NEW KEEPER
Stay back!
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
I frighten you. It's okay. Keeper
was scared of me too, at first.
NEW KEEPER
Scared?
The New Keeper steps forward and clubs the Man in the Iron
Mask in the shoulder, then kicks him as he falls.
NEW KEEPER
Scared of you? Not me. I'll kill
him if he gets near me.
The New Keeper strides out. The Man in the Iron Mask pulls
himself to his knees; his eyes, visible through the slits of
the mask, look sadly at the old Jailer.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
I miss Keeper. I miss him so much.
JAILER
Moron.
The jailer leaves the cell, locking the door behind him.
INT. A BATTLEFIELD COMMAND TENT
Raoul has just received orders from General Fromberge, who
sits at a map table, Raoul salutes and follows a young staff
officer from the tent. As Raoul leaves, the General
withdraws from his leather field pouch a royal letter --
parchment, with blue and gold seals. Fromberge touches the
edge of the parchment to the candle, and burns the letter...
EXT. TRENCH - DARKNESS
Two men move along a deep trench, the siege works of 17th
century siege warfare. One of the men is Raoul, carrying a
musket; in his new uniform he looks out of place among the
dirty, battle weary men they pass. He is following the STAFF
OFFICER who is no older than himself, but whose eyes are
already dead, while Raoul's are wide and wild.
The trench is deep as a grave; by crouching, both men keep
their heads below the surrounding ground. Thick smoke rolls
over their heads; we can't tell if it is day or night. From
all around come sounds of battle, with the sporadic fire of
muskets and the rumble of cannons; officers shout orders in
the distance; wounded men nearby whimper for water and the
officer leads Raoul by them as if they did not exist.
The young Staff Officer stops at a bend in the trench.
STAFF OFFICER
Here.
Without another word he goes back the way he came. Raoul
grips his musket and looks around him; he finds himself among
several dozen stark eyed men manning the forward curve of the
trench. He has little time to wonder what will happen next.
A horn trumpets close by, and with a shout, the French
soldiers clamber out of their breastworks.
For an instant, Raoul hesitates in pure terror, then joins
the charge with a shout of his own --
RAOUL
Mi-cheeelllll!! --
On the stone wall looming above the French soldiers, orange
blossoms of fire -- the muzzle flash of primitive cannons --
penetrate the smoke, and the ground at Raoul's feet explodes,
hurling him backwards. He covered barely a few feet, and
falls almost exactly where he started.
Dead.
CUT TO:
CLOSE - THE DOOR OF ATHOS' ROOMS - DAY
A gloved hand raps on the door. Athos opens it to a military
messenger, who shoves at him a single sheet of paper, rolled
and tied with ribbon.
INT. ATHOS' ROOM - NIGHT
The message slams onto the table as Athos staggers upon it,
his legs buckling beneath him in shock and grief.
INT. D'ARTAGNAN'S ROOM - DAY
D'Artagnan is working at his desk, as the Lieutenant enters.
LIEUTENANT
Sir... a casualty report came...
D'Artagnan looks at the paper the Lieutenant hands him.
D'ARTAGNAN
No, no, no...
He sags for a moment, then grabs his cloak and sword.
INT./ EXT. MUSKETEER'S GATE OF THE PALACE - DAY
The Musketeer's Gate is close to the stables where the
Musketeers train and keep their horses. D'Artagnan hurries
from the Palace and snaps an order.
D'ARTAGNAN
Saddle my horse!
The grooms jump to work; several young Musketeers nearby stop
their training, noticing their Captain's agitation.
D'ARTAGNAN
Hurry --
But then d'Artagnan sees Athos coming, riding furiously
through the Musketeers' gate. D'Artagnan steps out to meet
him as Athos reins in his horse and jumps from the saddle.
D'ARTAGNAN
Athos, my friend --
Athos marches to the palace door; d'Artagnan cuts him off.
D'ARTAGNAN
Athos, please...!
ATHOS
Get out of my way.
D'ARTAGNAN
(grabbing him)
Athos, I beg you --
Athos punches d'Artagnan with furious strength, knocking him
aside. The young Musketeers reach for their weapons, but
d'Artagnan is up quickly, throwing himself in front of Athos
again, blocking the doorway into the palace.
D'ARTAGNAN
Where are you going?
ATHOS
To kill the king.
At this, the swords of the young Musketeers sing from their
scabbards. Athos wears a sword, but he has not drawn it.
D'ARTAGNAN
Athos! I know life means nothing to
you at this moment, but I will not
let you kill yourself.
ATHOS
The King killed my son!
D'ARTAGNAN
The cannons killed Raoul! The
cannons, and love. But not the King.
A YOUNG MUSKETEER steps up.
YOUNG MUSKETEER
I'll kill the old man for you,
Captain, if you don't wish to --
Athos spins, striking like a rattlesnake, his sword whipping
from its scabbard and slicing off the arrogant young
Musketeer's ear. He flicks another's sword from his grasp,
then brings the the point of his own blade up beneath the
chin of a third, shoving him back.
ATHOS
Come on! All of you!
D'Artagnan tackles Athos from behind and pins him face down
to the hay. For a moment Athos bellows in rage --
ATHOS
Coward! Fight me! Fight me...!
Emotion spills up into Athos' throat, and he begins to sob.
ATHOS
He killed my son, d'Artagnan! He
killed my son...!
D'Artagnan, dying inside, still grips Athos. Athos grows
quiet, and the young Musketeers drift closer.
D'ARTAGNAN
Get back, all of you!
D'Artagnan stands, and Athos rises, still holding his sword.
He looks at d'Artagnan a long beat, then sheathes his sword
and turns to his horse. The young soldiers move to him.
D'ARTAGNAN
Let him go!
Athos mounts his horse, and with a last glance back at
d'Artagnan, he gallops away.
INT. KING'S BEDCHAMBER - DAY
The King has just climaxed in his lovemaking, and lies spent
upon Michelle. His rest is interrupted by a KNOCK at his
door. The King scowls.
LOUIS
What?!
VOICE
Your Majesty... it is Andre.
Louis groans, and pulls on a robe. Michelle whispers --
MICHELLE
Shall I leave?
LOUIS
No, you may wait behind the screen.
Michelle rises and slips behind a painted dressing screen as
Louis goes to the door and admits the young Lieutenant.
BEHIND THE SCREEN, Michelle lifts a jeweled hand mirror and
appraises her face; she begins brushing her long hair. She
can hear the conversation...
LIEUTENANT
I would not have disturbed you,
Majesty, but you ordered me to keep
you informed --
LOUIS
Yes, yes, go on.
LIEUTENANT
Athos, the former Musketeer, has
just fought with several of your
guard, at the Musketeers' Gate.
Behind the screen, Michelle pauses at the mention of Athos.
LOUIS
Did they kill him?
LIEUTENANT
No. He cut an ear from one of the
men, no one else was hurt. Captain
d'Artagnan allowed him to leave.
Athos was upset about the death of
his son, at the front.
CRASH! From behind the screen comes the sound of the mirror,
shattering as it drops to the floor. It startles the
Lieutenant, but the King goes on...
LOUIS
Who was Athos seeking? Tell me!
Did he try to enter the palace?
LIEUTENANT
... He did -- but Captain d'Artagnan
blocked his way.
LOUIS
You may go, Lieutenant.
The Lieutenant moves back to the door.
LIEUTENANT
Do you want Athos arrested, your
Majesty?
LOUIS
Not by you. I will order d'Artagnan
to do it.
The Lieutenant leaves, and Louis moves behind the screen to
see Michelle stagger and grip the dressing table; her bare
feet step onto the broken glass of the mirror, yet she is
oblivious to the cuts. Louis sees this and grabs her.
LOUIS
My dear! The glass -- !
He pulls her to the couch and draws a blanket about her,
cuddling her as she begins to shake.
MICHELLE
Did you know... about Raoul?
LOUIS
I did not want to upset you. It was
tragic. I did everything I could
for him. I ordered him positioned
in a spot of complete safety, far
from the fighting. But he
disregarded my wishes and charged
into danger.
He cuddles her as she weeps.
LOUIS
I will order a Mass for his soul.
It will guarantee his place in
Heaven.
MICHELLE
Oh Louis, Louis...
She clings to him in her grief.
EXT. NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL - DAY
The great cathedral rises next to the monastery where Aramis
resides. We PAN DOWN and PUSH IN on the cobblestones between
the two structures, as if penetrating to --
SUBTERRANEAN PASSAGES
Aramis leads Porthos through tunnels, twisting, descending.
PORTHOS
Aramis... is this the way to hell?
ARAMIS
Hell may be our destination, dear
Porthos, but not this trip.
They reach an iron door and move through it, into
A GORGEOUS, SECRET CHAPEL
Candles illuminate masterpiece frescoes. The place is
breathtaking.
PORTHOS
Where are we?
ARAMIS
Jesus of Nazareth found the holy
among the profane. If we are to
have a place of private prayer,
where better than here, beside the
channels where the shit and the
garbage run to the river?
Porthos notices niches in the walls; he looks closely and
sees the face of a corpse, enclosed behind glass.
PORTHOS
Mother of God!
ARAMIS
It is also a place of burial.
PORTHOS
A tomb? We're in a tomb?
ARAMIS
Catacombs. Very holy.
Porthos looks as if the bodies could resurrect at any moment
-- then jumps out of his skin as the door opens.
PORTHOS
Yaaaahhh!
A hooded figure, looking like the Grim Reaper, enters.
ARAMIS
Relax, you big fool, it's
d'Artagnan.
And sure enough the hooded figure, whom we now see has been
led in by a little monk, is d'Artagnan. Aramis nods to the
monk, who leaves quickly. Before d'Artagnan can ask
anything, Porthos jumps again; the back door has opened, and
monks usher in Athos, who freezes as he sees d'Artagnan.
ARAMIS
It's all right. D'Artagnan was the
one who warned us that he'd been
given an order for your arrest.
Here you have sanctuary -- does he
not, d'Artagnan?
The escort monks disappear, closing the chapel door so that
the four Musketeers are left to sit at a small table the
monks have set up, Athos and D'Artagnan opposite each other.
ARAMIS
Look at us. We are old men now. But
once we were young. And when we saw
injustice, we fought it.
D'ARTAGNAN
We have grown wiser with age. Now
we know that some problems cannot be
settled with a sword.
ATHOS
And some problems cannot be settled
without one.
ARAMIS
Well here is the problem at hand:
the King has ordered me to discover
the identity of the Governor General
of Jesuits, and kill him. As our
English rivals have left the
Catholic Church, Louis has struck on
a plan to dominate the whole of
Europe by uniting Church and State
and making himself head of both. He
has already picked the Pope. Only
the Jesuits, who put God above
throne or papacy, stand in his way.
PORTHOS
But -- doesn't God ordain both Pope
and King?
ARAMIS
So they tell us. But what are we to
believe when the king is a tyrant,
and the Church, meant to stand for
all those oppressed, has become the
tool of oppression? When no
conscience is tolerated? No
dissent, no objection?
PORTHOS
It is a weighty problem, Aramis --
but perhaps you should leave it to
this secret General of the Jesuits,
whoever he might be.
ARAMIS
Easy to say, but hard to do. For
what I am trying to tell you is that
I am the Governor General of Jesuits
in France.
A stunned silence.
ATHOS
What do you propose to do?
ARAMIS
Replace the king.
D'ARTAGNAN
I cannot hear this!
PORTHOS
It can't be done.
ARAMIS
It can. I know the way.
ATHOS
I am with you!
D'ARTAGNAN
No! Stop --
ARAMIS
I will need you all. All for one.
One for all.
D'ARTAGNAN
(jumping up)
You -- You cannot ask me to betray
my king! I have sworn to him!
ATHOS
It is honor you serve, and when the
king is dishonorable you are removed
from your oath of honor!
D'ARTAGNAN
An oath is an oath precisely because
it cannot be removed!
ATHOS
Why do you follow him, d'Artagnan?!
I know you have put service above
your own life, but why does this
King deserve such loyalty? He is a
monster! He executes ministers for
his own blunders, with their
families hostage so they take the
blame! He has no honor!
D'ARTAGNAN
No man is all bad... or all good. I
believe -- I must believe -- that
Louis can learn. And perhaps I can
help him.
Athos leaps up from the table, and glares at d'Artagnan.
ATHOS
Whatever the plan... I am in it!
The next time we meet, one of us
will die.
He storms out of the rear door of the chapel.
ARAMIS
Porthos, see to Athos, won't you?
Porthos follows Athos; Aramis and d'Artagnan are left alone.
ARAMIS
I have heard many confessions,
d'Artagnan. But even if I were not
a priest, I could tell your heart
has a secret weight, and it is
hurting you to carry it alone.
D'ARTAGNAN
The secret I carry I cannot share.
Not even with God.
D'Artagnan moves to the door.
D'ARTAGNAN
I cannot betray Louis. I will
defend him with my life.
ARAMIS
I know. God go with you.
D'Artagnan leaves Aramis alone in the secret chapel.
EXT. THE MONASTERY - NIGHT
Aramis leads Athos and Porthos out of the catacombs.
ARAMIS
This way.
They move into a moonlit courtyard of the monastery. A
hooded Jesuit standing guard steps from the shadows, then
recognizes Aramis and admits the trio to the monastery's
forge, where more hooded Jesuits are working in secret,
heating iron red hot in the bellows furnace.
ATHOS
What are they doing?
ARAMIS
Making the key to the throne.
PORTHOS
They are very large keys.
One of the blacksmiths uses tongs to remove something red
from the fire; he hammers it in a shower of sparks and
plunges it into water. Aramis pulls the result from the
water and shows it to Athos and Porthos.
It is an iron mask.
EXT. A CARRIAGE - FRENCH COUNTRYSIDE - NIGHT
The carriage rolls through the long sweep of the French
countryside, traveling fast.
INT. THE CARRIAGE - NIGHT
The three Musketeers -- Aramis, Athos, and Porthos -- have
been traveling for some time. Porthos is asleep, snoring.
ATHOS
Porthos sleeps, and you plot. Don't
you think it's time you told me what
it is you are plotting?
ARAMIS
Soon enough. Here we are.
Kicking Porthos' feet to wake him, Aramis opens the carriage
door, and they step out...
EXT. FRENCH COAST - NIGHT
Lying just off the coast is the forbidden island, where the
imposing fortress prison rises on the promontory off shore.
ATHOS
The Prison of Belle Sur.
ARAMIS
Come, we have a boat waiting.
As hooded Jesuits appear from the shadows to guide them,
Athos and Porthos glance at each other; Porthos shrugs.
EXT. AMONG ROCKS AT THE BEACH - NIGHT
The guides lead the Musketeers down a hilly path to a long
boat, hidden among the large rocks that dot the coast.
Sitting next to the boat is a scrawny little man in priest's
garb; at his feet is a long narrow bundle, about the size of
a mummy, with a rope tied at either end.
The guides drag the boat across the sand into the surf.
Aramis throws off his cape, and strips down almost naked.
He's still fit and hard. With the guides helping him, he
lifts the bundle by its ropes and ties it around his waist.
ATHOS
What is that?
ARAMIS
A body.
ATHOS
I see that is a body! But where did
you get it?
Aramis ignores the question, and the guides dress him in
priest's garb. With the robes spreading over the big bundle
added artfully to Aramis' waist, it appears he is a very fat
priest; the wig and false beard the assistants give him adds
to the illusion of Aramis as a wild, reclusive monk.
The sun is beginning to come up over the mountains.
PORTHOS
He gets one day of confession each
year. Today is the day.
ATHOS
Who does?
PORTHOS
Best not to ask. Shouldn't even
talk about it.
Aramis steps onto the boat. The little priest who first
joined them gets in too, along with a couple of rowers.
ATHOS
What do we do now?
PORTHOS
I don't know about you, but I plan
to wait here.
The rowers pull the boat toward the fortress prison.
INT. FORTRESS PRISON - DAY
The pink light of the new day barely penetrates the gloom of
the prison. The boat carrying Aramis and the little priest
reaches the gate of the prison, which reaches to the water
line. As Aramis steps out, GUARDS meet them.
HEAD GUARD
Who is this, then?
The little priest remains in the boat, slumped over. One
GUARD speaks to the little priest in Italian, and the little
priest seems barely able to left his head; Aramis answers for
him, in Italian, and the guard translates --
GUARD
He says he's the replacement.
Aramis rattles off more Italian.
GUARD
He says it is only one day a month
when the prisoner gets confession,
and the little one is too sick to
move. The big one doesn't speak
French either.
HEAD GUARD
Then let's get it done.
The head guard gestures to let them pass.
INT. CELL OF THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK
The prisoner has used the torn Bible to make all sorts of
amazing origami, invented from his own head. He looks up as
he hears the door open, and sees Aramis, the priest.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
My confession day! But where is the
other one?
Aramis says something in Latin -- the first words of the
ceremony of absolution -- as the guards lock the door behind
him and move off down the corridor.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
I know you don't speak my language
-- but is the other one all right?
Please tell me he is not dead too,
or I will have lost everyone.
Aramis goes on mumbling Latin mechanically, for the sake of
the retreating guards. The Man in the Iron Mask is desperate
for someone to talk to.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
I... tore my Bible. Or someone else
did. But it was all right. "Let the
words of my mouth and the
meditations of my heart be
acceptable in Thy sight, Oh Lord our
God and My Redeemer."
Aramis has stopped talking, and stares transfixed at this
sight of the prisoner, in the iron mask.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
I'm sorry. You're never seen me
before. I must frighten you.
Aramis puts his finger to his lips.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
What are you doing? Why do you --
Aramis clamps his hand over the mouth hole, and whispers --
ARAMIS
I am a friend, here to help you.
Aramis hurriedly removes his robes, revealing the bundle.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
What -- ?
ARAMIS
It is an escape. To freedom.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
Freedom...?
He says it as if the concept is beyond him. Aramis undoes
the bundle, revealing the limp body.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
Wh-- ? He is dead! Who is he?
ARAMIS
He is you.
Aramis uncovers the head of the body. It is covered in a
mask, identical to the prisoner's.
INT. PRISON CORRIDOR - CELL
The Guards are sharing a bottle of wine, when they hear --
ARAMIS
Hey! Hey!
GUARD
What now?
INT. CELL
The guards enter to find the Man in the Iron Mask slumped on
the floor. Aramis, looking like the fat priest again, stands
over him spouting Italian, as one GUARD translates --
GUARD
He says he just fell stone dead as
he was reading him the Mass.
HEAD GUARD
I never thought the bugger would
last this long. But how could he
just keel over and --
Aramis rattles off more Italian, and suddenly the guard who
understands it stops examining the body and backs off.
GUARD
He says the prisoner has the fever,
just like the little priest does.
HEAD GUARD
Plague? They brought plague in
here? Get him out of here. Now!
Aramis rattles off a protest in Italian.
GUARD
No, no last rites! Get away!
EXT. PRISON - DAY
Aramis climbs into the boat; as he sits down his belly stirs,
but the guards don't see it -- they are using poles to push
the boat away, into the sea.
EXT. THE COASTLINE - DAY
Athos and Porthos stand as the boat reaches the shore, and
tucks in among the rocks. Sheltered from the view from the
prison, Aramis steps from the boat and removes his robes.
The prisoner dangles, tied wrist and ankle, from around
Aramis' neck.
ATHOS
My God...
Athos, Porthos, and the others gawk at the sight of the Man
in the Iron Mask, as Aramis loosens the ropes. As they back
away from him, he sees the sky. Endless blue -- and bright.
He shields his eyes.
ARAMIS
It's all right. Take your time.
Aramis helps him up, and turn him slowly around, to face...
The fortress/prison, in the distance.
THE PRISONER'S POV FROM WITHIN THE MASK: A vast vista -- the
sky, the sea, and the prison on the island in the middle of
it all. The prisoner falls to his knees, and weeps.
ARAMIS
Athos... He needs a gentle hand.
Athos moves over hesitantly, and puts his hand on the
shoulder of the Man in the Iron Mask, who holds his hands
against the mask as if to further hide his shame.
INT. THE PRISON - DAY
The guards are standing in the cell, looking down at the body
now wearing the mask, the man they think was their prisoner.
The guards are quiet, alone.
GUARD 1
You ever wonder who he was?
GUARD 2
No... Yes. But I never asked -- and
you better not either.
They wrap the body, still in its mask, in a weighted sack.
EXT. PRISON - DAY
The prison's WARDEN GENERAL stands at the wall of the
fortress high above the sea and watches as his guards throw
off the body, wrapped in canvas weighted with stones. As the
corpse makes a long fall and crashes into the sea, the Warden
writes a message on a royal scroll:
THE UNSEEN PRISONER IS DEAD.
The Warden seals the scroll and hands it to a messenger.
EXT. COUNTRY ESTATE - NIGHT
A carriage pulls into a country estate, isolated among vast
woodlands silver in the moonlight. Mysterious servants with
shielded lanterns converge on the carriage as it stops.
INT. CARRIAGE - NIGHT
Athos reaches for his sword, but Aramis stops his hand.
ARAMIS
Jesuits.
EXT. MANOR HOUSE COURTYARD - NIGHT
Aramis emerges quickly, whispering directives to the Jesuits;
Athos helps the Man in the Iron Mask from the carriage, his
head shrouded by a cloak.
Aramis has a blacksmith waiting; almost before he realizes it
the Man in the Iron Mask finds his head placed on an anvil;
but as the hammer rises he begins to scream.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
No! Please!
ARAMIS
What is wrong? We only mean to free
you from the mask!
But the prisoner is shaking, and Athos understands why.
ATHOS
Prison was horrible but it was his
home. He's been torn from it by
strangers. He's frightened,
exhausted -- and the mask is
familiar. Let him rest in it
tonight, and remove it tomorrow.
ARAMIS
Excellent, Athos. You have a keen
sense of this man.
ATHOS
His plight is obvious, isn't it?
Athos, angry with Aramis' arrogance and insensitivity, leads
the Man in the Iron Mask toward the house; then Aramis spots
Porthos, looking downcast.
ARAMIS
And why are you so glum?
PORTHOS
I expected action. There was no
killing, no fighting, I was useless.
In deep depression, Porthos climbs out and shuffles off.
Aramis sighs, shakes his head, and walks to the house.
INT. MANOR HOUSE BEDROOM - NIGHT
Athos helps the Man in the Iron Mask onto the bed; the eyes
behind the slits in the mask are darting, frightened.
ATHOS
Are you hungry?
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
Just... water.
Athos pours a cupful from the water pitcher on the bed table;
but when he tries to help the prisoner drink the liquid
spills as the cup bumps the mouth hole.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
This way.
The prisoner manipulates the cup in the way he must to get a
drink, then falls back to the pillow.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
This place... I once lived in a
country house. I had guardians --
an old man and woman. And tutors.
But no friends. Then when I was
twelve, they came and took me to the
prison.
ATHOS
Who came?
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
A man in black. I never saw his
face. He took me to the cell. A
blacksmith came and they put me into
the mask. For days I shouted, "What
have I done? Why do you do this to
me?" But no one heard, so I just
stopped shouting.
ATHOS
And you never knew why?
PRISONER
I thought... there is something
about my face that men do not want
to see. Something that makes them
cruel. But then I realized they
were cruel even when I was wearing
the mask. I knew there must be some
other reason, but I could not think
what it was.
ATHOS
What is your name?
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
The old man and woman called me...
Phillippe.
ATHOS
Phillippe. Rest now.
Athos moves to the door.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
Thank you... for your kindness.
Athos nods, pauses a moment... and leaves.
INT. A DARK APARTMENT IN PARIS - NIGHT
The lock rattles, and the door swings open. D'Artagnan
enters, lifting a lantern to throw light on the dark room.
It is Athos' apartment, the one he visited earlier; now he
finds it empty, devoid of clues. He stands there alone.
He turns to leave, then glimpses a familiar painting hanging
beside the door. Lifting his light he studies the portrait:
Athos, Aramis, Porthos and himself -- four Musketeers, beat
friends, in their prime. Together then, inseparable.
D'ARTAGNAN
My friends... Where have you gone?
He lowers the lantern, and leaves.
CUT TO:
THE MESSAGE FROM THE PRISON...
has reached the court. Gloved hands pass the message from
one advisor to another, and finally to the King.
INT. PALACE - KING'S STUDY - DAY
The King reads the message, rerolls it, thinks a moment, and
hands the scroll to Claude.
LOUIS
Take this to my mother.
THE MESSAGE
is again passed, this time into the hands of the Queen
Mother's eldest nun-attendant, and then into the hands of the
Queen Mother herself. The Queen is in her private rooms, and
for the first time we see her with her hair down. She
accepts the scroll, opens it, and reads.
Her eyes fill with pain, grief, guilt... emotions she hides,
turning away.
NUN
M'lady... are you...?
ANNE
Please, just... go away.
INT. D'ARTAGNAN'S ROOM - NIGHT
D'Artagnan returns from his ride to Athos' place. He looks
down at the Queen's door. He checks the clock on the wall;
it is a few minutes past nine. He enters his room, moves to
the window, and waits there, to catch a glimpse of her.
INT. COUNTRY MANOR HOUSE - FRONT ROOM - NIGHT
Aramis is digging into a hearty meal, while Porthos only
stares at his plate.
ARAMIS
See? There is plenty of food in the
country. But the King keeps it
going to the army instead of --
Athos marches in, all business.
ATHOS
He is sleeping. Now see here,
Aramis, it's time you told us --
He breaks off as a voluptuous serving girl leans over to
spoon food onto Porthos' plate; her breasts jiggle below his
nose, and she gives him a smile.
PORTHOS
I have no appetite for food, I am
wasting away. Say goodbye to
Porthos, for he is gone. Even women
don't interest me now.
The girl moves to whisper with two other serving girls, who
seem fascinated with the roguish Porthos; their giggles and
winks make Porthos even more morose; he tells his friends...
PORTHOS
I tell you a secret. I sleep with
three women at once, not because my
appetite is so great, but because
now it take three to excite me.
Porthos heaves himself to his feet and shuffles off; Aramis
sighs, having heard all this before. Athos sits down.
ATHOS
Who is he, Aramis?
ARAMIS
Tomorrow.
ATHOS
Tonight! Right now! We steal a man
from a royal prison, we hide in a
country chateau among an assortment
of saints and sluts such as only you
could provide, and still you wish to
tell me nothing?!
ARAMIS
You seek facts, when it would be
better to seek truth.
ATHOS
You are not my priest, Aramis! You
would not be, even if I had one.
ARAMIS
You are bitter, Athos. You are torn
by grief, not only for Raoul, but
for d'Artagnan, whom you love, and
now treat as an enemy.
ATHOS
He who is not with us is against us.
ARAMIS
Those are the words of a broken
spirit. My spirit is whole. I have
trusted d'Artagnan with my deepest
secrets, and I will never believe
he is my enemy.
ATHOS
Then you are a fool -- a fool who
has never lost a son. What gives
you the right to judge me, to play
God with the lives of others? Is it
because you are so much holier than
everyone else?!
ARAMIS
There is that, of course -- but
mainly it is because I am so much
smarter than everyone else.
They are interrupted by Porthos' bloodcurdling SCREAM.
ARAMIS
Porthos?!
He draws his sword and runs for the outside.
EXT. MANOR HOUSE - NIGHT
Aramis and Athos rush through the courtyard, surrounded by
moonlight and trees, confused about where Porthos is. Then
they hear bellowing SCREAM OF PAIN from the latrine.
Swords drawn, they bang into the latrine, to find Porthos
just finishing urinating.
PORTHOS
Kidney rocks. It hurts when I pee.
It hurts when I shit. I'm just a
fat old fart with nothing to live
for any more. I'm going to hang
myself, as soon as I'm sober.
They watch him shuffle toward the main house.
INT. THE PALACE - THE QUEEN MOTHER'S ROOM - NIGHT
Anne paces in her room, her hands trembling, her beautiful
lips quivering with tortured emotion. With a sudden impulse
she bolts from her room, through the outer room where her
attendants sit, and into the corridor.
NUN
M'lady...?
The eldest nun follows her.
EXT. PALACE GARDEN - NIGHT
Anne rushes through the evening, toward her little chapel in
the palace garden; she is a tragic, romantic sight, her long
hair flying behind her as she runs.
IN HIS ROOM, D'ARTAGNAN
has been standing at his window, for his nightly glimpse of
Anne. Now he sees her, not with her retinue of nuns, but
running to her chapel, clearly distraught...
INT./ EXT. PALACE GARDEN - GARDEN CHAPEL - NIGHT
Anne reaches the door, and finds a few nuns and an old priest
praying in the little chapel. She staggers forward to the
altar. and falls to her knees there. The nuns and the old
priest, seeing the Queen Mother so distraught, stand silently
and file out, leaving her in solitude.
ANNE
Oh God I -- Forgive me...
D'ARTAGNAN
M'lady...?
She whirls to see him; the sight of her face, bursting with
emotions she has kept buried, draws him nearer.
D'ARTAGNAN
What -- ?
ANNE
No, stay back! Stay back!
He freezes in his tracks; she holds her hands out toward him
as if warding off a blow. He's desperate to move to her; she
sees it on his face.
ANNE
D'Artagnan!
Her emotions break all her resolve to keep him away; she
rushes into his arms. They clutch each other, in an embrace
they have denied for many years. They kiss hungrily.
D'ARTAGNAN
M'lady... if anyone sees, it is
death...
ANNE
If I don't kiss you, I die anyway.
D'ARTAGNAN
I can't bear to see you cry. What
is wrong?
ANNE
Nothing... Nothing.
She draws back; he tries to hold her. But the thoughts of
answering that question makes her stiffen.
ANNE
Nothing. This... didn't happen. I
must go back now.
And just like that, their moment is gone.
EXT. GARDEN - NIGHT
D'Artagnan and Anne move back to the palace in a stiff
procession, she walking ahead, he trailing like a proper
commoner, several feet behind.
INT. PALACE CORRIDOR - NIGHT
They reach the Queen Mother's room; d'Artagnan reaches to
open the door for her, and she keeps her eyes lowered. But
before he can let her go, he must whisper...
D'ARTAGNAN
Anne...! I know... I know that to
love you is treason against France.
But not to love you... is treason
against my heart.
ANNE
Then we will both die traitors,
d'Artagnan.
With those whispered words hanging in the air, she enters her
room. And d'Artagnan moves alone, back to his.
INT. MICHELLE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
The King is trying to make love with Michelle -- but she
isn't responding. He stops, exasperated.
LOUIS
What is wrong?
She says nothing. He tries kissing her again.
LOUIS
What is wrong?!
She begins weeping uncontrollably, and turns from him.
MICHELLE
Raoul... Oh, Raoul...
LOUIS
Listen, my darling... Raoul was
a... a good friend. And now he is
dead and that is very sad but --
MICHELLE
We'll burn in hell. Both of us.
The King stands; he's had enough of this.
LOUIS
No, my love. You will burn in hell,
for your sins. But I will not --
for I am King. My position is
ordained by God.
He snatches the gold coverlet from her bed to cover his naked
body and stalks to his stairway; the embroidered coverlet
trails behind him like a regal train in a royal procession.
Leaving her weeping, he moves down into...
INT. THE KING'S BEDCHAMBER - NIGHT
The King angrily stalks around his bedroom, too agitated to
sleep. He grabs food from the table by the window, and
starts to pop a grape into his mouth when he stops. He sees
something out the window; it stops him dead cold.
It is a man, standing in the gardens, wearing an iron mask.
LOUIS
D'Artagnan! Guards!
EXT. GARDENS - OUTSIDE THE KING'S WINDOW - NIGHT
The apparition ducks into the shadows.
INT. PALACE - D'ARTAGNAN'S ROOM - NIGHT
D'Artagnan is sitting on his cot thinking of all that has
just happened when he hears the king's shouts of alarm.
LOUIS' VOICE
Help!
In an instant d'Artagnan is reacting, snatching up his sword
and racing out into the corridor, toward the King's room.
INT. CORRIDOR - NIGHT
The guards outside the King's room find the door latched from
within, and they don't know what to do... D'Artagnan, running
up, never slows down; he crashes into the doors.
INT. THE KING'S BEDCHAMBER - NIGHT
The King whirls as the doors explode inward and d'Artagnan
barrels through.
LOUIS
Out there! Look! Out there! He --
The garden is empty.
D'ARTAGNAN
I just left the garden, it was
empty. What did you see?
LOUIS
It... was nothing. A nightmare,
nothing more. Go away, I --
D'Artagnan guides his guards out, but glances back to see the
King, ashamed and worried. D'Artagnan tells his men --
D'ARTAGNAN
Check the garden.
EXT. GARDEN - OUTSIDE THE KING'S WINDOW - NIGHT
An old Jesuit priest slips back into the garden chapel where
the nuns have returned to pray. He kneels at a back pew,
tucking the iron mask deep within his robes. The young
Musketeers who move through the garden glance into the
chapel, see only the normal piety, and move on. The old
priest crosses himself, bows his head, and smiles.
CUT TO:
CLOSE - PHILLIPPE'S EYES, THROUGH THE SLITS OF THE MASK
They are frightened. As we PULL BACK we see the Iron Mask,
in an OVERHEAD POV... Phillippe is lying on his back, his
head resting on an anvil. Athos stands close by, lending
support; Aramis and Porthos look on. A blacksmith stands
over Phillippe. He positions the point of his chisel against
the lock of the mask. It takes several ringing hammer blows
-- which we experience from a POV WITHIN THE MASK -- before
the lock breaks.
Athos, as gently as he can, pries open the iron mask.
PHILLIPPE'S FACE
is a wretched sight, overgrown with a matted tangle of hair
and beard, and with a deathly pallor.
Phillippe sits up, lifting his head out of the mask. He
looks at the Musketeers, watching them for their reactions.
At first they are frozen; then there is recognition, awe.
Phillippe sees a cooling bucket beside the forge, and looks
down into THE SURFACE OF THE WATER, at his REFLECTION.
PORTHOS
Aramis! Athos! He looks exactly
like... exactly like...
ARAMIS
I will answer all your questions.
But first soap, water, and a razor.
INT. THE MANOR HOUSE'S MAIN DINING ROOM - DAY
Aramis and Porthos are sitting at the table when Athos ushers
in --
PHILLIPPE, CLEANED UP
The change in him is remarkable, and his face so identical to
the King's that Porthos actually jumps. Phillippe takes a
seat opposite Aramis, and looks around, wary, vulnerable.
ARAMIS
Yes. Identical.
Aramis' eyes are aflame as he looks across at Phillippe.
ARAMIS
The greatest secret of life is who
we truly are. Now I must give you
that secret, which has been kept
from you your whole life. It began
on the night when Louis was born.
PORTHOS
I remember that night. D'Artagnan
was drunk, the only time I've seen
him that way. The three of us were
reveling, remember, Athos?
ARAMIS
But I was on duty...
IN FLASHBACK...
We see the shadowy Musketeer we saw in the opening, moving up
the dark steps of the palace. We see now it was Aramis.
ARAMIS' VOICE
I was summoned to the royal
apartments. Arrange a carriage,
they told me, and wait by the door
of the stables.
INTERCUT FLASHBACK
We see images of that night, as we saw in the opening.
ARAMIS' VOICE
They brought a baby from the back of
the palace, into the black carriage
I had waiting. They had given the
driver instructions about where it
was, and I was ordered to make the
whole journey with the blinds of the
carriage drawn.
In the flashback we see the young Musketeer Aramis, his face
shielded in shadow, handing a living bundle over to someone
at one of the back doors of a large country house.
ARAMIS' VOICE
I carried that baby into the
countryside, to a chateau, like this
one. And there I left him.
ARAMIS IN THE PRESENT
ARAMIS
I have never forgotten that night,
or what I carried.
PORTHOS
I don't understand. What does this
have to do with...? You carried a
baby somewhere, it's unusual, but --
ARAMIS
Not just a baby, Porthos. I carried
the child of the king.
PORTHOS
The child of the king is... the
king. Louis!
ARAMIS
No, not Louis!
PORTHOS
Athos, do you understand this? He
confuses me --
ARAMIS
I carried the king's child! The
queen had twins that night, and one
of them was sent away, in secret!
PORTHOS
But why?
ARAMIS
Because the old king had a twin as
well, and through his whole reign
his brother fought him for the
throne. Then he had two heirs, not
just sons but twins. So he decided
that one be put away, as if he never
existed. You, Phillippe.
Phillippe is pale... We DISSOLVE TO a flashback of
Phillippe's early education in the country house.
ARAMIS' VOICE
The old king ordered you be educated
and well treated, but your identity
kept from you and all those around
you.
The FLASHBACK moves to the palace, matching the narration --
ARAMIS' VOICE
On his death bed, he revealed your
existence to Louis and your mother.
Your mother had been told by her own
priest that you had died at birth.
Somehow she blamed herself for ever
believing it, and she wished to
restore your birthright. But now
Louis was king.
We see in FLASHBACK Louis wearing his new crown, plotting.
ARAMIS' VOICE
A priest, even a Pope, he could kill
without hesitation, but he was
afraid to kill you, for his whole
claim to power rests on the sanctity
of royal blood. So he had you
hidden in a way that only a monster
could devise. I know, for it was I
who took you to prison, and the Iron
Mask. Someday I will ask your
forgiveness. But not until we have
restored to you what is yours.
We are in present time again. All eyes are on Phillippe.
PHILLIPPE
Restored...?
ARAMIS
We will replace Louis with
Phillippe. No one but the King
himself -- and now we -- knows
Phillippe even exists. All we have
to do is switch them.
ATHOS
Switch?! That is your plan? It is
ludicrous!
ARAMIS
I have it all worked out.
ATHOS
Physical resemblance is but one
small thing! Louis has an
arrogance, a manner --
ARAMIS
Those can be adopted --
ATHOS
And people close to him, who --
ARAMIS
Do you think I have not considered
that? I have a plan -- and you may
rest assured that it is brilliant!
ATHOS
It is not just our lives you risk
with this conceit of yours! It is
Phillippe's as well!
ARAMIS
Yes, and he has a choice!
Aramis stops thundering at Athos, and turns to Phillippe.
ARAMIS
What about it, Phillippe?! All that
time in prison, all that time you
suffered, was it for nothing?! You
memorized the entire Bible, or so
your priest told me! An act of
survival, of defiance, of courage!
Your years within the mask have
given you reserves of strength that
others could not imagine. Your home
was a dungeon and now you may be a
king, if you have the heart to make
it so! Do you have the heart?
Phillippe stands shakily, and faces them.
PHILLIPPE
I will try.
Phillippe walks -- nearly wanders -- from the room.
ARAMIS
You see? A king.
Athos, with a glare at Aramis, follows Phillippe.
EXT. MANOR HOUSE GARDENS - DAY
The gardens are sun drenched, bursting with the beauty of a
French summer. Athos finds Phillippe there, sitting alone.
ATHOS
Recent hours have been a shock.
PHILLIPPE
Perhaps not as much as you might
imagine. When tutors answered every
question except those about who I
was. When I was imprisoned in a way
no other man had ever been, I knew
there was something different about
me. But a king...
ATHOS
Phillippe... there is something I
hope you understand. Terrible
cruelty has been used against you.
And... you must understand that you
did nothing to deserve it.
PHILLIPPE
There is... wrath... in me. I have
learned to hide it. Those years in
the cell, I dreamed that freedom
would someday just happen, the way
the mask happened. Now I am free.
And with each free breath I feel the
growing desire to make someone
suffer for all I lost. Look at
this, all this that for ten years I
could not see! What if I become a
king -- a king no different from my
brother?
ATHOS
The desire for vengeance... can be a
poison.
PHILLIPPE
What is its antidote?
ATHOS
I suppose... it is to remember there
are many people who have never been
in a prison, who pass such beauty
every day, and never see it.
Phillippe reaches to a flower, plucks it, and smells it. He
looks around at the beauty of the garden, taking it all in.
Athos looks around too; then Athos realizes Phillippe is no
longer looking at the garden, but at him.
PHILLIPPE
You look so sad. Is it something I
have done?
ATHOS
It is something I have done -- or
did not do.
PHILLIPPE
What is that?
ATHOS
I did not share beauty with
someone... who is no longer here for
me to share beauty with.
Before Phillippe can pursue this, Athos turns businesslike.
ATHOS
We have much to do, we'd best get
started. Now suppose you were to
walk into a garden, as a king...
INT. MANOR HOUSE DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Aramis is having dinner; he calls toward the kitchen.
ARAMIS
More wine!
Athos enters and sags into a chair, his energy spent.
ARAMIS
How is he?
ATHOS
Resting, he's had a long day.
Aramis --
ARAMIS
(calling out)
More wine!!
ATHOS
You must reconsider this plan.
Phillippe is like a child, he --
ARAMIS
You can do it.
ATHOS
In a year, maybe two, I could teach
him enough to --
ARAMIS
Three days.
ATHOS
Three days??!!
ARAMIS
The King is having a ball, a
masquerade ball. It is the perfect
opportunity and perhaps our only
one. At any time Phillippe could be
discovered, and what then? Remember
France. Remember the poor.
Remember Raoul. More wine!! Where
are those serving girls...?
EXT. CHATEAU - NIGHT
As Aramis and Athos are downstairs arguing, we PAN UP to the
window of a candlelit bedroom...
INT. CHATEAU BEDROOM - NIGHT
We PAN from the window to the bed... where Porthos is making
love -- or trying to. We see his huge, bare, broad back,
blotting out all view of his partner. He grunts, then roles
over in despair -- revealing not one but three serving girls
lying beneath him, jammed side-by-side like firewood, all
nearly smothered by Porthos' bulk.
PORTHOS
It's no use. My sword is bent.
SERVING WOMAN
It'll be all right. You're just
taking a while to get started.
PORTHOS
No, it's dead. I am useless.
Porthos heaves himself out of bed.
EXT. CHATEAU - NIGHT
While Aramis and Athos are visible through the window,
arguing and gesturing, Porthos -- still naked -- walks across
the moonlit courtyard, to the barn.
INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT
ATHOS
Phillippe -- he's very bright, he's
perceptive, but he is in such
turmoil --
ARAMIS
You grow fond of him. That's good.
ATHOS
Don't play God with me, Aramis I --
Athos interrupts himself as he glimpses the naked Porthos
moving across the courtyard toward the barn.
ARAMIS
Go on.
ATHOS
But -- what is Porthos doing?
ARAMIS
Going into the barn naked -- or so
it appears.
We INTERCUT Porthos in the barn with Aramis and Athos in the
house...
IN THE BARN
Porthos, alone within the barn, finds a thick plow rope and
fashions a noose.
IN THE HOUSE
ARAMIS
Now. You were saying?
ATHOS
But -- what is he doing?
ARAMIS
About to hang himself, I should
think.
IN THE BARN
Porthos throws one end of the rope over the central beam of
the barn, and ties the other end off. He shoves a milking
stool up below the noose, climbs onto it, and fits the noose
around his neck. NOTE: When we see him in full view it is
only from behind -- and this angle is a sight to behold.
IN THE HOUSE
Aramis' detachment only aggravates Athos' excitement.
ATHOS
Hang himself?!
ARAMIS
He's threatened to do it, it's been
building up in him for months.
ATHOS
We must stop him!
ARAMIS
Come now, Athos, if Porthos is
determined to end his life, then he
will certainly manage to find the
opportunity.
ATHOS
But -- but --
Athos jumps up and makes for the door -- but Aramis' hooded
helpers, at a signal from Aramis, bar his way.
IN THE BARN
Porthos, grave with drama, utters his last words...
PORTHOS
A'dieu, cruel life! Farewell to
useless Porthos!
He steps off the stool.
His great weight drops. The rope snaps taught. The beam it
is tied to snaps like a twig -- right in the place where it
has been sawn nearly in half already.
Porthos falls unencumbered and slams butt first into the
floorboards of the barn, cracking them.
ARAMIS AND ATHOS
can hear the crack from where they're sitting.
ARAMIS
I sawed the main beam in half.
IN THE BARN
The chain reaction has just begun. The broken floorboards
buckle, and the barn's walls, deprived of their central
support, fall in on each other.
IN THE FRONT ROOM
Athos and Aramis watch wide-eyed as the whole barn completely
collapses around the unfortunate Porthos. Athos gives Aramis
a look.
ARAMIS
I'm a genius -- not an engineer!
They jump up and run out. The commotion draws others too --
especially the three wenches Porthos had been trying to bed.
THE COLLAPSED BARN
It's a tangle of debris -- and from the size and weight of
the pile, it looks as if no one could live through the
collapse. For a moment the whole pile lies silent; then
suddenly it bursts apart and Porthos emerges, exploding with
anger.
PORTHOS
Aramis!! You did this, didn't you!
You knew I would try hanging myself,
and you sawed the beam! Admit it!
Admit it, by God!! ADMIT IT!!!
Porthos' eyes are bulging; he's terrifying in his fury. And
he holds one of the broken barn's timbers like a giant club,
ready to bash in Aramis' brains. Aramis is totally casual.
ARAMIS
Well of course I knew it, Porthos.
Porthos stands there, blinking.
ARAMIS
You've been moping for months. Now
that you've gotten the idea of
killing yourself out of the way, you
can stop boring me and start being
useful to me. Now get some rest.
PORTHOS
Well... Well... Okay.
Porthos starts back toward the house. Then one of the
serving girls, heading back inside, sees in one of the upper
windows -- the face in the Iron Mask. She SCREAMS --
WENCH
AAAAAAHHHHHHH!
Phillippe shies back from the window now, but it's too late,
everyone has seen him. Aramis, with cold intellectual
curiosity, quietly observes the women's reaction, even as his
hooded helpers scurry from the shadows to calm the frightened
locals.
ATHOS
Poor Phillippe!
ARAMIS
The mask is terrifying... especially
when unexpected. Do you notice?
ATHOS
All I noticed was that Phillippe
feels even more like an animal.
Athos hurries in; Aramis looks at Porthos.
ARAMIS
See, Porthos -- secrets are hard to
keep. We don't have much time.
INT. PHILLIPPE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Athos enters to find Phillippe in a corner of the bedroom,
slumped and ashamed in the darkness, holding the mask.
PHILLIPPE
I've worn this mask so long, I
couldn't sleep without it.
ATHOS
I will sit with you. I can't sleep
either.
Athos settles into a chair, as Phillippe lays the mask aside
on the table and closes his eyes. Athos looks toward the
flames of the fireplace, and in their dancing shadows he sees
the face of Raoul. Phillippe's voice interrupts --
PHILLIPPE
Athos...? Thank you for being my
guide... back into the world.
Athos had not thought of it that way. Phillippe closes his
eyes again, and falls asleep.
INT. PHILLIPPE'S BEDROOM - MORNING
Light falls on Athos' face; it is dawn. He hears the whinny
of horses, and looks out the window to see a carriage about
to leave. Reacting quickly, he hurries out quietly.
EXT. CHATEAU - MORNING
Aramis and Porthos are already loaded into the carriage, as
Athos runs up.
ATHOS
Where are you going?!
ARAMIS
Paris. There is still much to do.
We'll be back soon. Be ready.
ATHOS
But Aramis -- ! Phillippe can learn
in time, but --
ARAMIS
He can learn to be Phillippe in
time. But first he must learn to be
Louis, and for that he has two more
days.
ATHOS
What you're asking is impossible!
ARAMIS
I offer you the perfect revolution.
A revolution without bloodshed,
without any loss of life, even
without treason, for he too is the
son of the King.
ATHOS
But --
ARAMIS
You said you'd do anything, Athos,
anything to replace this King. So
do it.
Aramis motions to the driver, who snaps the reins and drives
the horses away.
Athos, wide-eyed and alone, watches the carriage roll away.
He turns back toward the house, and see's Phillippe looking
out the window -- without the mask.
INT. MANOR HOUSE - DINING ROOM - DAY
Athos and Phillippe are having breakfast.
ATHOS
No, wait, do not hold your goblet
that way. With a king it is... so.
He shows him, pinching the goblet between thumb and
forefinger, as the other three fingers extend daintily.
ATHOS
It is not to be dainty. Servants
have touched the King's goblet, so
he will touch it as little as
possible.
Phillippe tries it and the goblet slips from his fingers,
crashing onto his plate and spilling onto everything.
PHILLIPPE
I am so sorry! Forgive me, I --
ATHOS
No! Do not be sorry! Never be
sorry! The King cares for nothing
and for no one! There are no
mistakes when you are King! What
you do is right for every person! A
King has contempt for everyone!
PHILLIPPE
Is that the king of king you wish me
to be? Or do you say this because
of your son?
ATHOS
How did you know -- ?
PHILLIPPE
Porthos told me.
For a moment Athos can say nothing; then he shoves back from
the table and storms from the room.
INT. COUNTRY MANOR HOUSE - ATHOS' ROOM - NIGHT
Athos is pacing in his room, all alone, rehearsing the things
he wants to say to Phillippe.
ATHOS
I am not... I am not angry with you.
You understand? Good. Now, as to
acting like a king, we wish you to
be a good king. But at first... at
first you must pass as Louis, and
Louis is cold and cruel. So you
must stop looking at people with
such softness. It is... not Kingly.
The eyes of a King say that all he
cares about is himself, and your
eyes -- how do I tell him this -- ?
You eyes... ask so much. You
shouldn't care about me, about my --
about...
Athos' voice breaks, his body sags.
ATHOS
Oh Raoul, my son... my son...
Athos weeps.
INT. MANOR HOUSE - DAY
Phillippe sits alone in the parlor; he looks up as Athos --
his face washed, no sign of grief -- marches in.
ATHOS
Come, we have much to do.
MONTAGE - ATHOS TRAINING PHILLIPPE
-- They practice sword fighting, Athos being sure that
Phillippe knows Kingly posture...
-- They rehearse holding court, with Athos showing Phillippe
how to sit in a chair like a King on his throne, and then
Phillippe trying it, with Athos then playing the roll of a
courtesan paying homage...
-- They rehearse courtly dancing; and as they stumble, both
of them feeling embarrassed and ridiculous, they laugh.
EXT. PARIS STREET - NIGHT
Aramis' carriage rattles to a stop, the hooves of the horses
sounding hollow on the cobblestones. They are near the same
area where the riots occurred; now, at night, everything
looks deserted. Aramis steps from the carriage.
ARAMIS
Coming?
PORTHOS
What use am I?
ARAMIS
We go someplace dangerous.
PORTHOS
Why didn't you say so?
Porthos steps out with him, and Aramis leads the way down a
dark, spooky alley.
EXT. PARIS BACKSTREETS - NIGHT
They walk through the murky darkness of Paris' backstreets.
PORTHOS
It is good to be out on a mission
again... We are out on a mission,
aren't we?
Aramis grunts non-committally, lost in thought.
PORTHOS
You're right. Tell Porthos nothing.
He needs to know nothing, for he is
useless.
Just as he says this a sinister form steps from the shadows
and blocks their way. He holds a knife. Another ROBBER with
a sword rises from a doorway beside them.
ROBBER
Your money or your life.
Aramis looks bored; Porthos stands blinking in surprise.
Then a third robber steps up behind them, cocking a pistol.
THIRD ROBBER
Make it quick, old man!
PORTHOS
Old? Old?! You're all trying to
rob us because you think we're old?
The man with a sword steps forward to hack Porthos down, but
Porthos spins, slapping the pistol, making it BOOM but miss;
he kicks the swordsman in the groin, then smashes his head
against the alley wall; he backhands the gunman. The robber
with the knife tries to run; Porthos snatches a barrel from
the street and hurls it into the fleeing robber's back; he
falls in a heap.
Porthos' fury has just begun. He picks the fallen gunman up
by the throat, slams him stomach down across a broken alley
cart, and with one sweep of his mighty hand Porthos snatches
down the man's pants.
PORTHOS
Old?! I'll show you old!!
Porthos snatches the pistol from the cobblestones. We see
the shock and terror on the robber's face as he feels
something shocking happen behind him.
PORTHOS
Let's see you rob somebody with your
pistol there!
ARAMIS
Come on...
Aramis, acting as if nothing happened, leads Porthos away.
PORTHOS
I have to tell you something. I
love Paris!
Aramis has found what he's looking for: a filthy brothel.
ARAMIS
Here we are.
Aramis leads Porthos inside.
INT. BROTHEL - NIGHT
Sleazy whores lounge around, women at the very bottom of
life. They stir and try to look more appealing as the two
well dressed gentlemen enter.
PORTHOS
Aramis... These are... these are
whores!
ARAMIS
So was Mary Magdalene, and our Lord
loved her.
PORTHOS
Did she have tits like that?
A greasy, disgusting PIMP shuffles over.
PIMP
What do you want? White? Black?
Both?
ARAMIS
No. We want you, Father Belles.
The pimp reacts with fury, drawing a pistol.
PIMP
Get out! Now! I will kill you
where you stand!
Aramis slowly falls to his knees, before the pimp.
ARAMIS
Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.
The pimp -- the former Father Belles, the same man we saw as
the priest who prayed with the Queen at the royal birth in
the opening -- shoves his pistol at Aramis' face.
PIMP
Don't! Get out!
ARAMIS
I have sinned. And no other
priest's assurance of forgiveness
can mean as much as yours. Tell me
that I can be forgiven, no matter
what I have done.
Aramis' eyes are hypnotic, staring deep into the fallen
priest's soul. Porthos is bug-eyed, certain Aramis' head is
about to be blown apart.
PORTHOS
He's going to kill you, Aramis.
ARAMIS
Then let him kill me, if all my
faith is wrong.
He stares at the pimp. The pimp's finger trembles on the
trigger.
ARAMIS
I have come to help you make it
right. I have come to take you
home.
The pimp shakes convulsively; he drops to his knees, bows his
head, and weeps.
EXT. STREETS OF PARIS - NIGHT
Aramis' carriage rattles through the dark streets; we play
these secret movement sequences with an ominous, Jack-the-
Ripper quality. The carriage pulls into...
INT. CATHEDRAL COURTYARD - NIGHT
The priests scurry out to meet it. First Aramis emerges,
then Porthos -- but the appearance of the pimp surprises the
cathedral priests. They cross themselves.
PRIESTS
Father Belles!
Crossing themselves, they embrace the prodigal priest; one
MONK kneels before Aramis.
MONK
You have made a miracle!
ARAMIS
God makes miracles. You make
dinner.
As Aramis strides toward the dining room, a Jesuit hurries up
to him.
JESUIT
The ball has been rescheduled -- for
tomorrow.
As Aramis hears this in surprise --
SMASH TO:
EXT. ROADS - NIGHT
The carriage thunders through the countryside, back toward
the manor house.
EXT. MANOR HOUSE - DAY
Athos and Phillippe sit at a table in the shade of a tree; on
the table is a model of the palace which Athos is using to
drill Phillippe on the palace's layout.
ATHOS
These rooms are yours. Up these
stairs -- or through this hidden
passage -- is the room of your
mistress... Michelle.
PHILLIPPE
Whose rooms are those?
ATHOS
Your mother's.
They are interrupted as the carriage bearing Aramis and
Porthos clatters in. Aramis is out immediately.
ARAMIS
Change the horses! Clear out
everything! NOW!!
INT. CARRIAGE - ROLLING - DAY
The three Musketeers, plus Phillippe, are hurrying back
toward Paris.
ATHOS
Aramis, this will never --
ARAMIS
Louis is planning a visit to the
Vatican, then who knows where after
that. If we miss him now we may not
get another chance.
ATHOS
But --
ARAMIS
It presses us but it is good for us
too! Louis' whims make him more
vulnerable. We are less ready, but
so are his guards!
PORTHOS
D'Artagnan, unready?
ATHOS
At a ball, everyone watches the
King!
ARAMIS
But what if something extraordinary
happened? Something so unusual that
all the attention went to someone
else? Someone whose confirmation of
Phillippe the King would never be
questioned.
PORTHOS
Who?
ARAMIS
The Queen Mother. Anne.
And Aramis leans forward to tell them his plan...
EXT. PALACE - DAY
Teams of servants are filing in and out of the palace with
food and flowers, decorating the ballroom for the ball that
evening. In contrast, Anne and her devout retinue of nuns
move in single file toward the garden chapel.
INT. GARDEN CHAPEL - DAY
The nuns kneel at the altar as Anne enters the confessional.
INT. CONFESSIONAL BOOTH - DAY
ANNE
Bless me Father, for I have sinned.
FATHER BELLES
So have I.
He slides open the partition window between them.
ANNE
Father Belles -- ?!
He taps a silencing finger to his lips.
ANNE
They told me you were dead.
FATHER BELLES
I was. I see you are still a woman
of faith. I have come back to ask
you if you believe that one lie can
poison your whole life... and one
truth can put it back together
again.
Anne stares at the eyes of the priest, back from hell.
INT. PALACE - KING'S ROOM - DAY
As Louis' tailors outfit him in a dazzling gold peacock
costume, complete with a jeweled mask at the end of a wand,
he amuses himself by looking out the window at the beautiful
young women arriving early for the ball.
LOUIS
It shall be interesting tonight.
D'Artagnan enters, looking concerned.
D'ARTAGNAN
Your Majesty. This ball, with an
open invitation to the nobility of
Paris -- we have no way of
checking --
LOUIS
You will protect me as you always
have, d'Artagnan.
Through the window Louis sees more beautiful young women.
LOUIS
By the way, Claude -- inform
Mademoiselle Beaufort that she will
be moving from her rooms --
He looks up to see that Michelle has entered through the open
door behind him.
LOUIS
Never mind, it seems we have already
told her.
But Michelle's appearance brings him up short. It is not the
cruel brush-off; she is already harshly different: her eyes
are red from crying, her lips are tight in anger.
MICHELLE
Murderer! Murderer!
She holds a letter, crushed in her hand.
MICHELLE
I wrote Fromberge! Under your seal!
I wrote as you, demanding to know
why he disregarded my order to keep
Raoul from danger! He writes back:
"But your Majesty! Your last letter
ordered me to put him in front of
the cannon!"
She hurls the crumpled letter into his face. Everyone is
frozen, silent. She staggers toward Louis as if to attack
him, then falls to her knees, weeping. No one helps her...
Except d'Artagnan. He kneels, hugs her shoulders, helps her
to her feet, and guides her toward her room. But d'Artagnan
looks back once, toward Louis.
LOUIS
Hysterical woman.
CLAUDE
Sire, misuse of the royal seal -- !
LOUIS
She'll be gone tomorrow.
As d'Artagnan and Michelle move out, they pass Anne, coming
in. Anne and d'Artagnan exchange a look; he remembers to
give her a respectful nod, but she moves past, into the
King's dressing room. Louis is surprised.
LOUIS
Mother -- ?
ANNE
May I speak with you? Alone?
LOUIS
I am preparing for a ball!
ANNE
We haven't visited in three years.
And we should have privacy.
Exasperated, Louis waves his attendants away.
LOUIS
What is it, mother?
ANNE
I wish to discuss your brother.
LOUIS
He is dead! By God's choice! There
is nothing to discuss.
ANNE
First they told me he had died at
birth. Then your father admitted he
was alive, but well cared for, in
secret. But the message that told
of his death said he had been a
prisoner.
LOUIS
I am King, Mother! And I do not
wish to discuss this with you.
ANNE
He was my blood -- and I demand to
know what happened to him.
LOUIS
Why would you ask now? You never
asked before!
ANNE
Because I have dreamed of him. Not
as the baby they took away, but as a
man.
LOUIS
You have prayed too much. Your mind
is weak.
Avoiding her stare, Louis lifts a plaster bust of his father,
its eyes like the sightless pupils of Greek gods.
ANNE
I believe in dreams, Louis. They
are our souls speaking to us, from
that world beyond our eyes. And
that son I never saw in daylight was
standing in the moonlight of my
dreams. And he wore an iron mask.
We see her from a low angle, from a POV behind Louis -- and
we see the plaster bust burst upon the marble floor.
LOUIS
It -- it doesn't matter, Mother! He
is dead now! Dead!
ANNE
Yes. Dead. Two nights ago. The
night of my dream.
And the night of Louis' "dream." Anne begins to walk out.
LOUIS
If... if he was wearing an iron mask
in your dream, then how could you
know he was your son?
Louis smiles; he thinks he has her.
ANNE
Then you did do it, Louis. You did
put your brother in an iron mask.
All the blood is gone from Louis' face. Anne walks from the
room, past Louis' waiting tailors. He snaps at them.
LOUIS
I have a ball to attend!
They rush in. As they scurry about, dressing him in gold,
Louis' composure returns; he stares at himself in the golden
mirror, likes what he sees... and smiles.
EXT. ROAD - NIGHT
Aramis' carriage pulls off the road and into the trees. The
Musketeers and Phillippe pile out, to find another much
grander carriage there waiting. Aramis ushers them into it.
PHILLIPPE
Whose carriage is this?
PORTHOS
It was mine. But since you are
about to be the king, it is yours.
The new carriage lurches away.
INSIDE THE NEW CARRIAGE
are bundles of elaborate clothes.
ARAMIS
Phillippe first.
They begin to dress Phillippe in a masquerade costume.
ARAMIS
Remember, Phillippe... nobility is
born in the heart.
ATHOS
Hold your goblet with two fingers.
PORTHOS
And make love as if you don't care.
The way Kings do. And fart whenever
you wish.
Aramis tucks a note into Phillippe's pocket.
ARAMIS
Remember, all you have to do is get
through tonight. Smile and nod a
lot, and if you get stuck just wave
and announce, "Continue." In the
morning you hand this note to
d'Artagnan, pardoning Athos and
instructing that he, Aramis and
Porthos be brought to the palace as
your advisors. And all is well.
Phillippe nods; everyone's nervous. Aramis grabs more
clothes and hands them out.
ARAMIS
Now the rest of us.
EXT. THE PALACE - NIGHT
Carriages disgorge guests, wildly attired for the masquerade
ball. Porthos' carriage pulls in among them.
INT. PALACE BALLROOM - NIGHT
A magnificent masquerade ball is in full swirl; the dazzling
light of chandeliers bounces off the gilt ceiling and
sparkles on the jewels of swirling dancers, their numbers
multiplied in the polished mirrors that line the walls.
The King is dancing and laughing with sexy young ladies.
D'Artagnan stands to the side of the ballroom, ever watchful,
ever remote.
As the dancers swirl, each one wearing a distinctive mask in
the garish style favored by the French nobility of the
1600's, we see one particular couple -- a large man, with an
excessively large woman. They are dancing vigorously, and as
they take a break behind a huge pillar, they lift their masks
enough for us to see that the man is Aramis, and the "woman"
is Porthos.
From the folds of their elaborate costumes they both withdraw
replicas of the iron mask that Phillippe once wore.
PORTHOS
D'Artagnan watches everything. We
have to be lucky.
ARAMIS
We will make our own luck tonight...
if Phillippe holds up.
Aramis peers across the ballroom, to where Athos and
Phillippe mix among the revelers, using thin sticks to hold
broad masks to their faces. Behind the masks we see their
eyes -- Athos' intense, Phillippe's nervous and darting.
ATHOS
Stay calm, you're doing fine.
Then Phillippe's eyes go strangely still; he sees, for the
first time in his life, his twin brother, the King.
PHILLIPPE
My brother...
Louis dances the minuet, prancing as if he is the center of
the universe; but this bliss is broken when one of the
dancers who swirls by him -- it is Aramis -- lifts the
baroque outer mask he's wearing and reveals an iron mask
beneath.
The King staggers, stopping. The sight stuns him, confuses
him; he looks around but the wearer of the mask has
disappeared among the weaving patterns of dancers. Louis'
hands dart to his eyes: are they playing tricks on him?
Seeing his reaction, Phillippe whispers --
PHILLIPPE
He knew. He knew what they did to
me.
The YOUNG BEAUTY dancing with Louis notices him falter.
YOUNG BEAUTY
What is wrong, your majesty?
LOUIS
Nothing, I -- continue.
Louis rejoins the dancing... and then sees, on the balcony
above him, a different person -- a huge "woman," Porthos --
who lifts off an outer mask to reveal an iron mask below.
LOUIS
There! Do you see it?
YOUNG BEAUTY
See what, Majesty?
Porthos has slipped away from the railing when the King looks
back up; the young beauty sees nothing, and turns back to the
King with a look that questions his sanity.
D'Artagnan notices the King's reaction -- though he did not
see the glimpse of the iron mask -- and is just as baffled as
everyone else when the King turns and staggers away.
D'ARTAGNAN
Your Majesty...?
LOUIS
... tired. Must... lie down.
The music splatters to an awkward stop; Louis hurries out,
leaving his partner abandoned in the center of the ballroom,
with everyone staring as if she just ruined the party.
D'ARTAGNAN
Carry on, everyone...
The music begins again, and the party goers, not knowing what
else to do, politely continue.
Athos draws Phillippe away from the ballroom, into a side
corridor.
AT THE FOOT OF THE STAIRS TO THE BALCONY
Porthos waddles down stairs, and meets Aramis.
ARAMIS
Quick, to the passages.
They hurry in the same direction Athos and Phillippe went.
INT. PALACE HALLWAY - OUTSIDE THE KING'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
D'Artagnan catches up to the King as he is entering the door
of his royal apartment.
D'ARTAGNAN
Your Majesty, is there anything -- ?
The King shuts the door in d'Artagnan's face.
INT. THE KING'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
The King falls upon his bed, pressing his hands to his head.
INT. PALACE CORRIDOR - NIGHT
The three Musketeers and Phillippe move quietly up a stairway
and to the door of a room. Phillippe whispers...
PHILLIPPE
The room of the King's favorite
mistress?
ATHOS
She will be at the ball.
INT. MICHELLE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The door opens and they move in; it is in fact empty, though
a mess. They move to the wall, where Aramis, after a little
looking, locates the levers to open the wall/door to the
King's secret passageway. Aramis enters first, the others
follow. We half expect Michelle to pop up at any moment, but
the Musketeers enter the passage without incident.
INT. SECRET PASSAGES - NIGHT
Aramis silently leads the others through the secret passage,
to the portal into the King's bedroom.
INT. KING'S BEDCHAMBER - NIGHT
The King is lying on the bed; we see him from the POV of
someone approaching him slowly, silently. When his eyes open
in panic, it is too late... We see Aramis, Athos, Porthos
from the KING'S POV as they swarm him.
ARAMIS
It is Judgment Day.
His fist drops into frame... Louis loses consciousness.
LOUIS' POV
as consciousness returns. He see Phillippe in Louis'
clothes. Aramis, Athos and Porthos bow and say...
MUSKETEERS
Your Majesty.
LOUIS, still on his bed, now wears Phillippe's clothes.
LOUIS
Wh-- Wha--
ARAMIS
Don't look so shocked, Phillippe.
Come, you're going back to prison.
LOUIS
Phillippe?! Why do you call me --
Now Louis understands everything. He tries to struggle, but
instantly Porthos shoves a rag into his mouth.
Aramis opens the main door a crack, and sees d'Artagnan has
entered his room down the corridor, through whose open door
he can guard the approaches to the King's rooms. Aramis
shuts the door again and turns to the others.
ARAMIS
D'Artagnan guards the hallway! You
must go back the way we came!
Athos puts his hands on Phillippe's shoulders.
ATHOS
Now, your Majesty. It is time.
Aramis and Porthos bow again to Phillippe -- now dressed and
looking exactly like the King. Phillippe's mouth is dry; he
swallows hard, and follows Athos up the hidden stairs.
INT. MICHELLE'S BEDCHAMBER
Athos and Phillippe move to the door; they stop there, and
Athos adjusts Phillippe's costume one more time.
ATHOS
You know the way.
Phillippe nods, tremendously nervous.
ATHOS
You have your note?
Phillippe pats his pocket, like a boy being sent off to his
first day at school. He surprises Athos, hugging him. Then
Phillippe opens the door and walks slowly down the hallway.
Athos stands at the door and watches him go, all alone.
Athos whispers, though Phillippe can't hear...
ATHOS
You have the heart of a king.
Reluctantly, he shuts the door behind Phillippe.
IN THE HALLWAY, FOLLOWING PHILLIPPE
as he conducts himself through the ornate corridor, down the
gilded staircase... and into --
INT. BALLROOM - NIGHT
Phillippe enters the ballroom, and the reappearance of the
"King" draws new attention. Everyone in the dazzling
ballroom seems to stop and look straight at Phillippe.
Phillippe freezes. Stares, everywhere, stares! For what
seems an eternity, he can't move.
But then he raises his hand and says --
PHILLIPPE
Continue.
As if by magic the music plays, the dancing resumes.
Phillippe moves to the throne and takes his place upon it.
He seems to have made it; people glance -- dancing ladies,
young Musketeers, old advisors -- but no one gives him a
second look. For a moment, Phillippe feels safe.
And then he sees Michelle, her eyes glassy and riveted upon
him. She wears her most beautiful gown -- the first one
Louis gave her -- but one shoulder strap dangles sloppily.
Her lips and cheeks are awkwardly rouged, her hair is mussed;
she is drunk. She weaves her way to him and curtsies
elaborately.
MICHELLE
My gracious noble lord...
Phillippe's heart is pounding; he looks around for help. He
can only guess who this woman is. The advisors have now
noticed her; Claude quickly dispatches orders to keep the
party going along, and waves guards over.
PHILLIPPE
How are you... Michelle?
She doesn't react, so he must have guessed right; but
Phillippe knows nothing of what happened just before the
ball, and he's ambushed by her anger.
MICHELLE
How should I be? I came to give
this back to you.
She starts tearing off her dress. Claude and the guards
reach her; the young Musketeers grabbing her.
CLAUDE
Fret not with this, your Majesty --
But Michelle fights, slapping, clawing -- and when one of the
young Musketeers grabs her from behind, his arm to her
throat, Phillippe jumps up.
PHILLIPPE
Stop! You're hurting her!
Phillippe's face shows something Louis' never did:
compassion. He looks into Michelle's eyes.
PHILLIPPE
However I have wronged you I will
make amends. Whatever the cost.
Phillippe could not have said anything more unlike Louis;
everyone who heard the remark -- Claude, the guards, and
especially Michelle -- stare at him in frozen amazement.
Phillippe realizes his blunder; they've caught him.
The MUSIC STOPS. But the attention is not directed at the
throne; all eyes shift to the main doorway, where Anne has
appeared. She is indescribably beautiful; she wears a bright
gown, her hair is brushed and bejeweled, she radiates the
light of a woman who felt old at thirty and who has
discovered, at forty, that she is more stunning than ever.
Her arrival draws even more attention than the reappearance
of the King; everyone watches transfixed as she approaches.
Phillippe sees her -- his mother. He stands on legs that
seem to have no bones. His mother.
She moves to him, her eyes filling with tears. When she is
almost to the throne, Phillippe falls to his knees before her
and kisses her hand.
No one can believe it, not from this King. Yet the moment
strikes them as beautiful, and they applaud happily.
Phillippe and the Queen Mother rise, and guide each other --
depending on each other for support, to a seat, he on the
throne, she on a seat the servants place beside him.
Phillippe gives a wave.
PHILLIPPE
Continue.
The ball continues, the music exuberant. Michelle wanders
away, like a blind lamb. Phillippe and his mother sit side
by side, holding hands, their reunion passing in private
between their clasped hands, and glistening in their eyes.
INT. THE PALACE CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Michelle, alone and forgotten, staggers down the corridor
toward the King's rooms; she passes d'Artagnan's open door.
INT. THE KING'S BEDCHAMBER - THE THREE MUSKETEERS
are tidying everything up; they have Louis gagged and trussed
up hand and foot, his eyes flashing hatred.
ATHOS
Don't worry, your Majesty. We have
a prison for you, where you can rest
peacefully.
Porthos drapes Louis over his shoulder, and they move into
the passages. Just as they close the portal behind them, the
door opens and Michelle wanders in like a zombie. Suddenly,
d'Artagnan is at her shoulder.
D'ARTAGNAN
Michelle --
Then he sees the room is empty; he thought Louis was here.
D'ARTAGNAN
Where is he?
MICHELLE
In... the ballroom. But he isn't
the same man.
INT. BALLROOM - NIGHT
As a minuet ends, Claude raises his glass in a toast.
CLAUDE
To King Louis! And to Anne, the
Queen Mother!
The guests applaud and reach for wine glasses; servants
present Phillippe and Anne with champagne, and they sip --
GUESTS
To King Louis, and the Queen Mother!
Everyone drinks; Phillippe suddenly remembers to hold his
glass in his fingertips -- and it slips through his nervous
fingers, hitting the floor with a crash.
Dead silence; everyone is looking. Then Anne drops her glass
too -- and everybody does it, as if to break the glass is
part of the celebration.
As the music begins again, Anne leans to Phillippe --
ANNE
I retire now. Wait two waltzes,
then retire to your room; and spend
the night in safety. We have much
to talk about, and have the rest of
our lives to do it.
PHILLIPPE
Good night, Mother.
ANNE
Good night... my son.
She kisses him on the cheek; it brings tears to both of them.
She moves to the door, everyone bowing as she leaves.
JUST OUTSIDE THE BALLROOM DOOR
Anne encounters d'Artagnan. He stops, so taken by the sight
of her that no one seeing them could miss that he loves her.
D'ARTAGNAN
Anne! You look --
Remembering himself, he bows deeply.
D'ARTAGNAN
My Queen...
ANNE
D'Artagnan.
She takes his hand, not caring who is watching.
D'ARTAGNAN
I have never seen a sight more
beautiful than you, tonight.
ANNE
We have much to discuss. Tomorrow.
She moves off, toward her room. D'Artagnan enters the
ballroom.
INT. BALLROOM - NIGHT
D'Artagnan sees "Louis" sitting on the throne. More baffled
than alarmed, he grabs one of the Musketeer guards near him.
D'ARTAGNAN
How long has the King been back?
GUARD
Some while, Captain.
D'ARTAGNAN
He didn't pass my doorway, I was in
my room.
GUARD
He must've, Captain, there is no
other way here.
D'Artagnan stands and thinks; his mind begins to spin.
PHILLIPPE
sees d'Artagnan, staring at him... then calling more guards
over and giving them quick instructions; the guards hurry
away. Then d'Artagnan moves to Phillippe, and bows. He
looks at him carefully, but seems to see nothing unusual.
PHILLIPPE
Continue.
D'ARTAGNAN
Sire, we have an emergency -- of
security. I must ask you to
accompany me.
PHILLIPPE
... The ball... Continue.
D'ARTAGNAN
I must insist, Sire.
Phillippe stands, and follows d'Artagnan from the ball.
INT. PASSAGES TO RIVER - NIGHT
Aramis, Athos and Porthos -- carrying Louis -- descend the
secret passages to the foundations of the palace, into a
drainage channel leading to the river.
They have stashed a boat there; they plop Louis into it and
climb in themselves. They row toward the archway that is the
exit to the river; the moonlit waters of the Seine glow
outside, like a beacon of safe escape.
But the steel grate of the archway slams down just before
they reach it, and blades point at them from every angle of
the darkness. A shielded lantern rises and its wick is
turned up, revealing
D'ARTAGNAN
he stands with a small contingent of young Musketeers. His
eyes are intense, his face in agony.
D'ARTAGNAN
My friends.
The only one they can see it d'Artagnan. They all look at
each other, in the small circle of light from the lantern.
D'ARTAGNAN
Only we four, the most trusted
Musketeers, knew about the passages,
meant to keep the King safe... Your
Majesty...
Phillippe steps out of the darkness; his eyes are full of
shame and failure as he looks at Athos, but still he holds
on, trying to maintain the charade that he is Louis.
PHILLIPPE
Yes...? Why do you bring me here,
d'Artagnan?
PORTHOS
The King! Look! It's the King!
He means Phillippe.
D'ARTAGNAN
Then who is that lying beside you?
Porthos turns and looks at Louis -- then reacts as if he's
totally surprised at the presence of this man tied up and
gagged beside him.
PORTHOS
Wh-- ? Where did he come from?
Athos grabs d'Artagnan's arm.
ATHOS
If you ever loved me -- if you ever
loved honor, or anything else --
then stand now, and let it happen.
D'ARTAGNAN
I cannot, Athos. Dearly as I love
you, I cannot.
D'Artagnan takes his dagger and cuts the ropes that bind
Louis' hands, and the gag that has kept him from talking.
Aramis suddenly backhands Louis, knocking him flat on his
back in the boat, and pointing to him -- Louis.
ARAMIS
This man is an impostor. We caught
him trying to impersonate the King,
and were just getting rid of him.
Louis struggles upright.
LOUIS
D'Artagnan, arrest them all!
ARAMIS
Shut up, knave!
Aramis slaps Louis again, and pleads with his eyes that
d'Artagnan accept their ruse. D'Artagnan is dying inside.
D'ARTAGNAN
Before I came here, I insisted the
King come with me. The real Louis
would never have let me insist.
Seeing they are about to be arrested, the old Musketeers in
the boat spring into action against their younger
counterparts. Athos swats one swordsman with an oar; Porthos
seizes the guard who has grabbed a hold of the boat and
flings the man back into two of his comrades; Aramis grabs
Louis by the hair and puts his dagger to his throat.
ARAMIS
Pull them back, d'Artagnan.
D'ARTAGNAN
You can't do it.
ARAMIS
Pull them back!
D'ARTAGNAN
Everyone back.
ARAMIS
Phillippe, get into the boat. Into
the boat! Now!
Phillippe obeys.
ARAMIS
Open the gate.
D'Artagnan nods to his men, and they open the iron gate
leading out to the river.
The boat makes for the opening. Just as it is about to reach
it, Louis forces Aramis' hand.
LOUIS
You will not shed royal blood!
He kicks at the boat and struggles to stand, making the boat
tip wildly and throwing everyone in it all around. Aramis
draws the dagger away from Louis' throat to keep from killing
him, and d'Artagnan makes a grab at Louis and drags him onto
the stone floor of the channel.
The boat is almost through the opening -- and Louis snatches
at his brother, Phillippe.
The current outside the gate is rushing by, and the boat is
already caught in the current; it's pulling away and the
Musketeers can't stop it. Athos seizes Phillippe's legs and
tries to hold him, but the pressure of the current is great,
and now not only Louis but some of the young Musketeers are
helping hold Phillippe.
Phillippe's legs slip out of Athos' grasp, and the boat
flashes downriver...
Aramis, Porthos and Athos have escaped... but Phillippe is
captured, looking into the hate-filled eyes of his twin
brother Louis.
INT. SECRET PASSAGEWAY - NIGHT
Louis is angrily climbing through the passageways, back up
into the main floors of the palace, venting his emotions at
d'Artagnan, just behind him; the young Musketeers with
Phillippe, their prisoner, follow along further back.
LOUIS
I want all these passages sealed!
Another stupid idea of my father's!
Seal them all, every one!
D'ARTAGNAN
It shall be done, your Majesty.
LOUIS
Even the bedchamber passages! Let
none remain!
D'ARTAGNAN
Yes, your Majesty.
They reach a doorway, and the King bangs through it, into his
own bedchamber, still spouting anger.
LOUIS
I was told this impostor was dead!
D'ARTAGNAN
... You knew you had a double?
LOUIS
He is my brother.
D'Artagnan is frozen in surprise. Phillippe and his guards
move into the room; seeing him in full light, wearing Louis'
own clothes, fans Louis' anger; he jumps forward and begins
ripping the royal garments off Phillippe.
D'Artagnan forces himself between Louis and Phillippe.
D'ARTAGNAN
I -- I thought he was but... an
impostor who resembled --
LOUIS
My twin. Which has kept him alive.
Until now.
ANNE'S VOICE
No!!
They whirl to see the Queen Mother, who has entered through
the main door. She hurries to the space between her sons,
hugging Phillippe, then trying to hug Louis.
ANNE
Louis, please -- !
LOUIS
My guards are useless! Take her
from me!
He motions to the young Musketeers to restrain her;
reluctantly they grip the arms of the Queen Mother.
LOUIS
What had you to do with this,
Mother?
ANNE
He is your brother!
LOUIS
He is nothing now.
Louis draws a sword from the scabbard of one of the young
Musketeers -- but d'Artagnan steps between him and Phillippe.
D'ARTAGNAN
Your Majesty... This man before
you... He is royal blood, the same
as you. To spill it is the one
thing even you cannot do. It is
against the laws of God, and of
France.
LOUIS
Get out of my way.
D'ARTAGNAN
Not once have I ever asked anything
for myself. I ask now. Forgive
this man, this prisoner... your
brother.
LOUIS
Forgive?!
D'ARTAGNAN
Aramis, Porthos and Athos too. I
know what they have done was a
threat against you -- and yet that
threat has been removed, with no
harm coming to your Majesty. If
their passions were in error, their
spirits have ever been noble.
Forgive them.
LOUIS
They have plotted against me! Me!
The embodiment of God's will!
D'Artagnan sinks to his knees before the king.
D'ARTAGNAN
Your Majesty... Every day of your
life, I have watched over you. No
angel could have stood a more
faithful vigil. I have bled for
you, and have prayed, every day, to
see you become greater than your
office, better than the law. Show
me now what my faith and blood have
purchased. Show mercy.
The words cut into everyone: Anne, Phillippe, the young
Musketeers. But Louis' eyes are cold, as he responds --
LOUIS
You take the side of traitors?
PHILLIPPE
Please, may I speak? M'lord... I
beg that you kill me. I release
you, before Almighty God, from any
claim of sin in taking my life. In
fact I will pray that God reward you
for your mercy to do it. But do not
-- I beg you -- return me to the
prison, where I have lived so long.
Phillippe's plea makes Louis pause... then smile.
LOUIS
D'Artagnan, you will hunt down
Aramis, Porthos and Athos, and bring
me their heads, or I will have
yours. And as for you, Phillippe...
Back to the prison you shall go, and
into the mask you hate.
ANNE
No, Louis! No!
LOUIS
Wear it until you love it. And die
in it!!
Anne screams, and Louis waves to the guards, who draw her
from the room, as d'Artagnan sags, on his knees before the
King he has served so faithfully.
Slowly, Phillippe lowers his head.
INT. D'ARTAGNAN'S ROOM
D'Artagnan returns to his bare room; he sits down upon the
bed and drops his face into his hands.
Then he hears the sound, like a SCREAM, but short and
muffled, almost like the whelp of a kicked dog. He lifts his
head sharply; where did that sound come from? He is almost
too tired, too sad, to investigate.
Then the King, already shaken by the night's events, hurries
into d'Artagnan's room.
LOUIS
What was that sound?! Did you hear
it? It came from Michelle's room!
INT. KING'S BEDCHAMBER
D'Artagnan enters, ahead of Louis. They see nothing unusual,
and d'Artagnan moves up the hidden stairs toward Michelle's
apartment.
MICHELLE'S APARTMENT
D'Artagnan enters the room, and finds it empty -- but the
window is open. He moves toward it...
INT. KING'S BEDCHAMBER
The King is pacing as d'Artagnan reappears.
LOUIS
Where is Michelle?
D'ARTAGNAN
There.
He points to the window. Louis shoves open the drapes and
leaps back in horror. Michelle has hanged herself outside
Louis' window, the golden bunting of her bed tied as a noose
around her neck.
INT. QUEEN MOTHER'S APARTMENTS - DAWN
Anne has changed; she is tormented, but alive with energy,
pacing. There is a knock at her door, and the old nun opens
it to d'Artagnan. The old nun leaves them alone; d'Artagnan
moves to Anne and takes her hands, to look into her eyes.
D'ARTAGNAN
There were two. Not one. But two.
ANNE
I couldn't tell you. You had enough
to carry.
D'ARTAGNAN
Anne... The night we had together...
I always wanted more. But that one,
it was enough. Enough to make me
love you forever. I want you to
remember that... and go on. As
strong as you are now. No matter
what happens.
He kisses her. She drinks in his love. Then he stands and
moves to the door. He looks back, then stares out.
ANNE
D'Artagnan -- ?
He looks back once more; he seems to want to tell her
something; but whatever it is, he can't find the words, and
with a last loving look at her, he walks away.
EXT. ESTABLISHING THE BASTILLE - NIGHT
A sudden visual, establishing the Bastille, the horrific
legendary prison of Paris.
INT. BASTILLE - NIGHT
Phillippe, his head covered in a burlap hood, is rushed
through the twisting stairways of the prison.
INT. A CELL, IN THE BOWELS OF THE BASTILLE
The guards remove the hood, and Phillippe sees the cell.
Then he sees the blacksmith there, with a new iron mask, and
his eyes take on a fresh horror.
PHILLIPPE
No. Please! No!
The guards seize him and the blacksmith places the mask over
Phillippe's face, as he screams. They seal the mask with a
small padlock, whose key is distinctive, and jeweled.
INT. BASTILLE - LATER
The two guards and the blacksmith are coming downstairs after
completing their work. Far above them, in the prison tower,
the cries of the prisoner echo; he sounds like a raving
madman now.
The two guards and the blacksmith enter an office at the base
of the tower; the BASTILLE JAILER looks up.
BLACKSMITH
Pay me quick, I want out of here.
Soldiers, swords drawn, appear in the doorway behind them.
GUARDS
What --
BASTILLE JAILER
You saw the prisoner's face.
Understanding, the blacksmith raises his hammer toward the
soldiers; but he is stabbed in the back by the jailer, and
the soldiers skewer the two guards who helped him. A soldier
lifts the jeweled key from the hand of a dead guard.
THE KEY
is handed to the King by Andre, the young Lieutenant. Louis
hangs the key around his own neck, with a thin gold chain.
LOUIS
Now. Where is d'Artagnan?
LIEUTENANT
Out directing the search for the
traitors.
LOUIS
When he returns, watch him. When he
leaves again, you tell me.
The Lieutenant bows. Louis smiles, and fingers the key.
EXT. PARIS STREETS - NIGHT
Squads of young Musketeers gallop along the river, and
through the dark streets around it, searching...
ALONG THE BACK WALL OF NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL, three forms
scurry through the darkness: Aramis, Porthos and Athos,
heaving, wheezing. They duck into a niche of the wall to
avoid capture from another patrol galloping by. Then Aramis
unlocks a door in the cathedral wall and they stagger in.
INT. CATACOMBS
The three Musketeers struggle through the catacombs, reach
the chapel, and fall gasping to the floor.
ARAMIS
Bloody hell...
ATHOS
We can't... stay here. That traitor
d'Artagnan... knows about this
place.
PORTHOS
Can we eat... before we go? This
excitement's given me an appetite.
ARAMIS
Bread and wine... in that cupboard.
Porthos hauls himself to his feet and turns up the wick of
the lantern. The rising light reveals a note, stuck to the
cupboard with the blade of a dagger.
PORTHOS
A note. Pinned with a dagger, like
the old days.
He removes the note, and reads...
PORTHOS
"Phillippe has been removed to the
Bastille, to the lower dungeon. At
midnight tonight I will order the
guard changed, and will delay the
replacements for ten minutes. That
should give you ample time. Never
have I needed more to say: One for
all, and all for one. D'Artagnan."
ATHOS
He lures us to capture.
ARAMIS
He seeks redemption.
ATHOS
You're a fool!
ARAMIS
Perhaps. But of d'Artagnan I am
certain. What he did tonight was
what he told us all along he would
do -- be faithful to his King.
ATHOS
So what has changed?
ARAMIS
Perhaps he serves a different king.
PORTHOS
What choice is there? If Phillippe
is in the Bastille, then to the
Bastille we will go.
ATHOS
You are right. But it is a trap.
PORTHOS
So what? I'd rather die covered in
blood, than an old man, lying in my
own piss.
ARAMIS
Then to the Bastille.
ATHOS
To the Bastille. And death.
EXT. BASTILLE - NIGHT
The stone walls rising into the Paris night seem to ooze
evil. The building looks impossible to get into, much less
get out of; its doors appear to be solid blocks of wood,
encased in stone ramparts.
We hear a sharp, echoing KNOCK; Aramis, Athos, and Porthos
stand outside the main entrance, Athos slumped between the
other two like a beaten captive being delivered to jail.
No one answers their knock; the three Musketeers exchange
doubtful glance, and Porthos knocks again. A guard inside
slides open a view port of the massive door.
PORTHOS
Open up! We have a prisoner!
The port shuts, bolts rattle, and the great door heaves open.
The Musketeers glance at each other again, and play their
roles, Aramis and Porthos dragging Athos inside.
INT. THE BASTILLE - MAIN COURTYARD - NIGHT
The prison courtyard is murky in the darkness, and ringed by
doors leading into mazes of corridors to its dungeons.
GUARD
Take him down to level three. The
Captain will see to the documents.
Aramis and Porthos drag Athos into one of the shadowy portals
surrounding the courtyard.
INT. BASTILLE - VARIOUS SHOTS - NIGHT
The three Musketeers duck into the inky shadows; Aramis cuts
the bonds that hold Athos' hands, and gives him the extra
sword he had beneath his cloak.
PORTHOS
It worked!
ATHOS
It's a prison, you idiot! They
don't expect anyone to try getting
in! The problem will come when we
want out!
Aramis shushes them, and leads them into another quiet
corridor. They hear the distant bells of a church, then
suddenly they must scramble, as a platoon of guards carrying
torches troop up stairs into the corridor; the Musketeers
dart like rats into dark nooks; as the guards pass, the
Musketeers huddle, and the bells end their tolling.
ARAMIS
Midnight! We have ten minutes!
They press on, deeper into the Bastille.
INT. PALACE - ANNE'S ROOM - NIGHT
Anne moves to the window, where she starts to kneel for her
nightly prayer; but she stops. Outside in the garden, far
below her window, is d'Artagnan on horseback, waiting. Their
eyes connect. He has a single rose in his hand. Never
taking his eyes from her, he places the rose on the stone
bench of the garden, and reins his horse away.
Then she understands what he was trying to tell her before,
in the hallway; it was goodbye.
EXT. PALACE GARDEN - NIGHT
D'Artagnan rides away quickly, passing -- without seeing --
Lieutenant Andre, who has been watching him.
EXT. PARIS STREETS - NIGHT
Through the night d'Artagnan gallops. We see his destination
in the distance: the Bastille.
EXT. THE PALACE GATES - NIGHT
The great gates of the palace swing slowly open, and out ride
a whole platoon of young Musketeers, surrounding Louis
himself, on horseback and dressed like a soldier.
INT. THE BASTILLE - VARIOUS SHOTS
The three Musketeers scramble down a flight of stairs,
through another corridor, down another stairway. They pass
cells; wretched prisoners look up, but none of them is
Phillippe. Then the Musketeers surprise a JAILER.
JAILER
Hey...!
But before the man can say anything else, Porthos has crushed
him like a bug against the wall. They rip the huge ring of
keys from the jailer's waist, and take his torch.
PHILLIPPE'S CELL
He lies on the floor; he sees the light of a torch, coming to
him like sunrise... and then he hears a voice --
ATHOS
Phillippe...?
PHILLIPPE
How did you --
They open the door and release him -- from the cell, but not
from the mask. He tries to hug Athos.
They head back the way they came.
EXT. PARIS STREETS - NIGHT
Louis and his platoon of young Musketeers ride through the
streets, scattering the paupers who sleep there.
INT. BASTILLE - VARIOUS SHOTS - NIGHT
Back up the stairs... through one corridor... they start up
the second flight of stairs, then stop and scramble back.
ARAMIS
(whispering)
Someone's coming!
They take cover on either side of the corridor, and lift
their swords. It's a man coming down the stairs, with a
hooded lantern... they raise their swords to strike --
PORTHOS
D'Artagnan!
D'ARTAGNAN
The way is blocked above. The
Captain of the Bastille has turned
back from the mission I sent him on,
and is in the courtyard with a party
of men.
ATHOS
He lies. He is here to trap us.
D'ARTAGNAN
I came to see you safely out. Check
for yourself.
Porthos climbs the stairs to check; D'Artagnan looks at
Phillippe, in the mask.
D'ARTAGNAN
All you have suffered, I would
gladly have borne myself, to keep it
from you.
Athos spits on the floor, in derision. But Porthos comes
barreling back down the stairway.
PORTHOS
D'Artagnan is right, the courtyard
is filling with soldiers!
D'ARTAGNAN
This way.
He leads them quickly down a side corridor; the others have
no choice but to follow.
A SIDE CORRIDOR
D'Artagnan leads them around another corner, into a long
corridor; at the end of it is a massive door. They reach it,
and d'Artagnan produces a set of keys marked with the royal
seal of the Musketeers; he begins unlocking the three
padlocks that secure the door.
D'ARTAGNAN
Once you are through, don't stop
until you reach the river.
ARAMIS
They will know you helped us, if we
go this way.
D'ARTAGNAN
That doesn't matter now.
They open the door... and as they do they see Louis and his
platoon of young Musketeers arriving outside.
LOUIS
There! Stop them!
ATHOS
Betrayed!
The young Musketeers serving the King jump from their horses
and grab for the door; but d'Artagnan leaps forward, his
sword flashing. After a second of surprise, Athos, Aramis
and Porthos jump forward too, and there is a brief, bloody
skirmish at the door. But the young Musketeers have
overwhelming numbers, and firearms too; protecting Phillippe,
the old Musketeers draw back inside and succeed at pulling
the door shut and latching it quickly.
ARAMIS
Back the way we came!
They race back up the corridor -- the four Musketeers, and
Phillippe, in the iron mask -- and turn the corner. They
reach another inner door, pass through it -- and see the
soldiers of the Bastille coming at them.
ARAMIS
Back!
They retreat, and Porthos slams the second door. Like all
the inner doors of the Bastille, it's heavy wood, a foot
thick, and Porthos seals it with a huger iron bar. But
there's nowhere else to run.
ATHOS
Trapped.
At the far end of the corridor, the King's young Musketeers
have the same keys to the outer door that d'Artagnan did, and
they are breaking through. Louis and two dozen of his
personal bodyguard pour through the door.
LOUIS
Charge them!
The young Musketeers obediently charge down the corridor.
Stepping up shoulder to shoulder -- Aramis, d'Artagnan,
Athos, Porthos -- the four veteran Musketeers meet the
charge, first with pistols, then with swords, a wall between
Louis' men and Phillippe. The battle in the cramped confines
of the corridor is bloody and fierce; the young attackers can
only get a few men into the fight at any one time, and those
who step before the famous veterans are cut down.
Louis' young Musketeers retreat, to regroup.
AT LOUIS' END OF THE CORRIDOR
Louis is furious, jumping at Lieutenant Andre, who has
dragged a wounded comrade back from the fight.
LOUIS
Cowards! Twenty run from four?!
LIEUTENANT
The corridor nullifies our number...
And no one has stomach to fight the
Captain.
Louis is disgusted by this loyalty -- and he has a solution.
LOUIS
D'Artagnan!
AT THE OTHER END OF THE CORRIDOR
Louis' voice echoes down to the veteran Musketeers and
Phillippe, in the Iron Mask.
LOUIS' VOICE
I am not angry with you. I knew you
would lead me to them, and so you
have! Lay down your sword, and I
will not punish you! I will let you
retire in peace -- to live out your
days in the countryside! And I will
give your friends a swift execution,
if you surrender now.
The words bounce down the long corridor; then silence.
D'Artagnan stands holding his sword, staring away from his
friends, toward the King and his gang of young Musketeers.
ARAMIS
D'Artagnan. Perhaps you should
accept his offer, for we are dead
anyway.
PORTHOS
He is right, d'Artagnan.
Athos says nothing; but when d'Artagnan looks at him, he
lowers his eyes in shame for ever having doubted d'Artagnan's
loyalty and friendship.
Phillippe speaks up, from behind the Iron Mask.
PHILLIPPE
Wait. Bargain me to Louis, for all
your lives. You have done your
best. Let me go, and let all of you
find peace.
D'ARTAGNAN
No. Even if I could give up my
friends, I could never give up my
son.
This hits them like a bombshell -- and suddenly it all makes
sense; d'Artagnan's loyalty to Louis, his dogged hope that he
could somehow influence him toward goodness. We see their
stunned faces, each in turn: Athos, Aramis, Porthos, and
Phillippe.
D'ARTAGNAN
I never had any idea you existed...
until they found you. And in all
that time, I never had a moment's
pride as a father -- until now.
D'Artagnan and Phillippe embrace, lost father to lost son.
From the heavily barred door to their rear comes a powerful
pounding; the Bastille's soldiers are trying to break it
down. Time is running out.
Aramis looks back down the corridor toward the door to the
outside, barred now by Louis and his young guards, their long
muskets bristling like spikes; and yet that way is the only
possible hope for escape to the outside.
ARAMIS
D'Artagnan... Those are young
Musketeers down there. They have
been weaned on our legends. They
revere us -- it is an advantage.
Why don't we charge them?
D'ARTAGNAN
I trained those men myself. They
will stand and fight. But if we are
to die, let it be this way.
He draws his sword and points it into the air. Aramis lifts
the tip of his sword to join that of d'Artagnan. Porthos
does too... and then Athos joins them.
ATHOS
One for all. All for one.
PHILLIPPE
If I could have a blade, then I
would be please to run with you.
D'Artagnan gives Phillippe a dagger. They look at each
other. Then d'Artagnan begins to scream. The others take up
the shout. Then they step around the corner, and charge.
THE LAST CHARGE OF THE MUSKETEERS
We film it in all its glory, a visual feast: the Last Charge
of the Musketeers. Their capes swirl about time, their hair
flies, their legs take on new life.
At first the young Musketeers at the end of the corridor are
frozen in surprise; their youthful Lieutenant is awed by the
dashing, beautiful bravery of the thing.
LIEUTENANT
Magnificent valor...
LOUIS
Shoot them! Shoot them!
Louis grabs a musket from one of the reluctant soldiers and
fires: SSSBOOM! With the first explosion of gunfire the
others pull their triggers; the powder in their weapons
flashes and crashes...
The musket balls fly down the hallway, sparking off the stone
walls and floor, ricocheting, punching holes through the
capes and flesh... but still the Musketeers charge like the
young men they once were -- still are, in spirit.
In the confines of the Bastille's stone corridor the noise is
deafening, and the space in front of the guards is filled
with the dense gray smoke of the gunpowder. None of them can
see anything beyond it... and all is quiet.
LIEUTENANT
Draw blades!
The King's Guards draw their swords, and wait; are all the
old Musketeers dead?
Slowly the figures emerge from the smoke -- in SLOW MOTION,
walking now, no need to run. All are wounded, but all are
still alive.
The Four Musketeers, along with Phillippe, move slowly and
steadily toward the blades of the young Guards; a fight to
the death? So be it.
But the young Lieutenant will have none of it; as one of his
men lifts a sword to plunge it into the chest of d'Artagnan,
the young Lieutenant bats the sword down, with his own.
LIEUTENANT
Stop!
He steps forward toward d'Artagnan; but instead of thrusting
his sword he salutes with it.
His men follow suit, saluting and bowing to the courage of
these men they have grown up wanting to follow.
King Louis, for the moment, is frozen.
D'Artagnan looks back at Phillippe; he has bullet holes in
two different places at the edges of his clothes, but he is
unwounded.
Then d'Artagnan sees Louis, with his long dagger, leaping at
Phillippe.
D'ARTAGNAN
NO!
D'Artagnan throws himself between the two twins and hurls
Louis backwards, then spins to Phillippe.
D'ARTAGNAN
Phillippe!
PHILLIPPE
I am unhurt --
Louis bounces off the wall and thrusts back again, driving
the blade into d'Artagnan's back.
D'Artagnan's face jolts; he staggers, his legs buckle.
D'Artagnan falls into the arms of his friends.
Louis stands holding his bloody dagger, everyone staring at
him: d'Artagnan, the old Musketeers, the young ones.
PHILLIPPE
You! Vicious... evil...!
He leaps into Louis, overwhelming him in fury, wrenching the
dagger from his brother's hand and gripping his throat.
D'ARTAGNAN
Phillippe...! No... Don't... He is
your brother!
Phillippe releases Louis, who falls, choking, gasping.
Lieutenant Andre is surprised by what he just heard.
LIEUTENANT
Brother...?
Phillippe darts to d'Artagnan, being cradled by Athos; Athos
lifts a hand from d'Artagnan's back; it is drenched in blood.
D'Artagnan is dying.
Athos, Aramis, Porthos... none of them can speak. They grip
d'Artagnan, as if through their will alone they could keep
his life from leaking away. The young Musketeers stand
transfixed, watching their legendary Captain die. Phillippe
sags; his voice from behind the iron mask is torn by grief.
PHILLIPPE
All this time... I was a lost
secret. But you were hiding all
your loyalty, all your love. You
were the Man in the Iron Mask.
ATHOS
D'Artagnan...
D'ARTAGNAN
Shhh. All my life, this is the
death I have wanted. To die among
you. One for all... and all for...
He is gone.
Phillippe rises with a slow, terrible resolve, and moves to
Louis. When Louis tries to rise to his feet he finds the
blade of the young Lieutenant Andre pointed at his chest.
LIEUTENANT
All my life, all I ever wanted to
be... was him.
He points to d'Artagnan. Phillippe rips away the key that
dangles around Louis' neck.
CUT TO:
AT THE OTHER DOOR
where the soldiers of the BASTILLE'S COMMANDER are finally
breaking through; working the massive door aside they find --
THE KING with his guards, and Aramis, Athos, Porthos, along
with their prisoner, in the Iron Mask.
LIEUTENANT
We have recaptured the prisoner.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
No, no! I am your --
A blow in his chest from the Lieutenant stuns the prisoner
and drops him to his knees. The King orders the BASTILLE
GOVERNOR --
KING
You will put this madman where no
one can hear his insanity. Let him
be fed by a deaf mute. But feed him
well, and let him have a long life
within the Iron Mask.
BASTILLE GOVERNOR
And them?
He means Aramis, Porthos, and Athos.
KING
They are my loyal servants.
MAN IN THE IRON MASK
No! No...!
But the guards are dragging him to the deepest, darkest
dungeon of the Bastille.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. LANE OF ELMS - BESIDE THE PALACE - DAY
At the end of a lane of elms, where the markers of king's
graves stand clustered, royal workmen place a mighty marble
monument stone above the final resting place of d'Artagnan.
Athos, Aramis, Porthos, and the King -- Phillippe, known as
King Louis now -- stand gathered there, as Aramis in his
priest's garments utters the funeral incantations. Aramis'
voice breaks as he does so. Porthos' eyes pour out rivers of
tears. Athos' grief is beyond weeping.
Phillippe holds the arm of his mother. She holds the rose
d'Artagnan left her.
ARAMIS
Amen.
Athos moves up between Aramis and Porthos, and links them
with his arms.
ATHOS
He was the best of us all.
Aramis and Porthos move off together, to walk the lane of
elms; Athos remains by the grave, unable to leave.
Phillippe pats Anne's arm.
PHILLIPPE
I will be with you in a moment,
Mother.
She too moves down the lane of trees, touching the tip of the
rose pedals to her lips as the tears run down her face.
Phillippe moves up to Athos.
PHILLIPPE
After all you have done, I must ask
you one more service to your king.
I have lost my father. And you have
lost your son. Let me love you like
a son to a father. And I pray you
live for this, to love me like your
son.
Athos can't speak; he can only nod yes. Phillippe moves to
join his mother, leaving Athos to take one final look down at
the grave. Then as Athos moves off to join Aramis and
Porthos, we PAN from the name "D'ARTAGNAN" on the stone, to
the pattern chiseled beneath the name.
It is a mask, of iron.
FADE OUT.
| screenplays |
primary intraventricular hemorrhage ( pivh ) is a rare condition defined as bleeding within the ventricular system without a definite parenchymal component , and accounts for 0.31% of all stroke cases and 3.1% of intracerebral hemorrhages ( ichs ) [ 16 ] .
intraventricular hemorrhage ( ivh ) occurring with ich , subarachnoid hemorrhage ( sah ) , or other parenchymal hemorrhage , is referred to as secondary ivh .
pivh commonly occurs in preterm newborns as a complication of birth , but is relatively rare in adults [ 911 ] .
pivh was considered fatal before the modern era of brain imaging , as it could only be diagnosed during postmortem examination .
the introduction of brain imaging techniques such as computed tomography ( ct ) and magnetic resonance ( mr ) imaging has allowed for a more rapid and easier diagnosis of pivh .
however , due to its rarity , there is relatively little information regarding the clinical manifestations of pivh , its etiology , and its prognosis .
the purpose of this study was to review data from 112 patients with pivh admitted to a single tertiary referral hospital over the last 11 years .
here , we describe their clinical characteristics , outcomes following treatment , and prognostic factors .
we reviewed all patients with ich who were admitted at our institution between january 2004 and december 2014 .
exclusion criteria were : neonates ( less than 1 month after birth ) , death within 24 hours of presentation , and life expectancy less than 6 months owing to another medical condition .
once pivh was diagnosed , all patients were admitted to a neurosurgical intensive care unit ( icu ) .
additional radiological examinations , including ct or mr angiography , and/or transfemoral cerebral angiography ( tfca ) , were considered for all subjects to identify causal vascular pathologies , according to the guidelines provided by the american heart association and the american stroke association .
however , these studies were not performed in 13 patients ( 12% ) due to reasons such as poor clinical status or refusal by the patient s family . during the acute phase
, systolic blood pressure was maintained below 140 mmhg , and osmotic diuretics were administered to control increased intracranial pressure ( icp ) .
patients with a decreased level of consciousness ( glasgow coma scale [ gcs ] < 8) were intubated to maintain the airway and to reduce the gag reflex or the chances of imminent aspiration .
mechanical ventilation was used in patients with respiratory insufficiency , as indicated by pco2 > 55 mmhg or po2 < 60 mmhg . in patients with coagulopathy
, anticoagulation reversal was performed using fresh - frozen plasma or prothrombin - complex concentrate , and vitamin k. anticoagulant or antiplatelet treatments were discontinued during the acute phase in patients who regularly took the medications .
when necessary , informed consent was obtained to perform external ventricular drainage ( evd ) .
the laterality of the evd was chosen based on the patient s conditions and the hemorrhagic location , which was observed during the initial ct .
indications for evd at our institution were : ( 1 ) initial gcs score of < 12 , ( 2 ) evidence of hydrocephalus defined as an evans ratio of > 0.30 , and ( 3 ) evidence of third or fourth ventricle obstruction with an accompanying prediction that the patient would develop hydrocephalus .
neurological outcome at 3 months was assessed using the glasgow outcome scale ( gos ) .
patients were divided into 2 groups according to their gos scores : a favorable outcome group ( gos scores of 45 ) and an unfavorable outcome group ( gos scores of 13 ) . additional outcomes measures included mortality 3 months after presentation .
the potential prognostic factors discussed in previous reports of intracerebral and/or intraventricular hemorrhage were analyzed to examine their relationships with clinical outcomes [ 5,1317 ] .
the presumptive factors were either patient factors or radiologic findings , and were collected from medical records and imaging studies .
potential patient factors included : age , sex , initial gcs score , low platelet count ( < 50 000 mm ) , prolonged prothrombin time ( pt ; international normalized ratio [ inr ] > 1.4 ) , use of anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents , the presence of underlying diseases such as hypertension ( determined by previous diagnosis , treatment with antihypertensive medications , or a blood pressure reading of > 140/90 mmhg ) , and diabetes mellitus ( dm ; determined by a fasting glucose reading of > 7 mmol / l or treatment with anti - diabetic medication ) . the severity of illness for the enrolled patients was measured using the new simplified acute physiology score ( saps ii ) , which is calculated based on the worst values taken during the first 24 hours after admission to the icu .
the score encompasses 15 parameters ( heart rate ; body temperature ; white blood cell count ; the ratio of partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood to fractional inspired oxygen ; bicarbonate level ; systolic blood pressure ; urinary output ; serum urea level ; serum potassium , sodium , and bilirubin levels ; gcs score ; age ; type of admission ; and chronic underlying disease ) , and has a range of 0 to 163 .
additionally , parameters of the ventricular system were measured , including the transverse diameter of the third ventricle , both anterior - posterior ( ap ) and transverse diameters of the fourth ventricle , and temporal horn size on the dominant side .
a dilated fourth ventricle was defined as one with a transverse diameter of > 20 mm or an ap diameter of > 12.5 mm , while third ventricle dilatation was defined as a transverse diameter of > 10 mm .
finally , dilatation of the temporal horn was determined as a size of > 6 mm , and hydrocephalus was defined as an evans ratio of > 0.30 .
presumptive prognostic factors were compared between the favorable ( gos scores of 45 ) and unfavorable outcome ( gos scores of 13 ) groups using t tests for continuous variables ( age , initial gcs , saps ii score , mgs , diameters of 3 and 4 ventricle , size of dominant side temporal horn ) , and either the chi - square or fisher s exact test for categorical variables ( sex , application of mechanical ventilation within 24 hours of the initial attack , prior medical comorbidities , thrombocytopenia , abnormal coagulation parameters , presence of causative vascular abnormalities , additional treatment for vascular abnormalities , and hydrocephalus ) .
the association between presumptive factors and clinical outcomes was analyzed using a logistic regression model , and the odds ratio ( or ) and 95% confidence interval ( ci ) were calculated .
all of the statistical calculations were performed using commercially available software ( spss 11.5 , ibm corporation , armonk , ny ) .
we reviewed all patients with ich who were admitted at our institution between january 2004 and december 2014 .
exclusion criteria were : neonates ( less than 1 month after birth ) , death within 24 hours of presentation , and life expectancy less than 6 months owing to another medical condition .
once pivh was diagnosed , all patients were admitted to a neurosurgical intensive care unit ( icu ) .
additional radiological examinations , including ct or mr angiography , and/or transfemoral cerebral angiography ( tfca ) , were considered for all subjects to identify causal vascular pathologies , according to the guidelines provided by the american heart association and the american stroke association .
however , these studies were not performed in 13 patients ( 12% ) due to reasons such as poor clinical status or refusal by the patient s family . during the acute phase , systolic blood pressure was maintained below 140 mmhg , and osmotic diuretics were administered to control increased intracranial pressure ( icp ) .
patients with a decreased level of consciousness ( glasgow coma scale [ gcs ] < 8) were intubated to maintain the airway and to reduce the gag reflex or the chances of imminent aspiration .
mechanical ventilation was used in patients with respiratory insufficiency , as indicated by pco2 > 55 mmhg or po2 < 60 mmhg . in patients with coagulopathy
, anticoagulation reversal was performed using fresh - frozen plasma or prothrombin - complex concentrate , and vitamin k. anticoagulant or antiplatelet treatments were discontinued during the acute phase in patients who regularly took the medications .
when necessary , informed consent was obtained to perform external ventricular drainage ( evd ) .
the laterality of the evd was chosen based on the patient s conditions and the hemorrhagic location , which was observed during the initial ct .
indications for evd at our institution were : ( 1 ) initial gcs score of < 12 , ( 2 ) evidence of hydrocephalus defined as an evans ratio of > 0.30 , and ( 3 ) evidence of third or fourth ventricle obstruction with an accompanying prediction that the patient would develop hydrocephalus .
neurological outcome at 3 months was assessed using the glasgow outcome scale ( gos ) .
patients were divided into 2 groups according to their gos scores : a favorable outcome group ( gos scores of 45 ) and an unfavorable outcome group ( gos scores of 13 ) . additional outcomes measures included mortality 3 months after presentation .
the potential prognostic factors discussed in previous reports of intracerebral and/or intraventricular hemorrhage were analyzed to examine their relationships with clinical outcomes [ 5,1317 ] .
the presumptive factors were either patient factors or radiologic findings , and were collected from medical records and imaging studies .
potential patient factors included : age , sex , initial gcs score , low platelet count ( < 50 000 mm ) , prolonged prothrombin time ( pt ; international normalized ratio [ inr ] > 1.4 ) , use of anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents , the presence of underlying diseases such as hypertension ( determined by previous diagnosis , treatment with antihypertensive medications , or a blood pressure reading of > 140/90 mmhg ) , and diabetes mellitus ( dm ; determined by a fasting glucose reading of > 7 mmol / l or treatment with anti - diabetic medication ) .
the severity of illness for the enrolled patients was measured using the new simplified acute physiology score ( saps ii ) , which is calculated based on the worst values taken during the first 24 hours after admission to the icu .
the score encompasses 15 parameters ( heart rate ; body temperature ; white blood cell count ; the ratio of partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood to fractional inspired oxygen ; bicarbonate level ; systolic blood pressure ; urinary output ; serum urea level ; serum potassium , sodium , and bilirubin levels ; gcs score ; age ; type of admission ; and chronic underlying disease ) , and has a range of 0 to 163 .
additionally , parameters of the ventricular system were measured , including the transverse diameter of the third ventricle , both anterior - posterior ( ap ) and transverse diameters of the fourth ventricle , and temporal horn size on the dominant side .
a dilated fourth ventricle was defined as one with a transverse diameter of > 20 mm or an ap diameter of > 12.5 mm , while third ventricle dilatation was defined as a transverse diameter of > 10 mm .
finally , dilatation of the temporal horn was determined as a size of > 6 mm , and hydrocephalus was defined as an evans ratio of > 0.30 .
presumptive prognostic factors were compared between the favorable ( gos scores of 45 ) and unfavorable outcome ( gos scores of 13 ) groups using t tests for continuous variables ( age , initial gcs , saps ii score , mgs , diameters of 3 and 4 ventricle , size of dominant side temporal horn ) , and either the chi - square or fisher s exact test for categorical variables ( sex , application of mechanical ventilation within 24 hours of the initial attack , prior medical comorbidities , thrombocytopenia , abnormal coagulation parameters , presence of causative vascular abnormalities , additional treatment for vascular abnormalities , and hydrocephalus ) .
the association between presumptive factors and clinical outcomes was analyzed using a logistic regression model , and the odds ratio ( or ) and 95% confidence interval ( ci ) were calculated .
all of the statistical calculations were performed using commercially available software ( spss 11.5 , ibm corporation , armonk , ny ) .
table 1 summarizes the demographic and radiological data of the 112 patients included in the study .
angiography ( ct or mr angiography , and/or tfca ) was performed in 99 patients ( 88% ) and presumptive vascular pathologies for pivh were detected in 46 patients ( 46% , 46/99 ) . among them , 28 patients ( 28% ) were diagnosed with moyamoya disease and 16 patients ( 16% ) were found to have arteriovenous malformation ( avm ) .
two patients were revealed to have an aneurysm rupture ( 2% , anterior communicating artery aneurysm in one and posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm in the other ) .
angiograms for 53 of the patients did not show any significant abnormalities that could be associated with their ventricular hemorrhage .
the mean age of those patients who were identified as having underlying vascular pathologies was 43.312.4 years , which was lower than that of patients who were not diagnosed with causal vascular lesions ( mean : 60.820.2 years , p=0.012 ) .
based on the angiographic results , previous medical history , and laboratory findings , we identified several possible causes of pivh , which included vascular abnormalities identified in 46 patients ( 41% ) , pre - existing hypertension reported in 31 patients ( 28% ) , and clotting disorders present in 22 patients ( 20% ) .
the antecedent vascular abnormalities were managed with medical or surgical interventions , including urgent aneurysm clipping ( 1 patient ) or coiling ( 1 patient ) in the case of a ruptured aneurysm , and radiosurgery ( 11 patients ) , neuro - interventional procedure ( 1 patient ) , or a combination of the 2 ( 2 patients ) to treat avm , for which it had been a mean of 6 weeks ( range : 59 weeks ) since initial presentation . either direct ( 8 patients ) or indirect ( 5 patients ) bypass surgery was utilized to treat patients diagnosed with moyamoya disease , for which it had been an average of 9 weeks since the initial ivh attack ( range : 512 weeks ) .
two patients with avm did not undergo treatment for their avm because of refusal by their family members .
evd was performed in 46 patients within 3 weeks of the initial attack ( range : 019 days ) .
sixteen patients underwent a permanent cerebral spinal fluid diversion procedure within 3 months ( range : 3588 days ) of their initial presentation .
all 112 patients were evaluated 3 months after initial presentation , at which point 72 ( 64% ) presented with favorable outcomes as determined by gos scores of 45 , while the other 40 patients ( 36% ) presented with poor outcomes as indicated by gos scores of 13 .
eighteen patients ( 16% ) died of intractable intracranial pressure , thought to be a direct consequence of pivh , within a week after ictus .
four patients died due to other causes , including a sudden onset of ventricular tachycardia and respiratory arrest , pneumonia , and sepsis of unknown origin . the majority of the survivors ( 72/90 , 80% ) presented with no deficits or mild deficits ( gos 4 ) 3 months after initial presentation .
the patient and hemorrhage factors were compared between the favorable and unfavorable groups ( table 2 ) .
the mean age of the patients in the unfavorable outcome group was significantly higher than that of the favorable group ( p=0.001 ) .
the initial gcs score was 13.32.7 in the favorable outcome group , which was significantly higher than the score of 7.24.1 measured in the unfavorable group ( p<0.001 ) .
the mean saps ii score was significantly lower in the favorable group ( 27.816.8 vs. 43.522.2 , p<0.001 ) .
the prevalence of pre - existing hypertension was higher in the unfavorable outcome group ( 57% vs. 43% ) .
however , the difference between the 2 outcome groups did not reach statistical significance ( p=0.143 ) .
a total of 27 patients were taking anticoagulants ( 8 patients ) or antiplatelet agents ( 19 patients ) .
however , there was no significant difference between the 2 groups ( p=0.382 for anticoagulant , p=0.245 for antiplatelet ) . the outcomes of patients who presented with abnormal bleeding profiles , including low platelet counts ( < 50 000 mm ) and prolonged pts ( inr > 1.4 ) , were also not significantly different from those of patients with normal bleeding profiles ( p=0.155 and 0.551 , respectively ) .
the presence of causative vascular lesions was found not to be likely to affect neurological outcome ( p=0.330 ) .
additionally , treatment for underlying vascular pathologies , such as neck clipping or coiling for aneurysms , radiosurgery or neuro - intervention for avm , or direct or indirect bypass surgery for moyamoya disease , did not influence short - term clinical outcomes ( p=0.583 ) .
radiologic factors , determined from the initial ct scan , included mgs , the transverse diameter of the third ventricle , the ap and transverse diameters of the fourth ventricle , the size of the temporal horn on the dominant side , the presence of hydrocephalus , and whether there was a need to perform evd in the patient .
ventricular hematoma volume ( as assessed by mgs ) , the size of the third and fourth ventricles , and the size of the temporal horn of the dominant lateral ventricle were significantly larger in the unfavorable outcome group than in the favorable group ( p<0.05 for all factors ) .
table 3 summarizes the results of the logistic regression analysis performed on the clinical / radiological characteristics and clinical outcomes .
the results of the univariate analysis indicate that older age ( 55 years ) , low initial gcs score ( gcs < 13 ) , high saps ii ( saps ii 33 ) , high mgs score , increased transverse diameter ( > 10 mm ) of the third ventricle , increased ap ( > 12.5 mm ) or transverse ( > 20 mm ) diameter of the fourth ventricle , an increase in both the ap ( > 12.5 mm ) and transverse ( > 20 mm ) diameters of the fourth ventricle , a dominant - side temporal horn size of over 6 mm , the presence of hydrocephalus , and performance of evd are all significantly associated with poor outcomes in patients with pivh .
results of the multivariate analysis indicate that low gcs scores during initial presentation ( gcs < 13 ) , severe illness within 24 hours of admission ( saps ii 33 ) , and dilatation of the fourth ventricle in both the ap and transverse directions are independent factors associated with clinical outcomes . a 50-year - old man with hypertension presented with sudden onset of headache , followed by
although hydrocephalus was not observed ( evans ratio=0.27 ) , the patient presented with fourth ventricle obstruction .
evd was performed through the left kocher s point and his gcs score recovered to 15 .
tfca did not identify the predisposing vascular pathology . with conservative care and evd management ,
the patient was discharged 3 weeks later without any neurologic deficits . a 78-year - old woman with a history of hypertension presented with sudden onset of altered mental status ( gcs 3 ) .
evd was performed through the right kocher s point . despite administration of osmotic diuretics and evd management ,
the patient died on the sixth in - patient day due to intractable increased icp .
table 1 summarizes the demographic and radiological data of the 112 patients included in the study .
angiography ( ct or mr angiography , and/or tfca ) was performed in 99 patients ( 88% ) and presumptive vascular pathologies for pivh were detected in 46 patients ( 46% , 46/99 ) . among them , 28 patients ( 28% ) were diagnosed with moyamoya disease and 16 patients ( 16% ) were found to have arteriovenous malformation ( avm ) .
two patients were revealed to have an aneurysm rupture ( 2% , anterior communicating artery aneurysm in one and posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm in the other ) .
angiograms for 53 of the patients did not show any significant abnormalities that could be associated with their ventricular hemorrhage .
the mean age of those patients who were identified as having underlying vascular pathologies was 43.312.4 years , which was lower than that of patients who were not diagnosed with causal vascular lesions ( mean : 60.820.2 years , p=0.012 ) .
based on the angiographic results , previous medical history , and laboratory findings , we identified several possible causes of pivh , which included vascular abnormalities identified in 46 patients ( 41% ) , pre - existing hypertension reported in 31 patients ( 28% ) , and clotting disorders present in 22 patients ( 20% ) .
the antecedent vascular abnormalities were managed with medical or surgical interventions , including urgent aneurysm clipping ( 1 patient ) or coiling ( 1 patient ) in the case of a ruptured aneurysm , and radiosurgery ( 11 patients ) , neuro - interventional procedure ( 1 patient ) , or a combination of the 2 ( 2 patients ) to treat avm , for which it had been a mean of 6 weeks ( range : 59 weeks ) since initial presentation . either direct ( 8 patients ) or indirect ( 5 patients ) bypass surgery was utilized to treat patients diagnosed with moyamoya disease , for which it had been an average of 9 weeks since the initial ivh attack ( range : 512 weeks ) .
two patients with avm did not undergo treatment for their avm because of refusal by their family members .
evd was performed in 46 patients within 3 weeks of the initial attack ( range : 019 days ) .
sixteen patients underwent a permanent cerebral spinal fluid diversion procedure within 3 months ( range : 3588 days ) of their initial presentation .
all 112 patients were evaluated 3 months after initial presentation , at which point 72 ( 64% ) presented with favorable outcomes as determined by gos scores of 45 , while the other 40 patients ( 36% ) presented with poor outcomes as indicated by gos scores of 13 .
eighteen patients ( 16% ) died of intractable intracranial pressure , thought to be a direct consequence of pivh , within a week after ictus .
four patients died due to other causes , including a sudden onset of ventricular tachycardia and respiratory arrest , pneumonia , and sepsis of unknown origin . the majority of the survivors ( 72/90 , 80% ) presented with no deficits or mild deficits ( gos 4 ) 3 months after initial presentation .
the patient and hemorrhage factors were compared between the favorable and unfavorable groups ( table 2 ) .
the mean age of the patients in the unfavorable outcome group was significantly higher than that of the favorable group ( p=0.001 ) .
the initial gcs score was 13.32.7 in the favorable outcome group , which was significantly higher than the score of 7.24.1 measured in the unfavorable group ( p<0.001 ) .
the mean saps ii score was significantly lower in the favorable group ( 27.816.8 vs. 43.522.2 , p<0.001 ) .
the prevalence of pre - existing hypertension was higher in the unfavorable outcome group ( 57% vs. 43% ) .
however , the difference between the 2 outcome groups did not reach statistical significance ( p=0.143 ) .
a total of 27 patients were taking anticoagulants ( 8 patients ) or antiplatelet agents ( 19 patients ) .
however , there was no significant difference between the 2 groups ( p=0.382 for anticoagulant , p=0.245 for antiplatelet ) . the outcomes of patients who presented with abnormal bleeding profiles , including low platelet counts ( < 50 000 mm ) and prolonged pts ( inr > 1.4 ) , were also not significantly different from those of patients with normal bleeding profiles ( p=0.155 and 0.551 , respectively ) .
the presence of causative vascular lesions was found not to be likely to affect neurological outcome ( p=0.330 ) .
additionally , treatment for underlying vascular pathologies , such as neck clipping or coiling for aneurysms , radiosurgery or neuro - intervention for avm , or direct or indirect bypass surgery for moyamoya disease , did not influence short - term clinical outcomes ( p=0.583 ) .
radiologic factors , determined from the initial ct scan , included mgs , the transverse diameter of the third ventricle , the ap and transverse diameters of the fourth ventricle , the size of the temporal horn on the dominant side , the presence of hydrocephalus , and whether there was a need to perform evd in the patient .
ventricular hematoma volume ( as assessed by mgs ) , the size of the third and fourth ventricles , and the size of the temporal horn of the dominant lateral ventricle were significantly larger in the unfavorable outcome group than in the favorable group ( p<0.05 for all factors ) .
table 3 summarizes the results of the logistic regression analysis performed on the clinical / radiological characteristics and clinical outcomes .
the results of the univariate analysis indicate that older age ( 55 years ) , low initial gcs score ( gcs < 13 ) , high saps ii ( saps ii 33 ) , high mgs score , increased transverse diameter ( > 10 mm ) of the third ventricle , increased ap ( > 12.5 mm ) or transverse ( > 20 mm ) diameter of the fourth ventricle , an increase in both the ap ( > 12.5 mm ) and transverse ( > 20 mm ) diameters of the fourth ventricle , a dominant - side temporal horn size of over 6 mm , the presence of hydrocephalus , and performance of evd are all significantly associated with poor outcomes in patients with pivh .
results of the multivariate analysis indicate that low gcs scores during initial presentation ( gcs < 13 ) , severe illness within 24 hours of admission ( saps ii 33 ) , and dilatation of the fourth ventricle in both the ap and transverse directions are independent factors associated with clinical outcomes .
a 50-year - old man with hypertension presented with sudden onset of headache , followed by altered mental status ( gcs 9 ) .
the patient s mgs was 22 . although hydrocephalus was not observed ( evans ratio=0.27 ) , the patient presented with fourth ventricle obstruction .
evd was performed through the left kocher s point and his gcs score recovered to 15 .
tfca did not identify the predisposing vascular pathology . with conservative care and evd management ,
the patient was discharged 3 weeks later without any neurologic deficits . a 78-year - old woman with a history of hypertension presented with sudden onset of altered mental status ( gcs 3 ) .
evd was performed through the right kocher s point . despite administration of osmotic diuretics and evd management ,
the patient died on the sixth in - patient day due to intractable increased icp .
a 50-year - old man with hypertension presented with sudden onset of headache , followed by altered mental status ( gcs 9 ) .
the patient s mgs was 22 . although hydrocephalus was not observed ( evans ratio=0.27 ) , the patient presented with fourth ventricle obstruction .
evd was performed through the left kocher s point and his gcs score recovered to 15 .
tfca did not identify the predisposing vascular pathology . with conservative care and evd management ,
a 78-year - old woman with a history of hypertension presented with sudden onset of altered mental status ( gcs 3 ) .
evd was performed through the right kocher s point . despite administration of osmotic diuretics and evd management ,
the patient died on the sixth in - patient day due to intractable increased icp .
in the present study , we investigated the prognostic factors that contribute to clinical outcomes in patients with pivh .
importantly , we found that low gcs at ictus and an increase in the diameter of the fourth ventricle in both the ap and transverse directions were independent factors that predicted poor outcome .
pivh is associated with several possible causative factors , including hypertension , arteriovenous malformation , cerebral aneurysm , tumor , coagulopathy , vasculitis , and choroid plexus cysts [ 1,4,2128 ] .
a history of hypertension has been consistently reported as a major risk factor for spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage , and is responsible for 3880% of pivh cases . in the current study , while many patients had a history of hypertension , pre - existing hypertension itself was not found to affect patient outcome . although the prognostic value of premorbid hypertension for outcome determination has not yet been fully investigated , intensive antihypertensive treatment during the acute phase has been noted to improve clinical outcomes .
a recent randomized controlled trial in 2839 patients with ich demonstrated that early intensive interventions to lower blood pressure toward a target systolic level of < 140 mmhg improved functional outcomes , although the mortality rate was not affected .
therefore , strict blood pressure control during the acute phase of pivh may be critical to improving clinical outcome . in this study
, we evaluated the presence of predisposing vascular abnormalities using conventional cerebral angiography and/or ct / mr angiography , and found that nearly half of the angiographically examined patients had presumptive pathologies for their ivh , which included moyamoya disease , avm , and a ruptured cerebral aneurysm .
a previous review study including 339 pivh patients in 14 case series reported the rates of avm , aneurysms , and moyamoya disease as 31% , 22% , and 3% , respectively .
we found a relatively higher incidence of moyamoya disease than was found in previous series .
this might be explained by the fact that this disease is more prevalent among east asian populations .
the present study also indicates that patients with underlying vascular pathologies leading to pivh are younger than those with normal angiographic results .
this indicates that additional diagnostic imaging should be performed in cases of pivh to detect underlying pathologies , especially in young patients . neither the presence of causative vascular abnormalities nor the treatment of the underlying lesions affected the short - term clinical outcome of pivh in our study .
the comparable outcomes observed between patients with causative predisposing vascular lesions and those without obvious vascular pathologies may be attributed to the absence of re - hemorrhage during early period regardless of treatment for underlying vascular etiologies .
although the efficacies of the treatments for aneurysms , avm , and moyamoya disease were not defined by measurements of short - term outcomes in the present study , we believe that treatment of the vascular causal factors may enhance long - term outcomes by reducing the risk of re - bleeding in the group of pivh patients who had vascular predisposing factors .
how many of the 13 patients who did not have angiographic studies had possible vascular causes for pivh is not known , and this might have affected the outcome results .
thus , the lack of difference in neurological outcomes between patients with and without possible vascular etiology of pivh must be interpreted with caution .
further studies and additional follow - up are warranted to document the influence of vascular etiologies on the prognosis of pivh .
there is considerable variability in the results of previous studies that have attempted to determine factors associated with outcome in cases of pivh .
reported the clinical outcomes of 23 patients with intraventricular hemorrhage , showing that 13 patients were dead within a mean of 2.3 days , and the consciousness level during the initial attack was considered to be a major factor affecting neurological outcome .
similarly , in a study of 15 patients with pure intraventricular hemorrhage , jayakumar et al . reported 0% mortality in patients with normal or mildly disturbed mental status at presentation , whereas 100% of initially decerebrating patients died .
interestingly , the outcomes for the patients were either good or death , indicating that none of the surviving patients had any significant neurological deficits .
the lack of parenchymal damage in pivh was considered to be the cause of this extremely different outcome .
in addition to initial consciousness level , the authors noted that the amount of hematoma in the ventricle , the occurrence of hematoma in the cistern , hydrocephalus , and brain atrophy are all prognostic factors .
, the majority ( 80% ) of patients presented with altered mental status at ictus , and evd was performed in 11 patients ( 73% ) .
one patient ( 7% ) died while hospitalized and 8 patients ( 53% ) recovered to an independent neurological status .
based on systematic review , the authors noted that patient age and the amount of ivh independently predicted in - hospital mortality .
a recent study of 12 patients with pivh indicated a 41.7% mortality rate during a median of 18.5 days of hospital stay . in this study ,
very old age ( 85 years ) was associated with patient death . in the series , 1 patient ( 8.3% ) underwent surgical intervention ( evd ) , and 6 of the 7 survivors had moderate or severe disability at discharge ( modified rankin scale grade 3 or more .
by comparing 133 subcortical hemorrhages , the authors noted that very old age ( 85 years ) , atrial fibrillation , headache , and altered consciousness at onset are independent predictors of pivh .
the relatively high mortality and poor neurological outcomes in this series are likely to be associated with the old age of the study population ( mean age : 79 years ) . in another recent analysis of 24 patients with pivh , a low initial gcs score ( 8 ) , low full outline of unresponsiveness score ( 10 ) , and development of early hydrocephalus
. found that ivh itself is not a direct cause of death , but rather acts in conjunction with altered cerebrospinal fluid circulation following ventricular hemorrhage , cerebral edema , or increased intracranial pressure .
furthermore , the authors state that the level of consciousness during the initial presentation , the cause of ventricular hemorrhage , amount of ventricular dilation , shifting of the midline structure , and hemorrhagic patterns are all key aspects influencing prognosis in patients with pivh . in an analysis of 50 patients with ct - documented fourth ivh ,
shapiro et al . suggested that the hemorrhagic dilation of the fourth ventricle is an ominous finding , as all patients with this symptom died despite aggressive therapy .
autopsies of these patients revealed medullopontine softening on gross examination , and multiple pontine microinfarcts upon histological assessment .
consistent with these results , our data indicate that dilation of the fourth ventricle to diameters of over 20 and 12.5 mm in the transverse and ap directions , respectively , is an independent unfavorable prognostic factor , as well as a lower gcs score at ictus . taken together
, it seems that hemorrhagic dilation of the fourth ventricle , followed by a sudden increase in intraventricular pressure , places pressure on the brain stem and impairs perforator perfusion .
this may promote irreversible ischemic injury to the brain stem , which is the major control center for consciousness and respiration .
saps ii is widely used in the general icu for grading derangements in the physiologic homeostasis of individual patients , as well as for prognostic calculations . in the present study ,
saps ii score , obtained within 24 hours of admission , was significantly associated with neurological outcomes in patients with pivh , which is consistent with the results of other types of stroke [ 3840 ] .
this is partly explained by the fact that both gcs and age , which are well known potential prognostic factors of stroke , are major components of the scoring system . to verify how the severity of systemic illness and extracerebral organ dysfunction play important roles in the prognoses of patients with pivh
, further studies analyzing the relationships between individual variables that contribute to the overall saps ii and patients outcomes will be necessary .
sixteen percent of the patients likely died as a direct consequence of pivh within a week of their initial presentation .
three months later , nearly two - thirds ( 64% ) of all patients presented with favorable outcomes .
the majority of the survivors ( 80% ) had no deficits or mild deficits ( gos 4 ) .
the reported rate of poor outcome following a large series of intracerebral hemorrhages ranges from 49% to 78% .
therefore , the neurological prognosis of pivh is likely superior to that of intracerebral hemorrhage .
this relatively favorable neurological course for pivh might be associated with comparatively little brain parenchymal damage .
coagulopathy , including anticoagulant or antiplatelet agent therapy , is a proven risk factor for hemorrhagic stroke .
the number of patients who had coagulopathy or thrombocytopenia in our study was congruent with the results of previous studies .
anticoagulant - associated hemorrhagic stroke is associated with an increased risk of hematoma expansion and a higher mortality rate [ 4547 ] .
however , we found that a medical history of anticoagulant or antiplatelet agent use , or coagulopathy did not affect clinical outcome .
this discrepancy may partly be explained by the aggressive reversal of anticoagulation during the hyper - acute phase in the subjects , which can prevent hematoma expansion or re - bleeding .
there are many reports demonstrating that clinical improvement can be achieved through the reversal of thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy [ 30,4850 ] .
recently , patients with severe coagulation factor deficiency or severe thrombocytopenia have been recommended to receive appropriate factor replacement therapy or platelets , respectively .
therefore , adequate use of hemostatic agents and transfusion of blood should be considered when managing patients with pivh .
although the optimal time to resume anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents after ich or ivh is uncertain , current guidelines recommend the avoidance of oral anticoagulation medication for at least 4 weeks to lower the risk of recurrence . a standard treatment plan for pivh
although various treatment protocols including supportive medical treatments , steroids , antihypertensive agents , and evd methods are in use , there is still controversy surrounding the effects of these methods . in the present study , many of the patients received evd , of whom the majority displayed unfavorable outcomes ( gos < 4 ) .
considering that evd was conducted primarily in those who had poor consciousness levels with significant hydrocephalus , which might be associated with a poor prognosis , it is difficult to judge the effects of the treatment modality by itself .
recently , several small studies of intraventricular thrombolysis in combination with evd have shown promising results in patients with ivh [ 5254 ] .
these studies suggest that thrombolytic treatment hastens the clearance of ventricular hematomas and normalizes icp . in a review of 7 independent studies using intraventricular thrombolytic agents in patients with ivh
however , the procedure was associated with serious complications , including bacterial meningitis ( n=5 ) , increased hematoma volume ( n=1 ) , and extradural hematomas ( n=2 ) . although there is anecdotal evidence for the safety of this treatment and its possible therapeutic value , there is insufficient evidence to support its clinical efficacy
therefore , a large , randomized , prospective study of thrombolytic treatment in pivh is needed .
second , the number of patients enrolled in this study was relatively small , especially for the group of unfavorable - outcome patients .
this limited our ability to subdivide the patient groups into co - affecting area and systemic complication groups . additionally , different surgeons with different treatment preferences undertook the patients care , adding to between - patient variability .
other unmeasurable underlying differences between the groups may have confounded our results . a further study in a larger number of patients and a scrupulous prospective set of clinical data
is required to gain more accurate knowledge of predictive factors for patients with spontaneous primary intraventricular hemorrhage .
most deaths occurred within 1 week of initial presentation and were a direct consequence of pivh .
initial gcs score , severity of illness as indicated by saps ii , and dilatation of the fourth ventricle in both the ap and transverse directions were identified as major independent prognostic factors .
predisposing vascular abnormalities such as moyamoya disease , avm , or cerebral aneurysm were identified in nearly half of the pivh patients .
routine angiography should be included in the examination and diagnosis of patients with pivh to identify potentially treatable causes of the hemorrhage . | pubmed |
Assigning locants in haloalkanes and haloalkenes
In the first example below, if you add up the number of carbon which has a substituent, you will get 2 + 4 + 4 = 10. However, if you start from left to right, then you'd get 2 + 2 + 4 = 8. Why don't we follow the latter one when it gives us a lower number? (Lowest set of locant rule.)
The same applies for the second problem: we could've gotten 2 + 3 + 4, but we chose 2 + 4 + 5, why so?
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/X0DiY.png)
Indeed, the first compound in your sketch is numbered incorrectly according to IUPAC. [IUPAC rules for branched hydrocarbons](http://www.acdlabs.com/iupac/nomenclature/79/r79_36.htm) say: "When series of locants containing the same number of terms are compared term by term, that series is "lowest" which contains the lowest number on the occasion of the first difference. This principle is applied **irrespective of the nature of the substituents.** " (emphasis mine). In your top case, this means that you have two numbering choices: either 2,2,4 or 2,4,4. The 2,2,4 choice has a lower locant at the first point of difference, so it is preferred. When you construct the name, you indicate the substituents in alphabetical order, so the full name of the top compound is 4-chloro-2,2-dimethylpentane.
---
If unsaturations are present, then these have a higher priority than alkyl and halogen substituents. From the [rules for unsaturated hydrocarbons](http://www.acdlabs.com/iupac/nomenclature/79/r79_53.htm): "The chain is so numbered as to give the lowest possible numbers to the double bonds." This rule is sufficient to impose the numbering you report.
---
As Loong correctly pointed out, the links provided above refer to the text of the now obsolete 1979 recommendations. Both the [1979 and 1993 recommendations](http://www.acdlabs.com/iupac/nomenclature/) are available on the same site, maintained by ACD Labs with IUPAC's permission, and are in accordance with what shown above.
Unfortunately, the text of the most recent (2013) recommendations is not freely accessible (that I know of). [This is a link](http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/chapterpdf/2013/9781849733069-00001?isbn=978-0-85404-182-4&sercode=bk) to the electronic version of the book, published by The Royal Society of Chemistry. The relevant section is **P-14.3.5** in Chapter P-1 (General Principles, Rules, and Conventions): "The lowest set of locants is defined as the set that, when compared term by term with other locant sets, each cited in order of increasing value, has the lowest term at the first point of difference; for example, the locant set '2,3,5,8' is lower than '3,4,6,8' and '2,4,5,7'."
| stackexchange/chemistry |
fix a polynomial @xmath55 $ ] , written @xmath56 for some finitely - supported function @xmath57 . associate to @xmath58 a compact abelian group @xmath59 with the @xmath53-action defined by the shift , @xmath60 assume that @xmath61 for all @xmath62 ; by schmidt @xcite this is equivalent to the action being _ expansive _ with respect to the natural topology on @xmath63 inherited from that of @xmath64 ( that is , there is a neighbourhood @xmath65 of @xmath66 such that @xmath67 ) .
if @xmath68 is a constant , then @xmath63 is the full @xmath53-shift on @xmath69 symbols as in example [ becauseavisionsoftlycreeping ] . in a wider context , the connection between algebraic @xmath0-actions and polynomials ( or ideals ) in the integral group ring @xmath70 $ ] plays a central role in algebraic dynamics .
an overview of this theory may be found in schmidt s monograph @xcite , and some recent developments for groups larger than @xmath54 include work of the first author @xcite , of einsiedler and rindler @xcite , and of deninger and schmidt @xcite . for brevity
we write @xmath71 which is a continuous function on @xmath72 under the standing assumption of expansiveness . following lind @xcite ,
let @xmath73 denote the set of compact subgroups of @xmath74 , and define a map @xmath75 , continuous in the hausdorff metric on @xmath73 , by @xmath76 where the integration is with respect to haar measure @xmath77 .
in particular , if @xmath78 is a finite subgroup , then @xmath79 by lind , schmidt and the second author @xcite , the topological entropy of the action is given by @xmath80 the mahler measure of @xmath58 .
the growth in periodic points is also studied in @xcite , and in particular it is shown that @xmath81}\log\fix(l)=h,\ ] ] where @xmath82 .
the upper growth rate is found by lind @xcite , @xmath83{\geqslant}n}\frac{1}{[l]}\log\fix(l)= \sup_{c\in\mathcal c_{\infty}}\mathsf{m}(k),\ ] ] where @xmath84 is the set of infinite compact subgroups of @xmath74 .
the dichotomy in the title is this : if @xmath85 , then the action has favoured directions corresponding to sequences of infinite subgroups along which there is convergence to @xmath86 in ( and along which an abundance of periodic points are found , in excess of the amount predicted by the topological entropy , which is a global invariant for the whole action ) . if @xmath29 then there are no preferred directions .
systems with @xmath85 as a result behave more like the familiar case @xmath23 , while systems with @xmath29 have the potential for orbit growth asymptotics peculiar to higher rank actions ( see table [ table ] for explicit asymptotics for the simplest @xmath87-dimensional systems for small values of @xmath87 ) . any @xmath88 may be written in the form @xmath89 where @xmath90 , @xmath91 , and @xmath10=ac$ ] ( this is the canonical form for lattices due originally to hermite @xcite ) .
write @xmath92 for the annihilator of @xmath7 under the pontryagin duality between @xmath74 and @xmath53 . by @xcite
we have @xmath93\mathsf{m}(l^{\perp})}.\ ] ] [ whenmyeyeswerestabbedbyaflashofneonlight ] if @xmath85 , then there are constants @xmath94 such that @xmath95 and @xmath96 just as in @xcite and @xcite , part of the proof involves isolating a main term
. however , the more complex geometry of the acting group and the action requires additional steps to take account of the preferred directions with an abundance of periodic orbits .
associate to @xmath97 subgroups @xmath98 @xmath99 and set @xmath100 the subgroup @xmath101 approximates @xmath7-periodic points in the following sense .
[ withinthesoundofsilence ] there is a constant @xmath102 , depending only on @xmath58 , with @xmath103 for any @xmath104 . for a point @xmath105 , let @xmath106 denote the line segment from @xmath107 to @xmath108 , and let @xmath109 be the total variation of the curve @xmath110 for @xmath111 . by the hypothesis of expansiveness ,
@xmath112 is continuous and hence bounded by some constant @xmath113 .
thus @xmath114 and @xmath115
if @xmath116 , then @xmath117 and so gives .
if @xmath118 , then @xmath119 and in this case implies .
write @xmath120 for the set of subgroups of index @xmath11 , and isolate the term corresponding to the largest subgroups arising in @xmath121 by writing @xmath122 and @xmath123 so that @xmath124 .
now fix a subgroup @xmath125 and assume that @xmath126
. then @xmath127=ac{\leqslant}\frac{n}{2}$ ] , so either @xmath128 or @xmath129 . by ,
@xmath130\left ( \mathsf{m}(l'^{\perp})-\mathsf{m}(k(l'))\right ) { \leqslant}\frac{\hh ac}{\max\{a , c\}}=\hh\min\{a , c\}{\leqslant}\hh\sqrt{n}.\ ] ] it follows that @xmath131\mathsf{m}(l'^{\perp})-gn\\ & = & [ l']\mathsf{m}(k(l'))-{gn}+[l']\left ( \mathsf{m}(l'^{\perp})-\mathsf{m}(k(l ' ) ) \right)\\ & { \leqslant}&\displaystyle\frac{n}{2}\left ( \mathsf{m}(k(l'))-g \right)+\hh\sqrt{n}-\frac{gn}{2}\\ & { \leqslant}&\hh\sqrt{n}-\displaystyle\frac{gn}{2},\end{aligned}\ ] ] since @xmath132 by . by (
2 ) there is a constant @xmath133 with @xmath134 ( since @xmath127<n/2 $ ] ) ; moreover @xmath135 by ( * ? ? ?
* lem . 3 ) .
thus @xmath136 it follows that the asymptotic growth is controlled by @xmath137 . in order to isolate the subgroups responsible for the excess of periodic orbits above the level predicted by the topological entropy , let @xmath138 and @xmath139 partition the subgroups @xmath140 into @xmath141 the sumpremum in is attained , so @xmath142 for any @xmath12 .
this main term decomposes as @xmath143 let @xmath144 , and enumerate @xmath145 . in the hausdorff metric ,
@xmath146 as @xmath147 , so @xmath148 as @xmath147
. since we have @xmath85 , it follows that @xmath149 and @xmath150 must be finite .
in particular , both @xmath151 and @xmath35 are finite , so @xmath152 for only finitely many values of @xmath12 , and therefore @xmath153 . if @xmath154 , then @xmath155 or @xmath156 since @xmath10=ac = n$ ] . by and
, it follows that @xmath157 and so @xmath158 by ( * ? ? ?
3 ) , @xmath159 so @xmath160 we are left with @xmath161 and @xmath162 . let @xmath163 so that @xmath164 , where @xmath165 if @xmath166 , @xmath167 , and @xmath168 , then @xmath169 , so @xmath170 by .
thus @xmath171 now @xmath172 which when summed over the finitely many possible @xmath173 gives the contribution from @xmath174 .
now let @xmath175 so that @xmath176 , where @xmath177 if @xmath178 , @xmath179 , and @xmath168 , then @xmath180 , so says that @xmath181 and hence @xmath182 once again the euler formula for @xmath183 gives the contribution from @xmath184 . finally , we need to check that the constants associated with @xmath174 and @xmath184 can not both vanish .
this follows from the fact that @xmath185 which in turn is a consequence of the fact that the supremum in is attained by @xcite , completing the proof of . turning to , we isolate a dominant term as before , @xmath186 @xmath187 then ( using estimates from ( * ? ? ?
2,3 ) and lemma [ withinthesoundofsilence ] as before ) @xmath188)^2 ) \right)\fix(l')\\ & { \leqslant } & \sum_{n{\leqslant}n}{\textstyle\frac{1}{n}}\sum_{l\in\mathcal l(n ) } \sum_{l'>l } \exp\left ( \ii(\log n)^2\vphantom{{\textstyle\frac{\sqrt{n}}{\sqrt{2}}}}\right.\\ & & \qquad\qquad\qquad\qquad\qquad+\left.{\textstyle\frac{n}{2}}\mathsf{m}(k(l'))+\hh { \textstyle\frac{\sqrt{n}}{\sqrt{2}}}-gn \right)\\ & { \leqslant } & \sum_{n{\leqslant}n}{\textstyle\frac{1}{n}}\sum_{l\in\mathcal l(n ) } \sum_{l'>l } \exp\left({\vphantom{\sum}}\right .
\ii(\log n)^2+{\textstyle\frac{n}{2}}\underbrace{(\mathsf{m}(k(l'))-g)}_{{\leqslant}0}\\ & & \qquad\qquad\qquad\qquad\qquad\qquad\qquad + \hh{\textstyle\frac{\sqrt{n}}{\sqrt{2}}}-g\underbrace{(n-{\textstyle\frac{n}{2}})}_{{\geqslant}n/2 } \left.{\vphantom{\sum}}\right)\\ & { \leqslant } & \sum_{n{\leqslant}n } { \textstyle\frac{9n^4\log n}{n}}\exp \left ( \ii(\log n)^2+\hh{\textstyle\frac{\sqrt{n}}{\sqrt{2}}}-g{\textstyle\frac{n}{2 } } \right)=\bigo(1).\end{aligned}\ ] ] we decompose the main term @xmath189 as @xmath190 , corresponding to the decomposition @xmath191 as before .
since @xmath151 and @xmath35 are finite , it is easy to check that @xmath192 as @xmath193 . if @xmath194 then @xmath155 or @xmath156 , so @xmath195 and therefore @xmath196 as @xmath193 .
now @xmath197 where the sum runs over all positive integers @xmath198 such that @xmath199 , @xmath200 , @xmath166 and @xmath201 .
if @xmath166 and @xmath167 , then @xmath202 , so @xmath203 and @xmath204 thus @xmath205 lies between @xmath206 and @xmath207 a similar argument applies to @xmath208 .
this gives the lower bound in by considering a single value of @xmath173 , and the upper bound by easy estimates .
theorem [ whenmyeyeswerestabbedbyaflashofneonlight ] is a weak result in that it does not give a single asymptotic and it only applies when @xmath86 exceeds @xmath209 .
this section provides exact asymptotics for examples in both the cases @xmath85 and @xmath29 , and shows that there are actions defined by non - constant polynomials that behave more like the @xmath53-actions in @xcite .
that is , there are examples beyond full - shifts for which @xmath210 behaves like @xmath211 rather than @xmath212 .
let @xmath213 , so that @xmath214 ( see @xcite ; this and all subsequent integrations may be computed using jensen s formula ) .
moreover , @xmath215 we calculate @xmath216 by exploiting the periodicity of @xmath110 : @xmath217 where @xmath218 . if @xmath219 then @xmath220 .
if @xmath221 then the integrand is @xmath222 , so @xmath223 which is @xmath224 when @xmath225 and is strictly smaller than @xmath224 otherwise .
therefore , @xmath226 . following the proof of theorem [ whenmyeyeswerestabbedbyaflashofneonlight ]
, the significant contribution to @xmath137 comes from @xmath184 in .
now @xmath227 thus @xmath228 let @xmath229 , so that @xmath230 . from lind @xcite
we have @xmath231 , @xmath232 , @xmath233 for @xmath234 , and @xmath233 for @xmath235 .
thus we must take both @xmath174 and @xmath184 into account .
a calculation using circulants shows that @xmath236 and @xmath237 so @xmath238 and @xmath239 as in the proof of theorem [ whenmyeyeswerestabbedbyaflashofneonlight ] , all other contributions are bounded , so @xmath240 consider the @xmath87-dimensional full shift on @xmath69 symbols , which has @xmath241 ( for @xmath242 this is the case corresponding to the polynomial @xmath243 ) .
then the estimates from @xcite show that the growth in @xmath210 is determined by the main term @xmath244 and @xmath245}$ ] .
then @xmath246 so by perron s theorem @xcite we have @xmath247 for some @xmath248 ( @xmath249 for @xmath250 ; the numerator and denominator of @xmath251 as @xmath87 varies are sequences http://www.research.att.com/~njas/sequences/a159283[a159283 ] and http://www.research.att.com/~njas/sequences/a159282[a159282 ] in the http://www.research.att.com/~njas/sequences/[on-line encyclopedia of integer sequences ] ) .
this gives the main term in the dynamical mertens theorem for the full @xmath54-shift considered in @xcite in closed form ; the first few expressions are shown in table [ table ] . a simple example beyond the full shift but still with @xmath29 is given by @xmath252 .
here @xmath214 , @xmath253 and @xmath254 so @xmath255 .
now @xmath256 so @xmath257 and @xmath258 for some constant @xmath259 . on the other hand ,
if @xmath260 then @xmath261 so @xmath262 for @xmath263 .
it follows that @xmath264 for some constant @xmath265 and all sufficiently large @xmath211 .
thus @xmath266 for all large @xmath211 .
\(2180241 ) g. everest , v. stangoe , and t. ward , ` orbit counting with an isometric direction ' , in _ algebraic and topological dynamics _ , in _ contemp .
_ * 385 * , pp . 293302 ( amer .
soc . , providence , ri , 2005 ) .
\(1411232 ) d. a. lind , ` a zeta function for @xmath268-actions ' , in _ ergodic theory of @xmath268 actions ( warwick , 19931994 ) _ , in _ london math .
lecture note ser . _ * 228 * , pp .
433450 ( cambridge univ .
press , cambridge , 1996 ) . | arxiv |
Harry Potter Moonylicious
**A/n: When Moony talkes it's to the tune of Fergalicious by Fergie. Not all may like this but it's really funny (and I'm a big Fergie fan). I had to tweak some of the lyrics to make it right but here you go...**
Moony and Prongs were the last ones in the common room. They were both staring into the dieing embers of the fire. Remus was deep in thought. He knew he had to tell James, he was his best mate. He wouldn't care.
"Umm…Prongs?" said Remus when he finally built up his confidence.
"Yea Moony?" he replied, ungluing his eyes from the fire to face his friend.
"I have to tell you something, and there's only one way to tell you it"
"What is it Moony?" he asked.
"Well, Moonylicious definition makes them boys go loco. They want my treasures so they get their pleasure from my photo. You can see me, you can't squeeze me. I ain't easy, I ain't sleazy. I got reasons why I tease them, boys just come and go like seasons. Moonylicoius so delicious, but I ain't promiscuous and if you was suspicious all that shit is fictitious. I blow kisses that put them boys on rock rock and they be lining down the block just to watch what I got," said Moony as he picked up a beat.
"What do you mean?" asked James.
"It's Moonylicoius, it hot hot, its Moonylicious I put them boys on rock rock, its Moonylicious, they want a choice of what I got I'm Moonylicoius t-t-t-tasty tasty. Moonylicious def, Moonylicious def, Moonylicious def, def, def, def, def, def, Moonylicious definition make them boys go crazy. They always claim they know me coming to me call me Remus. I'm the M to the O-O N the E the Y and can no body else put it down like me I'm Moonylicious, so delicious. I'll be up in the gym just working on my fitness he's my witness. I put your boy on rock, rock and he be lining down the black just to watch what I got," Remus sang while Prongs began dancing around the room.
"Hey where'd the music go?" James asked as Remus stopped singing.
"You were supposed to be listening to the words Prongs!" shouted Remmy.
"Oh, sorry," he said sitting down, "Continue."
"All the time I turn around, brotha's gather round always looking at my up and down, looking at my uhhh. I just want to say it now; I aint trying to round up drama little mama. I don't want to take your straight man. And I know I'm coming off just a little bit conceited and I keep on repeating how the boys wanna eat it. But I'm trying to tell that I can't be treated like clientele but they say she's delicious so delicious."
"I GET IT NOW!" Prongs shouted jumping up from the couch.
"Finally," muttered Remus.
"You want to go to a muggle concert to see Fergie!"
"No Prongs!" yelled Remus.
"Either that or…oh…your trying to say that-"
"Yes James, I'm gay"
**A/n: Hope you liked it, it was just a wakey idea that came to me one day about Remmy coming out of the clost(but I really don't think he's gay). REVIEW critisism welcome and read my other stories while your at it :-)**
End file.
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Episode 269:
Big Hot C'mon
The Paris Is Burning Murders
Episode 269: Big Hot C'mon
On this week's episode, Karen and Georgia cover spontaneous human combustion and the Paris Is Burning murders.
Spontaneous Human Combustion Notes:
Header Image Source: Photo by Andy Watkins on Unsplash
Other Images: Mary Reeser (via Tampa Bay Times)
"For several centuries, people have debated whether human beings can spontaneously combust, or burst into flames without being ignited by an external source. Though the first known accounts of spontaneous human combustion (SHC) date all the way back to 1641, the phenomenon gained wider exposure in the 19th century after popular author Charles Dickens used it to kill off one of the characters in his novel "Bleak House." When critics accused Dickens of legitimizing something that didn't exist, he pointed to research showing 30 historical cases. More recently, cases of SHC have been suspected when police and fire department officials have found burned corpses with unscathed furniture around them. For instance, an Irish coroner ruled that spontaneous combustion caused the 2010 death of 76-year-old Michael Faherty, whose badly burned body was discovered near a fireplace in a room with virtually no fire damage.
Because the human body is composed mostly of water and its only highly flammable properties are fat tissue and methane gas, the possibility of SHC being an actual phenomenon seems remote. Many scientists dismiss the theory, arguing that an undetected flame source such as a match or cigarette is the real culprit in suspected cases. Typically, deceased victims are found close to a fire source, and evidence suggests that many of them accidentally set themselves on fire while smoking or trying to light a flame.
On the other hand, believers point to the fact that the human body has to reach a temperature of roughly 3,000 degrees in order to be reduced to ashes. Unless SHC were a genuine factor, it seems impossible that furniture would not burn as well. Proposed causes of the supposed phenomenon include bacteria, static electricity, obesity, stress and—most consistently—excessive consumption of alcohol, but none have been substantiated by science so far. One recent hypothesis comes from British biologist Brian J. Ford, who in August 2012 described his experiments with combustion in the magazine New Scientist. According to Ford, a buildup of acetone in the body (which can result from alcoholism, diabetes or a specific kind of diet) can lead to spontaneous combustion..."
— Source: History article by History Staff
The Paris Is Burning Murders Notes:
Header Image Source: Photo by Jason McCann on Unsplash
Other Images:
Paris Is Burning poster (via Wikipedia)
Dorian Corey (via Wikipedia)
Venus Xtravaganza (via Wikipedia)
"Paris Is Burning is a 1990 American documentary film directed by Jennie Livingston. Filmed in the mid-to-late 1980s, it chronicles the ball culture of New York City and the African-American, Latino, gay, and transgender communities involved in it. Critics consider the film to be an invaluable documentary of the end of the "Golden Age" of New York City drag balls, and a thoughtful exploration of race, class, gender, and sexuality in America.
In 2016, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
The title takes its name from the Paris Is Burning ball held annually by artist Paris Dupree who appears in the film..."
— Source: Paris Is Burning Wikipedia
Georgia's Episode Sources
How Stuff Works article by Stephanie Watson & Mark Mancini
History article
Lapham's Quarterly article by Colin Dickey
BBC article by unknown
NPR article by Eliza Barclay
Doctor's Review article by Jackie Rosenhek
Anomaly Info article
Tampa Bay Times article by Gabrielle Calise
American Medicine book by John Knott
Karen's Episode Sources
Paris Is Burning (film)
Atlas Obscura article by Julianne Tveten
New York Times article by Jesse Green
Billboard Magazine article by Rebecca Schiller
Film Daily article by Bec Heim
Zagria article
Paris Is Burning Wikipedia
Reddit Forum — Dorian Corey and Bobby Worley
Reddit Forum — Who Killed Venus Xtravaganza
Karen & Georgia are donating $10,000 to the ACLU to help fight the Arkansas state ban on healthcare for trans youth.
Huberman Lab podcast
Ram Dass podcast
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
The Miracle, tv show
Bad Trip, movie
Exactly Right Media
Adulting with Michelle Buteau and Jordan Carlos
Buried Bones
Do You Need A Ride?
I Said No Gifts!
I Saw What You Did
Parent Footprint with Dr. Dan
Tenfold More Wicked
That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast
The Purrrcast
This Podcast Will Kill You
Waiting for Impact: A Dave Holmes Passion Project
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2.What is the latest GA-1 Update. For Release Notes go here.
4. How to perform an OFFLINE update where your VM does not have internet connection. If you have internet access, go here.
IMPORTANT: Before proceeding with any update it is recommended to properly shut down the guest operating system (not power off the VM) of the Operations Manager instance VM and perform a snapshot (or clone it). This will provide a reliable restore point if you have any issues during the upgrade.
Also check the disk space usage on your server: SSH into the VMTurbo instance as root (default password is vmturbo) and issue the command: "df -kh" (no quotes). Make sure you have at least 5GB of disk space left.
PLEASE DO NOT RESTART the VMTurbo VM during this process if the UI is not responding!
If you feel that the update is not progressing, please contact VMTurboTechnical Support.
If the VMTurbo appliance is not connected to the internet, yet you need to update the appliance, please follow the instructions below.
To determine the architecture of your VMTurbo Server, go to Help -> About or in the Admin tab -> Maintenance then Software Updates -> About, you will see a detailed output of your VMTurbo Server version as well as a line that will indicate whether you are running 64 bit or 32 bit architecture as well as the OS where x86_64 would be the 64 bit, the typical installation. NOTE: The default OS is openSuSE unless you have deployed VMTurbo onto your own RedHat OS.
Update Link: If you are on v4.x / v5.0 / v5.x, and would like to upgrade to the newest release 5.2 Update 3 (release notes), download the offline update zip file from one of the below links.
64-bit offline update is available here.
New Version Link: If you are on v5.0.x / v5.x and would like to update to the latest release of 5.3 Update 1 (release notes),download the offline update zip file from one of the below links.
** It is recommended that you use FireFox, Chrome or Internet Explorer 10 to perform this update.
**IMPORTANT**: This update may take up many hours to complete, depending on the size of your topology and database - PLEASE DO NOT RESTART the VMTurbo VM during this process if the UI is not responding! If you feel that the update is not progressing, please contact VMTurbo Technical Support. | slim_pajama |
All posts by Bogna Wróż
Succeed survey on tools for text digitisation
Tuesday, 29 Jul 2014 Uncategorizeddigitisation, DigitWiki, Succeed, toolsBogna Wróż
The Succeed project has recently launched an online survey on available tools for text digitisation. This survey currently contains over 200 tools and can be accessed at http://succeed-project.eu/publications/available-tools/. We kindly invite you to add your tools and participate in this community.
In addition, the DigitWiki was created and the further information on these tools, such as training materials, can be found there. Access is open and anyone is invited to contribute to these new resources. Further information on the Survey and the DigitWiki can be found at http://www.digitisation.eu/blog/digitwiki-new-place-share-information-digitisation/.
After the Succeed project is completed, both resources will be administrated by the Impact Centre of Competence, so a long-term sustainability is ensured.
Summary of 4th edition of FBC e-learning courses
Monday, 21 Jul 2014 UncategorizedBogna Wróż
The 4th ongoing edition of Polish Digital Libraries Federation e-learning courses ended in June. We received lots of important opinions about content and quality of courses through questionnaires filled by users at the end of each subject. "Digital repositories for small memory institutions" had 82 participants; 30 people registered for the shorter one, "Cooperation with Europeana". Similarly to previous editions, participants who passed all tests and filled the questionnaires, had a possibility to gain a certificate confirming completion of the course and the note they have reached.
"Cooperation with Europeana" was averagely rated for 4,6 (in 5 grades scale), which is almost the same as in previous editions. Most of participants acknowledged that presented subjects will be useful for their profession and that they are satisfied with the course. We asked participants where did they get to know about the course and it came out that most of them heard about it from their boss or tutor. We got to know also that librarian is the most often profession among participants.
The second one, longer course "Digital repositories for small memory institutions" got also an average rate of 4,6. As far as the source of knowledge about course is concerned, most people got it from various websites, some participants also knew it from their boss/tutor or facebook. As in the Europeana course, librarian is the most often profession.
We received quite a few remarks about content and quality of courses, sometimes they were inconsistent. Lots of participants insist on more practical examples and more accurate review of some issues, but on the other hand, some opinions were about that there is too much knowledge and unnecessary subjects in courses for the work of given participants. It is very difficult to strike a happy medium and make the course suitable for everyone. However, we will consider all valuable comments and we will try to implement new, flexible solutions in the next training course.
Registration for new users was closed and we do not give certificates till the beginning of the next scholarship cycle.
Succeed in Digitisation Conference
Friday, 4 Jul 2014 UncategorizedIMPACT Centre of Competence, SucceedBogna Wróż
On behalf of SUCCEED and IMPAC Center of Competence, Bibliothèque nationale de France ( BnF) is organizing on November 28, 2014 the conference "Succeed in Digitisation, spreading excellence". SUCCEED is an EU funded project that promotes the take-up and validation of tools and resources for mass digitisation.
The conference schedule will focus on the following blocks based on the main outcomes of Succeed:
Libraries' experiences in the take-up of tools.
Results on competitions (Succeed award).
Roadmap for the future of digitisation in Europe.
Interoperability of tools for text digitisation.
Recommendations on formats, standards and licensing schemes related to digitisation.
Panel discussions on digital humanities / digital conservation
Note: The final schedule will be online soon. Please register here. For further information, please visit http://succeed-project.eu/succeed-digitisation
PSNC Joins the OPF
Tuesday, 27 May 2014 UncategorizedBogna Wróż
Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center (PSNC) joins the Open Planets Foundation (OPF) as an affiliate member.
'PSNC brings new expertise and tools to the OPF membership', explained Ed Fay, Executive Director of OPF. 'They have developed dArceo, a long-term preservation system (http://dingo.psnc.pl/darceo/) which is already used by a number of institutions in Poland to preserve their digital content. As part of their membership contribution they will publicise the service as an open source package. In addition, PSNC will submit improvements to the FITS (http://projects.iq.harvard.edu/fits) code base, a tool which is widely used by both OPF members and the wider community'.
'As we speak about long-term preservation, our long-term goal is to improve PSNC's excellence in the field and share our expertise and tools with the preservation community' said Tomasz Parkoła, long-term preservation specialist, and member of PSNC's Digital Libraries Team. 'We believe that OPF can help us bring this to reality, by providing an excellent collaboration and networking environment. We are especially looking forward to sharing knowledge, creating new initiatives, investigating new ideas and running new projects. Our main focus is obviously on research and development activities."
The Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center is a public ICT research and development institution working on broad range of topics, including network, storage, computing, applications and network services. It has been active in the long-term preservation and archiving domain for several years.
PSNC becomes the 19th member of Open Planets joining libraries, archives, research institutions, universities, and service providers collaborating on shared approaches to digital preservation.
Succeed Awards
Friday, 16 May 2014 UncategorizedBogna Wróż
Just to introduce Succeed Awards, those prizes are to recognise the successful implementation of a digitisation programme, especially those exploiting the latest technology and the output of research for the digitisation of historical text. The decision for the Succeed Awards has been published at http://succeed-project.eu/succeed-awards/awards-2014. Two main prizes went to the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library and Centre d'Études Supérieurs de la Renaissance. There was also a category 'Commendations of Merit' in which Tecnilógica and London Metropolitan Archives – University College London were appreciated.
Candidates have been selected among 19 nominations world-wide. Succeed Awards will be delivered during the Digitisation Days (http://www.succeed-project.eu/digitisation-days), on the 20th of May in Madrid. The ceremony will be chaired by the President of the Fundación Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes and the Nobel-prize winner Mario Vargas Llosa. Many very relevant personalities of the digitisation field and high-level representatives of the European Commission and the Government have confirmed their participation.
Hackathon for Succeed
Wednesday, 2 Apr 2014 UncategorizedBogna Wróż
On the 10th and 11th of April 2014, the Succeed project will hold a hackathon at the University of Alicante. Its aim is to look for ways of improving state-of-the-art open-source tools for digitisation of textual content such as books and newspapers.
Over two days, developers will work together in small groups to discuss, roadmap and plan the future development of existing tools. Some of the topics up for discussion are:
How to train the Tesseract OCR engine.
Creation of XSLT stylesheets for format conversion, e.g. hOCR, PAGE, FRXML.
Debian package generation.
This hackathon provides a unique opportunity to meet developers involved in digitisation projects from all over Europe. The PSNC representative will take part in the workshop. Participation in the event is free of charge, but to ensure it, you should reserve your place. Participants are also encouraged to take a look at last year's hackathon's outcomes and background information.
Succeed completes his first year with good results
Monday, 17 Mar 2014 UncategorizedSucceedBogna Wróż
The first review of Succeed (Support Action Centre of Competence in Digitisation) took place over the last 24th and 25 February at the University of Alicante. It ended with a very positive assessment of the project development. Project has made an excellent progress in its first year, all deliverables has been accepted and it has exceeded expectations in some areas.
Succeed consortium members have participated during those days to submit the achievements and present the challenges for the coming year. Present during the meeting were: Rafael C. Carrasco, Project Coordinator; Isabel Martínez, Project Technical Manager; Ester Boldrini, Project Financial Manager; Clemens Neudecker, from the Koninklijke Bibliotheek and WP2 coordinator; Katrien Depuydt, from the Instituut voor Nederlandse Lexicologie and WP3 co-leader; Sebastian Kirch, from The Fraunhofer IAIS and WP3 co-leader; Tomasz Parkola, from the Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center and WP4 leader; and also Christian Clausner, from the University of Salford and WP5 leader; Alicia Blaya, from the Biblioteca virtual Miguel de Cervantes and WP7 leader; Elisabeth Freyre, From The Bibliothèque nationale de France and GA member, and Aly Conteh, from the British Library, GA member.
The review took place on the last day of the meeting and it was carried out by Cristina Maier, Succeed Project Officer from the European Commission, and the EC Reviewers Derek Law and Patricia Mergen.
DATeCH2014 Conference and Digitisation Days (Ddays)
Friday, 14 Mar 2014 UncategorizedDATeCH conference, Digitisation Days, SucceedBogna Wróż
Due to Ddays and DATeCH2014 celebration, on 19th and 20th May, the headquarters of the BNE (National Library of Spain) in Madrid will become a meeting place for top international experts in digitisation. Among other participants, Michael Keller, from the Stanford University, Milagros del Corral, from UNESCO, Jill Cousins, from Europeana; Frank Frischmuth, from German Digital Library, Steven Krauwer, from Utrecht University, and Andrew Prescott, from King's College London will take part in the conference. Program in full at http://succeed-project.eu/digitisation-days/schedule. Register here.
SCAPE Events: Preserving Your Preservation Tools & Managing Digital Preservation
Friday, 14 Mar 2014 UncategorizedSCAPEBogna Wróż
Two events coorganized by SCAPE project and OPF Events are coming soon. The first one is called 'Preserving Your Preservation Tools' and it will take place in the National Library of the Netherlands in Hague on 26th and 27th of March. This two-day training workshop is going to focus on preparing maintainable software packages, among others: core concepts and current practices for preparing such packages, covering important surrounding issues including documentation and licensing. Participants will get a hand-on experience of open source tools and services such as Vagrant, GitHub and Travis-CI. For more details about the event visit: http://wiki.opf-labs.org/display/SP/SCAPE+Training+Event+-+Preserving+Your+Preservation+Tools. Registration is available here.
Second event is called 'Managing Digital Preservation' and is a one-day seminar which will take place in the National Library & Archives of the Netherlands in Hague on 2nd April. It will focus on the issues that managers face when implementing digital preservation in their organisations. It aims to bring together managers who have responsibility for digital preservation, but who are not necessarily technical experts in this area. It is an opportunity to get to know different strategic approaches to digital preservation and to meet peers and experts from across Europe. One of the guest speakers will be the PSNC's representative. Details about the seminar can be found here.
New schooling cycle of DLF e-learning courses
Thursday, 6 Feb 2014 UncategorizedACCESS IT, e-learning, Federacja Bibliotek CyfrowychBogna Wróż
Next schooling cycle of Polish e-learning courses "Digital repositories for small memory institutions" and "Introduction to Europeana" has begun on February 6th 2014. Courses are available by the e-learning part of Digital Libraries Federation. As it was before, this cycle will last 3 months from February until May. After successful finishing each of those free courses and fulfilling questionnaires at the end of each lesson, participants can receive electronic certificates (separate for each course).
"Digital repositories for small memory institutions" one was enriched with new examples of digital libraries and collections, the lesson about digitization equipment was expanded and also some practical hints about preparing objects to scanning were added. Changes mentioned above are a result of last schooling cycle users feedback, we hope that they will have a positive impact on courese quality. | slim_pajama |
Original Screenplay by
Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith
NO REPRODUCTION OF ANY PORTION OF THIS SCRIPT CAN BE MADE WITHOUT
THE EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY © 2013 DisneyEXT. MARYBOROUGH PARK - AUSTRALIA - DAY (1906)OVER BLACK:MUSIC - string violins treat us to a familiar song opening and then a voice - male.TRAVERS (V.O.)(singing)Winds in the East Mist coming in--FADE IN:A whoosh of wind spins us around in a blue sky, spinning, spinning until we slow to a stop and find ourselves amongst white fluffy clouds. A shadow (oddly shaped like an umbrella) dances amongst the nimbus. TRAVERS (V.O.)--Like something is brewing, about to begin--The shadow’s direction becomes purposeful - taking us down through the clouds, whipping us on the wind towards a small town in the distance.TRAVERS (V.O.)--Can't put me finger on what lies in store--Downwards and downwards until it skittishly circles a large, bustling park and then swoops us into the lavish gardens. There, a ten-year-old girl plays in the lush grass; she puts the finishing touches to a miniature version of the large park she sits in - benches made from twigs, trees from flowers, picnic cups from acorns - and gives a satisfied nod. She wraps her arms tightly around her chest, lifts her face to the sky, a half-smile threatening to break across her concentrated face. This is the young P.L. TRAVERS (whom we will also know as GINTY.)TRAVERS (V.O.)--But I feel what's to happen, all happened before--Her little brow is furrowed with imagination and then, all of a sudden, the smile breaks free as something in her mind becomes real.INT. SHAWFIELD ST - PAMELA’S OFFICE - LONDON - MORNING (1961)P.L. TRAVERS sits in her rocking chair (in the same position as above) arms clasped tightly around her body, face to the sky. Older, beautiful; striking blue eyes aid her air of stiff and steely determination. Her office is a canvas of a life well travelled. Buddha smiles from every corner, framed poetry and letters adorn the walls alongside pictures of Pamela throughout the years with men we will not come to know and everywhere, china hens sit on shelves, their wings clasped to their chests, brooding. Despite the multitude of objects, the room is peaceful, white.Downstairs the doorbell rings.Pamela closes her eyes, breathes.It rings again, Pamela shakes her head, tuts. She stands up, smooths down her skirt with flat palms. Breathes.INT. SHAWFIELD ST - DOWNSTAIRS HALLWAY - MORNINGPamela opens the front door and squints as a flood of sunlight and cherry blossom petals float over the threshold.DIARMUID RUSSELL (45) - bright, youthful - waits to be asked inside. Pamela is not pleased to see him.DIARMUIDMrs Travers. INT. PAMELA’S LIVING ROOM - MORNINGPamela and Diarmuid sit in silence. Diarmuid looks at her, she looks out of the window.DIARMUIDYou’re ready to--?PAMELALike pink clouds on sticks.DIARMUIDExcuse me?PAMELAThe cherry blossoms (beat)I was trying to think of what they--Diarmuid looks at his watch.DIARMUIDThe car should be here, may I use--(the phone)PAMELA(over)I cancelled it.DIARMUIDYou--?(panicked)What? Pamela!PAMELAMrs Travers.DIARMUIDMrs Travers, please, why--(sugaring his tone)Why would you cancel the car?PAMELAI shan’t be going. Diarmuid buries his face in his hands.DIARMUIDWe’ve been through this--PAMELAI’ve changed my mind.DIARMUIDYou can’t.PAMELAWith all due respect Mr Russell I am on very good terms with my own faculty and exceedingly confident in its decision making capabilities.Diarmuid’s shoulders visibly sag, he lets out a long frustrated breath.DIARMUIDYou made an agreement. Do you understand? A verbal agreement. PAMELAWhy in the world are you speaking to me as if I am a neonate?DIARMUIDHe’ll--PAMELAHe’ll what? Sue? He is most welcome to every penny I don’t have.DIARMUIDLook--(he sighs)--I’ve represented you for a long time. I like to think of you as a friend--Pamela snorts.DIARMUID (CONT’D)I like to think of it, believe me I know it’s not reciprocated. (beat)I would never suggest you do something that would cause you anguish but there’s no more money Pamela-- Mrs Travers. Simply no more. Sales have dried up, no more royalties. You refuse to write further books so-- (beat)Do you understand? I’m frightened that you don’t understand what that means. Pamela looks out of the window, the cherry blossom her focus.PAMELAI know what he’s going to do to her-- she’ll be cavorting and twinkling! Careening towards a happy ending like a kamikaze--DIARMUID--We’ve been trying to do this deal for twenty years! He’s agreed to both your stipulations. No animation, script approval-- I-- PAMELAUse her to pay my bills? If I believed in a hell I’d be sitting in its waiting room--DIARMUID(over)--script approval! He’s never granted anything like that before! I don’t know what else to-- He looks around.DIARMUID (CONT’D)Where is Polly?PAMELAI fired her. Diarmuid shakes his head, sighs.PAMELA (CONT’D)It’s just as well. It seems I can’t afford her anymore anyway!Pamela looks to the ceiling, breathes. PAMELA (CONT’D)(momentarily soft)You don’t know how much she means to me.DIARMUIDPolly?PAMELAOf course not Polly!Pamela huffs, digs her heel into the rug.PAMELA (CONT’D)(it’s a filthy word)Los Angeles.DIARMUIDYou have only to go there and work for two weeks. Collaborate. That’s it. You haven’t signed the rights over, yet.PAMELAYet!DIARMUIDYou must make it work Mrs Travers--PAMELAOh I must, must I?DIARMUIDYou need the money. I don’t want you to see you-- (broke).PAMELA(over)Stop saying money! It’s a filthy, disgusting word!DIARMUIDI am picking up the telephone Mrs Travers--Diarmuid gets up.PAMELAI have final say?DIARMUIDYou do.PAMELA(to herself)I have final say.(to Diarmuid)(MORE)And if I don’t like what they are doing to her?DIARMUIDYou don’t sign the papers. He cannot make the film unless you grant the rights. (beat)It’s an exploratory trip-- Pamela looks at the cherry blossom again, a piece floats away from the tree and sticks to her living room window.DIARMUID (CONT’D)What do you say?PAMELA(to herself)I want to keep my house.EXT. MARYBOROUGH PARK - DAYA large hand taps Ginty on the shoulder, she looks up and smiles. TRAVERS GOFF (35) is handsome and rugged, a wild poetic look, like Ted Hughes or Dylan Thomas.TRAVERSExcuse me ma’am, have you seen my daughter? I was quite sure I had left her around here somewhere!Ginty giggles.TRAVERS (CONT’D)Her name is Helen, no, Shirley, erm-- goodness! I’ve quite forgotten! Could it be Prunella?GINTYNo!TRAVERSPamela? GINTYNo.TRAVERSYou’re right still doesn’t sound quite-- I’m sure I have a special name for her-- GINTYGinty!PAMELA (CONT'D)TRAVERSWhy, thank you ma’am! Ginty it is of course! (beat)Now, have you seen her?GINTYIt’s me!Travers puts his nose right up to hers, peering into her face.TRAVERSGosh! So it is! Well, thank goodness for that! I was positive I was going to be beheaded for losing Her Highness The Royal Princess Ginty Mc Featherfluffy!GINTYYou can’t lose me!TRAVERSNever. I promise. I will never lose you!He swings her up onto his shoulders and gallops off through the park, neighing like a horse.TRAVERS (CONT’D)Hurry now! We mustn’t be late! The adventure is about to begin!INT. PLANE - DAYPamela is hot and bothered trying to wrestle a bulging carpet bag into an overhead locker.FLIGHT ATTENDANTCan I help you?PAMELAI’m perfectly capable thank you. The flight attendant tries to help anyway.PAMELA (CONT’D)They’ve used all the space; so greedy.She glares at the people around her.FLIGHT ATTENDANTI’ll take it Madam. I can put it up here -PAMELAI don’t want it up there. I want it here, in the corresponding holding area for my assigned seat!FLIGHT ATTENDANTThe flight’s closing in just a few moments Ma'am. I’ll have to take it. Pamela narrows her eyes at the attendant as if to say ‘I dare you.’ A woman, with an infant, stands up.WOMAN(to attendant)You can put my bag up front instead.The flight attendant smiles thankfully and replaces the woman’s bag with Pamela’s. PAMELA(to woman)Will the child be a nuisance? It’s an eleven hour flight.WOMAN(taken aback)Er-- no, I--PAMELAJolly good.Pamela gives her a watery smile and takes the seat next to the window, she looks out at the tarmac.She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, opens her eyes again and tucks her feet tidily together. She folds her hands neatly into her lap and looks straight ahead.PAMELA (CONT’D)(to herself)I hope we crash.The passenger across the aisle hears her, horrified!EXT. GOFF RESIDENCE - MARYBOROUGH - DAY (1906)BIDDY (3) and MARGARET - the girls mother, delicate, weak - stand outside of their lavish red-bricked home. Suitcases bulge at their feet. Margaret breathes a sigh of relief as she sees Travers hurrying towards them, he swings Ginty from his shoulders and plops her on the ground.MARGARETThe carriage?TRAVERSWho needs a carriage my love? A stroll is a gift!(beat, excited)Everybody ready?GINTY & BIDDYYes. Yep!Margaret takes her youngest child MOYA (1) from the nanny. TRAVERSCome along my team! We mustn’t miss the train. MARGARET(to her staff)Thank you so much. For everything.GINTY(to nanny)See you soon Katie Nanna!She picks up her own case; Katie Nanna turns away, heartbroken.TRAVERSWalking bus!The family get into line, one behind the other, Travers in the lead.TRAVERS (CONT’D)Don’t forget Andrew!Ginty takes Andrew’s leash, her own case and somehow helps her sister too.TRAVERS (CONT’D)Ready? And off we go! Passersby tut and shake their heads at the noisy display as Travers and the girls march down the street. TRAVERS (CONT’D)Left, right, left, right! Coming through!Margaret stays for a beat, longingly taking in and storing a picture of the home she leaves behind. EXT. DOWNTOWN MARYBOROUGH - DAYThe procession continues into the bustling downtown.EXT. TRAIN STATION - DAYIt’s hectic as tickets are purchased and a CLERK marks a chalkboard with destinations and mileage. Ginty stops, looks at the list. The last city is--GINTYAllora--EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAYThe Great Western Queensland train chugs its way Westward from the verdant green of Maryborough toward the brown cake of Allora.EXT. ANGLE ON MARYBOROUGH - DAYAs it disappears. Ginty stands on the last train platform, watching her home, her past, fade into the distance. Ginty’s face speaks resignation as it, and the train, recede as billowing white smoke and dust fill the frame.INT. PLANE - DAYPamela jolts in her seat, her eyes flit open. She’s disturbed by her dreams, she flicks her hand in front of her face as if somehow batting the memories away. She sighs loudly and digs her heel into the carpet of the plane.INT. LAX - ARRIVALS - DAYA bleary eyed Pamela carries her two bags into the arrivals area. She’s immediately hit by dazzling sunlight and a sea of signs bearing the names of various passengers and companies: she scans Paramount, Warner Brothers, MGM, finally falling upon her own name - P.L. Travers - underneath “Walt Disney Presents”.PAMELAOh does he indeed?She approaches the uniformed driver (RALPH - Mickey Mouse on his lapel) who bursts into a beaming smile.RALPHTravers? P.L. Travers?PAMELAMrs.RALPHWelcome, Mrs P.L. Travers! Welcome to the City of Angels.Pamela sneers. He grabs her bags.RALPH (CONT’D)Let me take those.PAMELAI’m perfectly capable of-- Oh, nevermind.Ralph ushers Pamela through the doors-- EXT. LAX - DAY--and into the sunlight.RALPHSun came out to say hello just to you.PAMELADon’t be preposterous.Pamela sniffs the air.PAMELA (CONT’D)It smells. Like-- RALPHJasmine.PAMELA--chlorine and sweat.Ralph chuckles.PAMELA (CONT’D)It’s dreadful.EXT. LIMOSINE - DAYThe shiny black, tinted windowed limo cruises up La Cienega Blvd, passing all kinds of monstrous architecture and garish billboard advertising. INT. LIMOSINE - DAYPamela is diminutive on the back seat of the sprawling car. She eyes the champagne on ice, the flutes clinking in the in-car bar.PAMELA(to herself)Absurd.Ralph looks at her in the rearview.RALPHYou okay back there Mrs P.L. Travers?PAMELAIt’s not Mrs P.L. It’s just Mrs-- Oh, it’s so hot.RALPHNo problemo! We got a brand new air conditioning system, Missus; cool you right down in no time. Just about make you feel like you’re in good old Engerland again! Things they can put in cars these days--(he shakes his head in amazement)Gosh almighty.Pamela presses her fingers to her temples. She looks around, finds a button, pushes it and the screen rises between passenger and driver miraculously relieving her of Ralph’s natter.RALPH (CONT’D)(happy as a clam)No problemo. EXT. BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL - DAYWith its pink facade and flag flying turrets the hotel resembles a candy castle simmering under a midday sun.The limo glides into the forecourt.INT. SUITE - BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL - DAYA porter opens the door to Pamela’s suite and places her belongings on a luggage stand in the hallway.PORTERWould you like me to unpack for you ma’am?PAMELAUnpack?PORTERTo take your items from their cases and hang them in the wardrobe ma’am.PAMELAYoung man, if it is your wish to handle ladies garments I suggest you take employment in a launderette.The porter has no idea what to say, he hovers at the door.PAMELA (CONT’D)Yes?His eyes flick to his empty palm and back to Pamela. She closes the door on him.PAMELA (CONT’D)Odd.She turns and for the first time takes in--PAMELA (CONT’D)Oh my.--The LUDICROUS suite she has been assigned; it is opulent beyond imagine but it’s classy decor has been rather diminished by the array of Disney gifts splattered across every surface of the room. PAMELA (CONT’D)Oh no, no, no. Disney Flowers, Disney champagne, Disney exotic fruit baskets, Disney chocolates, Disney posters, cuddly Donald, Pluto and Minnie toys and - taking up the entire bed - the BIGGEST stuffed Mickey Mouse imaginable. Imagine it. Nope. BIGGER!Pamela cannot contain her horror. She stares at it in disgust for a moment, and then her eyes fall upon three pears in the fruit basket. She stops still for a second before rushing over and picking them out. She turns them over in her hands before an enormous wave of panic washes over her. PAMELA (CONT’D)(muttering to the pears)This won’t do.She throws open the balcony doors for fresh air and is greeted with dry arid heat, dust, dazzling sunlight--EXT. GOFF HOUSE - ALLORA - DAY--Arid heat, dazzling sunlight. Travers, Margaret and the children climb stand in a line at the top of a pathway. From their perspective all there is to see is a cloud of swirling red dust; it obscures and then gradually reveals her new home. The surrounding land yellow and burnt - unlike the lush greens of Maryborough. The house is ramshackle and meagre.A swayback white nag wanders near a solitary tree and a few skinny chickens strut about the porch.TRAVERSA palace! Complete with mighty steed.GINTYAnd chickens.MARGARETOh--Travers puts an arm around her shoulder.TRAVERSWe’ll build beautiful memories here my angel.Margaret offers him a trusting smile. MARGARETYes.Travers takes Ginty and Biddy’s hands and they run towards their new home. The chickens scatter.TRAVERS(in the distance)--in this house you get to share a bedroom!Margaret looks at the surrounding area, there’s simply nothing but barren land and red dust for miles.EXT. BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL - POOL - DAYUNDERWATERSPLOSH! A green bomb disturbs the tranquil surface and then another SPLOSH!We rise through the water to see Pamela on her balcony throwing the pears, one by one, into the swimmer-free swimming pool. INT. BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL - SUITE - CONTINUOUSPAMELAGood riddance.She breathes a sigh of relief and closes the balcony doors. PAMELA (CONT’D)(to herself)Well, first things first. She gathers up the Disney paraphernalia and shoves it all in a closet.She picks up her bags and goes through to the bedroom where the BIGGEST stuffed Mickey Mouse imaginable takes up the entire bed. Imagine it. Nope. BIGGER!PAMELA (CONT’D)Good Lord.Pamela drops her bags, grabs Mickey and places him on the floor, facing the wall.PAMELA (CONT’D)(to Mickey)And you can stay there until you learn the art of subtlety.Pamela opens her carpetbag and begins to unpack. She takes from it a bottle of pills, which she places on her night stand, followed by another bottle and another and another. The potions keep coming, as do creams and books and make-up, the bag is endless. Things, things and more things come streaming out of it and once the night stand is full she uses windowsills and any other available surface for her miniature Buddhas. Finally she takes out an impossibly large framed picture of herself. She holds it up, admires it, takes down an existing painting and replaces it with her own image.PAMELA (CONT’D)There.Pamela is restless, she looks around the room, stands in front of a full length mirror, admiring herself. She turns her face slightly to catch it at its best angle. She leans forward and explores the contours of her face, surprisingly unlined for a woman of her years. She smiles, full of vanity.PAMELA (CONT’D)(satisfied)Yes. (answering an imaginary question)Well, no, I don’t suppose I do mind. She laughs, but Pamela finds joy difficult so it comes out as an ugly snort.PAMELA (CONT’D)Now, really! Flatterer!(then scolding herself)Silly girl.She turns her attention away from the mirror and picks up a remote control staring at it with bemusement. She points it at the television hitting random buttons until suddenly the TV bursts into life.PAMELA (CONT’D)Oh!She clicks again, the TV goes off, again and it’s on. A housewife advertises dish soap with glee, as if dish soap is the greatest thing ever invented.PAMELA (CONT’D)Soap for the brains.She changes the channel and stares blankly at a man on a black and white screen. It takes a moment before she realizes that staring back at her is the charming, moustached, kindly face of WALTER ELIAS DISNEY (58) on The Wonderful World of Disney Show. Pamela raises an eyebrow--PAMELA (CONT’D)Well, well-- There you are.CU: TV SCREENWalt is ringing a little bell but no sound comes out.WALTDon’t worry! There’s nothing wrong with your television set. This is a pixie bell, the sound is much too high for human ears.Tinkerbell flies into shot.WALT (CONT’D)Oh there you are Tink!She covers Walt in fairy dust.WALT (CONT’D)(laughing)Hey! Get that stuff off of me!(to audience)You know, a little sprinkling of fairy dust can make you fly!Pamela can’t help but be drawn in for a tiny moment and then just as quickly, narrows her mistrusting eyes at Walt and switches him off.PAMELAOff! That’s how we deal with you. EXT. SUITE - BEVERLY HILLS HOTELA tray of untouched dinner sits outside the door.INT. SUITE - BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL - NIGHTPamela lies in bed awake, staring at the ceiling, she shakes her head - trying to free it of whatever is trapped in there. The moonlight casts a shadow of Mickey on the wall beside her bed.EXT. BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL - MORNINGPamela waits under the hotel awning, dressed immaculately, not a hair out of place. The limo pulls up to the curb and Pamela groans as she sees Ralph jovially jump out of the car and rush round to open the passenger door.RALPHGood morning Mrs!PAMELAIt’s not Mrs, it’s-- Oh, why do I bother? We’re just not going to get it right are we?RALPHHm?PAMELAWill it be the same driver every day?RALPH(oblivious to her tone)Yes ma’am! I’m all yours.(beat)Sun came out again!PAMELAYou say it like you’re surprised. Like the sun is particular about whom it appears for. It seems you think that I am responsible for it’s miraculous dawning every day. For goodness sake, it’s California! RALPHIt certainly is!He gestures for her to get in.RALPH (CONT’D)(trying a British accent)Madame.Pamela grimaces.INT. LIMOSINE - CONTINUOUSPamela tucks her legs in and folds her hands into her lap. Ralph climbs into the driver’s seat.PAMELA(as much to herself as Ralph)I would so much rather be accountable for the rain.RALPHOh, that’s sad.PAMELASad is entirely the wrong emotion. I shan’t bother explaining why; it’ll simply(she makes gesture for flying over his head)Zip!RALPHOkey dokey.PAMELAThe rain brings life!RALPHSo does the sun.PAMELABe quiet!RALPHYes ma’am.Ralph starts the engine and drives away.EXT. DISNEY STUDIOS - BURBANK - DAYTHREE MEN in suits wave at the limo as it drives through the enormous gates of Disney’s Burbank Studio and pulls up in a very twee forecourt.They are: DON DAGRADI (45) and the SHERMAN BROTHERS, ROBERT (34), he leans on an old worn cane and RICHARD (31), who has a bright, sunny, almost cartoon-ish face. Don opens the car door for Pamela and puts out a hand to help her from the vehicle but she pushes it away.DONPamela! Good morning!PAMELAIt is so discomfiting to hear a perfect stranger use my first name. Mrs Travers. Please.The Sherman’s look at each other. Uh oh.DONI do apologize, Mrs Travers. (beat)I am Don DaGradi, the script writer.PAMELACo-script-writer. I shall certainly be having my say Mr. DiGraydi.DONGradi. Wonderful! I welcome it.PAMELAIf indeed we ever sign off on a script.Bob and Dick flash each other a look. What the fu**?DONUh. Okay, so this is the rest of your team, Dick and Bob Sherman! Music and lyrics. (to Shermans)Boys, this is the one and only Mrs P.L. Travers, creator of our beloved Mary.PAMELAPoppins.DONWho else?PAMELAMary Poppins. Never ever just Mary.(to Dick and Bob)A pleasure to meet you, though I fear we shan’t be acquainted for too long.BOBExcuse me?PAMELAThese books simply do not lend themselves to chirping and prancing. No. Certainly not a musical. Now, where is Mister Disney? I’d very much like to get this started and finished as briskly as is humanly possible.BOBDon?DICKNot a music--?PAMELAIf you’ll point me in his direction?DONUh-- erm. Ha! We had planned a little tour of the studio for you Mrs Travers--PAMELANo thank you.DON--Wanted to show the place off.PAMELANo one likes a show off.Pamela takes herself off in the direction of a building. DONMrs Trav-- it’s a long way to--Don hurries behind her, Bob looks like he is about to murder the woman and Dick is finding the whole thing incredibly amusing.EXT. DISNEY STUDIOS - BURBANK - DAYThe Shermans, Don and Pamela are riding through the studios on a golf buggy.PAMELAI am perfectly capable of walking.A couple of Disney characters (Donald and Goofy) bounce up to the golf cart, waving brightly. Goofy opens his arms to Pamela for a hug and she recoils in horror.PAMELA (CONT’D)Shoo! Go away!The characters stop bouncing and Di Gradi gives them a nod meaning ‘beat it’. PAMELA (CONT’D)Ghastly.Bob and Dick Sherman are in shock.INT. DISNEY - EXTERIOR OFFICE - DAYDon leads Pamela into the plushly appointed outer office, where DOLLY - a young, perky secretary - smiles brightly at her.DON(to Dolly)Could you let--PAMELA(over, to Dolly)Would you let Mister Disney know I have arrived please?Dolly loses her smile at the terse tone, nods curtly and picks up the phone.DOLLY(whispering into phone)She’s here!DONA word of advice Mrs Travers, if I may. PAMELAYou may. Whether I heed it or not will be another matter entirely.DONWow. Uhm. It’s just that he can’t stand being called Mr Disney. We are all on a first name basis here.(to Dolly)Dolly! Is he--?We hear a man’s cough before a beaming Walt Disney, in the flesh, appears at the end of the corridor, his arms outstretched.WALTWell, there ya are at last!Pamela gets up, smooths down her skirt, and makes her way serenely towards the man, who rushes down the corridor to greet her.WALT (CONT’D)Oh my dear gal! Pamela is open mouthed.WALT (CONT’D)You can’t imagine how excited I am to finally meet you!Pamela doesn’t know what to do with this amount of enthusiasm. She extends a formal hand before he manages to get her in an embrace.PAMELAOh!He squeezes her tight and then lets go. Pamela struggles to compose herself, she hasn’t been that close to a man in decades!PAMELA (CONT’D)Hum-- ah. It’s an honour, Mister Disney.Disney winces.WALTWalt, you gotta call me Walt, ya know. ‘Mister Disney’ was my old man. There’s a hint of something mournful in the way he says ‘old man.’WALT (CONT’D)Come here! Come here!He links his arm through hers, much to her chagrin, and leads her into his interior office past an imposing floor to ceiling cabinet bursting with Academy Awards.INT. DISNEY - INTERIOR OFFICE - DAYHe smiles at TOMMIE - who mans the second desk. WALTTommie, say hi to the one and only P L Travers!TOMMIEHi there! It’s so nice to--But Pamela has already been whisked through to Disney’s personal office.INT. DISNEY’S OFFICE - DAYDisney’s office is tastefully furnished and filled with pictures of his daughters and wife. Framed posters of his films provide splashes of color to the cream walls.WALTHave a seat, sit down.He gestures to a comfy couch in the corner but Pamela takes a seat in front of Walt’s desk instead, glancing at the sign above it: We Can Make Them Live. Walt perches on the edge of the desk, close to her, gazing at her.WALT (CONT’D)Ya know, I can’t believe it. P.L. Travers, right here, in my office, after all these years-- almost twenty of ‘em. (shakes his head)Twenty. Long. Years. Pamela narrows her eyes.WALT (CONT’D)Wish ya coulda’ seen me then Pam! As lean as a whippet I was! A race horse!Interestingly, she doesn’t pull him up on using her first name and shortening it too!WALT (CONT’D)But now, here you are. Look at you! I could eat you up!PAMELAThat wouldn’t be appropriate.He turns a photo of his daughters - Diane and Sharon - to face Pamela.WALTWhen Diane here was seven years old I-- can I get you a drink? Coffee? Soda? PAMELAA pot of tea would be most welc--WALT(over)She was seven years old and I was walking past her bedroom and there she was on her bed reading to Sharon, and well, they were just giggling their little socks off! (he picks up the phone, presses a button)Tommie, pot of tea please dear-- You’re a doll.(he puts the phone down)She’s a doll. Anyways I asked them “Girls, what’s so funny?” And Diane said to me, “Mary Poppins daddy!” Well, I had no idea what a Mary Poppins was! And then she gave me your book. And by gosh! He stands up and throws his arms in the air to emphasise his point.WALT (CONT’D)My imagination was caught on fire! And I mean ON FIRE! And those embers have burned ever since-- as you know. PAMELAI do.WALTTwenty years!PAMELAYes. Twenty. So you keep saying--WALTI’ve been asking, asking, asking--Pamela stops talking and waits for Disney to calm down.WALT (CONT’D)I got old asking. He sits back down on his desk.PAMELAWhat a charming story.WALTAbout my getting old?PAMELAAbout your daughters.WALTYeah I suppose it is.(he looks at the picture)They’re both women now. Gosh! Can you believe it? PAMELAChildren grow up.WALTNow Pam, a man can’t break a promise to his kids. No matter how long it takes to keep. No matter how long! You might’ve kept me dangling all this time but now we gotcha!PAMELAGotcha indeed! Mister Disney, if you have dangled then it is at the end of a rope you have fashioned for yourself. WALTPamela--PAMELAI was quite clear when you approached me the first time that she wasn’t for sale and clear again when you approached me a year later and clear again when you approached me every annum for the subsequent 18 years. Honestly, I feel corralled, ensnared-- WALTPam, Pam, the last thing I want is to make you feel--PAMELAMy name, if you please, is MRS Travers.WALTYou see, I promised them. That’s a fact. You got kids?PAMELANot-- WALT(over)I have never, I swear, never broken a promise to either one of my Disney girls. PAMELAWell, that’s very honourable of you but--WALTThat’s what being a daddy is all about right?PAMELA(deep breath)Is it?WALTThis movie isn’t just going to make my kids happy. It’s going to make ALL kids happy! You see my guys are gonna do things with it that are, well, are revolutionary. He’s up again.WALT (CONT’D)REVOLUTIONARY,Pam!PAMELAOh dear--Pamela rubs her temples as she watches him fly about the room.WALTMary Poppins will literally fly off the pages of your books!The door opens and Tommie comes in with the tea, Walt gestures for her to bring it to him.WALT (CONT’D)Now imagine! This magical woman who has only lived in your head, you’ll be able to meet her, speak to her, hear her sing.Tommie places the tray on Walt’s desk and leaves the room. Walt picks up the tea pot.PAMELAYes, this singing, I am glad you’ve come to that. (addressing his tea making)Milk first!Walt puts the pot down immediately like a scolded child and picks up the milk jug, he pours.PAMELA (CONT’D)That’s right. Now the tea--He picks up the pot again and pours the tea.PAMELA (CONT’D)And a spoonful of sugar.He stirs.PAMELA (CONT’D)You don’t mean for this film to be a musical?WALT(taken aback)I absolutely do!He presents her with the cup.PAMELANo.WALTNo?PAMELANo.She takes a sip, he waits anxiously to see if his tea is any good.PAMELA (CONT’D)Not bad. No, Mister Disney, Mary Poppins does not sing.WALTOh yes she does!PAMELAWhen? WALTIn your books!PAMELAThose aren’t songs! They’re recitations. She is not a giddy woman, she does not jig! Singing is frivolous and wholly unnecessary for a governess, an educatress. No. It would just ruin it.Walt is baffled. He takes a sip of tea, it’s disgusting, he spits it back into his cup surreptitiously, then coughs loudly. Pamela’s jaw drops.PAMELA (CONT’D)I won’t have her turned into one of your silly cartoons.Walt takes a sharp breath on ‘silly’ and then plasters the smile back on.WALTTell ya what. You just listen to what my Sherman boys have come up with and if they don’t knock your socks off then I’m the King of England.Pamela rolls her eyes.PAMELAIf you’re the King of England then you shan’t exist and knowing the little of you I do; I shouldn’t think you would like that very much.WALTBet you would.She smirks, as does he.PAMELA(beat)I do quite like Greensleeves.WALTGreensleeves huh?PAMELACome to think of it. That’s a song I wouldn’t object to.WALTGreensleeves.PAMELAYes.He’s not sure if she’s playing with him.WALTPam, I want you to know that the last thing I would do, the very last thing, is tarnish a story I have cherished. He moves closer to her, takes her hand, she needs it for her teacup, it’s awkward.WALT (CONT’D)(gazing into her eyes)The pages are worn down to tissue, dog eared and falling out. I have poured over them gripped, tormented. Because I love Mary Poppins, you got to share her with me. Pamela is torn between finding Disney captivating and totally barking.WALT (CONT’D)A course nothing happens without your say so. Absolutely Nothing.PAMELAQuite right.She extricates her hand.WALTIt’s all in the rights agreement. As approved by your agent, Dermot.PAMELADiarmuid.WALTDarmitt.Disney hands the rights agreement and a pen to her, Pamela takes it without looking and folds it up. PAMELA(waving the agreement)A live action film. No animation.WALTLive action.PAMELAI’d like that on tape.WALTHm?PAMELAYour promise-- and all the discussions we have here-- on tape.WALTTape you say.She pops the rights document in her bag. Walt’s joviality, his bright demeanour, vanishes in a split second.PAMELAAh there you are.(beat)Mary Poppins and the Banks’s, they’re family to me.WALT I understand. I do. PAMELAWell then!She stands up and smooths down her skirt.PAMELA (CONT’D)Shall we begin?He holds out his hand for her to shake.WALTLet’s make something wonderful. She leaves his hand hanging in mid air.PAMELALet’s see if that’s at all possible.Pamela gets up, smooths down her skirt, snorts at a picture of Disney in a silly hat astride a model train and purposefully strides out of the room, a smile across her face that Disney does not see. WALT(perplexed)Woah. (beat)Damn.EXT. VERANDAH - DUSKTravers sits, looking out at the dimming sky, playing a mournful air on his tin whistle, Ginty curled up in his lap, Andrew the dog asleep beside him. Margaret steps out onto the veranda an almost imperceptible glance at the half-empty bottle at his feet.MARGARETIt’s rather late--Travers continues to play.MARGARET (CONT’D)Biddy and Moya are already asleep.Travers takes the pipe from his lips and sighs.TRAVERSGinty.He kisses her cheek and gently lifts her from his lap.GINTYGood night father. (beat)‘night mother.MARGARETGood night dear.Margaret strokes her hand over Ginty’s hair as the little girl slips into the house but hovers unseen by the door, watching her parents. Travers pats his knee and Margaret perches on it.TRAVERSI’ll make us a good life.(beat)I promise.(beat)I’ll make you proud again.Margaret strokes Travers face and turns her face to the sky.MARGARETLook at the stars.INT. REHEARSAL ROOM - DAYPamela sits at a large meeting table as Dolly bustles around her placing refreshments. Pamela lays out her pencils one by one, makes sure her notebook is ‘just so.’A bowl of fruit is set down upon her notebook and she snatches it away, glaring at the table which is now laden with every type of snack and beverage imaginable from bagels to candy, coffee to soda, there are exotic fruits, enormous bouquets of flowers.PAMELA(peering around a vase at DaGradi)What is all this jollification?DONWe have a whole script to get through. It’s gonna be a long day Mrs T.She shoots him dead with a killer stare.DON (CONT’D)--ravers.PAMELAWe could save a starving country with benefaction from this room alone! Ugh, It’s so vulgar.She gets up and moves the giant bouquet of flowers off the table and plops it on top of Dick’s piano. Bob moves it from the piano to the floor.BOB(seething)That is a very expensive piano.PAMELAAnd these are beautiful blooms butchered for our visual and nasal enjoyment when we could have just as easily gone to the window, looked out and gazed upon them happily minding their own business and very much still alive.Bob hasn’t a clue what to say. Pamela smoothes down her skirt and re-takes her seat. Everybody waits.Pamela flicks her eyes at the tape recorder which Don duly turns on.PAMELA (CONT’D)Let us begin.She perches her glasses on her nose and raises an eyebrow at the cover of her script - “Walt Disney’s Mary Poppins.” PAMELA (CONT’D)Hm.A rustling of papers and one or two uneasy glances as the men, too, open their scripts.DON DAGRADI(reading)Scene one. Exterior Cherry Tree Lane. London. Day. Bert--PAMELA(reading)Scene one. Ext. Ext? What’s Ext? Dick and Bob cover their faces with the embarrassment of it all.DONExterior. It means the scene is taking place outside.PAMELAAh, I see, an abbreviation.(beat)Scene One. Exterior--(beat)Oh, I’m sorry Mr DaGradi, did you feel you should--?DONNo, No, Mrs Travers please go ahead.PAMELAYes, I do think it’s best. I’ve the most practise. Readings of my books you know? Anyway--(beat)Scene one. Exterior. 17 Cherry Tree Lane, London. Day.She nods.PAMELA (CONT’D)Yes. That’s good, that can stay.DICK(laughing)That’s just the scene heading!PAMELA--Though I do think we should say number 17, instead of just 17, yes? It’s proper.BOB & DICKNo one’s going to see it.PAMELAI will see it.She makes a note in her script and looks to the others who are dumbstruck.PAMELA (CONT’D)Write it down, write it down, chop chop.Don makes the note and is ready to move on but Pamela is staring at Dick and Bob. They dutifully pick up their pencils and note their scripts too.PAMELA (CONT’D)Is that on the tape?Don glances towards the swirling tape recorder and nods.DONYes.PAMELAGood-- onwards.They are interrupted by DOLLY carrying a new tray of refreshments.DOLLYI’m sorry to interrupt. PAMELAIs this a joke?DOLLYExcuse me?PAMELADo you think you are a comedienne?DOLLYI’m sorry I don’t understand.Dolly gingerly places the tray on the table and hovers, distributing fruit and biscuits within reachable distance.PAMELAUnbelievable. Pamela shakes her head but decides to ignore Dolly and carry on.PAMELA (CONT’D)Scene One. Exterior. Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane. London. Day. (MORE)Bert, a one-man band-- (she looks up)The rumour is that this is to be your Mister Van Dyke is it?DICKWe do hope so!PAMELAHmmm, we’ll see about that. He’s totally wrong, totally and utterly.BOBDick is one of the greats!PAMELADick Van Dyke? Robert, my dear, Olivier is one of the greats, Burton, Guinness - greats without question. (speaking loudly into the tape recorder)I can assure you Dick Van Dyke is not.(back to script)Bert, a one-man band plays to a small gathering outside the gates to the park.(beat)Bert says--(she looks to Don)You can do Bert.DON(through gritted teeth)Thank you.(being Bert)Alright Ladies and gents, comical poem, suitable for the occasion--Dick jumps up and sits at the piano.DON (CONT'D)--extemporized and thought up before your very eyes! Alright, here we go--Dick begins to play and sing, he pounds the keys with gusto, smiling away, acting it out with all his heart and soul, almost unable to contain himself with glee. Bob occasionally joins in for a word or two but is much more serious, eyeing Travers for her every reaction. DICK(singing)Room here for everyone gather around,The constable's PAMELA (CONT’D)BOB/DICK"responstable." DICKNow, how does that sound?PAMELANo no no no no no no.Dolly winces on everyone’s behalf and leaves the room.PAMELA (CONT’D)Responstable is not a word.DICK(excited)We made it up!PAMELAWell, un-make it up.Dick quickly hides the next set of sheet music entitled: SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS.PAMELA (CONT’D)I’ve a thought! I’ve always liked Ta Ra Ra Boom De Ay. Now, that would be a wonderful song for the film! Oh! And Admiral Boom could sing it! Do you see?Dick’s fingers crunch the piano keys.EXT. SUITE - BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL - EVENINGPamela’s door opens a crack and another half-eaten room service meal appears as she kicks it into the hallway. She shuts the door quickly behind her.INT. SUITE - BEVERLY HILLS HOTELPamela lies awake staring at the ceiling.PAMELAIrresponstable.EXT. FIELD - NEAR GOFF HOUSE - DAYCLOSE ON:A tiny park, about half a metre square - it has grass, tiny trees made from flowers, a small hole filled with water for a pond, park benches made with twigs and miniature wooden clothes-peg people. Ginty puts the finishing touches to the bandstand and sits back, staring in wonder. The moment is broken with the sound of hooves as her father appears, atop his horse.TRAVERSAhhh, there’s my girl. The horse moves up to her. TRAVERS (CONT’D)That’s it Albert. Give Ginty a smooch. There’s a good boy, give her a little smooch.The velvety muzzle of the horse “smooches” Ginty’s neck and ear as Travers climbs down from the nag.TRAVERS (CONT’D)Poor old Albert; he’s your secret uncle you know? But a miserable, horrid witch turned him into a nag. GINTYWhy did she do that?!TRAVERSBecause she hated the sound of his laugh.GINTYPoor Uncle Albert! How can we fix him?TRAVERSWe have to teach the witch how to be happy again.GINTYHow?TRAVERSI’m not quite sure darling.(beat)Your mother’s been calling you for a good hour. I shouldn’t go if I were you, she’s after little slaves for housework!(reciting Yeats)Ah, I must scrub and bake and sweepTill stars are beginning to blink and peep; And the young lie long and dream in their bedOf the matching of ribbons for bosom and head.Travers sighs, let’s the words ring in his ears, touches the end of daughter’s nose.TRAVERS (CONT’D)Do you want to know what it feels like to fly Ginty? She nods. He hauls himself onto Albert, leans down and swings Ginty up so she is facing him. TRAVERS (CONT’D)You trust me?She nods and wraps her arms around him looking backwards over his shoulder.He grips her firmly around the waist and she spreads her arms.TRAVERS (CONT’D)Gee up, Albert. Yah!Travers kicks the horse into a trot, then into a canter, he points a finger in the air as if shooting for the stars. TRAVERS (CONT’D)Yah!Ginty squeals with delight. INT. LIMOSINE - MORNINGPamela looks out of the window at the palm trees, the empty sidewalks. She looks dazed, extremely tired--PAMELANobody walks.RALPH(sadly)Leisurely stroll’s a gift. EXT. LAUREL CANYON - MORNINGThe limo floats along the windy canyon roads, cresting the top of the hill and revealing an awe inspiring vista. RALPHBeautiful ain’t it?PAMELA(refusing him the satisfaction)If you like that sort of thing. RALPHI do.EXT. FIELD - ALLORA - DAYTravers and Ginty gallop at great speed. The horse kicking up great clods of earth as they hurtle away into the distance.INT. REHEARSAL ROOM - DAYDon DaGradi and the Shermans are escorting Pamela along a row of storyboard illustrations for the film. Dolly trundles along behind, carrying a tray with a cup of tea on it which Pamela occasionally picks up and takes a sip from.DONWe do find it helps to have a visual. It’s fun!She stops in front of a sketch of the Banks house.PAMELANo, no, no. Goodness no. DICKNo?PAMELAThe Banks house doesn’t look like that! My house is a terraced house with a pink door, white bricked with a crack in the gable. The window frames are lead-lined and the flower boxes grow pink nasturtiums to go with the pink door and--(gesturing to the tape recorder)Did we get that?(to herself, slightly hysterical)Oh dear, it’s all a big mistake. It’s all wrong.DONIt’s all wrong?PAMELAIt’s too grand! The Banks family - they’re normal, everyday sort of people. This isn’t normal. It isn’t everyday! They’re not aristocrats!DICKInteresting.Don allows a tiny smile. She is right. Pamela lingers over a picture of the parrot head umbrella, a split second of something like recognition on her face and then she simply moves on. PAMELA(to herself)Okay.She stops again in front of a sketch of Mrs Banks wearing a suffragette ribbon.PAMELA (CONT’D)(sighing)Do I even have to say it?DONUm-- yeah?PAMELAWhy in the world have you made Mrs Banks a silly suffragette?BOBI wonder if Emmeline P would agree with that adjective--PAMELAQuite possibly, looking back.Dick mouths ‘oh my god!’DONIt does seem strange that Mrs Banks allows her children to spend all of their time with the nanny when she has no job to speak of-- PAMELAAre you calling Mrs Banks neglectful?BOBYep.DONNo! Of course not! We just felt that if she had a job it would go some way to explaining--PAMELABeing a mother is a job. A very difficult job and one that not everybody is up to, that not everybody should have taken on in the first place!The boys see that Pamela is talking about something meaningful to her and they begin to soften for a brief moment, until--PAMELA (CONT’D)I will NOT have her called Cynthia! Absolutely not. It feels unlucky. Dick makes a curly wurly cuckoo sign at Bob.PAMELA (CONT’D)No it should be something warm, a bit sexy.They all nearly choke at the word ‘sexy’ coming out of her mouth.PAMELA (CONT’D)How about Mavis?DONSybil?BOBSure.PAMELAPrudence?DICKGwendolyn?BOBGreat.PAMELAWinifred!DONI could go with Winifred.PAMELAYes, that’s because it’s very good.She comes to the next sketch and stops abruptly in front of it, a split second of utter confusion crosses her face.PAMELA (CONT’D)This isn’t Mr Banks?She turns to face Don and the boys.PAMELA (CONT’D)This isn’t him.DONAhm, yeah, that’s him--PAMELAHe has a set of moustaches!DONIn the books he--PAMELAI told the illustrator I didn’t like the facial hair but she chose to ignore me. This is MY film and this time around I shall have MY way.DOLLY(clearing her throat)Mrs Travers, it was a specific request, from Walt.Pamela doesn’t acknowledge that Dolly has spoken; Dolly flushes.PAMELA(to the boys)Why?Everyone shrugs, they don’t know why.PAMELA (CONT’D)He didn’t, he doesn’t, Mr Banks is clean shaven!Bob buries his face in his hands and let’s out a long, loud, unashamed moan.BOBDoes it mattterrrrrrr?!DONBob, Bob, Bob--Pamela stares at Bob.PAMELAYou can wait outside!She points at the door, ordering him out with her finger. Bob is literally stunned. Dick stifles a laugh.PAMELA (CONT’D)I shan’t say it again Robert.Bob storms out of the room (as fast as his limp and cane will allow him) slamming the door and from behind it we hear:BOB (O.S.)KILL ME! KILL ME NOW!PAMELA(to Dick)What is wrong with his leg?DICKHe got shot.PAMELAHardly surprising.Pamela smiles sweetly.PAMELA (CONT’D)Can I expect anymore drama from anyone else?INT. BAR/LOBBY - BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL - LATE AFTERNOONPamela enters the lobby and heads for the elevator. She spies the bar, full of people laughing, exclaiming, enjoying one another’s company. She takes it in melancholically for a second and then jabs the elevator button repeatedly, relieved when the doors finally slide open.INT. GOFF HOUSE - WASHROOM - ALLORA - MORNINGTravers faces his reflection in the mirror as Ginty looks on from the doorway. He picks up his razor and begins to scrape away the stubble.GINTYWhy do you do that?TRAVERSFor you my dear!(he flicks the blade in the air like a swordsman)Swish! Which kind of kisses do you prefer Gintamina? Swoosh! Scratchy ones or silky ones? GINTY(thinks)Silky ones.A man must shave for to spare his daughter’s cheeks! Swish!INT. BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL - SUITE - MORNINGPamela stares at herself in the clouded bathroom mirror. She runs a finger through the steam on the glass.PAMELASwish.And again.PAMELA (CONT’D)Swoosh.INT. DISNEY STUDIOS - CORRIDOR - DAYDolly, carrying a tray of cakes, stops at the rehearsal room door where fractious voices ring out.PAMELA (O.S.)Stop! Stop! Stop! What on earth are you talking about? Supercali--? Supercali-- or whatever the infernal thing is!DICKIt’s something to say when you don’t know what to say!PAMELAWell I always know what to say.The slamming of a piano lid. Dolly pushes the door open with her foot.PAMELA (O.S.) (CONT’D)If you so much as step one foot in here with that tray I shall scream! One cannot live on cake alone!INT. DISNEY OFFICE - DAYDolly stands in Disney’s office.DISNEYHit me with it.DOLLYShe has a lot of-- ideas.DISNEYYa? What kind of ideas?DOLLYAbout how she, uh, sees things.DISNEYAnd just how does she ‘see’ things?Dolly sighs and pulls out a note pad.DOLLY(reading)The name Cynthia has been changed to Winifred.WALTOkay that’ll work.DOLLYShe won’t approve Dick Van Dyke.Walt laughs, Dolly allows herself a little giggle too.DOLLY (CONT’D)The sketches of the Banks house make it look too opulent, there must be no hint of romance between Mary Poppins and Bert, she wants to know why Mr Banks has been given a moustache, the-- WALTI asked for that.DOLLYYes. They did tell her but she wants to know why.WALTBecause I asked for it.DOLLYRight. Of course. Uh-- the tape measure Mary Poppins uses to record Jane and Micheal’s height must be a roll tape, not a ruler, we must add gravi-- gravitas, she says.DISNEYGahd! Anything else?DOLLYShe only wants green vegetables and broth, I don’t know what that is but she wants it in the room from now on and oh! She doesn’t want the colour red in the film-- at all.INT. REHEARSAL ROOM - DAYDick, Don and Pamela sit around the meeting table. Bob hovers by the door in a right humph. Disney prefers to stand, grazing occasionally from a bowl of candy.PAMELA I’ve simply gone off the colour. Their mouths are agape.PAMELA (CONT’D)You did say I was to have final say did you not?DISNEYWe can’t make the film without the colour red! It’s set in London for pete’s sake.PAMELAAnd?DISNEYThere’s buses and mail boxes and guards uniforms-- heck! The British flag! Pamela, I’m not sure why you’re--PAMELAI understand your predicament Mr Disney, I do. I just-- hm-- I don’t know what it is, I’m just suddenly very anti-red. I shan’t be wearing it ever again.Disney comes and sits on the table in front of Pam and locks eyes with her.DISNEYIs this a test Pam? Are you requiring proof of how badly I wanna make you happy so that we can create this beautiful thing together?Pamela averts her eyes for a split second, embarrassed about ‘creating something beautiful’ with Walt, but quickly recovers and eyeballs him right back.PAMELAI took you at your word Mr Disney and it seems my first stipulation has been denied. There will be many more, so-- perhaps we should just call it quits and I should hand you back these?She takes the rights agreement out of her bag and offers it to him. Disney smiles at Pamela.DISNEYAlright. No red in the film.Pamela glances at the tape recorder.DONWhat?!DICKWalt?Don and the Shermans can’t believe he has given in! Disney strides out of the room.INT. DISNEY STUDIOS - CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUSDisney marches down the corridor away from the rehearsal room. He stops, turns, goes back to the door, puts his hand on the handle, stops himself and moves on. INT. REHEARSAL ROOM - CONTINUOUSDick, Don and Bob are left astounded. They look at one another.BOB He doesn’t have the rights--All three turn their heads to turn to her.PAMELAQuite.Pamela smiles a broad satisfied smile at the boys, smooths down her skirt and opens the script. PAMELA (CONT’D)Now, If you’re insisting upon this musicality you feel is SO important for my film then I suggest I hear one of your ditties.No one is in the mood to sing for her.PAMELA (CONT’D)I shall keep an open mind!DICKNanny?DONYeah, do nanny.Dick begins to play--BOB(spoken)Wanted a nanny for two adorable children.Pamela sighs, so do Don and Bob.DICK (CONT’D)If you want this choice position,have a cheery disposition--PAMELA(expecting Dick to stop)No no! They can’t make deman--But Dick ignores her and carries on.DICKRosy cheeks-- BOBNo warts!PAMELAWho in the world put that in?!DICK (CONT’D)Play games, all sorts!PAMELAHm.DICK (CONT’D)You must be kind, you must be wittyvery sweet and fairly prettyPAMELAWell of all the ridiculous--!DICK (CONT’D)Take us on outings, give us treatsPAMELACompletely defeats the--Bob and Don are trying to stop themselves from laughing as Dick barrels right over everything Pamela says, almost as if the two of them are doing a duet.DICK (CONT’D)Sing songs, bring sweetsPAMELANo sweets!DICK (CONT’D)Never be cross or cruelNever give us castor oil or gruelPAMELAWho would give a child cast--?Dick grimaces (a la Michael Banks.)DICK (CONT’D)Love us as a son and daughterBOBAnd never smell of barley waterPAMELAWhat in the world does smelling of barley water have to do with anything?BOBYou wrote that in your book! She wrote that in her--!DONYeah, I think--DICK(over)If you won’t scold and dominate usPAMELAYou can’t say that--DICK (CONT’D)We will never give you cause to hate us--PAMELAHate is too strong a wor--DICKWe won’t hide your spectacles so you cant seePAMELA(into tape recorder)Nobody’s listening to me!DICKPut toads in your bed--PAMELARidiculous!DICK (CONT’D)Or pepper in your teaPAMELANo.DICKHurry, Nanny!Many thanksSincerely, Jane and Michael Banks:Jane and Michael Banks.PAMELAWell I simply don’t know what to say. That’s the worst song I’ve ever heard.(beat)Ever.DICKAlright.INT. DISNEY’S OFFICE - LATE AFTERNOON Walt stands looking out of his window.DISNEY POV:Pamela sits on a bench, her feet tucked together, her arms clasped around her body, her face to the sky. She sits perfectly still until the limo pulls up and Ralph gets out, patiently waiting beside the car so as not to disturb her. Pamela, opens her eyes and Ralph nods hello. He opens the back door for her and she climbs in.WALTTommie!Tommie appears in his office with a glass and hands it to Walt.TOMMIEScotch Mist.WALTWhat do you think?TOMMIEWhat do I think I-- what?WALTYou’re a woman.TOMMIEThat’s a canny observation Walt.WALTWhat am I missing?TOMMIEYou think the female of the species has some kind of psychic insight when it comes to others of her kind?Walt continues to stare out of the window.TOMMIE (CONT’D)We don’t.(beat)You’ll get yourself an ulcer with all that unriddling. Give it up.Tommie waits for a response but he’s still window bound, filled with intrigue as he watches the car disappear.WALT(under)That woman.INT. BAR/LOBBY - BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL - LATE AFTERNOONPamela enters the lobby and heads for the elevator. She spies the bar again, a few people chatting over cocktails. The elevator doors open but she chooses to go and sit at the bar instead.BARMANGood afternoon Ma’am. What can I fix you?PAMELAA pot of tea.BARMANSure thing.Pamela looks around at the other women in the bar, all glamorous, coiffured, very different to the practical Mrs Travers. The tea pot arrives.PAMELAThank you. Tea is a balm for the soul don’t you agree?But the barman has already moved on to another patron.Time moves swiftly, the teapot is drained, the customers come and go. The barman talks with another customer further along the bar. Nobody notices Pamela. In this setting she looks like a little old lady, awkwardly perched on a stool, staring into her empty cup.EXT. BELHATCHETT BANK OF AUSTRALIA - ALLORA - DAYGinty - in a rather tattered school uniform - is diminutive in front of the huge double doors to the bank. An upright, top hatted gentleman holds the door of the bank open chivalrously for her.INT. BELHATCHETT BANK OF AUSTRALIA - ALLORA - CONTINUOUSGinty and the man enter the bank.GINTYThank you.A bank worker tips his hat to the gentleman.BANK WORKERGood afternoon Mr Belhatchett.Cashiers look up from their posts and nod courteously.Ginty and RANDOLPH BELHATCHETT are startled for a second by a loud crash. Their eyes flit to the glass door of Travers’ office. The etching on the glass reads:TRAVERS GOFF - BANK MANAGERINT. TRAVERS OFFICE - DAYTravers has just dropped (purposefully) a tray of coins on the floor. He has a wild edge to him, he may well have been drinking.TRAVERS(to Clerk)Belhatchett. Bell. Hatchett. Ha! It’s a ridiculous moniker!CLERKSir--TRAVERSAnd Mr Belhatchett has complained that I opened his stupid bank five minutes late has he? Hahaaa! (in a comedy voice)Time’s Money, Goff, y’know! Time’s money my man! The clerk laughs nervously.TRAVERS (CONT’D)Bell Hatchett! Beautiful hatchet. That’s what it means. And I suppose if the poor dumb lambs on his downs, are five minutes late with their calving, or they don’t drop dead on schedule when he wants a roast, he takes to them with the business end of his beautiful hatchet. Travers wields a glinting letter opener in the air, stabbing piles of papers, filing cabinets, desks.TRAVERS (CONT’D)There, whack! That’ll teach you for not dropping your bairns on schedule. Whack! Whack! Whack!Travers looks at the figure standing outside his door and his eyes widen.TRAVERS (CONT’D)Whack. Whoops!(through the door)Mr Belhatchett! Allow me to--Travers pushes the door open to reveal Ginty at his side and is felled.TRAVERS (CONT’D)Ginty!RANDOLPHI want you gone.All eyes fall upon the little girl whom everyone seems to have forgotten. Travers is overcome with embarrassment and guilt.TRAVERSSweet thing! What are you doing here?Ginty looks up at Belhatchett and the manager.GINTYYou said today was--TRAVERSIce cream day! Yes! I did! What kind of father am I?GINTY(scared)Are you fired again?TRAVERSAh, yes it does seem that--RANDOLPH(to Ginty)No. No sweetheart-- he isn’t.TRAVERS(to Ginty)Just wait in my office for a second darling.Randolph walks away, stopping to whisper in Travers ear.RANDOLPHIf you can’t straighten up for your own sake. Do it for your daughter.(muttering to himself)Irresponsible.Travers holds out his arms to Ginty and she runs into them.TRAVERSIce cream is so rare because it only comes from Siberian cows. Did you know that?! (beat) Brrrrrrrr!EXT. RIVER - ALLORA - DAYGinty and Travers sit by the river. Ginty eats an enormous ice cream and Travers sips continuously from his hip flask.TRAVERSWe share a Celtic soul, you and I. This world is just an illusion, Ginty old girl. As long as we hold that thought dear, they can’t break us. Money, money, money. Don’t you buy into it Ginty! It’ll bite you on the bot! How did we end up here eh? Look at it. Barren. Breathless. Get as far away from this place as possible my love. Find yourself a patch of green.(he sighs)It’s a chimera you know? The world, the bank, you and I, Mr Randolph-whackety-whack-Belhatchett. All an illusion.He stares across the river, experiencing a wave of deep melancholy. Ginty looks up at him, aware of his profound unhappiness, but unable to understand its source.EXT. SUITE - BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL - NIGHTAnother untouched meal in the hallway.INT. SUITE - BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL - NIGHTPamela lies in the dark, the phone pressed to her ear. PAMELA(into phone)I loathe this place, Mr Russell. How can a place so sunny be so cold? We don’t hear what Diarmuid says.PAMELA (CONT’D)I meant heartless. I’m afraid a jumper wouldn’t suffice. It’s bringing up these-- it’s so hot and stuffy I feel like I am being attacked. These odd dreams, like my subconscious is after me. Punishing me for entertaining the idea that I might hand her over. I am at war with myself Mr Russell.(beat)The script is ghastly, exactly as I expected--(beat)Yes, a few more days and then I’ll decide--(beat)I know, I know I need the money. The money. The money. (to herself)Money. It’ll bite you on the--(into phone)It’s all an illusion you know Mr Russell? All an illusion.(beat)Very well. Good morning and goodnight.She hangs up the phone, and continues sitting upright. Wide awake. Staring into the darkness.Pamela checks through her multitude of pill bottles for something to help her. Nothing. She groans as she drags herself out of bed, pacing the room, counting steps.PAMELA (CONT’D)Serves me right. Money, money, money. Bit me on the bot.Her eyes stray to the big Mickey Mouse. She drags it onto the bed with her and climbs back under the covers, clinging onto the stuffed toy for comfort.INT. REHEARSAL ROOM - MORNINGThe room is decidedly more lively, with sketches of the cast and models of the sets all about the place. And of course, the requisite abundance of brightly coloured food now accompanied by some healthier options - vegetables and a fluorescent looking soup.Bob and Dick are at the piano. Don sits in the corner, sketching energetically on his notepad what seems to be a cartoon sketch of Pamela Travers.DICKIt’s gotta be like a slogan!BOBHer prescription for life.DICKYeah! Yes! A stitch in time!BOBAn apple a day.DON(from across the room)Time and tide wait for--BOBSugar!DICKSugar?DICK (CONT’D)What? That’s not--BOBJeff had vaccination day at school yesterday.DICKOuch.BOBNo ouch.DICKNo ouch?BOBSugar. They put it in a cube.DICKMedicine in sugar?BOBCube’s an odd word.BOB (CONT’D)Spoonful?Dick throws his hands and legs in the air almost falling off his stool!DON(under)Yeah, we have sugar.EXT. DISNEY STUDIOS - BURBANK - MORNINGPamela steps from the car and Walt is there to greet her.WALTMay I walk with you?PAMELAI’m sure your country doesn’t have any laws about sharing a pavement.As they walk the sound of the piano filters out of the rehearsal room window and down onto the lot.INT. REHEARSAL ROOM - MORNINGDick is playing about with a verse.BOBGo back to the chorus.DICK & BOB(singing it incorrectly)Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down!BOBWait! WAIT! She always does what’s unexpected.She goes UP the bannisters. Dick is confused.BOB (CONT’D)So go up.Dick plays a high note.BOB (CONT’D)Try B.He takes a pencil from behind his ear and marks Dick’s sheet music. Dick immediately begins finding the tune on the pianoDICK & BOB(singing ‘down’ in an up key)Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.Don looks up from his sketching.DICKYes!The sound of Walt’s cough signals his imminent arrival.DONMan is in the forest.Pamela and Walt enter the room.DON (CONT’D)(to Walt)I want you to hear this.(to the boys)Play him what you got.Walt takes a seat beside the piano. Pamela folds her arms across her chest defiantly.DICKIt’s just a chorus--BOBTell us what you think.He knows dum dum Will help dum dum dum duuuum! Bob whistles what will end up being the Robin’s part of the song.DICK(singing)Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down-- the medicine go do-own, medicine go downJust a spoonful of sugarhelps the medicine go downIn a most de da dee daaa!BOBWe’ll work out the other lyrics.DICKYou see how it goes up on the word down?BOBOn the word down it goes up!PAMELA(unhappy)Up.DONIt’s ironic.PAMELAIs it?WALTForget ironic, it’s iconic.Pamela rolls her eyes.PAMELA(sarcastic)Bravo.WALTI won’t be able to stop singing that for weeks!PAMELAIt seems enormously patronising to me. The very sort of annoying tune you would have playing in your themed park I daresay. All giddy and carefree, encouraging children to face the world unarmed. All they need is a spoon and some sugar and a brain full of fluff and they’re equipped with life’s tools. Wonderful! Dick is completely deflated.WALTWhat’s your point Pam?PAMELAMRS Travers! My point is that, unlike yourself, Mary Poppins is the very enemy of sentiment and whimsy. She is truthful, she doesn’t sugar coat the darkness in the world that these children will eventually come to know. She prepares them for it, she deals in honesty. One must clean one’s room; it won’t magically do it itself! She waves the script in the air.PAMELA (CONT’D)This whole script is flim flam! Where is its reality? Where is its heart, where is the gravitas?She opens a window and flings the script out.PAMELA (CONT’D)No weight Mister Disney! See?Dick, Don and Bob look out of the window as the pages flutter downwards and spread themselves over the Disney lot.WALTNo whimsy or sentiment says the woman who sends a flying nanny with a talking umbrella to save the children.PAMELAYou think Mary Poppins is saving the children Mr Disney?Pamela sighs, shakes her head.PAMELA (CONT’D)Oh dear.EXT. DISNEY STUDIOS - LATE AFTERNOONPamela makes her way to the bench she waits on for Ralph.She sits down, wraps her arms around herself, closes her eyes. PAMELA(to herself)It goes up. EXT. BACK PADDOCK - ALLORA - DAYMargaret sweats as she hangs out laundry whilst desperately shushing her screaming infant. MARGARETThere there. Shush shush now-- Ginty and Biddy run in and out of the sheets, chasing a large hen that squawks and flaps its wings trying to escape the girls.MARGARET (CONT’D)(to the girls)If you could just-- TRAVERS(calling)Ahoy Goffs!The girls and Margaret look up, surprised to see Travers so early.GINTYFather!She runs at him and swings her high into the air with one arm, catching Biddy with the other.MARGARETWhat a lovely surprise! Did you finish early?TRAVERSI couldn’t stop thinking about my beautiful girls on this beautiful day in this beautiful place and I thought to hell with it!(to Ginty and Biddy)And what do we say about beauty ladies?GINTY/BIDDY/TRAVERSA thing of beauty is a joy forever!MARGARETBut--TRAVERSButs are for goats my love!He dips her and smooches her.GINTY & BIDDY Urgh!TRAVERS(whispering to Margaret)I’ll put in extra hours tomorrow.(to Ginty)What are we playing?GINTYThe hen got out and we’ve been trying to catch her!Travers spies the clucking demon.TRAVERSThat’s no hen! That’s Aunt Ellie, your mother’s horrendiferous sister!GINTY(laughing)That’s a made up word!BIDDYReally?!GINTYNot the aunt!(beat)Quick! Catch her before she flies away on the-- TRAVERS/GINTYEast Wind!Travers throws his jacket to the ground and begins to chase the hen, tearing through the clean sheets and treading them into the ground.MARGARETOh! TRAVERSI’ll wash them again my love!Margaret look at the dirty sheets and shrugs.The kids run after their father squealing and giggling as the poor little hen runs for its life. Even the dog joins in, Margaret goes to retrieve the discarded jacket and sees a whisky bottle protruding from the inside pocket, she slips it back inside - out of sight, out of mind.TRAVERS (CONT’D)Go Sergeant Ginty! Fell the beast!Ginty dives on the hapless bird, who pecks her soundly and scarpers. It’s chaos. Travers, the girls, the dog and the evasive hen running into each other, falling over each other, cursing and laughing.GINTYAunt Ellie!TRAVERSOh she’s a foul fowl!INT. TRAVER’S BEDROOM/CHILDREN’S BEDROOM - EVENINGBiddy and Moya sleep but Ginty is awake, the hen snuggled firmly under her arm. She can hear the tense voices of her parents. MARGARET--darling, it’s just that um-- a little concerned-- TRAVERS--Meg sweet, I had a throat scratch-- MARGARET--the bank is getting you down again? Perhaps my sister--TRAVERSGod no! No. I can endure. I will endure. For the girl’s sake-- Just, please-- not Ellie.MARGARETOh my dear--Travers weeps and Ginty closes her eyes, buries her little face in the hens feathers.GINTY(whispering)Foul fowl.INT. SUITE - BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL - NIGHTPamela sits up in bed - leaning back into the open arms of Mickey Mouse - applying face cream, then hand cream, her face is screwed into a twist of unhappiness. EXT. DISNEY STUDIOS - BURBANK - NIGHTDisney sits on Pamela’s bench, deep in contemplation. Piano music tinkles from somewhere in the building and then a voice-- DICKAll around the cathedralthe saints and apostleslook down as she sells her waresWalt is dragged from his thoughts and gets up to follow the sound.DICK (CONT’D)Although you can’t see ityou know they are smilingEach time someone shows that he cares--INT. DISNEY STUDIOS - BURBANKWalt walks towards the music room, visibly moved by the song, a cough rattling in his throat.INT. REHEARSAL ROOM - NIGHTAlso in lamplight, Dick Sherman sits at his piano. Bob asleep on a couch in the corner. Walt pushes the door open, Dick knows he’s there but keeps tinkling away.DICKThough her words are simple and fewlisten, listen, she’s calling to you--“Feed the birds, tuppence a bagtuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag.”WALTThat’ll work.Dick nods, still playing. Walt makes his way to the piano, sighs, sits next to Dick on the stool.WALT (CONT’D)She’s going to say no isn’t she?(beat)Woman’s a conundrum. Dick stops playing and flicks to a new page of sheet music.DICKA man has dreams of walking with giantsTo carve his niche in the edifice of time(singing)Before the mortar of his zealHas a chance to congealThe cup is dashed from his lipsThe flame is snuffed aborningHe's brought to rack and ruin in his prime--Walt laughs out loud, he sings with Dick reading the lyrics from the music sheet.WALT & DICKMy world was calm, well ordered, exemplaryThen came this person, with chaos in her wakeAnd now my life's ambitions go with one fell blowIt's quite a bitter pill to take.WALTInspired by someone we know?DICK(feigning innocence)You’d have to ask Bob.The men smile, bittersweet.DICK (CONT’D)She might surprise us all.WALTShe won’t. DICKYou don’t know that.WALTI do. I know it, I know it only too well.(beat)I’ve fought this battle from her side. Pat Powers, he wanted the mouse and I didn’t have a bean back then.Dick raises his eyebrows.WALT (CONT’D)He was this big terrifying New York producer and I was just a kid from Missouri with a sketch of Mickey but-- it woulda’ killed me to give him up.Walt peers down at the sleeping Bob.WALT (CONT’D)Honest to god killed me. That mouse, he’s family.(beat)Go home.Walt leaves the room.EXT. BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL - POOL - NIGHTPamela sits by the pool, arms clasped around her, looking at the stars. The pink and green of the hotel shimmers in the water making it look like a chalk painting.TRAVERS (V.O.)The world is an illusion Ginty.EXT. GOFF HOUSE - ALLORA - LATE AFTERNOONGinty sits on the front step of the porch, arms clasped around her body, face to the sky.The sounds of the evening closes in - crickets, the last deafening chorus of the birds.Travers walks up the path to their home, trailing his suit jacket over his shoulder, his shirt and tie loosened. His shirtsleeves are marked with sweat. His face is a study of something close to despair.He looks up to see Pamela sitting on the front step and immediately arranges his features into a bright smile of greeting.TRAVERSAhh the Countess Mary Sparklestick! Pray tell me, what are you concentrating so hard on? GINTYI am laying eggs!TRAVERSReally!? Fabulous!GINTYToday I am a hen.TRAVERSIndeed! I can see the feathers sprouting as we speak!Margaret steps out onto the veranda, takes one look at her husband and knows he is drunk.MARGARETHelen Goff, would you lay the table for supper please?GINTYI’m not Helen!TRAVERS(over)She can’t possibly lay a table; she’s busy laying eggs! MARGARETI need-- (help.)TRAVERSShe’s laying! MARGARET(her face contorts in pain)I’m sorry!She goes back indoors and slams the door behind her. Ginty gets up to go indoors and Travers catches her by the arm.He swallows hard, eyes welling.TRAVERS(urgent, his voice breaking)Don’t you ever stop dreaming Ginty my love. You can be anyone you want to be. Anyone. GINTYI want to be like you.TRAVERSDon’t.(he chokes)Don’t leave yourself always searching for-- something-- He coughs to stop a crying jag and leaves her alone on the porch. Ginty is unnerved by her Travers’ demeanor, she creeps around to the side of the house where she watches her father appears in the window of the washroom. She doesn’t know what to do as he leans his head against the wall and breaks down sobbing. OMITTEDINT. LIMO - MORNINGRalph looks at Pamela in his rear-view, she seems weak, the steely fight flown away on the East wind. Her arms wrapped around her chest, her face turned to the window.RALPHYa alright Mrs?Pamela doesn’t even hear him.INT. ALLORA SCHOOL - AFTERNOONGinty stares out of the window, in a daydream, a paintbrush in her hand, dripping colour down her arm.She is nudged to the present by her teacher, MRS CORRY.MRS CORRYHelen Goff? Wake up dear. You want your banner to be ready for the fair don’t you?Ginty turns back to her painting - her banner reads:ALLORA FAIRAround the words Ginty is painting a gorgeous carousel with stunning horses, one of which is white with roses on its bridal.INT. FAIRGROUND - ALLORA - DAYMargaret, Biddy and Ginty walk into the fairground. Tents are erected, farmers show off their sheep, children clutch sticks of cotton candy and a carousel spins with one stunning white horse amongst the drearier others, roses upon its bridal.BIDDYMrs Brill said Father’s presenting the medals.MARGARET(a flutter of pride)He is indeed! On behalf of the bank.INT. REHEARSAL ROOM - MORNINGPamela stares out of the window, not really concentrating on what’s going on in the room.DONMrs Travers?Again, she doesn’t hear.DON (CONT’D)Mrs Travers?Pamela looks at Don.DON (CONT’D)We were just saying that we’d like to play you the song in the bank.(beat)Would that be good?Pamela nods, noncommittal.DON (CONT’D)(as Dawes Snr)So you have tuppence? May I be permitted to see it?(changing voice to Michael Banks)No, I want it to feed the birds!(back to Dawes Snr)Fiddlesticks boy! Feed the birds and what’ve you got?DON/DICK/BOBFat birds!DICK(singing more sotto than usual)But! If you invest your tuppencewisely in the bankEXT. FAIRGROUND - ALLORA - DAYDICK (V.O.)Safe and sound--A small stage and dais stand central of the event over which a large sign reads:SPONSORED BY THE BELHATCHETT BANK OF AUSTRALIADICK (V.O.)Soon that tuppence safely invested in the bank will compound--The Allora townsfolk are out in force. Ginty walks with her family. Her father attempting to memorise speech notes as they pass through the crowds. DICK (V.O.)And you’ll achieve that sense of conquest--Margaret nudges him as Randolph Belhatchett and his family walk past.TRAVERS(clears his throat)Mr Belhatchett.Randolph looks at Travers, then at Travers shaking hands, his family nod and move on. Margaret looks upset by this.DICK (V.O.)As your affluence expands--Travers buys two immense sticks of fairy floss and hands them to Ginty and Biddy.MARGARETTravers, Biddy’s stomach--TRAVERSOh, for Gods’ sake, Meg, stop whinnying like an old nag will you?Margaret is aghast at being spoken to like that in public but she keep her mouth shut.Ginty notices Travers eyes stray towards the refreshments tent.GINTY(panicked)Father-- will you ride the carousel with me!?But the refreshment tent has Travers in its grip.TRAVERSMeet you there in a blink of an eye!INT. REHEARSAL ROOM - DAYAs before.DICK(singing)In the hands of the directorswho invest as propriety demands.EXT. FAIRGROUND - ALLORA - DAYGinty stands with her family at the carousel, eyeing the refreshment tent. MARGARET(to Ginty)I’ll take Biddy to get ready for her dance.(beat)Where’s your father?Margaret sees the direction of Ginty’s gaze. Her face falls but she takes Biddy by the hand and heads for the stage. MARGARET (CONT’D)Come on Biddy.INT. REFRESHMENT TENT - DAYGinty appears in the tent’s entrance. On first glance she sees only an unidentified group of local drinkers. Relief begins to dawn and she turns away. It is then that she hears Travers laugh, and turns back to see the group part, revealing Travers at its centre.TRAVERSIndeed, a published poet--She takes a deep breath and moves forward, grabs Travers hand.GINTYFather, come and look. Biddy’s dancing.TRAVERSIn a moment, my princess. I’m talking.(beat)Back in Ireland, I miss her green hills so-- GINTYBut she’s-- she really wants you to watch, Dad. You’ll miss it.TRAVERSNot now Biddy!GINTYI’m Ginty.TRAVERSGinty! Shoo!Devastated, Ginty doesn’t know what to do, she pulls at his shirt sleeve again. GINTYYou said don’t give up.A waiter approaches and takes her by the arm, leading her away.WAITERExcuse me, Miss. It’s gentlemen only in this section of the tent. I think you’ll be more comfortable at the far end.(beat)Are you alright sweetheart?GINTY(to waiter)I’m scared my father is--Despairing she looks up and sees her mother, carrying Moya, in the entrance. Her mother’s face falls and crumples.EXT. FAIRGROUND - ALLORA - CONTINUOUSTravers steps heavily, one at a time, up the steps onto the dais, and finds his way to the speaker’s podium. Margaret and Ginty watch, hearts in mouths, Biddy blissfully unaware.TRAVERSGood afternoon, distinguished guests, our biggest supporter Mr Randolph Belhatchett and his lovely wife, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! Randolph looks at Travers with displeasure and then at one of the bank staff.RANDOLPHWhy is he speaking for the bank?BANK WORKERHe’s the manager.TRAVERSI’m honoured to be here on behalf of the Belhatchett Bank of Australia. Shortly, it will be my very pleasant duty to present the awards to our young performers. But before I begin, I’d like to say a very few words to our very youngest citizens about the role of the - er, the Bank in our community. Ginty allows herself to breathe. So far, so good.MARGARETHe’s using too many ‘verys’. He always says ‘very’ too much when he’s--She can’t say it. Ginty takes her mother’s hand but Margaret pushes the hand away.INT. REHEARSAL ROOM - CONTINUOUSPamela turns away from Don and the Shermans and takes herself to look at a sketch of Mr Banks, pinned to the wall, he still has a moustache. DON(as Dawes Snr)Very well, my boy, give me the money(as Michael)No I won’t I want it to feed the birds!(as Dawes Snr)Banks!(as Banks)Yes sir. Now Micheal...DICKWhen you deposit tuppence in a bank account,(MORE)Soon you’ll see that it blooms into credit of a generous amountSemiannuallyEXT. FAIRGROUND - ALLORA - CONTINUOUSTravers is now in lip synch with Dick Sherman.TRAVERSAnd you’ll achieve that sense of stature As your influence expandsTo the high financial strataThat established credit now commands--DICK (V.O.)And you’ll achieve that sense of statureas your influence expandsTo the high financial strataThat established credit now commands--INT. REHEARSAL ROOM - CONTINUOUSDon is up and singing with the boys. They are enjoying themselves so much that they don’t notice Pamela’s eyes well slightly.DON/DICK/BOBYou can purchase first and second trust deedsThink of the foreclosures!Bonds! Chattels! Dividends! Shares!EXT. FAIRGROUND - ALLORA - CONTINUOUSAs before.TRAVERSBankruptcies! Debtor sales! Opportunities!All manner of private enterprise!Shipyards! The Mercantile! Collieries! Tanneries!Incorporations! Amalgamations! Banks!INT. REHEARSAL ROOM - CONTINUOUSAs before.DON(as Dawes Snr)While stand the banks of England. England stands!DICK (CONT'D)EXT. FAIRGROUND - ALLORA - CONTINUOUSThere’s a smattering of applause, Travers is encouraged, Margaret and Ginty look relieved, even hopeful.But then Travers momentarily looks lost, a slight breeze tugs the speech notes from his hand and they float down in front of the dais.TRAVERSUhmm. Thank you kindly. Thanking you. Now-- what, what am I doing next? Oh! It’s a marvellous idea to encourage children to open accounts. My daughter, the Princess Ginty-- she’s-- uh. (looks at Ginty)How old are you? Come up here.Ginty - what? Me?Ginty glances to her mother and then, on trembling legs, makes her way forward and up the stairs onto the dais.Margaret watches, growing uneasy.TRAVERS (CONT’D)Ginty has a bank account-- and that’s good. Give her a drink! The audience is shocked.TRAVERS (CONT’D)(mumbling)I mean give her a hand.Everyone is beginning to look uncomfortable.TRAVERS (CONT’D)I shall return in just a moment to present the awards. But right now I must-- relieve myself.Gasps from the audience.Margaret - dying.TRAVERS (CONT’D)Give us your shoulder, Ginty, will you? I’m busting. There’s a good girl.Father and daughter walk towards the edge of the stage, Travers leaning on Ginty’s shoulder. The shameful glare of Allora burning into them.DON (O.S.)When fall the banks of England, England falls!Travers somehow loses his footing before reaching the steps and topples off the stage. There’s an audible, horrible snap as he lands in an undignified pile. But, despite his ugly injury, Travers cannot stop laughing.INT. REHEARSAL ROOM - CONTINUOUSThe boys are laughing, congratulating one another.DONI love it!DICKYou think Walt’s gonna like it?Pamela takes a last look at the Mr Banks picture and spins around viciously.PAMELAWhy did you have to make him so cruel?The boys jubilance is halted immediately.PAMELA (CONT’D)He was not a monster!DONWho are we talking about? I’m confused.PAMELAYou all have children yes?DONYes.DICKYep.BOBYes.PAMELAAnd do those children write you letters, make drawings for you?DONOf course.DICKMine like to make folded paper--PAMELA(cutting him off)And would you tear up those gifts? In front of them?!Silence. They know where this is going.PAMELA (CONT’D)It’s a dreadful thing to do! I don’t understand! Why must father tear up the advertisement his children have written and throw it in the fireplace!? Why won’t he mend their kite? Why have you made him so unspeakably awful?(beat)For all the world to see, in glorious technicolor? You claim to make them live-- if that happens can’t he? Can’t they at least live well? Pamela chokes back a sudden rush of distress.PAMELA (CONT’D)I can’t bear it.(softly)Please don’t--The boys are shocked at the level of upset.PAMELA (CONT’D)Please don’t-- I’ll feel like I let him down again-- She leaves the room, head hung.INT. TRAVERS BEDROOM - GOFF HOUSE - DAYTravers is in bed, his leg elevated and set with plaster. He is shaking badly with DT’s, his mood is poisonous.Ginty sits on the edge of the bed as the DOCTOR packs up his bag.TRAVERSI don’t suppose there’s any more you can give me for the pain?The doctor shakes his head at Travers wanton greed for more.DOCTOR(leaving the room)When will enough be enough Travers?GINTYI’ve brought you something father.TRAVERSBe a darling Ginty my old pal! Help father out won’t you?Ginty is wary.TRAVERS (CONT’D)In my washroom-- there’s a bottle of medicine that father needs--GINTYMother took it away.Travers slams his fist on the bed, scaring Ginty.TRAVERSGodammit!Nervous, hopeful, Ginty withdraws a folded sheet of paper from her pocket.GINTYI wrote a poem for you. It - it won first prize, at school.Travers takes the page, tries to hold it steady in his shaking hand.GINTY (CONT’D)Would you like me to read it to you?The agony as Ginty watches the shaking hand. Finally, the humiliation is too much for Travers. He scans the page rapidly and lowers his hand.TRAVERSIt’s hardly Yeats, is it?Ginty is devastated. But more than this there’s a hardening in her small face, a sense of disillusionment that so far she’s held in check. Here are the first signs of the Pamela to come.INT. DISNEY STUDIOS - BURBANK - DAYPamela rushes from the rehearsal room, down the corridor, her face twisted, desperately trying to maintain composure. Don rushes out after her.DONMrs Travers!He stops, recognizing she doesn’t need to be followed.INT. KITCHEN - GOFF HOUSE - DAYGinty rummages through kitchen cabinets, drawers, the trash but doesn’t find what she’s looking for.EXT. DISNEY STUDIOS - BURBANK - DAYPamela rushes past Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck, through the lot, past Ralph - who’s taking his lunch at the cafeteria - and towards a patch of green, a communal lawn at the back of a soundstage.EXT. GOFF HOUSE - DAYGinty fights the smell of the warm rubbish in the midday sun as she ransacks the outdoor trash cans, finally finding what it is she’s looking for.EXT. GRASS AREA - DISNEY STUDIOS - BURBANK - DAYPamela flops down onto the ground, digging her fingers into the dirt and lawn.INT. TRAVERS BEDROOM - GOFF HOUSE - DAYGinty creeps into her father’s room, he sleeps fitfully, and presses the half-full bottle into his hand. Covering both hand and bottle with his bed covers before leaving the room.EXT. GRASS AREA - DISNEY STUDIOS - BURBANK - DAYPamela picks a daisy, finds a stray twig and arranges them in the grass. RALPHMrs?Pamela looks up, her eyes are red rimmed but she’s not crying.RALPH (CONT’D)I, uh, brought you a tea.He hands her the tea in a takeaway cup.PAMELAIt’s blasphemy to drink tea from a paper cup.Ralph, shifts nervously from foot to foot. He’s not quite sure what to say to her or why he brought the tea. Pamela puts the tea down and continues to fiddle with bits and pieces of twig and bloom that she’s plucking from the area around her.RALPHEverything okay Ma’am? Would you like me to drive you home?PAMELAAll the way to England? Yes, please.Ralph lowers himself onto his haunches.RALPHYou got family back there Mrs?PAMELAYou’re an impertinent man you know? You ask an awful lot of questions that have no relevance to you being able to carry out your duties.RALPH(laughing)I know! I do, do that. Yes!PAMELAAnd you have no barometer.Ralph is confused.PAMELA (CONT’D)Let us say that I haven’t family who’d notice whether I was halfway across the world or sitting in my living room. She pulls a thread from the hem of her skirt, ties two twigs together.RALPHMa’am; I--Ralph sees that she has a little collection of things, he looks around for some more. Pamela takes a stick and digs a small line through the grass then hands it to him.PAMELAMake a little furrow, there.Ralph dutifully does as he’s told, looking over his shoulder for fear of being caught digging holes in Disney soil.Ralph pokes the ground, thinking. RALPHI gotta kid.PAMELAWell, most people do.RALPHJane-- she’s got all kinds of troubles.Pamela raises an eyebrow.RALPH (CONT’D)Handicapped you know? Myelitis-- *transverse.(beat)She’s in a wheelchair see? That’s why I concern myself with the weather-- sunny day she can sit out in the garden. Rainy day I have to leave her cooped up inside.(beat)Worry ‘bout the future, but then I stop cuz you can’t do that. Only today.Pamela takes the plastic lid off the paper cup and pokes holes in it.PAMELANow look.She takes the lid, twigs now sticking out of the poked holes and places it in the centre of what we now see is one of Pamela’s tiny parks, she gently rest a leaf on the twig struts forming a roof.PAMELA (CONT’D)It’s a band stand.She takes the cup of tea and gently pours the steaming liquid into Ralph’s trench, which runs all the way around the park.RALPHA river!PAMELA(correcting him)Lake.RALPHLake.(beat)Hey! I wish I could take her there!He points at the miniature park.PAMELAWouldn’t that be nice?INT. GINTY BIDDY & MOYA’S BEDROOM - NIGHTGinty, Biddy and Moya sleep soundly, Ginty clutching the poem to her chest. The door creeps open and Margaret stands in the shadows looking at her children, tears stream down her face but she seems calm, something has crossed over in her eyes. There’s just nothing there--MARGARET(whispering)I know you gave it to him. (squeezing Ginty’s hand)All the hope is in the bottom of that bottle, Helen.GINTYMother?MARGARETI want you to take care of the children.Ginty is groggy, she doesn’t understand.MARGARET (CONT’D)Watch over them.Ginty sits up.MARGARET (CONT’D)I know you love your father more. But one day you’ll understand.GINTYWhat?Margaret leaves the room and Ginty is straight out of bed following her. Behind, in the room, Moya has awoken and is crying.EXT. GOFF HOUSE - ALLORA - NIGHTGinty runs out onto the porch where she sees her mother in her white nightdress striding purposefully through the garden like some ethereal ghost.GINTYMother!She runs out into the yard but stops as she hears Biddy.BIDDY (O.S.)Ginty!Ginty turns back to the house and then back towards her mother but Margaret has disappeared into the darkness.GINTY(calling)Mother! Mother!The baby is screaming now.INT. GINTY BIDDY & MOYA’S BEDROOM - NIGHTGinty wrenches the eiderdown off the bed and wraps Biddy in it, she scoops Moya up from the crib.BIDDYWhere’s ma?GINTYOnce upon a time there were three little girls alone in a house. They were frightened of the big wide world just outside the door. She takes them through the hallway, stopping momentarily outside the door to her fathers bedroom. It is slightly ajar and he looks incredibly frail and delirious.GINTY (CONT’D)They were so afraid.She moves forward, her eyes flit to the front door, expecting her mother to be standing there any minute but there is nothing.EXT. CREEK - NIGHTThe mud-stained hem of Margaret’s nightdress sweeps along the ground, as her feet move towards, and then into, the water of the creek. One step, two, three, the water coming up over her ankles, soaking the nightgown.GINTY (V.O.)But the stars were guarding them, they glittered as they spoke “We shall send a guide to show them the way to the magical ladder which will bring them all the way up to see us”EXT. LIVING ROOM - GOFF HOUSE - NIGHTBiddy and Moya are calming as Ginty places the girls in front of the fireplace.GINTYAnd who do you think those sparkling messengers sent? Who was it that came flying through the starry, starry sky to carry us up to see them?Ginty wraps Moya in a blanket and puts her in Biddy’s arms.BIDDYAn elf?EXT. PORCH - GOFF HOUSE - NIGHTGinty begins to untie Albert from the fence still speaking to the girls through the window.GINTYTheir old Uncle Albert of course!(beat, to Biddy)Stay right here, be good-- Ginty climbs atop the horse.BIDDYAre you going to the sky?GINTYI’m going to find the end of the story so I can bring it back for you! BIDDYIs it happy?EXT. PADDOCK - NIGHTGinty rides fast, desperately searching the darkness for her mother and turning back frequently to check that the lamp still burns on the porch.EXT. CREEK - NIGHTMargaret is up to her neck in the freezing water of the creek. Shivering cold. She wills herself forward into the water. She wants to sink down and simply float away. From behind her comes the clip clopping of hooves. Margaret turns her head and there, atop the horse, is Ginty.Margaret begins to weep.Ginty jumps down from the horse and rushes to her mother, wading into the water to grab hold of her.Ginty bobs up and down in front of her mother in the deep water.MARGARETSometimes a person we love, through no fault of his own, can’t see past the end of his nose.GINTYIt’s time to go home, ma. She reaches out her hand--OMITTEDINT. SUITE - EVENINGPamela looks through a stack of books intently, jotting something down on a piece Beverly Hills Hotel stationery every now and then. Presently, the phone rings. Pamela almost jumps out of her skin. She rushes to grab it.PAMELA(into phone)Mrs Travers! Hello!INT. DISNEY’S OFFICE - BURBANK - EVENING.Walt sits at his desk, flicking through cartoon drawings of penguins.WALT(coughs into phone)Pam!INTERCUT BETWEEN PHONE CALLS AS NECESSARY.PAMELA(disappointed)Mr Disney.WALTCallin’ to check up on you.PAMELAAre you a doctor?WALTHm?PAMELACheck ups are for medical practitioners no?WALTPam, are you always so battle ready? P.L. Travers in her breast plate and chain mail, sword up in the air and off with your head!PAMELAWhat can I do for you Mister Disney?WALTPlease, I beg of you, please please call me Walt. PAMELAWalt-- er.WALTI heard things didn’t go so well today.PAMELAThey went as well as they’ve gone every other day that I’ve been here. I don’t recall ‘special’ phone calls from you on any of those other evenings.WALTWhat’s this all about Pam? Really?Silence.WALT (CONT’D)I’m wondering what I have to do to make you happy.PAMELAHa! WALTAren’t you wondering that too?Silence.WALT (CONT’D)(he has an idea)You know, you’ve never been to Disneyland! It’s the happiest place on Earth!(shouting away from the phone)Tommie! Cancel my morning tomorrow. I’m taking a ride with my favorite author! (into phone)Any excuse. PAMELAI cannot tell you how uninterested, no, positively sickened I am at the thought of going to see your dollar printing machine Mr-- Walter.She notices Mickey’s innocent eyes staring at her and gently turns his face away.WALTOh come on! When does anybody get to go to Disneyland with Walt Disney himself?! PAMELADisappointments are to the soul what the thunderstorm is to the air.Walt slams the phone down. Pamela stares at it in shock!PAMELA (CONT’D)Hello? Hello? He hung up! I’m! I! I can’t believe he hung up!Walt leans back in his chair and grins, Tommie enters. WALTI’m not a violent man Tommie but if Mrs P.L. Travers were to get hit by a large truck I-- (he doesn’t allow himself to finish)INT. REHEARSAL ROOM - DAYDick, Bob and Don are drained. They stare at each other in silence. Just the look tells us how much this all means to them. It’s desperate. Walt flings the door to the room open.WALTOkay boys. We gotta fix this.INT. GOFF HOUSE - TRAVERS BEDROOM - ALLORA - MORNINGGinty sits beside her father, he is restless and sweating in his sleep as she wipes his face with a damp sponge. The sound of a buggy pulling up outside breaks the silence.MARGARET (O.S.)Oh my!And then a new voice, clear as a crystal bell.AUNT ELLIE (O.S.)Margaret, my poor child. I simply had to come. We must fix this.Travers eyes spring wide open in horror.TRAVERSThe Aunt.INT. GOFF HOUSE - ALLORA - MORNINGA parrot headed umbrella hangs from the back of a chair.An enormous carpetbag - similar to the one Pamela carries - plonked on the living room table and there beside it, upright, imposing and matronly is AUNT ELLIE herself. Hair scraped back, hands neatly perched inside her apron pocket - a very different version but Mary Poppins all the same.Ginty looks on in awed silence as Ellie begins to remove an endless supply of belongings from her bag.ELLIENow, I’ve brought every new fangled treatment available in Sydney.Biddy is open mouthed.ELLIE (CONT’D)Close your mouth please Biddy, we are not a codfish.(to both girls)I spy a multitude of jobs to be done!MARGARETThey’ve been so worried-- I’ve--ELLIEDo stop babbling nonsense! I’m here now and I shall fix everything. (beat)Girls! (beat)Feverfew and camomile to lower his body temperature. Garlic, sorrel, sage. Deadly nightshade. And if those don’t work-- well I shouldn’t like to say.Young Pamela and Biddy look on in a kind of bewildered trance as item after item emerges from the carpetbag.ELLIE (CONT’D)--tincture of horseradish-- laudanum--(to Ginty and Biddy)(MORE)I thought I had made it quite clear you were to begin helping.Ellie claps her hands together.ELLIE (CONT’D)Spit spot!INT. LIMOSINE - MORNINGRalph drives along solemnly. Pamela looks out of the window, confused.PAMELAWhere are we--? This isn’t the way.RALPHChange of venue this morning apparently.PAMELA(realizing where she’s being taken)Ugh.RALPHI was thinking about our-- tea party?PAMELAI’m sure I don’t know what you’re--RALPH(over)Yesterday, the little park.PAMELALittle park? I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.RALPHBut--PAMELAConcentrate on the road. Always chitter chattering!EXT. DISNEYLAND ENTRANCE - DAYRalph drives Pamela up to the entrance to the park. Two security guards stop the car briefly and then the gates pull open to reveal Walt Disney waiting for Pamela.ELLIE (CONT’D)INT. CAR - CONTINUOUSRalph is goggle-eyed at seeing Walt.RALPHOh! Isn’t that nice? Holy mackerel! Wowzers. Never met him myself but there he is! Right there. Real. Living, breathing. Oh boy!EXT. DISNEYLAND - DAYRalph jump out of the car to let his passenger out but Disney is there first.WALTWelcome to the Magic Kingdom!Pamela steps out of the car and her eyes nearly pop out of her head with brightness of the place, unbelievable colour and excitement.PAMELAIs it all like this?Pamela pops a headache pill.WALTYup! Isn’t it wonderful?Ralph hovers at the car, filling his eyeballs with as much Walt Disney as he can get before he has to drive away.PAMELADo you always get everything you want Walter?WALTPretty much! PAMELAWith the exception to the rights to my books of course!WALTWar ain’t over yet Pam!Walt takes Pamela by the arm and leads her through the gates and a murmur goes through the crowds as they gawp. A YOUNG WOMAN breaks free and rushes up to Walt.YOUNG WOMANI love you so much! Can I--?She proffers a pen and paper but Walt is prepared, he takes a signed postcard with his face on it from his top pocket and hands it to the woman.PAMELA(disgusted)Pre-signed?WALT(to Woman)You should get hers too.(gesturing to Pamela)This woman’s a bona fide genius!The woman looks expectantly at Pamela who just snorts. she realizes she’s getting nothing and, clutching her precious postcard to her chest, melts back into the crowd who part like the red sea for Walt and his guest. EXT. MAIN STREET - DISNEYLAND - CONTINUOUSWalt and Pamela make their way down Main Street. Walt stops anyone from getting too close by immediately handing out postcards to anyone who gets near.WALTIn Adventureland there is a tree-- this is a fun fact. A titbit.PAMELATidbit.WALT(over)It has three million leaves, four million flowers. PAMELAGosh.WALTAnd they said only God could make a tree!Pamela rolls her eyes.There is a protracted silence as they walk, both encompassed by their own thoughts. The sunshine, the joyful crowds just background colour.They pass by a store front and Walt glances up at the window. It reads: Elias Disney Contractor Est. 1895. Pamela notices the look but doesn’t say anything.WALT (CONT’D)Where did she come from?PAMELAWho?WALTI think you know who.PAMELAShe flew in through the window one day.WALTThrough the window huh?Pamela nods curtly.WALT (CONT’D)It’s just that easy isn’t it Mrs Travers?He sees right through her.WALT (CONT’D)I know you don’t wanna be here so I’m gonna take you to one ride-- my favourite amusement and then I’ll set you free.Way ahead of them the carousel spins in the distance.EXT. KING ARTHUR’S CAROUSEL - DISNEYLAND - DAYThe carousel slows to a halt and a herd of excited children climb down from the horses and disappear into the park.WALTMrs Travers, I would be honoured if you would ride Jingles. She’s Mrs Disney’s favourite horse.He escorts Pamela to a beautiful white horse, roses on it’s bridal.PAMELANo thank you. I’m happy to watch.WALTNo greater joy than that seen through the eyes of a child.Pamela looks at the children climbing onto the carousel.WALT (CONT’D)There’s a child in us all.PAMELAMaybe in you Mister Disney, but certainly not I.WALTGet on the horse Pamela!Pamela sighs and allows Walt to help her onto the horse.WALT (CONT’D)When we first met, you said to me ‘they’re family.’ PAMELAI said what?WALTMary Poppins, the Banks’s, they’re family.(beat)The boys have had an idea for your Mister Banks. I think it’ll make you happy.PAMELAYou brought me all the way out here to tell me that?WALTNo. I brought you all the way out here for monetary gain. Had a wager with the boys that I couldn't get you on a ride. I win!He clambers onto his own horse, gestures to the ride controller and off they go!Pamela gently bobs up and down, Walt waves to her and she sees the unbridled thrill from the child in Mister Disney spilling out. The tiniest, tiniest of smiles threatens to surface on her lips as he points a finger in the air as if shooting for the stars.WALT (CONT’D)Yah!INT. TRAVER’S BEDROOM - ALLORA - DAYTravers has a violent coughing fit, he looks to his hand, disturbed to see blood there. He grimaces at Ellie who has her back to him as she folds clothes, a look of deep satisfaction on her face. ELLIEWell begun, is half done!His face softens as his hazy gaze falls upon Ginty, outside the window, sweeping. Their eyes meet for a brief moment, an unspoken understanding of what is to come, before his close with tiredness. INT. REHEARSAL ROOM - DAYAll the tables have been pushed to the walls, Don is just pushing the last one away as Pamela comes in, followed by Dolly with the tray carrying Pamela’s tea.DONGood morning Mrs Travers!She looks at the new arrangement of the room.PAMELAWhat horrors have you in store for my beautiful characters today, hm?Bob clenches a fist but Dick gives him a look that says: keep calm. DONNow, Mrs Travers you sit here.He ushers her to a chair facing the centre of the room. He hands pages to Bob and pages to Dolly. Don and Dolly drop to their knees so that they are half the height of Bob. Pamela raises an eyebrow.DON (CONT’D)We thought about what you said Mrs Travers and Mr Banks isn’t cruel. He isn’t. We’ve got a new ending for the film. Oh god, I hope you like it.Bob pulls a kite out from behind his back.DON (CONT’D)(as Michael)Michael says, “He mended it! It’s wonderful!”DOLLY(as Jane)However did you manage it?PAMELA(to herself)He mended it?Dick strikes a chord on the piano.DICK(singing)With tuppence for paper and stringsYou can have your own set of wingsWith your feet on the groundYou’re a bird in flightwith your fist holding tightTo the string of your kiteOh oh oh ohBob takes the hands of Don and Dolly and he dances around with them (awkwardly as they are still on their knees and Bob has a limp.) Pamela’s eyes on the fixed kite.DICK & BOBLet’s go fly a kiteUp to the highest heightLet’s go fly a kite and send it soaringUp through the atmosphereUp where the air is clearOh let’s go fly a kiteDon notices Pamela’s foot tapping, he stands up.DONAnd then Mrs Banks goes to fetch her suffragettes ribbon.DOLLY(as Mrs Banks)“A proper kite needs a proper tail don’t you think?!”Don drops to his knees again.BOB/DICK/DON/DOLLYLet’s go fly a kiteUp to the highest heightIs Pamela humming too?!BOB/DICK/DON/DOLLY (CONT’D)Let’s go fly a kite and send it soaringDon bows to Pamela puts his hand out to her and to his surprise, she accepts and they begin to waltz. Pamela is surprisingly elegant and accomplished.BOB/DICK/DON/DOLLY/PAMELAUp through the atmosphereUp where the air is clearOh let’s go fly a kiteEverybody is up and dancing, it’s like something out of a Disney movie!DICKWhen you send it flying up thereAll at once you’re lighter than airDolly breaks away and rushes from the room.DICK (CONT’D)You can dance on the breeze over houses and trees--INT. DISNEY OUTER OFFICE - DAYDolly pants her way to the top of the stairs, and sees Walt just about to enter his office.DOLLYMr Disney! Walt!Walt spins around.DOLLY (CONT’D)I’m sorry to interrupt. It’s just she-- she’s dancing! Mrs Travers. She’s dancing with Don!He cracks a great big smile.DICK (V.O.)With your fist holding tightTo the string of your kiteINT. REHEARSAL ROOM - DAYAs before.BOB/DICK/DON/PAMELAOh Oh Oh OhLet’s go fly a kiteUp to the highest heightLet’s go fly a kite and send it soaringUp through the atmosphereUp where the air is clearOh let’s go fly a kite!They all collapse in a heap, exhausted and thrilled.PAMELAWell. BOBWell?PAMELAYes! He fixes the kite! Oh, I love it!Dick punches the air.PAMELA (CONT’D)Though proper English would be ‘Let us go and fly a kite.’Bob glares at her.PAMELA (CONT’D)But I might be willing to overlook that.BOBDid we get that on tape?Everybody sighs with relief and Pamela looks to the caricature of Mr Banks with deep warmth.INT. TRAVERS BEDROOM - GOFF HOUSE - EVENINGGinty sits with her father, he’s a shadow of his former self, extremely ill. The shaking has stopped, his lips are parched and blueish.TRAVERSLook at you-- all ship shape.Travers reaches up a shaking hand and musses up Ginty’s perfectly plaited hair.GINTYI re-wrote the poem father.Travers doesn’t respond. Ginty reaches into her pocket, takes out tuppence.GINTY (CONT’D)The aunt gave me tuppence.She shows it to him in her open palm.GINTY (CONT’D)Shall I buy you something father?TRAVERS(barely audible)Pears--INT. SUITE - BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL - NIGHTPamela sits bolt upright in bed, panicked.PAMELAFather? EXT. GOFF HOUSE - ALLORA - DAYGinty skips off the porch, clutching her tuppence. Chattering to herself about pears.EXT. LAUREL CANYON - MORNINGThe limo crests the top of the hill.INT. LIMO - MORNINGRalph admires the view as he always does.PAMELADo you know you’re quite right? It is beautiful. Exquisite.RALPHIt’s always new.INT. REHEARSAL ROOM - DAYPamela leans on the piano peering at her script. The boys are dotted about the room; all are mid-work.DON(to Pamela)So Jolly Holiday’s in?PAMELAAs you wish.Pamela is genuinely curious.PAMELA (CONT’D)Now, how in the world does Mister Disney propose to train penguins to dance?!BOBAre you serious?PAMELAI’ve heard about his implausibly leaved trees so I assume he does have some insane penguin wrangling scheme but it does seem rather far fetched. Can you train penguins?DON(laughing)No I don’t think you can train an actual--DICK(over)They’re animated.Pamela is confounded.PAMELASorry?DONDick.DICKCartoons.He draws a little squiggle in the air to illustrate his point.DONDick.Pamela’s face turns beetroot red, she pushes herself away from the table and storms out of the room, slamming the door behind her.DON (CONT’D)Crap.DICKWhat? Are we getting real penguins?INT. DISNEY - OUTER OFFICE - DAYPamela comes storming into the offices suite. Dolly smiles up from her desk.DOLLYGood afternoon Mrs Travers!PAMELAWhere is Mister Disney?DOLLYIf you’d like to take a seat--PAMELAI would not like to take a seat thank you. I would like to--She heads for Disney’s office and Dolly is up and running after her down the corridor. DOLLYMrs Travers, please!Pamela blows past Tommie’s desk.PAMELADISNEY!INT. WALT’S OFFICE - DAYPamela pushes open Walt’s doors, catching him in the midst of signing a stack of postcards of his grinning face, an unlit cigarette in his pen hand. TOMMIEWalt, I’m so sorry.WALTDon’t worry Tommie, please close the door.Disney gestures to his cigarette.WALT (CONT’D)Never let anybody see me smoking. I’d hate to encourage bad habits. Please, sit down.PAMELAI shall not sit in the seat of a trickster! A fraudster! A sneak!WALTPamela--PAMELAMRS TRAVERS. PLEASE!WALTMrs Travers, what in the world has upset you so?PAMELAPenguins!Walt is confused.PAMELA (CONT’D)Penguins have very much upset me Mister Disney! Animated, dancing penguins! Now, you have seduced me with the music Mr Disney, yes you have. Those Sherman boys have quite turned my head but I shall not be moved on the matter of cartoons. Not one inch sir!WALTIt’s a sequence--PAMELAYou promised me. You promised me that this film would not be an animation!WALTAnd it isn’t!PAMELASo they’re real penguins?WALTNo they’re animated.PAMELA(sudden realization)Oh. (to herself, smiling ruefully)You foolish old woman.Pamela reaches into her purse and pulls out the assignment of rights papers and leaves them on the table.PAMELA (CONT’D)Good day Mister Disney.She turns on her heel and leaves. Disney stares at the pages aghast.WALTPam! Pamela! Mrs Travers! Wait!INT. DISNEY - OUTER OFFICE - DAYPamela flies past Dolly’s desk.PAMELAPlease call my driver and have him pick me up.DOLLYYes ma’am, when?PAMELANOW!EXT. DISNEY STUDIOS - DAYPamela flees to her bench, wrapping her arms around herself. Disney comes after her.WALTPlease Mrs Travers-- You must listen.PAMELAYou shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep, especially to children, they hold on to them you see? And those promises they just sit there inside of them, like little doses of poison, all those broken promises, eating away forever.WALTPamela? I don’t understand why this is so hard for you. Please, make me understand--PAMELAThe books weren’t written for the children. They were written for the promise breakers.WALTThe promise breakers? Mrs Travers I--But she’s gone, face to the sky, eyes closed, breathing.WALT (CONT’D)Mrs Travers?Ralph pulls up and gets out of the car.RALPHWoah! Mister Disney!WALTHi.RALPHHi! I’m such a huge fan. It’s such an honour to--He suddenly sees that Pamela is more deeply entrenched in herself than usual and his priority becomes her. RALPH (CONT’D)(to Walt)Excuse me.Ralph moves past Walt and gently taps Pamela on the shoulder, she opens her eyes, relieved to see him.RALPH (CONT’D)You ready to go Mrs?PAMELAYes. Thank you.WALTPamela--PAMELA(tearing up)I’m so sorry Mister Disney. To have put everyone to so much trouble. WALTYou must reconsider. You must.PAMELAI simply can’t give her up. Not yet. Perhaps not ever. I don’t know why DISNEYYou do know why!PAMELAI can’t, he’s-- DISNEYHe’s?PAMELAI just-- Goodbye Mr Disney.She goes to get in the car and Disney puts a hand to stop her but Ralph blocks it.RALPHThe lady’s ready to go now sir.Walt steps away and Ralph closes the door to the car.WALTHe’s?Walt watches the car disappear, wracked with frustration and confusion. He takes a seat on Pamela’s bench and wraps his arms around himself and looks to the sky.EXT. LAX - DAYRalph climbs out of the limo and opens the back door for Pamela. He gestures for a valet to come and take her bags and opens the trunk of the car.RALPHIt’s been a pleasure driving you Mrs.PAMELANo one likes a fibber.RALPH(chuckles)I really have enjoyed it. Didn’t know who you were at first and then guess what?PAMELAYou found out?RALPHI was telling my daughter all about my day and how I was driving this nice writer lady, Mrs Travers for Mr Disney and--PAMELAAnd--RALPHAnd--(he leans into the passenger window)And she makes me go to her bedroom and get this!(he pulls out a Mary Poppins book)Can’t stop reading it. I’m very slow mind you.Pamela smiles.PAMELAWould you like me to sign it?RALPH(delighted)Would you?!PAMELAI’d be honoured.Ralph hands her his pen and she begins to write.PAMELA (CONT’D)Your daughters name?RALPHJane.PAMELAReally?RALPHUh huh. Like the girl in the book.PAMELA(reading as she writes)To Jane and her dearest father--(she looks at him)I’ve just this instant realized I don’t know your name.RALPHRalph.She shakes his hand.PAMELAPamela.RALPHPamela.PAMELAYou’re the only American I have ever liked, Ralph.Ralph is chuffed to bits.RALPHMay I ask why?PAMELANo. Now take this--She hands him the piece of Beverly Hills Hotel stationery with her notes on.RALPH(reading)Albert Einstein, Van Gogh, Roosevelt, Frida Kahlo--(beat)What is this?PAMELAThey all had difficulties. Jane can do anything that anyone else can do, do you understand?Ralph looks at her in awe.PAMELA (CONT’D)Look at the bottom.RALPHWalt Disney!PAMELADeficiencies in concentration and hyperactive behavior. Explains everything!Pamela turns to leave.RALPHThank you Mrs. Pamela doesn’t look back.INT. DISNEY - OUTER OFFICE - LATE AFTERNOONTommie and Dolly silence their gossiping as a tired and broken Walt Disney appears in front of them.WALTShe’s gone?Tommie looks down at her paperwork and nods at Walt apologetically.TOMMIEFlight left 10 minutes ago.Tommie hands him the itinerary, he glares at it.WALT(expecting to read her name)Pamela Tra--(beat)Goff? Who’s Helen Goff?TOMMIEHer. That’s her real name.Walt is confused.DOLLYYuh, didn’t you know? She’s all hoity toity. British this and British that and she’s really an Aussie called Helen Goff. Stuck up--WALTThen who’s Travers?Tommie and Dolly look at each other and shrug.WALT (CONT’D)(smiles to himself)I’ve been talking to the wrong person.EXT. GOFF HOUSE - DAYGinty skips up the path, clutching a brown paper bag. She ruffles Andrew’s fur before entering the house.INT. GOFF HOUSE - DAYGinty senses something wrong, she hears hushed, urgent and emotional voices in the hall. She pokes her head into the hallway. There, huddled together, whispering are her mother, the doctor and Aunt Ellie.Ellie is holding a pile of blood stained sheets.Ginty stands frozen, trying to still the panicked beating of her heart.Margaret spies Ginty and moves towards her as if in slo-mo. There are flecks of blood on her dress. She is ashen, shattered. She comes down to Ginty’s level.MARGARETDaddy-- Ginty cannot react. Margaret sweeps her into her arms and Ginty drops the brown paper bag; it tears and scatters pears all over the floor.Ginty’s eyes fix on Aunt Ellie’s umbrella on the back of the chair, drawn into its beady black eyes.GINTYI want to see my father.MARGARETNo, you mustn’t.GINTYI want to see him!Suddenly she turns into a wildcat - lashing, thrashing, biting, screaming. Nothing will stop her seeing Travers.AUNT ELLIELet her go Margaret.Margaret is forced to let go and Ginty runs for her father’s bedroom.INT. TRAVERS’ BEDROOM - DAYGinty stands in the bedroom, a long way from the bed. She stands there, it seems, for an eternity. Then, finally, step by step she draws closer. The empty bottle on the floor. The sheets twisted, still wet with sweat, flecked and spotted with blood. The front of her father’s nightdress is also bloodstained. Ginty’s eyes reach his face. Travers lies, eyes open, mouth open, teeth slightly red-stained, neither peaceful nor distressed. Just-- nothing.GINTYI dropped the pears.She perches on the edge of the bed and takes his hand.GINTY (CONT’D)I’m sorry daddy.Ellie appears in the doorway, Ginty addresses her without turning around.GINTY (CONT’D)You promised you would fix everything.EXT. SHAWFIELD STREET - LONDON - DAYA black London Taxi pulls up outside the house. Pamela climbs out of the car, struggling to pull her huge Mickey Mouse out too.INT. SHAWFIELD STREET - LONDON - DAYPamela moves through the vestibule, lugging her suitcase.PAMELAHello house.INT. PAMELA’S LIVING ROOM - NIGHTPamela sits in a chair in the living room watching in darkness. She gently closes her eyes, ringed with sadness and a lifetime’s despair.There’s a knock at the door and she jolts awake, she doesn’t know how long she’s been asleep but it’s black outside. She gets up and rushes to the door as quickly as her feet will take her. She swings it open.PAMELAOh dear god!Standing on the doorstep is Walt Disney. Pamela is, quite literally, speechless.WALTIt was one heck of a job getting a seat on the very next flight, let me tell you.PAMELABut, you always get what you want eventually. Isn’t that right Walter?He looks down at her hand clenched into a fist and shaking.WALTHow about you show me how to make one of those nice English pots of tea?INT. PAMELA’S DRAWING ROOM - NIGHTPamela sits at the table, as Disney carries in a tray with a teapot, a milk jug, a sugar bowl and two cups. These he places on the table and proceeds to pour tea.PAMELAMilk. The milk goes in first.He attends to it.WALTI remember.PAMELAAnd whiskey. I’ll have whiskey in mine.Disney follows her gesture to the whiskey decanter. She takes it from him and pours a generous slug into her teacup.WALT(surprised)Oh. (beat)Oh well, when in Rome!He pours a slug into his tea too.PAMELAYou’ve come to change my mind. To beat me into submission.WALTNo, I’ve come because you misjudge me.PAMELAHow do I misjudge you?WALTYou look at me and you see some kind of Hollywood King Midas. (MORE)You think I’ve built an empire and that I want to use your Mary Poppins as just another brick in my kingdom. You think I see her with a carpetbag full of greenbacks.PAMELAAnd don’t you?WALTIf that was all it was would I have pursued an cranky, stubborn dame like you for twenty years? I’d’ve have saved myself an ulcer!(beat)No, you expected me to disappoint you and so you made sure I did. You see, I think life disappoints you, Mrs Travers. I think it’s done that a lot. Maybe Mary Poppins is the only person in your life who hasn’t.PAMELAMary Poppins isn’t real.WALTOh, no, that’s not true. She’s real as can be to my daughter’s and to thousands of other children-- adults too. She’s been there as a nighttime comfort to a heck of a lot of people.PAMELAWell, Where is she when I need her? Hm? I open the door to Mary Poppins and who should be standing there but Walt Disney!He laughs.WALTMrs Travers, I am so sorry. I hoped this would be a magical experience for you, for all of us. But I let you down-- and in doing so, I’ve broken a twenty year old promise to my girls.(beat)I’ve been wracking my brains, trying to figure out why this has been so hard for you and I--(beat)You see, I have my own Mr Banks. Mine had a moustache.WALT (CONT'D)PAMELAAh! Not true then that Disney created man in his own image?WALTBut it is true that you created yourself in someone else’s yes?She doesn’t answer. Walt takes mouthful of laced tea and coughs a little.WALT (CONT’D)Ever been to Kansas City, Mrs Travers? Do you know Missouri at all?PAMELACan’t say I do and as I have no plans to ever set foot on American soil again I’m afraid I never will.WALTIt’s mighty cold there in the winters. Bitter. Walt stops talking, catches himself, looks away and then gives in. His enthusiasm completely disappears and he’s suddenly as ragged and as weary as Pamela.WALT (CONT’D)(it pours out)My dad, Elias Disney, he owned a newspaper delivery route there. Thousand papers. Twice daily. Morning and evening edition. Elias, he was a tough businessman. A save-a-penny anywhere you can type of fella so he wouldn’t employ any delivery boys, he just used me and my big brother Roy. I was eight then-- eight years old. (beat)Like I said, those winters were harsh and old Elias didn’t believe in new shoes until the old ones were worn right through so-- (beat)Honestly, Mrs Travers, the snow would be up to here--He gestures to his knees.WALT (CONT’D)You’d push through it like wading through molasses. (MORE)And the cold and the wet would be seeping through the shoes and the skin would be raw and peeling from our faces-- and sometimes I’d find myself sunk down in the snow, waking up, cuz I must’ve passed out for a moment-- I dunno. Then school, too cold to figure out an equation. And back into the snow so by the time we got home it’d be just getting dark, and every part of you would sting like crazy as it slowly came back to life in the warmth. My mother would feed us dinner and then it’d be time to go out again for the evening edition. (beat)Best be quick Walt, best be quick or poppa’s gonna show you the buckle end again boy.Walt smiles at Pamela, sips his tea.WALT (CONT’D)Now, I don’t tell you all this to make you sad Mrs Travers, I don’t. I love my life - it’s a miracle. And I loved my daddy, boy I loved him. But, there isn’t a day goes by where I don’t think of that little boy in the snow and old Elias with his fist and strap and I’m just so tired-- I’m tired of remembering it that way. Aren’t you tired Mrs Travers? We all have our tales but don’t you want to find a way to finish the story? Let it all go and have a life that isn’t dictated by a past? (beat)It’s not the children she comes to save. It’s their father.(beat)It’s your father--?(beat)Travers Goff.PAMELAI don’t know what you think you know about me Walter--WALTYou must’ve loved and admired him a lot to take his name-- PAMELAI--WALT (CONT’D)WALTMrs. Travers. It’s all about him isn’t it? All of this. Everything.Pamela looks at her hands, they’re shaking.WALT (CONT’D)Forgiveness. It’s what I learned from your books.PAMELAI don’t need to forgive my father. He was a wonderful man.WALTNo, you need to forgive Helen Goff. Life is a harsh sentence to lay down for yourself.Pamela looks down at the table top.WALT (CONT’D)Give her to me, Mrs Travers. Trust me with your precious Mary Poppins. I won’t disappoint you. I swear that every time a person goes into a movie house - from Leicester to St Louis, they will see George Banks being saved. They will love him and his kids, they will weep for his cares, and wring their hands when he loses his job. And when he flies that kite, oh! They will rejoice, they will sing. In every movie house, all over the world, in the eyes and the hearts of my kids, and other kids and their mothers and fathers for generations to come, George Banks will be honoured. George Banks will be redeemed. George Banks and all he stands for will be saved. Maybe not in life, but in imagination. Because that’s what we storytellers do. We restore order with imagination. We instill hope again and again and again. Trust me, Mrs Travers. Let me prove it to you. I give you my word.INT. PAMELA’S KITCHEN - NIGHTPamela is alone. The unsigned rights papers in front of her on the table. She looks at Mickey who occupies the chair opposite her, her face softens under his gaze.PAMELAEnough.EXT. ANIMATION BUILDING - THREE YEARS LATER - DAYDisney employees pass by a giant movie poster which reads: MARY POPPINS - OPENING SOON! Walt exits the building. He’s but a few steps out of the door when Tommie appears behind him.TOMMIEWalt.She hands him a sheet of paper.TOMMIE (CONT’D)Invitation list for the premiere.WALTIs that everyone?TOMMIENot everyone.She looks at Walt questioningly.WALT(sighs) We’ll premiere in London as well. It’ll be more convenient for her.Tommie holds his look.WALT (CONT’D)There’ll be cameras, press, interviews-- I have to protect the picture.TOMMIEOkay.Walt walks away, he’s lost a bit of steam. Tommy watches him go.OMITTEDINT. PAMELA’S OFFICE - DAY.Pamela taps away on her typewriter with gusto. She pings the return and breathes, satisfied.PAMELAI should say so too.The doorbell sounds, voices. Pamela begins to tap again.POLLY (O.S.)Mrs Travers!Pamela tuts, tries to carry on with her work.POLLY (O.S.) (CONT’D)Mrs Travers!Pamela rises from her chair, smoothes down her skirt.PAMELAFor goodness sake!She rises from her chair, smoothes down her skirt and makes her way to the front door.PAMELA (CONT’D)Please don’t screech like an alleycat!INT. PAMELA’S LIVING ROOM - DAYPamela and Diarmuid sit together. Pamela is quite changed, she looks younger, radiant, worry free.DIARMUIDI am so pleased to hear that Mrs Travers.PAMELAI should think you’ll have a draft very soon. (calling out)Polly! Where’s that tea?(to Diarmuid)It’s coming along marvelously!Polly kicks the door open with her foot and plonks the tea down in front of Pamela and Diarmuid. She sneezes twice, doesn’t bother to pour and turns to leave.PAMELA (CONT’D)(to Polly)Would you pour please?POLLYYou’re perfectly capable of doing it yourself.Polly leaves, Pamela rolls her eyes.PAMELAShe’s quite the worst maid I’ve ever had!DIARMUIDSo why do you keep her?PAMELAI don’t know-- she reminds me of me.Diarmuid laughs.DIARMUIDDo you have a title?PAMELAMary Poppins in the Kitchen.DIARMUIDWonderful. Should we start talking about the film rights?Pamela narrows her eyes at him.PAMELANEVER again.DIARMUIDOkay. (beat)Now, tell me, Have you got your tiara for the premiere?PAMELAOh, I’m not going. DIARMUIDWhy not?PAMELAHollywood premieres are not for old trout like me. Anyway, it’s not convenient--DIARMUIDHe hasn’t invited you, has he?Pamela doesn’t reply.DIARMUID (CONT’D)Mary Poppins wouldn’t stand for that.INT. PLANE - DAYPamela is hot and bothered trying to wrestle her cabin baggage into an overhead locker. The same flight attendant from the top of the film appears.FLIGHT ATTENDANTCan I help you?PAMELAI’m perfectly capable thank you.The flight attendant recognizes her with something akin to horror.FLIGHT ATTENDANTSuit yourself-- ma’am.PAMELA(cheery)I shall!CAPTAIN (O.S.)Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon and welcome aboard this flight to Los Angeles. Just a few announcements before we begin our taxi for takeoff--Pamela takes the seat next to the window, she looks out at the tarmac.She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, opens her eyes again and tucks her feet tidily together. She folds her hands neatly into her lap and looks straight ahead.INT. DISNEY STUDIOS - OUTER OFFICE - DAYWalt enters the outer office walking briskly towards his own office. WALTMorning Dolly.Dolly opens her mouth to speak but he’s already past and approaching--TOMMIE’S DESKTommie sits, arms crossed and stares, half bemused at Walt.WALT (CONT’D)What?Tommie nods toward his office. Pamela is sitting in a chair, back to them.PAMELAMe again!INT. DISNEY OFFICE - DAYWalt semi-recovers as quickly as possible and enters his office.WALTMrs Travers! How wonderful to see you. What brings you to--PAMELAI’m here for my premiere. WALTGreat!PAMELAI didn’t receive my invitation, but I just assumed the American postal service had fallen down on the job as per usual.She smiles sweetly.WALTI’ll have a-- uh, replacement sent to your hotel right away. PAMELAThat’s very kind, Mr Disney. I knew you wouldn’t have forgotten me.WALTPam, how could I?PAMELAHow indeed? You did, after all, assure me that I wouldn’t be disappointed.INT. SUITE - BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL - DAYThe porter lets Pamela into her room, and doesn’t even bother hovering for a tip. Pamela turns and it’s like deju vu - the flowers, the chocolates, the champagne, a VIP invitation to the premiere of Walt Disney’s Mary Poppins. And, of course, the ubiquitous stuffed Mickey Mouse.PAMELA(to Mickey)I thought I left you in London.EXT. BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL - FORECOURT - NIGHTPamela looks wonderful in a long white gown with turquoise silk gloves to her elbows and matching wrap falling from her shoulders.PAMELA(to doorman)Would you call me a taxi please?DOORMANAbsolutely.The doorman goes to find her a cab and in his absence a limo pulls up to the kerb. Pamela doesn’t dare get her hopes up but the door swings open and there he is, her favorite person in America.RALPHHad a feeling a certain friend of mine might be needing me tonight.PAMELARalph!She rushes to him and they give each other a friendly hug.RALPHYou look like a million bucks!Let’s get you to the ball.He opens the back door for her and she climbs in.EXT. GRAUMAN’S CHINESE THEATER - HOLLYWOOD - NIGHTIt’s spectacular! Disney’s biggest Hollywood opening. Bulbs flash continuously as limo after limo pulls up at the red carpet. Ushers are dressed as English bobbies. Reporters stand on podiums in colourful suits, Penguins dance their hearts out in front of the theater. Pearly Kings and Queens play for the onlookers. Crowds and crowds of fans scream every time a bulb flashes, waving their autograph books and posters in the air. Every Disney character imaginable bounces up and down the lines of well-wishers, hugging them, dancing for them, signing their booklets. Hollywood Blvd is completely shut down and the atmosphere is like the happiest party you could ever go to.INT. LIMO - NIGHTRalph takes the car slowly through the crowds. Onlookers press their faces against the windows trying to make out who is inside. Pamela is nervous, everyone else has someone with them but Pamela must brave the crowd alone.EXT. GRAUMAN’S CHINESE THEATER - HOLLYWOOD -NIGHTThe limo stops at the edge of the carpet and Ralph jumps out. He rushes round to Pamela’s side and helps her from the car. Immediately a round of flashes go off and Pamela puts her arm up to shield her eyes. It’s too much.RALPH(in her ear)This is your night. None of this would be possible without you.She brings her arm down, straightens her dress and breaks into a smile, making her way down the carpet to frantic whispers amongst the press and autograph hunters of: “Who is that?” “Is that anyone?” Pamela spots Walt, Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews being interviewed together up ahead.Mickey Mouse bounces down the carpet and slows-- he and Pamela lock eyes for a brief moment. He holds out his gloved hand, she takes it and together they watch as a huge toy train chugs to a halt on the blvd and hundreds upon hundreds of coloured balloons fly out of it’s roof and into the air.EXT. GRAUMAN’S CHINESE THEATRE - NIGHTPamela moves through the spangling, glittering, perfect toothed Hollywood crowd and no-one pays any attention to her.INT. GRAUMAN’S CHINESE THEATRE - AUDITORIUM - NIGHTThe auditorium is jam packed. Pamela is seated in front of Walt Disney. Don, the Shermans and their families are in the same row as her - Bob Sherman next to her. The lights begin to dim. The overture begins-- We stay close on Pamela as the sounds of the overture fade and the melody of a single tin whistle playing one of Travers old melody’s rings in her ears.We hear snippets of the film in the background but we remain with Pamela.She looks around at the faces in the audience - laughing, humming, sad, happy, joyous.Intercut with images from Pamela’s childhood and the voices of Bert and Jane - Ellie’s parrot head umbrella--BERTYou know, begging your pardon, but the one my heart goes out to is your father.The carousel horses at the Allora fair--BERT (CONT’D)There he is in that cold, heartless bank day after day, hemmed in by mounds of cold, heartlessmoney. The tuppence and rolling pears--BERT (CONT’D)I don't like to see any living thing caged up.Uncle Albert with Ginty on his back, carrying her river soaked mother back to the house-- JANEFather in a cage?Ginty pressing the final bottle into her father’s hand--BERTThey makes cages in all sizes and shapes, you know. The image of the dead Travers in his bloodstained bed--BERT (CONT’D)Bank-shaped some of 'em, carpets and all.DISSOLVE TO:Children in the audience, their little faces tilted upwards. Rapt.MICHEALYou won’t ever leave us will you?JANEWhatever would we do without you?MARY POPPINSI shall stay until the wind changes.And then an image from the film:George Banks walks away from us down the misty tree-lined London street, on his way to be fired from the bank.Walt Disney watches with quiet satisfaction.Pamela however has tears coursing down her face. Her shoulders heave as she tries desperately not to sob out loud but people are noticing, looking at her. Disney leans forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. She reaches up and grips it tightly, unable to speak.WALTIt’s all right, Mrs Travers. It’s alright. Mr Banks is going to be all right. I promise.Pamela nods in gratitude, but cannot contain her sobs. It’s all pouring from her now, in one immense catharsis.PAMELANo, no. It’s just that-- I can’t, I can’t abide cartoons! We stay on her face as we bring up the final song of the film: Let’s Go Fly A Kite. The audience around her are smiling, laughing, singing along. Pamela, the tears, silent now, still pouring down her cheeks as she slowly begins to mouth along with the lyrics.And in her head one final image appears.Travers gaze falls upon Ginty, outside his bedroom window, sweeping. Their eyes meet for a brief moment, an unspoken understanding of what is to come, before his close with tiredness. TRAVERS (V.O.)Never. I promise. I will never lose you.DISSOLVE TO:EXT. MARYBOROUGH PARK - DAYThe shadow of an umbrella leaves the ten-year-old Ginty sitting in the lush grass, arms wrapped tightly around her chest, face to the sky as a smile breaks free across her face. TRAVERS (V.O.)(singing)Winds in the East Mist coming in--The shadow of an umbrella, floats higher and higher--TRAVERS --Like something is brewing, about to begin--And further and further--TRAVERS (CONT’D)Can't put me finger on what lies in store--We give chase but cannot catch up--TRAVERS (CONT’D) But I feel what's to happen, all happened before--And the umbrella floats up, up, up into the atmosphere and away--FADE OUT:END | screenplays |
Finland competed at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, from 9 to 25 February 2018, with 100 competitors in 11 sports. They won six medals in total, one gold, one silver and four bronze, ranking 18th in the medal table.
Medalists
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Competitors
The following is the list of number of competitors participating at the Games per sport/discipline.
Alpine skiing
Finland has qualified two athletes.
Biathlon
Based on their Nations Cup rankings in the 201617 Biathlon World Cup, Finland has qualified a team of 5 men and 5 women. Finland decided to send a team of 3 men and 5 women.
Men
Women
Mixed
Cross-country skiing
Distance
Men
Women
Sprint
Men
Women
Curling
Summary
Mixed doubles tournament
Based on results from 2016 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship and 2017 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship, Finland has qualified their mixed doubles as the highest ranked nations.
Draw 1
Thursday, February 8, 9:05
Draw 2
Thursday, February 8, 20:04
Draw 3
Friday, February 9, 8:35
Draw 4
Friday, February 9, 13:35
Draw 5
Saturday, February 10, 9:05
Draw 6
Saturday, February 10, 20:04
Draw 7
Sunday, February 11, 9:05
Figure skating
Finland qualified one female figure skater through the 2017 CS Nebelhorn Trophy.
Freestyle skiing
Moguls
Slopestyle
Ice hockey
Summary
Men's tournament
Finland men's national ice hockey team qualified by finishing 4th in the 2015 IIHF World Ranking.
Team roster
Men's team event 1 team of 25 players
https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2018/1/22/16918898/finland-announces-their-2018-mens-olympic-hockey-roster-with-some-familiar-names
Preliminary round
Qualification playoff
Quarterfinal
Women's tournament
Finland women's national ice hockey team qualified by finishing 3rd in the 2016 IIHF World Ranking.
Team roster
Women's team event 1 team of 23 players
Preliminary round
Quarterfinal
Semifinal
Bronze medal game
Nordic combined
Ski jumping
Men
Women
Snowboarding
Finland has nominated 8 athletes: Enni Rukajärvi, Roope Tonteri, Kalle Järvilehto, Rene Rinnekangas, Peetu Piiroinen, Markus Malin, Janne Korpi and Anton Lindfors.
Freestyle
Men
Women
Snowboard cross
Qualification legend: FA Qualify to medal final; FB Qualify to consolation final
Speed skating
See also
Finland at the 2018 Winter Paralympics
References
Category:Nations at the 2018 Winter Olympics
2018
Winter Olympics | wikipedia |
a 37-year - old female visited with a complaint of gradually decreased visual acuity . at the first ophthalmological examination ,
the corrected best visual acuities in the right eye and the left eye were 1.0 and 0.4 respectively .
slit lamp examination revealed that there was no specific finding in the anterior segment , and the funduscopic finding of both eyes showed that cotton wool spots , macular edema and vascular tortuosity were present around the optic disc in the left eye ( fig .
2a ) , but the right eyes was unremarkable except the suspected cotton wool spots near superotemporal arcade ( fig . 2c ) .
we found that the thickness of macula was increased when measured by optical coherent tomography ( fig .
she had no medical history of diabetes , hypertension and systemic vascular disease and no evidence of abnormalities in laboratory finding .
one year before this visit , she was confirmed to have metastatic tumor on her right frontal lobe shown on mri ( fig .
she had received radiation therapy of fractionated external irradiation to the whole brain ( 3,000 cgy/10fraction ) for 2 weeks and local boost irradiation ( 1,200 cgy ) after that , she was transferred to another hospital for gamma knife surgery on that lesion .
total dose of gamma knife surgery on the tumor bed was 40 gy and the amount of irradiation for each eye was 0.2 gy .
immediate intravitreal ta injection was performed for macular edema and two weeks later , the visual acuity was improved to 0.6 .
but the visual acuity was decreased to 0.3 again 3 months later , so we performed intravitreal ta injection again .
three months after the second injection , the fundus examination and optical coherent tomography revealed that retinal thickness was improved and the corrected best visual acuity was 0.5 .
radiation therapy is a useful treatment option for malignant or benign tumor , and it is an important treatment for head and neck cancer .
however , there are various side effects of radiation therapy including blepharitis , keratoconjunctivitis , corneal epithelial atrophy , cataract , etc .
but it is reported that complication appears slowly at posterior segment such as the optic nerve as compared to anterior segment after radiation therapy.3,7 radiation retinopathy is microangiopathy that is developed several months or several years after radiation therapy , accompanying with occlusion of retinal vessels and change of permeability.5 in 1933 , stallard8 reported radiation retinopathy for the first time , and seong et al.9 reported a case of radiation retinopathy for the first time in korea followed by several reports on cases .
it is reported that the higher the total exposed radiation dose and the higher the fraction dose , the higher frequency of development of radiation retinopathy.1 in general , 35 gy is the highest limit of safe radiation dose,10 and there is little chance of causing radiation retinopathy with lesser radiation dose than that.6,11 - 13 it is reported that there is a 50% chance of developing radiation retinopathy with a dose of 60 gy and 85 - 90% chance with a dose of 70 - 80 gy.10,14 parsons et al.12 reported that the danger of radiation retinopathy is higher in the higher radiation dose exposed per a time , and the radiation dose should not exceed 1.8 - 1.9 gy per a time .
furthermore , the nearer the eye is to the irradiation site , the more radiation retinopathy develops . according to amoaku et al.,6 after performing radiation therapy , radiation retinopathy
develop in ocular or periorbital area with 85.7% chance , in paranasal sinus with 45.4% chance , in nasopharynx with 36.4% chance and in cranium with 3.1% chance .
although the higher amount of total radiation dose and increased fraction dose , the higher chance of developing radiation retinopathy gets , there is a discrepancy among reporters about threshold of radiation dose that causes radiation retinopathy .
merriam et al.10 reported that it is safe within 35 gy of radiation dose , while they reported that radiation retinopathy can be developed with lesser amount of radiation dose in another report .
peterson et al.15 performed radiation therapy with a dose of 20 gy to 242 people and 30 gy to 69 people , and reported that there was no occurrence of radiation retinopathy during the follow - up period . and some report that radiation retinopathy was not developed to a patient who was exposed to 25 - 45 gy of radiation dose.12,16 it is also reported that the development of radiation retinopathy can be quickened when accompanying chemotherapy that makes retinal vasculature be easily damaged by radiation and increases the risk of radiation retinopathy.5,7 it is also reported that existing abnormal vascular disease such as diabetic retinopathy , works as a risk factor for the development of radiation retinopathy . according to gass,17 diabetic retinopathy
can be aggravated in the retina where radiation therapy was performed , and brown et al.5 reported that macular injury was induced to one person among 20 people who have diabetes . in general , the nearer to irradiation site , the frequency of developing radiation retinopathy increases , but in this case , total dose of external beam radiation was 30 gy and local booster irradiation dose on tumor bed was 12 gy which are lower doses to induce radiation retinopathy .
we could not find radiation retinopathy in the right eye despite the large dose of brachytherapy given to the right eye .
rather , radiation retinopathy was developed only in the left eye where the lesser amount of radiation was exposed .
this patient does not have diabetes , but was being treated with chemotherapy as well as radiation therapy . despite of the effects of comparatively small amount of radiation , radiation retinopathy was induced in the left eye that can be explained by several reports that said radiation retinopathy can be induced with little amount of radiation when accompanying chemotherapy.5,7,17 laser photocoagulation is a widely used and approved treatment for macular edema caused by radiation retinopathy,18 - 20 but in this case , we performed injection of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for the treatment of macular edema resulting in decreased retinal thickness and improved the visual acuity .
cortcosteroids have been used for the treatment of cystoids macular edema as a mechanism that includes inhibition of arachidonic acid pathway , downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor and reduction of blood - retinal barrier breakdown.21 - 23 after 3 months of observation additional intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection was performed because of recurrence of macular edema , and that decreased retinal thickness and improved the visual acuity .
after 5 months of observation , there was no recurrence of cme and the vision remains stable . from this case , we conclude that careful radiation blocking is also required on the opposite side of irradiation site , considering that radiation retinopathy can be developed with a little amount of radiation if combined with chemotherapy , at the site away from irradiation site .
this case also demonstrates that careful observation is needed for both eyes when performing fundus examination , and the injection of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide is an effective treatment for cystoid macular edema when radiation retinopathy has developed . | pubmed |
Leary v. United States, 395 U.S. 6 1969, is a U.S. Supreme Court case dealing with the constitutionality of the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. Timothy Leary, a professor and activist, was arrested for the possession of marijuana in violation of the Marihuana Tax Act. Leary challenged the act on the ground that the act required self-incrimination, which violated the Fifth Amendment. The unanimous opinion of the court was penned by Justice John Marshall Harlan II and declared the Marihuana Tax Act unconstitutional. Thus, Leary's conviction was overturned. Congress responded shortly thereafter by replacing the Marihuana Tax Act with the newly written Controlled Substances Act while continuing the prohibition of certain drugs in the United States.
Facts that triggered the dispute
The circumstances surrounding the petitioner's conviction were as follows. On December 20, 1965, Leary left New York by automobile, intending to take a vacation trip to the Mexican state of Yucatán. He was accompanied by his daughter and son, both teenagers, and two others. On December 22, 1965, the party drove across the International Bridge between the United States and Mexico at Laredo, Texas. They stopped at the Mexican customs station and, after apparently being denied entry, drove back across the bridge. They halted at the American secondary inspection area, explained the situation to a customs inspector, and stated that they had nothing from Mexico to declare. The inspector asked to search the car, examined its interior, and saw what appeared to be marijuana seeds on the floor. Small amounts of marijuana were also found on the car floor and in the glove compartment. A personal search of Leary's daughter revealed a silver snuff box containing semi-refined marijuana and three partially smoked marijuana cigarettes. Though Leary was arrested for violating the Marijuana Tax Act, it was also illegal in the state of Texas to possess marijuana. Hence, compliance under federal law would have provided self-incriminating evidence.
Legal reasoning of the court
a. If read according to its terms, the Marijuana Tax Act compelled petitioner to expose himself to a real and appreciable risk of self-incrimination;
b. [The statute] required him, in the course of obtaining an order form, to identify himself not only as a transferee of marijuana but as a transferee who had not registered and paid the occupational tax;
c. Compliance with the transfer tax provisions would have required petitioner unmistakably to identify himself as a member of [a]...selective and suspect group, we can only decide that when read according to their terms these provisions created a real and appreciable hazard of incrimination.
Later development
The Marihuana Tax Act ultimately was repealed by the U.S. Congress in the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970.
See also
List of United States Supreme Court cases, volume 395
References
External links
Category:Cannabis law reform in the United States
Category:Marihuana Tax Act of 1937
Category:Timothy Leary
Category:United States controlled substances case law
Category:United States Fifth Amendment self-incrimination case law
Category:United States Supreme Court cases
Category:United States Supreme Court cases of the Warren Court
Category:1969 in United States case law
category:1969 in cannabis | wikipedia |
the fornax galaxy cluster is the second nearest cluster of galaxies after virgo , with a distance modulus of @xmath6 @xcite corresponding to a distance of 20.0 mpc .
it consists of two major components of the main fornax cluster centered on ngc 1399 and a subcluster dominated by ngc 1316 @xcite .
there have been many photometric and spectroscopic studies of globular cluster ( gc ) systems in the central region of the fornax cluster , and a fair number of them concentrated on the gc system associated with ngc 1399 .
@xcite and @xcite presented the first ccd photometry for ngc 1399 gcs .
both studies presented an unusually high gc specific frequency of @xmath7 ( i.e. , number of gcs normalized to the galaxy luminosity ; see @xcite ) .
although subsequent studies ( @xcite ) derived a lower value ( @xmath8 ) , it is still higher than those of normal elliptical galaxies .
@xcite suggested that ngc 1404 gcs may have been tidally stripped by ngc 1399 , resulting in a high @xmath9 value of ngc 1399 and a lower @xmath9 value of ngc 1404 .
@xcite also proposed that the over abundance of ngc 1399 gcs can be explained by tidal stripping of gcs from neighboring galaxies and by the accretion of gcs in the gravitational potential of the fornax cluster .
@xcite supported this idea by showing that gcs in ngc 1399 and ngc 1404 are statistically indistinguishable in terms of their color distributions and luminosity functions in their @xmath10 photometry .
@xcite demonstrated the tidal stripping and accretion of gcs between ngc 1399 and ngc 1404 through their numerical simulations .
@xcite presented the asymmetries in the azimuthal distribution of ngc 1399 gcs and suggested that they may be explained by the tidal stripping of gcs from ngc 1387 .
since @xcite first suggested a possible bimodal @xmath11 color distribution in the gc system of ngc 1399 , many studies have confirmed the bimodal or multimodal gc color distribution in this galaxy through various passbands ( e.g. , @xcite ) .
several studies have investigated the properties of blue and red gcs separately . @xcite and @xcite showed that red gcs appear more centrally concentrated than blue gcs .
@xcite suggested that the distribution of blue gcs is similar to that inferred for dark matter .
@xcite presented that the surface density profile of blue gcs is shallower than that of red gcs within 8@xmath12 but they are not distinguishable beyond the radius .
they also showed that the specific frequency of blue gcs is a factor of three larger than that of the red gcs within 7@xmath12 .
@xcite suggested that the specific frequencies for red and blue gcs are 3.3 and 14.3 , respectively .
@xcite showed that the peak of luminosity function for blue gcs is 0.36 mag brighter in @xmath1 than that for red gcs .
@xcite found that the optical infrared color distribution of ngc 1399 gcs is unimodal , whereas the optical colors of the gcs exhibit bimodality .
@xcite investigated the connection between gcs and the stellar population of ngc 1399 using their @xmath11 photometry .
they suggested that the metal - poor subpopulation is homogeneous and exhibits an extended spatial distribution contributing @xmath520% of the total stellar mass , while the metal - rich subpopulation is heterogeneous and dominates the inner region of the galaxy .
ccccc ngc 1387 & 03:36:56.84 & 35:30:23.85 & 12.3 & sb0 + ngc 1389 & 03:37:11.67 & 35:44:39.73 & 12.8 & sb0 + ngc 1399 & 03:38:29.14 & 35:27:02.30 & 10.6 & e0 + ngc 1404 & 03:38:52.08 & 35:35:37.67 & 10.9 & e2 + [ tbl - target ] recent studies based on the advanced camera for surveys ( acs ) fornax cluster survey ( fcs ; @xcite ) have looked into various properties of gc systems in the fornax galaxy cluster .
@xcite detected color
magnitude relation for gcs ( i.e. , blue tilt ) and found that the slope is shallower than that found for virgo cluster survey gc samples .
@xcite measured the half - light radii of gcs in acs fcs galaxies , and suggested the mean half - light radius as a distance indicator .
@xcite found that the dispersion of the gc luminosity functions varies systematically with the brightness of parent galaxies .
@xcite investigated the radial color gradients of gc systems in early - type galaxies in the fornax galaxy cluster , and found that both red and blue gc subpopulations exhibit significant color gradients .
they also found that the slope of the gc color gradients depends on mass of host galaxies .
there have been a few studies for the gc systems of ngc 1404 and ngc 1387 . for ngc 1404
, @xcite presented @xmath2 , @xmath13 photometry of the gc system , and derived a low specific frequency of @xmath14 .
they suggested that ngc 1404 may have its origin outside the fornax cluster based on the low specific frequency similar to that of isolated galaxies together with its high radial velocity .
@xcite presented broad @xmath15 distributions for gcs in the inner and outer regions of ngc 1404 and tentatively suggested a presence of two gc subpopulations .
the bimodal distribution in @xmath15 was later confirmed by @xcite and @xcite . for ngc 1387
, @xcite found that the @xmath11 distribution of the gcs presents a distinct separation between red and blue gcs , and the radial distribution of red gcs is more centrally concentrated than blue gcs .
ccccc 2006 nov 24 & @xmath0 & 1800 & 6 & 0.81 - 1.08 + 2006 nov 24 & @xmath1 & 900 & 3 & 0.911.20 + 2006 nov 24 & @xmath2 & 240 & 3 & 0.941.10 + 2006 nov 24 & @xmath3 & 300 & 6 & 0.630.80 + 2006 nov 28 & @xmath0 & 1800 & 9 & 1.141.43 + 2006 nov 28 & @xmath1 & 900 & 3 & 1.151.35 + 2006 nov 28 & @xmath2 & 360 & 3 & 0.861.07 + [ tbl - obs ] several studies have been done on kinematics and dynamics for gcs around ngc 1399 .
@xcite suggested that , based on the low - dispersion spectra of 47 gcs , the large velocity dispersion of the gcs indicates that they are associated with the gravitational potential of the fornax cluster rather than with that of ngc 1399 .
@xcite supported this suggestion by finding a strong radial increase of the velocity dispersion for 74 gcs .
they found no compelling evidence for rotation and could not detect differences between the kinematics of the blue and red gcs .
@xcite obtained medium - resolution spectra of 468 gcs , and they did not find any signature of rotation .
they suggested that the large velocity dispersion of the gcs could arise from the contamination by foreground objects .
@xcite investigated kinematical and dynamical properties of the gc system of ngc 1399 using the spectra of some 700 gcs .
they found that blue and red populations are kinematically distinct , and the properties of red population resemble those of field stellar populations . several spectroscopic studies investigated chemical abundance and ages of ngc 1399 gcs .
@xcite obtained spectra of 18 gcs in ngc 1399 and found that their abundances span the range observed in the milky way and m31 .
they pointed out that @xmath16 correlates well with metallicity but the slope of the relation becomes flatter toward redder colors if the values of milky way gcs are considered together .
@xcite investigated the ages of the gcs and found that the majority of their sample ( 10 gcs ) have ages of around 11 gyr .
in this paper we provide a new @xmath0 , @xmath1 , @xmath2 , and @xmath3 photometric catalog of gc candidates in the central region of the fornax galaxy cluster .
this is one of the widest and deepest @xmath0-band studies on extragalactic gc systems .
section 2 describes the observations and data reduction .
section 3 gives the gc catalog for ngc 1399 , ngc 1404 , and ngc 1387 , discussing the selection method and the foreground and background contamination level .
section 4 presents the properties of gc systems around the galaxies , including spatial distributions , color
magnitude diagrams ( cmds ) , color distributions , and the radial variations of color bimodality .
section 5 summarizes our results .
the observations were carried out on the nights of 2006 november 24 and 28 ( ut ) with the mosaic ii ccd imager mounted on the prime focus of the 4 m blanco telescope at cerro tololo inter - american observatory ( ctio ) .
the observing conditions were clear and photometric with an average seeing of around 1@xmath17 .
the mosaic ii consists of eight 2048@xmath184096 pixel ccds with a pixel scale of 027 providing a total field of view of 36@xmath1936@xmath12 .
our target field was chosen such that the brightest elliptical galaxy in the fornax cluster , ngc 1399 , and its three neighboring galaxies , ngc 1404 , ngc 1387 , and ngc 1389 , were all imaged in a single telescope pointing .
figure [ fig1_n1399b ] shows the median combined image of our target field as imaged in the @xmath1-filter , and table [ tbl - target ] lists the basic properties of the four members of the fornax cluster .
we observed the target field with @xmath20 , @xmath1 , @xmath2 , and @xmath3 filters .
we note that the standard johnson @xmath0 filter was not available at the time of our observations , so we used the sloan digital sky survey ( sdss ) @xmath20 filter as an alternative and later calibrated the photometry to the johnson @xmath0 system .
the resulting effect of this calibration procedure is discussed below .
the total exposure times in @xmath20 , @xmath1 , @xmath2 , and @xmath3 were 27000 , 5400 , 1800 , and 1800 s , respectively .
we split our observations in each band into two sets of three dithered exposures ( five sets for @xmath20 ) to fill in the gaps between the individual ccd chips in the mosaic , and to minimize the impact on our photometry from ccd blemishes ( e.g. , hot pixels and bad columns ) .
a summary of observations is provided in table [ tbl - obs ] .
all images were pre - processed using the mscred package @xcite in iraf .
we used the ccdproc task to correct for cross - talk between the ccd chips , apply and trim the overscan , correct for the bias level , and apply the flat - field correction .
we used mscpixarea to correct for the variations in pixel scales across the frame produced by geometric distortion in the mosaic ii imager .
each mosaic image was then split into eight individual images using the mscsplit task . to produce a clean high signal - to - noise image in each filter
, we combined the images using the montage2 routine in the allframe package @xcite .
we then applied a ring median filter @xcite having an inner radius of 2.5 times the mean full width at half - maximum ( fwhm ) and a width of 5 pixel on the combined images and subtracted off these images from the original images to remove the rapidly varying background light of the galaxies while preserving the point - sources .
objects were detected from the background - subtracted images using the daophot ii / allstar routines through the following steps .
first , we derived a list of objects and created new images with these objects subtracted . from these images
, we detected fainter objects that were missed in the previous step and created another set of object - subtracted images .
this procedure was iterated five times , and all detected objects were merged into a master catalog .
the master catalog was then input to the allframe program @xcite along with all of the images and their point - spread function ( psf ) models for final psf photometry .
aperture corrections were computed through the daogrow routine @xcite using bright and isolated point - sources , and we applied them to our photometry above .
finally , an error - weighted mean instrumental magnitude for each object was obtained using the daomatch / daomaster routines @xcite .
cccccc 2006 nov 24 & @xmath21 & 2.1194 @xmath22 0.0127 & 0.4495 @xmath22 0.0072 & 0.1458 @xmath22 0.0038 & nan + & @xmath23 & 2.0699 @xmath22 0.0380 & 0.4442 @xmath22 0.0144 & 0.0819 @xmath22 0.0581 & 0.1390 @xmath22 0.0259 + & @xmath1 & 0.3711 @xmath22 0.0045 & 0.2236 @xmath22 0.0037 & 0.0803 @xmath22 0.0015 & nan + & @xmath2 & 0.6402 @xmath22 0.0035 & 0.1386 @xmath22 0.0028 & 0.0297 @xmath22 0.0011 & nan + & @xmath3 & 0.0578 @xmath22 0.0039 & 0.0576 @xmath22 0.0030 & 0.0099 @xmath22 0.0011 & nan + + 2006 nov 28 & @xmath21 & 2.1641 @xmath22 0.0128 & 0.4495 @xmath22 0.0072 & 0.1458 @xmath22 0.0038 & nan + & @xmath23 & 2.1196 @xmath22 0.0383 & 0.4442 @xmath22 0.0144 & 0.0819 @xmath22 0.0581 & 0.1390 @xmath22 0.0259 + & @xmath1 & 0.3243 @xmath22 0.0048 & 0.2236 @xmath22 0.0037 & 0.0803 @xmath22 0.0015 & nan + & @xmath2 & 0.6061 @xmath22 0.0037 & 0.1386 @xmath22 0.0028 & 0.0297 @xmath22 0.0011 & nan + & @xmath3 & 0.0350 @xmath22 0.0041 & 0.0576 @xmath22 0.0030 & 0.0099 @xmath22 0.0011 & nan + [ tbl - std ] cccc chip 1 & @xmath0 & 0.0347 @xmath22 0.0020 & 0.0334 @xmath22 0.0055 + & @xmath1 & 0.0236 @xmath22 0.0007 & 0.0147 @xmath22 0.0022 + & @xmath2 & 0.0165 @xmath22 0.0004 & 0.0029 @xmath22 0.0014 + & @xmath3 & 0.0037 @xmath22 0.0005 & 0.0010 @xmath22 0.0017 + + chip 2 & @xmath0 & 0.0323 @xmath22 0.0019 & 0.0609 @xmath22 0.0055 + & @xmath1 & 0.0162 @xmath22 0.0007 & 0.0094 @xmath22 0.0024 + & @xmath2 & 0.0034 @xmath22 0.0005 & 0.0046 @xmath22 0.0015 + & @xmath3 & 0.0023 @xmath22 0.0005 & 0.0037 @xmath22 0.0017 + + chip 3 & @xmath0 & 0.0087 @xmath22 0.0019 & 0.0675 @xmath22 0.0057 + & @xmath1 & 0.0197 @xmath22 0.0007 & 0.0125 @xmath22 0.0021 + & @xmath2 & 0.0020 @xmath22 0.0004 & 0.0038 @xmath22 0.0014 + & @xmath3 & 0.0085 @xmath22 0.0005 & 0.0013 @xmath22 0.0016 + + chip 4 & @xmath0 & 0.0208 @xmath22 0.0020 & 0.0156 @xmath22 0.0062 + & @xmath1 & 0.0195 @xmath22 0.0007 & 0.0093 @xmath22 0.0021 + & @xmath2 & 0.0060 @xmath22 0.0005 & 0.0016 @xmath22 0.0015 + & @xmath3 & 0.0055 @xmath22 0.0005 & 0.0026 @xmath22 0.0016 + + chip 5 & @xmath0 & 0.0409 @xmath22 0.0020 & 0.0013 @xmath22 0.0057 + & @xmath1 & 0.0024 @xmath22 0.0007 & 0.0018 @xmath22 0.0022 + & @xmath2 & 0.0149 @xmath22 0.0005 & 0.0022 @xmath22 0.0016 + & @xmath3 & 0.0019 @xmath22 0.0007 & 0.0006 @xmath22 0.0014 + + chip 7 & @xmath0 & 0.0183 @xmath22 0.0020 & 0.0016 @xmath22 0.0060 + & @xmath1 & 0.0052 @xmath22 0.0007 & 0.0047 @xmath22 0.0021 + & @xmath2 & 0.0023 @xmath22 0.0004 & 0.0002 @xmath22 0.0014 + & @xmath3 & 0.0031 @xmath22 0.0005 & 0.0033 @xmath22 0.0017 + + chip 8 & @xmath0 & 0.0136 @xmath22 0.0020 & 0.0069 @xmath22 0.0060 + & @xmath1 & 0.0083 @xmath22 0.0007 & 0.0037 @xmath22 0.0021 + & @xmath2 & 0.0046 @xmath22 0.0005 & 0.0005 @xmath22 0.0015 + & @xmath3 & 0.0122 @xmath22 0.0005 & 0.0035 @xmath22 0.0017 + [ tbl - c2c ]
the photometric calibration was achieved using standard stars in the fields of @xcite and @xcite . during the course of our observing runs , we imaged eight standard fields placing the stars of interest on chip 6 .
each image contains 1525 standard stars , which covers an appropriately large range in color . we also observed the standard fields in many different airmasses . in the calibration of @xmath0 band , however , we used all the standard stars that are observed in subsequent observing runs during 2006 , 2007 , and 2008 , because the photometric uncertainty in @xmath0 band is quite large and the number of standard stars is too small to derive reliable solutions . to calibrate the instrumental magnitudes to the johnson - cousins standard magnitudes
, we used the transformation equation of the form @xmath24 where @xmath25 is the calibrated magnitude , @xmath26 is the instrumental magnitude that is normalized to 1 s , c1 is the photometric zero point offset , c2 is the extinction coefficient for airmass corrections , and both c3 and c4 are the color coefficients .
the colors used in the calibration are @xmath27 , @xmath28 , @xmath28 , and @xmath16 for @xmath0 , @xmath1 , @xmath2 , and @xmath3 , respectively .
the photometric coefficients are determined by an iterative process of error - weighted fitting of the transformation equation to the standard magnitudes . the quadratic color term is included only in the equation of @xmath0 band , because a significant deviation from a linear fit occurs in the transformation of @xmath0 band .
figure [ fig2-std ] shows the @xmath0 magnitude difference between the standard and instrumental magnitudes corrected for both of the photometric zero point and the atmospheric extinction , as a function of @xmath27 .
the dashed lines represent two best - fit functions for blue and red standard stars , respectively .
however , if we divide the observed data into two groups by @xmath27 and use the two functions in calibration separately , the discontinuity between two functions may lead to an artificial clump in color distributions of the data . to avoid this problem , we connected the two functions ( red lines ) at the internal division points of them in the range @xmath29 ( two vertical lines ) .
finally , the instrumental magnitudes were converted to the standard johnson - cousins @xmath30 system using the set of photometric coefficients listed in table [ tbl - std ] calibrating the sdss @xmath20 photometry to the johnson @xmath0 system may cause systematic shifts in the colors based on this band since the system throughputs are different between the two filters . to estimate these shifts , we simulated our observations using the system throughputs of the two filters , synthetic spectra of gcs from the yeps model @xcite , and stars from the kurucz atlas9 model .
we calculated the magnitude through each filter for each model gc , and converted it to the standardized johnson @xmath0 magnitude using the synthetic spectrum of a star having the same color of the gc .
we then calculated the differences between these standardized magnitudes from the respective filters .
the differences range from 0.002 mag to 0.022 mag , depending on the colors of the model gcs .
we conclude that these are small enough to have negligible impact on our photometric analyses throughout the paper .
as the individual ccd chips of the mosaic may have different color terms , we attempted to correct for this `` chip - to - chip variation '' as follows . on the night of 2008 may 5 , we took multiple @xmath31 observations of the landolt standard fields sa98 and sa107 with the mosaic ii , such that the same set of standard stars was positioned on each chip . using these data , we derived the color terms that correct for the chip - to - chip variation .
although these color terms were very small , we applied them to our data in hopes of making the multiple measurements of the same source more consistent .
the equation used in correction is of the form @xmath32 where @xmath33 is the magnitude converted to that on the reference chip 6 , @xmath34 is the magnitude measured on each chip , c1 is the zero point offset , and c2 is the color coefficient .
the colors used in the calibration are @xmath27 , @xmath28 , @xmath28 , and @xmath16 for @xmath0 , @xmath1 , @xmath2 , and @xmath3 , respectively .
table [ tbl - c2c ] lists the zero point offsets and color coefficients for each chip .
we corrected for the foreground galactic extinction using the reddening maps provided by @xcite . to account for the atmospheric dispersion corrector ( adc ) of the 4 m blanco telescope that significantly modifies the system throughputs ,
we computed the effective wavelengths of our four bands from the total system throughputs including the effect of the adc , and we derived @xmath35 values based on the extinction law provided by @xcite .
the mean extinction values in @xmath0 , @xmath1 , @xmath2 , and @xmath3 are 0.06 , 0.05 , 0.04 , and 0.02 mag , respectively .
our images were calibrated for astrometry using the usno - b 1.0 catalog stars @xcite and the msctpeak task .
the typical rms of our astrometric solutions is at the level of 02 .
the r.a./decl .
coordinates of our subsequent source catalogs use the positions derived from these images .
we performed artificial star tests to estimate the completeness of our photometry .
we used the addstar routine of daophot ii to generate 4000 artificial stars in each chip with magnitudes and color ranges consistent with those of the point - sources detected and measured above .
the luminosity function of our artificial stars was chosen to be flat to preserve statistical significance in all magnitude ranges .
artificial stars were added to the psf - subtracted images using the empirical psfs derived during our photometry .
we used the same photometry procedure as above to detect and measure artificial stars in these images .
this process was repeated seven times with the positions of artificial stars altering randomly each time , resulting in a total of 28,000 artificial stars per chip . in each 0.3 mag bin , we calculated the detection efficiency , i.e. , the ratio of the number of recovered artificial stars to the number of added ones .
central regions of galaxies and the gaps between ccd chips were masked for the calculation . to obtain a limiting magnitude at which the completeness drops to 50% , the detection efficiencies were fitted to the analytic function by @xcite , @xmath36 where @xmath37 is the limiting magnitude , and @xmath38 is the parameter that controls the steepness of the completeness function near the limiting magnitude .
figure [ fig3_comtest ] shows the measured completeness ( dots ) and the fitted functions ( solid lines ) in @xmath0 , @xmath1 , @xmath2 , and @xmath3 bands depicted by purple , blue , green , and red colors , respectively .
the limiting magnitudes of the four bands are 24.4 , 24.4 , 23.7 , and 22.8 mag in @xmath0 , @xmath1 , @xmath2 , and @xmath3 bands , respectively .
we note that the limiting magnitudes slightly vary in the @xmath390.2 mag level among individual ccds due to variations in detector characteristics .
we also investigated the radial variations of completeness around ngc 1399 , ngc 1404 , and ngc 1387 .
in the central region of a galaxy , the detection effectiveness at a certain magnitude decreases as the surface brightness of the galaxy increases , and it finally becomes zero at a saturated region . to quantify this effect in our observations , we performed separate artificial star tests near the galaxy centers .
we added 8000 artificial stars on the individual ccd chips that contain the galaxies ( ngc 1399 , ngc 1404 , and ngc 1387 ) , this time with a centrally concentrated radial distribution centered on each galaxy .
this experiment was repeated five times with the positions of artificial stars altering each time .
the completeness was then calculated as a function of magnitude in concentric circles with radial intervals of 02 .
figure [ fig4_com_radial ] shows the @xmath2-band completeness functions at various radial bins from the center of each galaxy .
the thick black line represents the completeness function for the overall region , as derived above . as expected from the strong background lights near the centers of our target galaxies , we find that the completeness is very low near the center
. the completeness increases as one moves out from the center , and then flattens out beyond 13 for ngc 1399 , 07 for ngc 1404 , and 05 for ngc 1387 .
at the distance of the fornax cluster ( @xmath520.0 mpc ; * ? ? ?
* ) , 1 pc is equal to 001 , so a typical gc appears as a point - source in our mosaic images .
we therefore can not select gcs based on their apparent sizes but must rely on photometric colors .
details on the selection process of gc candidates are given below .
we start by using the allframe parameters chi and sharp to select point - sources from our photometric catalog .
figure [ fig5_chi ] shows the sharp , chi , and the allframe photometric error as a function of @xmath40 magnitude with solid lines showing the selection criteria .
while the figure only shows the @xmath0-band selection , we applied the same selection criteria to all bands simultaneously , and the resulting selection includes 5500 point - source objects .
we then employ color cuts using our multi band photometry as demonstrated in figure [ fig6_twocol ] to select gc candidates .
the blue selection boxes shown in the three color
color diagrams were determined on the basis of the findings below .
first , we matched our point - source objects with the spectroscopic catalog of @xcite and found that the ngc 1399 gcs , as identified by their measured line - of - sight velocities , form a tight sequence ( red dots in figure [ fig6_twocol ] ) in the color color diagrams , whereas foreground stars are located along an extended sequence ( cyan dots in figure [ fig6_twocol ] ) .
second , we downloaded @xmath41/acs images of ngc 1399 from the archive and identified genuine gcs based on their sizes .
the sizes were measured using ishape @xcite and following the same procedure outlined in @xcite .
we then cross - identified the gcs with our point - source objects , and found that most of them lie inside the tight sequence ( orange dots in figure [ fig6_twocol ] ) .
to select gc candidates , we further applied a magnitude cut of @xmath42 ( corresponding to @xmath43 ) to the color color - selected sample .
this magnitude limit was determined based on the brightest gc in the spectroscopic catalog of @xcite , and we note that it is consistent with the limit used by @xcite to separate gcs from their ultra compact dwarf galaxies sample . the color color and magnitude cuts result in a final sample of 2037 gc candidates .
figure [ fig6_twocol ] demonstrates the advantage of using @xmath0 band for separating star - forming background galaxies from the extragalactic gcs .
the background galaxies have @xmath44 colors similar to the bluer gcs , but due to their star - forming nature , galaxies exhibit significantly bluer colors in @xmath45 and @xmath46 than the gcs .
this allows us to effectively reduce contamination by background galaxies .
the same effect was found by @xcite using the @xmath11 washington color index .
nonetheless , our selection box still contains several foreground stars , and it is important to quantify the contamination level of our color color - selected objects .
we provide the estimation of the contamination level below . to estimate the number of contaminating sources ( foreground stars and background galaxies ) in our gc candidate list
, it would be best to use a control field observed near the science field with the same observational conditions .
however , this approach is impractical for us because the @xmath0-band observations require very long exposure times . as an alternative , we used two independent methods to estimate the contamination level of our gc candidate list .
ccccccccccc 1 & 54.4670781 & 35.8412594 & 23.863 & 0.057 & 23.466 & 0.018 & 22.611 & 0.025 & 21.614 & 0.018 + 2 & 54.4048663 & 35.8368808 & 23.099 & 0.028 & 22.941 & 0.011 & 22.069 & 0.015 & 21.119 & 0.010 + 3 & 54.1532595 & 35.8313662 & 23.048 & 0.038 & 22.743 & 0.012 & 21.970 & 0.015 & 20.920 & 0.020 + 4 & 54.3887923 & 35.8307234 & 24.085 & 0.070 & 23.983 & 0.029 & 23.384 & 0.049 & 22.462 & 0.030 + 5 & 54.3871824 & 35.8300091 & 23.772 & 0.054 & 23.865 & 0.025 & 23.147 & 0.038 & 22.327 & 0.028 + 6 & 54.3545131 & 35.8284302 & 23.147 & 0.030 & 22.633 & 0.008 & 21.661 & 0.011 & 20.490 & 0.006 + 7 & 54.5147090 & 35.8246663 & 22.822 & 0.023 & 22.949 & 0.014 & 22.247 & 0.015 & 21.430 & 0.013 + 8 & 54.3057038 & 35.8223111 & 24.007 & 0.061 & 24.027 & 0.028 & 23.363 & 0.045 & 22.429 & 0.028 + 9 & 54.2008513 & 35.8137756 & 24.064 & 0.070 & 24.111 & 0.030 & 23.383 & 0.045 & 22.486 & 0.030 + 10 & 54.4062928 & 35.8090401 & 21.291 & 0.007 & 21.338 & 0.004 & 20.674 & 0.005 & 19.854 & 0.003 + & & & & & & & & & & + & & & & & & & & & & + & & & & & & & & & & [ tbl - cat ] on average , chip 1 is located farthest away from the target galaxies ngc 1399 , ngc 1387 , and ngc 1404 , so it has the least number of gcs expected among the eight ccd chips . in figure
[ fig7_ctoc ] , we compare the @xmath46 versus @xmath47 color color diagrams of the 5500 point - source objects for each chip . in chip 1
, there are 41 objects that are selected as gc candidates using the color color selection box as in figure [ fig6_twocol ] .
if we assume that all 41 objects are contaminants , this implies that our catalog of gc candidates has a contamination level of 16% .
we note that 16% is in fact an upper limit because chip 1 , which is at an average distance of 24(@xmath5140 kpc ) from the center of ngc 1399 , is likely to contain several gcs given that the ngc 1399 gcs are known to extend out to a projected distance of at least 45 ( @xmath5260 kpc ; @xcite ) .
we further estimated the number of foreground stars using the besanon model of the milky way population @xcite .
we generated a synthetic catalog of stars in the direction of the sky consistent with our target field and then selected stars using the same color color cut as used in figure [ fig6_twocol ] .
the estimated number of foreground stars in our gc candidate list turned out to be 180 and the corresponding contamination level is 9% .
as expected , this is lower than the upper limit set by using chip 1 as the control field above .
based on the two estimates , the contamination level of our gc candidate list is likely to be in the 9%16% range .
although the contamination level itself may not be that high , it is important to test whether the contaminating sources will affect our gc color distribution analyses .
figure [ fig8_colbe ] shows the comparison of @xmath46 color distributions for all point - sources ( shaded histogram ) , our gc candidate list ( blue ) , and synthetic stars from the besanon model ( red ) between chips 7 and 1 .
based on the similarities found in the red and blue color distributions in the upper panel of figure [ fig8_colbe ] , chip 1 seems to be a good control field . from the same figure
, we find that the foreground mw stars are expected to have a @xmath46 color distributions that is peaked toward the bluer side similar to the @xmath46 color distribution of gc candidates .
however , as demonstrated in the lower panel of figure [ fig8_colbe ] , the number of these foreground stars , when compared to that of the gc candidates , is too small to have any impact on our color distribution analyses presented in sections 4.3 and 4.4 . table [ tbl - cat ] presents the photometric catalog of total 2,037 gc candidates .
the columns give the following information .
+ @xmath48 .
identification number + @xmath49 .
right ascension and declination ( j2000 ) + @xmath50 .
@xmath40 magnitude and its rms uncertainty + @xmath51 .
@xmath52 magnitude and its rms uncertainty + @xmath53 .
@xmath4 magnitude and its rms uncertainty + @xmath54 .
@xmath55 magnitude and its rms uncertainty .
+ we note that all magnitudes in the catalog are corrected for galactic extinction .
l c c c c c c c c c + + @xmath27 & 0.016 @xmath22 0.006 & 0.102 @xmath22 0.003 & 0.372 @xmath22 0.021 & 0.188 @xmath22 0.009 & 0.34 & 1.84 & 0.010 & 0.090 & 0.860 + @xmath56 & 0.670 @xmath22 0.007 & 0.113 @xmath22 0.005 & 1.147 @xmath22 0.022 & 0.269
@xmath22 0.008 & 0.42 & 2.38 & 0.010 & 0.100 & 0.140 + @xmath57 & 1.557 @xmath22 0.008 & 0.134 @xmath22 0.006 & 2.188 @xmath22 0.025 & 0.357 @xmath22 0.008 & 0.45 & 2.66 & 0.010 & 0.080 & 0.010 + @xmath28 & 0.673 @xmath22 0.004 & 0.058 @xmath22 0.002 & 0.849 @xmath22 0.007 & 0.060
@xmath22 0.003 & 0.34 & 1.03 & 0.010 & 0.070 & 0.010 + @xmath15 & 1.571 @xmath22 0.005 & 0.087 @xmath22 0.003 & 1.925 @xmath22 0.014 & 0.135 @xmath22 0.007 & 0.37 & 1.55 & 0.010 & 0.050 & 0.010 + @xmath16 & 0.910 @xmath22 0.005 & 0.063 @xmath22 0.003 & 1.108 @xmath22 0.013 & 0.068 @xmath22 0.007 & 0.30 & 1.08 & 0.010 & 0.060 & 0.010 + + @xmath27 & 0.004
@xmath22 0.012 & 0.079 @xmath22 0.008 & 0.490 @xmath22 0.024 & 0.120 @xmath22 0.018 & 0.39 & 1.52 & 0.001 & 0.017 & 0.001 + @xmath56 & 0.682 @xmath22 0.015 & 0.101 @xmath22 0.011 & 1.393 @xmath22 0.026 & 0.136 @xmath22 0.017 & 0.39 & 1.35 & 0.001 & 0.001 & 0.001 + @xmath57 & 1.631 @xmath22 0.018 & 0.124 @xmath22 0.015 & 2.583 @xmath22 0.029 & 0.161 @xmath22
0.019 & 0.39 & 1.30 & 0.001 & 0.001 & 0.001 + @xmath28 & 0.686 @xmath22 0.007 & 0.052 @xmath22 0.007 & 0.901 @xmath22 0.005 & 0.029 @xmath22 0.004 & 0.38 & 0.56 & 0.001 & 0.014 & 0.001 + @xmath15 & 1.634 @xmath22 0.011 & 0.075 @xmath22 0.011 & 2.091 @xmath22 0.009 & 0.051 @xmath22 0.006 & 0.39 & 0.68 & 0.001 & 0.001 & 0.001 + @xmath16 & 0.949 @xmath22 0.006 & 0.041 @xmath22 0.006 & 1.190 @xmath22 0.006 & 0.030 @xmath22 0.005 & 0.39 & 0.73 & 0.001 & 0.001 & 0.001 + + @xmath27 & 0.019
@xmath22 0.017 & 0.084 @xmath22
0.011 & 0.446 @xmath22 0.030 & 0.128 @xmath22 0.017 & 0.49 & 1.52 & 0.001 & 0.041 & 0.001 + @xmath56 & 0.693 @xmath22 0.020 & 0.095 @xmath22 0.013 & 1.355 @xmath22 0.035 & 0.160 @xmath22 0.021 & 0.49 & 1.68 & 0.001 & 0.011 & 0.001 + @xmath57 & 1.624 @xmath22 0.023 & 0.114 @xmath22 0.014 & 2.505 @xmath22 0.044 & 0.196 @xmath22 0.022 & 0.49 & 1.72 & 0.001 & 0.005 & 0.001 + @xmath28 & 0.707 @xmath22 0.010 & 0.046 @xmath22 0.008 & 0.904 @xmath22 0.010 & 0.045 @xmath22 0.008 & 0.51 & 0.98 & 0.001 & 0.039 & 0.001 + @xmath15 & 1.642 @xmath22 0.012 & 0.058 @xmath22 0.006 & 2.056 @xmath22 0.017 & 0.079
@xmath22 0.009 & 0.49 & 1.36 & 0.001 & 0.002 & 0.001 + @xmath16 & 0.931 @xmath22 0.007 & 0.038 @xmath22 0.009 & 1.148 @xmath22 0.013 & 0.052 @xmath22 0.009 & 0.49 & 1.37 & 0.001 & 0.017 & 0.001
+ [ tbl - gmm ]
figure [ fig9_cont ] maps the spatial distributions of gc candidates ( left panel ) and foreground / background objects ( right ) .
the color - filled contours show the distribution of surface number density .
the black crosses mark the positions of the optical centers of galaxies ( from top , ngc 1399 , ngc 1387 , ngc 1404 , and ngc 1389 ) . in the left panel ,
three gc systems are clearly visible around ngc 1399 , ngc 1404 , and ngc 1387 .
the number of gcs around ngc 1389 is too small , so we omit the galaxy from the following analysis . in the right panel ,
the distribution of foreground / background objects appears fairly uniform .
the slight overdensity in the region between ngc 1399 and ngc 1387 is likely due to the presence of a distant galaxy cluster , given that many objects in this region are bluer than 0.3 in @xmath46 .
another overdense region is right on the center of ngc 1399 , which indicates that gcs in highly dense regions can be misclassified as foreground / background objects in our gc selection procedure , as mentioned in section 3 .
note that the residuals of the mosaic ccd gaps are discernible as a vertical feature in the middle of the panel .
it is noteworthy that the gc distribution around ngc 1399 shows interesting features . on the one hand
, there is an overabundance of gcs in the outer region of ngc 1399 toward ngc 1404 and ngc 1387 .
this was also pointed out by @xcite , and it may indicate interactions of ngc 1399 with ngc 1404 and ngc 1387 in the recent past ( @xcite ) . on the other hand , a @xmath505 displacement is found between ngc 1399 s optical center and the center of the gc distribution in the inner region of the galaxy as denoted by a red contour in the density map . @xcite
reported an asymmetric x - ray halo for ngc 1399 , consisting of three components with different centers ; a central component , a galactic component centered 1@xmath12 southwest of ngc 1399 , and a cluster component centered @xmath556 northeast of the galaxy . while the center of the gc distribution does not coincide with the x - ray centers
, the asymmetric distribution of the gcs may suggest that the ngc 1399 is not yet dynamically relaxed and may be undergoing merger events .
figure [ fig10_rden ] presents the surface number densities against the galactocentric radius for the three galaxies . in order to examine the radial extent of each gc system , we calculated the surface gc number density as a function of the distance from the galaxy center .
we first set up a series of radial bins ( annulus ) , each containing approximately equal numbers of gcs ( @xmath5100 gcs for ngc 1399 ; @xmath540 gcs for ngc 1404 ; @xmath525 gcs for ngc 1387 ) .
the number of gcs in each bin was then corrected using the corresponding completeness function of the bin .
we finally divided the corrected numbers of gcs by the area of annuli to get surface densities .
the surface density profile of each galaxy is well described by de vaucouleurs @xmath58 fits ( dashed lines ) .
we determine the limiting radii of gc systems of ngc 1404 ( 34 ) and ngc 1387 ( 37 ) as the radial points where the density profiles begin to depart from de vaucouleurs law . since the gc system of ngc 1399 is extended ( @xmath545 ; @xcite ) well beyond the field of view ( @xmath59 ) of our mosaic observations , we regard the entire gcs in the images as ngc 1399 s gc system , except for the regions inside the limiting radii of ngc 1404 and ngc 1387 .
figure [ fig11_cmd ] presents the cmds for all point - sources .
magnitudes and colors were corrected for the galactic extinction , as mentioned in section 2.3 .
the black and gray dots represent the gc candidates and foreground / background objects , respectively .
the dashed lines indicate the limiting magnitude of 50% completeness .
the tilt of the limiting magnitude lines results from lower detection efficiency of red gcs than blue gcs in the @xmath0 band .
the @xmath46 colors corresponding to gcs , background galaxies , and foreground stars can be determined both by the @xmath46 versus @xmath47 diagram ( the bottom panel of figure [ fig6_twocol ] ) and by the @xmath4@xmath46 cmd ( the left panel of figure [ fig11_cmd ] ) .
gcs are placed at @xmath60 , while most background galaxies are bluer at @xmath46 @xmath61 @xmath62 and foreground stars are at @xmath63 and 1.1 close to both ends of the gc range .
the @xmath4@xmath44 cmd ( right panel ) shows that many of the background galaxies have similar colors to the gcs , making it difficult to discriminate gcs from galaxies in this color .
the foreground star sequences , particularly on the red side , are more clearly separated from gcs than in @xmath46 .
this comparison corroborates that the use of various color combinations including @xmath0-band colors provides a powerful tool for discriminating gcs from other objects .
it is interesting to note that the cmds do not show bimodality for gcs brighter than @xmath64 .
the disappearance was previously reported for ngc 1399 ( @xcite ) , a few galaxies in the virgo cluster ( @xcite ) , and other giant galaxies ( @xcite ) . the unimodal distribution is often explained by merging of blue and red sequences at the highest luminosities as a result of the blue tilt phenomenon @xcite , which is a trend for the blue gcs to have redder colors at higher luminosities .
however , @xcite and @xcite have reported that there is no blue tilt in the gc system of ngc 1399 .
interestingly , our data reveal that the number of blue gcs rapidly drops at the brightest magnitudes ( @xmath4 @xmath39 21.5 ) .
this suggests that the unimodal distribution of brightest gcs is not the consequence of the blue tilt , but instead owing to the relative scarcity of blue , brightest gcs .
figure [ fig12_colhist ] shows three representative color histograms of the entire gc system within the limiting radius in ngc 1399 ( top ) , ngc 1404 ( middle ) , and ngc 1387 ( bottom ) .
the gcs fainter than the limiting magnitudes and/or the ones located in the innermost region of each galaxy , where the completeness test is unreliable ( see section 2.3 ) , are taken out from the subsequent analysis .
the thick solid lines are smoothed histograms with gaussian kernels .
the filled histograms in the top row are for the brightest gcs , as mentioned in the previous section . for ngc 1399 ( top row ) ,
gcs show bimodal distributions for all colors considered in agreement with previous findings in @xmath11 ( @xcite ) . for ngc 1404 ( middle ) and
ngc 1387 ( bottom ) , the dotted histograms are for all gcs within the limiting radii of the galaxies .
the solid histograms represent `` corrected '' distributions , for which the contribution of ngc 1399 gcs is statistically subtracted from the original distributions and will be used in the further analysis .
ngc 1404 gcs exhibit pronounced bimodality with an evident dip between two groups in all colors , consistent with the previous studies for ngc 1404 s inner gcs by @xcite and @xcite . the clear separation between blue and red gcs for ngc 1387 gcs is also consistent with what was found in @xmath11 by @xcite .
blue gcs are much less abundant in ngc 1404 and ngc 1387 than in ngc 1399 .
a closer scrutiny of figure [ fig12_colhist ] reveals that the exact morphologies of the gc color distributions change depending on colors considered .
the most distinctive case is given by the @xmath46 distribution of ngc 1399 .
compared to the @xmath44 and @xmath65 histograms , the @xmath46 distribution exhibits more prominent blue gc peak and have red gcs with weaker peak and larger dispersion in color .
the @xmath46 distribution shows spread in colors of red gcs that is nearly a factor of two larger than that of blue gcs , while the @xmath44 and @xmath65 histograms have similar variances for the red and blue gcs .
the histograms for ngc 1404 and ngc 1387 also show changes in their shape depending on colors .
to be more quantitative in the bimodality analysis , we used the gaussian mixture modeling ( gmm ) code by @xcite .
table [ tbl - gmm ] presents the results of the gmm analysis for six color combinations ( @xmath46 , @xmath45 , @xmath66 , @xmath44 , @xmath47 , and @xmath65 ) for the three galaxies .
it gives the color index , the mean ( @xmath67 , and the standard deviation ( @xmath68 ) of blue and red gc colors , the red gc fraction ( @xmath69 ) , and the ratio of the standard deviations between blue and red gcs ( @xmath70/@xmath71 ) .
the last three columns summarize the probabilities of preferring a unimodal distribution over a bimodal distribution ( @xmath72-values ) derived based on the likelihood ratio test ( lrt ; @xmath73 ) , on the separation of the means relative to their variances ( @xmath74 ) and on the kurtosis of a distribution ( @xmath75 ) . from the lrt
is @xmath76 in all colors , indicating the bimodal distributions are preferred over the unimodal ones .
the @xmath77 values lead to the same conclusion in all cases .
the @xmath78 values support the bimodal distributions in most cases , but favor a unimodal distribution for @xmath46 of ngc 1399 with @xmath79 . ]
figure [ fig13_tab4 ] presents the results from the gmm analysis for all six color combinations .
to quantify the shape of histograms , we use the red gc fractions ( left ) and the ratios of standard deviations between blue and red gc colors ( right ) .
ngc 1399 gc sample ( black solid lines ) does not include gcs around ngc 1404 and ngc 1387 , and the gc sample of ngc 1404 ( red dashed lines ) and ngc 1387 ( blue dotted ) is corrected for ngc 1399 gc contribution . for ngc 1399 , we find that both the numbers and dispersions of blue and red gcs change significantly depending on colors that are used .
the trend is more evident when comparing the @xmath0-band colors with the rest . for ngc 1404 and ngc 1387 ,
the interesting features emerge after the correction for the contribution of ngc 1399 gcs .
first , the red gc fractions in all colors remain constant regardless of the colors , as expected in figure [ fig12_colhist ] showing distinct separation between blue and red gcs .
it is plausible that the early interactions of the galaxies with ngc 1399 have preferentially left the central , red gcs and later blue gcs have been accreted from outer region of ngc 1399 .
second , the color dispersions vary significantly depending on colors , following a similar pattern to the case of ngc 1399 for @xmath16 , @xmath28 , and @xmath15 . for @xmath0-band colors , however , the patterns are different in the sense that they tend to be constant within the errors .
the variation of dispersion as a function of colors is not expected if the metallicity - to - color converting relations are straight .
instead , the slopes seem different between the blue and red parts of the metallicity color relations and such an effect varies systematically from color to color ( @xcite ) .
figure [ fig14_n1399h ] displays the color distributions as a function of galactocentric radius for gcs in ngc 1399 .
the subsequent analysis is only valid for ngc 1399 because small number statistics prohibit us making any firm statement on the radial variations of gc colors for the two fainter galaxies after the correction for the ngc 1399 gc contamination . in order to investigate the radial variation of color bimodality
, we set up a series of radial bins containing approximately equal number ( @xmath5300 ) of gcs and perform the gmm analysis for each bin .
we focus particularly on three main parameters of the gmm analysis that characterize the bimodal distributions ; the number ratio between blue and red gcs , the mean colors of the groups , and their color dispersions .
figure [ fig15_n1399r ] shows the variations of color bimodality properties as a function of galactocentric radius .
there is an obvious radial trend for the mean colors of both blue and red gcs getting bluer with increasing radius in all colors .
the radial color gradient of red gcs is steeper than that of blue gcs .
the red gc fraction in each color rapidly decreases with increasing galactocentric radius out to @xmath80 @xmath61 @xmath81 , and it remains fairly constant beyond the point .
there is a weak radial trend in gc color dispersions , in that the ratio between dispersions of blue and red gcs increases with radius .
we have performed wide - field @xmath30 photometry of gcs in the central region of the fornax cluster of galaxies with the mosaic ii ccd imager on the 4 m blanco telescope at ctio .
this is one of the widest and deepest @xmath0-band studies on extragalactic gc systems .
the reduction was carried out with the daophot ii / allframe package . using two - color diagrams and the magnitude cut of @xmath82 , a total of 2037 gc candidates
were selected among 12,134 objects detected in all four bands .
our estimate of the contamination by background galaxies and foreground stars in our sample is in the range of 9%16% .
the sample is @xmath0-band limited , and the completeness of our photometry is 50% at @xmath83 according to our artificial star tests .
we provide the @xmath30 photometric catalog of the gc candidates online . for the gc systems of ngc 1399 ,
ngc 1404 , and ngc 1387 , we have investigated the spatial distributions , cmds , and color distributions . for ngc
1399 gcs , the radial variations in the properties of bimodality were examined as well .
the main results are summarized as follows . 1 .
we find an asymmetric distribution of gc candidates around ngc 1399 .
the overabundance of gcs at the southeast side of the inner region and toward the directions of ngc 1404 and ngc 1387 in the outer region suggests that there were recent interactions of ngc 1399 with the galaxies and that ngc 1399 is not yet dynamically relaxed .
we specify the radial extent of each gc system at the radius where the surface density profile begins to depart from the de vaucouleurs fit .
the limiting radii are @xmath534 for ngc 1404 and @xmath537 for ngc 1387 .
the gc system of ngc 1399 is spatially extended beyond the field of view of our observation .
we show that the gc systems in the three galaxies exhibit bimodal color distributions in all the colors considered in this study . for the brightest gcs in ngc 1399 ,
the bimodality becomes weak or disappear depending on colors .
we find with gmm that the morphology of the color histograms changes significantly , depending on the colors used .
the color dispersion of red gcs is larger than that of blue gcs in @xmath0-band colors by more than a factor of two , while the red and blue gcs show similar dispersions in @xmath44 and @xmath65 .
the number ratios between blue and red gcs vary depending on colors used as well .
when corrected for the contribution of ngc 1399 gcs , the red gc fractions of ngc 1404 and ngc 1387 remain constant regardless of the colors used .
we suggest a possible scenario that could explain the presence of two discrete gc populations in ngc 1404 and ngc 1387 : ( 1 ) the central , red gcs have been preferentially left through the early interactions of the galaxies with ngc 1399 and ( 2 ) later blue gcs have been accreted from outer region of ngc 1399 .
we confirmed that the mean colors of blue and red gcs in ngc 1399 show a radial trend of becoming bluer with increasing galactocentric radius .
the gradient of red gcs is steeper than that of blue gcs .
acknowledges support from international exchange program for university researchers ( nrf-2011 - 013-c00031 ) and from mid - career research program ( no .
2012r1a2a2a01043870 ) through the national research foundation ( nrf ) of korea grant funded by the ministry of education , science and technology ( mest ) , and support by the nrf of korea to the center for galaxy evolution research ( no .
2012 - 8 - 1743 ) and by the korea astronomy and space science institute research fund 2011 and 2012 .
this work is partially supported by the kasi - yonsei joint research program ( 20112012 ) for the frontiers of astronomy and space science funded by the korea astronomy and space science institute .
this material is based upon work supported by aura through the nsf under aura cooperative agreement ast 0132798 , as amended .
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2011a , , 743 , 150 yoon , s .- j . , sohn , s. , kim , h .- s .
2012 , , submitted yoon , s .- j . , sohn , s. t. , lee , s .- y .
, et al . 2011b , , 743 , 149 yoon , s .- j . , yi , s. k. , & lee , y .- w . 2006 , sci , 311 , 1129 | arxiv |
is a Japanese football player. She plays for Nippon TV Beleza and Japan national team.
Club career
Miyagawa was born in Kanagawa Prefecture on February 24, 1998. She was promoted to L.League club Nippon TV Beleza from youth team in 2016.
National team career
In 2014, Miyagawa was selected Japan U-17 national team for 2014 U-17 World Cup. She played in all 6 matches and scored 2 goals, and Japan won the championship.
In 2016, Miyagawa was selected Japan U-20 national team for 2016 U-20 World Cup. She played in 4 matches and Japan won the 3rd place.
In 2018, Miyagawa was selected Japan U-20 national team for 2018 U-20 World Cup second time. She played in all 6 matches and Japan won the championship.
In February 2019, Miyagawa was selected Japan national team for SheBelieves Cup. At this tournament, on March 2, she debuted as right side back against Brazil.
National team statistics
References
External links
Japan Football Association
Category:1998 births
Category:Living people
Category:Toin University of Yokohama alumni
Category:Association football people from Kanagawa Prefecture
Category:Japanese women's footballers
Category:Japan women's international footballers
Category:Nadeshiko League players
Category:Nippon TV Beleza players
Category:Women's association football defenders
Category:2019 FIFA Women's World Cup players | wikipedia |
Candy Candy MINIFIC: FANTASÍA DE UNA NOCHE
MINIFIC: Fantasía de una Noche
Por: Tatita Andrew
Su mirada me tenía hipnotizada, todas las personas a nuestro alrededor desaparecían solo éramos azul y verde, verde y azul.
Esa mirada me prometía tantas cosas, de solo pensar en lo que vendría mi pulso se aceleraba, mi vientre se contraía y mi interior se humedecía. Sentía un fuego abrasador que me consumía, necesitaba apagarlo o me moriría.
-¡Por Dios! Susurro
Allí venía haciéndose paso entre la gente pero nunca sin dejar de mirarme. Mi respiración se detuvo cuando lo sentí tan cerca que podía percibir su olor, ese olor que inundaba mis sentidos y me excitaba. Lentamente poso su mirada sobre mi rostro y descendió por mi cuello, bajo por mis senos y estos se endurecieron por la intensidad de su mirada. Se acercó a mi oído y en susurro suave casi como el silbido del viento con una voz ronca y sensual dijo.
-Te deseo, ¡Ven a la playa en 10 minutos!
Esas palabras tan atrevidas, directas y urgente me hicieron estremecer nuevamente.
Antes de que pudiera articular palabra él ya había desaparecido. Ni siquiera una invitación, fue una orden, por un momento tuve la tentación de resistirme. Pero para que engañarme lo deseaba, lo deseaba con todas mis fuerzas igual o incluso más que él.
Fui hasta la mesa tomé una botella de champang y dos copas de cristal y avance hacía mi destino.
Lo podía observar desde lejos mirando la hermosa luna que sería testigo de aquella noche, se había quitado el saco y la corbata su camisa recogida y doblada hasta sus codos, sus manos metidas en los bolsillos de su pantalón, su ancha espalda, sus caderas estrechas, sus largas piernas, era imposible resistirse a tremenda tentación, era todo un adonis como un Dios griego de esos que hablan los libros de literatura.
Su cabello largo rubio y dorado, meciéndose con el viento suavemente, ese viento que tocaba su rostro como me gustaría hacerlo yo, con una suave brisa, sentía celos, celos de ese viento que lo acariciaba sin pedir permiso.
Decidida avance hacía él, me saque los zapatos de tacón los deje sobre la arena mientras mis pies descalzos se hundían en la arena sobre aquella playa. A medida que me acercaba mi corazón latía con rapidez, con ansiedad. Él estaba tan concentrado en mirar aquella luna que solo se percató de mi presencia, cuando estuve frente a él.
Sus ojos se fijaron solo en mí, sin decir nada me tomo por la cintura con tal fuerza que me coloco sobre sus caderas, no me importo la botella ni las copas que cayeron sobre la arena.
-Abre la boca- susurro muy cerca de mi cara.
Y así lo hice lo escuche gemir mientras vorazmente se apoderaba de mi boca, con tal necesidad y pasión que sentí que me robaba el alma con cada beso, el aliento la respiración. Ya no pensaba solo sentía esa lengua rozándome por todos lados, su miembro duro y rígido contra mi vestido de seda apuntándome, tocándome como queriendo entrar hasta lo más profundo de mi ser. Con mis manos acariciaba su hermoso cabello sedoso, me pegue más a él, necesitaba fundirme en él, mis pechos rozaban ese duro y hermoso pecho, a través de su camisa abierta.
Lentamente deslizo una mano desde mi pierna hasta mis muslos y me alzo el vestido ahora sí sentía su pene sobre mi ropa interior, instintivamente frote mis caderas contra el en ese momento, me atrajo más hacía su excitación y me agarro con fuerzas mis nalgas, sin poderlo evitar jadeaba y gritaba su nombre, quería morir entre el deseo y el dolor, mi excitación era evidente un líquido resbala sobre mi pierna completamente mojada y humedecida, de mi deseo, de su deseo.
Con cuidado deslizo hacía el suelo su miembro duro respiraba como con vida propia, se alejó pero solo un instante, tuve miedo de que me dejara así con estas ganas, pero mis dudas desaparecieron al verlo desabrocharse la camisa y acercarse a mí con esa mirada tan azul como el mar. Continuo con sus pantalones y un miembro duro, con venas palpitantes, y una cabeza enorme se acercaba a mí y se acostaba sobre mi cuerpo soportando su cuerpo con ambos manos a los lados de mi cabeza.
-A partir de esta noche serás mía.- me dijo mientras deslizaba su lengua sobre mi cuello y subía al lóbulo de mi oreja, sensaciones tan placenteras y recorría mi cuerpo cuando bajo su boca hasta mis senos y los lamios lance un grito de placer cuando empezó a chuparlos, con rapidez dejo mi pezón para deslizar mi vestido hacia arriba y sacarlo por mi cabeza.
-Oh Dios mío- exclamo – Tu piel es hermosa a la luz de la luna.
-Tú también lo eres- conteste con sinceridad.
Con un deseo loco tomo mi ropa interior y la destrozo de un solo jirón mientras deslizaba un dedo alrededor de mi clítoris, sin profundizar, sin atreverse a entrar haciendo círculos alrededor de mis labios, no puede seguir mirando tuve que lanzar mi cabeza hacia atrás por la excitación gritaba su nombre cuando su dedo se hundió en mi carne, recorriendo todo suavemente, luego no fue un dedo solo dos, instintivamente me abrí más para sentir ese placer doloroso y placentero y esa corriente eléctrica que atravesaba todo su cuerpo.
Era una sensación desesperante y exquisita a la vez.
-Por favor…. Albert oh, por favor….
Después dejo de tocarla con sus dedos y empezó a lamerla con su boca haciéndola desfallecer.
-Me excitas tanto, que casi me duele- le confeso él.
Y nuevamente deslizo su boca pasando por su vientre y llegando a su boca, sabía a sexo a su sabor, mientras le introducía la lengua en la boca súbitamente y con dureza la penetro ella soltó un gemido de dolor su primera vez.
-¿Quieres que me detenga?
-No, por favor no quiero que te detengas…
Y Albert empezó nuevamente a moverse otra vez, con delicadeza, haciendo esfuerzos por controlar su deseo. Sus movimientos lentos al principio, me volvieron loca de deseo. No podía controlar lo que sentía. Albert aumento el ritmo poco a poco. Le levanto las piernas y empezó a moverse con más fuerza.
-Oh Albert por favor más duro más duro..
Mientras el la complacía llegando al clímax sintiendo olas y olas de placer y convulsiones, cuando al fin Albert también llego a su orgasmo más largo e intenso de su vida.
Así se quedaron tumbados en la arena por un largo rato, y después él se volvió a excitar y no tardo en poseerla nuevamente.
Después de hacer el amor por tercera ocasión esa noche, se llevaron las botellas de champang y las copas y dejaron como huella aquel interior color rosa, como testigo mudo de esa Mágica Fantasía de una noche.
End file.
| fanfiction |
Dagobertshausen is a Stadtteil of Marburg in Hesse.
Dagobertshausen is 5 km from Marburg on the west side of the Marburg ridge: the nearest villages are Elnhausen 1 km south-west and Michelbach 3 km north-north-east.
Cultural and leisure activities
The Event- und Kulturscheune Dagobertshausen is an arts venue housed in the converted barn of the Scherer Hof farm, which is used for film shows, concerts, banquets and other cultural events.
The Reitsportanlage Dagobertshausen is an equestrian centre that hosts national and international horse shows and showjumping events.
The Restaurant Waldschlösschen is a star restaurant where rustic food is preferred.
References
External links
https://www.marburg.de/dagobertshausen
Category:Districts of Marburg
Category:Hesse-Nassau
Category:Marburg-Biedenkopf | wikipedia |
Sorry! Scheduling issue on their end...look for more dates soon! Come check out this stage! Great venue for live music and we always have a great crowd here that loves to dance! There are pool tables and darts near the stage and you can let the older kids cosmic bowl until close! Special guest drummer for this show and we have a band birthday to celebrate! | slim_pajama |
Ugo De Censi Scarafoni January 26, 1924, Polaggia December 2, 2018, Lima was an Italian Salesian priest, Peruvian citizen, and the founder of Operazione Mato Grosso Operation Mato Grosso. He served as the parish priest of San Martin Pope Chacas, Ancash, Asunción, Peru, since 1976.
Biography
Ugo De Censi was born on January 26, 1924 in Polaggia, Berbenno di Valtellina, Italy. From a humble family, he is the second of six siblings born from the marriage between Vincenzo Scarafoni and Orsola. At the age of nine years, he was enrolled with his brother Ferruccio to a Salesian College in a neighboring province, across the river Adda. That's where they decided to become Salesians.
In 1940 his father went to World War II and his mother died. Ugo was hospitalized for several years at the Santa Corona hospital near Genoa because of Pott's disease. Then, during a pilgrimage to Lourdes, it is said his conditions improved dramatically and he completed his studies and graduated in theology and political science to be ordained a priest on March 8, 1951.
A very important part of his life was when he stayed at the Salesian house in Arese, where he worked for nearly twenty years. In 1965 he participated in the XIX chapter of the Salesian and he met Pedro Melesi who was the Salesian ambassador for Latin America. Melesi told De Censi of the difficult situation he worked in at Poxoreo, Brazil, and De Censi invited him to stay at his Arese house. In the summer of 1966, De Censi and other volunteers went to give a hand to Melesi, and in the following year they built a youth centre there.
Due to the success of his mission, De Censi established the Operazione Mato Grosso named after the state in which Poxoreo is. For a decade De Censi followed his fellow volunteers across the Atlantic Ocean, from Italy to South America. He moved to Peru, in Chacas, so he could give more concrete help to the inhabitants.
In 1979 he founded the first school for wood carving, dedicated to Don Bosco, who recruits children based on their poverty and good will. The school lasts for five years and grants room and board and education. Because of the success of these schools, De Censi also created some for girls.
He also built a hospital thanks to the money raised by the Operazione Mato Grosso, and was helped by the Archdiocese of Milan to complete a home for the elderly in Pomallucay which was inaugurated by Carlo Maria Martini.
References
Category:1924 births
Category:2018 deaths
Category:Italian Roman Catholic priests
Category:Salesians of Don Bosco
Category:Italian emigrants to Peru | wikipedia |
observations show that the solar chromosphere radiates more than is expected from radiative equilibrium . the extra energy needed to balance the radiative losses
must be generated somewhere , transported to the chromosphere and dissipated there .
acoustic waves were suggested early on to play an important role @xcite because they are readily generated in the convection zone , can easily propagate and are expected to steepen and dissipate in shocks in the chromosphere .
the estimates of the total radiative losses from the solar chromosphere ( and thus the required heating ) are model dependent .
@xcite , @xcite and @xcite found the total loss to be 2500 - 3300 w m@xmath0 , 2000 - 4000 w m@xmath0 and 4300 w m@xmath0 , respectively .
more recently , @xcite compared their computed model solar chromospheres with the vernazza , avrett and loeser models and found that the val - c model is characterized by a total heat flux of 14000 w m@xmath0 , where about 90 % is dissipated near the base of the temperature plateau .
the above estimates of radiative losses concerns the average solar chromosphere . for the internetwork regions the losses will be lower , the val3a model constructed to fit the lowest intensities observed with skylab has about 2.2 times lower radiative losses than val3c @xcite .
@xcite calculated synthetic spectra of the strong chromospheric caii h - lines .
they showed that the enhanced chromospheric emission , which corresponds to an outwardly increasing semi - empirical temperature structure , can be produced by wave motion without any increase in the mean gas temperature .
however , these simulations do not reproduce observations of spectral features formed in the middle to upper chromosphere
. the reason could be the lack of waves above 20 mhz in the simulations . on the other hand , high - frequency acoustic waves ,
even if produced in abundance in the convection zone , are heavily radiatively damped in the photosphere @xcite : at 10 s period only 1% of the generated acoustic energy flux remains at a height of 500 km . in principle , waves with frequencies above what is easily observed from the ground ( above 20 mhz ) and below what is very heavily damped in the photosphere ( below 50 mhz ) could account for the energy flux needed to balance the radiative losses from the middle - upper chromosphere where the dynamic models fail .
such waves are by many believed to constitute the dominant heating mechanism of the chromosphere in non - magnetic regions .
the amount of acoustic energy contained in high frequency waves is difficult to determine observationally for two reasons : first , image distortions from the earth s atmosphere introduces high frequency noise in ground based observations .
second , the width of the intensity formation region of any spectral diagnostic feature smears out the signal of a short wavelength ( high frequency ) wave in both ground and space based data .
@xcite showed that the response function of the 1600 passband filter of the trace @xcite spacecraft is sufficiently narrow to allow the detection of waves at least up to 40 mhz frequency .
@xcite used trace data to determine the acoustic energy flux of waves in the 5 - 38 mhz range at the formation height of the 1600 passband integrated intensity and found a value of 0.44 kw m@xmath0 . a specially optimized observing sequence for trace permitted a more detailed study of the acoustic wave power as function of frequency @xcite : a value of 0.51 kw m@xmath0 in the 5 - 50 mhz range was found ( note that the originally published value of 0.255 kw m@xmath0 is too low by a factor of two because of an error in a reduction routine ) .
this value is too low by a factor of 4 - 10 to balance the radiative losses of the internetwork chromosphere as deduced from static models @xcite . as pointed out in their paper , `` the major uncertainty in the analysis
is the possibility of high frequency power with spatial scales smaller than the resolution element of trace . ''
@xcite argues that , indeed , the high frequency power at small scales is sufficient to make acoustic heating of the solar chromosphere locally dominant .
they base this conclusion on theoretical calculations of wave power generation , on 1d simulations of acoustic waves ( where high frequency waves can account for a temperature increasing with height but where other aspects of the simulation that do not agree with observations have to be attributed to the 1d limitation of the simulation ) and on synthetic images from 3d simulations where they refer to the work of @xcite .
it is obvious that high resolution _ observations _ would go a long way to answering the question whether a significant acoustic energy flux is hidden in spatial scales smaller than the resolution element of trace .
we here present such observations obtained with the hinode spacecraft at 0.16 spatial resolution ( pixel size 0.05 ) . in section 2
we present the observations and data reduction , in sect .
3 we discuss the power spectra of the observations at various spatial scales and we conclude in sect . 4
the trace 1600 passband is rather ideal for studying the input of acoustic energy flux into the chromosphere because the response of the passband integrated intensity to perturbations in temperature is not very wide with a weighted mean formation height of 430 km @xcite , placing the sensitivity right at the lower boundary of the chromosphere . as pointed out above
, the drawback is the large pixel - size of 0.5 . with the solar optical telescope ( sot ) @xcite of hinode @xcite we have a much higher spatial resolution , the diffraction limit ( @xmath1 ) is 0.16 with 0.054 pixel size , but can we find a filter that is sensitive to temperature fluctuations at the lower end of the chromosphere ?
the prime candidate is the filter centered at the longward of the two resonance lines of singly ionized calcium the ca ii h - line .
this filter is rather wide with an almost gaussian shape with fwhm of 0.22 nm , so the signal may be dominated by the photospheric wings of the strong absorption line . to investigate the suitability of using ca ii h - line filtergrams for studies of chromospheric dynamics
we have determined the intensity response function for the hinode filter to perturbations of the temperature .
we follow the procedure of @xcite . in general , a response function measures the response of an observed quantity to a given perturbation @xcite . in this case
the response function , @xmath2 , measures the response of the relative change in intensity , @xmath3 , given a perturbation in the temperature , @xmath4 , as function of height in the atmosphere , @xmath5 .
the function is defined from @xmath6 @xmath2 is derived numerically from using a step function to introduce a change of 1 % in the temperature of a given reference atmospheric model up to a given point in the atmosphere and varying this point . for each such perturbation ,
the full non - lte equations are solved for a six level model atom of ca ii with the code multi @xcite , the resulting intensity profile of the h - line was multiplied with the hinode filter transmission profile and integrated and the resulting hinode intensities were derivated with respect to depth giving the response function .
it is obvious that this approach has its limitations the response is assumed to be linear and we may get a significant contribution from heights where the acoustic waves have actually shocked , violating the assumption of linearity . furthermore , the derived response function depends on the reference model atmosphere .
nevertheless , such a response function give an indication as to what heights can be diagnosed by intensity variations observed in a given filter .
( 85mm,65mm)carlsson_fig1.ps figure [ fig : response_bc_cah_falc ] shows the deduced temperature response function for the sot / bfi filters ca ii h ( centered at 396.86 nm with fwhm of 0.22 nm ) , g - band ( centered at 430.64 nm with fwhm of 0.63 nm ) , blue - continuum ( centered at 450.51 nm with fwhm of 0.23 nm ) ( all wavelengths in air ) using the falc model of the average quiet solar atmosphere @xcite as reference model atmosphere .
it is clear that the ca ii h filter samples the highest regions ( average response height of 247 km ) while the g - band filter has a photospheric response with a upper photospheric tail ( because of the numerous spectral lines in the passband , primarily from ch ) with an average response height of 74 km and the blue continuum has a clean photospheric response with an average response height of 14 km .
the response function of the ca ii h filter is particularly wide with a long tail extending into the middle chromosphere .
the width of the response function will tend to attenuate the response to a wave perturbation more so for high frequency waves with smaller wavelength .
the attenuation as function of frequency of the waves is given by the fourier transform of the response function @xcite .
for the hinode calcium filter and the falc atmosphere we expect very little power beyond 20 mhz ( only 5% of the amplitude remains ) .
note , however , that small scale vertical inhomogeneities would substantially increase the sensitivity to high frequency waves .
the blue continuum gives the cleanest photospheric response and has a sharp response function .
for this study we therefore choose to observe with high cadence in the calcium filter and the blue continuum filter .
the dataset analyzed in detail here was obtained on march 3 2007 between 05:48:03 and 07:09:29 ut and consists of 765 image pairs in the ca ii h filter and the blue continuum filter .
the cadence is strictly fixed at 6.4 s with 3.2 s between the blue continuum and the calcium image .
we read out only the central 1024x512 pixels of the detector ( to keep the high cadence within the telemetry restrictions ) thus covering an area of 55x28 at sun center .
exposure times were 0.41 s for the calcium images and 0.1 s for the blue continuum . after 736 frames there was a shift in the spacecraft pointing of 12 and we thus restrict the analysis to the first 736 frames in each channel , covering a timespan of 1@xmath7 18@xmath8 .
we correct the data for dark current and camera artifacts using the idl routine ` fg_prep ` , which is part of the hinode tree of solarsoft @xcite .
we also need to correct for ccd sensitivity variations by flat - fielding the data . at the time of analysis
, there were no flat - field data in the hinode tree of solarsoft and we therefore constructed our own flat - fields .
this was done by extracting all the synoptic observations from disk - center in the period november 2006 to april 2007 .
frames that were closer in time than 10 minutes were discarded as were frames containing pores or sunspots .
the flat - field was constructed from a mean of the remaining 440 frames .
the calcium images have a solar rms variation of 16% .
the averaging of 440 independent frames brings this down to an rms variation of solar origin of 0.8% , much smaller than the rms variation of the flat - field image of 3% .
the sot correlation tracker removes most of the jitter introduced by the spacecraft but visual inspection of the timeseries reveals there is some remaining jitter .
this is removed by performing a rigid - co - alignment using cross - correlation from image to image and applying the cumulative offsets to the whole timeseries .
figure [ fig : alignment ] shows the deduced image to image shift for the time - series showing that the residual image motion after the correlation tracker corrections is on the order of 0.1 pixels or 0.005 ( one standard - deviation ) .
the larger jumps are caused by the replacement of the reference frame of the correlation tracker approximately every 40 s @xcite .
the shifts calculated from the calcium images and those calculated from the blue continuum images are highly correlated . from this
we conclude that the deduced rms is actually uncorrected image motion and not errors in the cross - correlation method .
there is drift over the whole timeseries of about 30 pixels or 1.7 .
this means that there is an area close to the edge of the field of view where we do nt have data for the whole timeseries .
this area is excluded from the further analysis .
the distribution of power is known to be different in network areas and in internetwork regions .
the current dataset is very quiet and does not contain any plage or pore but two small network patches .
the area of these patches is so small that the mean power is not affected whether they are included or not . to facilitate comparisons with various degrees of rebinning
, we include the whole area in the following .
for each point we calculate the power of the intensity fluctuations relative to the mean intensity ( @xmath9 ) and take the mean . to determine the power as function of spatial resolution , we redo the exercise several times after rebinning the data to 2x2 , 4x4 , 8x8 and 16x16 original pixels per new pixel .
figure [ fig : power_rebin_p129_cah ] shows the one - sided power ( the power at negative and positive frequencies added together ) for the calcium timeseries .
significant power can be seen up to about 30 mhz .
the maximum power is at low frequencies , decreasing to 2.5 mhz and then increasing through a local maximum at 4 - 5 mhz before decreasing again .
the noise level goes down with rebinning but very little power is lost by the rebinning at 5 - 20 mhz : the integrated power in the 5 - 20 mhz range is 90% of the original value for the data binned to 0.43 pixels and 58% for the data
binned to 0.86 .
( 85mm,57mm)carlsson_fig3.ps
the largest power is at the lowest frequencies .
this is probably caused by the granular evolution rather than by waves .
we have tried to separate the two components by performing a filtering of the timeseries in the space - time domain with a conical filter .
we separate all components that have a horizontal velocity smaller than 7 km s@xmath10 ( the approximate sound speed ) from those with a larger velocity .
sound waves that propagate horizontally should have a phase speed of the intensity signal equal to the sound speed .
for an inclined wave , the phase speed will be larger ( infinite for a vertically propagating wave ) .
all acoustic waves should thus be contained in the high - pass part of the filtered data while granular evolution ( and gravity waves ) will be in the low - pass part .
figure [ fig : filter_images_p129_cah ] shows the original data and the two filtered components for one snapshot .
the original data have some intensity modulations of large spatial scale that disappear in the low - pass filtered image ( e.g. a dark patch at [ 10,7 ] and a bright patch at [ 2,0 ] ) .
we find these patches in the high - pass component .
it is also clear that the smallest spatial scales are in the low - pass component .
figure [ fig : filter_images_p129_bc ] shows the same for the blue continuum filter . ( 85mm,125mm)carlsson_fig4.ps ( 85mm,125mm)carlsson_fig5.ps figure [ fig : power_conefilt_p129_cah ] shows the power in the original data and the two filtered components .
the high power at low frequencies is totally dominated by the low - pass component ( evolution and gravity waves ) while the acoustic wave component gives rise to the peak at 5 mhz and dominates up to 20 mhz .
the two components are of equal importance at 30 mhz while the noise is dominated by the high - pass component ( where spatially uncorrelated photon counting noise is ) .
( 85mm,125mm)carlsson_fig6.ps
the power of the high - pass filtered data ( where we expect the acoustic waves to be ) is shown in fig .
[ fig : power_rebin_vgt7_p129_cah ] which also shows the integrated power in the 5 - 20 mhz range compared with the 2x2 binned data ( we compare with the 2x2 binned data because the unbinned data has high velocity components from alignment interpolations that cancel out when the data is first binned to 2x2 .
furthermore , the 2x2 binned data has identical power spectrum as the original data apart from the noise level , see fig .
[ fig : power_rebin_p129_cah ] ) .
the power ratios are similar to the case for the unfiltered data except that the high - pass power at low frequencies is identical for the various binnings , showing that the differences at low frequencies in fig . [
fig : power_rebin_p129_cah ] are caused by slow motion / evolution of sharp features .
the integrated power 5 - 20 mhz is 90% of the 2x2 binned power at 0.43 binning and still 69% at 0.86 binning .
the high percentages are because the integrated power is dominated by the low frequencies close to 5 mhz where the difference between the different binnings is very small .
the acoustic power will have a slower decline with frequency because the intensity signal is depressed at higher frequencies from the significant width of the response function @xcite .
one would thus expect that the small spatial scales are more important for the integrated acoustic power than for the integrated intensity power . as an extreme case one can use the ratio of the intensity power at 20 mhz as the ratio for the integrated acoustic power .
this ratio is 69% at 0.43 binning and 43% at 0.86 binning .
the ca ii h - line is a scattering line with a broad response function .
it could be argued that the spatial scales in the intensity response of this line will be larger than the actual acoustic waves scales and larger than for the trace 1600 filter .
we have therefore repeated the exercise for the blue continuum that has a much more narrow response function .
the response is from the photosphere so we expect the waves to have a much lower amplitude than in the calcium filter .
figure [ fig : power_rebin_vgt7_p129_bc ] shows this to be the case .
the power is lower than for the calcium filter intensities and there is a distinct 3 mhz peak from p - mode oscillations .
however , the spatial scales of the high frequency signal is very similar in the two filters : for the blue continuum the integrated power in the 5 - 20 mhz band is 87% for 0.43 binning and 60% at 0.86 binning . at 20
mhz the corresponding numbers are 65% and 40% , respectively .
( 85mm,57mm)carlsson_fig7.ps ( 85mm,57mm)carlsson_fig8.ps for a proper comparison with trace , our data should first be smeared with the psf of trace and then rebinned to 0.5 pixel size .
the psf is poorly known but is probably wider than the diffraction limit .
the aperture at the 1600 band of trace is set by the 11.2 cm diameter of the filter .
this corresponds to a diffraction limit of 0.3 .
trace is thus severly undersampled and the psf would have to be much broader than the diffraction limit to add smearing beyond the pixel sampling .
we thus feel that the proper comparison is with the hinode data rebinned to 0.5 . as the numbers above show , even rebinning to 0.86 pixel size does not change the integrated mean power of the timeseries much .
we have calculated the power of intensity variations as observed with hinode sot / bfi ca ii h and blue continuum filters at high , strictly regular , cadence .
we find that intensity power corresponding to propagating acoustic waves is largest close to the acoustic cutoff frequency .
furthermore , the spatial scales of the intensity variations are predominantly larger than the trace pixel size of 0.5 : the integrated intensity power in the 5 - 20 mhz range is 83% of the original power when the data is rebinned to the trace pixel size .
even at 20 mhz the power of the rebinned data is 64% of the original power .
there is no large , unseen , pool of high frequency waves at small spatial scales . combining this result with the work of @xcite
we conclude that the total energy flux in acoustic waves of frequency 5 - 40 mhz entering the internetwork chromosphere of the quiet sun is less than 800 w m@xmath0 , inadequate to balance the radiative losses in a static chromosphere by a factor of five .
_ we are grateful to the hinode team for their efforts in the design , building and operation of the mission .
hinode is a japanese mission developed and launched by isas / jaxa , with naoj as domestic partner and nasa and stfc ( uk ) as international partners .
it is operated by these agencies in co - operation with esa and nsc ( norway ) .
sot was developed jointly by naoj , lmsal , isas / jaxa , nasa , hao and melco .
this work was supported by the research council of norway grants 170926/v30 and 170935/v30 .
b.d.p . was supported by nasa contracts nng06gg79 g , nng04-gc08 g , nas5 - 38099 ( trace ) and nnm07aa01c ( hinode ) .
swm was supported by grants from the nsf ( atm-0541567 ) and nasa ( nng05gm75 g , nng06gc89 g ) . _ | arxiv |
differently from the galaxy , the low - density environment of the magellanic clouds favors the gravitational interaction of single clusters , which form binary ( or multiple ) groupings and eventually will merge or disrupt .
pieces of evidence on this subject are : ( i ) many binary clusters in the magellanic clouds have been identified and recognized as true physical systems ( ( * ? ? ?
* bhatia & hatzidimitriou 1988 ) , ( * ? ? ?
* bhatia et al . 1991 ) ) ; ( ii ) deep and precise colour - magnitude diagrams ( cmds ) for isolated clusters in the large magellanic cloud revealed multi - population sequences ( ( * ? ? ?
* mackey et al . 2008 ) ) .
if these facts are connected their results indicate that we are witnessing different stages of cluster evolution in a scenario where cluster groupings and mergers are not uncommon .
evidence of cluster binarity and mergers has been reported for both clouds which are very rich in cluster pairs and multiplets ( ( * ? ? ?
* dieball et al . 2002 ) , ( * ? ? ?
* bica et al . 2008 ) , ( * ? ? ?
* carvalho et al . 2008 ) ) .
we determine astrophysical and structural parameters of smc binary clusters by fitting isochrones to the cmds and king functions to the radial density profiles with the purpose of providing constraints on the evolution of such systems .
the soar optical imager ( soi ) mounted in a bent - cassegrain configuration to the 4.1-m soar telescope ( cerro pachn , chile ) was employed to observe a sample of 7 merger candidates .
images in bessel _ bv _ filters were obtained on photometric nights ( nov / oct 2007 ) , using the soi mini - mosaic of two e2v 2x4k ccds ( 1 pixel = 15@xmath1 m ) to cover a 5.2x5.2(@xmath2)@xmath3 field of view .
the ccds were binned to 2x2 pixels yielding a scale of 0.154/pixel .
the average seeing was @xmath40.95 in _ b _ and @xmath40.8 in _ v_. two images in each filter were obtained , with single exposure times of 480s in _ b _ and 195s in _
v_. the spatial scale is 1=0.3pc .
the ccd frames were reduced with iraf software .
starfinder ( ( * ? ? ?
* diolaiti et al . 2000 ) ) was used to perform psf photometry .
table 1 presents the cluster sample and includes the parameters derived here as well as literature ones .
image of the interesting non - coeval pair ic1641/ngc422 is shown in fig
. 1 . -0.3 cm .cluster sample and derived parameters . [ cols="<,^,^,^,^,^,^,^,^,^ " , ]
we built the radial density profile ( rdp ) for each merger candidate component by employing star counts in circular rings around the cluster center . for the sake of uniformity , all rdps
are based on rings 5 wide . in order to get an optimized rdp , we limit the data to a threshold magnitude for which the difference between the cluster central density and the adjacent field density is maximum .
the cluster center is tweaked in the process .
all stars fainter than this threshold are then disregarded in the analysis .
we employed two - parameter ( central density @xmath5 , core radius @xmath6 ) king profiles ( ( * ? ? ?
* king 1966 ) ) to derive structural properties .
the background was determined by fitting a constant to the outermost 4 rings , which was then subtracted from the overall stellar density before the king profile fitting was performed .
1 shows the rdp for clusters ic1641/ngc422 .
we have obtained astrophysical parameters by fitting padova isochrones ( ( * ? ? ? * girardi et al . 2002 ) ) to the _ v _ @xmath7 ( _ b v _ ) cmds . in order to minimize the contamination of background stellar fields , a circular region defined by a limiting radius ( @xmath8 ) covering the cluster central area was selected .
@xmath8 is defined as the radius where the cluster stellar density begins to stand out from the background one .
for all clusters in the sample good fittings were obtained for ( _ m - m_)@xmath9 .
reddening as well as age and metallicity corresponding to the best matching isochrones are presented in table 1 .
1 shows isochrone fittings to the observed cmds of ic1641 and ngc422 .
in general , our age estimates agree with cmd based age determinations in the literature ( see table 1 ) .
the ages of l51/b78 and ngc422/ic1641 have been determined using isochrone fittings for the first time .
because of a disturbed surface brightness profile and isophotal features , ( * ? ? ? * carvalho ( 2008 ) ) classified k50 and ngc376 as mergers and the pairs ic1612e / w and ngc241/242 as true binary clusters .
except for ngc422/ic1641 and ic1612e / w , all cluster pairings in our sample are nearly coeval and have ages close to @xmath10yr , consistent with the time scales of dynamical models . ngc422/ic1641 and ic1612e / w have ages that differ by 390myr and 60myr respectively , implying that , if they are interacting , a capture process may have occurred .
another possibility is that the oldest cluster in the pair triggered the star formation that originated the youngest one via supernovae explosions and shell expansion .
such mechanism has also been proposed as a plausible explanation by ( * ? ? ? * vallenari ( 1998 ) ) for the lmc pair ngc1903/sl357 , although their age difference is 550myr . concerning the time scales involved
, the expected effect of the gravitational interaction for clusters having a mass of @xmath11m@xmath12 and half mass radius of 10pc , is that they will merge in @xmath10yr if their separation is @xmath425pc ( ( * ? ? ?
* sugimoto & makino 1989 ) ) .
models for less massive clusters in the lmc tidal field give a few @xmath10yr for the pair lifetime , with separations varying from @xmath46pc for cluster masses @xmath13m@xmath12 and @xmath414pc for @xmath14m@xmath12 ( ( * ? ? ?
* bhatia 1990 ) ) . according to these models , after this time scale either the cluster pair merges due to mutual gravitational interaction or disrupts by the galactic tidal field and , in a less probable event , by passing giant molecular clouds
. clusters resulting from pairs that have merged are expected to show structural properties which differ from those of single clusters .
the plot of @xmath8 against age indicates that k50 , ngc376 and ic1611 have a larger @xmath8 than the mean locus of single clusters , which may be an additional evidence for their merger status ( ( * ? ? ?
* mackey & gilmore 2003 ) ) .
we thank the brazilian institutions cnpq and fapemig for financial support . | arxiv |
How to derive the magnetic field of a wire carrying current using the differential form of Ampere law? [closed]
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I have to find the magnetic field generated by an infinite wire carrying current by using the curl formula:
$$\nabla \times B=\mu\_0J$$
Let's say the wire is along the z axis, we can use cilindrical coordinates and rewrite the equation; according to symmetries:
$$\frac{1}{r}\frac{d}{dr}\left( rB\_\theta(r) \right)=\mu\_0J(r)$$
Now, the idea my professor wants us to follow in this case is solving the differential equation by separating variables.
However, what he does in his notes is considering the equation:
$$\frac{1}{r}\frac{d}{dr}\left( rB\_\theta(r) \right)=\mu\_0J$$
when $r\le R$, and
$$\frac{1}{r}\frac{d}{dr}\left( rB\_\theta(r) \right)=0$$
when $r\ge R$.
I know how to solve the exercise once this distinction is made, but I don't understand why it is done like this: why is $J=0$ outside the wire? I don't understand which $J$ I have to consider in this formula.
The reason your professor considers 𝐽 = 0 outside the wire (𝑟 ≥ 𝑅) is related to the assumption that the current is confined to the wire itself. In the context of solving for the magnetic field generated by an infinite wire carrying current, there's typically an implicit assumption that the current is flowing through the wire and nowhere else.
Here's why 𝐽 = 0 outside the wire is a reasonable assumption:
1. **Inside the Wire (𝑟 ≤ 𝑅):** Inside the wire, you can indeed have a current density 𝐽 that is non-zero. This is because the wire is where the current flows, and the current density represents the amount of current per unit area or volume. So, 𝐽(𝑟) is non-zero inside the wire.
2. **Outside the Wire (𝑟 ≥ 𝑅):** Outside the wire (𝑟 ≥ 𝑅), there is no wire material through which the current can flow. Therefore, it makes sense to assume that the current density 𝐽(𝑟) is zero in the regions where there is no wire. In other words, there is no current flowing in the space outside the wire, and that's why 𝐽 = 0 outside the wire.
This assumption simplifies the problem because you don't need to consider any current sources outside the wire. You can focus on finding the magnetic field within the wire where 𝐽(𝑟) is non-zero, and outside the wire, where 𝐽(𝑟) is zero, you can set the differential equation to zero because there is no current contributing to the magnetic field in those regions.
| stackexchange/physics |
Once Upon a Time 1. its mad love
_Shades of Starlight_
_**By: WhisperedSilvers**_
X
* * *
><p><strong>Prompt: The curse is broken and Killian cannot stop kissing Emma.<strong>
* * *
><p>Emma felt her heart stop and her hands are shaking. Killian lay in front of her, broken. A stab wound on the left side of his shoulder, rips into his leather coat, broken scabs in the color of asphalt and <em>he wasn't breathing.<em> Emma didn't realize her hands were shaking, and she didn't realize she wasn't breathing until she felt a familiar set of hands grasp her shoulders.
"Emma, I am _so _sorry." Mary-Margaret's voice broke her thoughts and she couldn't think. She couldn't _breathe_, she couldn't _see _and she couldn't _understand_.
She _pulled_ Hook out of Deadman's Cave, _stabbed_ the mermaid's throat and held onto him when he couldn't move.
The mermaid had gripped onto his ankle and yanked him towards the shore. Something hot and red grasped onto her soul. She felt feral, baring her teeth against the fish and she growled. And Emma felt something shatter, she wanted to rip the mermaid's hair out, break her fingers and snap her neck. She lost too many people she cared about, she wasn't going to let any more people slip threw her fingers. Emma made a vow; she would not _let_ them leave her.
Starting with Hook.
Emma had released a muted curse, ran towards the mermaid, with her sword in her hand and with quick flip of the wrist, she chopped off the siren's hand. Killian watched her with awe and something akin to respect. The mermaid screamed in pain, her eyes flickering from black to yellow and just as she was about to make a grab for the blonde- Emma jabbed her in the throat.
The sword cutting threw her throat and the green flesh of fish. And her blood- _Gods _the mermaid's blood was _blue_. But Emma didn't stay long enough to see the mermaid die; she grabbed Hook by the lapels of his coat and quite literally _dragged _him towards the cave.
She didn't even bother checking his wounds. She grabbed him by the _ankle_ and Emma felt stupidity rise into her lungs, _why didn't she check for wounds_!
So here Killian laid, on the wet grass of Neverland with Emma, her parents, Regina, Neal and Gold looking over him.
"No! No, no, no, no no-dammit! Hook wake up! You weren't supposed to _leave_ me. You damn well made it clear that you _weren't _going to leave me. You were supposed to _fight_ for me! You can't do that when you're dead!" Emma's words were becoming less and less coherent. Her hands grasp the lapels of his coat; she fists them into white knuckles and shook him.
There wasn't even a sign of movement from Killian. His eyes closed and his face relaxed. Horrified, Emma felt tears burn the corners of her eyes.
Snow leans beside her daughter and her hand grasps her elbow. Snow knew her daughter was hurting, shards of glass embeds into her heart, her brain and her throat. But they were running out of time and Henry is only getting farther and farther away from him.
And then Emma's brain froze. Her green eyes glance at his face and then she really _looks_. She swallows thickly- maybe- just maybe- if there was the slight _possibility_- that- that this could work. It was a worth a try, being the product of True Love- but Emma thinks that her heart would shatter if it _doesn't_ work.
Emma inhales and places a kiss on Killian's cold unmoving lips and for a split second she felt nothing and then it was _white_. It is blinding and the power surges knocking her family back a few feet.
Emma felt warm, warm like the sun on a Spring day, warm like the smell of fresh baked bread, and warm like the crackling fire. And then those lips were kissing her back.
She is _trembling_. Killian kisses her, wanting her to feel the desperation, the passion, the heat, the intimacy, the fear and _love_. She's never been kissed like this before and her breath was coming out in short puffs. He sits up holding his hand on the side of her cheek, cradling her face as if it was the most precious of treasures, his hook behind her waist pulling her closer to him, then his thumb rubs behind her ear and suddenly she can't breathe.
Because he's so _close_ and she can't wrap her head around what is actually happening. But all she can do is _taste_, _hear, feel _and _see _is _Killian. _He is like the ocean, rough, and unyielding. Pounding against the rocks, smoothening the stone into glass and blue _oh-so-blue_. And he's kissing her and stealing all the oxygen from her lungs and she's burning.
Her hands finally can feel and she threads her finger into his thick, dark locks. But Emma really _can't _breathe and so she pulls back gasping- relishing in the cool air that sinks into her lungs and then he's pulling her back for a kiss again. And Emma wants to _speak_ and she can't- not when he's swallowing her words.
David is the first person to recover his wits from the power surge, he rubs his forehead and as Snow blinks her eyes- he glances towards his daughter and felt his brain stop. He is moving before he's thinking.
His daughter, a vile pirate is kissing his precious little girl and he would be dammed if he didn't put a stop to it. It didn't matter if he _approved_ of the pirate, _oh no_- he would take that secret to the grave before _anyone _could _fathom_ that idea. He's stomping dangerously and because Hook's attention are otherwise _occupied_- he couldn't stop Charming from grabbing his daughter and pulling her back.
David wants to snarl at the pirate, but with his daughter in his arms- he tries to remain calm. For her sake, but for his- he wants to _gleefully _cut off his other hand.
Snow smiling- _no grinning_, remarks, "You do realize you have to come up for air, right?"
Emma comes to the actualization that her brain isn't functioning. She is beyond _frazzled. _Her ears are buzzing, her lungs are desperately searching for oxygen, her lips tingled, her cheeks redden and her blood is roaring. She felt so _alive_, and if Killian touched her again- she is sure that the only thing that would be left is _sparks_.
"Trust me, milady. I have wanted do that for a _long_ time." Killian manages to answer huskily.
Emma cannot find the words to respond.
And Killian grins because he _finally _manages to leave her speechless.
Charming cannot wrap his head around this situation, because one moment he was dead and then the other he's shoving his tongue down his precious angel's throat. And then comprehension came down barreling like a ton of bricks- David horrified, comes to the conclusion- that he cannot kill Hook, because apparently they all overlooked _one _important detail.
"How the _hell _did the pirate manage to be your True Love?"
* * *
><p><em><strong>Please Review!<strong>_
2. lost into the sea
Shades of Starlight
**By: WhisperedSilvers**
X
* * *
><p><strong>Prompt: Killian had warned Emma about mermaids, but he never said anything about mermen. Neverland arc.<strong>
* * *
><p>David suggests the jungle path when the Jolly Roger is pulled onto shore. Rumplestiltskin suggests the pathway into Dead Man's Cove. Regina wants to burn the damn forest and Snow just sits on the sand with exasperation. Emma is trying. She is trying her best not to scream and throttle every single person arguing over where they should start looking <em>first<em>. She may have her father's tact, but she also has his temper. But then, Regina decides to ignite a fire in the palms of her hand and Emma loses her cool.
"You _morons, _this is Neverland- fucking _Tinkerbell _lives here. Do you really think _magic _is going to have any influence?" Emma very nearly growls, her fingers presses tightly against the bottom of her palm, turning the color of a brighter white. Her exclamation causes the trio's argument to come to abrupt halt. Each of the victims turned to look to the offender- unable to come up with a suitable answer.
Regina was the first recover, "What do _you _suggest, O' Savior?"
Emma scowls, "Hook, you've lived here for a few centuries." She turns her head to face the pirate, "_Where _should we start?"
Hook looks presently surprised with the way she focuses her attention on him and that it is _himself_ that she's seeking help. His eyes seem to sear threw her clothes and Emma wants nothing more than to rub her arms and see if her appendages are still intact. Because now he focuses on her and Emma can't tell if she likes the intensity of his eyes or if she likes the way he concentrates.
Hook deliberately flickers his eyes from her to an interesting spot on the trunk of an oak tree. "Well, lass. Following the shore towards the Echo Mountains is much simpler to get to Pan's hideout."
Emma can feel a strain on the back of her neck. "If I remember clearly, isn't Mermaid Lagoon _before_ the Echo Mountains?"
Killian smirks, "I said simpler, love. Not safe."
Emma frowns. She weighs her options. If they go through the forest, they aren't quite sure _what _would happen. Dead Man's Cove- the _name_ screams death. They need to be _alive _to find Henry. Magic is out of question. Hook's suggestion seems probable. He had warned her about mermaids. Snow would _skewer _David if he even _dared. _She assumes that Regina has some _care _for his former teacher. And she would _strangle_ Hook if he fell for the trout's charms.
"Well, what's it going to be Emma?" Mary-Margaret looks expectantly at her daughter. Emma suddenly realizes that everyone is waiting for her answer and a small silver of pride eases its way into her spine.
To shrug off the vanity that threatened to slide onto her face, she closes her eyes and sighs, "Lead the way, Hook."
If had her eyes were open she would have seen the warm, appreciative look that he seems to look at her with.
The trip to Echo Mountain is extremely uneventful. The crunch of the sand against her heeled boots, the sun warming her skin, the sound of her leather jacket bouncing off her hips that she previously removed because of the _sun, _and the sound of the ocean waves dragging onto the shore is nothing except calm.
There. The shore starts to end. The clear blue waters stretch towards her boots, washing the sand off of her footwear, as the land seems to disappear under her feet. It's near noon and the water level is rising slowly.
"The lagoon is around the corner," Killian comments blankly, "Do _not _even look at the strip of land. The bloody fish can _feel _your attention, it's like a magnet."
The mermaid seems more like bats than actual fish, Emma thinks. Mermaids are just prettier and a lot more deadly. She's so into her thoughts she doesn't notice the rock on the floor of the shore and nearly trips. Biting back a curse, only her father seems to notice her slight fumble. His hand is out to steady her, only the slight angry ripple dances onto the ocean.
Emma notice that David seems to prevent himself from speaking – maybe because he's terrified of saying anything without those dammed salmon so close. But she merely nods her head in thanks.
But the ripples are different than how their feet move in the water. Their feet's movements are continuous, normal, nothing out of the ordinary and when Emma fumbles nearly imperceptibly; it causes the slight rough treatment of the water making the fish twitch.
The water crept towards their knees and Emma feels a cold drench her bones. Suddenly she realizes that there is something very, _very _wrong. Like ice creeping into the veins where her blood lay, shivering into the thickets of cells. Akin to trepidation, Emma feels the nerves twist in her stomach.
Minutes drag on and nothing happens. Suddenly the water is becoming shallow, she assumes that Hook has found a path to shore because now the water was starting to reach her shins. Hook's boots meet the shore, then her mother, Regina and soon Gold. David's feet edge towards the sand, and suddenly Emma feels a weight grip her ankle.
The blonde swallows a gasp when she tugs onto her leg and the relentless grasp seems to only tighten. Emma makes the mistake of turning her head, only to see a man gripping her ankle. This time she releases an audible gasp.
He has thick, chocolate, curly strands of hair that seems to dance in the wind. His green eyes were greener than hers, a color similar to those of sea foam. The more Emma stared at him, the more she felt as if she's looking into the eyes of the Devil himself. The curve of his lips, the tilt of her jawline and just the _intensity _of his eyes makes her want to stop. The strong, muscular shoulders, the sun-kissed skin and his pectorals made her mind fuzzy. But her mind couldn't keep up with her emotions, because then she saw his tail and her brain could only feel smoke.
Now she couldn't think, she couldn't remember who was with her, she couldn't function, she couldn't remember her purpose of coming onto the shore- because all she could see was _him. _
The merman flashed her a grin that only seemed to remind her of someone so close to her heart and she couldn't put her finger on it. The fog grew thicker and whiter. He yanked onto her ankle and her backside splashed into the water. She was sure she looked confused, vulnerable even- befuddled really. And the merman-_mermaid _whatever, laughed at her.
Emma could only watch in awe, the sound deep and attractive bouncing off the glass of the ocean. She didn't remember when he started pulling her, nor did she remember those _hands _sliding up towards her calves, inching her deeper into the jewel known as the sea, and she _most certainly _didn't notice the way those hands inched towards her thighs. But what she _did _notice was that he was so close to her face, she could taste the salt clinging to his skin and smell the scent of an ocean breeze. Soothing. Emma could feel her heart slowing and he smelt so _good_. And the haze became more and more warm and it _felt so perfect._
But what she did remember and what she still remembers is feeling someone grab the tops of her shoulders roughly and yanking her away from the sea God. The _mermaid_-thing, looked somewhat angry that she is being taken away from him. The angry sea God snarls and rushes to pull back his Sun Goddess back-a sword is thrown his way and impales the fish into his throat.
Thearm that grabbed her by the shoulder, reaches to wrap around her waist and pull her to the shore. The sound of the sand scratching her boots and the ocean waves pulling and pushing are the only sounds she hears.
The arm allows Emma to lie down onto the sand, Killian's gorgeous face blocking the sun. His face bright with frantic and nerves. "Emma! Are you alright?"
She blinks, once and then twice.
Her mind then shuts off her emotions and the fog condenses into cold rain. She wants to groan, a really pretty fish made her forget her son- _nothing she have that affect on her. _
"Yeah." She sighs. She notices that her father's face looks pinched; her mother seems to be torn from being amused and being horrified.
"What the bloody _hell _did I tell you, woman?" Hook almost snarls at Emma, and she had the nerve to look affronted.
"_What! _I clearly remember _mermaids _being part of the danger, you never said _mermen _existed!" Emma flushes and Hook can't tell if its from the sun, embarrassment or anger. "And I didn't even look at the lagoon!"
"Perhaps! But something had happened!"
"I tripped on a rock, sue me!"
Regina rolls her eyes at the bickering pair before leaving to observe the area and with curiosity Rumple follows too. Mary-Margret thinks that perhaps it is better that Hook and her daughter figure out what the hell was going on, because she wasn't quite sure herself what is. She follows Regina up towards the mountains and David hesitates before leaving his daughter with the pirate.
Killian sighs trying to keep his temper under a lock, before sneaking a glance at Emma. When he heard her gasp, he felt something inside of him quiver. She was standing with a fish gripping her ankle. Then he yanked her and his slimy hands were sliding up her legs. It was the way Emma looked at him, like she was seeing stars for the first time. Her eyes had gone a glassy emerald, glazed as if she felt something so intense and so blissful. He felt his blood boil, churn into a dark well of blackness.
Killian didn't even think when he grabbed his sword and stabbed the fish.
All he could think was _Emma, please Emma, look at me Emma, don't look at him, look at me, Emma, Emma, Emma. _
Maybe it's jealousy he didn't know, but he felt that the way she looked at the trout should be the way she looked at him, _always. _
He had to try something.
Killian grabbed her by the shoulders and forced her to look into his deep, blue, _blue-sapphire-cobalt blue _eyes and just _look_. Emma didn't have the time to look shocked because then he was speaking.
"Mermen are different mermaids, Emma." His breath is hot and cool on her lips. His nose brushed hers; every nerve of hers is so hyperaware of him she trembles finely. His eyes are intense, for too intense for her to _not _look at him. "They look for women, beautiful women. They charm them, enough to feel smoke. White smoke. Burning in their lungs, erasing their judgment, and tickling their core." Killian whispers, he's so intimate, the way his hands grasp her shoulders when he speaks, whilst discreetly bringing her closer to him.
"Then he pulls them into the ocean, their hearts begin to stop, because they become consumed by him. The women are in _ecstasy._" His teeth glint white after licks his teeth, and acutely she can sense the difference between the meaning and the way he _wants _it to mean. "Then their hearts _stop_ and he takes her everywhere." He stops there because the double meaning should be enough for her to understand. Killian finishes, "Mermen give women a merciful death. They do not understand what it means to be _alive._"
She couldn't breathe, she couldn't remember ever being this terrified and this _turned on. _Emma didn't think before she spoke, "And _you _do?"
Killian grins feral, he tugs a wet strand with his finger and tucks it behind her ear. Before she could blink, his teeth caught her lower lip and give it a quick nip before swaying back like the ocean itself; fluidly. "_Of course." _
_**Please Review!**_
End file.
| fanfiction |
Calculating the pH upon titrating barium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid
**Question:**
>
> Calculate the pH produced from mixing $\pu{25.0 mL}$ of $\pu{0.420 M} $ $\ce{Ba(OH)\_2}$ with $\pu{125 mL}$ of $\pu{0.120 M}$ $\ce{ HCl}$.
>
>
>
**Attempt:**
I'm learning about acids and bases right now (and not very used to it yet). First I wrote the chemical equation $$\ce{2HCl + Ba(OH)\_2 \rightarrow 2H\_2O + BaCl\_2}$$
Then I calculated the number of moles of each $\ce{Ba(OH)\_2}$ has
$$ \pu{0.025 L} \times \pu{0.420 M} = 0.0105 $$ moles
and for $\ce{HCl}$ $$0.125 \pu{mL } \times \pu{0.120 M} =0.0150$$ So $\ce{Ba(OH)2}$ is the limiting reactant. However, I'm not sure how to proceed so any help would really be appreciated!
You are on the right track just one thing. $\ce{Ba(OH)2}$ is **in excess** and $\ce{HCl}$ is the limiting reactant, which means all of the $\ce{HCl}$ is used up. That alone tells us the pH is above 7, as $\ce{Ba(OH)2}$ is alkaline and there is no acid left.
To find the exact pH of the resulting solution, first we need to find how much of $\ce{Ba(OH)2}$ is left. Since all of the $\ce{HCl}$ is used, we can find the number of moles of $\ce{Ba(OH)2}$ needed to react with it. As you've stated, the number of moles of $\ce{HCl}$ is 0.0150. From the equation we can see that 2 moles of $\ce{HCl}$ reacts with 1 mole of $\ce{Ba(OH)2}$. So 0.0150 moles of $\ce{HCl}$ will react with $\frac{0.0150}{2}$ = 0.0075 moles of $\ce{Ba(OH)2}$. But there are 0.0105 moles of $\ce{Ba(OH)2}$ present. So we find the difference to find how many moles there are in the solution when the reaction is finished.
This number is 0.0105 - 0.0075 = 0.003 moles. Now, one thing about acids and bases, is that their ions dissociate in solution. The more ions dissociate, the stronger the acid or base is. Here, there is no acid remaining, but only 0.003 moles of said base present. $\ce{Ba(OH)2}$ dissociates as follows:
$$\ce{Ba(OH)2 <=> 2OH- + Ba^2+}$$
This means that one mole of $\ce{Ba(OH)2}$ dissociates to form 2 moles of $\ce{OH-}$ ions. So 0.003 moles of $\ce{Ba(OH)2}$ dissociates to form 0.003 \* 2 = 0.006 moles of $\ce{OH-}$ ions. The resulting solution has a volume of 125 + 25 = 150 mL. The concentration of $\ce{OH-}$ ions is found by $\frac{0.006}{0.150}$ = 0.04 M.
To find the pH, it's easier to first find the pOH. That can be found using the formula: $$\ce{pOH = -log(OH^-)}$$
In your case, the value of $\ce{OH-}$ is 0.04 and the pOH is $$\ce{pOH = -log(0.04)}$$
or pOH = 1.397940. FINALLY, the pH can be found by subtracting the pOH from 14 because $$\ce{pOH + pH = 14}$$
In this case, pH = 14 - 1.397940 = 12.60206.
*This is my first ever answer on this site, hope this helps. If I've made any mistakes, sorry and feel free to help out, ever-active community of Chemistry Stack Exchange*
| stackexchange/chemistry |
neutron stars are thought to consist of the outer crust , inner crust and the core ( e.g. , @xcite ) .
the outer crust extends to densities @xmath0 , where @xmath1 g @xmath2 is the neutron drip density .
it mostly contains strongly degenerate electrons and atomic nuclei ( remnants of atoms fully ionized by the huge electron pressure ) . when the density increases , the nuclei become more neutron rich . the inner crust ( where @xmath3 , @xmath4 being the density at the crust - core interface and @xmath5 g @xmath2 is the density of saturated nuclear matter ) consists of ultrarelativistic highly degenerate electrons , very neutron rich nuclei and free degenerate neutrons ( dripped off the nuclei ) . with increasing density in the inner crust ,
the fraction of free neutrons ( among bound and free nucleons ) grows up , so that free neutrons give larger contribution to the pressure , while atomic nuclei become loosely bound as if dissolving in the neutron sea . finally , the nuclei disappear at @xmath6 which signals the transition to the liquid core of the star .
the crust as a whole is about 1 km thick and contains about one percent of the neutron star mass .
the liquid core can extend to about @xmath7 .
the outer core ( @xmath8 ) consists of strongly degenerate neutrons , with some admixture of protons , electrons and muons .
the inner core ( @xmath9 ) may contain hyperons , pion or kaon condensates or free quarks or the mixture of these .
the aim of this paper is to study a possible layer of _ nuclear mantle _ at the bottom of the inner crust containing various _ exotic nuclear clusters _ called collectively _ nuclear pasta_.
it was predicted by @xcite who investigated properties of matter in core - collapsing supernovae .
it has been studied by many authors as summarized in a discussion below ( also see @xcite for references to early publications ) .
a neutron star mantle can exist or not , depending on specific properties of nuclear interactions at subnuclear densities .
if exist , it forms the layer between the ordinary crust and the core , @xmath10 , where @xmath11 g @xmath2 is the outer boundary of this layer .
the mantle is often viewed as a part of the inner crust .
although the mantle occurs in a narrow density interval , its mass can be comparable to the mass of the entire crust .
as remarked above , the nuclei are loosely bound there . in this case
nuclear binding becomes as low as coulomb energies of the nuclei .
nuclear pasta forms when coulomb energy is sufficiently strong to rearrange nearly spherical atomic nuclei into exotic nuclear clusters .
the studies of nuclear pasta can be divided into two parts .
first , one considers hot matter of subnuclear densities for core - collapsed supernovae and proto - neutron stars where beta equilibrium is absent .
the second direction is to investigate colder pasta that can be available in neutron stars under the beta equilibrium condition .
we are interested in the second possibility .
very roughly , a transition from the first to the second case occurs at temperatures @xmath12 from about a few times of @xmath13 k to @xmath14 k. there are two major approaches to study nuclear pasta .
\(i ) first , one considers one- , two- or three dimensional nuclear clusters using different versions of the compressible liquid drop model ( e.g. , @xcite ) or thomas - fermi theories ( e.g. , @xcite ) with various mean field interactions .
the theory predicts four phases i iv of nuclear pasta in a neutron star mantle .
the first phase i , which appears with increasing density at @xmath15 , is the phase of rods ( `` spaghetti '' ) . nuclear structures become rod - like there , immersed in a liquid of free neutrons .
one studies neutron and proton density profiles across these rods assuming that their length is large ( infinite ) .
the phase of rods is followed by phase ii of slabs ( `` lasagna '' phase ) .
the slabs are filled by nuclear matter and immersed in neutron liquid .
one calculates nuclear structure across the slabs while the slabs themselves are assumed large ( infinite ) .
the phase of slabs is followed by phase iii of rod - like bubbles ( `` anti - sphagetti '' ) , where free neutrons fill infinitely long bubbles aligned along certain axis , and the nuclear structures occupy all other space .
the final phase iv consists of nuclear matter with spherical bubbles of neutron ( and possibly proton ) liquid ( `` swiss cheese '' ) .
some calculations predict all four exotic phases , while others predict fewer phases or no exotic phases at all .
real rods or slabs are thought to be of finite size and occupy some domains .
the sizes of nuclear clusters and domains as well as orientations of nuclear clusters in different domains are uncertain .
\(ii ) second , one simulates the composition and dynamics of ensembles of nuclear clusters with various versions of quantum molecular dynamics ( e.g. , @xcite ) or classical molecular dynamics ( e.g. , @xcite ) .
such simulations predict a variety of possibilities , first of all nuclear clusters of one type , e.g. rods , but of finite lengths and different sizes .
they predict also mixtures of different clusters ( e.g. , rods and slabs ) .
recently , more exotic structures have been obtained , such as slabs with a lattice of bubbles ( `` nuclear waffles , '' @xcite ) , gyroids @xcite , intertwined lasagna and other structures which do not resemble usual pasta @xcite , as well as long lived topological defects ( e.g. , @xcite ) . at high temperatures @xmath16 k
nuclear pasta is mostly in liquid state but at low temperatures ( in neutron stars ) it freezes into ordered or disordered clusters .
the existence of nuclear pasta does not affect significantly the equation of state of the matter and neutron star models .
however it can strongly influence neutrino emission ( e.g. , @xcite ) and transport properties of the neutron star mantle ( e.g. , @xcite ) .
we will focus on electron transport which is thought to be dominant there . to simplify the problem
we assume the existence of nuclear pasta domains with nuclear clusters of one type in each domain .
we include the effects of strong magnetic fields which can be very important .
we start with the electron transport properties in one domain assuming that electron mean free paths are larger than spacing between nuclear clusters but smaller than domain size and neglecting boundary effects .
for example , consider ensembles of rod - like or slab - like nuclear structures .
the electrons are mainly scattered by proton charge distributions created by these structures .
consider a strongly degenerate and ultra - relativistic electron gas which is slightly out of thermodynamic equilibrium due to the presence of weak gradients of temperature @xmath12 and electron chemical potential @xmath17 as well as due to a weak electric field @xmath18 .
kinetic properties of the electrons are calculated from the boltzmann equation for the electron distribution function @xmath19 , @xmath20 where @xmath21 , @xmath22 and @xmath23 are the electron velocity , momentum and electric charge , respectively ; @xmath24 is the external magnetic field , and @xmath25 is the collision integral .
the distribution function is normalized as @xmath26 @xmath27 being the electron number density . without any loss of generality it is sufficient to consider a stationary problem , with @xmath28 . because the electrons deviate from equilibrium only slightly ,
we can set @xmath29 , where @xmath30^{-1 } \label{e : fermi}\ ] ] is the local equilibrium fermi distribution ( @xmath31 being the electron energy and @xmath32 the boltzmann constant ) , and @xmath33 is a small non - equilibrium correction .
it is well known ( e.g. , @xcite ) that one can set @xmath34 on the left - hand side of ( [ e : boltzmann ] ) in all the terms except for the one containing the magnetic force ( because the latter term vanishes at @xmath34 )
. then @xmath35 where @xmath36 is the linearized collision integral .
since @xmath37 depends on @xmath38 through @xmath39 and @xmath40 , equation ( [ e : boltzmann1 ] ) can be rewritten as @xmath41 where we have introduced the notations @xmath42 @xmath43 being the effective electric field . while calculating the electron kinetic coefficients we can treat @xmath44 , @xmath45 , @xmath18 and @xmath43 as arbitrary constant small vectors . at the next step
we should specify the linearized collision integral @xmath36 . in order to study the main properties of kinetic coefficients one can often use the traditional simplified relaxation time approximation , @xmath46 where @xmath47 is the relaxation time and
@xmath48 is the effective collision frequency . in the simplest case
when electrons scatter elastically by some heavy centers , one has @xmath49 , where @xmath50 is the number density of scatterers and @xmath51 is the transport cross section ; @xmath52 , @xmath47 and @xmath51 can depend on the electron energy @xmath31 .
if one interests in a dipole - like deviation of the electron distribution function from the equilibrium one ( which is relevant for studying electric and thermal conductivities as well as thermopower ) , it is sufficient to set @xmath53 , where the vector @xmath54 ( to be determined ) can depend on the electron energy @xmath31 but not on orientation of its momentum @xmath22
. then @xmath55 .
the case of nuclear pasta is more complicated because we deal with anisotropic medium .
as far as nuclear clusters are concerned , we assume that we have a symmetry plane @xmath56 ( perpendicular to nuclear rods or plates ) and a symmetry axis @xmath57 ( perpendicular to the plane ) . without any loss of generality we may assume that the magnetic field @xmath24 lies in the @xmath58 plane .
a natural generalization of the relaxation time approximation ( [ e : tau - nu ] ) to this case is @xmath59 where @xmath60 and @xmath61 are generally different effective collision frequencies along the symmetry axis and in the symmetry plane , respectively ; @xmath62 ; @xmath63 , and @xmath54 , as before , can depend on @xmath31 but not on orientation of @xmath22 .
the difference between @xmath60 and @xmath61 reflects the anisotropy of electron collision frequencies in non - spherical nuclear clusters .
such an approximation is often used for studying electron transport in anisotropic solids ( see , e.g. , @xcite ) . in the absence of anisotropy
, one has @xmath64 and the problem reduces to a single traditional effective scattering frequency ( [ e : tau - nu ] ) in isotropic medium .
.possible pasta phases in a neutron star mantle [ cols="^,<,^,^",options="header " , ] [ tab : pasta ] as discussed in section [ sec : intro ] , there could be four phases i iv of nuclear pasta in a neutron star mantle ; they are listed in table [ tab : pasta ] in order of appearance with increasing density at @xmath15 .
phase i consists of rods .
form symmetry consideration one can expect that the most frequent electron momentum transfer occurs when electrons move across the symmetry axis ( across the rods ) , so that @xmath61 should be larger than @xmath60 .
we will call @xmath61 the leading collision frequency and @xmath60 the weaker collision frequency ( in phase i ) .
phase i is followed by phase ii of slabs ( table [ tab : pasta ] ) .
now the leading collision frequency @xmath60 corresponds to electrons moving along the symmetry axis ; they can scatter effectively by slabs which are perpendicular to the axis .
the weaker collision frequency is then @xmath61 .
after slabs one has phase iii of rod - like bubbles , where the collision frequencies are expected to have the same ordering as in phase i , @xmath65 . the final phase iv is that of spherical bubbles . in this case
@xmath64 ( electron collisions are isotropic ) as in the case of ordinary spherical nuclei in the main body of the neutron star crust ( at @xmath66 ) .
for example , according to model i of @xcite , @xmath67 g @xmath2 .
the transition to phase ii occurs at @xmath68 g @xmath2 ; to phase iii at @xmath69 g @xmath2 , and to phase iv at @xmath70 g @xmath2 .
finally , phase iv ends at @xmath71 g @xmath2 . in a typical neutron star of mass @xmath72 and radius
about 12 km the nuclear pasta layer can be about 100 m thick and have mass @xmath73 ; it is nearly as massive as the entire overlying ordinary crust of spherical nuclei .
equation ( [ e : collision_integral ] ) reduces the linearized boltzmann equation ( [ e : boltzmann2 ] ) to @xmath74 where @xmath75 is the electron gyrofrequency ( @xmath31 includes the electron rest - mass energy ) , and @xmath76 is the unit vector in the direction of @xmath24 . in the matrix form
@xmath77 the solution can be written as @xmath78 where @xmath79 .
the matrix @xmath80 , which will be denoted as @xmath81 , is @xmath82 where @xmath83 , @xmath84 and @xmath85 is the angle between @xmath24 and the symmetry axis @xmath57 .
this gives us the vector @xmath54 and @xmath29 .
then we can calculate the densities of electric and thermal currents , @xmath86 formally , @xmath87 and @xmath88 have the following structure @xmath89 where hat means @xmath90 matrix ( tensor ) of anisotropic kinetic coefficients , @xmath91 is the electric conductivity tensor , while two other tensors , @xmath92 and @xmath93 , are auxiliary .
the same tensor @xmath92 enters both expressions , for @xmath87 and @xmath88 , as a consequence of the onsager reciprocal relations . for applications ,
it is instructive to rewrite ( [ e : kin - coeff ] ) in the form @xmath94 where @xmath95 , @xmath96 and @xmath97 are the tensors of electric resistivity , thermal conductivity and thermopower , respectively .
again , the same tensor @xmath97 enters the expressions for @xmath43 and @xmath88 owing to the onsager relations . the thermal conductivity and thermopower
are given by @xmath98 and @xmath99 , respectively .
so far our consideration has been quite general , valid for the electron gas of any relativity and degeneracy .
the analysis is considerably simplified for strongly degenerate electrons . in this case
the main contribution to electron transport comes from the electrons with energies @xmath100 in the narrow thermal width of the fermi level .
standard calculations yield @xmath101 where @xmath81 is given by ( [ e : matrixa ] ) , @xmath102 is defined in ( [ e : vector_u ] ) , @xmath103 is the effective electron mass at the fermi surface ( @xmath17 includes @xmath104 ) , while @xmath105 , @xmath60 and @xmath61 have to be taken at @xmath106 .
note that @xmath91 and @xmath96 satisfy the wiedemann - franz law , @xmath107 which is natural for strongly degenerate electrons in the relaxation - time approximation ( e.g. @xcite ) .
the tensors @xmath91 and @xmath96 have similar structure , determined by the matrix @xmath81 .
therefore , either electric or thermal conduction is defined by _
six _ different transport coefficients of _ three _ types : 1 .
three diagonal terms ( @xmath108 , @xmath109 , @xmath110 ) are generally different reflecting anisotropy of the transport along all three axes ; 2 .
there are two basically different hall coefficients ( @xmath111 ; @xmath112 ) and two different hall parameters , @xmath113 associated with two collision frequencies , @xmath60 and @xmath61 ; they describe gyrotropic character of electron transport in a magnetic field ; 3 .
there are two equal coefficients @xmath114 for non - vanishing @xmath115 and @xmath116 ; 4 .
one has @xmath117 , in agreement with onsager relations . naturally , the electron transport in nuclear pasta is richer in physics than in ordinary neutron star matter .
let us present also the resistivity tensor @xmath118 its structure is simpler than that of @xmath91 or @xmath96 .
if @xmath91 is found from equation ( [ e : sigma , kappa ] ) , one can calculate the thermopower tensor as @xmath119 such relations are standard @xcite for scalar thermopower of strongly degenerate electrons in the relaxation time approximation .
evidently , they remain valid for tensor quantities . in order to use them
one should express @xmath105 , @xmath60 , and @xmath61 in @xmath91 as functions of @xmath31 and set @xmath106 .
in addition , one should express @xmath27 through @xmath17 and differentiate over @xmath17 afterwards .
the presented expressions are sufficient to estimate the electron transport properties in one domain of nuclear pasta .
below we analyze the transport coefficients in limiting cases . since the structure of @xmath91 and @xmath96 is the same , we will mainly discuss @xmath91 meaning that one can immediately find @xmath96 using equation ( [ e : wf ] ) .
in the limit of @xmath120 the transport coefficients are greatly simplified , @xmath121 here , the conductivity is characterized by the two different kinetic coefficients , along and across the symmetry axis , @xmath122 in phases i and iii of nuclear rods or rod - like bubbles one expects @xmath65 ( table [ tab : pasta ] ) .
then the conductivity @xmath123 along the symmetry axis is much larger than the leading conductivity @xmath124 across this axis .
if we view the leading transport as ` normal , ' then the transport in the perpendicular direction is abnormally fast . in phase ii of nuclear slabs
one has @xmath125 .
the normal leading transport along the symmetry axis is much slower than across it ( @xmath126 ) .
finally , in phase iv of spherical bubbles @xmath127 , so that the transport is isotropic ( ` normal ' in all directions , as in ordinary neutron star crust ) .
if @xmath128 , transport properties are generally complicated .
the simplest case takes place if @xmath24 is directed along the symmetry axis .
then @xmath129 the conductivity in the symmetry plane is gyrotropic ( governed by the magnetic field and the collision frequency @xmath61 ) , while the conductivity along the symmetry axis is unaffected by @xmath24 and determined by @xmath60 .
if @xmath24 lies in the symmetry plane , along the @xmath130 axis , then @xmath131 the conductivity along @xmath24 is again unaffected by the magnetic field ( being naturally determined by @xmath61 ) , while the conductivity in the @xmath132 plane ( across @xmath24 ) is gyrotropic and regulated by @xmath61 and @xmath60 . if @xmath133 , the conductivity is the same as in a basically isotropic medium immersed in a magnetic field ; see section [ s : spherical - bubbles ] .
if we increase @xmath134 from @xmath135 , the hall parameters @xmath136 and @xmath137 grow up and the electron transport is affected by the magnetic field .
the regime of sufficiently small ( smaller than 1 ) hall parameters corresponds to weakly magnetized electrons , whereas the regime of high ( higher than 1 ) hall parameters to strongly magnetized electrons .
because @xmath136 and @xmath137 are not equal , there is also the regime of intermediate magnetization in which the electrons are already magnetized with respect to one hall parameter but are still not magnetized with respect to the other one .
these three magnetization regimes have different effects on various conductivity components at different inclinations @xmath85 of @xmath24 to the symmetry axis . as for the @xmath134-dependence of the conductivity ,
all conductivity components are divided into non - hall ( @xmath138 , @xmath139 , @xmath140 , and @xmath141 ones ) and hall ones ( @xmath142 and @xmath143 ; we do not mention associated non - diagonal components like @xmath144 or @xmath145 ) .
the non - hall components are even functions of @xmath146 while the hall components are odd functions . in the limit of weak electron magnetization
the diagonal components stay nearly constant , while @xmath147 increases as @xmath148 .
all non - vanishing hall components increase proportionally to @xmath134 . in the limit of high electron magnetization ( @xmath149 , @xmath150 )
we obtain @xmath151 with increasing @xmath134 in this regime the non - hall components either stay constant ( as @xmath152 , @xmath153 and @xmath147 ) or decrease proportionally to @xmath154 , whereas the hall components decrease as @xmath155 .
the decrease of the conductivity components at strong magnetization is evidently explained by frequent rotation of electrons around magnetic field lines , with many rotations between successive collisions .
the structure of the electric resistivity tensor @xmath156 , equation ( [ e : hatr ] ) , is simpler than of the conductivity .
the diagonal components @xmath157 and @xmath158 are totally independent of @xmath24 , being equal to corresponding inverse diagonal components ( [ e : b=0,sigmaap ] ) of the electric conductivity tensor at @xmath135 , @xmath159 and @xmath160 . the leading resistivity ( @xmath161 or @xmath162 ) is higher than the resistivity in the opposite direction .
the hall components @xmath163 and @xmath164 are directly proportional to @xmath146 . in the regime of weak magnetization the diagonal components are larger than the hall ones while in the the regime of strong magnetization the hall components are larger .
actually , there is only one non - trivial hall component of @xmath156 instead of two formal hall components @xmath165 and @xmath166 in ( [ e : hatr ] ) . to prove this one can rotate coordinate axes in the @xmath144 plane in such a way for the @xmath57-axis to become parallel to @xmath24 .
after this rotation the tensor would contain the only one hall component @xmath167 totally independent of electron collision frequencies @xmath61 and @xmath60 ( proving that the hall components do not produce any dissipation although produce an important effect of hall drift of the magnetic field ) .
such a rotation trick does not work out for conductivity tensors there are generally two non - trivial hall components of the conductivity .
the simplicity of the electric resistivity tensor is also pronounced in the expression for the joule heat @xmath168 [ erg s@xmath169 @xmath2 ] , @xmath171 where @xmath172 and @xmath173 are the components of the electron current @xmath87 across and along the symmetry axis , respectively .
this phase is the simplest one because the medium is basically isotropic , @xmath133 .
the conductivity and resistivity tensors are especially simple in the coordinate system with the @xmath57-axis parallel to @xmath24 . for instance , the electric conductivity and resistivity tensors take the well known form @xmath174 where the subscripts @xmath175 and @xmath176 refer to conductivities and resistivities parallel and perpendicular to @xmath24 , respectively , while the subscript h labels the hall terms .
the hall terms in @xmath91 and @xmath156 have naturally different signs .
the expressions for these components are @xmath177 with @xmath178 , @xmath179 being the single hall parameter in the given case .
therefore , @xmath180 are independent of @xmath24 , and @xmath181 . in the regime of weak magnetization , at @xmath182 , one has nearly constant @xmath183 but @xmath184 , while at @xmath185 one has @xmath186 and @xmath187 . by way of illustration , in fig .
[ fig : rods ] we show the components of the electron conductivity tensor @xmath188 , given by equations ( [ e : sigma , kappa ] ) and ( [ e : matrixa ] ) , in phases of rods or rod - like bubbles versus the leading hall parameter @xmath136 , equation ( [ eq : hall - param ] ) .
the components are expressed in terms of the leading ( ` normal ' ) conductivity @xmath124 at @xmath135 , equation ( [ e : b=0,sigmaap ] ) .
recall that the presented ratio @xmath189 is the same as @xmath190 .
the three panels correspond to the three inclination angles @xmath191 , 45 and @xmath192 of @xmath24 to the symmetry axis .
the ratio of the leading and weaker electron collision frequencies is taken to be @xmath193 .
we present all six different tensor components , @xmath152 , @xmath194 and @xmath153 ( short - dashed , solid , and long - dashed thick lines , respectively ) , as well as @xmath195 , @xmath147 and @xmath196 ( dot - dashed , short dot - dash - spaced and long dot - dash - spaced thin lines , respectively ) .
the conductivities plotted in the left - hand ( @xmath191 ) and right - hand ( @xmath197 ) panels are described in section [ s : bneq0 ] ( equations ( [ e : b1 ] ) and ( [ e : b2 ] ) , respectively ) . at @xmath191
the conductivity @xmath153 is unaffected by the field , being determined by the weaker collision frequency @xmath60 . at @xmath197 the conductivity @xmath152 is not affected by @xmath24 , being determined by @xmath61 . if @xmath198 , we reproduce the field - free limit ( section [ s : b=0 ] ) , with the leading ( ` normal ' ) @xmath152 and @xmath194 conductivities 10 times smaller than the ` abnormal ' conductivity @xmath153 ( because @xmath199 , in our example ) . in the limit of weak electron magnetization
the diagonal components stay nearly constant , while @xmath147 grows as @xmath148 and all non - vanishing hall components increase as @xmath134 . in the limit of high electron magnetization the non - hall components either stay constant ( as @xmath152 , @xmath153 and @xmath147 at @xmath200 in fig .
[ fig : rods ] ) or decrease as @xmath154 ( like @xmath194 in the same case ) . in this regime
the hall components decrease as @xmath155 .
[ fig : slabs ] plots the same conductivities as in fig .
[ fig : rods ] for @xmath191 , 45 and 90@xmath201 but in phase ii of nuclear slabs .
the conductivities are expressed in units of the leading ( ` normal ' ) conductivity @xmath123 at @xmath135 , equation ( [ e : b=0,sigmaap ] ) ; they are shown as functions of the leading hall parameter @xmath137 .
the ratio of the leading to weaker electron collision frequency is again assumed to be @xmath202 .
the main features of the conductivities are similar to those in fig .
[ fig : rods ] for the phase of rods . in the regime of weak magnetization for slabs we also have the abnormal conductivities ( @xmath152 and @xmath194 ) much higher than the ` normal ' conductivity ( @xmath153 ) .
in section [ s : formalism ] we have considered the electron transport in one domain of exotic nuclear structures .
this transport is described by @xmath90 matrices of kinetic coefficients ; the matrix elements behave differently and strongly depend on the magnetic field @xmath24 and anisotropic properties of nuclear structures .
macroscopic equations of electron heat and charge transport contain the conductivity ( resistivity ) tensors averaged over an ensemble of domains . in principle
, the averaging should take into account correlation properties of electron transport in different domains .
however , the theory of nuclear pasta phases is still not very elaborated ( section [ sec : intro ] ) , so that no reliable information has been obtained about predominant orientations and other statistical properties of the domains .
therefore , it seems instructive to consider the simplest model of freely oriented domains .
we take the conductivity tensors obtained in section [ s : formalism ] and average them over free orientations of the domains .
it is evident , that after such averaging we obtain the conductivity tensors for basically isotropic medium in a magnetic field . in a coordinate frame with the @xmath57-axis along @xmath24 ,
the conductivity or resistivity tensors should have the same form ( [ e : sph ] ) as in the phase of spherical bubbles ( section [ s : spherical - bubbles ] ) .
any tensor is characterized by three components which describe transport along and across @xmath24 as well as the hall transport , although these components are generally more complicated than ( [ e : sph1 ] ) .
therefore , it is sufficient to determine these three components . to this aim ,
let us take , for instance , the electric conductivity tensor ( [ e : sigma , kappa ] ) and calculate @xmath203 , @xmath204 and @xmath205 , for a given orientation of the symmetry axis . here ,
@xmath206 and @xmath207 are two orthogonal unit vectors perpendicular to @xmath208 , with @xmath209 .
we obtain @xmath210 now the averaging over orientations of nuclear clusters , which we denote as @xmath211 , is equivalent to averaging over rotation of the ( @xmath206 , @xmath207 ) plane about the @xmath208 axis and to subsequent averaging over orientations of the @xmath208 axis .
these averagings can be done analytically with the result that in any reference frame with the @xmath57 axis parallel to @xmath24 @xmath212 the averaged conductivity components are given by @xmath213 where @xmath214 & { \rm at~~ } { \nu_{\mathrm{a}}}<{\nu_{\mathrm{p}}},\\ 1/({\nu_{\mathrm{a}}}^3 + \omega^2 { \nu_{\mathrm{a } } } ) & { \rm at~~ } { \nu_{\mathrm{a}}}={\nu_{\mathrm{p } } } , \end{array } \right .
\label{e : h}\ ] ] with @xmath215 and @xmath216 .
all three conductivities @xmath217 , @xmath218 , and @xmath219 depend generally on @xmath134 ( or on @xmath105 ) and on collision frequencies @xmath60 and @xmath61 . in the limit of weak electron magnetization
we naturally have @xmath220 , where @xmath221 @xmath222 being the field - free averaged conductivity , and @xmath223 the averaged inverse collision frequency ( averaged relaxation time ) of electrons ; @xmath222 is given by the familiar drude formula . according to ( [ e : sigma123 ] ) and
( [ e : sigma123a ] ) , in the same limit of weak electron magnetization the hall term behaves as @xmath224 where @xmath225 is the angle averaged collision frequency . for illustration , in fig .
[ fig : av ] we show all three electron conductivities @xmath226 averaged over orientations of domains , in units of the leading ( ` normal ' ) conductivities at @xmath135 . the conductivities along @xmath24 ( @xmath227 ) are plotted by solid lines , across @xmath24 ( @xmath228 ) by short - dashed lines , and the hall conductivities ( @xmath229h ) by long - dashed lines .
these conductivities are presented as functions of the leading hall parameters ( [ eq : hall - param ] ) for the phases of rods , slabs and spherical bubbles ( left , middle and right panels , respectively ) . for the phases of rods and slabs
the conductivities are presented at two ratios of the leading to weaker collision frequencies , 10 and 100 ( thick and thin lines , respectively ) . as discussed above , in the weak magnetization regime
the conductivities @xmath217 and @xmath230 are almost equal and independent of @xmath24 . at large difference between @xmath60 and @xmath61 these conductivities
are much larger than the corresponding ` normal ' conductivities @xmath123 or @xmath124 ( section [ s : formalism ] , equation ( [ e : b=0,sigmaap ] ) ) .
this results from the presence of abnormally high conductivities in any domain . by averaging over orientations of domains
we inevitably allow for abnormally high transport in any direction
. in the regime of strong magnetization the longitudinal conductivity , again , becomes independent of @xmath134 .
however , it depend on @xmath231 as @xmath232 where @xmath233 & { \rm at~~ } { \nu_{\mathrm{a}}}<{\nu_{\mathrm{p } } } , \\ 1/{\nu_{\mathrm{a } } } & { \rm at~~ } { \nu_{\mathrm{a}}}={\nu_{\mathrm{p } } } , \end{array } \right .
\label{e : s}\ ] ] with @xmath234 and @xmath235 .
the higher the difference between @xmath60 and @xmath61 , the lower @xmath236 ( measured in units of the leading field - free conductivity ) . in phase of spheres
@xmath237 is naturally independent of @xmath134 being equal to @xmath238 at any @xmath134 . as for the transverse averaged conductivity at high magnetization
, it is suppressed with growing @xmath134 as @xmath239 ( fig .
[ fig : av ] ) .
the appropriate asymptote is @xmath240 the averaged hall conductivity at high magnetization behaves as @xmath241 .
it is given by the universal asymptote @xmath242 which is independent of collision frequencies ( meaning that @xmath243 becomes collisionless ) and of specific pasta phase . in this regime
, @xmath219 is governed by classical hall drift of electrons in crossed electric and magnetic fields ( e.g. , @xcite ) . generally , the anisotropy of collision frequencies has larger effect on averaged conductivity components in phase of slabs than in phase of rods .
finally , let us discuss the tensor of averaged resistivity @xmath244 which has the same form as ( [ e : sph ] ) .
a simple averaging of the resistivity tensor ( [ e : hatr ] ) gives @xmath245 this tensor has the same structure as the tensor ( [ e : sph1 ] ) in phase of spheres .
the only collision frequency involved here is the averaged collision frequency @xmath246 .
it determines the averaged longitudinal and transverse resistivities which are equal and independent of @xmath24 .
the hall resistivity @xmath247 exceeds @xmath248 at high magnetization , @xmath249 .
let us stress , that , generally , @xmath250 and the difference can be substantial in anisotropic media .
while calculating joule heat ( [ e : joule ] ) one should definitely use the averaged resistivity , but not the inverse averaged conductivity . large difference between @xmath60 and @xmath61
does not produce any significant difference between @xmath251 and the leading non - averaged resistance ( @xmath252 or @xmath253 ) .
so far , we have treated the collision frequencies @xmath60 and @xmath61 as given .
let us discuss how to calculate them .
the formalism for calculating the collision frequency @xmath254 ( @xmath255 ) in phase iv of spherical bubbles is the same as that for spherical nuclei in the ordinary neutron star crust . for illustration ,
consider model i of @xcite , according to which spherical bubbles exist in the narrow density range ( from about @xmath256 to @xmath257 g @xmath2 , section [ s : general ] ) , just near the interface between the mantle and neutron star core .
analytic fits for proton and neutron density profiles in nuclear bubbles are given by @xcite in their appendix b. for certainty , we take @xmath258 g @xmath2 ( i.e. , the baryon number density @xmath259 @xmath260 ) although the results are almost independent of density within such a narrow density range . the radius of a spherical wigner - seitz cell around one spherical bubble is @xmath261 fm .
the cell contains @xmath262 nucleons including @xmath263 protons .
they are mainly free neutrons distributed almost uniformly .
the neutron and proton density profiles within the cell decrease near the cell s center .
this creates neutron and proton holes which can be collectively treated as a nuclear hole .
the minimum neutron density in the center is only slightly lower than the average neutron density , while the central proton density drops to zero .
the proton hole is equivalent to vacancies of @xmath264 protons ; whereas the entire nuclear hole is equivalent to vacancies of @xmath265 nucleons .
the root - mean - squared radius of the proton hole is about 8.2 fm ; the neutron hole is shallow but larger .
these nuclear holes behave as charged quasiparticles and form a strongly coupled coulomb system .
the electrons are distributed almost uniformly and scatter off charge fluctuations of proton vacancies .
the electron chemical potential is @xmath266 mev .
the electron transport properties can be calculated by applying standard formalism of electron transport in a plasma of spherical nuclei @xcite and replacing the nuclei by the nuclear holes . ,
@xmath267 and @xmath268 ( solid , long - dashed and short - dashed lines , respectively ) given by ( [ e : thermosa ] ) versus the hall parameter @xmath269 in phase iv of spherical bubbles at @xmath270 g @xmath2 and @xmath271 k. see text for details .
, scaledwidth=45.0% ] fig .
[ fig : holes ] shows the temperature dependence of the electric and thermal conductivities , @xmath272 and @xmath273 ( thick lines ) , in the phase of spherical bubbles at @xmath258 g @xmath2 .
the conductivities are calculated with the method of quasi - potential for electron - nucleus scattering suggested by a. y. potekhin @xcite and modified to consider electron scattering by nuclear holes .
the calculations include coulomb coupling of nuclear holes , debye waller factor , multi - phonon processes , and shape of spherical bubbles .
the results are more advanced than those based on the simplified model ( [ e : tau - nu ] ) of the collision integral in the relaxation time approximation .
the displayed conductivities are solely produced by electron - hole scattering ; other scattering mechanisms ( e.g. , the electron - electron scattering , @xcite ) are disregarded .
low - temperature suppression of the electron - phonon scattering due to electron band structure effects @xcite is not included . the conductivities @xmath272 and @xmath273 in fig .
[ fig : holes ] are expressed in cgs units ( in s@xmath169 and erg cm@xmath169 s@xmath169 k@xmath169 , respectively ) .
they are remarkably close to those calculated for standard models of inner neutron star crust of spherical nuclei ( without nuclear pasta , e.g. @xcite ; note that the conductivities @xmath272 in fig . 7 of the latter paper are plotted from top to bottom for @xmath275=8 , 8.5 and 9 , respectively ) .
two thin lines in fig.[fig : holes ] present the effective collision frequencies @xmath276 and @xmath277 ( expressed in s@xmath169 ) which describe the electric and thermal conduction , respectively ( see , e.g. , potekhin et al .
1999 ) . at @xmath278
k these frequencies almost coincide .
this means that the collision integral in the boltzmann transport equation can be accurately described in the relaxation time approximation , equation ( [ e : tau - nu ] ) . at lower temperatures @xmath277 becomes higher than @xmath276 and the relaxation time approximation is less accurate
however , at temperatures @xmath279 k , most important for many applications , this approximation can still be used , as least for semi - quantitative analysis .
having the effective collision frequency , we can easily estimate magnetic fields @xmath280 which correspond to the hall parameter @xmath281 .
they are characteristic magnetic fields which affect the electron transport . for @xmath282 and @xmath13
k with @xmath283 we obtain @xmath284 and @xmath285 k , respectively .
the @xmath134 fields expected in neutron star interiors can be much higher .
the lower the temperature , the lower the collision frequency , and the lower the fields which affect the electron transport .
so far we have not discussed the thermopower tensor @xmath97 . for nuclear bubbles , we can present this tensor in the same form as @xmath91 , equation ( [ e : sph ] ) , and write @xmath286\,\hat{\widetilde{\alpha}}$ ] , where @xmath287 is the reduced ( dimensionless ) thermopower and @xmath288 is the electron fermi velocity . from equation ( [ e : thermopower ] ) one obtains @xcite @xmath289 where @xmath290 and , again , @xmath291 .
note that the expression for @xmath292 ( which is independent of @xmath134 ) is valid as long as the electrons are strongly degenerate , regardless of the applicability of the relaxation time approximation ( [ e : tau - nu ] ) .
in contrast , the expressions for @xmath267 and @xmath268 depend on @xmath134 through @xmath130 and require the approximation ( [ e : tau - nu ] ) . fig .
[ fig : thermoholes ] presents all thermopower components for the phase of nuclear bubbles at @xmath258 g @xmath2 and @xmath271 k as a function of @xmath293 , with @xmath294 g. the thermopower @xmath292 along the magnetic field is shown by the solid line , while @xmath267 and @xmath268 are plotted by the long - dashed and short - dashed lines , respectively .
recall that the thermopower components , contrary to the components of @xmath91 , @xmath96 and @xmath156 , can change sign depending on electron scattering mechanism .
signs of the thermopower components are regulated by the parameter @xmath295 . as shown by @xcite , neglecting the effects of the debye - waller factor and finite sizes of atomic nuclei , one has @xmath296 for scattering of ultrarelativistic degenerate electrons in high - temperature crystals ( when the relaxation time approximation is strictly valid ) .
indeed , we reproduce @xmath296 at @xmath297 k when the relaxation time approximation is really accurate ( see above )
. however , taking into account the debye - waller factor and finite sizes of the nuclei , we obtain @xmath298 ( instead of 1 ) .
therefore , at the bottom of the neutron star crust the effects of the debye - waller factor and of the shape of proton ( proton hole ) charge distribution are very important .
if we decrease the temperature from @xmath13 to @xmath299 k , the relaxation time approximation becomes less accurate and @xmath295 increases slowly from 1.1 to 1.3 .
according to fig .
[ fig : thermoholes ] , the magnetic field modifies @xmath267 but not very strongly .
however , it significantly affects @xmath268 which regulates the hall drift of the magnetic field . at @xmath300 the hall thermopower
directly determines the drift velocity @xcite .
actually , the thermopower can be large enough to affect generation and evolution of magnetic fields in hot neutron stars .
calculations of @xmath60 and @xmath61 for phases i iii of non - spherical nuclear structures are much more complicated . in principle , they can be performed using the technique similar to that for spherical nuclei . to this aim
one needs detailed studies of proton charge fluctuations and their effects on electron scattering .
for instance , useful information on vibration properties of nuclear clusters can be obtained using their elastic constants ( e.g. , @xcite ) .
proton charge fluctuations for the phase of slabs have been analyzed briefly by @xcite .
classical molecular dynamics simulations of dynamical behavior of nuclear pasta have been conducted by @xcite . however , these results seem insufficient for a reliable determination of @xmath60 and @xmath61 .
the required physical ingredients are the effective structure factor @xmath301 , debye - waller factor and nuclear form - factor @xmath302 .
because nuclear clusters are non - spherical , these quantities will strongly depend on orientation of wave vector @xmath88 , leading to essential difference between @xmath60 and @xmath61 . to the best of our knowledge ,
the collision frequencies @xmath60 and @xmath61 for non - spherical clusters have not been calculated .
in this situation , it seems reasonable to assume that the leading effective frequency , @xmath60 or @xmath61 , is close to that for models of neutron star matter with spherical nuclei , while the other ( abnormal ) effective frequency is smaller .
the ratio of the leading to the smaller frequency can be considered as a free parameter , ranging within reasonable limits , for instance , from 10 to 100 .
it would be difficult to be more exact using existing calculations . for illustration
, one may look at fig 3 of @xcite which shows partial thermal conductivities of electrons at @xmath135 in a neutron star crust of spherical nuclei .
assume the presence of nuclear pasta at the crust bottom and take the leading collision frequency the same as for electron
nucleus scattering in fig 3 .
let the weaker collision frequency be limited by electron - electron collisions ( whose contribution is also plotted in fig 3 ) .
then in the temperature range @xmath303 k the ratio of the leading to weaker collision frequencies would be @xmath304 .
accurate microscopic calculations of @xmath60 and @xmath61 would be highly desirable .
we have analyzed electron transport in possible nuclear pasta phases in a mantle of magnetized neutron star .
specifically , we have performed model calculations of the tensors of electric and thermal conductivity , @xmath91 and @xmath96 , thermopower , @xmath97 , and electric resistivity @xmath305 .
the model assumes the presence of domains containing ( quasi)-ordered exotic nuclear structures of one type ( rods , slabs , rod - like bubbles , or spherical bubbles ; table [ tab : pasta ] ) .
the collision integral in the electron transport equation is described in the generalized relaxation time approximation ( [ e : collision_integral ] ) with two , generally different , effective collision frequencies , @xmath60 and @xmath61 , along and across the symmetry axis of corresponding nuclear clusters . for non - spherical nuclear clusters one can expect the presence of the leading ( normal ) collision frequency ( @xmath60 or @xmath61 ) and abnormally weak frequency ( table [ tab : pasta ] ) , whereas for spherical bubbles @xmath64 . our model is simple but it allows us to include the effects of strong magnetic fields which would be difficult to do using more complicated models . in section [
s : formalism ] we have studied the electron transport in one domain and have found it rather complicated , with six generally different components of conductivity tensors . in section [ s : avdomains ] we have considered electron transport in matter containing freely oriented domains of one type .
the tensors of kinetic coefficients ( [ e : avsigma ] ) , ( [ e : sigma123a ] ) , and ( [ e : resist ] ) averaged over orientations of the domains are calculated analytically and have much simpler structure than their non - averaged counterparts .
each tensor contains only three different components , along and across @xmath24 , as well as the hall component .
these components show sufficiently simple dependence on @xmath24 . nevertheless , this dependence is less trivial than in ordinary basically isotropic media with @xmath64 .
for instance the angle - averaged longitudinal conductivities @xmath217 and @xmath306 depend now on @xmath134 and can be much higher than the leading normal conductivities ( [ e : b=0,sigmaap ] ) for @xmath135 determined by the leading collision frequencies .
this enhancement of averaged longitudinal conduction is produced by the contribution of abnormally high conduction with lower collision frequency .
the enhancement contradicts some expectations ( e.g. , @xcite ) that nuclear pasta suppresses the conduction .
it seems both possibilities ( suppression and enhancement ) can be realized ; see below . in section [ s : coll - freq ]
we have outlined how to calculate the collision frequencies @xmath60 and @xmath61 .
the collision frequencies and transport properties in phase of nuclear bubbles can be calculated rather reliably ; they appear similar to those in traditional phase of spherical nuclei .
however , the collision frequencies for non - spherical nuclear clusters are uncertain and require further attention .
much work should be done to clarify transport properties of nuclear pasta .
the major problem is to reliably calculate effective collision frequencies @xmath60 and @xmath61 for non - spherical nuclear clusters i iii ( as outlined in section [ s : non - spheric ] ) .
the problem requires accurate studies of proton charge fluctuations in these structures .
we have treated nuclear clusters in one domain as ordered and having the same shapes .
if the ordering is not exact and the parameters ( e.g. , @xmath60 and @xmath61 ) strongly vary , an additional averaging over disorder and parameter distributions has to be performed .
we have assumed that orientations of domains are free . if not , more complicated averaging over orientations is needed .
we have neglected quantum oscillations of electron kinetic coefficients in very strong magnetic fields due to population of new electron landau levels with increasing density ( e.g. , @xcite ) . if the electrons occupy many landau levels , these oscillations are not too strong and our results should reproduce oscillation - averaged kinetic properties .
in addition , since nuclear clusters are loosely bound , very strong magnetic fields may influence proton charge fluctuations and affect transport properties in this way .
all these problems are beyond the scope of this paper .
another , more serious problem would be to account for possible impurities and defects in nuclear pasta .
it seems that these effects can greatly enhance or suppress electron transport .
finally , let us stress , that there are other heat and charge transport mechanisms in nuclear pasta which should be taken into account along with the mechanisms studied above .
for instance , one should bear in mind thermal conductivity due to electron - electron collisions ( e.g. @xcite ) and due to superfluid phonons @xcite associated with the presence of free superfluid neutrons .
the results of the present studies can be useful for modeling of thermal relaxation between crust and core in young neutron stars and also in accreting neutron stars in x - ray transients with the crust overheated during accretion episodes ( e.g. , @xcite ) .
in addition , the results can be used to study evolution of magnetic fields in neutron stars and related phenomena ( e.g. , @xcite ) .
this work was supported by the russian science foundation , grant 14 - 12 - 00316 . | arxiv |
Angie Lee Bainbridge, OAM born 16 October 1989 is an Australian freestyle swimmer who specialises in the 200-metre event.
At the 2008 Australian Swimming Championships she qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing as a member of the 4×100-metre and 4×200-metre freestyle relay squads by coming sixth and third in the respective individual events.
She was not used as the Australians won bronze in the shorter race. She then swam the preliminary heats of the longer relay, and collected gold when the first-choice quartet won the final in a world record time.
In 2009, she received the Medal of the Order of Australia For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
She was part of the Australian 4 x 200 m freestyle team at the 2012 Summer Olympics, again swimming in the heats.
She was an Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holder.
See also
List of Olympic medalists in swimming women
References
Category:People from New South Wales
Category:Australian female swimmers
Category:Swimmers at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Category:Swimmers at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Category:Olympic swimmers of Australia
Category:Olympic gold medalists for Australia
Category:Living people
Category:Female freestyle swimmers
Category:World Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming
Category:Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia
Category:Australian Institute of Sport swimmers
Category:1989 births
Category:Olympic silver medalists for Australia
Category:Medalists at the FINA World Swimming Championships 25 m
Category:Medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Category:Olympic gold medalists in swimming
Category:Olympic silver medalists in swimming | wikipedia |
Half sigma bonds
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> $\ce{N2+}$ has $2$ $\pi$-bonds and a half sigma bond.
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First of all, how can a "half" sigma bond exist? Usually when we encounter non integral bond orders, it is mostly because of resonance which creates partial $\ce{\pi-\pi}$ bonds and doesnt involve orbitals participating in sigma bond.
To understand this, I tried to draw the lewis structure of $\ce{N2+}$. While a triple bond and two lone pairs exist in $\ce{N2}$, I couldnt figure out how $\ce{N2+}$ looks like.
Then I wrote down the molecular configuration using [MOT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_orbital_theory). I noticed that the last electron in $\ce{N2+}$ goes into $\ce{\sigma\_{2p}}$ orbital.
I suspect that this might have got something to do with partial sigma bonds, but I'm not really able to see through it clearly. Can someone help me out?
---
In case someone is wondering about the source, it is the 54th question asked in [Jee mains 2020 10th January, Shift -I](https://jeemain.nta.nic.in/WebInfo/Handler/FileHandler.ashx?i=File&ii=42&iii=Y.)
>
> First of all, how can a "half" sigma bond exist?
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Usually, you expect double bonds to be shorter and stronger than the corresponding single bonds, and triple bonds even shorter and stronger. The OP already mentioned bond-orders of 1.5 that occur for conjugate double bond systems, and those have properties in between single and double bonds.
Perhaps the most famous case for a "half" sigma bond is the hydrogen molecule ion, $\ce{H2+}$. It has a bond distance of 100 pm (compare 74 pm for dihydrogen) and a bond energy of 2.77 eV (compare 4.52 eV for dihydrogen). Source: <http://www.pci.tu-bs.de/aggericke/PC4e/Kap_II/H2-Ion.htm>
So in terms of comparing the bonding in the hydrogen molecule ion with the hydrogen molecule, it makes sense to talk of a partial bond in terms of bond length and strength. It might make sense to talk of "half" a sigma bonds because the single bond has 2 electrons, but in this case there is only one.
The reason this case is famous, at least in courses introducing quantum chemistry, is that it is a single-electron system, so easier to work with theoretically and computationally than the dinitrogen cation.
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> Then I wrote down the molecular configuration using MOT. I noticed that the last electron in N2+ goes into σ2p orbital.
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Here is the molecular orbital diagram, and a depiction of the highest occupied molecular orbital.
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/3FEQO.jpg)
Source: <https://www.chemtube3d.com/orbitalsnitrogen/>
As you can see, this orbital has two nodes. In comparison, the orbitals corresponding to the pi bonds have only one node. Using arguments similar to the ordering of orbitals in Hueckel theory, you would expect the sigma orbital to be higher in energy.
However, comparing the energies of states in all diatomics, you see that it is more complicated (the difference between the energy of 2s and 2p changes across the 2nd period elements, and with it the amount of mixing between 2s and 2p of same symmetry):
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/f1UGI.jpg)
Source: <https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/Heartland_Community_College/HCC%3A_Chem_161/9%3A_Molecular_Geometry_and_Bond_Theory/9.8%3A_M.O._Theory_and_the_Period_2_Diatomic_Molecules>
>
> [OP in comments] However why would the loss of electron be from a stable bond pair? Why cant it be one of the lone electrons? Also why does it have to be a sigma bond and not a pi bond, if at all the loss is not from one of the lone pairs?
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You are using the valence bond model (or the Lewis structure) to "name" electrons. There is no 1:1 mapping of "lone pairs" to the molecular orbital diagram. It does say that the two combination of 2s orbitals "cancel each other out", i.e. are non-bonding; however, the shape of these orbitals does not match the valence bond model, where sp-orbitals pointing away from the center of the molecule are counted as lone pairs.
"Half" a bond is new to me, but it makes sense if a (full) bond consists of two electrons: one from each atom bonded together. Then half of that would be one electron in the bond, for 50% of a full bond.
It would get interesting in the boranes where you have three-center bonds, or a pi system where you have an electron deficiency. And then, if you have an anion where an electron is added to antibonding orbitals, especially where you have an extended pi system... But then you can use some other numerical system to indicate which bonds are weakened or strengthened.
Those odd-electron molecules do require some extra imagination.
| stackexchange/chemistry |
glomerular visceral epithelial cells ( podocytes ) play a central role in maintenance of the glomerular filtration barrier by preventing the loss of high - molecular - weight molecules .
the podocyte is a highly specialized and polarized cell type that consists of three parts : the cell body , the primary foot processes , and the secondary foot processes .
the interdigitating foot processes completely cover the outer surface of the glomerular capillary and form a filtration slit that is spanned by a membranelike structure ; this is called the slit diaphragm .
actin filaments are the structural backbone component of podocyte foot processes . protein complexes of slit diaphragm that regulate or stabilize the actin cytoskeleton are therefore essential for the maintenance of an intact glomerular filtration barrier .
these cytoskeletal changes lead to retraction of secondary processes and loss of functional filtration slits ; this is termed foot process effacement .
foot process effacement is a dynamic and reversible process that contributes to the development of massive proteinuria in human glomerular diseases .
actin is one of the most abundant and highly conserved proteins in many eukaryotic cells .
it is involved in many different cellular processes that are essential for cell growth , differentiation , division , membrane organization , and motility .
the dynamics of actin filaments ( f - actin ) assembly / disassembly and organization in cells are regulated by several actin - binding proteins , including the arp2/3 complex , profilin , capping protein , and adf / cofilins .
one of the dynamic processes in the cell that is controlled by f - actin assembly and disassembly is the lamellipodium .
the lamellipodium of motile cell is predominantly composed of actin filaments , meaning that regulation of actin filament arrangement at the leading edge is necessary for the cellular directional motility .
adf / cofilins are ubiquitous among eukaryotes and are essential proteins responsible for the turnover and reorganization of actin filaments in vivo [ 6 , 7 ] .
mammals express three members of the adf / cofilin ( ac ) family : actin depolymerising factor ( adf ) , nonmuscle cofilin ( cofilin-1 , cfl1 ) , and muscle cofilin ( cofilin-2 , cfl2 ) .
cofilin-2 has two splice variants ( cfl2a and cfl2b ) ; cfl2b is expressed ; predominantly in muscle cells , while cfl2a in several tissues .
these three isoforms share similar but not identical biochemical activities . only cofilin-1 and adf are expressed in cultured human and mouse podocytes , with cofilin-1 being the predominant isoform [ 10 , 11 ] . in this paper , we focus on the regulatory mechanisms of adf / cofilin proteins in the modulation of actin dynamics in podocytes .
we discuss how alterations in these processes can lead to a common phenotype in large variety of human glomerular diseases due to rearrangement of actin filaments in podocyte foot processes .
actin filaments are a highly dynamic part of the cell which undergoes constant assembly and disassembly .
each subunit is structurally polar and arranged head to tail to give the filament an overall structural polarity .
treadmilling is the dynamic process in which the overall length of the filaments remains approximately constant , but moves through growing at one end ( plus , fast growing , or barbed end ) by association of atp - actin subunits ( atp - g - actin ) and shrinking at the other end ( minus , slow growing , or pointed end ) through disassociation of monomers by atp hydrolysis .
when incorporated atp - actin monomers undergo hydrolysis of atp to form adp - actin ; cofilin , which displays greater affinity for adp - actin , binds to adp - actin which dissociates from the actin filament and recycles back to the monomer pool .
adf / cofilin proteins have the ability to enhance the rate of adp - actin disassembly from the pointed end , which can be observed in the leading edge of motile cells .
moreover , binding of adf / cofilins to adp actin filament destabilizes a twisted form of the actin filament [ 14 , 15 ] and promotes severing of the filaments into short segments which increases the number of depolymerizing ends .
adf / cofilin molecules binding to adp - actin monomer can also inhibit nucleotide exchange to prevent its entrance to a new polymerization cycle .
on the other hand , adf / cofilin proteins can accelerate spontaneous polymerization of monomers ( nucleation ) to initiate a new filament .
nucleation of new filaments is dependent on adf / cofilins concentration . at a low concentration ,
adf / cofilin proteins have the highest - f - actin - severing activity but f - actin is stabilized and aged by adf / cofilin decoration at higher concentration , and at a very high concentration , cofilin is able to nucleate new filaments .
this makes adf / cofilin an important regulator not only of actin depolymerisation but also of actin stability and nucleation .
all three mammalian adf / cofilin isoforms have a nuclear translocation sequence , perhaps enabling a adf / cofilin - actin complex to pass into the nucleus .
the actin sequence lacks nuclear translocation signal but does have an export sequence . with a molecular weight of 42 kda , it is unlikely for actin to enter the nucleus by diffusion ; therefore it relies on adf / cofilin as transporter proteins to mediate its entry into the nucleus .
in mammals phosphorylation of adf / cofilin on ser3 leads to inactivation [ 22 , 23 ] but does not alter the protein conformation , while phosphorylation prevents g- and f - actin binding and tends to stabilize f - actin by inhibiting the ability of these protein to sever and depolymerize f - actin .
phosphorylation of adf / cofilins is mainly regulated by two kinase families , the lim kinases ( limk1 , 2 ) [ 25 , 26 ] and testicular protein kinases ( tesk1 , 2 ) [ 27 , 28 ] .
tesk expression is restricted to several tissues such as testis , brain , kidney , heart , and lung .
the most well - known pathways involved in the tesk activation are very different and mainly mediated by integrins and adhesion dependent [ 27 , 28 , 30 ] .
both limk1 and limk2 , are targets of rho - gtpases ( rho and cdc42 ) via rho kinases ( rock1 , rock2 ) and myotonic dystrophy kinase - related cdc42-binding protein kinase ( mrck ) , respectively [ 31 , 32 ] .
limk1 , but not limk2 can be activated by p21-activated kinases ( pak1 , pak2 , and pak4 ) , downstream of rac and cdc42 activation [ 33 , 34 ] .
in addition , limk1 can be activated in a rho gtpase - independent manner [ 35 , 36 ] .
these evidences suggest that small rho gtpases might regulate various actin - dependent cell functions through adf / cofilin activity to maintain the structure and physiological function of adult kidneys .
adf / cofilin can be dephosphorylated , and therefore activated , by two phosphatases , the slingshot family ( ssh1l , ssh2l , and ssh3l ) and chronophin ( cin ) [ 37 , 38 ] .
ssh is the only known phosphatase to dephosphorylate and inactivate both limk1 and limk2 which leads to activation of adf / cofilin by negative regulation of a negative regulator .
the phosphatase activity of ssh1l is negatively regulated via phosphorylation by pak4 in different cell types .
it suggests a negative regulation of rac1 activation on ssh and adf / cofilin activity .
a colocalization of ssh and actin filaments together with the locatized activation of ssh1l was observed in vitro , indicating that assembly of f - actin can trigger the local activation of ssh1l and therefore promotes cofilin - mediated actin turnover in protrusive lamellipodia .
some scaffolding proteins such as 14 - 3 - 3 can also participate in the modulation of adf / cofilin - activity through interaction with ssh isoforms .
phosphorylation of ssh1l on serines 937 and 978 by protein kinase d ( pkd ) promotes the interaction of 14 - 3 - 3 with ssh1l and restricts its subcellular localization , which may inhibit ssh activity in breast carcinoma cells .
furthermore , the activity of nonphosphorylated cofilin can be inhibited by binding to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate ( pip2 ) , which prevents cofilin interaction with actin , but phospholipase - c- ( plc- ) mediated pip2 reduction causes cofilin to be released to cell membrane and to be activated . as mentioned above , extracellular signals can regulate actin dynamics through adf / cofilin and its upstream regulators ( figure 1 ) .
adf / cofilin can also be mechanically controlled by intracellular ph both in vivo and in vitro [ 44 , 45 ] .
changes in ph over the physiological range alter the severing capacity of active adf / cofilin in vitro , but interestingly adf is more sensitive to ph variation than cofilin .
overall , the regulation of adf / cofilin can be influenced by subcellular localization of adf / cofilin kinases and phosphatases and synergistic - or competitive interactions of adf / cofilins with other actin - binding proteins ( abps ) .
experimental evidence indicates that nephrin , an ig - g - like protein which is specifically expressed in podocytes is also engaged in regulating cofilin-1 and actin reorganization .
nephrin - induced activation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase ( pi3k ) is necessary for ssh1l dephosphorylation via an unknown phosphatase .
the other hand , dephosphorylation of ssh1l decreases the affinity for 14 - 3 - 3 , and the released ssh1l translocates to the protrusive leading edge of podocyte to activate cofilin-1- mediated actin remodelling .
it still has to be clarified whether pkd is also involved in this regulation pathway in podocytes .
thus far no evidence was published that demonstrates that pkd can regulate ssh1l activity in podocytes .
incubation of murine and human podocytes with tgf- , a podocyte stressor , leads to increased cofilin-1 phosphorylation and decreased cofilin-1 activation .
in contrast , when stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate ( pma ) , increased activation of cofilin-1 was observed in murine and human podocytes .
pma activates pkc , a well - known regulator of actin cytoskeleton dynamics in large variety of cells .
taken together , this suggests that pkc may be also involved in the pathway of modulating cofilin-1 activity . in human neutrophils , a pkc - dependent phosphorylation of cofilin
was observed , but the involved pkc isoforms and the regulatory pathway remain to be demonstrated .
experiments in vitro have proved that mechanical stress can change the podocyte morphology and the actin organization .
osmotic stress , a major mechanical stress , has also been addressed to the cofilin - related regulation . in kidney
tubular cells , hyperosmotic stress induces cofilin phosphorylation via rho / rock / limk pathway and slightly delays actin kinetics due to reduced cofilin activation .
this same pathway was also activated by high - glucose treatment in cultured proximal tubular epithelial cells ( ptecs ) , resulting in time - dependent increases in p - cofilin and plimk . moreover , high glucose induced membrane translocation of rho and rock2 , without altering the pi3k - pathway , ssh1l , rac / pak , limk expression , or cofilin and ssh1l regulation at both mrna and protein levels .
these studies highlight the possibility that osmotic stress or high glucose level may play a regulatory role in podocyte actin cytoskeleton through altering cofilin phosphorylation .
the motility and migration of podocytes can therefore be dramatically altered , when the expression level or activities of kinases or phosphatases that regulate adf / cofilin is varied .
the podocyte foot process contains a coordinated network of actin filaments which are connected by a multiprotein complex to the slit diaphragm and the glomerular basement membrane ( gbm ) via adhesion proteins .
proteins regulating or stabilizing the actin cytoskeleton are therefore essential for the maintenance of glomerular filtration function [ 5153 ] .
rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton and dysregulation of its associated proteins is the major cause of foot process effacement and proteinuria .
foot process effacement can be observed in a variety of human and experimental glomerular diseases associated with massive proteinuria , including minimal change disease , focal segmental glomerulosclerosis ( fsgs ) , membranous glomerulopathy , iga - nephropathy , diabetic nephropathy , and lupus nephritis [ 55 , 56 ] .
mutation of actin - binding proteins including -actinin-4 , myh9 , inf2 , and cd2ap in podocytes leads to rearrangement of actin cytoskeleton , disruption of filtration barrier , and subsequent kidney failure [ 5761 ] .
there is ever - increasing evidence indicating that adf / cofilins are the major regulators participating in actin turnover and cytoskeletal reorganization to sustain an intact podocyte foot processes .
different animal vertebrate models like knockdown or mutation of cofilin-1 in zebrafish or podocyte - specific knockout in mice have been performed to confirm the affect of cofilin-1 deficiency in vivo .
deficiency of cofilin-1 in zebrafish leads to a severe edematous phenotype , effacement of podocyte foot processes , and dysfunction of the glomerular filtration barrier indicating that cofilin-1 is an indispensable factor for the integrity of normal podocyte foot processes in zebrafish .
mutant mice with podocyte - specific cofilin-1 deletion show disruption of renal function and alteration in podocytes foot processes at 6 months of age .
however podocyte foot processes remain intact in newborn mutant mice . the delayed set - on of proteinuria and podocyte foot process effacement
can be explained by compensation of increased adf isoform expression during the early development of mutant mice .
some studies revealed that the different isoforms of adf / cofilin are not completely redundant .
adf is efficient at turning over actinafilaments , whereas cofilin-1 is a more effective nucleator of new filament assembly [ 8 , 62 , 63 ] .
however , due to the differences in actin modulation functions , adf can not completely compensate the lost function of cofilin-1 and it does not stay continuously upregulated in the podocytes - specific knockout mouse .
interestingly , proteinuria and phenotypic changes coincide with downregulated adf expression .
in vitro cofilin-1 deficiency
supression of cofilin-1 expression in cultured podocytes resulted in a limited breakdown and formation of new actin filaments beneath the plasma membrane and loss of forward pressure on the overlying membrane , which leads to a reduced cellular migration activity , suggesting that cofilin-1 activity is required for rapid actin turnover in the lamellipodial protrusion and is necessary for directional cellular migration activity in podocytes [ 10 , 11 ] .
however , regulation of actin dynamics is not the only role of actin to maintain the podocyte function .
. showed that cofilin-1 is required for elongation of rna polymerase - ii - mediated transcription through interaction with actin .
this study indirectly indicates that deletion or downregulation of cofilin-1 might disrupt the transcription of nascent genes that are essential for podocyte integrity . despite wide distribution of cofilin modulators genes , deletion of these genes
deficiency of limk-1 led to abnormalities in synaptic structure and spine development , due to aberrant regulation of the actin cytoskeleton in vivo .
limk-2 knockout mice exhibited minimal abnormalities , while the double limk-1/limk-2 null mice were more severely impaired but not embryonic lethal .
these morphological and functional changes were primarily observed in the neuronal system , but still suggest the possibility that limk deficiency might cause similar abnormalities in podocyte structure and function .
an ssh1l or ssh2l deficiency in animal models or human diseases was not yet reported . under pathological conditions in the kidney , alterations of the extracellular milieu also change cofilin-1 activity .
tgf- is described as a causative factor for initiation and progression of proteinuric diseases in mice and humans .
tgf- accumulates in injured kidneys in experimental animal models and chronic renal disease in humans [ 68 , 69 ] . in
different disease states tgf- activation induces a constant cofilin-1 inactivation , which results in disruption of cofilin-1-mediated actin dynamins and subsequently effacement of podocytes and proteinuria .
tgf- is an important mediator of progressive fibrosis , cell proliferation , and cell death in glomerular diseases .
tgf- pathways also occupy a central position in signalling networks that control a diverse set of cellular processes .
our group is currently investigating whether tgf- impairs directional migration activity and leads to alternations in cytoskeleton arrangement in a concentration - dependent manner in podocytes . as mentioned above , pma and tgf- have opposite effect on cofilin phosphorylation .
pma has already been shown to increase migration in several cell types [ 71 , 72 ] . however , it is still unknown whether pma can rescue the dysfunction of tgf- induced in podocytes .
hyperglycemia induces increased osmolarity of blood serum . in diabetic mellitus the high glucose level and hyperosmolarity could promote the rho / rock activation in podocytes , because abundant evidence identified high glucose and osmotic stress as stimulators of rho - rock signalling pathway [ 7376 ] .
the disruption of actin dynamic via cofilin inactivation dependent on the hyperglycemia and hyperosmotic stress is one of the causative stimulators for the progressive development of diabetic nephropathy .
in addition , high glucose level leads to increased expression of tgf- , which further enhances the cofilin inactivation and its nuclear localization . in response to the stimulation by tgf- ,
phosphorylated cofilin-1 undergoes nuclear translocation in both murine and human podocytes ( our unpublished data ) .
in renal diseases associated with foot process effacement , cofilin-1 was inactivated and translocated to the nucleus of podocytes .
in contrast , when the podocytes undergo foot process effacement because of nephritic glomerular diseases , cofilin-1 was found phosphorylated ( inactivated ) and translocated to the nucleus of podocytes ( figure 2 ) .
this suggested that cofilin-1 can be a potential diagnostic marker to detect the injury of podocytes in the glomerulus .
some evidence indicates that cofilin forms a complex with actin and dnasei and perhaps plays a role in dna degradation and initiation of apoptosis .
one of the new most interesting findings is that even though cofilin-1 is constantly expressed throughout podocytes , the phosphorylated form is not detectable in the normal glomerulus in mice and humans indicating that all of the cofilins are active .
only if proteinuria is present , there is a dramatic increase in phosphorylated cofilin-1 and nuclear translocation of phosphocofilin is detectable .
the expression of phosphorylated cofilin-1 in glomerular diseases suggests a reduced capacity of podocytes to adapt to glomerular pressure differences . a higher filtration pressure and distension of the capillary wall can not be compensated and leads to proteinuria .
because the glomerular capillary pressure constantly changes with blood pressure , it is likely that the foot processes experience distension of the capillary wall .
therefore , podocytes must be able to adapt to these changes to assure a network of functional filtration slits .
cofilin-1 is therefore necessary for foot process spreading by accelerating actin turnover and gives the pushing force for the protrusive leading edge . when podocytes are injured , cofilin-1 is required to restore the normal actin architecture of podocytes for recovery
otherwise , this injury is not reversible and results in renal diseases associated with podocytes effacement and massive proteinuria .
thus , cofilin dephosphorylation might be an attractive pharmacological target to ensure proper actin turnover in proteinuric diseases which might help in the recovery process of effacement . | pubmed |
Homeland 1. Straight Lemonade
Carrie grabbed another flute of champagne from the passing waiter's tray and downed it in two gulps. She stood alone, bitterly observing the others networking at Saul's impromptu soirée to celebrate his reinstatement as Director of the CIA.
It was a small, select group of guests. Saul hadn't expected Carrie to accept the invitation, but she'd purposefully turned up to make him feel as uncomfortable as possible. To remind him of the thirty six people who had died at the Embassy in Islamabad.
That motherfucking _traitor_ Dar Adal was still swanning around like the hero of the hour. The unlikely broker of a deal that meant Haqqani's name would be off the US kill list as long as he didn't harbour terrorists in Afghanistan. It was all bullshit of course. A smokescreen for the real deal which was Dar Adal obtaining the only video of a humiliated and bedraggled Saul. Two old mates helping each other out in times of trouble._ No matter what price had to be paid._
Across the room Carrie watched the musicians pick up their instruments. She smiled to herself. A jazz band. _Decent choice Saul._ Unlikely for her benefit, but some temporary relief nonetheless. _Time for another drink. _She smiled in the direction of the nearest waiter.
…
"Carrie?" She felt warm fingertips brush sensuously over her shoulder blade. Her heart leaped.
"Quinn? Oh…" She spun around and spilled some of her drink. "Aasar? What are you doing here?!"
"Looking for you." Aasar Khan swallowed, struggling to maintain his cool reserve. "Have you been avoiding me?"
"W-What?!" Carrie stuttered, gobsmacked to see him. "Why would I avoid you? I didn't know you were here! What are you doing in the United States?"
"It's my last night here." Aasar glanced sideways and whispered. "I was hoping to see you before now, but you weren't at any of the meetings."
"Meetings? What meetings?" Carrie glared. "Who else is here from Pakistan?"
"Just General Latif," Aasar gestured across the room. "Or should I say _Bunny_."
"What meetings?" Carrie repeated feeling her bile rising. "What fucked up deal is Dar Adal instigating now?"
"Carrie, you'll have to ask Saul." Aasar shuffled uneasily. "I'm really not at liberty to say too much."
"Where's Tasneem? Is that _bitch_ here?" Carrie seethed. "What about Haqqani? Is he here too? You ISI lot are protecting him now aren't you?"
"All I can say is things are happening…" Aasar looked shifty. "Saul wants to put things right. Changes are afoot in Pakistan."
"I don't believe you," Carrie trembled. "Actually I don't fucking care. I lost thirty six colleagues… Friends…"
"I know." Aasar touched her hand and looked as sad as she felt. "I want justice too."
…
They stood awkwardly together, their silence uneasy, watching the small groups. Conversations ebbed and flowed around them. Dar Adal and Bunny appeared to be bickering in a corner. Saul was sat at a table and deep in conversation with Martha. Mira was nowhere to be seen.
"Do you dance?" Aasar's question came out of the blue.
"You're joking," Carrie laughed at him. "To jazz?"
"Sure," Aasar smiled. "The band is great don't you think?"
"I don't _dance_ to jazz… I _drink_ to jazz." Carrie snatched Aasar's glass and downed the contents, grimacing. "Oh fuck, that's straight lemonade."
"I don't drink alcohol," Aasar shrugged. "Sorry."
"You should," Carrie snorted. "It'd be good for you."
"Why?" Aasar arched an eyebrow.
"Might help you loosen up a bit," Carrie chuckled. "You're always so formal…even without the uniform. Always such a Military stiff."
Aasar's lips twitched with amusement. "You're the one who won't dance and have fun here!"
"Dancing in front of this lot is not my idea of fun."
"What is?" Aasar's reply was quick. Too quick. Eager.
"I'm here because I'm angry at Saul," Carrie surveyed him uncertainly. "I'm not here for fun."
"Shame," Aasar shrugged nonchalantly. "We could have had fun over in Islamabad. I know the best places to party. Heard there's a few round here too…"
Carrie studied him. Intrigued. _Aasar likes to party? _"Let's get out of here," She clutched his elbow. "I've had enough. All this political maneuvering and bullshit."
"Me too." Aasar's dark eyes aligned with hers. "I'll call my driver to fetch the car."
…
In the darkness of the back seat of his SUV. Carrie leant across to Aasar and whispered flirtatiously. "Are you married?"
"No of course not," Aasar sounded irritated.
"A confirmed bachelor?" Carrie teased.
"No… I was engaged," Aasar spoke softly. "She… died."
"Aasar," Carrie floundered. "I'm sorry."
"Tell me about Brody?" Aasar diverted the conversation sharply.
"He was my…" Carrie paused. _Love of my life? Asset I sent to his death?_ "He's the father of my baby girl."
"I've seen her. Cute kid," Aasar nodded. "Tasneem had a photo from Dennis."
"What?" Carrie exploded. "You should have told me!"
"I told you Dennis was working against you." Aasar held up his hands.
"Is my baby safe?" Carrie trembled with rage. "Or are the ISI planning to poison her too. Is that what you're doing here?"
"Carrie. Tasneem does not have the capability to attack _anyone_ in the United States." Aasar reached for her hand. "All I know is Tasneem had Dennis switch your meds hoping you'd be sent home from Islamabad. That was the extent of her plan. Nothing malicious involving your family."
"Well, geez, _thanks_ Aasar," Carrie snatched her hand back. "That's so reasurring."
"I would never let anyone harm you or Franny."
Carrie paused, "How do you know her name?"
"I…" Aasar reached again and tried to stroke Carrie's wrist. "I did some research. I wanted to protect you."
"Protect me?" Carrie spat, pushing him away.
"And Franny. I know whose daughter she is. I know who Nicholas Brody is."
Carrie glared at him defiantly, "You don't know the half of it."
"I know everything." Aasar sounded nervous. "I know Brody was a sacrifice to get Majid Javadi into power in Iran… I know how these things work… CIA Assets inside foreign governments."
"Well, I know _you're_ not an Asset," Carrie snorted. "I'd have been your handler in Islamabad if you were."
"Is that right?" Aasar growled.
"Oh, am I wrong?" Carrie raised an eyebrow. "So let's get this straight… you know everything about me… my daughter's name… her father's name, but I know nothing about you."
"What do you want to know?"
"What are you doing here?" demanded Carrie.
"To help put things right in Pakistan."
"Oh spare me Saul Berenson's bullshit," Carrie griped. "I know your type."
"What type is that?" Aasar winced.
"Men who sacrifice their morals for political ambition."
"Morals? Let's talk about the morality of drone strikes," Aasar rolled his eyes. "You know the statistics."
"Collateral damage," Carrie huffed. "If my morals are so questionable why did you help me in Pakistan?"
"I respected you. You were trying to do the right thing," Aasar explained. "Neither of us wanted to see Haqqani taking control."
Carrie pffted and stared out the window into the darkness.
"I felt for you Carrie," Aasar continued softly. "Sympathy when they drugged you."
"So why did you turn a blind eye to Tasneem helping Haqqani?" she hissed.
"You're making a lot of assumptions Carrie," Aasar bit his lip. "All this shop talk. I thought we were going out to have some fun?"
"Yeah…?" She shook her head. "Well I changed my mind. Stop the car."
"Don't be ridiculous," protested Aasar.
"I'll get a cab."
"Let me take you home," he begged.
"Aasar… Just…" she shouted. "Tell the driver to stop the fucking car."
"No. I'm not abandoning you alone in the city," Aasar tried to calm her. "If you get out, I'm coming with you."
"Oh, what a gentleman." Carrie mocked.
"Carrie… OK… Let's forget about having any form of civilised conversation." Aasar gave up. "You go home, but I'm dropping you off."
"Stop the…" Carrie began, but slumped backwards as Aasar relayed her precise address to the driver.
"I don't like that at all," Carrie hissed. "You knowing my address."
Aasar exhaled, dejected. Further tormented by the passing traffic intermittently illuminating Carrie's furious profile. He'd come all this way and he'd fucked it up within minutes.
2. His Wife
Carrie scurried to the door as soon as she heard the first gentle knock.
"It's three A.M, Carrie," The man shuffled inside. "Couldn't this have waited until morning?"
"It is morning," Carrie hissed, then swallowed guiltily. "I'm sorry. It's important. He's leaving soon."
"Are you going to kill him?" Max whispered, a gleam in his eye. "If you are, I'll help you."
"What?!" Carrie spluttered. "No! Of course not."
"But you think the Colonel was involved, right?" Max's voice trembled. "He was in on the Embassy attack with Haqqani?"
"No, Max. No… No. Not at all." Carrie rubbed her forehead. "Aasar would never…"
"First name…" Max simmered. "You're on first name terms with _them_?"
"That's enough Max!" Carrie snapped at him, "Aasar might be able to help us get justice for Fara."
Max was silent. Momentarily paralysed by her loss that he still felt so acutely.
"Please Max…" Carrie squeezed his shoulder. "Find out where Aasar's staying and drive me there."
"Can't you drive yourself?" Max grumbled.
"I had a few drinks last night… you better drive." Carrie grimaced as she recalled slamming the door of Aasar's SUV and stomping through her front door without looking back. She had half expected him to follow her. Half hoped, but the SUV had sped away.
"Okay…" Max sighed as he unfolded his laptop. "Give me a few minutes… Where's little Franny? Is she okay?"
"Sleepover at Maggie's," Carrie smiled. "She's doing great." She'd noticed that Max always asked about Franny, but he never mentioned Quinn.
…
_An hour later_
"You're certain there's no security guards?" Carrie checked Max's information again. "Nothing outside his room?"
"Nope," Max shrugged. "As far as the hotel is concerned, he's just a regular guest. He's using a British passport."
"This should be easy then," Carrie grinned hopefully. "I'll walk straight in."
"Do you want me to wait in the parking lot for you?" Max clutched the steering wheel.
"No, I'll be fine," Carrie bit her lip, a flutter of anticipation as she glanced at the hotel entrance. "Thanks Max. Go home. Get some sleep."
"I could come in with you," Max gestured. "Talk to him about Fara and…"
"Max, I can handle it," Carrie tried to maintain her patience. "I'll call you later."
…
Within minutes Carrie was at the front desk collecting a key for Aasar's hotel room. All thanks to Max hacking into their booking system and making a few significant changes. She glimpsed her reflection in the mirrored wall. Perfect. A glamorous, if slightly dishevelled partygoer arriving back in the early hours.
"There you go, Mrs Khan," the blonde Receptionist oozed politeness and discretion as he checked the system. "If you find the misplaced keycard, just hand it in here."
"Thanks for your help… Sven," Carrie smiled, leaning forward to display a hint of cleavage within her little black dress. "Can you remind me…"
"Breakfast is served between seven and nine thirty." Sven's cheeks turned pink. "In the main restaurant."
"Thank you so much," Carrie stepped away, relieved to spot the sign for the elevator. Sven hadn't provided directions to Aasar's room like she'd hoped, but she'd figure it out herself. She wondered if she'd still be there for breakfast.
…
Room 207. Carrie paused momentarily. She imagined Aasar sleeping. Wondered how she'd wake him.
_"Hi Honey! I pretended to be your wife and sneaked into your room…" _Then what?
_I'm here to get intel._ She reminded herself sharply, halting her train of thought which had strayed to slipping into bed alongside him. _I've got to find out what's happening. Is Saul doing deals with Haqqani, or planning to obliterate him?_
Carrie wondered if Quinn would approve of her getting involved. He wanted out. Quinn wanted her to get out too… or so he said, before he'd swanned off on another mission. _What had Astrid said about him wanting out every so often?_ Carrie pouted recalling how Quinn had hidden out at Astrid's before escaping from Islamabad. _They'd have fucked of course. _She wondered if she was feeling a twinge of jealousy?
She smirked remembering Quinn's jealous tantrum when she had been recruiting Aayan. It wasn't Aayan he should have been worried about. She might have had sex with Aayan, but it was Aasar she'd built an intimate trust with. With their discreet rendezvous and secret calls. The realisation hit how much she missed those shared, secluded moments of calm with him.
As Carrie slipped the keycard into the door, she knew she had to get Aasar to talk. She'd missed an opportunity earlier. She needed to get some useful intel out of him before he left for Pakistan.
…
Carrie blinked as she moved forwards in the darkness and debated flicking the light switch on. _What am I doing? I should have just knocked. Or called him… _She fumbled for her phone and the screen illuminated the king-size bed. It was empty.
Carrie writhed as she felt a firm hand from behind cover her mouth. Her cries muffled when she felt a cold jab against her spine. She felt his breath heavy on her neck. She wriggled, her protestations indistinct. After a few moments she felt his breathing move and linger against her hair. The thrust from the gun taken away quickly.
"What are you doing here?" Aasar whispered, maintaining the pressure over her mouth. "Will you scream if I move my hand?"
Carrie shook her head, tasting the warmth from his palm. She heard a thud and guessed he'd discarded his gun onto the desk. She felt his hand pat gently over her abdomen and down her thighs. "I'm not armed," she croaked as he finally lifted his hand off her mouth.
"Sit down," Aasar shoved her towards the bed and leaned to switch on a lamp. "I hope you can explain this intrusion!"
Carrie gingerly touched her mouth as her eyes gradually adjusted to the light. Her bleary gaze registering Aasar's black boxer shorts.
"I'm sorry I frightened you." Aasar was seemingly oblivious to his attire as he assessed Carrie's appearance. He reached for her tender lower lip and gently traced the curve with his finger. "Are you hurt?"
"It's okay," Carrie moved away from his electric touch which had transmuted the discomfort into an entirely different sensation. "I'm fine. I'm the one who should be apologising."
"Let me get you some ice," Aasar stood up and strode across to the mini-bar. "It'll stop the swelling."
"Aasar, it's fine," Carrie protested weakly, distracted by his muscular thighs as he returned with some ice cubes in a tumbler and tenderly held one against her lip.
"Oh," she flinched at the numbing chill of the ice contrasted by his burning fingers.
The ice began melting rapidly, a couple of rivulets trickling over her chin which Aasar wiped away with his other hand. Their eyes aligned momentarily and he mischievously pressed the remainder of the ice cube with his thumb. It parted her lips and bumped coolly against her teeth. Carrie opened her mouth fractionally wider, swirling her tongue against the tip of his thumb.
Aasar inhaled, his eyes gleaming as he let his thumb linger in her mouth for a few moments.
"Why are you here Carrie?" Aasar coolly pulled his hand away as if nothing had happened. "Hoping I'll tell you about Saul's plan?"
Carrie's heart was thumping. Aasar's face was deadpan. He was saying one thing, but the straining in his boxer shorts was telling her a very different story. She was completely disconcerted and began rambling. "I came to apologise for abandoning you earlier. I was angry. Rude. I was cross with Saul really… Not you. I'm still really…"
"You were annoyed with me," Aasar interjected shrugging, no self-conciousness that he was standing there in just his underpants. "You had every right to be… but why this… Why sneak in here like this?"
"Aasar… Let's talk when you've put some clothes on." Carrie swallowed. "It's too hard. I mean I can't think straight."
"I was hoping to go back to sleep once you've explained yourself." Aasar's dark eyes twinkled as he climbed into bed. He pulled the white cotton sheet up to his neck. "Is that better?" He pulled it higher, hiding his head completely. "Or this? Am I decent? Can we talk now?"
"Aasar…" Carrie pouted, then giggled as he peeped over the hem at her.
Aasar laughed loudly then smiled at her. "How did you get in here, Carrie?"
"I used a key," Carrie shrugged. "Sven on Reception gave it to me. He thought I was your wife."
"My wife…" Aasar considered this. Maybe there was a glimmer of hope after all.
End file.
| fanfiction |
Secacah , səkākā is a town mentioned in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament as well as in the Dead Sea Scrolls. The town was located in the wilderness of Judah, otherwise known as the Judean Desert, and is identified by some scholars with the archaeological site of Khirbet Qumran.
Ancient name
The toponym Secacah is derived from the root סכך, which means either enclosed or cover possibly in reference to a shaded area. The variation in the spelling of the place name, סככה in the Hebrew Bible versus סככא in the Copper Scroll, reflects an orthographic phenomenon seen elsewhere in later phases of Hebrew א < ה. In the Greek versions of the Hebrew Bible, Secacah is transcribed as Σοχοχα in LXX-A but is written Aιχιoζa in LXX-B. In the latter source LXX-B, however, the place names of seem to have been corrupted.
References in Biblical and Post-biblical sources
Secacah is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, , as part of the Tribe of Judah's inheritance. The roster of towns in Joshua 15 is commonly thought to reflect an administrative document that originated during the Kingdom of Judah. This list divides the Iron Age kingdom into four regions, the Shephelah, the Negeb, the wilderness, and the highlands; Secacah is listed in the wilderness along with the City of Salt and the better known town of En-gedi. Although Secacah is only listed once in the Hebrew Bible, it is mentioned several times in the Copper Scroll, 3Q15 4-5, in reference to the hiding places of the treasures mentioned in this document. The description of Secacah includes a dam and an aqueduct 3Q15 4:13 and 5:1-3 and associates the place with Jericho 3Q15 5:13.
Location and identification
The town of Secacah is listed along with six other towns and related settlements in the wilderness of Judah, situated along the western bank of the Dead Sea and commonly known as the Judean Desert. Frank Moore Cross Jr. and Józef Milik located Secacah at the archaeological site of Khirbet es-Samrah in the Buqêah, a valley in the Judean Desert. The basis for this identification was the fact that es-Samrah was an Iron Age settlement that was in the same area as Secacah the wilderness of Judah. John Marco Allegro, however, identified Khirbet Qumran nearby the Buqêah with Secacah. Although it is most famous as the archaeological site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, excavations have revealed that Qumran was initially inhabited during the Iron Age. The Iron Age remains found there include a LMLK seal similar to the one found by Cross and Milik at es-Samrah. In addition, the water system at Qumran, which dates to the early Roman Period, is consistent with the description of Secacah in the Copper Scroll.
References
Category:Hebrew Bible cities
Category:Former populated places in Southwest Asia | wikipedia |
glioblastomas usually spread by local growth and infiltraion rather than by dissemination and metastasis , despite histologic appearances that may be just as malignant as systemic tumours that metastasize widely .
although the development of an extraneural metastasis from gliomas is rare event , the reports were accumulated ( 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 9 , 11 , 12 , 14 , 15 ) . we report a rare case of glioblastoma that metastasized to the cervical lymph node .
it was diagnosed by fine needle aspiration and showed good response to chemotherapy consisted of procarbazine and vincristine while primary intracranial glioblastoma continued to grow during chemotherapy .
the patient complained recent aggravation of headache and nausea . during the last 4 yr , she had four separate craniotomies for recurrent brain tumors .
the last operation was performed before two months prior to this admission , and mass was confirmed as glioblastoma with malignant transformation from original anaplastic mixed glioma ( fig .
1a ) , which was consisting of ependymal and oligodendrogliomatous area with a small portion of astrocytic tumor in pathological finding . on physical examination , multiple subcutaneous masses of various sizes were palpable on the scalp and anterior neck that had been checked normally in previous follow - up period .
mri demonstrated extensive leptomeningeal spread to the left temporo - occipital region and also noted subcutaneous scalp masses in continuity with the intracranial mass through the burr hole site ( fig .
mr study also showed multiple lymph adenopathies in the deep cervical region without continuity with scalp mass ( fig .
individual tumor cells showed variable cytologic features , including minigemistocytic epithelioid , clear , spindle and giant cells .
fine needle aspiration biopsy was done on the left antero - lateral neck mass , using a 19 g needle .
although a tissue diagnosis was not performed exactly on the lymph node in patient , small amount of perilymph nodal tissue were obtained .
microscopically , small atypical cells infiltrated into the fibroadipose tissue of the cervical soft tissue and immunohistochemical stain showed positive immunoreactivity for glial fibrillay acid protein ( gfap ) ( fig .
after administration of vincristine and procarbazine , the cervical masses were decreased in size and some disappeared but at the same time the intracranial tumor continued to grow .
the incidence of extraneural metastases from primary central nervous system tumors is around 0.5% ( 11 ) . in gliomas
it is estimated to approach 20 - 25 cases per five - year period ( 3 ) .
the most frequent metastatic gliomas are medulloblastoma and malignant astrocytoma / glioblastoma , followed by ependymoma ( 7 ) .
metastatic spread of malignant astrocytomas is not unusual and mainly localized to the neuroaxial spread by way of the cerebrospinal fluid ( csf ) .
the incidence of csf spread in glioblastomas was reported about 20% in autopsy series ( 5 , 16 ) . however , the incidence of symptomatic neuroaxial spread is almost certainly lower than the incidence seen at postmortem ( 8 , 13 ) .
( 13 ) reported that in 600 cases of supratentorial glioblastoma seen over a 10 yr period , only 11 patients with symptomatic brain stem or spinal cord metastases were identified .
although extraneural metastases of glioblastomas occur in less than 1% of cases , glioblastomas account for about two thirds of the neuroepithelial tumors that metastasize extraneurally ( 11 ) .
the lungs , pleura , lymph nodes , bone marrow , bone and liver are the most common recipients of distant metastases . among the lymph node metastases ,
62% were situated in the cervical areas , often ipsilateral to the site of craniotomy but sometimes bilateral ( 9 ) .
a variety of hypotheses have been advanced to explain the rarity of extraneural spread of glioblastomas .
it has been suggested that glioblastomas are prevented from metastasizing by the impassable dura , by the extracellular matrix , by the tough basement membrane that surrounds intracerebral blood vessels , and by the lack of true lymphatics in the brain ( 9 , 15 ) .
bernstein and woodard ( 2 ) showed that the vital basement membrane was a deterrent to intravasation of glioblastoma cells into the blood vessels .
extraneural metastases of glioblastoma are most commonly with surgical procedures that may have a chance to access to extracerebral structure , such as ventricular shunting or repeated craniotomies ( 9 ) . in most cases of lymph node involvement the patients
has undergone repeated craniotomies ( 6 ) , and presumably the tumor gains access to lymphatics by dural or scalp extension through the surgical defect ( 15 ) . in addition to clinical history , immunocytochemistry sustained the cytological diagnosis of metastatic glioblastoma on lymph node .
the smear from cervical lymph node showed the characteristic features for high - grade gliomas , such as abundant cellularity , necrosis and glomeruloid capillaries ( 6 ) .
the individual tumor cells were small and displayed marked pleomorphism ( 6 , 12 ) .
immunocytochemistry revealed numerous cells with strong immumoreactivities to gfap antibody ( 1 , 6 ) .
however , in the case of extraneural metastasis , a differential diagnosis with other small cell tumors , such as small cell carcinoma , poorly differentiated carcinoma , embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma and neuroblastoma , should be considered ( 6 ) .
for those few glioblastomas with extraneural metastases , only palliative therapy is available when they cause symptoms although the detection of extraneural metastases is important for prediction of short survival .
more discrete areas of tumor in extraneural sites such as bone can be treated with focal radiation .
we decided to introduce chemotherapeutic agents to this patient because surgery was not considered any more .
( 12 ) reported that cervical tumor decreased in size , indicating sensitivity to lomustine , but intracranial tumor was not responded , as in our case .
possible explanations of this phenomenon are inadequate drug delivery to the intracranial tumor , different sensitivities of intracranial and extraneural tumors , or a combination of these factors . whereas the primary intracranial glioblastoma was made up of large and small cells , the metastatic tumor contained only small cell population .
therefore , small cell population of the glioblastoma might be more sensitive to the chemotherapeutic agents than was the brain tumor as a whole ( 12 ) . presumably , extraneural spread to cervical lymph node developed through the lymphatic system from the scalp mass after repeated craniotomies in this patient .
we think that fine needle aspiration and cytology is a simple and reliable diagnostic method and chemotherapy may be helpful in metastatic glioblastoma . to reveal the reason of different response to the chemotherapy between intracranial and metastatic glioblastoma , | pubmed |
9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene derivatives. Stereoisomers or different compounds? What are their chemical names?
What is the relationship between these compounds? Are they stereoisomers or some of them are different compounds? Additionally, what would be their names?
(For position 9, with the methyl substituent)
Green and Cyan -> S configuration
Orange and Purple -> R configuration
Trying to name them by having the antracene ring system as a core all of them would have a name starting as "2-Chloro-" and then R or S, but in this way, the green-cyan and purple-orange compounds would have the same name. Is there another way to name these?
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/gZXwU.png)
Green and orange are enantiomers, as are purple and cyan.
The remaining relationships are all diastereomeric. I think your problem is that you arent considering the carbons at the bridgehead positions as stereocentres too (which they are).
| stackexchange/chemistry |
Vampire Academy Vampire Academy Sample
Rose's POV
(After Last Sacrifice)
I sighed in frustration. Although I left in order to clear my head, I am worried about Lissa. No matter how competent Dimitri is. I still worry for her. No reason to fret though, she has Kaylee to comfort her anyway. Kaylee, the new guardian of the Queen who trails us wherever we go, and more like her new best friend.
I mentally kicked myself. I shouldn't be thinking those things. But my jealousy over the growing friendship between Lissa and Kaylee bothers me more than I admit. I also miss Dimitri which added to my anxiety. This isn't working. Maybe I should call Sage for a girl's night out or get some father-daughter time with Abe. I laughed at myself. This is getting ridiculous.
Then the door to my room slowly creaked open, startling me as I pivoted towards it. But I immediately relaxed as Dimitri came in. "I haven't even decided where to go yet." I whispered. I knew he sensed something was wrong, from the way he was looking at me. I should've taken my thinking somewhere else. But his presence soothed me. He didn't say anything, he didn't need to. I knew what his eyes were asking.
End file.
| fanfiction |
JAG 1. Chapter 1
TITLE: Flip Of A Coin
AUTHOR: Clairisant
CLASSIFICATION: AJ/Mac
FEEDBACK: Would love to hear both good and bad feedback but please try to be kind and constructive. Clairisant
CREDITS: A special thank you to my beta readers Qupeydoll and Julie.
Chapter 1
Saturday, July 29, 2005
1400 EST
Mac's apartment
Georgetown, Virginia
Sarah Mackenzie was in front of her apartment washing her car. She sighed, sadly thinking that she would need to sell it when she moved to London with Harm and Mattie. She was going to miss the cherry-red Vette, but not half as much as she would miss the Corps. It was still hard to believe that after many long discussions about who would give up their career so they could be together, that they had finally left it up to a flip of a coin.
Anyway, since it was the weekend, she wouldn't have to deliver the news to General Creswell until Monday. So, for now, she would just concentrate on washing the Vette…maybe for the last time…'NO!' she wasn't going to think like that now. Mac was just about to begin rinsing the suds off the car when a familiar looking black Escalade pulled up.
Retired Admiral AJ Chegwidden got out of the vehicle looking fit and tanned in a casual polo shirt and black jeans. As he came towards her she smiled and said, "Good afternoon, Admiral. I didn't know you were back from your ballpark tour yet."
"I got in late last night and got a phone call this morning from Harriett Roberts with all the latest news. What is this nonsense she was telling me about you giving up the Marine Corps on the flip of a coin? The Marines are your life!"
"The Corps has been an important part of my life, but now that Harm and I are getting married, one of us had to give up our careers so we could be together."
"You're sure this is what you want to do?" he questioned finding it very hard to believe.
"Harm and I have been friends for a lot of years, while we're not madly in love with each other I do think we're well suited and should be able to make a marriage work. Plus he needs someone to help take care of Mattie," Mac answered.
"You're marrying him even though you don't love him?" AJ demanded incredulously. "I can't believe you would give up the Marines for a loveless marriage and as much as I like Mattie and respect Harm for his commitment to her, he can hire someone to take care of her!"
"Yes he could, but it wouldn't be someone she knows. It's already going to be tough on her moving to a different country, leaving her friends and school, on top of the accident and the mess with her father."
"Still Sarah, you're giving up a life you love to please a sixteen year old girl?"
"It's not just her, AJ. Harm knows about the endometriosis and even though he wants a son to carry on the family name, he's willing to marry me knowing how slim the chance of that ever happening is."
"My God, Sarah, if that's the only reason, you must know that there have to be dozens men out there willing to do the same without making you give up your career and move out of the country!"
Mac was becoming agitated by this time. Here was the man she'd been in love with for nearly a decade trying to convince her not to marry Harm by telling her there were other men out there for her when she only wanted him! "Well I don't see any of them beating down my door!" she snapped.
AJ stood there, wanting to tell her that there was one standing right in front of her, but her words made it clear that she didn't see him that way. Over the years he felt a pull between them a time or two, the most memorable had been when he'd almost kissed her in his bedroom the night of the party at his home. But nothing had come of it, he'd pulled back in time, before embarrassing himself by doing something rash, although she'd leaned into him not away, but it might have been his imagination. She had kissed him once, but it had been a brief peck in celebration of rescuing a kidnapped child. He knew she couldn't see him the way he would like, after all she'd asked him to give her away the last time she was engaged, casting him in a father's role and more recently she'd introduced him to her friend. Women didn't do that if they had any interest in the man themselves. Finally he realized she was waiting for some comment from him. "Then the men here are fools, but if you took the transfer to San Diego you'd meet a whole new group of…"
"Fools?" she interrupted him.
To be continued….
2. Chapter 2
Chapter 2
"I was going to say 'eligible men'," AJ retorted.
"I'm going to marry Harm, that's all there is to it," Mac insisted.
"I thought you always wanted the kind of marriage Bud and Harriett have! Why would you settle for a marriage without love?"
She just couldn't understand why he was persisting in this way. Why wouldn't he let it drop? It wasn't as if he cared! She was getting very upset with him, maybe that was why she let the truth slip out, "Because the man I love doesn't want me!"
Stunned, his heart dropped into his shoes. While he'd just been trying to talk her out of a loveless marriage there was still a glimmer of hope that someday she might consider him. But now to hear that there was someone she loved, he knew that could never be. Still he loved her enough to want her happiness even at the cost of his own, "What? Sarah, that's ridiculous! Any man would be a fool not to love you! Have you told him how you feel?"
"No! Of course not! A woman knows when a man is interested in her and there's no way I would embarrass us both by creating that kind of awkward situation."
"Really?! What's a bit of awkwardness or embarrassment against the possibility that he might return your feelings? I mean how do you really know he doesn't? I assume you're around him enough that you have to hide the way you feel about him?"
"Yes," she answered hesitant to reveal even that much.
"Does he have a clue how you feel about him?" AJ continued his interrogation.
Looking deeply into his eyes, she searched for her answer and after a moment, confidently told him, "No, he doesn't."
"So, if you're a good enough actress to keep your feelings for him a secret then, why couldn't the reverse be true?"
"Because I know him and I know he has no interest in me!" she retorted.
"Oh come on! Where is the brave Marine?! Why don't you go and tell him how you feel! Take the chance, what could it hurt?"
"I told you! I like and respect him too and if he doesn't return my feelings I could lose his friendship, which is all I have now!"
"Wouldn't knowing for sure be better than always wondering?" he goaded her. "And if he is stupid enough not to grasp the wonderful gift of your love with both hands, then you could still marry Harm and go off to London, that way you wouldn't have to face him."
"Why is this so important to you?" she demanded angrily.
"Because I want to see you happy!" he snapped, becoming quite agitated himself.
"Yeah, well you wouldn't be saying all this if you knew who it was!" Mac assured him with a glare.
"I just figured if it wasn't Harm you loved then it would have to be Webb, and although I think you're too good for him, what other reason would I have not to like it?"
"It isn't Clay!"
"Oh…Dalton is gone, so you wouldn't have to hide your feelings there, and since I don't think you've seen Farrow or Brumby in a while I'd say the same goes for them," AJ reasoned aloud, then after a pause he continued, "I guess it could be Gunny, with the differences in your ranks that could have been a problem in the past, but since he's working for the Company now that problem should be gone."
"It's not Gunny, or Farrow, or Mic."
"Who does that leave?" he muttered under his breath and then with wide eyes he asked, "Sturgis or Cresswell?"
She simply shook her head 'no', positive at that point that he would never guess himself. But then she saw the look of trepidation that quickly turned to horror and knew he knew. She died inside at the look on his face. Figuring out that she loved him horrified him! He was right, going to London so she would never have to face him again, suddenly was a very appealing prospect!
"Oh Sarah! I'm so sorry, I had no idea you felt that way! You do know that it's impossible don't you?"
"Yes!" she snapped. "That's why I didn't want to say anything!" She couldn't meet his eyes.
To be continued….
3. Chapter 3
Chapter 3
AJ stepped forward wanting to offer some kind of comfort to this amazing woman. He could see the distress on Sarah's face and could tell she was holding back tears. What could he say to make her feel any better? Maybe if he could assure her that it wasn't just her, but that no other woman would do for him either.
He'd felt her stiffen when he'd pulled her into his arms for a hug. She struggled to be free, trying her best to get away from him, but he held on firmly. "Sarah, you have to understand that it isn't because he doesn't find you attractive, but that he wouldn't look at ANY other woman."
'Why would AJ refer to himself in the third person this way?' she wondered, and then thought that maybe it was easier to make what he had to tell her impersonal. She had to know who this other woman was! Her rival for his love! "Other woman?"
"Yes, he took one look at Harriett and was lost."
Shocked Mac's heart bled for the man she loved. How had she not known? She had been aware that Harriett was always a favorite of his by the way he treated her, but she'd always thought those feelings extended to Bud too! How awful it must have been to watch the woman he loved live such a happy life with another man! Oh God, and then he even had to deliver her first child! How it must have nearly killed him when they named the baby after him!'
Mac stopped trying to pull out of his arms and instead fiercely hugged him back, "Oh AJ, I guess we're more alike than I thought. Both of us in love with someone we can't have!"
"Both of us? I was just talking about you!" AJ exclaimed pulling away a bit to look at her.
"No, you spoke of yourself in the third person…didn't you?"
"I was telling you that Bud loves Harriett."
"I know that! And Harriett loves Bud."
The two of them started at each other for a heartbeat and then spoke at the same time…
"And you love Bud," he said.
"And you love Harriett," she said.
"No I don't!" both insisted in unison.
"But you just said…" they started and trailed off.
Staring at each other in frustration at the misunderstandings, they traded glares until AJ demanded, "Sarah, if you love this guy go after him! He'll be the luckiest devil alive to have you!"
"I CAN'T!" she snapped.
"Damn it, Sarah! Do it!" he snarled, hating himself for telling her to go and confess her love to another man, but on the other hand, wanting her happy. With a slump to his shoulders, he turned away and started back towards the Escalade.
Mac stood there, rooted to the spot, watching him walk away. She knew that this would be the last chance she ever had to grasp at the dream of having him, but she just couldn't move. She was afraid! Where was the brave Marine AJ had talked about? He had even encouraged her to tell the man she loved of her feelings. Encouraged? Hell, he'd demanded that she tell him. What the hell, AJ was right. If it didn't work out she would be able to hide away from her shame in London. She was pretty sure that Harm wouldn't like being used as a back up plan, but there was really no need for him to ever know.
Racing after AJ, she grabbed his arm just as he got to the front of her Vette. Using more force than she intended, she spun him around to face her. Because her action was so quick, AJ didn't have time to conceal the devastating sadness lining his face. "Wait!" she commanded.
"What do you want, Sarah?" he asked finally able to school his features.
"You didn't tell me what to say to him!"
Closing his eyes at this new torture, he asked, "Haven't you ever told a man you loved him before?"
She waited until he looked at her again and then replied, "Not when it was this important."
Heaving a sigh, he said, "Just tell him straight out, Sarah," and turned away once again.
Taking a deep breath, she uttered loudly and clearly, "I love you, AJ Chegwidden."
To be continued….
4. Chapter 4
Chapter 4
It took two steps to process what he'd just heard, and then he halted, frozen in place. AJ was sure this was just some new torture she'd devised. That, or she was just practicing on him. But then Mac said, "I love you, AJ and I have for ten years, four months, two weeks, four days, and three hours."
AJ turned slowly and looked into her eyes, he could see they were filled with fear and he realized that it was fear of rejection that he saw there. That would have convinced him if her accounting of the length of time she'd loved him hadn't. Sarah had always had an amazing time sense. With the length of time she'd mentioned he could only guess she meant one thing. Could she really have fallen in love with him at first sight? "The reception in the Rose Garden?" he asked.
"No, I was too distracted by Harm's reaction to my resemblance to his dead girl friend. It was the next Monday in your office," she told him softly.
"That's when I knew too. In the Rose Garden I admired how coolly you handled the situation and then I couldn't stop thinking about you all weekend. When you walked into the office that morning, I looked up and knew."
She couldn't possibly be hearing what she thought he was saying, but she had to know! "Knew what, AJ?" she asked as he slowly started walking towards her.
"That I was in love with you," he answered simply.
Stunned, she begged, "Will you pinch me? I think I'm dreaming!"
"I'd rather kiss you."
"Like you almost did nine years, seven months…"
"Shhhh," he interrupted her and at long last brought their lips together in a kiss that was long overdue.
Mac's gasp allowed his tongue to enter her mouth and begin to explore. As she recovered from the shock of his assault, Mac stepped in closer and wrapped her arms around his neck. Feeling her full participation in the kiss, AJ pulled her into his arms. Neither expected the kiss to get out of control, but they'd held their feelings in check for so long that now they were finally set free it was almost too much. Passions flared quickly and once they were both sure the other wasn't about to pull away, their hands began to roam rather than just hold on.
AJ's hands stroked slowly up and down her back, he wanted to place them on her shapely six and press her against his rising arousal, but didn't want to presume.
Mac's hands slid up his strong neck to caress his baldhead. She had wanted to do that ever since the day she'd first seen him run his hand over it in frustration at something Harm had done. She could feel his growing erection between them, and with a moan, she deliberately pressed herself against him.
He groaned and gave into his desire, with one hand on each of her denim-clad cheeks, he pulled her even closer.
Her knees were like jelly and she simply couldn't stand any longer. Knowing the Vette was right behind her, she collapsed back on to it, pulling him with her.
Startled by her action, AJ was caught off guard and stumbled forward. His knee hit the fender rather hard and gave out under him. He fell forward, knocking her back from her sitting position to a laying one on the hood of the car. Just barely able to keep himself from landing fully on top of her, he managed to stop himself with his hands braced on either side of her waist.
Through all this their lips never once parted. It was as if, now that they were free to kiss like this, they never wanted to stop. Lowering himself so he could brace on one elbow on top of her his free hand gently found its way under the hem of her top.
Not wanting him to have all the fun, she took her hands from his wide shoulders to grasp the bottom of his shirt and quickly pull it over his head. Their lips had to part for a moment so she could rid him of the shirt and as she tossed it to the ground he sighed, "Oh Sarah."
Their lips had just met again when a voice from the sidewalk said, "Yo man! Sweet ride! And the car's not bad either!"
To be continued….
5. Chapter 5
Chapter 5
They sprang apart as if they'd been doused by cold water, which in essence wouldn't have gotten any different reaction. AJ spun around to see a boy of about seventeen or eighteen eyeing them with appreciation and envy. When AJ glared at him, the kid grinned and said, "You know, you really should take it inside, this IS a family neighborhood after all!" With a cheeky wave he ambled away.
AJ turned back to look at Mac who was still sitting on the hood of the Vette, he was at a loss for what to say, but knew that it was his fault the situation had gotten so out of hand. "Sarah, I apologize, I shouldn't have allowed things to get so carried away!"
"AJ, it's all right! As long as you're not sorry it happened then everything is fine and I seem to remember that you had a little help in the 'getting carried away' department."
Holding out his hand to Mac he pulled her to her feet to give her a reassuring hug. "I'm not sorry in the least that we kissed. I just want you to know that I respect your reputation and that I am sorry we went so far in public."
"Thank you, AJ, but I care little for my reputation since we had just discovered that we loved each other. Please tell me that wasn't a dream!"
She should have suspected something when she saw the gleam appear in his eyes, but she was so caught up in the newness of their love that his action came without warning. "Ouch!" she exclaimed looking down at his hand that had just pinched her. "What was that for?" she demanded.
"Isn't that the prescribed remedy when one asks for confirmation that they weren't dreaming?" he questioned innocently.
"Oh!" she was totally at a loss as she stared into his face, which was alight with merriment. It was as if in an instant he had dropped twenty years. He looked almost boyish! Over the years she had seen some instances of his dry wit and there were times she was sure that she'd been the only one to 'get' his humor, but here he was, standing before her, grinning like a mischievous child, all she could do was laugh.
Within a heartbeat AJ joined her and they soon had to sit on the car to keep from falling over. For several minutes as each would begin to regain composure, they would look at the other, eyes would meet, and they would fall prey to another round of laughter. Finally both of them took gulping breaths of air at the same time and refusing to look at the other in the eye, they tried to talk about 'what next'. However, since they both asked the other that question at the same time, they were once again lost in the world of merriment.
Sides hurting, both put up a single hand in the hope that would be enough to beg the other to stop. Feeling like he had finally regained some control, AJ looked at her and said, "I think we need to talk."
"I agree. Would you come up to the apartment?" she asked tentatively.
"I think that would be best," he replied, getting up and turning to help her up too. Picking up his shirt from the ground where she had dropped it, he shook it out and put it back on.
Once in her apartment, Mac seemed nervous and unsure of what to do. The first thing to pop into her head was more of a distraction than anything else. "Can I offer you something to drink?"
AJ looked at her and understood her mood. They were in uncharted territory for them and she needed some sense of normalcy. "That sounds fine, Sarah. Whatever you're having will do."
"I could make coffee or I have ice tea in the fridge," she offered, sidestepping towards the kitchen.
"Tea is fine," he told her as she disappeared.
Wandering around the room he looked at all the knick-knacks she had sitting around. He noticed the lack of pictures and wondered about that. Pausing in his survey of the room, AJ wondered what would come of what happened outside. Surely she wasn't still thinking of marrying Harm now!
To be continued….
6. Chapter 6
Chapter 6
"Here you go!" Mac said brightly when she reentered the room and then almost dropped the glass that she tried to hand to AJ.
"Sarah, relax, I won't bite," he said gently as he took the glass from her and placed it on the coffee table. Reaching for her hand he led her over to the couch. "Please sit down, we need to talk."
"I know we do, but I don't have any idea where to start," she sighed, placing her glass next to his as she took a seat beside him.
"I guess there are a lot of different things to cover, but the most important, I think is that we love each other."
Mac looked at him with wonder dawning in her eyes. "I guess I still find that nearly impossible to believe." She gave a self-conscious giggle, "And you thought I loved Bud!"
"I seem to remember you indicating that I might have felt the same way about Harriett!" he protested.
"What a pair of home wreckers we would be!" she giggled again.
"Some how, I'm pretty sure that is one home that could never be wrecked."
"I think you're right. So…ummmm…now what?" she asked tentatively.
"Well, I think the first thing on the agenda is Harm."
"Harm? Why in the world…oh! You mean my being engaged to him?"
"Yes that would put a cramp in any plans we might want to make."
She got to her feet and paced back and forth in front of the couch. "AJ, I'm just so unsure of what you want or expect of me. If there is any chance I can have a future with you, then I want that with all my heart, but if that's not an option, then marriage to Harm is still what I told you before, an end to my loneliness."
"Can you really marry him when you love me?" he asked incredulously.
"Until I knew you loved me too, I didn't see any other choice."
"And now?"
"Now, I need to know if you see a future for us together."
"I've always dreamed of having a future with you, Sarah, but because of so many things it was always an unreachable dream."
"Other than our ranks and the fact that you were my CO, what was there?" she asked.
"Our age difference for one. You're only two years older than my daughter."
"Believe me, AJ, I've never looked on you as a father figure! Our ages have never been an issue with me. Was there anything else?"
"Well, I was pretty sure you had no interest in me at all when you introduced me to Meredith."
"That was a complete misunderstanding! I had no intention at all of fixing you up with her! You had assumed that because the others had been trying. Why would I have done something like that when I loved you myself?"
With a light chuckle, he answered, "At the time I had no idea about your feelings."
"No, it seems we were both very good at hiding those."
"Sarah, would you consider a future with me?"
"What kind of future, AJ? I know this is all still so new and fresh, but I'm at a crossroads in my life and I need to evaluate my choices carefully."
Taking a moment to consider how he wanted to proceed, AJ captured her hand and said, "I would be blessed beyond all measure if you would even consider marrying me. If you wish to remain in the Corps, and I think you should, I would also suggest that you take the transfer to San Diego. It would be wonderful for your career and if we were married, or even if you just wanted me with you, I could close, or lease, the house here in case we'd ever come back to the area, or even sell it."
"You'd give up your home to be with me?" she gasped.
"No Sarah. Home is where your heart is, so that means my home is anywhere you are."
"Then my answer is yes!"
"Yes?"
"You did ask me to be your wife, didn't you?" All of a sudden she was unsure of herself again.
To be continued….
7. Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Joy lit AJ's face as he lifted Mac into the air and spun her around the room. The kiss he gave her left no room in her mind for doubts. AJ did want her! He did love her! And he had proposed!
As the kiss broke on a happy sigh, he pulled back just enough to reluctantly bring up a touchy subject, "There's just one problem, Sarah."
"What?" she asked bemusedly. AJ loved her, what problem could there be?
"At the moment you have one too many fiancés for my comfort level," he told her gently.
"Oh Lord…Harm!"
"Yes."
"I'll have to tell him."
"Yes."
"He's not going to be happy."
"No."
"What can I say to him?" she fretted.
"The truth is always best. Does he know you love me?"
"No, he knows that there's someone and that there are reasons I couldn't be with that someone, but he doesn't know it's you."
"Then you need to tell him."
"Oh AJ, I couldn't! It would hurt him."
"Don't you think he'll know when we get married?"
"He might just think I made the same arrangement with you, but was able to keep my career too," she speculated.
"Is it fair to let him think that? Sarah, you said that he has been your best friend for years. As such, doesn't he deserve to know the truth? That you're choosing me because you love me, not just because with me, you could keep your career, when with him you couldn't?"
"How did you get to be so wise?"
"With age comes wisdom, plus I know that in his place I would want your happiness above all else.
"And yet when you arrived today, you were furious that I was going to marry Harm and leave the Corps."
"If marrying him would make you happy I would have found a way to be glad for you, but I know you Sarah, and I know how much being a Marine means to you. If I'd learned that the coin toss had gone the other way and that you would be going to San Diego, I would never have come."
A gentle smile graced her face and she softly told him, "Then I've never been so glad to lose a coin toss in my life, AJ."
"So you'll talk to Harm soon?"
"Yes."
"Do you want me to come with you?"
"No AJ, I know you're only concerned about me, but he deserves to hear this from me and if he needs to rant and rave, he deserves privacy for that. I'll be the one hurting him and if he feels like tearing into me I don't want you to think less of him for that."
"It seems you are wise too, my beautiful Sarah. When will you tell him?"
"We have a…date tonight."
"Oh…I see…"
"AJ, that was before…"
Placing a finger over her lips to stop her explanation he said, "Of course it was. Will you come out to the house when your…date is over?"
"It's just a meeting now, AJ. In fact when he comes to pick me up, I'll just tell him right here, then we won't even have to leave the apartment."
"Yes, privacy is better than a public restaurant for something like this."
"I agree," Mac sighed, hating the thought of hurting Harm. She knew he loved her in his own way, even if it wasn't the deep abiding passion of a one true love, but they had been so close all these years that she knew this would likely end their friendship as well as their engagement.
"Sarah, are you sure you want to do this alone?"
"Want? No, but I need to, AJ. However, as soon as it's done I will come to McLean."
"Alright, my love, will you plan on staying the rest of the weekend?" he asked with a tender smile.
"Oh," she gasped softly and then eagerly nodded.
They shared several more kisses, but when passions again began to get out of hand, AJ reluctantly pulled back. "If we keep this up Harm will find out his engagement is off the same way I did Sarah, and I wouldn't want to do that to anyone."
Wincing, Mac nodded and slowly stepped out of his arms. "Well I'd like to get a shower and change clothes before he gets here, so this might be a good time to say good-bye."
"Yes, but the drive home just got harder since now I'll be picturing you in the shower."
"Well if you're very good I might just let you see it for real some time this weekend."
With a brief but heated kiss on her lips, he said, "I'll hold you to that."
She pressed her fingers to her lips as he walked out the door, just barely able to whisper, "You do that," before he left.
To be continued….
8. Chapter 8
Chapter 8
AJ was halfway home before he remembered that after being away for six months there was no fresh food in the house. Stopping at his favorite market he quickly made his way up and down the isles, picking up the usual things he purchased for himself and concentrating on what he would make Sarah and himself for dinner that night. It needed to be something special, this was their night. Their very special night.
Inwardly he trembled as he thought that at long last all his dreams were going to come true. Sarah had said she would marry him! They would spend the rest of their days together. He knew that she'd always wanted children and that was something he wanted to talk to her about. If she wanted, he was open to the idea of children, even with his age, he was fit and active, there was a good chance he would be around to help her raise them, and he could just picture her with a baby at her breast. Well, maybe not actually, since he'd not yet seen her breasts, but after tonight he hoped to remedy that! With a chuckle he quickly finished his shopping and headed home.
Mac stepped out of the shower and after drying off stood in front of her closet wondering what to wear. She wasn't dressing for Harm tonight; her mind could hardly focus on that meeting. No, her thoughts were on the night ahead with AJ. They were engaged! Well, as soon as she could let Harm know their arrangement was off, and AJ had asked her to stay the weekend, surely that meant he wanted to make love to her! She shivered at the thought. But if she didn't hurry and get dressed she'd still be naked when Harm got there and that would never do.
Choosing a sexy red wrap-around dress she laid it on the bed as she went to the dresser to select her undergarments. A red silk thong and matching garter belt were the first things she pulled out, and then a pair of shimmering silvery stockings were added to the pile. Sitting on the bed, she slid the stockings on, they always made her feel so sensuous, panty hose just couldn't compare. Her feet slid into strappy sandals with three inch heels that she knew she could get away with because of AJ's height. Even though Harm was an inch taller than AJ these heels would still only bring her eyes level with his nose! The dress went on last and she stared at the total effect in her full-length mirror.
WOW! She looked great even to her own eyes. Praying AJ would feel the same; she quickly packed a bag and got a clean uniform out of the closet. As soon as Harm was gone, she was ready to leave for McLean.
She was surprised when the doorbell rang. Harm was only five minutes late not his normal fifteen, maybe he sensed something was up? But how could he? No, there was no way he know she was just being paranoid. However as she went to the door, she wished she had spent a little more time considering what she was going to say to him.
His eyes lit up as he took in her appearance as she opened the door. He knew a woman dressed for seduction when he saw one and Mac had all the signs! Tonight was going to be even better than he'd thought! "Wow Mac, you look great! All this for me?" he inquired happily.
Startled she answered truthfully without thinking how it would sound or make him feel, "Actually no it's not."
"Huh?" he grunted stumped.
"I'm sorry, Harm, I could have put that better."
"Care to explain Ninja-girl?"
"Yes, I have a lot of explaining to do and I'm afraid you're not going to like it much. Come in and sit down. Do you want something to drink?"
"I have a feeling I'm going to need something stronger than you keep around here."
With a wry grin, she nodded, that was probably true. "In that case, I guess I should just get right to it. Harm, you know you're my best friend and that I care about you in my own way, but you also know there's been someone unattainable in my heart for a long time."
To be continued….
9. Chapter 9
Chapter 9
"Yeah, and I have my ideas who it is, but why bring this up now…" there was a pause before Harm continued, "Unless this person is suddenly 'attainable' now?"
Mac hung her head to avoid the hurt look in his eyes. She had to get this out and she wasn't sure she could if she was looking at him. "He heard about our engagement and came by this afternoon. We argued and it came out that he's had feelings for me too. I'm sorry Harm, but I have to follow my heart on this."
"If he's had feelings for you, why didn't you get together when he came back into your life years ago?"
"Came back into my life?" she was totally confused. When had AJ come back into her life? When had he left it?
"We are talking about Farrow, aren't we?"
"Oh!" now she understood. "No, Harm it's not John."
"Not? Then who?!" he demanded.
"AJ."
"AJ? Who the hell…wait a minute! CHEGWIDDEN?!" Harm gasped.
"Yes," she offered quietly.
"Well, I'll be damned! When? How?…Why?"
"Harm, none of that is really important. I just want you to understand that I wouldn't be breaking our arrangement unless it was for something vitally important in my life."
"Is he going to marry you?"
"He asked me and I said yes, but I knew I had to talk to you first."
"Is that why you're all dolled up? You're going to see him as soon as you dump me?"
"Harm! It's not like that at all!"
"Oh? Really? So you aren't heading out to his place as soon as you shove me out of the door?"
"Stop it!" she pleaded. "I didn't expect that you would be overjoyed by this. I know you care for me and I didn't want to hurt you, but at least I hoped you might find it in your heart to be happy that I have the chance to be with someone I love! I would rejoice with you Harm. If you found your soul mate I would do everything in my power to see that the two of you could be together."
"How do you know you're not my soul mate Mac?"
"Because, we would have been married with a house full of kids by now if I were. We've known each other nine years Harm. Do you really think that we wouldn't have known before this that we were soul mates?"
"But what if you're mine?"
"Oh! That's just it Harm, I can't be your soul mate without you being mine too. That's the way it works. The two people involved have to be each other's soul mates or it just isn't real. You will find her someday Harm, I know you will. Who could resist you in dress whites and gold wings?"
"You obviously!" he muttered disgruntledly. "Or is it that you just prefer the extra stripes and a trident!?"
"I should be upset with you over that remark, but there are two reasons why I'm not."
"Oh?"
"One is that I know you're hurting and don't really mean it and the other is that AJ and I only found each other after he no longer wears a uniform, stripes or trident aside."
"He still has them I'm sure," he grumbled.
"I'm sure he does, but that's not the point here. Do you want to hear the real point, or is your mind totally closed to every thing I have to say now?"
"Try me."
"Okay. AJ came to me not so upset about our engagement, but about me giving up the Marines. He learned from Harriett that it was decided by a flip of a coin and was appalled I could do that. Then later when I told him that there was someone I loved above all else, he told me to go to him and tell him. Even though I later found out he loved me, there he was, encouraging me to follow my heart even if it led me to someone else! The short of it is that I told him it was him. His response was to fulfill my every dream in one fell swoop. He begged me to stay in the Marines, to take the transfer to San Diego, and…"
Harm interrupted her, "I thought he wanted to marry you!"
To be continued….
10. Chapter 10
Chapter 10
"He does, he's moving to San Diego with me," Mac answered simply.
Harm was quiet for a time, thinking over what she had just told him and he had to admit to himself that if the coin toss had gone the other way he would have tried to get out of it. He had given up the Navy at one point for her and it had turned out badly even though he'd saved her life and got Mattie out of the deal, but all in all, he was very glad Chegwidden had taken him back when he did. He didn't know if he could give it all up again. But here was Chegwidden ready to give up his home to follow her to San Diego. Oh sure, he didn't have a career to give up these days, but Harm wondered that if all Mac said was true, then would he have given that up for her too?
Come to think of it, Chegwidden had never given any of the staff a reason for his sudden retirement six months ago. Could Mac have been the reason? If so, why had he gone off with his daughter? But then, as soon as he'd found out Mac was engaged, he'd hot-footed it over here. Maybe the six months with his daughter was just for the sake of appearances, so it wouldn't look like they had been involved before he retired. Sure Mac thought it was just because she was giving up the Marines that he'd been upset, and that might have been the reason Chegwidden had given her, but Harm knew men thought differently. Surely AJ had an ulterior motive.
Harm had been quiet so long Mac was beginning to worry what was going on in his head. "Harm?"
"I guess if he's really what you want Mac, then nothing I can say or do will stop you, but have you considered all the drawbacks?"
Doubting there was anything he could come up with, she still asked, "What drawbacks?"
"His age for one, Francesca has to be close to your age!"
"She's two years younger than I am, what does that matter?"
"I wasn't talking about her age, but about his. Are you sure he's not too old to give you what you want?"
"And what is it you think I want?" Mac demanded.
"Children, and a healthy sex life."
"Harm, I told you about the endometriosis. If AJ and I are childless, it will more likely be my fault not his, and as for a healthy sex life, thanks for your concern, but I don't foresee that being a problem."
"Oh, so the two of you have already been together?" he wanted to know.
"That's none of your business Harm, but if you like I'll be happy to pass along your concerns to AJ."
Wondering if she really would and what the outcome of that particular conversation might be, he was quick to assure her, "I don't really think that's necessary Mac."
"Alright Harm. Now if there isn't anything else that you'd like to say I do have someone waiting for me."
"I knew it!"
"Yes, Harm, that's what makes you a top-notch investigative lawyer. I do hope that you and Mattie will do well in London and I know one day you'll find your soul mate too," she told him as she went to the apartment door and opened it, clearly waiting for him to leave.
"Sure Mac, whatever, I just hope you don't come to regret this change."
"I won't," she said as she closed the door behind him. Grabbing her bag, uniform, and purse, she was ready to head out the door just three minutes later.
When she thought about it later Mac realized how odd it was, but during the entire forty-five minute drive to AJ's house she was filled with excitement and anticipation, never once did she think about how she would act when she arrived. Not until she stood at his front door about to knock did it occur just how unusual the situation was. Here they were, co-workers and dare she think friends, for all these years, but now there was a new element added in. What should she say when he opened the door? And she'd better think quick because even though she hadn't knocked or rang the bell she could hear Dammit announcing her arrival, followed by footsteps approaching the door.
To be continued….
11. Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Mac stood there with her hand almost to the bell when the door opened and they stood face to face. "Hello Sarah, you look lovely tonight, won't you come in?"
Taking his outstretched hand, she followed him into the house saying, "Can you believe that I'm nervous?"
"About what, Darlin'?" he asked tenderly, as he allowed his eyes to caress her now that she was in the lighted room.
Mac looked around and saw candles everywhere, there was soft music on the stereo and the table was romantically set for two. "All this is beautiful, I can't believe you did it all for me."
"Why Sarah? I told you that I believed you deserve the best life has to offer and while I don't consider myself the best, I do know that no one else could ever love you as much as I do. I swear I will devote the rest of my days to making you the happiest woman alive."
That was all she needed to hear, going into his arms she sighed, "All I need for that is your love, AJ."
"You have that and more, my darling!" Gently drawing her closer, he kissed her sweetly and slowly.
When the kiss ended he led her to the dining room table and held out a chair for her, "I hope you're hungry."
Still in the pleasant haze of his kiss, she answered, "I am, but we should probably eat first since you went to all this trouble."
With a shout of laughter he replied, "Yes, it sounds like we might need to keep our strength up!"
Blushing, Mac said, "I'm sorry, AJ, I don't know where this habit of blurting out the first thing that comes into my head came from, but I don't seem to be able to stop it tonight."
"It's fine Sarah, I find it refreshingly honest and believe me when I saw you in that dress my first thought was to sweep you up into my arms and carry you to my bed. I was just trying to remain a gentleman and at least feed you first."
"Well then we should eat, as you said, we'll need our strength." And the meal began; she complimented him on everything, it all tasted wonderful.
Quiet reigned for a while as they ate and then AJ couldn't stop the question that had been burning on his mind from emerging, "How did things go with Harm?"
"He wasn't happy about it, but I didn't expect him to be. On the other hand he also didn't beg me not to break it off, or pledge his undying love for me either. That was how I knew that he would be fine eventually."
"And when you told him the other man was me?"
"He wondered if you…it's not important."
"He wondered if I could keep you happy? Was that it?"
"Actually he just demonstrated the fact that he isn't as attentive to the things I had to say to him, as he should have been."
"What was it Sarah?"
"Harm knows I've always wanted children and…"
AJ interrupted her, "And he wondered if I could give them to you."
"Yes, but what he forgot was that the problem would lie with me and not you. Do you remember the back pains I was having just before you left JAG?"
"Yes, you insisted that they weren't anything, but then you finally admitted they were and saw your doctor about them. You took the day of my retirement party off, then arrived late looking stiff and sore."
"You remember all that?" she asked, stunned at how much that touched her.
"I remember everything about you, Sarah. What was it all about?"
"I found out I had endometriosis and even after having it treated there is only a four percent chance that I could ever become pregnant.
"You told Harm that and he forgot?!"
"Yes."
"How could he forget something so devastating to you? Sarah, I've always regretted that Francesca was my only child and now knowing how much having a child would mean to you I assure you we will find a way. We could adopt, or look into artificial insemination, or even a surrogate, but we will find a way to be parents if that is what you want."
"Oh AJ! What did I ever do to deserve you? I'd love to have your child if we can find a way, but if not, adoption is okay with me too. There are so many children out there in need of loving families!" With a sly grin she asked, "Just how many children do you want?"
To be continued….
12. Chapter 12
Chapter 12
AJ chuckled and answered happily, "As many as you want Sarah and if we need a bigger house to accommodate them all, we can do that too!"
Mac sighed and smiled at him, "I knew there was a reason I loved you!"
Since they had finished eating while they talked, he took her by the hand and led her to his large recliner, rather than the couch. She was a bit surprised at that until he sat down and drew her into his lap. It felt so good to snuggle into his strong arms. "Sarah, do you know how soon you'll need to be in San Diego?"
"Not really, when I thought I was going to London with Harm and Mattie I didn't ask for details on that assignment. I'm sure I can find out on Monday. Why?"
"Well, if it isn't rushing you to much I'd like us to be married here before we go. That way we can have all our friends with us."
"That's what Harm and I were going to do too. So it wouldn't be rushing me at all," she stopped to giggle. "Although they might be a bit surprised at the last minute change in grooms!"
"You want to use the arrangements you made for yourself and Harm?"
"I don't see why not, unless you have an objection? The Chapel is reserved and Chaplain Turner will be there."
"You don't think that will upset Harm?"
"I can check with him AJ, but I really don't think it will be a problem. Unless next weekend is too soon for you?"
"Not at all! After all this time the sooner you're my wife the better I'll like it!" he exclaimed, hugging her tighter. "Sarah, there is one other thing…" he hesitated.
"Yes AJ? What is it? You know you can tell me anything."
"It's just that even though I asked you to stay the weekend here, I didn't want to presume too much. I do have a guest room and since we've waited this long to be together, and with the wedding in just a week, I want you to know that we can wait until we are married to make love."
"That has to be the sweetest, most romantic thing I've ever heard! Thank you AJ. I've never had anyone respect me that much," she pressed a gentle kiss of gratitude on his cheek.
Giving her a loving smile, he said, "Alright then, there's clean sheets on the bed in the guest room and fresh towels in the bathroom."
"There's only one problem that I see, my love," Mac told him.
"The lack of a lock on the door? I promise that you won't need one."
"No, the problem is that I don't want to wait a week to make love to you, in fact, if you won't think me totally immoral, I'd rather not even wait another hour!"
"Sarah?" he questioned in surprise. "Didn't you just tell me how much my offer to wait meant to you?"
"Yes I did, and it still does, but that doesn't mean that I want us to wait. Just your offer meant more to me than you can ever know!"
"But we've waited nearly ten years. I can wait until you're my wife to make you mine, Sarah."
"Don't you want to make love to me tonight, AJ?" she asked, all of a sudden unsure of herself.
"Oh my love, of course I do! I just wanted you to know that you are precious to me and that I want our first time to be as special as you are."
Getting up from his lap and holding out her hand to him she said, "It will be, AJ. It will be, but right now I can't wait, I want to make love with you." Drawing him towards his bedroom door, her intention was clear.
AJ stopped her at the threshold to his room and she looked back at him in puzzlement. 'Did he really want to wait?' she wondered as he swept her off her feet and into his arms.
"I love you, Sarah," he declared, then kissed her as he stepped into the room and carried her to the bed. Standing her on her feet next to his king sized bed he asked her softly, "May I undress you, Darlin'?"
To be continued….
13. Chapter 13
Chapter 13 (pg version)
"Oh yes, AJ! Oh yes!" Mac assured him.
Untying the belt of her wraparound dress, he slid the cloth through the loops holding it in place and then helped it to slide off her shoulders until it lay in a scarlet pool at her feet. He took a step back to look at her and she could see the desire in his eyes. "Sarah, you're breathtaking!"
"I'm glad that you find me so AJ," she told him as she stepped forward to reach for the buttons on his shirt. Mac wanted to finally see the body she had dreamed of, the body hidden away by his uniform all those years. Remembering how he looked in his running clothes for the JAGathon race, she knew he was trim and fit, but she couldn't wait to run her hands over his naked flesh.
Once the shirt was gone she looked at the light mat of hair on his chest and was reminded of the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears she had read to little AJ and Jimmy last week. He wasn't too hairy or too bare like some men she'd seen, no, AJ was 'just right'! With a happy sigh she ran her hands from his shoulders down to his chest, curling her fingers in the hair there.
"Sarah," he sighed.
"Do you like that?" she inquired. His beautiful coffee colored eyes had deepened in color and were now the shade of her favorite dark chocolate. She felt she could lose herself in their sweet depths.
'Yes," he told her and then pulled her to him to kiss her, when they parted for air, he whispered, "It's so hard to believe that this is really happening. I've dreamed of us being together so many times that I'm sure I'll wake up soon only to find you gone again."
"AJ, if this is a dream, then both of us are having it this time. Please trust that this is real and I will be with you for as long as you want me."
"Then we'll be together forever Sarah, because that's how long it will take to show you how deeply I love you."
"Forever, that has a very nice ring to it," she sighed.
Lifting her into his arms AJ placed her in the center of the bed and then gently removed her shoes. Caressing his way up her legs, he slowly drew his hands down again removing her stocking as he went.
When she was clad in just her panties, Mac could wait no longer to be free of the last scrap of fabric. Sliding them off on her own legs, she got them as far as her knees before he was there to help her.
As her panties joined the rest of the clothes on the floor, AJ came to her and lay next to her. Another earth-shattering kiss had her squirming on the bed trying to convey to him her need for more.
To be continued….
14. Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Both of them encouraged the other towards the ultimate goal that lovers everywhere strive for and all too quickly both of them were crying out in bliss as they reached their fulfillment at the same time. Collapsing next to her so as not to crush her with his weight, both of them strove to get their breathing under control.
"AJ, that was incredible! I can't believe that Meredith could ever have cheated on…oh!" she stopped talking as she realized how that would sound.
To be continued….
15. Chapter 15
Chapter 15
"She told you what she'd done?" AJ asked in surprise, knowing he'd never told anyone what happened to end his engagement.
Shamefaced, Mac admitted, "Yes, after she barged in on you that day at JAG and then your sudden decision to retire, I went to her and demanded to know what she'd done to you, and you basically confirmed it earlier at my apartment when you suggested that if Harm found us in bed..."
"I guess I did at that, but with Meredith how did you know it wasn't the other way around?"
"Because I know you and I know you're a man of your word. Once you'd pledged to marry her, I couldn't think of any reason on earth that you would end the engagement unless it was something Meredith had done."
"That was all such a mistake from the beginning, I didn't love her and even though we could have had the kind of marriage you were going to have with Harm, she didn't know that's all it would have been for me. I should have known when proposing to her became a series of disasters that it wasn't meant to be. But I had come to the realization that you and I would never be together and I selfishly didn't want to spend the rest of my life alone."
"That isn't selfish AJ! Not many people want to spend their lives alone, look at what I was prepared to have with Harm, as you mentioned!"
"I wasn't criticizing you, Sarah," he wanted to assure her.
"I know that, darling. I didn't think you were."
"If only we had been free to explore our feelings when we first met, or if I'd had the courage to kiss you that night here in my room, we wouldn't have wasted all these years."
"They haven't been a waste AJ. I've come to respect and admire you so much. Your strength and courage have inspired me more often than I can tell you. I know that your honor and duty wouldn't let you tell me of your interest in me when we met all those years ago. But we have come to know each other over the years and learn so much about the other, and through that, ourselves as well. My only regret is that if we had discovered our feelings sooner, we might have been able to have children…however now…" she trailed off.
"Sarah, we'll find a way to have children, this I promise you! You'll be a wonderful mother and with me as a stay-at-home father I can make sure that they are properly led towards a life in the…Navy." This comment had exactly the reaction he'd intended. He hated to see his love depressed and although he'd thrilled at all she'd said about him, when her thoughts had turned to regrets, he knew he needed to lighten the mood.
Abruptly sitting up in the bed, she gasped, "NAVY! Oh no you don't, buster! I'm the one that will be going off everyday in uniform and coming home to share with them the excitement of my day! We'll see whom they follow!"
"Oh yes, but I'll be home with them and able to constantly relate to them my adventures as a SEAL. As for the…excitement of your days…remember it wasn't all that long ago I was a JAG and I know just how 'exciting' a day full of paperwork and phone calls can be!" he tried to restrain his laughter at her indignant expression, but failed.
As he laughed at her, she retorted, "Yes, but what about all those exciting trips I've taken? Afghanistan…Indonesia…Russia…Paraguay…"
"And let's not forget partners that take you flying in their plane and get you shot, or shooting up a courtroom…"
"There! You see, I do have my share of adventures!" she laughed. "But the best adventure of all will be being married to you, the most wonderful man in the world!"
"Well I don't know about the world, but I'd settle for being the most wonderful man in your life, Sarah."
"You are, my love, you are!" Snuggling into his arms, she laid her head on his chest, it felt so good to just be able to lie in his arms and listen to his heartbeat. Before she knew it the gentle rhythm of his heart had lulled her to sleep.
AJ laid there for a long time just watching her sleep. It still seemed unreal that she was finally there in his life, in his arms, in his bed. He was almost afraid that if he allowed himself to go to sleep he would wake up only to find that it really had been a dream and once again he would be all alone. But ultimately sleep came and morning followed.
He woke with joy in his heart. The first thought to come to his mind was that Sarah Mackenzie was at last his. But then joy turned to ashes in his mouth as he reached for her beside him only to discover that as with all the years before she wasn't there! It was once again just a dream.
To be continued….
16. Chapter 16
Chapter 16
But it had seemed so real! AJ could even smell her scent on the pillow next to his! And if so, why would he smell her and coffee?
Just as that thought registered, the bedroom door opened and in walked the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen. Sarah approached the bed wearing nothing but his shirt and carrying two mugs of steaming coffee.
"Morning sailor, would you like to start the day off right?" she asked holding out one of the mugs to him. She was however, startled when he took both of them from her and put them on the bedside table.
Reaching for her, AJ pulled her into bed with a growl. "Yes I would!" he declared, stripping the shirt off of her in one smooth move. In the next instant she was laying under him and her lips were captured in a passionate kiss.
As he lifted his head to look into her eyes, AJ saw her lips moving but could hear no words. "What are you doing darling?"
"Making a mental note," she replied.
"And that would be?" he wanted to know.
"In the future I will remember that you like sex before your coffee…"
Stunned for just a moment, a sudden burst of laughter erupted from him. This woman would never cease to amaze him! "Yes please remember that!" he insisted and began to kiss his way down her body.
To be continued….
17. Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Mac said between gasps, "I don't think we ate enough to keep that energy level up all night!"
With a chuckle he pulled the comforter up over them and suggested, "Maybe a short nap will recharge those tired Marine batteries of yours."
Her head popped up off his chest and in an affronted tone she demanded, "What do you mean 'tired Marine batteries'? Like you could do anything but just lay here at this point my mighty SEAL!"
"SEALs are Everyready my dear!" he declared with a proud laugh.
"So you're trying to tell me that your penis is possessed by a soft furry pink bunny?"
"Well at the moment it's in the possession of a lovely golden brown Marine…" he sighed as she kept stroking him.
Mac laughed at the mental image that popped into her head and even harder when he demanded, "What?!"
"Oh I was just picturing you in a fuzzy pink bunny costume is all," she said through her giggles.
It was hard to keep the affronted look on his face when the woman he loved was laughing so hard. He seldom saw this carefree side of her, but he liked it and made a vow to himself to try and bring it out more. "A pink bunny huh? I'll have to see what I can do about that!" His comment made her laugh even harder.
The next day, between lovemaking sessions, they discussed what to do about their individual residences. Since Mac's apartment was rented, that wasn't a problem and she had just planned to sell all the furniture rather than take it to London, but when AJ pressed her, she admitted there were a couple of pieces she would've liked to keep. He told her to keep whatever she wanted and to bring it all to the house.
"But your things are so nice, AJ! None of mine are up the quality of what you have here!"
"That doesn't matter Sarah, if they're important to you then we'll find a place for them here. Until then we can store anything you like in the basement. I'm sure there will be quite a few things that we'll both want to take to San Diego with us."
"I was thinking of that and my moving expenses are, of course, covered so if you don't have a huge amount we can box it up with mine and ship it all at once."
"Sarah, I can afford to move my things. There's no need to worry about the cost. I haven't had anyone or anything to spend money on, other than Francesca, in quite a while, so I have a tidy sum in the bank."
"Oh AJ, I wasn't worried about that at all! I just thought that if we shipped it all together everything would arrive at once. Other than my clothes, some books and music, I don't have much I want to take."
"I see. I'm sorry for misunderstanding. There are just so many things we haven't had the time to talk over yet. Please forgive me?"
"There's nothing at all to forgive! And don't worry, we have the rest of our lives to get to know every little detail about each other."
"Yes I guess that's true. But now we really should get busy, we have so much to do to get things organized before the wedding."
"The first thing on that list is you calling Harm to find out if he objects to the two of us using the date and plans for the wedding you two had made for us," AJ told her gently.
With a resigned sigh, she reached for his shirt once again and said she would do that if he would feed her!
To be continued….
18. Chapter 18
Chapter 18
AJ sighed with resignation as she made off with one of his favorite shirts. What was it with women and men's shirts? Not that it wasn't as sexy as hell to have the woman he loved running around the house wearing just his shirt, but he made a mental note to ask Sarah why she did it.
As he pulled on a pair of jeans and buttoned them, he thought of the women in his past and realized the three relationships that ended in disaster were with the three women who'd been too 'dignified' to wear his shirts. The first had been Marcella, 'a Mayor's daughter didn't do those kinds of things!', then Sydney Walden, 'a doctor was to mature for that silliness!', and finally there had been Meredith, 'ewww it's dirty!'.
Laura Delaney had liked wearing his shirts and over the years he could recall one or two others that he had brief relationships with that did. Now there was Sarah! Maybe that should have been his rule of thumb rather than letting his heart decide things! But none of that mattered now, he was finally with the woman that had filled his dreams for nearly a decade and he knew they had a happy future ahead of them.
Passing through the living room on the way to the kitchen he could see that things weren't going as smoothly as Mac had hoped they would with Harm. If the look on her face was anything to go by, they would have to make their own arrangements for the coming weekend.
Mac had dialed Harm's home number from memory. He'd been at the same apartment for as long as she had known him, even though there had been talk of buying a house for Mattie and him, it just never seemed to happen. She wondered, as his phone rang, if he would continue the plans to look for a house in London or now that she was no longer a part of the picture he would settle for another apartment for the two of them. "Harm it's Mac," she said to his 'Hello.'
"Well…hello Mac! I didn't think I'd be hearing from you today. I thought you'd still be with Chegwidden or didn't things go as planned? Did you find that he couldn't keep you happy after all and now you want to come crawling back to me?"
"Thank you for your deep and abiding concern Harm, but AJ and I are perfectly happy with each other. The reason I'm calling is to find out if you would mind if AJ and I used the arrangements we made for next weekend?"
"Let me make sure I understand this…first you dump me a week before our wedding to go to someone else, and now you want to know if I MIND letting the two of you use OUR wedding plans?"
"Yes, that's about it in a nutshell. I take it from your reaction that you object?"
There was a long pause during which AJ passed through the living room and she couldn't help but sigh at the sexy picture he made. He was shirtless, she grinned and fingered the collar of the shirt she'd stolen from him, his button fly jeans fit him like a second skin and he was barefoot. Mac had never seen him so relaxed and casual before, it was very enlightening. She guessed this was just one of the many things they would learn about each other.
Harm's voice startled her back to the phone in her hand, "Nah, go ahead and do it, Mac. Wasn't Chegwidden going to walk you down the aisle when you were going to marry Buggme? Maybe since you've put him in my place you'd like me to be in his? Do you want me to give you away to him Mac, or do you even want me there?"
"I'd like it if both you and Mattie could be there, Harm. Can you come as my friend? Or have you stopped feeling that way about me?"
"FRIEND!? Mac, we were getting married!"
To be continued….
19. Chapter 19
Chapter 19
"Yes, but there was never any grand passion between us. We've always been the best of friends and would have had a congenial married life. But if there had ever been any real love between us, we would have been married long ago. Please try and be happy for me, Harm. I would be for you if the situation was reversed!" Mac pleaded with him.
"So is that what you and Chegwidden have together? A Grand Passion? It's funny, but I have a hard time seeing our uptight Admiral that way!"
Just at that moment AJ entered the dining room with two plates of steaming food. There was a tea-towel slung over his shoulder and he was beaming a smile at her. Mac found herself thinking, 'You wouldn't say that if you could have seen us last night, or even right now!' But all she said to Harm was, "Thank you for agreeing, Harm, and we both hope to see the two of you there on Saturday."
Mac hung up the phone and joined AJ near the dining table. He smiled tenderly at her and opened his arms, offering a hug she gladly stepped into. "It sounded like Harm was giving you a rough time. Do we need to make our own plans?"
"No, he was just fussing. In the end he agreed, and I even think he and Mattie will be there. The only question on my mind right now is, do I need to put on a few more clothes before enjoying this wonderful breakfast you made, or am I okay as is?"
"You are more that just 'okay' in anything you wear or don't wear in my book, Sarah Mackenzie…soon to be Chegwidden…well, that is if you want to take my name. Either way is fine with me Sarah, which ever you want."
"Of course I want to take your name! I've always dreamed of being Sarah Chegwidden, I just never really thought it would ever happen."
"Well then I hope that Saturday won't be to long of a wait to make your dream come true. I hope that I'll be able to make all of your dreams come true."
"The only dream I have other than being your wife is to be a mother…"
"I promise you Sarah that I'll find a way to make that happen for us too."
At that moment her stomach decided to speak up. With a rueful grin she suggested, "Shall we eat now?"
He held out a chair for her and sat down next to her saying, "I have something in mind for us when we finish eating…"
"Oh? And just what would that be?" she asked between bites.
"I thought we might try out my shower…together…"
"Hmmmmm, that does sound wonderful! You're on, Sailor! How fast can you finish eating?"
With shared grins, they both dug in saying nothing else until their plates were empty.
As soon as she put her fork down Mac jumped to her feet and declared, "Last one to the shower doesn't stand under the spray!"
She was half way across the living room lifting his shirt over her head when he laughingly said, "I suppose you're expecting me to argue that you have less on and this contest is hardly fair," as he got up from the table and started to follow her.
"I can't help it if you felt the need to do up all those buttons on those jeans!" she gaily called out already heading into his bedroom completely naked.
AJ had the offending buttons undone and was stepping out of the jeans as he crossed the bedroom behind her.
"You wouldn't really be mean enough to put me out in the cold while you stand under the hot water, now would you?" Mac asked as she entered the bathroom.
A sly grin crossed his face as he assured her, "Of course not, my love!"
"I saw that look! No tricks now!" she demanded. Mac had reached the huge glassed in shower stall that was big enough for four adults. It had two seats in it and there were multiple showerheads on each of three walls. She stood there gaping in amazement. This was a dream shower! One you only saw in opulent movies or those ritzy shops that catered to the ultra-wealthy. "AJ! This is incredible!
To be continued….
20. Chapter 20
Chapter 20
"We SEALs take our showers seriously, darling!" AJ replied.
"How can you think of giving this up to move to San Diego with me?" Mac questioned softly.
Turning her into his arms he asked her tenderly, "Do you really think that this shower, or this house, is more important than you?"
"I guess it will just take a while for it to sink in that you truly love me."
"Why is that so hard to believe?"
"My track record has been pretty lousy and it's hard to think that a man as wonderful as you could love someone with my history."
"Sarah, your history makes you the person you are today. It's that strong, capable, competent woman that I love, and while I'm glad that you think I'm wonderful there really isn't anything all that special about me. I also have a less than stellar history when it comes to relationships, but I can assure you that I will do everything in my power to make this one work."
"So will I, my love!" she promised and drew him into the shower with her.
They made love in the shower and then again in the bedroom when they got out. It was during lunch that Mac had a thought, "You know I should probably call Harriett and let her know about the change in plans."
"Don't you mean the change in grooms?" AJ laughed.
Giggling, she admitted, "Yes that! She is going to be my matron-of-honor and while I don't see her having any objections, I should be the one to tell her rather than letting Bud break the news to her tomorrow night when he gets home from work."
"I have an idea. I'd like Bud to be my best man and would like to ask him in person, so why don't we call them and see if we could drop over tonight with dinner and tell them then?"
"That's great! Then if you don't mind, we could spend the night at my place so we could stay in bed longer before I have to leave for work?"
"Like I would ever object to any plan that would keep me in bed with you longer! Why don't you call the Roberts and find out what they want us to bring for dinner while I throw a change of clothes in a bag?"
Mac did that, only telling Bud that she had something to talk to them about, but giving no details. He told her that fried chicken would be Harriett's choice for dinner; she was going through a stage where she wanted only fried foods.
On the way into town they picked up two buckets of chicken, along with several side dishes and rolls. Arriving at the Roberts' door, they were met with surprise when Bud saw AJ with Mac.
"If you let us come in, we'll explain everything," Mac teased him as he stood there blocking the doorway. "Plus, AJ has the chicken!"
"Oh! I'm sorry! Please come in Sir, Ma'am!" he stammered as he backed up to allow them entry.
"Buddy, is that Mac?" Harriett's voice could be heard coming from upstairs.
"Yes honey, and she has Admiral Chegwidden with her!"
"Really!?" she asked, appearing at the top of the stairs.
She was almost knocked off her feet as two little tornados rushed past her, flying down the stairs calling out, "Admiral AJ!" and "Auntie Mac!" as they ran.
Both new arrivals were hugged within an inch of their lives and only the few seconds warning that AJ had, as the two raced towards them, saved the chicken from being scattered on the front lawn.
"Please, please come in!" Harriett begged as she slowly came down the stairs. She had just started showing with the twins and her center of gravity was off just a bit these days. "Boys! Let them get in the house!" she admonished.
Everyone moved towards the dining room and while the food was being set out, AJ asked Mac, "Do you want to start the explanations, or shall I?"
To be continued….
21. Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Grinning at the puzzled looks on Bud and Harriett's faces, Mac suggested with a wink, "Why don't you?" She would have added 'darling' to the end of that, but wanted to keep the suspense up just a little bit longer.
"Alright," AJ replied. As they all sat down he turned slightly towards Bud and said, "It seems that I'm in need of a best man and I was wondering if you would consider taking the job, Bud?"
Stunned, Bud finally asked, "Have you and Miss Cavanaugh gotten back together, Sir?"
"Good Lord NO!" AJ exclaimed as Mac burst out laughing at the look of horror on his face. "And its 'AJ' now Bud! I'm no longer in the Navy."
"Old habits, Si…AJ. If it's not Miss Cavanaugh, then who are you going to marry?" Bud asked.
"I think this is where you come in, Sarah," AJ teased.
Delightedly, she turned to Harriett, "I know you said that you would be my matron-of-honor this weekend and I was hoping that you wouldn't change your mind if there was a change in the line-up."
"Change in the line-up? I don't think I understand."
"Well, Harm and I have always been good friends, but there was never any eternal love between us and just very recently, for which I have you to thank I might add, I discovered that the man I do love with all my heart has feelings for me too..."
For maybe the first time in history, Bud got something first! "And the Admiral needs a best man! Wow, are you two getting married?"
Seeing Mac and AJ exchange loving glances and reach for each other's hands, Harriett gave a squeal of delight and practically launched herself at the two of them. Hugging them tightly, she enthused, "Oh this is so wonderful! I always knew the two of you belonged together! You two will be just perfect together!"
"So, can I take this as a 'yes you will still stand up with me on Saturday'?" Mac teased as she hugged Harriett back.
"Oh yes, yes, yes!"
"And Bud, you never did answer my question," AJ reminded the younger man.
"Question, Sir?"
"To be his best man, Buddy! Of course he will be, Sir! I'd kill him if he said no!"
"Harriett, I can answer for myself! I'd be honored to, Si…AJ, and it has nothing to do with Harriett's threat to kill me."
"Thank you Bud, but I wouldn't worry too much about that threat…I'd be much more worried that she'd put you on diaper detail!"
"Been there, done that!" Bud assured him, and they all had a good laugh at the expression on his face.
Everyone settled down and went back to eating in between demands to know how this all happened and how Harm was taking it. They took turns answering questions and then explained that Mac would be taking the promotion and transfer to San Diego after all. Both of them were saddened to learn that two of their favorite people would be moving out of the area, but they were mixed feelings because of the happiness that AJ and Mac had discovered their love for each other.
The next morning found them snuggled in each other's arms when the alarm went off. Mac rolled over with a moan and slapped it off. "God I hate to leave this bed with you still in it!" she protested as she got to her feet.
"Would it help if I got out of it?" AJ joked.
"Not much, but I might feel slightly better if you could scrounge up some breakfast while I shower."
"Consider it done," he stated, getting up and slipping into his jeans before heading to the kitchen.
Mac emerged from the bedroom eighteen minutes later, showered and fully dressed for work other than her shoes and jacket both of which she carried in her hands. Putting them down, she walked over to AJ and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek on his back as he stood at the stove. "Do I smell chocolate?" she asked eagerly.
To be continued….
22. Chapter 22
Chapter 22
"Yes," AJ replied, and then added, "You didn't have much in the fridge or cupboards, but I did find a box of Cream of Wheat."
"Cream of Wheat?! I got that for Chloe over a year ago when she was here on a visit and got sick. I hate the stuff!" she backed away a bit in distaste, as if just being close to it would cause her to eat it.
"Well, I've doctored it up a bit. Why don't you pour us both some coffee, it should be done by now, and then you can at least try it."
"And where does the chocolate come in?" she asked pouring them both a mug of coffee. "I know I didn't get chocolate Cream of Wheat."
"I did say that I'd 'doctored' it," he teased, spooning up a bowl for her and trading it for his mug of coffee.
Still with a look of distaste on her face, she picked up a spoon and took a tiny bite. A startled look of pleasure replaced the one of distaste, as she took a larger spoonful. "Wow! This is good! Really good! Where did you learn to make this?"
"I learned it when Francesca was small. She used to love it and any time I was able to be there in the mornings I made it for her. She was only two, but she always wanted me to make Coco Wee," he laughed at the memory.
"Well, you can make Coco Wee for me anytime!" she told him as she hurried to finish her breakfast. "I hate to leave, but if I don't I'll be late and General Creswell isn't as nice as my old boss was."
"Nice!? I was hard as nails!" he protested.
"Yeah, sure! I bet you didn't know that Harriett used to call you Admiral Teddy Bear!"
"She didn't!"
"She most certainly did! She used to say that your gruff exterior just hid a heart of soft foam stuffing!"
"Such disrespect! I wonder if I could still have her court marshaled!? Or at the very least I'll have to mark her off my Christmas list!"
"Yeah like that will happen!" Mac snorted as she grabbed her briefcase and started for the door.
"Colonel Mackenzie, HALT!" he barked in his best 'Admiral's voice'.
She snapped to, just like she had in the old days, when she heard that tone in his voice. It took a second to realize that she didn't have to respond like that any longer and she spun around on her heel to see what was going on.
"Is that the proper way to take leave of your fiancé?" he demanded.
"I wouldn't know…the last time I was engaged it happened so fast that I never really left him. Chris proposed and the next thing I knew we were in front of a Justice of the Peace." With a laugh she inquired, "So, just what is the proper way to take leave of a fiancé?"
"With a kiss of course!" he instructed her.
She gladly flew into his arms, not caring if this made her a few minutes late. She loved AJ so much that any chance to kiss and hold him was not to be passed up. He finally released her from the kiss and patting her on her six he told her to get moving that she was going to be late.
"Will you come by so we can go to lunch?" she asked hurrying to the door.
He nodded and told her he would be there at noon and he closed the door behind her.
To be continued….
23. Chapter 23
Chapter 23
The bullpen was buzzing about the hostile attitude that Commander Rabb was showing to Colonel Mackenzie that morning. No one in the office, except Bud, knew the full story of what had happened over the weekend. All they knew was that things had been fine at the engagement party on Friday night.
Mac stopped at PO Coates' desk and told her she needed to see the General before the staff meeting. She was surprised when Jen glared at her, but put her request through to Creswell. As the two of them waited for him to answer the intercom, Mac asked, "Harm told you what happened, didn't he?"
"Yes Ma'am," came Jen's clipped answer.
"And you don't approve?"
"I don't know how you could do that to a guy as nice as the Commander! I mean, you get engaged to him on Friday and break it off on Saturday!?"
"Actually, we got engaged on Wednesday. We just didn't announce it till Friday. We couldn't have made all those plans in that short of time," Mac defended.
Before Jen could reply to that, Creswell told her to send the Colonel in.
"Good morning, Sir," Mac said when she stood in front of the desk that she would always think of as AJ's.
"What can I do for you this morning, Colonel?"
"I was wondering if you could give me more details on the transfer to San Diego. Oh, and I'm getting married on Saturday and wanted to invite you and your family to come."
"Thank you, Colonel, I had heard the news and hope that you and the Commander will be very happy. However, I was under the impression that you would be living in London. Does this mean I need to find someone to fill the Commander's position there?"
"No Sir. Commander Rabb will be going to London and I will be going to San Diego. The Commander and I were engaged, but over the weekend things changed."
"But you just invited me to the wedding on Saturday!"
"Yes Sir. I'm getting married, but Commander Rabb is not. Only the groom has changed."
"I see…no, actually I don't see at all! Explain yourself, Colonel!"
"Well Sir, when AJ found out I had decided to give up the Corps on a flip of a coin, he came to me to find out what was going on. One thing led to another and we discovered we had feelings for each other. So I broke it off with Harm, and AJ and I will be getting married this weekend."
"AJ…Chegwidden?! You're marrying Chegwidden?!"
"Yes Sir."
"And you expect me to believe that there was nothing going on while you were under his command?"
"Sir, you don't know Admiral Chegwidden very well if you can even contemplate that question. His devotion to duty would never have allowed that to happen and do you really think that I would have gotten engaged to Harm if there HAD been something going on between AJ and I?"
"Frankly, Colonel, I'm not at all sure what to believe!"
"I assure you on my honor as a Marine, that until two days ago I had no idea that AJ loved me, and he also didn't know that I loved him!"
"That must have been some conversation, Colonel!"
"It was, Sir!" she admitted with a lowered gaze and a slight blush.
"Alright, Colonel, here is the folder on San Diego. I was just going through the list of candidates trying to decide who to send in your place. I'm glad now that I won't have to do so. I take it that Chegwidden is planning to relocate with you, or are you going to have one of those long distance marriages?"
"We will be going to California together, Sir."
"Alright Colonel, I'll see you at the staff meeting if there's nothing else…"
"That was all Sir."
"Okay dismissed then."
"Thank you, Sir," she said and left the office.
To be continued….
24. Chapter 24
Chapter 24
The staff meeting that morning was uncomfortable to say the least. All Harm would do is glare at her and snarl at anyone, except Creswell, that dared to talk to him. After they were dismissed, people gathered around Mac since it was clear that Harm was in no mood to talk. It seemed that Jen had spread the news of the broken engagement. All the questions were about that. Mac was surprised that no one asked about her and AJ. Then it occurred to her, they didn't know! Either Jen had left that part out or for some reason, Harm hadn't told her! Mac could only assume the latter was true because surely if Jen had known that information it would have been shared with the news of the breakup.
Glad that Harm had an early court case, Mac waited until he had left the bullpen and then called everyone together to make her announcement. "I know you are all dying of curiosity as to what happened over the weekend, so here is the story…Harm and I were two friends planning to build a life together, but I was in love with someone else. This someone I thought was out of reach. On Saturday I found he wasn't and told Harm I had to call off the wedding. However, as it turns out, I will still be getting married on Saturday and you're all still invited. Harm is upset with me, but understands. He has even said he and Mattie will be there to support me."
"Is it Mr. Webb?" Jen wanted to know.
"No, but I'm not saying any more. My fiancé will be here at noon to pick me up for lunch and you can all meet him them." After that, she beat a hasty retreat to her office; she needed to go over the San Diego information so she and AJ could discuss it over lunch.
AJ stepped off the elevator five minutes early. It felt odd to be there in civilian clothes, and even odder still to have a 'visitors' badge clipped to his shirt.
Jen was just coming out of the break room with a fresh cup of coffee for General Creswell; she was the first one to spot Admiral Chegwidden. Without conscious thought she called out, "Attention on deck!" and came to attention herself.
Grinning at her he said, "Coates, you don't have to do that any more, but it did have a nice feel to it. Thank you."
"Admiral, I didn't know you were coming in today! The General is completely booked up this afternoon. I don't know how I can get you in to see him!"
"Well then, it's a good thing that I'm not here to see him."
"Then who are you here to see, Sir?"
Before AJ had a chance to reply, Mac came out of her office right on the dot of 1200 hours. "How did I know you would already be here, darling?" she asked going up to him and placing a kiss on his cheek.
AJ's arm came up around her waist as mouths fell open in shock around the room. "Do you think I would dare to keep you waiting for food, my love?"
"Oh my God! You're engaged to the Admiral?!" Jen questioned loudly.
Harm, who had heard Mac's fiancé was coming to take her to lunch, had holed himself up in his office with the door and blinds closed. But even so, he knew who had arrived by that loud question.
"Yes," Mac replied. "And we would like you all to be at the wedding on Saturday," she added.
"Shall we go, Sarah? I wanted to make a stop on the way to the restaurant and I know you have to be in court at 1400 hours."
"I'm ready," she told him and they headed to the elevator.
As soon as they were gone, Jen knocked on Harm's office door, forgetting that the General was waiting for his coffee.
To be continued….
25. Chapter 25
Chapter 25
At Harm's snap of 'Who is it?' Jen opened the door and popped her head in. "They're gone," she told him
"And why do you think I care?" he demanded.
"Because you're holed up in here hiding. I don't know how you can let her do this to you!" Jen answered, sitting down across the desk from him.
"I didn't have much of a choice! What should I have done? Forced her to marry me anyway? You know how strong willed Mac is, she would never have gone for that."
"Stubborn, you mean!"
"Yeah…my only concern now is for Mattie. Mac was going to take care of her while I was at work," he told her resting his head in his hands.
That was how he missed the eager look on Jen's face when she offered, "I could go with you and take care of her!" She'd been in love with Harm almost from the first, but he never seemed to see her as anything but an older version of Mattie. She certainly didn't want to be seen that way in his eyes!
"That just wouldn't work, Jen. I mean here we were able to explain it with you in another apartment down the hall, I doubt we could get away with that in London."
She was about to suggest that they could get married just like he and Mac had been going to when they both heard General Creswell bellowing in the bullpen, "Petty Officer Coates!"
Hurrying out of Harm's office, she remembered she was supposed to be getting the General his coffee. The mug was still in her hand, but the contents were no longer hot.
Seeing Coates with mug in hand, Creswell approached her reaching out for it. "Did you have to personally have to track down Juan Valdez to get this, Petty Officer?"
"No, Sir. I got distracted by Colonel Mackenzie and Admiral Chegwidden."
Looking behind her to where Harm was standing in the doorway she'd just come out of, he demanded, "And they are in the Commander's office?"
Hanging her head she again replied, "No, Sir. After they left I had to talk to the Commander."
"I see…well if you can avoid any more distractions…I am still waiting for a 'hot' cup of coffee!"
"Yes Sir! I'll get it right away!" She scurried off to the break room to do that.
"Did we shock everyone, Sarah?" AJ asked as he guided her to the Escalade.
"I only told them my fiancé was coming to pick me up, so I think you did all the shocking."
"Oh good! Let me take all the heat," he chuckled.
"Well, you are the big brave SEAL," she teased.
"How was Harm this morning?"
"I think he's more hurt than angry, but I'm sure he'll come around," she replied squeezing his leg where her hand rested on his thigh.
AJ smiled and laid his hand over hers returning the squeeze. "I hope so, Sarah. I know how important his friendship is to you."
"It is, but we are going to be a world apart soon. You are my life, my family, my love now! You're all I need to be happy."
"Then maybe I was too presumptuous in the phone calls I made today…"
"Oh I doubt that! You always have such wonderful instincts. Tell me…"
"I called a local adoption agency to find out what we needed to do to become parents, just to get the ball rolling, so to speak. Was that wrong of me?" he asked as he pulled into a parking space and turned to face her.
Tears were rolling down her face and fear gripped his heart that he had hurt her with his actions.
"AJ! How incredible of you! We've only just found our love and you're intent on fulfilling all my dreams at once! I love you so much!"
"You're sure, Sarah?" he asked pulling her into his arms.
"Oh yes, my love! What did you find out? What do we need to do?"
"First they referred me to an agency in San Diego and we will need to take a series of classes. I called and they have a class starting in two weeks, but I didn't know if we'd be there by then so I just asked them to hold two spots in the class for us until I could talk to you."
To be continued….
26. Chapter 26
Chapter 26
"That's perfect! This Friday is my last day here at JAG and I have a week to get down there and report the following Monday. So we'll have to have our honeymoon as we pack and move, if that's okay with you," Mac told him.
"That is perfect darling! I'd guessed we'd be moving soon. One of my calls was also to a real estate agent out there. I figured if we were going to start a family we'd need a house rather than an apartment, and Dammit would like that better too!" AJ chuckled before going on, "The adoption classes are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday's for three hours over two weeks. Then we'll need a home inspection, plus tons of paperwork. Once all that's done, we can start going through their files to choose our children. So, we should start talking about what we are looking for soon."
"AJ! We could be parents in a month!?"
"Well, probably not that soon. The social worker I talked to said that when we select a child then we start with visits to see if everyone likes each other. They recommend that take about six weeks. So I guess two to three months, still faster than having one naturally!" he laughed lightly at her slight pout.
"I guess so! Oh AJ, this is all so wonderful!"
"We can talk all about that tonight. I have more notes at home. Right now I have another surprise for you before we eat."
"Ooooh what? I love your surprises!" she asked eagerly.
He got out of the Escalade, came around to her side, and helped her out. He led her into a jewelry store with a smile that she was coming to love. This smile was different than any she'd ever seen from him before. It was so confident, serene, and full of love. It was the smile he smiled just for her.
A clerk greeted them and AJ told the man they were there for engagement and wedding rings. When Sarah had trouble choosing from the selection placed in front of her, AJ asked her to close her eyes. He'd been carefully watching the ones she'd shown interest in and she seemed to prefer the simple elegance of a single stone rather than a cluster or grouping. She had also shied away from round cut diamonds and he wondered if it was because they reminded her of the ring he'd given Meredith.
When her eyes were closed, he picked up a ring with a large square cut yellow diamond set in a brushed gold band. The set came with two plain brushed gold wedding bands as well. The clerk had always been a pretty good judge of the wealth level of his patrons and because AJ was in a dress shirt and slacks with no suit coat or tie, and his fiancé was in a military uniform, the man worried that the set was out of their price range. Before the man could tell his lady to open her eyes, the clerk slid the price tag in front of AJ. He nodded and turned the tag over telling Sarah she could look now.
Mac opened her eyes and gasped, "Oh AJ, it's beautiful! I love it!" She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him enthusiastically.
"I guess that means we'll take the set," AJ told the clerk handing him his platinum American Express card. The man's eyes opened wide when he saw 'Admiral AJ Chegwidden' on the card and even wider when the slightly over six thousand dollar sale went through without a hitch. Both of Mac's rings were a perfect fit, but AJ's needed to be enlarged two sizes. The clerk assured his new favorite customer that it would be done that afternoon!
They left the shop and headed off to lunch, AJ teased Mac that he could hear her tummy protesting about the length of time since breakfast. She denied it, just as it rumbled again and then laughed in embarrassment.
After a leisurely meal AJ dropped her back at JAG Headquarters and said he was going to run a few errands before heading home. He promised to have dinner waiting for her.
To be continued….
27. Chapter 27
Chapter 27
The rest of the week just seemed to fly by, with the two of them deciding what they absolutely had to have in California. Things like books, music, clothes, computers and such. When it came to furniture, they needed to evaluate if it would be better to buy there or move what they had. In the end, they decided to take their favorite pieces and purchase new for the rest. Mac closed up her apartment and moved anything she wasn't going to take to California, but still wanted to keep, to AJ's house in McLean. They decided they would both need their vehicles when they got out there.
Mac had all of her cases cleared up by Thursday and had her desk cleaned out too. She checked with Creswell to make sure that he didn't mind her not coming into the office on Friday. He confirmed that it was okay and even managed to relax enough to tease her about what she and AJ would be doing with their free day. He winced in supportive sympathy when she told him that they would be collecting AJ's daughter from the airport.
Creswell's opinion not withstanding, Mac was looking forward to seeing Francesca again. During the week she and AJ had talked on the phone with Francesca and she was very supportive of the marriage. She and Mac had hit it off during their talks and Mac hoped that the two of them could become good friends.
They gathered up Francesca's luggage from baggage claim and were quickly on the way to McLean. The talk on the ride home was about the wedding the next day and their move to California. AJ was worried that he would see even less of his daughter now that he was moving farther away.
"But Papa, if you are going to be adding to the family you will be much to busy to miss me!" she teased her father.
"Nonsense! You will always be my first child and no matter how many more we have I will still love you! I want you to promise that we will still see each other, no making excuses that we will be to busy for you!"
"Okay Papa! I was only teasing you, you know," she told him as she rolled her eyes at Mac who laughed along with her step-daughter-to-be.
"Alright you two…no ganging up on the old man here!"
"I will promise not to, if you stop referring to yourself as 'the old man'!" Mac replied.
"So will I, Papa!"
The three of them stopped and had dinner on the way back to the house. They had a quiet evening going over all the plans that had been made and as they talked, Mac and AJ realized that they had accomplished everything that they needed to have done before the move. With the organization skills of two military officers on the problem, they'd finished in record time. With that in mind, AJ suggested that they let Mac's Vette be shipped with her other things and that they take their now free week and drive AJ's Escalade to California. They could make a leisurely trip of it, stopping anywhere on the way that interested them. If they got there by Thursday evening they could meet with the realtor on Friday and Saturday to look at any houses she had to show them in the area. Mac loved the idea and eagerly spent several hours that night showing him just how much, after Francesca had retired for the evening.
Saturday, August 5, 2005
0700 EST
AJ's house
McLean, Virginia
That morning dawned bright and clear, the soon to be married couple decided to go for a brisk ten mile run to start the day. They kidded each other that they might be just a bit ingrained in the military way of life. Francesca sighed and shook her head. She thought that they were crazy, but she was also very glad to see her Papa so happy.
Ignoring tradition, the happy couple had spent the night in each other's arms and were now arriving together, along with Francesca, at the chapel. As they pulled up and got out of the Escalade, Chloe ran up to greet Mac asking, "Why in the world are you with the Admiral instead of Harm?"
To be continued….
28. Chapter 28
Chapter 28
Mac and AJ stood there facing the teen in their wedding attire. She was wearing an ivory silk dress that Francesca had brought with her from Italy as her wedding gift to Mac and AJ was in his dress uniform. His arm was around her waist as she turned to look up at him in horror.
"I TOLD you I'd thought I was forgetting something!"
"Yes you did!" he chuckled.
"Will someone please tell me what's going on here?" Chloe demanded.
Stepping out of AJ's arm, Mac approached her 'little sister'. "Sweetie, there's been a small change to the wedding today."
"Small?!" AJ grumbled lightly from behind her.
Throwing him a glance over her shoulder that she hoped conveyed that she was sorry for her choice of adjectives, Mac turned back to Chloe and said, "I'm not going to marry Harm. I'm going to marry AJ."
"Wow! I would say that was a MAJOR," she giggled and added, "or should I say ADMIRAL change, not a small one Mac! But you know, I always did think the sexy Admiral was better for you than Harm! Remember when we first met how I asked him when he was going to ask you out?"
While AJ laughed in the background, Mac answered, "Yes I do! You almost embarrassed me to death that day!"
"Hey…what can I say? If you'd only listened to me back then you could have been long married by now and could have been working on a houseful of kids! I just hope you guys aren't too old to do it now!"
"CHLOE!" Mac gasped.
AJ stepped forward, putting his arm around Sarah once again. "I promise you we'll start working on them as soon as possible, Chloe. How many do you think we should have?"
"Well…I know Mac likes kids, and as sexy as you are…you should be good for ten or twelve, don't you think?"
"We'll see what we can do," he promised, as Mac looked on in shock, and then added, "But we should get married first and I believe everyone is inside waiting on us."
"Okay cool," Chloe said as she pushed her way between them and linked an arm with each.
As the three of them reached the stairs to the chapel, a vehicle quickly pulled into the lot and parked in the first space available. Harm and Mattie had arrived. They were rushing towards the door before they saw the three that had been about to enter.
Harm stopped short causing Mattie, who was still a bit slow because of her injuries, to run into his back. "Were you waiting on us?" he inquired rather abruptly.
"No," Mac replied. "We were just talking to Chloe," she added by way of explanation.
"Yeah, we were deciding on how many kids they should have!" Chloe chimed in.
Mattie had moved to Harm's side and now glared up at him, "I thought you told me she couldn't have kids?!" she demanded.
Seeing the hurt look on his bride-to-be's face at this careless discussion of her ability to have children, AJ placed his arm around her protectively and said, "We'll be sure to send you and Harm an announcement every time we add to our family Miss Grace, but right now we have people waiting for us to get married." He turned and swept Mac and Chloe into the chapel with him.
The ceremony was short and sweet and Mac's only moment of worry was that Harm might say something when Chaplain Turner asked if anyone objected. But he didn't and minutes later AJ and she were pronounced husband and wife.
With so few guests the atmosphere was more casual than formal and rather than wait for the newlywed couple to reach the back of the chapel for a reception line, they filled the aisle hugging and kissing the happy couple. When everyone, except Harm and Mattie who had deliberately hung back from the group, had offered their enthusiastic congratulations and best wishes, AJ suggested that everyone join them at Callisto's where they had reserved their private dining room for a wedding lunch.
Harriett wanted to speak to them for a moment so it turned out they were the last ones to leave the chapel. It was then they found out why Harriett had kept them behind! As they walked out the door, they were pelted with birdseed. The chapel had a rule against the traditional rice. Laughing and covering their heads, they made a dash for the Escalade.
To be continued….
29. Chapter 29
Chapter 29
When they were all at Callisto's, Harriett suggested that they do the bouquet and garter tosses before they ate. Jen Coates and the two teens were the only unmarried females there so Mattie and Chloe weren't too surprised when Mac threw her flowers almost directly to Jen. However, Jen wished that Harm had taken note of the fact that she caught it, and had realized that he should marry her!
Mac apologized for not having a garter for AJ to throw, but there were three men who were actually glad of the fact. AJ was pretty sure that Harm wouldn't want to be expected to get involved in the garter tossing. Sturgis, as the only single male other than Harm, wasn't ready to be thinking of marriage yet. Harm was pretty sure that he would have walked out then and there, rather than stand there trying to catch the garter of the woman he should have married!
Not unexpectedly, Harm and Mattie made their excuses and left the restaurant right after they'd eaten. That however, lightened the mood and the rest of the afternoon took on a real party atmosphere. The only change in that was as people started to leave, they knew that AJ and Mac were going to spend the next day in McLean, but come Monday morning they would be taking off for California.
Each of them said good-bye to the newlyweds and made promises to stay in touch. When only Bud and Harriett were left with them, the four shared hugs all around and both women even shed a few tears. Knowing how much they were going to miss Mac and AJ, Bud came up with an idea, "I know you two will probably be busy with last minute packing and such, so I was thinking that Harriett and I could bring you lunch tomorrow and help you get the Escalade loaded. That way you'd have more time for…ummmm…that is, you could be…ummmm…"
With a purely male smile, AJ helped out the floundering younger man, "We'd have more time for 'honeymoon activities'?"
Blushing, Bud nodded that that was what he'd meant.
Everyone laughed when Mac answered, "Thank you very much, Bud, we would love that!"
They had dropped Francesca off at the Willard at her insistence that she not intrude on their wedding night, and arranged for Bud and Harriett to bring her with them when the came to lunch the next day. Her flight home was Sunday evening and Bud had volunteered to take her to the airport so AJ and Mac could have as much time as possible for 'honeymoon activities'.
The drive back to McLean never seemed so long. For the couple in the Escalade it seemed never ending. Since neither wanted to be stopped and waste time getting ticketed for not wearing their seatbelts, they had to content themselves with clasped hands and heated glances. When they finally arrived, AJ told her to 'stay put' and hurried around to her side of the vehicle.
Opening the door he scooped her up into his arms after undoing her seatbelt and started for the house. Giggling, Mac protested, "You're just supposed to carry me across the threshold not all the way from the car silly!"
"As I said before, I don't want to get anything wrong with you, Sarah, so better safe than sorry."
"Oh AJ!" she sighed, hugging his neck as he maneuvered them through the door, "We're going to be just fine! Please don't worry so! We'll get through anything that comes our way together, okay?"
"I will try and remember that," he told her, carrying her into the bedroom. "But for now, why don't we concentrate on those 'honeymoon activities'?"
"Oooooh, I like the way you think sailor!" she replied as he released her legs and let her body slide along his until she was on her own two feet again.
To be continued….
30. Chapter 30
Chapter 30
As AJ reached out and tenderly began to undress his new bride. She smiled at him and asked, "We've been making love to each other all week, why does this time suddenly feel different?"
"Could it be because we're married now and that suddenly makes it real?"
"Love? That has been real to me for a long time, even before I found out that you loved me too."
"No, I meant our dream. The dream of a life together. Taking two individual lives and turning them into a family. The two of us now and the children that will be in our future."
"Children…" she sighed.
"Speaking of which, have you given a thought to how many we should have? If we go with Chloe's suggestion we're going to need a pretty big house."
"You know there are so many children in the world that need homes, and I would really love a house full if you would…" at his smile she went on in a teasing tone, "And I always did like the movie 'Cheaper By The Dozen'!"
With a chuckle he replied, "You know, if we're going to have a dozen we might need some help taking care of them all. With all of this being Chloe's idea and she'll graduate high school in the spring, maybe we should try and convince her to go to college in California next fall…"
"That's a wonderful idea!" Mac agreed as she worked to get AJ out of his uniform. He'd looked so handsome in it today that she wondered if he missed wearing it and going to work each day. However, if they were going to have a houseful of kids, she couldn't think of anyone, other than maybe Harriett, that would be better to leave at home with them.
Talk of children was forgotten, as they finally stood before each other naked. AJ gently cupped her face in his large strong hands and whispered, "Do you have any idea how incredibly beautiful I find you, my wonderful wife?"
"Probably as overwhelmingly sexy as I find you, my handsome husband!" she answered as she leaned forward so their lips could meet.
Placing his hands on her shoulders, AJ caressed them, slowly sliding down to gently cup Sarah's breasts. He regretted that they would never have a child that she could nurse. It was one of the fondest memories of his marriage to Marcella. But he knew there would be so many more joys in their life that would far outweigh that one regret.
In the week that they'd been lovers, he'd made sure to find out all the things she liked best. He wanted tonight to be as special as he could make it for her, so he swept her up into his arms and laid her down in the middle of the king sized bed. She started to sit up, wanting to please him as he had been doing to her, but he pushed her back down onto the pillows and said, "No, Sarah. This is just for you my beautiful bride."
Hating to argue with him when she knew just how wonderful a lover he was, she nonetheless wiggled a finger at him and threatened, "All right, but when you're done, I'm going to demand equal time!"
With a smile, he looked down into her determined face and questioned, "You don't really expect me to argue with you about that do you Sarah?"
"All I can say is, you better not!" she declared, throwing her arms above her head indicating her submission to him.
To be continued….
31. Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Taking up a rhythm as old as time, the two of them rode the wave of their passion to an earth shaking conclusion. Several minutes later they lay snuggled in each other's arms drifting off to sleep.
They awoke three times during the night to make love again. When morning finally arrived, they agreed that they'd gotten a great workout already and still needed to load the Escalade for the trip, so a morning run wouldn't be needed.
Instead, they took a leisurely shower together, making love yet again. Mac took another opportunity to mourn leaving his wonderful bathroom behind and he reminded her that if they were ever to move back to Virginia with the family they intended to have, they would never fit in this house.
"But with all this land you have here, surely it would be better to build on rather than give up a place you love to buy another!" she protested.
"We'll face that when and if it happens, darling. For now the realtor will find someone to lease it and we just need to concentrate on San Diego."
They had just finished packing the clothes that they hadn't shipped on ahead of them when the Roberts' van pulled up in the drive. Lunch and help had arrived.
As the four of them laughed and chatted over pizza, Harriett explained that Little AJ had been nearly heartbroken he hadn't been allowed to come and help, he also wanted another chance to say good bye to them. Only his parents' promises that they would tell Admiral AJ and Auntie Mac how much he was going to miss them had gotten them out of the house without him. He, and his brother Jimmy, had been left with their Uncle Mike.
Both AJ and Mac promised that they would keep in touch and then they told Bud and Harriett of their plans to adopt when they got to California. Their friends were thrilled for them and said they'd be willing to help in any way possible. AJ smiled and told them he'd hoped they would feel that way. "One of the things we will need is ten character references and you two were the first ones we thought of."
"We'd be more than happy to do that for the two of you Si…AJ," Bud assured them, grinning at his wife who was nodding eagerly.
"Thank you both!" Mac answered.
To be continued….
32. Chapter 32
Chapter 32
After they polished off the pizza, three of them began carrying things to the Escalade. Harriett had been sent to the kitchen to box up any food that was left there. AJ had insisted that she take it home to her family. He had shown her what he planned for dinner and added they would get breakfast on the road; she was to take every thing else, even cleaning out his deep freeze. She was sure the Admiral had only given her the task to keep her from lifting heavy things in her condition. At least doing this job she felt more useful than if he'd only allowed her to sit and watch.
Long before Bud and Harriett were willing to admit that the work was done and it was time to say their good-byes', it became fact. AJ and Mac were also reluctant to let the pair go. All four of them knew it would be longer than they wanted before they saw each other again, but there was talk of the Chegwidden's returning to Virginia for Thanksgiving or Christmas. With promises to call and email, the newlyweds finally saw their friends off.
The Escalade was loaded with the exception of the very last minute things. They had dined on a pan of lasagna AJ had in the freezer and then did the dishes and packed them away. All that was left for them to do was to get a good nights sleep so they could be on the road first thing in the morning.
AJ watched as Sarah made a slow tour of every room in the house. She was so quiet and pensive that he finally asked, "Darlin' what's on your mind? Are you regretting the decision to take the promotion and transfer?"
"No…not really," she answered slowly, and then she turned to him with an odd look on her face. "It's just that for so long, I've thought of this as 'your' home and now it's been 'ours' for such a short time…but whenever I've pictured you 'at home' all these years, I've pictured you here. I guess I'm just having a hard time picturing you 'at home' anywhere but here."
"It seems I need to remind my beautiful bride of something," he replied, taking her by the hand and leading her into the bedroom. Placing her in front of the mirror on the back of the closet door, he stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders. "Sarah, from the moment you said that you'd be my wife, you became my home. There's an old song from an Elvis movie called 'Home Is Where The Heart Is', well my heart belongs to you and anywhere you are is 'home'. So from now on, whenever you want to picture me at home, I want you to see yourself…alright?"
Smiling as the tears of happiness slid down her cheeks, she was too choked up to speak. Placing her hands over his on her shoulders, she nodded and he understood that he'd never have to tell her that again. She now knew that to AJ 'home' was where love resided and she was going to make sure that he always saw that as her!
They made love slowly and tenderly that night before bed. Then in the morning could not pass up one last chance to have each other in AJ's awesome shower. Locking the door for the last time, they walked towards the Escalade arm in arm. Calling Dammit to join them they were on the road just as the sun was coming up.
Even though they stopped several times for food and gas along the way, and made sure that before they were too tired to pursue 'honeymoon activities' they stopped for the night. They still found themselves pulling into San Diego late Thursday night.
They checked in at the base because they were going to stay there until they found a house to purchase, and called the realtor first thing in the morning so they could start the house hunting. The woman had a hard time believing that a newlywed couple truly wanted a five or six bedroom house, but she showed them every one that she had on her listing book. It was Sunday afternoon when they pulled up at an old Victorian home that both of them felt said 'home' to them. The inside needed some work, but AJ was handy and was looking forward to doing the work himself while Sarah was at work. They made an offer and by Tuesday morning knew that the house would be theirs.
To be continued….
33. Chapter 33
Chapter 33
During the next ten years many things changed for the group of people that once considered themselves as part of the JAG family.
The First Year: Fall 2005 to Fall 2006
Two months after Harm and Mattie arrived in London Harm married Mattie's physical therapist, she was a pretty blue-eyed blonde named Sarit.
Three months after arriving in California, the Chegwidden's sent out their first 'birth' announcement. They had been going through the adoption book after finishing the classes and being approved, when AJ came across a sibling group that the agency had listed as 'must be placed together'. He turned to his wife, asking, "You were serious about having a large family weren't you darling?" Six weeks later they became the parents of Emily, Esme, Elysia, Ethan, and Evan.
Emily (10) is a healthy and active girl. She is sociable, bright and enjoys school, puzzles, arts and crafts, music, dancing and riding her bike. She is an articulate young girl who is not afraid to express her feelings. Under no circumstances should these children be separated.
Esme (8) is a healthy girl who is the second oldest of a sibling group of five. She keeps a diary, like her older sister Emily, and is equally bright and doing well in school. When there is conflict between the siblings, Esme tries to act as a mediator.
Elysia (7) the third sibling of this group, is a healthy girl. She is very sweet and responds to adults. For her birthday, she would like a diary like her older sisters.
Ethan (9) is the oldest boy of this sibling group. Healthy, he is a very active child and also loving and responsive to adults. Although he is shy on occasion, he will stand up for himself.
Evan (3) is the youngest of this sibling set and he is very friendly toward adults. Whenever he watches his older siblings do school work, he'll pull a pencil and paper out and pretend that he is also going to school. Evan enjoys having a regular walk in the morning after his older siblings have left for school.
Four months after AJ and Mac's wedding Harriett gave birth to a pair of beautiful baby girls. They named them Theresa and Tamara.
Christmas that year was a very festive time, the Chegwiddens, all seven of them, arrived in Virginia to share the holiday with the Roberts' family. Even though they'd been invited to stay with Bud and Harriett, they felt that with three week old twins in the house, having seven house guests on top of it would be too much. So instead they took a suite at the Willard for the four days they would be in town. Bud and Harriett were as charmed by the five new Chegwiddens as AJ and Mac were by the Roberts twins.
Over Easter break from school Chloe headed to California to check out three schools she was considering attending in the fall. She arrived a week after AJ and Mac added the sixth and seventh child to their family. Steven and Suzie were brother and sister. Chloe was so taken with Suzie in the week that she was there that she changed her major from general studies to physical therapy.
Steven (5) Inquisitive, active, and enthusiastic best describe this young man. His smile will melt your heart and his bright eyes connect with you immediately. Currently, Steven and Suzie live in separate foster homes, as Suzie needs specialized medical care. However, they have a close bond that nobody can break. Whenever they are together, Steven showers his sister with endless affection and hugs. They will be able to thrive to their full potential if given a permanent family that they can call their own.
Suzie (7) has a big heart and loves being held and cuddled. She enjoys being with children her age. She responds well to praise and simple instructions. She is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, strabismus, hydrocephalus, and developmental delays. She uses a wheelchair for mobility, but has made tremendous strides in physical therapy and is now able to use a walker and can take a few steps independently.
As the year came to a close, word came from London that Harm and Sarit were divorcing. Chloe was accepted to the university of her choice, and Jen Coates finally admitted she was over her feelings for Harm and started dating Mike Roberts.
To be continued….
34. Chapter 34
Chapter 34
The Second Year: Fall 2006 to Fall 2007
Chloe moved in with AJ, Mac, and their children.
Jen Coates and Mike Roberts became engaged.
Mattie Grace graduated high school and joined the Navy.
Francesca Paretti became THE top designer of the year.
The Third Year: Fall 2007 to Fall 2008
Jen and Mike get married, and at Christmas time announce that they are expecting.
Christmas is also a happy time for the Chegwidden's as they add their eighth child to the family.
Justin (1) is a sweet little baby with blond hair and blue eyes. He likes being held and cuddled. Justin needs a family who is strong enough and is equipped with utmost patience to care for a medically fragile baby.
In the early fall, Harm announced his marriage to Loretta, another blonde beauty he met in London.
Sturgis and Varise marry and he retires his commission to follow her on her tours as her manager.
The Fourth Year: Fall 2008 to Fall 2009
Chloe and Mattie both become engaged, although Mattie broke off hers when she discovers that her fiancée is cheating on her.
Jen and Mike have a baby boy that they name Rusty.
Francesca announces her plans to have a child, even though she is not planning to marry.
Lieutenant Jason Tiner graduated from law school and joined the ranks at JAG
The Fifth Year: Fall 2009 to Fall 2010
Harm starts drinking when Mattie is killed on duty. By the end of the year his marriage is on the rocks, and his career is looking like it is too.
Francesca falls in love with the man she had chosen for the father of her child and they get married even though she is still not pregnant.
During the summer, the Chegwidden family returned to Virginia to visit the Roberts family. While they are there they meet and fall in love with two more children, so they add Marta and Marcus to their family.
Marta (1) is a very alert and beautiful baby who has survived a lot of hardships in her young, delicate life. As a result, she has some medical issues that warrant specialized services. Marta will need a specially trained and committed family who care for her and her brother.
Marcus (2) is in good general healthy and developmentally on target. Marcus will also need to learn how to eat properly as he is having some challenges in this arena. Marcus loves his sister dearly and he will need to be adopted by a family who'll raise these siblings together.
Chloe graduates from college and marries her fiancé Donald Jacobs.
The Sixth Year: Fall 2010 to Fall 2011
During this low period in Harm's life, an old friend is transferred to London as well, and they met again. Skates had been his RIO when he'd returned to flight status several years ago, and the last he had heard from her was that she'd just gotten engaged. In the intervening years she had married and had two children. Her son was four and her daughter a year and a half. Seeing the depths her friend had sunk to, she determined to save his life just as he had once done for her. Insisting that he take any accumulated leave he had coming to him she rented a small château and told her husband that she would be back when Harm had dried out. During the month they spent at the château, she reluctantly gave in to his advances and even though she had never cheated on her husband before, she and Harm became lovers.
Both returned to duty and business as usual until three months later when she came to him and told him she was expecting his child. She assured him it was his, because after her daughter had been born her husband had a vasectomy. She told Harm that he was willing to forgive her infidelity and would raise the child as his as long as she swore never to have any contact with Harm ever again. Skates requested a transfer and after kissing Harm's cheek said a final good-bye.
Chloe, after spending a year in practice with an established firm, opened her own practice along with her husband. Her 'big sister' Mac couldn't have been prouder of her.
Bud Roberts after being passed over for promotion to Captain a second time had talked over his options with his always wonderfully understanding wife. Because it was summer, they took the two weeks leave time he had coming and the family went to San Diego to visit the Chegwidden's. AJ and Sarah were happy to open their home to their friends and once the reason they had come for a visit was revealed, talked with them honestly about the choice facing Bud. With the blessings and encouragement of their two favorite people, Bud chose to retire from the Navy and open his own law firm.
Shortly after Bud and Harriett returned to Virginia Sarah Chegwidden received notice that she had been promoted to General, and would be JAG of the Pacific. The entire family was moving to Hawaii.
To be continued….
35. Chapter 35
Chapter 35
The Seventh Year: Fall 2011 to Fall 2012
Just after the New Year AJ and Mac once again added to their family. Andrea became their eleventh child.
Andrea, (11) also known as "Andi," is a playful girl with a desire for a family. Andi is an animal lover. She also loves reading and always has a book going. Sports and art are also activities that bring a smile to Andi's face. Andi wants a mother and a father and would like to share her life with siblings. Her top "wish list" item is that she wants to be included, not feeling left out or forgotten. Andi will blossom in a forever family that provides structure, patience, and unconditional love.
Francesca announced that she was finally expecting. The doctor had told her it was twins and she cheerfully called her father to blame him for this since he was a twin himself. AJ laughed and gladly took the blame.
Harm married a beautiful blond with green eyes, named Bethany. They had met in rehab and were a wonderful support system for each other. As part of their program not to make any drastic changes in their first year of sobriety, they decided to wait until that one year anniversary before trying to have a child.
The Eighth Year: Fall 2012 to Fall 2013
The Rabb's anniversary passed and three months later came the announcement that they were expecting. Everyone was very excited for them. However, their sobriety was sorely tested when a month later Bethany miscarried. Two more miscarriages before the end of the year had them both falling off the wagon. After a night of heavy drinking for both of them, Bethany was driving them home when she wrapped the car around a lamppost. She was killed instantly and Harm spent the next two months in the hospital recovering. He left the Navy and returned to the States with no plans or, it seemed, any ambitions either.
Bud's law firm was doing very well. He attributed it all to his fantastic receptionist, a blonde beauty named Harriett Sims-Roberts. She, of course, told everyone that it was due to the legal skill of her handsome husband.
Mike and Jen Roberts became parents of another son and named him after Mike and Bud's father who had died earlier in the year.
Three of the first five of the Chegwidden children; Emily age 18, Ethan age 17, and the very bright Esme who was only 16 all graduated from high school. The girls were both going to start college in the fall. Emily was going to become a lawyer, and Esme an architect. Ethan, on the other hand, had decided to go into the Navy, even in the face of all the teasing from his mom, the Marine General!
With three of their eleven gone from the house, AJ and Mac couldn't resist adding one more to the family making an even dozen. Alaina joined the Chegwidden family.
Alaina (13) is a delightful child whose excitement and glee at the world becomes contagious. Her adoptive family must be patient, which will be rewarded for she has potential. Alaina struggles with ways to seek attention, and at time feels as though she can never get enough.
Francesca's twins were born healthy and happy and since she'd gotten one of each on the first try, she told her Papa there would be no more grandchildren. Baby Alberto and Marcella would be her only children.
As the year drew to a close, Bud got a call late one night to come and get his buddy, Harm from a bar. Even though he was drunk, he had just enough sense not to drive especially after what had happened to Bethany. Bud took him home, let him sleep it off, and then in the morning, put his foot down! If Harm would check into a rehab center Bud would take him into his law firm when he got out on the condition that Harm stay sober. That very afternoon Harm entered rehab.
To be continued….
36. Chapter 36
Chapter 36
The Ninth Year: Fall 2013 to Fall 2014
In Virginia, Harm had dried out and was regularly attending AA meetings. He had joined Bud's law firm and things were going pretty well for him.
Word came down the line that Clayton Webb had been promoted. He was now the Director of the CIA.
Lieutenant Commander Jason Tiner was promoted to Commander and had become the hotshot lead attorney at JAG.
In California, the Chegwidden's were having a hard year. Suzie, their always 'medically fragile' child seemed to come down with every cold or flu virus that was going around. Her already delicate immune system was failing to keep up. She spent more time in the hospital than out, and by spring it was clear she would not make it. Suzie Chegwidden age fifteen died quietly in her sleep on May 1, 2014, just one month before her sister Emily's wedding was to be held.
The entire family was devastated and Emily talked of postponing the wedding, knowing they weren't up for such an occasion so soon after losing Suzie. AJ stepped in and had a talk with her. Death was a part of life, he told her, and it never seemed to come at a convenient time, but her sister wouldn't want Emily to put her happiness on hold because of her. So with a sad smile, Emily agreed that her dad was right and the wedding would go on as planned.
Late that summer, word reached the Chegwiddens that Mike Roberts had died on a mission. Because he'd been a SEAL, the details were sketchy at best, but his body was returned home to a hero's funeral.
Mac and AJ had flown back for the funeral, but they'd left Emily and her new husband watching the younger children so they couldn't stay in town longer. However, they did manage to see and catch up with several of their friends at the luncheon at Bud and Harriett's house after the service.
The Tenth Year: Fall 2014 to present
Elysia Chegwidden became the fourth child to leave the house. She made both her parents proud when she joined the United States Marine Corps!
AJ Roberts turned sixteen and got his driver's license. Both his parents now live in fear that every time he leaves the house they will get a call he was in an accident. Not that he was a bad or reckless driver; it was just the fear of parents everywhere when their child is growing up faster than they would wish.
No one was more surprised than Jen Roberts at how much help and comfort Harmon Rabb was to her and her two boys over the death of her husband Mike. She was reminded over and over again of the feelings that she had for him during their time together at JAG. Even though she had loved Mike deeply, she found that just four months after his death she was ready to start dating again, and the only one that she wanted to spend time with was Harm. But she knew of his past and was not about to let the same thing happen to her, so with some very clear talk, she laid down the law, telling him that he would tow the line with her or things would end before they went any farther. Harm, it seemed, had finally matured to the point that he was willing to take her threat seriously and confessed that he wanted an honest chance with her. He would do his best to see that she and the boys were happy and safe with him.
AJ Chegwidden had his seventieth birthday and his lovely wife of forty-seven made sure that he celebrated in bed…with her! Even though he was often mistaken for his children's grandfather when they were out together, rather than their father, he was still fit and vigorous for his age. None of the kids seemed to mind that their dad was older than their friend's fathers; they just took it in stride.
Just before Christmas that year, word came down that Mac was to be promoted again from Brigadier to Major General. She would be heading back to Virginia to take over for General Creswell who was retiring. There would be another Chegwidden as the Judge Advocate General, but this time it would be Major General Sarah Chegwidden.
So they packed up the seven children still living at home and left Hawaii behind. Alaina and Steven were now fifteen, Andrea was fourteen, Evan was thirteen, Justin and Marcus were seven and little Marta was just six.
To be continued….
37. Chapter 37
Chapter 37
Mid December 2014
McLean, Virginia
Because the house had been leased in September of 2005, the Baxter's had just renewed it for another year that fall. That meant if the Chegwidden's didn't want to break the lease, the house in McLean would be unavailable to them for another nine months. However since they were still a family of nine, and had hopes that their other children would visit whenever they could, a two-bedroom ranch style house no longer suited their needs.
AJ contacted the realtor that was still handling the property for him and explained they wanted a large enough place to rent until they had a chance to look around the area and assess their options. As Mac spent the first week back getting them settled into the rental house and registering the children for school, AJ dealt with the housing issue. Checking over his property in McLean, he discovered a new road had been put in on one side of his land. The Jamison house was gone and in its place was a new two-lane road.
That evening he broached an idea to Sarah, they loved McLean and wanted to live there if at all possible, and since his property there consisted of ten acres, AJ proposed that they sell the current house and an acre of land to the Baxters. The couple loved the place and had taken wonderful care of it over the years they had leased it. The lease money paid thus far would go towards the sale price, Mac agreed to the idea wholeheartedly.
With the access to the side of his land that the new road afforded them AJ suggested they build a new house big enough for the whole family and any visitors they might have. Mac eagerly accepted the idea and was overjoyed when he told her that the contractor that had created the much loved bathroom in his original house was still in business and willing to work on the new house.
Glad that was all settled before she reported for her new job, Mac happily kissed all the children, who were still gathered around the breakfast table, good-bye. Their father would see them off to school shortly, but before that he grabbed a coat and walked her out to her car. They had decided it would be too expensive to bring their cars back from Hawaii with them, so sold them there and planned to buy new ones once they were settled in Virginia.
Telling his wife they needed more milk for the morning, AJ had gone into town the night before and returned Sarah's rental. In the driveway that morning sat a brand new 2015 cherry red corvette with a large bow on top. "Happy early Christmas present wife!" he grinned at her stunned expression.
Both of them stood there thinking of that day just over ten years ago when they had discovered their feelings for each other, and the fact that they had almost celebrated that discovery on the hood of her Vette out in the open for anyone to see!
AJ was remembering how the teenage boy had come upon them and made a lewd comment about how good Mac might be in bed. He hadn't known the truth of that remark until later that night, but over the last ten years their passions had never failed to be fulfilled.
Mac stood there and scenes from the past flew through her mind. First was Harm's Vette and all the problems he'd had with it, then almost at the same time he'd switched to an SUV and she'd bought her Vette. The day she and AJ confessed their feelings for each other rang clearly in her mind and if it wouldn't have made her late for her first day as JAG she would have pushed him down on that hood right there and then.
Suddenly she snapped out of her shock and exclaimed, "ALBERT JETHRO CHEGWIDDEN! What have you done?!"
Wincing at the use of his full name, something he'd always hated, he nonetheless was ready to forgive her the instant she threw herself into his arms. Kissing him soundly, Sarah turned and was back out of his arms as quickly as she'd gotten into them. Now, even he had to admit, that at seventy he had slowed down just a bit, but he was sure that as fast as she'd come and gone from his arms, he wouldn't have been able to capture her twenty years ago.
She was running her hands lovingly over the car and then in a fit of girlishness he rarely ever saw from his kick-ass Marine wife, she grabbed the green bow off the roof and wrapped it around herself while dancing around the yard. With a giggle, she danced over to him and placed the bow in his hands with a quick kiss and a whisper in his ear, she hopped into the car and was gone.
To be continued….
38. Chapter 38
Chapter 38
Standing there in the driveway, with the bow in his hands and a grin on his face, AJ wondered what he might have to offer Harriett to watch the children for the night. It wasn't that the two fifteen year olds couldn't be trusted to sit for the others if he and Sarah wanted to go out for an evening on their own, they'd actually been doing just that for over a year now. No, it was Sarah's comment as she left that made him want the house to themselves that night!
Going into the house he got the children off to school and then picked up the phone to ask an old friend a favor. "Harriett, I know it's an imposition, but is there any chance at all that you might be able to watch the children for a few hours tonight?"
"We would love to have them over! You know that we feel we never get to see enough of you and them! Is there something special going on?" she questioned.
"Just would like a little private time with my wife," AJ chuckled.
"Oh! In that case I think that I will ask for a return of the favor some night as payment!" she laughed along with him.
"Done!" he agreed readily.
"Is Mac looking forward to sitting in your old chair?" Harriett asked, changing the subject.
"She said she was," he answered. "And then she told me all the old fantasies that she had of the two of us in that office when we were working together. I just might have to surprise that wife of mine and drop in for lunch some time!"
"I'm sure that she would love it!" Harriett laughed in response.
They ended the call after a few more minutes and AJ did a quick run through of the house. He was proud of the fact that they had taught their children well and there was very little mess at all. Their beds were all made and there were no wet towels lying around, about the only thing out of place was a toy or two that had been dropped in place as they made the last dash for the door and the school bus. He had loved being a stay at home dad, but had to admit that now Marta was in school it was nice to have the house quietly to himself after they were all out the door.
Grabbing the keys to his rental, he headed into town to do some errands and see about trading in the mid-sized sedan for a vehicle that was more his style. It would still have to be large enough to hold the whole family since he'd bought Sarah the Vette. His vehicle would have to be the 'family' car. That accomplished, he was looking for somewhere to have lunch when he spotted a costume shop with a costume in the window that reminded him of a conversation that he and Sarah had just before they were married. With a chuckle he went in to the store and stunned the clerk with the rental of the year! Putting the boxed up costume in the black 2015 Escalade with extended cab that he had just purchased, he found a small diner for lunch.
Finding that the florist that he had always used when he lived there before was still in business, he bought flowers for his wife and then made a stop at the grocery store so he could make her favorite meal for her that night. The stage would be set for seduction, for the entire evening, not just for after the children were in bed, as he was sure she was thinking. He wanted to surprise her with the fact that they were going to have a childless night.
The kids got home from school and changed into play clothes as instructed; he piled them into the new Escalade and stopped to pick up a couple of pizzas on the way to the Roberts home. Dropping off seven children on a family that already had four, made him feel a bit guilty, but he reassured himself that Harriett could handle anything. Reminding her of his promise to return the favor anytime she wanted, he left to prepare for Sarah's homecoming from her first night at work. He hoped that she wouldn't be too tired for what he had planned!
To be continued….
39. Chapter 39
Chapter 39
Major General Sarah Chegwidden arrived at JAG Headquarters that morning and thought how it felt like coming home, especially since she was tooling through the guard gate in a cherry-red Vette. She loved her early Christmas present. She was used to AJ's thoughtfulness and consideration, but she had no idea he was going to do something like this! A giggle escaped her lips as she remembered the look on his face when she told him how she planned on thanking him that evening.
Their sex life had always been a healthy and active one, and even though AJ had turned seventy over the summer, the two of them still jogged together three times a week. Many times they had several of the children running with them. Evan had always loved going for walks from the first day he'd arrived in their home at the age of three, and quickly became an avid runner. He was the one that accompanied his adoptive parents any chance he could.
Shaking off thoughts of home, she grabbed her briefcase and cover. After locking her brand new car, she headed into the building. Stepping off the elevator into the dimly lit bullpen, she paused a moment letting the memories wash over her. It had been ten years since she'd been there, but very little had changed. The desks were rearranged and she was sure the place had been painted even if it still was the same uninspiring white.
With a sigh she crossed the still empty bullpen and entered the break room to start a pot of coffee. Here she found changes, the old brown cupboards had been replaced with open faced white shelves, and there was a larger fridge as well as a new microwave. But most important was the large coffee maker sitting there on the counter ready for someone to start the first pot of the day. A smile teased her lips as she made it to her taste. She wondered if there was anyone in the office these days that liked it as strong as she did. Only AJ had in the old days.
Pouring a large mug full, she made her way to her office. Mac wondered if she could get AJ to drop by one day, they could lock the door and fulfill some of the fantasies she'd had of the two of them and that great big desk!
Thirty minutes later she heard movement in the outer office and went out to see who had arrived. The Petty Officer jumped a foot when the door opened. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you Petty Officer," Mac smiled at the young man who stood there with his hand over his heart gasping. 'He'd have been dead if I was the enemy!' she thought, trying not to giggle at his discomfort.
"Oh General! I had no idea you were already here! I was told you liked to come in early so I thought if I was here at 0730 I'd be here to greet you when you arrived."
"Don't sweat it Petty Officer…" she paused for him to fill in his name.
"Miller, Ma'am…Peter Miller."
"Alright Miller, I usually will be here at 0700, but unless something major is going on there's no need for you to be here that early."
"Thank you, Ma'am!" he was clearly relieved to hear that. "I also made a fresh pot of coffee if you'd like some. Someone left the pot brewing overnight it seems from the sludge I found in it this morning!"
Mac couldn't control her laughter and was just about to correct the younger man when a voice from the past beat her to the punch. "Miller, you just poured out the General's coffee!"
Spinning on her heel, Mac saw AJ's first yeoman when he arrived at JAG. "TINER!" she exclaimed and forgetting or just plain ignoring protocol, she reached out and hugged him. With a happy laugh he returned her embrace.
Miller stood there looking shocked, trying to recover; he stuttered out, "I'm sorry about the coffee, Ma'am! I didn't think anyone drank it that strong on purpose!"
"It's alright, Miller," Mac replied, backing up just a bit from Jason Tiner. "I think it might be a good idea if I brought in a small pot of my own. It might be my only chance not to keep getting it dumped." Turning back to the rooms other occupant, she said, "You're looking great Tiner! And a Commander now too! Congratulations!"
"Not only that, I'm you're Chief of Staff too, as long as you have no objections," he answered her, standing taller and straighter as he said it.
To be continued….
40. Chapter 40
Chapter 40
"I don't mind that at all! In fact it's great! Okay, I'll let you get back to things and see you later at the staff meeting. Miller, come with me. I have some notes for you already," Mac instructed as she turned back to her office.
Tiner turned away with a smile, glad that she had so readily accepted him as her Chief of Staff. He knew that she'd remember him as the bumbling kid he used to be. Shaking his head as he made his way to the office that used to be hers, Jason still couldn't get over the fact that the Major Mackenzie he used to know was married to Admiral Chegwidden and have been for ten years now! If rumors were to be believed, they had something like a dozen kids too!"
Mac and Jason met in the bullpen as the two of them headed to the conference room for the staff meeting and she took the time to try and catch up with him. "How are things going for you now, Tiner?" she asked.
"Well, I'm married and we have a daughter that will be three on Christmas day. Her name is Carol, I wouldn't let Tina name her Holly or Ivy!" he laughed.
She laughed along with him and that was how they entered the conference room. Her new staff found themselves hoping that their new JAG was going to be a bit friendlier to work with than their last one was. They had all heard the story of how the then Colonel Mackenzie had married the newly retired Admiral Chegwidden, however, no one but Tiner had ever met either of them.
Jason asked her if she would like him to introduce the staff to her and was pleased when she gave him the go-ahead. Lieutenant Commander Paula Greer, she was in her early thirties with dark hair and eyes, Paula stood just over six feet tall and had a very stern look about her. Major Michael Carlisle, or 'Mike the Marine' as he called himself, once again there was only one in the office other than Mac herself, was blonde with light brown eyes and freckles, he was in his late twenties. Lieutenant Jeri Reed was a pretty blue-eyed blonde in her mid twenties. 'She would have been just Harm's type,' Mac found herself thinking. Lieutenant Alex Thomas was also in his mid twenties with black hair and mustache; he was built like a football player, down right huge! But the most striking thing about him was his intense blue eyes.
After greeting everyone with a hand shake, personal word or two, and a smile, Mac got down to business. Asking for and getting briefings on current cases she then passed out the new cases. She had spent her time that morning going over the personal files of her new staff. She valued the reports of her predecessors, but wanted to form her own opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of her people.
Leaving on the dot of 1700 hours Mac got her first call of 'Attention on Deck' from her new yeoman. She smiled her, "As you were," as she crossed the bullpen.
Knowing that it would be rare she got to leave that early in the future, she was still glad that Creswell had left everything so well caught up that she could today. Some of it might have had to do with the change in Jason Tiner as well. He was no longer the goofy kid that she once knew. Instead, in his place, was a responsible and capable young man. Mac was looking forward to working with him and telling AJ all about him.
Tonight she had a promise to keep with her husband as soon as the children were in bed. Right now though, she was looking forward to the dinner she knew AJ would have ready for her and hearing how well the kids' first day at the new schools had gone.
The drive home was a pleasant one, just long enough to unwind from a stressful day, not that today had been, but she was sure there would be plenty in her future as JAG.
To be continued….
41. Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Mac pulled the Vette into the driveway and couldn't stop an indulgent grin from crossing her face. She wondered if AJ were trying to relive younger days, but since the time in question was only ten years ago, she had to dismiss that idea. But nonetheless, there sat a black Escalade in the driveway in front of her Vette. Except for the year, they were the same vehicles they'd owned when they'd lived there before. Planning to ask AJ his reasoning whenever she could get a quiet moment, she started into the house.
It struck her as she entered, that their house had only been this quiet when all the children were asleep and since it wasn't even 1800 hours, she knew something was up. Seeing or hearing no one as she made her way through the house caused her not to be totally surprised when she peeked into the dining room and saw one end of the long table set for two with candles already adding a romantic glow.
Letting her nose lead her to the kitchen after depositing her briefcase and cover on the hall table she found AJ just taking something out of the oven. "What have you done with my children!?" she asked with a mock frown.
Looking at her with an evil grin, he replied, "Yours are locked in the cellar, but I dropped mine off at Bud and Harriett's."
"Ah! Wonderful plan!" she praised and then tried to snitch a nibble from the casserole dish he'd placed on top of the stove.
"Stop that woman! Go in and sit down and I'll serve you in less than five minutes," he promised.
"I'll hold you to that!" she warned. "You know my time sense is still in perfect working order."
Shaking his head he shooed her from the room. He had never been able to find out how she did that, but simply relied on her to always be right about time issues.
The meal was as wonderful as the aroma had promised. They ate leisurely, talking about their days. She told him about the coffee fiasco. He told her that the contractor could break ground for the new house next week if the warm spell held. She told him about Tiner being her Chief of Staff. He told her what the kids had said about their new schools.
When she ran out of news, she remembered to ask him about the vehicles. AJ laughed and told her it had just been a whim. She reminded him that she still wanted to thank him properly for her wonderful gift.
"That is what I was hoping for when I got rid of the children! Harriett asked me what the occasion was for keeping the kids. I told her I wanted to ravish you. She told me that she might just have a similar occasion where we could return the favor sometime next week."
"I hope you told her that would be fine with us?"
"I did my love, and this afternoon when I was in town I saw something that reminded me of a conversation we had before we were married. If you're finished eating, why don't you go and change into the outfit you promised me and I'll change too?"
"There's no need for you to change clothes darling. I will just strip anything you have on off anyway!"
"I know, but a promise is a promise and this one has been a long time in being carried out," he told her mysteriously.
Still having no idea what he was talking about, she decided to go with the flow and after a quick kiss, headed to their bedroom to change. AJ quickly cleared the table and then went to the guest room where the costume box was waiting for him to do the same.
Several minutes later they met in the living room. She was dressed only in the large green bow that had been on her new car, and he was wearing a fuzzy pink 'Energizer Bunny' costume. Mac took one look at him and doubled over in laughter, dropping her bow in the process.
To be continued….
42. Chapter 42
Chapter 42
Through a chuckle, AJ told his gasping wife, "Well, Mrs. Chegwidden, if I'd known it was this easy to get you to drop what you were wearing, I would have donned a bunny suit twenty years ago!"
Mac thought she had herself under control until she looked up from her bent over position and once again saw in him in that silly pink suit. She was off again, laughing so hard that tears were streaming down her cheeks. When she could finally put words together, she demanded, "Why in the world are you wearing a bunny costume? It's almost Christmas not Easter!"
"I'm hurt you don't remember…but then you are getting close to fifty and they say that the memory is the first thing to go…" At her glare, he grinned and went back to answering her question, "When we were first together I was teasing you about being tired and you made a comment about my inability to do anything more either. However, when you found out differently you…"
She interrupted him, "I made a comment about the Energizer Bunny."
"Yes, and when I was in town today they had this costume in the shop window. I couldn't resist being in my own 'special outfit' since you were going to give me the same treat. However, I think I was cheated since you had yours on for such a short time," he teased eyeing her naked form and the bow lying on the living room floor.
Straightening up, she struck a seductive pose before bending to pick up her bow. Her action was conducted almost in slow motion and geared to get the utmost response from him. She'd turned her back to him and then bent at the waist, with her feet shoulder width apart she was perfectly on display in this manner. Just to make sure he hadn't misunderstood her intent, she gave her six a deliberate wiggle. His groan told her that he had clearly gotten her message.
Slowly unbending she turned to face him holding the bow in front of her. Sarah smiled as she saw the evidence of how her actions thus far had been affecting him. Delivering her own version of the old saying in a sexy voice, she asked, "Is that a carrot in your pants, or are you horny for me Big Bunny?"
AJ's shout of laughter reminded them both of the humor that had always been a part of their love life. Their children had all learned that if mom and dad's bedroom door was closed, you'd better knock before entering, no matter what time of the day it was. AJ and Mac had stopped counting the number of times they'd been interrupted while making love during their first year of marriage.
Affection was something openly displayed in the Chegwidden household, both between mom and dad and towards the children. It wasn't uncommon to be walking through a room and become the victim of a 'hug attack'. Because of this, every one of their children felt special and very loved.
But for the present, there were no children at home, hence no one to interrupt them. AJ moved quickly across the room and belying his age, swept his sexy wife up into his arms to carry her into their bedroom. Tossing her onto the bed he laughed as he watched her gasp and bounce a few times before coming to a rest.
To be continued….
43. Chapter 43
Chapter 43
The enticing sight before him was one AJ knew well. His only decision now was whether to tease and taunt her as she had been doing to him or give her what she wanted so desperately right there and then. One way or the other, they would both be completely satiated before they slept.
She knew what he was up to and exactly why he was doing it, but it didn't make it any easier to endure, even if she knew that the ultimate outcome would be well worth the wait.
To be continued….
44. Chapter 44
Chapter 44
"Speaking of that…the bunny suit was an inspired idea, maybe you should buy it so we always have it around!" she teased with a wink.
"I have a feeling that we've gotten the surprise value out of the suit by now, and I think we do pretty well without it!" was his comeback.
"You're right of course," she admitted. "Now are you ready for round two, so we can get a short nap in before one of us has to go and get the kids?"
"Yup," he told her, then added, "But how will we decide who goes to get them?"
"We could flip a coin," she offered.
AJ laughed and said, "Sounds like a plan." Both of them, while not wanting to be mean to the other still didn't want to be the one to get dressed and make the long two way drive, especially when some of the kids would already be asleep at Bud and Harriett's and would have to be awakened to get them into the car for the drive home.
After making love and getting in a short nap, AJ got out of bed to go to the dresser. He kept a small dish there that he dumped his change into so it wouldn't rattle around in his pockets. Picking up a quarter, he looked at Mac still lying in their warm bed, "Call it," he instructed as he flipped the coin into the air.
"Heads," she giggled, with a leer, since he was standing there in the buff.
Distracted by her suggestiveness, he missed catching the quarter and it landed on the shag carpet. With a chuckle, he insisted that she had to come and see the result.
Figuring that meant it was her that had lost the toss and he wanted her to see the confirmation for herself, she got out of bed and walked over to him. There was the coin, caught and held in the thick fibers of the carpet. It was on its edge!
Shaking her head and sighing she said, "Well, as I see it, we have two options. We could toss the thing again, or we could just leave the kids with Bud and Harriett telling them they won them in the secret lottery we held."
Laughing, AJ replied, "There is a third option…we could both go and get them…after all we did go to all the trouble of adopting them and moving them here. If we were just going to get rid of them this quick after moving back, we could have just left them in Hawaii."
With a beleaguered sigh she answered, "I guess you're right," and headed for the closet to get some clothes to wear. AJ did the same.
To be continued….
45. Chapter 45
Chapter 45
The drive to Bud and Harriett's was mostly a silent one, not only were both of them tired, but they were basking in the afterglow of great sex. They pulled into the Roberts' driveway and saw the living room curtain pull back and one of their kids peek out.
Bud had the door open before they reached it and was laughing about something. As Mac and AJ entered the house they heard Steven and Alaina, their two fifteen year olds, arguing. "Come on pay up! I said they'd be here before midnight and it's only…"
"2354," Mac interrupted.
"See, Mom always knows the exact time it is! You always set your watch ten minutes fast so you're not late Alaina. It doesn't mean that everyone else goes by that time! You owe me a dollar!"
"I do not!" she protested. "It's so close to midnight that it hardly counts!"
"Not that I approve of you gambling, but we have also taught all of you to honor your commitments. Was the bet that we would be here before midnight?" AJ asked his newest daughter.
"Yeah, we were trying to figure out just how much sex you guys would get in before you remembered that we had school tomorrow and come and get us."
Harriett had been standing quietly in the background during this exchange, but blushed profusely when both AJ and Mac saw Bud hand her a dollar.
"You two go up and get the rest of the children up, your mom and I need to have a talk with the Roberts'," AJ instructed.
Both of them mumbled, "Yes Sir," and did as they were told. As they went up the stairs, the adults saw Alaina hand Steven his winnings. Mac had been able to hold her laughter until her children had disappeared upstairs, but not a second longer. She was almost doubled over at the guilty looks on Bud and Harriett's faces.
"So, the two of you were betting on our sexual activities too?" AJ questioned, trying to keep his 'Admiral's' face.
"Yes Sir!" Bud was the first to cave in. "The kids were telling us how the two of you are always 'going at it' and even Harriett said that you had told her you wanted to 'ravish your wife'," he stopped suddenly at AJ's stern look.
"So, what was 'your' bet?" he demanded.
"The same as the kids Sir."
"And you bet against me Bud?" AJ asked with a sigh of regret.
"Well yes, Sir, I mean…it's not that I thought you couldn't do that at your age, it was just that it was way longer than…I mean you are _seventy_ Sir! But to tell you the truth, I'm glad I lost the bet! I mean…if you're still going that strong at seventy then there might be hope for me too when I get to that age!" Bud finally ran out of steam and stopped talking.
Mac had almost controlled her laughter up until the point where Bud gave his reason for being glad to lose the bet, and it didn't help at all when AJ patted the younger man on the shoulder and simply said, "Thank you, son."
"And don't forget that you promised to sit for us sometime next week so we can have an evening free to do the same!" Harriett reminded them cheerfully.
"We won't forget, my dear," AJ told her. "You just let us know what night Bud might be up to it," he teased.
Bud stood there in open-mouthed amazement that his former CO was teasing him about his sexual abilities when his own wife shocked him even more by suggesting, "Maybe you could give him some pointers AJ!" Harriett had long ago gotten out of the habit of calling AJ 'Sir'. It was still hard for Bud to remember even though neither of them was in the military any longer.
"I didn't think you had any complaints, Harriett!" Bud stuttered, wondering if his masculine prowess was coming into question.
Harriett was trying to reassure him that he always kept her satisfied when the Chegwidden children came trooping down the stairs. The three youngest were being carried by the teens, since they were too groggy to walk.
"Well, I think it's time to get these kids into their own beds," Mac spoke up and started hustling them out the door. She and AJ each took one of the little ones, leaving only Steven to carry out the other.
By the time they reached McLean all seven of the kids were asleep. Their parents hated to wake them, but knew sleeping in the car wasn't wise either. Only waking the four older children, AJ, Mac, and Steven carried the younger ones into the house. Everyone was in bed and asleep by 0100 hours.
To be continued….
46. Chapter 46
Chapter 46
Because they'd had a large family gathering at Thanksgiving, Mac and AJ knew that it would be too soon for the ones that had moved out to fly to Virginia for Christmas this year. So, it was with a certain sadness that their plans this year would only be for the nine of them.
Bud and Harriett had been quick to include the Chegwidden's in all of their holiday plans. Mac and AJ had gratefully accepted, knowing that having the Roberts' four around would help ease the pain of their brothers and sisters not being there.
On the bright side, they learned that Francesca's plans with her in-laws had changed so she and her family would fly in for the holiday weekend.
Mac's first week as JAG had gone very well, and without any major problems. She and Tiner worked well together and Mac repeatedly told AJ what a fine officer and lawyer he'd become. AJ teased her, saying that it was because Tiner had served under him all those years ago. His loving wife just rolled her eyes and replied, "Sure!"
During that same week, AJ had been meeting with the contractor finalizing plans for the new house. Everything was moving right along according to plan.
On Saturday Harriett called to ask if AJ and Mac would be available to take her three younger children the next evening. They readily agreed and were told that AJ would drive them over. Young AJ had a study date with Katie his chemistry lab partner, however he had been told to call the Chegwidden's to see if his siblings were still there when he was done. If they were, he was to go there and could bring them home with him after his parents called with the 'all clear'.
Sunday night the younger six children were all in bed asleep when AJ got back from his study date. He joined the four Chegwidden teens in the kitchen for a late night snack. The older AJ and Mac had the same idea and arrived in the hall leading to the kitchen just in time to hear…
"You know it's just gross to think of your parents having sex!" Andi announced.
Sixteen year old AJ replied, "Yeah, but if they hadn't, then none of us would be here."
"Gosh, you're dumb!" Andi taunted. "We're all adopted, mom and dad didn't have to have sex to get us. All they had to do was some paperwork!"
"But someone somewhere had to have sex for you to get here dufus! Or do you think you were grown in a lab…wait…in your case that's probably true!"
"NO-SIR!" she shouted and the adults heard a chair crash to the ground.
Before they could get into the room they heard Steven say, "Hey, you two, knock it off!"
"Yeah, dad taught us not to hit girls! Didn't yours?" Evan demanded.
Steven was standing between Andi and AJ when his parents got into the room. It appeared as if he were trying to keep them apart while not getting hit himself.
"Break it up!" both Mac and AJ ordered in unison in their best 'military' voices. Their children, and it seemed, so did AJ Roberts, recognized that tone of voice and immediately froze in place.
The adults looked at each other and silently tried to figure out who would be best to deal with this situation. AJ wanted to see how Sarah would handle it, so nodded at her to go ahead.
She gave him a wink that only he saw and turned to the kids, "Alright, while it may be fun to speculate on the sex lives of others, we, and Bud and Harriett, are still your parents and due some respect as such. From now on you will refrain from betting and discussing our private lives! And as for the adoption part of the argument, remember your father and I always told you that to be adopted meant that you were Chosen. Parents of natural children had to take what they got. No offence on you AJ, your parents came out pretty good in the kids that they got! Now, onto the problem of the fighting, physical violence should always be the last resort to solve an issue, not the first. Andi you have been taught that in the time you have been with us!"
Mac waited for her daughter's 'Yes Ma'am,' before continuing, "As such, you will be grounded for a week…yes, I know Christmas is coming up!" she said at the protest that she saw in her eyes, "But you brought this on by fighting! So, as such you will go only places that the entire family is going or on school planned events. I'm sorry if that puts a cramp in your holiday, but you children all know the consequences of fighting!"
Looking at her father for help, Andi pleaded, "Daddddddy…please make mom change her mind!"
To be continued….
47. Chapter 47
Chapter 47
AJ stood firm in the face of his daughter's sad eyes, "I'm sorry, honey, but your mom is right, you all know that we won't tolerate fighting. I am with her on this one, and if you keep trying to change our minds, you just might end up with two weeks of grounding instead of one!"
Mac watched Andi mentally back down from any further protests, and was just about to step in to change the subject when the phone rang. It was Bud saying that they could send the kids home now. With a grin and the exhaustion she heard in his voice, she turned to AJ and said, "That was your dad, and he said for you to come home. Meanwhile, it's time for the rest of you to be in bed, you do all have school tomorrow."
As the token protests faded away with the children climbing the stairs, Mac and AJ looked at each other and sighed, another crisis averted. "You don't really think I was too harsh on her do you?" she asked him.
"No I don't, you were fine," he replied.
"Thanks," she smiled her answer, and before the conversation could go any farther, they heard AJ and his siblings coming down the stairs. Helping him get them into the car and giving the customary cautions to 'drive safely' the two of them saw the children off.
On Tuesday AJ watched them break ground for the new house. The proposed finish date was the end of January, if the weather didn't hold them up.
As the holiday drew closer, they got another call from Francesca. This time it was to say that her plans had altered again. With the frustration evident in her tone of voice, she told her Papa that Tony's parents had second thoughts about the Christmas cruise they'd planned to take and because they would now be staying in town. They wanted their only son and his family to be with them. She told AJ how sorry she was, but they were going to stay in Italy for the holiday. AJ reassured her that he understood even though they would be sorry not to see them.
Since the 23rd fell on Friday, the JAG offices would be closing at noon. AJ decided that would be the perfect time to surprise his wife with a visit to her office. The children would also be out of school, but the younger three would be at a Christmas party in the school gym until 1500. The teens would be fine at home for a couple of hours until their parents returned.
Arriving at Falls Church and the gate for JAG Headquarters was odd. He was treated as any other visitor and because there had, as yet, been no need to leave his name at the gate, they had to call up to General Chegwidden's office to get permission to let him in. There went his surprise.
After parking the Escalade, AJ headed for the door. Just as he reached out for the handle, it opened and Commander Jason Tiner hurried out.
Seeing who stood before him, he came to an abrupt stop and snapped to attention, adding a salute too. He did it out of respect for his former CO, rather that a habit. "Good afternoon, Sir!"
"Not 'Sir' any longer Jason, just AJ these days, but thank you. Congratulations on making Commander!"
"Thank you Si…AJ. May I say that working with General Chegwidden has been an honor?"
"I know she's pleased to have you as her Chief of Staff as well, son."
"That's good to know! Well, I should let you get in there, I'm sure she is looking forward to your visit. I hope the two of you have a very Merry Christmas."
"The same to you and your family Jason. It was good to see you again."
"And you as well!" Jason replied and headed for his car with a smile on his face.
A few minutes later AJ stepped off the elevator to find a deserted bullpen. The only light was coming from his old office. Because the door was open he figured he'd find Sarah finishing up some last minute paperwork before she was ready to leave. The reality of what he actually found when he stood in the open doorway was almost enough to have caused a heart attack!
To be continued….
48. Chapter 48
Chapter 48
There was the Judge Advocate General of the Navy and Marine Corps, Major General Sarah Chegwidden, lying on the desk that used to be his. She was as naked as the day she was born! Smiling as she watched the look on her husband's face.
Shaking his head as if to clear his mind enough to be able to speak, AJ asked, "Is this a private moment or can anyone join in?"
With a grin, she answered, "Well, I don't want just _anyone_ joining in, but if you close that door we could have a private moment together."
Doing as she asked, AJ was already undressing as he crossed the room. "You know with that door open, someone else could have seen…this," he said spreading his hands wide to indicate the scene on the desk.
"No, I told everyone to clear out at noon for the holiday and after the guard called up to get clearance to let you in, I went out there to make sure everyone was gone. Only Tiner was still there and I told him if his six wasn't on the elevator in one minute, he would be handling all the budget reviews for the next five years. He cleared out so fast, even I was impressed."
"I met him at the door downstairs, and he did seem to be in a hurry."
She chuckled and replied, "He's gotten smarter with age."
Finally out of his clothes, AJ stood next to his wife on the desk and asked, "Do you have any idea how many of my fantasies were of you and this desk?"
With a blissful sigh, she answered, "Probably less than the number of times I fantasized about it!"
"I doubt that my love," he told her.
To be continued….
49. Chapter 49
Chapter 49
Mac laughed as a wild thought struck her. When AJ paused in his efforts to gather up his clothes to ask her what was so funny, she explained, "I was just wondering what the SECNAV would have thought if he had this office bugged…"
"That's not even funny, Sarah!" he glared at her.
"You're right…and it's much more likely that Webb would have done it rather than the SECNAV."
"He wouldn't have dared! I would have broken more than just his nose!" AJ growled.
"Oh AJ! My macho man!" she teased as she dressed. "So, do you think once a week might be enough to fulfill all our fantasies about this office?"
With a sexy leer he inquired, "And how do you think you'd explain that to your staff General Chegwidden?"
"Wow! Sex in the office once and I've gone from a Major to a General!"
He laughed, "Sarah, you were a Major General when I walked into this office!"
"So, I'm really not getting a promotion after all?" she sighed. "You just left the General off when you called me Major and I fell for it…"
"Rats! You figured me out. But one would think that a woman of your rank would know that a retired two star Admiral couldn't influence your promotion schedule any longer."
"Ah well…the sex was good anyway."
"Good?!" he questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Okay…better than good," she teased as she slid into her shoes. "Not to change the subject, darling, but are you still intent on going out and getting a tree with the children this evening?"
"Most certainly! Christmas isn't Christmas without a tree and the last few years in Hawaii we've had to get them from a lot. It's just not the same."
"But they were still real trees, not the artificial ones you're so against."
"Sarah, it always was a tradition in my family to go out and cut down our own tree. Every child should have that experience!"
"Darling, you have to remember that when I was growing up, our family tradition was seeing which parent would pass out in front of the TV first."
Taking her in his arms and kissing the top of her head as she snuggled close, he said, "I'm sorry you had that kind of childhood, Sarah, but remember we're giving our children better than that and you can live it with them."
"Then get moving, buster! You have a tree to go and chop down!" she ordered, stepping out of his arms and giving his ass a swat.
"Yes, Ma'am!"
"You know it's really too bad that we have both vehicles here. I'd love to ride home with you," she winked as she put her panties and pantyhose in her briefcase and snapped it shut.
With a groan, he said, "You're a wicked, wicked woman, Sarah Chegwidden."
"Yes I am!" she assured him picking up her briefcase and cover. "The least you can do is walk me to the Vette."
"You know, we're coming back into town tomorrow evening for the Roberts' party, we could pick up your Vette then…"
"I like the way you think!" she declared and they left the building arm in arm heading for the Escalade.
AJ waited until she was securely belted in before maneuvering through the guard gate. Informing the guard that the General would pick up her vehicle the next evening, they were on their way home. Mac waited until they were on the highway to hike up her uniform skirt and issued a silent invitation she knew her husband wouldn't be able to resist.
To be continued….
50. Chapter 50
Chapter 50
"I am SO glad that Harriett called and told you about the coin toss all those years ago!"
"So am I, Sarah. Do you think over the years we've thanked her enough for that?"
Laughing, Mac answered, "Yes I think so…the last time I mentioned it to her she sighed and said that I sounded like a broken record."
AJ laughed with her and asked, "Do you think it had something to do with the CD recording from 'Oliver' that we sent her on our last anniversary?"
"Oh I don't know…just because the song went on, 'Thank you very much, thank you very much…That's the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me'!?"
"Okay, so maybe we have," he responded.
They arrived home at just before the bus that dropped the younger children off from school, the four teens were already home and had come out on the porch in anticipation of the treat dad had promised them that afternoon. Mac smiled as they hardly waited for her to exit from the Escalade before they were piling in. Waving them off she promised that she would have pizza waiting for them when they returned from their adventure. AJ had let the Baxter's know that they were coming out to the property so they didn't worry when they saw the gang of them trooping through the woods behind the house. It took them over two hours to choose just the right tree, with seven opinions to consider at each choice that was pointed out, AJ wondered if this had been such a good idea after all, but finally the perfect one was picked out and they watched as he chopped it down.
Steven begged to be allowed to be the one to chop the one down for the next year and AJ, with an indulgent grin, promised that he would be able to. Marta was getting tired and whiney by the time they finished so AJ suggested that she ride on the tree on the way back. The two seven year old boys thought that looked like a lot of fun and wanted to as well, but AJ told them that this year it was Marta's treat. He let the older kids think that they were helping him to drag the tree to the Escalade, but, in truth, they were more of a hindrance that help, but they were having fun, so he didn't want to spoil it.
Their arrival at home was met with a gasp from Mac when she saw the size of the tree, and she called out, "How in the world do you think you are going to get that into this house, AJ Chegwidden!?"
The kids stood there laughing as he explained they were now going to have a 'Tree-Pull' party.
"What is that?" she demanded.
Tumbling over themselves to explain, what their father had already told them about on the ride home, the kids watched their mom's face as she eyed the tree and the front door they were going to try and pull the tree through.
"It's never going to fit!" she insisted.
"Oh ye of little faith!" her husband chided.
Twenty minutes later, and a lot of healthy sweat; the tree was standing in the front room. When AJ stood it up they realized that they were going to have to trim about a foot off of it. The point was bent over that far from touching the ceiling!
To be continued….
51. Chapter 51
Chapter 51
With the tree surgery finished and after placing it safely in the stand, they spent quite some time making sure the tree was straight before they would allow the children to start putting the ornaments on. Knowing that this would be their first holiday after moving back from Hawaii, Mac and AJ had made sure that the Christmas decorations were shipped back rather than put into storage until they had a place to live.
In between eating pizza and later the popcorn that was supposed to be strung for the tree, the nine of them worked on decorating the tree. Marta's ornament placement had to be supervised, but the rest of the children were doing a great job, even though a ladder had to be brought in to put the ornaments on the higher branches.
Every year, the person who would put the star on the top of the tree changed. Although it had been a Chegwidden tradition that the youngest family member would do it, AJ and Mac had realized that wasn't fair to the other children. So they had started letting the children have the honor in alphabetical order, if they adopted a new child they would just take their place in the rotation so no one was left out. This year it was Evan's turn.
The three younger children had just been bathed and put to bed when the phone rang that evening. It was Chloe, she told them she had big news and asked to be put on speaker phone so she could tell everyone at once. She and David had been trying for four years to conceive a child and her jubilant news was that she was finally pregnant! She was due in the early fall. Congratulations were called into the phone and she was left in no doubt how excited her family was for her. The only problem was that all the kids wanted the new baby named after them!
Late that night, after a very intense lovemaking session, AJ and Mac lay cuddled together in their bed. Mac sighed and said, "It's so hard not having everyone together this year for Christmas."
"I know, darling, but we knew that they would grow up and move out one day. We just need to comfort ourselves with how well they are all doing."
"Yes, I guess you're right," not wanting to dwell on it any more, she changed the subject, "How are you doing on the puppy situation?"
"Fine, I'll pick him up tomorrow and the Baxter's have agreed to keep an eye on him 'til we get home from the party. I'll go and get him when the kids are in bed."
"Wonderful, they'll be so happy. They miss Dammit so much."
"I think the only thing that kept that dog alive for as long as she was, was knowing how sad the kids would be when she went. She held on a long time."
"I know you're right. I still can't believe that she was almost twenty!"
"As near as the vet could tell when she found me, she was about five years old then, I had her two years before we got married, and she was with us until this past summer, so she had to be around seventeen."
"You could sure see it in how gray she was getting. Remember when Andi found out I colored my hair and suggested we do the same for Dammit?"
AJ chuckled, "Yeah that would have given Miss Clairol a whole new ad campaign!"
Mac giggled and agreed.
Getting seven children ready to go anywhere all at the same time was always a chore, but when you added in the fact that they were excited, it was the day before Christmas, and they were heading to a party, it became exponentially more difficult. Mac had finally reached the end of her patience and in her best Marine General voice bellowed, "Anyone who is not in the car and buckled in within the next ten minutes will be left behind!"
To be continued….
52. Chapter 52
Chapter 52
It was amazing the effect that threat had on the troops!
Steven found Marta's lost shoe and carried her out to the Escalade to put it on out there so they wouldn't be late.
Alaina decided that the dark blue hair ribbon would be just as good as the light blue one that was missing.
Evan took the fastest shower on record and ran out of the house still buttoning his shirt.
Justin and Marcus stopped fighting over the toy truck they both wanted to play with and instead raced each other down the stairs and outside.
Andrea, who had been ready all along, calmly strolled to the vehicle as if she had all the time in the world.
AJ watched in amusement as the children poured from the house suddenly ready to go. His wonderful wife sure had a way of motivating this mob!
Arriving at the Roberts' home they found that Harriett had learned the secret most mothers of children spanning several years had. The older children preferred not to have to be bothered by the younger ones if at all possible. So, to that end, she had given the basement game room to the teenagers and the younger children would be upstairs in the ten-year-old twins' playroom. The adults would run interference and keep the segregation, by stationing themselves on the main floor.
AJ and Jimmy Roberts grabbed the four older Chegwidden's as soon as they came through the door. After kisses and hugs from mom and dad, the three younger ones were sent upstairs to play with Theresa and Tamara. Bud took AJ into the den to show him the latest computer game he'd bought the boys for Christmas. The fact that it was already installed and running wasn't lost on AJ. Bud sheepishly explained that he was testing it out!
Mac volunteered to help out in anyway she could and Harriett put her to work carrying dishes and trays of food to the buffet in the dining room. It was set up so people could eat when they wanted and still wander around since it was all finger food.
"Mac, you do know that Jen and Harm have been seeing each other lately don't you?"
"Yes, you mentioned that in one of your emails before we moved back. Why do you ask?"
"Well, I didn't want things to be awkward. She's bringing him with her to the party. I didn't know how you would feel about it since you and Harm almost married."
"Oh Harriett! That was eons ago! All water under the bridge now. AJ and I are blissfully happy and after all the problems Harm has had over the last several years, he deserves some happiness. I just hope for Jen's sake he's ready for a serious relationship. I mean, she has the boys to consider and all…"
"Jen has her head on straight, and has done a lot of growing over the years. She was happy with Mike and brokenhearted at his death. But she had to be strong for the boys and is really doing well for herself. I don't think she'll let Harm get away with anything. If he really wants to be with her, he'll toe the line. The few times I've seen them together, they seem to be doing well, and he's good with the boys."
They had just finished putting out the food when Jason and Tina Tiner arrived with little three-year-old Carol. It was the first time Mac and AJ got to meet Jason's wife and daughter. They were all still standing in the front hall chatting when Jen and Harm arrived along with her two sons, Rusty age six and Buddy age two. All three of the children were sent upstairs to play as the adults settled in the living room.
The next hour was spent with everyone trying to catch up on all the happenings in each other's lives. So much had happened to the group that had once considered themselves family that they had much to share.
To be continued….
53. Chapter 53
Chapter 53
The food was good and the conversation was pleasant. Every once in a while one or two of the teens would come up for more food and go right back downstairs to their music and games. Periodically one of the adults would go upstairs to check on the younger children and as they wound themselves down, would tuck one of them into any free bed. Before long all of the younger ones were asleep.
As the adults caught up on the goings on in their lives, something became clear to Harmon Rabb. He saw where everyone else was in their life and knew that he should have been there too. He was the one with fewest success stories to tell. The only thing he was proud of these days was that he had been sober for just over a year now. It wasn't that he wasn't happy for his friends; it was just that he was jealous of the lives that they were living.
He wondered, if he and Mac had married, if he could have made her as happy as she was, sitting there nestled in AJ's arms. Then there was Bud and Harriett. If it hadn't been for Bud's help and Harriett's encouragement he wouldn't even be here today. Entering Bud's law firm was the best thing that had happened to him in years. Well, that and Jen Roberts! Why hadn't he seen the potential in her years ago when they had been at JAG together?
She had even told him just last week that back then she had been in love with him. It was for that very reason he had taken a long hard look at his life and assessed what he wanted for his future. He had come to one conclusion; he wanted Jen and her boys in his life. He had gone out and bought her a ring in the hopes that she would say yes to being his wife. Now all he had to do was decide when would be the perfect time to ask her. He had been carrying the ring with him for the last three days, just waiting for the perfect moment.
Then it finally occurred to him that he could wait forever and not find the perfect time. In fact, what was wrong with right now? It would be taking a big chance of humiliation, if she turned him down in front of all their friends. However, from all indications he'd had from her lately, he really thought that she would say yes. So, why not? What was he waiting for? Drawing on his courage, he looked across the room where she was talking with Jason Tiner's wife, it was now or never he thought. Getting up and crossing the room, Harm got down on one knee in front of Jen.
Seeing what he was doing, she gave him her full attention. Jen had been hoping that Harm was getting ready to propose. She had been giving him every hint that she was ready for him to do so, and it looked like he finally had gotten her clues. She knew, of course, of the way the whole thing with him and Mac had come about all those years ago, that they had decided where to live on the flip of a coin, so when she found a special quarter a few months back she thought it was fate and had been carrying it with her ever since.
"Jen, I love you and I would be the happiest man on earth if you would be my wife. Will you marry me?" Harm asked, simply holding out the ring box he'd taken from his pocket.
Knowing what her answer was going to be, she nonetheless had to have just a bit of her own back for all the wasted years they could have had together. Reaching into her pocket she pulled out her 'special' quarter and said, "I think a decision as important as this should be decided on the flip of a coin." Throwing it into the air she added, "Heads, I'll marry you, Tails, I won't!"
Harm knelt, frozen and speechless, not believing what Jen had just done. Everyone there gasped at her cavalier attitude to his sincere proposal, but Harm was watching the coin. It was deja vu all over again. As the coin reached the top of its arc and started down, everyone was watching closely to see the result. When Jen made no move to catch it, Harm reached out just before it hit the floor. Everyone held their breath. Jen looked down and asked, "Well?"
To be continued….
54. Chapter 54
Chapter 54
Opening his hand, he saw that the coin had come up heads! "Its heads!" he announced.
There was a round of cheering, but as he was going to put the coin away so he could put the ring on her finger, Jen stopped him. "I want that quarter back, Harm!" she told him a bit sharply.
"Why? What's so special about this quarter?" Harm asked confused.
"Well…it's a…lucky quarter now…" Jen lied.
Getting suspicious at her obvious lie, he took another look at the coin in his hand. Turning it over he saw that both sides had heads on it! "It was rigged!" he exclaimed.
Grinning at him, she teased, "Well, at least I said 'heads' would be 'yes'…"
"But why go through all this and not just say 'yes'?" he asked, indicating the quarter she was putting back in her pocket.
Shaking her head sadly, she said, "I guess it all goes back to how hurt I was when you and Mac were engaged. I loved you so much I would have given anything to have been in her shoes then and you two were deciding major things with coin flips."
Harriett gently spoke up, "But remember, Jen, if things had turned out differently you wouldn't have had your time with Mike or have the boys."
"That's true," she conceded.
"And I think we're all forgetting something very important here…" AJ interjected. "No matter how she did it, she did say 'yes' to your proposal Harm."
"Yes she did!" he exclaimed, brightening at the reminder. Holding out the ring to her, Harm waited for Jen to give him her hand. When she did, he slid it in place and rose to his feet to take her in his arms. The kiss they shared was tamer than either of them would have liked, but since they were in public, the need for restraint was clear. Jen did get a chance to whisper a promise in his ear before they broke apart that had Harm wanting to leave the party right then.
However, with all their friends present that was not to be. In fact the simple holiday party instead turned into a celebration. Even the teens came up from the basement to find out what all the laughter and cheering was about.
With everyone together it's always a child that will come up with an awkward question. Because Evan had been in the first set of children AJ and Mac had adopted, he'd witnessed the arrival of all the kids that became his brothers and sisters. There was always a question presented to each child, old enough to understand, when they came into the family. They were asked, would they want to keep their own last name or take the Chegwidden name? In his family everyone was now a Chegwidden and he was proud to carry that fine name. Because of that, he wanted to know, "So are Rusty and Buddy going to become Rabbs, or will they stay Robertsez?"
"EVAN!" AJ and Mac were both quick to scold.
But Jen gave his question the serious thought that it should have and said, "I don't really know, Evan. We hadn't talked about that yet. What do you think we should do?"
Glad she was talking to him as if he were an adult, he answered, "Well, Buddy's too young to ask, but Rusty's already in school. You should ask him cuz he'd have to change all that school stuff and learn a new name, even though it starts with the same letter. And so Buddy's not different, you should do the same for him. That's what we did in our family and it worked out great!"
"That's very good advice," Jen told him. "Thank you."
Both AJ and Mac were proud of their son, he had been a bit forward with his question, but had dealt with it in a considerate and thoughtful manner. They had raised him right it seemed.
It was much later than everyone had planned when the party finally broke up, and then there was the problem of getting all the children sorted out and into the proper vehicles to get them home. Bud and Harriett wouldn't have minded them all staying, but with the next day being Christmas morning they were sure each of the children would want to wake in their own beds to see what Santa had brought them. That reminded AJ that he still had to pick up the puppy that Santa was bringing for their kids.
Everyone said their good-byes and promised that they would all get together again soon. Not wanting to leave it with just that and no formal plan. Mac suggested that the next get together be at their new house, a housewarming party. They all said they would be there and the night ended with Merry Christmas wishes for all, and a good night.
THE END
End file.
| fanfiction |
6.30pm: Deanery Confirmation Service The Advent season of preparing for Christmas this year begins with our hosting the deanery Confirmation Service. The Bishop of Dorking, the Rt Revd Jo Bailey-Wells, will preach and preside as a number of people from the Parish of Shere, and our own Parish, make the commitment of full membership of the Church.
10am: Parish Communion for St Nicolas This is always a very happy time for the parish as we celebrate our Patrol Festival (actually 6 December). Our Toy Service is an opportunity to share our love with someone less fortunate than we are. Again this year our toys will be given to the Eagle Radio Toy Appeal. You are invited to bring along an un-wrapped present.
4pm: Christingle Service – Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Christingle The Children's Society have for many years now, supported thousands of children and young people across the country, helping to change their lives for the better. At St. Nicolas we've long supported this work and we have our annual Christingle Service for children and adults of all ages. At this service we will distribute the home-made Christingles which celebrate Christ as the Light of the World. This service will be followed by mince pies and seasonal refreshments.
7.30pm: Cranleigh Choral Society Concert will feature well known carols as well as a performance of 'The Manchester Carols' (a collaboration between composer Sasha Johnson Manning and Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy. The Choral Society will be conducted by Catherine Beddison, Roy Woodhams will be playing the organ as well as narrating 'The Manchester Carols' and the Soprano soloist will be Martha Woodhams.
10am: Family Service with Nativity A tradition that at this Family Service the young people, with some help, retell the Nativity story in a fun, fresh way.
7.00pm: David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation Christmas Concert This will feature Cranleigh prep School Chamber Choir, pianist Richard Saxel as well as performances from internationally renowned Mezzo Soprano and DSWF Ambassador Laura Wright. Tickets can be bought in advance from here and will include entry to an exclusive exhibition of David Shepherd originals afterwards in the Cranleigh Arts Centre.
6.30pm Village Carol Service Our traditional ecumenical service of 9 lessons and carols by candlelight!
So much fun, we do it twice! This is a magical service for children, parents and grandparents, reliving the Christmas story on the eve of Christ's birth. There are many roles for the children to play so if you would like to take part in either service please email Elise or Gabrielle or call the Church Office - 273620.
11pm Midnight Communion Celebrate the beginning of Christmas Day with the First Communion of Christmas.
10am Family Carols Celebrate Christmas with the whole family, including our traditional 'take' on the 12 days of Christmas! | slim_pajama |
The Shoemaker's Prodigious Wife La zapatera prodigiosa, also known as The Shoemaker's Wonderful Wife and The Shoemaker's Prosperous Wife, is a play by the twentieth-century Spanish dramatist Federico García Lorca. It was written between 1926 and 1930, and first performed in 1930.
The play tells the story of a volatile relationship between a married couple, a 53-year-old shoemaker and his 18-year-old wife. The story follows the wife's struggle against her husband, the mayor, neighbours, suitors, and a boy. The shoemaker and his wife are shunned in their society because they are different. The shoemaker leaves the wife. She is very sad and sorry. The mayor, young man in the sash and young man in the hat all swoop in as soon as the shoemaker leaves, trying to woo her. They all fail miserably. The wife stays loyal to the shoemaker. She has to open a cafe so that she has enough money to live on. The Shoemaker, tired of a life on the road, is sorry and comes back disguised as a puppeteer. He tells the wife he is sorry and she accepts him back happily and warmly.
The Shoemaker's Prodigious Wife features a poem, recited by the Shoemaker when disguised as a puppet-master. The poem provides a condensed version of the story of The Shoemaker's life.
Category:Plays by Federico García Lorca
Category:1930 plays
Category:Fictional shoemakers | wikipedia |
Ghosts are overdone, we've already got zombies, vampires, and extra terrestrials. What's next for the found footage subgenre of horror films? Mummies? A new trailer has been released for the upcoming film The Pyramid, which follows a group of archaeologists who discover a buried pyramid in the Egyptian desert. | slim_pajama |
extracting the ckm parameter @xmath2 is an important step in testing of the ckm description of cp violation in the @xmath3 meson system . currently , the theoretically cleanest determinations of @xmath2 come from inclusive semileptonic decays which are not sensitive to the details of hadronization ; although recently an approach of extracting @xmath2 , utilizing @xmath4 , has been advanced with a competitive error to inclusive methods .
@xcite in inclusive extractions of @xmath2 , experimental cuts to exclude the charm background of @xmath5 are imposed .
this restricts the decay products to hadronic final states that have large energy @xmath6 and low invariant mass @xmath7 . with these phase space restrictions the local ope expansion @xcite appropriate for sufficiently inclusive decays used to extract @xmath8 @xcite , typically breaks down .
@xcite as the local ope , and the clean separation of scales that the local ope represented in the analysis of @xmath5 , is no longer valid ; a more involved theoretical approach is required to separate the scales relevant to these decays .
decay rates are expressed as convolutions of hard ( @xmath9 ) , jet ( @xmath10 ) and soft physics ( @xmath11 ) associated with the scales @xmath12 , in the following way , @xmath13 although this factorization theorem has been proven diagrammatically @xcite at leading order in @xmath14 , it is not known to hold to all orders in the nonperturbative expansion .
it has only recently been extended beyond leading nonperturbative order @xcite .
the systematic treatment of the nonperturbative corrections involve a two step matching procedure .
one matches qcd onto the effective field theory of the intermediate scale , describing quarks and gluons with large energy and small offshellness , known as scet @xcite , and uses the renormalization group evolution to run down to the soft scale .
one then matches scet onto the lightcone wavefunction of the @xmath3 meson , expressed in terms of hqet fields .
one can also match directly from qcd onto hqet , a much simpler procedure at the cost of not summing the logarithms of the ratio of scales @xmath15 via scet . in either case , the soft sector of the theory is expanded in terms of non - local operators . the leading order term in the @xmath16 expansion of the lightcone distribution function of the @xmath3 meson @xcite is know as the shape function . at subleading order in the nonperturbative expansion , four additional non - local operators have been determined to be present @xcite , the matrix elements of which are referred to as subleading shape functions .
it is of some intrinsic interest to examine the renormalization of these non - local operators , as they are non - local and their renormalizability is not know _ a priori_. it is also important to know if this set of operators is complete in the error assigned to extractions of @xmath2 , and in considering the above factorization theorem beyond leading order .
examining the perturbative behavior of these subleading shape functions is also a necessary step to take to perform one loop matching calculations onto the soft sector . for these reasons
we have determined the anomalous dimension to subleading nonperturbative order . to this end , we have determined the contributions of the time ordered products of the subleading @xmath17 with the leading order shape function , and examined the anomalous dimensions of the subleading nonperturbative operators .
we establish the renormalizability and closure of a subset of the subleading non - local operators .
we find that the known operator basis mixes with new operators , requiring that the subleading operator basis be extended .
we also comment on the phenomenological consequences of these results .
we introduce two light - like vectors @xmath18 and
@xmath19 related to the velocity of the heavy quark by @xmath20 , and satisfying @xmath21 in the frame in which the @xmath22 quark is at rest , these vectors are given by @xmath23 , @xmath24 and @xmath25 .
the projection of an arbitrary four - vector @xmath26 onto the directions which are perpendicular to the lightcone is given by @xmath27 , where @xmath28 we also define a perpendicular levi - civita tensor @xmath29 we also use the projector @xmath30 as well as the dirac structure @xmath31 , so that @xmath32 . rather than the usual definitions of the star distribution
as given in neubert and defazio @xcite , @xmath33\nonumber\\ \left(\frac{\log(x)}{x}\right)_*&=&\lim_{\beta\to0 } \left[\frac{\theta(x-\beta)}{x}\log(x)+ \frac{1}{2}\delta(x-\beta)\log^2(x)\right],\end{aligned}\ ] ] we utilize the alternate notation , equivalent to the @xmath34-distribution s in @xcite @xmath35.\ ] ] this notation has a fairly easy correspondence to the usual star distribution notation @xmath36 a useful identity given by analytic continuation is @xmath37 this relationship is valid when integrated against arbitrary functions @xmath38 , where @xmath39 is not singular at the origin . in general we can write the recursion relation @xmath40\mbox { for } n\ge2.\ ] ] several other useful properties of this function are ( for some positive constant @xmath41 ) : @xmath42 as well as @xmath43 for an @xmath41 with dimension , such as @xmath44 , the above equation is suitably modified to obtain logs the dimensionless ratio @xmath45 . at leading order a single
non - local operator characterizes the nonperturbative physics , @xmath46 where the covariant derivative is @xmath47 .
the order @xmath48 corrections to the @xmath0 and @xmath1 decay spectra require the introduction of four additional non - local operators @xcite , @xmath49 \ , \gamma \ , h_v , \\ m_b \ , q_3(\omega,\gamma ) & = & \!\!\int \!d \omega_1 d \omega_2 \ , \delta(\omega_1 , \omega_2 ; \omega ) \bar{h}_v \ , \delta(\omega_2 + i \ndotd ) g^{\mu\nu}_\perp \ { i d_\perp^\mu , i d_\perp^\nu \ } \delta ( \omega_1 + i \ndotd ) \ , \gamma \ , h_v , { \nonumber}\\ m_b \ , q_4(\omega,\gamma ) & = & \!\!-\!\!\int \!d \omega_1d \omega_2\,\delta(\omega_1 , \omega_2 ; \omega ) \bar{h}_v \ , \delta ( \omega_2 + i \ndotd)i\epsilon_\perp^{\mu\nu } [ i d_\perp^\mu , i d_\perp^\nu ] \delta(\omega_1 + i \ndotd ) \ , \gamma \ , h_v , { \nonumber}\end{aligned}\ ] ] where @xmath50 we define these operators rescaled by @xmath51 for later convenience in the anomalous dimension .
this rescaling should be noted when comparing to other work dealing with subleading shape functions .
we also use the convention of labeling operators as @xmath52 operators when the dirac structure is general , and referring to the operators as @xmath53 and @xmath54 when a particular dirac structure is required .
we find that the operator basis must be extended beyond tree level to include , at least the following operator @xmath55 where we have defined the following kernel and coefficient functions @xmath56 @xmath57 the operator @xmath58 was originally defined in @xcite by mannel and tackmann @xcite based on symmetry arguments and examining the endpoint of @xmath59 and taking the massless limit .
we find that the operator is unambiguously required beyond tree level due to the mixing experienced with the original set of operators .
we use feynman gauge to calculate the anomalous dimension to subleading order as the usual choice of lightcone gauge introduces non physical poles in the calculation , for a review of the relevant issues see @xcite .
below , we present the required one and two gluon feynman rules .
the two gluon feynman rules are also required and used but are too lengthy to include here , they can be obtained from the authors upon request .
the non - vanishing zero gluon feynman rules in feynman gauge are : @xmath60 the one gluon feynman rule for the leading order operator is @xmath61 the one gluon feynman rules for single covariant derivative operators are : @xmath62 finally , the one gluon feynman rules for two covariant derivative operators are as follows : @xmath63 where @xmath64 is the gluon momentum flowing out of the vertex , and the gluon carries lorentz index @xmath65 and colour index @xmath41 .
we have also made the convenient definitions @xmath66 the renormalization of the operators @xmath67 is performed in the usual fashion , @xmath68 where @xmath69 is a matrix of renormalization constants .
the values of the elements of @xmath70 can be found by taking arbitrary partonic matrix elements of both sides , which at leading order gives @xmath71 . to
subleading order in @xmath72 we have @xmath73 \\ & & \hspace{1cm}\times \left[\langle q_j(\omega ' , \tilde\mu , \gamma)\rangle_\mathrm{ren}^{(0)}+ \alpha_s \langle q_j(\omega ' , \tilde\mu , \gamma)\rangle_\mathrm{ren}^{(1)}\right ] , { \nonumber}\end{aligned}\ ] ] from which one obtains @xmath74 where by @xmath75 , we refer to the uv divergent part of @xmath76 . because there are operators such as @xmath77 and @xmath78 which do not have a zero gluon form , we must consider matrix elements of eq .
( [ defz ] ) with at least one external gluon
. these will be sufficient to identify the mixing of the various operators into @xmath77 and @xmath78 .
it should be noted that matrix elements with zero and one external gluon states are not sufficient in principle to determine the anomalous dimension matrix to subleading order . the operator @xmath79 \left[i d^\nu_\perp,\delta(\omega_1 + i \ndotd)\right ] \
, \gamma \ , h_v , \ ] ] does not have a zero gluon or one gluon feynman rule .
its nonvanishing feynman rules start at two gluon external states . in this paper
, we will not be calculating the two external gluon diagrams necessary to find mixing into this operator , if any exists .
we extract the anomalous dimension matrix of the subleading operators by examining matrix elements containing one perpendicularly polarized external gluon : @xmath80 the non - perpendicular components of the gluon field were also examined but found to induce no further mixing .
the mixing of @xmath81 into the other operators is determined by calculating matrix elements of this operator with insertions of the subleading hqet lagrangian .
zero gluon matrix elements are sufficient to find the mixing into @xmath81 , while one gluon matrix elements are required for mixing into the remaining operators . due to the spin symmetry violating effects of the subleading hqet lagrangian ,
the anomalous dimension of the @xmath54 operators can differ from that of the @xmath53 operators .
the wavefunction renormalization of the bare operators expressed in terms of renormalized fields are @xmath82 where @xmath83 is the number of gluons in the operator , and @xmath67 is written in terms of renormalized fields . for diagrams with an external state gluon
we use the background field method to treat the external gluon as a classical field and so we aquire no @xmath84 factor due to the wavefunction renormalization of the gluon .
@xcite the one gluon matrix elements are determined by calculating the diagrams shown in figure [ fig : gluondiag ] for each operator .
the external gluon in each of these diagrams is a background field gluon and the external states are chosen to have perpendicular polarization .
we utilize dimensional regularization and the @xmath85 scheme to regulate our divergences . to isolate and remove the ir divergences in the calculation we keep _ all _ the particles off shell by retaining factors of @xmath86 , @xmath87 and @xmath88 , where @xmath64 is the external gluon momentum . to clearly illustrate the need to extend the operator basis we present the results for @xmath89 diagram by diagram . in general , for perpendicular polarized external gluons , only diagrams ( ac ) , ( ad ) , ( bc ) , ( bd ) and ( dc ) contribute to the amplitude . for diagram dc , the loop integrals to perform are
as follows , with @xmath90 , @xmath91 the integrals are perfomed via the standard techniques of dimensional regularization with @xmath92 , the @xmath93 renormalization scale @xmath94 , and the utilization of eq.([thetaeqn ] ) and we have suppressed the lorentz and colour indicies .
the uv poles obtained for this diagram for @xmath89 after the integrals are performed and consideration of the symmetry factor are @xmath95 the results for diagrams ac and bc when inserting @xmath89 are @xmath96 finally , the results for diagrams ad and bd for @xmath89 insertions are @xmath97 the amplitudes combine to give the following uv poles @xmath98 once the wavefunction renormalization terms are multiplicatively combined with the result , we express the amplitude in terms of renormalization matrix elements @xmath99 and the one gluon feynman rules for the operators @xmath100 and @xmath101 as follows @xmath102 where @xmath103 the form of the mixing between @xmath100 and @xmath101 deserves some comment . at zero gluon the matrix elements of these operators are identical causing this mixing to be undetermined for zero gluon external state diagrams , even though the zero gluon matrix elements of both operators are nonzero , contrary to naive expectations .
the contribution of the operator @xmath101 to the renormalization matrix was also determined .
we find that this operator mixes with itself contributing a @xmath104 form to the matrix @xmath105 .
the antisymmetric operators @xmath106 and @xmath78 mix only with themselves and contribute diagonal factors of @xmath104 to the matrix of renormalization constants .
the inauspicious form of mixing between @xmath107 and @xmath101 is also present in the operator @xmath108 , however the corresponding analysis of @xmath108 is more complicated and is still under investigation . due to this complication in determining the full anomalous dimension matrix and the need for a two gluon calculation to determine the possible mixing with @xmath109 we present the results of our initial study of the anomalous dimension to subleading order in this paper and comment on the phenomenological consequences of the presented results .
we collect our results in section [ results ] . to find the mixing of the operators @xmath113 into the subleading operators
, we must evaluate the time ordered products of the operators with the the subleading terms of the hqet lagrangian ( @xmath114 ) @xmath115 , { \nonumber}\\ t_p^{\mu}(\omega ) & = & i \ , \int d^4 x \ , t \left [ \mathcal{l}_1(x ) , p_0^{\mu}(0,\omega ) \right ] .
\end{aligned}\ ] ] we now explicitly refer to the dirac structure of the operators .
this is necessary due to the dirac structure of the operators in the subleading lagrangian .
we treat the subleading lagrangian as a single operator insertion for the purposes of our calculation .
the different renormalization of the kinetic and chromomagnetic terms is accommodated by breaking the t products up in to @xmath116 after the diagram calculations , where @xmath117 refer to the kinetic and chromomagnetic operators of the subleading lagrangian .
we start with the zero gluon diagrams .
they are illustrated in figure [ fig : threediags ] .
the crosses in the diagrams represent the locations where one inserts the subleading hqet lagrangian , given by @xmath118 the zero , one and two gluon feynman rules for this lagrangian , where we suppress the renormalization scale dependence of the @xmath119 operator , are @xmath120&=&i\frac{k_\perp^2}{2m_b}p_+\nonumber\\ i\mathcal{l}_1[\mbox{1-gluon}]&= & -i g t_a \frac{(2k_\perp+\ell_\perp)^\alpha}{2m_b } p_+ + i g t_a \frac{i\epsilon^{\alpha \mu \rho \eta } l_\mu v_\rho}{2m_b } s_\eta\nonumber\\ i\mathcal{l}_1[\mbox{2-gluon}]&= & i g^2 \{t^{a_1 } , t^{a_2}\ } \frac{g_{\perp}^{\alpha_1 \alpha_2}}{2m_b}p_+ + i g^2 [ t^{a_1 } , t^{a_2 } ] \frac{i\epsilon^{\alpha_1 \alpha_2 \rho \eta}v_\rho}{2m_b } s_\eta.\end{aligned}\ ] ] the uv divergent part of the sum of the subleading @xmath121 zero gluon results for both @xmath111 and @xmath112 ( up to dirac structure ) is the same .
our result for the general dirac structure operator @xmath81 , with indices suppressed , is @xmath122 the latter term is the zero gluon matrix element of a modified @xmath107 operator .
the operator is modified to not have a perpendicular covariant derivative , but simply a @xmath123 in its definition .
this term vanishes at this order due to the equations of motion , these results are combined with our operator anomalous dimensions in section [ results ] .
( it should be noted that the zero gluon calculation does not determine this mixing is with the @xmath89 operator , as its zero gluon rule is identical to @xmath58 .
consistency between zero and one gluon external state calculations determines this mixing to be with the modified @xmath89 operator . )
there are many more one gluon diagrams than zero gluon diagrams , as illustrated in figure [ fig : ninediags ] .
the diagrams explicitly given constitute half of the total number of diagrams that must be calculated for each of @xmath111 and @xmath112 .
the other diagrams can be looked upon as either the mirror diagrams of those given , or the transposed diagrams which have the @xmath114 operator and lightcone operator interchanged .
the dirac structure of the subleading lagrangian force us to consider the dirac structure of these diagrams .
let us consider the one gluon diagrams of figure [ fig : ninediags ] , where the lightcone operator is @xmath81 .
we will denote by @xmath124 and @xmath125 the amplitude of these diagrams and the amplitude of the mirror diagrams respectively . because of the simple relationship between @xmath111 and @xmath126 , the corresponding amplitues for @xmath126 are @xmath127 and @xmath128 .
each of @xmath129 and @xmath130 can be decomposed into the two dirac structures @xmath131 and @xmath132 , for example with a heavy quark target , with one gluon in the final external state : @xmath133 thus for operator @xmath111 we can write the total amplitude proportional to each of the dirac structures after the calculations of the 40 diagrams required .
the results for insertions of the @xmath134 are : @xmath135 this result is easily matched , it is identical to the mixing form found in the zero gluon result with @xmath136 , so that the mixing occurs with the operators @xmath111 and @xmath137 : @xmath138 the result of the t product with @xmath119 is @xmath139 s_\eta | h_v(k ) \rangle_{\mathrm{div}}^{(1 ) } , \nonumber \\ & = & - \frac{c_a \ , g_s \ , \alpha \ , t^a}{8 \ , m_b \ , \epsilon \ , \pi } \left ( i \,\epsilon_\perp^{\nu s } \delta_{-}\left ( \ndotl \right ) - i \,\epsilon_\perp^{\ell \ , s } \ , n^{\nu } \,\frac{\delta_{-}\left ( \ndotl \right ) } { \ndotl } \right).\end{aligned}\ ] ] this result matches onto the one gluon rule for @xmath140 , as expected by the symmetry of the single derivative operators : @xmath141 the total @xmath142 and @xmath143 amplitudes can be written as @xmath144 using the decomposition @xmath145 we can decompose in terms of the pieces proportional to @xmath131 and @xmath132 for these amplitudes . for @xmath146 and @xmath147
we find the following mixing @xmath148 @xmath149 \times { \nonumber}\\ & \ , & \ ! \ !
( \langle h_v(k ) \ , a^\nu_a | p_1^{\mu \ , \eta } ( \omega ' ) | h_v(k ) \rangle^{(0 ) } - \langle h_v(k ) \ , a^\nu_a | \bar{p}_1^{\mu \ , \eta } ( \omega ' ) | h_v(k ) \rangle^{(0 ) } ) . { \nonumber}\end{aligned}\ ] ]
the order @xmath150 perturbative and leading order non - perturbative anomalous dimension matrix has been calculated by a variety of authors @xcite .
our results agree with theirs , and in the basis @xmath151 the pertrubative expansion is given by @xmath152 , \\ z^{(1)}(\omega , \omega ' , \tilde\mu)&= & \frac{\alpha_s(\tilde\mu)}{4 \pi}\left [ \begin{array}{cc } d_1(\omega , \omega ' , \tilde\mu ) & 0 \\ 0 & d_1(\omega , \omega ' , \tilde\mu ) \\ \end{array } \right ] .
\label{zmatrix0}\end{aligned}\ ] ] the distribution @xmath153 is the combination of the operator and wavefunction renormalization counter terms , given by @xmath154 recall , our initial expression related the bare and renormalized operators , @xmath155 we differentiate this equation with respect to @xmath156 to obtain our renormalization group equation @xmath157 the anomalous dimension matrix is determined using the useful result for @xmath85 @xcite @xmath158 where @xmath159 is the coefficient of the @xmath160 poles .
we find @xmath161,\ ] ] with , @xmath162.\ ] ] we have determined the matrix of renormalization constants at subleading non - perturbative order @xmath163 , excluding operators of class @xmath108 . if we order our @xmath52 operators as @xmath164 the leading order term in the perturbative expansion in the basis @xmath165 is given in block form as @xmath166 where the entries in the matrices in the above expression with @xmath167 are given by @xmath168 while the @xmath169 term in the expansion is @xmath170 with the diagonal block matrices @xmath171 , { \nonumber}\end{aligned}\ ] ] @xmath172 .
{ \nonumber}\end{aligned}\ ] ] the off diagonal block matrices are as follows @xmath173 , { \nonumber}\end{aligned}\ ] ] @xmath174 . { \nonumber}\end{aligned}\ ] ]
the @xmath175 distributions are given by @xmath176 we directly determine the anomalous dimension matrix to subleading order using eq .
( [ anomdimalpha ] ) to be the following @xmath177 the diagonal entries of the anomalous dimension matrix are @xmath178 , { \nonumber}\end{aligned}\ ] ] @xmath179 .
{ \nonumber}\end{aligned}\ ] ] the off diagonal entries are as follows @xmath180 , { \nonumber}\end{aligned}\ ] ] @xmath181 . { \nonumber}\end{aligned}\ ] ] with the following entries in the anomalous dimension matrix , @xmath182 , \nonumber \\
\gamma_2(\omega , \omega ' , \tilde\mu ) & = & -2 \alpha_s(\tilde\mu ) \frac{\omega ' \ , c_f } { \pi \ , m_b(\tilde\mu ) } \delta(\omega-\omega ' ) , \nonumber\\ \gamma_3^{\mu}(\omega , \omega ' , \tilde\mu ) & = & -3 \alpha_s(\tilde\mu ) \frac { c_f } { 2 \ , \pi}\delta(\omega-\omega ' ) \ , v^{\mu } , \nonumber\\ \gamma_4(\omega , \omega ' , \tilde\mu ) & = & \gamma_1(\omega , \omega',\tilde\mu ) + \frac { \alpha_s(\tilde \mu ) \ , c_a } { 2 \ , \pi } \delta(\omega-\omega ' ) , \nonumber\\ \gamma_5(\omega , \omega ' , \tilde\mu ) & = & - \frac{\alpha_s(\tilde \mu ) \ , c_a } { 2 \ , \pi}\delta(\omega-\omega'),\nonumber \\ \gamma_6^{\mu \ , \sigma}(\omega , \omega ' , \tilde\mu ) & = & \frac{\alpha_s(\tilde \mu ) \ , c_a}{4 \ , \pi } ( i \ , \epsilon^{\mu \ , \sigma}_{\perp } ) \delta(\omega-\omega ' ) , \nonumber\\ \gamma_7^{\mu \ , \sigma \ ,
\eta}(\omega , \omega',\tilde \mu ) & = & - \frac{\alpha_s(\tilde \mu ) \ , c_a } { 4 \ , \pi } ( ( v^\sigma - n^\sigma ) g^{\mu \ , \eta } + n^{\eta } ( g^{\sigma \mu } - v^\sigma \ , v^\mu ) ) \delta(\omega-\omega').\end{aligned}\ ] ]
we have examined the anomalous dimension matrix appropriate for the phase space restricted @xmath0 and @xmath1 decay spectra to subleading nonperturbative order .
the effects of the time ordered products of the hqet lagrangian with the leading order shape function operator were determined and the renormalizability and closure of a subset of the non - local operator basis used to describe these spectra , to subleading order , was established .
operator mixing was found between the operators which occur to subleading order , requiring that the subleading operator basis be extended to include the operator @xmath58 .
this requires the introduction of new shape functions to characterize the decay spectra of @xmath0 and @xmath1 beyond tree level .
the mixing determined between the operators @xmath89 and @xmath58 is of the pernicious form that required a one gluon external state calculation to determine , despite the non vanishing zero gluon feynman rules of the operators .
we have also demonstrated that the possible mixing with the operator @xmath183 in a similar manner ; with vanishing feynman rules for zero and one gluon , requires a two gluon external state calculation to completely determine the anomalous dimension at subleading non perturbative order .
mixing was also determined between the t product @xmath184 and the leading order shape function , and the t product @xmath185 was shown to lead to mixing between the @xmath54 and @xmath53 operators at this order .
the anomalous dimension and running of the @xmath186 and @xmath187 operators was shown to be identical to the leading order shape function @xmath81 .
this work can be built upon in a number of ways .
the anomalous dimension of the operator @xmath108 is under investigation by the authors to establish the closure at one loop of the set of subleading operators discussed in this paper .
the anomalous dimension of the subleading four quark operators should be investigated to determine the full anomalous dimension matrix at subleading order .
once the full anomalous dimension is determined , sudakov logarithms in the perturbative corrections to the subleading operators can be resummed , so that renormalization group improved calculations can be undertaken for the @xmath0 and @xmath1 decay spectra to subleading nonperturbative order .
more important than the small effect that these corrections have directly on the extraction of @xmath2 , is the fact that this work establishes the renormalizability of a subset of the soft sector nonperturbative expansion beyond leading order .
this is a necessary step in extending qcd factorization theorems beyond leading nonperturbative order , validating the factorization based approach used for the phase space restricted @xmath188 and @xmath1 decay spectra beyond leading nonperturbative order .
this work was begun in with the initial involvement of m. luke , and we thank him for his support and guidance throughout . financial support was provided by the natural sciences and engineering research council of canada .
m. trott also acknowledges the support of the walter b. sumner foundation .
a. williamson acknowledges financial support by the director , office of science , office of high energy , division of high energy physics under contract doe - er-40682 - 143 and deac02 - 6ch03000 .
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d * 63 * , 114020 ( 2001 ) . c. w. bauer , d. pirjol and i. w. stewart , phys .
d * 65 * , 054022 ( 2002 ) .
a. h. hoang , z .
ligeti and michael luke hep - ph/0502134 .
m. neubert hep - ph/0411027 .
thomas mannel and frank .
j. tackman phys .
d * 71 * , 034017 ( 2005 ) .
j. tackman , phys .
d * 72 * : 034036 ( 2005 ) hep - ph/0503095 .
george leibbrandt , rev .
phys . * 59 * 1067 ( 1987 ) . | arxiv |
On the occasional conference flyer or postcard, we have sometimes offered our most succinct expression of this journal's purpose: "Democracy & Education – for people who can't think of two more important things." It made us smile to say it. And yet we awoke this week to find that the current election cycle in the United States had delivered on its threat to call into question the fundamental commitments that bind us together as a democratic nation. Today we worry that this social fabric, though stretched and frayed in so many places before, now nears its breaking point.
The cultural and political ascension of a narrative that openly embraces racism, misogyny, and xenophobia – among other virulent forms of bigotry – has shaken us to our core. We struggle to hold our friends and family tight, we worry about the safety of our neighbors and those already made vulnerable in society, and we stand before our students facing their fear of what will happen next and their perplexity at the divisions that cleave us apart.
We bring you the latest issue of Democracy & Education with a steadfast and unwavering commitment to the kind of open, engaged, inclusive dialog on which the future depends. We have never promised, nor delivered, the comfort of a single perspective or worldview in these pages, and while we feel deeply the need to marshal our efforts in opposition to the forces of intolerance, we do so by offering a place where the rigorous assessment of diverse perspectives and generous exploration of alternatives is the basis for our hope.
We offer our deepest gratitude to the authors and readers of this journal for being part of a community full of individuals who can talk and argue, who find their views stronger after that conversation or who find good reason to change their minds. Most of all, we respect everything you do to carry these ideas forward through your work in classrooms, schools, and communities.
Being Critical About Being Critical. A Response to "Toward a Transformative Criticality for Democratic Citizenship Education"
Brooke Blevins and Karon N. LeCompte Ph.D.
Deliberative Democracy: A Contested Interactive Space. A Response to "Deliberative Democracy in English Language Education: Cultural and Linguistic Inclusion in the School Community"
Powerful Design Principles and Processes: Lessons from a Case of Ambitious Civics Education Curriculum Planning. A Response to "Reinventing the High School Government Course: Rigor, Simulations, and Learning from Text"
Is Group Therapy Democratic? Enduring Consequences of Outward Bound's alignment with the Human Potential Movement. A Response to "How to Be Nice and Get What You Want: Structural Referents of 'Self' and 'Other' in Experiential Education as (Un)Democratic Practice."
The Changing Challenges of Transformational Resistance. A Response to "Building the Dream: Transformational Resistance, Community-Based Organizations, and the Civic Engagement of Latinos in the New South" | slim_pajama |
hierarchical clustering scenarios of galaxy formation , such as cold dark matter - dominated cosmologies , predict that structure forms first on small scales and later combines to form larger galaxies .
low - mass objects similar to dwarf galaxies are supposed to be the building blocks and should have formed prior to the epoch of giant galaxy formation . later they merge to build the larger galaxies . in this context
, the accretion and tidal disruption of dwarf galaxies would play an important role in the evolution of galaxy halos and is essential for understanding the stellar mass assembly of large spiral galaxies .
minor mergers ( satellites with about 1/10 @xmath0 ) will significantly affect the star - formation and further evolution of disk galaxies , e.g. by inducing disk thickening , warping , or bar formation .
even smaller minor mergers , so called miniscule " mergers ( ibata 2001 ) , with dwarf galaxies of lower mass should frequently happen to every large spiral galaxy .
this accretion of low - mass systems , as a natural consequence of the merging history of a galaxy , is still ongoing and should give rise to long _ stellar streams _ ( johnston et al .
1996 ) around the parent galaxies .
the local group is the natural place to start looking for streams and the discovery of the prior unknown sagittarius dwarf galaxy ( ibata et al .
1994 ) revealed a close satellite of the milky way confirmed to be caught in the act of tidal destruction by means of star counts and kinematics .
in addition , ibata et al .
( 2001 ) detected another giant stellar stream within m31 s ( andromeda galaxy ) halo .
the sgr and and stream support the scenario of `` spaghetti halos '' ( morrison et al .
2000 ) : galaxy halos build up by accumulation of tidally disrupted dwarf galaxies . but are tidal streams really common around galaxies
? only a few detections of possible streams in external galaxies have been made .
taking into account that sgr viewed from outside would have a surface brightness of @xmath1 , this is not difficult to understand .
the first examples of extragalactic tidal streams are shown in the paper by malin & hadly ( 1997 ) .
using special contrast enhancement techniques they were able to highlight faint structures around nearby galaxies of large angular size on deep photographic plates . from this paper m83 ( fig .
1 ) is probably one of the best cases , but structures in m104 ( sombrero ) and ngc2855 may also represent stellar streams . perhaps the most compelling example found to date is an elliptical loop , 45kpc in diameter , around the nearby , late - type , edge - on galaxy ngc5907 by shang et al .
recent discoveries include peng et al.s ( 2002 ) detection of a stellar stream in the envelope of the giant elliptical galaxy ngc5128 ( cena ) , and a fine example in the hst / acs commissioning data which nicely shows that ugc10214 s long tail is produced by tidal disruption of an in - falling dwarf galaxy .
the discovery of these extragalactic tidal streams evoke a number of questions : are they exceptional cases or are tidal streams around galaxies really as common as predicted by current models ?
are these examples typical of the appearance of such streams ? what can we learn from these streams ?
what are the possibilities to find more of them ?
the latter question is addressed nicely by johnston et al .
( 2001 ) , who estimate typical surface brightnesses of streams around external galaxies from semianalytic modelling . for one of their @xmath2 model
satellites the stream starts with surface brightness @xmath3and , by spreading stripped material along its orbit , decreases to 28.5after 1gyr and down to 30.0 after 4gyr .
systematic searches for more extragalactic tidal streams , in addition to providing evidence for the miniscule merger scenario , would hopefully turn up more examples of geometrically simple cases like ngc5907 for which comparison to models like those of johnston et al .
( 2001 ) would yield reliable estimates of progenitor mass and age .
what methods can be used to detect extragalactic streams ? while previous discoveries have been serendipitous , the natural approach would be a deep survey of edge - on spiral galaxies in order to geometrically maximize the detection probability .
this could be done either for nearby , large angular sized galaxies with the currently available wide - field imaging devices or for more distant samples using single ccd devices . though the influence of the @xmath4 cosmological surface brightness dimming for galaxies out to 100 mpc will be negligible
only 0.1mag we have had little success with either approach : in a pilot survey using deep kpno 0.9 m mosaic images ( @xmath5 ) , we have not found indications for streams around the nearby edge - on disks ngc3044 , ngc3079 , and ngc 3432 , and , surprisingly , in a deep ( @xmath6 ) imaging sample of @xmath7 more distant , edge - on disk galaxies ( pohlen 2001 ) we have found only one clear example ( eso572 - 044 ) of a minor merger stream ( two additional galaxies ngc5170 and eso286 - 018 show clear tidal features but are probably connected to more similar mass sized companions ) .
meanwhile , we have had better success searching publicly available , deep , wide - field surveys .
though not typically centered on nearby spiral galaxies and the typically detected streams will tend to be at redshifts where the surface brightness dimming becomes important ( e.g. , for a redshift of @xmath8 the brightness already decreases by 0.5mag ) , this technique has been used to find three of the four new stream candidates shown in fig
. 2 : * eso572 - 044 * : this sb galaxy ( diameter : @xmath91.7 ) is probably surrounded by a tidal stream .
it is enclosed by an arc - like structure with a possible dwarf galaxy as the origin .
eso572 - 044 exhibits a large thick outer disk at low surface brightness which may indicate a recent interaction with the similar - sized nearby spiral eso572 - 046 ( @xmath10kms@xmath11 ) .
* pgc1018343 * : this small galaxy ( @xmath12 ) was fortuitously found on a deep ing / wfc image .
it is listed as npm1g-07.0455 in ned and also detected in 2mass , but has no measured redshift .
the stream is clearly visible on the lower right side but also extends to the upper left side .
* pgc751050 * : this edge - on s0 galaxy ( @xmath12 ) is another serendipitous detection of a possible stream found in the eso - wfi wide - field image of the chandra deep field south .
the stream is obvious and connected to a possible satellite at the end .
it has a 2df redshift of @xmath13 and is listed in 2mass as 2masxi j0332467 - 274212 . *
sj160610.7 + 552700 * : this spiral galaxy ( @xmath14 ) with unknown distance lay by chance in the field of the hst image of the famous tadpole galaxy taken during acs commissioning .
it also shows a stream extending on both sides .
we are in the process of collecting the missing redshifts and calibrated photometry that will allow a detailed comparison of these new detections with the johnston et al .
( 2001 ) models .
in addition , we are working with a deep , partly multi - colour , public survey of 10from the wide field camera at the eso 2.2 m telescope ( kindly provided by m.schirmer and t.erben from bonn university ) .
this survey covers a set of random fields outside of any specific cluster , and therefore provides a suitable sample of isolated spiral galaxies at various redshifts to systematically search for tidal streams .
* acknowledgments . * credits for ugc10214 to nasa , h. ford ( jhu ) , g. illingworth ( uscs / lo ) , m.clampin ( stsci ) , g. hartig ( stsci ) , the acs science team , and esa .
we would like to thank mischa schirmer and thomas erben at the wide field expertise center " of the institut fr astrophysik und extraterrestrische forschung der universitt bonn ( iaef ) in germany for providing the reduced eso / wfi cdf - s image .
in addition , we would like to thank d. malin for providing the deep photographic image of m83 ( fig . 1 ) .
ibata , r. a. , gilmore , g. , & irwin , m. j. 1994 , nature , 370 , 194 ibata , r. 2002 , asp conf .
ser . 275 : disks of galaxies , p.431 ibata , r. , irwin , m. , lewis , g. , ferguson , a. m. n. , & tanvir , n. 2001 , nature , 412 , 49 johnston , k. v. , hernquist , l. , & bolte , m. 1996 apj , 465 , 278 johnston , k. v. , sackett , p. d. , & bullock , j. s. 2001 , apj , 557 , 137 malin , d. & hadley , b. 1997 , pasa , 14 , 52 morrison , h. l. , mateo , m. , olszewski , e. w. , et al .
2000 , aj , 119 , 2254 peng , e. w. , ford , h. c. , freeman , k. c. , & white , r. l. 2002 , aj , 124 , 3144 pohlen , m. 2001 , phd thesis , university bochum shang , z. , et al . 1998 , apjl , 504 , l23 ; | arxiv |
Solid Ground may refer to:
Solid Ground Seattle, a social service organization in Washington, U.S.
Albums
Solid Ground Gugun Blues Shelter album, 2011
Solid Ground John Anderson album, 1993
Solid Ground Peter Baldrachi album, 2006
Solid Ground Rob Crosby album, 1990
Solid Ground Smokie album, 1981
Solid Ground The Black Seeds album, 2008
Solid Ground, by Wolf Mail, 2002
Solid Ground, by Ronnie Laws, 1981
Songs
Solid Ground song, by Marit Larsen | wikipedia |
The N5 or National Highway 5 is a national highway in Ghana that begins at Adomi in the Eastern region and runs east to Ho, where it intersects with the R26, which travels north to reconnect with the N2. At Ho, the N5 also intersects with the R10 and R55. The N5 spans a distance of 40 kilometers 25 miles.
Route
Major towns and cities along the route of the N5 include Juapong, Sokode-Etoe, and Ho.
See also
Ghana Road Network
References
Category:Roads in Ghana | wikipedia |
def html_it():
"""Run coverage.py and make an HTML report for everything."""
import coverage
cov = coverage.Coverage(include=["./*", "../othersrc/*"])
cov.start()
import here # pragma: nested
cov.stop() # pragma: nested
cov.html_report(directory="../html_other")
runfunc(html_it, rundir="src", addtopath="../othersrc")
# Different platforms will name the "other" file differently. Rename it
import os, glob
for p in glob.glob("html_other/*_other_py.html"):
os.rename(p, "html_other/blah_blah_other_py.html")
# HTML files will change often. Check that the sizes are reasonable,
# and check that certain key strings are in the output.
compare("gold_other", "html_other", size_within=10, file_pattern="*.html")
contains("html_other/index.html",
'<a href="here_py.html">here.py</a>',
'other_py.html">', 'other.py</a>',
)
clean("html_other")
| slim_pajama |
Doc Martin A Christmas Truce
**A Christmas Truce**
**This story takes place on Christmas Eve, approximately six months after the end of Series Six and contains mild spoilers. **
When consigned to Saint Benedict's at age six and three-quarters, I was the youngest new boy, and Captain David Hammersmith was the oldest staff member at school. He was the last remaining old boy from a group of damaged young men who returned to Saint Benedict's following World War I. With burn-scarred bodies, missing limbs, and fragile mental states, the more able taught or acted as house masters. Those like Captain Hammersmith worked amongst the library stacks or in the kitchens. The latter were rarely seen by students nor were those who returned in a similar condition from World War II. They were a sad reminder that British boys were not as invincible as the school would have us believe. During each of my six years at Saint Benedict's, Captain Hammersmith emerged from obscurity to recount the Christmas Truce of 1914. It was this story I remembered as I drove to Newquay with James Henry on Christmas Eve.
Many thought the story apocryphal or more likely a "latrine rumour," but Captain Hammersmith insisted he was at Rue du Bois during the historic event. In his account, the German troops mounted makeshift Christmas trees and glowing candles atop their mud-filled trenches. A German officer bravely called out in English for a truce, if only for a few hours. The astonished Englishmen – along with a smattering of Scots and French – accepted the truce, and both sides put down their guns. Soon German Christmas songs floated across the unusually quiet battlefield.
At this point, Captain Hammersmith would smile sardonically and say, "The remainder may or may not be true, gentlemen. Footballs may have been fashioned from munitions bags and used for impromptu games between the warring soldiers. Souvenirs may have been exchanged, and an English barber may have earned a few marks by providing haircuts to Germans. What was true were the corrupting bodies of lads who only years earlier had marveled at toy soldiers left by Father Christmas and Weihnachtsmann. They were retrieved from the stench of no-man's-land and honourably buried.
"As the clear Christmas day drew to a close, the enemies returned to their respective trenches to fight anew. Before the battle could resume, the German troops began singing Franz Gruber's, 'Stille Nacht,' and the Tommies responded with its English translation, 'Silent Night.'"
Captain Hammersmith said the exchange of stanzas – first sung in German, then English – continued for at least an hour. Then a calm descended over the land until dawn.
This was the cue for the school organist to play "Silent Night," and we laboured through the first stanza in German and then gratefully repeated it in English. Our reedy voices sounded through four more rounds – first German and then English. As we did so, the lights were slowly dimmed in the chapel until it was as dark and still as the perhaps mythical battlefield. After a moment of suspenseful silence, a Christmas tree was illuminated at the front of chapel and boys and masters cheered alike. Then the head master delivered his Christmas message, highlighting the humanity displayed on the Western Front.
"Gentlemen, at your darkest moments, I implore you remember that each of you is human and has the capacity for great kindness, understanding and strength of purpose. Take what Captain Hammersmith has told you as both a Christmas story and a life lesson. You may be faced with great challenges, but you will overcome them through your very humanity."
A heady lesson for a child as young as I was, but it resonated with me. The next morning I was leaving Saint Benedict's to spend half term with my parents in London. Little humanity had been shown to me in the past, but I was heartened to think that like the English and German troops, we might enjoy a short Christmas truce. It was not to be that year nor any of the subsequent years I reluctantly returned to London. Yet each December at Saint Benedict's I was buoyed by Captain Hammersmith's Christmas tale and tried to retain my humanity in the face of my vile parents.
When I moved on to secondary school at Tonbridge, the curriculum's emphasis on science convinced me that I could never coax even a bit of humanity from my parents. As I grew older and independent of them, I relegated Margaret and Christopher Ellingham to a category reserved for the inhumane and largely forgot about them. They would occasionally re-appear to taunt me with their narcissism and evil intent. Eventually I gained the strength to first banish father, then mother, from my life.
Now, Dr. Wynkoop and I were addressing what I mistakenly thought was a meaningless relationship with my parents. But it proved to be the source of my depression and likely the haemophobia. Although I argued vociferously against using a psychotropic drug, the psychiatrist ultimately convinced me that I needed a mild anti-depressant.
"Look, Ellingham, you don't have to like me, but you do have to respect my advice or you'll never repair your marriage much less your medical career. The NHS does not condone unauthorized surgeries on family members nor locking consultants in cupboards. You could have taken any number of measures rather than commandeer an operating theatre and endanger a patient's life. The fact that she was your wife made your action even more egregious.
"Chris Parsons has washed his hands of you, and your few apologists in Portwenn have censored your behavior. You have been kept on as the village GP only because no other doctor will take on that backwater.
"Your marriage is in a similar hash. No sooner was your wife released from hospital, than her mother decamped with her and your son. Despite your sense of well-being following Louisa's surgery, your depression was not miraculously cured. The full fury of the NHS fell on you as did that of your mother-in-law. This prompted your aunt's call begging me to treat you.
"Only Ruth Ellingham could have dragged me from London to see you on an emergency basis. You were in a near psychotic state when I arrived in Portwenn. You babbled incoherently about Louisa, a breakfast tray, your grandfather's clock, a dropped coffin,and a pig farmer named Porter. When Ruth asked about James Henry, you were shattered. You pulled a small toy from your pocket and cried that it was all that remained of your son. He was lost to you. It was a suitable end for a disgraced surgeon. You were again proven a worthless human being."
Months later I could not recall that initial encounter with Charles Wynkoop. I remember leaving hospital and driving to Aunt Ruth's where James and I had supper. After returning home and seeing my son off to bed, I phoned the head sister on Louisa's ward. She reported that Mrs. Ellingham was resting comfortably but asked not to be disturbed. She did agree to leave a message for her. I struggled with the wording and finally choked: "Please ask my wife to phone me in the morning."
"Yes, Dr. Ellingham," the woman replied, "we'll see to it." Based on my experience with ward sisters, I knew it would be done.
By ten the next morning, I had not heard from Louisa and rang the surgical ward again. The same sister answered my call. "Yes, Dr. Ellingham," she cheerfully responded, "we did give the message to your wife."
"Will she call me then," my pleading tone embarrassing me. "Perhaps, she'll ring you after she's cleaned up a bit. Her nurse said she's asked about having a shower. That's not possible so soon after surgery. Mrs. Ellingham's doctor should see her soon, and she'll have a wash after that. I'll remind her to phone you." With that I was dismissed.
Twice more I rang the ward and was given a brief description of Louisa's current condition. Each time I was assured that my wife had been asked to phone me. When surgery ended at six, I quickly fed James Henry and tucked him into his car seat. On the drive to Truro, I rang the hospital several times, and the various exasperated nurses told me that Mrs. Ellingham had indeed been asked to phone me.
Arriving at hospital, I had a bit of a tiff with the receptionist who advised me that James Henry could not enter the surgical ward. In my world receptionists are meant to be ignored, and I proceeded to Louisa's room with the receptionist shouting after me, "Security, I've called security."
Inside the room, Eleanor Glasson stood at Louisa's bedside murmuring to her sleeping daughter: "Don't worry my lovely, mummy's here now."
What followed was a very unpleasant recital by Eleanor of my wife's many grievances against me. No longer was I the charmingly grumpy man Louisa married. Now I was distant, nasty, mean, a bad father and a worse husband. I had no humanity. Louisa had to get away from me or lose her mind. Eleanor flew from Ibiza to rescue her daughter and grandson – from me.
So stunned was I by these accusations that I silently left the room, too shaken to respond. In the corridor, a security officer gently explained that young babies carried a great many germs, and it was not wise to bring them onto a surgical ward. Baby could also be infected by the bacteria, fungi and viruses harboured in hospital. It was best if I left and returned later without the child. Perhaps a relative or friend could care for him whilst daddy visited mummy. I nodded in agreement and returned to Portwenn with James.
In the morning, I phoned Louisa's ward and a different head sister advised me that Mrs. Ellingham was being released today. They were waiting only for her doctor. Of course, the sister would be happy to have Louisa ring me.
Morwenna handed me a full schedule of patients after I left James Henry with the baby minder. I could not focus on my work as I tried valiantly to sort out what to do about Louisa. I became dizzy during a hernia examination and realised I hadn't eaten since the previous day's lunch. Before the next patient came through, I hurried to the kitchen and drank milk. Again, I enumerated my physical symptoms in an effort to diagnose my medical condition: inability to concentrate, sudden anger, lack of appetite and resultant weight loss, insomnia, no interest in sex.
Had I not been so stubborn, I would have acknowledged the classic symptoms of my depression. Louisa had urged me to talk about my problems, but to do so made me physically uncomfortable. I did my best to avoid discussing anything with her, and this only frustrated Louisa. She felt useless, and I felt nagged. The more she tried to talk, the more I would withdraw. Another indication of my depression that I foolishly overlooked
I vowed to make an appointment with a consultant today. Feeling as optimistic as the day of Louisa's surgery, I told Morwenna to send patients through during lunch time. I wanted to finish my schedule early and bring Louisa home. Unlike her medicated ramblings before the operation, her head would now be clear. We could easily patch up our misunderstandings.
Morwenna entered my examination room at four, saying there were no more patients. Could she leave early? Having heard enough of her whinging from missing lunch, I waved her off.
"Oh, Louisa's mum is here. Said she's ever so much better after her operation. Let me know when we can have another go at surgery, Doc."
Before I could leave my chair, Eleanor entered the room and brusquely announced she was there to collect clothes for Louisa and James along with his bottles, a few toys and books. She knew her way around the surgery, and there was no need for my help. The two were waiting in the car, and she was taking them to Wadebridge where they would stay with an old friend. Her daughter was in no condition to return to school, and the term was nearly over. She would have six weeks to recover from her broken collarbone, recent surgery and – as Eleanor dramatically put it - "to reflect on her life."
Under ordinary circumstances, I would have booted her from my surgery. Instead, I meekly remained at my desk, allowing Eleanor free reign of our home. She bustled about and only said "I'll be off then," as she left with a mound of bags. Through the window, I saw Al Large furtively looking about as he helped Eleanor load the boot of her hired car. Louisa was in the rear seat with her head turned toward the harbour.
I stood transfixed at the window until the summer sky turned dark. At some point, I collapsed to the floor, and this is where Morwenna found me the next morning. The gritty carpet still sodden from my tears. Morwenna had the good sense to ring Aunt Ruth rather than the idiot Penhale. She and Ruth guided me to the Chesterfield where I remained in a comatose state until Charles Wynkoop arrived in the late afternoon.
He administered Amisulpride by injection, and I slipped into a dreamless sleep. On awakening the next day, Ruth was at my bedside and called for Dr. Wynkoop to join her. He thought that I had suffered a severe panic attack, not unlike those I had on seeing blood. However, this was triggered by my depression and what I thought was the loss of my wife and son.
Wynkoop examined me, asked a series of questions, and repeated his diagnosis of depression. He was not certain if a physical or emotional problem was at its source, but I could do one of two things: Accept a referral to a psychiatrist in Truro or travel to London in the next few days to be thoroughly examined at his clinic. When I argued that I had a mild reaction to blood that resulted in panic attacks, he laughed derisively.
"No, Dr. Ellingham, you are depressed. All of your physical symptoms are from a depression that has caught hold of your mind and affected your body. You must find the source of this problem and treat it. You have been delaying this reality for too many years, according to my esteemed colleague, Ruth Ellingham. Tell me what you wish to do. You need help immediately."
With Ruth's forceful prodding, I flew to London a day later and met again with Wynkoop. I then underwent a range of examinations to rule out a physical basis for my symptoms. When nothing was found, the psychiatrist prescribed sessions twice a week via Skype. I also had to see him each month in London. This is the course of treatment I have undergone for the last six months.
Medication has improved my serotonin and noradrenaline levels, and I soon resumed my GP duties. With therapy I have begun to make positive changes, but my relationship with Louisa is strained. She remained in Wadebridge throughout the summer term and rebuffed my overtures when I visited James Henry each day. Aunt Ruth saw Louisa weekly and convinced her to consult a psychologist in Plymouth. Louisa has kept her own counsel about therapy, but she recently suggested that we consider couple's counseling.
Despite his parents' muddled state, James Henry has prospered. He grows and changes daily and is now walking and jabbering. Louisa and my son returned to Portwenn in September when the school term began. We are fortunate that the Army gave Michael Pruddy a notice of discharge under redundancy and with no penalty. He is once again caring for James at Louisa's cottage. With its limited budget, the Army determined that it was not financially feasible to treat Michael's OCD. Like me, he was reluctant to seek help but has recently accepted a referral to an NHS psychologist. To my delight, he has not resumed his flirtation with Morwenna. She has other more appropriate suitors.
As James and I made our way to Newquay Airport, I reflected on the changes I am trying to make. My depression is well controlled with medication, and psychotherapy is helping me address the underlying issues that made me so miserable for so long. Patients will never describe me as smarmy, but they do appreciate my improved bedside manner. "Tosser" is no longer shouted at me as I walk about Portwenn. More often villagers exchange pleasantries with me, particularly if James Henry is in tow.
Since September, Louisa and I have had several meetings, and I hope we will soon resume our life together. Tonight she is returning from Palma, where her London friend – India Cloverley – married her old friend, Danny Steel. When India and Danny were in Portwenn a few months ago, Louisa invited me to dinner with them. It was an unexpectedly enjoyable evening because the two seemed so comfortable and content with each other. Louisa told me this was the type of relationship she wanted with me.
The holiday crush at the airport did not faze me as it once would. I waited patiently at the arrivals car park, all the time chatting with James so that he would remain awake. Finally, my beautiful, glorious Louisa rushed toward the car, pulling her case and lugging a bag of oranges.
"Couldn't leave Spain without a gift for you lot," she laughed as I exchanged James for her bags. He jabbered happily and squealed as she peppered him with kisses and questions about his two days with daddy. I hurried them into the car, eager to return to Portwenn and the peace of Christmas Eve.
Louisa chattered to James Henry until he slept, and then turned to me. "I wish you could have been there, Martin. The wedding was wonderful. India and Danny are finally together."
Ordinarily, I would have grunted, but tonight I asked about details that never would have interested me in the past. This was one of the many changes I saw in myself. More empathy and caring about others.
As we turned onto the dark road to Portwenn, Louisa exclaimed, "Oh look – it's the Christmas star." I stopped myself from correcting her and pointing out that it was actually Capella, the brightest star in the Auriga constellation. It had nothing to do with Christmas.
Perhaps appreciative of my silence, she began singing softly: "Stille nach, heilige nacht, Alles schlaft; einsam wachet. . . ."
Her words startled me after earlier recalling those long-ago Christmas services at Saint Benedict's. "Louisa, why are you singing in German?"
"Oh, a bit silly, really. My Grandfather James – you know, the milkman – taught me those words as a child. During the Second World War he served with the 1st Battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment, the one involved in the Christmas Truce of 1914. At Christmas the regiment had a tradition of singing "Silent Night" first in English, then in German. He always sang the two versions with me at Christmas until he died when I was age 11. Soon afterward, my mum left us and moved to Spain. Not a very good year, altogether."
"Louisa, I know there were many bad things in your life," I tentatively began. "Mine too. Both of us have tried very hard to overcome our problems so that we can be together again. I want you and James Henry back with me. You are my wife, and I can't bear being without you."
She took my hand and brought it to her lips, but said nothing. Instead she began singing "Silent Night." After the first stanza, I responded in German. We alternated singing in the two languages as we made our way home to Portwenn following the Christmas Star.
Sometimes a Christmas Truce provides only a brief respite from the horrors of battle.
Sometimes a Christmas Truce fails to be recognised by unloving parents.
Sometimes a Christmas Truce signals the renewal of a marriage.
Saint Benedict's head master rightly told us that we could overcome great challenges if we retained our humanity. It has been a struggle to retain my humanity In the face of all that has befallen me. I now have the confidence to know that Louisa and I will be together again - and into the future.
**The End**
End file.
| fanfiction |
Resident Evil 1. Prolog:Kidnapped! That Sucks!
R**Authors Note: This story is about me getting stuck in the Resident Evil 4 reality. I will be writing from a third person view to try to make this a novelization of Resident Evil 4! The plot starts to change slowly till soon everything spins out of control! Buah!HAHAHAHAHAHAH! I haven't wrote a story for years so don't be surprised if I misspelled or something like that. Please Review!...And be gentle... This story will be rated T for VIOLENCE,BLOOD and GORE, and HORROR! HE!HAHAHAHAH!**
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality **
**Prolog: Kidnapped! That Sucks!**
" Oh no you don't! Take that moooooooeron!" Sheila crowed as she threw a grenade at the giant chainsaw maniac who tried to take off her character's head. The grenade was the final blow for the monster officially making her score 60,240! She kept blowing away Ganados until the helicopter picked her up, thus ending the Mercinary's game. She let out a shout of victory! She finally did it! Now she could get the hand-cannon!
"Now thats what I'm talking about!"
"Sheila! Go to Bed!" Sheila's parents yelled. She quieted down, a little mad at herself for waking them up. But she was just so excited that she actually did it! After solving the game a couple of times and solving Ada's adventures, she decided to give the mercenaries another try. Now she was glad she did! As she loaded "NEW GAME" the screen turned black.
"Hey! Don't mess up now, you-" she stopped when she saw Wesker staring right at her from the screen.
"What the?" Even though Wesker had his shades on, she could tell he looked a little surprised.
"Who are you and how did you patch into my computer? Nobody has ever jacked into this line." He said in a calm yet demanding voice. Sheila pinched herself, trying to wake herself up from this crazy dream. What struck her the strangest was that Wesker looked real and not like a video game character.
Wesker cocked his head and appeared to study her. His mouth was curved into a half smile. Leaning back, Wesker said in a confidant tone,"I believe I do know who you are. You're-"
Sheila unpluged her TV and turned off her Ps2 console. She trembled from shock. An evil game character actually spoke to her! Was she going crazy?
After five minutes of staring at the TV for something to happen, she decided to call it a night and go to sleep. Turning off the covers, she settled down to go to sleep, already blowing off the weird TV thing due to sleep deprivation. As she started to doze off, the TV flared to life,startling her from her rest. She looked at the plug, making sure the TV was still unplugged. Fear and curiosity drew her in as the whole room was bathed in a blinding white light. She heard electricity crackle every where; the room swirling faster and faster until she grew so dizzy that she finally passed out.
**R**
Wesker turned off his super computer and shook his head. He didn't like it when people spied on him. Especially since he preferred to do the spying. He got up and stretched, getting all the kinks out. Strange, he couldn't believe of all the people who would find the way to brake through all his encryption codes he placed on his computer, it was _her_! She was just a teenager, a simple every day girl. No,she had to have help, but who?
Wesker smiled, hearing opportunity knocking. He could use her to get to his ever eluding enemies, Chris and Clair Redfield. Knowing that they had a strong bond between them since the airplane crash, Intel told him that they kept in tabs for two years since then.. He chuckled as he got ready for bed. First thing in the morning, he was going to contact Krauser and tell him that there will be a slight change in plans.
"This should be interesting."
**R**
Sheila woke up to her rude awakening alarm clock. She groaned as she got up from bed, trying to stay awake. She turned off the annoying clock and went on to get ready for the day. Her morning ritual took thirty minutes, as usual. Then she proceeded to make some coffee and sat down to relax while reading a book as she ate her blueberry muffin. After ten minutes went by, she got up and grabbed her purse and keys and left. Already pushing away to the back of her mind what happened last night. Big mistake! What she failed to realise was the it was not a bad dream or a hallucination. It really did happen.
She failed to notice the pictures showing a smiling Sheila, Chris and Claire in different places like theme parks and beaches; that sort of thing. Somehow, her reality got twisted with the Resident Evil world. And that my dear readers, is never good.
**R**
"Come on Sheila! We have to get to our favorite seats before someone else does!"
"I'm coming! Sheesh! I'm the one caring all the snacks!" Sheila replied with irritation.
The girl tried to remember why she thought it was a good idea to take the two younger kids with her to the movies. Sure they were like family, but dang! They could really get under your skin sometimes! She figured that she must be crazy. It was the only thing that explained why she was doing this in the first place.
Katrina (Katie) and Decoda ( Cody ) were the names of her young companions. They were cousins who saw each other all the time, which meant they fought constantly. Katie was a red headed 12 year old with a temper to match, had blue eyes, freckles, and a cute oval face. Cody, a blond, blue eyed, 10 year old rascal was at the age of rebelling against any figure of authority. It was only the grace of God that kept Sheila from leaving them at a deserted dirt road.
All the way up to the theater they bickered over stupid things. And now they were fighting over who would sit next to her.
_Uuuurgh! Just go to your happy place._
"I said I get to sit next to her in the car when we go home!" Katy growled, casting her younger cousin a withering glare.
_Ignore them. You're at the beach..._
"Nuh Uuh! I said it first!" Cody replied, reaching over to poke Katy harshly in her ribs.
_The sound of waves-_
"Don't you touch me, Cody!"
"TOUCH!"
I'm warning you!"
_The sun gently warming your skin as-_
"That's it! YOU'RE DEAD!" Katy screamed, turning to beat the ever living crap out of the mischevious boy.
"SHUT UP!" Sheila screamed.
Everyone stopped and gave her disapproving looks. Sheila blushed and hurried them to some seats.
Their seats were the last row where you could see the picture just fine without giving yourself a crank in the neck trying to watch it. Nobody was sitting in the back row which made her happy. Very happy! Happy because nobody would see her beat the living day lights out of the two kids if they kept it up with their bickering. She quickly solved the situation with the seating arrangement by sitting between them, this way they couldn't even look at other. Muah! HAHAHAHAHA!
Sheila was an 18 year old high school graduate who has been dying to have a little time to do something interesting besides working and college. (Through the mail, my family doesn't have the money to send me to college of my choice yet.)
Usually she would play games with her family, play Resident Evil 4 on her PlayStation 2, paint or play the piano. But lately she has been too busy babysitting her niece and working. So you see why she was crazy enough to bring these two along with her on what was supposed to be a fun time.
Sheila was 5'3, chubby but petite, had natural curly red hair that went down to her waist, pale skin, and blue/green Hazel eyes that always seemed to shine with mischievousness. Tonight, she had on a sleeveless white button up shirt on, khaki shorts and black boots with no heels of course! (There was a warm front in the fall, so that's why I'm dressed that way. Okay back to the story!)
"Sheshe, can you hold my snack and drink for me? I got to go to the bathroom," Katie asked. Sheila smiled and put her stuff down and grabbed Katie's drink and popcorn for her. She turned to Cody and said,"You better go too. Better now than in the middle of the movie."
Cody cocked his head and thought about it for a second. "Hmmmmmm. Okay."
He put his nachoes & cheese in her lap and his drink on the ground and went to the bathroom, whistling.
Sheila sighed and smiled. Alone at last... Well for the moment at least. The lights went out as the previews appeared on the movie screen. She took a sip from Katie's coke while focusing on the screen, too occupied to notice a large figure looming behind her. A chill went down her spine. She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. Her senses kicked into alert mode. Something was wrong. Suddenly two large male hands lifted her out of her seat like she weighed nothing. Next thing she knew, she was standing with her back pressed up against a wall of rock hard muscle, a arm of steel was wrapped around her waist and a large hand clamped over her mouth.
She began to struggle with vigour when a familiar voice whispered in her ear, "Calm down. If you don't do as I say, those kids won't live to see their next birthday." Her eyes widened at the threat. Her eyes scanned around the crowd, hoping that someone would help. Not one person payed attention to what was going down in the back row. That didn't surprise her, after all this was a Ha-h-t. She stopped struggling.
_Stupid People!_
"Now listen up! We're going to leave this place like a happy couple. I'm going to let you go now and hold your hand as if nothing is wrong. If you make a scene, people will die. I got a Killer 7 magnum handy, so trust me when I say I will kill everyone without blinking. Got it?"
She reluctantly nodded. He let her go and stepped back. She waited for him to make the first move. He grabbed her hand and led her out into the next room which was the snack room. She quickly looked at the bathrooms as they past them, hoping the kids would stay in there until they left. She couldn't bare it if anything happened to them. Luckily, they exited the room with no problems, which made her sigh in relief. Now they were in the tiny room that lead ouside in the parking lot. She wondered what he was going to do since the windows were large and had a good view of who was coming and who was going.
"Excuse me, sir, ma'am? If you are planning to leave and come back later, you'll have to have your ticket stubs with you or I won't be able to let you back in," the desk lady called out.
The stranger squeezed her hand painfully, letting her know he meant business earlier. She smiled and looked at the lady at the desk.
"Don't worry. We have our stubs in the car outside. My boyfriend is walking me to the car to get my purse. Silly me forgot it in my unlocked car. Heh! Heh!" Sheila said nervously, hoping the lady would remember her as the girl with the crazy kids and call the police when they exited the building. But of course she didn't. The kind but oblivious woman just smiled and went back to the snack bar.
They exited the theater and and walked around to the back of the building. The theater was sharing the building with a Chinese restaurant and a beauty salon. Which gave her hope that all the cars that was driving by would notice the big black van and two people that wasn't suppose to be there, and call the freaking police! Nobody did, nobody cared.
She finally looked up at her captor and saw his face in the dim light. Her eyes widened. The guy look like Jack Krauser! He had the same scars, blond hair, and the same build. And boy was he tall! He was 6'3 or 6'4 feet tall. It really made her feel like a hobbit compared to him!
_"Holy Moly! Jack Krauser!... Wait, no Sheila. He just looks like a Resident Evil 4 fictional character, that's all. Just calm down. Okay? Okay!" _Sheila mentally assured herself. But that voice she only knew to well spoke to her in his gruff, smug way, confirming the side of her that was believing it. The other half was in oblivious land, and wanted to stay there.
"Very good. You had me worried there for a minute. I thought I would get my hands dirty from the massacre that you would have caused. In a way, I'm kinda disappointed."
Sheila's temper grew from his horrible statement. How dare he say that! Nobody intimidates Sheila! The teenager straightened to her full 5'3 height and poked him in the chest, telling him off in her own typical way.
"Oh really! How dare you come and threaten my friends and the people here! Do you know who you are messing with pal? Do you think I'm going to take this crap from you, you good for nothing, stupid, smelly, ugly, sicko, MONKEY BUTT!"
Sheila trembled with rage and stared at the Jack Krauser wanna bee. He just stared at her, his eyes narrowed and his fists clenched. She started to think she whent to far when the man reached into his jean pocket and pulled out a syringe filled with a clear drug.
She gulped and started to smile, saying, "Hey there! Now put the large needle down. You said some things, I said some things. Heh, let's put it behind us and move for-"
The needle pierced her skin quickly and injected the drug. Her vision got blurry as her legs became numb. She fell into the mans arms, faintly hearing him say, "Hmph. You talk too much. I could kill you for your idiotic words, but I better not. You're the perfect specimen for "Queen Plagas project".
He layed her in the back of the van and pulled out his cell and dialed.
"I found the perfect subject for your plans... Yes sir... Of course. It'll be a little tough to get Saddler to go along with the slight change of plans, but I already got an offer he can't refuse... I know... Ada! But sir... Yes sir. I understand... I won't let you down, Wesker."
And after hearing that, Sheila slipped into unconsciousness.
**Disclaimer: Buh!HAHAHAHAHAH! Yes,I don't own Resident Evil 4 or any of the series! So what! I still can write evil stories about my favorite characters ! I don't make any profit on these fan fictions, so DON'T SUE! I'm a crazy fan who just has to express herself so don't hate CAPCOM! **
2. Edited Chapter 1: My Name is Nunya!
**Authors New Note: Helloooo eveery one! I like to thank 1wingangel for forgiving me for my error. So if anyone is worried about us, don't! We've cleared the air! So like I promised, I rewrote this cool chapter! PLEEEAAAAASSSE REVIEW! And enjoy! El Yeah! Oh! And thank you jackal762 for your kind words! I can't wait to here your review of this new edited adition of..."My Name is Nunya! **
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 1:My Name is Nunya!**
Sheila woke up with a slight headach. Her head swam and her vision was blured as she tried to look around. When shaking her head to clear the cobwebs, her result was an already painful headach feel much worse. Finally, she gave up and just closed her eyes and listened to the sound of a engine.
_That's odd. I don't remember falling asleep in the theater... Oh crap! Don't tell me Katy and Cody actually went throught what they always joked about!_
Sheila quickly lifted her head and forced her vision to come into focas. She was in the back of a vehicle alright, but not hers. Images flashed through her head. Her TV and the spinning bright light, being kidnapped, and at one point she remembered being on a plane, being fed by that Jack Krauser wanna-bee.
She looked around. From what she could gather, she was in some sort of SUV or something. Whatever it was, it was big and spacious. She tried to move her hands and feet but not to her surprise, she was tied up with rope.
_Great. I've been kidnapped by a guy who looks like Jack Krauser who coincidentaly works for a guy named Wesker!... This can't be real... It's just a dream... I'm waking up now... Wake up... WAKE UP! _
The vehicle slowed down, making Sheila dread of what she would see. Her heart pounded as the driver got out of the vehicle and came over to her door. Waking up apparently was harder then she thought. Her eyes darted back and forth, trying to think up something, but the only thing that came to mind was to pretend she was asleep. She closed her eyes and relaxed as the driver opened her door. He grumbled about carrying her all over the place while lifting her ruffly out of the car. She winced as the man threw her over her shoulder.
She opened one eye and looked around. She was in a wooded area, the trees were shedding their leaves for the winter. She shivered as the man carried her down a path. The teenager wanted to complain about the ruff treatment, but she wisely didn't. Even though her stomach ached from the pressure of being on this man's large strong shoulder.
Sheila began to wander when they would reach where ever they were going. If they didn't soon, she just might barf. Luckily for her kidnapper, he found a dirt road that was less bumpy and body farring. The road led to a familiar wooden bridge. She shivered more, not from the cold, but by the familiar landscape around her. It felt like she was going to be sick from the drugs after all, and that was the stray thought that brought realisation that she was not in Georgia anymore more real then ever.
_This can't be... Oh God, what is happening to me? Wait, don't tell me Lord, I play too much Resident Evil 4 and now I'm having a nervous breakdown from it... THIS SUCKS!_
The man made it to the dirty house that was just like in the game, Sheila noticed with dread and kicked the door open. A villager ran around the corner and was looking veeeery ticked off. The man smirked and said something in Spanish which obvoisly offended him but shut him up. The blond man walked into the dirty dining room and dumped her on that dirty kitchen table. Sheila fought back the grimace and stayed still as she waited for someone to speak.
"Krouser, what is this?" said the gruff, deep voice. Sheila trembled as one word came to mind...(Mendez!)
"Hmph. This is no matter to you Mendez... Where is Lord Saddler?"
"He'll be here shortly. And this is my business," said Mendez with a hint of malice in his voice. Krauser scoffed and dragged a chair out from the table and sat down.
"I just brought a little extra addition for your village." Krauser said simply.
"Extra addition? Why would I even tolerate a outsider like her? In fact, I shouldn't even tolerate you, Jack." Something about the way Mendez spoke his name really bothered the blond soldier.
He got up right away and took out his knife and threatened, "What exactley are you implying?"
"That's enough!" came the sound of a smooth, calcullating voice. Both men straightened up as Saddler stepped inside the room.
"Lord Saddler, I'm sorry you had to come down here for this embicile." Mendez said apolagetically.
Saddler nodded and said while confiscating Mendez's chair, "There is no need to apolagise. I trust Krauser. He has proven his loyalty by bringing me Ashley. But I am not happy about taking this trip to this filthy house. Explain yourself, Jack."
Krauser knelt down on one knee and began his little speech, "Lord Saddler, I wouldn't call you on short notice like this if I didn't have a good reason."
"Yes. Go on"
"I heard rumars about a agent coming this way... Is that correct?"
"Yes.. Unfortunally, it is."
"Well, while I was in America, I heard this perticular girl is friends with the Agent."
Silence...
"And I thought if I brought this girl to you, maybe you can use her for callateral."
Saddler stayed silent and seemed thoughtful. Sheila nearly jerked up and called Krauser a lier. She has never met Leon in real life!
_"Uh oh!" _Sheila thought with alarm. _"This is real... COOL!"_
Saddler finally spoke, "It's true that the agent is coming here, but I do not really need her. But, you do have a point... Krauser, you have proved you are more than ever deticated to the cause. You may leave knowing that I am well pleased. And Mendez, wait for me ouside while I wake our new guest."
"Yes, Lord Saddler."
Mendez gave Krauser a dirty look as he left the house. Krauser smirked and followed not too far behind, leaving Sheila with Lord Saddler. The girl stayed still, but grew a little nervous as Saddler just sat there and watched her. After about a minute, Saddler finally spoke.
"You may stop pretending to be asleep, my dear. You don't fool me."
Sheila opened one eye as she looked at Saddler. She opened both eyes to get a good look at him. He was way more evil and creepy looking than in the game. His hood was pulled back, revealing his long grey hair. It was neat and clean. His face was pale but kind of shiny, making him even more freaky looking. His eyes were yellow, making him look like a sick patient. And ... HE HAD NO EYEBROWS! Somehow, that suited his persona. In a creepy, evil monster kind of way.
"Welcome to Spain. I hope you had a good trip."
Sheila said nothing, not wanting to talk to this crazy man.
"Today is a very special day."
Sheila shook her head. "Ummmm. What's up?"
He smiled and said, "Oh, just that your are going to recieve a wonderful gift. A gift of power-"
Sheila drowned him out as he went on with her new place in the world and blah, blah, blah. She wonedered to herself how this was happening. How could he be here and be real? Was she in some sort of wormhole or something? Hey, she watched Sci-fi thanks to her father, so the possibilties that the TV taught her seemed more real then ever. Her train of thought was interupted by the end of Saddler's speach.
"So you see my dear, you will be one of us, Miss...?"
Sheila smiled as she thought of the old saying where she and her brother used to tell each other when the other wanted to know the other's secret.
"Nunya."
"Pardon?"
"My name is Nunya!."
"Nunya?"
"Yeah, Nunya."
Saddler looked confused by this name. She barely held back the laughter at the sight of Saddler looking confused. And what really topped it off, he believed her!
"Well Miss Nunya, if you are ready or not, I will grant you this precious gift now. Be prepared, Nunya-"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!"
Saddler looked at her like she was crazy. She stopped and looked at him innocently. This was sooo fun! To think, her, Sheila, would be making the great Lord Saddler look like a fool!
Saddler stopped and looked at her. What did that strange name mean? Nunya?
"Nunya-"
Sheila began to snicker. Now Sheila was a good actress, but she had a weakness. If she knew she was going to be caught for doing a prank, for some reason she would smile mischievously and laugh.. What can I say? She loves to laugh!
"Nunya-"
Sheila broke into a fit of uncontrolable laughter as Saddler looked more and more confused. His face finaly clouded over, the fake charming smile gone as he spoke harshley, "Nunya... Nunya! Stop that laughing this instance! Do you know who you are laughing at?"
Laughter could be heard outside of the house.
"Nunya!"
Sheila calmed down and began to talk to him like she knew him forever.
"Oh, Lighten up, Saddler! It's just a joke."
"What is?"
"What is what?"
"What is the joke?"
Sheila rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"You still don't get it."
Saddler stood up and looked like he was about to do something rash. Sheila decided not to push her luck.
"Nunya... You know, Nuuuuuuunyyyyyaaaaaaa... None-of-your-buisness. Nunya."
Saddler did not look amused at all. He walked over to her and stared down into her eyes.
"Enough talk. It's time to except your gift. Since we are not in the lab, there is only one option for you... The old way."
"Urrrm. Old way?" Sheila asked nervously.
He raised his hand above her neck and said clamly, "Feel free to scream from the pain. No one will come to rescue you."
With that said, Saddler's hand began to tremble. A slimy, slender, sharp grey tentacle broke through the skin. Sheila eyes widened in panic.
_This so didn't happen in the game!_
The tentacle made it's way down to her neck. Suddenly, it pierced her neck, quickly injecting some sort of hot liquid in her neck. She screamed from the pain, feeling like molten lava was being poured into her body. Then a sharp pain shot through her neck. The egg was finally injected .
The tentacle slipped out of her neck and back intop Saddler's hand. He grabbed a dirty napkin and dabbed at the wound. Already, the wound began to heal and close up, thanks to what was injected in her.
"Welcome American, to the new age!"
**Authors Note: Well? What do ya'll think? Sorry it took a little longer than expected, the computer accidently erraised half of it before I could erase! But I'm proud to have still finished! So I hope this pleases ya'll! The chapter 2 will be up soon! PLEASE REVIEW!**
3. Edited Chapter 2:Hya, Big Cheeze!
**New Authors Note: Hyyyyyy! Here's my edited version of this cool chapter! Heheheheheeee! What do I have in store for bugging Mendez? You have to read! Haaaa! Haaaa! Read and review! **
**Chapter 2: Hya, Big Cheese!**
Sheila's house was bustling with police and people. The pastor and some church members were there for moral support for the grieving family. It would take eternity writing how they helped and the conversations going on, so I'll just write the most important one that is occurring right this moment.
Claire and Chris were sitting on each side of Sheila's mother. Her mother was holding up strong, but the strain of the situation was showing on her sweet face.
"Oh, Momma Dee, I wish we could do more to help!" Claire said with a shaky voice.
Sheila's mother smiled sadly, patting her hand as she said, "I know Claire. I can't say I'm fine about this... But I know my daughter will get through this. She's a survivor. The only thing we can do at this time is pray."
Claire squeezed the kind woman's hand gently, not wanting to hurt her crippling hand. Sheila's mother had Ostio arthritis, a disease that ate away at the cartilage of the joints and the bones. Her legs were permanently bent from what the disease had done so far. But that didn't stop her from being the most active person Claire knows. She was a woman of faith, so when she prayed, you know mountains can be moved.
Chris put his hand on Dee's back and said, "I have contacts looking into this. We'll find her."
Sheila's dad gave Chris a questioning look. "Chris, why do I have the feeling that you might know something, but not willing to tell us?"
Chris looked at Claire, wandering if they should voice their suspicions. Claire shrugged. They knew that Rocky could read you like a book. He knew a lie when he heard one. So did Momma Dee.
With careful consideration, Chris finally replied, "You're right Rock, we do. As you know, Claire and I have made enemies in the past. Well, we-"
"Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt but you got a letter-"
"I do mind you interupting us! We are in the middle of a important discussion!" Sheila's dad said angrily at the neighbor. The man gulped and continued.
"I'm sorry Rocky, but this is a little too weird to ignore. I was outside by the freezer having a smoke ,when I noticed that this envelope was on it. The strange thing is the note isn't addressed to you, but to Chris and Claire."
Everyone looked startled. Sheila's dad thanked him and apologised as Chris took the letter from him. As the neighbor had said, the envelope was addressed to Claire and himself. Chris didn't recognise the hand writing and neither did Claire. Unsure, he opened the envelope and took out the letter and read it out loud.
_Look in Spain for your young friend. Hurry, she's in serious trouble. Do not involve the law, if the people who have her hears that the government is some how involved, she will die. _
_Signed, _
_A friend of a friend_
Rocky's face turned to a ashen white. He looked so much older and weak after hearing that note.
He closed his eyes and said with a pained heart, "I already lost one child, I don't know if I can bear to lose another."
Chris stood up and asked with an authoritative air, "Do you trust me?"
Sheila's parents nodded their heads.
Chris continued, "I'll take some time off from the force and look for her in Spain. But we can't let the police or the FBI in on this."
Sheila's mom and Claire both began to protest, but Rocky stopped them. He agreed with Chris, they couldn't let the government know. He didn't like it, but what choice did they have?
Claire stood up and announced with determination, "I'm coming with you. Don't argue, you seem to forget that I have been a FBI field agent for three years. I've caught rapists, killers, and so many sickos that nothing can faze me about the criminal mind. I've battled zombies, B.O.W. weapons and Lickers with only a handgun and a bow-gun as backup! The list goes on and on. I can take care of myself as well as you can, Chris. Besides, that note was addressed to you and me."
Chris shook his head and sighed. He knew she was right, but he didn't have to like it.
He gave in finally and said, "Fine. Take some time off and pack your bags. We're going to Spain."
**R**
Sheila looked up at the ceiling with a bored expression on her face. So far, she's counted 3,124 cracks in the ceiling... Or was that 3,125? Well, at any rate, this little exercise to pass the time was only making her boredom problem a real pain in the neck. Earlier, the teenager woke up to find herself in a very dirty room. It was tiny and a bit smelly, and too chilly to get comfortable. And don't get me started on the stained walls. She couldn't tell if it was blood or... well, it ain't worth mentioning. Heck, even a cockroach would move out of this dump. After getting tired of laying down, she finally decided to get off of the disgusting bed and to pace for awhile instead. The metal door of course was locked from the outside, so she knew that there would be no grand escape for herself any time soon. So that left her stuck till somebody decided to drop by. Considering that the somebody was most likely going to be a Ganado, she really didn't have that to look forward to.
If you haven't figured it out already, the room she was in is the padlocked room in one of the villager's house in grand old Pueblo. So waking up on a bed with dried blood isn't the greatest feeling in the world. It was creepy and down right disturbing.
Sheila saw the wooden box and the barrel by the door, but decided to leave that to Leon... Of course he wouldn't be looking for her, he would be here for Ashley. But then again, Krauser said she knew Leon. So maybe the game version of herself knew Leon or something. But she couldn't be sure about that, even though she could tell Krauser was lying.
"This stinks! Man, what I wouldn't do for a Chicago Typewriter!"
After getting bored with the pacing and disturbing thoughts of never getting out of there, she decided to look under the bed. Maybe there's something under there to help her out. She was kinda desperate for something to occupy her mind.
She got down on her knees on the cold, dusty floor and peeked under the bed. She could make out something way in the back. She tried to reach it, but her short arms wasn't getting anywhere near it. She let out a frustrated sigh and got up. Deciding that moving the twin bed was the only way to get to the object, she grabbed the edge of the bed and pulled. The bed proved to be easy to pull back, though it scraped loudly on the wooden floor.
Crawling on top of the bed, she was curious to what she saw. A dusty, old book laid there leaning against the wall. She grabbed the book and opened it, feeling disapointed. She was hoping to find a knife or weopan hidden inside. Hey, this is a Resident Evil world. Items always show up in the strangest places.
She pushed the bed back and began to look the book over. It was thankfully in English. She didn't remember much what she learned in Spanish class. And what she did learn wouldn't get her far in this neck of the woods.
Looking at the title, the red head read aloud wryly, "Kidnapped... Huh, ironic much?"
The old book was something she read before. It was a interesting read, so she settled down and began to get engrossed with the literature.
While Sheila became engrossed with the old tale, the village chief made his way through the village at a leisurely pace. The villagers paused in their chores, watching their large, menacing, village leader with a mixture of awe and blandness. For Mendez was a impressive specimen of leadership and power. His height alone would give the men of the small town pause in the old days, before the parasite. His height and strength at first was a suspicious phenomenon, then it became inspriring as the man became a great leader for the Pueblo. His intelligent mind had kept the village elders on their toes while the younger villagers were kept entertained and submissive. It was no wander that when the parasite had been introduced to its unique host, his intellect and strength increased ten fold. Adding a mixture of cruelty that inspired fear and dread.
Mendez paused at the entrance, his mind on the new 'guest' to his village. Questions on why Krauser would bring a commoner from America was never answered. To say he was surprised that Lord Saddler allowed this insignificant insect to be apart of Los Illuminados would be the understatement of the century. But he remained quiet on the matter, knowing that his lord was one who had many agendas. This girl was now apart of that, no matter how unpleasant it was to think about it.
The village guards straightened up as the chief entered the house. With a nod of his head, the guards immediately unlocked and stepped aside for Mendez to enter the room. The girl was so absorbed in the book that she didn't hear him come in. He studied the strange American. She was short, had red,thick, curly hair that went down to her waist. Her choice of clothes were so much different then the women of his old time village. And in his mind, inappropriate for the cold, chilly air. Her pale, porcelain skin had some freckles splattered here and there, the only proof of her time spent under the sun. In conclusion, she was so very different then the women in the village. Most of them had dark skin from working long hours under the sun and dark brown, or black hair. Well... They did before the amazing gift that was spread through out the village, thanks to his Lord.
Mendez cleared his throat, letting her know she had company. She looked up with a startled expression on her heart shaped face. Her hazel eyes looked at him with surprise.
_Man! He's a big Mamma-jamma! Compared to him, I'm nothing more then a smurf._
She opened her mouth to say something, but decided to let him speak first. After all, she didn't want to upset Saddler's bug boy.
"I came here to talk, little girl. If you do not answer truthfully, your visit here will become a nightmare," Mendez stated simply. His tone was completely serious and containing menace behind the threat. "We want to know of your relationship between you and the American agent. And of course, your real name."
Sheila was disappointed. She wanted to hear Mendez to say Nunya. Oh well. She might as well give him her name. With a queenly air, she laid her hand over her chest and gave a exaggerated answer.
"Muaaaaaa? Well, I'm the queen of coolness, the big enchilada, the goofy goober, the one and only... Sheila! Please! Hold your applause."
Mendez gave her a scowl and crossed his arms over his chest. Not in the least moved by her humor. If there was a mike, she would have been tapping it and asking if it was on.
"This isn't fun and games. You are an outsider! You should be afraid for your life. For-"
Sheila sighed mentally and acted like she was listening.
_Why do these bad guys always take themselves so seriously? You think they would stop being so cocky and be more careful. But too bad for them and goo for Leon! _
As Mendez finished she snapped back to attention.
"Sorry, I didn't hear that last part. Could you repeat it?"
Mendez growled and took a step closer to the bed.
"Tell me how you know the agent."
"I know him from Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4." Sheila answered truthfully. Besides, it wasn't like he would believe her.
And of course the big lug proved her right. Mendez looked at her like she had grown two heads.
Standing up, she put her hands on her hips and said with as much as intimidation as she could muster, "If you don't mind stopping the questions for the moment, I would like you to get me something to eat. I'm having a sugar low which isn't very pretty. I get really sick and cranky if I don't have any food sustenance... So pleeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase get me some grub!"
Mendez glared down at her. He couldn't believe this girl! She was either crazy or very brave. He didn't know which. So, since he couldn't actually harm a hair on her head, he turned around and left the room.
She looked at the door as it slammed shut and and shouted," Well! So much for hospitality in this rinky, dinky house! Just for that, you get no tip!"
**R**
"Did you try to contact Leon?" Chris asked while piloting the seaplane.
"No. The only thing I got from his boss was that he finished his training and was out on his first mission." Claire replied with a hint of sadness.
Chris smiled and said, "Wow. Go Leon! I guess it's for the best anyways. He never met Sheila face to face. And he'll have his hands full working in this new branch of the secret service for the President. It wouldn't have been wise to involve him in something like this."
Claire grunted at that statement. Chris grinned at his sister's reaction. The thought of Sheila smiling and teasing Claire about her supposedly secret feelings for Leon was pleasant. But she wasn't there to play the part. And that quickly wiped the smile from his handsome face.
Chris frowned. Just thinking about Sheila made his heart ache. He knew she was going through a lot. Being kidnapped and taken to a different country would be terrifying for the teen. The thought of someone would actually take a innocent teenager and use her for their own gain boiled his blood to dangerous levels. Though most of the anger was directed at himself. Anyone associated with him had a mark on their back, and that included innocents who had nothing to do with Umbrella.
It's a safe assumption to say that he had an idea of the possibilities why the normal girl was taken. After all, she would be perfect bait for him and Claire. And he had no doubt that Wesker had a hand in this. Kidnapping this girl that he loved like a another sister was not a smart move. Ant the people responsible for this would have two angry Redfields to deal with. A dangerous combination.
Claire looked at her brother, seeing the angry look in his eyes. She knew who he was thinking about. Before they had left, they agreed that they were probably walking into a trap set by a certain person who shall remain nameless. She didn't like to think of that jerk who tried to kill her and her brother a few times in the past. But they agreed that they had no choice but to try and rescue Sheila from this lunatic. Their friend's life depended on them. That's why they came prepared. The siblings had brought some ammo, some guns, and a stinger launcher with stinger missiles. Her brother wanted to come prepared after all. That is why they took the seaplane; you couldn't get in a regular airport with this type of weopanry. She smiled. Those people who have Sheila is going to get a little surprise when they arrive.
**R**
Sheila hummed as she read the book. Her mind again focused on the story. But something was making things difficult to actually concentrate. And that thing was called hunger. She tried to ignore the burning sensation in her stomach. Though she wasn't a diabetic, she was just one of those people who had low blood sugar. Just when she started to feel really sick, the door opened. In stepped a young villager with a old tray. There was a bowl of hot, steamy vegetable soup. Her mouth watered as he set it on the bed.
He didn't look too pleased to be serving her, but he didn't dare do or say anything about his feelings with Mendez there staring at him like a hawk.
As he walked away, he heard Sheila say, "Gracias, Senior!"
He stiffened and walked out the door.
"Hya, Big Cheese! Thought you left me to starve! Thanks!"
Before he could muster out a word, Sheila bowed her head and began to pray for the food. You never know what they put in it. He watched in silence at the girl in front of him. A forbidden memory made its way to his consciousness. Him, his wife and her brother was sitting around his lavish table. His brother In-law had just gotten back from one of his many mysterious business trips and was paying them a visit. He told them he thought about sticking around for a while. He wasn't that thrilled to see that he was. The two never got along. When they were in the villages small school, they always fought over the littlest things. Now, he seemed to vanish without a trace for months on end, making his younger sister worry constantly.
He always came back with lots of money though. Guess he got that mysterouis trate from their father, the englishman who married the most beautiful woman in the village at the time.
His wife looked at him strangely, seeing he was distracted.
"Husband. Are you feeling unwell?"
He smiled at his beautiful, young wife. "I'm feeling just fine, my dear. Let us pray."
He knew his wife was very strict when it came to praying over their food. As they bowed their heads, he peeked at his wife and smiled at the picture she made. She looked more heavenly than any angel picture he has seen.
Mendez shook himself out of his memory and found the red head staring at him oddly. He looked like a normal human being for a moment, seeming to be lost in another world.
"Eat your lunch!" He growled at the girl.
Sheila shrugged and began eating the soup. It was hot and surprisingly good. When she finished she drained the water that was brought to her. Then she sighed happily and looked up at the impatient Big Cheese. She smiled mischievously.
"Soooooo.. Big Cheese, I got some questions for you. Are you so huge because the parasite in ya, or were you already that big before?"
Mendez eyes widened at her suggestion. How did she know about the parasite? Did Lord Saddler tell her about the parasite inside them all? Before he could respond she explained herself.
"Oh, I heard Saddler say this and that about the wonderful gift and blah, blah, blah. Aaanywhoo, why aren't you acting like one of those mindless Ganados outside? Is it because you have some sort of queen parasite? Is that the reason your so huge? What happened to your other eye? W-"
"You ask to many questions. Stop avoiding my question. How do you know the agent?"
Sheila just smiled and began to hum.
"What are you doing now?"
"Ignoring you. I don't have to answer anything. I know Saddler probably wants you to keep me from harm, am I right?"
Mendez said nothing.
"Your silence answers me loud and clear. Besides, I already answered your question."
He gave her a questioning look.
"Resident Evil... Sheesh! Pay attention!"
She continued to hum, annoying the over grown cheese ball. His real eye began to twitch as the girl continued to ignore him and read that book. Just when he decided he couldn't take it, a villager burst in and began speaking in rapid Spanish.
Sheila watched the exchange between the two, noticing Mendez grow even more stern, if that was possible. He really needed to smile once in a while.
He turned to her and said in a gruff voice, "You shall be moved now to a different location. If you try to escape from my men, you shall be punished. Just because we have to keep you alive and you carry the same blood as us, doesn't mean you will not face the price of your actions."
Sheila tried to smile but couldn't. She got the hint from those words.
The two guards grabbed her arms and led her out of the building. She gulped as they began to walk down the path. As she walked with dumb and dumbmer, she wondered if she will live to see her family again. After all, this is... RESIDENT EVIL FOOOOUUUUR! Heheheheheeeeeeeee!
**Authors Note: Muah!Hahahahahahahahahahhaaaaaa! How did ya like it? Hmmmmmm? Please review! I hoped it got your attention enough to read more! **
4. Chapter 3: Leon's adventure Begins
**Authors Note: (Evil laughter) I got another review. Ha! Ha! Thank you Cerene! Keep reading and if you got any ideas I'll gladly use it in my story! Now this chapter shows what is going on with Leon and me. WARNING: Some blood,gore, and violence is in this chapter. Whooo Hoooo! Enjoy my version of RESIDENT EVIL 4! Muah!HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!**
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 3: Leon's Adventure Begins**
Leon sighed with relief when the car crossed the old, rickety bridge with no incident. He was surprised that the bridge held the weight of the car. It looked ancient and unsafe. Needless to say, he didn't look forward to crossing it again.
The car pulled over to the side and came to a complete stop.
"Well, here we are, Cowboy," the passenger cop announced.
Leon opened the door and began to step out. "I'll go and have a look around."
"We'll stay and watch the car," the passenger cop replied, "Don't want to get any parking tickets."
Leon looked at the cops in disbelief. "Right. Parking tickets."
With that said, Leon stepped out of the vehicle and slammed the door. He began to walk down the narrow path, having serious doubts about his _partners_. He was told they were the best, but so far they showed no promise.
"Jeez, who are these guys?" He muttered to himself.
"Did you say something?" Asked the driver as he rolled down the window.
Leon rolled his eyes and pretended he didn't hear them. The ex cop couldn't stand those two. All they did for the whole trip was gripe and complain how they got stuck with him. They also teased and questioned him since he got in the car, non stop. It was like some hate Leon fest, all you can eat! By the time they arrived in this mostly unpopulated area, he was ready to blow the pair away, then dump their bodies in the ditch. After all, nobody around to witness the crime. But he kept his cool, just like the way he was trained. Playing the passive target as the two teased and mocked him and his country. Though he did get a few good barbs in.
Besides, from their response just then, he now figured it was better they did come with him to talk to the owner of the house. Leon S. Kennedy worked better alone.
Suddenly, his radio began beeping, indicating a incoming call. Taking his radio from one of his leg holsters, he raised it to gaze at the screen. He couldn't help but admire the technology. This was a special GRV1 visual radio, allowing him to see the person who was calling as well as communicating.
On the screen was an attractive woman with a light brown, healthy tan complexion. She looked like she was in her early twenties. Her dark brown hair was pulled back so her headset could fit comfortably. She wore black rimmed glasses, which seemed to suit her no nonsense, 'Let's-get-down-to-business' appearance. Her dark black business suit covered white, V-necked collard blouse. From what the agent saw, this young beauty represented the voice of reason and order for his assignment. Not to mention that she was a cutey. Leon noticed that right away. Suddenly, the lady began to speak.
Hunnigan: _Leon_, _I_ _hope you can hear me_. _I'm Ingrid Hunnigan. I'll be your support on this mission._.
Leon: _Hmm. So now I put the name to the face._ _Yeah, I can hear you loud and clear. Somehow, I thought you'd be a little older. _
She smirked.
Leon: _So the subject is Ashley Graham,right?_
Hunnigan: _That's right. She's the daughter of the President._ (She smiled as she joked) _So try to behave yourself._
Leon chuckled.
Leon: _Whoever this group is, they sure picked the wrong girl to kidnap._
Hunnigan: _I'll see it I can find more information about this group from my end as well._
Leon: _Good. I'll talk to you later. Leon out._
Holstering his radio, he moved further down the path. He surveyed everything around him. The tree leaves had all fallen to the ground, brown and dead. The sky was nothing but grey overcast, indicating that it was going to rain. Leon put his hands in his pockets and frowned. This part of Europe was depressing. It was mid fall, the trees were naked and eerie from the lack of leaves. The cold air just topped it off in the really depressing part. He couldn't wait to get out of here.
He made out a house about twenty yards away.
_"Man. What a run down lookin' place." _Leon thought.
**R**
Sheila grumbled as she was forced to climb the ladder by the two idiots. She wanted to get in on some action, and not wait around on Leon to come!
"Vamos!" One Ganado cried in irritation.
"Yeeeah, shut up! Just you wait. A certain someone is going to blow your head off. Muah! HaHaHaHaHaHaHa!" Sheila laughed.
The two Ganados looked nervous at her antics. She had been giving them heck all the way here. And even though they didn't understand a single word of English, they knew that she insulted them and acted a bit crazy while doing it. Hence why they were a little nervous.
When they reached the metal door, they quickly opened it and pushed her through, causing her to stumble and fall. They laughed as they shut the door and locked it. Sheila quickly got up and snorted. They just didn't know who they were messing with. She was the video game MASTER! Sheila promised herself that when she gets out of this room, she's going to get a shotgun and blow some heads off.
Suddenly she felt a blindingly painful whack on the back of her head, knocking her unconscious. She fell to the floor with a thud. Ashley stood over her with a piece of wood. Her brown eyes were wide with fear and President's daughter was so frightened, she was willing to hit anybody who came into her cell. And that person was poor Sheila.
**R**
Leon was glad he had taken his favorite jacket with him. It was tough, warm, and a dark brown leather that was expensive and sturdy with a large collar that kept the cold wind off his neck. Perfect for the cold day.
When he reached the porch, he looked to the right and spotted an old, rusty truck blocking the small, dirt path.
_I got a bad feeling about that truck._
As he walked up the steps, he noticed that the door was open. He hoped this meant someone lived here, which in turn could point out where Ashley was. He smiled.
_Yeah. Keep dreaming, Leon. Like it would be that easy!_
He peeked inside, noticing how dark it was. The walls were brown and decaying from years of neglect and exposed to the elements. A sign that the place was either deserted, or belonged to someone who either didn't care or was too poor to keep up with the place. Feeling a bit exposed, the agent took out his handgun and slowly entered the house. The entry room took a sharp turn to the right. The sounds of a crackling fire and a man coughing invaded his ears.
As he passed the corner, he found himself in a musty, dirty dining area. A table and chairs were set in the middle of the room, with some rotting food sitting on the table. Leon's eyes caught sight of a man tending to the fire. Immediately noticing that the man appeared to have no visible or covered weapon on him, he leisurely holstered his gun and called out to the man.
_Please speak English.._
"Uh, excuse me, sir?"
The man ignored Leon, continuing to tend to his fire. Leon was not so easily to be brushed off like that. He reached behind to his pocket and grabbed his picture of Ashley. Then, he proceeded to walk across the room to where the home owner stood. With persistence, he held up the picture which showed a smiling, blond, cute girl with brown eyes that looked like they always were shining like stars.
"I was wandering if you might recognise the girl in this photgraph."
The man looked up at Leon and finally raised himself up. His skin was unnaturally pale. His black, curly, short hair was unkempt, and his clothes were dirty and ragy. To Leon, he looked like a Zombie with a heartbeat. Especially with the smell that accompanied the villager.
The man glared at Leon and sneered, "Que carajo haces aquiiLargate, cabron!"
_Not particulary what I had in mind._
He raised his hands in a gesture to calm the man down, and began to walk back to the exit, pocketing the picture. He didn't get to far when his ears picked up a sound of metal scraping, and then the sound of quickening footsteps behind. Quickly, Leon turned. And just in time to see the lunatic cry out, swinging the axe at his head. He quickly dove out of the way, the blade missing his head by centimeters. Quickly scrambling up to his feet, Leon set out to put a few feet between them. He then pulled out his gun and aimed it at the slowly advancing man.
"Freeze!" Leon ordered.
Step... Step...
"I said FREEZE!"
Step... Step... Still, to no avail.
_I warned you. _
Without a second thought, the agent fired a warning shot. The bullet connected with the man's right arm. The villager grunted in pain, looking at his wounded arm. He then looked back at Leon, determination and madness in his eyes. Leon then knew that it was kill or be killed.
The pale man raised the axe above his head, then charged with a feral shout. Leon shot three more rounds into the man's chest at point blank range, blood spurting out of the back where the bullets exited the body_. Thud_! The man dropped the axe and fell on his knees, all the while looking up at Leon with disdain. He then collapsed at Leon's feet, unmoving. Leon looked down at the corpse, gun pointed at his head.
Seconds later, he heard the sound of the old truck roaring to life. He ran to the window with the broken blinds and peeked through one of the holes. He saw the truck taring up the road as it sped down the path where the cops were. It was soon out of his line of sight. But he didn't have to see to know that there was collision coming. The sounds of his partners shouting in Spanish, then gunshots was mixed with the sound of metal meeting metal in a horrific collision. To his horror, he heard screams of his partners as they were pushed over the cliff. Leon then cursed, knowing that this simple questioning of so called innocent civilians has turned into a hostile mission.
The radio beeped, startling the former R.P.D cop. Quickly, he answered the call, seeing a worried looking Hunnigan on the screen.
Hunnigan:_ Leon, is everything okay?_
Leon: _There was a hostile local. I had no choice but to neutralize him. There are still others surrounding the area... They killed my partners._
Hunnigan: _This is a problem... Leon, get out of there and head toward the village. Take whatever measures necessary to save the subject._
Leon: _Understood._
Leon heard angry cries outside. He put up his radio and hurried to the door and closed it. Then he went on and locked it and ran where the stairs were. A dead, rotting smell came from the right of the stair case. Following his nose, he soon discovered disgusting sight. Human skulls and other bones were on the small shelves. Some of the body tissue were still rotting on the bones. Maggots were everywhere.
_Da-n! Looks like they have been killing for awhile, now. I got to hurry and get Ashley out of here!_
Leon ran back to the stairs and quickly took two at a time. There was doors boarded up at the top, covering all the doors. The only way out was through the window.
_Great! Just my luck._
He backed up, getting ready to leap through the window. He noticed the 9mm box of ammo on the small table at the back. He pocketed it and ran full speed at the fragile window. And with out blinking, he leaped and broke through the glass, shattering it into a million pieces. Everything seemed to slow down as he was falling to the ground. At the last minute, he flipped his body into a crouching position. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he quickly put his weight forward and rolled.
It was a perfect tumble. He stood up and turned around, gun pointing at the nearest villager. Then he waited till the villager was nearly on top of him before he fired. The first shot tore straight through the head, yet the man was still alive. The man brought up his hands to cover his face, screaming in pain as blood trailed down his hands. Leon fired another shot, this time causing the head to explode, sending pieces of skin, blood, bone and brain matter everywhere, splattering the villager with the pitchfork behind him.
_Ooookay. I thought a bullet to the head the first time was a kill shot. Not good. At least their heads are easy to pop like zombies._
Leon didn't have time to ponder how the first bullet didn't kill the guy or how easy the man's head exploded much. The man with the pitchfork was trying to spear him, which really ticked him off. Leon grabbed his knife and threw it at the villager's head, his aim perfect. The man grabbed the hilt of the knife and tried to yank it out of his forehead. The agent rushed forward and kicked the knife further into his brain, causing the man to scream and fall down.
The third guy screamed "Meida!" and ran at Leon with his hand axe raised high. Leon shot the young man once in the head and once in the heart. He fell to his knees, blood pouring from his wounds and mouth. Leon grabbed his knife from the unlucky pitchfork guy and ran up to the wounded younger man. He then stabbed him in the neck and twisted his knife, finally killing his enemy. Pitchfork guy stood up and slowly walked up to Leon. But then the ex cop turned around and shot the man twice in the heart, killing the crazy villager once and for all.
He ignored the dead bodies as he ran down the path that lead to where the attack on the two cops had occurred. His heart sank when he saw black smoke coming from over the edge of the cliff. Looking down, Leon saw that both smoking vehicles were on the rocks of the rushing river below. Both vehicles totalled.
"Oh no."
He stood there for a few seconds, taking it all in. He was completely alone, with no backup. He was probably in a area that was not marked down on a map. And to top it all off, the bridge was destroyed. So no way of going back the way he came.
Resigned to face another long nightmare, he turned around and started walking. He wandered how he was going to get Ashley and himself out of this mess. He stopped and checked his gun. It was empty, so he quickly reloaded his gun and continued down the road. His adventure was just beginning.
**Authors Note: That was fun to write! Send me more reviews so I can go on! I'll probably would go on if you don't, but it is so muck more fun when you review! Here is another option for you guy to decide. Do ya'll want me to skip every thing up to when Leon finds Luis or continue the story where I left off? I'll most likely skip the farm scene so I can hurry the story along, but it is up to ya'll! Please give answer shortly! I can't move on if ya don't. Review!**
**Disclaimer: Detective: This is ridicules! I can't believe I'm in Switzerland looking for that crazy young woman! Cop agrees with Detective although he is enjoying the continue to walk down the streets, looking in all the candy stores. Cop: Man! I think she's read to much of that Claire Dear,Tear or whatever, fan fiction. I get mad as I sit behind a : IT'S CLAIRE BEAR YOU FLAT FOOTS! sign. I begin to throw peppermints and jelly beans at them, causing them to fall. Detective: HEY! Stop that. STOP IN THE NAME OF THE LAW! OUCH! I laugh like a sico and run out the door with the chocolate and the papers I've been caring around. ME: Buah!HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I got them! I don't own them which sucks but I still get to write! That's all foooolks! ( Hey come back here! Man! She's a fast little bugger!)**
5. Chapter 4:The Path to Pueblo
**Authors Note: Helloooooo! Got more reviews! I like to thank silverfox3220 for your vote and review! El Yeeeaaah! Okay, the winning votes for the Leon romance thing iiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssssssss...THE LEON AND CLAIRE ROMANCE THINGY! WOOOOOOOOO! HOOOOOOOOOO! (sniffle) It's so beautiful! HeHeHe! Okay, time to make my announcement. Monday, I might not get to write the next chapter. My family and I will be going over to my Grandma's house for brunch. (Sigh.) My grandma's cooking isn't the best... In fact, it's disgusting sometimes. I know that sounds mean but you haven't tasted her cooking. But my mom is helping her so it should be good enough. My grandma just doesn't know how to make diebetic food taste good. My mom does though! Aaaanywhooo, thats all for now. Who knows, I probably will write the next chapter when I get home. In fact, I WILL! I can't leave you guys hanging! Buuut if I don't, you'll know the reason why. Teehee! Oh another thing...I just couldn't wait on votes if I should skip to Leon meeting Luis so I decided myself! Please don't hate. Inspiration knocked on my door and demanded to be let loose! Thanks Lady Tatum for your review! Sorry for the long Authors Note!**
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 4:The Path to Pueblo**
Leon looked warily around as he started down the path. A sign next to a small, one room cabin read "Pueblo" and pointed down the one way path. Perfect for being ambushed.
Leon intuned senses was all too aware of everything around him as he went inside the first cabin. It was empty, except for the cobwebs and wooden crates on the table. Leon opened them and found Two clips of 9mm ammo in one box, and a small box of gold pesetas in the other. He took his small metal case that was strapped on to his back and put the money inside it. It could come in handy later on, such as bribing one of the locals for Intel on the where abouts of the President's daughter. The ammo he put in his agent utility belt. Coooool! He looked up on the shelf and saw another box. He broke it with his knife and saw a green herb.
_Why put it there? Whatever. _
Leon was just grateful that these herbs grew here in Spain, too.
Done and satisfied with his snooping, he silently exited the crappy cabin and resumed walking carefully down the path. An animals howl broke the silence. Leon slowly started toward the animal's painful cry when he noticed a disturbing sign. The tall signpost had dried, congeled blood on two pieces of wood that was nailed in a criss cross way. A human skull hung on a string on both sides of the X, presenting a gory sight.
_"Wow. They sure know how to put out the welcome sign," _Leon thought while grimacing.
Taking to heart the sign, he carefully walked toward the animal's cries while checking everywhere for any sign of danger. Soon, he found the poor animal that was yelping. It was a grey, large dog who looked like he had some wolf in him. The poor mutt's right hind leg was caught in the beartrap. The animal was snapping and snarling in pain at his leg, just starting trying to chew his leg off. Leon took a step forward, alerting the dog to his presence. The beast looked up and growled low in his throut. The agent stopped and croached to the dog's eye level. After waiting a minute the animal resumed to whine and lick at his poor leg. Slowly, Leon got up and walked to the animal. The dog ignored him as he gave all his attentionto his hurt leg. Crouching down next to the dog, he began to speak in soft tones and trying to reassure the animal that he meant no harm.
"Easy boy. It's all right, I just need to look at your leg. Don't bite my face off."
He examined the wounded limb. Surrpringly, it wasn't as bad as he thought. The rusted jaws were clamped on the leg but it didn't break the bone.
"Well boy, you're going to be alright. Just a nasty flesh wound."
He grabbd both side of the beartraps jaws and pushed down with all his strength and weight. The dog jumped out with a yelp and immediatly beganto lick his wounds. Releasing the large jaws of the trap, Leon quickly took out the green herb and crushed it into a powder form He then called the the whining animal. The dog slowly limped over and began to wag his tail. With a touch that could rival a woman's, Leon gentley covered the ugly wound with the herb and bandaged it. When he was finished, the dog began to walk around on his leg slowly, testing it. Then the slowlness disappeared as the animal became confidant, seemingly good as new. The dog turned around and barked at him happily, then took off into the woods.
Leon smiled and continued down the path.
"Well, I guess I did my good deed for the day."
**R**
Sheila woke up with a painful headache. She sat up slowly with a groan.
_What happened? _
She felt the back of her head gentley and winced. Pulling her hand away, she looked at it with a passive face. Blood coated her fingers. SHE WAS GOING TO KILL WHO DID THIS TO HER!
She looked around and saw Ashley sitting in a corner with a long piece of wood. Her eyes narrowed into thin slits.
"Are you the guiness who did this to me?" Sheila snarled.
Ashley's eyes became huge as she cried out, "DON'T GET ANY CLOSER!"
Sheila groaned at the shriek and said, "Please don't shriek like that again! You gave me a concussion and your girly screaming is making the pain worse!"
Ashley stood up on shaky legs, rasing her weopan, "Shut Up! Why did you bring me here! My daddy will get you terriosts for this! DO YOU KNOW WHO I-"
Ashley didn't get to finish as Sheila launched herself at the panicked blond and tackled her to the floor. Even though the young woman was taller than Sheila by a couple of inches, she was no match for this girl! Ashley screamed as Sheila put her in a head lock. The red head had ruffed housed her older brother and some of her male friends for years, so she knew how to defend and go on the offense with anybody.
"Now listen here, Princess! I'm a victim, just like you. I'm not one of these Spanish kidnappers! As you can see, I'M AMERICAN! I was kidnapped from my home town and found myself in this dump, so don't go around all panicky and hitting people with pieces of WOOD! Do... You.. Understand?"
Ashley screached a annoying yes. Satisfied, Sheila let her go with a shove. Ashley coughed and stared menacingly at Sheila as she walked around, looking through the barrels and shelves. The teen soon found some 9mm ammo, a large leather bag full of pesetas, and a green herb. She sighed with relief and crushed the herb, then put it on the back of her head. The pain went away and her vision cleared. She smiled as she realised that if she was a game character, her life would be on the green fine position.
She sat back down and leaned against the wall.
Ashley spoke with an angry tone.
"That was rude of you to do that to me. Do you know who I am?"
Sheila looked at her with a "Give me a break" look.
"First off, where I come from, you don't hit a stranger on the back of the head. That calls for the police involvement or the victim kicking your fat butt till your black and blue. Count yourself lucky that we're in Spain. Second, yes, I do know who you are. You're Ashley Graham, the President's daughter. Big WHOOOPY DOOOO!"
Ashley looked angry and began to speak again. " Listen here you red headed clown! You better show me some respect or I will show you I mean business!"
Now Sheila was trying to hold her temper as she saw that Ashley was realy scared and confused. She even was in a forgiving mood toward the girl for hitting her on the head. But she was still angry about that and when she said that, the scary Sheila took over. She stood up with a blank face and started to walk over to her. Ashley looked quite scared, she was hoping her threat would put the girl in her place... It didn't. Sheila smiled evily and grabbed a bigger piece of wood.
"So, you're threatening me now, Princess. Well... I think you need a spanking for saying all those mean things. Buah! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Ashley's face turned ashen as she stood up and ran. Sheila chased her around the room, laughing.
"Muah! HaHaHaHAHAHA! Don't run, Ashley! I won't hurt you... TOO MUCH!"
**R**
Leon shuddered as he shot the villager in the head, killing him. For some reason, he just got a feeling Ashley was going to be in pain in a minute. And she deserved it? That was weird. Leon shrugged as he left the booby trapped area. He spotted another old tiny cabin along the path. As he got closer, the stentch of death filled the air. He knew that smell to well, thanks to Umbrella. As he walked to the door way, he noticed congeiling blood that soaked through the wood. He then stepped inside and beheld a sad, gruesome sight. A young woman with numerous, bloody wounds covering her tiny body was pinned high up on the wall with a pitchfork through her once beautiful face. She wore an old fashioned, blue dress with a pretty apron. Now, they were dirty and soaked with blood and grime. Her skin was grey and blue from being dead for a cople of hours. Blood was still leaking from under her dress.
Leon turned away and held back the bile in his throat. He now knew these people didn't care that you were male or female, they'll kill you dead if you were not on their side. The more he discovered, the more it looked grim for the President's daughter. He would have to save Ashley fast! To his horror, he saw some human bones on the dirty table. A human hand with all the bones still linked together was laying next to a box of handgunn ammo. He suddenly got angry, rage built inside him as he snatched the ammo. These people were going to pay for what they were doing. He'll bring down whoever is responsible for this!
**R**
Chris smiled as he got out of the seaplane. It was a smooth landing on the water, if he did say so himself. Claire smacked her smug brother in the arm plafully. He was always a little bit of a show off.
They walked down the dock and spotted a large log cabin and a four wheel drive, Dark Green SUV parked ouside it. They first went in the cabin at Chris's insistance. There. they found a note addressed to Chris.
_Welcome ZombieKlerN1! Sorry I'm not here to meet you finally in person, but I have a new costumer who lets just say, made a big intrance. The costumer will be needing me soon so again, I'm sorry I'm not there. But I did put all of the items you have requested in the chest upstairs in the first room to the right. I've even added a surprise for you for being one of my best costumers! _
_Sincerly,_
_The Merchant_
Claire looked at Chris with a puzzled look on her face. "ZombieKlerN1? And who is this merchant?"
Chris folded his hands and said defensly, "It's a perfect screen name for me! And the merchant is someone I ordered guns and stuff from. He always delivers the best weopanry available."
Claire snorted, then headed upstairs. She started to laugh.
"What's so funny?"
"(laughter) Oh nothing realy. Just the thought of _you_ being the number 1 Zombie killer! Puuuleeeaaase! Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha! Ouch!"
Chris smirked as Claire gave him a dirty look while fixing her pony tail he messed up. Chris pushed her aside as he ran to the top of the stairs. Claire rolled her eyes and ran behind him. When they reached the top she punched him lightly in the arm.
"Ouch! What was that for?" Chris asked while giving her a mock sad face.
She smiled, dispite her irrataion with him. "You know what."
Chris smiled and opened the door and bowed, saying, "Children before adults."
Claire put here nose up in the air and struted through the door. In the room was a King size bed, a large dresser, and a armoir with a large metal chest beside it.
Claire walked to the chest and frowned.
"Chris, this chest has a electronic lock on it!"
"Yeah I know. That's to keep anybody from stealing the items."
"I know that! Don't you think that's a little accesive? Especialy in a cabin that you told me nobody knows about."
"The merchant always works that way. When he sends me my stuff that I order, he sends them like this. What can I say? He's paranoid."
Chris stepped forward and punched in the code. A computer female voice said, "Welcome ZomieKilllerN1. The lock is opened."
Chris smiled and opened the chest while saying, "Thanks babe."
Claire rolled her eyes and looked inside. Inside the box was clothes for her and Chris, utility belts with cool pockets, radios so if they get separated they could contact each other, Army rations(blech), gun holsters, armor protect bullet proof vest that protect you from armor proof bullets, rope, army boots for her and Chris, a special sidepack, a Rioat Shotgun with a ammo belt, a bowgun with the same powder from Code Veronica, and knives like Rambo's in Rambo 2! Claire looked at her brother and smiled.
"After all the times we faced Wesker and Umbrella, we always had to use what was on sight. Well, I thought the stuff we brought was great, but what we really needed was the castom made items here! I'm not going to face another situation unprepared," Chris explained with a sheepish grin.
Claire laughed and hugged her brother. "My thoughts exactly."
**R**
Leon struggled with the man on the bridge. He threw two of the villagers off earlier, but was surprised when the third one snuck up on him. He had grabbed Leon by the throat and lifted him off the floor. As he laughed with evil glle while choking him, Leon had reached for his knife and stabbed him in a area he hasn't tested out yet. The eye. The man screamed and backed up, covering his horrible wound. Unfortunately for him, he backed up too far and fell over the ropes, plunging to his death. The agent looked at his knife and made a face at what he saw. The man's ruptured eyeball staring right back at him. He wiped his knife on the rope, cleaning it and put it back in its sheath. Then he continued walking, and smiled when he saw the men on the cliff run. They had been shouting and jeering at him in Spanish when he was attacked. When he killed their friends, they shut up and looked at him in disbelief.
"Heh. Cowards."
Leon crossed the brigde and walked some more down the path. He finally saw the gate that would get him off this crazy path. Another tiny cabin was to his left. He stopped when he heard a man mumbling to himself. He got into his agent stance and slowly approached the door. The laser dot of his gun wound up on the back of the villager's head. But then Leon made a typical error by stepping on a twig, which of course snapped. The man whipped around and yelled some gibberish. Without thinking, Leon fired twice, the bullets ripping through the chest, killing the man. He dropped his axe and fell to the ground.
He stepped over the body and collected the green and red herb, mixed them, and then left the cabin. Walking over to the doors, he noticed the strange symbol on the door.
_Weird. It looks like some kind of insect. _
Leon shrugged and opened the double doors and walked through. This will not be the last time he saw that symbol. Buah! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
**Authors Note: Okay,I know this chapter was a little slow. It didn't have as much fighting in it as the last one did. I wanted to set all my characters in place so I can get the story moving in a more action pace. Also I feel like crap. My sinus infectionall of a sudden got inflamed, causing my right side of my face to swell. I'm a little better tonight but still a little out of it. AAAnywhoooo, I got some more options for ya'll! Do you fans want me to make Ashley eat dirt ooooor just scare her and make her pee her skirt? Now if your a Ashley fan,don't get offended. I kinda do like her and I get why she acts the way she does in the game, but sometimes she just gets on my nerves! I'll be nicer to her later in the game, but don't expect me to be best friends with her. Okee Dokee! Send in your votes! REVIEW!**
**Disclaimer: I'm in a TV station,riding the elevater up where they are doing a current story on the news. I snicker at the crazy thing I'm going to do_. DING_! That's my singnal that I'm on my right floor. I step through and find myself in a busy room. Nobody notices as I sneak my way to the desk where they'll be doing their report. I hide under the desk.**
**Detective steps out of elevater with his fellow cop.**
**Detective: Dang it! I know she went up here. Okay, let's split up.**
**Reporter sits in their chairs. You here a guy say, "Five, Four, Three, Two, One.**"
**Reporter 1:This is just in, a crazy young woman has - (Evil laughter) **
**ME: Muah! HAHAHAHA! Yes! I'm baaaaaaaaaaack! And nobody can stop meeee! (Hey! FREEZE!) Uh Oh! I run and drop the papers, barely escaping the crazy cops. I'm sad but at least I got away. Oh well. I don't own Resident Evil Blah! Blah! Blah! Tune in next time to see me go all mission impossible in my new DISCLAIMERS!**
6. Chapter 5:Say Hello to the Big Cheeze
**Authors Note: Thanks for the REVIEW! As voted, I'll now skip to the The BIG CHEESE! Forget what I said about going on through the whole mess and the village. All those disappointed, I'm sorry... Don't go away! I'll have flashbacks! YEEEEAAAAAH! Not long ones. Anywhooo! Prepare to see A BIG CHEESE MOMENT! Courtesy of silverfox3220! This ones for YOOOOOOU! ENJOY! Buah! HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!**
**Resident Evil 4: A twist in Reality**
**Chapter 5: Say hello to the Big CHEEZE!... What a FREAK! And Flashbacks of Crazy Town!**
"AAAAAAH! Get away from me you sicko!" Ashley yelled at the EVIL SHEILA!
The short teenager has been chasing her for ten minutes, and both were getting a little tired. Since chasing her while carrying a big stick wasn't working out the way she planned, she dropped the large piece of wood and decided to go back to tackling. Sheila got into her football player stance and charged. Ashley screamed as Sheila sacked her just as a NFL football player would do.
"Buah! HAHAHAHAHA HA HAAAA!" Sheila laughed as she sat on top of Ashley's back.
"Get off of me! What are you trying to d-" Ashley didn't get to finish as Sheila grabbed her hair and looked around for something to shove down her throat. She saw a crate with dirt and some herbs growing in it. Smiling like a cat who got its saucer of cream, the teen reached out and grabbed a hand full of the dark dirt.
"You shouldn't have said that to me, Aaaashleeey! You see, I was picked on by a couple of bullies in Primary school. My hair was the main topic. Do you know what my Dad said told me to do if they tried to hit and threaten me?"
Ashley shook her head no.
"He told me that all bullies are cowards deep down inside. He told me to fight back... In fact... He said to make them EAT DIRT!
She shoved the dirt in her mouth, Ashley squirmed and tried to scream. Which was stupid because Sheila then grabbed the crate and shoved her face in the dirt.
"Come on, Ashley! Eat dirt! If you're going to talk dirt then eat dirt. You better do it. I'll sit on top of you all day and night if I have too. Heheheheheheheheheheeee!"
Of coarse Ashley didn't listen so Sheila helped her. After five big hand fulls of dirt, Ashley succumbed and ate some dirt on her own. Sheila's wrath was satisfied. She got up and and sat back to her wall in the corner.
Ashley gagged and spat as she tried to scrape her tongue of the dirt that turned into some sort of saliva mud. When Ashley finally gave up on getting rid of the muddy substance from her taste buds, she went and sat down in her corner. The young, seething girl gave Sheila another dirty look. Which was funny considering her face was almost black from being planted in the dirt! HAHAHAHAHAHA! She looked like she had went through a war. Her orange sleeveless sweater was covered with dirt, Her green plaid skirt was a little torn a the bottom hem, which gave her a sort of a ragged appearance. The Princess was now part of the common folk.
Sheila smiled and shrugged. "You started it."
**R**
Leon shut the doors, his chest heaving. The village and the farmers were sick! Pitchforks, axes, CHAINSAWS! Oh, let's not forget when the villagers melted right before his eyes! Plus he found a note on the tree at the farm asking him to join a game and shoot all the blue medallions! What was wrong with these people?... Okay, so he did do that.. It was kinda fun. Although he only shot 7 so far since that was all in the area. But that's besides the point! Leon closed his eyes and got control of his emotions. Then he opened his eyes. The secret agent face was back in charge.
He started to walk down the hill when he noticed another gory sign post.
"Great. More trouble!"
Leon carefully walked down the trail when he heard someone shouting from above. He looked up and opened his mouth in shock. Two Ganados were pushing a Indiana Jones boulder over the edge!
"OH CRAP!"
Leon ran as the boulder fell where he was just at! The Boulder picked up speed as it chased him down the hill. He pumped his arms and legs faster and faster, his heart trying to beat out of his chest as he ran. The ground beneath his feet shook as death got closer and closer. Up ahead, he saw a tunnel. But the boulder was picking up speed more and more! It looked like he wouldn't make it in time to the safety of the tunnel. The boulder would squish him before he reached it.
But hope wasn't completely gone. His eyes spotted a tiny opening to the left where the narrow path opened out to. It was close to the tunnel. Leon narrowed his eyes and gave it his all as a new spurt of adrenaline ran through his veins. At the last possible second before the Boulder would crush him, he leaped to the left. The boulder went on and smashed into the tunnel, breaking in to pieces.
Leon laid down and panted. He escaped death yet again at the last possible second.
FLASHBACK!
Leon looked through his binoculars, spying on the villagers. They looked normal enough. There were milkmaids carrying buckets of their labor, a man pushing a wheelbarrow of hay to the small open barn. And all of the people were dressed in old fashioned clothes, kinda like the Amish. Then there was the big bonfire which had a man HOOKED ON A HOOK ROASTING! Leon tightened the binoculars, barely recognising the passenger cop. His stomach tightened. He did survive the crash after all... Only now, he suffered a worse fate than the crash.
_Oh, why didn't you come with me when you had the chance?_
He put away his binoculars and walked down the path behind the houses. He had no other option. From what he's experienced so far, ever villager has went crazy and attacked him. His safest bet was to hide and avoid. If somehow he could sneak by, maybe he could find Ashley and leave this place in one piece. He started to grow confident that he was going to get by without being seen when he heard a shout behind him. He cursed as he turned around and saw a milkmaid pointing at him. Leon pointed his gun at her as she brought out a pick axe.
_What the? Where did she get that? How? Da-n it it!_
Leon fired, causing her head to explode.
_That was easy._
His relief was short lived as more cries came from behind him. He cursed and started to run, but stooped when he saw her body and clothes melt away.
"That's new."
Before he could dwell on it much longer, a villager threw a axe at him with a loud grunt. Leon ran as the axe hit the wall next to his head. He used the narrowness between both houses as a short cut and looked around quickly. He saw a door opened in a two story house. He ran inside and slammed the door behind him, locking it. Villagers began to bang on the door violently.
"Who are these people?"
"Un forastero!"
Leon peeked through a tiny, rectangle glassless window.
"No escape!"
"What are they planning?"
Leon looked around, seeing them talking urgently to each other.
"Vos voy a roupes a peduzes!" said a villager to what looked like the ring leader.
The ringleader was a burly mam who could crack someones jaw with one punch. With a violent motion with his hands, the burly leader said, "No dejes que se escape!"
A chainsaw was started in the direction where the ringleader motioned.
"Da-n it! They got a chain saw!"
Leon looked to his left and saw a small dresser.
_That should do for now._
He quickly pushed the dresser over in front of the door. A pounding noise sounded at the boarded up window. He cursed as he saw villagers eyes peering at him where the cracks were. The sound of breaking glass upstairs alerted him that they were trying to get through the windows.
"Sh-t!"
END OF FLASHBACK! Muah! HAHAHAHA!
Leon shook his head and got up. He was alive and that was all that mattered. Although he was curious if the dipsticks who pushed that boulder were still around. He felt like having a little comeback! Walking back up the hill, he stopped when he heard some laughter up above. The two idiots had ran to the bridge to see the crushing of their enemy. Of course from their angle, they couldn't see that Leon had jumped out of the way. They were patting each other on the back and talking rapidly in Spanish.
Leon smirked and raised his gun. The laser dot touched the older Ganado on the side of the temple. The younger one stared blankly at the older one. Confused to see a red dot on his comrads side of the head. Next thing he knew, a gunshot filled the air. The bullet hitting his friend's temple caused the man to scream and tumble over the side of the brigde. He fell head first, causing him to snap his neck. Intant death.
"Yes! Score one for me and zero for you guys!"
The young male screamed in hatred and threw down his axe, missing Leon as he ducked out of the way.
"Ha! That's all you got! Wait don't answer that. I already know the answer!"
Leon fired at him, hitting him in the head also. The villager fell and met the same fate of the older one.
"Told you I knew the answer. That's two for me and Zero for the idiots."
Leon picked up the money they dropped and went back to the tunnel. As he walked on in the darkened tunnel, he saw in two spots where something shiny was. He shot them and picked up what fell. To his surprise, he found two more spinnels! Go Leon!
He continued down the tunnel till he came to a weedy open area. There was a old cryptic house about twenty feet away with a man just standing there with his unlit dynamite. Leon cautiosly walked to the sign post next to a open, run down shack. It was another gory, skull post.
_More booby traps. Typical._
He looked in the shack and saw a tripwire. It looked like his best course of action would be crawling underneath it and then avoid the bear trap in front of the other open door way. But that plan wouldn't be put to use since another villager nearvy spotted him by the shack. The man lit the dynamite and through it in the shack.
"Aaaw sh-t!" Leon cursed and flipped backwards as the dynamite blew up.
The walls were blown to smithereens, causing debris to go everywhere. The man by the old house lit his dynamite, raising his hand to throw it. Leon was quicker and shot the dynamite in his hands, causing the dynamite to explode. Blood and gore splattered the house.
Leon then ran to the broken shack and shot the beartrap, causing it to snap and no longer a danger. Meanwhile, the man who threw the dynamite at him in the first place lit another one and threw it. Leon shot it in mid air, the explosion sending him and the villager back some feet back. His ears were ringing as he sat up. The other guy was still on the ground groaning.
With a grown, Leon got up and walked over to him. He grabbed the last dynamite from the guy and took his lighter. He then lit it and stuffed it in the Ganados mouth and ran toward the old house. The man's eyes grew big as he realised where the dynamite was at. An explosion echoed through the valley.
Leon smirked and sneacked his way to the window. Inside, there was voices arguing in Spanish, all panicked at what they witnessed. Leon took out his case and grabbed the grenade he found in the village. He took the pin out and threw it through the window. Screams of alarm was heard before another boom was heard. Then silence. Leon looked inside and smirked as he saw piles of goo evaporate. With the danger gone, he then ran toward the small, barely standing house. To his annoyance, he found the front door locked with a big, rusty, old fashioned lock in place. He kicked the lock twice before it broke and fell down with a bang.
Slowly, he opened the door and quickly entered, checking left and right before proceeding. The place was a mess! Furniture broken and decaying was strung about. It was so obvious that nobody lived here for awhile now. Yet a lock was on the door. Hmmm. A puzzler. NOT!
Leon opened a small cupboard and found a jewel. In fact it was a cats-eye stone, and looked like it fit inside something. He took out his case and put it in the beers-tyne or mug... Whatever, it fit perfectly. He put it back and proceed down the hall. He found yet another tripwire that was attached to some dynamite. The agent rolled his eyes and stepped back a couple of spaces, and shot the dynamite. It exploded and left some debris and dust everywhere. He continued on till he came into another room.
This room was just as bad as the first one. And of course there was yet another tripwire.
_"Talk about overkill!" _Leon thought with a smirk. He does smirk a lot, doesn't he?
Anyways, he looked around and found more pesetas in which he put in his large leather pouch he found on the ground at the village. In the cupboard was a red herb in which he mixed with some herbs he found in the village. Well, he didn't mix it with all the herbs!
Leon paused, hearing a loud banging sound. It was coming through the walls. He saw a bookshelf poorly hiding a opening to another room. He pushed it aside and entered. The room was just as dirty and dusty like all the other rooms. The banging came from the old armoir in the corner. He slowly walked over to the old armoir, the banging getting much louder as he came much more nearer. He stopped when he reached it and stepped to the side. Anything could be in there. A possum, cat, possibly another cray local with a stick of dynamite. Another lesson he learned from Raccoon City is that you never open a door that's banging, unarmed. His gun ready, he opened the door quickly and pointed his gun at what fell on the floor.
A dark skin Spaniard was what greeted him, tied up and his mouth taped shut. Some of his dark, black hair partially covered his frightened eyes. He shook his head and tried to back away at first, but realised Leon wasn't a threat when he stopped pointing the gun at him. He had black hair down to his shoulders, brown eyes and some stubble on his chin, giving him that Latin lover look. _(Leon didn't noticed that, I did! He's into Claire! Remember_?)
Leon crouched down and ripped the tape from the man's mouth.
"Ouch! A little rough, don't you think? Ooph!" Leon flipped him over and began to untie him. The Spaniard asked hesitantly, "You're... Not like them?"
"No. You?"
The stranger rolled over and mumbled as he rubbed his wrists. Instead of answering the question, he said this, "Okay, I have one important question... Do you got a smoke?"
Leon shook his head while putting his gun in his holster. He responded, "Got gum."
They both turned their heads at the sound of approaching footsteps. What they saw did not make them happy. Two Ganados appear, staring at them menacingly. Then, a sound of much heavier footsteps approached. A abnormally tall fellow stepped in front of the two Ganados. He wore a large green trench coat, large commandos boots covered his very large feet, and was clearly bald. To complete the scary bad guy look, he had a long beard the went down to a point to his large chest. His one blue eye and red eye bore into the two humans. The red one seemed a little to Leon. It then occurred to him that it was fake.
Luis snorted and commented, "Perfect, the big che...ese?"
Leon looked at Luis strangely then looked at Mendez. He was holding a large picture frame with a picture of a block of Cheddar cheese on a plate. Mendez suddenly looked like he was on crack. He smiled grew impossibly wide as he said, "Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze!"
Leon's eyes grew wide at this strange occurrence. Suddenly, he suddenly burst out laughing while Luis stared in shock at the smiling Mendez.
"You've got to be kidding me! You're the most dumbest one yet! Ha! Ha! Ha! You made my day!"
Mendez shook his head as if he was just coming back to reality. He saw the agent laughing at him, a shocked Luis, and his henchmen gaping at him while looking at him uncomfortably. He looked down at his hands. Where did he get a picture of cheese? He suddenly felt like a over grown fool. And when things couldn't get any stranger, they did. He heard a voice that sounded like the red headed American girl.
She said evilly, "Thanks for the idea Silverfox3220! Everyone! This was Silverfox3220's wonderful idea! I can't take the credit for this one. Muah! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HAAA! Got CHEESE Mendez!"
Mendez looked freaked out and shouted in English, "Noooo! I don't got cheeze! Who's Silverfox3220?"
Silence filled the room. Then everyone started to laugh. And yes. When I say everyone, I mean everyone. That includes the henchmen.
"Well, boys! Looks like your boss is losing it!" Laughed Leon.
Mendez was very angry. He threw down the picture and began stomping like a two year old while shouting yet in English again, "STOP LAUGHING! Nobody dares to laugh at me! Be afraid! FEEEEAAARRR MEEEEEE!"
Luis rolled to his side and laughed so hard that tears streamed down his face. Nobody heard the voice except for Mendez. He looked like a bigger fool than ever! HAHAHAHAHAHAAA!
From that point on, Leon didn't take Mendez seriously. But I'm getting ahead of myself. So here 's what happened. Leon took the distraction of Mendez yelling at his henchmen to run up and deliver a round house kick. This one, unlike the game, landed where it attended to go. Mendez fell over, stunning everyone in the room except for Leon. Any fear he had for Mendez was gone. He then quickly called Luis and started to run out of the room, with Luis behind him. But they didn't make it out of the house. Mendez had quickly gotten back up and followed them, filled with rage that Leon actually delivered a blow. Nobody has done that after he got the queen parasite in him. He was way past angry now!
He reached the guys as they opened the door and smacked both of them into the wall. They both fell unconscious. Leon had a small smile on his face though, still thinking it was funny when he was unconscious. Mendez turned around and glared evilly at his men and ordered, "This doesn't leave the room."
They trembled, getting the hint.
**Authors Note: I loved writing this chapter! I hoped ya'll enjoyed it as much as I did! I stayed up writing this because my head pain was gone for the moment, letting me think clearly as I wrote this. I again would like to say THANK YOU to Silverfox3220 for the idea with Mendez! I like the way you think! Muah!AHAHAHAHAHAHAAA! More flashbacks to come about the crazy town village! Yeeeeeaaaaah!**
**Disclaimer:I pick up a tape recorder on my desk. This is what it says,"The Resident Evil papers is in a top security computer enterprise in New York. Your mission if you so choose to accept it is to retrieve these papers without getting caught. Your support on this mission is Steve, Billy Coen, Mark, and Jill Valentine. Do not link these people with the characters on the game. Those characters are fictional. This message will self destruct in five seconds. Sheila threw the tape over her shoulder as it self destructed. This was just the beginning of my adventures. I don't own Resident Evil 4 or the characters, but maybe someday... Yeah RIGHT! **
7. Chapter 6:Luis,the Merchant, and
**Authors Note:HEEEEELLLOOOOOOW! Sorry this chapter wasn't posted in the afternoon like I promised. I wasn't feeling good this morning which stopped me from going anywhere or doing anything. But now I feel better! I also was distracted by helping my mom cook her delicious herbal CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP! YUUUUM! It always makes me feel better! So again, sorry this chapter is a little late! **
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 6: Luis, the Merchant, and the start of Chris and Claire's adventure**
"Feeble Humans. Let us give you our power," a silky, smooth voice filtered in Leon's hazy mind. His eyes fluttered as a needle pricked his neck.
"Hahahaha! Soon, You will be unable to resist this intoxicating power," said the smooth voice. The purple liquid was injected into his neck, making his neck tingle with a burning sensation. Then he felt a sharp pain soot through his neck as the small egg was injected.
Leon jerked awake, sweating from the strange nightmare. His eyes scanned his surroundings frantically, trying to remeber where he was. Memories went through his mind quickly, the house with the nut-ball, the path, his mission, the village of madness, and the Big Cheese... Leon snickered, relaxing from that memory.
_Aah, yes. The Big Cheeseball. How can I forget him?_
Leon began to laugh.
The Spaniard woke up to Leon's laughter.
_What the?_
The handsome Spaniard asked irritably, "Why are you laughing?"
Leon's laughter turned into chuckles as he answered merrily, "Oh nothing. Just remembering our friend, the Big Cheese."
The stranger smiled and joined in the short merriment over Mendez. It was something neither of them would forget any time soon. After a minute of laughter, they both settled down and sobered up by their current predicament.
The Spaniard scowled and said, "Aye, yie ,yie! Crawl out of one hole, and into another!"
Leon nodded and turned his head and said in all seriousness, "You wanna tell me what's going on here?"
"Americanos, si? Now what brings a bloke like you into this part of the world? Oh! Aye, easy! Whoever you are."
Leon stopped testing the cuffs that bound him to the Spaniard and sighed. He grabbed the picture of Ashley and turned the picture as best as he could so the Spaniard could see it.
"Name's Leon. I've come here looking for this girl. Seen her?"
The man turned his head and looked down over his shoulder, catching a glimpse of the picture.
"What are you supposed to be, a cop or something?" Fished the stranger.
Leon smirked at the guy's obvious way of trying to pry info out of him. Two can play at that game.
"Maybe." Leon replied, putting the picture away.
The Spaniard smirked, deciding to be more out front with him. Maybe he could get help from the guy, he seemed genuine enough. The spy he has been speaking to couldn't be trusted. Although he does sort've has the hots for her.
"Okay. Let me guess. She's the President's daughter."
It was more a statement than a question. Leon couldn't help smiling. This guy was good, he knew just what to say and not to say.
"Heh. That's too good for a guess. Want to start explaining?"
The guy turned his head and said seriously with a bit of drama, "Psychic powers... Nah! Heh! Heh! Just kidding with you me, amigo. I overheard one of the villagers talking something about the President's daughter at the church."
Silence hung in the room as Leon digested this bit of information. He finally broke the silence.
"And who might you be?"
"Me? I'm Luis Sera. Used to be a cop in Madrid. Now, I'm just a good-for-nothing guy, who's quite the ladies man."
"Why'd you quit?"
Luis scoffed. "Guah! Policea! You put your life on the line, nobody really appreciates you enough for it. Being a hero isn't what it's cracked up to be anymore."
Leon nodded and looked up at the ceiling as he remembered Raccoon City. "Used to be a cop myself. Only for a day though."
Luis turned his head and lifted an eyebrow. "And I thought I was bad."
Leon continued as the memories past resurfaced. "Somehow I managed to get myself involved with the incident in Raccoon City, on my first day on the force."
Luis felt sympathy for the ex-cop and asked, "That is the incident of the viral outbreak, right?"
Leon nodded his head.
Luis continued, "I think I've seen a sample of the virus in the lab down at the department."
Before Leon could question him about this bit of info, a bloody villager carrying an executioner's blade walked into the room, muttering crazy talk.
They tried to move back without much sucess. Luis spoke out, fear in his voice. "Do something cop!"
Leon irritably shot back, "After you!"
The man raised the blade above his head and gave a maniac shout as he swung down to kill the men.
"NOW!" Shouted Leon.
At the last moment, the two men stretched as far away from each other, causing the blade to break through the rusty handcuffs. They rolled away, the villager crying out in outrage. Luis looked at Leon and the villager. Then, he turned and ran, feeling a little guilty for leaving good Samaritan that helped him out of this tight jam. But after hearing all the talk about the Americana who has been killing all the Ganados left and right, he knew he could handle himself... Plus, he knew the ex'cop would ask him questions. He couldn't tell him what he has done. Besides, that spy and himself had an agreement. He had to get that sample... Even if he felt like such a coward. (I know that Luis didn't run off till after Leon killed the Ganado. But I didn't remember this till after writing a ways into the chapter. Sorry for the inconsistency!)
Leon angrily whatched Luis run away.
_Yeah! Like you really were a cop! _
His attention was turned to the Ganado who was coming at him with the bloody blade. He waited for him to be practically on him before he made his move. His leg shot up, catching the man in the stomach. Then, he grabbed the weapon and flipped the villager behind him. The man hit the wall with such force that his neck was instantly broken with a loud crunch. He fell to the floor and melted away.
Leon got up and rolled his neck around, stretching his aching muscles. He then wiped the dirt off his jeans. He was obviously in a different building than before. He shivered a little bit from the cold air. The Basta-ds stole his favorite jacket, too! Now, he only had on his black tactical shirt to keep warm, and that wasn't much at all. At least he still had his handgun and radio, but his case and shotgun was gone.
_Crap! _
He took out his radio and contacted Hunnigan.
Leon_: It's Leon. Sorry I couldn't get in touch sooner, but I was a bit tied up_.
Leon smirked at his little joke. Hunnigan didn't get it.
Hunnigan_: You're okay, right_?"
Leon_: I'm fine. There was a male civilian held captive. According to him, Ashley's in a church somewhere_.
Hunnigan_: What happened to him_?
Leon_: He managed to escape_.
Hunnigan_: Do you have a fix on the location of the church_?
Leon_: No, but apparently there's a secret passage in the village that leads there. I'm heading back to the village_. _Leon out._
Leon put his radio back in its holster. He remembered one of the notes he found in the farm telling of the secret passage. Now, all he needed was a key to that weird looking building in the village. He proceeded to walk out of the room, and started down the hallway. He stopped when a strange attired man looked through the open window at the end of the hall. Leon pulled his gun out and pointed it at the stranger. The man didn't flinch or looked afraid.
He just motioned with his head and said in his Europeon accent, "Over here.. Stranger."
He walked out of site, leaving a very curious Leon. He quickly finished walking down the hallway and turned the corner. On the small side desk was a box of rifle ammo next to a typewriter. He thought that a bit strange, remembering typewriters all over the place at Raccoon City. He then walked up to the table and grabbed the ammo, put in pouch on his utility belt, and sighed. He had one box of ammo left for his handgun, one box of shotgun shells which did no good if you had no shotgun, and two grenades clipped to his belt. He had one fire grenade and two flash ones in his case along with his herbs, but sadly he didn't have it anymore! He angrily pushed the door open and walked outside.
He knew this was probably a trap, but he was too curious to not see what was up with this wierd guy. He turned the corner and walked down the side of the house. When he reached the next corner, he got ready to fight for his life and whipped around it, weopan poised to shoot. The laser dot was on the lone man's head, but of course the guy ignored it.
"Welcome!"
Leon blinked and lowered the gun, his instincts told him there was no danger here, but he was still alert as he slowly approached. The man was waring a navy blue, hooded trench coat that went down to his ankles. He had his hood up over his head, giving him a mysterious look about him. But what really topped the whole mysterious stranger look was the purple wrap that covered his face, neck, and head. It covered all his hair from sight, keeping anyone from getting a defining description on him. The only thing Leon could see was his eyes, which was oddly yellow.
The man wore a large backpack, giving him a hunchback look. He was standing next to a torch that was lit. The flame was a eerie blue, yet it somehow suited this man and his business.
When Leon made it over to the man, the guy said with a happy tune, "Got something that might interest ya, Stranger. Heh! Heh! Heh!"
He dramatically pulled open his coat, revealling ammo gallore. Leon smiled and put his gun away.
The man chuckled and closed his coat, saying with a mischievous glint in his eyes, "That's not all, Stranger. Got more for ya to see."
He then pulled off his large, heavy backpack and got out a blanket. He unfolded the large blanket and laid it on the ground. Then the strange man proceeded to lay out each of his stock. There was regular, fire, and flash grenades. A map of the area, first aid spray, a large silver case, (Just like his, but larger) and to his viewing pleasure, a rifle with a scope attached to it and a larger, better scope next to it.
Leon untied his leather pouch and brought out the trinkets he found. 9 spinnels, a antich pearl necklace, and a old copper pocket watch.
The strange man's eyes got big and he said, "I'll offer you a fair price for them, Stranger."
And then the bartering began. After getting done with that bit of business, they moved on to the supplies. In the end, Leon bought the large case, the map, first aid, one grenade, one fire grenade, two flash grenades, and the rifle! The man then offered tune ups for his gun. Leon gave him the gun and watched with amazement as the merchant effortlessly upgraded his gun. He handed the gun back to Leon and brought out Leon's old case out.
Leon gave the man a accusing look.
The man held up a hand and said reassuringly, "Don't give me that look, Stranger. Those Ganados sold me your supplies. I didn't take them from ya. I was going to sell them back to ya, but I see a potential future business relationship that can be good for you and me. Don't want to start on the wrong foot in this arrangement. So here, take of your supplies... Except the case. I have use for this case."
Leon took his supplies out of his old case, happy to see the man didn't try to skimp out on him by keeping some of his supplies to himself. But most of all, he was glad to see his shotgun! He put his shotgun over his shoulder (it had a shoulder strap on it) and gave the merchant a nod of thanks. The man offered to tune up his shotgun, which Leon agreed to. It didn't take long for the him to get finished. Leon smiled as the man told him the upgrades. He was veeeery pleased with the advancements, but didn't care for the prices for both the gun and shotgun upgrades.
He put his shoulder hip strap of his case over his head andgrabbed his rifle and began to walk away. He stopped a few feet away and turned around and said, "I didn't catch your name."
"That's because I didn't give it. I'm the merchant, that's all ya need to know."
Leon gave him a small smile. He kinda liked the guy.
_Huh. Merchant it is, then. _
As he walked off, the merchant called out, "Come back, anytime!"
Leon walked over to the wall and looked through the scope of his rifle. He put his sight on a villager on a roof of a small cabin in the distance. Leon stiffened his body and pulled the trigger.
**R**
**Chris and Claire**
Chris and Claire stepped out of the SUV and walked up to the broken bridge. They noticed a truck and car at the bottom of the ravine in the rushing river.
Claire frowned and said with irritation, "Now what? It took us an hour to get here, and now we have to find a different place to get around. That will take more time and that's one thing we don't have... Chris?"
She turned around and saw Chris bring out a small case. "Is that the surprise the merchant left you?"
Chris smiled and opened the black case. Inside was two grappling guns. As you readers probably figured out, they were the same type as Ada's. Chris handed one to Claire and walked to the edge.
"You point and whatever the laser lands on, shoot. It shoots out a serrated grappling hook with a thick, flexible steel wire. It can attach itself to wood and most metals, but be careful were you shoot. It'll kill or give a person a nasty wound. So don't shoot yourself in the foot. Oh, and one more thing. If you hold the trigger as the hook hits its target, you'll automatically zip-"
Chris didn't finish. Claire had already fired the gun, the hook hitting the wooden post of the bridge. She zipped away, almost giving Chris a heart attack. As she quickly made it to the ledge, she pulled a Ada and flipped over as the gun reached the edge of its wire. She smiled and waved at Chris. Chris grumbled and zipped his way there as well, except with a manly flip.
Chris glared at her and said angrily, "You didn't let me finish! You could have been ki-"
"Oh, don't be such a baby! I know what these things are and what they do. It's not that hard to figure out."
Chris harrumphed and started down the road, Claire smirking as she followed. They followed the path and found the three dead bodies of Leon's ambushers. Upon examining them, they could see they have been dead for at least three hours. One had no head and the rest were shot in the head or stabbed.
"Wow. Not a pleasant way to die" Claire commented.
Chris nodded in agreement, and told her to stay alert. As they walked down the path, they got this strange feeling of being watched. Chris brought out his fully upgraded Black-tail handgun as Claire brought out her fully upgraded Matilda handgun. The feeling of malice and hatred filled the air. The further they went up the path the heavier the feeling came that they were being watched by a foe who deeply hated them. They walked over the wooden bridge, more tense than ever. Suddenly, a cry broke the tense silence. They looked up and saw Two Men with Potato sacks over their heads with two holes that revealed their blood shot eyes. In their hands they wielded chainsaws!
As the maniacs jumped down from the edge, two villagers jumped behind them and wrapped their arms around both of them. The siblings struggled to get free, but the strength in the villagers arms were abnormal, giving even Chris a hard time to break away. The Chainsaw maniacs started to approach quickly, crying out with blood lust for the gore that was to come.
Chris felt his adrenalin pump faster in his veins, giving him the strength to suddenly wrench away from the surprised captor. He quickly dropped kick the villager and got behind the other one who had Claire, snapping his neck. He then grabbed Claire as one of the Chainsaw men swung at them, missing by inches. They ran back down the bridge with the chainsaw men on their heels. Claire let go of Chris's hand and reached in her side-pack, grabbing a flash grenade. She pulled the pin and dropped it, hoping to buy some time. A bright flash went off, causing the two freaks to cry out in pain, covering their faces and dropping their saws.
Claire noticed this and stopped. She grabbed her bowgun from her sidepack and aimed. She shot one in the head, the arrow imbedded in his head. He just shook his head and picked back up his weopan. Chris noticed his sister had stopped and ran back to her, grabbing her arm.
"Claire! What are you doing! Let's go! The house is just ahead!"
"Chris! It didn't kill him. That shot should have-"
The chainsaw roared to life, waking the other guy from his daze. Chris cursed and took off his case. (It's the same way like Leon's. The strap goes from shoulder to hip.) He grabbed the Riot gun and aimed it at the crazy chainsaw idiots. As they came closer, he fired. To his astonishment, they only staggered and proceeded to come for them.
"That should have killed them!"
"That's what I tried to tell you!" Claire yelled while getting her special arrows clip in her bow-gun. She then quickly raised it and fired. The arrow whizzed in the air and hit the chainsaw guy closest in the side as he picked up his chainsaw. The arrow made a small explosion, blowing away the entire side. Flesh, bone and blood sprayed everywhere. He screamed in agony and fell to the ground, never to kill again. The chainsaw maniac who now was charging at the young woman stopped and looked behind him. He screamed with anger and turned around only to see the barrel of Chris's Riot gun. Chris fired, blowing the man's head off. The body jerked and spasmed, falling to the ground as it still clutched the blade. Chris turned and looked at Claire, breathing heavily. The maniac's blood had splattered all across his face, making him look like a victim and not the victor. But he didn't even notice it.
"That was close. These are some tuff-"
"Chris! LOOK OUT!" Claire screamed frantically.
Chris turned around and saw a pick axe flying straight at him. He dove to the ground, but not before the blade swiped his arm, leaving a ugly gash.
Claire aimed and fired, shouting, "Nobody throws stuff at my brother but me!"
The Ganado was shot in the stomach. The arrow exploding on impact, delivering an ugly death. He screamed, trying to hold what intestines he had left inside. What was really gross was the a tail that swished back and forth, spraying a yellow, rancid goo. The strange man fell to the ground and melted away, till there was nothing but steam left.
Claire rushed over to Chris and knelt beside him. She checked his wound, gasping at the size of it.
"I'll be fine. I just need my first aid spray."
"Fine my a-s! You need stitches and first aid."
Chris shook his head, but let her take care of him. Claire quickly grabbed her med kit and started working on him. She quickly cleaned the wound and sprayed it with the first aid spray, and waited for it to stop sizzling before she finally stitched him up. She was glad that she took the time to learn from Rebbecca some simple first aid procedures the past few years. She couldn't do major stuff, just stitch and patch simple wounds. When she was finished, she wrapped his arm and patted his shoulder. Chris looked at his arm and smiled.
"Good as new. Thanks Claire."
Claire beamed as she got up, extending her hand out to Chris. He grabbed it and rolled down his sleeve. They walked over to where the villager's body was and studied the steaming ground.
"Was it just me, or did you see a tail whip around before he melted?" Chris asked.
"I saw it too. I wander how he melted like that... Looks like Umbrella's signature."
Chris looked doubtful. "I don't know. My gut tells me something else is going on here... Come on, let's get going. Every hour we take is an hour lost for Sheila."
"Right. Let's go!"
**R**
**Back to Leon**
Leon ran up to the chest and opened it. Inside was the second half of the weird key.
"Meirda!" Hollard a villager behind him.
He turned around as the villager jumped him, causing Leon to loose his balance and fall down back into the house. The added weight of the villager on top of him and hitting the ground from the height above caused the air to whoosh out of him. Both just laid there, too stunned. The villager looked at Leon and Leon looked at him. Then, the villager whipped out his knife and tried to stab Leon. But killing him wasn't going to be that easy. He grabbed the man's wrist and struggled for his life. The strength from the old villager was not making Leon's chances of survival good.
In a last ditch effort, Leon grabbed his own knife with one hand and stabbed the villager in his neck. The villager opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Just blood and a gurgling sound. He dropped his knife, giving Leon the oppertunity to push him off. Quickly, he stood up and took out his handgun. The man tried to pull the knife out, but was stopped when Leon shot him in the head. The inhuman villager stopped moving, his eyes turning blank as he died. Leon pulled out his knife before the Ganado melted away. He then proceeded to clean his knife, and stepped out of the house. He brought out the two pieces that would open the gate, and put them together. With a relieved smile, he ran up the hill and put it in the indention. The lock clicked as it unlocked. Now, the agent could finally get out of this area! After fighting thirty villagers for his life, he was ready to get out of the death trap.
Leon's mind went back to the Big Cheese... That lightened his mood considerably as he left to his next destination.
**Authors Note: Okay,I hoped you liked it. Not my best but I'm okay with it. I wanted to set up Leon's ties with the Merchant and Luis. The merchant is going to make alot of appearances cause I just plain like the guy! I always wandered who he was, and what he thought about Leon. I'm even thinking of writing a Prequel of this story. It'll tell the background of Mendez and the Merchant. Let's just say it'll answer alot of questions about the villains,the village, and the Merchant! But I'm getting ahead of myself. Please REVIEW! Annnnnnnnnnnd...REEEVIIEEW! Oh! I almost forgot. A flashback will be in the next chapter... I PROMISE! The village scene will told! El Yeeaaah! **
**Disclaimer: I walk up to my sapport team... WHAT THE? They look like the characters from... Aah, forget it. I'm just going to ignore it. After the introductions, we made our plans for the heist. After everything was in order, we suited up and headed for the destination. We were ready. **
**One hour later - Mark lowering me and - ANNOUNCER VOICE: This is a notice to Sheila (Hey! What's going on?) Your Disclaimer action antidotes are cancelled. Get back to your Resident Evil story. (WHAT! CANCELLED!) Yes cancelled. That is all. The lights go out, I'm left hanging. Me: HEY! YOU Can't leave me here!... Oh well. I don't own Resident Evil so THERE! Keep reading my story! BYYYYYYYYEE! **
8. Chapter 7:The Big Cheese's House
**Authors Note: I'm BAAAAAAAAAAAACK! Did ya miss me? I missed you! Well ladies and gents, I got another great chapter for yooou! It'll have me, Ashley, Chris and Claire, Leon and his crazy flashback, aaaaaaaaaaand... ! (Applause!) Grab your popcorn, your drinks, and please be prepared for some gore and violence. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnd... Round 2 between me and Ashley! Will we ever stop fighting? Who knows! You'll have to keep reading my story to find out! Oh! Also I like to say to silverfox, that video you told me about sounds HILARIOUS! I wish I could have seen it... It also gives me a idea for another fanfic! Muah! HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA! **
**Chapter 7: The Big Cheese's house.. Pueblo Sucks.. And another Flashback**
Leon looked around his surroundings, relieved to see that he was alone. After fighting off more villagers with a fetish for old dynamite, and trying to be extra careful not to step in all those bear traps, Leon was ready for a break. He walked inside the small cabin and sat down to catch his breath. His stomach protested loudly, mimicking the zombie dogs from Raccoon City. And no wander, since he hasn't eaten since 5:oo this morning. While patting his angry stomach, he peeked at his watch, and frowned. It was 4:00, way past lunch!
Luckily, he had the cure for his hunger problem. The agent brought out his case and took out his military ration. As Leon ate the not so tasty food, his mind went over all he has learned so far. The letters he found were quite disturbing. One certain envelope he found in the village revealed pictures of himself walking down the streets of Spain the previous day. They knew he was a agent for the American government, and exactly when he would be paying a visit to this deadly village. Sad to say, this was more proof that there was a mole in the government. And although this info was helpful, it wasn't easy to get.
FLASHBACK
Leon pushed the small dresser in front of the door. But that wasn't enough. The villagers were banging on the wooden boards that was nailed over the broken window. Spotting a empty bookshelf nearby, he quickly pushed it in front of the boarded up window. That should spare him some seconds to get ready for the mob.
The agent rushed up the old rotting staircase, and spotted the cause for the broken window, a ladder. He quickly ran to the window and shoved the ladder away from the window. The local that was climbing it screamed as he fell with the wooden contraption. There was no time to enjoy the pain on the fallen man as other matters of concern appeared. Leon quickly turned around and saw that more villagers were pounding on the other window. He then spotted the shotgun mounted on the wall and ammo on the bed next to him.
_Looks like the big guy upstairs doesn't hate me after all._
He grabbed the ammo and ran to the wall at the other side of the room. Grabbing the shotgun, he did a quick check to see if it was loaded. Looks like the big guy upstairs does love him, 'cause it was. He saw a grenade in the glass case next to him. Breaking the glass with the butt end of the shotgun, he reached in and grabbed it and quickly hooked it on his belt loop. With his boom-stick in hand and a grenade as back up, Leon was now ready for some violence.
He ran back to his corner where he could have a strategiic position to shoot anybody coming from downstairs and any unlucky freak that who came through the windows upstairs. The ladder was up again, and more villagers were at the window. He wandered where the Chainsaw guy would come from. He didn't have to wait long to find out, for the man himself chose the ladder. Which would have been great, except the villagers at the glass window decided to break through and join the party. Amongst the chaos, the maniac raised his chainsaw and charged. Meanwhile, a bearded villager decided to throw an hand axe at him.
Leon dodged the axe, but it caused him to lose time to shoot the chainsaw man. The man cried out in a happy, sadistic way as he swung his blade, tearing and ripping the flesh in his chest. Leon screamed, his handsome face contorted with the pain and agony he was experiencing. Reacting in the only way possible, the injured young agent kicked the evil, potato sack wearing Ganado in the family jewels. The maniac's eyes crossed; letting out a scream of his own as he dropped the running chainsaw, giving Leon the chance to grab it and get some much needed pay back. His ruby red blood was already soaking through his tactical shirt as he angrily brought the blade down on the man's shoulder. The villager screamed in agony as the blade tore through muscle tissue, bone, flesh and then through his lungs.
The crazed villager's dark blood covered Leon's shirt and face with it's smelly gore, but he was beyond carring. He was in survival mode. The blade stopped working as it reached the pelvis. Leon released the deadly weopan, stunned at what he just done. He didn't have time to feel guilty as the crap hit the van. The villagers broke through the door and the boarded up window, faces set in angry masks. Some villagers who came from the windows had watched the gruesome scene unfold. They didn't try to interfere until after the chainsaw quit working. Now, it seemed safe to attack the American intruder. But they would soon find out that it wasn't safe. Picking up his shotgun, Leon went and blew a path to the window with the ladder.
He quickly leaped through the window and landed the same way at the beginning of the adventure. But he couldn't bounce back from it as quickly. He had lost a lot of blood from the chainsaw attack, so he was getting very weak quickly. But he refused to show it. Refused to give up. He shot the last three shots at the crowed and dropped the shotgun, took out his grenade and threw it at a new crowd that came from the southwest gate. It killed all of them, but still left him with a huge crowd to defend against. He took out his gun and began to fire, taking his last stand. He then noticed to his growing horror that the people that died melted into a brown goo, and then evaporated.
"What the?.. That's new."
The villagers were angry as the agent refused to die. They couldn't get near him as he dodged their every tactic. Leon fought with as much intensity as a Spartan, never giving up. If he died, he knew that Ashley was doomed... And he'll never get to say goodbye to his friends or loved ones.. And Claire, his close friend since Raccoon City, she would never know the reason why it's been a year since they spoke face to face. Hell, it's been months since he spoke to her on the phone! He wouldn't blame her if she hated him even.
With the guilt and realization of how much he still wanted to do with his life, he put everything he had into fighting for survival. The call for life gave him that extra push, and caused a savage yell to rip from his lungs. The villagers hesitated, not wanting to get close to the crazy Americana. But their ringleader bravely stepped up and let out a yell of his own, boosting their moral just a bit. As Leon shot for his life, a church bell began to ring in the distance, causing everyone to stop their actions.
Leon looked around at his enemies; they all seemed to be in a trance. They dropped their weapons and began to walk to the creepy stone building. They all spoke in murmurs, ignoring Leon completely. He couldn't understand what they were saying since it was all in Spanish, but he did catch a name. The ringleader spoke in a deep voice and murmured, "Lord Saddler."
After they had gone, Leon stood there in amazement. He finally said, "Heh. Where's everyone going? Bingo?"
The last of the villagers left, closing the iron door behind them, then locking it. Now, the hero was completely alone.
Leon's knees buckled as the blood loss got to him. He quickly grabbed his case and got out his med kit. Everything he needed was inside the kit. Inside was his first aid spray, three green/red herbs that were crushed, mixed, then put into three plastic test tubes. A surgical kit and some wraps and bandages were set beside the herbs and medicine.
Gingerly, he took off his jacket and torn shirt. His flesh was torn and shredded badly; just looking at it was painful. The wound was 12 inches across, and deep and continuing oozing his blood. He himself was surprised to be still alive. But that status would change if he didn't take care of the wounds quickly. With shaky hands, Leon quickly cleaned the wound and applied the first aid spray. A groan escaped his lips as the special spray sizzled and burned like hell. He then proceeded to put a little water inside one tube, and shook it. The water and powder form herbs began to mix and thicken, slowly turning into some sort of luiquid-y lotion. Satisfied, he applied it to his wound. He tried not cry out in any more pain as he reached inside the wound to cover all the damage; succeeding partially. When that was done, he grabbed his surgical kit and began the last leg of his medical journey; sewing up the wound. With that last painful bit taken care of, he placed a bandage on it and sighed. It was done. The herbal and first aid combination began to do its work. He felt a little better, but was still weak.
With a loud groan, he stood back up and looked around in a daze. At the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a yelloe plant growing in a pot next to the water trough. He stumbled to it and picked it up. It was the rare yellow herb he learned about while in survival training. It was sapposed to be the strongest herb of them all when you mixed it with the other two special herbs. Can't believing his luck, he took out his other test tube and mixed it with his green/red mixed herbs. Knowing that he couldn't face another angry mob, he quickly poured some more of the water from his canteen half way in the test tube, and shook it to create a herbal shake. Well, sort of. At any rate, after drinking it, he felt better than ever. In fact, he felt a little more energy then when he first arrived in this nightmare.
Smiling, he went back to get his jacket and shirt.
He stopped from putting on his black shirt, deciding it was useless and grabbed his tactical shirt out of his case. It was black too, but it was made out of a stronger material. Sort of like a wet suit for diving. It kept him warm, except for his arms since it was short sleeved.
Leon dressed quickly and slipped on his favorite jacket, then grabbed his case and slipped it back on. Deciding that it wouldn't hurt to try, he walked on over to the creepy building and tried the metal door. As suspected, it was locked. And there would be no kicking down this thick, metal thing. So, he reluctantly turned around and looked at the bonfire. He flinched when he saw the body slowly roasting. Though he would prefer to stay away, he felt driven to get a closer look at the familiar dead body. With a deep, unsettled sigh, he took a step towards the burning bonfire. Then another and another.
The smell of burning flesh brought a rancid taste to his mouth. The sick feeling doubled when he recognized the poor soul. It was one of the cops that brought him here. His burnt face was twisted in agony, his clothes was melting into his skin. He didn't ware any glasses, so he had to be the passenger, but then again the glasses could have been lost when the car fell to their doom. Either way, this was a worse death than the one he thought the cop suffered earlier. Leon coughed as the smell of burnt flesh began to imprint itself in his nostrils and clothes. He stepped back a couple of steps to get away from the smell.
With a quesy stomach, Leon turned away and looked down at his reflection in the water trough. The immage of his handsome face covered in the villagers blood nearly had him losing his breakfast from much earlier that morning. After a moment of controling the urge to vomit, he debated if he should clean his face with the disgusting water or leave well enough alone. But staring at his reflection, seeing someone elses blood on his face brought the memories of how zombies in Raccoon City looked. He quickly dipped his hands in the water and roughly washed his face. The grimace on his face never changed as the dirt and bloody gore began to come off, revealing his healthy skin. When done, he took the end of his shirt and dried his face. Looking back at the water trough, he shuddered. Despite that he had to he wash his face with this questionable water, seeing a less zombie looking reflection in the surface of the liquid was worth it. One thing's for sure, he would never drink this water!
Ready to get as far away as possible from this crazy town, he grabbed his radio and contacted Hunnigan.
Leon: _Hunnigan. I have some bad news. I've confirmed the body of an officer. Somethings happened to the people here._
Hunnigan: _Leon, you need to get out of there. Look for a tower. Follow the trail near it._
Leon: _Got it._
Leon put the radio up and took one last look at the officer.
"Rest in peace."
END OF FLASHBACK
Leon got up and took out his handgun. After eating his meal and taking a crappy trip down memory lane, he was ready to get a move on. He walked out of the cabin and sighed. Another another skull sign. He looked carefully around, determined to see the traps before taking another trap. He found (not surprisingly) another trip wire between two trees, attached to a couple sticks of dynamite, and two bear traps under the wire. Leon smiled.
_They're finally learning._
Two crows flew down. One landing on the dynamite, and the other between the bear traps. Leon HATED CROWS! After Raccoon City and their stinking virus infected the crow populace, he has never looked at a crow the same again! Raising his gun, the agent did a mental happy jig and fired at the dynamite trap. The old dynamite exploded, causing blood and feathers to scatter in the air with debris.
Leon gave a wry smile and walked up to the beartraps. They were unaffected by the small blast. He quickly took care of them, tripping the traps and continued up the path. All the while ignoring the black feathers that floated around him like snow.
**R**
"Oooooh! Give me a hooooooome, where the Buuuuffalo rooooaam! Where the deeeer and the antelope plaaaaaaay!" Sheila sang with boredom.
After a round of staring at Ashley and trying to creep her out, the President's daughter finally learned to just ignore her. That sucked for Sheila since now, she had nothing to do. She tried to start a conversation with her, trying to see what the White House was like. But Ashley just stuck her nose in the air and replied that she'll never know cause she was just a hooligan, and then said nothing more.
So there she was, thinking about home and her friends and family. She had a lot of happy memories to dwell on, so she decided to think about the guys she practically grew up with. Chris and Scotty! Her brothers in arms and partners in crime! (No not really! They just get mischievous sometimes and play pranks on their parents! He! He!) They were like the three musketeers! Her buddies! They haven't been spending as much time together since their older sister Candice got married. She was one of Sheila's best girlfriends! (Not the gay kind of girlfriend! The best friends 4 ever girlfriends! Sheesh!)
Chris was two years younger than her and Scotty was four years younger. But they were just like family! Even though work perhibited them from spending as much time together, they did see a lot of each other at chuch. Just thinking about them brought the memory of them singing crazy songs and changing the words around! HAHAHA! HAAA! It was fun to do that! One time, they heard on a movie where a bad guy sung this song with a twist to it. Aaaaaah! Those were the days. That's why she was singing the very song they always sang together. She didn't sing the verse the way she and her guys did. She didn't want to scare Ashley any more. It wouldn't be worth it when Leon finds Ashley curled in the fetal position crying, having a nervous breakdown. That will be kinda hard to explain.
"Will you shut up! I'm trying to take a nap!"
Usually Sheila was well behaved and when told to be quiet she listened. Her mom was a very good teacher in manners. But this wasn't home and she was on edge. Besides, when someone tells her to shut up... She would just get louder.
"Where seldom is heeeeaaaaard! Not a discoooouuurrrrriging woooorrd! And the skiiies are not cloudy aaaaaaaall daaaaaaay!"
"Hah! You sound like a dying pig!"
Actually, Sheila was a okay singer, was even in a choir when she was younger so that didn't bother her. In fact... This gave her an eevvviiiiiiiillll idea! She could sing the mean version of the song and just put Ashley's name in it instead! She looked at her watch. It was 4:10 p.m., so she had time before Leon got there...
_Well God, I know I'm supposed to be kind and love other people... But does it count for game characters? I just have to get it across to the brat that I AM NOT TO BE TRIFLED WITH! _
Sheila raised herself to her feet and started to sing in what her and her friends call the Country eeeeeevil voice.
"OOOOOOOOOH! Home on the RAAAAAAAANGE! Where ASHLEEEY'S all TIED UP IN CHAAAAAAAAAIIIINS! IIIIIII cut up her SIIIIIIIDES! AAAAAANNNND I RIP off her HIIIIDE! AAAAANNNND the next day I think I'll Doooooo it AAAAGAAAIIN!"
Ashley's eyes grew huge with panic. She slowly stood up and pointed at her and said, "You're crazy! You need to be put in a nut hospital! Get away! Stay BACK!"
Sheila edged closer with a crazy smile and said simply, "Boo!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Ashley began running in circles, tripping every time Sheila put her foot out. Sheila just watched her with amusement. This was better than TV! But after five minutes of it, She wandered if she pushed her to far.
She finally decided to put a stop to the craziness before the Ashley actually hurt herself.
"ASHLEY! I was just kidding!"
Ashley stopped and looked at her, panting.
"Okay... Don't do it again!"
Sheila laughed as Ashley tripped over her feet and fell on her face, she had stuck her nose up in the air which is reason for her clumsiness.
Sheila walked over and helped her up, saying, "I'm not so bad once you get used to me, prissy. I'm also not crazy... Ooooor aaaam I?"
Ashley's eyes grew wide as baseballs at this statement when she saw Sheila looking veeery serious about her statement. The teenager turned around and skipped back to her wall.
Sheila sat down, ready to just think about home when Ashley said under her breath, "Dumb Redneck."
Sheila pointed at Ashley and said with horror lacing her voice, "Oh CRAP! ASHLEY YOU GOT A GREY HAIR!"
Ashley screamed and jumped around, trying to pull her hair out like it was some disgusting growth. She reminded Sheila of a monkey that was trying to do the Hocky Poky.
She held back her laughter untill Ashley started shaking her hands, saying, "Noooo! I'm too young for this!"
That did it for Sheila, the laughter coming out like a flood. Ashley stopped and finally realised that she fell for the joke. Hook, line, and sinker!
"Just you wait, girlie! I'll get you back!"
"Yeah, sure! And I'm the queen of England!"
"I will, you little twerp!"
"The name's Nunya!"
"Aright. Nunya!"
"!"
Sheila's laughter continued on to her Nemesis's deep seeded irritation.
**R**
Leon stared at the strange door before him. It had no door handle, and had a green, crystal ball placed at head level.
"What is with these people? Every evil place I go to is filled with strange locks that requires strange keys or passwords!"
Leon noticed that the crystal ball had a weird shape in the middle. He touched the ball and found it could roll, changing the shape. He looked at the strange symbols on the metal door, recognising that the locked door in the creepy stone building in the village had the same symbol on it. Leon studied the ball and pushed the ball up. The shape started to look a little like the insignia more and more. He them moved the ball left. The shape matched perfectly with the other symbols on the door. The door unlocked and slowly slid into the slit in the wall, revealing a not too shabby room.
He stepped in, taking note of the portrait. The agent wasn't artistic, but even he wouldn't buy the painting. The man struck Leon as full of himself and sinister. He shook his head and resumed snooping. He found a key with the strange insect ingsignia that was on practically all the doors in this area.
"Weird."
As he turned around, he saw a letter on the bed. He walked over and picked it up. Then, he began to read it, hoping to get more insight on these inhuman people. What he found did not bode well with him.
_As instructed by Lord Saddler, I have the agent in confinement. But why keep him alive? I do not fully understand what the Lord's intentions are. I was hoping to sway my Lord's mind, but he told me to not question his wishes. I asked for forgiveness and kept silent about the subject. I despise that agent!.. And he dared to laugh at me? But I will not dwell on the matter any longer. I will keep him alive as long as necessary._
_I would, however, think the Lord would keep them separate; not confine them together as has been ordered. I don't expect Luis would trust a stranger, but if by chance they did cooperate, the situation could get a bit complicated. _
_If for some reason, an unknown third party is involved, I don't think they'd let a chance like this slip by. But maybe it's all Lord Saddler's ploy-leaving us vulnerable so that this third party will surface. If they even exist that is..._
_It's an unlikely possibility; but if a prowler is already amongst us, then our plans could be ruined. Maybe this silverfox3220 is part of this conspiracy? No. I will think of that no longer. It's probably just paranoia. Despite that, I guess the Lord thinks it's worth the risk, if we're able to stop whatever conspiracy is at work._
_At any rate, it's the Lord's call. We will trust his judgment as always_.
Leon stored the note in his file book. If the Cheese's fears are true, than that means trouble for him. He also learned that the Cheese is cracking up. Going on about that silverfox. First signs of a nervous breakdown. Leon laughed and drew out his gun and slowly opened the metal door, forgetting he left the key on the bed. As he slowly walked through the door, he heard voices speaking in rapid Spanish. The voices seemed to have a cheerful tune. He closed the door quietly without looking and began to carefully walk down the hall.
Leon sensed someone was behind him and quickly turned around. A large hand grabbed his throat and lifted him up in the air. Mendez growled, causing the voices down stairs to cease.
Leon struggled, his legs kicking in the air, trying to find solid ground. His hands tried to pry the strong, cold fingers off his throat. Buy it was no use. The fingers were like glue, refusing to be moved even an inch. He struggled to breath, trying to stay alive. But as the seconds passed, his body began to shut down. He closed his eyes, the lack of oxygen causing him to start to lose the battle for consciousness. Eyes fluttering, he felt his peeper starting to burn in a weird way. Unknown to him, his blue eyes turned red.
Mendez cocked his head. For a moment, he actually thought he saw this imbecille's eye color revert to a crimson color. That was but one of the signs of the gift that Lord Saddler offers. But the Lord would never do that. Not for this outsider.
Leon's eyes slowly opened, revealing to Mendez's disgust, the red eyes of Las Plagas. Mendez reluctantly let him go, sparring his life. Now he knew why Lord Saddler wanted him alive. This agent was a brother! Still, he didn't have to like it.
"You carry the same blood as us, it seems. But nevertheless, you're an outsider. Just remember, if you become unpleasant to our eyes, you'll face severe consequences." Mendez pointed at him as he finished.
Leon sat on the floor, catching his breath as Mendez went back to his bedroom. After a few moments passed, the dizziness and pain passed as the oxygen situation dissipated. Getting up, Leon grabbed his throat and gazed at the door. He didn't really fear the Big Cheese, but what he said about the same blood really caught his attention. The big Oaf was just another crazy to him, but da-n! The guy had a grip!
Leon rubbed his throat, thinking about the words the village cheif had said.
"Wha - What? Same blood?"
Leon's radio beeped, breaking through his troubling thoughts. He slowly grabbed it and answered the call.
Hunnigan_: Leon, I've been able to get some new info that might help you_.
Leon_: Fill me in_.
His voice was strained, but Hunnigan didn't seem to notice.
Hunnigan_: Apparently, there's a religious cult group involved. They're called the "Los Illuminados_."
Leon_: Los Illuminados? Heh. That's a mouth full. Anyway, I had an unexpected run-in with the Big Cheese of this village,"_Leon said with a grin. Big Cheese... Yup! Still brought a smile to his face.
Hunnigan_: But your okay, right_?
Leon_: Yeah... He could have killed me, but he let me live... And he mentioned something about me carrying the same blood as them. Whatever that means_.
Hunnigan began to look really worried, not liking this piece of news at all. Leon wanted to change the subject for now.
Hunnigan_: Carrying the same blood_...
Leon_: Anyway, there are more important things than solving riddles right now_.
Hunnigan_: You're right. Hurry and find that church Leon_.
Leon turned the radio off and put it away. He grabbed his gun that he dropped and started back down the hall, but stopped when he realised he left the key in the room! He looked back at the door with a worried frown. There was no question about it, he needed that key! Stupid Cheese-ball and his strength! Leon reluctantly walked back and slowly opened the door, entering the room. But as he walked inside the room with his gun raised, Mendez rushed up from the side and delivered a powerful blow across Leon's cheek.
Leon flew through the air, his finger squeezing the trigger. A bullet hit Saddler's portrait square in the forehead. As the agent fell to the ground, his gun was flung from his hand across the floor. Mendez stepped toward his pray, gleefully anticipating killing this pest once and for all. Leon tried to sit up, but Mendez's very large booted foot pushed him back down, laying heavily on his chest. Yet again, he found himself at this nut's mercy.
Leon growled as he felt Mendez apply more pressure, causing great pain to shoot out from his stitched wound. Unwillingly, Leon cried out in pain, soon cursing the giant man. Mendez smiled until the agent grumbled aloud that he couldn't believe that this cheesy guy was actually going to kill him.
"I-urg.. mean... Come on! Ugh!... My death certificate is going to say.. Ouch!.. Going to say cause of death: Died by cheese... HA! (Groans)"
Mendez gritted his teeth and decided to just end this... Bang! Bang! Two shots wrung out. Mendez turned around and saw a beautiful woman dressed in a long red dress, butterflies stitched in the velvety material. The woman smiled and put her gun in her holster as the Big Cheese sprinted toward the window. She pulled the trigger on her hook shot gun (Like the ones Claire and Chris have) and zipped up to safety as Mendez broke through the window.
She smiled as she flipped up to the top and ran to the other side of the roof.
"That's two you owe me Leon... Although, I won't mind collecting my debt from you... Sooner or later," the woman said with a sensual smile.
Leon dloely got up while holding his chest. He only caught a glimpse of the woman.
"Woman in red... Somehow familiar."
It couldn't be her. That would just prove the nasty rumors he heard of her being alive and working for Wesker. Shaking his head to get rid of the cobwebs, he quickly located his gun by the bed. He then took what he came back in there for, the key.
"Time to move on."
**R**
Cris went in first through the gate, then signaled to Claire that the coast was clear. They walked down the path, spotting the village up ahead. It was empty like one of those ghost towns you hear about on TV, making Claire shiver as they walked into the little village of Pueblo.
"It's quiet.. Too quiet." Chris commented.
Claire looked at the smoking pile of ash in the middle of the village. Nothing remained of the sight that Leon had discovered there. Chris began to scout around, noticing bullet shells and shotgun shell on the ground.
"Claire, over here. You see all the shell casings? Somebody was putting up quite a fight here."
"Yeah, they did. I guess they got the same welcome we did."
Chris nodded and took out his map. According to his map, there were different ways out of the village. He just have to figure which way led to Sheila, and where would she be held at. Claire looked over the map with him, and pointed at the ways where Leon will appear in the next chapter.
"What about that one?"
"Yeah, I guess there's no harm in trying... Maybe we should split up, cover more ground."
Claire gave him a nasty look. Chris winced. After their long separation all those years ago and finding each other at the Arctic Base, Claire had gotten pretty strict on separating in dangerous situations. Or separating period. He understood that, he really did. But time was crucial. So, the older brother gave his reasons for the suggestion.
"I know you don't like it, and niether do I. But we have a lot of ground to cover, and little time to cover it."
"Don't you think I know that? But you forget that splitting up in a situation like this is dangerous! We both agreed that this was probably a set up by Wesker, trying to get to you and me. Now is not the time to do anything as risky as the devide and conquer plan, Chris."
Chris new she had several good points. But he had a feeling that the longer they took, the harder it would be to get Sheila out of here safely. But the look Claire gave him was what made him give in. He couldn't mistake the fear that showed from her eyes. Fear for his life if they split up now. He consented with a smile.
Claire gave a smile of her own as they walked up the path with the locked door. When they reached it, they found out it was locked, making Chris just more ticked off at this situation.
"Well, you see? We would have still had to stay together after all."
Chris grumbled and kicked the door.
"Meirda!" (Die!)
They both swung around to see a bunch of villagers running up the path, wielding their axes, pitchforks, and their pick axes. Chris grabbed a grenade off his belt and pulled the pin, then threw it far in the air. It landed right in the middle of the crowd, exploding with good results. Those that didn't get blown to smithereens were blown away, dazing and wounding them. The Redfield then took out his TMP from his case as Claire grabbed her Uzis from her thigh holsters. (The same weopans she found in Veronica!) They ran down the path, shooting with a bloody accuracy. The bullets mowed down the crowds, yet still ten more seemed to pop up to replace each one that died. Bodies melted and sizzled as Chris and Claire fought their way to the house across from the one Leon used. Claire threw a flash grenade as Chris kicked open the door.
They ran inside, and as Claire shot the shiny padlock off the metal door, Chris moved the small dresser in front of the door. Claire peered inside the small room. She found hand gun ammo on the table and two boxes of shotgun shells. She left the room and handed the ammo to Chris.
As Chris took out his Riot gun, he spoke to Claire earnestly, "They got us surrounded! Prepare to fight with everything you got!"
Claire nodded and got her weapons loaded up. Her heart was racing as villagers tried to break down their makeshift barricade. She heard several voices shouting and speaking in Spanish. The knowledge that she and her brother were in a tight spot wasn't helping in the hope department. Nor was the clear mistake they made by choosing this house with no window to leave through if things got too heated... But she has been in worse situations before... Though at the moment that thought didn't cheer her up in the slightest.
An axe broke through finally, letting them catch a glimpse of the outside. Chris ran up to the door and stuck the barrel of his riot gun through the hole. He fired at the Ganado who was stupid enough to look at the gun. Blood, bone and brain matter covered the faces of the villagers. None seemed to notice it. Putting his Riot gun on the desk and taking out his Black-tail, he fired through the hole; killing several villagers as he pumped them full of lead.
He was doing pretty good till he heard the chainsaw roaring to life. Cursing, Chris backed up and reloaded his gun. Then he holstered it and grabbed his Riot gun.
"Come on! We got to go in the other room!"
They ran inside quickly. He lifted the bed and laid it sideways in front of the door. This way they hindered the mob while having a perfect view to shoot. They got away from the door, hearing the chainsaw breaking through the wooden door. ThIt wasn't long before they heard the villagers pounding on the metal door. The bed blocked the door pretty well, but they saw a dirty hand slowly push the door open. A potato sack head had peaked through. The siblings recognised this as another chainsaw freak. Apparently, these people watched 'The Texas Chainsaw Massecure' movie way too many times.
Chris qickly ran up and began blasting away at his head. Soon there was only a bloody stump left of the villager. Problem solved.
Backing up, Chris waited for more locals with a death wish. Every time a villager poked his or her head through, Chris and Claire would immediately blow the heads off or wound them. Either way, they were doing great. It seemed the villagers were idiots since they kept coming. But even idiots eventually learn a new trick. Or in their case, their less-idiotic-but-still-a-Moran ring leader appeared and stopped them. He gathered them around and passed out boxes of grenades. Chris and Claire were getting nervous from the sounds of only feet, but no angry voices.
"I don't like this. They're up to something... Pueblo sucks!," Claire stated nervously.
Chris agreed. This wasn't good.
He was right. The villagers were stacking the dynamite boxes in the house and in front of the room they were hiding in. Things were definitely going to get complicated.
**R**
Leon grabbed the wood that barred the entrance way. He was finally going to reach the village. After facing another battle with a chainsaw idiot and his little mob, he could finally get to his destination. He was troubled though. Over the past few minutes, he's heard lots of gunshots and shouting of villagers in the Pueblo village.
It could be the intruder, which meant the third party was in trouble. Time to pay back his thanks for saving his life back at the Cheese's house. He readied his shotgun and ran through the gate.
**Authors Note: Sorry the chapter was late again! I was reeeeaaaly busy today. I was going to finally sit down and finish it at 7:oo p.m., but my dad wanted to watch some movies. I'm glad I did. We haven't had time to do that lately. Aaanywhoo, I hoped you liked the chapter! I know it was pretty obvious who the lady was, but I just like the introduction of her to be a little mysterious since she is a mystery. Don't worry that she still has the hots for Leon. His heart will be Claire's, I promise! Please RREEEEEEVIIIEEEEEW! **
9. Chapter 8:What Are You Doing Here!
**Authors Note: Muah! HAHAHAHAHAHAAAA! Yes, read my pretties! READ! Okay, enough of my craziness, here's my awesome chapter. As always, Review! Review! REVIEW! Enjoy fellow gamer fans!**
* * *
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 9: What are you doing here? **
Leon hurried through the gate, expecting a ton of villagers to bombard him. But nobody did.
_"Must be busy attacking the mystery guest,"_ Leon thought grimly.
He ran down the path and saw anther mob of villagers surrounding the house where Chris and Claire was holed up in. To his horror, the ringleader from earlier was passing out boxes full of dynamite. The Ganados were running back and forth between the house and the leader.
Leon took out his case and brought out his rifle. It was time to put that trouble maker and his village buddies out of commission! He looked through the scope and aimed it at the ringleader, who was holding the trigger to blow up the house. He fired, destroying the switch in the villager's hand. The ring leader shouted with frustration, and looked dead on at the troublesome a intruder. He pointed at him and screamed in Spanish for his fellow Ganados to kill the dreaded agent. Half the crowd ran towards Leon, but didn't get far as they were sniped down.
The ringleader then went to drastic measures, taking out a lighter and running toward the house to kill the intruders; willing to sacrifice himself as the parasite in him demanded. Leon saw this and threw down his empty rifle and grabbed his three flash grenades and put them on his belt. He grabbed his case and put it on while running toward the crowd. When he reached the crowd, he used one flash of the grenades. The stunned crowd was too busy groaning and covering their faces to stop Leon as he ran threw with determination to get to the suicide Ganado.
He entered the door and kicked the villager in the back before he could light the dynamite. The ring leader dropped the lighter and screamed at him with hatred in his voice. Leon easily dogded the villager's fists, taking advantage of his foe's sloppy movements. He took out his knife and stabbed deeply in the ringleader's knee, twisting it for good measure. The villager screamed and held his leg in pain. With deep satisfaction, Leon then punched the man in the face as hard as he could, knocking him flat on his back.
The villagers outside woke from their daze and ran in the house. Leon was prepared and threw the flash grenade down in the house, turning his head and closing his eyes. The villagers screamed and cowered away, swaying while covering their eyes. Leon then bent over and broke the ringleader's neck. Hearing the metal door banging as the captors tried to get out of the tiny room, the agent immediately warned them about the danger.
"Stop! There's boxes of old dynamite stacked up against the door. If you knock the boxes over, you'll blow us to kingdom come! Just hang on! I'll get you out of there in a minute."
Leon then round house kicked the villagers up front to get their attention. They fell back and made a bunch of villagers fall down. This gave the agent a chance to run out of the house.
He grabbed his shotgun and shouted, "Out here you ugly Basta-ds!"
Upon hearing the loud mouth intruder's voice outside, the villagers all ran out to tear him apart. The Ganados were anticipating the blood bath. But the only blood bath that would occur would be their own. Leon smiled and began firing at the crowd. When he had to reload, he would throw out a fire grenade, burning the villagers who came near him. With only the severely wounded to take care of, he quickly finished them off without further complications. At last, there was peace. For the moment that is. He quickly ran back inside the house and moved the boxes out of the way.
When done, he opened the door, saying, "Nothing like a little fighting for your life to get the heart-"
He didn't finish, too stunned upon seeing who was standing before him.
Leon, Chris, and Claire just looked at each other for a second or two. Then they all spoke at once, "What are you doing here?"
Chris smiled and grabbed Leon and gave him a bear hug.
"Leon! Am I ever glad to see you, buddy!"
Leon smiled and hugged him back. "Yeah, I guess it's nice to see your ugly mug! What are you guys doing here?"
Chris sobered and answered, "Looking for a friend. A couple a nights ago, Sheila was kidnapped. She was the girl we told you about."
Leon nodded somberly. He remembered Chris telling hm about how his sister and himself had gotten really close to this girl and her family after the airplane crash. For two years, they have kept tabs with the teen and her family.
"So, what brings you here? A mission?" Chris asked.
"Yeah. My first mission. I'm here to-" Leon paused.
This was a top, secret mission. Leon trusted Chris and Claire with his life, but his training wouldn't permit him to spill the beans. He felt slightly guilty, hoping that they would understand.
"What? You're too good to tell your friends about your mission now? Humph. Figures. Now that you're a secret agent, you think you're high and mighty!" Claire accused angrily.
She was extremly happy to see Leon, but all her hurt feelings that she felt when he didn't write to her but wrote instead to Chris, was still fresh. And, he only spoke to her a few times on the phone! Claire looked away, not wanting Leon to see the hurt in her eyes.
Leon expected that. He did deserve her tongue lashing since he avoided writing and calling her. But the truth of the matter was that he was really confused when the last time he saw her, just before leaving for his training. He had developed new feelings for her, but didn't want to admit it. Basically, he ran. But that was then, he was a lot more mature now.
But he didn't want to admit Claire was right, so he replied angrily back, "Hey! I never said I was better than you! And I didn't abandon you, I was just busy. You know, Traaaaiiining."
"Oh, pleeaaase! You-"
Chris rolled his eyes at the two arguing so called adults. It was clear that they were crazy about each other, but too stupid to realise that they shared mutual feelings! Sometimes, he thinks that he just needs to lock them in a room together with two pillows to knock each other around, to get out all that unhealthy frustrations! Then they could admit their feelings. But alas, they weren't as smart as him. After watching them fight for a few minutes, Chris decided to intervene.
"Oh, children!"
They both turned around and shouted, "WHAT?"
"Can't you two wait for the Dr. Phill show to fight? We gotta go. And Claire, you know that Leon isn't allowed to give info on a mission. And Leon, man, you do need to give us information. We're stuck in this together. It would help if you can give us something. You know you can trust us."
Both looked embarrased at their behavior. They looked at each other shyly, then turned to Chris.
"You're right, Chris. Let's go, I'll tell as much as I can when we're in a safer spot."
Chris nodded and looked at Claire.
"Yeah, you're right. We do need to get going... And Leon, it's good to see you again."
Leon smiled and touched her cheek lovingly, "Yeah. It's good to see you again... Claire."
Claire's heart beat picked up tempo at Leon's touch and words. Chris glared at them. Just because he wanted certain feelings to be acknowledged, didn't mean that he liked the blond to get touchy-feely with his baby sister. It's a big brother thing. He went and tapped on Leon's shoulder.
"Let's go."
They left the room and exited the house. They heard villager's shout to their left.
"Crap! This way!" Leon hissed.
He led them to that creepy stone building and unlocked it. They quickly ran inside; Leon locking the metal door. The door banged for a little while, then ceased as the villagers gave up. They sighed. At least they were safe for the moment. Taking in their surroundings, they began to look around the room for items. After grabbing the money and passing out the ammo, Leon began to tell his story.
"A couple of days ago, the President's daughter was kidnapped from her college. This happened when I just got through with my training. I was to take up my duties of protecting the President's family when the kidnapping occurred. Intel had no clue who took her, why, or where. Then, we got this anonymous tip, a note in fact. It told us that Ashley was seen here in these parts. Some pictures proved that fact to be true. Then the letter went on to tell us that there was a mole in the government. That's why you never heard a thing that Ashley has been kidnapped. We can't risk the leak in our department to know what we're doing, and what exactly is involved. Especially since Spain's government is willing to turn a blind eye to my infiltration on their turf, as long as we keep thing's on the down low. That's why I'm the only one here."
Chris looked pensive as Claire put her hand on Leon's arm. She felt a little guilty for laying in on Leon like that.
Leon put his hand over her own and smiled. He started to look Claire from head to toe, noticing how her outfit didn't hide her wonderful curves in the slightest. She had on tight fitting black jeans that molded to her like a second skin, a black, tactical long sleeve shirt (Like Leon's, but more feminine), a bullet proof vest with pockets, a side pack like the one from Code Veronica, leg holsters that held her Uzis, and side holster that held her punisher. The other holster held her trusty Broken Butterfly Magnum, (One of her favorites!) and last but not least, her Rambo knife in her belt sheath. Basically, she looked oh so deadly and hot to Leon. His kind of woman.
Chris noticed the look Leon was giving Claire. In typical big brother tradition, he stepped up to Leon and made a low sound in his throat. Leon came out of his daze and smiled sheepishly at Chris. But Redfield only scowled, he didn't like anybody looking at his little sister like she was a slab of meat.
"Soooo. I told you guys my story. Now you know."
"Yes. I do." Chris gave a knowing look at Leon.
Leon cleared his throat and said, "We better get going."
Chris nodded and spoke while opening the door to the smaller room, "If you ask me, it sounds that our paths didn't cross by accident."
He then preceded to tell Leon of the note addressed to him and Claire. The agent frowned as he opened the secret trapdoor that led to the secret passage way.
"Definatley sounds like a trap for you guys. We better stick together. Who knows who might show up."
"Where are we going?" Claire asked as she jumped down to the ground without even trying the ladder.
"The church. That's where they're keeping Ashley, so more than likely they will have your friend there."
Chris smirked as he jumped down.
"I hope this Ashley isn't a stuck-up snob. Sheila might do some damage if she is."
Leon jumped down and looked worried. "What kind of damage are we talking here?"
Claire gave Chris a dirty look and replied reassuringly, "Nothing, really. Sheila's really sweet and funny."
Chris says under his breath with a snicker, "Yeah, sweet and funny like a rattle snake."
Claire punched him as they walked down the tunnel.
"What? Just joking!. Honest... Or am I? Hahahahahahahaaaa!"
Claire and Leon give him a What-The-Heck look.
"What?"
"You soooooo picked up too much from Sheila."
Chris grinned and walked behind them happily. Let them believe what they want. No way did he pick up mannerisms from a younger girl. If anything, she piked up things from him!
They walked through a small open area and continued forward, wondering briefly where that little lamp came from that hung from the ceiling. But this was a secret passage way, so a little light along with the candles here and there was too be expected. Still, the place wasn't the most pleasant. It was creepy, dark, wet, and too earthy. It reminded Chris of the" Journey into the Center of the Earth" story. He half expected mole people to jump out and say hello.
They walked into another area, ths one lit by a flaming blue torch. The merchant stood next to it, his eyes shining in the dim glow of his torch.
"Welcome! I see you brought more costumers for me."
Leon smirked, walking up to the merchant. Chris and Claire following from behind.
"Got something that might interest ya, strangers! Heh! Heh! Heh!"
The merchant opened his coat and proudly showed his stock. Suddenly, the depressing secret tunnel seemed less of a downer, thanks to the strange man selling his wares to them. They all bought more ammo for their guns, of course. Chris and Claire were extremely surprised to see he had their type of ammo for their guns. The merchant smiled behind his scarf when he recognised his items on Chris and Claire.
"Aaaaah! ZombieKlerN1! It's so good to see you alive! How you enjoying the items!"
Chris smiled at the merchant. So this was the man in the flesh. Of course, he still didn't see the face of his black market sales clerk... Bummer.
"They'te more than satisfactory, Merchant. I see now who was your urgent costumer who made a fantastic entry."
The merchant chuckled as Leon looked between them.
"You know each other?"
"Yeah. On the Internet. He's the one who I get all the cool weaponry from. You know that special grenade launcher I bought a couple months ago? He's the one who made it!"
The merchant beamed brightly at Chris. He was delighted to have his best costumer there. Too bad it couldn't be under better circumstances.
"Since you're here, you and the lass don't have to pay for the items you are choosing now."
Leon looked a little miffed. "Hey! You charge me a bundle for my stuff. What's so different about Chris. I can understand about Claire, she's gorgeous. But him?"
The merchant ignored him, and high fived Chris. Leon scoffed, causing his brunette friend to laugh and pat his back.
"Aaaww! Don't take it personally. I've been his best costumer a long time. Besides, I'm waaaay cooler than you."
Leon elbowed him playfully and paid the merchant what he owed him. The mysterious man chuckled and winked at Leon.
"Don't worry, Stranger. You're in my good books, too. I'm getting that special weapon ready when you shoot the rest of the blue medallions. Just be patient. I'm beginning to see you just as good a costumer as ZombieklerN1 here! Well, if that's all, you best get going. Those two girls in the church sound like their in the middle of World War 3. "
Leon looked at Chris and Claire with a worried look. They shrugged and smiled. Sighing, the agent just hoped Ashley and Sheila wouldn't do something dumb. Like killing each other, for instance.
**Authors note: Ooooookaaaaay! I hoped ya'll enjoyed that! What will happen? Will Sheila and Ashley kill each other? Naaah! But they'll be a lot of fighting, just you wait and seeee! Okay, here's another question for you guys. In the near future, they'll get to the lake with Del Lagos! I won't be able to fit all three characters in the boat. Should I have Chris or Claire separated from the cool trio? One of them is going to get kidnapped and taking off to see the BIG CHEESE! Vote soooooon! REVIEW! **
10. Chapter 9:The Breaking of the Trio!
**Authors Note: Heeeeellllooooo People! How ya doing? Really. Oh that's wonderful! Me? Oh I've just got through writing another cool chapter... Uh huuh... Alright! Thank you for reviewing! Here's the next chapter! Yeeeaaaah!**
**Resident Evil: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 9: The Breaking of the Trio!**
"That is one creepy church." Chris commented.
The Trio looked at the church with trepidation that over shadowed the old graveyard. A fog had settled in, giving the whole scene a B-movie feel to it. Or in our case, a all too perfect scenario for a Resident evil game moment. Claire shivered as they began to walk along the graveyard. This reminded her of Rockfard island, when she was attacked by zombies coming out of their graves. A lot of bad memories there. She half expected zombies to attack them as they walked along side the graveyard. It wouldn't surprise her if they did, considering this situation they were in.
"No escape!" the Trio heard a woman Ganado say behind them.
She rushed toward them from a old shack, holding a kitchen serrated knife in her pale hand. Chris raised his Black-tail and fired twice in her heart, the bullets slicing through her like butter. She fell and did the usual melting. Another cry came from behind them. Leon turned around and shot the running man that was just a few yards away. The man fell and landed on his face, his hat rolling off his head. Leon ran up to the villager and took out his knife. Repeatedly, he stabbed the villager in the back of his head, twisting it to finish him off. Leon pulled his knife out and wiped off the gore as the villager disintegrated.
"What?" Leon asked.
Chris and Claire just looked at him with awe, completely amazed at what they saw him do.
"Nothing... Just realising how much more lethal you have become. Glad you're on our side." Chris commented.
Leon shrugged and sheathed his knife.
"They teach you a lot of different ways of killing in training."
Chris smirked and walked ahead, gun ready for more action. Claire looked at her Punisher and Matilda guns, trying to choose the best for the future. She decided to bring out her Matilda, since she had the canny feeling that there was more villagers up ahead.
Chris, Leon, and Claire followed in a single line up the path. When they reached the gate, they saw three more Ganados casually waiting for them.
"Dynamite!" Leon hollared as the villager threw it at them.
Chris and Leon dove out of the way while Claire caught the dynamite in her hand. This dynamite had a bit longer wick, giving her the chance to throw it back. A look of dismay crossed the villagers face as the dynamite landed in front of their feet. BOOOOM! Debris and blood sprayed the surrounding area. Getting up, the two amazed me walked up to Claire, stunned and silent.
Claire winked at them and walked up the steps to the big wooden doors. They of course was locked.
"Da-n it!" Claire cursed. "The doors are locked."
Leon ran up the steps and pushed Claire back. He did a round house kick on the doors. Nothing.
"Crap! Just my luck!" Leon said with anger.
Claire pointed at the indention. "Looks like we can't lock pick it either. But at least we know the shape of the key."
Leon and Claire studied the round indention.
"What is it about bad guys and weird keys!" Claire said with exasperation.
"It's because they know it would bug you two crazy kids." Chris joked.
Leon and Claire turned around and gave him that "It's not funny!" look.
"Sheesh! Tough crowed." Chris replied sourly.
Leon reached for his radio and contacted Hunnigan, a little irritated at the obstacles that keep heading his way.
Leon: _Hunnigan, I found the church, but-_
Hunnigan: _Good work Leon._
Leon: _Don't congratulate me yet. I can't get in. The door's locked._
Hunnigan: _Don't they teach you how to lock-pick at the academy?' _Hunnigan asked amusingly.
Leon: _Ha. Ha.__ The lock isn't ordinary. There's a round indention in the door. I'll-_
Hunnigan_: Well, what are you standing around for? Go find that key._
Leon gritted his teeth and bit back a sarcastic reply.
Leon_: I am. I just called to update you on the situation. That there will be a delay in plans. And I also wanted to inform you that I found some civi-_
"Aaaachooo!" Chris sneezed loudly.
Hunnigan_: What was that? Leon! Are you alone?_
Leon sighed and tried again to explain who was with him.
Leon:_As I was trying to tell you before my friend here sneezed, I found two civilians here. They're looking for their friend who coincidentally went missing also_.
Hunnigan_: Hmmm. Can you trust them?_
Leon_: Yes. I believe their story. They've been a great help. _
Hunnigan_: Still, you can't be distracted by this. You have to finish your objectives. Ashley comes first._
Chris held Claire back from ripping the radio from Leon's grasp. She was ready to tear the lady a new one.
Leon_: They're Americans. I can't ignore innocent people who need help. They're a great asset to me and I will not abandon them!_
Hunnigan_: Calm down, Leon. I'm just doing my job, the same as you. If you have one laps of judgment, Ashley could die. So listen to caution and be careful. You know the situation we are in in keeping things quiet. As for your new friends, we'll try to extract them as well. Just remember your mission._
Leon_: Affirmative. Leon out._
Leon pocketed his radio and started to walk around the church. He tried the red door too, just in case. That door was locked too. Not too surprising. He then made his way around the building to the back. There, he found two more dangerous villagers, one of which with a stick of dynamite. Without thinking twice about it, he shot the dynamite in the male villager's hand. The explosion killed both of the inconvenient pests. With that little distraction taken care of, he walked up to the puzzle and started to work on it.
Claire had calmed down and began tp looke around as Leon worked on the puzzle. She noticed blue medallions hanging in different odd places. She casually made the observation known to Leon and Chris. The busy agent smiled as he finished the puzzle. He grabbed the green catseye and placed it in his beerstyne mug. Leon then told the two about the merchant's challenge for him. They remembered the merchant mentioning this back in the small underground secret passage way.
Leon shot all the medallions in the graveyard and around the church. He then checked the small map the merchant gave him that revealed where every medallion was located. He had only three more to go, and luckily they were up ahead.
The Trio walked down the short path and came upon a wooden bridge that was supported by long ropes and old, wooden planks. Other then the age of the wood, this was a very sturdy bridge since one side was bolted to the rocky wall. It was a bridge the likes they never seen before. As they took the first steps on the sturdy surface, they noticed a villager with his back toward them, looking out in the distance. Chris aimed carefully, and shot the unsuspecting Ganado in the head, knocking him off the bridge. The man screamed as he fell, splattering on the rocks below in the water.
They came upon large gaps and some more villagers on the other side of them. Claire took care of them with her automatic Matilda handgun. The Ganados didn't have a chance to even respond as they fell to the water far below.
They all made it across the gaps with no incident. After checking the small shack on the bridge for items, Leon found a disturbing letter from Mendez. He read out loud to Chris and Claire.
_Closure of the Church_
_Regarding the two fugitives and the two prowlers, the apprehension of Luis is our top priority; the American agent and the American prowlers a distant second._
_What Luis stole from us is far more important than the girls. Unless we get it back, the girls will become useless to us. We must get it back to execute our plan to the end._
_If it gets in the wrong hands, the world would become a totally different place than what Lord Saddler has envisioned. At all costs, we mustn't let that happen. _
_Nevertheless, we're not letting go of the girls. To ensure that the agent or the mysterious guests do not get the captives, I have locked the church door where the girls is being held. Anyone who needs access to the church must first get approval by Lord Saddler._
_There is a key beyond the lake, but it should be safe now that the "Del Lago" has been awakened by our Lord. No one will get across the Lake alive. Plus, our same blood courses through the agent's veins. It'll be just a matter of time before he joins us. Once he does, there will be nobody else left that will come looking for the girls. The only threat is those two Americans. We do know that they are not agents. Their objectives are still unclear. Perhaps they are looking for the other girl? It doesn't make sense if they are. The girl is just a average young American civilian. I get the feeling that Saddler's new recruit that brought her in our family in the first place, has something to do with this. Be on your guard, my bretheren! _
_Chief Mendez_
"Who's Luis?" Chris asked.
Leon told the story of how he met the Spaniard and what he told him. It worried them what could be more important than the girls.
"Let's get going. If we have to cross the river and face the "Del Lago", than I say bring it on!" Chris said with determination.
They left the shack, stepping back in the cold frigid air. Leon shot the rest of the medallions and proceeded with his partners. This apparently was going to be a long day.
**R**
Up in space, unknown to the inhabitants in Spain or the world, the Umbrella satellite spied on a certain Trio down below. It has been tracking them and the other occupants down on earth. The satellite sent the video images to a certain high teched facility, hidden in a remote part of Europe somewhere. Top secret and hidden from satellites and prying eyes.
The person watching smiled as he saw the Trio. He wasn't surprised too much that the ex-cop had made it this far. After all, he was a Raccoon City survivor. But he was making it harder for his not so trust worthy spy to steal the sample. He seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time yet again. Now, he was teamed up with old friends. Although his plans were that the Redfields would show up as planned, he didn't like that they were with that Leon Scott Kennedy fellow. Leon and Claire were a killer pair in Raccoon City. And Chris was one of his top STARS team members, so the three together was a hazardous obstacle for his plans.
But he wasn't worried. No, the blond haired man was actually a litlle pleased at this development. He could now kill three birds with one stone.
His hands moved quickly, punching in different codes on his arm rest. Soon, the satellite moved and found the object of the blond, handsome man's thoughts. Jack Krauser's face filled the screen. He looked bored and antsy.
"Did you make any more progress?"
Jack scowled and answered, "Somewhat. Saddler is slowly letting me in the loop. From what I hear, his men has captured Ada."
Krauser looked a little too happy about that fact. It was no secret that Krauser resented the sultry spy for being included in this mission. The blond man with the shades almost smiled at this fact. He used this tense working relationship between Ada and Krauser to spur on the mission. They both seemed to have a rivalry on tasks like this.
"I wouldn't worry about Ada. She can take care of herself. She's a survivor."
The blond man smirked at the way Krauser's face clouded up at the fact she would more then likely survive her ordeal.
"I still don't get why she's on this mission, too. I don't trust her, and I know you don't either."
"Yes, but I do enjoy our cat and mouse games. Besides, she doesn't anger easily and let her emotions cloud her better judgement."
Krauser cursed and hit the wall, cracking it. That's why the calm, calculating man doesn't trust Krauser completely. He's proved unstable ever since he allowed himself to be injected with Las Plagas. The Veronica T-virus and the Las Plagas together made a powerful cocktail, but it had side affects. Krauser was more uncontrollable than before, his temper got more in the way every day. Although the parasite didn't control him because the virus counter acted that, the parasite brought out the more basic instincts hidden within him. Thus, he could be a liability to the cause...
Plus, he wasn't the smartest soldier in the world.
"I have good news. The Redfield siblings have reunited with Leon. I'm not entirely happy with the fact, but this can be to our advantage. If they survive this backwoods village and survive the castle, I want you to take care of our friend Leon, and Miss Redfield... I'll take care of Chris."
"With pleasure, Wesker. Looks like your plans are running smoothly."
"So it seems. The Spaniard has collected the sample, so when Ada is done with being a victim for the Ganados, I'll tell her to go retrieve Luis.
Krauser chuckled and hung up. Wesker (Yeah, I know. Blond guy with a big evil chip on his shoulder isn't that hard to figure out.) tapped his gloved fingers on the cold steel surface of his chair. They were walking on a thin, tight, rope. One wrong move can make his plans come crashing down all around him like a house of cards. His emotionless face betrayed nothing of his thoughts. Which is amazing with what he has to put up with. He has a spy who would probably betray him once he relaxed, a unstable man who was loyal but slowly going mad, and his competitor which was breathing down his neck over power of the biological warfare weapons. He always had to keep one step ahead of his enemies. A person of his reputation couldn't really trust anybody.
He smiled... He'll be patient while waiting for his enemies to make their mistake... Then, he'll crush them and resurect Umbrella. Things were falling into place slowly.
**R**
The Trio stepped through the gate, ready for a fight. No living soul was around. This made them nervous. As they walked forward, they noticed a wooden door frame with no door. Leon looked around calm, expecting a monster to jump out and attack.
As they slowly walked through the door frame, they noticed the sharp wooden poles that made some sort of gate. It was hanging above their heads, making them nervous. This place seemed more and more of a trap every second. But they had to move on, so they slowly walked through the door frame into a wider area. The place was depressing. A lone, barren, tree was the only things made by nature in the little arena. Three small wooden shacks there in a neat row, a wooden cart with rocks left behind, and some massive double doors that was locked with a huge piece of wood, like the medieval times. The doors made them wary.
"Doors that big and heavy definatley is keeping something big and dangerous locked up," commented Claire.
As they walked past it, they heard a deep inhuman growl, confirming Claire's comment. The trio froze in their tracks.
"Does anyone besides me reeeeaaaaally want to hurry up and get out of here?" Claire asked.
The guys, who didn't want to admit that they were just as creep-ed out by that growl as Claire was, began to talk in strong but shaky voices.
"Yeah, we better go. We don't want Claire exposed to this much longer," said Leon.
"Yeah, yeah, I agree. Claire is getting scared. We can't have her scream and give our position away." Chris agreed.
Claire smacked both of them upside their heads and said while walking to the other side, "Men! Afraid that they're weak for showing emotions on their sleeves makes them weak. Such as fear, sadness, and anything classified as womanish. But in reality, the men are worse than babies. Thus leaving the women to courageously fix the situations in life."
The guys scoffed at this and followed close behind.
They saw two sets of doors. Deciding that the doors leading down looked more interesting, they went and chose the doors that led to the underground dock. They were curious what laid down there. Maybe more ammo. Upon entering and climbing down the ladder, they found themselves in a place that was dimly lit and a bit colder then the crisp air outside. As they walked a bit on, they came to a more lit up area. They found themselves in a eerie but serene place. It was a natural made cave that had deep water stream that led to only a certain merchant knows where. Speaking of the merchant, his shop was lit by two blue flame torches, and filled with a lot more goodies then what he usually carries in his jacket and back pack.
"Welcome Strangers! What are you buying?"
So, they bought and sold trinkets. Leon broke down and bought himself the TMP and stock, plus a first aid spray. A person can never have enough of that special medicine. The others only bought some ammo and first aid stuff. When they were done, the Merchant was one happy dude.
Leon commented in awe, "Wow. Now this is what I call a gunshop!"
"This is just but one of my many stores. You haven't seen nothing compared to my home base!" The merchant replied proudly.
As they started to walk away, the merchant stopped them and said in a serious tone, "I have some things to tell ya about, Strangers. I've left a boat by the dock at the lake. Attached to each side is five harpoons. You'll need them when you cross the lake. Beware what lurks in the old lake. A powerful creature has been awakened by it's deep, long, sleep by the man who brought all this trouble to this village and yourselves. Be careful, you won't be able to hurt Del Lago with those weopans. And you won't be able to use your stinger missile, ZombiKlerN1, so don't bother trying. This creature is fast and big. If it knocks you in the water, swim for your life and get back in the boat, or you're dead. Now, don't dally around when you get in that boat. If possible, try to drive for shore as fast as you can before you see Del Lago. But most likely, the Del Lago will intercept you before you get the chance."
They looked at each other a litle worried. This was going to be hard. As they left, the merchant called out one of his famous sayings, "Come back anytime."
**R**
Sheila watched as Ashley paced and paced. She looked like she was going to go crazy. She kept mumbling and whimpering about how this was a bad dream and that any moment she was going to wake up. The teenager got where the blond was coming from, really, she did. But freaking out about it won't help their situation.
She got up and stopped Ashley in her tracks.
"Listen, I know we don't get along, but going mental won't help us. Just sit down and take a nap or something."
Ashley didn't look happy with Sheila touching her, but she didn't want to get in another eat dirt situation. She sat down and started to whine.
"This sucks! I'm hungry, my head hurts, and I have to pee! And to top it off, I'm stuck her with you!"
"Says the girl who still doesn't get my name. You know, Nunya," Sheila said with a chuckle.
The girl still didn't get it. It was quite funny. As before, Ashley just gave her the same blank look.
"Whatever, Nunya."
"Listen. If you have to pee so bad, just go behind the barrels, squat, and do our business. No use holding it and torturing yourself."
Ashley looked at her with complete horror.
"Are you CRAZY? Wait don't answer that. Look, I'm not going to pee on the floor like some barn yard animal. You'll probably peek or tip me over!"
"For Pete's sake! I'm not going to peek! I'm not a perv who likes to see crazy blonds who pees! And I promise not to play a prank on ya while you pee. Just get it over with and stop whining!"
Ashley mumbled and walked over to the barrels. She stared at Sheila suspiciously while taking off her panties. Sheila didn't pay attention. She was just wishing for Leon to get his butt in gear and come save her before she kills Ashley. This was seriously the most boring, aggravating experience in her life! And that was something since she has experienced a lot of crap in her life.
Ashley called out after she was done peeing, "Where's the toilet paper?"
Sheila slapped her forehead and shook it sorrowfully. This was going to be a loooooong wait!
"There isn't any. This isn't a bathroom."
"What am I supposed to use then?"
"Uuuurgh!... Here!"
Sheila threw the dirty cloth she found on the shelf.
"Aaah! Eeeeew! Do I have to?"
"Just use it or don't. I don't really care!"
Silence. Ashley stepped out from behind the barrels and looked contented.
"Wow. I feel better. Thanks for the stupid idea or whatever."
Sheila didn't even pay attention. She was too busy thinking about what lay ahead. Leon, Ashley and herself of course would have to face many a danger. It wasn't going to be any easier with her and Ashley tagging along with poor Leon.
"Aaaaarg! Ooooh it hurts!" Ashley cried out, grasping her body and folding in the fetal position. Sheila got up and ran over to her.
"Oh crap! It's starting!"
Sheila knew that the egg hatched and was making its presence known. She watched in pity as Ashley cried in pain. There was nothing she could do. And soon, her parasite was going to hatch. Her hope was that it would do that later... Much later.
But things didn't go as she wished. A burning sensation flared quickly in her chest and abdomen. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her body.
"Oh CRAP!"
Sheila's vision blurred with tears as the spasms grew worse and worse. She curled up in a tight ball, the pain intensifying with every breath she took. She began to cough up blood to her horror. As she looked at her hands that was covered in blood, she passed out.
**R**
The swamp was covered in a fog. It was eerie and dreary, making the heroes cautious as they began to cross the place. It was silent, except for the sounds of an occasional Bullfrog croaking. Chris stopped, and pointed at a tripwire. And near the trap, in the distance, was a villager. The Ganado was staring back at them with a scowl. He of course cried out in the usual manner, alerting his fellow country men.
Chris backed up and announced, "We got company."
The crazy villager ran toward them, not noticing the tripwire. BOOOOM! No more Ganado! Chris motioned them to follow him as he ran down the boardwalk. They killed as they went, seeming to be invincible together. Ganados were killed both left and right, never standing a chance when faced with the combined forces of the survivors of some of the most horrific events in history. Soon, things became quiet again. And that wasn't a good sign.
"It's too quiet." Leon commented.
As if to confirm what Leon said, they heard shouting doming up from behind them. A huge mob was running toward them, carrying pitchforks, torches, and sharp objects. As they began shooting and reloading, something unfortunate happened. Claire didn't see the two burly men sneaking up behind her. Suddenly, she felt two very strong arms covering her middle, squeezing her harshly.
"Oh, heck no!" Claire seethed.
Claire head butted the head behind her, causing the man to let go with a grunt. She has learned karate on the job, the FBI really looked on you with favor if you can protect yourself on the field. Her training was put to good use. With quick affective movements, she began kicking the other man's face like there was no tomorrow. The guys noticed Claire was in trouble, but they were being overwhelmed by villagers coming at all sides. She was fighting and shooting like a wildcat, proving too much for the two burly men. They called for help from some of their fellow comrades, who promptly answered the call. Soon she was surrounded. Knowing that she was the target, she brought out her Uzis and started killing like Trinity on the matrix.
She was doing well till she felt a prick in her neck.
Reaching up, she tentatively touched the tranquilizer dart and said, "Hey. That's che... ch... cheeeeaaaating."
She then fell in the arms of one of the villagers. With a pleased chuckle, the Ganado picked up the young woman and slung her over his shoulder. The guy then ran off toward the direction of the lake, a fellow villager followed suit.
"CLAIRE!" cried Leon.
Chris turned around and watched with horror as his sister was being carried away, her limp form bumping up and down as the villager ran. Feeling rage and fear strike his heart, Chris screamed and started killing like a mad man. Leon saw red and took out his knife and began fighting in hand to hand combat. They soon cleared a path and followed after them, but it was too late. Claire and her captors were already through the doors, on they're way to the lake.
**Authors Note: Ooooooh Noooooooooooo! What will Leon and Chris doooooo? Will they get to Claire on time? Where are the Ganados taking her? You'll have to stay reading my chapters and reviewing them to find out! Buah! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA! Yes, a cliff hanger! Revieeeeew!**
11. Chapter 10:Introducing Del Lago! Moommy!
**Authors Note: Hello fellow Resident Evil fans! Thanks for the reviews, I really appreciate them! This chapter is going to be tense so GET READY FOR THE FISH FIGHT OF THE CENTURY! DUN! DUUN! DUUUUUUUUUUUN! Let's see what's happening with our characters are doing now that Claire has been KIDNAPPED! Enjoy!**
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 10: Introducing DEL LAGO! MOOOOOMMY!**
Gun shots echoed through out the swamp as a battle between good and evil took place in the once peaceful place. Leon and Chris fought like champions of old, killing any villager that came within range. They gained ground quickly, till finally they were the only ones left standing. But there was no celebrating for their small victory, for there was still young maidens that needed rescuing. Quickly, they ran to the doors the kidnappers had used for their escape.
Upon opening the door, they found that there was the rugged path forked out in two different directions. One leading up the slope, and one leading down. According to the map, the one up that led up went straight to the ridge where they could have a perfect bird's eye of the whole lake. The other led to the lake where a boat was waiting for them.
"Come on! Let's hurry, we don't have much time!" Chris said frantically.
Leon grabbed Chris's arm, regretfully stopping him from continuing. "Chris, wait. We need to scout the area first."
"What do you mean, scout the area! Let's go now! We know they're heading for the other side of the lake-"
"Chris! I want to rescue Claire as much as you do, but we need to take the right precautions! Del Lago, remember? If we want to rescue Claire, we have to think smart more importantly, stay alive. In other words, we need to look before we jump."
Chris yanked his arm from Leon's grasp. He wasn't angry with his friend or the wisdom in his words. Training in tense and crucial situations called for a cool head. If he lost it, that would be the end of his sister.
"You're right... We need to keep cool and check out this unknown territory before going in. Let's get moving."
Leon led the way. The path was short and steep, with specks of dead grass and leafless tress scattered here and there. In no time, they reached the top. From the view they had, they could see every thing. The lake was murky, and large enough for something big to take residence in. Both kneeling on the ground, Chris looked out at the vast lake as Leon pulled out his binoculars. He immediately spotted a small motor boat moving swiftly in the water. The two men who had kidnapped Claire were quiet and solemn as they crossed the lake. The spirited young woman wasn't with them, but someone else was.
The boat stopped, the motor quieting down. Looking at the body in the boat, the villagers got up and quickly set out to work and lifted the man. Leon's gut clenched. It was the cop who had driven him here. Sadness mingled with horror as the two Ganados threw the cop overboard. Neither Chris or Leon could tell if the police man was unconscious or dead.
"Vamos!" said the young Ganado as they rode off, clearly looking nervous and afraid.
Chris watched the boat ride ashore while Leon watched the cop. He noticed a rumbling noise coming from the lake. It grew louder as the waves around the cop grew choppier.
"Chris, I think you should see this."
Chris took out his binoculars and turned his attention off of the villagers who were racing away as fast as they could. Together, they both watched the floating cop as ripples of water grew bigger and wider around his body. Suddenly, a massive creature leaped out of the water, it's body bigger then a whale. It's humongous jaws were opened wide, revealing rows upon rows of white, razor, sharp teeth. It looked like the mutated version of the whale that swallowed Jonah.
The cop was swallowed whole,, becoming another casualty of the tiny village of Pueblo. Then, just as quickly as it appeared, it landed in the water and disappeared from view, its tremendous bulk sendin multiple waves across the murky surface. The whole thing took no more than four seconds at the most. Even that was stretching it.
Chris fell back in shock as Leon tightened his binoculars. They both have seen a lot of monsters and weird crap in their day, but that was in a category totally by itself. Words couldn't describe it. After all, what was there to say? All they could do was let what they just witnessed, soak in. To understand that crossing the troublesome waters wouldn't be as easy as they first thought.
The massive hulk of everything wrong with nature, was something that required deep thought. Ways of killing the beastly fish couldn't even be discussed, due to nothing they had would work. They now understood why the merchant said conventional weapons were useless. No bullet would pierce that hide; if it did, it wouldn't effect the monster at all. And trying to ready a rocket launcher when that creature was apparently faster then a fish that size should be, not to mention it had the water protecting it, was just plain foolishness. Both men dreaded crossing that lake. Only a crazy man would attempt such a feat. Or someone with a death wish.
In their case, they had no other choice. There was no way inside the church to rescue the two girls, and Claire was who knows where beyond the dangers of the lake. With that as food for thought, the two got up and put away their binoculars. There was no need for discussing it. The two silent men gazed at one another with dread. Leon broke the silence.
"It's not the first time we faced some giant freak of nature. I'm sure we could beat it," Leon said with a shaky confidence.
Chris nodded, answering with the same flakiness, "Yeah. We both faced impossible foes. Whatever Umbrella threw at us, we killed. I'm sure we can kick its a-s!"
Both tried to look confident and brave, but the truth was that this was a crappy situation. The stocks stocked against them in every possible way. To put it simply, they were scared out of their minds... Wouldn't you be?
"Come on. Let's get going," Leon said with dread.
The two Raccoon City survivors walked back down the path, determined to save Claire and find that key to the church. They passed the doors they came from and went down the path that led to one of the most horrific experiences of they're lives.
**R**
Wesker watched intently at the two men walking down the path. This just kept getting better and better! He also saw that magnificent creature's introduction. The immense power the creature had, it's large exaggerated girth, everything about it was so fascinating! He contemplated the different ways how it came to be. Did the parasite have a different reaction to the fish? Is that why it was so huge? Or was it something nature cooked up that's never been discovered or noticed till the parasite came into the picture? He had a million questions about it's history, in which he hoped he he would have answered soon, when he gets that sample. Maybe it's over a hundred years old, after all, this isn't the first time the village had the parasites infect them.
Wesker shook his head, and continued to watch the men walk up to the dock where the small motor boat had been left tied to. He let out a peel of evil laughter. If they think that they were going to make it across that lake in that old boat, they had a another thing coming. The deviant older man got comfortable and smiled as he continued to watch. He was betting his money on the lake monster.
**R**
The men looked uneasily at the small wooden boat. It barely would fit the two of them! This small, old, rickety thing was supposed to get them across the dangerous waters unscathed? Ha! They couldn't believe that the merchant left them this old, crappy boat. The pathetic excuse of water transport wouldn't last two seconds with that thing! Suddenly, the popular opinion of the friendly neighborhood merchant was seriously dropping.
Leon sighed and looked at Chris.
_We're gonna need a bigger boat. _(Yes, I borrowed the first JAWS movie's famous line. Deal with it.) _Got to make do with what we got._
The look on Chris's face agreed with the words he spoken. "We're dead fish bait."
Leon tried to say in a hopeful tone, "Maybe it's only attracted to blood or dead things. It didn't attack the kidnappers, obviously."
"True... But they bribed it. They high tailed it out of there as soon as they dropped off their little present."
"Yeah... But maybe it's full and won't bother us."
"Teh. That poor guy was just the appetiser and we're the main coarse."
"Chris, you're bumming me out, here. I'm trying to lie to myself so I can get the nerve to get in this boat."
"Heh. Sorry. I'll shut-up."
"Good."
The men hesitantly hopped aboard the boat with understandable nervousness. Leon started the engine, it's loud rumble making both men wince. With one last look at the safety of the dock, Chris cast off. They were finally on their way.
Fog covered the water, making the lake seem more menacing. Chris and Leon looked around nervously, expecting to see the creature to jump out any second. As they reached part way across, the men saw large debris floating around in the lake. Large logs and other stuff were clumped together, making a bunch of little floating islands. Leon payed attention to this and avoided the debris with ease.
"Now I know what a worm on a hook feels like," Chris commented.
As they proceeded on, everything seemed calm enough. So far, no large fish trying to snack on them. The guys were getting a little bit more relaxed as they grew closer and closer to their destination.
_"Come on! Just a little bit more," _Leon thought with desperation. The waters were getting more choppy, causing the motor to fight Leon's steering hand.
"_Not good!"_ Thought Leon with a nervous look around.
Chris turned white when he decided to take peek at the water over the edge of the boat. He saw a shape of the large Del Lago. His heart leaped to his throat as he tried to warn Leon.
"It's here-" Chris didn't get to finish as Del Lago introduced itself to them with a loud roar as it leaped out of the water ten feet in the air.
It's roar was so loud that it rocked the entire area, causing the men to cover their ears. The creature's large mouth was wide open as it lifted its entire body out of the water. Strange appendages were flailing around wildly in its mouth; grey and slimy tendrils with sharp and serrated tips that could strip a man's flesh right off the bone. And while the victim felt this agonizing stripping, the tentacles would hook and real it's prey in to meet the sharp teeth of it's massive jaws.
"CRAAAAAAAAP!" Both men hscreamed. It wasn't every day they faced death by fish.
Leon's heart leaped inside his throat as a primal fear hit him. Both he and Chris were the prey now, no longer on top of the food chain. It was a crappy feeling. They took in the size of the monster as it was in the air, its body could easily be about fifty to a hundred feet long. Strangely, it didn't even look like a fish; the abomination of nature being manipulated by the parasite so drastically that it looked like a mutated salamander. Its grayish, brownish colored body showed no scales, just a slimy smooth skin like a catfish.
The monster's body hit the water once more, causing a massive vortex. The boat was being pulled in to the guy's dismay. Then at the last second, the vortex ended and spat up a the water high in the air, causing a massive wave which was heading straight toward the two men.
"Oh crap! Brace yourself!" Chris shouted.
Both gripped the sides of the boat and prayed for dear life that they didn't get knocked out of the boat. The fish was too quick to swim for shore or even back to the boat. But the way their adrenalin was pumping thought out their bodies, they were ready to run on top of the water to just get away from the danger. They didn't have long to wait to face their fear, the giant wave hit them with such great force that it knocked the boat fifteen feet back and eight feet in the air. Both guys screamed in terror, neither caring who heard. Being scared out of their minds was nothing to be ashamed about. You would be too if Del Lago was trying to have you for dinner.
The motor whined in the dry air as the boat continued to be air born, sounding it would croak any second. The boat spun around a bit before finally landing in the water with a jarring force. This caused both men's feet to fly up in the air, causing the anchor to drop in the water. Neither noticed this as they tried to get their wits about them.
"Let's get the hell out of here!" Chris yelled as Leon tried to get going. But the motor stalled suddenly to the man's dismay.
"You piece of junk!" Leon growled as he tried to get the motor going again, unaware that the anchor was sinking lower and lower till it finally hooked in the creature's slimy, scaleless flesh.
The men turned their heads at the strange whizzing sound. Then, their eyes widened when spotting the rope unraveling quickly.
"Oh shi-" Leon didn't finish as a knot in the rope blocked the O ring, causing the boat to jerk violently forward as the creature drug them wildly across the lake.
The boat was being dragged at a fast pace further away from their destination. Needless to say, this was reeeaaaaally bad for them. As he hung on to dear life to the side of the boat, Chris felt the harpoons on his side and remembered what the merchant said.
"Leon, get your harpoons ready. We're going fishing!"
Both grabbed a harpoon that was tied safely to each side. Leon judged the distance, coming up with about fifty feet between them and the monster. They waited till the monster surfaced, revealing its back and weird tail fin as it swam. It even began to swim in a straight line, giving them the opportunity to throw a harpoon at the freakish creature. Leon spear sped through the air, finding its target. The spear head embedded deeply in it's flesh, a deep wound that spurted red blood into the air, staining the water's surface. Chris's landed next to the harpoon, this one going a little bit deeper than the first.
"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Leon shouted with a grin at Chris. It gave them a deep satisfaction to cause this monstrosity pain.
The creature hissed and slid back under the water as Chris readied a third spear while Leon tried steering the boat, hoping to at least nudge the monster to move in the direction of land. He could faintly see the creature turning toward them, leaving a blood trail in the water. It swam under the boat and taking them further toward the middle of the lake. It's actions caused the boat to jerk sharply around, causing more strain on the thick rope. Suddenly, the rope's knot squeezed through the O-ring; the rope whizzing fast out of the loop Hope bloomed in their chests. Once they're unattached from the anchor, they could make an attempt for the shore again... But a bigger knot snagged in the hole, now giving Del Lago a longer lead. This made it harder for the heroes to see what it was doing.
Seconds later, the boat stopped moving. An uneasy calm settling over the lake. Chris set the third harpoon down and frantically looked around, trying to find a hint where the fish might appear. The rope moved a little, than stopped all together. Some splashes were heard here and there, but they were never fast enough to locate the exact location of their deadly foe. Suddenly, a loud roar was heard behind them in the distance. Leon and Chris both turned and saw the monster swimming quickly through the water, it's mouth opened wide in hunger. The creature could easily swallow the boat whole if they don't stop it. Raising his spear high, Chris aimed at the creature's throat. Meanwhile, his partner was busy untying the forth spear.
The creature would be on them in less than five seconds. With a grunt, Chris threw the spear, hoping to get the monster in the throat. But instead, it landed deep in the monster's lip. Leon stood up with his harpoon, arm poised and ready. He let out a roar of his own and threw the spear with a deadly aim. The harpoon soared threw the air, heading straight for the throat. But a grey tendril got in the way and was impaled by the spear. Blood was spraying all over inside the cavern of its mouth. The fish/salamander (Whatever) screeched and dived back under the water, just before it would have collided with the boat. The boat was hit by the waves its bulk made, almost sending Leon and Chris in the lake. The guys plopped back on their butts as the creature changed tactics and dragged them toward the debris that littered the lake.
Leon began steering the boat away from the debris with ease. He gritted his teeth and said, "Playing dirty are we?"
Chris untied another harpoon and tried to aim at the waving form of the Del Lago. He couldn't get a clear shot as it weaved through the debris. Leon dodged the first three perfectly, but the creature turned suddenly to the left, causing the boat to swing at the nearest obstacle. The horrified agent didn't have time to avoid it as the boat collided with the debris.
"Oooooooh craaaaaaap!" Chris yelled as both him and Leon and the harppon he had was sent flying out of the boat and into the dangerous waters.
As Chris resurfaced, he looked frantically around, spotting Leon five feet behind him and the boat ten feet in front of him. They both heard the creature dive under, alerting them that it was all too aware of their plight. They quickly began swimming for their lives, concentrating on the boat up ahead. The young Redfield reached the boat first, using his long, shaking limbs to easily climb back in the boat. He instantly reached his hand out to Leon who was three feet away.
Grunting, Leon grabbed the hand as he reached the boat. Chris helped his friend get back in the safety of the boat, just in the nick of time. The monster jumped up where Leon had been, snapping its jaws at empty air. It landed on its back, sending a spray of water over their all ready drenched forms. Then the earlier games the creature had played resumed, dragging it's cargo around the lake. This time, it swam away from the debris and resurfaced. Leon untied another spear and chucked it at the creature. The deadly weapon this time landed in its tail. (If you can call it that.)
The lake monster didn't wait have to feel another spear in its back as it resubmerged. It had grown smarter of this team's tactic. And with years of cunning and instincts imbredded in it's origional DNA, the creature swam lower and lower till it fell out of sight.
"Trying to change the rules now, beasty. Well, bring it on!" Leon growled as he turned the boat in the opposite direction where it submerged.
He made the right decision; the creature resurfaced the water with a roar as it bit yet again thin air where the boat had been, passing its prey by mere inches. Chris had another harpoon ready and threw it in the creatures tough hide in its side. Blood sprayed all over the boat, including Leon and himself. As it passed, Leon and Chris could see that it was wounded numerous times and losing large amounts of blood. But it still showed no signs of tiring.
Leon thought grimly, _"If this keeps up, we're so screwed."_
**R**
The merchant watched as the two men fought the legendary monster. His heart had nearly stopped when the boat had hit the debris, causing his costumers to fall in the lake with the harpoon. He saw the creature dive and sped toward the two swimming men. But, yet again, the two surprised him. Barely escaping with their lives, yet again.
He watched with anticipation, waiting for his best costumers to kill the slimy fiend. He hated that creature with a passion. The Del Lago has been a thorn in his side ever since Saddler reawakened the D-mn thing! This monstrosity killed some of his closest friends, and nearly ate him on numerous occasions. His hatred grew each day as the stupid thing kept him away from one of his best stores in the area. It made him sick that all that stock could go to waste.
_Stupid Lummox!_
He smiled as he saw Chris throw two more spears at the roof of its mouth, causing the cursed thing to cry out in more pain.
"Keep it up, boys."
He liked both of these men. They really had the some amazing survivor instincts, and the will to live despite what the odds delivered them. He even grew to respect Leon as much as his long term costumer, Chris. And he definitely like the spunk in the young auburn haired woman that came with his Chris.
_What was her name?... Ah, yes. Claire. Brains and beauty wrapped up in one amazing package._
She had a great personality that seemed to keep the other two grounded. Too bad she was kidnapped. Though he could say exactly why, he knew she would get out of that situation. She was a tough lass.
As for the spy, he didn't trust her one bit. From what he heard from the grape vine, she could be the third party in this horrific tale who had Luis steal the sample. God only knows what company she worked for and what type of war lords they were. Any person looking for the sample was bad news. Plus, it was hard to like or trust someone who always tried to get him to lower his prices on his goods, then threaten to kill him if he ever uttered a word to Saddler and his minions of her presence. He wasn't stupid. Besides, he wasn't one of Saddler's mindless Ganados. Despite of the parasite within, he wasn't being controlled. He still had free will.
And even if the beautiful woman in red decides he's too much of a liability, he knew he would survive any of her deadly advances. He was stronger, smarter, and faster than his appearance revealed. Years in his profession had toughened him up, and taught him to always be prepared for the costumer to turn around and slit your throat. In the end, he always got the upper hand and kill those that tried to end his life. Which unfortunately always had him changing his appearance and move to different countries. New different identities by the dozen! He wanted to at least stay a little longer in his home country before leaving. Of course he would have to leave sooner than expected as the home village he was born in was now the home of evil. Such was the life of a merchant.
His attention went back at the lake. Leon gave Chris one of his last spears which left the agent only one for himself. The merchant's face tightened behind his mask.
"Maybe I should have put more harpoons in the boat."
**R**
Chris cursed angrily to himself for throwing the spear too wide, missing the creature by one foot. The slimy deviant dived again back under the surface for another surprise attack. Both were soaked and chilled to the bone, weary from the battle. Their bodies ached with pain from all they've been through during the day. Fighting for your life constantly in the cold and then getting soaked from falling in the water was getting to them. Especially Leon. His wound from earlier was throbbing with pain. His chest heaved from the pressure built in his chest, and he felt like his lungs were being squeezed by something.
All was quiet as the boat stopped moving.
"Not this trick again." Chris snorted.
Leon stood up, holding the last harpoon as thought about what he had to do. If he was going to die, he was going to get one make the over grown guppy scream before he became its next meal. His heartbeat pounded loudly in his ears as he waited patiently, arm poised with the harpoon.
"Please God, let this spear find its mark." Leon prayed with desperation.
"Amen." Chris answered.
The silence was deafening as they waited for the Jaws wanna-bee to face them. The rope moved a bit, but nothing else happened.
"_Maybe it had enough and gave up... Yeah right! I'll be seeing pigs fly before that ever happens," Leon thought grimly._
Sure enough, dead ahead the creature resurfaced, its bloodied mouth wide open. The sharp teeth was stained with its own blood. With a growl, it propelled itself forward for the final showdown.
Leon aimed, stiffening his body as he waited for the right moment. The creature roared as it drew closer to them. Chris looked nervously at Leon, wandering if his friend was paralysed with fear or something.
"Throw it." Chris ordered. The creature was closer and picking up speed.
"Leon, throw it. Throw it NOW!" Chris shouted, the creature now was close enough for details to be made out with crystal detail.
"Not just yet. Just a little closer," Leon said with patience as Chris was running his hands through his once gelled spikes of brown hair.
The creature would be on them any second. Leon then saw his mark and threw the spear with all his might, screaming with all he had in him. The spear soared in the air, entering the creatures mouth and threw the tentacles, finding the back of its throat. A torrent of blood sprayed everywhere.
The Del Lago gagged with its own blood, swerving away from the boat. It slowed down and turned back toward the boat. It splashed and thrashed around, trying to run from the pain. Finally, it let out its last feral roar as it lifted its huge form out of the water, sputtering blood everywhere in the sky. Blood fell like rain to the water, mixing with the lake. Then the Del Lago fell on its back, finally sinking as it died.
Leon stood there in amazement before feeling a tremendous wave of victory spread through out all of his soul. A huge wave hit the boat from the creatures splash, sending Leon and Chris on their butts. Water sprayed all over their body, cleaning the creatures blood off two grinned at one other. They did it! They survived the dreaded Del Lago. Together, the gave a victory shout, feeling good despite their aching bodies.
They sat there in several inches of water, not caring a bit. The two were just grateful for being alive. But their victory was short lived. Suddenly, the boat jerked forward. And that's when they realised that the anchor was still embedded in the dying creatures body, that was currently sinking to the bottom of the lake. Their sense of triumph vanished as panic settled in. Chris brought out his knife, ready to cut the rope loose. But before he could, the O-loop broke off the boat, releasing the tension of the rope for the moment. They sighed, but yet again their sense of relief was interrupted. They heard the whipping and whizzing sound of the rope as it whizzed out of the boat. Both looked down and saw that the rope had some how wrapped around Leon's leg. Before they could do anything about it, the rope tightened and squeezed his leg and began pulling him out of the boat.
Leon let out a scream of pain, gripping one side of the boat as he whipped out his knife. Together, they began hacking the fibers of the thick rope. The agent screamed, literaly feeling muscles and bone begin to stretch. His pants began to tear, alerting the men that if they didn't hurry, Leon would either be pulled down into the lake with the dead Del Lago, or his limb would be torn from his body. The weight of the creature's dead body was too much for LEon and the boat. So together, they resumed chopping even more fierclyat the rope. Just as Leon felt he couldn't take it any longer, they hacked threw the final thread, releasing him from a horrible death.
Leon laid back, breathing heavily.
Chris put his hand on his leg and asked, "Are you going to be alright?"
Leon slowly sat back up and answered with a small smile, "Yeah. Never better."
Chris smiled and said proudly, "No one is going to believe this. We have to be the only ones in the world to proudly say that we killed a hundred foot lake monster."
Leon chuckled and tried to get the motor going. It sputtered for a few seconds, then roared to life. They drove to their destination with relief and a bit of a high. Their new story to tell when they got home was one for the history books.
Chris tied the boat to the dock as Leon hopped out. He started to walk down the dock when suddenly, a sharp pain speared his chest and abdomen. He grunted as he touched his chest and stomach. Chris noticed this and ran up to Leon.
"Leon! What's wrong."
Leon shook him off and insisted he was fine. He resumed to walk off the dock when he felt an even more intense pain in his chest. He began to gag as he felt something on the back of his throat. Putting his hands to his mouth, he coughed deeply till clog was out. Chris ran up to Leon and looked at his hands. Clotted blood covered the palms. Leon's vision began to blur, his world spinning.
"Okay, I guess I'm not alright."
Chris helped his friend inside the empty cabin. The first steps they took in, Leon began to scream, thrashing out of Chris's grasp. He fell to the ground, feeling like something was trying to crawl out of his body, burning him from the inside out. Chris quickly grabbed some herbs off the table, tearing them into little pieces so Leon could take them. But had no clue what to do, or what was causing his friend so much pain.
When he turned, he watched as Leon's eyes rolled to the back of his head, then lose consciousness. Panicking, he ran over and tried to rouse him. Nothing. He dragged and placed the agent on the dirty twin bed. Falling to his knees, he rubbed his face with both hands roughly, totally at a loss of what to do.
Making sure Leon was still with him, he checked his pulse. He sighed, relief spreading through him as Leon's pulse was strong and steady. But with Leon out of commission for the moment, he had no clue to what the next course of action should be. He knew they had to hurry to rescue Claire, but he just couldn't leave Leon in this position.
"What do I do?"
**R**
Wesker watched the whole scene. He was disappointed that the creature lost and died, but relieved. Now, he could deal with Chris on his own , he hoped at least the creature would have eaten Leon. But life wasn't fair and luck was apparently on Leon's side.
After the battle, he noticed that something was wrong with the agent as the two men made it to shore. He quirked his head at this, wandering if he was wounded in the battle. He hoped so. He has grown tired of this Raccoon City's survivor meddling. The persistant Leon S. Kennedy was becoming more and more of a bother. But for the moment, he wouldn't find out the cause, thanks to Chris leading them inside a small old shack.
He snorted and turned his head. Chris the ever saving hero to the rescue. Such a weak quality. He couldn't understand how he survived this long in dangerous situations.
Oh, well. He was curious what was taking place, but he had to make a few calls. One in particular to some supporting members of the new Umbrella he was trying to resurrect. This one will be better than the last. It would be perfect.
"Soon, Chris. Soon."
**Authors Note: Oh Noooooo! What will happen? Heheheheee! Did ya like it? I'm sorry this was late but you wouldn't believe the weekend I had. Let's just say it was a crazy, busy one. FORGIIIIIIIVE MEEEE! LOL Anywhoooooo, got another vote for ya. Should Chris go looking for his sister and leave Leon or stay with him? You decide! Answer soon so I can write the next chapter. REVIEW! PEACE! H**
12. Chapter 11:At Night the Monsters
**Authors Note: Thanks for your reviews everyone and the votes! This chapter will have yucky plagas, info on Claire and... Hey! You need to read to find out! Enjoy the fan fic. El yeaaaah! Heheheheheheeeeee!**
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**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 11: At Night the Monsters Come Out to Play **
Leon opened his eyes, and for a moment he didn't know where he was. Not a pleasant feeling. But the feeling passed as reality hit. He was in Spain, looking for the President's daughter. Crap. He groggily looked around the cabin, still lying on the floor.
_Where's Chris?_
Leon looked around uneasily as he sat up on his knees. He opened his mouth to call for Chris when suddenly, he felt that pain again. Except this time, it was involving every nerve in his body. He closed his eyes and grunted in pain. The weary agent tried to get up, but to no avail. The pain intensified, causing tears to blur his vision. He doubled over, clutching his stomach.
The pain then started in his chest began to shoot down his arms and spread to his head. His blue eyes widened as he looked at his arms in horror. His veins bulged with a black substance that started spreading out like fingers, racing up his arms. He began to panic, whimpering as his blood pumped the alien black substance through out the rest of his body. His panic escalated as the black ooze continued spreading at a fast place, covering his face and reaching for his blue eyes. He screamed as the blackness consumed his sight, taking over his body, mind, and thoughts.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Leon woke up in a sweat, chest heaving with his heavy pants. He felt extreme relief as he realised it was just a dream. Sitting up, the agent looked around the dark room. What he could make out was that he was lying on a lumpy bed in the cabin he lost consciousness in.
"It... It was just a dream," he reminded himself, still deeply unsettled at the realness of the nightmare.
He looked around the sensing that he was alone. Getting off the bed, he stretched as he listened to the pitter patter of the rain hitting the roof. He turned on his flash light that was attached to his belt, giving him a better view of his surroundings. It made the room a lot brighter, although it wasn't the brightest. From the couple of feet the flash light revealed, he saw that the shack was tiny, a single room, and mostly empty. He started to snoop the room when his radio began its beeping again. He answered the call, and saw a worried and perturbed Hunnigan staring back at him.
Hunnigan: _Leon! What the heck happened to you! You haven't made contact for six hours. I was starting to get annoyed._
Leon: _Don't you mean worried? Anyway, I got dizzy after eliminating a threat. I guess I passed out. I'm better now._
Hunnigan: _Dizzy?... Sounds like this is connected to what the village Chief said._
He smirked at the mention of the chief. He immediately straightened up when he saw Hunnigan give him a strange look.
Leon: _Maybe, but enough of that. I'm fine now, no need to worry. I'm across the lake now, and will soon find the key to the locked church._
Hunnigan: _Right. Find that key and rescue the subject._
Leon: _Leon out._
Leon put his radio away and brought out his case. Unlike what he expected, everything inside wasn't ruined. Instead, he found everything was in tip top shape. The case proved to be water proof after all. As he put on his case, he resumed his search. He found two notes addressed to him on a small table. The first one read this...
_Leon,_
_I'm sorry, but I had to leave. You fainted from the pain and I waited as long as I could. I tried everything I could think of to help you gain consciousness. You're one tough guy to wake up. But, I have to save Claire. I know you will understand. _
_Chris_
Leon smiled. He was relieved that Chris didn't stick around and wait for him to wake up. Claire is a top priority. If he didn't go, Leon would have kicked his butt all over the place.
"Hang in there Claire."
He put the note away and read the other note. It basically said where the key was and how sorry the person couldn't help with what's going on in his body. Leon crumbled the letter and threw it behind him.
_Humph! Could have helped me if you explained what exactly is going on in my own body!_
He looked around and found a box with a note on top of it.
_Since I had to leave your sorry a-s, I left what I found in this cabin. Enjoy._
_Chris_
Leon grinned as he opened the box. Inside the box was three clips of handgun ammo, two boxes of shotgun ammo, a flash grenade, a incendiary grenade, one box of TMP ammo, and some broken up green herbs. He put the ammo in his utility belt and the grenades on the clips of his belt. Then he crushed the herbs and put them in his test tubes. He was glad Chris left this stuff behind. He was really low on ammo.
Done with the preperations, he kicked the door open and looked out in the darkness. Lighting crossed the sky as the heavens mercilessly weaped. His smile left as he sobered up. It was time to get busy and find that key. But it did sucked that he would have to get wet in this cold air. Again. And not for the last time, he cursed the jerk that stole his favorite jacket.
Leon left the tiny cabin and headed for the dock. He thought he saw two blue flames flickering in the distance.
"The merchant. I guess it wouldn't hurt to pay a visit."
He then jumped in the boat and cast off.
**Claire wakes up...**
Claire's eyes fluttered open. Her vision was blurry as the drugs still lingered. The warped sound of people chanting was hard to distinguished, as if she was at the opposite end of a tunnel. What she could make out sounded like it was in another language. Spanish perhaps. At any rate, she slowly looked around, seeing men standing in front of some sort of alter. Their heads bowed as they chanted and prayed a strange prayer in their native language.
She tried to scoot away, but found that she was chained by her ankles to the stone wall. The chains rattled, alerting a villager closest to her. He turned around and looked at her in annoyance. The Ganado reminded her of a little old lady who gave you a look when you made a sound during church. After giving her that particular look, he turned back around and continued to pray.
Claire wandered how long she was out of it and if Leon and Chris were still alive. Her fears for them also concerned herself. She felt alone and helpless, and was trapped in place with a bunch of complete psychos who were not as human as they appeared. And she hated feeling that way and the position she was in. She couldn't wait till one of those bone heads get closer to her. She would so kill-
Claire's thoughts were interrupted when she saw a blade raise up by the villager up front. She couldn't see what was going on, but she knew it probably involved some sort of sacrifice. Then she saw a woman flip into view, a woman in a red dress. Apparently, she was going to be the sacrifice... Heh! Not now.
She pulled out a gun out of her leg holster and began blasting the villagers. They went down easily except for the man with the blade. Instead, he started to act funny. His eyes were bright red as he ran toward her with his weapon. The woman smiled at his attempt to kill her. She pointed her black-tail at the man, waited till he was nearly upon her, and blew his head off. But instead of falling to the ground doing the usual song and dance, puss and brown goo began to spew out like a fountain. A large puss pocket erupted from the bloody stump. Two yellow, red eyes that bounced around from their connections peered out of the puss pocket. The unnameable thing was a brownish, pink color, with two small grey tentacles whipping around like ribbons blowing in the breeze. It looked like a freaking alien from a B-movie.
"What the hell is that?" Claire exclaimed loudly.
The monster and the woman looked at her like they were not pleased she interrupted their little battle. Claire closed her mouth and decided to keep her comments to herself.
The creature began to morph, the middle breaking apart to reveal a long tentacle with a sharp, razor edge bone, large enough to decapitate a person with one swipe. The woman cocked her head and smirked.
"Hmm. Not bad. But my weopen is more leathel."
With that said, she grabbed a flash grenade from her other thigh and threw it at the advancing parasite. The flash grenade killed the creature right away, causing it to explode. Although Claire protected her eyes when the grenade went off too close to her, her hearing was affected. She slowly opened her eyes, hearing only a loud ringing sound.
The woman in red walked over to her and seemed to be thinking as she looked over Claire. Claire looked up and down at the woman. It was obvious this wasn't a average civilian that just wandered in the village at the wrong time. No, this young beauty dressed to kill was more then she appeared. Her skills, self assurance, and hooded eyes told a different story. A memory of Leon telling her what happened when they separated in Raccoon City came to mind. The smart young woman began to suspect who this talented, mysterious woman was.
_It couldn't be! Leon said he watched her fall to her death back at that hell hole. _
The woman said something, but Claire couldn't hear a word she said.
"I can't hear you. Can you speak louder?"
The woman smiled.
"Well... Isn't that to bad. How are you going to defend yourself if you can't hear? Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. You know, I should kill you, Claire... But I won't. You have to make sure Leon survives, and continues his part the bigger picture."
The woman then pointed the gun and shot the chains that kept Claire captive, releasing her. The auburn haired beauty stood up and gazed at her savior with uncertainty. From what she heard from Leon, you could never tell what the beautifull spy would do next. Ada brought out her case and took out her special shotgun. It was small and the barrel seemed to have been sawed off, making it even more deadlier in close encounters. She handed it and two boxes of ammo to a stunned looking Claire, then turned around and ran off. The amazed young woman shook her head.
"So that's the famous Ada Wong... Pfft! I don't see what Leon ever saw in her." She said a bit enviously.
But she had to admit, she was pretty cool. She pocketed the ammo and left the same way Ada did. Her hearing started to come back at lest but it was still hard to hear the smallest of sounds.
"Oh, well. I've been in worse situations**. **At least I have a boom-stick!**"**
**Back to Leon**
Leon drove out of the merchant's store, relieved to have heard he had met up with Chris earlier. According to him, the self sufficient young man had met up with the merchant after leaving him at the cabin. The merchant had revealed to Chris a different route the Ganados would have taken that had Claire. It was a different path than the way through the waterfall. Hope bloomed in him after hearing that bit of news. Leon hoped he would meet up with the siblings soon.
He reached the dock and disembarked. After the upgrades he got for his shotgun, handgun, and TMP, he was ready to face the villagers. Jogging over to the gate, the agent ignored the rain that soaked him through his clothes. Discomfort kept on the back burner of his mind. Knowing things would be getting harrier the further he went up ahead, he had holstered the handgun and had his shotgun out for some big trouble. Ready, he went through the gate, armed and dangerous.
The torches barely lit the dark path for Leon.
_Good thing I have my flash light. _
As he walked down the path, he noticed a villager standing near the second torch. Leon raised his shotgun, ready to kill the man with one shot. But this local was acting different and even odder then the others. He didn't yell or run toward him with a weapon. Instead, he just walked towards him with a hazy look in his now red, glowing eyes.
The man started to grunt and shake, his head trembling more than his body. His head suddenly burst, splattering brain matter and juicy chunks of flesh everywhere. The headless body continued walking towards Leon, freaking him out a little. Then, brown and yellow gore bubbled to the surface, revealing a puss pocket with two slimy small tentacles flailing about. The lopsided eyes pinned Leon to his spot as the middle tore open, a tentacle bursting out with the razor bone at the tip.
Leon lifted a lip in disgust and began blasting at the parasite. The creature screeched in pain as chunks of it flesh was torn away by the shotgun. But this only made the thing angry. The tentacle slashed out, stabbing Leon in his shoulder.
"Aaah! You ugly son of a-"
Well, let's just say Leon knows some pretty impressive curses, and that they left his mouth at a impressive speed as he shot at the tentacle, blowing off the bone. The parasite cried out as yellow liquid sprayed all over Leon's face and clothes, though not lingering as badly thanks to the rain. As the tentacle whipped around its now boneless weapon, Leon fired once more at the creature. The strange head exploded, the body finally falling to the ground. The rain continued to wash the gore off his face and clothes.
He passed the melting body and proceeded towards the waterfall. After seeing all that freaky crap, Leon felt safe to say that he's seen just about everything.
"Evasion of the body snatchers,**" **Leon said with a wry smile.
**A Brother and Sister moment...**
Chris fan down the metal stairs. He had gotten delayed for a long time by several villagers. So far, he has been ambushed over and over; each villager seemed more violent and more primal than before. It took more shots to kill them, and some of them looked possessed. Their eyes were red now, which is not a good sign of things to come. And to make matters worse, he was almost completely out of ammo for his handgun, TMP, and Riot gun. The fact that he was running low on all his grenades was further proof that no matter how prepared he had come, he still would have to rely on finding scattered bits of ammo through out the area. His more powerful weapons like his Killer 7, Rocket Launcher, and Sniper Rifle (The one that Leon buys later) were the only weapons he hasn't used yet.
He brought some of Claire's things from what he found on the ground after killing some of the villagers. They had stolen her weapons, leaving poor Claire weaponless. So, if he didn't find Claire soon and if there was any more freaks left after using his more heavy artillery, he would then be forced to use her weapons. Chris hoped the merchant would show up again, and soon.
The sound of shotgun blasts echoed down from up ahead. He ran towards the sound, his riot gun ready to blast away. There was no slowing down as he went inside the opening in the rocky wall, and peered around the corner. He saw his sister fighting three villagers at once. Without thinking twice about it, he jumped over the sandbags and blew off one villagers head.
"Look out!" Claire yelled out as the parasite made its appearance.
Chris's eyes widened at this new development.
Before the bubbling parasite could morph, he put his Riot gun's barrel next to its strange head and blew it away. Claire dodged as one villager swung at her head with his weapon, missing her but stabbing his fellow villager threw the head with the pick axe. Claire took the time from the distraction and grabbed the lantern near by and threw it at the now weaponless villager. He screamed and ran toward the villager with the pick axe in his head. Both caught were now swept up in the hot fire and screamed. Their voices took on the same pitch as the parasites, letting out a glass breaking scream. Claire ran over to Chris and watched as the two fell to the ground, now dead.
Chris hugged his sister tightly.
"I'm never letting you go again! I'm so sorry, Claire."
"It's okay. It's not yours or Leon's fault. So don't blame yourself. We're together again and in one piece... Where's Leon?"' She asked with growing fear in her voice.
Chris pulled back, and explained the short version of what happened. She slapped his head and angrily began to scold him.
"What are you thinking?" she asked with pain in her voice. "You shouldn't have left Leon alone in that condition! Whatever is wrong with him could be serious and life threatening. He could be still in that cabin, dying! And-"
"I did what I had to do. I will not apolagise for the decision I made! Besides, his heart rate was normal. He'll be okay. Leon's tough."
"How do you know he's okay? He could-"
"Claire! I made at the time a choice I thought was right... I almost lost you, again."
His last words came out in a defeated whisper. Claire softened, feeling for her brother. He had to make a split second decision at the time, one that wasn't easy. She could read from his expression that it was hard for him to leave Leon like that.
Grabbing her her brother's hand, she squeezed it as she spoke softly. "I'm sorry Chris. I shouldn't have yelled. I know it was hard for you to leave Leon the way did. I think I understand."
Chris sighed and smiled. "Well, I did bring you something."
She looked curious as he opened his large case up. He pulled out her side-pack, her knife, and her leg holsters.
"Sorry, I couldn't bring every thing. You had a lot of stuff, so I brought the basics. "
Claire smiled and put on her holsters, knife, and side-pack. She had no bulletproof vest or handguns now, but she would manage without them. After all, she still had her Uzis!
"Here's our radio and the grappling gun."
She took them gratefully and looked up at Chris with a large smile.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go find Leon," Claire said with determination
**Back to Leon again**
Leon grabbed the round insignia and pocketed it. Taking out his radio, he made the call.
Leon: _Hunnigan. I found the round insignia. I'll be heading toward the church to rescue the subject_.
Hunnigan_: Good job, Leon. About the two civilians with you, what is the status report on them_?
Leon_: We got separated by some unfortunate events. But I'll be meeting them at the church. Turns out the friend they were looking for is at the church with the subject_.
Hunnigan_: Good. I just got informed that they will be extracted with you and the subject_.
Leon_: Thanks. They'll be happy to hear that_.
Leon ended the conversation and put away the radio. He hoped he was right. Those two attracted trouble like magnets. He walked down the dark passage way, hoping to see them again soon.
**Authors Note: Sorry that this chapter is late. I had to sub today at the elementary school today. So I was really tired and had a bad headache when I got home. My mom did some tricks on me to relieve the headache which made me go to sleep a long time. So here I am with anew chapter. The next one will have more gore and adventure so KEEP READING! Oh! AND REVIEW! **
13. Chapter 12: El Gigante! AAAAAAH!
**Authors Note: Oooooookaaaaay readers! I like to make an announcement! Next week I'll be subbing for four days! AAAAAAH! So if I'm late on some of the chapters, please be patient. I'll get them done as fast as I can. That is all... READ! HEHEHEHEEEEE!**
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 12: It's El Gigante! AAAAAAAH!**
Leon got out of the boat, happy to see the that he wound up at the Merchant's first dock. He was almost to his destination. But what made him really happy was that the merchant was there with all his goodies. Though he couldn't help but wander how the guy could move from place to place so fast.
"Welcome! What are ya buying?"
Leon purchased the usual ammo and stuff. After business was done, he asked the merchant if he heard from or seen Chris and Claire. The merchant shook his head, and shrugged.
"Sorry Stranger, but I've haven't heard anything new on those two. But I wouldn't worry if I was you. They seem able to take care of themselves against the things that is around here. Eventually, they will turn up."
Leon nodded and thanked the merchant. He then hurried to the ladder around the corner and climbed up, thinking about the Redfields. He couldn't help but be a little worried about his friends... Especially Claire.
He opened the double blue doors at the top and went out into the cold air. The temperature had dropped even more, but it had stopped raining, much to his relief. But the lighting and storm clouds seemed to linger, not ready to go away.
Leon noticed that in the arena, the ground torches were lit. Recently, someone had passed that way. Looking up and all around, he half expected to see villagers waiting to ambush him yet again. He saw none. Not trusting the seemingly deserted arena, he holstered his handgun and brought out his TMP. He had a feeling he was going to need it. His gut feelings were never wrong. Slowly, he made his way inside the quarry, looking warily at the massive double doors. He noticed that the large wooden beam was no longer locking the door. This was definitely not good.
The hairs on the back of his neck were standing up, his feeling of being watched growing stronger. When he was part of the way across, he heard yelling around the area. A villager pulled the lever from up above, causing the wooden pole doors to slam shut, making any escape impossible. Leon looked at both ends, seeing his ways of escape vanishing in front of his eyes.
He heard yelling coming from above, two villagers leaped down and pulled both heavy doors slightly open while six men came running out with two thick ropes. Their faces were strained as they pulled the ropes with all of their strength, yelling back and forth to each other. The two men ran over and helped the other villagers out with their task.
Leon heard growling on the other side of the doors, knowing that something big was fighting the villagers and did not want to come out. The men pulled harder, straining and slipping a bit in the mud from the earlier rain. The ropes jerked forward violently, then went slack as if what was on the other end snapped the ropes and was free. The villagers began to back away, knowing there was no escape from what was coming out.
The ground shook and some heavy boom sounds of heavy foot steps were heard, coming closer and closer. Leon back away a few feet. The sounds reminded him of the Jurassic Park movies. He wasn't looking forward to meeting what was coming out. Somehow, he knew that whatever came out of there was worse then Steven Spielberg's vicious lizards.
Roars and low guttaral growls were heard behind the double doors, panicking the villagers. They didn't even seem to care that Leon was there, which worried him.
With a loud crack, a giant fist burst through and shattered the door. Debris and rock flew through the air, some hitting the villagers as they tried to avoid it. Then the whole body of the creature appeared and kicked the other door off its hinges.
A villager pointed and cried out in fear, "El Gigante!"
The giant was extremely ugly. It had not a single hair on its body, giving a freaky new born baby look. The skin was a unhealthy grayish color, making the villagers pasty skin look beautiful in comparison. It's height was about fifteen feet tall, both arms and legs were thick as tree trunks. The misshapen body was heavily but awkwardly muscled, like it had been taking too much steroids. The muscles were way to large and bulky for the giant frame of what was once a man, the skin tissue looked strained from containing the unnatural growths. Completing the complete abominable look, it had on a a pair of torn shorts, giving him a hulk appearance. You know, if the hulk was grey, bald, and uglier then sin.
The creatures open mouth revealed the gums that jutted out, revealing widely spaced rotting teeth. His eyes were dark but kinda foggy looking, it's vision flawed and not up to par. In a way, it was a a being that despite it's rage and gruesome features, deserved pity from what he had endured to become the monster that he is.
El Gigante turned his dark, foggy eyes at the frightened villagers, who were busy cowering away from him. He swooped a powerful fist and punched the nearest villager, killing him on impact. The young villager next to him screamed and put his hands in front of his face as the Gigante brought down his fist and crushed him. The Giant grunted in pleasure at the sickening crunch and jelly sound that came from smashing one of his tormentors. He then turned his gaze on the panicking villagers. With a sick grin, he kicked a villager who was trying to run but kept tripping on his feet. The Ganado flew through the air like a football and fell against one of the little shacks, and began coughing up blood as he laid there dying.
A middle aged villager try to scream as the Giant grabbed him with one hand and squeezed with pleasure, watching as the local began gurgling up blood everywhere. The giant caught sight of the other two villagers who somehow climmbed up the wooden gates and was running down the small ledge. With amazing accuracy, the giant threw the body of their dying friend toward them. All three died on impact, blood splattering everywhere.
The Giant then swooped his fist at Leon, who flipped backwards with ease. El Gigante's fist met thin air. The dull witted giant looked surprised for a moment. Apparently, no person has ever escaped his fists before. Then the giant's eyes grew hard with hatred. He raised his fists and roared in defiance at the agent. Leon smirked, and prepared to fight the biggest man he has ever met. (That included Mendez, the Big Cheese.)
Drool and spit dripped from his jaw as he took the first step forward. He reached for Leon, but was too slow as Leon darted between the giant's legs. The creature looked down and noticed he was gone. Leon opened fire on the giant's back when he put enough distance between the two of them. Snarling like some animal, the giant turned around. He took two steps and quickly kicked the little menace. The agent had tried to jump out of the way, but only half succeeded. He received only half the force of the kick fortunately, which only broke a rib and flung him against the wall. Leon gasped in pain and tried to catch his breath. Still clutching the TMP, he tried to get back up, but his head was spinning from the hit. El Gigante was looming over him as he tried to get his bearings.
The giant raised his foot and looked down at Leon with rage and pleasure. He brought down his foot, anticipating the crunching sound of bones breaking. But Leon rolled over just in time and jumped up and ran over to the burning box torch. He raised his gun and began shooting with a vengeance. Just when the he ran out of bullets in his clip, the giant screamed in pain. He tried to reach around to touch the area that was in pain. Grey slimy tentacles were sprouting like daisies all over the top of his hunched back. With a grunt, the freak knelt on one knee as a centipede/caterpillar like creature sprouted out of his back. Leon hoped that his next course of action wasn't too suicidal as he ran up to the giant and jumped on one knee, then up on the giants back. He whipped out his knife and began hacking and slicing the wiggling creature. After five seconds, his large foe began to stir, alerting Leon to jump off his back.
He rolled as he hit the ground, and quickly whipped around while putting a new clip in his TMP. The giant regained his senses as the creature slipped back in its fleshy, warm home. El Gigante anger at its one weakness being exposed could be felt even by Leon. It took measured steps toward Leon, with growls of hatred spilling from his lips. The agent fired at the creature with opened abandonment, trying to get that parasite to emmerge once more. He soon had to manuever out of the way as the creature swung at him and began to quicken its slow pace.
Leon dodged and tried to fire at the advancing giant, but every time he turned around, the monstrosity was there with his fists furry ready. As the agent was slowly backed into a corner, he heard a familiar howl up on the ledge. Both of the combatants looked up at the interruption. A grey dog looked down back at them with a brave look on his noble face.
"Hey. It's that dog!" Leon said with wander.
It apparently survived after being saved by the agent hours ago. The dog barked as it leaped down, immediately setting out to get the monster's attention. It yipped and snapped at El Gigante's heels relentlessly till finally, it got the attention it seaked. The giant looked at the dog with annoyance and decided to go after the loud animal instead. Leon took this opportunity to to shoot the rest of his clip at the creature as it tried to smash his little friend. He had to reload quickly as the giant turned his attention back at him. Backing away, Leon began shooting again, causing the parasite to make its slimy appearance once again at last. He ran up and jumped on the giant and began the same procedure, cutting the parasite nearly in half. Gore spilled out as it shrieked, but did not die.
Leon jumped off and began the same process again, working with the dog. It would do the distracting while Leon unloaded his bullets in the giant creep.
The creature grew tired of this soon, and quickly walked over to the dead tree and pulled it from its roots. The creature snarled as it began swinging at Leon and the dog. The tired agent cursed as the tree almost hit him several times. The giant had a long reach, which kept Leon on his toes so much that he couldn't fire off a single round. Finally, the giant seemed to grow bored with this decided to just throw the tree at the smaller man. Leon flipped over the tree and quickly aimed at the giant. But the giant was already looming over his smaller stature and snatched him up with one hand.
Leon dropped the TMP as the giant began to squeeze with both hands. He screamed and slowly unsheathed his knife. He could literally feel his bones beginning to give way to the squeezing force. With a shaking hand, he raised the knife and stabbed the giant's large fists that were slowly squeezing him to death. El Gigante screamed as blood oozed from the flesh wound, dropping Leon while holding his hurt hand.
Gasping as he stumbled back on shaky legs, Leon took out his handgun and resumed shooting. The dog nipped at the giants heels, causing the big oaf to get angry, but also confused. He couldn't decide who he was to go after. Finally, the parasite made its third but last appearance. Gritting his teeth, Leon ran and jumped on the giant and brought out his knife. Screaming, he sliced open the creature's chest, causing the yellow goo to splatter all over his body. He ignored this and hacked three more times at where he had the parasite almost hanging by a thread. The remaining flesh finally gave way as the knife severed the parasite in half, causing a torrent of brown and yellow gore to spray in the air.
The giant screamed and stood back up; Leon rolled off with ease. He backed away, weary that the giant would survive even this. El Gigante hollered and stumbled around, spitting up brown goo everywhere. He finally swayed, stumbled, and then let out a last groan as he collasped to the ground. The earth shook when he fell, causing Leon to slightly stumble back. Ding-dong, the giant's dead and the gates were now opened! Looking at his fallen foe, he waited for the creature to melt., But he didn't to Leon's annoyance. Walking over to the dead giant, he raised his leg and kicked it. It was his revenge on the over grown, smelly, butt ugly monster.
"That's for the broken rib."
Holding his hurt rib, he turned and began to walk away, ignoring the body and the steaming hole where the parasite once was. The dog ran up to Leon and licked his hand. Looking down at his furry partner, the agent and smiled.
He patted the dog's head and said with a greatful heart, "Thanks boy."
The dog wagged his tail and ran to the blue doors where the merchant was. He scratched and whined till the doors were finally opened.
"Wolf! You're alive!" The merchant said in surprise. He checked out the dog's leg, inspecting the healing wrapped up wound.
"He's yours?"
The merchant looked up with proud eyes and answered, "Yes. We got separated when-"
He stopped and looked away. Leon didn't press for details. The way the merchant's voice broke told him it was a painful memory.
"Let's just say I've been through hell here, Stranger."
Leon nodded and said as he left, "Take care of him. He's a good dog. His wound isn't that bad, just a bear trap injury."
With that said, Leon walked out the door as it began to rain, again. The merchant looked at the door and smiled.
"Thanks Stranger."
**R**
Sheila moaned as she felt a stick poke her in her side. It was sharp and pointy, each jab hurt as she felt the sharp pointy thing poke her over and over.
"Get up!" She heard a annoying female voice.
_Who the heck is that? Whoever they are, they are so dead. Nobody dares to wake me up with sharp, pointy objects! _
She opened her eyes and saw a mad looking Ashley poking her with a wooden stick.
"Finally! You are the hardest person to wake up! I began to think you were dead."
Ashley dropped the stick and walked back over to her side of the room. Sheila glared at her and slowly sat up. This wasn't what she hoped to wake up to. Stuck with this whiny girl was torture enough, but now she had experienced the hatching of the egg. So not in the brochure!
"You okay?" Sheila asked as she stood up and stretched.
"Yeah. Why you ask?"
Sheila stared at the young, blond, woman. She acted as if nothing happened.
"I'm asking because both you and I felt severe spasms in our bodies. That's not normal you know," Sheila said with patience.
Ashley shrugged and acted like she didn't know what Sheila was talking about.
"I have no idea what you are talking about. (See!) I just fell asleep." She said with calmness.
Sheila smacked her head and groaned. Now she was acting like everything was okay. And that stirred up all kinds of wrong emotions for the teenager.
"You know, De-Nial isn't just a river in Egypt."
"I'm not in denial!"
"Oh yes you are! Your denial doesn't change a thing on what is going on in our bodies, and you know it! Stop acting like a stubborn mule and get it through in your thick skull. Some-Thing-Is-Wrong-With-Us!"
Ashley looked away and didn't say anything else. Sheila let out a sound of frustration. She hoped she could at least talk about it what happened. Sure, she knew what was going on, but that wasn't comforting as it should have been She didn't want to admit it, but she was afraid what was going on in her body. The Georgia girl wanted someone to talk about it with and in turn, would tell her that it was going to be okay. But Ashley didn't want to face the music, which left Sheila to her worried thoughts. She knew in the game, that Leon and Ashley get cured at the end. But that didn't guarantee her own survival. Nothing did.
Sheila shook her head from the bothersome thoughts. If Ashley could survive this crappy place and the parasite, than so could she. After all, she was one tough girl according to her friends. Though they could just be telling her, the whole friends code of honor system and all... No, she'll survive. She had knowledge of traps and all the monsters on the game. The odds were more on her favor thanks to playing the game. After giving herself a little pep talk and a short prayer later, she sat down in her corner and checked her watch. Leon should be there soon. She smiled at this. It was strange, she was going to actually meet one of her favorite characters in the gaming world. Only thing that would make it better would to meet Claire Redfield, her all time favorite. And Chris! Definitely Chris. That would be soooo cool!
She turned her head and watched Ashley, then sighed. She knew she wouldn't meet them, which really sucked. Oh well. She could pick on the blond to lift her suddenly sagging spirits. Smiling, Sheila began to sing the worm song.
"Nobody likes me, everybody hates me! Think I'll eat some woooorms!"
"Nooooooooooooooo!"
**R**
Chris and Claire ran over to the door.
"Looks like there is two doors. Which one do we take?" Claire asked.
Chris looked at the doors in the distance and the one in front of him.
"Hmmm. Door number two."
He tried the door and frowned. It was locked. C
Claire sighed and said, "Let's try door number one."
They ran over to the door and tried it with the same result.
"This sucks," Chris grumbled while kicking the door.
Claire frowned till she felt the grappling gun in her holster. She smiled and brought it out.
"Forgetting our presents?"
Chris looked sheepishly at her and brought out his own. "Uuuuh, no. I was just checking if you remembered. Good job."
Claire rolled her eyes and smiled.
"Suuure you did. So which door? Door number one or door number two?"
DUN! DUN! DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUHN!
**Authors Note: Muah!HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA! Here's another assignment for you readers. Should Claire and Chris go over door number one which contains chainsaw woman and lots of Ganados oooor door number two? Your decision! Hurry and vote so I can write! YEEEEAAAAAH! REVIEW!**
14. Chapter 13:Behind Door Number?
**Authors Note: Yeeeaaaaah! Welcome to my fanfic! I hope you enjoy the chapter! It has drama, action, monsters and gore. Also, I like to thank for the vote and review from Lord SectreX! Yeah! Okay, on with the story! **
**Resident Evil 4: A twist in Reality**
**Chapter 13: Behind Door Number ?**
Leon ran down the bridge, careful not to slip or fall. Lightning made the sky turn to day, giving him a perfect view as he jumped across the gaps in the bridge. When he reached solid ground, he looked around carefully. He knew that someone had to be around, it would be stupid if they let Ashley and that other girl unguarded. Slowly, he began walking up the path, stopping when he heard a low, menacing growl.
The growl grew louder as the Colmillos approached Leon. He noticed that the dog did not look quite right, which wasn't all that big of a surprise. Seeing what he did today made it easier to go with the flow when the weird popped up out of nowhere. Its mouth was overly large, revealing rows of sharp teeth. He noticed that the two fangs were abnormally long. It's eyes held a higher intelligence than that of a normal animal, almost as if it knew who Leon was. Not waiting a second longer, the agent fired at the scruffy looking animal, but the dog didn't even seem shake fazed as it's body began to tremble. Several long pink tentacles sprouted from its back, giving a perfect impression of the snow dogs in "John Carpenter's The Thing." The tentacles whipped forward and tried to give a hundred lashes; so cliche.
Leon jumped back and reached for his fire grenade and pulled the pin. He threw the fire inducing weapon and watched as monster dog finally did something normal, yelping in pain as it tried to shake off the flames. The rain soon helped the abnormal dog, putting out the blazing inferno. The shaggy creature now looked closer to a crispified zombie dog. It's breath was labored, smoke coming from its nostrils. The thing finally collapsed, and melted the same way as its Ganado brethren.
Satisfied, Leon resumed his leisurely pace. He unfortunately didn't get too far before he was ambushed a second time. His usual quick reflexes failed to react in time as another grey, wolfish dog jumped on top of him, trying to tear into his neck. Leon had put his arm up to protect that vital area, but suffered greatly for that. The dog with the over bight clamped down on his arm, shaking his head to rip the flesh. Leon cried out in pain as he grabbed it by the scruff of it's neck and pushed his foot down on its stomach. The eyes of the blood thirsty dog and his own connected as he kicked as hard as he could. The mutt went flying back, landing on it's back. But like with all the parasite infected, it too bounced back up to attack again.
"Enough of this!" Leon growled as he took out his gun and fired his weapon. The Colmillos was trying to charge, but without success.
Standing up, Leon unclasped the flash grenade off his belt loop while firing at the monstrosity. As he pulled the pin with his teeth, the creature's back began to open up for the nasty parasite tendrils. The tentacles whipped around in the air, free to do some damage. Switching to the shotgun, he resumed shooting the ugly beast. Fur and flesh blew off the Colmillos 's chest; a gaping hole was pouring blood and brown gore on the ground. The dog both growled and yelped from the pain, but didn't stop from advancing. Leon aimed at the dog's head and fired again, successfully blowing the dog's head away. The tentacles went limp as the body dropped to the ground. It twitched as it too melted away.
Leon stood there panting, feeling the rain yet not noticing it. He survived the guard dogs attacks in one piece, though not totally unscathed. His injured, throbbing arm was a testament to that fact. Strangely, he was thankful in a way that Claire didn't have to see the two freaks of nature. She always did have a soft spot for the canine friends of this planet.
He looked at his severly wounded arm, the flesh looked as if it had just went ten rounds with a lawn mower. He was losing blood too quickly, making him very light headed. The wounds needed immediat tending, but he really didn't want to face any more enthusiastic freaks at the moment. The dizziness, pain, and rain made a bad combination.
He ran over to the church door's and put in the round Illuminados insignia. The door clicked, giving Leon notice that he could go inside. He pushed the doors opened and slowly entered. The place was empty. He hurried to a wooden bench and took out his med-kit. As he looked at his wound, he could see that the dog nearly tore a huge chunk out. The flesh of his forearm was red and completely shredded. The wound (or wounds are more like it) was about six inches across and the deepness of that bite and tear was exposing meat.
Leon quickly grabbed his first aid spray and used it. The spray dissolved and bubbled quickly, both inside and outside the wound. He covered the wounds with his hand, helping the spray to slow the bleeding down to a stop, which gave him time to stitch it up. After he was done, he added water to a crushed green herb and ate it. The dizziness began to pass, showing Leon that yet again, the treatments worked.
After placing the patch on his arm, he put up his kit and looked around the spooky church. It was definitely the creepiest building he has ever had the displeasure of seeing. The Los Illuminados symbol was everywhere.
"They definitely have no taste at all. Even I can do better than this Gothic theme."
With the mission in mind, Leon worked through the lingering pain and checked the room, picking up the pesetas he found on the alter. When done, he went over to the ladder that was hidden from view. As he climbed up, he began to wander when he would see Chris and Claire.
"Where are you two?"
**R**
"Door number one." Chris said confidently.
Claire sighed and grumbled at how he had her run all the way to door number two before he decided on door number one!
"I just don't have a good feeling about that other door," He replied while looking back at the door they were leaving.
"Yeah, yeah. Let's just get going and find Leon and the girls."
They ran over to the first door and aimed at the only wooden edge at the top.
Chris looked at her with a stern look and said, "On three. One. Two. Three!"
They zipped up quickly and flipped over the gate. As they landed, they heard some screaming from above.
"You were saying about your feeling?" Claire asked with a glare as both brought out their weapons. Young Miss Redfield with her Uzis and Chris bringing out his TMP out of the case.
Villagers began dropping from the top pillars as if they were the rain itself. The team began shooting, mowing down each villager like they were in a shooting gallery. When Plagas reared their ugly heads, they soon were popped like zits, spraying their goo all around. When one reloaded the other threw a flash grenade, stopping the villagers in their tracks. After killing about twenty villagers, they could finally take a breather.
"How you holding up?" Claire asked while checking her ammo.
"Not good. I'm out of ammo for the TMP. I'll have to switch to my more powerful guns soon, once I run out of ammo for my Riot gun and handgun." Chris replied with a frown.
Claire tossed him some of her ammo. Chris tried to refuse, but she wouldn't hear of it.
"You're my brother. I gotta make sure you survive or I'll have nobody to nag. Just take the shotgun ammo and pistol ammo. I still have plenty of ammunition for my Uzis."
Chris shook his head and pocketed the ammo. His sister could be a pain sometimes, but she was a pain that had your back.
"Let's go."
He put up the TMP and brought out his Black-tail. They slowly continued on in the pouring rain, looking everywhere for some more of those pesky Ganados. They found not a living soul in the rest of that area. A relief of course, but not something to put their faith in.
They checked the shack and found some more ammo and a grenade. Other than that, they could move on to the next area.
"How much you want to bet that this door is locked too." Chris announced with a knowing look.
As we all know, the door was locked. The siblings brought out their grappling guns and aimed.
Claire said in her best, Alexia, mock voice, "Shall we, my dear brother?"
"Yeeees, my queen sisteeeer."
They fired and zipped quickly up the line. By now they were getting used to the quick zipping and swooshing, which was a good thing. I know I wouldn't. Zipping, whooshing, the whole flipping over thing. Not as easy as it looks. Anyhow, as they landed on the other side, they were greeted by men in the arena and on top of the wooden platform surrounding them. At first, the villagers looked at them in surprise, which is a first. They didn't expect these two to come. It was kinda awkward to tell the truth. Chris and Claire looked at each other and quickly brought out their guns again, making their introductions in the most violent way possible. Chris blew a hole in the nearest villager's stomach, delivering the first blow.
The man looked at his stomach and fell to his knees. Then what seemed like a small portian of hell, broke loose. Men threw their weopans while others tried to get close enough to rip off the Americans heads. The Redfields tried to dodge and hold their ground, but the little arena was not a very good strategic place to fight. They began to recieve blows and cuts on their body, but they never stopped fighting. Never gave up!
"We got to get out of here!" Claire yelled above the commotion.
(Riot gun cocks) BOOM! "Try to head for that nearest ladder to your right!" (Riot gun cocks again.) BOOM!
They stood back to back and began clearing the path slowly, gaining ground the more they killed. Just as they reached the ladder, a woman with a Jason mask with the dreaded chainsaw kicked the ladder down. She started the chainsaw and let out a blood thirsty scream. As they backed away, the wall across from them suddenly burst, another chainsaw woman making her untimely entrance. Except this one decided that the cloth look wrapped around her face was more stylish. And really, who would argue? Lady with a chainsaw, people!
The first chainsaw lady jumped down, and charged at the same time the other one did. It was the battle of the Bella sisters!
**R**
Leon grunted with relief as the light puzzle was completed, making his way to rescue the girls cleared at last! He approached the door a little sluggishly, all the wounds he received so far were getting him down. Although he had taken a herb a few minutes ago, he still felt a little drained.
He shook his head, and raised his gun up. Now was not the time to show any hint of weakness. He needed to be strong for the two girls in the next room. A weary, slumping hero wouldn't be encouraging to the damsels in distressed, so he straitened his posture and slowly turned the door handle. He began to open the door when suddenly, a big piece of wood was chucked at his head. He quickly dodged it and entered the rest of the way.
"For crying out loud! Stop trying to hit people with wood!"
"Get away! Take her! She's evil! She'll be of more use to you!"
"Calm down." Leon tried to calm the trembling blond while putting away his gun.
"I am not! But if you want to see evil, I'll show ya evil!"
"Ladies, I think-"
"Stay away! Both of you! Or I'll hit you with this!" Ashley said while raising another piece of wood.
Sheila stepped in front of Leon and looked at the ridicules acting girl with her hands planted on her hips.
"Will you just stop being stupid? Please! Does he look like a villager!"
Ashley slowly raised herself from the dirty floor, and studied Leon. She noticed that he didn't look like the others. But she still didn't trust him. She didn't trust anyone! Especially since the crazy red head endorsed the handsome man. In her mind, that wasn't a good thing. So, she raised the wood with wide eyes.
"I don't know what to think anymore! Just-
"It's okay. I'm a government agent of the United States. Your father sent me here to rescue you."
The panic in her eyes left as she lowered the weapon.
"My... f-father?"
"Yes, your father. We'll be out of here in no time."
Ashley burst into tears, she was so happy that she would finally get out of this nightmare... And away from HER!
Leon looked a little lost and looked at Sheila. He had a look like he suspected her for being the reason Ashley was acting this way. The teenager put on her most innocent smile. She wasn't the reason why her highness was acting wacky... Weeell, maybe she was half the reason. Heheheheeeee!
"Don't mind her. She's under a lot of stress. She even gave me a concussion when I first stepped through the door."
"Shut Up!"
"See what I mean? Any-who, I'm She-"
"Sheila. Yeah, I know. Chris and Claire wrote me, told me all about you. Glad to finally meet you in person. I'm Leon," the hottie answered as he extended his hand.
Sheila looked surprised as she shook hands with him.
_Claire and Chris... talk about meeeee? They know me? Holy mother of pearl, I'm a friend of the Redfields!_
"Are you okay?" Leon asked, he looked a little worried.
Sheila nodded and forced herself to step back from that revelation. She was a little confused. Why did Krauser lie about her knowing Leon when she apparently knew the siblings instead? Wait... Wesker! Then that means-
"After I drop you two at the extraction point and get you on the helicopter, I'm going back for them."
"Them? You mean they're here?"
"Yeah. They came looking for you when they received a heads up where you were."
Sheila's head spun at this little bit of news. This will most assuredly and drastically change the plot. Which means...
"Wait a minute! You said that you were going back for them. What happened?"
Leon looked away for a minute, sad to tell her the truth.
"Claire was kidnapped while we were on our way to get the key for this church. Chris and I tried to cross the lake to rescue her, but we were detained by an unforeseen circumstances. After I passed out, Chris went on to look for her. That was about six or seven hours ago. I was hoping they were-" Leon's voice broke, he tried to hide the emotion that was trying to break his cool, agent emotional walls.
Sheila put her hand on his shoulder and said in a encouraging voice, "Hey, they'll be alright. Those two can handle themselves. It's not your fault that it happened this way. Keep your chin up, Special Agent Leon Scott Kennedy." Sheila ended the talk with a lighter tone.
Leon looked down at the short young woman and smiled. He now knew what Claire meant by her being a sweet girl when she wants to be.
Seeing that he had completed the first part of his mission, Leon decided that it was time to contact Hunnigan.
Leon: _Got good news. I've reached the subject and the civilian. Their unharmed and appear to be unharmed._
Hunnigan:_ Good job, Leon! Have you reached the two other civilians?_
Leon: _Not yet. But I am confident I will soon. If not, I'll still complete the mission._
Hunnigan: _Good. I'll be sending the chopper at the extraction point. See you soon, Leon._
Leon: _Leon out. _
"Come on, let's get out of here."
He turned around and began to walk out the door with his gun out and ready. Sheila followed close behind the handsome blond while Ashley reluctantly followed behind the red head. The teen took quick looks around as they walked to the ladder. The so called church was creepier when you're actually there then playing the game!
Leon jumped down with ease, although he seemed to favor the broken rib he received from El Gigante. He looked up and waited.
Sheila began to step down when he said, "Don't. It'll take more time that way. Just jump and I'll catch you."
Sheila gulped. She loved heights and climbing trees and riding roller coasters, but something as simple as jumping down at that height and trusting someone to catch you was a different story. She really didn't want to waste time, but this was a little bit too much.
Ashley smiled at Sheila's discomfort. She believed that she finally spotted the younger girl's weakness.
"What's the matter? Afraid of heights?"
Sheila glared at her and pretended to step on her foot.
"Ouch!"
"Oops. My bad."
With that said, she looked down at Leon and said firmly, "You better not drop me!"
Leon gave a small smile and said confidently, "Don't worry. You can trust me... I promise."
Sheila could see the sincerity in his eyes. She knew Leon was a man of his word, so, she swallowed her fear and took a leap of faith. The air rushed through her hair as she fell. Next thing she knew, she was in a pair of hard, muscled, strong arms. He let her down gently and smiled. Sheila melted, as any warm blooded female would.
"See. Told you that you could trust me."
She smiled brightly at him and stepped back as Leon looked up at Ashley. She suddenly crossed her legs and held her hands over her skirt.
"Errrrg! You pervert!"
Leon looked embarrassed and tried to tell her he wasn't looking at her panties, but that just got Ashley even more angrier.
Sheila rolled her eyes and called up to Ashley, "Get over yourself. He isn't interested in your goods, honey. Quit wasting time!"
Ashley looked offended but complied. She landed in Leon's arms with a squeal. After getting on her feet, Leon suggested that they hurry.
They just started to run when they heard the smooth voice of the cult leader. And no, the creepy guy needs no introduction from me.
"I'll take the girls."
They stopped and looked at the purple robed, evil man.
Leon glared at the older man and sneered, "Who are you?"
"If you must know. I am Osmund Saddler, the master of this fine... religious community."
"What do you want?"
"To demonstrate to the whole world our astounding power, of course. No longer will the United States think they can police the whole world forever. So, we kidnapped the President's daughter, in order to give her our power, then send her back."
"No." Ashley said while having a short flashback. She grabbed her neck and said with a weak voice, "Leon. I think they injected something in my neck."
"Me too. Except I remember every painful moment of that disgusting experience... Thanks to you, Saddler."
Saddler seemed to be pleased at this. Sicko!
"What did you do to them?"
"We just planted in them some little gifts. Hahahahaha! There's going to be one hell of a party when they get home. But first, I'll keep both girls here for a little while longer. The red young one needs more... discipline and teaching. Ashley will stay while I ask her father for a little... donation. You'll be surprised to how much money it takes to keep this church up and running."
"Your faith and money will lead you nowhere, Saddler."
Saddler ignored him and said with a unnerving calmness, "Oh, I forgot to tell you that we gave you the same gift."
Leon looked thoughtful as he remembered that dream.
_Guess it wasn't just a dream after all. _
"While I was unconscious."
Saddler continued in that mocking voice of his, "Oh, I truly hope you enjoy our small but special contribution. When the eggs hatch, you will become my puppets. Involuntarily, you'll do as I say. I'll have total control over your little minds. Don't you agree that this is a evolutionary way of propagating one's faith."
"Sounds more like a alien invasion if you ask me."
Saddler smirked as two Ganados monks burst through the doors with crossbows, aimed at our favorite agent. Leon looked quickly at the girls and grabbed their hands, taking off for the fragile glass window.
Sheila tossed over her shoulder as they ran, "Asta lavesta, Losers!"
Leon increased his speed and hit the large stain glassed window first. The glass shattered as the agent and the two girls jumped through. Ashley's face was in a frozen mask of fear as Sheila's was set in pure, unadulterated joy. Leon hit the ground first, landing on his side with the hurt rib. He let out a low groan but quickly recovered when he saw the two girl land with less grace then he did.
"Hey, you two okay?" He asked with concern.
Both girls looked at him. Ashley with a sad face while Sheila had a "That was freaking awesome" look.
"Leon, what's going to happen to us?" Ashley asked with fear in her voice.
Leon gave her an encouraging look.
"Nothing. We'll figure something out, I promise. Now, let's get out of here."
"End of chapter two for us," Sheila squealed, gaining some strange looks.
**R**
**Back to Chris and Claire's predicament, ten minutes earlier...**
"Aaaaaaaaaaarg!" screamed the hockey masked Bella sister as she lunged forward with her chainsaw.
Claire ducked and tried to maneuver away with her brother. But each time they dodged one, another would swing and try to saw off their heads. Chris shot the cloth faced Bella in the gut, knocking the crazy female Ganado off her feet with the powerful blast from his Riot gun. He grabbed Claire's hand and rushed to the other ladder. A Ganado tried to knock down the ladder, but was stopped when Claire shot him. He fell down as the two siblings climbed the ladder.
They turned around as soon as they got up there, and saw a Bella sister climbing the ladder.
"Pay back!" Chris said while kicking the ladder down.
A male Ganado grabbed Claire from behind, trying to break her neck. Claire elbowed the villager's rib twice before he let her go, giving Chris the opportunity to blow off his head, causing another parasite to emerge. Kinda redundant of them.
They ran down the platform and jumped down on the other side. Their flight to the doors was halted by yet more stinking villagers. Claire noticed the cart with the explosive barrel in it. She didn't question why they would have a dangerous item in that cart, she was just grateful they did. She fired at the cart. BOOOOOOM! Fire and debris flew in the air along with body parts. Gruesome but oh so satisfying!
The sound of twin chainsaws were heard above their heads, alerting them to the two crazies.
"Run!" Chris shouted.
They ran with all their might and reached the dying fire that was left simmering from the explosion. Lightning struck across the pouring heavens as both Bella sisters jumped in front of them.
"Can't they take a hint?" Claire said with frustration.
As they backed away, the parasite Ganado that they left jumped a few feet behind them. Either way they looked at it, they were trapped. At one end, a parasite with a loooong tentacle with a sharp bone on the tip ready to inflict major damage, and on the other the side was the chainsaw freaks who enjoyed dismembering innocent folks. Decisions, decisions...
Claire faced the parasite as Chris face the twins. The parasite drew closer and closer while the Bella sisters revved up their chainsaws. Hockey masked Bella sister number 1 charged first, her chainsaw raised in the air. Chris grabbed his sister's hand from behind and ordered, "Duck!"
She complied. The siblings ducked at the right moment. Her chainsaw slashed the air where they just were, slicing off the tentacle that just tried to take Claire's head off. It screamed, distracting the female villager as Chris and Claire ran behind the parasite. Claire pushed the parasite in the villager's human suit toward the confused Bella sister. She let out a scream and used her chainsaw to saw through the creatures bubbly head. Brown and yellow liquid sprayed across the hockey mask as she slaughtered the parasite. An inhuman scream came from the parasite as it was being destroyed.
The second sister ran past the first sister and quickly slashed at the siblings. Her blade slashed Claire's shoulder, causing Chris to see red. He shouted and began shooting her head over and over. Soon, the only thing left was a bloody stump. No parasite popped up to say boo.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Screamed the Hockey masked Bella sister as she charged the two who killed her sister.
Claire took out her Broken Butterfly and fired. A huge hole appeared in the females abdomen. She stopped running and looked down at her wound. Blood and brown liquids poured out of her. She looked up one last time and let out a gurgling sound. Then she fell to the ground and moved no more.
They stood there alone as the rain lightened up a bit. Chris looked at Claire as she held her wounded shoulder.
"Let's go."
They left the death trap gratefully. And good riddance. Now they were in a more open area. They saw a big, old, two story house with some wood piled up on the side. A small shack was near the house, with a unlit torch in front of it. Chris motioned toward the house, and slowly approached it. A light showed through the gaps in the boarded up windows. Taking the lead, he opened the door. Holding out his gun, he resumed to check out the room. The ceiling light was on, revealing a old but somewhat clean room with a table in the middle. The place seemed to have been abandoned about a week or two ago, judging from the dust on the shelves. There was still a glass of water half empty on the table. He looked at the stairs and motioned for Claire to stay there as he went to search the rest of the house.
He slowly walked up the stairs. Each step he took made a creaking sound, making it impossible to make a stealthy entrance. But that didn't stop Chris from proceeding. With his Riot gun ready, he made his way to the top. They're was no one there, so it seemed. After quickly checking the room, he walked back downstairs.
"All clear."
He made Claire sit as he checked out her wounds. She had minor scratches and some bruises, but nothing to serious. Her shoulder wound looked worse than it did. With care, he sprayed all her wounds and gave her a piece of green herb. After putting a bandage on the shoulder wound, he took care of himself.
Claire stood up and looked around. She wondered what it was like before all these people went crazy. They had to have kids. Speaking of which, she noticed that they haven't seen a single child in her entire nightmarish stay here. She shuddered at the thought of what they could have possibly done to the children.
The door burst opened suddenly, revealing a soaked Luis with a pile of wood in his hands. He dropped his load and quickly pulled out his Red9. The Redfields had their guns out to, making an unfair number against Luis.
He smirked and said, "Drop your weopans."
"Hmmm. Let me think. You got a simple but powerful handgun while my sister has Uzis pointed at your mid torso. I myself have my Riot gun pointed at your 's three guns to your one. I think you should drop your weapon." Chris replied with a smirk of his own.
Luis's smirk turned into a full bloom smile as he walked inside the house. He looked at Claire with an appreciated glance, while holstering his gun.
"Easy, Americanos. I'm not your enemy. You can't blame me for trying to defend my little hideout."
Chris slowly lowered his gun. He gave the Spaniard a piercing look. He didn't like the way he looked over his sister. Why couldn't Claire stop growing up? Then he wouldn't have to worry about the creeps out there looking at his sister.
"And who are you?" asked a curious Claire.
He gave her one of his most charming smiles.
"Luis Sera, and you are?"
Chris stepped up and got between them, crossing his arms.
"I'm Chris, and she's Claire. Now, why don't you leave and find another spot."
"Chris! Sorry Luis, but my brother can be a little over protective of me. You must be the man Leon was tied up with."
Luis lost his smile as he grew serious.
"Leon... Is he alright?"
"Yes... I think so. We got separated a while ago."
Luis looked away and began to pick up the load he dropped. Chris helped him, all the while studying him. He seemed fidgety and nervous, much like a man hiding something.
"Are you going to start a fire? That wouldn't be wise." Chris commented.
Luis shook his head and started to act like the Luis Sera we all know and love.
"No. I was boarding up the windows when I ran out. So, I had to get more to finish. I wouldn't mind the extra hand, unless you want to question me some more."
Chris snorted and helped finish picking up the wooden boards. As the men finished the windows downstairs, Claire began gathering supplies. She liked the Spaniard. It was nice to have a guy notice ya for more than just a partner or sister. Now, if Leon could only... She shook her head and smiled. Leon seemed to pop up in her thoughts all the time these days.
Luis turned around after finishing and saw the radiant smile.
"When a beautiful woman such as yourself smiles like that, she's usually thinking of a very special man." Luis said with a wolfish smile. He hoped he was wrong.
Claire blushed just a little and said in a flirting tone, "Is that so? Maybe I am, but it's hard to think of another man when you're standing right in front of me."
Luis grinned and sauntered on over.
"So there is a guy. I'm glad I can distract you with my strong presence."
Claire smiled sweetly and gave a mocking, batting of the eyes. Luis laughed. Finally, a woman he could flirt with! The woman in red was not so giving. But the way the brother was glaring at him, he knew he better stop.
"Well baby, too bad there is another. It breaks my heart at the lost opportunity."
Claire this time laughed and continued with dividing the supplies she found in the house. Yep. Luis was definitely a joy to be around. He knew how to really flirt like a professional. But he just wasn't Le-. There she goes again!
Luis sat down at the table and propped his feet up.
"So... How do you know Leon?"
**Authors Note: Sorry this fiction is later than usual. I've been reeeeeaaaaaly busy. Anyways... I like to repeat what I said a while ago. Starting Sept. 17, I'll be subbing that week. I get one day off that week, thank goodness. I will be slower writing chapters so don't be surprised if you only see one or two chapters posted. I'll try my best to post them up. Thank you for your patience! Remember, REVIEW THIS CHAPTER! BYYYYEEEEEE!**
**Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN THE RESIDENT EVIL CHARACTERS OR THE RIGHTS TO THE GAME! PLEASE DON'T SUE! Heheheheheheeeee! I sure do wish I did, though!**
15. Chapter 14:Back to Crazy Town!
**Authors Note: Hello, my pretties! Heheheheheheheeeee! Another chapter for yooooou Resident Evil fans! Read and enjoy!... OR I'LL GET WESKER TO TRACK YOU DOWN AND, and... hmmmm. Tickle you? Okay, that was lame! LOL Naaah, I won't do that! Just sit back and enjoy yourselves. Review when you're done! Oh, and thanks for your reviews! Keep them coming! Okay, now read and enjoy!**
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**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 14: Back to Crazy town!**
Okay. So far our heroes have battled giant fish/salamander, chainsaw creeps, an El Gigante, and Los Plagas! Basically, it has been a rough day for our beloved characters. Now, Claire and Chris are holed up in a old house with Luis, while Leon has just saved our two fighting gals from the waaaay creepy church. They met Saddler and made a quick exit. That's where we left off with our hero Leon, the blond, and the red head. Let's see how they're faring.
The rain pored heavily as the three stepped outside of the church. The girls were shivering already, especially Sheila. She only had on clothes for summer, after all. She looked at Leon as he motioned to them to follow. They didn't get far when they saw about eight villagers with torches.
_"Ooookaaay... Why does their torches stay lit in the rain? Isn't that defying the laws of the universe or something? It just doesn't make since,"_ Sheila thought with nothing but calmness.
Ashley however was freaked to see the villagers. She pointed out the cart and barrels to Leon.
"Leon! Look!" Ashley said while pointing. (See?)
Sheila rolled her eyes and thought, _"Like he didn't already see that!"_
Leon, who did already see this great opportunity, was aiming at the barrel which happens to be another explosive barrel. He fired as Ashley yelled in frustration.
"I didn't mean to shoot it! I meant to Push it at the vi-"
She was interrupted by an explosion, which made the cart burst into flames and roll down the hill and kill six villagers.
"You would think they would get out of the way when a cart consumed in flames is rolling down at them," Sheila commented.
Leon slightly smiled. But the smile vanished as he saw two villagers running toward them. One had a torch (that remained unfazed by the rain!) while the other had his trusty pitchfork. Leon told the girls to back up while he took care of this. Ashley listened, but Sheila only took one step back. She reeaaally wanted to see this! What gamer wouldn't? The curious teen wandered if he was as good when she isn't playing him on the game.
Leon didn't have time to order her back again since he had to fire at the crazy Ganados coming his way. He shot the pitchfork guy in the knees which made the man fall comically on his face. The other one stopped and put the torch in front of his face and took a deep breath. Sheila always wandered how they could make the flames shoot out at you in the game. She seen people do that with liquor in their mouth and then spray it at the flames, which made the same results. But these people didn't do that. Huh, oh well.
Just as the man released his breath and blew, Leon shot the man in the eye which caused him to jerk and stupidly set his clothes on fire. He screamed and ran around in a circle. Sheila smiled. That wasn't quite in the game, but it was still funny how he ran around in the circles, shouting curses in Spanish.
Leon had pity on the Ganado and quickly dispatched him with another shot. Meanwhile, the pitchfork guy had abandoned his weapon and decided to take matters in his own hands. He appeared out of the blue and grabbed Leon by the throat with both hands, and started to choke him while his red eyes shined with blood lust. Sheila saw her hero being choked and quickly came to his aid. Getting down on her knees, she leaned in and bit the villager's ankle.
"Ayyyyyyyyyeeee!," the villager cried out in pain.
He dropped Leon and tried to kick her off. She held on like a leach while Leon fired off three shots, hitting the man in the head. The head of course exploded, revealing the parasite. Sheila let go and couldn't stop staring at the disgusting site. The creature was the ugliest thing she ever saw in person. Uglier then Saddler!
Leon grabbed her and dragged her away just as the bony tentacle swooped down to slice her face open. He fired at the creature as he pulled her back three more feet. The 9mm bullets only seemed to make it more angry, the tentacle flailing wildy at them. Leon quickly holstered his gun and brought out his trusty shotgun. He fired once, the parasite stumbled back clutching its damaged... head? He fired a second time, which proved useful by blowing the freaky parasite head/thing away. The body took two more steps before it fell to the ground, dissolving away.
Sheila got up from the muddy ground and looked at Leon. He quickly examined her to see if she was hurt.
"Leon, it's alright. I'm fine, except for the blood and pieces of that guy's head on me. But hey, at least the rain is washing that away."
"Don't ever try to risk your life like that again! You could of been ki-"
"Oh! That's the thanks I get for saving your sorry butt, hmmmmm! You so needed my help, buddy boy!"
"I was fine. I had my gun!" Leon said with a offended look.
"As much as it is fun to see you yell at Nunya, can you do this later! This is not the time for petty fights!"
Leon and Sheila looked embarrassed at their squabbling.
Looking at Sheila, Leon sighed and said, "She's right. Now is not the time or place for this. Let's go."
"Yeah, I concure. Besides, I'm freezing my butt off here."
They quickly left the graveyard and ran down to the secret passage that lead to the village. After climbing down the ladder, Leon looked curiously at Ashley.
"You called her Nunya back there. Why?," Questioned Leon.
"That's her name... Well, I think it's her other name," Ashley said, remembering Leon calling her Sheila.
The amused teen held back her laughter. Leon noticed this of course, and said while looking Sheila in the eye, "Nunya means None-of-your-Business."
Ashley looked embarrassed. She gave Sheila yet another shooting daggers glare, obviously trying to think of a way to get back at her. The unrepentant girl smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
"Hey, it's not my fault that went above your head."
Leon tried to give her a glare, but it turned out to be a half glare/smile. Ashley looked extremely offended. Sheila wanted to enjoy the slightly older girl's reaction, but knew that their mutual dislike of one another was making things more difficult. So, she decided to try to make amends. Their lives were on the line, it wouldn't do any good to be at each others throat when danger lurked at every corner.
"Don't take it personally. I was just joking. Okay?"
Ashley snorted and walked down the tunnel. Sheila sighed and looked at Leon.
"I don't know what went on back at the church, but what ever happened, please don't make it worse," Leon said with a pleading look in his eyes.
Sheila sighed and replied, "I don't know. My mouth has a mind of its own. If she starts, I'll be the one who finishes... Oh for Pete's sake, lighten up! Can't you tell when I'm kidding? I'll be as good as I can. But watch out! The crazy me will find her way out!"
Leon sighed and walked down the passage. This was going to be a long night.
**R**
Chris continued to stare at the Spaniard before him. He was just one of those guys that Chris couldn't stand! Well, maybe he would have liked him before he flirted with his sister. Now, he wanted to strangle the creep.
_Look at him. He knows I'm ready to tear him a new one. Giving my sister those heated looks! And she isn't helping! Flirting right back at him, batting those long eyelashes... That's right creep, look over here. I got a nice present for you._
Chris had his Rambo knife out and was sharpening it, taking his time. He gave Luis a crazy smile. Time to pull out the old hunting stories and the fly bit.
Chris sliced the knife in the air and said with a fake happy voice, "Yes! Did you see that! Just circumcised a fly. Heh. This knife has seen a lot of murder- heh, almost let it slip. Action."
Claire rolled her eyes. He's doing that thing Rocky taught him with the fly bit. Unfortunately, Sheila's father had taught her already gun ho brother some new tricks in getting rid interested males. Rocky was a professional with that. He did it with his own sisters and daughters.
_Mental note: Tell Sheila that her dad needs to stop shaping Chris into his own immage. He reeeaaally doesn't need the info. My brother's crazy enough as it is! _
Luis looked a little creep-ed out, but at the same time, amused. He could tell that Chris really loved his sister and would do anything to protect her. He liked that quality in him. It showed that the glaring man had strength of character.
Chris continued with his macho act.
"If we survive this, let's go hunting. You do like hunting?"
"Yes. I used to hunt all over this area with my father," Luis answered with a charming smile.
"That's great, great. Of course I have to warn ya," Chris said with complete seriousness.
_"Oh no! Not the hunting bit!" _Claire thought with embarrassment.
"The friends of Claire's I take hunting usually get lost... And never come back. Heh. Isn't that tragic? We've never found the bodies - I mean the unlucky men."
Luis began to stare at him like he really has went insane. Claire scowled, smacking Chris beside his head. She sometimes thought that they couldn't possibly be related. She stood up and walked over to the window and peered through one of the cracks, thinking of Leon, Sheila, and what lays ahead of them.
Chris gave Luis a evil look, and put his thumb to his throat and gave a slicing mime. Luis definitely got the hint. Not that he really needed it, he knew she was interested in someone else. She didn't seem the type of person who would jump the next guy just because the other guy hasn't paid any attention to her. She seemed loyal.
Satisfied, Chris went back to sharpening his knife. He felt like he made his point. Now, he only had to interrogate Leon if he decided to make a move. Heh. He's going to have measure up to Chris's expectations. And the odds of any man (including Kennedy) was not good.
"Turn off the lights!" Claire hissed.
Luis quickly got up on the chair he was sitting on and blew out the ceiling lamp. Chris was already upstairs doing the same. Quietly, the Spaniard made his way to Claire's side.
"What is it?," he whispered.
She motioned with her head for him to see for himself. He looked through the crack. In the distance, he spotted some villagers walking on the bridge. There was twenty of them, some were holding torches. His stomach tightened at the sight.
_"Please don't be looking for me!" _he thought with growing fear.
If they were looking for him, they would search this house from top to bottom, tearing everything apart to find him. After all, he removed the parasite from his body, and knows the exact location where the specimen of the special parasite was. In his pocket.
As they drew closer, he readied his gun, Claire doing the same. The Ganados didn't seem to be in any hurry. In fact, they just looked exuasted and tired from the rain. He could hear one of them faintly argue with what appeared to be the group leader. Luis translated in a soft voice what the men were saying.
"The man who is arguing with the group leader is saying that they need to rest and stay inside the house till the rain has stopped. The leader disagrees, telling them that they need to follow Mendez's orders and continue to the sky lifts. They have to get into position and wait for the agent and the two girls to pass through... They don't have time to rest. Now more men are arguing that they should at least wait inside until the rain lessons... I can't hear the rest, he's talking to low. Sh-t, there getting closer! Get ready!"
Luis backed up to the table and prepared for the entrance of the villagers. Claire stepped up on the first step of the stairs and waited with her Uzis. Chris sneaked down with his Riot gun and stood by his sister. They waited in the tense silence. The villagers footsteps stopped near the door, arguing yet again. Luis felt a bead of sweat drip down his nose, he didn't bother wiping it away. All three of them could hear their heartbeats. It was deafening. The voices raised as the door began to open. They could faintly see the out line of a villager's arm as he had the door part way opened. They could hear the argument more clearly.
Chris and Claire could catch a phrase or two and could definatly hear the cursing. The villager finally closed the door, leaving with the other villagers toward the switch that opened one of two paths. They switched the lever to the right, closing the one that Claire and Chris came from.
When the mob left, they all let out a collected sigh of relief. They re-lit the ceiling lamps and sat down around the table.
Claire tensed and broke the silence, "What if they went down the path that we just cleared of their buddies?"
Chris looked at her with apprehension. Luis soon eased their fears.
"Don't worry. They took the other path."
"And how do you know this?" Chris asked with a bit of irritation in his voice.
Luis smiled and explained, "The path you two came out of was opened, si?" They both nodded. Luis continued, "Well, there is two paths. The left one that you came out of was unlocked. The locks are usually a gate that shuts down over the door, preventing anything coming out or in. There is a lever that switches the left door or right door locks. The lever was pointed left when you came here, therefore your door was unlocked. That grinding sound was the gears turning, opening the other door and shutting the gate over yours."
Chris gave a nod and said simply, "Ooooh."
**R**
After Leon was finished buying and selling to the merchant, he thanked him and nodded goodbye to the helpful man.
"Ah, Stranger. Wait. I forgot to give you the prize you earned for shooting all the blue medallions."
Leon turned around and approached the merchant curiously. Sheila smiled. She was happy that the medallion game was still in this crazy twist of reality.
"As I promised, I got a special prize. This is a new prototype of a pistol I've been working on. ZombieKler bought one for his sister, so she can vouch for me on the quality of the weapon. It isn't the strongest yet, the one I'm giving ya, but when you upgrade it, you'll see that it was worth the price. It's called the Punisher! It's bullet can shoot through two enemies at once!," the merchant said proudly.
Leon nodded and tried not to smile. It sounded like he was trying to scam him into spending more money.
"Thanks, but no thanks. I'm happy with what I got."
The merchant didn't seem angry or surprised, he just smiled behind his scarf and replied, "Did I mention that this is a prize and on the house?"
Leon smiled despite of himself. This guy was persistent. Well, it didn't hurt to have an extra gun.
"Ooooo! Can I have it, Leon? You already got one and I would feel better if I could defend myself when you won't be able to do so," Sheila said with a light shining in her eyes. Although she preferred the Black-tail in the game, the Punisher wasn't a bad gun to have when you're actually weaponless.
"No! Absaloutly not!" Leon said in a stern voice.
"But Leon! I-"
"I said no! Do you even know how to use a gun?" Leon asked with intensity.
Sheila put her hands on her hips and replied, "My family is from Montana, where ya gotta learn how to shoot for food and protection from wild animals! I come from a long line of women and men who used a gun since they were-"
"I didn't ask about them, I asked about you."
Sheila pouted. No, her parents never took her hunting. She was the ONLY one in her family that never has hunted a animal before. Her parents just were too busy to take her. Now, their bodies were too out of whack to hunt anymore to go. Sometimes, it sucked to be the youngest child.
"I'll take your silence as a no. So no, you can't." Leon said with triumph.
"Oh come on, Stranger! It's dangerous out there and you know it. It's hard enough to take care of yourself against Saddler's men, but with two defenseless lasses, tsk, tsk. You better give them a quick lesson while you have the chance," the merchant said passionately.
Leon scowled and grabbed the Punisher from the merchant. He looked at the excited teen, and finally gave her the gun. He stood behind her and began giving her a quick Thoreau lesson about guns. Sheila listened carefully, holding the gun the proper way like Leon said.
After delivering his quick lesson that covered all the basics, Leon finished by saying, "And this little thingy right here is the safety. You flip it to turn off so you can fire the weapon. Make sure the safety is off when you are up against a enemy. And make sure you turn the safety back on when you put it in your waist band, you don't want to shoot yourself before we leave this place."
Sheila smiled and made sure the saftey was on and put the cold, hard, somewhat heavy gun in her waist band. Leon turned to Ashley and offered to show her the same thing.
"No way! I want nothing to do with guns! I'll probably shoot my foot off if I try." Ashley said with a vehement shaking of her head.
Leon nodded, and seemed somewhat relieved to hear that. He knew the President would have something to say about his daughter handling a gun. That's what he was there for.
"Alright lass! Your gun is full of ammo, so don't worry about loading it right now. Here, take these ammo clips. They're on the house for only you my dear," the merchant said with a smile.
Sheila smiled as Leon grumbled something about beautiful women getting stuff free all the time. As they left, they heard the trade mark saying, "Come back any time!"
**R**
"I'm pleased that you decided to contribute to the new Umbrella. I'll be looking forward to meeting you in person in a few weeks. By then, we'll have some new experiments started for you to see," Wesker said to the old, graying, wrinkled man on the screen.
The man wore an expensive suit which didn't flatter him that much. He was just one of those people who's body types were shaped like an ape with no neck. But Wesker didn't judge good business by looks, no, he judged by their loyalty, brains, and their wallets. This man was perfect for a contributor. He was easy to control and manipulate. Like a sheep, he would believe anything Wesker said as long as he felt he was an important part of the decision process. The cunning blond had this guy along with more greedy men eating out of the palm of his hand.
"I'll be looking forward to the visit of this new Umbrella base. This time, I sincerily hope that this corporation will not be run into the ground like the previous owners. Be looking forward to meeting you in person, Mr. Wesker," said the aging tycoon.
Wesker gave a small smile and nodded his head. He cut off the satellite feed and typed in the info to lock on to his next target. An image of Leon and the two girls slowly walking out of the stone building greeted his curious eyes. He frowned slightly, not pleased to see that Leon was still alive. He had hoped that the giant would have killed the troublesome agent, but like all immature experiments, the creature failed. He had to hand it to Leon yet again, he had superb survival skills and luck on his side. But that didn't change the possible damage this individual could cause. Especially if he reunites with the Redfield siblings.
He punched in another code, and soon a different image appeared on his screen. The house that his enemies and Luis were staying appeared on the multiple flat screen images. Moments ago, he saw a troop of villagers pass by without detecting the trio inside. Another case of luck perhaps. Although he was relieved to see that the former scientist was not discovered, he wouldn't have minded that the siblings would have had to fight for their lives again. That always brightened up his moods. Especially the mood he was in right now. Ada still has not made it to the house to retrieve the sample. If the Spaniard had the sample. He had began to wander if the Spaniard had lied when he made contact with him by the satellite phone hours ago. He wouldn't be surprised if he did lie...
What really made him displeased was that Luis was shacked up with the meddlesome Redfields at the moment. Would the coward spill his guts?... No, not yet. He doesn't trust too easily. But Ada will have to hurry up, Claire was just one of those trustful people that could get a tight clam to confess all its sins. She made everyone at ease. According to his files, that really helped her in her work.
He moved his skilled gloved fingers across the buttons and punched in more codes for the satellite. Ada appeared on his screens. It showed her fighting off more villagers, as usual. He was tempted to distract her with a call, just to see her fight harder, but did not in the end. He couldn't afford to lose his spy just because he wanted to sate his sick sense of humor. That would come later... With Chris.
**R**
Being back in the at night was admittedly spooky. While during the day, the visual aspect of place seemed more run down and a trip back in time, at night it represented the perfect picture of a ghost town. Despite the bad memory of what happened during the day light hours, Leon found himself preferring that then to the darkness that cloaked unseen enemies.
The rain was really coming down hard, making it hard to see what little his flashlight or the torches revealed. The girls were both unusually silent behind him, both keeping close to their guardian as he led them slowly to the house where he found Chris and Claire holed up earlier that day. Nothing seemed safe.
Leon opened the door and quickly stepped inside, the girls followed, eager to get out of the rain and the unknown. The scorch marks and bullet casings on the floor told the story of a intense battle, one that even Sheila was glad she wasn't apart of. The agent quickly motioned toward the sturdy, medal door. The girls looked at each other with nervousness. They already were tired of small rooms. Being stuck in that creepy church was enough. But their choices were limited, and Leon was the leader of this little rescue mission. So they quietly obeyed as Leon went back out into the storm.
His body was tense, ready to strike at anything that came near. As he neared the path to the farm, he heard a Ganado shout out the alarm, notifying where Leon was. He smiled and darted back to the tower, waiting for them to come. Soon, villagers appeared from the path as others jumped down from the two story house that he earlier found the shotgun in. A dirty old woman got to him first, her red eyes glowing in the eerie darkness. Her knee caps were the first to go to her dismay. Then a well earned kick sent falling flat on her back. Two more villagers appeared and tried to hack him to pieces, but failed as Leon blew out their eye sockets, blinding them.
He kicked them as the female villager stood back up unsteadily, and tried to stab him with her kitchen knife. He grabbed her wrist while two more villagers appeared behind her to help. The agent turned the female Ganado around and kicked her toward them while taking the knife from her grasp. The three Ganados fell, giving Leon the chance to flee from the tower. He made it inside the house safely where the girls were, and quickly shut the door. Noticing the small dresser, he quickly pushed it in front of the door and stepped back as the villagers began to try to hack the door to pieces. It wouldn't be long before they broke in.
Leon readied his gun and waited patiently for the villagers to cut a hole in the door.
_Come on, almost there.._
An axe blade cut through the wooden boards at last, revealing an angry villager with only one thing on the brain. Kill the intruder.
Leon smiled and said, "Hello," and fired at the man.
The bullet went through the man's skull, blood and brains gushing out the back of his wounded head. He cried out and stumbled backwards, covering his wound. But the remaining villagers ignored their fellow Ganado and continued to try to break in. Every time a villager came into view, Leon shot them from his man made peephole. He killed about three villagers this way.
The remaining five backed away, for once thinking on their next plan of action. Four turned and looked at the villager with the nasty head shot with calculaiting eyes. This gave Leon the oppertunity to reload.
_"So far, so good," _he thought to himself.
Leon waited patiently for the next attack. Nothing happened. Taking the chance of injury, he drew closer to the hole and took a peep. What he saw made no sense and was completely bizarre. The villagers were each stabbing one of their own in the head.
_"What the hell? Are they insane?... Okay, that was a stupid question," _Leon thought with unease.
The victim screamed one last time before his head exploded, revealing the disgusting, bubbly puss pocket parasite.
"Oh crap! So that's why they turned on the poor guy," Leon said with disgust.
He holstered his handgun and brought out his shotgun. He back away as the parasite rammed the door, breaking it into pieces. The tentacle whipped towards Leon as villagers piled inside, laughing with a new sense of confidence. Leon dodged and resumed shooting, blowing chunks of villagers all over the already stained floor. He killed three without their parasites emerging, but the other two appeared just as quickly as the other one did.
Leon cursed as he dodged the razor blades of the Los Plagas. He fired at there heads, but only succeeded to anger the creatures. Sheila heard the trouble Leon was having in the next room and decided to take a peek, worried for the real life agent. She nibbled on her lower lip as she watched Leon dodging and shooting at the parasites. The teen shivered. This was reeeaaaaaly bad.
She saw Leon finally land a killer shot at one Plagas, causing blood, puss, and gore to splatter as the parasite exploded. But the other two were far from being killed like their brethren. They finally cornered Leon, causing him to desperately fire at at any part of their body human hosts bodies. This slowed them down, but unfortunately did not kill them.
The sound of empty clicking was heard. Leon let out a loud curse as he realized that he was running on empty at the worst possible time. He tried to reload, but couldn't since the Plagas was trying to make him into chopped liver. It didn't take a rocket scientist to know that the handsome agent was in dire trouble.
Despite what the game character had told her, Sheila knew that she would have to risk her life for the struggling agent. With dramatic flare, she opened the door and squeezed the trigger, blindly shooting at the Plagas. They all turned around as three of her five shots hit them in the back. Her pleased smiled vanished as the slimy creeps turned their deadly attention on herself.
She cried out as they were slowly coming toward her, "Leon! Use your flash grenade!"
The agent unclasped the flash grenade from his utility belt and through it at them, jumping outside to get of the blast range. Sheila closed the door just as the flash brightened up the room. The shrieking outside the door was like the finest symphony to her ears. She pictured their heads exploding from the flash. Once it was silent, she slowly opened the door, smiling at the greusome sight. The headless bodies were melting, leaving behind nothing as the goo evaporated.
_"Huh. Guess reality is mimicking the game. Cool and... very nasty. I wander if I'm going to need therapy after this?" _Sheila thought with a frown.
Leon walked in the door and looked at the sight in disbelief. It worked! He couldn't believe that the flash grenade actually worked. He looked at Sheila in wonderment.
"How did you know that would work?," Leon asked with awe.
She just shrugged her shoulders and replied, "Uuuh. I just told you to do that so the flash could distract them while you got out of the way. The whole dying part was a added bonus, I guess."
She didn't want to lie, so she told him only half of the story. By the look on his face, he believed her.
He checked around outside to see if anymore freaks would show up. None did. Satisfied, he called out, "The coast is clear. But keep a look out, you never know what these people will do next."
The girls followed their fearless leader as he began to lead them out of the village through the rain. As they walked up the path that would get them out of the main part of Pueblo, Ashley stumbled and bumped into Leon. The agent slipped in the slick mud and fall flat on his back. A bear-trap went off beside his head as he bumped barely brushed up against it. Eyes wide, he looked at the trap that nearly ended his life and took a deep breath.
_"That was a close one," _he thought with a shudder.
Ashley apologised for her clumsiness and helped him back up. He didn't look too pleased at almost dying because of the clumsiness of a 20 year old, but he kept any ill will to himself and patted her shoulder, telling her to not to worry about it.
With the death experience out of the way, he turned around and studied the wet earth. He could make out two more bear-traps half buried in the mud. Aiming his handgun carefully, he shot each one of them which tripped the deadly jaws of the carefully set traps. After searching the ground for more, he motioned for two to keep moving. As they neared the doors, he saw more traps in the mud. And among the bear trap was a lone villager, guarding door. The light from his torch revealed the escaping trio's presence. Curling his lips, the Ganado ran toward them with as much as ferocity as a lion would. Leon didn't seem worried about the local. He just stood there quietly and waited for the villager to be close enough to see the whites of his eyes before doing anything. Then he struck quickly as a viper.
Leon kicked the man in the mouth, causing him to stumble into one of his own traps. The beartrap clamped around the calf of his leg, tearing into flesh and bone. The man stood there screaming and cursing at Leon, holding on to the injured limb as he dropped his torch. With slow measured steps, the agent walked up to the villager and punched him across his jaw. The screaming man fell flat on his back, tripping another bear trap. The trap clamped around his head, crushing the human skull. The man began to gurgle and twitch, his body jerking around. After a last gasp of air, he died and melted away.
Leon turned around to check on the girls. Ashley covered her mouth like she was going to be sick, Sheila just looked at him with an open mouth. He felt a pang of guilt at what the two had to witness, neither ever having experience this kind of horror before. He knew this had to be traumatic for them, so he tried his best to console them.
But Sheila interupted him by saying, "That was the most coolest way of not wasting ammo! I call that a flawless victory!"
She quoted one of her favorite games, 'Mortal Kombat'. Ashley uncovered her mouth and looked at the teen with fear and disgust. Leon on the other hand, was completely speechless.
"What? Oh, come on! That was so cool! I mean, too bad for the guy and all, but still. Leon, you got some skills!," she said with a smile for her hero.
Leon started to smile in response. The girl was different, but in a cute way.
"Thanks. Let's get moving," he said with total professionalism.
Sheila grinned as Ashley quickly passed her with a worried look.
"Guess I'm the only one who appreciates a good fatality," she said with a smile.
**Authors Note: Wheeew! Finally I'm done with this chapter. I hope you enjoy this chapter! Sorry it took a little longer than I expected. But that's the way it goes sometimes! Review!**
16. Chapter 15:Night of the Living DeaErr
**Authors Note: Thanks for aaaaaall the reviews! ME SO HAPPY! Okey dokey, this chapter will contain the usual. You know... Gore, blood, heads being blown off, the usual day of a Resident Evil character. Enjoy everyone!**
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 15: Oh no! The Night of the Living Dea-Err.. Ganados?**
"Can't wait for this rain to stop," Sheila said with chattering teeth.
They were standing before the large double doors that would lead them out of the creepy farm. Sheila never liked this place, even when she was playing the game safely in her room, she couldn't stand it. It was always was a little too creepy to her. Perhaps because it reminded her of a movie she once saw. Shaking herself from her annoying thoughts, she looked at Leon as he tried unsuccessfully to open the doors.
"D-mn! Locked," he said with frustration.
The rain didn't relent with its harsh ways, making the silver lining in their dark mood almost invisible. Leon looked at his young charges, and sighed. He hated to ask, but there was only one way to the extraction point.
"I need one of you to climb over the door and unlock the door for me," said Leon.
The girls looked at each other, and then back at Leon. His feelings on the subject clearly written on his expressive face. But he didn't know that there was nothing to worry about. Sheila new that it would be safe, that whoever climbed over the large barricade would not be hurt. But she was a little shy to volunteering. It would require using poor Leon as a step ladder. Then again, she didn't want the older girl to think she was weak in any way. That would only give the _Princess _ammunition against her in the future.
_Speaking of her Royal Blondness, why wasn't she volunteering? She was more then happy to do it in the game._
"Eeeeerm. I guess I can-" Sheila began to say, but was quickly cut off by Ashley.
"I'll do it. As long as it's safe," Ashley said with uncertainty.
Leon shrugged,"It's not any safer beyond the gate than it is here. Either way, we got to get out of here."
Ashley hesitated and looked at Sheila.
Gathering her courage, the red head spoke with confidence, "I'll do it... But if I break your spine, don't sue."
Leon chuckled, shaking his head. Feeling embarrassed and disliking the attention the weirdo was receiving, she decided to perform this small act..
"No. I said I would do it, so I will go through with it."
Sheila shrugged and smiled. Frankly, she just wanted to get out of the rain and get inside that house was coming up.
Ashley walked up to Leon as he knelt. She awkwardly climbed on top of him, then balanced herself as Leon stood up, holding her feet with a tight grip. He grunted as Ashley just stood on his shoulders for a few seconds. He gritted his teeth, patience running thin as the cold and rain weakened with each passing minute. When he decide to ask what the hold up was, she finally moved. Hoisting herself up on top of the wooden gate, she sat and looked down. The drop wasn't too bacd, but it was enough to give her pause. Biting her lip, Ashley finally dropped, disappearing on the other side. Three seconds later, Leon heard her voice telling him that the door was opened. He turned and smiled at Sheila, giving her a thumbs up before opening the large gate. With leaving behind some horrors behind and closer to their goal, their mood felt lighter. But only one of them knew that their long journey's end to safety would not be reached that night.
Up ahead, a torch appeared with a flickering blue flame.
They quickly ran to the Merchant, who seemed unaffected by the rain. His red eyes looked at the three soaked Americans with slight pity at the sopping sight they made. Leon, with his bandaged arm and his shirt torn where the Plagas sliced him, looked the worst. The other two at least were unharmed. The elements the only thing effecting their young bodies. Too bad he didn't have rain coats to sail.
"What are ya buying?," he asked the usual question.
Leon took out his gold pesetas and bought a first-aid spray and another tune up for his shotgun. After that, the merchant turned to Sheila and asked her if she wanted a tune up as well. She sighed, and sadly showed what little pesetas she collected in the house she and Ashley had hid during Leon's little Ganado battle. He smiled affectionately, (though yet again his face wear didn't reveal the kind expression) and told that she had enough for an upgrade for her gun, or some ammo and first aid kits. She chose the upgrade for her gun, of course. After a few quick adjustments, her gun was a bit more powerful and faster, giving her the extra edge for future shoot outs. She smiled and waved goodbye to the merchant as they started to cross the old bridge.
Leon stopped, his radio signaling him of a incoming call. He answered it with dread. If Hunningan was contacting him now while he was busy trying to escape with the girls, then something had to be wrong.
Hunnigan: _Leon, I got some bad news._
Leon: _Not now, Hunnigan. Now is not a good time._
Hunnigan: _Well, I'm afraid I have to tell you anyway. We've lost contact with the chopper. Someone must have shot it down, though we can't determine who._
Leon: _Great..._
Hunnigan: _We're preparing another chopper for you. Meanwhile, I want you to head towards the extraction point as planned._
Leon: _Got it._
Leon holstered his radio and gave the girls a reassuring smile. It didn't fool them. If one chopper couldn't make it through, then the chances of the other slipping under Saddler's radar was slim.
"Don't worry. We'll get out of here, I promise."
Leon's little promise was empty, and they all knew it. But the determination behind it did inspire some faith in the agent. One way or another, he would get them away from this nightmare.
They ran across the rest of the bridge with uneasiness. As they reached the other side, they heard shouting behind them. They turned and saw over thirty villagers with torches, standing just beyond the bridge. Ashley began to panic and looked at Leon with growing wide eyed fear.
"What are we going to do, Leon?," Ashley asked with wide eyes.
Leon grunted and looked at the girls before him, then back at the mob. "Looks like we're sand-witched, alright. Come on, we have to get in the house."
They followed Leon without question, Sheila the only one who knew what was to come. Both girls burst through the door, tripping over one another. Leon was busy looking for something to block the door when they heard from behind them, "Leon, catch."
Leon caught the board in mid air and used it as a temporary lock for the door. Sheila quickly shoved Ashley off of her, wiping off the dirt of her soaked clothes. She couldn't help but smile at the handsome Spaniard.
Luis noticed this and returned her smile while striding forward. "Glad to see me, friend?"
Leon grunted, still trying to decide if it was a good thing to have the questionable man in the same proximity. . He opened his mouth to say something, but was stopped at the sight of two familiar faces. Claire and Chris were walking down the stairs with relieved looks on their faces.
"Claire! Chris!," he said with relief in his voice.
"Leon!," they both said in unison.
Sheila looked around and replied, "Spongebob!"
They all gave her a odd look. It was becoming a repeating occurrence every time she opened her mouth.
"What? Haven't you watched that episode- Ooof!," She didn't even get to finish because Claire and Chris were hugging the living daylights out of her.
"Sheila! You're safe and sound! We were so worried about you," Claire said while still hugging her. Chris didn't say anything as he held on to two of his girls.
"Uuuh. Could you let go. I... can't... breath," she said with difficulty.
They both released her with grins plastered on their faces. Leon smiled as he joined them, touched by the happy reunion. It was nice to see that everyone was still alive.
Luis tore his gaze from the scene, and smirked at the quiet Ashley Graham.
"And you must be the lovely President's daughter. Nice to see he equipped his daughter with ballistics too," he said in his usual flirtatious voice.
Ashley herumphed and crossed her arms, replying, "How rude! I don't belive that my figure has anything to do with my standing! Who are you?"
Luis backed off and bowed as he replied, "Excuse me, your highness. I didn't mean to offend. You should really introduce yourself before demanding name's of strangers."
She narrowed her eyes and responded with an offended tone, "The name's Ashley Graham. And you are?"
Luis nodded and said while turning and looking at the short red head, "Luis Sera... Who is this vision of beauty?"
The red head blushed at the charming smile sent her way.
Chris glared as Sheila bashfully smiled and replied, "My name's Sheila... Nice to see a charming man around these parts. So far, I've received a rude welcome from the locals."
Luis chuckled as he responded with a comment of his own, "The men around here do not know how to treat a classy lady such as yourself. Not with the treatment that you deserve. They all can't be like me. After all, I am on of a kind."
Sheila laughed and gave him her cutest smile. Leon looked a little peeved like Chris and decided that it was time to get down to business.
"Alright. Enough with the flirting. We got a bunch of Villagers heading this way. Let's get prepared for their onslaught."
Luis grew serious and started to help the guys with moving the shelves in front of the windows. He looked at Leon while pushing one of the shelves. "The girls. They're not like.. well, you know. One of them?"
Leon shook his head and confidently replied, "No. They're cool."
Just then, they heard shouting and banging on the door and the windows. Looks like the mob was ready to rumble.
Chris grimly ordered, "Ashley, Sheila, go upstairs and hide. We'll take care of this."
The girls didn't have to be told twice, both speeding up the stairs. Sheila looked around for a hiding spot. To her annoyance, there was nothing but the wooden Armoir thingy. And Ashley was already getting in it... Juuuust great. She ran over and joined her while closing the doors. Taking out her gun, she sat silently in the dark, next to the trembling Ashley.
"This is my hiding spot! Find your own!," Ashley said with irritation.
Sheila pinched the girl's arm and said with a calm voice, "There ain't another place for me to hide. Besides, I think it's a stupid of you to order around the gal who has the gun!"
Ashley let out a angry sigh and said no more.
Meanwhile downstairs...
"Okay. Game time," said Luis with his red-nine ready.
The wracket grew worse as the shelves shook from the vibrations of the numerous pounding fists. Luis was in the same position as he starts off in the game, and Leon was pointing at the bookshelf at the other side of the room with his shotgun. Chris had turned over the table and pushed it against the bookshelf that was next to the metal door, waiting with his Riot gun ready and aimed at that window. Claire was on the bottom of the stairs, guarding it from anything that would try to get up there. Her Uzis ready for some action.
The shelf across from the stairs was breached first. Luis aimed while Chris got down on his knees to avoid being shot, his gun aimed in the same direction. They both opened fire as villagers tried to pour through. As they fired, the bookshelf with the table was breached too, directing fire from Luis while Chris took care of the other windows. The remaining obstacle was breached, leaving Leon busily firing away.
The gunshots were deafening as everyone fired. Claire was just as busy as the others, taking care of any Ganado who would slip inside and tried to grab the guys. Everything seemed to go well for the team, until they heard the upstairs windows break. Luis looked up at the ceiling.
"Head upstairs! They're trying to come through the windows!," Luis alerted the others.
With much toil, they all trampled upstairs. Already, the villagers were climbing up the ladders poking through the windows. Claire began pushing the ladders down as the three men tried to shoot the mob that was rushing up the stairs. Soon, despite of their efforts, the room was full of Ganados. Claire tried to keep up with the ladders, but there was so many of those cursed villagers playing backup with the ladders. She growled as she finally threw a grenade down to greet them. Cries were heard as the explosion took a chunk of the villagers out. But sadly, it only made a tiny dent in the mob down below.
"Sh-t!," cried out Luis as a villager hoisted him in the air, chocking him.
Chris snapped the man's neck quickly, patting Luis on the back.
"Thanks Chris," he offered gratefully while shooting more of the villagers.
Chris smiled and continued to fire away. Blood covered the four as they shot villager after villager. Soon, heads burst, revealing the parasites. Tentacle wailed around, slicing up the four as they tried eliminating the monsters.
All together, there was four of the nusiences. Claire cried out as a pick axe sliced up her calf from a dying villager on the floor. Leon looked angry at this as he dodged a parasite's tentacle. Another villager grabbed Chris from behind, holding him for the parasites to kill.
"Enough of this!," Leon cried out as he yanked the pin from a flash grenade's.
He threw it on the floor and stepped back as the flash went off. Screams from the parasites and the villagers could be heard above all the commotion. Slime and gore sprayed everywhere as the lifeless bodies that the Plagas had emerged from fell to the ground. All the villagers covered their eyes and groaned in pain.
Chris and the others took this opportunity to shoot, kick, you name it, they did it. They killed with a new sense of fury. Luis passed out ammo when one would have to reload as everyone stood back to back. Together, they were like a well oiled machine of destruction. They blew holes in stomachs and heads as they slowly gained the advantage against the hoard.
Luis joked with Leon as he killed a parasite, "I thought I said you could envite only fifty people!"
Leon smirked and fired at a villager who ran toward him with a pick axe raised.
"Yeah, well, I thought you could use the excitement."
A six inch hole appeared where Leon's shotgun obliterated the Ganado's stomach area. The villager looked down and had a comical look on his face as he fell down into a puddle of goo and evaporated. D-mn satisfying!
Claire delivered a karate kick to a villager who just climbed into the window. He fell out the window with a scream, falling on five villagers. She smirked and dropped a fire grenade down on the idiots. They screamed as they ran around in circles, setting a few of their buddies on fire. She then turned her attention to a parasite that was heading toward the men. The guys were in a tight circle with their backs up against each other. She ran up behind the creature, dodging the tentacle and hacked away at the base of the slimy, deadly appendage. It screamed as she succeeded, putting it's human hands where the tentacle was once was. With a smile, she stabbed it in its puss filled head until it exploded all over her face.
"Eeeeew!," she whined with disgust.
Angry with the utter yuckiness that covered her pretty face, she turned around and shot all the villagers that came upstairs. Finally, after what seemed like ages, the Ganados retreated and ran back down the stairs, leaving the same way they came in from. Luis and Claire hurried down the stairs and looked out the window. Both smiled as they watched the remaining mob walk back down the bridge. They won the first battle.
"They're leaving," Luis whooped loudly.
Leon nodded when hearing the confirmation, and went downstairs to join the Spaniard to check out the damage. To his disgruntlement, he saw Luis kneeling before Claire, who was sitting on a chair while he began to clean the nasty wound. Frowning, the agent joined them, inspecting the five inch cut. It looked deep. Blood was seeping steadily from the wound. The lovely Redfield gave him her thumbs up while her worried brother joined them, applying first-aid on the wound. She hissed as the spray began to sizzle. Leon took out his green/red/yellow herb mix and gave it to Chris.
"This should work quickly," Leon said with concern over the woman he deeply cared about.
Chris thanked him and smothered it all in and over the wound. Luis let the two fuss over the brave young woman, stepping back to watch with sadness as Claire held back her painful cries.
The girls stepped out of the closet and made their way over to the scene. Sheila almost cried over seeing her favorite Resident Evil character in such pain. Ashley looked away from the sight, she couldn't look at the wound without getting nauscious. Chris stitched her up finally and wrapped the wound.
Claire frowned and said, "Another scar to add to my collection."
Luis gave her an encouraging look and said, "Don't worry, bright eyes. That yellow herb takes care of nasty wounds like that. No scar will mar your beautiful skin."
Claire gave him a gorgeous smile while Leon looked a bit miffed and jealous at the Spaniard. Sheila noticed this and hid her smile. She thought Leon had the hots for Ada... She was happy to be proved wrong! Though, she couldn't help but give a little jealous sigh. Dang heroes and their love triangles!
Claire stood up and took a tentative step on her leg, and as predicted, she felt no pain.
"Hey! Your right! This stuff is good," she said while giving Luis a bright smile.
Leon looked even more miffed. He gave Luis the eeeeevil eye. Luis caught the look, and smiled.
_"So you're the one the hot, young, thing here pines for... Lucky Basta-d." _Luis thought with a sigh and a grin.
But, unfortunately, he still had a job to do. Another beauty was waiting for him some where, waiting to collect the sample in exchange for his freedom from this hell hole.
Hoping to see these people again some day, he waved as he reluctantly said, "Catch you later. I got some unfinished business to take care of."
Then he left, back outside to the now lightly drizzling rain.
"Luis," he heard Leon call out to him.
Luis began walking away when he saw the woman in red appear out of the darkness.
"Hey there. Miss me," he asked, hoping to get a smile or something from the serious woman in front of him.
"Where's the sample," Ada cut to the chase. He frowned and opened up his arms as he walked toward her.
"Where's the love, baby," he asked with a mock hurtful expression.
She didn't show any emotion, as usual. Instead, she just crossed her arms and gave him a expression that said. 'I'm waiting.' He sighed and slowly passed her.
"I dropped it. But don't worry, I'm on my way to retrieve it," he lied as he passed her. He still didn't trust her. He wasn't sure if he should give the sample, considering from the murkiness of her background. He probably would later, after he finds the medication to help Leon and the two girls. But he was curious about this mysterious woman in red. Ever since the sexy vixen had appeared one day, telling him that she received his email that was meant for John, his old college roommate, and that he was unfortunately deceased, and then who she was, his curious nature has been peaked.
"Who do you work for, really? And why do you want it so badly," he asked while turning his head.
Ada smiled and said with complete truthfulness, "It's better you don't know. For your own safety."
He smirked and nodded his head. He got the message loud and clear.
"Whatever. I guess I don't care about it one way or the other. Just as long you to stop the old man and his minions. Catch you later," he replied as he left her standing there.
She sighed as he left. He was probably lying about the sample. But she understood. She knew he would give it to her eventually, after he found something to help Leon and the girls. She could be patient.
Back to our favorite gang...
Leon looked at his friends and shrugged. Luis and his behaviour was a mystery.
Sheila was too busy staring at the siblings to think about the absent Spaniard. She couldn't believe they were here for her!
Chris noticed the look on her face and ruffled her hair and said teasingly, "What? You got hit over the head two many times or something?"
She grinned and pushed his hand away.
"Nah. Just glad to see y'all. Reeeaaaaally glad," she said with a happy sigh.
Claire smiled and gave her another hug.
"How can we stand back when our favorite red head is gone?," she said with affection.
Leon smiled at the sight, the warmth coming from the trio could rival the fire from the fire place. But, their situation hasn't change. They still had a bunch of crazy villagers with strange things inside trying to divide and conquer them.
"Hate to brake up the happy reunion, but we shoud really get going," Leon sighed.
The Redfields and their fan separated and gave each other a grin. Claire tore her eyes away from Sheila and gave Leon a sweet smile.
"It's really great to see that you're still alive Leon," she said with an affectionate tone. Leon smiled and gave her the same look. Chris rolled his eyes and opened the door.
"Looks like it stopped raining. Let's get going," he said with a hard look at Leon.
Leon straightened up and nodded as they left the house. And surprise, surprise, the mysterious figure standing by the old, tiny shack was their favorite local. They walked over to the merchant, who's torches burned as bright and blue as ever.
"Welcome strangers. Glad to see you all together now. What are ya buying?," he asked while openeing his back pack and coat.
The usual buying more ammo and bartering occurred, selling their trinkets to gain more space in their cases. When done, they said their goodbyes and walked over to the lever.
"Hm. Maybe we should push it to the left," Leon said thoughtfully.
Chris and Claire gave each other a look and stopped Leon from doing so.
"Um, we came from that route. Not a good memory, trust me on this. Let's just go down the other way. It's already opened," Chris quickly said.
Leon saw the look in their faces and conceded, leaving the lever well enough alone. They walked down the right passage and opened the door to another nightmarish route. But you readers have to wait till the next chapter to find out! Buah!HA! Hahahahhahahhahahhahaaaaaaa!
**R**
Wesker frowned at the reunion between his enemies. Their string of luck was becoming more and more of a thorn in his side. He rubbed his temples, willing the headache to leave. As much as he hated to admit it, he wasn't all that surprised they survived the onslaught of those idiot villagers. Even Senior Sera hadn't fled the coming battle, opting to stay and help Wesker's enemies. And that wasn't good. Soon, the ex-cop would be suspicious of the Spaniard, if he wasn't already. Hopefully, if Luis knew what was good for him, he would stay away from the group and do as he was told. If he didn't...
His attention went back to the screen. They were taking the second route. Wesker smiled slightly; he knew what was waiting there. But of course they would survive. After all, if Leon could kill one giant single handily, then the three of them together could kill this one with no problem. But he would enjoy seeing them fight for their lives.
"Let the show continue," Wesker said as he relaxed and watched the meeting between the giant and the heroes.
**Authors Note: Buah!Hahahahhahahahaaaaa! Yes, another evil chapter! Heheheheee! Make sure to review after reading! Next chapter will be a cool battle between the power team and the stupid El Gigante! Muah!Hahahahhahaaaaaa!**
17. Chapter 16:Another El Gigante? Cripes!
**Authors Note: Hey peeeebles! I recieved my first crappy review! Yaaahooooo! Ya'll probably wandering why I'm so happy about it, well...I don't really give a care what a crappy review says! I want to give special thanks to Keith B. Real. You (sniffle) really inspired me with your soooo serious bad review that, (sniffle) I'm going to keep writing FOREVER! Yaaaaaay! Tehe! I know my story isn't the best, but I'm learning more and more every time I write a new chapter! Stop taking fan fics so seriously, man! It's about having fun with your imagination! Besides, I'm not writing a novel so chill out. Okey Dokey, I also like to thank all the others who review this story and put me on their favorite list! Wow! I can't wait to hear your opinion on this chapter! Thanks for your support! Keep reading!**
**Resident Evil 4:A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 16: Another El Gigante? Cripes! **
Claire looked around the one way path. It really seemed like another trap to her, but what else could they do? She looked at Sheila, who was clinging to her arm like a leech. The teen seemed to be just as nervous as her.
"Hey, you okay," Claire asked with concern.
Sheila looked at her with a nervous glance, then turned her head away and replied, "Uhhh. Yeah. It's just... I got this strange, creepy feeling that we're being watched. Like maybe a monster is going to jump out and try to kill us or something."
Claire smiled and gave her younger friend a side hug as they walked down the path. The hug helped a little, but it didn't solve the giant obstacle that would soon make his nasty appearance. The thought had the gamer look at their surroundings. The path had rocky walls on both sides, preventing any escape. It was a strategic place for ambushes, leaving the only way out was to go forward, or back where you came. And since they couldn't go back thanks to Saddler and his minions, the group followed the path as the amateur architect of this death trap wanted.
Upon seeing her game idol give her a worried look, Sheila let go of Claire's arm and gave her a thumbs up.
"I'm alright, now. After all, I got my trusty handgun," Sheila said while taking out her weapon.
Claire looked nervously at her, not entirely sure that her short, young, friend should be toting around a firearm. But, she did recognize the small handgun. Punishers are easier to handle and lighter weight than the average handgun. Still...
As they neared the wooden, chained up door, Sheila looked behind her, paling. She knew who was going to make his ugly appearance. She looked at the guys behind her and the other two girls. They were whispering to each other, making her a little bit annoyed.
_"If they keep that up, they'll be squashed in no time," s_he thought with annoyance. And just as she feared, the Giant jumped down in front of the entrance that they had emerged from.
Everyone whipped around and looked with growing horror at the roaring giant. Leon briefly noticed that this giant looked a little different than the other one. He had a sharp, hawk nose and a narrower jaw. His skin was slightly tanned brown, like he has been sunbathing all day. Still, not much of an improvement then the last one he faced.
Sheila looked up at the boulder that was in the same place as the game and pointed while yelling, "Guys! There's a boulder up there!"
The guys looked where she pointed, spotting the large round boulder balancing against a thick two-by-four.
Leon shouted as the giant started to walk their way, "Claire! Get the girls out of here!"
Claire didn't argue as she pulled the girls toward the door. She brought out her Uzis and quickly blasted the metal chains.
Sheila heard gun fire and cursing behind her as the giant was getting closer and closer. The ground beneath their feet quivered, adding to the seriousness of their situation. Claire kicked down the door and ordered them to go. The frightened teen caught a glimpse of Leon shooting the board that was holding up the boulder. It came crashing down on the giant, crushing him to the ground. Sheila ran, not bothering to see if the giant was dead. She knew he wasn't, the stupid giant!
Claire ran up to the guys, who were staring at the rubble.
"Is it dead," Claire asked.
Leon looked at her and responded, "I thought I told you to get the girls out of here?"
She narrowed her eyes and was about to respond when the Giant burst through the rubble with a deafening roar.
Chris cursed as he began to move back. "Ruuuuuun!"
The trio ran through the open door. They could hear the giant busting through the wooden obstruction not too soon after they passed it.
Chris yelled as they weaved through the two small cabins, "How do we kill this thing?"
Leon stopped running when they were close to the open door. (Sheila had shot the chains off.) He took out his TMP and aimed it at the giant as it destroyed the two cabins.
"Shoot until the freakish bug/parasite pops through it's back. When that happens, we shoot and slice at the d-mn thing," Leon answered, grinding his teeth as he unleashed the furry of his TMP. All three resumed shooting at the giant, angering the ugly thing.
Just as it got within five feet, it screamed as tentacles and that caterpillar like parasite reared it's ugly body out of the hump of the El Gigante.
"Now," Leon ordered as he charged up and got on it's back.
But this time, the parasite shrunk back in it's hide-y hole, allowing the Giant to reach around it's back and grabbing the shocked agent. The Redfields shot frantically at the giant, trying to save poor Leon. El Gigante roared out in annoyance and threw Leon down in order to pursue the siblings. Looking around, head spinning and dizzy, he could actually feel his every single muscle and bone screaming their protests at the mistreatment they just endured. He watched the giant tear apart the wooden wall, chasing after the ones who saved his neck. He could see the two girls at the end, looking very frightened.
Leon forced himself up and began to jog over to the giant. Meanwhile, Claire and Chris were shooting at the creature's face, hoping to blind it or to keep it at bay till it's parasite would come back. The giant put his hands in front of it's face, crying out as the parasite burst through it's skin once again. Just as it kneel down on one knee, they saw Leon on top of the giant's back, his TMP aimed at the parasite's head. Leon let out a yell as he fired at close range into the freak's head. It screamed as it began to squirm and try to bite the one causing it bodily injury. Just as it started to do this, the giant came around and began to move. Leon jumped off and ran toward Chris and Claire.
Chris looked at Leon and said, "The only way we are going to survive is to split up and confuse it!"
Leon nodded in agreement, already trying to think up of ways to distract the large snarling foe.
Claire said, "You two go on the other side. I'll distract him!"
The giant began to move towards them. Chris looked at Leon and ran toward the giant, shooting as he ran as quickly as he could in between the giants legs. The giant roared as it missed it's prey. It turned around but was soon assaulted by more bullets in the back. As it turned back around, Leon passed it with ease and joined Chris.
Claire fired at the ugly, drooling face of El Gigante till her guns ran out of ammo. Not fun when a giant creep when a giant creep wants to smash you into mushy human jelly.
She didn't have much to worry about thanks to Leon fired who unloaded his TMP in the creeps hide, distracting the abnormal freak. The giant let out a confused roar as it turned toward the two men. The confusion grew for the creature as Claire and the two men played the gun fire version of tag. El Gigante was too stupid to do much about it. The fruit of their labor manifested itself as the parasite yet again emerged. This time, Chris and Leon crawled on top of the giant's back together. Both capable men had their blades on hand and began hacking away at the slimy parasite's body. Yellow gore sprayed across their chests as they sliced through organs and muscle tissue. The giant quickly came around as the parasite hid back in the safety of flesh, shuddering as it slowly stood back up. Chris and Leon jumped off an d began shooting once again. But their weapons quickly were running on empty, making them vulnerable to danger.
The giant looked at them with evil glee and raised it's fist to smash them, but Claire had started to shoot where the parasite keeps emerging, causing the giant to scream in pain. It turned around and charged after the current pest of its existence. She rolled out of the way just as it brought it's fist down where she had been standing. Quickly, she was back and dodging it's fists and feet. Leon and Chris finished reloading and saw the danger Claire put herself in, so together they desperately tried to get it's wrath turned back on them, but the giant payed no heed.
Claire finally ran in between it's legs, joining the other two. The giant didn't follow suit, instead it's attention turned to the two girls in front of the door. Sheila aimed her gun and began to shoot at the drooling giant. But the bullets might as well have been pillows, for they did not stop the big oaf from his path. Ashley screamed as it loomed over them, watching with tear filled eyes as the monster raised both fists high in the air. Then, a loud boom was heard. The giant screamed and turned around, a chunk of flesh was missing from it's hump. Blood poured out of the wound, the stench of the red and brown blood made Sheila want to throw up. She peeked between it's legs and saw Claire with her bow-gun. Sheila smiled, recognizing it from Code Veronica.
The giant took two wobbly steps toward the trio, but collapsed on it's right knee, doubling over to reveal the not so lively tentacles and parasite.
Chris was running toward it with his Riot gun in hand. He had taken it out as his sister blew up a chunk out of it. Nimbly, he jumped up on it's knee and quickly climbed up it's back. The parasite was nearly limp, barely moving as death swept quickly to claim it. He aimed and fired at it's midsection. The upper portion of it's body flew off and fell to the ground in a puddle of yellow and brown blood. It screamed and twitched around madly, trying to get up. Chris grinned as he jumped off the giant's back. El Gigante screamed and stumbled around, trying to touch the wounded area. As blood gushed out of the giant's mouth, it's eyes rolled into the back of his head. He let out one last gasp for air, then tumbled down. Chris quickly leaped out of the way as it plopped on the ground. The ground shook from the impact.
The survivors all let out a shout of tryumph, but soon looked away with disgust as the large body began to melt away. The stench of the process was almost unberrible. They all covered their noses till the giant had completely evaperated away, leaving behind steam and a lingering smell.
"Hm. That didn't happen last time I killed one," Leon commented.
Chris grinned and said, "Kinda figured you killed one when you didn't even blink when the freak made its dramatic entrance. Gotta say, I'm impressed."
Leon smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
"Um, guys? The door is locked so... go find the key," Sheila said while giving them an impatient look.
The two guys mumbled and went back to check the rubble of what once was the two cabins. Claire looked at the girls with concern and asked if they were alright.
"ALRIGHT! NO! I am NOT alright! I've been kidnapped, shared a room with this psycho over here, chased by villagers who have freaky bugs in them, and then, I almost get squished by a giant! I-" Ashley was interrupted by Claire who put her arms around her.
"Hey! It's okay. I was just making sure you wasn't hurt hon. Just hang in there," Claire said as she soothed the trembling young woman.
Ashley hugged her back and let Claire comfort her. Sheila rolled her eyes. She wondered why in the game Ashley didn't act like this when it was just her and Leon! But then she shrugged, deciding that it didn't matter. Might as well get used to the slightly older girl's theatrics since there was going to be more monsters to face. Deciding to be more useful and help the search, the teen began looking around. She found a green herb and some handgun ammo for her gun. Although she really didn't need it yet. Still had those clips of ammo the merchant so kindly gave her. She then checked her gun and found it empty. It didn't take long to reload. Smiling, she promised herself that she was definitely going to use it a lot more from now on.
Leon and Chris came back with the key. Giving Ashley a concerned look, he asked Claire if she was going to be alright.
Claire smiled and answered, "Yeah. She just needed to let out all those bottled up feelings."
Ashley smiled and stepped away. She gave everybody her sweetest look. Well, except for Sheila. As they left, she gave the teen a mean look, like that everything that has happened to her was all her fault. Sheila grinned and made a slicing motion across her throat. Ashley paled and hurried after the others. With a evil gleam in her eye, she followed the others while humming the popular American band Blondie's song, 'One Way Or Another'.
**R**
Wesker smirked at the group on the screen. They really were getting a little cocky. But would their admirable spirits stay strong with the things that awaited them up ahead? That question could only be answered by waiting patiently for the events to pass.
Turning to other matters. he quickly punched in the code to get a hold of Ada. The exotic spy answered the device and looked at the small screen in her little gadget.
"Hello, Ada. I see that Luis hasn't given you the sample," Wesker stated with a bored look.
He saw her sigh and smile. Oh, how he loved their little game. Both always never allowing their emotions to show.
"He said he dropped it," she responded with that half smile of hers.
Wesker cocked his head and asked, "And you believed him?"
He thought for sure she could tell a lie from the truth.
She gave a little laugh and replied to his question, "Of course not. He doesn't trust me... yet. But I know he will not betray me. He's concerned over himself only, and knows that we're the only hope he has of getting away form here safely. Our frightened little scientist wants out."
Wesker nodded his head in agreement. From what he could tell, the Spaniard was a bit of a coward. He would do anything to stop Saddler, and to get away from the crazy old man. But at times of crisis, you never know how much courage you have till you are tested.
"Make sure that he doesn't come in contact with Leon and the others again. We can't have him teaming up with the nosey bunch. It'll ruin my plans if he does," Wesker told the woman in red.
She smiled and said before hanging up, "When have I ever let you down, boss? I can handle Luis. I'm heading for the castle now as we speak. Chow."
With that, the screen went black. Wesker smirked and got out of his chair. He rolled his sore neck and stretched, muscles slightly feeling the slight twinge of hours in his chair. His thoughts were on the mission and everything that was riding on it. He knew Ada had a handle on the situation. He just wondered if she knew he had a handle on her. After all, you always have a backup plan when you're dealing with a spy from Raccoon City.
Wesker left his dark office and walked over to the elevator. It was time to check up on his employees. A little surprise inspection to keep them on their toes. The elevator took him to the top floor, where all the most valuable research is going on. He passed several labs, which of coursed the employees saw him pass by. They all straightened up, knowing that their boss was ticky on certain things. He couldn't stand laziness.
Finally, he reached some double doors that said "Veronica G-virus". He entered the lab with an air of authority. The scientists all lined up nervously, afraid what he may disapprove of their research. Last time he discovered a flaw in a certain unnamed employee, that poor soul disappeared. Later a new specimen mysteriously appeared in a special capsule marked simply T. Nobody dared question who the specimen was.
"How's my boy doing," Wesker asked the head scientist of the department.
The man was in his late twenties, skinny, and had light brown hair that was to his shoulders. He was a cute fellow, a genius that Wesker himself recruited. Wesker put him on top of all special projects, including the Veronica-T and G virus. So far, his decision to promote the promising scientist has proved a smart decision.
The scientist looked at Wesker with ease and answered, "Excellent. The body has completely excepted the G and Veronica-T virus. It has melded the two together perfectly, creating a stable virus that won't turn him into a zombie or mindless monster. We inserted the chip in his brain and came up with some interesting results."
Wesker smiled and followed the scientist over to the capsule S that held the special project. The scientist continued.
"After all those years of being frozen, being put on ice has caused the Veronica virus to slow down, just as Alexia's diary predicted. Now, since this young man was half dead, his brain lost a lot of oxygen when-"
The scientist stopped as Wesker interrupted impatiently, "I already know the history of the patient. I was the one who brought him in. What I want to know is if he's usable to me."
The scientist grinned and answered proudly, "Yes, he is. That chip and the G-virus has done a lot of repair to the damage of his body. His body has been reanimated completely, and of course his brain as well. They're in perfect working order. He can think rationally, has mobility of his limbs, and has perfect cunning. His Vocal chords are rusty though, but he can communicate with simple words when he's in the mood. Now, the way we control him is through the chip. You can give him orders from our satellite from anywhere in the world. You basically will have no worries concerning the subject, that chip will keep him on a short leash... Well, in theory."
Wesker placed his gloved hand on the cold tube, giving a small smile.
"Perfect. So, he's ready for a test run," Wesker stated.
The man nodded and put his hands behind his back like a little kid waiting for his reward for doing as he was told. Wesker took his hand off the tube and took off his glasses, revealing the red and yellow lizard like color of his inhuman eyes.
He spoke while staring at the man in the capsule, "Good work, Heath Cliff. I knew you would pull through for me... I want him prepped for a long helicopter ride by tomorrow. Get his weapons and his clothes ready. He's going to Spain to meet up with an old friend with me."
As he gazed at the naked man in the tube, the young man's eyes opened, revealing an unnatural orange color. His red hair was long, way past his shoulders, and he was starting to grow a beard. His pale skin had a slight green color tone, his body more mature than all those years ago when he was a teen.
Wesker smiled and said one last thing before he left, "And one more thing. Make sure he gets a haircut and a shave before we leave. I'm sure Claire will want to see Steve looking his best."
**Authors Note: Heheheheheeee! I hope y'all won't mind that bit about Steve! I always wanted closurr on poor Steve. The way that Code Veronica X ended had me wondering... If Steve was resuscitated, then Wesker could use him more than just his body for the virus. Maybe he's alive? Just think it of this way, more twists! I warned ya there would be plot twists in the story! Please review! **
18. Chapter 17:Leon VS Big Cheeze!
**Authors Note: Heeeeeey! Thanks for all the cool people out there for your reviews! Keeps me going with my twisty story! Okay, this chapter will contain gore, violence and all the cool stuff included in boss fights! May the best man, errrr, creature or whatever win! Enjoy, you Res fans!**
**Resident Evil 4:A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 17: Leon VS The Big Cheese! **
"Have I already said that these people have serious issues?," Sheila asked while Claire rubbed some crushed green herb on her scratched arm.
Her arm stung like crazy from that stupid pick axe thrown at her and Claire on the sky lifts. She was still seething over how stupid these villagers are! Why try to kill someone Saddler ordered to be kept alive? I mean, come on!
"All done. Your good as new," Claire said with a pat on Sheila's head.
Sheila looked at her upper arm and saw that the green herb had already healed her long, torn cut that marred her pale skin. A new patch of pink skin had grown over the wound, the itching increasing as the wound continued to heal. Satisfied, she looked up at Claire as she got up from the ground and smiled.
"Wow! I just got to get me some of those herbs for home. Mom would go crazy over these super duper herbs! Why do they work so fast," she asked curiously.
Claire chuckled and replied, "I'm not sure exactly. There is still extensive study on the green herbs and its different colored relatives, at the moment. From what we know so far, is that the properties in the herb is-"
Chris interrupted with a impatient growl, "Girls! Please, can we discuss this another time? We have to get going now."
Both of the young women gave Chris a evil the look. Like any smart guy, he instantly shut up and laughed nervously, stepping back with his hands held up in a gesture to calm them down.
Claire snorted and grabbed Sheila's hand while saying, "We do need to get going. Come on Sheila, we'll discuss this topic later. Some people just can't comprehend important matters. Their brains fry from trying to."
Both girl walked past Chris with evil looks, making him roll his eyes and say, "I resent that comment."
Together, they all walked down the stairs in single file, leaving the sky lift and its complications behind. Claire looked nervously at the opening in the rock face, a memory resurfacing. That was the eerie place where she was taken when kidnapped. Looking away, she took a deep breath and followed more closely behind Leon as he lead them down the rest of the stairs. Pleasantly, agent Kennedy smiled as they neared the merchant and his blue torch.
Before he could open his mouth, Sheila rushed up front and pushed him to the side and said with exuberance, "Hi, Mr. Merchant! How's it hanging?"
The merchant blinked in shock at the girl's enthusiasm to see him. That quickly passed as he smiled and answered, "Oh. Everything is fine, little lass. It's always nice to see a fresh, young face around here! Now, what are ya buying, my dear?
Sheila cocked her head and put her finger on her chin, deep in thought. Leon cleared his throat and began to tell the merchant what he wanted, but was shushed by the strange man.
"Shhhhhh, stranger! Ladies first," he said while giving Leon a chastising look.
Leon couldn't believe this! He looked at the short girl and waited a bit impatiently for her to say something.
Ignoring the look, she finally asked, "Do you got a first aid available, aaaaaand... some more upgrades for my gun?," she asked with a bright smile. The merchant chuckled and opened up his coat with a dramatic gesture.
"Of course, miss! Here's your can of first aid spray. And as for your gun, only a upgrade for faster firing speed and a bigger capacity to carry more rounds. Do you still want the upgrade?," he asked with a chuckle.
Sheila nodded her head and gave him her gun. After quickly changing out parts, the merchant named his price. Without a word of complaint, she paid happily and allowed Leon his turn. The merchant gave him what he wanted and served the others the with the same detailed service. After their business was done, they left the cheerful merchant who was eagerly counting his pesetas.
Sheila questioned the group as they strolled leisurely toward the door, "How does he get to location to location so fast?"
They all looked at each other with puzzled expressions.
"Huh. Good question. I've been wondering the same thing," replied Leon. He opened the door and held it open while the others went inside.
The whole area was dark and spooky. A cold wind blew in the air, causing a fresh set of chills and goosebumps for the group of survivors. Leon, always one to some how appear unaffected of the elements, gave them the silent sign and proceeded down the path with his handgun in hand. They were silent as they made their way down to the old, big shack.
The building was simple, made from the standard wood and tin materials. During the day light, it would appear as old and nothing special. But in the darkness with only a torch here and there combined with the light of Leon's belt flash light, it became sinister and entirely unwholesome.
Standing in front of the building, Leon put his hand on the handle of one metal door, but didn't open it. He looked over at Sheila and Ashley, his expression grim.
"Somethings not right. Hurry, go hide," he ordered.
The girls ran over to the small, open, wood shack leaning against the building, next to the doors. They quickly crawled in and peered over the log pile. They watched with troubled expressions at Leon, who was looking at the Redfields with a grim expression.
"Guys, I need you to stay out here with the girls," he said to the shocked siblings.
Chris put his hand on Leon's shoulder and argued with a gentle tone, "Leon, we can't do that. This place just screams trap! We need to-"
Leon interrupted with a cool voice, "And that is exactly why I need to go in alone. If something happens to me, you guys need to get the girls out of here safely. It won't do any good for the girls to be out here all alone. You know that."
Chris sighed and gave Leon a sad look.
"You sure you won't take at least one of us to go with you," Chris asked with a heavy heart, knowing that his friend wasn't going to be swayed form his chosen course.
Leon gave him a small smile and replied, "Naaah. I'll be fine. Besides, you two work great together as a team. The two of you protecting the girls will be more than a match for these villagers."
Chris released Leon's shoulder and stepped over to the woodpile, guarding the precious cargo. Claire gave Leon an angry look, her opinion of the subject coming across loud and clear. Leon looked down at his shoes, unable to meet her angry eyes any longer
"Claire, I-"
"Don't Claire me! What is with your lone wolf act? You separated us in Raccoon City and now you're-"
Leon's head shot up.
"Hey! It's not my fault that-," Leon began with a angry tone before Chris interrupted.
"Hey, you two! Knock it off! Claire, you know what he said is true. We have to protect the girls by staying out here. Just let Leon look for the key inside so we can get on our way," Chris said with a heavy sigh.
Claire looked back at Leon, still looking as if she wanted to argue. But then her shoulders sagged as she resigned from delaying him any longer.
"Just please try to be careful. No getting yourself killed in some hero-ey way. Okay?"
Leon smirked and said while flicking a strand of auborn hair out of her eyes, "Hey. Don't worry, sweetheart. I can take care of myself. Stop worrying."
She rolled her eyes and walked over to Chris, a blush rising in her beautiful pale cheeks.
With one last encouraging smile to the others, Leon took a deep breath and opened both doors. The letter from earlier and its haunting description of what was to come in this abandoned shack shouldn't be ignored. Mendez made it clear that he had the only key to the large metal gate that would lead them finally out of range of the disturbing village, and where he would be or at least drop by. What the key looked like or where it would be stored here wasn't made clear, only that they wouldn't be able to avoid whatever awaited them here. Frankly, Leon was hoping that Mendez left the key here and had went on to do whatever Big Cheeses do. After all, the guy may be a dork, but he had enough strength to possibly rip out his spleen with his bare hands.
Ignoring his sudden case of nerves, Leon stepped inside with his gun ready. He heard the heavy metal doors slam shut behind him, giving him the feeling of being quite alone and far from safety. He looked quickly to the right, seeing only boxes and old moldy stuff. He then quickly looked to his left, seeing crates and a ladder. Nothing out of the ordinary to rouse suspicions of another presence. But even ordinary appearances can fool a well trained eye. The agent felt and heard something behind him. A breeze in fact... A breeze inside a tightly enclosed building with no windows... Yeah.
He stood there frozen unable to move. Leon felt heavy breathing ruffling his dark blond hair.
_Great. Now I have a psycho with twice my height and weight standing behind me. Can this night get any worse?_
The agent quickly turned with his finger squeezing the trigger. But he was stopped from shooting when a large, cold hand wrapped around his throat.
_My luck sucks._
Mendez lifted him above the ground and sneered at the struggling agent. Leon kicked his feet in the air, trying to hit the over grown Cheese ball. Mendez snorted, and threw him away like he weighed as much as a rag doll. Leon's head and shoulders smacked against the roof beam with a audible crack. He grunted in pain as he fell on his face. Pushing past the pain, he turned around and watched as Mendez twisted the door handles together like they were only ribbon. Banging at the door showed him that Chris and Claire had heard the commotion, and were trying to disregard his orders. Luckily or unluckily, (depending on your view) they wouldn't be rushing in to save the day. No. This battle was for Leon and Leon alone.
Mendez stepped forward with a look of triumph in his good eye. Leon smirked at the man, knowing he could handle the big oaf, despite of his earlier reservations. Suddenly, the chief stopped and just look off into space. Leon looked at him with a puzzled stare. The parasite pupped was looking all around like he was hearing voices. And this is what the big Cheese heard.
"Muah!Hahahahahahahahaaaaa! Leon's not taking the big Cheeze seriously, is he Becca!" Mendez heard the sound of Sheila's voice.
Then he heard another females voice, saying, "Heheheheheheee! Yeah! I'm glad you took my suggestion on the Big Cheese moment. Hey! Let's torture him some more!"
Mendez growled and said, "Ah-ha! So silverfox's name is Becca!"
Leon looked at him while shaking his head. It was a sad, sad thing when a fearsome enemy such as the village chief cracks like a cheaply pot of clay made by a nearly blind granny. It was even more sad when the chief has a embarrassing tatto on his bald head. Mendez looked at the snickering agent, his pasty face suddenly flushed with growing anger.
"What?," asked the angry Mendez.
Leon pointed at his head, breaking out in laughter. Mendez felt his head, feeling nothing. He growled and began looking around for a mirror. A mirror appeared in his hand mysteriously. He looked in it and gasped in outrage. On his head was a tatoo of himself smiling goofy, wearing a pink too-too and holding a plate of Cheddar Cheese. In a thought bubble above the tattoo's head was these words, "The Power of CHEESE!" Mendez let out a growl of outrage and threw the mirror down, stomping it to pieces. By then, Leon was laughing hysterically at the sight. Wouldn't you if a overgrown man was pitching a tantrum like a two year old toddler?
Chris and Claire looked at each other with a odd look.
"Okaaaay. Either they're tickling Leon as a new torture tactic, or he's gone a little loopy," Claire remarked.
Chris gave his own theory.
"I think he's high or something," he said with a smirk.
Claire gasped and punched her brother in the arm.
"What? Why else would he not let us in! He's smoking some weed! Ouch! Stop hitting me," said Chris, teasing his sister.
Meanwhile, back to our other hero...
Mendez looked down at the laughing agent, anger was spreading like a wildfire in his heart. Not able to take this insult any longer, he let out a savage yell and lurched forward, bringing down his fist to kill the agent with a powerful blow. Leon rolled out of the way to the right, the chief's fist smashing the floor with a loud whack. The agent found himself next to a red, gasoline barrow. With a spur of the moment idea, he kicked it, releasing the gas on the floor. Mendez straightened up and looked at the gasoline with a calm face. It surrounded his feet now, not a good thing.
Leon pointed his gun and said, "Asta luego."
Bang! Bang! The floor erupted with fast moving flames. Leon jumped away to the back as the barrel exploded.
He looked back at Mendez, expecting to see pieces of the village chief decorating the room. But to his horror, the Big Cheese was very well still intact. Long, black, claws shot out of his finger tips. A animal like growl came from his chest as the morphing Big Cheese kept his gaze steadily on his adversary. His coat burnt off his body as the flames licked up every square inch of clothing. His skin seemed to resist the fire, no blisters or scorched flesh coming into view. Suddenly, four thick, pink and red sharp limbs ripped through the flesh of his back. He let out a growl as his midsection stretched until the skin tore, not intestines or body organs spilling out like it would for a normal human being.
His upper body rushed up, revealing a centipede, skinny body of the parasite. Now, the man could reach the wooden beams in his new, not needed inches for his height. The chief roared at Leon with a lust for his blood, no longer holding back his power. Leon smirked and stood up. If the gloves were off, then so be it. He could play dirty. And the other explosive barrel next to him would be a great place to start.
He backed away, waiting for Mendez to take the bait. The snarling cheif did, taking unsteady steps toward Leon. His body swaying with a slippery sound. He bowed over a bit to walk under the low beam, giving Leon the chance to shoot the barrel. It exploded, sending a fire ball up at the monster Mendez. The creature screamed in pain, his back bending over all the way behind him. This gave Leon the chance to shoot several times at the centipede body of the Big Cheese. After seeing Mendez beginning to regain his balance with his new strange body, he ran to the doors and holstered his gun. He took his shotgun off his shoulder and turned around, waiting for the monster.
Mendez glared at the agent. His long, thick, sharp tendrils reached for the beams. He grabbed them and pulled himself forward and landed a few feet in front of Leon. The agent didn't even bat an eye in surprise as he began firing at the hideous creatures midsection. Mendez stepped back at first, growling at the impact. With a powerful heave, he responded to the agent's attack with a sweep of one of his sharp tendrils. Leon dodged the deadly piece of flesh and rolled out of the way. He tried to pass the creature, but was stopped when Mendez grabbed him and tried to give him a killer bear hug. Leon let out a painful cry as the sharp tendrils pierced dangerously into his back and shoulders. With his knack of thinking on his feet no matter what the situation, he head butted Mendez three times. The Big Cheese let him go with a grunt, giving Leon the chance to run back to the spot where he shot the barrel. Shouldering his boom-stick, he quickly took out his TMP out of his case, not bothering to put it back on as he fired at the creature. The bullets sliced through Mendez's centipede body, causing his upper body to fall back again.
Leon struggled for breath as his wounds bled dangerously. He ignored the stcky blood that poured down his back and ran forwrd at the struggling Mendez.
"Alright Cheese ball! Eat this you piece of crap!," with that said he he dropped his TMP and pressed the barrel of his shotgun at the base of the centipede spine, firing at will.
The body was blown away from the legs, leaving a screaming Mendez legless and bleeding gunk profusely. Leon smiled, seeing the legs keep waling with blood spraying in the air. The legs collapsed, while the upper body dragged itself on the ground. Suddenly, Mendez's tendrils stretched up and grabbed the beams.
Leon cursed at the creature as it hung up in the air, smiling at him. So much for the battle being over. Shouldering his shotgun again, he grabbed the TMP he had dropped and climbed up the second ladder. When he reached the top, he had to drop the TMP and dodge instantly as a sharp tendril tried to impale him. He rolled to the side and aimed with his shotgun at the evil Mendez. The blasts proved to be enough, causing Mendez to loose his grip from the force of each shot, falling to the ground. Leon put his shotgun quickly back on his shoulder. He grabbed his small machine gun off the ground and then aimed and fired off several rounds at the struggling monster on the ground.
_"Heh. He's deffensless when he's not holding on to something," _Leon thought with a smirk.
An angry Mendez grabbed a beam back by the door, determined to kill the agent once and for all. Blood or no blood, the pest had to be destroyed.
Leon had to give the stupid thing credit. Besides it's persistence in killing him, it could really stretch those weird limbs a ways. As the Big Cheese made his way among the wooden beams, dark smoke filled the air. It was increasingly making it hard for him to see Mendez, despite the light from the fire. He heard a mushy sound as the determined chief glided from beam to beam, chuckling at the agent and his inability to pin point his exact location. Leon felt his muscles tense as he ran over to the side, trying to get a glimpse of the ever moving Mendez.
He raised his gun and tried to fire, but only getting a clicking sound.
"D-mn!," Leon cursed.
He ran out of ammo without realising it. He was very good of averaging the amount of shots he made, but this time he wasn't able to keep up thanks to the surrounding danger and slickness of his enemy. He dropped the gun as a tendril knocked him back down to the floor. The air rushed from him, leaving Leon laying there in pain and dazed. Mendez growled as he dropped to the lower beam, smiling in victory. Leon grabbed his handgun and shot at the tendrils holding the ugly torso up of the grotesque chief.
Mendez fell to the ground and let out a growl of frustration. Leon got up and spat up some blood, the blow had been a direct hit of most of the chief's strength. He stumbled over to the struggling Mendez and began unloading every bullet he had in his gun into the back of Mendez's head. He screamed and began jerking around. Leon took this opportunity to climb back up the ladder. He ran and grabbed his shotgun and reloaded. Mendez quickly made his way back up the beams and growled as he unleashed more of his temper. He tried to slice Leon with his long limbs, but missed as the wizened agent dodged them with ease.
Leon smiled, despite the way his body protested. He knew what to do.
"So, Big Cheese. You are really getting slow, old man," he taunted the angry Mendez.
Mendez growled as he moved back to the next beam and tried to get the cocky agent on the other side.
"I mean really. You are the one these idiots listen to when your leader Saddler is not around? No wonder me and my friends have been able to come this far," Leon said with a grin.
Another appendage sliced in the air, way off target. Mendez let out a roar as he launched himself to the beam in front of Leon. He tried to hit him, but was knocked of by the blast of the shotgun. He fell to the ground with a loud thud.
His vision in his good eye began to get blurry from his numerous wounds. His most recent wound was the worst. Red blood and yellow puss poured out of the hole in his chest. He began crawling, trying to get away from his impending death. Completly unable to admit defeat. Leon jumped down and let out a grunt of pain. His wounds in his back and shoulders were still bleeding, though not as bad. Dragged his feet along the ground as he walked forward, Leon could feel victory close at hand. Taking out his handgun while putting up his shotgun, he gave the miserable creature a pitying look before he fired once, a single bullet leaving the gun with deadly force. The bullet pierced the air and embedded itself inside the back of Mendez's skull. The hot lead struck against the other bullets, causing a chain reaction in his nervous system. That was the final straw as Mendez screamed with outrage and fear as the parasite within died.
He reached his large hand out in the air, blood spurting out his mouth. His cry became muffled as blood bubbled up his throat. His last memorie on this earth was of his wife's dying scream as he gruesomely killed her for his Lord. His heart cried out in denial and pain at the memory.
His beloved last words echoed in his ears, "Bitorez, your choice will come back to haunt you. In the end, your actions will destroy you! Leaving you to a bloody death, alone and without mercy."
His wife had spoken those wise, prophetic words as he killed her without even blinking, feeling no remorse.
Mendez then died, mouth opened in a silent scream. His wife in the end was right. Leon stepped forward, his gun pointed at the still form of the creature. A brown liquid poured out of his body, releasing a stench in the air. Suddenly, his false red eye popped out of the socket, leaving a slimy trail. Leon holstered his gun and picked up the goo covered object.
"Bingo. Thanks for the key, Big Cheeze," he said with a smirk.
A crashing sound to the side caught his attention. A way of escape had appeared. Leon smiled and pocketed the eye, thankful that after all that hard work, he wouldn't die an embarrassing death by smoke inhalation. But before he left, he checked out the pockets of Mendez's lower half of his body. He found some gold bars which was a little bit weird, but who was he to complain? He put the bars in his case and began scouting around the room for ammo. It wasn't long before he found some shotgun and TMP ammo, a grenade, a flash grenade, and some herbs. He picked up his TMP and put it away in his case along with the rest of his findings.
The smoke began to get to hm, making him dizzy. He quickly ran and jumped through the hole, landing in a croaching position. Chris and Claire heard the sound and ran around the building. The motorcycle loving chic sighed with relief to see Leon alive. She ran over to the agent, but slowed when she noticed all his wounds.
Claire gasped and said, "Leon! you need to sit down for a minute. Don't argue, I need to tend to your wounds."
Leon didn't feel like arguing, and excepted the help from Claire and Chris as they lowered him down to a seated position on the ground.
"Is he okay," asked a worried Sheila as Ashely and herself appeared around the corner. They ran up to the three heroes and gave Leon a worried look.
Leon gave a thumbs up as Claire helped him take off his shirt. Deep gashes were in his shoulders and back, still oozing blood, though it already began to clot and slow down. Sheila watched Claire as she cleaned out wounds, wincing as he friend hissed in pain as she covered his shoulders with the mixed green/red/yellow herbs. She then began stitching up the two wounds in his shoulder, and afterwards she finished covering the wounds with bandages. The ones in his back was takin care of with the herbs, no stitching acquired. (Although they were deep enough to cause enough blood loss to worry a doctor.) Claire smiled as he put his shirt back on, already seeing an improvement. Gotta love those herbs, people. Makes me wish I had some myself.
Chris helped him up, giving him a smile.
"See? I told you guys I could handle it. Just needed a herb to perk me up," Leon said while rolling his stiff shoulders.
Claire rolled her eyes and let Leon deceive himself. To her, he could have used at least one of them to help with whatever was in that shack.
As they left the area, Chris asked a question that plagued all of their minds, "Leon, why were you laughing like a maniac in there?"
Leon sighed and replied, "Let's just say the village chief who attacked me was acting like... Well, to tell the truth, it's hard to explain. He was acting crazy, so just leave it at that. I'll explain when we get out of here."
Chris shrugged his shoulders and stated, "See Claire? I told you he probably wasn't high."
Leon gave Claire a startled look as she tried to deny it.
And that my dear readers, is what was talked and argued about all the way out of the deserted area.
As they went through the gate and walked past the merchant, Sheila whispered to Ashley, "And I thought we were bad."
Ashley nodded in agreement.
**Authors Note: Okay, now we are getting somewhere! Soon, we'll be entering the castle with our heroes! Stick around as the group face unimaginable horrors! Until the next chapter, keep reviewing!**
19. Chapter 18:The Red Carpet Treatment
**Authors Note: Hello, thanks for all the reviews! Now we are on our way to the next level of the game! El Yaaaaay! So keep reading and reviewing! Even if it's a flame, just review! Enjoy! Oh! And don't forget to read the Authors note at the end, I got another challenge for ya'll! Now read the chapter!**
* * *
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 18: The Red Carpet Treatment**
The group made it to the door with the eye scanner with no interruptions. Leon took out the false eye and held it up to the lock. A red laser scanned the slimey object, then unlocked the gate. The agent smiled and opened the gate.
"We're almost out of this crazy town," he said with relief. Leon closed the gate behind them as they passed through, noticing how everything was quiet and still.
Skies were now more clear, revealing the full moon. Light from the Moon revealed a path that led up hill. It was a short path, nothing out of the ordinary. But everything was too quiet, making them nervous. Even though they longed for this kind of peace and solitude, their earlier encounters with the locals of this region had given a sharp lesson. Never trust the silence, it only meant that something was lurking just around the corner.
Leon and Chris started to walk up the path first when they noticed some villagers up at the top, standing eerily still. They froze, both aiming their handguns at the villagers. As they resumed walking quietly, they noticed the start of an old, big engine. Leon gulped, knowing that these people are crazy behind the wheel.
A large, old fashioned, army truck appeared, running over the startled villagers on top of the hill. The men backed away as the old rickety truck honked and honked, sounding like the truck from Jeepers Creepers. Both men began to fire while backing up quickly. Their bullets went through the window, but not one hit the driver. The lights of the truck blinded the two men, making it harder to shoot properly.
Fearing for the worst, Chris shouted, "Girls! Get out of here!"
Sheila tried the door, finding it locked.
"We can't! It's locked," she said with a quavery voice.
Leon cursed and ran back as the truck began driving down the hill. He shot out one light, giving him and Chris some visual of the driver. The driver was laughing like a mad man, his eyes burning red like a possessed man. The two men fire again, this time hitting and killing the driver. The driver slumped over the wheel, causing the truck to drive out of control. The wheels turned sharply to the right, causing the truck to turn on it's side and crash into the tree's and bushes.
Panting, Leon looked at the girls and ordered, "Come on! Go! Go! Go!"
The group galvanised in to action. Sheila nervously ran past the truck, hearing a villager in the truck curse.
_"Why is it that Ashley can run by without alerting the creepy villagers, but when I_ _do it, they notice?" _Sheila mentally questioned nobody in particular as she picked up the pace.
Up ahead, she saw the three Raccoon survivors aim behind her, telling her to duck so she wouldn't get shot. Bullets whizzed past her head as she pumped her legs faster, trying to reach her friends before becoming a kidnapped victim yet again. She managed to make it past her protectors, looking from behind them they mowed down the villagers with a hail of bullets. When one not so bright Ganado drew close, Claire quickly reached inside her special bag, taking out her sawed off shotgun to blow the villager away.
After killing the last of the stragglers, they turned around and ordered the girls to get moving. Sheila of course didn't listen as she ran back down to the truck.
"Sheila! What are you doing," asked Leon as he followed her.
She knelt down by the truck and picked up the little chest that had a butt load of pesetas.
"Just grabbing some money for you guys. You'll need it, trust me," she said as she handed it to Leon.
He heaved a deep, exasperated sigh as he took the pesetas.
"Don't scare us like that again. Okay," he said with a small smile.
She gave him a mischievous look and replied as they ran up the hill, "Can't promise ya that Leon."
Leon ruffled her hair to her dismay, and chuckled as they rejoined the group. He held up the box and said, "Sheila found some pesetas."
Chris nodded and tried to give Sheila a stern look, but failed since she didn't really care or look cowed by the intimidating older man.
Claire shook her head while shooing Leon's offer away, "You and Chris keep it. I'm doing good in the money department."
The guys shrugged and split the money. After the little interlude, they jogged down the path that connected with the bridge of the castle. They stopped to look at the creepy place.
"Woe. That looks like Dracula's castle," remarked Chris.
Claire agreed while looking at the castle with a weary look. Suddenly, the sound of a mob and their excited shouts could be heard from the hill. Leon looked behind him and saw dozens of torches, then turned to look at the other end of the path to see even more heading their way from that end.
Knowing they could never beat all those villagers, he grabbed Ashley's arm and said as he started to run, "We have no choice. Head for the castle!"
The group ran across the large bridge, not even daring to look back at the angry villagers. When they made it across, Leon noticed two levers that looked like they pulled up the bridge.
He gave Chris a yell as he ran over to one and gripped the handle, "Hurry! We got to get the bridge up!"
Chris ran over to the other lever, giving Leon the sign that he was ready. Both men strained as they started tp slowly crank the levers. The chains of the bridge groaned as the middle began to divide. It was like those bridges that open up in the middle. You know what I mean.
The villagers tried to run up their side of the bridge, some even making it to the edge as their side tipped upwards. AS dedicated to the cause, they attempted to jump over to the other half of the bridge, but came up short and fell a hundred feet below into the sea. The guys were straining as the veins in their muscle-y arms popped to the surface. Beads of sweat dripped down their faces as they worked faster and faster drawing up the ancient bridge. Finally, the chains stopped. The bridge was up, preventing anybody from crossing over.
The men panted as they clapped each other on the back, relieved that they were finally away from the village. Claire gave each of them a hug, happy that all of them made it through the nightmarish village.
Leon looked at everyone in his group and said with a tired grin, "I don't know about you, but I'm hungry. Anyone for a army ration?"
Everyone groaned at the thought of eating that food. Leon, Chris, and Claire brought out their food and divided it equally among the five of them.
Sheila sighed and prayed over the food. She heard rumors about army rations. Guess she was about to find out if all those rumors were true. They all ate in silence, to busy feeding their hungry stomachs. It wasn't the greatest, but it did fill them up and gave them some energy. Ashley frowned after eating her portion.
"That was the most disgusting food I ever have had the displeasure of eating," she said grumpily.
Sheila took a big gulp of Claire's water before retorting, "Well, be thankful you even got to eat. I personally am gratefull to the army for creating such icky but fulfilling food. God bless the U.S.A," she said with her hand over her heart.
Leon chukled at this and said while stretching his sore limbs, "Okay, everyone. Let's get going."
The group trouped into the castle, hoping for a rest from all their troubles. Well, except for Sheila, she knew what crappy situations they were going to face.
**R**
Salazar had torn up the note that was given to him. It reported that the agent and those two Americans were still alive. And they still had the girls with them! He rubbed his pale, throbbing temple as he let the information sink in. Mendez was dead. That didn't surprise the tiny, moody man. He never really cared for the giant. He was just the guard dog to the castle, and a lazy one at that! No matter, the agent and his friends will not make it far.
He gave a maniacal laugh. Little did these intruders know that there would be no escaping this place. If they thought the tiny, insignificant village was troublesome, then this place will be what makes their worst nightmares come true. He smiled. and ordered his right hand man to tell the monks that it was time. Time to kill Scott Kennedy. This will please his Lord greatly! He'll bring his head on a silver platter to Lord Saddler, and iniciate the girls into Las Plagas way of life, making them officially apart of the purest race on the planet. Soon, Lord Saddler's vision will be reality!
**R**
"Well, strangers! You're looking worse for ware!," the merchant said while checking out their appearance.
It was true. They were dirty, and their clothes were torn in places where blood and mud had made permanent stains. Though the two younger girls no longer looked as fresh as they did when being abducted, they haven't been in the scene of battle as long as the other three have been to look like hell. Claire, (who had no more armor on) her shirt was torn in places where blades had torn and me both flesh and fabric. Brownish, yellowish stains were on her clothes and face. Chris was looking a little better than she was, thanks to his outer protection. He still had his armor, but the his arms of sleeves were shredded, his face covered in some dark stains of dirt that the rain was able to quite wash off, and his spiky gelled hair was no longer standing up anymore. The stains on his clothes matched his sister's. Poor Leon looked worse than all of them. He had the worse wounds, the shabbiest clothes, and his hair was looking less blond with all the gore and dirt caked in it.
Leon rolled his eyes at the merchant's obseration and said, "Just show us the goods."
The merchant grinned as he brought out his backpack. Carefully, he took everything out and laid them on display on the table. New weapons, ammo, first aid spray, a map of the castle, and a larger case met eager eyes. He chuckled at the look on Leon's face.
"Well Stranger, how about some better weopans," he said with a twinkle in his eyes. Leon smiled as he shopped among the better selection of equipment. Claire smiled, he reminded her of a kid in a candy store.
Chris walked up beside Leon and began saying, "If I was you, I'd sell all of your weapons and upgrade these babies."
Leon nodded and turned to the merchant.
The merchant asked while rubbing his hands together, "What are ya selling?"
As Leon sold all his weapons (not the TMP!) Sheila whispered to Claire, " How does he get here so darn fast! What is he, Superman?"
Claire looked at Sheila and shook her head.
"You still on that subject," Claire asked.
Sheila shrugged her shoulders and answered, "I got a one tracked mind."
Leon put his new, upgraded weapons in his new, much larger case, except of course for the riot gun. The merchant even gave him a strap for for free for the Riot gun and the automatic Rifle. He even gave Leon a deal on a better scope for the Rifle, in which the agent was polite enough to thank him warmly.
Chris asked why he didn't get a strap for his Riot gun and Rifle, and the merchant simply replied, "Ya didn't ask, ZombiKler. But I'll be happy to sell ya some."
Chris scoffed at this and walked out of the small shack. Leon gave the merchat a nod goodbye as he followed suit.
As Claire and Ashley left the small building, Sheila gave a pointed stare and said, "I'm going to figure out how you get to place to place so fast."
The merchant chuckled and replied, "I would like to see you try, little miss."
"You're on, Stranger."
She left the merchant with a smile, hearing him call after her, "Hey! Stranger is my trade mark saying!"
As Sheila stepped out into the cold night air, she noticed how the open, stone court yard was much larger and creepier than in the game.
_"Guess it's bigger when you are actually standing in it," _she thought as she rejoined the group.
They were gathered at the base of the stone steps. Sheila noticed how the steps were cracked and worn smooth by age, somehow adding to its charm... Or creep factor, depending what out look you have on places like that. As for Sheila, she almost sighed with content. She loved old castles. She's always loved history and the stories of things of the past. Although, the person who taught or wrote about historical events had to definitly make it interesting. Iif they didn't, she would fall asleep which happened once during class years ago. Veeery embarrassing.
"What was that all about," Claire asked while looking back at the little shack. Sheila shrugged and smiled.
"Shouldn't we get going? I would really like to reach that helicopter before I grow old," Sheila said before Claire could question any more about the merchant.
"Yeah, we're going. Just making sure we had enough ammo. You know, just in case," Chris said while getting his Black-tail ready.
Leon patted Sheila on the shoulder and said, "Let's move out."
**R**
Salazar smiled as a follower came up to him and bowed as he walked down the halls of his castle. The follower was waring a black robe, resembling a monk of a more peaceful religion. His skin was even paler than the villagers, giving him the look of a vampire. His head was shaved as was tradition for this occult, with red markings showing his status.
He began to speak (In Spanish), "Master Salazar, we have everything prepared, just as you ordered. The catapults are prepped and ready, along with your men."
Salazar smiled evily, confident that the agent and his two friends will die. But, he had to make sure of one thing.
"Remember, do not kill Ashley or that red haired one. They are crucial to Lord Saddler's plans," he said with a penetrating glare.
The monk foolishly responded, "Oh, Master Salazar, we would never do something as foolish as the village folk would. You are wrong-"
Saddler turned and looked up at the monk with a veicious glare. His eyes grew wild as he began to stomp and rant.
"Do you dare question my intelligence, nave! I am Lord Saddler's right hand! I should have you impaled for such insolence," spat out the little wee man. It was a comical sight, but not to the monk. The monk fell to his knees and bowed his face all the way to the floor.
"Oh Master Salazar! Forgive me! Don't have me put to death! If you want, I shall give myself fifty lashings. Just have mercy! MERCY!," the monk cried as he begged for his life. Salazar smiled at the cowering man. His sadistic mind loved fear, death, and blood. He was not merciful whatsoever, but he decided to let the monk live. After all, the sound of him flogging himself was too much to resist.
He walked around the monk, putting his hands behind his back. He looked up at his two body guards and gave them an sadistic smile.
"Get up, you worm! I will let you live. I'm not such a bad guy, you know. But for your punishment, you will give yourself one hundred lashes. In my presence," he said with a crazy smile.
The monk nodded like a happy puppy and stood back on his feet.
"You still have a young parasite in you, nave. You don't know yet that you are my slave. For Lord Saddler gave me this power, knowing you idiots would not know how to handle this wonderful gift and its benefits. I know what's best for you. Now come. We'll be going to the entrance hall to wait for the agent... If he lives that is. You will flog yourself for me there," Salazar said as they walked down the hall.
The monk shivered at the sound of Salazar's voice. In the deepest part of his mind, he wished that Saddler had never came to this area. He then wouldn't have offered himself to have the parasite injected in his body. But that, readers, was a very small, human part if him. The parasite was all too happy to follow the orders from the drone parasite in Salazar.
**R**
"Crap! Look-outs dead ahead," Chris mentioned as they hid behind some large crates.
Leon smiled and took out his new Rifle. Chris grinned and did the same.
"Okay girls, cover your ears. This will only take a few seconds," Leon said as he put in his ear plugs.
Chris of course didn't do that. He was used to the sound. (He knew that the merchant made the sniper rifles fire with a more quiet sound than the average one.) He took out Leon's ear plugs and explained to him what he knew. Leon looked a bit embarrassed, but not too much.
They held the rifles up and aimed at the hooded cult members. By the looks of it, they were mumbling incoherently.
"Wait till they are separate from each other," Leon said while aiming at a monk.
Chris smiled and said, "I'll take the one that goes left."
Just as both monks got to the opposite sides of each other, the men fired. Both of the heads exploded, leaving blood and mucassy gore to spray out all over the castle walls. The two waited to see if this would attract attention, but it seemed nobody noticed.
Leon and Chris gave the signal to the girls that it was clear. Single file they ran across the open area. When they reached the steps, they slowed down with caution. Leon and Chris lead the way as they quickly walked up the stairs, stopping when they saw the horrible sight. A man in a red robe with what looked like a goat or rams skull mask, pointed and yelled as some men who lit a large bolder on fire, in the catapult contraption.
"RUUN!," yelled Chris as they ran down to the left.
They heard the sound of catapults releasing their great big balls of fire. Leon saw some more up ahead, which doubled the effort of his beating heart. A boulder struck the wall beside him, sending debris everywhere. He stumbled a bit, blinded by the smoke and sparks. He heard more catapults sending their boulders of doom their way.
Leon yelled, "Follow me!"
He turned sharply to the left, where they had killed those two monks just a minute ago. Ashley screamed as flaming boulder hit the spot she was just at, knocking her to the ground. Claire helped the girl to her feet, practically dragging her to safety. They rounded the corner and ran into the small doorway.
Breathing heavily, they stayed where they were as the sound of whistling boulders came crashing down, hitting the wall. But not even one came close to where they were. As they regrouped for the next task, Leon noticed the old cannon. He examined it as the others talked frantically.
"What are we going to do!" Ashley said in a panicky voice.
Chris ran his hand through his hair, at a loss at words.
"We have to keep going. If we stay pinned here, they will come after us, cornering us in this tiny little room," he said grimly.
"No WAY! I am not going back out there! You two go! We'll stay," Ashley said with eyes filled with terror. She already had a close call.
Claire tried to sooth the young woman, "Hon, we need to keep moving. Chris is right. They'll just corner us, killing me, Chris, and Leon, leaving you and Sheila defenseless and at their mercy. Besides, the map shows we-"
"I don't care! I want to go home," Ashley cried as she shook Claire's hand off her shoulder.
"Oh, give it a rest, princess! We won't survive if we stay here. Stop taking out your fear on Claire and Chris," Sheila said while clenching her fists.
Leon broke up the argument. "According to the map, there is some strategic places we can go to survive this on slaught. After me and Chris kill the maniacs up there, we'll go hopefully find a lever that will get this cannon up there. Then, we'll blow the gate away, and leave this hazardous place. But you have to listen to everything we say. Got it, Ashley?"
She looked away and nodded yes.
"Good. Now, everyone, follow my lead," Leon said as he stepped out of the little stone room.
After giving them a small smile, he ran quickly out of there. As soon as they came in sight of the catapults, the monks let it rip. Leon turned sharply to the right, the others following close behind. As they made their way up the stairs, the busy agent gave the woman a hand signal to stay back. Then he and Chris slowly peeked as they walked up the stairs. Leon immediately aimed at the catapult in the distance and fired at the monk. He killed him, but not before the monk released the catapult. Chris grabbed Leon and pulled him back down the stairs, barely avoiding the boulder as it crashed into the spot his concentrating friend was just at. Smoldering pieces of the boulder laid on the crumbled ground.
Leon looked at Chris and said, "Thanks."
Chris just shrugged his shoulders and replied, "Don't thank me yet. I'll probably be saving your butt for the rest of the night."
Leon looked over the wall and saw that from their angle, the other catapults won't be able to shoot at them. But he did notice a cult member in a red rode, waring a gold, spiked, skull helmet that covered his entire face and head. The man was standing inside a sturdy, stone weapons room, doing nothing. He was just standing there with a scabbard in his hands, as if waiting for something or certain people.
Leon spoke while aiming at the man's chest, "Chris and Ashley, run and get inside that building as soon as I kill this creep. After the two of you get in the building, I want Claire and Sheila to run over and get in the building as soon as there is a break from those catapults."
Chris nodded and grabbed Ashley's hand while holding the rifle with the other hand. Not easy.
Leon aimed at the weird cult member, then fired inside the man's chest. Blood squirted from the bullet wound, but it seemed to not faze him much. The man grunted and ran out of the building, his blade raised high. Leon took aim and fired again, this time the shot killed him as the bullet went through his heart. The strange robed figure tripped and fell to the ground, melting away. The agent then gave them the signal to move out. Chris ran as hard as he could, dragging a panicky Ashley behind him. She wasn't as fast as him, so he had to pull hard to make her keep up.
The sounds of catapults galvanizing into action made him run even harder. They barely made it inside the little room as the flaming boulder crashed against the entrance. The building held strong, barely shaking from the blast. Several more catapults fired uselessly at the small room. Ashley crouched against the wall in the back, barely noticing the older man asking if she was okay. Not getting an answer but seeing that she was at least not in her normal hysterics, Chris began looking around. The place was even smaller than where they saw the merchant last. He frowned at this, not too happy about the tightness there will be when all of them are stuck here. Looking out the window, he watched as another catapult up above, just ten feet away, stayed prepped and ready. He smiled as he took aim at the red gasoline barrow next to the monk. He fired at the barrel, causing a large explosion. The area shook as the catapult and it's monk were blown up to bits. He gave Leon a thumbs up as a fresh wave of boulders were released his way. He stood back and smiled as the boulders hit everywhere but the little room they were in.
He looked back at Leon, apparently, he looked worried about something downstairs. As soon as there was a lull in the catapulting, he gave Claire and Sheila the heads up to get moving. The two young women held hands as they raced down the small stone path to the room. Fresh boulders were released, hitting the area ahead of them, warning them that they better not even try it. They ignored this and kept running. They had a close call as the the two reached the room just as a fiery boulder hit the stone store house, causing some of the bricks to give away. Chris hugged the girls as dust filled the air.
Ashley finally detatched herself from the back wall to look out the window, seeing Leon putting the riifle over his other shoulder. He brought out his Riot gun and began racing down the path. Behind him were two cult members with more scabbords in their hands.
"Look out," Ashley screamed as one threw his blade at Leon.
Leon looked over his shoulder and jumped down as he saw the blade whizzing at his head. When he rolled over, the monks were upon him, laughing menacingly.
One cult member let out his last cry as Chris sniped him, shooting his chest. (His rifle is fully upgraded, remember?) The other cult member didn't seem to care as he raised his blade to kill Leon. Leon did the same move he did earlier when both Luis and himself were tied up to face their executioner. He stuck his leg in the air, and flipped the man behind him. The monk cried out as he hit the floor, this only angered him as he rolled over and stood back up. But he didn't even have a chance to look menacingly at the American as a stray fire boulder came whistling down through the air, and of course it was to short to hit the building out little group is in. Instead, it smashed the cult member to the ground, leaving a mushy, bloody mess. Leon sidestepped the gory scene and quickly ran to the building.
"Okay. We only got one catulpult left. Let's nuetralize them. We'll run over there by that lever and shoot like mad men before he kills us," Leon said while putting his Riot gun back on his shoulder.
Chris smiled and readied his Rifle.
"Sounds like a plan to me," he said.
Leon walked up to the door, gripping his Rifle tightly.
"On three. One. Two. THREE!" cried out Leon.
The two ran like maniacs over to the lever and the big hole. The cult member fired his catapult with his ever steady chant. Both men fired, ignoring the approaching fire boulder. It was Leon who shot the man in the shoulder, which only made him stumble back. Chris blew the guys head off with a great head shot. Blood gushed from the bloody stump as the body twitched and fell. The two smiled at one another.
Claire shouted a warning as the boulder that the now dead cult member fired was rushing down upon them. Leon grabbed Chris and moved out of the way. The crash from the splintering rock made them fall flat on their faces, slightly bruised but still alive. Leon got up with a groan and gave his hand to Chris to help him up.
"Now who's saving who's butt?" Leon asked with a smirk.
Chris scoffed and replied, "I let ya do it. You know, to give your self-esteem a boost."
Leon laughed and punched him in the arm good naturally. The girls ran over to them, all griping how stupid the two males were. The guys sighed dramatically at the nagging women.
"Women," Leon grumbled while blowing a strand of blond hair out of his eyes.
Stepping up to the lever, Leon got to work. Moving the lever was slow going at first, but soon he had it moving faster and faster as he used his strength to get the cannon up to the level where they were at. The cannon finally reached them, pointing at the big, wooden gate. Leon smiled and lit the fuse. They all covered their ears as the cannon suddenly came to life. The cannon ball demolished the door to smithereens with a loud, dramatic, action packed movie explosion.
Leon proudly said, "Ah. Nice to have a cannon around."
Sheila looked up at him and said as they walked and replied, "Now why do you suppose they have an armed and ready cannon, pointed in the direction of the gate? I smell a conspiracy!"
The group moaned as she began to give her strange therory on the subject.
**R**
"Heheheheeheheheeeee! Only ten more to go, my loyal subject," said the merry Salazar.
The painful cry of "Yes Master!" was heard as a messenger came up to the happy, young man.
"Master Salazar. I have some bad news. The agent and his friends made it past the gate. They killed all your loyal men who fired the catapults," said the cult member.
Salazar waved him away and said over the painful cries of the man down below, "No matter. I welcome the challenge. Our guests will not survive this castle alive. Where can they possibly go? We're so many while this American and his puny friends are so few... Send extra men down to greet him. I want to give him more of a Salazar welcome."
The messenger bowed and went back downstairs.
Salazar looked down from his perch. (He's in the entrance hall, the one where you first meet him in the game.) The man's bare back was covered with bloody welts where he flogged himself mercilessly. But this only bothered him half as much it would a regular human. He stood up and dressed himself, covering the wounds with his plain black robe. Then He looked up at Salazar and gazed upon him expectantly.
"Well, my servant. Did you feel pain," asked the eager Salazar. The man nodded his head. Salazar grinned as he spoke, "Good. Let this be a lesson for you. Never think you are the same level as me again. Now, on a lighter note, I want you to go help my men to kill the agent."
The man bowed and walked away, a bit stiff like. Salazar laughed as he looked at his body guards. He loved his power. He was able to control every one around him. At least, that is what he thinks. Saddler lets him think that. He's just another Ganado, one who thinks he's king of the world. In reality, he has more pull than the average Ganado, but in the end, he's just another pawn. One we eagerly anticipate in getting his butt kicked by Resident Evils best!
**R**
Chris wiped the sweat above his head as they killed the last Ganado in the room. He was beginning to miss the villagers. As Claire fitted placed gold sword in the right slot as Leon fitted the platinum sword in it's proper place, his sensitive earls picked up Sheila's conversation with Ashley.
"I'm telling you, that merchant is getting around the place too quickly! I didn't see him pass us when we were running for our lives from the catapults. That's a conspiracy I'm going to figure out! Want to help," Sheila asked the young blond.
Ashley just resumed the usual position of looking at her like she was crazy.
"You are the strangest girl I have ever met," Ashley said while shaking her head.
Sheila placed her hands on her hips and retorted, "Well. You're the snobbiest girl I have ever met. I'm just in-centric... Or am I?"
Sheila gave her a luney expression as she said the last part. Ashley gulped and stepped away from her. She finally spoke when she was at a safe distance, "I'm not a snob!"
Chris sighed and rubbed his head.
_"Those two are worse then me and Claire," _he thought with a sigh.
Leon walked up to Chris and said angrily, "Why do the creeps have to have the crappy puzzles to open doors?"
Chris shrugged and answered, "Because they're evil."
Leon would have said more, but Hunnigan was paging him. He pulled out his radio and when it began to beep. (I think he was supposed to answer it before he killed the monks in the room.. Oh well!)
Hunnigan: _Leon, where's your location?_
Leon_: We decided to lay low in a castle, but it looks like it was a bad move._
Hunnigan_: Meaning?_
Leon_: Well, it appears that this castle is also connected with the Los Illuminados. They must not get many visitors here cuz they're giving us one hell of a welcome._
Hunnigan_: Sounds bad. I have an idea, Leon. I need you to... Le..._
Leon_: What? Repeat Hunnigan... Great. Just my luck_.
Leon ended the transmission and holstered the radio.
"What happened," asked Claire.
Leon looked at her with a tired look.
"I don't know. Maybe bad reception," he replied.
Claire strolled over and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Let's get going, handsome," she said with a smile.
Leon gave her a warm smile and nodded his head. Claire Redfield could brighten up anyones day. Especially when she remarked on your looks. Leon felt lighter and butterflies in his stomach as they left the room.
**Authors Note: Yaaaay! Another chapter finished. Okay, now for everyonse challenge. I want everyone to send in their theories on why the merchant gets around so fast. I'll mention them in the story as it progresses. When we get close to the end of this story, I'll post all the theories down in the Author's note and ask you to vote which one you want! I may even combine a few! But until then, just send me your theories so I can work it into the story! The theories can be as crazy as you want! Enjoy! Please review and respond when you can! Byeeee! **
**UPDATE: THE THEORY SUGGESTION BOX IS CLOSED. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, GO TO MY PROPHILE PAGE AND VOTE ON THE POLE THAT HAS ALL THE SUGGESTIONS GIVEN BY THE FANS. REMEMBER, YOUR VOTE WILL ULTIMATELY DECIDE THE OUTCOME OF HOW THE MERCHANT GETS AROUND SO QUICKLY, AND EVEN SHAPE THE ENDING!**
20. Chapter 19: The Castle Castallion or
**Authors Note: Hey everybody! Hope you had a great weekend! Well, here's a little late but great chapter for you peebles! Thanks for all the reviews and your therory on how the Merchant gets around! Keep sending your theories! Enjoy!**
**Resident Evil 4:A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 19: The Castle Castellon or Stallion or Whatever**!
"Leon," Luis hailed as he closed the door behind him. The group looked back with surprise on their faces.
Leon responded while turning around, "Luis!"
"Sheila," Sheila replied happily. The group gave her a strange look. "What? Like I said before, I just want to join in on the name game," she said while putting her hands on her hips.
Luis walked up to them and smiled as he said, "I got it! It's right... What? It's here... aaaw, sh-t! I must of dropped it back there while trying to escape."
"Get what?" Ashley asked with curiosity.
Luis looked at her with a pained expression, then at the rest of the group and said, "Your medication that will help suppress the parasite's growth... Look, I know the three of you are infected. You've been having spasms and been coughing up blood, right?" Luis asked with a knowing expression.
Leon, Sheila and Ashley looked nervously at each other, then back at Luis.
"Yeah," Leon answered with a defeated tone.
Luis nodded and looked at the two girls standing next to him and asked, "And you two?"
He really didn't want to hear what he knew what they were about to say.
"Yes... Both of us have since the church," Sheila answered for both of them. Although she knew what was going and how to cure herself, she still felt afraid of what could become of them. Luis felt the same thing.
"D-mn it! The eggs have hatched! That doesn't give you much time... I got to go back," Luis said with finality.
He turned and began walking away. Sheila felt a lump forming in her throat as she realised she would never see Luis alive again. His fate was a horrible death by Saddler. She had to try to stop it!
"Wait, I'll come with you," Ashley said before Sheila could get Luis's attention. Luis turned slightly and looked at the group.
"No, you stay here with Leon. He's better with the ladies," he said with a serious tone. He looked at Claire and winked, then turned around and proceeded down toward the door. Sheila ran over to him as quickly as possible, ignoring Claire as she called out her name.
"Luis, stop! You can't leave! You have to stay with us," she said with a determined, authoritive voice.
Luis arched a eyebrow and said with a small smile, "I do, do I? Sounds to me like ya going to miss me."
Sheila let out a scoff and said, "Nooooo. I just think it's a stupid thing for you to go off alone without someone looking out for ya! We need to stick together."
Sheila said the last part with a silent plea in her hazel eyes. She just couldn't let the poor guy die like that. If there was a chance to save this poor scientist's life, than by George she was going to do it!
Luis put his hand on her shoulder and said with a reassuring voice, "I'll be okay. I have to go back, little senorita. This medicine will help with the convulsions; make them easier. If it will make you feel better, I promise that the next time I come back, I'll stick around. Okay?"
Sheila sighed and nodded her head. He did have to go back. Leon will need the medicine later to help him out. But she knew Luis would not stick around even if he did survive. He had that deal with Ada. And Ada will make sure that he keeps his word.
Luis smiled and gave her shoulder a squeeze, then he turned around and started walking the rest of the way to the door.
Sheila continued to gaze at his retreating back as she heard Leon call out, "Why are you doing this?"
Luis didn't even break stride as he replied, "It makes me feel better. Let's just leave it at that."
He opened the door and was finally gone. Sheila whispered under her breath as she felt Chris put a comforting arm around her shoulder, "I'll save you, Luis Sera. I promise."
"Come on Red. Let's get going," Chris said while leading her to the door that will lead them to the key. Which they will have to fight for it. But that was Resident Evil for ya. They make you work it.
**R**
Wesker sipped his hot, black, strong cup of coffee as he waited for Ada to answer his call. Her face appeared on the monitors, looking as striking and well kept as ever. You wouldn't have known she was on a life or death mission, just by looking at her.
She gave him her fake smile and greeted his immage with a cool tone. "Wesker. Getting a little impatient, I see. I was just about to call you."
Wesker arched a brow as he replied, "Really? Hm. That would be a surprising twist."
She smirked and got down to business, "Is there something you want to tell me?"
Wesker set his coffee down on the small table next to his chair. "No. Not really. I want to know the progress you have made."
Ada gave him an emotionless look, telling Wesker that she probably made no progress. But she proved him wrong.
"I found some information in files and diaries about the Plagas. Even some lab reports. It's interesting. They appeared to have branched out further than you anticipated," she said while hiding behind a wall. She looked like she was getting distracted by something.
Wesker took note of this and said, "Well, guess they're not such a backwoods cult after all. But it doesn't surprise me much. Luis is a top notch scientist. I'll contact you later. Remember, make sure not to reveal yourself to our fellow friends. They could mess up things if they caught wind of you."
She smirked and hung up.
Wesker picked back up his coffee, and began sipping the hot liquid. He knew that they probably already suspected, but it didn't hurt to be careful. And the news on the cult was only old news. He suspected that they were branching out, if they didn't, this cult would have never caught his attention.
He closed his eyes as he enjoyed his coffee.
"Aaah. The simple pleasures of life," he said as he drank the dark brew.
**R**
"This castle is filled with more freaks than that village," Claire mumbled as they unlocked the doors.
She looked at Leon and felt the fear clenching in her stomach. The man she's counted on for years now had that creature in him, along with the girls. The thought of losing anyone in this group made her sick. Leon caught her gaze as Chris opened the doors. He noticed the pained look she was giving him. It wasn't hard to guess that the news she heard about the parasites had upset her. He should have mentioned it earlier, but in a way, he was in denial about it. He tore his gaze from her and walked inside.
Chris whistled at the sight. The place was huge, and looked so medieval. Although, he wouldn't have put those creepy banners of the cult's insignia all over the room like that. It really devalued the place for him, ruining the moment of admiring old history and beauty. Suddenly, a creepy giggle broke their attention from their surroundings. They looked around them, trying to find where that sound came from. Chris and Leon shared a look as they walked further in the room. Then, a little bark of laughter waifed around them again. The older Redfield looked all around, trying to find the source of that annoying laughter.
He looked at Leon and said, "Sounds like a elf or something."
Leon nodded in agreement and continued forward, walking within sight of the balcony above. Then, a fit of laughter was heard above them, catching every-ones attention. A small man in a Victorian, royal looking, blue outfit stood above them, wearing a blue triangular hat. He had the pasty pallor of those infected with the parasite, and somewhat wrinkly crows-feet around the eyes. A pair of small, beady yellow eyes that danced with evil mischievousness gazed upon them with a giddiness, more then likely dreaming up different ways to kill them. His hair was grey and pulled back in a pony tail, although neat, it looked stringy and unhealthy.
The two standing next to him were hard not to notice. Both were immensely tall; one waring a black hooded robe with a hood covering its ugly face with a red insignia of the cult embroidered on the front of the robe. It's hands were not even human. They were black and long like claws. The other one was just the same height and looked the same. The only difference was the robes. His or its was red with the black embroidered sign on it.
Claire shuddered at the sight of the two creatures. She had a feeling that they were going to see what they looked like some day. She hoped she was wrong. The little stranger looked down as he laughingly said, "Hahahahahaa! Hehehehehehehheee! I was beginning to wonder when you would notice us."
Leon demanded with a confident voice, "Who are you?"
The man grinned even wider, making his features look even creepier. Sheila curled a lip in disgust at the pathetic looking young man.
The young twenty year old responded with a grand gesture of his hands, "Me illamo Ramon Salazar. I am the eighth Castellon of this magnificent architecture. I've been honored with the prestigious power by the great Lord Saddler. I've been expecting you my brethren."
"No thanks, bro," Leon said while taking a defiant step forward.
The man shook his head and began walking back and forth while saying, "My, my. We have a feisty one. If you care for your well being, I suggest you surrender yourself and simply, become our hostage. Or you can just give us the girls Mr. Scott, for you don't matter a penny, I'm afraid. You can die for all we care."
With that said, the small man turned around and began walking away.
Chris mumbled, "Wow. The midget sure takes himself seriously."
Salazar stopped and quickly ran back to the balcony.
"You imbecile! I'll take special pleasure out of seeing you and your partner cry out in pain while being tortured by my best men!" Salazar said angrily as he shook a fist down at Chris.
Chris smirked and replied, "What you going to do? Go cry to mommy that the big, mean man stated something on your size? Awww, poor wee little man."
Claire gave her the brother a "That's enough." look. Chris shrugged and smirked up at the trembling little weasel.
Sheila smiled at the sight. She only saw the little guy lose it when Leon kept surviving everything. Being the strange girl that she was, the teen decided to join in on the fun.
"Hey! Mr. Mini-me of Saddler, I challenge you to a dance revolution! With those little legs, you'll win for sure! Your closer to the ground more than I am," she hollered up at the Castellon as his face actually started to turn red from anger. (To all those out there who have picked on people who are short like me or shorter. It is not nice to pick on someone who is shorter than you! My character is doing it because the guy is a creep! Plus he's fictional so he really doesn't count. Okay, back to the story. Thanks Silver Horror for the idea!)
Salazar began jumping up and down, screaming like a baby as he demanded, "Take that back! Or you'll regret it my dear!"
Sheila chuckled as Chris took up the verbal sparring, "Hey! Insect guys! You better grab your boss, I think he's going to blow or something."
The one in red came up and picked up the screaming Salazar as he screamed out in Spanish, calling them every curse word he could think of.
Leon and everyone else glared at Chris and Sheila.
Not fazed by the vibes from the others, Chris shrugged and simply stated, "Couldn't let Leon be the only one who got to talk back at the little freakoid. He's what, a hundred or something, and having a tantrum? That spells a nutcase who thinks he has everything under control. Too big of a target to ignore... We just had to blast him."
Claire growled and began walking up the steps, deeply emabarrased of the two. Ashley followed, not even bothering to look at the two big mouths. Leon sighed and tried to hide a smile. Sheila noticed and decided to say Ashley's line, trying to keep the plot going. Well, she added a thing or two.
"Leon, I don't want to turn into another crazy Salazar. I refuse to be like that! Knock me unconscious if I ever behave like that," Sheila said while walking up the stairs between the two men.
Leon agreed offered his encouragement, "Me niether. Although, knocking you out has already crossed my mind. Hey!"
Leon fake a pained voice as he covered his arm where she punched him lightly.
Sheila smiled and said, "Yeah. We'll find a cure."
Leon stopped short at the top as he said with a puzzled expression, "I have the strangest feeling like I was supposed to say that."
Sheila arched an eyebrow. "Now who's acting crazy."
Claire cursed as the passage that would have cut some time on there journey was suddenly blocked by the floor that slid up. It revealed a picture of a night on a horse, trying to slay a beast with a spear. Only, the creature wasn't finished. There seemed to be indentions with small holes where there appeared to be some pieces of the picture missing.
Leon rolled his eyes. "Now why doesn't that surprise me."
He shook his head as Chris replied, "Like I said. Crazy, evil people are the ones who think of the strangest way of opening doors or passages... Freaks"
**Authors Note: Okay, I know that this only contained conversations, but I wanted to get to the fight scene sith that Gladiator freak, so I cut out some of the fighting from earlier for the key, and made this chapter as quickly as possible! I hoped you enjoyed it! In the next chapter, there sill be gore and violence and the big fight with the Ganadore and more discussion on the merchant's way of getting from one point to the other. Keep sending in your theories! Review! **
21. Chapter 20:Meet Senior Claws
**Authors Note: Alrighty then! More reviews! El Yaaaaaaaay! Here's another chapter except it will contain violence, gore, bad guys, things, and theories about the merchant! Muah !**
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**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 20: Meet Senior Claws**
Claire looked at the steel door in front of them. It was tuff and sturdy, with no door knob or anything visible that would open it. With all that detail taken in with a single glance, she could tell that it was likely there to keep out a powerful foe. She stepped away and looked at the two guys. They shared a knowing look, clearly just as glad as she was that it was closed. Who knows what could be lurking down there..
"Hey guys, look-ey look," Sheila just had to point out. From her view point, she could see the rusted bars of the small bars that held the dangerous foe at bay. She was curious if it was as freakish looking as it was on the game, but not enough to actually take a peek for herself. Things like that was best left to zombie survivors. Particularly Leon Scott Kennedy, the guy with the nice booty... She was definitely not going down there!
The others looked down and saw a dirty lit room with the cell. They couldn't see what was down there within the confines of the bars, and they didn't want to. It smelled of urin and death. Chris finally broke the silence.
"Well, there's nothing to see as far as I can tell. Let's keep moving."
The others agreed, and continued on with their set course. Sheila hardly moved since she knew that they would be back. Seeing no reason to go any further since they were only going to return anyways.
But Claire wasn't going to have any of that, obviously. She grabbed the reluctant girl's arm and said, "Come on, lazy bones."
She grimaced as she was led away like a six year old, giving Claire a pouty look as she was led to the room with the two statues that was blowing fire through their mouths.
Leon cursed and said with a kick to the wall, "The way to stop this fire hazzared is probably in that stupid cell."
Sheila grinned and walked over to a portrait of what looked like a aristocrat in his prime. A shiny object was shining from his belt. She grabbed the object and detached it, smiling at the others while holding up the beautiful key. It had a heart on the end of it, making it look like it belonged in a fairy tale story. Where princesses were the damsels in distress and Goblins and dragons were the villains who wrecked havoc on the fairy world. Leon took the offered key and resumed backtracking. The group followed the irritated agent back to the metal door. The key of course fit perfectly, making Leon feel even more irritated. He had a really bad feeling about that room.
The door slid up quickly after being unlocked. Leon gave the key to Claire and said, "I guess I better go down there and look for a switch or something."
Chris immediately said, "I'll go with you."
Leon shook his head and began to argue with Chris about how he didn't really need his help and blah, blah, blah. As the two were busy arguing, Claire slipped inside without anyone noticing. She quietly walked downstairs, clearly tired of the bickering. Those two got so macho when they were together long enough. Soon, they'll be competing who could make the most monster kills. Men!
Meanwhile, Sheila tried to appease the two by saying, "Hey! How about I flip a coin and see who gets to go down the creepy, dangerous cell."
The guys grew quiet, looked at each other, and shrugged.
"Heads," Chris and Leon said together.
They scowled and began arguing again. Sheila let out a exasperated sigh and walked over to Saddler's huge portrait. The largeness of the portrait only made his flaws and evilness more pronounced. The poor artist who was commissioned to make this creepy work of art was obviously unable to smooth over the flaws of the evil one. The freak with no eyebrows.
Sheila grabbed the sides of the painting and looked behind her. The guys were still arguing of course, driving even Ashley nuts. Turning her attention back on the childish scene, she returned her attention back to the painting and lifted it up. Without a hint of guilt, she dropped the oil painting on the floor without the slightest reverence for another artist's work. The noise distracted the men, causing them to look at the smiling girl who pulled two bars of gold out of the secret hiding place.
Sheila smiled and said smugly, "Sometimes, I even amaze myself."
Down below in the dimly lit, moldy-dungeon-cell-thingy, Claire walked slowly towards the rusty cell. From what the candles that dimly revealed, she could make out a tall, muscled man strapped to the wall by metal bars and chains. He wore tight, leather pants, old fashioned studded boots, and his upper torso was bare with only a metal plate partially covering the chest. The metal plate was was apart of a gladiator helmet, which appeared old but sturdy, only revealing the strange man's eyes which were sewed shut! Claire grimaced and looked at the gruesome sight. A glitter showed her that his eyes were actually slightly opened, but not enough to see properly. Dried, crusted, blood coated and matted the eyelashes, causing a look of what looked like badly put on mascara.
Claire saw a large switch in the cell, to the right of the prisoner. She looked at the man with uncertainty, wandering if she could flip the switch without rousing him. He seemed to be barely breathing, his chest roising slightly with each breath he took. She gulped and felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise as she kicked the rusty cell door. It broke without any resistance and fell to the ground, scattering some of the dust around. The group upstairs jumped at the sound that came from down below in the cell.
"Where's Claire?" Chris asked, hoping that the answer was not down in that room.
The group ran to the window openings and looked down to see Claire going in the cell.
Sheila cried out, "No Claire! That's Leon's job!"
But it was too late.
Claire took two steps in when the Ganadore broke free from the metal bars and chains suddenly with a violent burst of strength. He let out a deep, inhuman roar as the gauntlets he had on sprouted long, sword claws. Claire stumbled backwards with a yelp of surprise, and ran into the wooden, large boxes that was sitting next to the large, thick, post in the middle of the room. The Ganadore lunged at her with it's claws raised, running with inhuman speed. She quickly jumped to her left, rolling towards the bell. She quickly got up and ran up the stairs as the Ganadore smashed the crates to pieces.
Leon and Chris came out of their stupor and ran for the door, trying to reach Claire. But as soon as the dark, auburn haired woman and the men almost reached the doorway, the metal door slammed shut with a loud bang. Leon and Chris banged on the door, trying to force it open. Sheila tried to stop them, knowing that the Ganadore will be attracted to the noise, but they couldn't hear her as all three kicked and banged on the door.
Claire heard the sound of the Ganadore rushing up the stairs toward her, the chains rattling as he grunted with glee. She quickly jumped down from the long height of the stairs, landing on her right ankle in the wrong way, roughly twisting it in the process. She cried out in pain, and rolled over to see the Ganadore scratching up the metal door. She tried to stand up, but the pressure in her ankle was severe, causing her to groan aloud. The monster stopped and turned his body toward her. He bent his head down, well, as far as the helmet would let him, and jumped off the stairs, his claw raised high. The two second scene the Gladiator represented reminded her of a Spartan. No fear, emotion, or mercy in his battle cry. Just the thirst for his enemies blood.
Claire rolled to the side at the last minute, feeling the air and the sparks as the claw collided with the stone floor. His claw didn't even recieve a dent or break, the metal for the blade strog and durable and made to last for years. She scooted away fumbling for her guns. ABove, she could hear Sheila frantically giving her some advice.
"Claire, shoot the Plagas on his back. That's the only way of killing the over grown idiot!"
The Ganadore looked up and roared at Sheila. She smiled and decided to keep making noise.
"Guys, make plenty of noise! We got to distract the Gladiator guy. He responds to noise and vibrations," Sheila said as she banged on the stony window sill.
But to her surprise, the creature stepped back, seeming to ignore her. Then it ran toward the wall, jumping high in the air and struck it's claw inside the wall. It then stuck the other claw in the crumbling, stone wall and started to climb. Sheila's eyes grew wide as saucers as Leon pulled her away from the balcony.
Sheila cried out finally and said, "That didn't happen in the game. This sucks in the suckiest way!"
To her horror, she saw the head appear. Chris ran forward with his trusty Riot gun and fired point blank range into the helmet, causing the Ganadore to lose his hold and fall to the ground with a huge boom.
Claire brought out her sawed off shotgun that Ada gave her, and waited for the monster to get up. He didn't disappoint as he stood up with a groan,rolling the kinks out of his neck. After relaxing a bit and retracting his claws, he started walking around, searching for his prey. Keeping quiet though no way calm, she tiptoed slowly around until she was right close up behind him. She was about to fire when the Ganadore whipped around and growled.
"This is going to hurt," she said as the Ganadore seemed to agree with her.
He punched her in the rib, knocking her several feet in the air, her back connecting with the wall right under the groups noses. Sheila held back a cry as she watched Claire try to get up, but apparently, the blow had cracked some ribs, making her fall back down each time she tried.
Leon cursed as he saw the creature run in the direction where he hit Claire. His heart felt like it stopped beating as he watched that very special woman just sit there, hanging her head.
"Geeeet uuuuup!" Leon screamed out in desperation.
The Ganadore sliced downward, but found only air. Claire had rolled out of the way and planted her back against the wall. Her heart was pounding as she tried to keep her breathing under control. The monster looked around, stumbling as he tried to find her. She smiled and stayed still till he turned around and retracted his claws again. He started to walk across the room, breathing heavily with soft growls rumbling deeply in his chest.
She spotted some rocks near her feet, stones that crumbled away when he was climbing the wall like some mutated cat. She bent down and nearly gasped out in pain as she grabbed the stones. The sound had the highly in-tuned Ganadore pausing. Biting her lip, she walked slowly toward the cell as the monster resumed walking around the post in the middle. She waited till he was near the bell on the wall he just climbed, and threw it. It struck the bell, letting out a loud dong that echoed with its haunting tune.
The Ganadore let out a roar and let his claws loose. He ran and began pummeling the bell, breaking it and all the wood. While doing that, his right claw got stuck in the stone wall. Seizing her chance, Claire ran forward, ignoring the pain in her right rib and shot close range into the grey, yellow, bubbling puss pocket on his upper back directly on his spine. He screamed as a yellow, fowl smelling puss sprayed out from the blast. Claire jumped back as he detached himself from the wall and stumbled around. Two, small, grey tentacles were flailing around like flags in a breese.
Claire backed away and kept her distance as the Ganadore and the parasite calmed down. The angry creature resumed his search for her, the chains clinking with each step. Leon felt hope as he watched Claire, seeing that she had a strategy made a difference. But he still had to get her out of there!
He searched his pockets and asked, "Who has the key?"
Everyone looked puzzled till Chris smacked his head and said quietly, "Claire does."
Claire looked longingly at the door, wanting to just rush upstairs and use the key to get out of there. But, she couldn't do that. He would follow her and would kill her or the others. They would have nowhere to run, thanks to the statues breathing fire. Her only choice was to flip that switch! As the Ganadore decided to yet again change his route, Claire decided to just kill the idiot. He was too much of a danger to try and escape. Plus, she had a little vengeance in mind for the creep, a little tit for tat since he did crack her rib.
But she couldn't get near him due to his being able to see at least three feet in front of him. So, she decided to use the bell strategy, spotting the last one on the opposite wall.
She waited as the Ganadore went back into his cell before throwing the rock at the other bell. The desired result happened perfectly, the creature falling for her trap yet again. Claire ran up to it and blasted the disgusting puss pocket, causing more chunks of skin and whatever that pocket was made out of, everywhere. The Ganadore roared, slashing the air till it was able to concentrate on finding her again. She backed away quickly and got ready to start the same old ritual.
_When he walks away with his back toward me, shoot. Okay Redfield? Right, sounds like a plan._
But yet again, the Ganadore did not want to play by the rules. He decided to just run around and scratch at the slightest vibration or sound, setting Claire on the defensive again.
The others began making noise to distract him, which worked. Soon, the monster didn't know rather to find his prey, or go after the loud mouth ones upstairs. This gave Claire the advantage. She dropped the shot gun and pulled out the Uzies. She ran forward and began pumping the bubbling mass full of lead. The Ganadore screamed and tried to run, but this chick had enough of the hide and seek games. She grabbed a tentacle and kept at it.
She let out a Zena warrior cry, screaming, "Die, you poor excuse for a Gladiater freak!"
As if to honor her request, The parasite bubbling mass exploded all over her clothes and face. The Ganadore let out a "Grrrrrrrrrr," and died. He dropped to the ground and laid in the brown bodily fluids and blood that pooled out of the gaping hole in his back. The stench was horrible, smelling like rotting flesh, eggs, and trash all rolled into one. Claire looked up and saw her friends whistling and clapping.
She bowed and said, "It was nothng."
Sheila smiled as Claire ran into the cell and flipped the switch. She was alive! For a minute there, she thought her hero was dead meat, but she pulled through. Man! Capcom really needs to make another game with her in it!
Ashley looked at the Ganadore down stairs and shuddered. Sheila didn't blame her. Those things were pests! She really hoped Leon would buy a rocket launcher for when he has to face two of these things! Thoughts of the future melted away as the door clicked as Claire unlocked it. She ran out to greet them, the smile on her face fading as her blue eyes widened at the sight behind them. They turned to see three Ganados, chuckling as they inched closer.
"Don't I get a break!" Claire griped out loud as she shot the lamp that was over their heads.
It fell with a burst, causing their robes to spark and catch on fire. The monks screamed and began running into each other. Chris, Leon and Cllaire began pumping them full of lead with absaloutly no mercy. Two died, the other one... well.. This is really gross to me... But cool!
His mouth tore open, leaving a saggy, empty, head uselessly hanging as the parasite emerged. The creature evolved into a big, brownish, saliva dripping, centipede thingy. Don't ask me why the centipede concept is used for these creatures. Maybe the parasite is somehow related to the evil bug. At any rate, it looked like the one on El Gigante's back, but uglier and more dangerous. The creature slowly stepped forward and stretched it's centipede body forward. It widened its jaws and tried to take Chris's head off. Chris shot it in it's mouth as it tried to have his cute head for supper. Some steamy, yellow gore blew out through it's back where the blast from the Riot gun made. It screamed and stumbled forward. Chris let out a Spartan yell and began blasting the head. It took one more shot to make it's head go Pop-Goes-The-Weasel on him, but he kept shooting it's twitching body till it melted away.
Claire and Sheila put a hand on each shoulder, looking a bit worried for his sanity. He gave them a small, reassuring smile and said as he reloaded his Riot gun, "Too many times some bizare thing of evil tried to chop or bite my head off."
Leon reloaded his black-tail and said with a authoritative tone, "Let's keep moving."
Sheila and Ashley followed slowly behind the group. They heared Leon cry out when they reached the corner, "Back up! Dynamite!"
Sheila calmly walked over to one of the chairs and began humming. This was going to take a bit of time, so she might as well rest her feet. Ashley paced in front of her, rubbing her arms and mumbling about monks and stuff. The teen ignored her as she listened to Chris curse as a bolt from a cross bow nearly nailed him. She smiled and began thinking about that merchant.
Ashley noticed the thoughtful and serene look on her face and said rather impatiently, "Why are you so calm! And what can make you so thoughtful when Leon and the other two are fighting these crazy, religious zeolats!"
Sheila just looked up and brought out her Punisher. Ashley gulped as the younger girl started talking while twirling the gun on one finger, "I'm calm because I know those three can handle it. And what I'm thinking about is... Well, I'm thinking of ways how our friend the merchant gets around to places before we do."
The gunfire ceased, letting the two girls know that the gun fight was over.
Claire came back to the girls and said while favoring her right side, "Let's go ladies. All clear."
"Not yet, Claire. Let me take a look at your ribs," Chris said sternly, walking up to the three as Leon picked up some items that was on the chair nearby.
Claire started to protest, but Leon stopped her and said while pulling out a green herb, "Come on, Claire. You've been knocked around by a gladiator creep with claws that would make Wolverine jealous. Take off your shirt."
Claire looked horrified for a split second. She didn't expect to undress in front of Leon! Gulp! She nodded her head and with the help with Chris, getting the tactical shirt off.
Chris said sternly at the staring Leon as he inspected his sister's ribs, "Stop staring, Kennedy. Turn around."
Leon turned around like a gentleman and slowly smiled.
_Heh! Claire took off her shirt... Stop Leon! Now is not the time for any... errrr... distracting thoughts. Think about something else_!
Sheila whacked Leon beside the head, knowing what the male mind wanders to during such moments. He gave her a dirty look while rubbing the back of his head. How she reached the back of his head while being so short was beyond him.
Sheila meanwhile watched as Chris tended to his sister. She had a badly cracked rib, like the other two did now. Her skin was already turning purple and blue, developing a nasty bruise where the fractured rib was. Chris took out the wrap and began to firmly braced the injury, making Claire let out a small gasp. Sheila decided to break this tense silence and bring up with a theory that popped into her head.
"I thought up a cool therory about the merchant."
Claire smiled and said through clenched teeth as her brother continued to wrap her up, "Really? Spill it."
"Theory number one, he has a super advanced, special bicycle that helps him to fly through the air like E.T.. That is how he gets from place to place so fast and unseen. By flying."
Chris chuckled as Leon snorted.
Sheila said defensively, "What? You guys haven't thought up a single one. Mine is creative and possible."
Leon replied while keeping his back turned to them, "Great imagination, but I highly doubt it. You want theories, you got them. He has all kinds of tunnels which leads everywhere. After all, this is a old town and castle, they probably got tons of secret passage ways that's never been discovered."
Sheila rolled her eyes and smirked.
"Sure, Leon. You stay in your perfect little world with your rules and logical thinking. As for me, I tend to think outside the box," Sheila said while giving the Redfield siblings a smile as Chris finished up.
After helping putting her shirt back on, Chris grabbed the herb from Leon and made her eat it. She perked up and stopped walking with a pain expression. Although she was still a little stiff, she walked with a more of her old self in her strut.
Claire asked Chris as she followed beside Sheila back down where they found the key, "So. What's your theory?"
Chris smiled and replied as Leon gave him an "Please don't" look, "Well. My theory is that he is really someone else. It's not just the merchant who sold the stuff to us in the beginning. Actually, the merchant is sextuplets!"
Everyone groaned as Chris took offense, "Hey, it is possible. People do have a half of dozen kids in one birth. I saw it on the news and 'Guinness Book Of World Records'. That's how he gets around so fast. One brother goes here, the other goes there. Makes the most sense to me."
"Well, at least you have more of a open mind than Leon," Sheila said while giving Leon a look of mock pity.
He scowled and retorted, "Whatever. You two are too much alike in some ways... I still think my theory is the more logical and the right one."
Before the two could argue, Ashley spoke up as Claire opened the door to the next room, "Will you people stop it! This is the stupidest conversation I ever heard. Shouldn't we concentrate on getting out of here?"
The three theorists stared at one another and then looked at her with blank stares.
"What about clones?" Sheila asked the other two while ignoring Ashley. Leon and Chris thought about it, scratching their chins.
"Hmmmm. It's possible." Chris responded, while Leon nodded his head in agreement. Ashley rolled her eyes and shook her head as they entered the next room.
"Why are you guys ignoring me. Hey! Stop talking about the merchant! Urrrrrrrrg!"
**Authors Note: Okey Dockey! Hope that wet your apetite for more! I've been really busy lately, so this chapter didn't come as fast as I hoped. Hoped you like it! Please Review! And send me more theories!**
22. Chapter 21:Fight for Your Lives!
**Authors Note: Thanks for all the reviews you guys! I'm having a fun time writing this fic, your reviews are making this fic really worth while! I just love the theories you are donating! Well, on to the story! ENJOY!**
**Disclaimer: I do not own Weird Al or his song, Resident Evil 4, or it's characters. I also don't own Claire or Chris, which sucks! So, do not sue! But I do own me, so ha! Now read!**
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**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 21: Fight For Your Life! **
Ashley followed the group into the next room. She stopped her grumbling after seeing what had everyone so still. They were in a large, ball size room with rectangle pools of water that reflected the light. It was beautiful in a Gothic sort of way. The room was lit by old candles, giving the room a ancient look. But that wasn't what had everyone pausing in their tracks. It was the Los Illuminados cult members. There was a monk dressed in a red robe with a hood that covered his pale face. The two that was on each side were dressed in the usual garb. They had large wooden shields, which has already caused the others trouble. But, a few blasts of the Riot gun will take care of that.
Chris cocked his gun and barked like a general giving his platoon a heroic call to arms.
"Fight for your lives!"
And that started the war. Leon ran forward and threw a grenade at the three who were steadily walking toward him. The red robed man jumped out of the way, but his companions were not so lucky. The grenade exploded, causing limbs and shrapnel to fly in the air. Good thing these idiots melt, or Sheila would have pucked at the sight.
The sounds of the secret compartments in the corners of the room shifting told a crappy story. More reinforcements. Leon ordered the girls to stick with him as Claire and Chris took the different isles. Claire took the middle, Chris took the right while Leon and the two girls took the left. This way, they won't be herded around like cattle by the enemy. Gun fire echoed across the long hall while the monks chanted the same phrase in Spanish. It seemed like it would never end for the heroes. Ganado after Ganado appeared at all sides, slowly gaining ground. Chris, who was getting ticked off, and gave in to his temper by bringing out his Killer 7. He began blasting cult members left and right. One delivered shot killed any parasites that emerged.
Claire was using her trusty Uzies for the job. Once in a while a grenade was needed. With the combination of the guns and grenades, Claire was soon gaining the upper hand as the enemies decreased after five minutes of fighting. Soon, They could at least breath without being hounded by a Ganado. But a urgency was still in the air. They could hear an monotone chanting filling echoeing all around them, causing Sheila to pray soundly. To her, it sounded like an evil chant. One of the Spanish words she heard chanted was die. Die something. Not a good sign of things to come.
Her heart dropped when Leon led them down to the Blue room. She hated this room. In the game, it seemed to take forever for the Ganados to come and try to kill her. She hated waiting for their slow butts to get in gear. The teen wandered if the same thing will happen here, waiting on one or two Ganados at a time to jump through that blasted hole in the roof, or for a stupid monk to get burst through the door, only to find an end by the Riot gun or a grenade.
"Okay, I guess we have to stand on the two big square pedestals to get that stairs to come down," Leon theorised as he stepped on the right pedestal. Ashley followed him while Sheila followed Chris and Claire. Of course their was a sound in the hall, but it wasn't the stairs as any Res Evil 4 player will tell you. It was that crank that Ashley has to turn while Leon shot the snipers.
A monk jumped through the hole as another with a spiked shield burst through the door. They chuckled as the weaponless one charged Leon with his hands opened wide while the shielded one shuffled as fast as he could toward Chris and his girls. He raised his Killer 7 and aimed where the head would be. He fired once, blowing the head away, leaving brain matter and gore decorating the rug. Meanwhile, Leon shot the man in the knee caps, forcing the Ganado to stumble and kneel before him. Leon put his hands under the monks armpits and lifted up, doing a suplex. Sheila watched in awe and disgust as the man's head smashed like a melon as Leon performed the wresting move.
Ashley didn't seem to appreciated Leon doing that in front of her, but she didn't complain. Leon aimed at the next monk as it landed on the ground. He began firing with his Blacktail, causing that caterpiller/centipede parasite to show its ugly head. Its jaws snapped hungrily as it slowly came forwared, looking at the agent hungrily. Claire opened fire as well as Chris, destroying the parasite. It didn't have a chance.
**R**
Salazar was alone, which was a rare occurrence since he has his weird creature posse where ever he went. His plans were going as swimmingly. Of course the agent and his pathetic friends were still alive, but soon that will change. They just couldn't win, nobody survives this castle. Soon, he'll have the girls and the agent's head for a trophy. The other two, well, he'll have them tortured in order to find out who they work for. Well, just the girl. That ignorant nave will pay a horrible death for what he said about his size!
Salazar's mood began to change into a sour one. He needed a pick me up song. He grabbed his portable CD player and put on his head phones. The parasite in him seemed to love this CD. So did he, although he would never listen to it in front of the others. He smiled as his favorite song came on. Then, he began to dance and sing and rap along with the song. Here's a verse or two:
"They see me mooowing.. My front laawn. I know they're all thinking I'm so white and nerdy."
"Think I'm just too white and nerdy! Think I'm just too white and nerdy! Can't ya see I'm white and nerdy! Look at me I'm white and nerdy!"
"I wanna roll... with the gangstas. But so far they think I'm too white and nerdy!"
"Think I'm just too white and nerdy! Think I'm just to white and nerdy! I'm just too white and nerdy. Really, really white and nerdy!"
At this point Ramon broke into a fast rap and began dancing like those guys on the music videos. The gangsta ones. He did it very badly. As he tried to keep up with he rapping, his two body guards showed up unexpectedly. This is what they saw with horror filled insect or human eyes!... Freaks. I can't stand those two!
"First in my class here at the M.I.T. Got skills, I'm a champion at D&D. M.C. Escher, that's my favorite M.C. Keep your 40, I'll just have an Earl Grey Tea."
**Some where out there, Weird Al is making a sandwich**
Al drops his knife and stares into space, seriously freaked out. A friend looks at his horror filled eyes, noticing how glazed they were and how his lower lip trembled.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know. I just have this freaky vision hit me. A small, grey haired, weird eyed Spanish dude is singing my song, White and Nerdy... And he's trying to rap and... and... HE'S RUINING IT! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
**Back to Salazar**
Ramon Salazar was really getting into it until he turned around, his hands held up in a gangsta pose. He saw his two trusted body guards, staring at him with a freaked out expression. (Well, you can't really tell since they look like insect/predator face aliens.)
Ramon turned off his CD and took off his headphones. After five minutes of an uncomfortable silence, Salazar cleared his throat and spoke in his authoritative tone, "What is it?"
The one dressed in red stepped forwared, handing over a nte. Salazar snatched the note and began reading. He crumbled the note and threw it in the waste basket.
"So what if they killed the Ganadore. It only delays their pending death. Sooner or later, they'll fall into one of my traps. Now, don't bother me anymore with petty things. I'm trying to unwind... AND DON'T TELL ANYONE OF WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN!"
(Thanks to Silver Horror for the cool idea!)
**R**
"Okay, Ashley, you need to work the crank while we kill the snipers," ordered Leon as a bolt came whizzing past his head.
After defeating as many Ganados as possible, they had ran up to the crank when Chris noticed two snipers up above. After shooting and causing them to duck, Leon gave the order to Ashley.
She did not look happy about it and said in a fearful voice, "Are you crazy? No way!"
"I'll do it, Leon!" Sheila cried out with a bit of panic in her own voice. She knew that Ashley was way too scared to complete this task, which sucked for Sheila.
Sheila grabbed the crank and began working on lowering the stairs. She felt arrows whiz past her head, almost causing her to stop and run away. But she didn't, and kept her eyes closed as she pushed faster and faster.
Leon fired at the sniper to the left while Claire and Chris fired at the guy in the right balcony. Chris had put up his Killer 7 and brought out his Black-tail, ready to kill the stupid monk. As the sniper that Claire and Chris fired out dodged and crouched, making it harder for them to kill him, Leon's was not that smart. The agent fired first at his right arm, his left lung, his groin (That caused a lot of blood loss and screaming), and finally, right between the eyes. The man fell and melted away.
Meanwhile, Chris and Claire got in a few lucky shots, which didn't seem to really do much damage. Having enough of this monk's shenanigans, Chris backed up and tried out a different angle. He raised his gun and aimed at the monk's butt. He fired, causing the Ganado to scream and hop up, holding the bloody right butt cheek. This gave Claire the opportunity to end the creeps agony and finish him off.
The stairs finally came down, but their relief was short lived. Four monks were waiting for them, yielding reaper weapons. They charged, screaming as two threw their weapons at the stunned group. Leon took out an grenade and pulled the pen.
He urgently ordered as he dogded one flying blade as Claire and Sheila ducked from the other, then chucking the grenade, "Everybody back!"
They heeded his warning and ran back just as the grenade exploded. The explosion sent the four monks flying, killing two but only causing minimal damage to the other two who were a bit behind. Chris ran forward and began shooting one monk who was laying awkwardly on the stairs. The head exploded, revealing yet another centipede parasite. Oh joy. Chris grunted and took out his fire grenade and dropped it into it's hungry mouth. He flipped back as the fire grenade released it's flames, causing the whole body of the parasite to burn from the inside out. The flames died away, and left a half melted, half alive parasite.
Leon meanwhile was busy kicking and shooting the monk on the ground, a few feet from it's fellow comrade. Claire had stepped up and helped him shoot the pest. The Ganado tried to get up, but two humans kicking and shooting him, well, that was just a recipe for his death. He soon let out a dying cry and died. Satisfied, Leon looked over at the half melted parasite. The smell and the sight was disgusting. The creature kept trying to get up, but it's nerve endings wouldn't allow it's pathetic human body to move. Chris took out his Riot gun and decided to deliver it from it's agony. A too kind of a act for this monster. It took one shot. Guts and gore splattered the red carpet, along with Chris's shoes.
Sheila and Ashley walked up to Chris, who seemed for the moment lost in his own world. Chris felt their presence and shook himself out of his thoughts.
"You okay, Chris?" Sheila asked concerned. Chris tried to give her a smile, but failed.
"Yeah, just tired. Come on," he said quietly.
The group entered further into the Hall. Leon noticed the door across the water. No bridge or anything was there to help them get across. He turned as Claire pointed up at the ledges at the cranks.
"Up there. There probably our only way out," commented Claire. Ashley ran to the one to the left while Sheila ran over to the one to the right.
"Some one give me and Ashley a lift," Sheila ordered as she tapped her foot impatiently.
Leon ran to Sheila while Chris went to help Ashley. The President's daughter seemed a bit disappointed that Leon didn't come to help her. She cast Sheila a glare. In response, the teen placed her hand on her gun, causing Ashley to turn around and step on top of Chris.
Sheila turned and warned Leon that she might be a bit heavy. The agent smiled and bent over so she could get on his shoulders.
"Don't worry about it. I'm strong. Besides, you aren't that heavy," Leon reassured her.
Sheila rolled her eyes and replied, "You have been warned."
She stepped on top of his shoulders and almost lost her balance as Leon stood up.
"Be careful," grunted Leon. He held her feet as she tried to reach the ledge. She almost let out a scream of frustration as she failed to reach the ledge. Her height yet again an issue.
"I'm too short," Sheila said in despair.
Leon let out a sigh as he retorted, "Try harder!"
Sheila was tempted to kick him in the head.
_What part of 'I'm too short,' does he not comprehend? _
"I can't, you Dodo!"
"Well, hop."
Sheila held her breath and hopped up, grabbing the ledge with one hand. She reached up with the other hand and heard Ashley in the distance, saying, "Look out for me!"
Darn it! She beat her to the punch! This gave Sheila the strength to pull herself up, using her feet to help. She stood up shakily and gave Leon a thumbs up.
He smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'm looking out for ya."
Sheila ran over to the crank and began laboring once again on a stupid crank. She heard gunfire as Leon and Chris used their rifles to keep the monks at bay. Claire meanwhile kept the monks on the ground from interrupting the two snipers. But soon, more Ganados than the game ever allowed showed up to attack the three. Sheila felt her heart pumping really loud, just like the game. She could hear every step that the Ganados behind her took. Refusing to think about the danger, she bit her lip and worked harder, her arms burning from the effort.
Sheila felt arms wrap around her as Ashley screamed from suffering the same fate as her.
"Leon, help me," screamed Ashley as she was being carried away. Poor Leon and the Redfields were being attacked by a dozen Ganados.
Sheila growled and began kicking and trying to bite as she was slung over a monks shoulder. This monk began to run, unlike Ashley's. Sheila felt her gun dig into her hip as she was jostled up and down as the strong monk jogged toward the exit. Suddenly, a gunshot was fired, causing the monk to fall and drop Sheila on her face. She quickly got up and grabbed her gun, shooting the monk in the head several times. He groaned and died, causing Sheila to pause, and gaze as his corpse melted away.
She couldn't believe it. She killed a person... This was not like the game. You don't see what goes through the bad guys eyes as he dies. Guilt along with relief flooded her.
"Sheila! Snap out of it," shouted Chris as he blew away a monk who was trying to rip away his Riot gun.
Leon cursed as he tried to fire at another monk that was tip toeing towards Sheila. Meanwhile, Chris sniped the ever so slow Ganado that had only took a few steps while holding the screaming Ashley. The monk fell and died, causing Ashley to scream even louder. She got up and ran over to the crank and continued with her work.
Sheila snapped out of her thoughts as another monk grabbed her from behind. She stomped hard on his foot and ran back to the crank. Leon sniped down the monk and got back into position to shoot any more monks that attempted to abuct the girls. They had killed all the monks on the ground, now they had to keep the girls safe as they worked. Sheila managed to finish first, and ran over to where she climbed up. She sat down and leaned over the edge, then slipped off. After her feet touched the ground, she ran over to the trio who were keeping the monks away from Ashley.
Ashley would have been done first, but she was going extra slow since facing that monk up close. She was in a shocked stated, which was not a good thing.
Sheila ran up to the ledge with the others and hollered, "Come on, Ashley. You can do it! Snap out of it!"
Ashley heard Sheila's encouraging voice and began working faster. Finally, she was done. She ran over and called out, even though they were right there.
"Leon! Help me down!"
Leon opened his arms and caught the frightened young woman and set her down.
"Come on, let's go!" Leon ordered as he led Ashley over to the two slabs that was used for the way across.
Ashley hopped across to the first slab unsteadily, whimpering. As Sheila waited her turn, Chris put his hand on her shoulder and asked the same thing she asked him.
"Are you okay?"
Sheila looked up and shook her head.
"I.. I... I killed someone," she said with tears in her voice.
Chris frowned and allowed her to go before him. As she readied herself to jump across the next slab, Chris spoke in a sad tone, "I know that it comes as a shock, using a weapon on another person. But that person was not the same man he used to be. He's infected and controlled by that parasite. He worships that thing, and clearly no longer human. You can't feel guilty for defending yourself. It's killed or be kidnapped and used for an ugly scheme."
Sheila jumped across the slab and made it to the ledge where they will go through the door and leave this horrible scene.
"It still feels like I murdered someone. After all, I'm infected. You guys are going to have to kill me if we don't find a cure soon," Sheila said with a heavy heart. Chris jumped across and made her look at him.
"Now you listen. We are going to find a cure. We will not shoot you no matter what," Chris said sternly. Sheila tried to look away, but he wouldn't let her.
"You are different than them! They kill for pleasure and for their d-mn god, Saddler! You, you killed in self defense. Yes, this will not leave your mind for awhile, but you will get through this," Chris said in a more soothing voice at the end of his short speech. Sheila looked up with a lighter look in her eyes. She knew he was right. She'll have to pray her way through this. The teen gasped tearfully as she hugged the older man tightly. Chris smiled and hugged her back.
"I'm sorry that you have to go through this. To lose your innocence, your view of the world in general. It's hard. That's why you have me, Claire, and Leon to be here for you," Chris said while rubbing her back. Sheila slowly released him and smiled.
"Okay, can we go now," Ashley asked impatiently. Claire smacked her in the back of her head, causing Ashley to cry out in a shocked voice.
"You want to hear another theory," Chris asked with a small smile. Sheila grinned and nodded her head.
"Okay, he's a result of shadow clone transformations."
"Wow! I got one even better. He met up with Triple H at a wrestling match, and asked for way too much cash for a chair in the audience. Triple H got mad since he was screwing up the match, so he grabbed a sledge hammer that was meant for another wrestler for a future match and whacked him beside the head. This rattled the part of our brains that we don't use and wham-mo! Super speed Merchant!" Sheila said with a crazy grin.
Chris's eyes grew huge with awe as Leon and Claire gave them funny looks. Ashley was covering her ears and singing, "Lalalallala! I can't hear you!"
Managing to stop herself from laughing, Claire spoke up. "I got a theory."
Everyone stared and waited for her theory... Accept Ashley seance she was clearly disgusted with the whole discussion.
"He met Taki and kept passing out from massive nosebleeds and had to learn to teliport."
Sheila got a confused but thoughtful look on her face. She wasn't exactly sure who Taki was, but she did read some fanfic on that character once... It was quite funny!
"I love that one!" Sheila said as Chris smiled at his sister.
Looks like diverting her attention from the situation at hand worked. Although they both meant what they said on their theories... Hey, it could happen! Well, in their world.
Sheila began walking to the door with the group, giving another theory.
"He met the scissors man from clock tower three and got so freaked out at how stupid he looked and learned how to fly!"
Chris laughed at that one while Leon murmured about who the scissor man was.
"Well, what about the blue flames on the torches? Maybe, they're a teliportation device that teliports him where ever his torches are at. That would explain why he has all those funky, blue flames," Leon commented with a very serious expression. Everyone stopped and gave him a funny look.
"What," Leon asked with a nervous glance at everyone.
"You. You actually gave a crazy theory. I salute you, Leon!" Sheila said with pride.
"But that was not crazy! That was a very realistic and possible theory," Leon said with a defensive tone. Sheila and Chris smiled and patted him on the back.
"Yeah, it was. But still, it took some imagination to think up that cool theory," Sheila said while looking up at her hero. Leon finally smiled, and opened the door.
"Well, yeah, it did. But it's still the most logical and possible choice out of all of your theories," he said with pride.
"No way! Ours is just as possible, Leon S. Kennedy!" Sheila argued. Yep, as you all know, they argued over who's theory was the best one. Stay tuned for the next chapter! Dun! Dun! Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun!
**Authors Note: Okey Dockey! I know this chapter had weird and serious conversations, but hey. I'm a random person! Hope you guys enjoyed it! I would like to thank Lady Tatum and vamp-haruka for the awsome theories! Keep sending your theories everyone!**
**Here's another challenge for you peebles! Should I get captured with Ashley in this next chapter, or face the bug creeps with the others? Please vote! **
23. Chapter 22:Traps,Theories and Novistador
R**Authors Note: Hey you peeps! Thanks for all the reviews and votes! Wow! Did you guys know I'm up to fifty-eight reviews! Cool! Okay, This chapter was a tough decision. I got votes for both. And both sides make a compelling argument. Sooo, I decided to go with the highest amount of votes. And to maybe please both sides I'll... Heh. You'll find out in the next chapter or two... To get captured, or not to get captured...That is the crazy question... Read and find out!**
* * *
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 22: Traps, Theories, and Novistadors...**
The group looked around in awe and non-admiration. The room was large and spacious, well designed. But it had a sadistic flare to it. Well, maybe not sadistic; more of a weird, sad mind behind the decorating. If you played the game, you will notice that their is large statues of women... HANGING UPSIDE DOWN! They had a roman era look, cracked in places with age. Sheila just felt creep-ed out by those statues as she walked underneath them, their eyes seemingly watching her where ever she went. One of those stone peepers of course had a spinal in the eye. Leon shot it, and gave it to Sheila, telling her that she's running low on funds. Sheila smiled and thanked the thoughtful agent.
As they neared the hall, Sheila suggested that they visit the merchant first. They agreed, but Ashley's timing was off. Well, her plaga's timing was off. She began coughing, sounding like she was coughing up a lung. But of course she wasn't, it was just blood. Eeew...
Leon put a hand on her shoulder, asking with concern, "You alright?"
Ashley didn't answer, gazing at her hands that were covered with ruby, red blood. Her mind began to race at the sight.
She forcibly shook Leon's hand off her shoulder, saying in a scared voice as she ran, "Get away from me!"
"Ashley, wait!"
Now this is when certain choices can effect every one around her. To follow and stay with Ashley till Leon and the others come for them was one option that involved several things that was dangerous and , she would be facing those armor wearing creeps with Ashley... With Ashley... With Ashley.. Evil thoughts about things she could do to Ashley wrapped itself around her mind like a soft, comforting blanket... The comforting part ended as the teen realized that she might end up shooting the blond, which would be plain out evil. Then there's not pursuing Ashley, and facing those Novistadors with the gang... Big creepy bug people... That pukes acid... And face the swinging blades... And Ganados... AND THE STUPID GARDEN! Wow, this is a big decision for Sheila...
Sheila watched as everything went in slow motion for her. Her feet started to move to go get Ashley, to prevent her from going. To take her place sounded logical, which was not very logical if you ask me. Willingly play victim is never a smart decision. But the red head was one who at times, could make lousy decisions during a heated moment.
Sheila ran faster, but was too late. The bars went up, causing Ashley to yelp. She backed away, causing another set of bars to pop up, nearly impaling her. She turned and ran till she reached the wall. Ashley slowly turned around, panting and slightly coughing. There was no saving the girl at the moment. The teen watched with a nonchalant look as three, thick, metal bars slid out and around the blond, trapping the frightened girl.
She cried out as Leon let out a desperate yell, "Ashley!"
"Leon! What's going on?" Ashley cried as the wall flipped around, taking her from everyones view.
"Don't worry Ashley, I'm coming for you," Leon promised vehemently as the wall completed it's turn. The bars blocking their way slid back down into the floor, allowing the disturbed agent, Chris, and Claire to run to the back. The three frantically searched to find a button or something. They found nothing to help them.
"Ashley! Can you hear us," Claire cried out as she pounded her fists against the wall. She strained to hear a sign of Ashley's voice; but her voice sounded very far away. Leon cursed as Chris put a comforting hand on the agent's shoulder.
Leon looked at the wall and said with a determined voice, "Don't worry Ashley, I'm going to find you."
Meanwhile, Sheila slowly stood by the merchant, who was busy with his backpack.
"Don't worry, lass. She'll be fine. Those three will find her," the merchant's voice spoke in a surprisingly low, soft voice.
Sheila looked at him and gave a sad smile. She felt afraid for the older girl. This wasn't just a game anymore, this was a weird, but very real reality. People do get hurt. Her body ached from all the bumps and scratches she received, proving that this was never a dream. It was all too real.
Sheila sadly wandered if the whiny, blond would make it. She had to admit, Ashley did have some brains. But still, she wasn't used to fending for herself. She saw that much in the game and in this reality.
Sheila watched as Leon, Chris, and Claire come out of the hall, slowly walking toward her and the merchant. Leon looked tired, but more determined than ever. Suddenly, his radio beeped, giving everyone some hope... Not Sheila, though. She knew who was calling... The little Cretan.
Leon flipped the radio open, looking at the screens. His picture was clear, but Hunnigan's was snowy and squiggly.
Leon: _Hunnigan, what happened? The transmission got cut off._
Guess Who: _Heheheheheheheheheheheee! _(The picture cleared and revealed a smug Salazar.)
Leon: _Salazar. How'd ya-_
Salazar: _We jacked the didn't want you telling everyone any unnecessary information._
Leon: _Where's Ashley?_
Salazar: _Aww. So she fell in one of our wonderful traps. We'll make sure we'll find her, don't you worry about her... Oh, yes. I let our miserable insects out for some exercise down in the sewer._
Leon: _Thanks. That should keep me company, cause boredom kills me._
Salazar: _I look forward to our next encounter... In another life._
The transmission ended. Claire watched as Leon put away his radio. The expression on his face said it all. Her heart went out to Ashley, knowing how scared the twenty year old is. She only hoped that they would reach her in time before the Ganados did.
"What do you got, Merchant," Leon asked as he checked his own inventory.
The merchant showed that he got some new parts for some of Leon's guns. After a bit of haggling and exchanging money and such, the agent was ready for some bug people. He and the other two started walking toward the door in the hall, ready to save Ashley. Sheila, on the hand, was asking the merchant a very important question.
"So, do you got a shooting range or something? I really need the practice."
"It's a work in progress, lass. It won't be ready for a while, but when it is, I'll let you know."
Sheila gave a small smile and quickly cached up with the others. Chris motioned for her to bring out her gun.
"Just in case we miss one. You never know what can happen with these strange experiments," Chris said with a grim expression.
Not that he couldn't protect her, it's just he had experience with creatures in sewers and such. You can never be too careful. He watched as Sheila brought out her Punisher. She smiled up at him and gave the thumbs up sign. He could tell she was nervous and scared. Heh. So was he, but that was normal considering what they saw so far.
"Okay, here goes nothing," Leon said as he opened the door.
He could feel the damp air as he walked inside. The smell was extremely unpleasant. You'd think he would be used to that sewer smell after trudging through sewers in a zombie infested town, but he wasn't. He quickly put the riot gun over his shoulder and jumped down, not even bothering with the ladder. Chris did the same as Claire slid down the ladder, since her sprang ankle was still sore and healing from the herbs. Sheila didn't do any of those things. She did it the proper way, due to the height.
Before they went any further, Sheila asked Leon if he could take out his Sniper rifle. She told him it would be to their advantage if they could snipe those Novistadors a ways back. He gave her a surprised expression, wandering why he didn't think of that. So, our hero brought out his rifle while Chris kept his Riot gun out. That way, if any escaped and ran toward them, he could keep them at bay. Sheila smiled as the two led the way down the narrow sewer. Her and Claire were safe behind them, although she could tell that Claire would rather be up front where all the action will be.
As they ran down the narrow sewer, they heard a big splash, and then the sound of something running through water. Sheila felt her heart tempo speed up, knowing what made that sound. But, they cold avoid that, which is good. Facing a Novistador in real life was not on her to do list. She looked over at Claire as they walked around the corner. The older woman had that shot gun that Ada had in the Separate ways game. She hoped that it worked against these creepy creatures. Which made her wonder, how did she get that gun? And where can she get one?
Claire noticed Sheila's gaze on her gun. The look on her face showed recognition, which is impossible since this was Ada's gun. She was going to say something when Leon and Chris suddenly stopped. She peered around Chris and saw nothing. What could male them stop so suddenly?
Chris put a finger to his lips as Leon raised his rifle, looking through the scope. At first, you wouldn't notice it. But, if you stop and look long enough, you can make out a foggy puff of air coming from the stony roof. And, a slight slobbery substance, dripping from that area. This is what caught Chris's and Leon's keen eyes.
_Bingo. Got you right in my sights._
His hands shook slightly as he aimed at what could be possibly be the head. He squeezed the trigger, the gun kicking into his strong shoulder. They heard a scream as the creature fell to the floor. It suddenly reached it's hand in a dramatic gesture, as if trying to grab some invisible hand. The large hole in the middle of it's glowing green eyes was oozing yellow liquid heavily. It sputtered, then fully collapsed. Before they could take one step, it disintegrated.
As they started to walk toward the next corner, Leon held up his hand, seeing another one. This one seemed more on guard since it's partner just died. Although it still was invisible, Leon could hear and see it's icy breath. He raised his rifle and took aim. He fired, shooting this one in the head also. It's body fell to the ground, it's legs kicking in the air. It gagged and began to spasm, gore spilling all over the ground. The strange thing died in a more buggy way. It's body appeared but soon disintegrated. They continued, but in a more slower pace.
As they walked around the empty pool like place, they heard that light breathing of their enemies. Sheila shivered as they stood next to the light, catching a perfect view of the invisible Novistars and the their foggy breathes of air. Leon raised his gun and waited. He could now make out an outline of the creatures, their skin flashing into view for a split second. There was two of them. He aimed at the right one, it's eyes glowing blue for a second. He aimed, his heart taking a less nervous beet. His training being put to use. He pulled the trigger. Yellow and red blood burst from it's head, causing it to appear inot view with a scream. It laid down without a fight, turning into the usual goo.
It's partner jumped up, reappearing for a split second. Leon fired, but missed the head. His bullet found it's stomach, ripping through it like a knife through butter. The creature screamed in pain as it fell flat on it's back. It's ugly grey shell shining in the dim light. Leon fired again, this time, the bullet pierced it's neck. It gargled yellows slime, rolling around as it attempted to flee. Chris jumped down and fired again, blowing it's slender abdomen apart. It's eyes blue eyes dimmed to green till it's many eyes shown no more. Then it stopped moving, and melted away.
Leon joined him and said, "D-mn, that's one ugly over grown beetle... Or grasshopper, mixed with possibly human... stuff. Either way, it's ugly."
"Couldn't have agreed with you more, agent-man," Chris said as they neared the door. Sheila and Claire jumped down and followed suit.
**R**
Wesker walked down the white, hospital like hall. He had a another hot cup of coffee in his hand, more for leisure then to stay awake. As he sipped his coffee, he couldn't help but smiley inwardly at what lay ahead. Of course, Ada will have to kill the agent Leon before his plans would be put into motion. Well, to be honest, he still would put his plans into action, but it would be easier if that annoying fly was put out of the picture. He'll have to remember to tell Ada to kill the agent when she has the chance... If he lives long enough in that castle.
Wesker stopped at a glass door. He opened it and walked in with his usual grace. The beautician gulped and stood back from the red haired Steve.
"So, how's my new weapon's prepping going," asked Wesker with the usual cold voice.
"G-Good sir. We just got finished with his hair cut and shave. We made it look just like the picture, sir," said the nervous female beautician.
Wesker set his coffee down on the sink and stood in place as the beautician turned the chair, showing her handy work. Perfect. He looked just like the way he did when he found him... Except more mature looking. He lost that teen, lean look, which was fine. In a way, he preferred this older version of Steve. It would hurt little Claire Redfield knowing that the teen and grown up in his care. The only thing the same was the same hair cut he had ordered when the boy had first met Claire, just to play with her mind a bit more. A little reminder of the teen she knew, and failed.
"Hmmm. Good job. That's the Steve she knew and mourned for... And will know again," Wesker said as he got down to eye level with the young man before him.
He noticed that his skin was almost back to it's original human tone. The green was almost completely gone. That was good. This helped him to blend in more, and not to stand out so much.
"Welcome back, Steve. You are going to have a little reunion with someone special. And when you meet her, you'll kill her."
Steve's emotionless eyes barely recognized the older man's presence. They just looked dead ahead, ready for his orders.
Wesker smiled and said over his shoulder as he walked away, "Send him back to Heath. Tell him to get our young ward to get some sleep. He'll need it for tomorrow."
**R**
Chris slowly opened the door, and walked inside while gripping his gun harder. He slowly walked inside the room, trying to catch a glimpse of the bug people. Leon stepped in from behind and motioned for the girls to go the wall. They obeyed, but gave Leon a glare as thy did. Actually, Claire did. Sheila happily obeyed.
Leon and Chris slowly approached the hole in the ceiling. Sheila gripped her gun tightly, waiting for that bug scream she knew so well from the game. It came, and so did the Novistadors. One fell down to the ground as another jumped out from the broken hall to the left. The green eyes turned red as they approached quickly. Chris fired at one that was leaping in the air, eager to shred him to pieces. Leon had switched to his Riot gun and was firing at the other, which it easily dodged.
It flew up to the ceiling and began climbing quickly toward the girls. Leon cursed as he began shooting at the quick creature. Claire and Sheila raised their guns and began firing, angering the Novistador. It fell to the ground and quickly jumped back up, it's invisible body rippled as it snapped it's jaws at the girls. They didn't let up as Leon ran up joined in the attack of the insect. It screamed and began swiping at Leon and then at the girls. Glowing red eyes dimmed as it finally collapsed and died. Leon whipped around, seeing Chris firing but missing the other miserable creature.
"Come on! Get your insect a-s down here so I can introduce you to my friend, the Riot gun!" Chris yelled in frustration.
Suddenly, it appeared in front of him and jumped up, kicking him in the chest. Chris fell down and skidded across the floor. He gritted his teeth as he jumped back up, his chest feeling like someone just shot him in his bullet proof vest. The creature was now flying in the air, the sound of it's translucent wings flapping had the Redfield nervously looking up in the air. Sensing and hearing the thing flying toward him, his aimed as his finger began to squeeze the trigger. The Novistador screetched as it fell down from the air, Leon standing behind it with his smoking gun. It jerked around, spitting up yellow goo before finally disintegrating right before their eyes.
"Hey! That one was mine," Chris growled at the smiling agent.
Leon shrugged and walked up to Chris with his usual smirk. He opened his mouth to egg on the annoyed ex-STARS member, but paused when one of the prison cells doors burst opened. It was their only warning of yet another buggy presence in the room. They looked to their left, where the cell door was busted through. Suddenly, a bug jumped on top of Leon, opening it's jaws as it prepared to release it's acid. Chris jumped back and fired, saving Leon from his acid bath.
Leon wiped the yellow goo from his face, giving Chris an evil glare. As the creature raised it's arm dramatically, Chris gave Leon this response, "Heh. We're even now, Kennedy."
"I think that's all of them, for now," Sheila's shaky voice said from behind them. Claire was hugging the shivering girl, murmuring comforting words as she gave the guy's a sad look.
"Is she o.k.?" Chris asked with a worried voice. Claire nodded as Sheila pulled away.
"I'm fine. Just a little shaky," Sheila said with a grim expression.
"We'll get out of here in one piece. Trust me," Leon said as he gave her a smile.
Sheila somewhat smiled back and followed the group as they checked out the cells. One door they kicked open, the rest were too rusty to budge. So, they checked out the two cells that were opened to them. They found one grenade and some research papers. Luis's research in fact, which of course didn't surprise Sheila. Leon shook his head and put the information in his notebook.
"Figures," Leon said after putting away the notes.
The word scientist did actually fit him better than ex-cop. They walked out and walked down the crumbling hall. After navigating their way to the metal door, Sheila could have sworn she heard the faint sound of Novistadors feet in the distance.
Chris opened the door and walked in, looking around the small room. It was empty and safe. He looked around, smashing the crates as Leon turned the water valve. Smiling, Chris revealed to the others what he found in one of the crates. A beautiful butterfly lamp. Of course, since this is a real life version of the game, the jewels were already set in place. Claire let out a sound of admiration.
The older sibling on the other hand, had this to say, "This should fetch a good price."
Claire sighed agreed, though inwardly wishing she found it first. It would look perfect in her living-room.
"Uuum, I got another theory," Sheila said out of the blue.
Everyone looked at her like she was crazy. She was of course stalling. She wasn't in the mood to get chased by stupid bugs. So, she started with one of her strange theories.
"Okay, how's this one. Jazz master Saddler is trying to have his way with the merchant. Sooo, he learned teliportation Jetsu karate to avoid from being turned into a flower child!... Well?"
Leon shook his head while Claire stared with a "Are you kidding me!" look.
Chris chuckled a bit and said, "You can be sick at times."
Sheila stuck her tongue out at him and said, "O.k. You give me a theory, Chuckles."
"Alright. You know that clock tower scissor man theory? Well, mine is that he had to get away from scissor woman cause she was picking on him. Calling him names, all that annoying stuff. So, he pulled the same stunt like he did with scissors boy."
Claire rolled her eyes and said, "I can come up with something better than that."
"Okay, Claire. Give us another one," Chris said with a smirk.
Claire grinned and gave her theory. "You know those annoying black beetles that fly around and stuff? Well, he's an Anamorphic. So, he turn's into one of those beetles and flies to the next destination. That's how we don't see him moving from place to place."
Sheila and Chris seemed to like that idea as well., Ppoor Leon wandered how this theory business got so out of control. Shaking his head, Leon walked over to the door.
"Let's go. The water's drained." Leon said quietly.
Leon slowly opened the door, giving the others the quiet signal. He put up his Riot gun and took out his rifle. Ever so slowly, he stepped out and aimed at the ceiling. He fired, getting a one shot kill. The second Novistador jumped down and charged. It leaped high in the air, but Leon dropped kicked it before it had a chance of performing a kick of its own. The creature fell on it's back, but quickly jumped back up. Claire bravely ran up to it and began firing at the head. She blew away it's antennas and other brain matter till nothing that resembled a head remained. The monster fell into it's own pool of blood, twitching as it melted into the famous puddle of goo.
"Nice," Leon said as he passed her. She grinned and followed, happy at killing some vile creature. Nothing like it.
**R**
"Ramon, have you killed the agent and the three intruders?" Saddler asked the somewhat flustered Salazar.
Salazar looked at the small screen in his radio. He hoped to have had the agent's head by now. But, the pest seemed to survive everything thrown at him, coming back like a cockroach. Of course, his little pest problem will be taken care of in the sewers after facing his Novistadors... He hoped...
"I'll take your silence as a no," came the disappointed voice of his beloved leader.
Salazar said quickly, "Don't worry, Lord Saddler. The agent and the two intruders are in the sewers with the red haired one. They were separated from Ashley. She's locked up in one of our traps."
"So, you have her."
"Uuum, not quite yet, my Lord. But, I sent some of my top men to find, errr, I mean retrieve her."
"See that you do find her. And what about the others?"
"Oh, heh. I've released those insects to give them a proper welcome."
Saddler looked a bit menacing for a second, then seemed to control himself. He said in a low, strained voice, "You mean to tell me, that you let those insects loose? They'll kill the girl!"
"No, no, no, Lord Saddler! They have been improved and take orders now. I've told them to capture the girl and kill the others," Salazar said in a some what panicky voice.
Saddler seemed to think on this, then said in his silky voice, "I hope you're right, my dear boy. If you fail again, I'm going to have to have Krauser to handle this situation... Understood?"
Salazar kept the contempt for Krauser out of his face and replied, "Yes, your Lordship. I understand completely."
END OF TRANSMISSION
**R**
"Craaap! Run!" Claire hollered as more Novistadors fell from the hole.
They ran toward the now drained pool and jumped down. Claire could hear the other two cell doors being knocked down by yet more of the invisible bug people. She ran toward the dirty stairs and ran up them, hearing the others follow her. Suddenly, she heard Sheila scream. She turned around and saw a Novistador grab the struggling girl and run in the opposite direction while it's brethren attacked the trio. Her heart leaped to her throat as she screamed with anguish, trying to follow, but the young Redfield was kicked by one of the invisible bugs.
Her back hit the ground as Chris and Leon desperately fought the swarming insects. When one was killed, another popped up. They took slashes and kicks while trying to save the screaming girl. But in the end, they couldn't.
As Sheila desperately kicked and tried to shoot the thing carrying her, the others were getting their butts kicked. The creatures just kept coming and jumping from wall to wall, dodging the bullets. The kicking and the slashing was bad, making it hard to shoot while trying to dodge their attacks.
"You stupid - Bang! - good for nothing - Bang! - flying cockroaches!" Chris yelled as he began kicking and firing away with a vengeance.
Soon, the trio began to take back ground. Insect parts flew through the air as the heroes blasted their way out. Suddenly, they were alone. They began to run back toward the entrance to the drained pool, but dozens more of Novistadors appeared, coming for them like a plague of locusts. They had no choice but to run. They quickly ran back to the stairs and through the door. The heavy door was banging from the insects behind it, but they did not enter. Me and you know they could, but they didn't bother. They had the girl.
**Authors Note: Okay, I know it's shorter but I had to stop since I have to get up early tomorrow. Next chapter will definitely have allot more action! And now, on to the thank yous to those who submitted their theories. Thank you Lady Tatum for her theories! I'll post the others in the next chapter. Thank you Misty for your cool theory! Good one! And as for Vamp-Haruka, your theory will be in a chapter or two, depending when my character gets saved. Thanks for reading this chapter! And don't forget, review!... NOW!**
**Oh! And thanks to the other reviewers for some ideas I'm going to post! The one about Ashley ripping her... Heh. Heh. I better not let the cat out of the bag yet. O.k., now review! Now, or Salazar is going to start singing White and Nerdy in that high pitched voice of his! Buah! Hahahahahahaaaaaa!**
24. Chapter 23:A Little Payback!
**Authors Note: Hello! Welcome to another chapter in this weird tale of Resident Evil 4! I don't have to tell you about the action or gore. I think it speaks for itself! I'll like to thank everyone who has reviewed! I know I write that often, but it's true! Hehe! Okay everyone, time to start reading the story! And sorry for being past due! **
* * *
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 23: A Little Payback!**
"D-mn it!" Claire cursed as she felt despair trying to overtake her.
They lost her. Just when the teen needed her most, she failed. Claire looked at Chris with a heavy heart, hoping her big brother would say something that would comfort her. But he only put an arm around her, and held her in a sad but strong brace. She sighed while giving in to that embrace. Words couldn't take the pain away, only action would help.
Leon watched the siblings have their moment, a moment he didn't dare interrupt. He instead turned his attention to the swinging pendulums. They were large, and looked sharp enough to slice them in half without much effort. He could see the dried blood crusted on the blades, proof of failure of past adventurers. Although he would prefer to not to go through them, he knew they had to.
Chris and Claire walked over to him and studied the swinging blades of death. It definitely looked dire for them, but they had a goal, a mountain to conquer.
Chris looked over at the younger man and said, "It's this, or the herd of bugs."
Leon closed his eyes and sighed. He felt every bruise, cuts, and his broken rib. Although he wasn't in the best condition to do this, he had to try...
"There's a pattern. We should be able to cross without getting ourselves killed. That is, if we pay close attention," Leon said while opening his blue eyes, knowing that this was their only option.
Chris agreed whole heartily with him. If they were going to save both of the young women, then they had to go through this sadistic hell without delay.
Chris slowly grabbed his sister's hand and squeezed. She squeezed back, letting him know that she was ready. Taking the lead, Leon stepped forward, willingly going first. He waited patiently for the large blade to swish by. As the pendulum swung to the right, he easily but quickly crossed the path of the blade. He then concentrated on the next blade. This time, it was swinging over a gap...
"_This should be loads of fun," _Leon thought with a mental sigh.
He approached the edge slowly and waited. The blade swung quickly to the left, giving Leon an open opportunity to jump. Quickly, he leaped across and landed in one piece, much to the Redfields relief.
"Two down, Leon! Keep it up," Chris yelled in encouragement.
He watched as Leon edged closer to the last two pendulums. This time, the two blades were placed about a foot apart, making it harder for a safe crossing. Chris heard his sister saying a prayer as Leon stood there, watching the blades go in opposite directions. That just made it even more dangerous, as if the situation needed that. He watch silently on the sidelines as his friend's body tensed as he put one foot forward, ready to run across for dear life.
Chris clenched his fists as Leon then ran. It seemed to take an hour, but in reality it only took a second or two. The blades were quickly swinging down, one faster than the other. Leon was half way across. Then, the blades blocked Chris's vision. For one scary moment, Chris feared that his friend didn't make it. He felt Claire clutch his arm just as Leon ran up the steps to their relief. Chris smiled to see the agent alive and in one piece.
"Not bad, Kennedy," Chris shouted with a grin. Leon bowed and gave them a thumbs up sign. Now it was their turn.
**R**
WHAT HAPPENED TO SHEILA...
Sheila screamed as she felt insect hands grabbing her and flying away from her friends. She struggled and continued to scream with fear. This wasn't happening to her! How did she get herself into theses situations? Did she have a red arrow over her head or something? STUPID EVIL BUGS!
She watched with despair as the heroes tried to rescue her, and failed. She would have to escape on her own. As they flew out of the empty pool, she tried to squirm around with as much force as she could. Maybe she could throw the stupid thing off balance. But of course it didn't. Instead, the bug guy seemed to just get irritated with her and pinched her stomach.
"Hey! That hurt!" she cried out with surprise.
The bug just kept flying on, making her even angrier. It was at that moment she remembered the gun tucked in her pants. Maybe, if she could just wiggle her arm around and reach for it... There! Now it's time for revenge! Well, she'll wait till they reach the door. No sense killing the freak when they were still close to yet another Novistador. As they approached the door that would lead to the last half of the sewer, the creature lowered her down and let go of her waist for a second, giving her the perfect opportunity to use her gun.
Forgetting her earlier assesment on when to kill the bug, she quickly turned and fired the gun twice in the bug's face. It screamed and dropped down, clutching ione of its wounded eyes and cheek. She quickly opened the door and ran through it. She wasn't going to stick around to it getting up and getting revenge. Her screams echoed in the sewers as the door flung open behind her. She quickly attempted to run across the empty pool, but failed to escape the persistent bug.
The bug grabbed her long hair and yanked it, causing Sheila to jerk back and fall on her butt. Not done yet with its abuse, the Novistador then flew up, still holding her hair, and began dragging her the first empty pool. Sheila began screaming in pain.
"Ooooooooooooooooch! That hurts! Owwwwwwwwwwwwwww! LET GO!" Sheila screamed without hiding her pain.
She has always has been what people called, "Tender headed." Put that on top of having yourself being dragged by your hair, and you'll get a bad combination. I don't have to tell you how painful this was for her and embarrassing. She groaned as she was dragged through what water remained in that empty pool. She could smell the sewage in that water.
Anger flared inside of her, giving her the strength to raise her gun above her head and fire at the merciless bug. Bullets ripped through it's soft abdomen, and out it's shelled back. After the sixth shot, it let go of her hair and fell to the ground. Sheila took this opportunity to get up and climb the ladder. She didn't even look back as she reached the top. She began running, her head still burning from being dragged around by that bug.
She almost smiled as she ran around the corner. No bug chasing her yet. Maybe he died painfully! She pushed herself harder as she quickly approached the next corner. But to her horror, a bug jumped out of the crumbled wall and let a scream out. She screamed herself and stopped. The creature turned invisible and began running toward her, it's grunts echoing in the sewer's hall. She began firing, seeing blood appear on the creature's invisible skin. She then backed up and turned around, and began running the opposite direction.
Suddenly, a severely wounded bug appeared before her, panting heavily. Sheila raised her gun and shot it right in the middle of it's buggy head. Gore sprayed all over her once, white shirt. The creature died dramatically in front of her. But she couldn't celebrate, for the creature from behind kicked her to the ground. Sheila rolled over and gasped for breath. That kick in the back knocked the air out of her lungs, not to mention doing a number on her back. She felt blood trickle from her chin. She touched it and groaned. She had fell and hit her chin, cutting her chin badly.
The Novistador grabbed her and flew down the sewer, determined to carry out it's brethren mission. Sheila didn't fight much till they finally reached the last door. She began to really fight, raising her trusty gun and aiming at it's flapping wings. Wit barred teeth, she fired her weapon. The bullet only clipped him, but angered it none the less. It stopped and dropped her, then pucked up acid next to her head. She got the picture all too well. Besides, her gun was now empty. Wanting to reload but knowing that she could only push this thing so far, she tucked the empty gun in her pants as the sewer critter kicked open the door.
The creature grabbed her by the waist and flew out with her. She cried out as they flew really high over the statue room again, something that made her feel dizzy and unsettled. She saw the monks down below doing that bloody ritual. She shuddered as the bug flew down to the circle. Instantly, she began to squirm. She really did not want to go with them. In all honesty, she much rather take her chances with bug boy.
The wounded bug dropped her and flew off. Sheila unsteadily stood up and raised her fist at it.
"Yeah, you better run! Nobody messes with me without getting the crap beaten out of them!," Sheila shouted.
The chanting had ceased, which took her attention away from her irritation with the Novistador. She gave the monks a withering stare, trying to show how tuft she was. This of course only amused them. The leader pointed to an extra munk in the circle and spoke in rapid Spanish. She shivered as the monk bowed and reached for her.
"HEEEEEELP! I KNOW YOU'RE UP THERE! HEEEELP ME OOOOOOUUUUUT!" Sheila screamed as she was yet again slung over someones shoulder. Unfortunately for her, the merchant was in the next room upstairs.
Sheila closed her eyes in defeat. In the game, the merchant was up there, closed off by bars. You had to use the levers to get him out. She knew that would probably not stop him for at least trying to help her out. So that means he's not there.. Well, not yet. With a deep sigh of defeat, the teen began to wander if the monks were bringing her to Salazar. If they were, then she may not be rescued in time.
**R**
Leon opened the door quickly, swearing he heard Sheila shouting. But when he went through, and peered over the balcony, he saw no girl. He sighed as the chanting of multiple monks filled his ears. Slowly, he turned and began sneaking up the corridor, till he reached the chandelier. There, he saw about nine or ten monks standing around a sword. Blood dripped from some unknown flesh on the small offering table. The sword was pinned in the hunk of flesh, like it had been savagely shoved through it. Leon grimaced. This was disgusting.
Chris and Claire stood next to him, looking as equally disgusted, not really wanting to know the details of the ritual or what it was for. Now, they had to decide on how to announce their presence. Chris looked at Leon and grinned. Leon saw the look in his eyes and grinned back. Time for a little payback.
Leon silently unhooked his flash grenade and whispered a risky plan. After listening to it, Claire smiled and silently made her way to the ladder. She gave the two men the sign that she was ready. Chris positioned himself next to Leon and waited. Leon took the pin out and threw it in the middle of the oblivious Plagas followers. A big flash and a bang started the plan. Claire began to quickly climb down as the other two jumped to the chandelier. They waited till the chandelier was just far enough from the ledge to miss. They leaped and landed a few feet away from the stunned group of freaks.
Leon and Chris quickly backed away. ChPulling the pin from his grenade, the ex-STARS member quickly threw it in the middle. The explosion was so close that it was a bit disorienting, but worth it. Dying screams came from the monks as they flew back from the blast. Shrapnel embedded in there bodies, some half way decapitating them. The blood of their enemies stained the floor a dark, ruby red. Claire stood ready for any survivors.
Every monk began to melt away, except for the one in red with that ridicules goat head! Chris and Leon cursed as the monk slowly got up to his knees. But before they could shoot the crazy priest, his mid torso exploded, separating from his lower body. It was disgusting! Just like Shawn of the Dead with all that gore! They watched with a wince as the legs took two steps before falling while squirting blood everywhere. It melted away as so did the upper torso, it's organ trail melting as well.
"I love this weapon," Claire said simply while walking forward with ease. Her bow-gun held in a relaxed grip. Chris raised an eyebrow while Leon had a glazed look in his eyes.
Claire noticed and asked, "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue."
She happily turned and ran back to the metal ladder, putting her lethal weapon away in her trusty pack. Leon smiled and followed suit. Somehow, Claire Redfield always kept him on his toes. When the agent reached the top, he noticed that the mirth in Claire's eyes had vanished, replaced by that sadness he seen earlier. He walked up beside her and stood there without saying anything. What could he say? He knew Claire didn't want to hear that they'll find her. She wanted action, which is what she was going to get. They'll find both girls and kick some a-s while saving them.
"I don't know about you, but I'm itching to get out of this creepy room," Chris said from behind them. Leon nodded and backed away from the banister. Time to get this show on the road.
**R**
"Where are we going?" Sheila tried asking the monk for the fifth time in the last minute.
The monk let out a growl in response. Good. She was getting somewhere.
"Okay, why are you taking me to your monk reproducer," she asked with a perky tone.
She could feel the monk tense underneath her belly. Maybe he'll put her down so she wouldn't have to be carried over his bony shoulder. But, unfortunately, he just carried her to the metal, wall reverser. The one in the game in the water hall, from about two chapters ago.
"Listen, I promise I won't kill you if you put me down," she said while crossing her fingers.
The monk let out a frustrated yell and dropped her on the hard, marble floor. She let out a hiss since she landed on her bum. Ouch! She got up while rubbing said area.
The monk quickly shoved her into the metal, narrow corner and stepped in with her. He pressed what look like a nail bolt but was really a button on the metal wall. Sheila gasped as the wall turned quickly, taking them to a different room. The room was an ordinary sized room with simple furnishings. A twin bed, an old Armour, and a dresser next to the twin bed. It was an servant's bedroom, which explains the simplicity of it.
The monk grabbed her right wrist and began dragging her to the heavy, wooden door. She really, really, really didn't want to go with him. Heck, she wanted to be at home, in her soft bed with her soft blankets. She wanted to wake up!
"Ouch! Take it easy!," she said while the monk opened the door.
He lead her to a dark hallway, with only the moonlight shining through the windows to light their way. She tried to yank her wrist away from the Ganado, but he only gripped harder with his cold hand. It was useless. Only way for her to escape from this Neanderthal was to reload her gun and shoot like there was no tomorrow. Which there might not be for her.
When he opened a door to their left, she took this opportunity to kick him in the back of his knee, which allowed her to shake loose from his grip. She quickly grabbed her gun and tried to reload it. But she had the clip upside down, which the poor girl didn't realize since she was trembling with adrenaline and fear. The monk quickly recuperated and stood up, his red eyes flashing eerily in the dim light.
Sheila began praying as she backed away from the slowly approaching Ganado. After uselessly trying to reload her gun, she finally figured out her problem and corrected it. She looked up just as she put the clip inside her gun, seeing the monk running forward with a gravely yell. He grabbed her throat and began choking her, in turn the frightened girl dropped her gun while fighting for air. She closed her eyes and kneed the man in the groin. He gasped and fell to his knees, holding that injured area. Sheila coughed as she grabbed her gun. Without thinking twice about it, she shot him twice in the chest, and ran when he fell over.
She had no idea where she was, or where she was going. Her only thoughts were to run and hide. She finally opened a random door and quickly entered. The room was just as dark as the hallway, only the moonlight was shinging through the very large window while a cold breeze swept through the room. The dim natural light gave her some insight inside the room. This one looked like a study, filled with books, a nice mahogany desk, leather chairs by a large fireplace, a beautiful grand piano, and a table with unlit candles on it. She carefully walked over to the desk and grabbed the sharp, silver, letter opener. She would need it when she had no more ammo.
Dropping to the floor when the door slammed open, she bit her lip to stop her scream from excaping her mouth.
"_Clam down, girl. Just hide and don't make a noise, then he'll go away!... Where's a TMP when you need one?" _Sheila thought with distress.
She slowly edged her way in the darkness along the wall. Heavy breathing of the wounded monk filled the silence as he shuffled slowly toward the desk. Good thing she moved away from there. She stopped when he stopped, not wanting to give away her position. She could here nothing except for his muttering.
Her eyes were now getting use to the darkness. She could make out simple objects in the room, along with the evil monk over by the desk. Her knee's were starting to ache as she stayed in that crouched position, too afraid to move. Right now, patience wasn't really working for her. She wanted to get out of the room from that dangerous idiot. But, he just stood there, looking over the desk... Wow, a normal person would have at least moved around the desk to see if she was there.
Sheila slowly began to move along the wall again, keeping an eye on the Ganado. So far, she was doing good. She was already one quarter of the way to the second door that led to who knows where. Her heart was going over the speed limit as she nervously crawled under the large window. As long as she doesn't lift her head, then her shadow won't show up
_"Almost done with the window... There! That was close_," she thought with some sort of relief.
She leaned back on her heels, trying to keep her breathing under control. Have you ever noticed how when you're nervous or in the dark and you're trying to keep quiet, it seems that your breathing sounds like a mighty wind? That's how Sheila's breathing sounded to her. But of course it wasn't, but it seemed that way. She took a peek at the monk who now was around the desk, looking under it.
She bit her lip and as she slowly, stood up, but still crouching, and quietly made her way across the floor. She didn't even looked back as she started to pass the piano. Suddenly, she lost her balance as she tripped over a small footstool, causing her to bump into a bookshelf which knocked down some books. She turned and saw the monks eyes flashing that eerie red again. Knowing that it was do or die, she took her gun out and began firing sporadically. She missed three times as he surprisingly dodged the bullets with ease. Not bad for a guy who was wounded.
The teen watched in horror as he was charging her again, mouth wide open in a triumphant yell. She fired again, the bullet slicing through his left lung like butter. But this didn't stop him, the crazy monk! She then aimed at his knees and fired, this time, dropping him to a kneeling position. Screaming, Sheila ran forward and kicked him in the face, knocking him down. She fired two more shots, the last one causing his head to explode all over the carpet. She grimaced as blood sprayed all over the once, blue rug. Stepping away, she felt relief coursing through her body, now that he was dead...
_"Uh-Oh," _Sheila thought as his body did not in fact melt away.
She watched with horror as the parasite shot through the bloody stump. It's engorged, puss filled centipede body stretched the neck muscles as it wailed around the carpet. Sheila didn't stay much longer, knowing to stay and fight would be a big mistake. She quickly ran over to the door she previously tried to get to. Her hand closed over the brass door handle, turning it as she heard the monster stand up. Her body seemed to take over since her mind froze on her.
Sheila pulled the heavy door open, and screamed. A Red-nine was pointed in her face, the red dot resting in-between her eyes.
"Get down, Red," Luis said with a patient tone.
Sheila obeyed, covering her ears as Luis began to fire at the Las Plagas. Four shots were needed before the creature finally exploded. He gave a faint smile as he twirled the smoking gun. It felt good to take down the very thing he had studied and unfortunately experimented on. The guilt lessened a little each time he took down one of Saddler's worshipers.
"Hey, it's okay. Your knight is here," Luis said with a warm smile as he gave her a hand in getting back up.
Sheila couldn't but help to smile back at her favorite Spaniard. She quickly gave Luis a big hug, so relieved to be alive.
"Heh. If getting a hug from all the ladies for being the hero is the reward, well, I'll sign up with the next police department I see," Luis said while giving her a soothing embrace.
Sheila pulled away and asked with a curious sparkle in her eyes, "So, besides saving young women from monsters, what have you been up to?"
"Tracking down what I lost earlier," Luis said while getting serious. Sheila knew that, she just expected him to find it by now. So, she asked the obvious question. "Well, where did you lose it?"
Luis stepped aside and let her enter the room he was occupying. As she did, he avoided the question and instead, asked a question of his own. "Where's the others?"
Sheila gave him an annoyed look and didn't answer at first. Why do people in the Res universe answer a question with another question? Just give a freaken' answer, people!
"We got separated. First, Ashley ran into a wall trap, so she's waiting on being rescued. (How predictable.) And after that, we went down into the sewers and faced off with a bunch of bug people. They won and kidnapped me. The others are probably looking for me and worried sick, blah, blah, blah," Sheila finally answered in a rush. Now to hear what this scientists plans are.
"Hmmm. I think I know where Ashley is, but it will take some time to get to her. Here, take this map. I really don't need it. That's the room where she is probably being held, so you should hurry. I'm sure Leon and the other two will be there soon," Luis said to the shocked girl_. _
_"He's leaving me_?," Sheila thought with anger. She squinted her eyes and began jabbing him in the chest as she unleashed her wrath.
"Who do you think you are? You're just going to leave me alone while you go on your own little mission! I don't think so, Point Dexter! You're going to help me find my friends and that's it! Do you understand Luis?"
Luis gulped at the very angry red head_. _
_"It must be true what they say. Red heads have the worst tempers_," Luis thought with a tinge of nervousness. He put on his most charming smile and tried soothing the trembling girl.
"But little senorita, you do not understand. Where I am going will be too dangerous for you. I'm no Leon or Chris, I won't be able to help you if we're over taken by these religious zealots. Please, try to understand," he said with sincerity. It didn't work. Once her mind was made up, there's no changing it.
"Luis, it's better to stick together in this castle than being alone. I will not be left behind again! Do you comprendae?"
Luis gave a weak smile and said simply, "Si."
Sheila put on her most cheery smile and stepped back.
"Okay, let's get going!"
**R**
After flipping the levers and collecting the spoils from the monks and the small chest, the trio walked up to the merchant. He looked at them curiously, probably wandering where Sheila was.
Leon answered before the merchant could ask, "They took her."
The merchant sighed, his now red eyes looking old and weary after hearing that news. It's something he heard a lot now days.
"I'm sorry to hear that strangers, really sorry. I wish I was here when it happened," the merchant said with all sincerity.
Claire gave a nod as they left the room. The merchant had no new stuff, so they didn't do any business. The young capable woman smiled at the thought of hearing another theory from Sheila. Seeing the merchant always had the teen thinking up another crazy theory on the workings of the mysterious man. Now, they'll never hear a-
Claire stopped her thoughts from going down that road. It did no good to think negatively. She had to stay positive!
While Claire seemed deep in thought as they stepped through the door, Chris was busy looking and studying the new area they now entered. As they walked up the stairs, he noticed a few scattered, old pictures on the wall. It reminded him of his grandparents home, with all the old pictures hanging on the hall wall. This gave the castle a bit of a homey touch. Too bad the Castellan of the castle went loco.
Chris was even more surprised on how the upstairs looked. Nice red carpet, old but endearing wall paper, and nice furnishings. The room had a family quality to it. He looked around at the photos as Leon read the Castellan Memo. He almost smiled at the picture of a young mother with her baby sitting down on a large coach, snuggling and smiling at the camera. It had a bronze plaque on the bottom of the frame, with something written in Spanish. It read, "Isabella and the eighth Castellan, Ramon Salazar." Chris turned away from it, not really wanting to see that evil midget as a human being once. It was just too sad to think about it.
"Let's move on," Chris said as he opened the door.
They stepped inside the fancy room and heard the red cult member cry out. Chris quickly brought out his rifle and sniped the two bow men. They fell with one shot a piece, giving the trio a break from snipers for once. The red, ram head monk priest screamed and hit the deck. Chris cursed at this as Claire and Leon took care of the two black robed monks running toward him. After taking care of that bit of trouble, Chris watched as Leon and Claire ran toward the door at the opposite end of the room.
He followed, still clutching his sniper rifle. As a monk with a metal helmet attacked Leon and Claire, Chris raised his rifle and began beating the Ganado with the butt end of the rifle. The man gasped as he hit him right in the gut, causing all the air to whoosh out of the cult member. Claire took this opportunity to put her guns right up to the wheezing man's spine and blast him. The man dropped like a potato sack and melted as his Spinal fluid shot out every where. Claire grimaced as they left and hurried up the stairs.
Leon kicked the door open and ran across the balcony, his gun raised as his eyes scanned the area. No monks, except on the lower level. He noticed the cowering red priest with two more masked monks standing by the door. A red explosive barrel was near the monks. He aimed at the barrel and fired. Fire and debris shot out from the explosion, killing the two monks while the priest only seemed winded from the event. Leon cursed as they ran around the balcony. Chris noticed the gap where he could jump down and kill the priest on the lower level. He didn't even tell the others as he jumped down.
Unfortunately, the priest had gotten over from the explosion and had opened the door to get back on the upper level. And what made matters worse, Leon and Claire had just jumped down as well. As the other two chased after the cowardly priest, Chris had raised the rifle and was peering through the scope, waiting for the perfect opportunity to kill the monk.
He smiled as the idiot stopped across from him and stared like a deer caught in the head lights. He fired and shot the man straight in the heart, but this did not drop him to his annoyance. It just seemed to wake the idiot up from his stupor. He fired again, hitting the man in the waist, which seemed to anger the monk. The priest began to shout in rapid Spanish, well, curse more like it. Chris decided to just fire till the priest's body stopped twitching. He fired again, and again and again. The bullets slicing through the priest with ease.
Blood splashed all over the pretty wall paper behind the monk, giving this area a slaughter house look. With a last curse, the priest raised a hand in the air and fell over the balcony, landing with a loud thud. Chris watched as he melted away, revealing a key to the door behind him. He smirked and gave a thumbs up to Leon and Claire above on the balcony.
Claire shook her head and yelled, "Since you killed him, you get to go down there and get the key."
Chris groaned and let out some Spanish curses. He jumped down and began mumbling about stupid priests and other stuff I shall not mention. He picked up the key and wiped the blood off the Gallery key. He shrugged and and began to retrace his steps. Meanwhile, Claire and Leon were waiting by the locked Gallery door. They waited patiently for Chris while dividing the money they found. Four Peseta boxes to be exact. After evenly counting out the money and putting it in three piles, they began to put their shares in their pouches.
"Hey, what about me," Chris asked as he jumped down to them. Claire gave a small smile and gave him his share. Her older brother beamed and put the money safely in it's pouch, patting it for good measure. Claire rolled her eyes and took the key from him. As she opened the door, she heard Leon complimenting Chris on his sniper skills. Chris in turn complimented on Leon's agent skills.
"_Great, a complimenting feast. Stick with the program guys," _Claire thought with a smile.
As she stepped through the room, she gasped at the so called art gallery. Four large portraits of people dying graced the wall. Salazar was a sick, sick, puppy. Chris and Leon grimaced at the portraits as well, but got over it quickly. It didn't really surprise them that this little dude had a death fetish. The creep did after all worship Saddler.
"Looks like a puzzle," Leon commented as he stepped up to the central panel.
He noticed the four switches and a OK button. As he read the inscription, Claire spotted a Velvet Blue crystal in the stuffed deer's head. She raised one gun and fired, startling the two men. Grabbing the jewel, she smiled innocently at the other two, which in turn did not. Sheesh, tough crowd.
"Okay, I think I got this figured out," Leon said as he began pressing buttons.
The portraits began flipping around, revealing even more gruesome pictures. After fiddling around with it, Leon pressed the OK button. Nothing happened. Chris scoffed and pushed the puzzled agent aside.
"Let a true genius show you how it's done," Chris said with an air of being all knowing.
Leon rolled his eyes and retorted, "Show me a genius and I'll show you a million dollars."
Claire sighed as Chris also failed the puzzle. They knew the answer to the puzzle, just not the equation. As the two fussed over the buttons, Claire silently did her thing. She pressed number three, two, then four. Now the pictures revealed a close up of a man kneeling down as the blade of the guillotine was about to chop off his head, and the pictures of a man being hung with another standing beside him. Basically, it showed man kneeling, man being hung, man kneeling, and man being hung. She smiled as she pressed the OK button. The wall began to move, revealing a hidden door.
The two men looked at her with embarrassed expressions. She had pity on them and said, "This will never leave this room."
"Thanks," the two men replied. As they entered the next room... FIND OUT IN THE NEXT CHAPTER! Muah! Ha! Ha! Haaa!
**Authors Note: Hey everyone! Sorry that this was chapter was late, I've been a very busy person. Work, painting faces for the fall festival and then looking after the teen center is tiring! Sooooo, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I promise that there will be theories in the next chappie! I didn't put any in this one since I got carried away with the characters being separated. Sooooo, review you peeps! And watch out for all those zombies if you didn't review! Heheheheheeeee! **
25. Chapter 24:Sick Twisted Tastes
**Authors Note: So here we are with another chapter... Look how far we come...WOW! Some people may call it brain washing the masses, but I call it giving the masses what they want! Hehe! Okay, on with the story! Read and enjoy!**
* * *
**Resident Evil 4:A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 24: Sick Twisted Tastes**
Leon, who was ahead of the group, ran in the room to find that Salazar was waiting for them. Ramon laughed at the angry looks coming his way from his enemies. Didn't they know that he didn't take them seriously?
"What a pleasant surprise. But I'm afraid it's Ashley and the girl we want... Not you Mr. Kennedy," Salazar said with emphasis, ignoring the other two. He did notice that the red haired one was not with them. Could she have fallen in another trap of the castle?
"If you don't need me, then get off my back old man," Leon said with all his hostility in those simple words.
Leon watched with anger as Salazar just smiled and raised his hands like he was surprised at his reference toward him.
"(Fake gasp) Did you say old man, Mr. Kennedy? It might come as a surprise, but I'm only twenty years old," the little young man said.
His eyes gleamed as Leon spat back with venom in his voice, "So you're just like all the others? A puppet of the parasites?"
Salazar scoffed at this as he replied rather defensively, "Surely you don't think I'm the same as those diminutive Ganados! The parasites, the Las Plagas are slaves to my will. I have complete, absolute control."
Leon raised his eyebrows at the little egotistical man up above. He really had know idea that he was just another pawn for this Saddler guy.
"Well, I really don't give a d-mn. Rain or shine, you're going down," Leon said with conviction.
Salazar snorted as he signaled for the monks to appear. Metal doors swung around, revealing several Ganados, holding their blades of death. Some had no weapon, but that didn't matter since they had more in number than the heroes.
Salazar raised his lip at the three intruders and said with dismissal, "Get rid of our American friends."
With that said, he left them to what he thought was their doom. He really didn't want to waste his time in watching their cruel deaths when he had to send out another search party for the other girl. This was going better than what he was informed. Soon, he'll call up his Lord and deliver the good news of recapturing the girls and killing the three Americans. Oh, Lord Saddler will be proud! As he daydreamed of all the praise and rewards he will get, the heroes were busy defending their lives.
Immediately after Salazar left, they bolted to Leon's right and busted through the rusty door. They quickly ran up the old stone stairs and readied their weapons. Claire took out her Uzis (the M 100's or whatever their called in Resident Evil X Code Veronica. I like Uzis better!) while Chris brought out his Riot gun. He was a perfect killer with that gun. Leon had his trusty TMP, hehe! He got tired of using the Black-tail and wanted to get through this area as quickly as possible.
Claire stood at the corner, facing the top stairs door while the two men stood side by side, waiting on the monks. It wasn't a long wait since the monks were hot on their heels. The door banged open, revealing several monks. Two ran clumsily up the stairs, their grim reaper weapons raised high. Their constant chanting was all they could hear before the gunfire started. Leon began firing, slowing down the two and causing them two fall hard and awkwardly on the stairs. He didn't stop firing till both men died in front of him, leaving a nasty mess.
But three more showed up, with one throwing his weapon at the two men. Leon ducked but Chris did not. He blasted the blade with his Riot gun and began firing at the monks down below. None were able to get a single foot up the stairs as he continued blasting away at their mid sections. He didn't want a parasite to emerge in such close quarters. Unfortunately, two did while the upstairs was busted through with two more monks. One had a cross bow ready while another charged with flaming red eyes. It was Claire's turn to have fun as she started firing at the fast monk, but was not able to stop him since he wouldn't even stop at being wounded several times. He grabbed her by the throat and began chocking her with a steady chant.
Leon cursed as he was torn between with trying to save Chris and himself from getting their head bitten off, or helping Claire. He took one peek at the auburn haired beauty and decided right then to help her. He raised his gun and fired at the monks legs, causing him to drop Claire while placing his hands over the new wounds.
"Thanks," Claire said gratefully as she shot an arrow out of mid air.
Apparently, the bow-man did not like seeing Claire alive. He fired again, this one barely missing her head as she ducked. She grabbed the wounded monk in front of her and used him as a human shield as she fired at the sniper. Chris and Leon on the other hand had no shield whatsoever. As they fired at the disgusting centipede parasites, they were dodging an arrow every time they tried to move over to Claire.
BOOM! BOOM! Chris smiled at the parasite as it finally exploded as he fired at the head section. The yellow and brown liquid splattered all over it's comrade while still walking forward. The dead body stopped and fell in it's fellow parasites path. After the other parasite tripped over the body, the body melted away, leaving one parasite to deal with. Leon's TMP kept up the automatic firing at the parasite. Soon, it joined it's brethren in death and did the same, disgusting popping trick.
They turned their attention to Claire who was now using her human shield as a weapon. She pushed him into the bowman which caused them to both to stumble back. She smiled as she fired at the top ones head. His head exploded but no parasite emerged. But the bowman underneath did. Claire ignored him and allowed Chris to take care of it while she and Leon reloaded. They heard the awful scream of the parasite as Chris killed it with three shots. He then quickly placed his body against the outer wall and peered through the window with no glass.
He gave Leon and his sister a sign where the other bowmen were. There was three more, each situated at an corner. Chris would take the one in the left corner while Leon and Claire busily took care of the others. They thought it would be easy, but boy were they wrong!
An arrow whizzed by Chris's head. He turned and saw that the monk in the other corner had seen him and was quickly reloading. He gave the other two a nod, giving them a thumbs up before charging the monk.
The Ganado looked up after reloading and saw the angry American running toward him like a angry bull. The monk dropped his cross bow and ran screaming away. Chris cursed at how fast these monks could be at times. He stopped at the corner and raised his Riot gun, but the monk had already turned the corner and was hiding with a braver Ganado with the stupid cross bow.
"Ah, sh-t," Chris cursed as the monk fired two arrows.
He basically hit the deck and took out a grenade. Pulling the pin with his teeth, he quickly threw the grenade with amazing accuracy. The grenade exploded, killing the bow-man but not the coward. The Ganado screamed as a hand fell in his lap. He grabbed it and threw it at Chris, but it disintegrated immediately while in the air. Chris smiled as he put up his Riot gun and brought out his Sniper rifle. The frightened Ganado screamed and ran over to the sliding portrait where the two Ganado's with the Rocket launchers were waiting.
Meanwhile, Leon and Claire were busy taking down the other bow-man. He went down without much of a fight. But, as soon as they killed him, the metal rotating doors revealed more monks. They immediately began to fire with their bow-guns. Leon and Claire tried to shoot them out of the air, but one escaped and pierced Leon in his left shoulder, causing the agent to grunt in pain. But this didn't stop the agent from continuing the fight. As cheesy as the old sayin' is, I believe it applies to his situation. No pain, no gain.
He fired away, mowing down two of the bowmen, blood and brown liquid coating the floor with it's sticky essence. They dropped their bow-guns and fell with Lord's Saddler on their lips. Leon smirked but didn't get to enjoy his victory. A Ganado had sneaked up and had grabbed Claire from behind.
"Oh, hell no!," she said with anger_. _
_"Are all the men around here cave men_," Claire thought with hostility.
Leon raised his gun and tried to find an opening to save Claire, but the monk used her as a shield in protecting himself. Suddenly, the monk let Claire go when a shot was fired. The Pasty Monk dropped to the ground, his head missing. Luckily, no parasite came out to say hello. Claire turned her head and smiled. Her brother lowered the Sniper rifle and gave a smile of his own,
"Are you all right," Leon asked with a worried tone. Claire smiled and gave a light punch to his arm.
"I'm fine, Mr. Kennedy. Don't worry so much," she chided as she walked past him.
Leon scoffed and replied, "But it's my job to worry."
"You know, you should - Oh crap!," Claire said with a horror filled expression.
The lovely painting had moved up, revealing two Ganados with two Rocket Launchers!
_"Who the hell gave these idiots rocket launchers?" _Claire thought with astonishment coloring her face.
Leon grabbed her hand and tried to run, but their two enemies fired. The rockets exploded where they were just standing. Unfortunately, they were not fast enough to get out completely clear of the blast radius. The force of the explosions sent the two heroes flying in the air about five eight feet back. Smoke and debris filled the air, dulling the two's senses
_"Ugh, my head_," Leon thought with a wince of pain.
He looked to his right and saw Claire trying to get up.
"Leon, are you alright," Claire asked with a bit of worry of her own. Leon sat up and smirked.
"You know, you shouldn't worry so much, Miss Redfield," he joked back her response. Claire gave a small laugh, making Leon's heart flutter.
"Stay still, I got to get that arrow out of your shoulder," Claire said with a more serious tone.
She felt bad for not taking care of it as soon as the Ganados were dead. She should have paid more attention.
"Does this mean I get to take my shirt off," Leon said with a mischievous grin, wagging his eyebrows. Before she could respond, she heard Chris's worried voice call out to them from the opposite side of the room.
"Hey! I can't see you guys! What happened? Are you two alright?"
"Yes Chris, we're alive! Just don't go near that picture! Two men are hiding behind it with rocket launchers!"
Silence. Chris's voice carried out with a disgusted tone, "That's messed up!"
Leon muttered with a hiss of pain as Claire extracted the arrow, "I concur."
Claire quickly cleaned the wound. She had to cut a little bit around the flesh when she was trying to take out the arrow. It was a barbed tip which makes getting the arrow out a more painful progress. As she sprayed some of the first aid spray, she saw with relief that the wound was already starting to close up. She bandaged it and smiled when she was done.
"There. How does it feel?"
Leon rolled his shoulder around, only wincing slightly as he did.
"Much better. Thanks," he said with a grateful tone. Claire smiled brightly as she stood up, lending him a hand.
"Think nothing of it," she said while helping the agent up.
He picked up the TMP and put the trusty gun away. Then he brought out the Blacktail and looked at Claire with a look of dread.
"Before we ran from the two Rocket maniacs, I saw that the door was barred shut. There's a red button next to it, so I'm guessing that we press it to open the door. Which means-"
"That we have to brave the two idiots again... This sucks," Claire said with a tired tone.
Leon gave a sad smile and agreed. Chris, who was at the opposite of the room, had just checked the room with the pot. He found a red button too. When he pressed it, nothing happened. If you played the game, you should know that you have to press the button by the door first.
"Hey guys, I found a button, but nothing happened when I pressed it!" Chris stated with irritation.
He heard the two groan. As they explained their findings, Chris sighed with what he knew he had to do. He gripped his automatic rifle and said, "Leon, take out your rifle. We're going sniping!"
Leon took off his sniper off of his shoulder and told Claire to where she was at. The two stealthily walked over to the corner, eyes darting at every angle. Leon watched as Chris mouthed silently, one, two, three. They rolled out, scaring the cowardly Ganado who was underneath the painting. They ignored him as the picture was raised up quickly, revealing two grinning Ganados. Both men fired, delivering head shots. One Ganado dropped his launcher as his head exploded while the others eyes rolled to the back of his head. He slumped over, melting away. The picture closed shut, never to open again.
The two men stood up and looked at the coward. Leon felt a resemblance of pity for the parasite infected man, but Chris absolutely did not. The little creep tried to put a bolt in him! He raised his gun and pointed, but could not shoot. The Ganado was crying and pleading in Spanish for mercy.
"Stop acting like that so I can shoot you," Chris said with venom. The man did not seem to understand and began groveling.
"Chris, maybe we can-" Claire began as she walked up behind them.
"Don't Claire. This little weasel is one of them. He tried to kill me!"
"Chris! Look at him," Claire argued while giving him a withering stare.
He refused and began arguing with his sister. Leon watched with a groan_. _
_"When the Redfield temper flares, run for cover and kiss your a-s goodbye_," Leon thought with a mental sigh. Why they choose now to argue was beyond the logical agent's mind. From the corner of Leon's eye, he saw movement. He quickly brought his gun up at the charging monk, who had a knife in his gnarly hand.
"No escapae!"
Whack! Leon smacked the monk with the butt of his sniper rifle, causing the Ganado to fall on his face. Leon didn't waste time as he shouldered his gun and brought out his knife. He quickly slit the monk's throat and stabbed the gargling man through the ear. He twisted to make sure he killed the Ganado. Blood was spraying all over his chest from the slit throat. He quickly took the knife out of the twitching Ganado's head and watched as he disintegrated. Then he cleaned the blade on the carpet and sheathed the awesome knife.
Chris and Claire were silent at first. They said nothing. Chris was the first to speak. "See. I told you he was just another evil Ganado!"
**R**
Sheila had no idea where she was. Only Luis seemed to know where they were going. And the silence was killing her! Not literally of course. But it will soon if someone or something doesn't speak or do something soon! So, she did what any Res fan would do... She started to swap theories.
"Luis, do you have any theories on how the merchant gets around so fast?"
Luis stopped at the turn of the dark hallway. He turned and gave her a strange look.
"Pardon?," he asked with a surprised look on his face.
Sheila decided to be brave and continue this ridicules conversation. "You heard me. Any theories?"
Luis rubbed his chin and tried to hide a smile. He couldn't believe that she was actually asking this out of the blue. Leon must have his hands full with this one.
"Uuuuuum. No. Can't think of any. How about you tell me some of your theories. There's no Ganados around, so it's safe to talk," the Spaniard said with a small smile.
Sheila beamed and began telling him all the past theories that everybody, except Ashley, had come up with. Luis laughed at the theories, wandering how these Americans can find the littlest thing and make it into a enjoyable one.
"So, Sera, as a scientist, what is your take on this puzzling merchant," she asked in her mock reporter's voice.
He smiled as he stopped before a blue door.
"Hmmm. As a scientist, I would have to pick the most reasonable, complicated, theory of them all... He's really a alien who has a invisible spaceship. He flies around in it across the planet, and when he finds a spot where he has set up shop, he teliports to it. That's how he gets around unheard and unseen," Luis said with obvious pride at his silly theory.
Sheila chuckled and patted the scientist on the shoulder. "Not bad for a very logical person. I vote you in the MIT club!"
He stared at her with obvious mirth and curiosity. "What's this MIT club?"
Sheila leaned forward and said with mock seriousness, "It's a club I just came up with. It stands for Merchant's Insane Theories club! Anybody can join as long as their theory has a strand of silliness in it. But whatever you do, don't tell Leon that I might kick him out as soon as I announce the club to everybody. He's too logical at times."
Luis winked and whispered, "Your secret is safe with me."
Sheila laughed and shook her head.
"Well, I might let him stay. He has started to give crazier theories lately," she said with a teasing smile.
The two sobered up when he grabbed the door handle.
"You ready for this," Luis asked while staring at the door.
Sheila looked at Luis's hand that clutched the brass door handle, and shuddered.
"Do I have a choice?"
Luis nodded and began turning the door handle very slowly, causing more tension to form in the younger woman's stomach. She could swear that she heard the heart beat from the Resident Evil games again. The beating grew louder with each passing second. It seemed to take an eternity before Luis began to open the door. The door gave a creak that sounded like a fog horn to the teen at that moment. Could it be any louder?
Luis took out his gun and walked inside first, looking around for the enemy. Sheila followed, her gun ready for action. They were in a lavishly decorated room, made to be admired by aristocrats. Large portraits hung in the cozy but expensive room. Sheila drowned in the sight of the history before her. Blue carpet was laid out on the stone floor, with matching blue banners. These blue banners were not like the cult ones that hung through out the rest of the castle. These banners had a different insignia embroidered on them. Sheila recognized ii as the Salazar family insignia from the compass that Ashley will have to find later.
Her heart froze cold when she saw armor suits in the room. She hoped that these were just every day armor suits, and not the parasite filled ones. She detested those things.
Luis leaned over and whispered into her ear, "We're close. Stay very quiet, and follow my lead."
Sheila nodded, and followed the tense scientist. She felt her hands get sweaty as she gripped the gun handle harder. They were passing the armor suits, walking ever so slow. She tried not to look over at the suits, but her eyes seemed to be attracted to the shiny armor. She shivered at the creepy sight.
When they passed the last suit of armor, Sheila let out a sigh of relief. They made it! But her relief was short lived. Luis had stopped and seemed ready to let out a stream of curses. A Ganador was standing by the door, his heavy breathing filling the air. Sheila nearly cursed herself, which is a rarity. She hoped against hope that she would never have to face one of these stupid Gladiator guys.
Luis slowly turned his head and pressed a finger to his lips_. _
_"You don't have to tell me twice_," Sheila thought grimly
_D-mn! I guess going through here once got their attention... Now how am I going to get myself and the little senorita pass that monstrosity? Our weapons are not strong enough to kill the Ganadore... This is not going to be easy_.
Luis looked around, looking for any object to distract the Ganador... He looked behind him at the armor
_Hmmmm... That would defiantly make enough noise for our abnormal friend here._
Sheila hoped she wasn't thinking what Luis was thinking... Yep, she was. The crazy man was actually going to do it_... _
_Guess there's no choice in the matter... Stupid monster!_
Luis signaled for her to stick close as he silently and slowly backed up to the suit of armor. When he stood next to it, he grabbed her hand and squeezed in reassurance that he wasn't crazy. She begged to differ!
Luis put one hand on the suit of armor and pushed with all his might, causing a loud chain reaction. That was all it took for the Garrador to attack. Luis ran out of the way as he pulled the teenager along. The Ganador ran and tripped over the armor suit. Sheila would have laughed if she wasn't so freaken' scared. Luis kicked open the door, alerting the Ganador. It jumped up and ran toward the closing door. Luis slammed the door in the creature's face and jumped back. Two long claws stabbed through the thick, wooden door.
"I think we should run," Luis stated after grabbing her hand again.
"I agree with you one hundred percent," Sheila said as they ran down the dimly lit hall.
**R**
Leon pressed the second button in the tiny room. They heard a rumbling sound of the tiny bridge connecting with the tall, square pedestal that held the first part of the puzzle.
"There, now we can get out of this lame room," Claire said as she opened the blue door. Her eyes widened again as she faced another two Rocket Launcher freaks. She must have a invisible target on her.
She quickly slammed the door and jumped back as the two rockets were fired. The door exploded, debris and smoke filled the air. The trio coughed as they quickly got out of the room. The two monks were already running away. Claire angrily began to shoot at the fleeing cowards. They fell before they could finish crossing the tiny bridge, snapping their necks when they hit the ground.
She quickly followed the two older men and waited as they opened the beautiful chest. Inside was the goat puzzle piece. Chris put the piece in his case, and then followed Leon to the agent kicked open the white door, not really caring who was on the other side. He raised his blacktail and did a quick once over with his eyes.
"All clear!"
Chris stepped through the doorway and noticed right away that there was a typewriter on a small table. He smiled and began to type a message. After he was done, he followed his team.
"What did you type on the typewriter," Claire asked her older brother.
Chris just shrugged and replied, "Nothing. Just leaving my mark."
As they passed the last window, Leon froze. Chris passed him and gave him a curious look.
"Do you hear that," Leon asked with one eye twitching.
Realization flickered across the siblings eyes as they turned their attention to the blue door.
"Crows," they all said together. Needless to say, each had a bad experience with infected crows during the viral outbreak. Of course they knew that these would not be infected, but you never can be too careful. In fact, I suggest everybody to be wary of crows!
Leon took a deep breath and walked slowly toward the door_. _
_"You can do this. It's just some stupid birds, that's all... Just... birds. This is not a bad sign of things to come_," the agent reassured himself. He kicked the door open, and gasped at what he saw. A dozen crows were perched on each open window sill, staring at him. Their eyes were not red or foggy like an infected bird, but their stare was unnerving to say the least.
He took one step forward, startling the birds.
"CAW! CAW! CAW!"
The air filled with the panicked sounds of crows as they flew out the windows. But some were too panicked as they flew around aimlessly. One flew and smacked right into Chris's face.
"Aaaaaaaaa! Get it off! Get this d-mn bird off," Chris screamed as he ran up the steps blindly.
"Chris! Watch out," Leon warned.
But it was too late. Chris ran smack into the door, knocking out the bird and nearly himself. He stepped back unsteadily, and nearly tumbled down. Leon steadied him and bit back the laughter that threatened to spill over.
The unconscious bird fell down at Chris's feet, making a small caw sound. Chris groaned as he rubbed his sore face_. _
_That's going to leave a mark_.
"Oh Chris, are you going to be alright," Claire said in a motherly tone.
Chris snorted and gained what was left of his composure. Trying to save as much manly dignity he had left, he squared his shoulders and kicked open the door.
"I'm fine. Really. I just had to show that crow who was boss," he replied.
Claire rolled her eyes as she followed the two men, saying, "Sure you were. And what a manly display it was."
Chris's ears turned red from embarrassment. Leon started to laugh but quickly faked like he was coughing. Chris glared at him and fingered his blacktail. Sometimes, he just felt like-
_"Oh crap! More crows! Don't they have a life or a place to nest?," _Chris thought with a frustrated sigh. Leon raised his gun and gave Chris a evil grin. "_Oh yeah, now you're speaking my language, Kennedy!"_
_"_Guys! No! Don't be-"
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"You bird haters," Claire said in horror. The men just grinned and walked over to the fountain.
"They make great target practice," Chris said while saluting the dead birds. At that moment, bird droppings fell on his shoulder.
"What the?," Chris said with disgust. All three looked up to see the dozen bids flying over head. Poop began to drop in different area's, causing the trio to panic.
"RUUUUUUUN! The birds are unleashing their furry," Chris yelled as he began to run toward the metal door. He tried to open it, but it was locked.
"Come on! This way," Leon said as he ran with Claire down the external wall. Chris followed them as poop began to rain like... well, rain. Leon kicked the door open and ran through, followed by Claire and Chris. Chris slammed the door, leaning against it, his chest heaving at what they just escaped from.
"Did that seem a little bizarre to anyone," Chris asked while clutching his chest.
Leon nodded in agreement while Claire responded with a serious glare, "Maybe it was revenge for killing their friends."
Chris ignored her and looked at his right shoulder, where the disgusting dropping lingered like a disease.
"I guess nobody got a tissue or something," Chris said with disgust as they walked away. Claire took a hankie out of her utility belt and handed it over. Chris looked surprised as he excepted the offer.
"A woman always comes prepared," she responded with a small smile.
As they walked, they came across a locked, metal door with a indention set in the middle.
"Let me guess, the key is in the weird garden, " Leon spat out. He looked out over the maze, noticing how Gothic it looked. It would have been a lovely Gothic look if the owner didn't go and add his own sadistic taste into it. It defiantly fit the owners personality.
They began walking again till they came to the small stone stairs that led down to the garden. Before Leon could take one step down, the sound of his radio grabbed his attention. Although he knew it was Salazar, he answered in hopes that Hunnigan had somehow broken through the interference. He frowned when the pasty complexion of Ramon appeared on the video screen.
Salazar_: Still alive I see.. So, do you and your friends like my garden?_
Leon kept his face calm while he answered the prideful little man. He almost smiled though when he heard the hint of disappointment in Ramon's voice to see him alive.
Leon: _I see you've managed to work in a little of your twisted taste here, too._
Salazar: _He! Ha! Ha! Ha! Sagacious as I am, even I get lost here sometimes. Even if it takes your whole life, you'll never get out. Do you know that no one dies without a cause? You and those intruders will satisfy the stomachs of my cute pets. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to tie up a few loose ends. Like chasing around three rats. _
Leon looked up from the monitor and looked over to his friends. "Three rats?... If one's Luis.. Who's the other two," Leon mused aloud.
Chris gave a theory, "Maybe it's... Sheila? Do you think it's possible that she could be with Luis now?"
Leon seemed to think this over before answering.
"You know, it could be possible," he said with a confident look before continuing, "Maybe she's safe with him now. Salazar would brag if the bug had brought her to him. But that leaves one question... Who's the third rat?"
Claire had a feeling she knew who it was_... _
_Ada... This is going to get complicated. But how do I try and tell Leon that Ada isn't really dead? I can't believe that I forgot to tell him earlier_!
Claire knew it was now or never to tell the man that she... cared for about Ada being alive and well, and lurking around here.. As they walked down the steps, she decided to talk. A Redfield never backed down from anything!
"Guys? I think I know who is the third person," she began hesitantly.
The men stopped at the bottom, waiting as she walked down. When she reached the bottom, she began to spill her guts. She told them about what happened before Chris and herself were reunited, and how she met a woman who was about to be sacrificed. They listened intently, their eyes burning into hers. She described her experience vividly, of how the woman in red saved her, and how she couldn't hear a thing the woman said. She finally looked Leon square in the eyes, seeing the denial.
"Leon, it was... Ada," she said with her heart breaking at those words.
Leon stood there, paralyzed. He couldn't believe his ears. She had to be wrong, she just had to be. He watched her die! But deep down in his heart, he knew that she saw Ada. He heard rumors of the spy and her new connections. The woman in red was alive and working with the man that they all despised. Wesker. He shook himself out of his reverie, hearing Claire ask him to say something.
"Why didn't you tell me this earlier," he voiced accusingly.
Claire looked at Leon pleadingly, trying to explain, " I'm so sorry Leon. Things seemed to get more chaotic by the minute, that it honestly slipped my mind."
Leon didn't answer, he just looked at her with a cold expression. Chris put a hand on Leon's shoulder and Claire's shoulder, trying to draw their attention to the matters at hand. Leon looked at Chris and sighed. This was not the time or place to do this.
"Come on. We got to find the key to the door," his voice said without emotion.
When Claire tried to speak, Chris put a finger to her lips and whispered in her ear, "Later Claire. Let him be. He needs to sort things out before he can talk about it."
Claire looked up at her brother as Leon kicked the double door gate open.
"I really did forget, Chris," she said barely above a whisper.
Chris smiled comfortingly and replied, "I know Claire. Just give him time."
They followed Leon through the gate. The agent with his Incendiary grenades and Chris with his Riot Gun. Claire took out her shotgun she got from Ada and followed the two men. As they walked under the bridge, the sound of growls were heard all around them.
"_Time to conquer the maze," _Leon thought while tightening his grip on a fire grenade. He wasn't taking any chances. The sound of light feet running toward them was heard by all. The sound of the deadly wolf dogs!
The trio ran over to the left corner and waited. A grey, large, timber wolf leaped through the greenery and bared his overly large teeth. It was a superior Chamillo!
"What the hell?," Chris exclaimed as several appendages broke through the skin of it's back, slapping him in the face.
Leon pulled the pin and threw it at the animal. The creature yelped in pain as it caught on fire, the smell of burnt fur and flesh filling the air. They covered their noses as the creature fell down, and disintegrated right before their eyes.
"I hope you got more of those," Chris remarked as he rubbed his stinging face. He really didn't need the extra bruises.
Leon responded with a satisfied tone, "Oh yeah. I got about four of these babies left."
**R**
Luis finally stopped beside a red door, panting as he looked behind them. Good, the Ganador didn't bust through and follow them. He felt the teen shiver as she clutched his arm.
Looking down, he gave a reassuring smile as he spoke in a low voice, "This should be the room where I probably dropped it. It will most likely have Ganados in it, so stay close and have that gun ready. We may need it."
She gave a small smile as she raised the gun and gave a nod. He let go of her hand and opened the door slowly.
He poked his head inside and looked around the large room. It was deserted, which he was thankful for. Now he could look for the sample and medication in peace. Of course he'll have to be sneaky and find the sample and hide it before his companion notices. This made Luis feel guilty, lying to this girl who trusted him. But, he had no choice. This was the only way to put a crank in Saddler's plans and get to safety.
"Okay, the coast is clear, but be on your guard," he warned as he held the door open for her.
She walked inside the room. It wasn't flashy at all. In fact, it looked like a ruff version of a lab. Tables with vials, chemicals, and cages lined the walls. Although it wasn't the best lab, it did serve it's purpose.
Sheila looked at Luis and spoke with a firm voice, "O.k. Luis, here we are. We backtracked a ways from the group so we can find whatever you dropped, so spill. What is it we are exactly looking for?"
Sheila of course knew what it was, but she thought it was best to play dumb. She watched Luis's expression, looking for any hint of fear or emotion.
He hid it well as he said, "We're looking for medication for you, Leon, and Ashley. Although the eggs have hatched, the medicine will suppress the growth of the parasite, giving you people time to find the cure."
Sheila pretended to be shocked as she looked him in the eyes. She smiled and asked, "So, where do you think you dropped it?"
He walked over to her and gave a sheepish smile as he answered, "Well, I was attacked in here when I stole the medicine, so it could be anywhere in this room."
Sheila looked around and sighed. The only source of light was the candles that were lit.
She looked up at the Spaniard and said, "Let's get down to business. You look at this side of the room while I look at the left side. Divide and conquer."
"Mmmmmn. I love a lady who knows what she wants," he said with a wink.
Sheila slightly blushed as she gave him a grin. She turned and walked over to her side. As she began looking, she felt the muscles in her back give a twinge of pain. She winced, knowing that her body was definitely trying to shut down for the night. After all, she's been chased by Ganados, monsters, and bugs for the majority of the night. Where was the resting time for the body?
_Reality bites! The characters in the game never show that they're tired unless it's a cut scene. Oh, my feet_!
Sheila's body began to protest as she looked carefully for the blasted medicine. She really, really, wished that she was captured with Ashley right now. As she looked along the tables, Luis looked underneath all the papers that was spilled on the floor from his earlier flight. He knew the medicines had to be there somewhere!
After five minutes of searching, Sheila officially decided that the medicine or the sample was not on that side of the room. She decided to search by the doors, most likely finding them in that radius. She quickly ran over to the door and began her search again. Luis noticed this, his eyes and hands began to search more frantically. He couldn't let her find the sample!
As Sheila got down on her hands and knees, she noticed something in the corner. She got off her knees and walked over, getting excited. It was... the sample. She picked it up and studied it. It was heavy, the metal on the vile causing the heaviness. Needing better light to study it more closely, she walked over to a candle and held it up to the light. The purple liquid was actually pretty, but what was inside was not. A tiny piece of tissue with little appendages floated in the purple goop. Sheila realized that it was a parasite, a living one in fact. It looked different from the parasites on the game.
It had the same amount of skinny legs, and and a tiny undeveloped tale. But what got her was that it had a abdomen like a queen ant. She wandered if this was what they call a queen parasite.
"What do you got there," Luis asked curiously from behind. Sheila jumped and turned around, clutching the sample.
"I um, think I found a sample of the parasite," she said nervously. Luis's eyes traveled down to her hands. She found it, so now he'll have to think of something to get the sample without seeming suspicious.
He reached a hand out and asked, "May I?"
Sheila put the vile in his hand, trying to gouge his reaction. He held it up to the candle light and sighed. It was the sample. As he studied the parasite, Sheila decided to ask the scientist a question.
"Luis, how come the parasite in that vile doesn't grow? Can't the creature live and breath the air we do?"
Luis looked down at her and began to explain, sounding like a true scientist.
"Well, yes it can. But they have to find a host to grow to their full potential. When it takes over a human body, it literally attaches to the nervous system, and lives off the host. That's why you see that everyone with a fully grown or growing parasite, they do not look so well. Their nutrition is being shared with the parasite, causing lack of nutrition, scurvy, and other side affects. When it does grow to an adult, it can leave at any time and live among us, but it strangely rarely does that. It only approaches when it's Host dies or it is threatened," came his long winded reply.
Sheila looked surprised, her curiosity somewhat satisfied. The news also made her cringe, knowing that if Leon, Ashley, or herself do not get this parasite out soon, she'll become another puppet for Saddler. Plus, she did not need a paler shade of skin than she already had. Luis saw the worried expression on her face, realizing that the news forebode bad things for her future.
"Don't worry, Sheila. Once I find the medicine, we'll stop the growth for awhile, giving you and your friends more time," he said with a encouraging smile. Sheila sighed. She new he was right, but that didn't stop her from worrying.
"You know what, you're pretty smart scientist," she remarked with a grin. Luis laughed and began searching for the medication, sliding the vile in his pocket, being very sly while doing it.
"By the way, I've been wandering.. How did you know I'm a scientist?"
Sheila almost slapped herself for letting that leak out. She mentioned it earlier, not noticing that she spilled the beans. Make that twice now. Or has it been three times?...
She finally answered while getting down on the floor, helping him search for the pills, "Me and my friends found some of your notes earlier, so we figured that you used to be a scientist here."
Luis sighed as he looked at her. So now they know that he worked as a scientist for that mad man, Saddler. He was ashamed of what he had accomplished for that man, literally helping Saddler to produce the parasite if you can put it so bluntly. That was his guilt and shame, his part in this whole mess.
"Is that why you're helping us? Cause you feel responsible," Sheila asked with a soft voice. She pitied him, carrying around all that guilt.
He slowly looked up and answered, "Si. I allowed my curiosity and research to cloud my judgment. By the time I realized that, it was too late."
Sheila nodded and continued to help with the search for the medicine. His guilt filled the silence.
After a few more minutes of searching, she heard Luis say proudly, "I found it!"
She looked up and smiled, but before she could respond, a seizure took hold of her. She cried out while clutching her chest. The pain was five times worse than when she had the first one. Her chest burned and felt like someone was eating away at the lungs, while pouring hot lava in the mix.
She felt Luis pick her up, saying something in Spanish. She couldn't understand with all the pain causing her to lose all motor functions. Tears began to fall as she felt her chest heave. Something was coming up. She began to cough uncontrollably. Each cough felt like a knife being twisted in her chest. Finally, a big glob of blood came out, coating her hands for the second time. She began to cry, knowing that thing was growing even more larger, signaling the end of her sanity.
She held on to Luis as he put her on a lab table. He began to speak soothing words as she let all her frustration, fears, and hopelessness come out. She cried for herself, for Ashley, and Leon. She didn't even know if they would make it. After awhile, she began to hiccup as her tears stopped. She felt pain with each hiccup. Luis walked away to grab a paper towel from the counter. He came back and offered the ruff version of a hankie. She excepted it and wiped away the tears. To her embarrassment, she noticed that she left a bloody hand print on the Spaniard's shoulder and chest.
"I'm so sorry! I'll clean it up," she said in a rush.
Luis stopped her and said, "It's okay, I'll be fine. It's you that I'm worried about."
She looked down at her bloody hand and whispered, "Me too."
She began to wipe away the blood, then used another paper towel to blow her nose. As she got control of her hiccups, Luis gave her one pill.
"Take it, this should help with keeping it at bay," he said with his hand offering the pill. She took it and asked for a glass of water. He smiled sadly and responded, "These have to be taken dryly."
Sheila made a face, not liking the sound of that. She had a touchy gag reflex, so taking this pill will not be a walk in the park. Placing the large pill in her mouth, she tipped her head back. Slowly, she pushed the pill to the back of her throat, then swallowed. She began to gag, but covered her mouth so it wouldn't pop back out. Finally, she got horse pill down, which proved worse. It left an unpleasant after taste, which made her want to hurl it back up.
Luis put a hand on her shoulder and said, "The taste is unpleasant, but you have to keep it down. The nausea will pass in just a moment."
She nodded and waited. It did, much to her relief. She looked up and sighed_. _
_Did I forget to mention that I really want to go home now_?
Luis lifted her off the high lab table and set her down softly. Just as they were about to leave, six monks burst through the door they just came through. Luis cursed and drew out his gun. He and Sheila began to fire, causing the rushing monks to fall over each other. They continued to fire, killing three as the rest died and revealed the parasite. Their heads exploded, leaving brain and blood all over the floor. This time, fully developed parasites greeted them and wouldn't be so easily disposed of. Luis cursed, knowing that these were the worst. He grabbed Sheila's hand and ran over to the door. He kicked it open and began to run for their lives.
**R**
"Just our luck! The key is a two piece set," Leon grumbled as he picked the first half of the moon key.
Things were not exactly going well for them. It seemed at every corner, a parasite wolf would jump through the greenery and attack. Or they got a bit lost and had to stop to look at their map. And that was a bad idea since a wolf would just appear and attack. Chris, Leon and Claire took a slap here and there from those nasty tentacles.
Claire brought out the map and studied it. She had started to memorize it from their little rambling around in Salazar's fun house, though she still preferred to have the handy parchment on hand. She guessed that the next piece would have to be by the second fountain. She pointed this out to the guys, who agreed with her.
"Now, how to get there," Chris murmured as he looked over Claire's shoulder.
She pointed at the map and said, "Looks like we have to do a little bit of backtracking."
She showed them where to go next.
Leon said, "Lead the way."
Claire nodded and jumped down from the high fountain. The other two followed, hearing yet again more growls.
Claire groaned and said, "Let's run for it!"
She led the way, followed by two chamilllos. She turned this way and that, hearing Chris shooting once in a while when the animals would get to close.
Claire honestly hoped she knew what she was doing, cause if they met a dead end, it would not be pretty. She turned again and smiled, a bridge. She ran up the stairs and then down, then she turned left and nearly gave a whoop of joy. There the fountain stood, it's water sparkling from the torches light.
Chris ran up beside her. They smiled as they heard a sound of dogs yelping, knowing that Leon's fire grenade wiped out the stalkers. The agent appeared, panting slightly
_"Nothing like playing the action hero to get the ticker pumping_," he thought wryly.
Claire picked up the second half of the moonstone and gave it to Leon. He put the two pieces together and gave a small smile.
"There, now we can move on," he said with relief.
He turned and ran around the corner, the siblings following him. He stopped as two wolves jumped in front of him, growling with hunger. He quickly threw his last fire grenade down at them, hearing their yelps as they died quickly.
But before the fire went out, two more jumped over the high flames. One jumped on Chris as the other tried to jump Claire. Leon quickly stabbed the wolf before it laid a paw on her, while the other began to tear into Chris's upper arm. He screamed with pain as he took out his knife and stabbed it in the eye. The large wolf yelped and leaped off, leaving it's eye on the blade. Claire began to shoot it, not stopping till it died. AS for the agent, he continued to stab the determined wolf as it tried to lift itself off the ground. He stabbed and stabbed till the wolf was covered in blood. Finally, he stopped when it disintegrated.
Claire helped her brother up while Leon cleaned his knife. The wolf's blood and hair had splattered across his face and shirt, giving the look of a Rambo wanna-be. Claire quickly checked Chris's wound and judged it that it looked worse than it really was. She quickly sprayed it and patted him on his right shoulder. Chris smiled and offered Leon his dirty hankie.
Leon looked nervously at the hanky and said, "No, I'm fine. I think I can live with a little blood."
Chris flicked the eye off his knife, and holstered it. He was really fond of that Rambo knife. Not only for its cool, dangerous looks, but also because it kicked a-s. The trio felt their blood freeze when they heard the sounds of yet another wolf. They quickly ran up the steps and jumped over the side. There was the gate, looking so beautiful at the moment. They quickly ran for the gate. The sound of heavy panting of the wolf was close. Leon dropped kicked the gate and ran through. Chris and Claire followed, shutting the gate in the wolf's face. It snarled and foamed at the mouth, angry that it's food got away.
Chris raised his middle finger at the wolf and walked away with the silent two. They quickly ran up the small stairs and ran over to the metal, iron door. Leon put the moonstone in the indention and stood back. The door quickly rose up, revealing a dark but beautiful, weird shaped room. The three were now ready for the next chapter to begin, all three entering the room. Leon felt a familiar presence behind him. His eyes began to look to his left, then to his right. He didn't even flinch when a cold, hard, metal barrel of a gun was pressed into his back.
"Put your hands where I can see them."
**Authors Note: This chapter was rather long. I made it that way because I wanted to leave off at the right spot. I've been sick, so forgive me if it isn't the greatest. I really can't stand being sick. Ick! You guys know the drill. Review! And more theories to come!**
26. Chapter 25: Reunited and it Feels so Bad
**Authors Note: Alright! Here we are with another chapter of this tale of mine. We've come a long way since the beginning! I can hardly believe that we're already here! Woooo hoooo! This chapter will be long and filled with angst, gore, action, and witty comments from our coolest, favorite crew! Prepare yourselves for the under world... Ha Haaaaa! Naaaw, just read and enjoy. **
* * *
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 25: Reunited and it Feels so Bad**
"Put your hands where I can see them," came the familiar, smooth feminine voice. Leon saw from the siblings facial expressions that it was definitely who he thought it was.
He didn't even bother raising his hands as he spoke. "Sorry, but following a lady's lead just isn't my style."
Apparently that didn't sit well with the lady in red.
"Put them up now," she spoke in a firmer tone.
Leon looked at the Redfields, giving them a determined look. They exchanged silent messages, and kept out of this particular confrontation. Leon would be facing his past on his own terms.
He cocked his head, then made his move. Quickly, in a blink of an eye, he turned and grabbed Ada's arm and twisted it to disarm her. He grabbed her gun and held her shoulder to keep her still. Ada turned her head and gave him a surprised look, grunting from the painful pinch. But she in turn, turned his small victory around. She did a back flip kick, knocking the gun from his hand.
Not caring that the agent preferred to handle this on his own, Claire quickly took out her guns and aimed while her brother raised his Blacktail. Leon took out his knife and flipped it to get in his knife stance. He then quickly charged the spy, who was almost finished with her flip. The gun twirled in the air and fell directly in her hand. She smiled as she turned, thinking she had the upper hand. But as it turned out, she didn't. Leon was there, with his knife to her throat while his hand grabbed her tiny wrist in a firm grip.
"A bit of advice, try using a knife next time. Works better for close encounters," Leon said while taking her gun away.
He walked toward the siblings, her gun in hand. Without even looking, he disarmed it and tossed it near the opened window. Turning around, he watched the sleek, dangerous woman with a steady gaze. Her usual emotionless mask slipped as she offered him a small, genuine, smile.
"Leon," she said while taking off her rose tinted glasses before continuing, "Long time no see."
Leon gave her a sad look. The sad truth about the woman he had come to care deeply for in the short time he knew her, now was establishing itself without a single word of confirmation from Ada's lips.
"Ada... So it is true," he said while he started to move around.
Ada cocksedher head and said coyly, "True? About what?"
Leon looked at her and glared daggers.
_Stop playing games, Ada_.
"You, working for Wesker," he accused in a cold tone.
Chris gripped his gun harder after hearing that bit of news. He never met the woman before, but from what Leon told him, she was a dead woman who had changed for the better. Looks like he was wrong.
Ada held the rose tinted shades loosely at her side, and pressed a tiny button with one finger as it stroked the edge. She dropped the trivial object to the floor as if due to being taken off guard for a second. The truth was, she was attempting to keep the conversation going so she can make her escape.
"I see that you've been doing your homework."
Chris's eyes roam over to Leon's back. He possibly knew she was alive? And he knew that Wesker hired her? Why didn't he tell him?
"Why Ada," Leon asked, his tone taking a sad, pleading one. He so desperately wanted answers.
"What's it to you," Ada spat out rather harshly, playing the heartless spy to a tee. She didn't mean for it to come out that way, but her feelings were irrelevant when it came to a mission. She had to play the part perfectly to complete her goal.
"Why are you here? Why did you show up," Leon continued to question with emotion simmering more to the surface.
_Why are you alive? _
Ada looked down, then away, trying to hide how his silent, unasked question affected her. She scoffed a bit to show her fake indifference. Suddenly, Leon and the Redfields hear the beeping sound from Ada's glasses. Looking over, the agent grows suspicious steps back.
"It's a flash grenade," Chris exclaimed as he points his gun at Ada, willing to shoot tp stop her from escaping, and getting answers of his own.
Leon noticed and quickly cried, "Chris! No!"
BANG! FLASH! The glasses go off. Everyone covers their eyes as Ada runs to the opposite direction. She quickly rolls over and collects her Blacktail. As the smoke clears, the trio see Ada by the window, smiling.
"See you around. And it was nice to see you again, Claire."
With that said, she climbed through the window and used her grappling gun to help her across the garden. She could hear Leon crying out her name, trying to stop her.
"You should have let me shoot her, Leon. Maybe then we could have gotten some answers," Chris said angrily.
Leon whips around and stomped over to the slightly older man.
"I don't think killing her would get answers, Chris," he said while baring his teeth.
An expression of anger crossed the ex-STARS member's face. Chris inched closer and replied, "I wouldn't have killed her, dumb-a-s. It would have just have been a flesh wound. But maybe, someone has to kill her so we don't get stabbed in the back."
"If you-" Leon began, but was interrupted before he could escalate the emotional disagreement further. Claire pushes them apart, keeping them away from each other.
"Guys, this is not the time to argue! Get your heads on straight before I do it for you. And trust me, you don't want me to do it," Claire warned them with a withering stare to boot. The guys look away and didn't respond. Chris broke the silence first.
"Why didn't you tell me that Ada was working for Wesker," Chris asked in a low voice.
Leon sighed and starteds to rub the back of his neck.
"I didn't know for sure. As you know, I've been trying to track Wesker with the resources I now have, but it hasn't been easy. I heard from one resource that a ex-spy has crossed over and joined Wesker. I didn't believe that it was Ada because I thought I watched her die... Guess I was wrong," Leon responded, his voice turning into a whisper with the last sentence. Chris nodded, and paused with a stern expression still lingering. After a beat, he sighed and gave a tired groan.
"Will we ever get away from anything that's connected with Umbrella," Chris asked while giving Leon a half smile.
Leon shrugged and said in a lighter tone, "Destiny forbids it, I guess."
**R**
Ada landed near the second fountain, her heeled feet landing gracefully. She ran over to the fountain, and reloaded her gun. Her satellite phone beeped, indicating that Wesker was calling. Truthfully, she would rather ignore the call. He wasn't the person she wanted to talk to at the moment. The man was very intuitive, and had a knack of reading a person to the smallest detail. But she didn't feel like explaining why she refused one of his calls without a valid reason. Especially since he had that handy satellite to spy the goings in this dangerous part of Europe. Sighing, she grabbed it from her electrical leg holster on her other leg. Holding the rectangular technology out, she answered it with a cold look.
Wesker's emotionless face appeared on the screen. His black shades hiding his inhuman eyes.
"Luis has succeeded in recovering the sample. He's waiting in the castle," he said while a visual of the map was displayed on the screen. He continued, "Get in contact with him, ASAP."
"Understood."
Wesker's face reappeared on the screen.
"And that U.S. government lapdog, Leon. If you do happen to come in contact with him, put him out of commission. We can't let him interfere with our plans," Wesker said as an after thought.
Ada almost let her mask slip off as worry bloomed in the pit of her stomach. She tried to sound as nonchalant as possible as she replied, "He has no idea what is going on. He's nothing to worry about."
Wesker's face took on an authoritative tone as he replied, "He's a survivor of Raccoon City. We can do without the extra distraction. Take him out now."
The screen went black, indicating that the discussion was over. Ada cursed under her breath as she holstered the phone. She turned with weary slowness and looked at the open door.
"Leon," she said with a sad tone.
**R**
"Will that be all strangers," the merchant asked curiously. They didn't buy much, just upgraded some guns and bought a first aid spray. They at least sold some items, but that was it.
Leon gave a nod as he left the room. He still wasn't speaking much to Claire, but at least she got a grunt out of him.
The merchant noticed how tense it was between the three of them. He could tell that the most of the tension was between Leon and Claire. If he didn't know any better, he think they had a lovers tiff.
As Claire walked by him, he put a hand on her shoulder, and said, "Sometimes, men can be idiots."
Claire slowly smiled and agreed.
"Claire, you coming," Chris asked as he peeked back into the room. Claire gave one last smile at the friendly merchant and joined her brother.
As the door closed, the merchant heard the sound of his dog, Wolf running up toward him. He smiled, although his scarf didn't show it.
"Hey, boy. Where have you been?"
The dog wagged his tail and dropped what was in his mouth. It was a nice ruby, perfect in fact. The merchant smiled and picked up the jewel.
"Eh, thanks boy. Heh. Heh. Heh. Every little bit helps.," the merchant said with a grin. The sound of gun fire from the garden startled the dog and his master.
"Guess it's time to move over by the typewriter," he muttered. The dog whined in response and followed his master.
In the next room, Leon, Chris, and Claire were busy looking around the beautiful dining room. Two long, rectangular tables were covered in a expensive table cloths. Beautiful china was set at each table, lined with real gold spoons, forks, and knives. Silver goblets were lined next to each plate, giving the tables the look of royalty. On each table was lighted candles, setting the perfect mood for a feast fit for a king.
_"And Saddler wanted more money to keep his so called religious community up and running. Teh. Looks like Salazar has enough money to support ten religious cults_," Leon though with a shake of his head. Talk about greed.
Chris turned and began studying the menus. They were very disturbing, as if trying to say that they better enjoy the coming meal for life would soon come to an end. That, or they were heavily giving clues for a puzzle. After reading the last one, he decided to move on. He noticed that bars kept anyone from entering the very, red room. That could be a good thing, or bad. You never know what could happen next in this freaky castle.
Chris moved on to the bell on the counter.
"Must be where they call on dinner," Leon said from behind.
Chris raised his hand and hit the button. The musical sound of the bell caused the blank wall down the hall in front of them to flip over. It was a picture of a grand dinner.
"Wow, that was weird," Leon mumbled as he stepped up beside Chris.
Chris studied the picture, recalling the strange menus. It had everything the menus suggested. The bread, the chicken, (or turkey), and a glass of wine next to the bottle. He thought about it deeply, and wandered if he somehow shot them, maybe it would open the door.
Before Chris could raise his gun, Leon shot the bottle of wine, causing wine bottle and the fine red wine within to burst all over the picture. Chris turned and just glared at the agent.
Leon smirked and said in response, "I read the menus too."
As Leon stepped back, Chris muttered, "What do you want, a hero cookie?"
As Leon stepped through the door, he stopped and said over his shoulder, "Claire you stay here. Just in case this is a trap."
Claire listened and muttered under her breath, "Wow. He's speaking in full sentences now. Whoopee-do."
With narrowed eyes, Leon turned around and asked, "Did you say something?"
Claire looked innocently at him and smiled. Chalking it up to hearing things, he turned and began walking forward toward the pedestal. It had another beautiful chest sitting on top of it. Maybe another puzzle piece?
A large metal cage slammed down around Leon, leaving no escape. Chris cursed as he tried to knock down the cage door. It was no use. A very large, complicated lock kept that and the other door from being opened. And unless there was a key that mysteriously appeared, he wouldn't be helping Leon any time soon.
Claire ran in the room just as some Ganados were jumping down from the large, square roof above. Her heart froze when a Ganador jumped down, his roar filling her ears as he raised his hands in a triumphant pose. Leon grabbed his second to last grenade and threw it at the opposite door. It exploded, breaking the lock as it also injured the Ganados. It only caused the Ganador to stumble, which saved Leon from getting his head from being cut off from his unfriendly cell mate.
Leon quickly ran over and kicked the door down. He heard more Ganado monks jump down from behind. As quickly and quietly as he could, the agent made his way to the left. The Gladiator got over his shock and unsheathed his deadly claws. He began walking a slow pace around the cage, ignoring the Ganados. This one seemed a bit smarter than the other one as it didn't even growl at the nosiy monks. Everyone (that wasn't a Ganado) was quiet, trying to not to make a sound.
As Leon walked slowly around the cage, the Ganados quickly ran out to attack the quiet agent. Claire and Chris were slowly making their way to help Leon out, their knives drawn. His face paled when he reached the other corner, seeing the Monks with their much larger blades and weapons. It was an uneven match.
"Grrrrrrrr!" the Ganador growled as he circled the chest on the pedestal. That was one thing they were grateful for, he didn't venture out of the cage.
"Mush! Ha ha ha ha," a very confident monk chuckled as he stopped running and instead, stalked his prey. He had a Scythe handy, raised in the air while the two behind him had the old chain and ball routine.
Leon backed away with his friends toward the door, unwilling to make the first move. The chuckling monk attacked first. Not in the mood to mess around, Leon ducked and kicked the ganado in the groin. He grunted in pain and fell to the ground. Leon then jumped on top of him and began punching the Ganado in the face. Chris hurried over to the next monk and quickly disarmed the surprised man. He then used the man's weapon against him.
Claire was meanwhile busily trying to get close enough to the monk with his chained mace and try to stab him. But every time she came within range, that mace came dangerously close to delivering a killing blow. Eventually, she had an idea. She thew the knife at the bar of the cell, causing a clanging sound. This really caught the Ganador's attention. He ran toward the bars and stuck a clawed hand out, skewering the surprised monk. The monk began coughing and gurgling blood, staining his clothes and the carpet. The Ganador gave a pleasing growl and retracted his claws. He got to kill something, that's all that mattered to him.
Claire watched as Leon finished beating the living daylights out of the monk and deliver a deep stab wound to the heart three times. He stood up, wiping his head as he walked over the disintegrating man and waited for the next set of monks. Sure enough, two more dropped in. But this time, the Ganador seemed agitated that he was receiving help. He lopped one unsuspecting monk's head clean off, then he ripped apart the newest form of the parasite; the fully developed parasite. Even when it detached itself from the body, it stood no chance against the Garrador. Despite it's acid, the creature couldn't fight off the large monster. The Ganador began stomping the creature, grunting with what sounded like a laugh.
The second monk stupidly thought it could stop the Ganador, big mistake. He took both claws and impaled the monk. But he wasn't done with the dying man. With a shiver of pleasure, he brought more gore and pain to the monk. He used all of his strength to rip from side to side, literally splitting the religious zealot and revealing all his organs, along with the parasite. His intestines fell to the floor and disintegrated as the body plopped down, it to followed suit. But the parasite was alive and kicking, leaping out and quickly crawling up the Ganador's front, easily dodging the annoyed Gladiator's attempts to brush it off.
The parasite then began to spurt acid down on it's gladiator helmet, melting the metal slowly. The Ganador gave a shriek as the droplets of acid and it's hot melted helmet began to take its tole. He quickly charged the cage, his head bent down. Brown gunk and blood splattered the wall beside the gaping Claire Redfield. The parasite fell to the ground, shriveling up like a dying spider before melting. The gladiator straitened up, but then stumbled. He was very unsteady after that little encounter.
BANG!
Claire and her brother jumped at the loud sound. Leon stood at the entrance, his rifle in hand. He slowly backed away as the monster flailed around, the tentacles from the puss pocket started to settle down. As Leon made his way around, he watched as the Ganador unsheathed his claws and began whirling around, trying to find him.
BOOM!
Chris stood close to the bars, his rifle smoking from the shot he just made. He slowly made his way to the right. Now, Leon was strategically on the left while Chris was on the left side of the cage. Claire stood near the door that led to the dining room, her shotgun out for whatever trouble that may come.
Leon fired again, not giving the monster a moments peace. The Ganador roared in pain as he stumbled toward the opening out of the cage. Chris saw this and fired, but missed by a fraction as the bullet just hit the meaty arm of the Ganador. Leon cursed aloud before he could stop himself.
The Ganador yelled in furry as it finally located one of the sources of its painful wounds to its connected parasite. Leon ran as the Ganador followed. Claire saw the danger heading her way, and ran also. She quickly slid underneath the set table, knowing that if she didn't find a place to duck and cover, she would be the creature's next victim. As Leon jumped to the left out in the dining room. The Ganador didn't notice and just kept running forward, smashing his claws into the table.
Claire felt the whoosh as the blades nearly sliced her face. Just one more centimeter, and she would have been dead. Leon watched with growing pain, fearing that Claire was hurt. He slowly stood up and raised his gun. Chris, who had quickly made his way to the door, aimed his Riot gun at its sweet spot. The Ganador began the progress of trying to pull his stuck claws from the decorated table. The lethal man made weapon never got the chance as Chris and Leon fired at his parasite. The bubbling pocked on his back burst, leaving yellow, puss, blood, and flesh on the tiled floor.
He grunted one last time and collapsed on the table, his breathing stopping all together. Claire cautiously crawled out from underneath the table, shaken from yet another Ganador encounter. She heard the relieved sounds from Chris and Leon as she slowly stepped around the dead Ganador, her eyes glued to it's grotesque body. Without seeing, she felt a pair of strong arms around her waist. The arms themselves were shaking. She tore her eyes from the monster and looked down at the bands of steel. They did not belong to her dear brother.
"Claire... I almost got you killed... God, are you... I-"
"Shhhhhh... It's okay, Leon. Everything is fine. We're all alive. And hey, no scratches or bruises this time," she said in a soothing voice.
Leon reluctantly slowly released her as he went over to pick up his rifle. Although things were still tense between them, at least she knew he still cared for her safety. Of course, Leon cared about everyones safety. That was just Leon being Leon. Claire turned to find her brother standing there, giving her that scared brother look. He lifted a hand and touched her cheek. Another close call in the Redfields life.
"Great, more ganados," Leon said, catching the siblings attention. More Ganados had dropped from the ceiling, now confident that the big Gladiator was now dead. The three charged the growing number, killing every last Ganado without mercy.
**R**
Sheila shivered from the cold, crisp night air. Being in a sleeveless white blouse and shorts was not the best attire to be running around in this November weather. She shivered even more when she saw the Evil Garden of Doom. The moonlight and the torches made it a more eerie sight. She hoped the group passed through and took care of business. Both Luis and herself didn't feel like being chased by Salazar's pets anymore.
"Guess your friends passed through, princessa. Shouldn't be much longer now," Luis said while letting her step inside first.
He saw the relief in her eyes as she entered the dimly lit room. He followed, looking around for any ammo. Of course there was not any, which didn't improve Luis's solemn mood. He was running low on ammo, and he knew that Sheila was running pretty low herself_. _
_Maybe the heroes cleared the rooms up ahead. It certainly would make it a hell of a lot easier for us_.
Luis watched as Sheila was clearly admiring the room. He didn't admire it so much since it belonged to the Little-Principe-Of-All-Suck-Ups. He'll never forget when he was taken a tour of the castle, with Ramon as his guide that enjoyed showing off the ancient castle. When he brought him to this room, he'll never forget the snobbish air Salazar put on. Talking nonsense about giving him - a peasant scientist - the privilege of seeing his room... Little twerp.
"Wow, Salazar knows how to spend his money," Sheila commented. The room was beautiful, but clearly not in use like it used to be. Done with her admiring, she turned and said, "Okay, I'm done exploring. Let's getty on up, little doggy!"
Luis gave her a puzzled look as he followed the girl through the small room where the Ruby mirror was.
_Getty on up, little doggy? What dog; and am I the dog? Heh. Americans and their strange sayings._
When they crossed through, they noticed the typewriter.
"Hey, another one! Maybe Chris left another message," Sheila said with excitement.
She quickly looked at the sheet and found it blank. The teen gave a disappointed look to Luis.
He tilted his head and asked, "No funny message from the stubborn one?"
Sheila gave a dramatic sigh and shook her head. She then gave him a devilish look and said, "No, but that doesn't mean I can't leave a mark of my own."
She then began typing, happy that she was making a mark in the Resident Evil world. Now, if she could meet Billy Coen and convince him to have tattooed "Sheila Rulz!" on his arm with a cool, barb wire covering a heart... Okay, this place is making her a little crazy like its said occupants. Sheila stopped typing, and gave Luis a smirk.
"May I read it," Luis asked.
Sheila stepped aside and gave him a perfect view of her little masterpiece.
He read aloud, "Chris may have kicked butt back there, but I'm the true master of the crappy castle. Signed, Sheila, Queen of all of Spain! Fear me!... Wow, you and Chris are really too much alike," Luis joked as he opened the door.
Sheila gave him a cheerful smile as she passed. Her thoughts turned to the typewriter they came across a little while ago.
They had found a typewriter with a little something from Chris. It read, "I came, I saw, I conquered. None ranks higher than me in kicking Ganado a-s! Signed, Chris Redfield the Zombie killer."
Yeah, Chris has a big ego. He He!
**Some minutes later...**
"Wow... What a richy looking room," Sheila commented in a low voice.
They were in the dining room now, the fancy smancy one. It was a place Sheila could picture herself having a nice dinner with the family in... Then she would start a food fight! Heheheheheeeee! Sometimes, the child in all of us must come out to play.
"Well, Salazar enjoys flashing his money around. His whole family did. Guess that's what some people do when they come from old money," Luis said with a clear indication of disgust.
From what Sheila gathered from the game and Luis's words, he didn't come from a high money background. He was the type who worked hard to put himself through college. She smiled at the thought. Just like her, working for money to go to college and to follow her dreams... Suddenly, she wished that some of her more wealthier family lived near her!
"Well, well. We're on the right track, Sheila. Looks like your friends cleaned out this area for us," Luis said with a grin.
Sheila nodded her head, seeing the dead Ganador on the second dining table. She did not want to know how he got there or how he somehow got out of the cage. The important thing was that this freak was dead.
_Guess Leon isn't as good when he's not being controlled by me! Ha-ha! After all, he doesn't have the master controlling him... Prideful much? Heh! Well, at least they're alive. I don't have to worry about them since they have each other. What I should really be doing is worrying over me and Luis_. _'Cause being Saddler's puppet while good lookin' here get impaled by the eyebrow-less psycho isn't something to look forward to. _
Sheila was pulled from her thoughts when Luis's voice called out to her.
"Say what," Sheila asked as she quickly ran into the room where Luis was.
"I asked if we should move on or explore the other room? It may hold supplies," Luis said as he leaned against the cage.
If her memory was correct, the other room had gold bars, herbs, possibly some ammo, and a stupid snake. All in all, it had possibilities.
She quickly turned and answered, "Well, we might as well go check it out. Who knows, maybe the others didn't check it out, leaving us the items... If there is any, that is."
So, together they left the red room and decided to go to the ever so nice, item room! And to Sheila's surprise, the others did not go through there, (yippee!) leaving them the spoils. She opened the sliding door in the small table next to the door. And just like the game, the two gold bars were there. She smiled as she picked the two heavy, bars of gold. In her original home, she never saw go this large mass of gold up close. Now, since she somehow is living the game, she has twice found the gold bars. And this time, she was going to keep it! Well, she'll split it with Luis. The strange look he was giving her called for a small bribe, to erase the suspicion at her uncanny way of knowing where treasures were hidden.
As she offered one bar of gold, he refused politely as he gathered up some ammo. The teen shrugged her shoulders and stuffed them in her leather pouch. It was getting really heavy, telling her it was about time for a upgrade for her Punisher. She could hardly wait! Walking across the room, she continued ignoring the decay and cobwebs as she looked at the two glass pots. Now, which one had the snake?
She pointed her gun at the pot to the left, then to the right. Her mind was a little fuzzy on that point... Stupid snake_. _
_What if there is no snake? So far, I haven't seen any snakes as long as I have been here. If I smash the pots, there could possibly be a item in them. But on the other hand, one of those things would be pretty angry that I- _
"Admiring the vases," Luis asked amusingly. Sheila lowered her gun and quickly came up with a excuse.
"I thought that there might be a snake in one of these vases. I, uh, have a feeling," she tried to explain. Luis raised one eyebrow, giving her the 'Are you crazy?' look. She looked away, slightly embarrassed. "Well, even if there is a snake, it would be cruel to-"
SMASH!
Sheila jumped at the sound of the vase to the right breaking. Luis had picked up the vase and dropped it on the ground. And low and behold, there was a evil looking reptile, it's forked tongue tasting the air. It looked exactly like the ones on the game. Sheila shouted as both she and Luis began stomping on the thing. It tried to bite them, but they quickly dispatched it.
Luis patted her shoulder and said, "We experimented on water moccasins down in the village, and also in the labs here in the castle. We came up with a poison-less snake, but the side affects were that it came extra aggressive, attacking a person over and over. That's why you never stop to think when you come up on one of these reptiles."
Sheila didn't argue. Growing up in Georgia taught her many things. One of these things is to watch where you step, sit or take swam in. You never know when a poisonous snake is near by. She watched as Luis shot the padlock off the iron door. Now, everyone can go through safely and get the broken Butterfly when the time came for it. Piece of cake!
"Hmm, this leads to where we came through earlier. No need to go back just yet. Let's go back to our other route now that we stocked up a bit on supplies," Luis suggested as he closed the door. Sheila agreed and followed her handsome companion out of the room. There waiting for them, were more Ganados...
"Aie! Yie yie!"
**R**
"Leon! Ten o'clock!" Chris shouted as a Ganado fired his bow-gun.
Leon ducked after hearing his warning, and shot the sniper. The man fell and landed with a sickening sound, his skull shattering on the marble floor.
Chris turned his attention back to the shield wilding Ganados in front of him. Since Claire and Leon were down there fighting their own battles, Chris was on the small bridge fighting off several Ganados on his own. He had killed four, but more seemed to keep coming, which really wasn't surprising. He noticed the oil lamp hanging above their heads, perfect for a little fire damage.
Chris raised his Blacktail and fired. Glass, oil and fire covered the two monks and their Shields, both immediately catching on fire. They dropped the burning shields and tried to put out the flame, both failing. He shot one in it's flaming head, killing it instantly. The other attempted to charge despite his flaming body. Chris fired twice, causing the Ganado to stumble and fall off the bridge. He landed on a red robed monk that had it's fully grown parasite emerging from it's human neck.
It screamed as it was pinned under the flaming body. The parasite caught on fire, causing ear splitting screams to fill the air. It quickly detached itself from the human host's body, and fled toward the ladder. It's body now starting to get crispy from the hot flames that consumed it without mercy. Chris fired once, causing it's body to shatter. It disintegrated, the fluids putting out the small fire.
Leon and Claire looked up at Chris, but he wasn't there. They heard more gunshots from behind the bars. There, they witnessed Chris with his Sniper rifle on the balcony, picking off the stragglers. Soon, everything was quiet.
Chris jumped down and walked over to the crank.
"Hold on, I'll raise the gate," Chris said while grabbing the crank.
He began to turn it, the crank moving easily for the strong Ex-STARS member. Soon, in no time at all, the gate rose up, allowing easy access for the team. Leon's eyes grew huge when he saw the Rocket Launcher in the glass case.
_Now that is what I call a weapon_!
"Go ahead, Kennedy. Take it. I already got one and Claire doesn't have the space for it. So, it's yours," Chris said as he looked for more items in the room.
Leon grinned and broke the glass with the butt end of his Blacktail. He then slowly reached for the Rocket Launcher, his hands gently lifting the weapon like it was a beloved baby. The weapon was heavy and large, just right for the happy agent. It even had a strap so he could put it over his shoulder if he wanted.
When he opened his case, he frowned to see that he didn't have enough room for his new toy. He sighed and tried rearranging items. If he put his Rifle in the case, he could put the Launcher over his shoulder. That will work. But when he did this, he felt a bit awkward. Both the Riot gun and the Rocket Launcher put him off balance.
"I see you need an upgrade, Stranger. Come into the next room. I have something for ya," the mysterious merchant spoke, startling the trio.
He smirked as he walked back to the door and entered the somewhat long but small room. Quickly, he made his way to the wooden bench. He got behind it and waited patiently for his costumers. His dog Wolf, was sprawled out under the bench, asleep.
He grinned under the mask as the trio stopped in front of him. He chuckled and said, "I got more stuff on sale Strangers. Heh. Heh. Heh."
He laid out the XL case and beamed at the relieved look on the agents face. Leon quickly bought it, and immediately began to put all his weapons and stuff in durable case. Chris bought some more flash grenades and Incendiary grenades, knowing that they would be needed yet again sometime in the future. Claire was busy petting Wolf, who was enjoying the belly scratch.
"My mutt likes ya, lass. If you keep petting him, you'll spoil him," the merchant chuckled warmly as Claire smiled up at him.
It was nice to see a normal dog for a change. Leon gave a small smile at the animal that helped him out. Although he did wander, where has the dog been all this time and how did he get here? Does he use the same method as the merchant? This smells like a conspiracy- His eyes widened at the thought.
_Now I've begun to think like Sheila... Heaven help us all!_
Leon quickly asked for a upgrade for his Blacktail. After that was done, he gave the dog a uncertain look as he said, "I think we should get going now."
The merchant stopped them and said as an after thought, "You know, I didn't think to give this to you earlier after the garden incident. Surviving that just proves that you three will win in the end. So here is your prize!"
He passed out three blue envelopes.
The three curiously opened the envelope and looked at the fancy cards. It was a free pass to the Merchants Shooting Gallery. They gave each other puzzled looks. Why they would go to a shooting gallery when they were on a life or death mission was a question that they wanted to ask the man, but didn't. It may not be on their agenda, but they didn't want to offend the merchant.
"We'll be happy to stop by, once we find the girls," Claire spoke for them.
The merchant nodded his head and replied, "Good! It's not here, but somewhere else. I'll tell you when we meet further on in the castle. Stay alive, Strangers!"
They walked off and opened the door.
**R**
"OH CRAP!" Sheila screamed as she was being chased around the dinner table.
Between Luis and herself, they killed about six Ganados. But the evil doers still came as if they were spawned from hell itself. They were yet again low on ammo and still outnumbered by the enemy. And now, Luis was fighting off three Ganados while a red robed one with a shiny helmet was chasing her around that blasted dining room table! Do they ever need a breather?
"Hold on, Sheila. I'm coming to save you! Hey! That was my favorite vest!"
Luis uppercuts the Ganado who just tore his silk vest. You can plant a parasite egg in him, call him names, even try to kill him. But you never tear a expensive, real silk vest that a Spaniard scientist is wearing. He grabbed a candle and shoved it into the open monks mouth. He of course screamed and ran into his brethren. Luis took this distraction and shot the helmet wearing monk that was chasing the red head.
"Let's get out of here," Luis grunted as he grabbed her hand.
They made a break for the door and didn't look back as they left the red room. The injured Ganados shook off their pain and proceeded after them, but stopped suddenly. The red robed helmet wearing one turned his head and said in a reverent, hypnotizing tone, "Lord Saddler."
Saddler lowered his staff and walked calmly to his followers. He had watched the scene and was completely fed up with the way things were being handled. Time to step in and retrieve the sample himself.
He spoke in a firm tone as he spoke in Spanish. This is what he said when translated in to English, "You have failed me yet again, my children. It's time for your Lord to take care of this small problem. If I am pulled away from the island yet again... I'll have you eat your own beating hearts! Stay here while I take care of Sera."
With that said, Saddler took off. His speed would surprise a person who didn't know about Las Plagas or of the cult and its interests. His age surely didn't show when he was running.
**R**
Leon's eyes searched the large room as they slowly walked around. Suddenly, the door was knocked open, startling the trio. To everyones relief, there stood Luis with a vile in his hand and Sheila clutching his other arm.
"Leon, I got it! Oooof!"
Luis flew down, hitting the stone floor hard. He dropped the vile, it miraculously it didn't shatter.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Sheila screamed as a large, slimy, pinkish grayish tentacle wrapped around her waist, lifting her like she weighed less than a china doll. It's sharp claw on the end laid against her stomach, scaring her even more.
"SHEILA," Claire screamed as Leon raised his gun.
He fired at the tentacle, but it only seemed to tick off the owner, who began to squeeze the frightened teen.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Leon," the smooth, evil voice said as the owner stepped through the door.
"Saddler," Leon spat out as Chris raised his Riot gun. The air was tense with all the hostility.
Saddler smirked as his eyes turned to the scientist on the floor. His smirk turned into a sneer.
"You betrayed me, Luis. Destroying the parasite inside of you is one thing, but taking the sample is a whole other matter! Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. You disappoint me. I had such high hopes for you. Now, you will die," he said evenly, his eyes never leaving the frightened scientist.
His large tentacle threw Sheila at the trio, knocking them down. The tentacle raised high in the air, ready to spear our favorite scientist. Suddenly, a bullet ripped through the tentacle. Several more followed. Saddler hissed and turned his attention to the one who shot him. It was Sheila, her smoking Punisher pointed now at his head.
"Leave him alone, ya poor excuse for a super villain," she said with a determined look.
Saddler laughed, and retreated his tentacle. He then picked up the vile and backed away.
"You Americans amuse me! So defiant, so heroic. I'll keep you around a little longer. I don't get much entertainment like this, these days," he said with a amused glance. He then turned his attention back to Luis and said coldly, "You serve me no purpose. I have the vile back... And soon, your life! As for the rest of you, my boy Salazar will take care of each of you without mercy."
The door closed behind him, leaving them to gather their thoughts. Sheila ran over to Luis and lent him a hand. He took it gratefully as she pulled him up. But he soon looked away, ashamed that he didn't react when he should have.
Sheila touched his arm and said, "Stop brooding over what just happened! Show everyone what we found."
Luis looked down and smiled.
"Here. This is the medicine that will help you with your convulsions. It won't kill the parasites, but it will suppress their growth," he said while throwing the bottle over to Leon.
He caught it and looked at the bottle. Inside were red and white capsules, large ones at that.
"You have to take them dry, so prepare for a disgusting after taste," Sheila said with a queasy look.
Claire and Chris walked forward, their eyes were unbelieving. They had hoped and believed, but to see her alive and well was a different thing. Chris was the one who grabbed her and squeezed, not wanting to let her go.
"Heh! As much as I love all the attention, could you let me go? Jeez, I... can't breath!" Sheila said as she felt the air in her being restricted once again by a Redfield.
Chris released her with a sheepish smile. Next thing Sheila knew, Claire grabbed her and gave an equally bear hug. The teen rolled her eyes and again fought for air.
_Dang! These Redfields are strong!_
Claire finally let her go and wiped a tear away.
"I'm sorry. God, I'm sooo sorry for failing you," Claire whispered.
Sheila took her hand in her own and said, "Now don't you go blaming yourself! It wasn't your fault that a bunch of bug people grabbed me and tried to take me to the midget man. I'm okay! So no more tears."
Claire gave a chuckle and squeezed her hand.
Leon approached and gave her a hug, though he chose not to squeeze her to death like the others. Sheila gave a dreamy smile. Hey, he has muscles! What girl wouldn't sigh when a muscled guy gives ya a nice hug. Especially with ripped abs like Leon has. If Chris would have eased up when hugging her, she would have given the same sigh!
"Glad to see you alive, Red. Now, how did you get away? And how did you meet up with Luis," Leon asked while looking over at the mention Spaniard.
Sheila finally stepped back from Leon's warm hug and looked at Luis. This was going to be a long explanation.
But before she could say anything, a familiar voice cried out, "HEY! Did everybody forget about me?"
"Ashley," Leon cried out, and ran over to the side.
There was Ashley, still trapped. She struggled with no avail against the metal rings that imprisoned her.
"Please, help me," she cried out in a scared voice.
Sheila pointed to the middle of the room and said, "Leon! You can shoot the rings with your rifle over there!"
Leon nodded but first tried out the wooden, ancient door. It was locked.
"Sniping it is," he said and ran around to the small stairs that led to the middle of the room. He took out his powerful rifle and aimed at the medal rings.
"NO! Leon don't," Ashley screamed as she saw where this was going.
BANG!
Ashley let out a scream as the ring around her feet shattered from the impact of the high caliber bullet.
BANG!
She screamed even louder as the one in the middle shattered next. Leon took a deep breath to steady his nerves. The blond continued to make her protests, despite that this was her ticket to freedom, He aimed for the last ring and fired. Ashley broke free, not one scratch from the bullets. She looked up, breathing hard.
After wiping off her sweater, she said with a smile, "Talk about a near death experience!"
Leon smiled, but soon everyones relief diminished as the medal doors down below opened to reveal Ganados.
Leon cursed and yelled, "Chris, I need some back up!"
"Way ahead of you, Leon," Chris shouted back as he knelled down on the right, his rifle poised and ready.
Sheila bit her lip as the two began to take out the advancing Ganados. Her heart was clamoring in her chest as she watched the guys snipe the monks that were coming for the blond. This was way more nerve wracking than in the game. Poor Ashley could really be taken away! She leaned over further, her feet disturbing some loose stones from the broken stone banisters. Some rubble fell on a advancing monk, alerting his attention.
He pointed and cried, "Michaela!"
"Sheila! Get away from there," Claire scolded as she grabbed the girl.
Sheila obeyed, but stood close by as Leon and Chris killed what seemed to be the last monk. Claire watched as Ashley ran over to the door on Leon's left and tried to open it.
"Guys! It's locked," Ashley wailed.
Just then, the sliding door opened again to reveal a red robed priest with four snipers. He pointed and yelled at Ashley, causing him to take a bullet int the chest. His parasite was a full grown one, so he took the bullet rather well. He ran and hid behind a crumbling columns while his cross-bow barring snipers fired at Leon.
Ashley ran back to where she was imprisoned and crouched in a fetal position, afraid and feeling completly helpless. Chris and Leon were having a hard time killing the snipers since they kept running from colemn to colemn, avoiding their gun fire.
_"If I didn't know any better, I'd say they were once army men," _Chris thought as he failed again to kill a sniper.
Claire noticed that more Ganados were approaching Ashley. So she aimed and fired, killing one. The other hissed and ran over to a column nearby. But he was quickly pushed back out by the red robed priest, making the poor Ganado a target. Leon shot the Ganado, killing him. Sheila shook her head at the sight. For a cult, these priests were not very caring for their sheep.
"Finally," Chris said after nailing one sniper in the head, killing him instantly.
Sheila yet again edged closer to the edge and fired at a Ganado that was sneaking toward Ashley. He fell to the ground, Claire finishing him off.
"I thought I told you to-" Claire didn't finish when the three snipers fired at her.
She barely dodged them, getting angry at the situation. Luis, who was watching the whole thing, began helping, shooting from the left side. He killed one sniper, leaving two left. The red robed priest panicked and ran toward Ashley, hoping that the others would not shoot if he grabbed the girl. He was wrong.
He fell before the screaming girl, bleeding to death from both Chris's and Leon's shots. He melted away, revealing a key.
"Ashley, there's the key! Grab the-" Sheila didn't finish when the crumbling floor beneath her feet gave away, taking her almost with it.
She screamed as she barely held on with one hand. In her other hand she clutched her gun. She heard Claire yell, but couldn't understand with her heart hammering in her ears. She looked down and saw the long drop, knowing she was about to die. Claire ran to her aid and tried to grab her, but the floor gave way some more, taking Sheila with it.
Sheila fell, hearing everyone scream her name. Her life passed before her eyes as she plummeted toward the ground. She wished that she was dreaming, that she would be back in her bed, just having a nightmare about her favorite games. But even she knew that the wish wouldn't come true. She closed her eyes, ready to feel deaths blow, but instead, she fell on two Ganados who cushioned her fall. Although the air was knocked from her, she was alive!
She felt the Ganados melting underneath her. She rolled over and just laid there.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The last of the Ganados were killed, leaving a scared Ashley and a stunned Sheila alone down there.
"SHEILA! SHEILA WAKE UP!" Chris yelled, not wanting to believe she was dead. He closed his eyes in relief as Sheila slowly got up, alive.
"Girls, grab the key and get out of there!" Luis yelled.
Ashley, who got out of her fetal position, grabbed the key and ran over to Sheila to see if she needed help. Sheila just gave her a thumbs up and ran with her to the door, some what wobbly. The blond put the key inside the door, and turned it.
Both girls looked up and gave a final look at the brave people upstairs. They both hoped to survive whatever was to come. Sheila nearly groaned. Reunited with Ashley... And it did not feel so good!
**Authors Note: O.K., there you have it! This chapter was delayed due to my computer not allowing me hardly on the INTERNET. When I did get on, I could only write a little bit due to the Internet service freezing up. We got it working again, but I'm still wary of it. As for my other story, I'm still working on it so I just wanted everyone to know that I didn't forget about my other crazy story! Next chapter will be up soon for that story! As for theories, I'll be posting them in the next chapter of this story, so more to come! You know the drill, review or no cookies for you! He he!**
27. Chapter 26: Alone in the Dark
**Authors Note: Here we go with another chapter. Now, this one will be a dozy. It'll be creepy do to the certain nature of this part of the game. I always get creep-ed out when it comes up to the Armaduras. So, keep in mind that although there will be humor, it'll definitely reflect my feelings on this part of the game. Enjoy!**
* * *
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 26: Alone in the Dark**
Chris paced back and forth on the worn stone floor. Knowing that the girls were facing dangers alone was a hard thing to grasp. What was worse is knowing that you can't do anything about it.
Leon watched Chris pace, seeing the thunderous look on his face. It spoke volumes along with his body language on not just his feelings, but the rest of the them. Frustration, fear, worry; a toxic emotional cocktail for the group. All of them felt it, tasted it, and dealt with it in their own way. Chris with his endless pacing, Claire with her staring contest with the door down below that the girls just went through, and Luis with his endless inspection of his Red-nine old gun.
Leon cocked his head and watched the Spaniard. He knew he was never a cop, his story just didn't check out with his actions. After finding his lab research on those bugs, he felt his suspicions were confirmed. What was it with scientists? Every one that he has had the displeasure of meeting in his life were either trying to unleash a virus, or trying to kill him. At least Luis showed some back bone and tried to help them... In his own way.
Luis felt that he was being watched, a feeling he has come to know very well. He looked up and saw a pair of steely, ice blue eyes staring him down.
"So, you were never a cop."
It wasn't a question. Luis kept his eyes locked with the agent's. Chris stopped pacing and Claire stopped her brooding and watched the scene unfold.
"Si. I am a lab researcher... Hired by Saddler," came his quiet response.
Leon didn't say anything, letting Luis take the floor. Luis felt the remorse and shame stir in his stomach, a feeling that he carried like a cross.
"I am not a rich man. The only reason I got out of this region was because I worked hard and became a exchange student. With the help of grants and a good job in America, I graduated from a decent college. I researched on everything to get my name out there. It worked. Saddler contacted me, offering a opportunity of a life time, which were the exact words he used. He offered free room and board, a large salary, and the position to be the head researcher of a parasite that has never been named or documented. He told me it was extinct, so no worries in that area," he stopped to take a deep breath before continuing.
"When I came back to this area where I grew up, I thought surely that I was in heaven. I had a great job that could give me the Nobel Peace Prize, and I would get to see my dying grandfather. But things soon changed." Luis stopped, trying to find the strength to go on. Leon waited patiently, not wanting to push. Chris was the one who asked the question on every ones minds.
"What changed?"
Luis shifted uneasily. He couldn't tell them the whole truth, not now. To tell them that he took an offer to steal the sample and hand it over to an unknown organization was simply not smart. So, he carefully gave one side of the story.
"It was a series of events that opened my eyes. My grandfather died soon after I arrived here. His death blew me away, driving me to give my entire being into the study of Las Plagas. I admit, I looked away on certain subjects, especially the human ones. I was so fascinated by the parasite, that I helped with certain creations you have faced. Not bragging, but my research is the backbone of all Saddler's power. So you see, I'm just as responsible for all that is happening here. And that reason is what opened my eyes. But, I was to afraid to resist Saddler, knowing that my life is in a mad man's hands."
He gave a bitter smile. Funny, confessing what he had done really helped lesson his guilt somewhat. But only a bit. He continued.
"Soon after, I was forced to receive an injection that contained a egg of the parasite. But, I took the medicine I developed earlier in my research and killed it before it hatched. I acted as if I was one of them for a time, trying to come up with a plan to escape. But, to make my whole ordeal short, my plans were uncovered and I was captured."
Everyone was silent, letting the info sink in. Leon spoke first.
"Sounds like you had it ruff. I just got one question... Why did you steal the sample?"
Luis almost smiled. He saw that coming miles away. He walked slowly over, his eyes never leaving Leon's. When he stood a few feet away, he gave his answer.
"This parasite sample is not a ordinary one. It's a queen, like the one in Saddler. You don't want that one in the wrong hands, my friend."
Leon stopped drilling him and studied him. His training taught him that Luis was not telling him the whole story, but there was a grain of truth in his words. The thought that maybe, this is the reason why Ada was there crossed him mind. And it refused to leave.
**R**
Sheila and Ashley has been standing in the same spot for five minutes. Why? Because when they first entered, a Ganado was very close by, if you recall in the game. Now, Sheila knew he wouldn't come after them till they made their presence known, but like I said before, this is not just a game anymore. It's real and very dangerous. There would be no retries if they died or were overpowered by the cult members. So, frozen with fear, the two remained where they were, clutching each others arm.
Sheila could feel the circulation in her arm start to dwindle from Ashley's tight hold. She gently released Ashley's arm and tried to get the girl to do the same. But the blond would not get the hint. Sheila tried again, this time, pinching her hand. Ashley came out of her daze and let the younger girl's arm go. She rubbed her arm, seeing the red marks of Ashley's grip had left left behind. If it wasn't for the monks standing around, she would have smacked the girl for that.
Sighing, Sheila began to take in her surroundings, finding the room odd and somewhat unsettling. It was dimly lit by candles here and there, casting a eerie glow. The room itself was weird. There was what looked like above ground graves to her right which didn't make since. Maybe they weren't graves, but standing there and looking at the large, decorative stone objects reminded her of all the Vampire movies she saw in her lifetime. She shivered, and looked away to gaze at the tall statue of a some somber looking guy. It reminded her of a Shakespeare statue, only uglier. The bars surrounding the statue seemed bizarre. Who would steal that thing? Scratch that. Who would try and break in a creepy, Ganado infested castle to steel a piece of marble in the shape of a mutated carving of a Greek God?
Shaking her head, she looked over at Ashley who had walked over to the archway, looking pale. Sheila knew she wasn't the only one who was creep-ed out.
She silently walked over to Ashley, and brought out her gun. Their eyes met, coming to a mutual understanding. Time to work together... or die. Sheila aimed her gun, the laser dot trailing up the chanting monk. Her aim was wobbly, which was understandable since she was still learning how to use the gun. She was trying to decide if she should shoot him in the head, or in the knees. A head shot wasn't worth the risk of letting the parasite emerge. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself to prepare for the recoil from the gun, and fired.
The bullet did not meet its mark. Instead, it hit the man's thigh, which only alerted the monk and everything near of the girls presence. He placed a hand over the flesh wound and turned his red eyes on the girls.
"Ashley, run!"
Both girls separated as they ran into the clean, well lighted room. Sheila didn't have time to check out it's lavishly decorated library since she was now being chased by the monk. He didn't seem to appreciate to being shot, so of course he would chase her. She fired of a round or two but missed , since the monk dodged it with a laugh. Sheila began to wander if Ashley would somehow help, when out of the blue a lamp was flung in her direction. Sheila screamed and ducked, the lamp flying where her head just was. She heard the crackle of the lamp breaking, setting the monk on fire.
He screamed and fell to the ground, and started rolling. Sheila got out of the way and ran over to the blond by the small desk. She grabbed her by the shoulders and yelled,"You almost killed me!" Ashley pushed her off and said,"On the contrary, I just saved your life! You were the one who stepped in the line of fire!"
"Why you little!"
"Errrrrg!"
The girls stopped their bickering to see that the monk was actually getting up, his flesh burnt and shriveled from the fire. Sheila held her gun up and ordered, "Ashley, go over to the tables and get the second lamp ready."
Ashley obeyed as Sheila stayed to occupy the monk. She knew her gun was not powerful enough to put him down with a couple of shots.
The monk turned his blood red eyes over to Ashley, and lunged for her. She quickly crawled underneath the table; putting distance between them. Sheila fired at the sluggish Ganado, who now started to cry out in pain. He turned and slowly made his way to the quivering teen. Sheila stopped shooting when she realized that the monk was in her direct sight of Ashley. Meaning that if she fired off some rounds, the bullets would go threw him and kill the President's daughter. She didn't like Ashley, but that didn't mean she wanted her dead.
Instead of shooting, she began to back away from the small wooden desk, hoping Ashley would take charge. She did. She threw the second lamp, setting the already crispy monk on fire. He let out a groan as his body was engulfed in flames. His dying breath came out as a gurgle as he fell to the floor, disintegrating away. Sheila looked up at Ashley and smiled. And surprisingly, the young woman actually smiled herself, giving Sheila a view of her pearly whites. Their triumph was ruined when the steel bars that blocked them from entering was starting to rise.
Sheila saw that the other monk was busy turning the crank. Ashley whimpered as she quickly ran to Sheila's side.
"Now what do we do," Ashley asked in a panicked voice.
Sheila grabbed her arm and quickly led her around the large gathered book cases, pointing to what was underneath the small table. Ashley bent down and saw the small hole that would lead them into the next room. Not what she had in mind, but what other choice did they have?
Sheila went first since she had the only weapon, and quickly ran over to the beautiful desk next to the book case. The monk gave a surprised cry when he was suddenly engulfed in flames. Sheila gave a whoop of joy for surprising the monk. She began to shoot, trying to finish him off. As she did this, Ashley ran over to the corner. There were two tables set in a L shape, making a little square corner that would block the monk from getting to her. (Well, in the game it did.) She quickly crawled under the low tables and grabbed the lamp.
Sheila winced when she heard the sound of the man's head exploding, revealing a fully matured parasite. It was what she feared would happen since they entered this section of the castle. She knew that the lamps would not be enough to kill this monster. Heck, her gun would barely be enough
_Think girl! Come on! There's got to be something you can do_!
Sheila turned her attention to the canape bed. The beautiful, heavy, blue blanket gave her a stupid, crazy idea...
"I'm going to die," Sheila said with finality as she ran across the room. The Las Plagas chased after her, making Ashley shriek in fear for her Nemesis.
She held up the lamp, ready to throw it when Sheila ordered, "Not yet!"
She watched as Sheila tugged at the covers. Ashley couldn't help but think yet again that this girl was really crazy! But she didn't voice her thoughts. That would just bring torture to herself later on.
Sheila finally got the covers off, but to her horror the parasite was only four feet away from her. NOT GOOD! She got on top of the bed and tried to fire the gun with one hand. It didn't work out at all. She almost fell back from the recoil, although the recoil isn't as big as the other guns. She dropped the blankets and began firing at the parasite. She missed a couple of times, due to her shaky hands, but she got in a few shots. The parasite now fell to its human knees. It kneel-ed right before her, blocking her escape.
She threw the covers on the parasite, and shouted, "NOW!"
Ashley threw the lamp and nailed her target. The blankets caught fire, the parasite shrieking as it was engulfed by the flames. But this plan had a draw back. Sheila stood there, still trapped. She covered her mouth from the smell of burning flesh as she leaned back, still on the bed. The parasite stood up and tried to escape from it's prison, but the blankets prohibited that from happening. At long last, it fell to the beautiful carpet in the middle of the room, and seemingly died.
Sheila jumped off the bed and walked over to the burning blankets, now nothing but fuel for the fire. The carpet started to catch on fire, but Sheila quickly stomped it out. Soon, the fire died down, revealing nothing but a charred parasite and burnt remained of the rug. Sheila cocked her head and wandered why it didn't disappear. After all, the human body did. She felt Ashley's presence next to her.
"Come on, let's go," Ashley pleaded.
Sheila stepped away and nodded. The sooner they got this done, the sooner they would be reunited with the others. She ran over to the right crank as Ashley ran over to the left. Together, they began to work hard at turning the cranks, slowly moving the rusty bars from blocking from further progress. The teen grunted as she felt every muscle protest as she turned the crank. Her back was spasming from her earlier fall, her feet ached from no rest, and her scratched from earlier stung. She didn't want to admit it, but she was ready to cry from exhaustion. And making her cry was not easy.
No crying gratefully happened, the bars now lifted. But she knew that what lay up ahead was something that was dangerous and extremely tricky. Something that without the others, could possibly make this the last night of her teenager life. The Armaduras!
"Um, let's search the room first," Sheila said in a rush. Ashley turned unbelieving eyes toward the red head.
"Search the room? Are you crazy!"
Sheila crossed her arms, showing that her mind was already made up. Ashley put her hands on her hips and gave the stubborn red head a withering stare.
"In case you have forgotten, I've been held prisoner in that trap for over an hour! I want to get the heck out of here, so we are going to leave this room and never come back."
Sheila ignored her and put the safety back on her gun before putting it back in the back of her pants. She then closed the distance between the taller girl and herself and spoke in a menacing voice.
"You're not the only one who has been having a crappy time. After you ran into that trap, me and the others went through the sewer-ey dungeons and faced off with creatures that would make your pretty blond hair turn white. You had it easy! I'm the one who was kidnapped by the Novistadors, the bug people! I was then taken far away from everyone, with no hope of rescue. I barely escaped with my life, but thanks to Luis, I'm here now talking to you. So don't try to compare what you're going through with me!"
Ashley rolled her eyes and said nothing else.
Sheila calmed herself down and continued, "Listen, let's just give a quick lookey-loo around to see if we can find anything of use for the others. We at least owe them that."
Ashley folded her arms and resumed to pouting. Sheila took that as her consent and began snooping. Since she knew where everything was in the game, she went straight to those places. She first opened up the old, dark mahogany cupboard next to the bed. Inside she found two boxes of pesetas, tossing Ashley a triumphant look.
The blond huffed and began her own search. She had to admit, someone had taste in decoration for this particular room. Books, a couple of paintings, and the carpets were all beautiful. Well, the brown carpet in the middle wasn't so beautiful anymore. But the small table with the two leather comfy chairs were gorgeous! The table seemed to be made out of a combination of marble and wood. What a great combination! Then her eye for eloquent, costly things caught the pleasing sight of the oak desk next to the wall. Her eyes lit up. This was a simple, yet elegant piece of history. Her mother would just die over this old antique! Ashley put a smooth hand over the top and stroked it. Thoughts of her mother sobered her up, telling her to get down to business. So she opened the drawer and found handgun ammo. How surprising. She proceeded to open the next drawer, finding a Spinal and a flashlight.
"See, I told you," came the happy tone of that irritating girl!
Ashley turned and delivered a fake, sweet smile while saying, "Yes, you were. Now, can we please go!"
Sheila nodded and allowed Ashley to go first. Before she followed, Sheila noticed a thick, book on the bookshelf. It was in a leather binding, and one of the Spanish words was recognizable to her. Pueblo. She grabbed it out of curiosity, the bookworm in her saying that it wouldn't hurt to look through it.
"Are you coming or not," a shrill voice called from the hall. Sheila let out a frustrated sigh and quickly followed the impatient blond.
**R**
"Lord Saddler!" the surprised voice of Salazar exclaimed excitedly.
He was so surprised to see the one he worshiped and adored. But the look on his Lord's face spoke of disappointment, anger, and malice. He felt fear, a certain unwelcome human emotion swelling up inside. He suddenly wished that he was some where else.
"Salazar, I am none to pleased with the way you are handling things," Saddler said with a cold glare.
Salazar tried to keep his eyes on Saddler's, but those piercing yellow eyes spoke of rage and death. He just couldn't look him in the eyes an longer, knowing he has failed miserably so far. But, it wasn't entirely his fault! He had to get his Lord to see that.
"L-L-Lord Saddler, it isn't entirely my fault. You see, the-"
"Ramon, do not test my patience. You are in control over this castle, the leader of these Ganados. To try to blame the others; that my boy, just shows me your poor leadership skills. Maybe I was wrong in choosing you to take care of this matter," Saddler said with what appeared to be sorrow in his eyes. Salazar fell to his knees and groveled at his feet.
"Oh my Lord! Forgive me! I am just as bad as my ancestors! Failing miserably in your sight is the worst sin I have committed. If it pleases you, I shall throw myself off the highest point in this castle, to the sharp rocks down below! Or, I can set myself on fire and-"
"Oh, come now! Stop your groveling, I have already forgiven you, my son. Get up, and fail me no more," Saddler said with a evil smirk.
Salazar, who now was in tears, stood up and wiped his pale cheeks. Saddler placed his large hand over Salazar's tiny shoulder, smiling down as he began to tell Salazar his next objective.
"Now, my boy, I have a new order for you. Since I had to retrieve the sample myself, I have a certain job for you to carry out. When you retrieve the girls, I want you to kill the agent, Luis, and the mysterious American. Keep the other young woman alive. Torture her if you like. But, keep her alive."
Salazar looked admiringly up at the cold hearted man and asked, "Why keep her alive, my Lord?"
Saddler grinned and replied, "Because, she may be connected with the woman in red... As well as the others. Besides, she would make a lovely Ganado. Her skills has impressed me. I think she would make an excellent new guard for me. The rest can die, for all I care."
**R**
Sheila shivered as she stood in the dimly lit room. It was cold, had layers upon layers of dust, large spider webs all over the corners of every single thing, and a distinct stale odor. This was a place that looked like it has been forgotten intentionally. A place where you throw things that you no longer care about. And mostly, place of fear. Sheila shook her head, clearing those morbid thoughts.
She watched as Ashley turned the flashlight on. The light helped make the room less evil and intimidating. Sheila took comfort in the light source as she held the thick book to her chest. Now, maybe if she stayed here and let the older gal do the work, she might survive. But that would be cowardly, and Sheila was no coward... At times.
"Look, that looks like a switch!" Ashley exclaimed as she pointed at the corner.
Sheila looked at her and Ashley looked at Sheila. Neither wanted to move from the door. The red haired teen was the one who broke down and gave in. She began grumbling as she put down her book and got down to her knees on the cold, dirty floor and crawled under the small table that blocked access to the switch. When she got up, she didn't notice that she had cobwebs and dust in her hair. If she did, there would have been some major screaming.
Sheila dusted her clothes off and walked over to the switch. Well, button. She already knew what to do. She pressed the switch and watched as one metal gate lifted. Turning around, she was going to tell Ashley to move the suitcase over but instead was blinded by that flashlight.
"Ashley! Lower the light for crying out loud," she said with gritted teeth. She heard a feminine chuckle as the light was lowered. Sheila made the mental note to make Ashley pay later.
"Now, if you don't mind, I would like you to move that book case over while I press the second switch. "
"Why do I have too?" Ashley asked grumpily. She in no way wanted to touch it with her hands or a ten foot pole.
Sheila ignored her and steeped forward to the next section. She noticed the unused fireplace and chairs. This room made the Pueblo houses seem like fancy mansions in Beverly Hills. She never saw so many cobwebs or dust in her life! The sound of Ashley moving the shelf caught her attention. Pushing thoughts of uncleanliness out of her brain, she quickly walked over to the red switch and waited patiently for Ashley to finish.
"Hey another one!" Ashley said happily. S
Sheila raised a hand and said, "Don't! Not yet, I'm going to press this switch first, then you can press that one."
Ashley didn't argue to Sheila's relief. Truth was, was that her mind was a little frazzled from lack of sleep and very little food. So, she was trying to remember the exact way the buttons were pressed. She bit her lip as she pressed the button. a gate shut as the gate facing in Ashley's direction opened. She smiled as she ran forward, giving the young woman a grin. Ashley rolled her eyes and pressed the last switch. The last gate opened, making way for the girls.
Sheila didn't waist no time as she rushed to the fireplace and grabbed the stone tablet. It's weight was a bit heavier than expected, but that didn't matter. Now they were going to the Armaduras lair. Hopefully, they'll survive to tell the tale.
Sheila handed the stone tablet to Ashley. The blond arched an eyebrow at her with a look of puzzlement, but Sheila only patted her bulging pockets to show that she had no room. Ashely pocketed the stone tablet, and followed the teen as she played leader. Sheila first opened the old cupboards to reveal a box of pesetas. Then she picked up the Velvet blue on the old, cushioned furniture and put the treasures in her leather pouch. Now that she stalled long enough, she opened the heavy wooden door and proceeded into the dark lair.
Both girls shivered as they walked down the cold, pitch black room. The only source of comfort came from the beam from the small flashlight. As they walked into a smaller area, Sheila noticed some stone boxes. She let out a shaky breath, which came out in a visible icy air. Sheila couldn't believe it was that cold! Even the air had a foggy look to it.
Ashley grabbed her arm and walked along side of her as they continued slowly down the next turn. As they walked down the short hall, they noticed the armor suits. Sheila tried to walk faster, but Ashley stood in place, unable to take her eyes from the knights armor on display.
"Come on, Ashley! Let's get this over with," Sheila pleaded.
She knew what was to come, and she didn't want these things coming to life too soon. Ashley thankfully nodded as she was dragged along by the younger girl. They hurriedly ran down the next stretch of hall. Soon, they found a small steps that led to a open area. Ashley let out a grateful gasp, breathing heavily.
Sheila didn't do the same. From the angle Ashley held the flashlight, the light lit the room in a eerie glow. Sheila couldn't stop staring at the Armor suits. Two had a red feather in their helmets, giving them a superior look. The others were the same plain looking ones that Sheila saw earlier. The hair on the back of her neck prickled as her heart took on a faster tempo. The weapons they held were rusted but deadly as far as she could tell. Her eyes caught a suspicious substance on the blade of the axes, looking like dark, dried blood. That only put her more on edge.
"Hey, this looks like a puzzle. I guess this tablet goes with it," Ashley said while studying the stone puzzle.
Sheila walked over to Ashley and studied it as well. If the puzzle pieces were in the same places like the ones on the game, then maybe she could solve it quicker than standing there and fiddling around. If not, she could probably solve it anyways.
"Let me figure it out while you hold the light," Sheila ordered.
Ashley did not argue. She never did like puzzles, especially these types. As Sheila worked and focused, she nearly forgot where she was. Her heartbeat slowed down to a normal pace as she worked on the puzzle. As she predicted, the puzzle was exactly like the one on the game. Every move was done according to what she knew from Resident evil 4, which means that she was almost finished.
"O.k. Ashley, I'm ready for the tablet," she said with an air of dread.
Ashley took the tablet out of her skirt pocket and handed it over. Sheila gently put the tablet in place, causing the metal door to slide up. Both girls jumped at the sound. The two felt nervous and the usual fear, Sheila more so in knowing what was to happen. To her surprise, Ashley took the lead, telling the teen to stay put. Sheila looked at her as if she were the crazy one.
"You're going to leave me behind with them," she asked in a high pitched voice. Ashley looked back and pointed the light in her direction.
"What do you mean, 'them'? They're just armor suits, not monsters! Besides, every time you go first, something bad always happens. And I mean that in the nicest way possible," Ashley said with a steady tone.
Sheila squinted her eyes and got in her 'No you didn't!' stance. She couldn't help it if she knew what bad things that laid ahead, and attempted to fix them by doing tripping the trap or getting the next scene to happen a little early or- Wait! where's Ashley?
"O crap, ASHLEY," Sheila screamed, but it was to late.
The door slammed shut, leaving Sheila by her lonesome in the darkness. She took out her gun and began to back away, but Ashley must have taken the missing piece of the wall puzzle for the door suddenly unlocked opened again, causing the Armaduras to come alive. Squeezing her eyes shut, she instinctively let out a very girlie scream as the loud clanging began it's scary sound. Terrified, she found herself also crying out for Ashley. But that earned her a axe swinging in the air, nearly decapitating her in one fatal swipe. She stumbled back lost her balance, falling ungracefully on her behind. Her eyes scanned the darkness for anything to tell her where the living nightmares were at. For though Ashley left her alone in the dark, she knew that there were monsters in the room; looking for the perpetrators who dared to disturb their solitude.
She heard some clanging a bit away from her while some of the loud noises were closer then she liked. This disoriented her even more as she scooted back, hoping that the parasites were blind in the dark. The sounds were now right next to her, answering her fear on their eyesight. She rolled out of the way, too shaky to get up. Ashley's screams in the other room had her heart dropping, causing Sheila to lose hope. Maybe they were going to die after all!
Sheila pulled out her gun and began shooting blindly in the dark. She felt her hope die even more as the bullets clearly didn't make there mark. But her blind shooting eventually found their useless marks, the bullets clanging loudly against the armor and giving off sparks. But this only caused the other two Armaduras that was chasing Ashley in the other room, to come out and hunt her down.
Now in full desperation mode, the teen shot all around till the gun was empty. Her last ditch effort proving worthless as the bullets did no damage to the protected parasites. Sheila wanted to cry with frustration as she stood up. She tried to run around and find the room where Ashley was, but in this darkness, she was blind as a bat. And what was worse was being chased and cornered by these foul creatures and unable to do anything to protect herself.
Just as she lost all hope, a light shined brightly out from across from her. But, this also showed that she was cornered by four walking trash cans!
"Hey you! Over here," Ashley yelled as she ran forward.
This distracted the Armaduras for a split second, giving Sheila a way of escape. She ran between two of the distracted creeps and toward Ashley.
"Let's go," shouted Sheila.
They took off down the hall, Sheila first yet again. As they reached the first corner, an axe came swinging down. She screamed and fell backwards on Ashley. The axe barely missed her by inches.
"Sheila," Ashley growled as she pushed her off, clutching the flashlight Serpent puzzle piece. Sheila hopped up, hoping that Ashley had the Salazar Ornament in her skirt pocket. If she didn't...
"Here they come," Sheila whimpered as the clanging noise was now in the hall.
Sheila helped the scared young woman up and proceeded to run. She couldn't believe she forgot about the hiding Knights! As she rounded the next corner and saw the stone boxes, she remembered that there was another one here. Ashley ran past her before she could stop her. The sound of her scream made Sheila's blood run cold. She ran over to the trembling figure on the floor. The flashlight had rolled across the floor, giving Sheila a little light.
"Ashley? Are you alright," Sheila shouted.
Ashley winced and cast a glare in Sheila's direction.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just don't shout like that," she mumbled. She stood up and grabbed the flashlight. It began to flicker.
"No, no, no, no! Don't please" Ashley pleaded. But the light had other plans. And yet again, they were surrounded by darkness.
"What do we do?" Ashley cried out in a panicked voice. Sheila grabbed her hand and began to pray silently that she wouldn't panic... and die.
As the clanging sounds grew louder, the answer became clear. Sheila manage to rasp, "We run the opposite direction of that sound. Now move!"
They quickly began moving their hands over the wall till they came to a open space. Not questioning or discussing it, they ran blindly down the hall till they ran smack into the wooden door. Both stumbled back, but did not stop. Ashley pushed the door open, letting light in on their dark world. For a moment, the girls stood there, trying to adjust their eyesight to the dimly lit room. The sound of approaching Knights woke them from their trance. They quickly entered and slammed the door shut behind them. This only muted the sound of the fast approaching Armaduras.
Sheila and Ashley ran through the open gate. The teen stopped Ashley while smashing the button. The bars fell down, hopefully preventing the Knights from following. As the door was kicked open, revealing the scary knights, the two girls backed away. Their fear was slowly going away after a few seconds, seeing that the Armaduras were just walking over and over into the gate. Sheila let out a sigh of relief, thankful that she was still alive.
"We did it," Ashley whispered.
Sheila shook her head and replied, "No. We still have to get out of here."
Sheila gave a small smile and started to walk toward the door. She then spotted the knight as he attacked her. She screamed as she fell, the blade cutting the side of her arm. As the Armadura collapsed into a pile of rubble, the wounded teenager sat there with a single tear escaping. Ashley quickly bent down and looked over the wound on the stunned red head's upper right arm. The cut looked a bit nasty, but nothing serious. She took out a green herb and gave it to the shocked teen. The younger girl took it gratefully and began tearing it up into pieces. She then rubbed the leaves on her long bleeding cut, hissing as she did so. The oil from the leaves slowly soothed her arm. Not quite growing new skin, but it did stop the bleeding. The rest she ate of the bitter tasting herb.
As Ashley helped her up, they heard the sound of the bars being banged on. One of the Armaduras were trying to break down the gate, which was useless. But this still made the girls uneasy.
"I think we should go," Ashley said while opening the door.
Sheila agreed and suddenly remembered that she left the book there somewhere. She frantically looked around, hoping that she didn't leave it behind the bars where the parasite infected armoured knights were. To her relief, she found it undamaged where the sneaky knight had been. It was just dusty from being underneath what remained of the knight. She picked it up and then followed the impatient blond.
They ran and left the place behind, never wanting to go back ever again. As Ashley pushed the blue door open, Sheila thought she heard the sound of pitter patter of feet. She turned and scanned the area, the feeling of being watched settling over her. But there was nothing to see.
"What are you doing now?" Sheila heard Ashley's impatiently ask.
"Nothing. I just thought... Just forget about it," she said while entering the small but intriguing room.
Another fire place was there, but this one had no cobwebs or dust. In fact, the room seemed peaceful and a tiny hide away for the owner. Nice carpet, pictures of aristocrats dressed in their finest, paintings of beautiful scenery, and a simple but elegant dressers and desks displayed against the walls. But what really caught Sheila's eyes was the large portrait of Ramon Salazar. It was much more impressive than it looked on the game.
She walked slowly toward the fire place as Ashley rummaged through the drawers, looking for any items. Up close, Sheila could see the true color of his hair, skin, and eyes. He wore the same outfit he is wearing now, but in the painting he looked like a very well respected young man. Even handsome. His dark shade of brown hair was beautiful, giving his already tan features a glow of sorts. His sparkling eyes had a deep shade of chocolate, with a hint of what looked like honey. The twinkle in his eyes gave him a mischievous look, a boyish charm mixed with that of a young man's love for life. His skin had the healthy glow of a normal person. And that smile! He actually looked happy. Complete somehow.
Sheila continued to stare at the portrait, taking in the artist's handy work on the back ground. The clouds the artist put in gave a heavenly look to the picture. Her musings were interrupted yet again by the blond college student.
"If you're done ogling, I would like to get out of here!"
"Don't get your panties in a twist. I'm coming," she responded with a roll of the eyes.
She walked down the two steps and watched as Ashley set aside the serpent piece and began putting her hands in her skirt pockets. She looked a little panicked.
Sheila looked at her with disbelief and said, "Tell me you didn't drop it... Ashley if you-"
"Found it," she said with a smile.
Sheila put a hand to her chest and sighed with relief. As Ashley put the round Salazar Ornament in the brown wheel table, Sheila couldn't help but stare at her hiny. The reason being that Ashley's skirt had some how been torn, revealing a pink pair of panties that said "Princess" in bold blue print. Sheila had two feelings about this, the first was her sense of humor that Ashley's panties were being flashed to the whole world. The second was basically eew, she was staring at Ashley's butt... She would rather see Leon in his boxers... Hmmmm. Leon.. Sheila shook her head of those thoughts as the armor sword and shield wall moved to reveal the ladder to freedom.
Ashley turned and smiled, then screamed. Sheila instantly turned and saw a charred, black, smoldering parasite flying through the air towards her face. She ducked just in time, but poor Ashley got smacked by the creature as it landed full force on her frightened face. The poor young woman's screams drove the teen into action. She ran over and whacked it with her gun, knocking it off the terrified girl's face. The parasite hit the wall, falling on it's back. Sheila ran up to it and dropped the very thick, heavy book on top of it. The sickening sound of the parasite being crushed was enough to make Ashley sick.
Upon seeing how quickly she got green around the gills, Sheila quickly walked over and held the girl's blond, shoulder length hair away from her face as she vomited next to the wheel table. Grimacing, she looked the other way as the sound, smell, and sight alone made her sick! She could shovel horse crap, clean dog crap, and change diapers all day long without blinking, but something about puke made her want to puke herself.
When Ashley was done, she slowly stood up; taking off her tied sweater and wiping her mouth. She looked embarrassed and pale, her eyes blood shot from the exertion of vomiting. Faintly, she smiled and whispered her thanks.
Sheila patted her shoulder and said, "Hey, no problem... And I want to say... Thank you. You know, for saving me back there."
Ashley brightened, returning the girl's smile. A mutual understanding passed between them right then; for once they actually admired the others bravery in the face of dire odds. Sheila cleared her throat and looked at the ladder.
"This doesn't mean that I like you," Ashley said as she tried to return to her disdain of the younger girl, though Sheila could tell that she no longer hated her.
"Oh, I totally agree. I can't stand you," Sheila replied as she walked back over to pick up the book. She wrinkled her nose at the disgusting mess the parasite made on the old cover.
"Yeah, same here. You're too immature. I can't stand the sight of you."
"Yup. Me too. Looking at you and hearing that irritating voice of yours just sends me up the wall," Sheila said with a smile as she turned around.
The girls continued smiling as they walked over to the ladder. Ashley looked at Sheila as the red head was scraping the parasite mush on the wall.
She held back the bile and asked, "Do you want to go up first?"
Sheila stopped what she was doing and shrugged. It really didn't matter. Wait, it did matter. She really didn't want to look at Ashley's booty anymore. Which reminded her, should she tell her about the skirt?... Naaah!
"Yeah, I'll go. There might be more monsters I can smash with my book of doom," she commented with a mischievious smile.
Ashley giggled and waited patiently as Sheila tried to figure out how to climb while toting that heavy book. Her patience began to dwindle as thirty seconds went by. Finally, the teen made a decision and tried to scale the metal latter with the book in hand. It was hard, but she did it. Sighing as she reached the top, she could feel the cut on her bleeding again. She ignored the pain and put the book underneath her left armpit, taking the pressure off her right arm. As she waited for Ashley to climb the latter, she looked at the title of the mysterious book. Although she didn't speak much Spanish, but she did recognise another word on the title beside, "Pueblo". That word was, "Los Illuminados."
**R**
It was eerily silent as Leon, Chris, Claire, and Luis waited on the girls. The silence spoke volumes of the worry that everyone was feeling. The longer the girls took, the more anxiety washed over them. One of them was going to break soon from this feeling if the girls didn't come soon. As the minutes ticked by, the silence grew worse. For each one of them felt like a caged animal with no escape.
Just as the feelings reached their peek, the sound of the heavy door across from Leon clicked. The door swung open, Sheila and Ashley on the other side. All eyes turned on the girls. The red head broke the silence as she dropped the book and ran to the closest person, Leon.
She jumped into his outstretched arms and cried out, "We made it! Oh, Leon, we actually made it!"
Leon gave a happy laugh as he held on to her and closed his eyes.
"That you two did!"
As he slowly set her down, Sheila caught sight of Ashley getting a Redfield hug from both siblings, and she actually seemed to like it.
"I'm so proud of you girls," Claire said as she and Chris let the happy blond go. Then the three switched.
Sheila ran to Claire and Chris's arms while Ashley gave Leon a bear hug. It was a touching moment as Luis saw the exchanges. He felt like an outsider intruding, a feeling that he was used to. But, he enjoyed witnessing the scene, observing and studying the group. As he watched, he felt a pang in his heart, yearning for a moment for his grandfather's loving embrace.
Ashley finally let Leon go and stepped back, somewhat sheepishly. She looked down and said, " Listen, I'm sorry about earlier. I-
"It's o.k., the important thing is that you and Sheila are safe. And not hurt," Leon said with concern.
He noticed that both girls were dirtier than ever and had some bruises. When Leon heard Claire's exclamation about Sheila's injury on her arm, he quickly walked over, inspecting the wound.
"Don't fuss over me, I'll be o.k.! Ashley gave me a green herb, it healed it enough to just be a scratch," she said with a grateful smile in Ashley's direction.
But Chris wouldn't hear of it. "Yeah, but you need a bit more for that cut. You'll have to tell us how you got it."
As Claire sprayed her arm with the first aid spray, Sheila only said a few words on the matter.
"We'll tell y'all after we get out of this crazy place. I promise."
Chris opened his mouth to respond but Claire stopped him.
"Shut up, Chris. Leave them alone. We have no time for the whole story. Let's just get out of here."
Sheila stuck her tongue out at Chris who in turn did the exact same thing. Something about Chris just brought the child out in her. Of course she did the same to him.
After the spray fizzed, the shiny new pink skin appeared, making Sheila wish she had that stuff where she came from.
After that was done, Sheila walked up to Luis and said, "Well, what are you standing there and gawking at? Join in the love!"
She then grabbed him and gave him a tight hug. Ashley still was high on all the love in the room that she suddenly ran over and hugged him too. The shocked Luis just stood there, looking down at the happy girls. He slowly smiled and hugged back. After their hugging fest was done, the three turned around and found the three heroes staring at them.
"What?" Sheila asked.
She noticed that Leon was slightly blushing, Chris had his eyebrows up with his mouth slightly open, and Claire looked like she wanted to say something. Ashley noticed this too, but when she opened her mouth to speak, she felt like her butt was freezing.
"Is there a draft in here," she asked with a shiver.
Sheila then realised what everyone was gawking at and started to laugh as she peeked at Ashley's backside. The twenty year old gave her a dirty look and planted her fists on her hips.
"O.k., you people are just weird! Can we please go?"
Claire motioned with her index finger for Ashley to come to her. Shrugging, she complied and leaned in as the older woman whispered in her ear. Her eyebrows shot up as her brown eyes grew huge as she heard the news about her clothing predicament. Her pretty face turned red as Claire finished explaining this embarrassing scene. She looked like a deer caught in headlights, not moving. Claire shot Sheila a chastising look, drying up the teens laughter right away. She then gave Luis a look, seeing the Spaniard enjoying the view. He looked away and tried to act casual. It was all so awkward, but funny to Sheila all the same.
Ashley turned and stuck her head up in the air, trying to gain as much dignity as she took off her sweater and tied it around her waist. She gave a haughty look in Sheila and Luis's direction. Sheila gave her a innocent look. Leon shrugged and put a hand on Ashley's shoulder.
"Come on everyone, let's go."
The bad vibes evaporated and the grateful for life air returned. But as always, Leon's radio beeped, indicating that Salazar wanted to ruin this moment...
**Authors Note: Finally, I'm done with this chapter! And boy am I drained from writing. I was going to finish the other half of "Chaos in the Resident Evil World" chapter but my mind is just gone to mush. Hope this satisfied your appetites. As for merchant theories, don't worry, I'm putting them in the next chapter, especially Kain kenndy's theory! Yours is funny! More to come, same for the rest of the stories. Have a good night!... And review... Yeah, press that little button down below and leave a review... Come on... You can do it... I said review! **
28. Chapter 27:Different Paths
**Authors Note: Thanks for the reviews! Keep them coming, they do inspire and helps me into checking over my work to see where I need to improve! And thank you thewarriorzemos for your insight in this story! It was a pleasure getting your review. Cookies for all who read and reviewed this story so far! **
**O.k., let's get down to business. Of course you know this is going to be a long chapter so grab a soda, snack, and a comfortable chair. Now the plot is going to start changing more. Keep in mind that Luis was supposed to die, Chris and Claire are not supposed to be in there, heck, my character is from a different world with this reality is just a game! And of course Wesker and his evil plans, well, you get the picture. **
* * *
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 27: Different Paths **
Salazar: _Awe... What a touching moment we have here._
Leon: _All spoiled thanks to your interruption. Why don't you do us all a favor and leave before the audience gets piss-d off?_
Salazar: _You and your friends are nothing but extras in my script so don't get too carried away. Your biggest scenes are over._
Leon: _We_ _don't ever remember being a part of your crappy script._
Salazar: _Well then, why don't all of you show me what a first-class script is like; through your own actions_.
"Why do you even answer if you know it's him?" Sheila asked as Leon holstered his radio. Leon looked at her with surprise and wracked his brain for an answer.
"Because he only calls to taunt me, to get underneath my skin. So, I answer and taunt him back," he said with a shrug.
He noticed the look on her face was anything but admiring. In fact, it spoke volumes of what she thought of it.
"Well, it's really simple in how to answer him... Don't answer," the teen spoke rather frankly. Leon shook his head and proceeded to walk toward the door.
"It's a guy thing, Sheila. You wouldn't understand how the dynamics work," Chris said in agreement with Leon's ways.
Sheila looked up at Claire who in turn gave a eye roll. She thought it was ridicules also, considering how time is wasted talking to the evil little dude. But, it wasn't worth the energy debating over it. So, they began following Leon... Until Sheila remembered something.
"Oh, wait for a second, I... uhhh... see something," she said in a rush.
She ran over to the large portrait of Saddler to everyones puzzlement. She then proceeded to knock down the heavy canvas. As it fell to the ground with a loud bang, Sheila picked up the three golden bars sitting where the portrait just had been. As she carried the heavy bars, she noticed the disbelief in everyones eyes. Giving them a smile, she began to offer an explanation.
"I noticed that the picture was just not hanging right, like the one back where Mr. Claw guy was. Looks like my hunch was right."
Sheila handed the bars over to Leon, and acted like she didn't notice the searching looks she was getting. Chris shook it off and nudged Leon.
"Let's get a move on. Places to go, things to kill, kidnappings to avoid."
Leon nodded and put the bars in his briefcase. As he situated the items, Sheila noticed Luis giving her a penetrating stare. This was unnerving her and in which was souring her mood. Didn't he have better things to do? Such as enjoying that he wasn't impaled by Saddler!
"What?" she finally hissed at Luis.
The Spaniard just shrugged and acted casual.
"Nothing," he responded while crossing his arms over his chest. Sheila didn't like his tone.
"What do you mean nothing? There's definitely a something behind that nothing! Now spill," she demanded quietly, low enough to not attract unwanted attention from the others.
Luis smirked and gave her a knowing glance.
"It's just that it looks like I'm not the only one holding things back," he said with a tiny smirk.
Sheila gave a 'pfft' and started to ignore the knowing Latin man_. _
_What do you want me to say? I'm from a world where you guys are just a figment of some Gamer creator's imagination! That this is real but not real... Wow, this is seriously messed up_.
"Right. I'm ready. Let's go," Leon said after strapping on his case.
But frankly, everyone was getting tired and cranky. Think about it. You're up all day fighting, killing while defending the helpless, running from freaks implanted with parasites. And of course getting cut, hit, injected with parasites, chainsaws slicing you, basically having a sucky day that just wont quit. A person has to ask themselves... When will it end?
Claire stiffened when she felt Sheila grab her arm. She looked at the younger girl and gave a concerned look.
"What's wrong?"
Her concern grew when Sheila looked away. She knew that look. It was the same look that she gets when she's afraid to speak up when her grandma is visiting.
"It's nothing... It's just that I feel like Leon forgot something," she said cryptically.
Claire patted her hand and said reassuringly, "Don't worry. Everything is fine. I'm sure Leon didn't lose anything... besides his mind."
Sheila grinned at the comment, but her eyes still looked troubled.
"Is there a problem," Leon asked with a hint of irritation.
He stood in front of the short hall that would lead to the room that's the in between of the room of lava place! Claire sighed and said yes while Sheila said no. Then Claire said yes while Sheila said no. This was getting them no where. Chris sighed and walked over to the two younger women.
"What is it?"
Sheila bit her bottom lip as she tried to not sound too all knowing. But she had to tell them that there was a free Broken Butterfly magnum with a pretty perfume bottle and some herbs stashed in a room!
"Well, I have a feeling...," she began nervously. Chris gazed intently, waiting for her to just say it.
"Yes?..."
"I have a feeling that ... you guys... forgot something."
Chris's forehead wrinkled as he tried to remember anything they could have forgotten. But nothing came to mind.
"Leon, did we forget something," Chris asked with a confused glance.
Leon rubbed his chin, trying to remember anything that they could have missed. Sheila decided to push their thought process to a certain locked door.
"Now listen. When a woman has that feeling, it is most definitely true that the feeling is legit. Now think," she said with urgency. "Think really hard."
As the two men pondered, Claire's eyes sparkled with a sudden thought. It was as if they missed something. Something, maybe some door...
"There was the door on our run from the crows. The metal door," Leon spoke before the brilliant Claire could speak. "But I fail to see what that has to-"
"Oh don't be daft, Leon! Any room could have ammo or something special to help us along the way," Sheila said with a stomp of her foot.
Her patience was running really thin now. Leon only arched an eyebrow, not responding to her sudden outburst. Finally, Luis broke the tension.
"Oh, for the love of humanity! Just send two back while the rest of us go on into the next room! Then, when our errands are done, we can meet up here or the... next room. Well?"
Sheila grinned while the rest did not like the thought of another separation. But then again, the annoying red head had made them doubt themselves so separation it is.
"Fine. From what the map shows, there's two rooms ahead. While two of us back tracks the rest will go on to check out the next two rooms. Then we meet back here. Agreed," Chris asked while putting his map away. Everyone agreed, though Leon and Claire wasn't to happy.
"So, who backtracks," Luis asked while looking at Chris and Leon. Of course no one volunteered at first.
"I'll go. Leon, you can go on while I go back track. Since I killed the most Ganados, I think I get the pleasure of going through the not so populated turf," Chris said smugly.
Leon flicked him the bird to Sheila's surprise, but it wasn't ill intended since he was smiling. Leon then took his turn to speak.
"So, who wants to go with me?"
Silence. Except one voice that just wouldn't shut up!
"O! O! Oooooo! Ooooooo! Pick me! Pick me! Pick meeeeeeee," Sheila shouted as she raised her hand and jumped up and down.
Leon continued to look around as he said, "Is there someone who is sane that wants to come with me?"
"Hey!"
Silence. Then Claire smiled as well as Ashley.
Claire raised her hand while Ashley said with bright eyes, "I'll follow you anywhere, Leon."
Sheila rolled her eyes at that comment. What a come on! To Sheila's further irritation, Leon smiled and held out both arms to Claire and Ashley.
"Come along. ladies. Let Leon show you a good time."
"Hey, Blondie boy! I'm a lady! I'm the definition of woman! Leon... Leon! You jerk!" Sheila yelled as she followed suit.
Leon's answer was for her to move her butt then and follow. This earned him a loud "EEEEEEEEEEEEERG!"
Luis and Chris just stood there, shaking their heads at the craziness of the situation.
"What is it with Leon and the ladies," Luis asked with a bitter taste in his mouth.
Chris puffed up his chest and responded, "He uses the whole emotional good boy act. As for us, amigo. We use our manly Lion ways to win our ladies. After they see through his boy scout act up, they'll come running to us for protection."
Chris squeezed Luis's shoulder who in turn grinned.
"Besides, that leaves us free from womanly chatter," Chris said with a relieved grin. Luis nodded, but then frowned.
"Then why do I get the feeling we have the short end of the stick? You do notice that there's six of us, friend. Leon has three women while we just have each other."
"Yeah but -Wait... He actually... That sneaky Basta-d!"
"Si, amigo. He is a that, with what you Americans say... a capital B," Luis chuckled.
**R**
Claire certainly didn't feel cold anymore. The heat in the room was just below the line of uncomfortable. And the cause of the heat was what lied below, which looked suspiciously like lava_. _
_How do all these creeps get all these crazy things? Is there a book that explains how to furnish you bad guy homes? _
Claire harrumphed and turned her gaze on Leon's still form. He didn't look too happy about this either. Too many close calls to tell you that once you see anything that looks dangerous in one room, there's something worse in the next.
"Penny for your thoughts, " Claire said softly.
Leon gave her a tired smile and sighed. She knew that sigh. It was a bad sigh. The sigh of separation. She closed her eyes as Leon walked over and stood beside her, next to the interesting rail car. He put a strong hand on her shoulder and called the two girls forth. Sheila knew what was coming.
"Ladies, this is where we part for just a little while. I have a bad feeling on what lays ahead."
Claire looked at the girls, noticing there looks of sadness and exhaustion.
"While Leon takes care of things, I'll stay here with you two. Nobody will be left to fend for themselves."
"Leon will," Ashley exclaimed.
Claire didn't respond, not really knowing what to say since she didn't want him to go either. But she didn't have to, Leon did it for her.
"You're forgetting," Leon began, "that I'm a highly trained agent that has kept myself alive long before meeting up with Claire and Chris. I'll be okay. If it's nothing I can't handle, I'll come back here and wait for the others."
Ashley saw that there was no use arguing with him, so she sadly backed down. Leon then stepped onto the unusual rail cart. It looked like a thing off the newest Star War films, except more rusty. Leon smiled at this and looked up at the girls.
He put a gloved hand on the button and said, "Take care of them Claire... and take care of yourself."
Claire lips twitched as a smile slowly spread on her lovely face. She gave a thumbs up, her eyes showing that nothing will come get these girls without a fight. Satisfied, Leon then pressed the button, the rail cart jerking as the two rusty wheels began to move, which almost made Leon lose his balance. But he regained it and straightened his posture as he waved to the three women who hoped it wasn't a final farewell.
**R**
"So, what can you tell me about Sheila," asked Luis. His voice was casual, too casual.
Chris didn't even bother looking at the curious man as he answered, "She's eighteen years old."
Luis frowned and gave Chris a puzzled look as they came upon the door that led to the dining room and it's smaller red room where the hero trio escaped the deathtrap. Then the realization of Chris's misunderstanding made him quickly explain himself as the American opened the door.
"No! That's not what I mean. I mean, she isa beautiful muchacha! And her ballistics are," Luis stopped as Chris shot him a death glare that dared him to finish that sentence.
Luis gave a nervous chuckle as he followed the silent ex Air force pilot. It was best to be silent at a time like this. Number one was just to be careful and not to alert any guards left... if there was any left. Number two, well, Chris was a tall man and broad shouldered with a strong figure that spoke of training and weight lifting. He had the feeling that if he spoke anymore on the princessa, then he would end up sent back to Saddler... cut up in little pieces... placed in a box with pretty ribbon. Luis shuddered and agreed with his instincts. Now was not the time to question about the girl and her origins, no matter how much she seems to know about this castle or him.
_Great. I'm being more paranoid than usual. Women!_
**R**
Leon took out his Semi Automatic Sniper Rifle, just as Sheila called out for him to do. Usually, he wouldn't take orders from a teenager, but her uncanny instincts and predictions has yet to be proved wrong. So once he entered the huge boiling room, he did as she ordered.
As he looked around while putting his case back on, he couldn't help but shiver even though it was much more hotter in there than back in the last room. She was right again, he could possibly need the rifle in this room. The hot cavern was massive, filled with constant magma and fire. The blistering heat alone would make a less highly trained agent flee, but not our Leon.
His baby blue eyes took in the two large dragon statues hanging around the room. Each were identical, there open mouths revealed large teeth, there eyes dark with a black void. They reminded him of the Chinese stone dragons decorated in his favorite Chinese restaurant. And to top it off, they were in perfect positions for a sniper, each strategically placed for a purpose. Leon raised an eyebrow at the strange room and it's medieval look._. _
_Salazar's taste or his ancestors? Either way, they had sadistic decorative fashion sense for the castle rooms and its architecture_.
Leon slowly walked toward the stairs, his eyes keeping steady on the dragon on the right side of the room. So far, nothing. His hands gripped the gun more firmly, his eyes never leaving the statue as he took his first step. Suddenly, a person appeared behind the dragon head. He leaned over and pressed something, pressing a hidden switch in which causing the dragon to move, come to life in a way. It's eyes shined a bright red as fire burst from it's nostrils and open mouth. Leon brought up his rifle and looked through the scope, knowing he had one shot before the stone dragon fully turned and engulfed him in flames.
But the dragon was moving fast, so he fired while moving with the it's movements. The death trap stopped suddenly, then crumbled from the wall, falling into the hot liquid with a loud splash and hiss. Leon smiled, then turned his attention to the dragon on the left side. It was far enough to not cause any damage. But once he reached the lower levels, well, he knew that would be a big mistake to attempt. He smirked as he hustled back to the door. Then he raised his rifle, smiling when he spotted the shirtless monk waiting_. _
_Sorry buddy, but your friend already wrecked the surprise party you had planned for me_.
As of sensing Leon's thoughts, the man yelped and pressed the switch. It didn't even get a chance to breath fire as Leon nailed him with a head shot. The lifeless body fell to the lave below, his stone dragon following. Straightening up, he looked around to see what else he had to worry about. No more dragons were around, giving him a much safer passage. He was going to put the sniper rifle up, but then decided against it. After all, he might need it again. So he put the weapon over his left shoulder. (His Riot gun his is over his right shoulder. Remember, they have straps? Okay, back to the story!)
Leon didn't hustle as he made it down the steps carefully. The heat was even more intense down there than the short way up. Sweat poured down his cheeks as he walked, ignoring the stinging pain as some of the salty sweat reached his eyes with annoying accuracy. He wiped his brow and moved on. As he sauntered on, he noticed a pedestal with a small chest sitting on it. It was red with gold trim, giving a humble but rich look. Like a present you get on Christmas day.
He put a hand on it and hesitated. It could be a trap, but then again they haven't opened a single chest that was a trap... Except for the one back at the red room. Leon quickly looked up, just to make sure. No hidden cages were up there at least. And the floor had no trap door, so he guessed it was safe. Well, hoped is more like it.
He opened it quickly, like you do when tearing off a band-aid. Inside were three bars of gold.
_Just what the Doctor ordered!_
The agent picked the bars up and situated them in his money pouch. Good thing he had that in his case, it would be far to heavy to carry on his utility belt. He smiled as he got everything situated and where they needed to go. Now, back to business. He proceeded till he reached what I like to call the 'Headache'. Not because it's hard to get on, but because it makes me dizzy if I look at it for too long. Just thinking about it makes me... nauseous.
Leon watched and studied the whirling headache. From what he could tell, there were two openings. But if you failed to jump through it, you'll end up falling into the flaming pit bellow and meeting a horrible end. So, with great patience, he timed it. Then he got into position_. _
_Whoosh! Whoosh_!
Leon leaned and stiffened, his face filled with determination. His jaw line was tight, his eyes narrowed. Then the opening came and he jumped!... And died miserably. Too bad he sucked without my helping him with a controller... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA! Naaaah! He made it. His timing is perfect as always so no Leon soup today. I know, not funny. But hey, I couldn't resist!
Leon took a deep breath and walked over to where he needed to jump next. He got into position again, but this time he got a little distracted. Being inside the whirling headache certainly made him dizzy for a split second, but he shook his head and started to keep time. The opening came and he... jumped! He landed with perfect ease but nearly tumbled backwards to a untimely end. He grabbed the railing and kept from toppling into the hot liquid below. Releasing a loud groan at his almost death_. _
_Alright Kennedy! Keep it steady. Just because you're pouring with sweat and feeling like you're in a oven doesn't mean you are really in one. Focus!_
_"_Morir!" shouted a bald, shirtless monk from up above. He stood there on a a ten or fifteen foot tower, a robed monk beside him carrying a ball and chain.
"Wow, like I didn't see that coming," Leon sighed sarcastically. He then grabbed his Riot gun and waited.
The two Ganados jumped down and ran toward him with their red eyes screaming their hatred. Nothing new there. The blond agent shook his head and aimed.
"You must really want to die."
Then the sounds of shotgun blasts was all that was heard in the Dragon room.
**R**
Chris looked up the sky nervously for the tenth time as he and Luis walked in the open courtyard or whatever you want to call that place. Basically, they were back where the three heroes had ran from the crapping crows, the ones Chris and Leon had pestered and caused their poopy wrath. (Hey, how else was I going to describe their retreat? The flight of the menacing winged el pooper extraordinaries?) Chris really didn't want to experience that incident ever again.
"I think that's it," Chris pointed out.
Luis looked at what Chris was pointing and saw a metal door beyond the fountain, resembling some of the other doors in the castle. Luis quickened his steps while Chris took his time, still suspicious of another air attack from the black menaces. When he reached Luis, the Spaniard looked frustrated.
"Door's locked," Luis grunted as he jiggled the door handle. Chris leaned beside the stone wall and sighed inwardly. It figures that they came back for nothing. And all because of a certain red head who had a inkling.
"Hmm. There's a window up there. Maybe...," Luis left the sentenced unfinished as Chris caught on.
He stood back and looked up. It was too high for one person, but with two... Well, they didn't need two. Chris grabbed his Grappling hook gun from his leg holster and gave a satisfied smile at Luis's surprised facial expression. Yep, Chris isn't just a big brother who wants to kick Wesker's butt. He has suave, spy worthy secrets too.
As Chris fired the gun and zipped his way up, Luis was briefly reminded of the woman in red.
_Looks like the hot Senorita isn't the only one with gadgets. I wander if Claire has any secrets hidden on her person also. _
Luis smiled wolfishly as he let that idea linger while Chris unlocked the metal door.
"It's opened, Spaniard," Chris called out. He stifled the smile from spreading across his face as Luis mumbled something about tired of being called the Spaniard.
**R**
After killing about four Ganados, he noticed another chest. After opening it, he found another pendent that belonged to a head priest. It fetched a great price when he sold the last one to the merchant, so getting another one was a 'pick me up' to the tired agent. With that done, the only place left to check for the puzzle piece lay just up ahead. Which there wasn't much to check. There was a big gap between the level he was on and that a strange pedestal was up fifteen feet high. He was curious what it was there for. Only one way to find out. He began walking toward the two walls, hoping to find something, like that third piece of the puzzle. After all, they had the goat piece, the serpent piece, and now they need the last piece to continue on. Without it will make things difficult.
The sound of moving gears and the ground shaking stopped Leon from finishing his walk toward the walls. The dragon's head appeared, it's eyes glowing red. His eyes rounded, caught by surprise by this little twist as flames shot out of it's mouth. Leon quickly rolled to his right and hid behind the wall. The flames continued for three seconds then stopped. The sound of gears shifting again made Leon stand up and peek around the corner. The dragon head was about to unleash it's furry on his not so safe position. Leon quickly ran to the other wall as the burst of fire engulfed the area. He cursed as the sound of chains clinking and the shouts of Spanish came from the small tower.
_Great! Just what I need, more playmates._
The sound of the statue moving made Leon curse louder. Now how was he going to handle this situation? As the first two Ganados started running toward him, he came up with a last ditch effort plan. He jumped into the open, waiting for the Ganados. They laughed as they raised there weapons in the air, charging the surprisingly calm agent. As he heard the sound of air rushing behind him, alerting the agent of the first wave of fire about to burst forth, the Ganados were swinging there weapons down to kill him. Leon jumped to the right again as the flame spewed out of the dragon's mouth, engulfing the two Ganados. They screamed in pain as they were consumed by the flames, running back toward the other three Ganados that just jumped down. The three tried to run and get out of the way, but the on-fire monks grabbed them in desperation.
Then they caught on fire, their skin blistering and of course being the beginning of a Ganado barbecue. Leon paid no attention to them as his main focus was completely on the Dragon's head. He knew now how to kill the cult member without dying a horrible, fire filled death. He waited for the fire breathing dragon to target him. It did. At the last minute, he ran back yet again to the left side and brought up his Sniper Rifle, firing at the barely seen monk. He missed with the first shot, cursing as the fire stopped suddenly. The monk moved what looked like a lever and started to shift. Leon's hands shook as he looked through the scope. He fired just before the opening was lost. The dragon came to a halt and began to tremble, then fall to the debts below.
The ground began to shake yet again, making Leon's stomach clench in apprehension.
_Now what_?
But his muscles relaxed as he saw that it was just a stairway. When the gears stopped and the stairs were in place. Leon took a look around, just to make sure no more surprises were going to pop up. After satisfying himself that there was no more traps set out for him, he quickly ran up the stairs. At the top was the chest, same size and color like the rest. When he opened it, he sighed with relief. It was the last part of the puzzle, the lion.
He grabbed his radio and attempted to contact Chris.
**R**
"Chris, (static) do you re (static...)"
Chris jumped as his radio tried to pick up Leon's voice. He grabbed it as Luis twirled the Broken Butterfly like an cowboy from the old West.
"Leon! I can't get a clear signal. Guess that midget's blocked us off from each other as well as the outside world." Chris said with agitation.
"Yeah... But not completely. (static..) I (static) the third piece of the puzzle. Meet us at (static)..."
"Leon! What was that?... D-mn it!"
Chris holstered his radio and kicked the chest. He was thinking some murderous thoughts on how he was going to get his vengeance on the young Salazar when Luis spoke up.
"I think he wanted to meet us back where you saw that puzzle. Makes sense since we're about half way there. It shouldn't take too much time to meet up with them there on foot instead of taking the rail system. Only four at a time can take those rail carts, and the journey isn't that quick."
Chris thought about it and came to the conclusion that Luis was right.
He grabbed his radio again and spoke into it, "Leon, if you can hear me, we got your message. We'll meet you there."
**R**
Claire sighed with relief when she saw Leon riding back to them, unharmed. When he reached them, she immediately was at his side, offering support. He politely waved her off, remarking that he was fine, just a little weak from the intense heat back there. Claire saw just how soaked he was with sweat, frowning at his stubbornness. From all that sweating, he had lost a lot of potassium, which explains his weakness. Since she had no Bananas or Potassium to give him, the only thing to do was to find a safe place to rest and give him a ration. Of course, safe places in this castle was hard to come by.
"Leon!... You look... like you're in one piece," Ashley said with a forced smile. Her worry was overcome by the sweatiness of the poor agent.
Sheila voiced her thoughts. "What she meant was that you look horrible and if we get too close to you, we'll probably smell like the stink monster."
Leon's mouth twitched, a smile slowly appearing on his dirty but handsome face. "Stink monster?"
Sheila nodded and scrunched up her nose. "Yeah, you could use a shower."
Her face looked serious, but her eyes twinkled with amusement. Leon chuckled and patted a sweaty hand on her head to the red heads horror.
"Well, I'm not the only one, Red," he said in a mock southern drawl. Sheila scoffed and swatted his hand away, rolling her eyes at his poor attempt at a southern accent. Leon soon sobered up and told them the plan.
After everything was settled, the group then made their way to the rail carts. Sheila couldn't wait to sit down and relax and ride that... uh, ride
**R**
Ada silently slit the Ganado's neck that was not paying attention to his guard duties. As his body melted away, she silently walked down the hall, her Blacktail raised. So far, her plans had to be altered yet again. First Leon showed up, which wasn't such a bad thing. He's turning out to be a important part of her mission... just like last time.
"Mir- aaaaah!" was the only thing that came out of the Ganado that just jumped out in front of her. After twisting his his neck, she walked around the body and ignored the sound of it melting into a grayish, yellow goo.
When it came to Leon, she felt like she was being tugged in different directions. After all, he truly did get to her back in Raccoon City. He actually cared for her and treated her like a true lady. Like she was delicate. But the truth was, she was anything but that. She was a highly trained killer. Although her body was petite and appeared innocent and fragile like a China doll, she was lethal and wouldn't blink in killing you if it was necessary. Leon though, seemed to be the one who penetrated her defenses.
Her ears twitched as the sound of footsteps came down the hall to her right. She quickly jumped up and planted her feet and hands on the cold stone walls. She then pushed her self up till she was near the roof, then stiffened her arms as she let her feet go slide off the wall. Then she brought her legs back and stretched them to plant them back on the wall in a more controlled, firmer position. She was now flat against the low hanging roof, out of sight.
A line of chanting monks passed underneath her. Their chants made no sense to her. Always saying in Spanish "To die is to live!" and "To live is to die!" She would never understand these types of cults.
Her body stiffened as the large, black, robed lackey of Salazar walked underneath her... followed by Salazar himself and the other lackey. They walked slow, as if they were in a solemn parade of some sort. Salazar broke the silence as he stopped directly below the woman in red.
"I can't believe that agent and his friends has survived everything I've thrown at them! This luck streak has to end. I see now that I'm going to have to handle this myself," Ramon said with a dramatic wave of his small hand.
A clicking noise came from the red robed guard behind him. He tilted his head and seemed to understand what this thing was saying. A fowl smell filled the air as the creature clicked and growled in it's own weird language. Ada blinked as the smell reached her nose, but her emotionless face didn't show any disgust as she listened in.
"Yes... That will be a more safer way of dealing with these pests. No more shall they put a blemish on my service to the great Lord Saddler. Now, I just have to remember not to kill that woman dressed in black. Lord Saddler thinks she may know something about that strange intruder in red," Ramon calmly said. Then he and his followers continued on till they were out of sight and range.
Ada dropped to the floor, landing on her feet like a cat. Not a hair was out of place as she grabbed her gun from her holster. It seems like Claire Redfield and her brother were becoming a bigger issue than before. Good thing she was expecting that. After all, they were survivors, just like Leon. But she couldn't let Salazar capture poor Claire. After all, she was depending on the Redfeild to keep Leon out of too much trouble. She after all couldn't help Leon as much as she wanted to with Wesker breathing down her neck.
The spy sighed and for a moment let her emotions to the surface. The same battle of right and wrong that she felt when she was around the agent last time now started to rage within her. As always, she stifled the emotions back, finding the color Grey between the black and white. Wesker may be the black that she battled against, but she wasn't on the white side as Leon and his friends were. She was on the agencies Grey side. Where right and wrong were used in ones convenience. Now that she reminded herself that, she could concentrate on the tasks at hand. Her first task is to make sure Leon survives and Claire doesn't get herself captured. The second of course is to get the sample.
As she silently walked down the halls, she ignored the soft cry within her for the white side. The innocence she had lost in her sad lot in life.
**R**
"Yes! We made it!." Sheila excitedly exclaimed.
They made it to the rail cart with no mishaps, no enemies to interfere with them. Leon wouldn't admit it, but he was glad that they finally made it for the simple reason to rest. He was shaky from all the sweat he lost, plus the injuries he sustained on this horror filled adventure.
He opened the cart door and said with a tired grin, "Your chariot has arrived, my ladies."
Giggles irrupted from the tired women as they excepted his offer to go first. Ashley sat where she sat in the game, with a hopeful expression on her face. Sheila disappointed her by sitting down beside her. The teen didn't notice though, her mind was too weary to notice who she sat next too. After Claire sat opposite, Leon shut the door as he sat down, pushing the lever.
The cart jerked, startling everyone as it started to move slowly. Then it began to pick up speed and go down the dimly lit tunnel. The air blowing in Leon's face caused him to close his eyes in pleasure. It felt good on his heated skin. Claire watched him with relief. He was looking worse as they made there short distance to the rail cart. But now, he seemed to relax and settle down. He needed this rest.
"How long is this ride going to be?" Sheila asked quietly.
Leon cracked one eye open and said in a tired voice, "About thirty minutes or more. You three better rest, I'll keep watch."
Claire shook her head as his eyes closed involuntarily. She put a hand behind him and said, "No. I'll keep watch. You rest Leon."
The agent tried to resist, but his head soon drooped and a soft snore was all they heard. Claire smiled and tenderly made him lean on her petite shoulder. She then mouthed to the girls to rest. Ashley yawned and tried to get comfortable without using Sheila as a pillow. Sheila on the other hand, didn't care. She just wanted to close her eyes and rest in comfort.
So she whispered in Ashley's ear, "I'm tired and you're tired. Let's just swallow our pride and get comfortable."
Ashley slowly nodded and allowed the younger girl to lean her head on her shoulder and snuggle. Ashley snuggled back and wrapped her arms around her in a sisterly hug. Soon, both girls were fast asleep. Claire tried to stay awake, but the rhythmic sound of the trolley's wheals going around made a humming noise that soothed her stressed nerves. The lighting made her even sleepier. Soon, she herself fell into a deep slumber.
**R**
"Eie yie yie! My feet are throbbing. We should have taken the rail car," Luis whined.
Chris looked back at him and said, "Who was it who said it was a smart idea to go this way? Who said Leon was right?"
"Hey! Don't go and blame this on me, Senior! I wasn't the one who called back Leon and tell him si, that we would listen to his logical plan!"
"Eh, shut up," Chris grumpily said as he waved him off.
He stopped after hearing Luis mutter a Spanish word he knew very well. It was the same word Carlos calls him every time they bump heads.
"What did you call me?" he growled.
Luis shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly as he said with no fear, "What? You heard me, Americano."
Chris turned fully and began stalking toward the angry Spaniard. But of course some Ganados saw them standing on the first pedestal in the Water Hall, recognizing them a the ones Lord Saddler ordered to be put to death. So they fired two fiery bolts at them, narrowly missing their heads. The two turned their angry glares at the offending Ganados.
"You guys picked the wrong time to try and kill us," Chris angrily stated as he grabbed his Riot gun.
Luis took out his Red-nine and followed Chris as he jumped across to the other side. They then began to take out their frustrations out on the monks after charging with a fierce yell.
**R**
The rail car came to a surprisingly smooth stop, but not smooth enough not to cause the two girls to stumble forward a bit.
"I'M AWAKE MOM! STOP YELLING," Sheila yelled with wide open eyes. The others jumped up, startled from the younger girl's shout. She began to blush as she mumbled her apology, realizing where she was.
"It's alright. You just startled us," Leon said as he cracked his neck side to side.
He then realized that Claire was snuggled up against him, her head laying on his chest. Her eyes were wide open from being startled awake like that was clear, but what really startled her was that she woke up snuggled up next to Leon. Her head laying on one of his pectoral muscles, his arm wrapped around her. She quickly straightened up, blinking her eyes and wiping her mouth. She slowly peeked at his chest and gulped. She had drooled while sleeping. Dang it!
"I thought you were going to stay awake, Miss Redfield," Leon's voice teased.
She slowly looked up into his smiling face and saw the amusement twinkling from his warm eyes. She gave a bashful smile and replied with a sleep, husky filled voice.
"I couldn't help it. You felt so good... Not in that good sense! I mean... I didn't take advantage... I-I. Grr! Leon Kennedy, stop laughing!" Claire said with her hands on her hips.
His laughter though was soothing to all three of the girls. It was a rare thing to hear him laugh so freely. Like he hadn't a care in the world.
He finally controlled himself and said while wiping his eyes, "It's o.k., Claire. I know you couldn't resist yourself. I am - Ow! hey!"
Leon rubbed his arm where Claire punched him.
"As fun as this is not, I'd like to go now," Ashley said crankily.
Sheila agreed, she never liked naps. Every time she fell asleep for a nap, someone or something would wake her up in the middle of her too deep sleep, thus creating a very grumpy red head. She rubbed her eyes and got out of the car, followed by Ashley, Claire then Leon.
"Wow, how long was that nap?" Leon asked.
Claire looked down her watch and answered, "Forty minutes. It feels like we just nodded off."
"Well, at least we got some rest," Leon said with a fresh wave of new energy.
Sheila wanted to smack him. No human being should feel that perky after that short of nap! She was tempted to kick him in the shins, but restrained herself. (Yeah, I am a grumpy person if I wake up to suddenly during a nap!)
She instead walked over to the door and said, "Why don't we just get going and see if Chris and Luis are there yet."
"Great, now move. Ladies first," Ashley said while nudging her out of the way. Claire held Sheila back as Ashley unlocked the door.
**R**
"Aaaaaw! That feels good. Just sitting here, resting our feet in complete silence to recoup. Nothing like it," Chris said with a peaceful look in his eyes.
Luis kept his eyes shut and said, "Don't forget having the satisfaction of killing monsters playing a role, amigo."
"Oh yeah, it did."
They had finally made it back to the room where they were to meet the others minutes ago. After fighting twenty Ganados and their parasites, they had settled their differences and began bonding through fighting for their lives. Now they just relaxed after their long journey that led to this point. Of course, all silences and alone time comes to an end. The locked door clicked, and opened. Ashley came through first, running to the puzzle on the wall and hugged it. The two men looked at each other and raised an eyebrow. Looks like Sheila has been rubbing off of her.
Of course Sheila came running through the door and joined Ashley, sighing while she pressed her body into the wall with her arms open wide also.
Luis sighed as he helped Chris to his feet, and said sadly, "You said they would come running back to our arms after enduring Leon's company."
Chris patted his shoulder and replied, "They're hugging a wall, Luis. I think Leon drove them to insanity, so it's best not to draw their attention to us He-Men."
"Pfft! Leon at least knows how to show a lady a peaceful time, Chris," Sheila teased as she crossed her arms in front of her chest.
"Oh, you poor girl. He's warped you," Chris said while clutching his chest.
"What's the matter, guys? Can't take that I'm a ladies man?" Leon said with a wolfish smile as he joined them.
Chris walked over to the some what shorter younger man and tapped him on the temple. "Just keep thinking that, Leon. And maybe one day, you'll grow up to be just like me and my friend, Luis."
"Speaking of growing up, can we please put in the pieces before we grow any older?" Claire asked while tapping her foot. The men straightened up and grinned at each other. Oh the miracle of male bonding.
Leon opened his case and brought out each ornament and gave Claire the snake ornament, Chris the goat ornament, and Sheila (she asked sweetly if she could do one) the lion ornament. Each placed their pieces into the position. Now the mural was completed. They didn't have time to enjoy their handy work after completing the picture since the wall immediately slid down back into the floor.
"Finely! It took longer to get this far than it did in the- uh, my dream while I took that nap!... Last one up the stairs is a rotten egg," Sheila said with a fake smile as she ran forward and around the corner.
Ashley ran behind her, yelling, "Let's see who's the rotten egg!"
"Ashley, you're already a rotten egg," Sheila said matter of factly.
Claire shook her head in amusement as Leon thought on the almost slip she made. He caught on that she was going to say something important, but what it was he knew not. He pushed back his suspicious thoughts and rubbed his neck, getting the kinks out. Something hard conked him on the head, then slid off and fell into his hand. It was a gold peseta. Girlish giggles were heard up above him to his irritation.
"Hey! What was that for?" he asked the two girls as they peeked over the balcony and giggled some more.
He began to grumble and pocket the gold peseta.
"Uh-Uhhn, Leon! Sheila found that so it's-mmmmph!"
Sheila clamped her hand over Blondy's mouth and told her to shush. It wasn't that she was not going to give it to Leon, it was that she noticed the way he looked at her last time she found gold. So she was going to come up with a excuse on how she stumbled upon it up there. But no! Ashley had to open her big mouth first and make him more suspicious!
"Girls," Leon began but Sheila ignored him as she started to pretend to be Salazar.
"Heheheheheheheheheheheeeeee! Welcome, my brethren! Did I tell you that I'm in love with myself? I have a fifty or hundred foot statue made in my image in the temple I have set up for Lord Saddler. I'm trying to compensate for how short I am, you see."
"Sheila," Leon chuckled.
Sheila ignored as she was now was too busy being Salazar.
"Oh yes! I'm also in love with my parasite! It makes me want to fly! It makes me want to touch the sky!"
"Sheila.."
"Oh yes, I think about it every night and day! Spread my parasite tentacles and fly away!"
"Sheila!"
"Alright already! Sheesh! Some people are party poopers," Sheila fussed as she began walking back down, with Ashley trailing behind her.
"Well, I think you did a pretty good impression of the Saddler Mini-me," Ashley said comfortingly.
Sheila grinned and replied, "Nice one, Graham! I'm impressed. There may be hope for you yet."
Ashley snorted and rolled her brown eyes.
When they reached the bottom downstairs, Sheila handed Leon the box of pesetas with a innocent smile. It wasn't working, but he still smiled back. As they walked up the short spanned of steps, the teen took a last look around and sighed. It really was okay for a audience hall. Much more majestic than in the game. At least she got to stand at the balcony! No wander Salazar acted like he was all powerful from up there, you could see the most of the hall while looking down on people as they walked around, unaware of your presence. And you could throw stuff at people like she did earlier with Leon. He! He!
The next room was a relief to everyone. It had another rail car waiting for them, which meant less walking. Plus there was no windows which meant a nice cool fresh breeze was blowing in there. It was a cold November air, but all the more refreshing after being stuck in that castle for so long.
As memorizing as the sight was for Sheila as she gazed at the scenery, she noticed a problem. There was only one car.
"People, how are we going to do this," she asked hesitantly. And it was out, the dreaded question. How are they going to do this?
"There's two options. We take turns. Four go first, then the remaining two can go next when the rail car comes back. Or we could seat two of us on each seat, then cram the other two on the floor. Just take this into consideration. The ride is shorter, but count up all the time it would take to get there then send the car back, then ride up to the next destination to meet with the rest of us. Personally, I vote for the one way trip," Luis said as he put a hand on the door.
He was right, it would take longer for them to take two trips. But it won't be comfortable or safe for everyone in that rail car at once.
Everyone agreed to the one way trip, but it took a few minutes to settle who would sit on the cushions. Though the guys offered to let the women the seats, the women (meaning Claire) argued that the men took up more space. She won in the end. So, Chris and Luis sat on the left seat while Leon sat on the other. The girls discussed who would sit on the red cushion seat with the agent, each wanting to be considerate and all. Finally, Sheila was voted there for one good reason. Nobody wanted to hear her and Ashley bicker the entire trip. Claire and Ashley sat cross legged on the floor, the blond obviously pouting. Soon the car started to role. As they started to move, Sheila mentioned the merchant theory she has been thinking of for some time now.
"Here's a theory that just keeps nagging me. Okay, so the merchant, he's hungry. And one day he spots Mendez's special cheddar cheese. It's the expensive Delly kind. Well, he sneaks into his house and eats all the cheese. Mendez comes home to find a full merchant on his floor with a empty container that had 'Mendez's cheese' printed on it. The big chief goes berserk and tries to kill him. He even puts a bounty on his head so that anyone that comes near him has to shoot the merchant on sight. Well, the merchant had to then learn how to become invisible to save his skin! And that's how he gets around," Sheila said proudly. This got a lot of laughs and crazy looks. "Hey, it could happen."
"Then how did he become invisible?" Chris asked.
Sheila was silent as everyone stared at her, waiting. She finally spat out, "How should I know? IT'S ANOTHER CONSPIRACY!"
Everyone groaned. And so ends one part of the story. Thanks for sticking with this fic so far. I promise more to come!
**Author's Note: My eyes are drooping and my fingers are numb. It's freezing down here in the south and instead of sleeping in my warm bed, I'm sitting here writing this long, long, long, chapter. And I feel great... and tired. This chapter had not much action, I know. But I made it more of a insight chapter or whatever. I wanted to show how in real life, Leon would get suspicious of my character being all knowing. And it'll get more like that since where about to step it up a notch as the story progresses.**
**And this theory was from Kain Kenndy! Thanks for that great theory! I have some more theories to put up so stick around! Oh, and as for Luis. If anybody has seen Final Destination, then you know how death in that movie comes for ya if you don't die as designed. I wander what could happen to Luis now that he has unknowingly cheated death? Hmmm.**
**And another thing, thank you CrazyGunFire for that 'tearing Ashley's skirt' idea in the last chapter! Makes me happy that you readers send in your ideas. In fact, thank all of you for every theory, idea, and review so far! I've got 5,763 hits so far for this story! And 87 reviews! Some may have done better than me when they wrote as many chapter I have so far, but it still makes me happy that you peeps have taken the time to read and review. Really, from the bottom of my heart, thank you! Kay, enough of this mushy stuff! Send in theories if one hits ya. And I'm going to put up a poll soon for a future chapter up ahead. I'll tell you readers when I do. PEACE! **
**P.S. Uuum, I hope I wrote Ada alright. I was so inspired by AdaLeon fic that I had to write a little something with her in it! I wanted to show that although she was a spy, she still has to face her emotions and her inner struggle. And I'm not saying she's evil, just in what she calls her Grey area. Working for a unknown organization that nobody knows exists can be either or. It could be evil or a good thing. Only Ada knows. But then again maybe she doesn't. I think I'll write more of her as the story grows. After all, she had a part in the game too! O.k., I'm done now. Good night or should I say good morning. I'm tired, so catch ya later. **
29. Chapter 28:A Toast to the King
**Authors Note: I love you people! You are so (sniffle) good to me.. Hehe! And since you reviewed and read the chapter, I give you another one! May it feel up your Resident Evil taste buds! Enjoy.**
* * *
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 28: A Toast to the King and Queen**
Twenty minutes later, the rail car came to a halt. Since it wasn't as long as the other one, Leon, Claire and the other two girls didn't sleep, but instead enjoyed the ride. Chris and Luis on the other hand caught some shut eye, but not much. Both finding it hard to let their guard down completely.
As each member of the group got out of the comfy car, they each noticed the small room they were now in. It was simple, but had a flair of nobility. A portrait hung on both the left wall and the right. Sheila slowly sauntered over to the right portrait. The artist portrayed a elderly man sitting, seeming to be in deep thought. His whole countenance spoke of concentration. Sheila had to give the artist credit, he had a hand in realism. Too bad she had to knock it down to get the gold.
She turned around and pretended to stretch. As she raised her arms, she purposely lost her balance and fell backwards, hitting the painting. It swayed but did not fall.
"Wow. You're really clumsy," Ashley remarked.
The teen stuck her tongue out at the blond girl, then she turned around to act like she was trying to straighten it.
"Whoops!" Sheila stepped back in mock surprise as the portrait fell, revealing yet another secret compartment that held some bars of gold.
"Looks like being clumsy isn't so bad," Sheila said proudly as she stepped back to let Leon pick up the gold.
"Hmm, maybe too lucky," Leon responded.
Sheila ignored him and decided to study the two large knights beside each side of the door. Of course they wouldn't come alive, but the memory of the last knightly decorations she squared off with still sent chills down her spine.
"Time to go," Chris said with a pat on her shoulder.
Yeah, it was time to go for the red head. Memory lane not being fun and all. Chris opened the door and slowly walked in, his Blacktail raised as he scanned the area. Pictures hung almost on every inch of wall space. Some were more antique pictures of what Chris guessed were the Salazar family. The rest were paintings of people posing, walking, dancing, and scenery's of beautiful hill sides and castles. It was quite impressive. But the darkness made it eerie and some what creepy, combined with a certain melancholy quality.
Chris said in a low voice, "I'm going to check out the rest of this strip of hall and the room over there. Leon, you can head north."
Leon gave the others in the room the signal to be quiet as he left. He watched as Chris walked east, down toward the room.. (Not the armour room yet. Just the room where you find Luis's picture and statement on his death in the game.)
_Yeah, give me the much larger area to search while you get the hall and small room._
Leon stealthily hustled around the corner of the hall, only glimpsing at the beautifully decorated pictures on the hall. It was actually an art gallery, but Leon's mind was to preoccupied to notice the beauty of the room. As the hall ended, his eyes were adjusting to the darkness more rapidly. But this wasn't needed with this part of the corridor. All the windows were opened, letting in the wind which lifted the smooth red curtains, allowing the full moon light to touch the quiet area. The silver moonlight lit the room like it was mid day, hence why I just love full moons. It was so strange and had a hint of danger, yet so beautiful. Of course the agent missed this, his attention diverted by the lighted end where the doors were barred shut.
His steps were faintly heard as he walked down the red carpet, his eyes searching for the slightest move of anything dangerous. But when he reached the end, he found only two stone statues built into the wall. Their hands were cupped and held out in front of them, there solemn faces waiting. He read the inscription on the bust of the queen. _"A toast to our Royal Majesty_."
"Leon, I'm all clear here. What about you," Chris called out.
"Yeah, I've got nothing. Although it looks like we have another puzzle to solve to open these doors," Leon yelled as he walked back south to meet up with the now cursing Chris.
Sadly, this castle was not going to relent on torturing them with mindless tasks. When he walked around the corner, he saw the gang all standing around, discussing their next move. Leon approached them and explained what he saw.
"That means that the golden-, err, the keys to the door has to be something that fits in the royalty's hands. Probably a cup or grail or something," Sheila blurted out.
"Uuuh, yeah... Which means they're probably at the room on the West and the room in the east. So, let's do what we seem to do best. Split up," Chris said with authority.
Of course they did not like that plan, but he did have a point. So the group decided to split into three's. Chris, Luis, and Ashley will go to the West wing where the statue's have to be moved, and Leon, Claire and Sheila will go to the east where they'll face off with the Armaduras. Only Sheila knew of the dangers that lay ahead, though if her knowledge would keep them safe has yet to be decided.
"Since we're going to go off and head recklessly into danger, can we check on the merchant?" Sheila asked hopefully. At they're glances, she explained herself. "The blue door over there has the guns etched into it. Which means that the weird guy with the habit of showing up everywhere before us is in there? Remember?"
"Oh, yeah! He did mention to look for this door as we go along. Sounds like a good idea. What about you guys," Leon asked the other group.
Luis shrugged and it seemed that it didn't matter either way with him. Chris agreed while Ashley sighed dramatically. No one payed attention to her.
"Okay, let's go," Leon said to Sheila's delight. She ran to the blue door and burst through, excited to see the merchant sitting in a chair reading a Spanish newspaper.
The merchant's red eyes beamed with amusement as Sheila ran up to him while the others quietly came in.
"Well, well, well! Looks like you rescued the damsels in distress. I knew you could do it strangers," the merchant spoke as he laid his newspaper on the small table. He stood up and asked with a twinkle in his red, blood eyes, "So what'll it be strangers?"
After the usual business was dealt with, the merchant said with a happy tone, "Don't forget to use your free passes for my now ready shooting gallery."
Leon grinned and gave the merchant his pass, but the merchant said while waving him off, "No, no, stranger! Those are life time guaranteed. You shall be the first to test this out and some of my best costumers, so you will get to shoot for free any time you want!"
The merchant opened the red door and beckoned the group to go walked in a small room with a desk. Up above were some weapons mounted on a wall. The merchant walked behind the desk and sat on his stool. He closed his eyes and sighed. After ten seconds he looked at the crowd and began explaining the rules.
TEN MINUTES LATER
"Hey! That's cheating," Leon growled as Chris covered his eyes as a Salazar head appeared waaaaaaaaay in the back.
Claire encouraged her brother which made Leon a bit angry. She of course didn't want Leon to beat her 4050 high score. It was just unthinkable. But as always, Leon made it by elbowing the older Redfield in the ribs and shooting at the midgets head that almost got away. The back country scene wall fell back into place and the music died down. Leon whooped as the merchant called out the score. 4100 points was the new record.
The Redfields scowled as Leon said, "Now that's how you do it."
"Yeah, yeah. You win for now, Leon. But we'll get ya back later," Claire said with a pout, though her eyes twinkled with mischief.
Leon gave her a lazy grin and walked out of the shooting range with pride.
"That was done very well strangers. Not only did you get all but one bottle cap in this round, but two of ya broke my record! Fighting for your lives has been a great way of improving your shooting skills. Well, here you go, your bottle caps for round A," the merchant said as he brought up five bottle caps.
The Hero Trio grabbed their prizes with a puzzled look. Leon had two bottle caps with a figurine and a button on the side. One of the figurines was of himself with his favorite brown jacket on, holding a grenade in the air. He pushed the button and leaned in to catch what it said. His face turned kinda pale as his voice spoke loudly over the small intercom in the cap.
"Is that all you got! _click! _Here! Try coming back from this!"
BOOM!
Leon's eyes bore into the merchant as he wandered how the heck this guy recorded him saying that back at the farm in Pueblo.
FARM FLASHBACK
Leon's eye spotted an older man in the small brown building. By the looks of it, he could sneak past and enter the white barn across from him. That way, he saved ammo.
As Leon hopped over the small fence silently, he prayed that this worked. As it turns out, it won't. You know the term of looking where you leap first? Well, Leon didn't. He hopped through the open window of the old, white, decaying barn. Attracting a man just outside the old building, which in turn yelled and attracted the rest of the villagers in the farm area. Like lightening, Leon climbed the ladder in front of him. As soon as he reached the top, another male villager was waiting for him. A very big one.
Leon dodged out of the way as the fool charged and tried to skewer him with his pitchfork. He missed and fell off the hayloft, falling to the ground face first. Leon leaned over and watched as the barn was starting to fill with a angry, small mob. He kicked the ladder down and began firing his gun. This didn't faze the determined Ganados as they began to lift the ladder back up. A few started to throw knives, small axes and other assorted stuff at our hero. He dodged and fired at a few objects before they came near his person. He cursed as the last one nearly stuck him right between the eyes.
"Fine! You want to play ruff? I'll show you ruff!" Leon growled as he pulled out a grenade from his case. He then stood up and yelled, "Is that all you got?"
He then pulled the pin with his teeth and threw the grenade down, saying crazily, "Here! Try coming back from this!"
BOOM!
END OF FLASH BACK
"How did... You did?... What?" Leon tried to ask, but was too shocked to form a coherent question.
The merchant just gave him a wink and said, "It's a trade secret, lad! Can't go telling you strangers all my tricks, now can I?"
Leon then looked at his other bottle cap, studying it's features. It was a Mendez bottle cap. As you know, he isn't a handsome looking fellow, so under normal circumstances, Leon would have thrown it out. But since he never exactly feared the brute, he kept the funny figurine. It showed a tall Mendez in his trench-coat and bald head. But instead of a scowl that he normally wore, it showed a eerily smiling Mendez, holding a picture of cheese.
Leon pressed the small button and smiled as the famous crazy words came out in the silence. "Cheeeese."
Leon chuckled as he put the two figurines in his utility belt. That memory will live on till he died of old age.
"That was... creepy. And even creepier is this figurine of me," Chris said while showing his one bottle cap.
It of course showed Chris in his gear, holding the harpoon from his earlier fight with Leon and the giant fish. He was poised with the spear above his head, like a Roman soldier or my personal favorite, a Spartan. Chris couldn't resist pressing the tiny button.
"Oooooooh craaaaaaaaap!"
Sheila chuckled at Chris's comment, of course the word crap used in any sentence made her laugh. Moving on, she then walked over to Claire and saw the two figurines she held. The one in her left hand was of course a bottle cap of herself. She was dressed in all of her gear. The bullet proof vest, her guns, everything that she had on before they were taken from her.
Claire examined the figure of her; it was so detailed. Right down to the facial expression. The mini Claire was standing with her crossbow in hand, aiming at whatever she would be aiming at. Her face showed anger and determination, looking like she was zoning in on a nearby enemy. Sheila reached and pressed the button, eager to hear what Claire had to say.
"Nobody throws stuff at my brother but me!"
BOOM!
Sheila grinned at her hero, very impressed with the quote. Claire smiled back, though she wasn't that impressed. But after seeing the look on her friend's face, she handed it over. Sheila looked up in shock at Claire's offer. Of course she thanked her and did not attempt to say no. She was definitely keeping that little keepsake. As for the other bottle cap the older woman owned, it was one of Leon with his jacket off. In his hands he held a riot gun, a smirk planted on his face. Sheila's mouth watered as her finger drifted to the tiny button.
"Does this mean I get to take my shirt off?"
Claire's face began to turn red as Leon gave a nervous smile while all eyes turned on the two embarrassed people.
Chris raised an irritated eyebrow and asked, "So, when did that little incident happen?"
"Wow, look at the time! We have to get going," Sheila said while pulling on Claire's arm. She caught on and agreed.
"Yeah. We're waisting valuable time just standing around. Let's get this over with and move on," Claire said while pocketing the Leon bottle cap. Sheila envied that she had a Leon, but maybe later she could try and win the sixth one.
Everyone left the merchant's target range and private room. Of course Chris wasn't about to let it go, but that could be later. Right now, he had to get in the game.
"Stay sharp," Leon said to Chris.
Chris gave him a nod and replied, "Same thing applies to you."
Then, they separated yet again. Each person wandering if their nightmare will ever end. And of course the answer to that is heck no!
**R**
CHRIS'S TEAM
"Great, the door's locked," mumbled Luis.
Chris merely acknowledged the fact as he pressed a foot on the right corner pressure pad_. _
_Just like the ones back at the Water hall_.
The room was a rectangle shaped, with no furniture. It was tiled like a gold and white checker board, the floor shiny from every day cleaning. The walls were bare but had a flare of the medieval era. It wasn't too bad, it just felt a little empty is all. Glanced at the two knight statues, Chris began sizing up their weight. It would take some work, but then again, maybe he didn't have to use both statues.
"Ashley, Luis, stand on these two pressure pads over by the locked door. I'll stand on the one over in the left corner after I push the statue on the opposite one."
Ashley immediately obeyed, casting a nervous glance at the stone statues. Luis sighed and began to do as he was ordered, but seeing that Chris was going to push the statue, he decided to help.
"Luis, what are you doing?"
Luis smiled and put his hands on the statue. "Helping you. Looks like you could use some muscle."
Chris opened his mouth to defend his strength when the unexpected happened.
The statue began to topple over, in Luis's direction. As the heavy statue fell, Luis jumped to the side, narrowly escaping a unflattering death. The stone knight fell to the ground with a crash. Although it didn't shatter since it was made of stone, the knight's head did break and rolled over. All three were pale from what just occurred. Ashley had her hands covering her mouth, her brown eyes wide. Chris stood there looking at the Spaniard with a shocked expression. As for Luis, well, he just looked hard at the knight's head, shaking slightly.
"That... That was..." Chris began with difficulty.
"That was insane," said Ashley with a shaky voice. Luis didn't respond.
Chris sucked in some air, then let it out slowly. As much as he would love to not to continue, they had a job to do. So he stepped around the stone statue, then laid a hand on the mute Luis.
"Luis," Chris said gently. Luis didn't respond. Chris tried a more commanding tone. "Luis!"
The Spaniard looked up, disrupted from the shock.
"Are you-"
"Fine? Si, I am. Just a little shook up. But I'm okay now. Let's get this over with... Um, do you mind if you push the other statue alone?" asked Luis with a shudder.
Chris gave him a nod and positioned himself behind the second statue. As he pushed, Luis fought to keep focused and not think of what just happened. He didn't want to dwell on how that statue seemed to just topple over by itself, and almost made him a Luis pancake.
"Kay, all done. Let's get back on our pressure pads and see if this will do the trick."
**R**
LEON'S TEAM
"Hey Leon, look at this," said the teen.
The group haven't entered the Armor Suit room yet, they were actually still in the Annex main corridor gathering the items. Leon, who just finished with the small cupboard, walked around the table and took the documents. There was a letter and a photograph of Luis. The letter was not a nice one, that was very apparent.
_My brethren,_
_As you know, Lord Saddler retrieved the sample from that traitor, Luis. This should never have happened. We were the ones in charge of the girls and the sample. The very thought of my Lord having to finish what we have failed in, makes me sick! The Lord should not be bothered with these pesky problems. But, as always, his mercy far exceeds that of the human race. Our Lord Saddler forgave us of our transgressions._
_The Lord has told me that he's leaving us the certain American pest problem to take care of. Do not disappoint our Lord, or sadly there will be consequences. Kill the agent, the traitor, and the unknown man traveling with them. But keep alive the women, for our Lord has plans that includes **all **three of them. But, I do have a personal request... Do not kill Serra right away, take your time with him. Get creative as you show our traitor brother the meaning of loyalty. Then, when he can scream no more, kill him._
_Ramon Salazar_
Leon's face barely showed emotion. But his body seemed to tense up, his muscles coiling at what he just read. Sheila looked up at the silent agent while Claire put a hand on his arm.
"We won't let that happen, Leon. Nothing is written in stone," said Sheila with a hopeful tone. Leon looked down and gave her a half hearted smile.
"No, nothing is, is it? We won't let Luis die. We're all going to get out of here alive. Salazar and Saddler won't win, that I promise."
**R**
CHRIS'S TEAM
After everyone had got into position, the door they thought would open didn't. Instead, the beautiful decorated door with no door handle slid up, revealing a small room. This room had no furniture like the other joining room. But it's brightly decoraited walls was more beautiful and inviting then the other. On each wall was a beautiful painted mural of a woman dressed in what looked like biblical clothing. It looked like a painting of Mary, with people all around her in a mist. Somehow, it seemed very catholic, but then again, it didn't. Salazar wouldn't have aloud such paintings in his castle since his allegiance was now to a self appointed savior.
Chris went in first, followed by Luis and Ashley. To their disgust, Salazar stood by the opposite door, his back to them.
"I think you lived long enough," said Salazar in a satisfied voice.
Ashley began to back away, not liking the way he said those chilling words. What happened to kidnapping her and using her for evil purposes?
"Luis, you shouldn't have double-crossed us for these fools. Now, you shall face the consequences of your actions," Salazar said in a menacing tone. "Hehe! Let's see if you survive this time."
Chris pulled out his Blacktail and raised it to put the smug little guy out of everyones misery. Salazar just laughed and ran out as he pressed a switch outside of the door. The door locked behind the Castellan as the opposite door slammed into place. Spikes appeared from the ceiling as a loud mechanical sound from the roof began to shake the room. The roof began to descend, causing the walls sift and groan, causing Ashley to fall to her knees in a panic.
"Oh no! We're going to die!"
Chris cursed loudly while Luis tried to calm the hysterical blond. He began to try and kick the door that Salazar ran through, trying to force it open. It didn't work, making their situation look dire. Chris looked up at the ceiling, seeing that it now was only three feet away from his head. As it began to fall rapidly faster than before, Chris noticed the strange looking red lights. There were four, each at a corner area.
Luis saw them too, calling out while pointing, "Shoot those lights!"
Chris raised his gun and shot the one closest while Luis shot the other two. One left. The roof was now low enough to make Chris kneel. He raise his gun and prayed, "Please God, help with this shot."
The laser dot shook as his hands trembled. It seemed that God answered his prayer, the bullet blowing out the last red dot. The roof stopped to there relief, making Chris plop down on his back, dropping his gun. He closed his eyes as Luis was hugged by Ashley.
"We're alive! You people actually did it! Thank you!"
Luis patted the enthusiastic girl on the back as he walked over while slightly bending down to talk to Chris, careful in not standing fully up and being impaled by those nasty spikes.
"When we meet Ramon next time, remind me to snap his tiny neck," said the angry looking Spaniard.
Chris opened his eyes and agreed. "Yeah, but before you do that, let me have the chance to beat the ever-living crap out of him. Kay?"
Luis gave a chuckle and opened the door. "Sure. In fact, we'll give everyone a chance to take their revenge."
Chris smiled at this and picked up his gun as he quickly left the room. The other two followed, each on their guard. Chris gulped, gripping his gun tighter as he began to walk down the hall, this one way less glamorous than the previous rooms. As he walked, he noticed dark stains on the floor, quickly realising it as blood. He ignored it and began to quicken his pace, his gut telling him that something was about to happen again.
**R**
LEON'S GROUP
_This sucks! Why must we always separate? I mean, yeah, I'm glad I don't have to face the roof of doom or the hall of wrath with that Labyrinth Wanna-bee machine. But we should have just stuck together, that way we could face all this badnesswith better odds of surviving! Even better, at the other room, I could have ran in the Roof of Doom and grabbed the little bugger while the other ones aimed all their guns at him. We then could have taken him hostage and use him as leverage... Of course he's got that full grown parasite in him which means he could have pulled a Saddler and killed me and everyone else, except Ashley... Okay, this is a good plan. Oops, better stop thinking to myself and warn Leon of those knights up ahead_.
"Leon, wait," Sheila quickly spoke as she grabbed his arm.
He looked down and gave her a concerned look.
"Listen, me and Ashley faced a bunch of those creepy knights before, and they all stood perfectly still like these are."
Leon nodded and gave the perfectly still knights down the hall a hard look. "You're right. This will probably be a repeat of what happened to you girls. But we have to move forward. Sheila, Claire, stay here. I'll go first. If it's too much to handle, I want you two to leave."
Leon then walked consciously down the hall, his gun ready. His blue eyes darted back and forth at the knights, his heart beating rapidly. Then, the first knight struck. His axe came down, causing Sheila to gasp. But the ever cool Leon did a back flip, not fazed in the least. Sheila clapped and jumped up and down like a five year old. Leon peeked over his shoulder and gave her a heart melting smile. The teen sighed dreamily as he continued on. She began to wander why she ever doubted him.
Claire didn't look so pleased, especially when that knight crumbled into a pile of dust and junk. "Am I the only one not freaked by this?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
Claire whacked the red head's messy hair. (Hey, having curly, thick hair can be a pain. It tangles easily and gets in the face allot. Now mix that with running for your life, getting kidnapped, beaten up and having Ganados getting shot all around you. Your hair gets pretty bloody and tangled up after all of that. Okay, back to the story!)
Leon stopped before the last two knights. He watched them for five seconds, then braced himself as he took one step forward. Another axe came down, which Leon dodged more quickly than before. It was a perfect somersault, making Sheila wish she could do that.
"Go Leon! You're the coolest!"
Leon turned around and bowed, enjoying the praise. Claire gave a fake pout and responded to Sheila's praise of Leon.
"Hey! What about me? I though I was the coolest."
Sheila rubbed her chin as if in deep thought. She shrugged and gave Claire an innocent stare.
"That was before Leon, Claire."
Claire chuckled and took the girls hand in her own and began to walk her past the knights.
As they walked past the last knight who was a pile of junk, Sheila couldn't help but wander aloud, "I don't get why they do that. What's with the crumbling after failing to kill their targets? Is it their way of committing suicide?"
"Teh. Truthfully, I don't want to know. It's hard enough seeing these people worshipping that freak Saddler. Having suicidal knights that come to life is probably just another sick thing that Saddler himself cooked up," Leon replied.
"Well, to me it's another conspiracy to figure-"
"Err, there's a golden cup in that room. Well, got to go and get it."
"Grail, Leon. It's a grail. And why don't you like conspiracies?"
"It's not that I don't like them, it's just that we need to get this over with," Leon said with a sigh.
Of course he could see that she didn't believe him. She looked like she was going to belt him, so now would be a good time to grab the grail and give her one of his winning smiles.
Sheila watched as Claire and Leon walked inside the circular room. To tell the truth, she was not wanting to go in with them. She knew that it was going to be a hard fight with those Armaduras. But, she felt compelled to help in some way. She took one step forward, but stopped. No, she did not want to be in there. Those two were capable of handing it.
Leon and Claire reached the small, round table in the middle of the room. There they saw the golden grail with a small round picture of the outline of a king. Leon tilted his head and read the small plate on the table. "May wrath of evil befall the one who disturbs this holy grail. Wrath?"
"What did you expect? This Salazar guy has a major ego issue, plus a sadistic sense of humor towards intruders. It's probably booby trapped among other things," said Claire with wave of her hand.
Leon agreed and put a hand on the grail, hesitating for a moment. "Maybe you should-"
"Don't."
"Don't what?" Leon questioned, perfectly aware of what she was applying.
Claire narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. "You know what. You're going to tell me that I need to get out of the room so you can face the big bad by yourself. Well, save it. I'm a grown woman Leon, and I don't need you to protect me. You will probably need help, so let's not go through the whole routine of debating rather if I should stay or not. I'll win like always, so let's skip it and get this over with."
Leon snorted. "Typical."
Claire's eyes widened. "What did you say?"
Leon smiled and gave her a lazy grin. "Typical. Typical Claire Redfield response. And you're right, you win. But one of these days, I'm going to win."
Claire tilted her head and flashed him her pearly whites.
"Before you grab that grail, I want you two to know that something bad will happen. It might be like Indiana Jones with that artifact he tried to snatch. Remember that scene when he carefully replaces the golden idol with a pouch filled with sand or whatever to replace the weight? Let's do that!"
"Two problems with that plan. A. We don't have a pouch of sand nor do we know the weight of the cup. Hell, we don't even know if lifting this cup will trigger anything. Plus, we have no idea if it has the same mechanism like the movie," Leon stated. After seeing the teens face fall with disappointment, he quickly tried to take the harshness out of his words. "But it is a good plan. I wouldn't have thought of it... Hey, we'll try it anyway with something else."
Leon took out his case and pulled out his pouch. As they study the grail, I'll tell you what happened to the other group.
**R**
CHRIS'S GROUP
Chris and Ashley walked inside what looked like a old whine or beer cellar shaped like a L. Large barrels and shelves lined the walls, along with crates.
"Hmm. Wouldn't mind a beer," Chris began saying but Ashley stopped him in mid sentence.
"No! You are not going to drink on the job. I really don't want to die because you were too drunk to lift a single finger to help."
Chris stuck his tongue out at her when she turned her back to him.
Luis chuckled as he walked toward the doorway, but bars came down in front of him, separating him from the others.
"What the? This is not good!" Luis exclaimed.
Chris banged on the bars, searching urgently to find a way to open it. A rumbling came from down the hall. Luis whipped around, his heart jumping to his throat. The sound grew steadily louder till a machine burst through the wall. Like I said before, this was a rusty looking knock off from the Labyrinth one in that movie. But instead of two goblins bicycle riding behind it, two Ganados were on a front seat in front, driving it with levers and gears. Their laughter bounced off the walls as they made there way to kill their trapped prey, the drill and blades whirling around and around.
Luis quickly turned and began beating and kicking the barred doorway. "GET ME THE HELL OUT OF HERE!"
"I'm trying! There's no switch," Chris yelled as he frantically looked all around.
"Well... FIND ONE, REDFIELD!"
Ashley watched in horror from behind Chris as the death machine got closer and closer. Suddenly, an idea sparked in her brain.
"Chris, get you sniper rifle out and shoot them!"
Chris turned and shouted, "WHAT?"
"Chris!" Luis yelled as the machine was now over a third of the way there.
Chris sprung into action and brought out the rifle. He told Luis to get down as he carefully aimed, hoping that he wouldn't screw up and hit the bars. From the right side, he could bag the right monk. He fired, blowing the monks' head off. Blood and skull fragments splattered across the side of the fellow monk, who ignored the gore. His red eyes burned as he threw his head back and laughed.
Chris stepped to the left and aimed again, firing off a shot. It ripped through the Ganado's heart, leaving a gaping hole that spilled blood all over the machine. His body convulsed uncontrollably. Luis trembled, his feet clattering as the machine was nearly on top of him, shaking everything. The bars then slid up; Chris grabbed the stunned Spaniard and dragged him away around the corner. The machine crashed through the doorway, stopping as it hit the thick barrels. Liquor poured out and caused the machine to short out. Then all was silent.
After the dust cleared, the group edged around the corner, staring at the wreck. It was a victory, but a costly one.
"What a waste of alcohol," Chris said remorsefully. Luis agreed.
Ashley rolled her eyes and turned around, seeing the Queen's grail. She sauntered over and snatched the golden cup. Like the king, it had the out line of a queen. Chris peered over her shoulder and stared at the grail.
"All this for a stupid cup."
"Stop complaining. For all we know the others could have had a worse time," Ashley hissed.
Chris backed away, surprised at her hidden concern for the other group. Maybe there was more to her than he thought.
"Yeah, well I doubt they faced a machine trying to drill them to death because a certain someone took his time to kill them!"
Chris turned around and gave Luis a heated look. "Hey! I was caught by surprise, so I'm sorry for trying to find a way for you to get out of there first. It didn't occure to me that killing them would open the door! Plus, I was under a lot of pressure by your predicament. Speaking of killing... Don't you have a gun?"
Luis opened his mouth, then shut it. A slow embarrassed smile graced his features.
"Oh... I do.. Heh. Well, like you said my friend, I was under a lot of pressure."
**R**
BACK TO LEON'S GROUP
"Easy Leon! Sheesh!" Sheila hissed as Leon slowly inched the grail over with his left right hand.
Claire was beside him, holding Sheila's pouch of money. As you can see, they decided to go with Sheila's plan. But the decision to do that took a little time. Then the small argument over who's pouch would go in place of the grail took about five minutes more. But in the end, Claire settled the argument between the two stubborn people and made a compromise. They would take Sheila's pouch of money, add a bar of gold from Leon's stash, then use the leather pouch as a replacement for the king's grail. Leon would pay Sheila back with upgrades for her Punisher for her loss of the money she accumulated. And the money that Leon added to make the pouch heavier will be paid back by Sheila by not mentioning a theory for an hour. It was hard, but Claire got both to agree with the terms.
"Almost there," said Leon, a drop of sweat dropping from his forehead.
His nerves felt shaky as he handled the grail, although not knowing why he felt nervous. For all he knew, nothing would happen if he just picked the stupid gold cup up. But he was out voted by the two women. So there he was, acting out a Indiana Jones scene.
"Wait... wait... NOW!" Leon cried out as he finally moved the grail off the pressure point. Claire had quickly placed the leather pouch in place, waiting for the inevitable. Nothing. All was quiet.
"It worked... IT ACTUALLY WORKED!" shouted Sheila as she grabbed Leon and hugged him like life itself was about to end.
Leon laughed and squeezed her back, relieved that no wrath or traps were set off. "Not bad, Sheila. Not bad at all."
"Oh crap," gulped Claire as the sound of shifting gears was heard through the walls.
Sheila let the stunned agent go and yelped when the decorative bars slammed down, barring them from escaping. Sheila's noticed the knights appear at three different secret door thingy's. Her heart felt like it stopped as the reality of her dire situation washed over her like cold ice water.
Sheila, Leon, and Claire backed up to the barred doorway, watching as the shiny, polished knights began their march, axes in hand. Sheila saw a grenade on Leon's belt, the strategy that she usually used on the game coming to mind. She grabbed it, causing Leon to cry out in surprise.
"Everyone don't move! Not yet anyways," said the scared teen.
"Not much choice in the matter," Claire retorted as she brought out her Uzis. Leon had his Riot gun, aiming at the fast Armaduras.
They raised their weapons in the air, now four feet away, completely blocking any chance of escape. Sheila pulled the pin and tossed it to the floor, causing Leon to curse. He pushed the two girls down, covering them with his larger body. The grenade went off, deafening the three. Leon let them go and urged them to run, despite of being a bit disoriented by the blast. Sheila didn't hear a word, since all the sounds sounded as if it was muffled and going at a slow speed.
Leon grabbed her arm and yanked her to her feet, dragging her between two kneeling Armaduras. When they were on the other side of the room, the creatures were up and ready to kill. Leon pushed the girl behind him and aimed at the closest one. He fired, hitting it in the chest, but not doing any harm. He heard the infuriating red head shout to shoot them in the head. Leon then aimed at the second Armadura who was coming at him from the left. One shot caused it to stumble back, as if in surprise. He didn't have time to fire again, the first one had made it to him and was swinging it's large axe. Leon jumped back, causing Sheila to fall to the ground.
Meanwhile, Claire was dealing with only one of the three. She had a lip curled as she nimbly dodged the persistent metal, walking trash can. She popped off a few rounds at the seven foot knight's head, the bullets not doing much but annoy the creature. Claire snorted at this as she rolled to the right, narrowly escaping from being cut in half.
"You know, you really come on too strong. You're just not hot enough for me," said Claire as she threw a Incendenary grenade at the dark knight.
The creature stopped as flames licked at the armor. It looked down, seeming to try to comprehend the fire. Claire took this chance to perform a drop kick, catching the Armadura by surprise. It fell with a loud crash, sprawled out humorously. Claire grabbed the heavy axe, struggling for a second to hold it with both hands.
"Guess I was wrong; you are on fire, baby! Don't lose your head over it," said Claire with a smirk.
She then raised the axe with all her strength and brought it down where the neck line was. The helmet flew off, leaving a gaping hole. Claire sighed and turned to walk away. The sound of something slippery waving around stopped the auburn haired beauty.
She turned and saw with disbelief as a stage one parasite bubbled to the surface, whipping two tentacles around before the head split open to reveal a very long tentacle with a razor edged bone. Not good.
Meanwhile, Leon and Sheila kept close together, though the teen felt like running away and staying out of the fight. But that would not be a smart thing to do, considering that one would most likely follow her. So, she blindly shot at the Armaduras, trying to help the struggling agent.
Leon's frustration towards the knights was reaching its peek. He was tiring of running, turning around and seeing that the distance he tried to put between them was not that good. So, he took out a flash grenade and threw it, covering his eyes as it went off.
The knights stopped and knelled, dazed and off balance. Leon smiled and fired one shot each at the left and right knight. Their helmets popped off, revealing more parasites.
"Now see there, why would you want to hide a pretty face like that?" Leon commented as he began firing at the right knight.
Two shots later, the head exploded causing the suit to crumble to the ground in pieces. Leon wasted in no time to run back with Sheila, his gun raised. The knight stood up, screeching as it literally picked up speed and began it's pursuit.
Meanwhile, Claire was firing at the monsters head from her own parasite, which merely pestered the Las Plagas. To her dismay, this form of the Armadura was much more faster than when it had it's helmet and axe. Now, it chased her with it's stupid whipping razor tentacle at a speed that had her constantly running. She barely had time to register that Leon had killed one, let alone being pursued by an identical knight to hers. She faintly heard Sheila shout about using the flash grenades. Claire heeded the teen and began rummaging through her pack blindly while dodging the knight's thrusts from it's long, slimy appendage.
Meanwhile, Sheila was trying desperately to get Leon's case off of him, but being chased by a too fast Los Plagas was no picnic in the park.
"Leon! Stay still for a sec!"
"Sure! And why don't you take my place and-"
"Leon, I'm trying to get the case so I can get to the flash grenades. Can you be a little more supportive?"
Leon did not reply, instead he shot the parasite's head or bubbling body of puss, dropping it to it's knees. He then quickly used that brief time of reprieve and took the case off. He opened the case to grab one of the three flash grenades he had left, but out of the blue a armor foot slammed down on the case. Leon looked up to see the Armadura, whipping the tentacle above his head like a victory flag.
Leon took out his knife and began to counter strike against the deadly appendage. Sheila meanwhile grabbed a flash grenade and tried to get Leon out of the away so she could throw it. No use in using it now when the hero was in harms way. He'll be no good as a temporary blind, death man when the next set came out to play.
"Move out of the way!" Claire shouted as she ran towards the two.
An Armadura was right behind her, it's armor was slightly steaming and had a burnt look at certain parts. Either way, Leon rolled out of the way while Sheila just plain ran. Claire had found her last flash grenade and was she ever ready to use it! Circling the two Los Plagas who were now back together, she decided to use the grenade. A bright flash went off, exploding the parasites.
Leon and Claire sighed with relief while Sheila clutched her single flash grenade, knowing the nightmare was not over yet. Gears began shifting, and the stones slabs that had flipped before began moving again. For a second, the gears stopped, giving Leon and Claire a false sense of relief. But alas, it was not so. Ha! That sounded so dramatic. Anyway, the gears began groaning as the door slabs flipper-roo thingy's began to turn.
"Great, more knights," Leon muttered angrily.
"Yeah, but this time their shinier, and have really big swords," said the frightened girl.
True, the Armaduras were big, and looked like they had golden armor, (Which I highly doubt since Ramon likes his money spent on him and traps... I think.) but that didn't stop the three from getting ready to fight. Claire took out her bowgun and loaded a powder clip. (The one that explodes) Leon grabbed a flash grenade and prepared to throw it. Sheila... Well... Her mind tried to find that happy place again.
_Think about beaches..._
The faster, elite knights quickly began to herd the group towards the closed off exit. De-ja-vu. This time Leon threw a grenade, which detonated just in time. The three turned their heads while the flash grenade went off. From the lack of the loud clamouring of approaching knights, the three split took this opportunity of distraction from their enemies to split up to opposite sides of the room.
When satisfied with the somewhat safe distance, Claire turned and fired first. Her arrow clanked against the armor before going off, making a fine, small explosion.
Pieces of the armor flew here and there. An arm, two legs, the knights head. You'd think it would die, but no, it didn't. As it so happens, the centipede plagas crawled out of the remaining armor breastplate, unharmed and free to move along on the floor. Claire couldn't believe her eyes.
_Now how did it survive that_?
Leon cursed as the knight he been shooting revealed a centipede plagas.
"I can't stand these things," Leon muttered as he jumped back from it's slimy, snapping jaws.
When Sheila didn't respond, he turned his head to see that she wasn't there. He began to panic till he saw the red head running around the small, black table in the middle of the room. An Armadura was chasing her, reminding the agent of a Peppy Lepu episode, minus the life threatening danger the skunk represented as he was chasing the cute cat.
Leon growled as the Las Plagas tried to yet again bite his head off, literally. He brought his riot gun up and aimed, but the Plagas saw where he was going with that. Don't ever say these things don't learn a new trick or two. Leon learned this as it stretched down and grabbed the gun with it's large mouth, yanking it from the agent's hands.
"What the? HEY! STOP EATING MY GUN!"
Claire cursed as the Plagas ran around on the floor, dodging her every move.
"Stay still so I can kill you," Claire yelled as she chased it across the room.
Disgusted, she put the bow-gun back in her pack, tired of chasing the stupid freak. She decided to takecare of business with a more hands on approach. She grabbed her Rambo knife and began to chase the plagas. Her yell would have impressed Xena if she was real. Or even Carol Bernett, the queen of the Tarzan call.
The Plagas ran over to the teen being chased by it's brethren. It turned to look up and see an outraged Claire, and her large, sharp knife. It hissed and ran under the small round table. Waiting for it's chance to strike.
Claire stopped and smiled when she saw Leon's open case by the doorway. The last, remaining flash grenade catching her eye.
While Claire was running to get the grenade, Leon was hitting, kicking, inflicting any kind of damage he could to the parasite who was busy swallowing his Riot gun. It was an outrage to the agent that this creature took his gun. Each time he delivered a powerful kick, he knocked it back towards the round table. Soon, the two were in the middle of the chase that was going on with Sheila and the Armadura. When the teen saw that Leon was there, (along with the parasite), she realized now may be the time to hide.
She bent down to see that the space was already occupied by a centipede like Las Plagas, who was curled up and watching the show. She jumped back, clearly at the end of her rope. She pointed her punisher at the creature and began to empty her clip. The centipede screamed and turned around to face the girl. Slime oozed out of it's large jaws, mixing with the yellow puss that leaked out of it's wounds. Sheila gulped when her gun clicked.
The creature backed up, ready to charge. At that moment, Sheila couldn't help but wander how this creature with it's tiny legs could move at all.
_Well, the centipede can move fast so I guess this critter can do the same - and why am I rambling when I'm about to get attacked?_
The sound of Claire shouting as she threw the flash grenade broke through her chaotic thoughts. It was as if every thing went in slow motion. Leon running toward her, yelling for her to get out of the way in the slow-motion movie way. Strange, and yet so cool in the Matrix kind of way.
Then everything sped up. Leon was by her side, grabbing her arm and pulling her away. The flash went off, killing both the parasites. The only knight left was kneeling on his knees, dropping his sword.
"Claire! Hand me a grenade," Leon shouted as he ran toward the knight.
Claire obeyed, reaching inside her pack to grab the grenade.
"Here, catch," Claire called out urgently as she threw the weapon. Leon caught the grenade like a NFL football player, picking up speed as he ran to the Armadura.
He stopped and opened the knight's helmet, seeing nothing. He smiled as he pulled the pin and dropped the weapon inside, closing the face plate. He then did a back-flip as the knight began to frantically beat it's chest. The explosion sent metal fragment and pieces all over the round room. Some pieces fell on the three, but it was worth it. The parasite was dead, leaving nothing but slime and dust behind.
"Well, that was new," Sheila said softly.
The sound of the bars raising caught every-ones attention. It was over. The three dusted themselves off, all happy at being alive. While Claire checked on the teen, Leon walked over and picked up his Riot gun from the Armor rubble. It was slimy and had a disgusting odor, but most disturbing of all is that the barrel of the gun was bent.
"So, is your gun damaged or anything," Sheila asked behind him, startling the older man. He turned around and gave her a searching look.
"Next time, make a sound. You're going to give me a heart attack," said Leon sternly, though his eyes showed no ill will towards her. She smiled bashfully and mumbled an apology.
"Yeah, the barrel is bent which makes it useless," Leon sighed.
Sheila put a comforting hand on his arm and said reassuringly, "Don't worry, Leon. I'm sure you will replace it with a better shot gun that holds more ammo."
Leon smiled down at her, though his gut again told him that she knew something.
"Well, that was interesting. Going through that for a gold grail... Oh, the irony," Claire muttered as she picked up the grail up from the floor.
She shook her head and began strolling towards the door. Leon and Sheila followed. Remembering that she was leaving something valuable behind, the teen ran back to the surprise of the others. She came back a couple of seconds later, her leather pouch in hand.
"Can't forget my money," she stated.
As they walked down the hall, you could here Leon's voice say, "You know, one bar of gold in there is mine."
And thus to Claire's annoyance, the two argued over the fine print of their deal they made earlier.
**R**
"Where are they," Ashley asked for the hundredth time. Her whole demeanor showed impatience, annoyance, and uncertainty.
Chris shook his head as he leaned against the table, staring at the double doors. He had hoped that they were finished when they came out earlier so that they could move on. But when they checked on the merchant, he just told them that they would be along shortly. They just had to take care of security. The security part worried Chris.
As he continued to stare at the door, he promised himself that if they did not come through that door in ten seconds, he was going in. But he didn't have to. The double doors burst open, revealing the three looking dirtier and more tired than before.
Claire weakly held up the goblet and said, "We got the King's grail."
Ashley held up the Queen's grail, giving a small smile. Sheila chose that time to speak.
"Can we go back to the shooting gallery? We didn't have time for me to have my turn. Besides, I want that sixth bottle cap!"
Since everyone was tired and wanted a little break, they did.
TWENTY MINUTES LATER...
"Finally! Dang, that's harder than it looked! Stupid farm Ganados," Sheila muttered as she put the handgun down. She chose Sniping over Rapid fire... It was allot harder than it was on the game.
The merchant's voice came over the intercom. "You got 3090 points, and you killed 23 out of 25 Ganados. Come get your prize, lass!"
Sheila squealed and ran back through the blue doors. The merchant chuckled as she jumped up and down, eagerly waiting as he bent down to grab the bottle cap.
"Here you go, lass! This one I made special, just for you."
Sheila's eyes grew wide as she slowly took the bottle cap from his hand. It was an exact replica of her! The bottle cap had her standing with a hand on her hip and the punisher held up in her other hand. She had a smirk on her face, making Sheila beam with pride. She pressed the button.
"Nunya... You know, Nuuuuuuunyyyyyaaaaaaa!... None-of-your-business. Nunya."
Sheila laughed, pleased at that line he picked... How he got it, well, that's part of the mystery surrounding the Merchant. For now... Muah! Hahahahahahahaaaaa!
She thanked the merchant, who in turn raised a hand and said, "Don't thank me yet. I got ye another prise, one that you can split with the others who played."
The merchant brought out the cash prize. 15,000 pesetas.
Sheila turned and said, "See, now aren't you glad I wanted to come back?"
After dividing the spoils, the gang set out once again. Of course they came across the monks waiting for them at the end of the long room. But that was no problem. Leon had his Sniper rifle while Chris had his Riot gun. They soon blew away the opposition.
Chris chuckled while he said, "They didn't know."
"Know what?" Claire asked. Chris turned and smirked at his sister.
"The eleventh Chuck Norris commandment. Thou shall not p-ss off Chuck Norris."
Claire whacked Chris in the back of his head, giving a reprimand.
"First of all, you're not Chuck Norris. Second of all, you'll never be Chuck Norris," Claire stated while walking past him.
Chris snorted, but soon got a jab in the arm from Sheila. He rubbed his arm, looking down at the fuming red head.
"That's for adding a commandment to the ten commandments!"
"But... That wasn't a ten commandment thing! It is just one of many Chuck Norris facts! One that is rarely enforced since it is rarely accomplished!"
"Oh. Well, don't use the name of Chuck Norris in vain! Or I'll open up a Chuck Norris can of pain on you," Sheila threw out over her shoulder.
Chris grumbled and followed the gang. Of course they were just picking on Chris, after all, he was the oldest. Hehe! Well, that's all for now. Next chapter will be up when I have a time to sit! Toodles!
**Authors Note: Thanks to Lady Tatum for the Chuck Norris fact! And I would like to thank all those who have reviewed so far. Reviews are the key to an authors heart! Hoped ya'll enjoyed it, it took me awhile to finish do to how long it was and me being busy. The next chapter will have some theories on the merchant, so yay for theories! Remember, review or lose. Lose what, I have no idea. I just like the sound of it. That's all. Bye! **
30. Chapter 29:Kidnapped Again!
**Authors Note: Welcome back! After a long chapter like the last one, I wandered if I made it to long or not. But in the end, I decided that long was good so here's another one. It may not be as long as the last one, but it will definitely be long! So enjoy, leave a review, and don't forget to read the bottom Authors note. I have a request for everyone. **
* * *
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 29: Kidnapped... Again!**
"Steve," exclaimed Claire, her beautiful familiar face becoming more clear as she quickly came closer.
She found him. He wasn't so sure if that was a good idea. But seeing her beautiful face was like the bright shining sun, chasing away the night's darkness. He tried to move, but the very large Axe pinned him to the wall. He himself had tried to move it earlier, but the blade was embedded in the wall to deep.
"Claire," he said faintly.
He closed his eyes as his heroine tried to remove the Axe. She didn't even budge it. But that didn't stop her. No, not Claire Redfield. Fear gnawed at his belly, dreading what that lunatic Alexia had injected him with. He had to warn Claire.
"It's stuck! Hang on, Steve! I'll find a way," Claire said with determination. Steve shook his head.
"Claire, that woman. She did something to me. She stuck a needle in my neck and-... Huh?"
Steve could hear his heartbeat, beating a steady rhythm, yet it seemed to pound through out his chest cavity. His body tensed as a pain ripped through his chest, the virus kicking in. His skin felt like it was too tight while his lungs constricted.
"Oh no, the pain!"
"Steve? What's-"
"NO! GET AWAY FROM ME! CLAIRE! AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
He watched as Claire jumped back, her eyes growing huge as his skin ripped, blood spraying as his bulk increased in size. He cried out her name again, but his own voice sounded foreign as his world was consumed with the need to kill. A feminine voice whispering one simple order in his brain. To kill the girl. Kill. Kill. Kill.
The red haired young man woke up with a start. Beads of sweat covered his face while his body was slick with it. His breathing was labored, while his heart raced. He felt his chest, his face, everything. It was all human, not some vile creature. He closed his eyes, feeling relieved.
He slowly shifted and put his feet on the cold tiled floor. His green eyes scanned his surroundings. The room he was in was small. There was no dressers, pictures, nothing. Just himself, the hospital bed, a heart monitor, and a hospital curtain. What puzzled him was how he could see every detail with no light. He could even hear the sound of people behind the two way mirror, their discussion about him and his heart rate. He didn't like that.
He rubbed his face, trying to remember the nightmare. It was already fading, he was fading. He didn't like that. With no memories, he felt cold.
_Think! There was you, a giant Axe, and... and... a girl! Now, what was her name?... ARG_!
Frustration filled his being as the memory faded into the darkness of his mind. The chip in his brain let out a short, spurt of electricity; erasing the memory and leaving no trace of Steve Burnside. The killing machine laid back down, his eyes now turning from for inhuman orange and red color, then to a blackness that gave the appearance of nothing there. A great big void of darkness. Those frightening eyes were now staring up at the ceiling. After a moment or two, he then closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep.
"He's having nightmares, now. They could be memories," said an elderly scientist. He didn't look to pleased as the young scientist, Heath Cliff, paid no mind.
"Of course he will have memories popping back up! But my chip takes care of that, trust me. It will keep GV-23 in line, keeping any memory at bay," the brown haired scientist said with a pompous air.
The elderly man shook his head, not liking the young man at all. It was no secret that he was Wesker's pride and joy in the scientific department. The young man was a genius, but he lacked wisdom that a experienced scientist needs. Just like Birkin.
"It may keep his memories tightly locked up, but how do you know that he just won't kill you. Your combination of the G-virus and T-Veronica virus was a dangerous move! This young man isn't ready for a-"
"Watch it old man, or I'll just have to report to Wesker of your insubordination. After all, he did give me control of this department," Heath warned between clenched teeth.
The older man backed down, knowing that one word from this young whipper snapper could get him in serious trouble. So, he merely nodded and turned to leave. Before he left the room, he asked in a stern tone, "Are you going to tell Mr. Wesker about these ever curing nightmares?"
Heath didn't even look as he answered, "Of course, Jones. What do you take me for, a fool?"
Jones decided not to answer that question, leaving the young mad scientist alone with his thoughts.
"Telling Wesker would be the stupidest mistake I would ever make. He'd scrap you in a second, GV-23. No, your memory flashes will be a well kept secret," Heath whispered, his thin mouth curving into a sadistic smile.
**R**
Claire felt a shiver go down her spine. A feeling had swept over her. A feeling of foreboding...
"Claire, you alright?"
Claire shook her head as she glanced at the concerned teen beside her. "I... I don't know. I just have this feeling."
Sheila nodded with understanding. "I know what you mean. Your gut just tells you that something bad is coming yet again. Like what lays beyond those double doors down the hall. I just know that something will happen."
Claire barely heard her as she stared at the doors_. _
_No, that's not it. Something else..._
"Ashley, get away from that vase!," Sheila yelled.
Claire jumped at the loud volume the short woman made. Everyone stared at her, causing the girl to blush.
"Um, I just don't want you to break it," Sheila lied.
Claire looked hard at the girl, catching the lie. Sheila always had a hard time telling a lie. The girl would get a guilty look while telling the fib, which was rare since the teen was pretty much honest when it came to her thoughts. In fact, the girl was too truthful at times. But whatever made her react that way, she wasn't going to question. It seems that whenever Sheila had a feeling, it came true.
"I guess we need to get going," Claire said casually.
The others nodded and began to move when another scream broke through the air. Ashley was shaking horribly as she pointed at a snake slithering out of the vase. It's eyes were red and glowing as it opened it's mouth. Leon raised his gun and fired twice, killing the Adder. Claire quickly strolled over and put an comforting arm around the pale blond twenty year old. And what seemed like the hundredth time that night, all eyes turned to Sheila.
"Alright, now how did you know about that," asked Chris. Sheila looked outraged as everyone stared accusingly at her.
"What do you mean?"
"He means that you seem to know allot about this castle," Leon stated calmly.
Sheila felt like she should run as panic set in. But she didn't show it. Instead, she calmly replied, "I don't know. I'm just well tuned in to my instincts. I'm not a psychic or some vision... person."
"You know what? This is ridiculous. What does it matter if she seems to have good instincts or whatever. Let's just go," Ashley said irritably after finally letting go of Claire.
The others seemed to agree and continued to proceed down the hall. Sheila lagged behind, a little perturbed at the not so settle accusation. Feeling spightful, she decided not to show where some more pesetas were. Which didn't matter cause the guys took it upon themselves to look through the small cupboards.
"Sooooo... How about another theory," Chris said with a hopeful tone. He really didn't want to have any bitter feelings floating around the group. Sheila decided to forgive and give another theory.
"Well... The merchant strikes me as a mischievous fellow. So here's how one of his many tricks that got him in to trouble. He decided to play ding-dong ditch in this rich looking neighborhood. It so happens that he picked a mansion that belonged to Kain. The first time, Kain opened the door and chalked it up to hearing things. He went back inside to his little get together with Undertaker and Shawn Michaels. The merchant did it again and quickly hid."
Leon sighed and shook his head. Sheila continued while ignoring him.
"Well, Kain knew he wasn't crazy 'cause the other two heard it too. So, he opened the door and saw that nobody was there again. Now he was getting mad. So he and the others agreed to stay by the door to catch him. Poor merchant fell for it, and pressed the door bell. The three powerful wrestlers opened the door, staring at the merchant, dressed in the same garb he dresses in today. Needless to say the three roared and chased the merchant, trying to tombstone him, body slam, you name it, they tried it. Basically the merchant made new enemies who would never stop in hunting him down. That's when the merchant learned Tai jutsu to get away from a major butt whooping!"
"Uum... So, how does he get here so fast," asked the confused agent. Sheila didn't disappoint him.
"Never underestimate the power of Tai jutsu. He has learned so much stealth from it that he could come up and kick ya in the booty and you wouldn't even know it!"
As you know, she got either a amused look or a worried one that spoke volumes of being worried over her mental health. But that didn't stop the theories being tossed around.
"I give your theory a five. Ow! Hey! Kidding! Well, here's the best theory of all," Chris began proudly, though his arm was going to have a bruise from Claire's punch.
"Alright. He's a big organic weapon that is told to sell weapons."
Claire scratched her head, thinking hard.
"Wasn't that a theory already used?"
Chris shook his head vehemently. "No, that's a new one."
"Alright, I can't take it. I have to step in and give the right theory," said the confident agent.
Sheila rolled her eyes and sauntered over till she stood right in front of him. "Leon, you're out of the MIT club."
Leon looked confused, casting a questioning glance at the rest of the group. Luis seemed like he was the only one who got it.
"Oh! I forgot to tell y'all that I formed a club for those who participate in the theories," said Sheila before casting a accusing look at Ashley. "It stands for Merchants Insane Theories! You Leon, well, you're being kicked off the island," Sheila said dramatically. Leon raised an eyebrow and stared till the girl squirmed. "Well, maybe not. I'll allow you back in if this theory is a good one."
"Oh, you're so kind," Leon stated sarcastically. Sheila smiled at the sarcasm and decided to let that one pass. She could see that it was in fun. "Alright. The merchant is a highly trained ninja using his stealth skills to skip ahead. That is why he has recorded those little sayings."
Sheila smiled and gave Leon a quick hug. "See, you can come up with insane theories."
Leon frowned. "But that wasn't - oh forget it. So I'm back in the club?"
Sheila gave a wink and replied, "Yeah, you're in. Although, what you said did make since."
Sheila then got a strange look on her face and began to look around.
"Guys, do you realize that he could be in this very room, right now. Listening to every word we say," Sheila whispered. The whole group paled, looking around nervously.
"I... think we should go," Claire said with some urgency.
She got no arguments. Theories now being shelved for the moment, the teen began to think of the inevitable in the near distance future. With every step taken, Sheila felt her panic level rise. She knew that Ashley and herself would be the targets for the insects, the very thought disgusting her. She already experienced the firm grip from those freaks.
Her eyes shifted back and forth, noticing the broken windows. She could see the full moon, shining brightly in the night sky. How she wished she was home with her family right now. Watching movies, playing games, arguing over who gets the last slice of Mom's cake. That was the life!
Once, they reached the doors, Leon began to talk in a low voice.
"Chris and I will go in first and scout the room. If it's safe, we'll let you know. But if isn't, well, we'll run back in here and stand our ground... Wait. Where's Sheila?"
"Over here."
Everyone jumped, then glared at the broken window. Sheila smiled and spoke eagerly, "There's a ladder that leads to a higher level and has a open window to see inside. Come on, let's go!"
"Sheila, get back here! D-mn it! Come on, let's go," said the worried agent.
The group followed Leon out of the window and up the ladder. When they reached the top, Sheila stood at the far end, leaning against the wall. In her hand she had a Butterfly lamp which glittered under the moonlight. She couldn't help but smile smugly as Leon took it.
"Well, good job. But next time, don't run ahead like that. You could get hurt or taken again," said Leon with a worried tone.
Sheila felt a pang of guilt for worrying them. Her reasoning for disappearing like that was to show them the other way inside without raising suspicions. As if stumbling upon this little entry way. It must of worked, because the suspicions and accusing looks were gone.
Leon patted her shoulder and turned his attention to the hole int the wall. It wasn't an open window, but it was just as good as one. Leon stepped out onto the crumbling ledge, peering at the large insect hive.
"Ew. That's disgusting," Sheila said, startling the agent.
He looked down beside him, giving Sheila a glare. She ignored him and studied the hive. It was a large, slimy, brown mass that was connected to the ceiling. It reminded Sheila of a wasp nest, only larger, uglier, and more menacing. She shivered as a large glop of goo hit the floor.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Sheila said while clutching her stomach. She seen worse on this adventure, but there comes a time when a person has seen enough nasties. This is that time and place. Leon seemed to feel the same.
"What's disgusting and making you sick," Chris asked from behind.
His mouth opened wide in wonder when he saw the hive. It look eerily familiar to Alexia's hive.
"Guess that's the Novistars hive," Sheila stated.
Luis peeked over Sheila's shoulder, and corrected her. "Actually, it's Novistadors. How did you know-"
"Um. I heard one of the monks say that word when pointing at the bug who kidnapped me awhile back. I thought it was pronounced that way. My bad," Sheila lied.
Her conscious was really getting to her now. She hated lying! She was taught to never lie, that it was a sin and how it hurts other people and all that jazz. And now, here she was, lying through her teeth. Ugh! Of course, what was she going to say? The truth? Pfft! That would go over well... Not!
Luis believed her little white lie and said in low tones, "Listen. From what I heard before, you have faced these things before. Trust me when I say this, you do not want to invoke the wrath of the hive! They will quickly surround you and tear the lot of us to pieces. They're very protective of their hive, so be quiet and don't attract attention."
Leon nodded as the others were silent. It seemed that the further they went, the nastier the creatures were. So, as silently as possible, he jumped down. Then he turned and motioned for Sheila to jump down to him. She glanced at the hive and stiffened. She knew that no matter how quiet they were, they were still going to have to face the bug people. Refusing to think about it any longer, Sheila then jumped, closing her eyes. Leon caught her gracefully, holding her to his chest. The teenager sighed with relief and looked up into his warm, blue, eyes, then smiled.
Leon set her down gently and waited for the next one. Ashley jumped next, pouting that Claire had refused to help. The rest followed. Leon put a finger to his lips and stalked around till he reached the double doors. He gave Ashley and Sheila the opportunity to go back to the hall. Both refused. Leon sighed and took his TMP out of his case. Since losing his Riot gun, he had to make due with the TMP. It wasn't that bad, he did like the TMP. But nothing seemed to kill multiple bug freaks like the Riot gun.
They began to walk across what was left of the floor, trying not to look up. Sheila stuck close to Claire, clutching her Punisher. Her hands shook as she peered down below to the endless abyss. If she did get caught, will the bug let go of her?
"Wait. What's that noise," Leon asked quietly.
The sound of clicking and humming filled the air slightly. Sheila and Luis tensed, knowing the sound.
"We're caught! Run! Go," Luis shouted as he pointed his gun at the air, trying to find the invisible enemy.
Leon and Chris pointed their weapons up while Claire herded the girls to the other side. She flipped the switch, only to find that the bridge wouldn't come completely down.
"It's stuck," Claire shouted.
Ashley's scream filled the air as a Novistador lifted her with ease and flew off. The men cursed, not daring to shoot the creature for fear of killing the president's daughter.
"Leeeeoooooon!" Ashley wailed as the creature flew out of the hole, leaving them to a dangerous battle.
Leon cursed, pointing his gun at every direction. "Where are they?"
Luis began to back away, his foot near the edge. A Grey, scaled claw grabbed his foot and yanked, causing the scientist to fall.
"Luis," yelled Leon, who turned around to see the Spaniard fall.
Leon ran over, feeling relief when he saw Luis holding on to the edge.
"Leon, pull me up," Luis frantically cried out.
Leon bent down, but was caught off guard when a Novistador jumped on his back, scratching through the tactical shirt. Leon grunted in surprise and pain as he tried to pry it off, letting poor Luis hanging.
"Somebody, heeeelp," Luis screamed.
The bug who pulled him down was hanging upside down, under the floor, staring menacingly. It didn't bother with camouflage as it's two feelers touched Luis face. He sucked in some air as he tried to pull himself up. But each time he pulled, the creature would reach out and scratch him, drawing blood.
Chris began shooting as multiple Novistadors began to file out of the hive. They swarmed the ex-S.T.A.R.S. member, screeching as his Riot gun blew them away. He could hear Claire fire her Uzis, trying to help.
"Shoot the chains," yelled Chris as another insect tried to kick him. He jumped back, only to find yet another insect waiting for him_. _
_There toying with us_!
Meanwhile, Leon had stopped, dropped, and rolled, causing the surprised bug to loosen it's grip. His quick actions freed himself, allowing the agent to begin firing point blank at it's head. The creature screamed with agony as Leon emptied his gun. It shivered, then died, melting into a puddle of goo. Problem solved, Leon turned and grabbed Luis's collar, helping him up. Luis cried out in pain when the Novistador that was toying with him began swiping his stomach, his vest and white shirt red with blood.
As Leon helped Luis get to the door, Claire was busy defending her and Sheila. Seeing that Claire wouldn't have the chance of shooting those chains, the overzealous teen decided she would have to try. She raised her gun and aimed, her hands wobbling without her permission. The red, Lazar dot zig-zagged as her trembling hands became worse.
"Dang it!"
She began to fire, missing the first three times. Finally, she got a lucky shot, breaking one chain. The bridge lowered slightly.
"One down, one more to go," said the teen. She aimed again, this time firing repeatedly even when she was no where near it. It worked, for the bridge collapsed, causing Sheila to whoop for joy.
"Claire, get Sheila out of here," Chris shouted as he drop kicked another insect.
Claire nodded and holstered one gun. With her other hand, she grabbed Sheila's free hand and made a run for it. As they passed Chris, they heard Leon shout for Chris to move out of the way. The older man obeyed while the other two dashed for the door. Sheila heard gun shots, one of them sounding pretty powerful. She didn't have a chance to turn and check on the buys as Claire the door and pushed her through, then followed.
Both girls pressed their bodies to the heavy doors and listened. On the other side, the boys were shooting at the top of the hive. The idea was to destroy it by causeing the thing to fall, saving them from a messy death. The Novistadors did not appreciate the plan as they began to scream and swarm around the hive, trying to protect it. Leon fired his handgun while Chris fired his Riot gun. Luis had the most powerful of all. He still had the Broken Butterfly, and he was using it with a curse for each bug creep he took down.
The plan worked as the hive began to crumble, detaching from the ceiling. The roof began to break apart as the hive detached and began to pull away. Countless insects clung to the hive, refusing to leave it as it fell on to the floor, then roll off the make shift bridge into the darkness down below. Everything quieted down, leaving an eerie silence. Leon reloaded his gun and slowly stalked over to the middle of the broken floor. He peered over, and smiled when he saw only the blackness.
The two doors opened, and out stepped the two younger women.
"Is it over," Sheila asked. Chris and Luis walked over to Leon, peering down just as he did.
"Yeah, I think so," Chis answered.
Luis clutched his stomach and scowled. Leon noticed the blood stains and the ripped clothing.
"Luis, you alright?"
Luis sighed and shook his head. Leon's eyes flashed with worry.
Luis then replied, "No. Those idiotic insects ruined my favorite vest!"
Leon shook his head as he turned to go down the bridge to the other side where the girls were while Chris smirked.
"Actually, it was ruined before that."
Luis snorted as he replied, "No, I could have got the bloody hand print off with some bleach, but now I might as well throw it away."
Chris patted his shoulder and began to follow Leon. Their good mood didn't last long. Two insects flew out of the abyss, screeching as they dove and grabbed the two young women.
"Girls!" Leon shouted as he tried to get a shot. But it was hopeless, for he had no opening. The three men watched as Claire and Sheila were kidnapped... again.
**R**
"Hoooo boy! Hoooooooo boy! Please don't drop me, I really would like to stay whole and found and not a pancake," Sheila pleaded as the insect flew higher and higher.
The higher they went, the queasier she got. She always loved heights, but when you're being flown by a insect person hundreds of feet in the air, you get sick and a little freaked out. Plus having no support except around the belly was not that assuring. Sheila couldn't help but wander if these Novistadors communicated with each other. If they did, they may have heard of her little misadventures with their family members. Especially the part about her killing one of them.
"HEEEEEEEEEEELP!"
"Sheila, calm down!"
The teen turned her head and saw Claire, who looked just as scared as she was.
"We're going to be fine. The guys will come for us and kick these things butts!"
Sheila barely nodded, half believing what the older woman said. She knew that in the game, Leon came for Ashley and rescued her. So, if he did it then by himself, than surely he can do it with the two men's help.
Sheila remained quiet through the rest of the trip, not even offering a whimper. Claire remained silent also, hiding her fear. She knew that these bugs were bringing the scared teenager and Ashley to a specific place for a important reason. Most likely Salazar. But what would they want with her? Maybe the midget was ordered to infect her with the parasite also. Well, whatever the reason is, she was sure of one thing. She was going to blow away the bugs, Ganados, and Salazar when she sets her feet on solid ground.
**R**
"You lost the lasses... again."
The three men shifted, uncomfortable with the glare sent their way. But the merchant eased their guilty consciouses.
"Those Novistadors are a pain for sure. I can't tell ya how many times those bugs stole my jewels for the Butterfly lamps!"
From the looks the merchant was getting, he could tell that his rambling about those pests was not helping matters. So, he backed off and offered his services. After finishing up with their business, the three disheartened men set out to find the three young women who depended on them. Leon led the company, his blacktail full and ready for some violence.
A cold breeze was blowing, causing goose bumps to form on Luis's arms. His heart pounding as all three of them stopped, casting doubtful glances at the bridge. Bridges were not a favorite as far as Luis was concerned. In fact, he'd rather hitch a ride with one of those Novistadors.
Leon's walkie talkie beeped, startling the Spaniard. He glared at the object as Leon answered the call.
Salazar: _I wander if you can see me, Mr. Kennedy._
Leon: _If you even harm a hair on those girls heads, I'll break your bones!_
Salazar_: What? You mean you lost the other two muchachas? Heheheheheheheheheheheeeee! My, my, my! How the tables have turned. I suppose it shouldn't surprise me that my Novistadors out witted you. But I did hope that you and your men would have put up a much bigger fight._
Leon's anger turned into rage as Salazar's words began to get to him. Maybe Sheila was right, he really did need to hang up on the midget.
Salazar_: Ah! I see them now, coming in for a landing. Well , it's been nice to have this little chat with you, but I really must go now. I have guests to entertain, you understand_.
Leon quickly holstered the radio and got out his binoculars. There, he watched as the insects dropped Claire and Sheila on the ground. From the glint in Claire's eyes, she was ticked off and ready for a fight. His eyes spied her reaching inside her bag, trying to get out her bow-gun. But Ramon's black cloaked body guard quickly knocked the weapon out of her grasp. His hands tightened their hold on the binoculars as he watched Claire try to punch the freakishly tall creature. The body guard merely caught her wrists and lifted her off the ground, turning it's head as if waiting for Salazar's command.
"Claire!" Leon turned his head to see Chris take out his sniper rifle. Leon began to follow suit.
**R**
"STOP IT! YOU'RE HURTING HER!"
Salazar turned his head and glared at the fuming red head. His yellow eyes held nothing but contempt and disgust for her. He still remembered the girl taunting him on his size with the big oaf American. If Lord Saddler hadn't made it clear that killing her was off limits, he would have executed her right there for the agent to see. So much for pleasure.
"Humph! Another stray to take care of. Both of you troublesome girls are lucky today. For the great Lord Saddler wants both of you alive. Be grateful for his mercy. Quickly, discard all her weapons at once! We must not doddle much longer. After all, we are on a tight sche- Ah!"
A bullet bounced off the red robed creature's armor plaited scales underneath the robe. Salazar turned an angry glare at the snipers, but the red robed one quickly stood between his master and the Americans. Although Ramon would not die from a mere gunshot wound, he knew that his master could not stand being in pain. More shots were fired, each bouncing off the creatures. The gun fire stopped, causing Salazar to peep his head out from behind the body guard.
Suddenly, a bullet whizzed and popped Ramon's hat off. The Castle Castellan mouth dropped open. Nobody has ever dared to assassinate him in this manner. It was an outrage! But most of all, they put a bullet hole through his precious hat!
"You American pigs! How dare you- AAH!"
Salazar put a pale hand on his cheek where a bullet scraped his and damaged the tender flesh. His cheek was wet. He slowly brought his hand before his eyes, seeing his blood coating his fingers. The body guard in black dropped Claire, roaring with anger as it lifted both hands in the air. Claire quickly made a dive for her bow-gun, but she was no match for the angry Ramon Salazar. It surprised her how fast he really was, although that was the effects of the parasite in some of the Ganados she's faced.
He held the bow-gun tightly, a snarl lighting up his features. In his other hand, he held his communicator. Leon's face appeared on the screen.
Salazar_: Do you see this ? I will blow her insignificant head off if you try that stunt again! _
Leon's face flickered with fear.
Leon: _My friend has you in his sights as we speak. He could blow your head off as well. Do you think your body guards are fast enough to stop a bullet?_
Salazar grinned and replied.
Salazar: _Maybe not, but a rifle will only cause pain; not kill me. Head, or no head. Besides, if he shoots me, my finger can accidentally slip. Is your bullet faster than my finger?_
The screen on his communicator went black, pleasing the young man. He lowered the weapon and gave Claire an evil grin.
"I guess your knights in shining armor are smarter than they appear. Guards, dispose of her weaponry."
Sheila watched with despair as Claire's bag and bow-gun was tossed over the bridge. So much for a way out.
"Come! Bring the girls, we have to get ready."
Claire felt two claws on her shoulder, urging her forward. She bit her lip as she began to follow the small form of Ramon Salazar, evil Castellan of the castle.
**R**
Chris cursed as they watched Sheila, Claire, and Ashley be led away to God knows where.
"Let's go," Leon said quietly.
Chris didn't move, his hands still clutching his Sniper rifle. He felt Luis put a hand on his broad shoulder, his voice doing little comfort. But he knew they were right, the only way of saving the girls was to move on.
While Chris showed his contempt for this place on the outside, Leon kept it on the inside. His face emotionless while his body was tense and alert. He had to keep the rage in check, and save it when he faces Ramon. Until then, he will kill everything that gets in his way. Starting with the men operating the catapults right now. OH CRAP!
"RUN!"
**R**
All was silent as the three women followed Salazar, his body guards at the back to keep the line going. Claire clenched her teeth when hearing the monks sucking up to the little evil man. It sickened her to hear his praises_. _
_"For a devout follower of Saddler, he sure does encourage the praise for himself_!" Claire thought with disgust.
As they walked up the stairs, Claire turned her attention to a more favorable topic, the decoration of the room. She noticed how well furbished the room was. It almost reminded her of a throne room, well almost. The red carpet matched the blues and wine color on the banners, the floor shined with daily cleaning, the golden bells glittered mischievously from the candles glow. Wait a minute, what is bells... Claire began to breath really hard, remembering the bells down in the dungeon. Which meant...
"Tighten the chains on those brutes! I don't want my guests to lose their heads so soon," Salazar ordered with smile in his voice.
Claire balled her hands into fists at the tone of his voice. But her anger slipped away when she saw them. Two Ganadors stood by the entrance. Their heavy breathing filled the air, causing the hair on Claire's neck to prickle. Her side and cuts that the last one delivered began to ache with the memory.
Sheila was doing no better. Since she was directly behind Ramon, she was the one closest to the creatures out of the three women. She began to squirm and wiggle like a worm who was about to be the bird's lunch. This attracted the wrong attention from the Ganadors who heard the commotion. They strained against the chains, growling loudly. Ashley let out a scream, which was the undoing for the chains. Both broke free and attacked Sheila. The teen could do nothing.
She closed her eyes and prepared to wake up at the pearly gates, but to her relief that was not so. Salazar stopped and pushed both of the much larger beings back with a mighty heave. Their large armored bulks slammed against the walls, causing cracks to form where they impacted. Sheila stared at the tiny man in front of her with awe and a tad bit of fear. Okay, allot of fear.
"You... You are one strong little dude!"
Salazar said nothing, instead he wiped his hands on one of the body guards robes as if he touched the scum of the earth.
"Get them up and reinforce those chains. I don't want another incident... Do you understand?"
The Ganados agreed and began carrying out Ramon's orders.
As they walked by, Sheila stuck her tongue out at the two Ganadors. It was easy being brave when the big bad is being chained up.
"Watch your step, girly. I don't want to have to save your useless American hide... again."
Sheila snorted at his arrogance, but did not reply. Her parents didn't raise no fool. When you are facing an abnormally strong freak, don't pester it when he's right there. Wait till he's ten miles away, then be a smart mouth.
Silence reigned as the group tracked on. As far as the Castellan was concerned, it was a perfect atmosphere. No idle chatter, no whining from the Americans. Yes indeed, it was perfect. Maybe these women learned who was in charge. But as he anticipated, the red haired one couldn't keep quiet for too long.
Sheila, who was bored, decided to hum the Godfather tune. Reason? If you played the game, you should know that this room held Salazar's throne and what not.. You got flickering candle lights, the torches flames made everything seem evil. So the theme to her seemed like a great way of turning this humerus. Why? Sheila has a sick sense of humor.
Salazar's tiny hands balled into fists as they walked. When Sheila got louder as they passed at the statue's feet, Ramon decided to shut her up.
"If I was you, I would be silent as a woman should."
Sheila stared down at the emotionless face of the Castellan's. Was he for real?
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. Your idiotic humming is annoying to say the least.."
"Pfft! You wouldn't know a great tune if it fell and wiggled on your old man face. And what is it with the throne? Does your Great Lord Saddler know that his lackey has a throne made just for him?"
Ramon took one step closer, his yellow eyes starting to shine. Sheila's chest began to burn intensely, bringing the teen to her knees. Claire tried to run up to the hurting girl, but a large clawed hand grabbed her shoulder, stopping her from moving.
"Please stop! You're hurting her!" Claire repeated Sheila's words from earlier.
"That's the idea," Ramon replied with a twisted smile.
His eyes stopped glowing as he took a step back. Sheila collapsed fully with relief, tears streaming down her face.
"You see my dear, your queen parasite is still young, so I can still manipulate her to cause you pain. Remember that when you decide to open your mouth again."
With everything said and done, the Castellan turned around and surveyed his domain. The red robed body guard grabbed the still form of Sheila and hauled her up over it's shoulder. She didn't argue, instead she hung there limply, the spasms taking the fight out of her. It worried the women a bit to see her like this, but they didn't dare say a word. While Ashley kept silent for fear of the same treatment, Claire was busy plotting to cause Ramon some much deserved pain.
**R**
The three men didn't dare move, for across from them up the stair case was two more Ganadors, their chains thick and keeping them guarding the only way out of the room. They stood by an barred doorway, each breathing heavily. One was much better suited in Gladiator armor, it's helmet covering it's face while the chest armor covered it's entire front. Hopefully the back was exposed. The second one wasn't so heavily armored, but it did seem to have allot of brown leather along it's metal armor. This wasn't going to be easy.
Down the steps stood two bare chested Ganados, painted with purple, red and black in some sort of cerimonial way. They stood perfectly still, as if waiting for them to make the first move. Chris fingered his Riot gun, knowing that to use it now would put their lives in danger. Luis, who was on Chris's left, only stood still and stared with wide eyes at the clawed Ganadors. Leon, who was on the left, was coming up with a crazy plan. But either way, they were screwed.
Leon knelt down and took off his case. Chris looked down to see what the agent was doing. His eyes widened when he saw Leon pull out the rocket launcher that he found earlier in a glass case. WAS HE INSANE?
Leon closed the case and pushed it aside. He wouldn't need it right now. Then very quietly and cautiously, he pushed Chris aside so he could be in the middle. Both men tried to signal him to stop, but Leon wasn't listening. So the men braced themselves two feet away to the left, hoping that this was worth it. They watched as the determined agent aimed at the two Ganados, who in turn widened their eyes in shock. They didn't move, but they did start to sweat.
Leon grinned as he raised his aim higher. Chris gripped his Riot gun when he realized that the Ganados weren't what Leon was aiming at. He mouthed the words "Oh crap." to Luis. Luis nodded as he took more steps back. This was getting uglier by the minute. The monks looked confused when they saw the American agent lift his aim higher. Leon waited for the right moment. When both Ganadors looked straight ahead, Leon fired the launcher.
They first heard the sounds of growling and the sliding sound of claws being extended. Then a loud explosion filled the air along with debris. The two Ganados fell flat on their faces from the explosion while the two Ganadors flung through the air in different directions. smoke and dust filled Leon's vision.
"Did I get them?"
The sound of one angry snarl gave him his answer. He killed one Ganador, but only stunned the other one.
And here he came, the heavily armored gladiator bull rushing down the stairs and trampling the two stunned Ganados. His claws were raised high as he descended down on the agent. Leon jumped out of the way, leaving the Ganador to stick one claw in the door. Chris didn't waste time as he fired a round into it's puss pocket on its back. This angered the gladiator enough to get his clawed hand free. He sliced across the air, narrowly missing Chris head.
Chris back flipped and tried to run but everywhere he ran the freak with the claws was there, ready to slice and dice him up. Luis and Leon tried to help, but six more Ganados appeared and attacked the men, making things much more complicated.
"Chris! Stop ru- Aaaah!" Luis did get to finish when the next thing he new the Ganador charged him. But it did help when he moved, the monk behind him lost a head.
The monks swung their blades and other weapons at the three men. Each time someone would make a noise, the Ganador was there to greet them. It seemed to distinguish the different sounds from the Ganado monks and the three humans, always hunting the three guys while leaving the cult members alone. The tension was thick and heavy, causing great amount of stress on the three amigos.
Finally, with great amount of patience and some use of their knives, the three managed to kill the monks and get up the stairs where the first bell awaited them. Leon didn't waste time as he hit the bell with his knife. He quickly backtracked as the creature ran towards the noise. As it demolished the golden bell, the men were busy defending against three new Ganados that appeared, all clothed in purple. Two had the gold plated helmets so it was much harder killing them.
The sound of the Ganador finishing with his task alerted the three men. Chris, who grew impatient with the whole situation decided to drop kick one helmet protected monk. The Ganado fell back and bumped into the gladiator. The Ganador whipped around and speared the monk, lifting him high in the air. Red, brown and yellow blood poured out from the man's chest, spraying it across the other Ganados.
The monks scattered, leaving their comrade to his fate. This gave the men more of a chance to survive. Chris shot at the second bell further up, which again distracted the Ganador. He dropped the monk who turned to goo on the floor, and ran up the remaining steps to destroy the sound maker. Chris and Leon ran up to the creature and began to stab shooting. The puss pocket exploded, leaving a nasty mess on the two gentlemen.
Luis was busy using his Rednine to eliminate the remaining Monks. They fell easily to the satisfaction of the suave Spaniard and to the others. And to make things even better, the bars lifted to allow the three access out of there. Of course they had no idea that they were going to have to deal with Verdugo. But as you know, that's the Resident Evil 4 world. Ha! Ha! Haaaa!
**R**
Sheila sighed for the tenth time since they entered the small throne room of Salazar. While he sat in a comfortable throne chair, the three girls were in a much more uncomfortable position. Ashley had the black robed one guarding her with a mean looking blade while Claire had the red robed dumb-dumb to keep her still. Both were on their knees and had their hands tied behind their backs. The blades scraped their sensitive necks while the rope itched and cut somewhat into their skin.
Sheila, well, she was in a weird predicament. There was a rope tied around her neck which led to Salazar. It looked as if she was a dog on a leash, which was humiliating to the teen. Her hands were tied in front of her with the same itchy rope, but thankfully her feet were free_. _
_Ramon, you are so going to die! And when you do, I'm going to do the happy dance_!
The silence was uncomfortable. In fact, it was down right awkward. And if there is one thing that any human being can't stand, it's the uncomfortable silences. So, guess who decided to sing? Yup, you guessed it! Sheila, the professional little sister pest! She had years of experience in pestering the siblings in her life. Time to bring those honed in skills to the test.
"He said to her he would like a cheese burrrgerrr. He said he would like a miiilkshake as weeell. She said to him I can't give you eiiiitherrr! He then asked, 'Isn't thiiiis Burger Beeeell?' She said yes it is but we're clooosed noooow. But we open tomorrow at teeeen! He'd said he was extremely huungryyyyyy! But he guess he could wait until theeeeeeeeeeeen," Sheila sang in a badly Spanish accent.
The looks she got didn't detour her though. She continued with her irritating song.
"Because your his cheeseburrrrger! His yummy cheeseburrrgerrr! He'll wait for yo-ou yeeah! He'll wait for yo-ou! Ooh! Because you're his cheeseburrrgerrr! His tasty cheeseburrgerrr! He'll wait for yo-oooou! He will wait fooor yoooooooou!"
Salazar and the other occupants in the room gave silent sighs of relief, thinking that that was the end of it. But their torment wasn't going to end just yet.
"He waited at the drivethrough till sunriiiiise. He may have dozed off once or twice. He then spotted a buildboard for Deeeeny's! Bacon and eggs for half price! Hoooow could he resist such an ooofferrrr! He really needed somethen' tooo muuunch! Cheeseburger please do not be aaangryyyy! Heee'll eat and be back here for luuuuuuuuuuuuunch! Because you're his cheeseburgerrrr! His-"
"SHUT-UP!"
All eyes turned to the red faced Salazar. Sheila smirked. Looks like he could get some color in his pasty face after all.
"What's the matter? Don't you like my song?"
Ramon closed his eyes and tried to get his emotions under control. Maybe it was her badly attempted Spanish accent.
"Girlie, that song was... was... just irritating! Besides, there's nothing like White and Nerdy."
"White and... what?"
Salazar seemed to suddenly brightened as he began explaining the song.
"You mean you never heard of Al Weird? My, my! And to think you call yourself an American!"
"I know who Al Weird is, ya midget!"
Salazar ignored her comment and continued, "Well, he wrote that inspiring song! It has everything. Rapping, rhythm, words that take your breath away."
Sheila shook her head.
"First of all, I know about all the songs he has written thus far, and White and Nerdy isn't one of them."
Salazar's face turned bright red with anger as he slowly stood up. Suddenly, he yanked hard on her leash, causing the teen to fall flat on her face, busting her top lip.
As Sheila spat out blood, Claire was yelling at the smug Castellan. He ignored her and began pulling on the rope.
"Get up, you swine! I'm not in the mood for you to grovel. Heheheheheheheheeeee!"
Sheila slowly got back to her knees and gave Salazar the death glare. He laughed at this.
"You didn't have to - ow! My lip! That hurts!"
Tears threatened to fall from the young girls eyes, but she didn't allow them to do so. She rather face a hundred Regenerators than cry in front of this tiny bully!
"Please, give her an herb," Claire cried out.
Salazar sneered at this, but decided to be gracious enough to do that. It wouldn't do to have the girl looking like that when meeting Lord Saddler. That would only earn more disapproval from his beloved Master. He ordered some monks in Spanish to treat her wound.
Sheila watched with trepidation as two red robed monks stalked over to her. But her fears were eased when she saw that they were going to treat her.
_Guess Claire's pleas reached him. Still, I wouldn't mind if God would strike the bugger dead! I know, I know, love my enemy. I do, Lord, I do. But he isn't real... OW!_
"Ow! Watch it!"
Sheila grimaced as one held her head firmly while the other one sprinkled the green herb on her swelling lip. It burned where the medicine rested, causing another wave of tears to fill her eyes. The two men chuckled at her distress, causing the red head to boil with anger. An emotion she couldn't express physically thanks to her helplessness at the moment.
"Now, I have some questions for you, my dear. Who exactly are you and that mysterious man," Salazar turned his head and asked Claire.
Claire refused to answer. Ramon smirked at this, and shook his head.
"I see that you have a very stubborn will. Well, no matter. We will get the information one way or another. I just hoped you would have made it easier on yourself and volunteer the answers, but now we will have to do it the hard way."
"Bring it on, Salazar."
"Ho! Ho! We have a lively one! So much hostility and anger. Soon, we'll put that energy into good use when you are given the same gift we gave the other three."
Claire's face paled at the mention of what was to come.
**R**
"Okay, here goes nothing."
Leon opened the double doors, his body tense for another fight. His eyes narrowed when he spotted the women. Claire and Ashley had weapons pointed at their throats, both were on their knees. Sheila was on the other side, her top lip had a nasty cut where it looked like someone had punched her. A rope was tied around her neck in which led to Salazar, who was clutching the other end of the rope. He suddenly knew who was the cause of Sheila's hurt lip.
"Guys! Your alright," Claire said with relief. Hope filled her heart at the sight of her brother, Leon and Luis. She just knew that they would rescue them.
"You alright?" Chris asked with eyes filled with worry.
"Well, well, well. This is a lively reunion. Please, gentlemen, step further in. I've been expecting you three."
"Salazar! What did you do to her?" Leon growled as he walked further in, pointing at Sheila.
"Oh, we just had a disagreement. Don't worry, we put some medicine on the wound. I really don't want Lord Saddler seeing her like that."
Salazar slowly put his hand over the red button. Sheila's heart leaped into her throat.
"Why you little-"
"Gentlemen, don't you know when it's time to throw in the towel?"
"Step back!"
But Sheila's warning was to late. The three men disappeared, falling to their death. Sheila barely heard Claire's screaming no, for it seemed that her world was tipped over yet again. Tears filled her eyes. Leon would survive, but not the others.
"Not today," Leon mumbled as he released his hook. It caught on a brick, the steel cable stopped him from falling to his death. He turned his head, fear gnawing at him. His friends, they were-
"If you let me go, I will haunt you for the rest of your miserable life, Redfield," Luis growled.
Leon closed his eyes in relief. He forgot that Chris had his grappling gun.
"Yeah? You're.. not the one.. who's got to hold on.. to a grown man!"
Meanwhile, Salazar was trying to hear the sounds of his enemies death.
"Hmmm. Where's the satisfying sound of ones impalement?"
Chris looked up to see Leon pull out his blacktail. Chris grinned.
"Don't fall for this old trick." Leon mumbled with a smirk.
**BANG! **
"Aaaaah! How dare you!" Salazar hopped up, seething with anger and pain_. _
_His ear must be ringing. HAA HAAA! That's what you get for being a bully_!
Sheila grinned from ear to ear at Salazar's distress and knowing that all three survived.
"No more games! Kill him! KILL ALL OF THEM!"
Salazar jumped up and down to show his point. The red robed Verdugo walked towards the hole. Sheila gulped as the red robed body guard took off his robe. He was huge! His tail whipped back and forth as the creature turned it's head. His eyes flashed red at the teen, his manacles clicking.
"Wow, you look like a predator/alien. Man, you are one ugly Mama Gama!"
The creature ignored her and looked down.
"Make sure to make them suffer before you kill them! Now quickly, we must prepare for the ritual!"
"Guys! The freak is sending a big bug creature! Watch out!" Claire shouted.
The black robed monster pushed the woman extra hard, causing her to lose her balance for a second. She regained her balance and gave Sheila an encouraging smile.
"Don't worry. Those three will handle Frankenstein with no problems."
"Yeah, I guess." The girl winced as her top lip stung with protest from talking. She really did hope they would. In this world, things were unpredictable.
As Sheila and the other two were led out of the room, the last thing they saw was the creature cracking it's claws and rolling it's neck like a boxer getting ready to fight. Then it let out a scream before descending down the long tunnel.
**Authors Note: And there you have it! Sorry it took a little longer than expected, but I was sick with the flu and I had laryngitis or whatever. Then I had to erase some of it due to it being later that certain bad guys were faced. Hope that satisfied your taste buds for now. Remember, review please. **
**Oh! I almost forgot! I've got a pole for y'all! It's about Luis so please check it out on my prophile page. Basically it asks if Luis should die or not in up coming adventures. If you haven't guessed already, things seem to start happening to Luis. Almost like death is after him.. Dun dun duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu! Please go to my prophile pge and vote!**
**UPDATE: POLL IS DONE. READ ON TO FIND OUT IF HE LIVES OR NOT. **
31. Chapter 30:Face Thy Enemy
**Authors Note: And here we are again. More adventure, action, and freaky moments in my tale of mayhem and... horror. Anyways, thanks for reviewing and voting! The poll is still up, so if you want to vote just go to my profile page. Thanks again for your reviews and critiquing this fic! And thanks to Brittanee for the helpful tip! **
**I'd also like to acknowledge Jammer69er for being my 100th reviewer! Yay! Your prize is a virtual cookie with a year supply of turtle wax! In virtual reality! Okay, minus the turtle wax. I'd like to thank everyone who helped made that possible! **
**And one more thing. In the last chapter there was a part where the characters are in the temple part. I didn't realize I had left that in there. So, I changed it where they're in Salazar's throne room. The duologue is mostly the same so no major changes! I just had to correct it. Okay, now you may read to your heart's content!**
* * *
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 30: Face Thy Enemy**
It was dark and damp in the dungeon cave like area. There was natural sharp formations on the ground, apparently Salazar has pulled the same trick on other people. Namely monks.
"So this is what happens to the thieves and rebellious Ganados."
Chris flashed his flash light on Luis's tanned face. "What do you mean?"
Luis put his hand in front of his eyes to try to keep the bright annoying light out of his eyes. This man was extremely irritating!
"During my time of experimenting here and at another place, monks and some of the working staff would disappear from time to time," he replied as he turned his head and glimpsed at one particular monk, impaled on one of the sharp formations. A spike if it suits you better. Either way, it looked like it was an agonizing death. The pale face of the Ganado was in a permanent fixture of pain, horror, and agony. Luis shivered.
"From what I learned and observed, when a person is infected with the parasite, the creatures contain some of the aspects of the hosts humanity. There are even those who manage to be able to live free of the influence of the parasite, and continue their lives without becoming just another Ganado. Usually, these individuals pretend to be under the influence of the parasite so they could steal some of Ramon's treasure. Then, they disappear. I guess I always believed they got away some how. Wishful thinking on my part."
That little bit of info did not make them feel any more or less safe as they stood among death.
"Let's get out of here. You guys heard Claire, we got another freak on our trail."
Chris and Luis didn't argue with Leon. Somehow, this deadly place felt like a graveyard. So speaking felt like a sin in a way. Plus the smell was gagging! The bodies of monks were not all fresh, some were rotting and bloated. Their corpses was stinking up the place, much like Raccoon City. Hopefully, none of you readers will have to suffer that rotting body smell. If you have, my hats off to you brave folk.
Leon's radio began to beep, halting the group.
"Are you going to answer that," Chris asked.
Leon hesitated, but then decided to get the inevitable over with.
Salazar: _So maybe you and those pests have nine lives. But it doesn't matter now ! I've-_
Click.
Chris and Luis gawked at the agent, who just hung up on the Castellan. He looked up at the two, his eyes perfectly serene.
"Just thought I take the red head's advice and not waste time on the pip squeak."
The radio began beeping again, causing Leon to scowl at the offending equipment. He wasn't surprised, but it would be dangerous to walk around and let the enemies know of his presence due to the offended younger man.
"Are you-" Luis started to say.
"No. Let's just go."
But the beeping didn't stop, annoying the other two men. Although it was sort of amusing. It reminded Luis of an ex-girlfriend who endlessly called him on his cell all the time.
Leon finally gave in, though it wasn't out of annoyance or irritation. It was so he could see what rise he would get out of the young Castellan. He wasn't disappointed.
Salazar: _How dare you! Do you realize I-_
Click.
The radio immediately began to beep yet again. Leon was now grinning as he answered.
Leon: _Leon here._
Salazar: _Nobody hangs up on me! Nobody! Next time you-_
Leon: _You bore me Ramon. Just spit it out._
Salazar: _... I just wanted you to know that I've sent my right hand to dispose of you and your pathetic partners._
Leon: _Your right hand comes off?_
Salazar: _Humph. Say whatever you please you ignorant American. DIE YOU WORM!_
Leon smirked at the outburst. The little guys face had actually turned red before he hit the screen. Leon now saw the satisfaction of annoying the bad guy. No wander Chris and Sheila liked to taunt and tease all that is evil. Smiling, he put the radio back and began walking with his partners, ready to get out of the dark cave.
A light beyond the tall rock formations was like a beacon in this underground chamber. As you know, it was the merchant's blue torch shining brightly, casting a blue eerie but comforting glow on the helping seller of lethal goods.
"Welcome to the under world!"
The three were not amused at all. The merchant shifted his feet and swallowed. "Er... So, what do ya be needing?"
"Well, for starters, another Riot gun would be nice," said Leon, his blue eyes staring intently on the merchant. The merchant smiled, though the others could not see it.
"Why, I don't have another one of those... But, I do have some new weaponry that will make up for it, stranger. Heh! Heh!"
The merchant quickly took off his heavy pack and began unloading the mentioned weapons. They were weapons he wasn't sure he had ever seen before. The merchant began tutoring on the new stock of things that go BOOM!
"This, stranger, is a special gun I especially created for blowing away your enemies. I call it the Striker. Yes, it does look like one of those old machine guns from those American gangster movies. But it isn't, I assure ye. It is a shotgun, built for holding much larger portions of ammo."
Leon leaned in, his eyes glazed with wonder. The merchant grinned, knowing he had his full attention.
"If you keep upgrading this baby, you'll have a stronger shotgun then the Riot gun!"
"Now wait just a minute! There is no way that fat, smaller thing is stronger than my Riot gun!"
The merchant squinted his eyes and pointed the gun at Chris.
"You didn't let me finish Zombie-Killer."
Chris shifted nervously and gave a sheepish grin. The merchant cleared his throat and continued, casting a glance at Chris.
"As I was saying, it can be stronger than your old Riot gun. But, that is at close range. The Riot Gun has it beat at longer distances. Plus the Riot gun is lighter weight than this weapon. But, it can come in handy when you are in a situation of being surrounded by countless Ganados. It would be dangerous when your friend is trying reload his Riot gun and you have no shotgun to cover him or yourself. Plus, when you shoot, the blast is a wider range."
Leon contemplated the merchant's advice. With Chris having the Riot gun, they wouldn't have to worry about longer ranged enemies. And if he buys this baby, well, needless to say that a long range and short range shotguns will be a perfect duo.
"I'll buy it!"
The merchant grinned and named his price. Yes, it was expensive, and upgrading it will cost a bundle, but down the line they would thank him.
"Would you like it upgraded, stranger? I've got the first parts for one tune up, for the moment."
Leon sighed as he forked over some more pesetas to the happy merchant. If he wasn't in dire need of a shotgun, he wouldn't have bothered.
"Why didn't you upgrade it to full capacity?" Leon asked.
"I just finished building the thing a little bit ago. Took years of testing out different blue prints, all unsuccessful. Had one guy try out an older model of it and his hands were... Uhh. Don't worry, I think I worked out all the kinks."
That was not very reassuring. "And the other weapon?"
The merchant chuckled as he brought out his other big boom gun.
"This, my friends, is the Mine Thrower! You'll have to have a lot of guts to use this weapon! It's almost like a grenade launcher, except it shoots out mines. These mines detonate after a few seconds. Blows a great size hole in your enemies bodies. Great for long range distance shooting. But word of caution, ya don't want to be around for the detonation. Now, it's explosion isn't gigantic, but it will do some damage in the crowds."
Leon looked unsure while Chris wasn't all that interested. Luis was more receptive.
"If you guys don't mind, I would like to buy it and all the ammo you have."
Leon and Chris were a bit shocked. Luis never shown interest in any of the merchants merchandise other than his gun and grenades.
"Ummm. Sure, go ahead. I don't have enough room in my attach case anyway," said Leon.
Chris merely shrugged, giving the answer that Luis hoped to here.
"Well, Senior Serra. Nice to finally service ya something other then herbs and first aid kits. But before you leave, would you like the scope to go with your weapon?"
Luis grinned and eagerly nodded. The merchant pulled out an small attachment case and put the weapon and the ammo inside. After telling him the price, Luis payed without hesitating.
"Strange. This weapon and case together is cheaper than Leon's Striker," Luis commented as he took the attachment case and strapped it on.
"I'm giving you the case as a free gift. The price is for the weapon."
"Still cheaper."
Chris shifted and began to pace. As the other two reloaded on handgun ammo and an upgrade for Luis's new weapon, Chris noticed something glittering just out of the torches light. He slowly walked over, cautious of what was there. He grimaced as he came upon the dead body of yet another monk. He wasn't fresh, that was for sure. He was way past the bloating stage from the look of his decaying body. His skin now was withering away, revealing his bones and other unpleasant things.
Chris covered his mouth as the smell surrounded his senses. It was putrid, absolutely disgusting! He began to back away when his eyes caught sight of the glittering object. He slowly bent down and took the object from the rotting fingers of the corpse, which was sitting up as if in a resting pose. He quickly backed away and washed the dirt and smudge off the round object in a puddle of water. He then stepped into the light to see if his eyes and hands were deceiving him.
His eyes became wide as the light bounced off the crown. From the looks of things, it was solid gold, and the jewel on it was real. No way was he going to sell this thing for cheap to the merchant! He was going to wait to get home and-
"Hey. Looks like you found Salazar's family crown."
Chris jumped at the sound of Luis's voice right next to him.
"Jeez, Luis! Give a guy a heart attack!"
"Sorry."
Chris snorted. Yeah, from that mischievous grin that Luis was giving him; he could tell he wasn't sorry!
"Looks like the crown is missing some pieces," Leon commented.
Chris nodded as he studied the crown. Too bad, that will knock off the value quite a bit.
"Yeah, the red robed Verdugo has one piece. As for the center piece, well, nobody knows where that part is."
"I'd give ya ten thousand for it," the merchant said eagerly.
"Hell no! It's worth more than that."
The merchant grumbled at Chris as he began to pack. Chris ignored him while storing it in his case.
"So, you say a Ver.. uuh... The red robed Ver-something has the other piece?"
Luis nodded as he began to walk over to the metal ladder by the merchant.
"It's pronounced Verdugo. You remember Salazar's tall bodyguards?"
The other two nodded as they got in line to climb.
"Well, that's what we call the Verdugo. They were once men and personal trusted associates of Ramon's. They offered up their lives to Saddler after watching their master fall for Saddler's lies. It took time for them to do that, but their loyalty to Ramon was so strong that they finally gave in. So, after-"
"Let me guess. Saddler had some DNA's mixed and matched with the parasite and wham-mo! Instant freak," Chris said with a bored stare.
"Pretty much."
"Guess that's what will be after us, from what Claire briefly described. Can we please go?"
Luis heard the worry in Leon's voice, which was what the Spaniard needed. He didn't have to tell them that these creatures were extremely dangerous. Not only were they the perfect killers, they were also extremists. They were willing to go as far as killing themselves for Ramon Salazar. Which meant they will keep hunting the three men till they were dead. Yeah, time to go.
**R**
Verdugo quietly jumped to the tallest spike. Gut the sharpness of the rock didn't even put a dent in it's foot. The armor plating of it's rough reptile/bug skin kept him safe from any sharp or harmful object. So far, none that tried has put up much of a fight against one such as himself.
The creature kept still. His manacles clicked, as if waiting for something. Then, very slowly, it crawled down the large rock formation. Bodies littered the ground. This caused the creature to let out a short hiss.
The bodies were of all the traitors of his Master, Ramon. They deserved the painful death they got. Not one of them deserved to live after denying the gift that was implanted in them.
He them whipped his tail and crept forward, careful to stay out of the blue light. Verdugo saw the local merchant, packing up his weaponry and supplies. He stood up to his full height, glaring at the little sneak. Yes. He was the one who was selling the weaponry to the enemy. Normally, he would quickly attack and tear this little traitor apart, but not tonight. He was on a mission to kill the three men. One a traitor, while the other two were intruders who made sure that Lord Saddlers plans did not go smoothly. Tonight was this merchant's lucky night.
"I know you're there. Your clicking and clacking is a bit distracting."
The creature relaxed a bit, but only just a hair. This one was very unpredictable. It was always hard to read him.
"Go on. Go do your master's bidding... But I have to warn ye, you'll never come out alive."
The creature growled, though it wasn't an angry one. He had full confidence in his capability's in disposing mere men. He then walked forward into the blue light, towering over the merchant. The creature was easily seven feet tall, give or take an inch. Needless to say he was not one to easily dismiss like that.
"Your fear tactics won't work with me. It never has, Adan," the merchant said without taking his eyes off the monster's red glowing ones. The creature began clicking, which I guess is it's way of laughing. It then turned and looked up the metal staircase. When he was done with the humans, he will come back and deal with this pest once and for all.
The creature let out a screech as it bent down to jump. Then, in lightning like reflexes, it jumped and began running up the ladder. The merchant merely finished packing his things, perfectly calm.
"Farewell Adan... You don't stand a chance against all three of those men. They got too much at stake to die."
(If any of you want to know, Adan is the Spanish version of Adam. I don't have any Spanish accents to put over the letter to show you, but that's okay I guess. Anyways, thought you should know if any of you think that I made that name up.)
**R**
The rooms that the women walked through were quite breath taking. Apparently, Salazar couldn't bare to let these rooms decay due to acknowledging the older ancestors who lived before the time of the parasite. He firmly believed that they would have received the so called 'gift' with open arms. Well, that was the theory. Claire personally believed that some part of his evil heart clung to what was left of the human inside him.
As the group stepped through yet another set of doors, Claire couldn't help but notice how the tension from Salazar's conversation with Leon earlier was now gone. He seemed more relaxed as he pointed out certain antique pieces and furniture. He would occasionally tell a little tale of what happened in certain rooms during his ancestors time. Some were witty while others were action filled. It made Claire realize just how passionate and charismatic Ramon could be. He probably was once a very charming young man. Now, he was just a shadow of what he once was.
Claire then looked at Sheila who was sticking closely to her side. Her top lip wasn't as swollen, in fact it now was almost normal size. The green herb made her top lip look as if she put on green lipstick only half way. It was cute, but she didn't tell Sheila that. She could be a little self conscious of how people would call her a cute fifteen year old when in fact, she was eighteen.
She then turned her head to her left side and looked over the President's daughter. She kept nibbling her bottom lip and occasionally whimper. Claire could see that she was trying to appear fearless, but it clearly showed she was anything but that. She didn't blame her, she was very fearful herself of what was to come.
_God, please, send someone. I can't do this one by myself_.
Claire didn't know that her answer was already keeping a close eye on her and the girls. Though this person was someone you didn't know if you can trust with, oh, let's say a sample. She clearly already has shown that she couldn't let an innocent die. It didn't suit her purpose in attaining the sample. At least, that's what she keeps telling herself.
The lady in red, ladies and gentlemen... Need I say more?
**R**
The men walked in silence as they walked through the running water. At least they imagined it was that, the color said other wise. They tensed at every noise, stopped at every imagined sound, waiting for whatever that was tracking them to show itself. The tense atmosphere seemed to thicken with every step they took. And the creepy prickling sensation at the back of their necks just didn't go away. The feeling of being hunted was so strong that when one would try to speak, the only sound that came out was a whoosh of air. Which is why everyone gave up on talking altogether.
But this was not easy for Luis. He wanted to urge them to run from what Salazar has unleashed. But the fear of what would happen if he should speak was too great to overcome. Instinct made him keep wisely quiet.
A rat ran out in front of the oldest man, Chris. He let out a not so manly squeal and pointed the riot gun at the poor rat, who now was frozen in fear itself. This broke the tense silence for a moment as Leon began to chuckle.
"Easy there Chris. It may attack if you move."
Chris tried to give the younger man a dirty look, but he couldn't due to seeing the humor in the situation. Luis didn't find anything funny about it as he clearly let them know.
"There's no time for this. We have to hurry!"
At that moment, the sound of a growl a little ways behind them caused the three men to freeze like the rat did. Luis swallowed before looking at Chris and Leon, his eyes showing his urgency.
"Start moving."
The two nodded and began trotting, which soon turned to jogging. The three didn't want to alert the predator of their retreat, yet they didn't want to go to slow. At any rate, they soon reached the door, quickly opening it and leaving the tunnel.
Meanwhile, the creature cocked it's head as it prepared to up the fear factor in his game. Slowly crouching, he prepared his thin but powerful legs to jump. His eye sight seeing every detail in the tunnel, despite the dim lighting. That was thanks to his insect vision that the parasite mutated during his progress of changing. Thus giving him a perfect advantage normal humans didn't have.
He suddenly sprung forward at full speed, becoming a blur of power and swiftness. What took minutes for the three men took mere seconds for the Verdugo creature. He reached the door and quickly entered, not caring that he slammed the door shut, alerting his prey. Truth be told, he was getting bored with the stalking and quiet movements. Verdugo wanted the chase to begin so he could tare his prey apart, feasting on their entrails.
"Go, go go!" Luis said as he ran past them. He quickly opened the door to the first door to his right. His gut feeling told him that soon they would face this abomination. He hoped that the elevator was working.
Luis quickly made his way to the switch that called the small elevator and flipped it. But all he got for his efforts was a big, fat, nothing.
"D-mn it!"
"What?" Chris asked nervously while keeping the gun pointed at the door.
"There's no power. We'll have to find another power source, a generator. It shouldn't be too far," Luis spat out.
The men eyed the door warily. Leon spoke first.
"That thing is waiting for us, ready to pick us off one by one... Let's go, all three of us in a tight knit formation. Stay together so we can stand a chance. Are you with me?"
Chris gave a curt nod. "I'm with you all the way, Kennedy."
Luis's answer to the question was taking out his Mine Thrower. He left the scope off since this was going to be a face to face confrontation.
"This will be for our last resort. So when I fire, stay clear of the monster."
"Sounds like a plan. Let's go," said Chris. The others followed the slightly taller man to the metal door. He prepared to kick it open.
"Get ready to run, men. This is going to be one hell of a race for survival."
Then the ex-Stars member kicked the door open and ran, the other two following. It wasn't long before the creature attacked.
"Duck!" Chris yelled as some dust and rubble up ahead indicated where the monster was attacking from.
They quickly crouched, narrowly escaping a long, barbed spear like tail lunging forward where Chris's head was. When it retreated, they quickly began running. And the chase was on.
The creature would attack and retreat, attack and retreat. And each time he would change his angle and way of attacking. One minute he would be up above them, the next the freak was underneath their feet under the grating, breaking through the metal. He would try to spear, decapitate, or grab them, but each time they were quicker. It felt like he was merely toying with them like a cat does with a mouse.
Soon, they reached the right door and kicked it open, hoping that this would be a quick flip of the switch. Chris and Leon's stomachs seemed to fall when they saw all the twists and turns of the room. It was filled with noisy machinery which would make it harder to dodge any attacks.
They followed Luis who now was leading, who wasn't that sure of where he was going. He was winging it, hoping he wasn't leading the two men to their deaths. After turning another corner, he finally spotted what he was searching for. The switch to the generator. He grabbed the lever and gave the two men a triumphant look. It didn't last when the sound of the door slamming open caught their attention.
Luis pushed up, hearing the generator kick in. The men then quickly ran back to the open doorway, but were stopped when a metal shutter fell into place. A computerized female voice spoke in Spanish. Luis translated as his face paled.
"Please wait three minutes for the power to stabilize."
The men looked up at the ceiling, there weapons going back and forth.
"This is it then. No more running from the big ugly," Chris said with finality.
Leon clutched his Striker, ready to pull the trigger.
"Leon, you go first since you have the short range advantage. I'll be behind you while Luis, you can get behind me. That way, if push comes to shove, we'll duck and you fire your mines."
They complied, getting into position. Leon, now leading, began walking forward slowly. His muscles tense, the adrenaline rushing through his veins. Now that they can't flee, they have to fight and face this monster.
The creature would have smiled if he still had lips. He loved the silence before he revealed himself to his prey. They knew he was there yet not where. They would realize that confrontation with him was inevitable and try to do the heroic thing and face him. The air becomes frigid as they could clearly feel his presence. Then, when the pressure was built high enough, he would swoop down and let them see his powerful body unveiled. The fear on their faces always filled his cold heart up with a sadistic glee. It was like a fine wine, preserved just right.
He prepared to release his power and revel in their fear. Then, after allowing them to use their puny weapons, he would tear them apart, one by one. He waited three more seconds, then he dropped.
Leon jumped back when the tall figure dropped down right in front of him. The Verdugo towered over him, it's eyes shining brightly with a red light. It's exoskeleton looked hard and was a shiny black, resembling that of a beetle. It's legs were long and surprisingly slim, though they held more strength then they showed. His arms were equally skinny, though his claws were massive and sharp. Leon couldn't figure out if this thing was a bug, reptile, or scorpion. In fact, the only human thing remaining was from the eye level up. That was the only patch of skin that the men could see. And his long hair seemed human, but that was all.
Their enemy let out a very loud scream, signaling the fight has begun.
Leon began firing at the monster blocking his path. The creature took one step back, looking as if he enjoyed the attempts made on his life. Chris stepped up beside the struggling agent and began firing, but neither put a dint in it.
The creature began clicking and making a guttural sound, apparently the freak was laughing. Then he attacked the men, who ducked as a long arm tried swiping off some heads. He kept swinging, backing them back to the door. Chris saw what the intelligent being was doing, and let out a yell for Luis to fire. He didn't have the chance when it's long tail speared forward, delivering a deep gash in his left cheek. Luis yelled and dropped his weapon, clutching his severely bleeding face.
Verdugo screeched with glee as it jumped forward, tackling both men. Chris and Leon tried to move, but the weight of the monster had them pinned and helpless. The predator began clicking as his long tail wound itself over Verdugo's shoulder, ready to deliver a killing blow to both men. But the creature didn't expect the blinding pain to his only soft spot, his forehead.
Luis smacked the monster over and over with his Mine Thrower, rage spurring him on. The monster tried to spear the annoying human, but Luis was too quick and dodged his attacks. With Chris and Leon's renewed struggles to push the him off while the traitor was busy giving him a concussion, the monster had no choice but to back off.
He quickly sprung off and jumped back up on the roof, crawling away.
"Come on! Let's kill that Bast-rd!" Luis yelled as he jumped over them.
The two men quickly got up, and tried to stop their friend. They stopped when the sound of the shutter door opening, and the computerized voice saying something in Spanish. It didn't take a genius for them to know that it was telling them that the door was now opened.
Verdugo hissed as he scurried from dark corner to dark corner. He didn't expect the scientist to surprise him like that or even get a good hit on him. But it was just a fluke as the Americans would say, a lucky shot. This time, he will waste no time in disposing Luis Sera. Then he will have his fun with the Americans.
Luis stopped, feeling the monster's burning stare. It was close, he could feel it. He turned and put his back near the nitrogen tank. It will be any second now...
Verdugo roared as he grabbed Luis's throat, lifting him in the air from his position on the ceiling. Luis dropped his weapon and tried to loosen the vice like grip. His air was quickly depleting, causing his lungs to burn for much needed air. He faintly heard Leon's voice as he stared into Verdugo's red eyes. They were filled with hate, rage, and evil glee.
Then some shots rang out, though they did nothing to harm the creature. But it did do it's part in releasing the Spaniard. He fell hard on his back, the oxygen still a hard thing to grasp. He opened his mouth to gasp for air, but the fall plus the choking made it very difficult to allow a tiny bit of air into his burning lungs.
His vision blurred as he watched the creature drop down, barely missing his head. He saw Leon rush past the monster and jump on the tank of nitrogen. He knew that he should move away, but the energy was just not there. Then a pair of strong hands grabbed his shirt and dragged him away as Leon kicked and kicked till the nitrogen came detached from the wall.
The freezing nitrogen gas sprayed as it fell to the ground, then violently twirled around as the contents emptied from the tank. The monster was ignoring the nitrogen gas - big mistake. His limbs began to freeze, making his movements slowed down till he was moving at a snails pace. Leon raised his Striker and fired away at the Verdugo, slowly chipping away at his armor.
Then, just as quickly when the limbs froze up did they began to find movement easier. Soon, the frost melted, giving him back the freedom to chase. But his prey was no where in sight.
"Take Luis to the elevator and get out of here!"
Chris slowed down and responded. "Are you crazy? You're not going to stay and fight this thing, Leon. Let's all get the hell out of here!"
Leon shook his head as he dropped his Striker and showed Chris the Mine Thrower.
"Don't worry about me. I got a strategy now. Now go!"
Chris didn't argue, instead he grudgingly did as he was asked. Leon hurried and stopped by the nitrogen tank in the twisting tunnel, waiting on the creature. He wasn't lying when he said that he had a strategy now. But he couldn't know for sure if it would work. The only thing he could hope for was to give Chris and Luis time to escape. Someone had to survive to save the women, or all was lost.
Verdugo howled as he charged, his pincer mouth wide open, showing several rows of tiny razor sharp teeth. Leon stood his ground. As the creature leaped, Leon did the same thing as with the last tank. And it worked just as perfectly as last time. He didn't waste time as he emptied the mine thrower, then ran. He heard the mines beeping for a few seconds..
The sounds of several tiny but effective explosions behind him as he ran for the next door. Surely another tank would be in there. He kicked the door open and almost smiled at the tank next to the wall. The room was perfect also since it was empty except for a single machine in the corner.
Meanwhile, Verdugo was shaking off what the agent had pulled on him. He was hurt, something he hasn't experienced since being a normal human. His hard outer shell was broken where the agent had left several of those deadly mines. Together, their mini explosions had done what several tried to do. Now, brown blood was flowing steadily from his wounds. He growled in his throat. It was because of the nitrogen, freezing his shell till it was brittle.
Verdugo cursed Leon and all that had dealings with him. He could already feel his energy depleting, though he was still faster and stronger than all men combined. But now, he had weak spots. He couldn't allow this to happen. He must kill them.
So, with those gloomy thoughts, Verdugo crawled among the walls. He listened for any sounds that would tell him where his prey hid. He could hear the two back in the elevators room, but their evil little companion was not with them. That left that one room that was in the middle of the tunnel. He knew that the little creep was in there, waiting for him. But this time he would not fall for it yet again.
Leon felt anxious. And not just because there was an angry freak of nature on his tail, but because the freak of nature hasn't burst through that door to try and rip him to shreds. He couldn't help but feel that maybe it had decided to go after the other two where ever they were now. Maybe his plan has failed and it caught up with them and killed them!
Leon knew he had to keep his cool, but the thoughts persisted. He also knew that his training taught him not to second guess himself, that would get him killed. But, he had to take action and check out the perimeter.
So, he quietly strolled over to the door and opened it. The door creaked open, causing Leon to wince. If the monster was near and couldn't find him, it would surely know he was here now. So, he waited... And nothing happened. He gathered his strained nerves and stepped out the of the room, but kept the door open.
He slowly walked out till he was out of the short hall and in the wider tunnel. Nothing. He shivered, knowing that he was being watched.
"Come on... Where are you," Leon quietly spoke. He didn't like being exposed like this.
His nerves getting the better of him, he came to the decision to turn around and go back and let the creature come to him. Follow the original spur of the moment plan. Then, something hot began dripping on his blond hair. He slowly looked up and saw the monster, it's blood dripping down on his face.
"Heh. Figures I'd see your ugly face again."
The Verdugo responded with a roar as it attacked. Leon quickly rolled away and ran for the open doorway. A large claw grabbed his right ankle and yanked back. Leon dropped the Mine Thrower and grabbed the edges of the doorway and hung on for dear life. He yelled in pain as the creature tugged hard. It was the same leg that the rope wrapped around earlier during the giant fish decent to the bottom of the lake.
Verdugo growled and pulled harder, intending to pull his leg off. Then he would enjoy tearing off the other limbs. Things were looking up!
Poor Leon, things looked dire in his future. He had to quickly go through his options.
_(A) I can hang on, hoping Chris didn't listen to me and get his fat butt here and save me. Of course the freak would tear off my leg by then and beat me to death with it. _
Leon almost cried as the pressure on his leg grew worse.
_(B) Alright, I could let go and hope my trusty knife and my agent skills will kill the freak. But, then it wouldn't work and I'd find myself being eaten or it would tear my head off and put it on a pike._
Leon swore loudly as he felt his leg being stretched to the limit.
_(C) I... I... I could... I'm dead. Might as well go out in style and let go and grab that Mine Thrower. Then, BOOM! HA! Hahahahahahahahaaaaa!.. Ah crap. I forgot, the mine thrower is empty now... And Luis has the ammo for it... Just my luck._
The only option Leon had was to die. At least that what it seemed like. So Leon decided to just wing it. He let go and quickly grabbed his Blacktail from it's holster. All this was done in seconds since it took seconds to be pulled over till he was directly under the Verdugo, who was looking rather pleased.
Leon roared himself as he fired away. Wrather it was luck or providence or great aiming, Leon's bullets hit the patches of unprotected skin that the mines had greatly unveiled. The monster howled in agony, jumping back to get away from Leon's gun fire.
Leon's gun clicked, telling him to get up and run. So he did. He ran back to the room, taking off his case and bringing out the TMP. He heard the monsters' running steps behind him, not giving him much time. He turned to run over to the tank, but the creature leaped and stood between him and his goal.
Brown stinky blood now poured from Verdugo's wounds. His eyes didn't shine as brightly now, the killer look now dulled. Leon raised the TMP and gave a defiant look.
"You're finished. I'll be sending your master to join you in hell soon. You can count on it!"
The creature spread it's arms and hissed. Leon presumed that was it's way of saying, "Bring it on!" Well, he'll definitely bring it on!
Then, the sound of beeping came from behind the Verdugo, where the tank was. Both Leon and monster looked confused. The monster slowly turned to see a mine sticking to the tank. Then it exploded. Cold Nitrogen liquid completely covered the creature, instantly freezing his body. Then the sound of shotgun blasts was heard as it delivered the final blows, shattering the creature into tiny pieces covering the floor. Leon relaxed and turned his head to see Luis and Chris, standing there with their weapons.
"I thought I told you to run?"
"You did," Chris responded in a casual manner. He glanced at Leon briefly while he reloaded his Riot gun. "Thought you would need our help, Lone Ranger."
Leon snorted in disagreement, though his eyes glinted with mirth and thankfulness. For once, he was grateful for that stubborn streak inside the Redfield's genes.
"You two should have listened."
Luis then decided to speak, his voice gravely and soft from the choking he endured. "Actually, we didn't have a choice. The computer said it would take at least five minutes before it would reach our level, due to technical difficulties."
Leon looked from one man to the next. Based from their looks, _they were_ going to listen to what he told them to do. What a shocker. Well, at least they came back instead of waiting for the elevator.
"Boy, do I feel important," Leon muttered sarcastically. He reloaded his Blacktail, smiling somewhat. He did owe them one. And he did need their help, but he would never tell them that.
"Hey," Luis said but couldn't go on. His throat constricted with pain, causing him to wince and cover the bruised area of his flesh.
Chris put a hand on his shoulder and said, "Don't speak. You need to let your windpipes rest. Just... point or.. blink once for no and twice for yes."
Luis nodded, though he still had to show them what he was trying to say.
He walked over to the melting pieces of what was left of the Verdugo, and picked up a shiny gold piece. It had a green jewel set in it. On the back was a stud, as if it fit into something. He smiled and tossed the jewel covered piece to Chris. Chris scowled a bit as his gloved hand caught the slippery object. He wiped the gunk off on his pants, then grinned. It was a piece of the crown.
**R**
Claire's feet dragged as she followed Salazar's small form. Her eyes drooped continuously, as did the other two girls. What felt like a pin prick in the middle of her spine forced her to snap back to attention, though she knew it wouldn't last. She cast a unhappy glance over her shoulder at the black robed body guard, the one who still held that stupid blade. She felt like whipping around and take the weapon from the freak's clawed grasp and stick it up where the sun don't shine.
But that would be hard to do with her hands tied. So instead, she just thought up all the things she was going to do as soon as she was free. Of course the way she was feeling now would make it impossible. She really missed her weapons.
Sheila, who was next to her, stumbled and fell to her knees. Claire and Ashley stopped and tried to get her to stand up, but it was useless. The teen was just too tired and drained from everything the day and night has thrown at her. When Claire saw the Verdugo reach for the back of Sheila's neck, Claire quickly put her body between them. She stared defiantly up at where she supposed it's eyes would be.
"Humph. Looks like the one who likes to chat can't keep up. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. You know what happens to stragglers?"
Sheila shook her head as she tried to look at the Castellan in the eye. Her eyes kept closing with exhaustion. Salazar grinned and leaned in till their noses nearly touched.
"We put iron shoes over a hot open fire. And when the iron shoes turn bright red... we put them on the stragglers and watch them scream and jump and run. It's like a dance you see, a dance for us. If you do not get back up, my guard will take you in a room, heat up the special iron shoes, and bring you before me. Then, you will dance for my amusement."
Sheila's eyes widened in fear as the scenario played out. She tried to hop up, but she only got as far as one knee up. Her feet and body was hurting and too exhausted. She tried again, this time fulfilling Salazar's orders. But soon her knees began to buckle. She closed her eyes and stiffened her muscles. This was a bad thing, for it caused her legs to cramp ferociously. She cried out and collapsed again.
Claire gritted her teeth and spoke angrily at the Castellan.
"Look, we're exhausted! We're not one of your Ganados who could get up after being shot in the head! Please, just bear with us and let everyone have a rest and some water."
Ramon seemed to take this into consideration. She was right, these two girls parasites were not mature enough to give them the strength for such long marches. He could even see strain on this woman who has no parasite at all. But he didn't have time, they had to get to the main temple and prepare for the ritual to welcome them into paradise. They also had to inject this strange young woman with an egg. So much to do; so little time to do it.
"We don't have time. I can't count on the fact that my Adan has killed those pests. The only choice that is available is to keep moving. Agustin, take this and give it to the weak one. That should perk her up," Salazar said with a growing smirk as he took out a small metal canteen from the inner pocket of his blue coat. The guard took it and unscrewed the cap.
Claire couldn't believe it. They were going to give her liquor!
Agustin grabbed Sheila's jaw and forced it to open. She barely put up a fight. He then poured the smelly, brown liquid in her mouth. Her eyes immediately opened as she began to choke and try to get out of his grasp. But the creature was persistent and too strong for her to get away from.
"She's only eighteen years old! She's too young for alcohol of any sort!"
Salazar ignored Claire's protests and watched the scene play out. He then raised a hand, and curtly spoke.
"That's enough... Does anyone else need a pick me up? It's a very special brand, my guards own old family recipe."
Ashley shivered with fright and shook her head while Claire didn't say anything. Salazar then took the canteen and put it back where it belonged.
"Good. Now, let's continue on. We're late as it is."
Sheila felt the guard lift her to her feet and push her. She didn't stumble to Claire's surprise. Sheila noticed the older woman's worried look, so she tried to reassure her with a smile. All she knew is that when she turned twenty-one, she will never, ever, ever, ever have any form of alcohol again. Her throat burned, her eyes watered continuously, her head swam with dizziness yet alertness at the same time. She didn't know if she should pass out or puke first.
Maybe she was drunk, or just tipsy. Either way, the stuff had its desired effects. The liquor began to warm her body up, making her feel sick yet cozy. Yet the taste in her mouth was absolutely disgusting! How could people drink that stuff? She shook her head and tried to concentrate on walking. All she knew was that she was wide awake now. Hopefully, she would stay that way, or Salazar will have that freak pour more poison down her throat. Only good thing that would come from that is her puking on Ramon's shoes. That brought a smile to the teens face.
**R**
Saddler rubbed his chin, his thoughts were on the situation at hand. From the report from his men back at the castle, Salazar has failed in killing agent Kennedy, Luis, and that American intruder. True, Ramon has the girls and that woman in custody, but his record on handling these pests were spotty.
Well, at least he knew who the intruder now was. His men had gotten some pictures of the brunette and used that to look into the American system. There they found out that he was an ex-air force pilot, and a ex-S.T.A.R.S. member. In fact, he was one of the few who survived the mansion incident. How quaint.
And the woman was his little sister, Claire Redfield. She survived with the agent in Raccoon City, then went on to find her brother. She had managed to live the horrors form the Umbrella bases in the hunt for her older sibling. In the end, she and her brother were reunited at the Antarctic base, having a happy ending. How cliche of them.
He had tried to reach his boy Salazar, but he couldn't get a signal. But it was probably for the best. Sometimes Ramon acts irrationally when his temper is stirred up. If he would to find out that the young Redfeild knew Leon, then he might make her disappear, despite his request for her to live.
Saddler's thoughts were interrupted by the electronic door sliding open. Krauser's large bulk filled the doorway, the light behind him casting a halo around his still form. Saddler leaned back in to his throne and watched as the tall, muscled man strolled over, then knelt on one knee and bowed his head
_How long did you know, Krauser, about these intruders? Probably from the beginning, you idiotic, foolish, American ape. You must take me for an idiot. How little do you and your superiors know me. Your time will come soon_.
"I have an assignment for you Krauser. One I trust only you to carry out."
Krauser slowly looked up at Saddler, his blue eyes cold as ice as he spoke.
"What would you have me to do, Lord Saddler?"
Saddler held back the smile, loving the way this spy tried to butter him up. Makes killing this traitor the more satisfying.
"My boy Salazar is having trouble disposing the two Americans and Luis, the traitorous insect. I have a feeling he might lose the three girls due to certain pests. Dispose of these swines when you have the chance. But first, take control of the situation and bring the girls here. But handle it delicately; Ramon doesn't quite trust you yet."
Krauser stood up and gave a chilling smile. "Yes, Lord Saddler. I'll take care of the problem, you can count on it."
**R**
"Okay, the dynamites lit!" Chris shouted as he ran over to the other two.
They just went through a major battle with Ganado villagers and a happy chainsaw maniac. As the merchant promised, the Striker came in handy with the close quarters combat. And having more ammo than the Riot gun did help. Now the only thing left to do was to blow up the boulder blocking them from the large doors.
They covered their ears and waited. The explosion was large and loud, blowing the giant Boulder to smithereens. When the dust settled, the two villagers that was waiting for them earlier over there, was now gone. Which left them alone. For the time being that is. The three crossed over, though they were a bit hesitant to open the large metal doors. Chris spoke first.
"It's not like there will be another freak monster in there. Right?"
Luis and Leon looked at each other and said nothing. Luis for obvious reasons since his throat was still recovering. As for Leon, he really didn't want to jinx them.
Chris sighed and opened the heavy doors. He then stepped inside, his finger slightly touching the trigger of the Riot gun. The first thing that they noticed was the heat in the room. They noticed that under the metal crating floor, hot liquid magma substance glowed yellow and red. The heat on their shoes was horrible, making it feel as if their feet was on fire.
The three ran to the large metal gate, hoping to find a switch so they could leave this hot room. But as you know, this was not to be. For when they were within five feet of the gate, it opened without their help. And in stepped two El Gigantes.
"You've got to be kidding me," Chris exclaimed.
The dark skinned giant with the black cloth covering it's face roared. The men ran back to the metal circle in the middle of the floor.
"We should split up," Chris suggested. Luis shook his head while Leon began looking at his surroundings. He noticed that they were in a circular room with no where to hide. They could maybe climb the ladder to the top, but that would only be safe for so long before the two giants come and start breaking apart the scaffold.
The floor vibrated as the paler Gigante began to walk forward, his eyes holding some sort of intelligence, his face curling up a lip in what could be marked as disgust. His face looked as if had a brown, leather muzzle, though now a chain hung uselessly from it.
Chris and Luis began to fire while Leon noticed the switch. He didn't notice that the other two had backed away, or that the dark one joined in with the smarter Gigante.
"Leon! MOVE!"
Leon looked up at the sound of Chris's yell and saw a foot raised above his head. He quickly rolled to the left, narrowly escaping instant death. But he didn't have time to run for the dark one swooped his hand down and brought the agent up close to his face. Leon knew what came next.
Leon screamed as the giant squeezed, slowly crushing his body. Leon brought out his knife and stabbed with all his worth. Relief went through his mind when it let him go, howling in pain. The pale one, who was chasing Luis and Chris around, heard it's partner's howl. It saw Leon scrambling away while it's comrade held it's bleeding hand.
Leon saw the hatred and blood lust in the pale ones eyes, causing him to run back to the ladder. He quickly climbed, hoping that he himself knew what he was doing. When he reached the top, he saw that the other two already were closing in on his position. He didn't have much time.
Leon noticed that he could slide down the winch and land by the switch. Question is, what is it for? That's when he noticed the metal circle he and the others stood on just a little bit ago. Maybe...
Leon felt the giant's shaking the scaffold, trying to get him to fall off the platform. He didn't have time to go over the details on the plan forming in his mind, he just had to try and do it. So, he grabbed the winch and jumped off, the winch quickly bringing him to the other side of the room.
He let go and landed on his feet. To his relief, he noticed his shotgun lying near the circle, but not on it. He hoped the monsters didn't drag it with them when he flipped the switch. Opening his mouth, he shouted orders to Chris and Luis to hurry toward him. They did without asking any questions, though not knowing why the agent was so persistent about it. They heard growls coming from the pale Gigante, who finally noticed that Leon was no longer on the platform. His friend still shook the scaffold, the situation not clicking in his slow mind.
Chris gulped and raised his gun, casting a glance at Leon. The agent had his hand on the switch, looking as if he were perfectly calm. He hoped the younger man knew what he was doing. For a angry Gigante was coming for them. The dark one, now noticing Leon was no longer there, quickly caught up with it's smarter partner.
It quickly passed him and stepped onto the metal circle. Leon saw that the other one wasn't going to step on the circle, but instead it went around. Leon flipped the switch.
The circle immediately opened, dropping the surprised dumb Gigante down into the pool of magma. It screamed as it thrashed around, trying to escape. But the screams ceased as did the giant. Steam filled the air. The pale one stared at the bubbling goo, as if in shock. Then it turned it's angry eyes at the smaller men, drool dripping from his lips.
"I think we should move," Chris said while steeping away. Leon didn't argue.
Luis, Chris and Leon ran at the opposite of the circle, keeping the pool of lava between them and their enemy. When coming close to the opening, Leon picked up his Striker and began to fire while Chris and Luis did the same. Luis decided to use the rest of his mines in his Mine Thrower. He emptied his gun, then threw it behind him since he had no more spare ammo.
The mines beeped a few seconds, then exploded, leaving some minor wounds. This only angered the Gigante even more, making him go in a rage. Luis gulped as did the others.
Suddenly,the dark Gigante sprung from the lava and reached out his hands to grab the ex-scientist. Leon and Chris grabbed their friend and pulled him back just in time. The monster who now looked like a melting zombie moaned, then fell back into the pit.
The circular doors closed, making way for the Gigante.
"Okay, same plan. You two distract him while I climb the latter."
Leon ran for the platform while Chris and Luis pestered the giant. They threw flash grenades, blinding it. Then they would shoot and edge toward the switch, trying to buy Leon time. It worked. When Leon was finally on the platform, he fired his Striker. The Giant turned and charged, crashing into the scaffold. This was not what Leon expected. He soon flew off the platform and landed on it's back.
The giant roared and reached back to grab him, but Leon let go and soon hit the floor. He turn and ran, hearing the giant breathing down his neck. As soon as he crossed over the platform, he shouted to the other two to flip the switch. They did.
The giant felt the weight give way and did something unexpected. It rolled to the left, narrowly escaping his comrade's fate. The three were shocked.
"Looks like we have one that learns quickly," Chris stated as he reloaded his Riot Gun. Luis decided to bring out the Broken Butterfly, the one he forgot to give to Leon.
"Guess it's the old fashion giant slaying for us," Leon muttered as he dropped the Striker and unclasped a flash grenade.
"We'll shoot it. Leon, you just throw the flash grenades and wait for it to reveal it's parasite. Then you can climb it's back and finish him," Luis croaked.
Leon nodded and ran straight for the giant. It seemed to like his ferociousness and cracked it's hands in preparation. But then it didn't expect another blinding flash in his face.
Chris and Luis quickly ran to the opposite side of the circle and began firing. The giant forgot about Leon who now was behind him, and instead focused it's rage on the two men across from him. But he never had a chance to give chase, for soon he was brought to his knees, the parasite flailing about. Leon quickly scrambled up it's back and stuck a flash grenade in the slimy mouth of the parasite. He then leaped off, hearing the flash grenade going off.
The giant screamed as the parasite literally exploded from the bright, deadly light. Puss, blood, and a stinky brown liquid sprayed from his back. His strength was zapped out of him, his eyes rolling to the back of his head. Then with one last breath, he fell down into the lava pit, melting. The pit's door closed, leaving the three men free from Los Dos Gigantes.
**Authors Note: And that's that. I hoped the alcohol scene didn't offend anyone. That was inspired by the Twin Towers in the Lord of the Ring Trilogy, where the orks forced Merry to drink the Ork liquor to revive him in a way. I just thought that fit in somehow. I just want to say one thing. If you are younger than twenty-one and you are drinking, then you should know that in America it's illegal. I don't condone drinking before the legal age limit here. So don't go drinking, then tell everyone that sheshe21 wrote about it in a short scene of her fic. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!**
**Okay, I got that out in the open. Now, I just want everyone to know that if you haven't voted yet on my pole, do so now. I will be closing when I post the next chapter so vote now! But review first. I mean it, review now... NOW!**
32. Chapter 31: Many Obstacles
**Author's Note**: Hey yooooouuuuu guuuuuuys! Thanks for your helpful reviews! You're the best! This should be an enjoyable chapter for you Res fans. I'm using a Beta reader now so things should be flowing much smoother. Enjoy!
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**Resient Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 31:** **Many** **Obstacles**
Ada kept silent as a mouse as she slowly tracked Salazar and his latest victims, the President's daughter and the two headstrong women. It was easier tracking the group now that one of those interesting but vile creatures were gone. That only left two dangerous opponents left, Ramon and the other Verdugo.
If you were there, you wouldn't be able to resist watching the stealthy spy. Her silent long strides were steady and confident. It would be like watching one of those Nature shows where the panther is stalking its prey.
Suddenly, our tiny but deadly predator stops and hides in the shadows. Her prey has stopped in front of a large metal door. Salazar seemed busy giving orders to the two monks guarding the door.
They quickly opened the door and stepped back, their heads bowed in reverance as the group passed them by. Ada waited ten seconds after the door was closed before she set out to dispatch the two Ganado monks.
Ada unsheathed her knife and began scraping it against the stone wall as she slowly walked down the short hall. The two men looked at each other, suspicion shining in their red eyes. The older monk, who had the cults ingsignia tattooed on his left cheek, motioned for his young companion to check out the hall. The young monk seemed reluctant to do so, but in the end he followed his instructions.
With his scimitar in hand, he slowly stalked the sound from the hallway. When he reached the shadows, the sound suddenly stopped. His pale hands gripped the weapon tighter as he stopped and listened. His senses told him that someone or something was near. He could turn around and escape the danger that was lurking there, but to do that would make him a coward. Lord Saddler looked down on those who met danger and fled.
So in his native tounge, the young Ganado spoke loudly to his soon to be executioner. His voice held none of the fear he felt deep inside.
"In the name of the great Lord Saddler, show yourself now! For if you do, his favored servant, Salazar, will show you mercy and let you live. You have five seconds to do so."
The young monk opened his mouth in a silent scream as a sharp, unbearable pain pierced the crown of his head. He felt something hot and wet trail down his forehead. He raised his hand and touched the wet substance, his brain not comprehending what just happened. He looked down at his hand and saw that his thick brownish blood now coated his hand.
The monk dropped his weapon and fell to his knees. As his vision blurred, the dying young man saw a shadow slowly passing by. The shadow stopped and stepped out a little from the shadows. The moonlight behind his killer revealed the shape of a slim woman, but not her face. With his last dying breath, he cursed her.
Then the parasite burst through his fragile skull, spraying blood and brain matter all over the wall and the bottom of Ada's lavish red dress. The creature was in its first stage of morphias, making it quite easy to finish it off. She picked up the dead man's scimitar and began slashing and hacking away till the blobby parasite stopped twitching and disintergrated.
Ada quickly turned around and pressed her slim body up against the wall as the older monk came running up. The shadows hid her well as the Ganado investigated the scene.
The older monk felt rage when he saw the gooey mess on the floor and walls. It didn't take a crime scene investigator to see that a messy murder happened there. His red eyes saw the bloody knife on the floor. He bent down and picked up the weapon, giving Ada a perfect opening.
The spy swung the blade down, imbedding the weapon into the fanatic's lower spinal vertabrae. It was what a trained professional killer knew as the sweet spot. The surprised monk fell to his knees, twitching as Ada twisted the blade somewhat. Then in a blink of an eye, Ada cleanly chopped off the Ganado's head.
When the fully grown parasite emerged, Ada quickly sliced and diced before any real threat was made. The body disentergrated quickly, leaving only her knife behind.
Ada hummed as she grabbed her serrated knife and wiped the gooey blood off on her white hankerchief. Then when statisfied with her work, she sheathed it and picked up where she left off.
"Now back to business."
**R**
Sheer will can drive a man to do the craziest things. It can drive you beyond your physical limits and even your mental limits. This was one of those times for Leon S. Kennedy, Chris Redfield, and Luis Serra.
After their gruesome battle with the two El Gigantes, the weary group rested for a few minutes. They took this unusual quiet time to bandage the injuries that was recieved. Of course poor Leon needed the most bandaging after being knocked around by the two giants. Chris and Luis didn't say a word as they helped the hurt, silent man.
After rewrapping his already broken ribs, Luis had the agent eat a green herb and a yellow one. It seemed that the yellow herb delivered pain relief as well as a faster healing process. Soon, Leon was able to get up and walk without gasping in pain. But the others persisted that Leon should rest, that when the pain relief faded, he would feel all the more worse for moving around. The agent simply stated that the wicked never rested.
The two men gave up, knowing that nothing would convince Leon to take a longer breather. So on they marched, hurt, tired, but very determined to catch up with the women folk.
They soon found themselves in another Novistadors lair. Except this time, there was barely any light. Only the pale moonlight lit the dimly, large cavern.
From what they could make out, they were in what looked like a large open cave. There was nature made bridges going this way and that way, like a busy highway. Strangely enough, there was a large mirror hanging high up.
They also could see and hear several Novistadors flying around in the cavern. At least they had one thing in their favor, the insects didn't bother using camoflauge.
It was Luis who noticed the small stone pillar nearby. He translated the inscription to the two men, who in turn disliked the cryptic instructions.
"Great, just great. Another bizzare way of opening yet another so-called door. Where's our break, huh," whispered Chris with deep seeded frustration.
"If the bad guys cut breaks, they would be out of business. Besides, you heard the instructions. We just have to find the what-you-may-call-its and the path will be lighted or.. uh.. something or other will happen. Nothing is simple now days."
"No time to gripe, gentlemen, for I think the guardians have finally noticed our presence," Luis warned as he pointed his weapon at the three Novistadors heading their way.
The men quickly banded together and began firing their weapons. Though Luis was good with his Red-nine and the two Americans used their shotguns, the insects easily manuevered around thier shots, making them look like amatuers. The Novistadors would dive in and out, trying to knock the intruders down.
In doing this, the insects became over-confident. Soon, Leon nailed them with his Striker. He blew off two of the insects' heads while the third one only had his wings clipped. He would have fallen to his death if he was a bit farther away from the ledge, but sadly it wasn't. It had quickly grabbed the ledge, its green eyes growing red with pain and rage.
Luis didn't give the insect a chance to climb back up. He quickly ran up to the ledge and began stomping on its bony, sharp claws till the creature eventually lost its hold and plummeted down into the abyss.
"Come on, this way," Luis ordered as he took the bridge along the west wall. Chris and Leon followed, ignoring the Novistadors screeches. Instead they concentrated on Luis's lean form as he led them bravely up higher on the ledge.
Luis looked over at his ten'o clock position and almost turned around to flee. Five more insects were heading for their direction. It would be so easy for the Novistadors to knock them off the ledge.
Luis then spotted a tunnel that was rapidly coming up. It seemed dangerous and folly to go in there. If the tunnel turned out to be nothing but a cave, then their chance of surviving was not good. They would be trapped.
Luis quickly made the split second decision and ran inside, the other two following close behind. The tunnel was short and led to what Luis expected it would. A dead end.
"A dead end? Great! Now we're-"
The sound of wings and scraping feet stopped Chris from biting Luis's head off. The three turned around and waited for the inevitable battle.
Five Novistadors came running inside at an angle, their eyes glowing red with hungry anticipation. The guys began to fire, but they soon were over run with insects as three more flew inside. Then the battle really began.
The men slowly began to push the horde back. Blood and guts littered the floor. Finally, the insects began to retreat, leaving one of their stubborn members behind.
It hissed and screeched as the men fired, jumping from wall to floor then back on the roof. It was very agile, like an acrobat. It kept up with its dodge tatics till the men had to reload their weapons. The Novistador screamed as it went on the offensive and attacked.
The insect leaped at the nearest to it, Chris. Luis saw this and shouted as he quickly reloaded his red-nine.
Chris saw the creature and dropped his Riot gun and took out his knife. But the insect was faster and had landed on its target. The force knocked the ex-S.T.A.R. member back.
Chris's back hit a large button, causing a bright light to flash in the room for a second. The bug screeched and let Chris go. It seemed disoriented as it stumbled onto the floor, shaking its head. Chris seized the opportunity and rammed his combat knife deep in the middle of the numerous green eyes. The blade made contact with the brain, killing the insect instantly.
Chris withdrew his blade and watched the twitching body disentergrate. He silently cleaned his knife of its yellow gore on his pants, feeling satisfied.
"That must be it! The first light to light our path," Luis said excitedly.
"Good. Let's go find the next one," Leon said after finishing with reloading his Striker.
Chris agreed as he picked up his gun. "Let's go then and take advantage of what the bright light did. That is, if it affected the insects like it did with our dead freak here. Otherwise, things might be more difficult."
The three guys quickly ran back up the tunnel till they reached the entrance. They waited, trying hard to hear the faintest sound of their enemy. It was eerily silent. Since there was now more light, they could see more on what was on the other side of the cavern.
"Okay, on three. One... Two...," Luis slowly said.
"Three," Chris said excitedly as he ran past the two men.
Chris smirked as he ran, feeling Luis's scowl burning at the back of his skull. He heard their footsteps behind as he ran up the path.
He stopped when reaching the door. It looked like a smooth ordinary wall with no door handle or anything that looked like it would open a way out of the cavern. The only thing he saw was the cult's insignia painted on the so called door.
Leon leaned towards the door and smelt the white substance. His brow furrowed as he pulled away. "It's some kind of chemical."
"Don't you see? When we press both of the switches, a heated light shoots out and reflects off that large mirror. That light will be aimed at this door and will start the chemical reaction that will most likely melt this door," Luis explained.
"Oh, I get it. It's just like taking a magnifying glass and letting the sun shine through it. Which of course starts a heated reaction and starting fires on ant hills... What?"
"Nothing. Your explanation just explains a lot about you and your love of violence," Luis remarked dryly. Chris was just about to respond with a not so nice remark when the Novistadors screech interuppted him.
"Time to go," Leon said.
The three men then proceeded down the east pathway, dodging many attacks from the insects. They were almost knocked down several times on the narrow path. Eventually the Novistadors changed their tactics and began carrying loose stones and rubble and dropping them over the guys' heads.
"What the? Ouch! Can't these things give a guy a break?," Chris siad with clenched teeth. One of the stones had made its mark on his left shoulder.
"Look," Leon shouted. The next cave was right up ahead. This gave the men just enough determination to move on despite of the creatures attacks.
The men quickly ran in the tunnel, moving all the way to the back of the small cave. Leon pressed the button and waited for the screams. The light flashed, followed by screeches of the bugs. Then silence.
"That should do it. Prepare to fight for the exit," Leon remarked with finality.
The three men took their stances and waited for the flood of insects that would soon invade the cave. But oddly nothing happened. After five minutes went by, the men began to get antsy.
"Where are they? We should be exterminating their species by now. Instead, we're standing around like panzies," Chris said with unease.
Luis looked at Leon who seemed to be in deep thought. "They could have been driven away by the light."
Leon slowly nodded. "True. But isn't insects usually attracted to light? Besides, these things are smarter than they look. Something... isn't right."
"I agree with Kennedy. These things pulled a fast one on us when abducting the girls. It could be a trap," Chris said.
The men became silent after that particular remark. Things did not bode well when it came to luck being on their side. They were so close to the exit, yet the things that stood between them was a smart and cunning enemy with wings.
"Since we're in a tight spot, let's take things one step at a time. First we'll take a peek and see what we're up against. Then if things look safe, we'll run for the exit like a bat out of hell," Chris said with wavering confidence.
Leon and Luis agreed. "It's our only option. A crappy one but still the only one," Luis muttered.
So the three quietly walked back to the entrance and studied their surroundings. The room wasn't as dimly lit as before, giving them the advantage to see what layed ahead. But they were not fooled by the appearance of things. This could very well be the end for them.
Leon gave a silent signal to the other two before silently stepping out of the tunnel. He stopped when hearing a gurgling sound. It was coming from just above his head.
He looked up to see the open mouth of the insect. Hands grabbed him from behind and pulled him back just as the Novistador vomited its stomach acid. The acid was steaming as it slowly began to eat away at the stone ground.
"Right. Let's get the hell outta here," Leon shakily said.
The men quickly avoided the vomiting bug and ran. The air soon filled with the sound of the humming of the insects wings and screeches of the insect horde.
The Novistadors immediately attacked, using their old dive in and out tactic to try to knock the intruders off the narrow path. But the men were faster and apparently had luck on their side at the moment. Well, all except Chris. One insect had dropped some stones over Chris's position.
"Aah! Not again," Chris said with deep pain. Two of the rocks had found their marks and landed on his left shoulder again.
Within seconds, the men reached the melted exit. They didn't stop till they reached the large boulders that was pounding the ground over and over. Leon cursed at the new obstacle in their path.
"Hey look! They're not following us," Chris said.
Leon and Luis looked back, seeing that Chris was right. The insects were hovering around the entrance, screetching loudly at their prey. It seemed that the trio was safe for the moment.
"It's the noise. It's to loud for them to tolerate," Luis stated loudly over the constant pounding.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
All the noise made it hard for the men to plan their next course of action. They couldn't go back since this seemed to be the only way. But going forward didn't seem possible either, due to the large boulders. This caused some arguments to break out on the subject of who would go first. In the end, Chris came up with the answer. Rock, paper, scissors.
The first one out was Luis. He didn't really understand why rock didn't rip through paper. In his mind, the weight of the rock should have torn through easily. But the rules said paper wraps rock so he didn't press the matter. That left Chris and Leon to duke it out. Leon was not to thrilled with the results.
"Now tell me why the winner can't stay back while the loser goes on ahead?"
"Suck it up, Leon. All of us agreed that the winner gets the privaledge of going first. So don't forget to tell God for me that I might be seeing him earlier than planned," Chris joked as he gave the stones a uncertain glance.
"Ha ha. You're so freaking hilarious, Redfield... What makes you think that you're going to heaven?," Leon said with a small grin.
"Ooo, nice come back," Chris said.
"I do have my moments."
Like in every story, our characters quickly became solemn as one of their own faced the stones of doom. One wrong move could end the agent's life. But that's how Resident Evil life is, one giant death trap.
Leon waited patiently as he counted the seconds every time the stone hung in the air before crashing down. It seemed that it was steady and could give him the seconds he needed to cross over.
When the moment came, he siezed it with both hands. He quickly ran underneath the stone and climbed the raise in the floor. The boulder came down with him safely ahead of it. Now he found himself between two boulders. The one behind and the one in front.
Like the last one, he waited. His patience payed off for within seconds, Leon was safely across. But his troubles were not over yet.
There were three boulders left, each a few inches apart. He thought about running straight through, but he noticed that the middle boulder was seconds behind the first and third one. Plus he was now going up hill. He couldn't wait underneath the boulder due to the few seconds difference.
Leon looked along the walls of the narrow tunnel, hoping to see a button or switch of some sort. As it turns out, there was a lever on the left wall, close to the death traps. Leon quickly grabbed the rusty lever and prayed that it wasn't another trap. Then he pulled down and waited.
As the three stones pulled up, Leon heard a loud click followed by two booms. The middle one was now locked into place, making a slighty safer passage.
Leon's relief was soon followed by his startle grunt as a hand patted him on the shoulder. He gave Chris a scowl, but the man didn't pay any heed.
Luis appeared next, looking a bit pale from fright. The last boulder nearly got him, shedding a few years off his life.
"So this is it," Chris said with some anxiety.
"Looks like it. But who knows what could be waiting for us on the other side," Leon pointed out.
After checking guns and making sure they had them fully loaded, Leon stepped forward and began their last journey of the stone traps. Just as before, he waited. These two stones were going to be trickier do to how much faster they were than the last two.
Taking a deep breath, Leon made his move. He felt a slight breeze behind him as the boulder came crashing down. So far, no pancake Leon.
Leon exhaled and waited again, his teeth chattering with every boom. It felt like he was in a constant earthquake. It seemed that his nose was vibrating with every boom.
After taking another deep beath, Leon ran and didn't stop till the last boom came from behind him. All the air in his lungs came rushing out, making the agent bend over with emotion. His stomach was in knots from the whole ordeal, but at least he was still alive.
Mintues later, Chris came running through, then seconds later Luis. Now that they were safely through the men gave their whoop of victory. Life never seemed so meaningful as it did at the moment.
With one more obastacle behind them, the trio followed the remainder of the tunnel till they reached a small cavern. Moonlight shone brightly down on a small platform. A sarcophagus was strangely on the small round platform. But that didn't matter for now they could get out of the underground caves.
The men ran forward and boarded the platform. It was Luis who noticed the shiny gold piece on a pedestal in front of the platform. He picked it up and showed it to the other two.
"Look at those jewels! That ruby alone would buy several supplies from the merchant," Leon said admiringly.
Luis flipped the gold piece over, showing the small prong on the back. He gave the piece to Chris. When Chris gave him a puzzled look, Luis explained why he gave the jewel to him.
"That's the missing piece to your crown. Now you have a complete Salazar family crown," Luis said.
Chris smiled as he took out the gold crown and put the final piece in place. His face beamed with pride as he held the gold crown under the moonlight.
"You know, I wander what our little evil friend will do when he sees this," Chris mused.
"Why don't you wear it when the next time we see the little guy," Leon dared.
Chris grinned and excepted the challenge as he put his treasure away. Luis shook his head and muttered in Spanish as he placed his hand over the button on the pedestal. He gave the men a look, waiting for their approval.
"Go ahead and do it. I doubt it's another trap. Besides, I'm willing to risk anything for just a moment up on the surface," Chris said with conviction.
With that said, Luis pressed the button. Gears began to shift with a groan as some dust filled the air. Then with a slight jerk, the round platform began to rise. Things were looking up, literaly.
When they breached the surface, each of the men reacted to the crisp cold air differently. Leon stretched his arms lazily, letting the cold air steal away his fatigue. Luis looked up at the clear night sky and smiled at the full moon. Chris closed his eyes and took deep breaths, satisfied with just feeling the gentle breeze caressing his cheeks.
"Heh! Heh! Nice to see ya alive, strangers! I bet you three are ready to stock up again. Step right inside. I got herbs, ammunition, and a upgrade for that Mine Thrower," the merchant said cheerfully.
As the men entered the tiny shack, the merchant took Leon aside and showed him the letter pinned to the side of the shabby small building. The merchant left Leon alone as he began bargaining with the other two. It wasn't too long before Leon joined them.
Chris watched his friend curiously while he bargined with the strange merchant. Leon was calm but there seemed to be a tightness in his face as he bought some goods. Chris waited till they said their goodbyes to the merchant before confronting his friend.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Leon replied.
"Don't give me that. Something's bugging you. Spill," Chris ordered. Leon stopped walking, knowing that Chris wouldn't let it go till he spilled his guts. Not literally of course.
"While you and Luis did business with the merchant, I read a letter addressed to me," Leon began. Chris and Luis gave Leon their full attention.
"The note said that the parasite within the two girls is growing fast. You see, they were injected with the egg before me, plus they don't have the medication to supress the parasites growth. So basically, the letter said to expect the worse when we finally reach them."
"What? So we're supposed to lose hope just because you get a suspicious letter that says that we're going to be too late? Leon, use some sense. That letter was probably just something that was supposed to make us give up. And-"
"Chris, the letter came from a reliable source. That person wouldn't lie about this," Leon said heatedly. Chris narrowed his eyes at the sudden flare of anger.
"It's from her, isn't it?"
Leon didn't have to say anything, his actions already told a different story. Not only do they have to worry about monsters and Ganados on their trail, they got a spy to worry about. The lady in red was not to be trusted. But then agin, lying about the girls wouldn't benefit her at all, so Chris had to agree that the letter might be legit.
"So what else did our favorite Asian spy have to say about our ladies in trouble?" Luis asked.
"Nothing much. Just a warning that we should be prepared for the worst if we get to the girls too late."
"Okay, so did she mention anything about my sister?"
Leon's face betrayed him, making the blood in Chris's veins go cold. Chris grabbed Leon's tactical shirt and jerked the agent forward. Leon wasn't the least intimitated by the older man's show.
"Tell me Leon. Or so help me I'll-"
"Ada thinks that Salazar is going to inject Claire with the parasite. She said we don't have much time," Leon said sadly.
Chris's dark eyes showed the fear that was growing inside of him. He let go of the tight shirt, and stared down the path they were following. Without saying a word, Chris began walking down the dusty path. Leon and Luis followed quietly from behind.
**R**
Salazar led the group in the temple with the giant robot of himself. Sheila knew it well. In the game she would take her time killing the Ganado monks before raising the bridge. For some reason, her heart would pound as the Salazar robot would chase her down the bridge. She made it safely every time but it always still had the same effect on her when she came to that part of the game.
And now, here she was standing in front of the giant hunk of junk. It's height was much more intimidating in person than seeing it on the screen of her TV. Way more!
You'd think that would be the worst part. But no, Ramon Salazar was the master of kicking you when you were down. The little menace was actually going on and on about every boring detail on how they made the stupid thing! Even his body guard was bored to tears as Salazar bragged about the robot.
"You Americans think that you're so advanced in technology and science. But it is clear that we, the Los Illuminados are way beyond your petty Corporations. Even Umbrella never dreamed of doing what my Lord Saddler is going to do. Don't you see? We are the superior new race! WE... ARE... THE FUTURE! He! He! He! He!"
"Oh brother," Claire mumbled, her eyes rolled at the same time. Amazingly, one of Salazar's unique abilities with the parasite was his keen sense of hearing. Or maybe it was because of the great acoustics in the temple. Either way, Claire's softly spoken words were heard.
Salazar gave a heated glare at Claire. The older woman seemed a little nervous as the young man slowly came toward her, his yellow eyes glowing with calculating anger.
"Is there something you would like to say," Salazar asked sarcastically.
"No. Not really. I mean, I've heard it all before. You just recapped what all the others said in the past," Claire answered truthfully.
"And who are they," Salazar asked with curiosity.
"Nobody. Just a bunch of people who thought that they could conquer the world with experiments that spun out of their control. The same thing that happened to them will happen to you," Claire answered.
Ramon grinned as he decided to let the woman continue with her so called prediction of the future. After all, nothing could stand against him or his Lord. They were too powerful, even for the meddle some agent and his two idiot friends.
"And what is going to happen to me, my lady?"
"You really want to know? Well, my guys are going to catch up with us and save the day by kicking your parasite butt. Then together, we're going to stick a rocket up your Lord Saddler's ass and watch as he lights up the night sky. The reason why this will happen is because you bad guys are all the same. Big mouths and no brains," Claire said with confidence.
Claire held no sarcasam in her voice, only deep conviction about what she was saying. In fact, her seriousness about the situation had Salazar frightened for a few seconds. Somehow, deep inside he knew she was right. Like he had died before by Leon's hands.
Ramon shook his head, clearing those crazy thoughts from his head. He argued with himself that the woman was just trying to have the last say on the matter. Nobody can defeat him or Lord Saddler. Nobody! Of course we know that Claire was right. Or I wouldn't be writing this story if it wasn't so.
"Enough talk! Come, we must hurry if we don't want the ritual interuptted by the filthy Americans and their traitor Luis," Salazar said quickly.
With Ramon walking briskly in front, the women was forced to follow from behind. But the three women didn't mind. Claire's words seemed to fan the flames of hope within their hearts. The guys will come and when they do, there would be hell to pay.
**R**
"Get him off! Get this crazy Ganado off," Chris yelled.
The guys were now underground again. After killing several villagers up on the surface, they saw that they needed another weird key to go forward. It was a round emblem with what was supposed to be the sacrifice to the lion carving on the door they wanted to go through. Of course it wouldn't be simple.
When they first entered the dig site, things seemed quiet. There was only one villager hanging around, which they quickly killed with no problems. It was when they neared a small tunnel that led to a crypt when they found themselves being bush wacked. They of course ran down into the small chamber and began to fight.
And that's where we begin. Leon and Luis were busy taking care of two villagers who decided to let their parasites say hi while Chris was trying to put down a villager with a torch.
The villager kept blowing fire at him in the small space, chasing the poor guy around the sarcophagus. Chris fired with his hand gun, but the bullets didn't seem to faze the Ganado. Chris tripped accidently and now found himself being man handled by crazy torch guy.
The Ganado laughed in Chris's face as he held him down on the crypt with one hand. Chris grimaced as the stench of his breath washed over his senses. He was almost glad the villager was choking him, at least he didn't have to breath it in with his mouth.
The villager held the torch close to Chris's handsome face, the heat from the torch brought more discomfort to his tender skin. The villager took a deep breath but didn't get the chance to blow. Luis had jumped on top of the burly villager's back, startling the Ganado. Luis quickly set to work by beating the Ganado's head with the butt end of his gun.
The Ganado released Chris and quickly began whirling around, trying to knock off Luis. But Luis hung on and continued with his assault. Blood trickled down the villager's head as Luis repeatedly hit him on the back of his head. Soon, the Ganado slowed down and began to stumble. He fell to his knees, causing Luis to finally let go and back away.
Chris stood before the villager, holding a golden King's rod. He gave the Ganado one last sneer before ramming the rod across the Ganado's cheek. The man fell back, his cheek busted wide open. Leon came forward and finished him off with a shot to the head.
"Not that I'm not grateful for you rescuing my ass, but why didn't you just shoot the freak?," Chris asked as he cleaned the blood off the golden sceptor.
"By the time I finished with the parasite, my gun was empty. That's when I saw you and our dead amigo here about to turn you into the human torch. So since it takes a little time to reload I decided to distract the poor creature a different way."
"Oh," Chris simply said. He gave Luis a grateful smile as he went over to the crypt and picked up his handgun that he earlier dropped.
"Are you in the habbit of robbing the dead now, Chris," Leon asked critically. Chris gave Leon a puzzling look till he realized he still had the King's rod in his hand.
"Nah. I just noticed it when I leaned against the lid of the dead guy's tomb. So I picked it up and used it as a bat on the dumb Ganado. Here," Chris said as he passed the heavy item to Leon.
"You can use it to get a couple of upgrades for your weapon," Chris said.
Leon quickly put the treasure away and led the men out of the chamber. Earlier they found some bear traps half buried in the sand. He told the two to be extra careful and then proceeded on.
They easily made it through the maze, avoiding the traps along the way. It was when they neared the ladder when they were ambushed again. Leon pointed up and quickly climbed up the ladder. Chris and Luis followed him, but the climb was treacherous with the axes thrown in their direction.
Their real trouble was when Leon reached the top only to find another Dr. Salvador waiting for him with the dreaded chainsaw. The maniac reved the blade up and charged, swinging the chainsaw wildly. Leon pushed back, causing the ladder to tip backwards.
_"This is going to hurt... A lot_," Leon thought.
The men screamed as the ladder fell back. Amazingly their fall was cushioned by the angry mob. But the down side was that the ladder had them pinned. Another wave of Ganados appeared and quickly pushed the ladder off the three men. Rough hands grabbed the three and began pulling their limbs and hitting the guys with great force.
The torcher stopped when the crowd began to chant over and over die in their Spanish language. The men looked up as the crowd parted, revealing not one, but two chainsaw maniacs. Luis cursed vehemently as the two lifted their blades and roared. The crowd went crazy with blood lust as the two Ganados charged.
Chris threw a flash grenade he had sneakly brought out. Leon and Luis closed their eyes, trying to block out the bright flsh as the grenade went off. Cries of pain was heard, well barely. One of the effects of being to close to a flash grenade is a sudden loss of sight and hearing temporarily.
Chris signaled with his hands to the other two to follow him. They quickly ran up to the mine door only to find it locked. Chris cursed as he popunded the door. He felt Leon tapping his shoulder, trying to catch his attention. He turned around and gasped.
Luis was running back to the enemy infested area. He stopped when nearing the door and entered the rocky formation. The villagers were starting to come out of their stupor, which didn't give their friend much time.
Leon and Chris took out their shotguns and ran back. They stood by the rocky formation and began to fire, giving Luis more time to search for the key. They had to switch back and forth between the shotguns and the grenades to thin out the mob of villagers.
It was dirty work. Parasites began bursting through while the chainsaw men kept getting up from each blast. While one would reload, the other would use a grenade. Soon, they were empty on the grenades.
"Luis! Find the d-mn key already," Leon shouted as he blasted yet onther parasite away. Luis appeared from behind and smiled.
"I got it! Let's go," Luis yelled.
The two men ran after him, hoping to get out of there alive. Luis quickly used the key and opened the thick metal door. They ran insde and slammed the door shut. Luis quickly locked it just in time as the sound of screams of outrage was heard on the other side of the door.
"That was insane," Chris said between pants.
"And it gets worse from here on out," Leon predicted.
"Leon, stop jinxing us," Chris exclaimed. Leon gave the guys a 'what-did-I-say?' look. They merely ignored him and continued on.
The next leg of their journey seemed simple enough. They went through another tunnel and wound up in another chamber. Two torches lit the small room brightly, revealing a crypt to their right next to the wall. Rubble and broken bricks littered the floor.
"Finaly, a place where peace and quiet reigns," Luis murmered.
Of course Luis was wrong. Bars slammed down over the doors behind them and in front. Spikes decended from the ceiling as the roof began to lower. And to top it off, a full grown parasite leaped from the earth, spraying dry dust in Chris's eyes.
"Ahh! Son-of a-," Chris said when Leon interupted his angry outburst.
"Stop complaining and start shooting," Leon ordered as he began to fire at the nimble parasite. It took Chris a few seconds before he helped Leon in destroying the little creature. Luis was busy helping by shooting the four red lights in the ceiling.
It didn't take long to stop the trap and kill the lone parasite. When done, the bars lifted with a few groans from the gears. The men left the chamber as if they were leaving the spa. At this point, traps seemed like an every day occurrence. Well, the small ones anyway.
Their next stop was the dreaded mine ride. If you have played the game, you should know that this will not be any ordinary ride. Expect the unexpected in the Resident Evil world.
"Look on the bright side. At least we don't have to walk," Leon said. The others didn't seem so confident.
They quickly got into the caboose, Leon and Chris moved into the next one while Luis stayed in the last cart. Leon then climbed into the front cart, leaving Chris in the middle. Leon signaled the others that three Ganados were ahead on a wooden ledge in the mine.
Leon brought out his TMP while Chris holstered the handgun and brought out his Riot gun. Luis preferred to use his Red-nine.
"Everyone ready?" Leon asked.
"Ready," Chris and Luis answered together.
"Good. Chris, flip the switch," Leon ordered as he taised his TMP.
Chris nodded and held the Riot gun with one hand while bringing his handgun out. He fired, the bullet flipping the lever on the platform. He smiled as the carts jerked forward. With a twirl to show off Chris holstered his gun, barely hearing Luis's snort.
The villagers heard the shot, but surprisingly they didn't do much. They watched with confused expressions as the carts headed their way. A short teen Ganado noticed a red dot pointed at the man beside him. His eyes widened as it clicked at what is about to happen.
He yelled, but the older Ganado didn't know what to think. Leon fired the TMP, stunning all three villagers. They fell from their post and were killed as the mine carts ran over them.
As the mine cart picked up the pace, so did Leon. The sound of his TMP echoed down the mine as he mowed down the villagers on the wooden ledges. Few escaped his bullets. The ones who jumped into the rail carts met a messy end by Chris's Riot gun.
Leon would call out when he saw a few boards barring an entrance. The three immediately would hit the deck, dodging a very painful and possible death. But their good luck seemed to change.
They soon found themselves out of the tunnel and rapidly approaching what looked almost like a train stop. Large wooden structures were on both sides of the track. And waiting for them were several villagers, hungry for revenge.
The mine carts slowed down and came to a complete stop. Then the invasion began. Among the villagers was yet another chainsaw maniac with the beloved potato sack over his pasty features. Not very original.
While the three men fought, one Ganado watched on with glee. His job was to make sure that nobody messed with the lever. That way, they could finally kill the American intruders and their friend, Luis.
The Ganado's grin turned into a frown. His fellow country men were dying left and right. It seemed that they have underestimated the three humans. Even the mighty Ganado with the chainsaw was put down. Plus their numbers were dwindling.
He may have not been the smartest person in his village, but he still had the 'live to fight another day' frame of mind. So when he realized that he was the only villager left, he turned tail and ran. He heard the mine carts start behind him, causing him to run faster.
But his efforts were in vain. The mine carts caught up with him and ran over his flabby body. The men grimaced when hearing the sounds of his body being squished and torn up by the wheels.
As more ledges appeared, Leon would fire his TMP. Some Ganados would jump off the platform right in front of the rail cart just by hearing the TMP. Not very smart but then again these people did lose alot of their thinking power when the parasites got a hold of their minds.
Although Luis was happy they were winning, he did notice a change as they passed the ledges faster and faster. This didn't bode well. If the cart went any faster, then they could derail and have a serious accident.
Luis quickly climbed into the next cart with Chris. But he soon wish he hadn't when another villager with a chainsaw jumped into the cart with them.
Chris yelled as he bravely grabbed the collar of the maniac and gave a hard head butt. The villager grunted and fell backwards out of the cart.
"Yeah! Now that's how it's done," Chris said with pride.
"Guys! Get up here now," Leon yelled as the rail carts began to jerk violently.
Chris and Luis quickly climbed up front, nearly getting knocked out by the low boards in the mine. Soon, they were out in the open and going way too fast on a curve. They had to hold on to the sides to just stay in the front cart. The men screamed like girls without shame.
It was the wildest ride in their life. Even wilder than the giant fish creature back at the lake. There was no way of stopping or going back.
Faster and faster they went till they literally vibrated from the mine cart going out of control. Their hearts sunk when seeing the the tracks ended a little ways up ahead. Gravity wouldn't allow the mine carts to make the jump across the long gap.
"This is the mine ride from hell," Chris screamed as they quickly approached the gap.
The carts were suddenly in mid air. The guys jumped, hands out stretched. Leon and Chris grabbed the ledge, hanging on for dear life. Luis didn't make it. Okay, he did. But not to the ledge. He had grabbed Chris's waist and looped his arms around him. This put a lot of stress on Chris's arms.
Leon quickly climbed up and helped Luis by reaching over Chris's form and helping the Spaniard climb up over Chris's body. Then he helped his old friend up on the ledge. Needless to say that the trio had to lay down and rest from their way too near death experience.
"I'm scarred for life. I'll probably never go on another roller coaster ride," Leon said slowly.
"Oh come on. It wasn't that bad," Chris replied.
Luis and Leon gave a dirty glare to the calm man. Chris gave the two an innocent look.
"What?"
"This is coming from the man who screamed that the ride was from hell," Leon said while making himself get up. Luis agreed with Leon and gave Chris another glare.
"Hey, I didn't scream. It was more like a... fun yell and... uh... You guys screamed too," Chris quickly said.
Leon and Luis laughed and goaded the broody older man as they continued on. Chris eventually joined the laughter. Their unusual happy mood got happier when they entered the last chamber. The Lions sacrifice emblem sat on a small pedestal, giving them an extra boost in their step.
"Boys, we did it. Now let's leave and kick some Ganado butt," Chris said excitedly.
And with that said, the trio left the dig sight for good. But as you know, their journey will not be easy. Yes, they were very close to rescuing the girls, but they have yet faced Robo-Salazar. I will have to write that little adventure in the next chapter instead of this one. Ain't I a stinker?
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**Author's Note**: And that's that. Sorry for my long, long, long, long, absence. Between internet problems, lightning screwing up my phone line and computer, and spending time with my family, I haven't been able to work on this fic like I wanted to. Hopefully, life will slow down and get back to normal here. What's so annoying is that I had a good chunk of this chapter done a while ago but for some reason it kept erasing on my PC. So again, I would like to apologize for the delay.
On another note, the polls for the fate of Luis has been closed. Will Luis die or live? Find out by sticking with this fic! Muah! Ha! Ha! Haaaa!
33. Chapter 32: Pride Goes Before the Fall
**A/N: **Wow. We're almost through the castle! Maybe the characters can now catch a break... Ha! Haaaa! Yeah right! You fans know me by now that things will only get creepier and crazier. So, in the spirirt of Resident Evil, read on and watch out for those El Gigantes!
Also, read the Author's Note at the end. I have another poll set up for you Res fans. So remember, before you review read the Author's Note if you want to decide what's next for the characters!
* * *
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality **
**Chapter 32: Pride Goes Before the Fall**
The temple was quiet, seemingly empty. But the men didn't believe what they saw. The deserted places were usually the most dangerous.
They couldn't hold back the disgust when their eyes fell upon the giant statue of their Nemesis, Ramon Salazar. Truth be told, they were expecting something that worshipped Saddler. Even Luis seemed surprised.
"Wow. Seems the little guy worships himself a little more than he does Saddler," said Chris. The others nodded in agreement.
"Ramon has always been full of himself as long as I've known him. I just never expected this," Luis said while looking up and down.
"Pride goes before the fall," Leon commented. Leon doesn't know how really ironic his statement is.
The men turned around and began to approach the bridge when the sound of shouting and jingling chains was heard. The red monk and many fellow monks flipped the two levers, causing the bridge to split into two different sections and to sink down into the water.
"Now what?," Leon spat out.
**_R_**
_Where is my heroes when I need them? I mean yeah, Leon doesn't rescue Ashley till the island. But that was when he was alone. Now, he has Chris and Luis with him. They're a team and as a team they are supposed to work quicker! Oh crap, he's about to open his mouth again. Lord, take me now!_
Sheila sighed as Salazar stood in front of the elevator, ready to deliver another speech on how America is inferior and blah, blah, blah! There is only so much a person can stand when someone else is talking bad about the country you were born and raised in. Frankly, she was ready to kick him in the family jewels if he didn't shut-up.
"Yes! We're almost there, my dears. Soon, you will see why your country can not compare to the might of the Las Illuminados. But that will not matter when Lord Saddler has set up lordship over the earth and make it into the new Edan!"
Ashley began to tear up and shake uncontrollably. Sheila had pity on her and sighed, not bothering to remark on her state of fright. It would be hypercritical of her to do so when she was just as scared.
She tuned out the Castellan and began to look around. She remembered this part of the game very well. Avoiding the barrels that would come crashing down the stairs was fun and exciting. But she could imagine how scary and dangerous it will be for Leon and the others in the real world.
"Soon, you will go up and become officially part of Lord Saddler's family! You have been given quite the privilege tonight. Not just anybody is taken up to meet the fruitful one. She will be most pleased with what is growing inside of you."
At the moment, Sheila wished that she had control of the barrels right then. A funny picture of Ramon and his body guard running up the stairs to recapture her came to mind. In it, she pulled the switch over and over, causing the barrels to come down quickly and run over the two. Her face lit up at the thought. Salazar mistakenly took it as her enthusiasm to become part of the cult.
"Aah. I see you have finally warmed up to the idea! It must be your parasite. Oh how strong your little queen will be as she matures," Salazar commented dreamily.
Claire and Ashley looked at her with shock. Sheila's eyes widened as she realised what they were thinking. She was kinda hurt that they would entertain the thought.
"The stubborn mule seems to have excepted her fate. Will not the two of you except yours?"
"Never," screamed Ashley.
"I would rather kiss Alfred Ashford while he's dressed in drag. That should tell you something," Claire said passionately.
Salazar and Ashley didn't know who Alfred was. Sheila was the only one who very much knew the intimate details of Claire and Alfred's meeting. Play Code Veronica to know that cool tale.
"That is not a very wise thing to say, ladies. You could make me angry," Ramon said sarcastically. Then, he slowly stalked forward towards Claire. His eyes glowed as he gave her one more chance to spill the beans.
"If you tell me your name and who you work for, I will make sure to tell Lord Saddler of your obedience."
"Hmm. Let me think... How about no. Yup! That's my name. And I work for the company called, 'Go jump in a river'," Claire answered with a smirk.
"Hmph! So you're just as stubborn as a mule! It doesn't matter one way or another. You will be talking no less than twenty-four hours from now. Because just in a few minutes, you'll be unfortunately blessed with the parasite."
Claire opened her mouth to respond when suddenly, the doors were flung open. A monk dressed in a black robe stood there panting. His red eyes were wide with fright from whatever he just experienced. His clothes were wet from his own blood from the numerous bullet wounds he had received.
"Oh favored one of our beloved Lord Saddler! I have horrible news," the monk cried out in Spanish. He quickly stumbled forward till he was at the feet of the uncaring young man.
"Well... Spit it out," Salazar ordered.
"The Americans have breached your temple. Our lines tried to crush the intruders, but they were heavily armed and were successful in killing all of the men," the Ganado wailed.
Though the women didn't know much Spanish, the word 'Americano' caught their attention. Was the guys finally here?
Ramon back handed the monk, causing the man's neck to break. The Ganado quickly disintegrated before their eyes as Salazar began to make preparations. Sheila shivered as the orders were given.
"Hurry! Take the wenches up and prepare them for the ritual," Ramon said while pointing at two red robed monks.
They quickly nodded and began to push the girls into the elevator. Sheila struggled half heartily, knowing that there was no way out. For now, they were going to meet a queen parasite in the flesh.
"While the ladies are being escorted to the chamber, I want the rest of you to prepare for an assault. Though it is highly unlikely that our guests will survive the temple's security system," Salazar chuckled. His eyes gleamed by just thinking about Robo-Salazar.
**R**
"I think that's all of them," Leon commented as he pulled the last lever. The sound of the other half of the bridge raising was like music to his ears.
"We're going to have trouble," Luis remarked as Leon rejoined them at the foot of Robo-Salazar. The two men gave him a curious glance.
"During the fight, I saw two Ganados swim across. I tried to kill them, but only succeeded half way. One escaped while the other put a lock on the door just before he died. So, like I said, we're going to have trouble on the other side," Luis explained.
"Let's cross that bridge when we come to it," Chris said as he took the first step forward.
Unknown at the moment, Robo-Salazar's security system just came on line. It detected three unknown strangers. Since the robot was programmed to attack unknown bystanders, the machine geared up for the attack.
When the men were about six feet away from the feet, Robo-Salazar came alive. The ground and building shook as the giant statue broke away from its confinements. Rocks and pieces of the ceiling came crashing down all around them.
"Run!," Chris yelled as he fled. Leon joined him by his side while Luis had a bit of a late start. He barely missed getting squished from Robo-Salazar's large stone feet.
Hearts were pounding while adrenaline was kicked into high gear. The horrible loud sound of the robot behind them was all that could be heard from miles around. It almost sounded and felt like a earthquake.
Luis looked over his shoulder for a split second. This saved all of their lives. For at that moment, he saw the left pillar fall.
"Run faster, Americanos!"
Luis quickly joined the two and pointed behind him. Chris yelped and ordered them to roll. They did, barely missing an early death. They ignored the rubble and continued.
Before they knew it, the right pillar came crashing down. They easily dodged it and continued with their escape. Robo-Salazar was starting to gain on them.
But their next obstacle was a bigger challenge. Two pillars came crashing down together. The trio was unprepared for this and only noticed it at the last second. They jumped in different directions as the pillars crashed on the bridge.
Dust filled the air, choking Leon as he stood up. His eyes widened as Robo-Salazar raised one foot to crush them. Leon shouted a warning as he backed away.
Chris's eyes opened to see the exact same foot raised right over him. He couldn't hardly move as fear paralyzed him. Luis quickly grabbed the older man and pulled him out of harms way.
The foot came crashing down, causing the bridge to crack and break apart. Chris shook out of his daze and soon followed Leon and Luis to the door. When seeing the large padlock, Chris grabbed his handgun and fired once, breaking the lock into pieces.
Leon kicked it opened and ran out, followed by Luis and Chris. None able to voice an opionion on this crazy situation. Chris stopped long enough to close the door, though the action was for nothing. But give the guy a break, his mind was still thawing from the close encounter of death's cold grip.
The men stopped almost half way after feeling no more vibrations. Did the giant stop when seeing its prey was gone? The bridge began to quake, answering their silent question. The entire back wall seemingly blew up as Robo-Salazar punched and kicked his way through the barrior. Large pieces of the wall fell at all sides of the men as they ran.
Getting a itching feeling at the back of his head, Luis decided to have another peek behind him. His heart seemed to stop when seeing that the bridge began to give away. Robo-Salazar began to trip, then fall as the bridge crumbled apart.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAH!," screamed Luis as he burst into a new speed. Chris and Leon barely noticed as Luis passed them in a blurry of motion.
As the statue fell down, its fall had an impact on the bridge further up. It cracked and crumpled as the men ran. Leon and Chris could feel the ground underneath their feet give way, leaving them no option but to jump.
Soon, their feet found only air as they reached for the ledge. Both men caught it, too tired to move as Robo-Salazar fell down far below. There was a slight sound as the statue met the ground, telling them that it was a long, long, long way down and no chance for survival.
"Chris... Are... you okay?"
Chris's face was red and glistening with sweat as he barely hung on to the stone bridge. He shook his head, too strained to speak.
Leon tried to lift himself up, but the ledge where he was holding on was starting to crumble. He began to panic as he kept grabbing on to loose rubble which kept falling apart. Luckily, Luis was still alive and was far ahead of them when Robo-Salazar fell.
The Spaniard reached down and grabbed Leon's arms and pulled. With some hard effort, he succeeded in rescuing the blue eyed man. Both laid back, breathing heavily.
"Um, I'm not trying to be a bother, but... could somebody please help!"
Luis quickly sat up and lent a hand to Chris. Chris excepted it gratefully and was soon safely back on the bridge. He gave the two men a angry look.
"What took you so long," Chris asked hoarsely.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what I mean!"
Leon rubbed his aching head as the two began to bicker yet again. He was tired, his limbs felt like jello and his broken ribs were protesting very loudly when he moved. The arguing wasn't what he needed at the moment.
"Will you two shut-up for one minute!"
Chris and Luis stopped their name calling and looked at Leon with surprise. It was a moment where a awkward silence had settled in. Then a twinkle appeared in Chris's eyes.
"Some people just can't handle the pressure, Luis," Chris said while shaking his head.
"Si. Not like us, me amigo. It takes great strength and courage to be like us. We're a dying breed."
Chris shook his head. "Too true, friend. Too true."
"You two are hopeless," Leon commented as he forced his body to stand up.
"Don't worry Leon! We'll teach you the tricks on being a real man," Chris said as Leon began to stiffly walk away.
"Si! We'll make you into a manly man!"
"A manly man-man."
"That's a scary thought," Leon said in response. A smile slowly crept up across his face.
"Hey, he's leaving us. Let's go," Luis said quickly as he leaped up. He instantly wished he hadn't as his muscles screamed bloody murder.
"Luis, help me up," groaned Chris as he stretched out his hand. Luis shook his head.
"No. You're heavy. Get up on your own."
Chris paused. "Are you saying... that I'm over weight? Ah-ha!"
"Ah-ha? What does ah-ha mean?"
"It means that I know why you left me for last! You admitted it just now," Chris said triumphantly. Luis looked more confused than ever while Leon stopped and groaned.
"Admitted what?"
"That you think I'm hefty!"
"No I don't! I'm just-" Luis began to say before Chris cut him off.
"Nope. It's no use in denying it. I never thought that you were such a prejudice guy," Chris said disapprovingly.
Luis broke out into a string of Spanish curses as he snatched Chris's arm and jerked the older man to his feet. Chris grunted in discomfort but at the same time he looked like he had swallowed the canary. Leon shook his head at the whole thing.
"Thanks, Luis. That was very kind of you to help me up," Chris said while patting the Spaniard on the back.
Luis realized that he was just played. He watched as the confident man strutted forward, ignoring Luis's silent seething. It was very amusing to the agent.
"If you two are finished, I would like to discuss our next plan of action," Leon said as he waited for Luis to catch up.
"Sure, I'm game," Chris said. He became serious quickly as Luis trotted over.
"All of us know that no matter where we go or who we face, a trap is waiting for us. So, I'm suggesting that we study the map before we continue on," Leon suggested.
The two men agreed. Leon quickly brought out the map of the castle and showed it to the guys. There was some questions for Luis about the rooms up ahead.
"The last place is this tower. There is an elevator and a staircase leading up. All I know about this tower is that the elevator leads straight to the top while the staircase leads to a platform that will also take you to the top. The tower is under construction which means that the staircase will be blocked on a certain level. Other than that, I have no idea what is beyond that."
"Really? What about the room on the top floor," Chris asked.
Luis shook his head. "That room was off limits long ago. Apparently it was ruined a long time ago, but if Salazar is taking the girls up there, then it can't be good."
"Okay. So all we know is that the next step will be full of surprises. Everyone cool with that?," asked Leon.
"Si," Luis answered with a bit of dread in his voice.
"Yeah, I'm cool with it," Chris responded nonchalantly.
"Then let's go," Leon ordered.
**R**
Salazar tapped his foot impatiently. It had been five minutes since he heard the sounds of the intruders being chased by Robo-Salazar. He had hoped at first that it was due to his robot being successful in killing the intruders. But from what he has learned so far about his enemies, they had an unusual knack for survival.
"You, check on the progress of our guests," Ramon commanded.
The monk wasn't so sure if that was a good idea. Word had spread on the three who brought death to all who had imposed them. But he was a true fanatic who was under complete control by Saddler and his puppet, Salazar. So without question, the Ganado obeyed the order.
With great caution, the monk creaked opened the right door and stuck out his head. A shot rung out. The Ganado's head exploded, killing the monk and his parasite instantly.
Salazar frowned as the double doors were kicked opened. There stood Leon and his two partners, guns drawn and pointed at Salazar. The young man raised his hands and slowly clapped.
"Well done, gentlemen. I can't tell you how nice it is to see you three again."
"You again," Leon muttered as he holstered his gun. Salazar raised an eyebrow, amazed at how confident the agent was. That or he was not as bright as he gave him credit for.
"This sacred right that is about to begin in this tower will endow the girls with magnificent power. They will join us. Become one of us! As for the oldest one, well, she will be joining our family very soon as well."
"You touch one hair on their heads, and I'll be sending you to see the rest of your dead family in hell," Chris warned. Luis put a comforting hand on his shoulder and held him back from doing anything stupid.
"This isn't a ritual. It's terrorism," Leon said with conviction. Meanwhile, he was slowly reaching for his combat knife.
"Isn't that a popular word these days. But don't worry, we have a special ritual prepared for you and your friends," Salazar said as he lifted his hand to point at the elevator.
In a blink of an eye, Leon threw his knife. The blade made it's mark and embedded itself in Ramon's hand, pinning him to the wood of the old elevator. Salazar looked at his hand, seemingly in shock. Whimpers escaped his mouth as blood began to drip from his injured hand. The whimpers turned into tears and pained filled cries.
Leon smirked while the other two patted him on the back. The Verdugo became enraged at the sight of his master in pain. The creature grabbed the handle of the blade and yanked it out of the wall and Salazar's hand.
In a flash, the bodyguard sent the knife back. Leon barely dodged it in time as the blade went past his face. Luis, who was standing behind him, some how got a lock of his hair sliced off. His soft hair fell down to the ground.
Leon and Chris were distracted long enough for Salazar and his trusty body guard to escape in the elevator. The men ran up to the elevator and watched the two slowly rise up. Ramon's cries of pain could be heard all the way up.
**R**
Sheila prayed like she has never prayed before. For as you know, her and the other two women were now in the tower being prepped for the cult's ritual. The game never showed what happened to Ashley while Leon fought his way to the top of the tower. And now here she was, about to experience it in person.
The smell was something she never smelled before, nor could she explain it. It was just there, sweet yet it had a rotten egg smell. But the smell was nothing compared to what she saw.
The parasite was immense! It's slimy body covered the round walls, part of the floor, and the crumbling roof. It reminded her of a vine. A big, slimy, evil vine. And no weed wacker was going to work on this... thing.
"We're going to die! I don't care what that little man said, we are going to die," Ashley wailed.
Claire tried to calm her down, but the girl was going into hysterics. Nothing could be said that would calm her down. In the end, Claire gave up and remained silent.
The sound of the elevator had the two red robed monks running to and fro. They seemingly were making sure everything was in order. If you didn't know any better, you would think that the pope was coming up for a visit.
When the elevator reached it's destination, everyone thought that Salazar's evil laughter would fill the air. But instead, whimpers were heard. They waited patiently as Ramon and his bodyguard stepped out of the elevator, next to the front entrance.
It was clear that the castle Castellan had been crying. The evidence son his face revealed the trail of dried tears. Even Ashley stopped her blubbering as Salazar made his way to the alter.
Sheila noticed a blood stained handkerchief tied around his hand. She smiled, knowing that her favorite Resident Evil men were finally here. (Don't worry Wesker, Steve and Carlos. I still have a special place reserved for you three!)
"Looks like you've run into some trouble. What's the matter? Did Leon teach you a lesson," Sheila cooed.
Salazar froze. The two women gave Sheila an angry look. The girl shrugged and pretended not to care. But the truth was that she regretted it the moment it left her mouth. stupid mouth. Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid!
Ramon slowly turned around as he stood in front of the alter. His small fists were clenched so tightly that the wound that had already began to heal, reopened. Sheila gulped as a current of different emotions washed over his face.
"It's time for your next lesson, girlie!"
Ramon reached one hand forward, his face held tight in a sneer as his eyes glowed red. Sheila screamed and collapsed, clutching her abdomen.
The parasite within her began to struggle violently, touching certain nerve endings to cause pain. The burning sensation added with the lack of air made it feel like she was having a heart attack. She could barely hear Claire beg on her behalf. Even Ashley pitched in.
Suddenly, the parasite stopped. Sheila couldn't move. Her body was weak and tired. All she wanted was to do was to wake up from this living nightmare. She was tired of this twist in reality and longed for her normal, boring life.
"This is a waste of time. Why should I be offended with what you have to say when soon, you'll be officially part of the Las Illuminados!"
Salazar turned around and began to chant. The monks joined his chant and began to bow down to the giant monster. Sheila shivered as the feeling of evil swept inside the room. Despite her weakened state, the teen began to pray for herself and her friends. A peace flooded her soul, giving her strength and a clear mind.
Without any help, the teen stood up and watched the scene unfold. Salazar stood before the evil alter and raised his pale hands up toward the giant parasite. Small tentacles came out of his finger tips, waving back and forth as a large pod came down to Ramon's level. It slowly quivered as the flower like petals parted. Jagged teeth lined the outside of the petals, glistening with slime and acidly juices.
Ramon lifted his hurt hand, his tiny tentacles still swaying back and forth. Some drops of blood fell down on the petal, causing a groan to escape from the plant like parasite. Ashley whimpered and tried to back away, but the Verdugo refused to let her budge.
Ramon slowly turned around and ordered for Ashley to be brought up first. The Verdugo obliged and dragged Ashley to the alter where Salazar was standing. Tears were streaming down her face as the tall creature cut the rope that bound her wrists. Ramon grabbed her hands and held them palm up.
"Do not be frightened, Ashley. For tonight you have entered here the child of an American dog. But you shall leave this tower a queen among men and be part of history in the making!"
"B-B-But I just want to be Ashley Graham. The President's daughter," Ashley said defiantly. Ramon's face showed his amusement.
"Soon, you will feel different," Salazar remarked with passion.
Then very quickly, Salazar's tentacles pierced Ashley's palms. Ashley cried out in pain, barely noticing as Salazar forced her hands in the open mouth of the queen parasite. Ashley's blood flowed down, coating the teeth red.
Salazar then pulled her hands back as the pod closed. Ashley felt like she was going to faint as the parasite seemed to shiver with pleasure.
"Yes! That is a queen parasite you taste in this unworthy girl's blood! Please, except this one into our family, my dear. For the Great Lord Saddler needs her in his plan to recreate this world."
The pod paused before reopening it's mouth. This time, several tentacles slid out and wrapped themselves around Ashley. A blood curdling scream tore from her mouth as she was lifted into the pod. The petals closed, muffling the screams.
Claire felt powerless as she watched the ritual. The feeling of uselessness filled her heart as the freak show went on. She couldn't help but wander if her guys would ever come and rescue them.
For what seemed like hours (it only lasted five minutes) the pod finally opened and carefully lowered the woman as if she was a new born baby. Claire and Sheila gasped when seeing Ashley's red eyes. But most of all, her appearance seemed the most unsettling. She was covered from head to toe with a purple slime.
Her face was serene as she repeated what the monks were chanting. It seemed that the slimy substance did not bother her at the moment. The two monks stood up from their kneeling positions and led her back to the girls.
Salazar pointed at Sheila, smiling at the flicker of fear in her eyes. She felt the Verdugo push her, urging her to go forward. She refused.
The body guard dragged her like he did Ashley. Sheila refused to cry in front of the smug evil man. Instead, she concentrated on the peace she felt deep down.
The monster cut the rope that bound her hands behind her back, allowing the blood circulation to return to her tender wrists. But Salazar didn't give her time to enjoy the sudden freedom. He quickly jerked her hands forward with her palms up.
"Young one, I want to introduce someone very special. Meet the love of my life."
Sheila blanched. Was this guy serious? She peeked at the gross entity beside her. When she thought about it, in a way it did make since that the little weirdo would find this thing attractive.
"This beautiful queen was once human. When Lord Saddler shown me the error of my ways, my love tried to stop Lord Saddler's plan. I captured her and handed her over to Lord Saddler. He had pity on her and decided that she will benefit the cause more if she was alive than dead."
The Castellan stopped and gave the monstrosity a loving glance. Sheila felt like puking then and there.
"Not only was she injected with a queen parasite, but we also added a special ingredient. A sample taken from Raccoon City fell in our hands four years ago. It came from a plant of all things. Lord Saddler thought it best to use it on my dear, Amelia," Salazar said in a low whisper.
Sheila gasped. A sudden flash back of a certain scene in the game with Luis and Leon talking flashed through her mind. Certain puzzle pieces began to come together.
While Sheila was pondering the ramifications of this, Salazar quickly pierced her palms with his sharp tentacles. The eight-teen year old yelled as Ramon twisted his tentacles a little deeper than he did Ashley. She closed her eyes and tried to think of anything other than the pain.
"So you see, my dear. I will not let anyone stand in the way of Lord Saddler's vision. Not even those who I love," Salazar said cruelly.
Then his tentacles left her palm, giving the girl some relief. She opened her eyes when Ramon forced her hands in the creatures mouth. (Or whatever it is.)
Her crimson blood trailed down her hand fluently. Sheila gagged as the stench of rotten eggs filled her nostrils from the queen parasite. But what had to be the worst of the experience was that the creature seemed to drool even more as her blood coated the lower petal of the parasite's open pod.
Then, just as before Salazar pulled her hands back as the pod closed. The smell of rotten eggs lessened somewhat as the creature raised itself up.
"Unfortunately, Lord Saddler blessed this one with a queen parasite as well. She is unworthy of such a mantle of the Los Illuminados. But it is my Lord's will for this wench to join us in our cause. Embrace this young one and join her with us so that we can put Lord Saddler's plan to action!"
The parasite's response was immediate. She lowered her numerous tentacles and wrapped them around Sheila's body. The feel of the slimy but firm grip around most of her body made her scream as she was raised up high into the opened pod.
Then the petals closed, surrounding her in darkness. Sheila tried struggling, but the tentacles only tightened their slimy grip. Feelings of unbelief and anger at her circumstances bubbled up within her. Why was this happening to her?
Her feelings quickly changed when the pod began to fill up with a watery murky substance. Panic set in, causing her to breath erratically. As the liquid filled the pod, her screams rang out without shame. Thoughts of what she wished she had done with her life brought deep regret. She will never get to go to college or marry and have kids. Or get to grow old and enjoy her golden years by hitting whipper snappers with her cane!
Hot tears ran down her cheeks as the liquid reached her collar bone. If only she had more time to tell her family how much she loved them. She would even hug her annoying brother in-law.
Sheila closed her eyes as the liquid reached her chin. She wondered if she should hold her breath or just give up and drown quickly. At any rate, she would drown anyway, so why fight? Besides, the pod was so hot that breathing was very difficult.
The murky liquid was now up to her mouth, causing her to swallow the disgusting watery substance. She gagged and tried to spit the liquid out. The teen raised her head up, trying to avoid the inevitable as much as possible.
The sound of Claire's muffled shouts reached Sheila's ears. She had no idea what Claire was saying, but just hearing her voice comforted her. Deciding to fight, Sheila took two deep breaths just before the liquid over took her.
Claire's voice was no longer heard now that Sheila was completely submerged in the warm liquid. Slowly, she opened her eyes and waited. Maybe if she stayed as still as possible, the creature would think she was dead and would spit her out.
But it seemed that the queen was not fooled by her act. The tentacles began to squeeze her tighter and tighter. Sheila shook her head as she fought to hold her breath a little longer. Her chest began to feel weak as the tentacles would not relent in their mission.
A full minute went by. Sheila was fighting a battle that was already lost. Her lungs were burning from lack of air, causing the parasite to struggle within her. Her head throbbed as her chest constricted. The queen won. Sheila opened her mouth to gasp for air, knowing that only the gooey liquid would be filling her desperate lungs.
Fluid rushed inside her lungs, stomach and nose. Fear and the natural instinct to survive kicked in, causing the teen to thrash out chaotically. She squeezed her eyes shut as if waiting for the drowning sensation to come to an end.
Strangely, the feeling slowly melted away as her body adjusted to the strange liquid. Sheila opened her eyes and began to breath in the water. What was this and why was she able to breath in this liquid?
Suddenly, her chest twitched as the parasite within her began to stir. Sheila shook her head violently as she tried to hold her breath again. But it was too late. The purple liquid she had basically breathed in was giving the parasite control over her body. Without her permission, her mouth opened and inhaled the liquid as if it was a fresh breath of air.
_No! This can't be happening. I have my free will. So I say body, you can't give in to the parasite!... Lord Saddler? What the? No, he's not my lord! Saddler... sucks. Stop... it! Can't... think... clearly. Feeling woozy... Must fight_.
But despite Sheila's efforts, her body surrendered to the parasite's control. It seemed to revel in the liquid, moving back and forth within her chest cavity. Her eyes began to burn as well as her throat. Soon, her mouth began to mouth those dreaded words. Lord Saddler.
Ten minutes passed as Sheila sat in the liquid, seemingly hypnotised. Her mind seemed to have gone bye-bye as she seemingly enjoyed the warm sticky liquid. Then, quickly the liquid drained. Her muted words earlier now was vocal and low.
"Lord Saddler... Lord Saddler."
The pod opened it's mouth and gently lowered her back down unto the alter. Sheila saw Salazar looking at her with rapture. Though she wanted to punch and kick him for letting his girlfriend slime her, the parasite still had complete control over her motor functions.
Sheila felt horror as she began to chant the popular cult phrase in Spanish. 'To Die Is To Live." She shuddered as the monks led her down to stand by Ashley. Both girls chanted in a mono tone as Ramon pointed at Claire.
"You are next. Come, bring the intruder."
Claire kicked and tried to bite the large creature as he dragged her to the alter. Her attempts were in vain and merely caused a grunt from the monstrosity. Salazar found it all amusing.
"And here we are. Since you are not part of us, I can't let the queen officially welcome you into our family. But, my Lord Saddler wants you to join us. So, we're going to bestow you with our power. You won't have a queen inside you though, or even a drone like I have. Instead, you will become a Ganado."
"It doesn't matter. The guys are on their way. And when they get here, you and your stupid queen is as good as dead!"
Ramon smiled. "Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. You should really learn to keep a better hold of that temper, my dear."
Ramon then nodded at his bodyguard who lifted her up on the alter and forced her to lie down. Claire struggled, but nothing she did could help her now. The queen opened it's mouth and lowered one slimy tentacle down. Claire noticed a tiny bony spike protruded from the tentacle. Purple slime dripped from the spike.
The feel of Salazar smoothing her bangs away from her eyes made her flinch. His hands were gentle, just like a mother would do if her child had just woken up from a nightmare. It seemed so surreal to the older woman.
Salazar began to chant rapidly in his native tongue as the tentacle lowered down to her neck. Claire felt her eyes fill up as she looked up. She knew that her brother would never stop looking for them, but that didn't bring her comfort at the moment.
Claire screamed with pain as the tentacle punctured her neck. To her horror, she felt something inject inside her neck, followed by the feeling of hot liquid. Her eyes became heavy. The last thing she heard was the sound of Salazar's laughter.
**R**
Through many hardships and enemies, the three heroes finally reached the top of the tower where the ceremonies were being held. As usual, the merchant was waiting with supplies to sell. His blue torches cast a eerie blue glow on their tired faces.
"Well strangers, you've made it to the top alive. But can you leave the tower alive and in one piece, hmm? Heh, Heh! What are ya buying?"
The men bought some first aid sprays, flash grenades along with the other two types and ammo for their guns. After selling some of their jewels and the king's rod, the men began asking questions on what could lay ahead.
"This is the ceremonial room where the elite is officially joined in the cult. They hold a ritual that is surrounded by secrets. I'm not sure exactly what goes on in there, but I do know this. Those who are not in the elite circle and are enemies of Saddler and dare to go in, never come back out."
"That's not what I wanted to hear," Leon said.
"This does not sound safe," Luis remarked.
"Yeah, but what other choice do we have? The girls are counting on us."
"Si, I know. What powerful weaponry do we have to face what could be lying in wait for us?"
"I got my Striker, Sniper Rifle, Blacktail, grenades and my TMP. You?"
"Well, I got that Mine thrower, Broken Butterfly, some grenades and my Rednine."
"Ooo! Stranger, tell me that you're willing to sell that!"
Leon and Luis stopped their conversation to have a look at Chris. He stood there proudly, wearing the Salazar family crown. It's jewels and gold glittered from the merchant's blue torch lights.
"Chris, what exactly are you doing," Leon asked slowly.
"You dared me to wear this crown the next time we meet Salazar."
"Yeah, but we already saw the little guy. Remember?"
"That one didn't count. We were surprised by the little midget last time. This time, I'm prepared."
"Getting back to the topic at hand. What weapons do you have in your case, Chris," Luis asked with some impatience.
Chris smiled as he unstrapped his case and opened it. Leon and Luis leaned in to take a closer look.
"I have some grenades, my sniper rifle, handgun, and... my stinger rocket launcher!"
Leon and Luis opened their mouths in awe. Chris neglected to say that he had a rocket launcher stashed away.
"When did.. Where?"
"I've had this baby since me and Claire arrived here in Spain, thanks to our friendly neighborhood merchant."
Leon glared at the chuckling merchant. "Why didn't you tell us earlier that you were selling these babies?"
"ZombieKiller orderd this fine weapon before he arrived. Besides, you never asked."
"Well, do you have any now, amigo," Luis asked .
"No, not at the moment. But hopefully, very soon."
Chris was grinning as he replaced his Riot gun with his Sniper rifle. Then with the up most care, Chris put a strap on his rocket launcher and slung it over his shoulder. That way, he had it at his disposal when needed.
The merchant watched as the trio geared up and slowly opened the heavy wooden doors. He knew that something big was waiting for them on the other side of that door. Frankly, the parasite within him was trying to gain back control due to being near the evil inside. That was a big signal to the merchant to pack his bags and head on to the next selling location.
"Hopefully, the strangers will use the missile on that little terror, Salazar. The little imp deserves a good kick in the arse."
**R**
Leon and the others ran in and stopped when reaching the steps that led up to a alter. Salazar had his back turned to them, not bothering to acknowledge their presence at the moment. He seemed too enthralled with his evil plan.
"You're too late," said Salazar as he turned around. He gave them his trade mark evil smile.
"The ritual is over. You've just missed them. They are on their way with my men to an island."
"What?"
"He! He! He! He! Heee! Sorry to disappoint you three. But sadly, your long heroic trip here is for-Agh!... Is... Is that... my CROWN!
Chris grinned as he tapped the crown on his head. "Oh, this old thing? I guess it was yours. But it's now mine. Oh, and I'd prefer if you refer to me as your majesty from here on out."
"You have mocked me for the last time!"
Salazar quickly turned back around and walked up the steps, his back stiff with his hidden rage. He stopped when he was standing on the alter. When he turned around, all traces of that rage was gone. Instead, a evil glee resonated from him.
"The time has come for retribution. Each one of you have come against lord Saddler and our mission. So, it is my privilege to be the one who teaches you a lesson. Mr. Kennedy, your stubborn will is impressive, but it will not save you or your friends this time."
Salazar raised his hands in the air, smiling upward as slimy tentacles slid down from the open pod. The body guard walked over and stood beside the alter, looking up with the same admiration in his eyes as his masters.
"My enemies... welcome!"
Numerous tentacles rapped themselves around Ramon's tiny body and lifted him up in the air. There was no fear in his eyes as he was taken inside the open pod. In fact, his laughter could be heard as his bodyguard received the same treatment. When he was inside, the pod closed.
Everything was quiet. But that soon ended when a long thick tentacled shot out and smashed the wall behind the men. Then it quickly destroyed the alter. The men covered their eyes as debris fell all around them.
Slowly, they looked up and saw that the long tentacle was in fact a long neck with a face of the bodyguard.
He had the same bottom mandibles, but a further mutation had occurred wih the rest of his face. He had one eye that was way to large for the strange face while the other one was covered with what look like bone. As for a mouth, it didn't seem at the moment to have any.
The center pod grew larger and more menacing. When its flower like petals opened, it revealed a grotesque looking Salazar. His cloths were gone along with his hat. He didn't need them due to how his body had mutated with the queen parasites.
A large throbbing vein was pulsating from his right shoulder to the side of his face. It seemed to mold with his cheek, making him look deformed and unnatural. The only human resemblance he had was his grey hair and the left side of his face.
Salazar opened his mouth and let out a small roar. It wasn't that intimidating. Leon smiled and shook his head.
"Monsters. Guess there will be one less of them when we're done."
The pod quickly closed as two more tentacles shot out. One was twitching on the men's left and one was on the right. That way, the creature could keep the men in one spot, supposedly making them easy targets.
Old one eye stared menacingly at the three. Chris didn't wait to see how it would attack. He immediately set to work blasting the thick tentacle to the right. Meanwhile, Salazar was trying to talk.
"I want you three to feel the same pain as- Ahh!"
Slime and brown blood sprayed across Chris's chest as the tentacle began thrashing around from the damage done to it. Finally, it fell limp and rolled off the ledge.
Leon and Luis worked on one eye. It wasn't easy. The head would move it's head back and forth, keeping it's one good eye from harm. But between Luis and Leon, they eventually began to get some shots in.
The monster growled and howled as the TMP and the magnam's bullets met the slimy eye. The head convulsed, then fell limply as the tentacle earlier did. This revealed Salazar.
Ramon noticed that he was exposed. He tried to close the large deformed petals over himself, but it seemed that if the head was out of it, then the rest of the creature was useless.
Chris aimed his rifle and began to fire while Leon and Luis helped out as well. Salazar raised his fist and cursed them as the bullets sliced through soft tissue.
It seemed that their foe was going to be easy to defeat. Nothing seemed to stand in their way.
After ten seconds of the shooting opportunity, the petal seemed to come to life and close over it's precious cargo. The bullets fired at the pod was useless.
The head shot up, roaring. And both tentacles were both back in action as they pounded the ledge. Leon quickly took care of the right tentacle while Luis used his magnum on the left. This was a mistake.
The head began to split, revealing rows upon rows of sharp jagged teeth. Drool dripped from the creatures large mouth as it widened. It seemed that the whole head was the mouth.
"Dive!" Chris cried out.
Chris and Leon quickly dived to their right, barely avoiding the mouth that crashed down on their position. Rubble filled it's mouth as it crunched its massive jaws. The creature shook its head as it spat out the rubble, causing some to fall around the two men.
Luis backed away, aiming his gun at the monster as it closed it's jaws. Suddenly, the left tentacle wrapped itself around his body, causing him to drop his gun. His scream filled the air as the tentacle began to shake him around like a rag doll.
The creature threw Luis down to the floor below. Leon cursed as he looked over the edge. Adult parasites burst from small egg sacks that were growing from the queen. They immediately attacked the Spaniard.
Luis cursed and got in the fetal position, trying to protect the most vuleranable parts. But he soon had to change tactics as the monsters started to spit acid in his direction.
"Luis! Cover your eyes," Leon hollered.
Luis covered his eyes as Leon threw a flash grenade down at the pit. The parasites screamed as they died and disintegrated. Luis took the opportunity to escape up the metal ladder and reunite with Leon.
"Get Salazar to reveal himself," Chris ordered as he threw down his Sniper rifle. He brought out his knife and began slicing at the right tentacle. Leon and Luis joined the effort.
**Meanwhile**...
"Stop pushing me," Sheila growled as the monk behind her pushed and shoved.
The religious Ganados were in a hurry to get the three girls to the docks. A strange incident occurred five minutes earlier that made them late for their trip to the island. A flock of crows had surrounded them and attacked by crapping on them.
The monks had stood their ground and fought back. When all was said and done, the group was alive but covered in nasty crow poo. Claire explained the phenomenon as revenge from Leon and Chris's shooting spree earlier. Apparently, crows take it personally when you kill members of their flock.
Sheila knew that they were close to the docks when they emerged in the small room where the merchant would be selling his wares to the men. The teen longed for rescue and had hoped that the merchant would have been down there by now. She just knew he would have done something.
The monk who was pushing Sheila finally stopped and opened the door. His partner urged the three girls to go through. His red eyes watched them with cold dislike as he lead them toward the docks.
Two boats were waiting. If Sheila remembered correctly, one of them were to be used by Ada and Leon.
"You're late, amigos," came a familiar voice.
Sheila's eyes widened as Krauser suddenly appeared before them. The Ganados took a step back, plainly showing their fear of the tall man. Sheila gulped as Krauser crossed his muscular arms across his broad chest.
After listening to Krauser converse with the Ganados in Spanish, Ashley began to tremble. She looked up at the large man and turned pale when he caught her gaze.
"You're the one who kidnapped me," Ashley accused.
"Oh really? What gave me away," Krauser replied sarcastically.
"Probably your humongas scar," Sheila muttered.
"Nice to see you too, runt."
Krauser then turned his attention to Claire. He slowly looked her up head from toe. Claire gave the older man a scowl.
"Take a picture why don't ya? It'll last longer."
"No thanks, doll... Looks like you're one of us, now," Krauser said casually. Claire looked away, remembering the pain she went through just a short while ago.
"It makes me wander how your brother must be feeling about Saddler's little gift inside you."
Claire's eyes snapped back to Krauser's. How did he know about her brother? Did Saddler finally found out their identity?
"How do you know my brother?"
Krauser smiled cruelly. "Let's just say that we have mutual acquaintances."
Claire waited for him to continue, but it was plain to see that the little tip was all she was going to get.
"Now, let's go. Ashley and the runt will come with me. You will leave with the two morons here. And don't even think of trying to escape. There's no where for you to go but to the bottom of the ocean."
Suddenly, two loud shots echoed around them. Sheila felt her ears ringing. She looked wildly around until she saw two large holes in the monks chests. The monks turned around, seemingly surprised by the attack. Two more shots rang out from the hall.
The Ganados heads exploded. Two stage two parasites emerged from the necks. Krauser cursed as he quickly grabbed the two younger girls around their waists. He then quickly tossed them into the second boat. Their landing wasn't pretty.
The angry merc then ran back to Claire, intending on snatching her as well. But someone threw a flash grenade which blinded him for five seconds. When he could finally focus, he realised that Claire was gone.
Krauser considered himself a man of action. On the battle field, he learned to never hesitate. But this situation was different.
If he left to chase those who dared to help the Redfield girl escape, then that left the two girls by themselves. This gave them a strong chance of escaping themselves. Besides, he didn't know what kind of arsenal the attacker/s had.
So that left the option of fleeing with the two girls. Krauser didn't like the thought of running from a fight. But his number one priority was to get the two young women back to the base, unharmed.
Krauser stomped back to the speed boat. He jumped in with a angry grunt. Whoever caused him to lose one of the prisoners better stay out of his way. For if they did cross paths, then he would make them beg for death before he was done with them.
**R**
"He! He he he he he heee! That tickles," Salazar taunted. Leon and Luis were having a hard time shooting the weak spot on the middle tentacle. The head would move out of the way while the two tentacles slammed the ground, causing the three to lose their foothold.
It was especially hard when the head opened it's massive jaws, then lung for them. Rubble and holes in the ledge showed where the men barely escaped death.
Just when hope was lost, Luis got a lucky shot. The eye exploded from the magnum's bullet, causing the head to be useless. All three tentacles laid limp as the pod reluctantly opened.
"Chris, now's your chance," Leon pointed out.
"And what do you think a puny human such as yourself can do to me? I am invincible!"
Chris took the strap and unhooked it. He carefully bent down on one knee and positioned the rocket launcher on his shoulder. Salazar stopped laughing as Chris smiled.
"This puny human is going to blow you straight to hell."
Chris fired the missile. Salazar watched with horror as the missile went straight for him. His eyes grew wide as he realised that this was the end.
"Oh sh-"
BOOM!
The explosion was big and loud. Bits and pieces splattered the walls and ground while the queen parasite began to melt and disintegrate. Part of the roof collapsed, destroying the egg sacks on the ground.
When the dust cleared, the men saw their way out. Double doors were where the parasite once covered with it's massive body. The three heroes cheered.
"You did it," Luis said with glee as he clapped Chris on the shoulder.
"No, we did it," Chris replied.
"Yeah, we did... But this isn't the time to celebrate. Let's keep moving," Leon ordered. Being the ever good boy scout.
**R**
Claire sneaked another look at Ada. She just didn't get the woman. Why save her twice?
Then again, maybe she had to. Just to save face in front of the merchant. In fact, if it wasn't for the merchant who shot the two monks with his rifle, then maybe she would be with the girls on the boat.
Not that she was complaining. She owed her life to both of the mysterious people. But some how, she had a feeling that Ada could have done more than throw the flash grenade, and then save her. Maybe she didn't want that weird guy to see her.
"It's not polite to stare," Ada remarked.
"Sorry, but seeing a dead woman who's not trying to eat my brains is a new one."
"Who said I was dead?"
Claire smirked. "A brave ex-cop."
Ada looked away as a wistfulness filled her eyes. Claire knew that look. She herself often had it when someone mentioned that certain ex-cop.
"Yes, well, what can I say? My survival instinct kicked in."
Ada turned and looked Claire square in the eye. She seemingly let her guard down, revealing some emotion that was buried way down deep. Claire could see why Leon had feelings for Ada after she supposedly died.
"So, do you think his unusual good luck got him through yet again?"
"Knowing Leon, he passed through with flying colors. Especially since he has my brother and Luis with him."
The two settle into another long silence. The waves lapped gently against the boat. It was comforting to sit in the boat as it rocked. The air and cold breeze rejuvenated Claire, chasing away any drowsiness.
"You care for him still," Claire stated.
"Care for whom," Ada questioned coyly.
"Playing it safe, I see," Claire remarked while crossing her arms.
Ada looked at the younger woman beside her. Judging from her body language, Claire harbored some untold feelings herself. Ada smiled knowingly.
"Unrequieted love. How sweet."
"What? There's no... I mean I wouldn't... We're just friends," Claire huffed.
Ada laughed. Claire wanted to bang her head against the dash board. Even the spy's laugh was beautiful!
"Okay, since you can apparently read minds, how about answering a question truthfully."
Ada stopped laughing and gave Claire a strange look. After a short pause, Ada gave the green light.
"How on earth do you wear those beautiful high heel shoes and that gorgeous dress on this type of mission? On any mission! I mean, what, is it a trade mark or something? You're quite known for being the lady in red."
Ada smiled in amusement. "I guess I like my high heel shoes. They come in handy when you have no weapons. As for the red dresses, red's my favorite color. And there's nothing like a sexy dress that can make you seem more feminine and docile to a enemy."
"Huh.. Strangely, that makes sense," Claire quietly said.
The sound of the door banging open startled Claire. She gave Ada a questioning look. But the spy seemed perfectly at ease and unwilling to move from the driver's seat. Claire decided that someone had to be ready if it was the enemy coming to ambush them.
Claire quickly got out of the boat, aiming the 9mm gun that the merchant gave to her for free. She had two clips to go with it so if there was more than one enemy, she was sure that she could make their lives miserable. But there was no need for the gun.
To her relief, Chris, Luis, and Leon appeared. Her eyes lit up as she ran forward. Chris ran half way and met her. She laughed when he picked her up and swung her around.
Leon and Luis watched the happy reunion. All the pain and horror they been through was worth it. Leon then looked at the speed boat, wandering who the stranger was. But to his surprise, he saw the woman in red sitting at the wheel.
Sensing Leon's eyes on her, she turned around and gave the agent a saucy smile. It was good to see him alive and well.
"Need a ride, handsome?"
* * *
**A/N: **Whew! That was a tough chapter to write. But I'm glad it's done since now we can go on to the last stages of the game! Can you believe how far we've come? I can't!
Thanks for sticking with me this far. And now, here's the little thing I mentioned in the Author's note earlier. Claire has been injected with the egg. Since the next part of their journey will be filled with nonstop fighting, it's going to be hard to concentrate on themselves. Should Claire tell the guys about her predicament and take the pill?
Go to my prophile page and vote! It's multiple choice so you can vote twice! Just make sure that you vote before I get too far with the story. Now review please. It helps when you comment on the progress of the story.
34. Chapter 33: Wheeee! Monster Crazy Island
**A/N: **Here you go. Another chapter from my crazy imagination. Things will start to change for the characters. Death will follow Luis around due to his not dying like the game wanted. Wesker will put the next stage of his plan to action. And two certain American gals will get into some trouble. What more can you ask for?
* * *
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 33: Wheeee! Monster Crazy Island!**
"Are we there yet?"
"No."
Sheila frowned. Things have gone from bad to worse. Claire disappeared, she had no idea if the guys were still alive, and now she has been snatched again by the bulky, scarred ape, Krauser.
Plus, she was covered with purple dried slime! This should explain to you why Sheila was making it her life's mission to bug the dangerous merc. Stupid? Yes. Fun? Oh yeah! Smart? No.
"Are we there yet?"
"No."
"Are we-"
"No! Now knock it off, runt!"
Silence.
"Hey Krauser."
The annoyed older man grunted. Sheila smiled evilly and leaned forward. She waited till she was right next to his ear to say those dreaded words.
"Are we there yet," Sheila whispered.
Krauser yelled with anger. Sheila leaned back, laughing. Sadly, this was the only way she could get her kicks. Maybe it was the way he reacted that caused the professional little sister inside to pick at the over grown man. Of course if she was sitting up front with the guy, she wouldn't be such a pest.
"You won't be laughing when we reach the island. I promise you that," Krasuer said between clenched teeth. Ashley slightly looked over her shoulder and gave Sheila a pleading look. This calmed the teen down. Maybe it was for the best to keep quiet.
Sheila decided to look ahead. They were getting closer to there destination. Soon, they would arrive on what would have been the last stages of the game. Things would get interesting, that's for sure.
Question was, would the girls ever be rescued? Sheila shook her head. Of course they would. Thinking like that wasn't going to help her or Ashley. Sure, technically she shouldn't be there, and neither should the siblings. But didn't one thing all the TV shows and movies teach her that things always worked out in the end for the good guys? Course that was fiction, this was not.
Goose bumps began to cover her bare arms as the boat was now clearly in sight of the creepy island. The island itself was much more scarier and intimidating than the game made it appear. Sheila didn't have to imagine what lied ahead. She already knew.
As if sensing her discomfort, Krauser began to talk. What he said caused the fear that both girls were experiencing to intensify.
"If you thought the castle and village was bad, then you haven't seen nothing. We've got creatures that would make the El Gigantes look like a walk in the park. You're lucky that Saddler has plans for you two. Or otherwise, you might end up as someones lunch."
Sheila closed her eyes and shivered. What he said was too true. Sure, she and Ashley were safe from those monsters for the moment. But that didn't stop the 'what ifs' scenario.
_Ok heroes. Time to step it up a notch and rescue the damsels in distress. _
**R**
The boat ride for the others was not so chatty. Each were lost in their own thoughts. Luis was thinking about his dreaded return to the island that held the majority of his experiments. Guilt and remorse took hold of his soul.
Chris, he thought about different things. The girls who were still in the enemies hands, the island that Luis so creatively called the 'Death island'. Then of course he thought about the lady in red. She saved his little sister's life again. He was grateful, but he still didn't trust her. The woman unnerved him.
And Leon, our dear handsome agent. Here was his chance to interigate the woman he at one time thought was dead. But every time he got the nerve to speak, his mouth suddenly would go dry. It of course irritated him. He had so many questions that needed an answer. He also didn't fully trust the spy. But a tiny part of him knew that Ada was a good person, though she herself didn't seem to know that.
Last but not least is Claire. She kept looking back and forth between the two silent figures in the front seat. It really irked her how Ada flashed her smile at Leon. The agent had seemed almost flustered. Paranoia ate away at her, making her jealous in a way.
Did he still care for Ada? Was the warm and secret looks she and Leon had shared lately meen nothing? All the swirling conflicting feelings inside of Claire made her physically sick. No guy had ever made her feel this way before. She almost wanted to hurt her male friend.
She knew that this wasn't the time to let fleeting emotions to get the best of her. When all the madness was over, she would take a step back and look deep within to see if her feelings were real or just a crush on a very close friend.
After deciding that, Claire found herself calmer and more relaxed. She could now look at the two without feeling threatened. Now, she could keep her mind on the current mission in front of them. Save Sheila and the President's daughter while stopping a mad man's plans coming to pass. Piece of cake... Okay, a little too optimistic, but as long as they kept their cool and stay alert, Claire believed that they could survive this thing.
"We're here. God help us," Luis said with obvious dread. The others were pulled from their thoughts, noticing the rocky island.
Leon gave Ada a uncertain yet curious look. Now was his chance to ask her some questions. He had to find out if she was to be trusted. And most of all, he had to know why she worked for Wesker.
Ada noticed Leon's look. She could see the curiosity burning in his eyes. She couldn't tell him anything, or her careful plans would be ruined. So, with a flare that seemed natural to her, she suddenly turned the wheel sharply, causing the boat to turn around seemingly out of control.
Leon grunted in surprise while holding on tightly to the side of the boat. The others yelled in fear and clung to each other. It seemed that their life was going to end right there against the jagged rocks. But Ada had measured the distance and speed perfectly. Instead of a big explosion, they merely bumped against the rocks. Life seemed sweet at the moment.
Ada quickly stood up, lifting one foot and resting it on the edge. This caused a large amount of leg and thigh to be seen by the three males. Leon was shocked, Luis was practically drooling and Chris seemed to be not impressed. Well, he did appreciate the flash, but only for a moment.
The spy raised her grappling gun and fired it up. She looked over her shoulder and faintly smiled.
"I've got some things to take care of. See you around."
Then, she was gone. Unfortunately, the grappling gun caused some force to her kick as she zipped up the rocks. Leon quickly got in the drivers seat and tried to gain control of the boat. He managed to turn the boat so the side could hit another large rock without shattering to pieces. Everyone sighed with relief.
"Heh. Women," Leon muttered.
"Tell me about it," Luis replied.
These remarks earned both men a hard slap on the back of their heads. Claire smirked when they yelped in pain. Chris merely grinned. Claire put a stop to that with her sharp elbow.
"Ow! What was that for?"
"For wearing that stupid crown! Take it off, you're giving me the creeps."
Chris muttered his complaints as he carefully put the crown back in his case. When done, the gang began their climb up the steep slope. When finding a smooth path, the group took their first look around.
The horizon wasn't so dark now. This brightened their spirits. Just knowing that they survived the night made their dangerous situation less depressing.
Sadly, their one moment of peace would be interrupted by the very man who started the cult. Leon was reluctant to answer his radio. But he knew he had to, for all he knew it could be Hunnigan. If it was, then Leon could call in some back-up. His small hope died when seeing Saddler's hooded face on the small screen.
LEON: _Hate to break it to you, but Salazar's dead._
SADDLER: _Yes. It seams that way._
LEON: _Saddler, why don't you give up the girls and let them go home?_
SADDLER: _Perhaps you are disillusioned with over confidence just because you killed my small-time subordinate? _
LEON_: Saddler, you're small-time._
SADDLER_: (laughter) Writhe in my cage of torment my friend._
Leon holstered the radio, looking glum but determined. A small, glove covered hand touched Leon's arm. The agent looked down at the hand and sighed.
"Don't beat yourself up. It didn't hurt nobody by asking the psycho to let the girls go. At least you tried," Claire said with deep understanding.
Leon slightly smiled. "Yeah, but will it be enough? Will we be in time to save them before-"
"We are not going to be saving anybody if we stand around talking about it. Let's go do our job and save the world," Chris said while taking his Blacktails safety off.
"Right. Let's gear up and go," Leon said while taking out his Striker from his case. He handed his Sniper rifle to Claire, leaving the sniping job to her. Luis preferred using his ever trusty Rednine.
Gaining a second wind, the group began their brisk pace down the winding path. Lights was strung along on a thick black cable along the rocky walls. They followed the lights till they reached an actual crumbling base.
There was a watch tower to the left, seemingly deserted. A spot light slowly searched the ground. If they were careful, they could avoid detection, though it really didn't matter. Saddler already knew they were there.
Some screams attracted their attention. They saw Ashley and Sheila being carried by two Ganado's dressed in muscle shirts and grey army cargo pants. Unlike the other Ganados they came across so far, these seemed more organized and in great physical shape. The only signs of the parasite was their red eyes and pasty, sickly looking skin.
"Let me go! I'm not a sack of potatos you creepy Ganados," Sheila screamed.
"Please, somebody help! Leon help," Ashley cried loudly. Then the medal door slid shut, cutting out their screams.
Leon closed his eyes. It was hard hearing the panic in their voices. He couldn't imagine what they must be feeling.
Leon quickly refocused his thoughts on the job at hand. He turned around and began to talk in low tones. The others listened intently, waiting for their orders.
"I'll go first. I'll signal Claire to follow next when I make it to that wall. Chris, you come next, then Luis. Try to keep it quiet. If we're spotted, we'll run back here to take a stand."
Leon then quickly turned around and waited for the spotlight to pass. Then without hesitating, he leaped across the gap and quietly ran over to the wall. He then peered into the glassless window of the crumbling wall.
Two Ganados were sitting down while leaning against a crate, taking a snooze. Their heads rested on their chests. Leon pressed his body against the wall as the spot light passed. When the coast was clear, he held up two fingers and then pointed behind him.
When he made his point clear, he signaled to Claire to come. Just as Leon did, she waited till the light passed before taking the leap. She made it safely to Leon, pressing her body against the wall beside him. Next came Chris. Everything was going fine. Now they only had to wait for Luis to reach them before taking the next course of action.
Luis was nervous and not completely confident with Leon's plan. But as it goes there really was no other option. He would do as he was told and leave the action planning to the professionals. Even though he had a bad feeling that something was about to happen. He was right.
He waited till the light passed, just as the others did. Then with the up most care, he jumped.
Now, there was some rocks and pebbles near the edge. Normally, this wouldn't have been a problem. It didn't effect the others in their leaps of faith, but as for Luis, well, it wouldn't be good.
His right foot landed on a smooth stone. This caused him to lose his balance which caused the stone to role forward. He soon found himself falling forward toward the ground. A larger rock was _conveniently_ placed where his head was about to land.
With very quick natural reflexes, Luis put his hands and knees forward to catch his fall. It gratefully did, or Luis would have cracked his skull, therefore ending his role in this story.
But with the commotion of falling and dropping his gun, the spotlight was directed toward Luis's direction. The Ganado yelled, causing one of his fellow guardsmen to press the alarm button.
"Sh-t! Everyone, move back!"
The siblings didn't have to be told twice. They quickly ran back, just as planned. Luis didn't speak, too ashamed for what he thought was clumsiness.
Claire quickly raised the sniper rifle and fired, shooting out the spotlight. Though it didn't make a difference now since their presence was so obviously known. But at least they didn't have the bright light blinding them.
Chris and Luis then took their positions in front of Claire to start taking out the many, many Ganados heading toward their position. Both waited patiently till the right time to shoot. The first battle of the island began.
**R**
"You are El stupido! Do you comprehend, amigo? Put me down or face the consequences," Sheila screamed.
The Ganado carrying her laughed. This only enraged the teen further. She began wiggling and kicking, though it did little good. To her surprise, the Ganado slapped her bottom with his free hand. This caused her to freeze.
It wasn't the sting that followed from the slap that made her freeze. It was the very fact that a grown man had dared to slap her bottom without a second thought. The shock quickly wore off as anger replaced it with a vengeance.
Without saying another word, Sheila lifted the hem of the Ganado's black shirt, revealing dirty pale flesh. She quickly dug her nails in, drawing blood. The Ganado stopped and gave his friend a strange look.
Both men broke out into a fit of laughter. The Ganado carrying Sheila turned around, showing the youth to his comrade. Both spoke in rapid Spanish before chuckling.
Sheila stopped, realising that the Ganado didn't really care that she was trying to scratch him to pieces. Feeling helpless, the teen gave up and stayed still as the men continued on.
"Sheila, are you alright," Ashley asked, fear lacing her voice.
"No. I'm not, okay? This whole situation is hopeless."
Sheila stopped her ranting when hearing Ashley's muffled sobs. She tried to get a good look at the older girl, but the angle she was being carried made it difficult to turn her head.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to sound so negative. I just... I just want to go home."
"Me too."
Both became silent. Each thought about their family. They wandered if their family could feel their loneliness and pain. Each thought made the journey with the two Ganados more unbearable.
After a short while, the ganados finally came to a stop. They dropped the two on the ground, nudging them to stand up. The two young women stood up, looking around to see their surroundings.
Sheila recognised the building they stood in front of. This was the base where things would get ugly for them and the others. Any chance of their escaping was slim. Well, at least till the others came to rescue them.
The two men opened the old rusty doors and nudged the girls to move forward. Before they could enter, a soft thud behind them stopped their progress. The four turned around, looking for the source of the sound.
Ashley spotted it first. She quickly walked over and picked up the smooth blue object. It was a flash grenade. She felt the rough, dirty hands of the Ganados grab her upper arms. Their stale breath made the young woman want to gag.
Without thinking, she twisted the top, starting the countdown. Both men released her and backed away.
"Ashley! Throw it and run," Sheila squealed.
Ashley quickly threw the grenade down and ran forward with her eyes closed. The flash grenade went off, stunning the two enemies. Both girls ran inside into the darkness. For a split second, both felt the rush of triumph. But the feeling quickly left when they realised that they were running alone around the base without any weapons for protection.
**R**
Everything was silent after the last Ganado was killed. For the moment, it seemed that they had won.
"Is that the last of them," Claire asked.
"I doubt it. This seems to be their base of operations. So there will be plenty more for us to fight. Be on high alert," Leon answered while reloading his weapon.
The group ventured out yet again. This time, Luis didn't slip. The group cautiously approached the wall. But instead of going through the window, they decided to go around the crumbling wall near the look out tower.
Chris and Leon led the way. Their footsteps barely made a sound as they slowly walked around the wall.
As Leon predicted, there was more Ganados. But that wasn't their reason for worry. A shout came from above. They looked up to see a large man with a Gatling gun. That, as you can tell, is the reason why they should be fearful.
"Bienvenido," the tall, large Ganado shouted before jumping down. (Translation: Welcome!)
"Down! Get down," Chris shouted as he jumped back behind the wall.
The sound of the gun whirring up behind the wall made the group tense up. Then came the deafening sound of the gun being fired. Part of the top of the crumbling wall began to fall apart.
"This cover isn't going to last for long," Leon shouted as he covered his ears.
"What," shouted Chris.
Leon shook his head. After about ten seconds the gun fire stopped. They could hear the deep rumble of the Gatling Gunner's chuckles as he began to walk forward.
Luis and Chris peered over the wall and began to fire. The bullets had no effect on the crazy gunner. His red eyes shone merrily as he took his slow measured steps toward the group.
"Grenade," Leon said as he popped up and threw the weapon.
The men huddled back down and covered their ears. Claire did the same. But in a surprising twist, the Gunner caught the grenade and threw it back over the wall. The grenade landed in front of the huddled heroes.
The young strong people tried rolling and jumping out of the way. But they didn't get far. The grenade went off, sending everyone in different directions.
When Chris came to, he noticed Leon and Luis were eight feet away, near the edge of the look out tower. Both seemed dazed and unable to help. He himself was hurting pretty badly, his ears seemed to ring constantly. But at the moment, he ignored his injuries and forced himself to get up.
Evil laughter to his left made the young man freeze. The Gunner stood there, aiming his weapon at Chris. Then he looked down and chuckled some more.
Claire was laying at a awkward angle on her left arm. Her blue eyes were closed. The only signs of life was her chest rising slowly up and down.
The man raised his gun in the air, ready to bash his sister's skull in. With a feral roar, Chris charged the Ganado while firing every last round in his gun.
He dropped the gun when it was empty and tried to draw the Ganado's attention away from Claire. His diversion worked. The Ganado was now walking toward him, grinning ear to ear.
Chris quickly engaged the large man in hand to hand combat. The Ganado laughed as he let Chris punch, kick, and hit him again and again. When he grew tired of Chris's useless assault, the heavy weight man decided to have his turn.
He used his gun like a bat and swung it toward Chris's face. Chris leaned back, narrowly avoiding death. If the blow would have connected, his cheek would have busted open, all the way to the bone. His jaw would have shattered to pieces. Needless to say that Chris would have been dead before he touched the ground.
Chris's blind fury dissipated some what, letting common sense to enter into the picture. The man had him beat in height, weight, and strength. Suddenly, fighting the man with his bare hands seemed like a very unwise decision.
"Pase! Pase usted," the Ganado said as he beat his chest with one hand. Apparently, he was taunting Chris to hit him again. (Translation: Go ahead.)
Claire began to regain consciousness. She slowly rolled over, giving her arm relief from the awkward angle she was laying in. When she turned her head, she gasped. Her brother was fighting the mammoth by himself, without using any weapons!
That's when she noticed his gun lying on the ground. It wasn't too far ahead of her. Maybe, if she could reach it, she could save her brother from killing himself.
But when the Redfield tried to stand up, a sharp pain streaked up from her lower calf. Panting with pain, Claire slowly sat up and tried to examine her right leg.
Her black jeans stuck to the calf, sticky with her own blood. The pant leg had to be cut for any further examination.
Claire cursed, knowing that the leg probably was in pretty bad shape. She couldn't stand up, not without help. So, with difficulty, Claire crawled toward the gun.
When reaching the gun, she began to reload it. When done, she took out her handgun and aimed both weapons at the large man.
Chris fell to the ground from a harsh blow by the big Gunner's meaty fist. The crazy freak would have ended his life right there if it wasn't for two red dots aimed at his heart. The Ganado staggered with surprise when noticing twin lasor dots on his broad chest. He turned around and grunted when seeing Claire aiming two gun at his chest. The Ganado leaned back and laughed.
Claire resumed firing the weapons. But she soon found out the same thing her brother did. She needed heavier gunfire to put this Ganado in the ground.
The Gunner started his weopan, the whistling whirring sound alerted Chris to the threat against his sister. Without a second thought, Chris jumped in front of the Gunner and began jumping up and down, using every curse word he knew in Spanish.
The Gunner forgot Claire and tried to hit Chris with his gun again. Chris easily dodged it and began to run toward the closed metal door. The Gunner whipped around and targeted Chris. Claire screamed a warning, but it was too late.
Bullets connected with Chris's back, causing him to fall from the power of the bullets. Claire screamed and cried as her brother laid motionless on the ground.
The Gunner turned around and dropped the gun. He smiled as he approached the sobbing woman. He bent down and gently touched Claire's cheek. She jerked away, disgusted. The Ganado laughed.
Suddenly, the sound of the Gatling gun winding up caught the Ganado's attention.
He turned around to see Chris, holding the heavy weapon with both hands. He fired the gun, snarling as the bullets ripped through the Gunner's flesh like a knife through butter. The Gunner screamed as he fell back. Chris continued his assault till the weapon whistled from being out of bullets.
He slowly stepped toward the huge body. Steam came from the barrel of the gun. He pointed it at the motionless body, waiting for a reaction. But the Gunner was dead.
"Chris, Claire! Are you guys alright?"
Chris looked up, relieved to see Chris and Luis. Both were banged up and had some deep cuts on their arms and torso, but both seemed fine.
"I'm fair, considering. But Claire seems hurt pretty bad," Chris said as he dropped the heavy weapon on the body. He then turned his attention to his sister.
"I saw you get shot, Chris," Claire said with a silent sob.
Chris tapped his chest. "Bullet proof armor, remember? Though I am going to feel the bruises later."
Claire smiled as her brother wiped away her tears. Then with up most care, he brought out his knife and began to cut her right pant leg.
Leon brought out some herbs and a can of first aid spray while Luis and Chris examined her leg. It wasn't pretty.
"You've got some shrapnel embedded in your calf. I would prefer working on your leg in a sterile environment. But since this is an island filled with enemies, we're going to have to make do. Leon, do you have some tweezers and needle and thread?"
"Way ahead of ya. Here. You do your part and I'll do the bandaging and clean up."
Luis nodded as he pulled some large tweezers out of the kit. Claire held her brother's hand firmly as Luis set to work. She cried in pain as Luis slowly pulled tiny slivers of shrapnel out of her leg. After what seemed like forever, he stopped, looking worried.
"What? What is it," Chris asked anxiously.
"There is a piece of shrapnel that I'm afraid to touch. It amazingly missed her major arteries, but without the proper equipment, I'm afraid I could cause some damage."
"Yeah, but if we leave the shrapnel in there, her leg will get infected," Leon said with frustration.
"I know! She needs a hospital and a doctor. I'm just a scientist."
"You study science and the human anatomy. You're qualified enough, Sera," Chris said impatiently.
"Guys! Stop it!"
The men became silent and looked at the pale young woman. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead as she tried to sit up. Chris slowly helped her, rubbing her back as he supported her.
"Luis, I trust you and your judgement. Do what you got to do," Claire commented truthfully.
Luis sighed. "If I'm going to do this, I need some light. Leon, stand up and flash the light on her wound. Chris, sit behind her and hold her still. Claire, feel free to scream if the pain becomes to unbearable."
Everyone got into position. With slightly shaking hands, Luis began to slowly work on Claire's throbbing calf. Claire tried not thrash around, but without any anesthetics, Claire could feel everything Luis did. It was agonizingly painful in every sense of the word.
When done, Luis cleaned the wound and applied a red/green/gold herb mixture. Then to top it off, he sprayed the first-aid spray over the angry wound.
"Well, we did it. But you are going to need a doctor and a hospital, soon," Luis said while giving Chris and Leon a concerned look.
While Leon sewed up the long gash, Luis took Chris aside to talk options. Chris listened as Luis explained the nature of her wound.
"Chris, she doesn't need to walk around on that leg."
"I know. But what do you suggest? Leave her here in the open without protection?"
"Chris, I'm just trying to come up with a plan for her. I'm not suggesting anything right this moment."
"Look, I'm sorry. It's just... We have to do something, and fast," Chris said with a tired look. Luis sighed and patted the older man's shoulder. The situation they found themselves in couldn't come at a worse time.
While Chris and Luis discussed a new plan, Claire was busy biting her lip as Leon stitched her up. The agent felt a ache as a tear escaped her moist eyes.
"Sorry," Leon whispered huskily.
"Don't be. I just got to suck it up, bare through the pain."
"Doesn't matter now. I'm finished. I just gotta wrap your leg up, beautiful," Leon said with a warm smile. Claire blushed.
"Oh, um, Leon? I dropped the Sniper Rifle after the explosion. I'm... not sure where-"
"I found it after coming out of my daze. It's a little scratched up but still in good working order. Nothing to worry about."
When finished, Leon carefully helped Claire stand back up. He held her arm, supporting her weight so she didn't have to put any weight on her injured leg. Chris and Luis walked back to the couple, looking dissatisfied.
"I know what the problem is guys. And I have a suggestion."
Chris and Luis shared a look. What could Claire had possibly thought of that they hadn't?
"I'm gong to slow this group down. No, it's true. The only thing that matters now is the girls. You guys go and just leave me some extra ammo."
"Nobody is going to be left behind. Now, there is something we can do. Those herbs help bad wounds heal quicker, right? Well, we used the best and the first-aid spray. Just give it some time to heal enough so that you can travel."
"But Leon, you have to get to the girls before something worse happens to them," Claire argued.
"Wait, I have a solution that will make everybody happy. Leon, you and Luis can go on ahead. I'll stay here with my sister till she's well enough to move."
Leon or Luis couldn't argue with that. Claire wanted to, but she knew that arguing would only waste more time. The two set out immediately to open the metal door. After figuring out the laser mirror trick, the two waved their good-byes to the siblings.
So with a heavy heart, Claire said goodbye to the two brave men as they continued on without her or her brother.
**R**
The facility was creepy and dark. Every turn they made was heart pounding and scary. Who knew what would happen or what waited around each corner. The girls felt exposed as they tried to quietly navigate around the dirty halls.
Ashley didn't question Sheila as the teen led the way. She just followed faithfully, whimpering when a noise was made or when they would peek around a corner to see what laid ahead. When a rat scuttled by, Ashley yelped. Sheila had enough.
"Ashley, if you keep squealing when a noise is made, then we'll never get out of here alive. Do-you-understand?"
"Shut-up! Just shut-up, alright! I'm scared and I just can't help myself," Ashley said loudly.
Sheila quickly put a hand over the taller girl's mouth, her eyes flashing. Ashley looked surprised as Sheila began to whisper angrily.
"Listen, we're near the kitchen now. Kitchen means food. Food means bad guys who will probably be eating! Now, stay quiet."
Sheila removed her hand, hoping she got through to the girl. Apparently she didn't. Ashley spoke up as if she hadn't heard a word.
"How do you know that we're near the kitchen?"
Uh-oh. She didn't mean to let that little bit of info slip. She quickly looked at the swinging door with the round window. She smiled as a excuse came popping in her brain.
"You see that door? Well, you usually don't see a door like that unless it's in a restaurant's kitchen. It swings both ways-"
"Oh, I see," Ashley interrupted. For now, Sheila kept her secret about her knowledge of the island.
As the two neared the dirty door, a smell surrounded the nostrils. Ashley coughed, almost retching from the rotten smell. Sheila was careful in taking slow small breaths so as not to inhale the stench of rotten meat too much.
Trying not to gag, Sheila pushed the door open. The smell became worse as they entered the kitchen. Any thoughts of hunger soon vanished when they reached the large slabs of rotting meat hanging from the ceiling. One particular slab of beef laid on the table with a meat cleaver still stuck in the ribs.
"I think I'm going to puke," Ashley said after seeing maggots in the meat. Sheila felt the same way.
"Let's go," Sheila suggested as she pushed Ashley. They walked past the tall oven without saying a word. Thankfully, no crazy guy came bursting out of it while covered in flames.
The girls stopped when hearing Spanish cursing near their position. Somebody was coming to the kitchen. And they were doing it fast.
"Run! We got to-"
"Shh! No, they'll overcome us. Let's hide," Sheila hissed.
Both looked around quickly, trying to find a good hiding spot. Since they had to make a split second decision, the two had to quickly make due with what they had. They quickly hid behind the crates and boxes filled with supplies near the shelves.
The girls clutched each other as the two Ganados who carried them a little while ago came bursting through the swinging door. Their animated voices filled the room as they searched the kitchen. For a minute, it seemed that the girls would be caught, but luckily the two men began to fight.
They pushed each other while yelling in Spanish. It was terrifying for the two women as the men began to get ruff with each other. They knew that they were the reason the fight had begun in the first place.
But as quickly as the fight started, it ended. The men resumed talking in low tones, as if discussing their options. Sheila held her breath as she slowly peeked over the top crate. What she saw would forever be implanted in her mind.
The two men began cutting into the rotted, maggot infested meat. Old congealed blood coated their fingers as they brought the raw meat up to their mouths. Sheila almost vomited when the Ganados sunk their teeth into the rotten flesh. The sickly squishy sound of raw meat being chewed made Ashley curious.
Sheila tried to stop her, but Ashley paid no attention to the silent teen. Her eyes widened as she took a peek. A Ganado was shaking his head as he tried to take a large bite out his tough slab of beef. The flesh stretched and stretched till the beef finally tore. The Ganado gave a satisfied grunt as he chewed the contents with a open mouth. Maggot parts along with rotting beef dripped down his chin.
Ashley literaly turned green as she collapsed. Then with very loud retches, Ashley vomited all the contents in her stomach. The two soldiers stopped their feasting and slowly turned their heads. Sheila froze as her eyes met their gaze.
The two Ganados dropped their food and immediately charged. Sheila grabbed two cans off the shelf and threw them. One missed while the other found its mark on one Ganado's head. Blood spurted from the wound, causing the soldier to trip and fall. Sheila kept up with her assault.
When she saw that the two soldiers were starting to back away, she quickly grabbed Ashley's arm and drug her out of the kitchen. The Ganados tried to follow, but with a great stroke of luck, they slipped in Ashley's vomit.
Just before they were clear from the kitchen, Sheila stopped to grab the grenade that laid in the sink. Ashley opened her mouth in shock as Sheila stuck her hand inside the dirty water. Before she could ask what she was doing, Sheila pulled out the grenade.
"Don't ask," Sheila said while grabbing Ashley's hand. "Just run!"
This is where Sheila made her crucial mistake. You see, up ahead was several Ganados. Remember those armored soldiers? Sheila didn't. In her need to escape, she totally forgot that the deeper you go in the facility, the more Ganados and certain experiments appear. This was a lesson she learned the hard way.
Both girls were running full speed ahead, not stopping to see where they were going. It wasn't till they both ran into a armored soldier did they realise that their escape was for nothing.
Ashley nearly fainted when seeing the tall, large, bald Ganado. Sheila smacked her head, realising her mistake. They should have ran back since Leon and the others would be coming from that direction. Now, it was too late.
**R**
"Are you sure you're alright? Are you comfortable," Chris asked Claire for the umpteenth time.
"Yes, I'm fine! Stop bugging me and go.. do something!"
Chris ignored her and continued to pace. Claire rolled her eyes. Her brother was ever the protective one who thinks that nobody could get along without him. If it was up to her, he would be with Leon and Luis, rescuing those who really needed rescuing!
"Stop moping."
Claire narrowed her eyes at her older brother. "Excuse me?"
Chris crossed his arms. "You heard me."
"I do not mo-"
"Oh yes you do," Chris interrupted. "You have a system. First, you get angry when things don't go your way. Then, you get snippy with me. After that, you mope about the situation. Well, guess what? I'm here if you like it or not. Leon and Luis have a job and so do I. And that's protecting you."
"Well, you should have gone with them! They-"
Claire stopped ranting when an explosion was heard in the distance. Claire closed her eyes, too stubborn to let her brother see the fear. Her brother's warm strong hand touched her shoulder.
"They're fine. You know them, they like to blow up stuff."
Claire chuckled. "So does a certain brother of mine."
Chris's eyes twinkled. Claire smiled and shifted her hurt leg, tentatively testing it. There was pain, ok, a lot of pain that shot up her leg. But there was a difference now than earlier.
"I want to try and walk. Can you help me up?"
"You sure," Chris asked with concern showing in his eyes.
"Chris, you know me. I'm sure about everything."
Chris grinned at that. So with the up most care, Chris helped his little sister up. At first, she leaned on her brother, trying to take it slow. With very tentative steps, Claire began to walk.
First, pain shot up her leg as she put more pressure on her foot. But gradually, she found that she could hobble around without keeling over in pain.
"I don't know if it's that yellow herb or what, but the pain's slowly going away," Claire commented.
"Yeah, I found that when using the yellow herb, it just doesn't help you heal faster, but it also numbs the pain... So, does this mean you're up to taking a stroll around this crazy island?"
Clair nodded. "Yep. Besides, I think Leon and Luis will have everything cleared out for us. Let's go."
**R**
"Something stinks," Leon said gruffly.
"Si. It smells like something died," Luis commented dryly.
The two men were now in the facility. The battles they faced wasn't pretty, but in the end they were the last men standing.
Leon pushed the kitchen door open. The stench of rotting meat caused the agent to gag. Luis grew disgusted. The base was in worse shape than the last time he was there.
"Look at all that beef. Such a waste... Though I could go for a juicy stake right about now," Leon commented as the two approached the meat.
Luis shuddered as he pointed down at two pieces of chewed up beef. "Looks like somebody got hungry."
Leon curled his lip with disgust. "OK, this kitchen is definitely the kitchen from hell. Let's keep moving."
Leon quickly tried to walk on, ready to leave the kitchen behind. The chewed up rotten meat reminded him too much of Raccoon City. But his plans of a quick escape was not to be.
The door of the tall oven suddenly blew open. A man roared as he ran out of the oven, his hands reaching for Leon's throat. With quick reflexes, Leon blew the man away with his Striker. The man fell back and hit the oven.
His body slid down to the floor, unmoving. The aroma of burnt flesh filled the kitchen, almost drowning out the rotten meat smell. Both men stared at the oven with shock. Scorch marks inside the oven were in the shape of a man.
"What in the hell was this guy doing in there?"
"Probably was a punishment," Luis commented as the burnt body disintegrated.
After the shock of the oven incident, the two men continued on. Like the girls, they met the armored guard and his cronies. Another battle commenced.
**R**
Ashley kept glancing at the younger girl beside her. She looked paler than normal and not so sure of herself. Whenever one of the Ganados made a sound, the teenager would jump and let out a whimper. This was something serious.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing!"
"Yes there is! You're acting weirder than normal," Ashley hissed.
Sheila peeked behind her shoulder at their new guards. The one wearing the red bandanna gave her a mean thoughtful look. Something about him seemed more dangerous and cunning then the other soldier Ganados.
"Listen, we can't exactly discuss certain things here. But I will say this. This area is dangerous. I have a feeling that this area will be filled with monsters that only exist in our worst nightmares!"
With a commanding voice, the bandanna guy ordered them to stop to his comrade.
He grabbed Sheila's arm and led her down the hall that would bring them to the autopsy room. The teen began to quake as they approached the double doors. Too confused to refuse, Sheila walked through the doors and into the room.
Surreal was the word for what she was experiencing. As the Ganado pushed her forward, Sheila took in every detail.
Wires hung loose and exposed, papers scattered the floor. It was apparent that nothing was taken care of.
When she went through the automatic sliding door, she noticed how the room became worse. Papers, dried blood, dirt and dust covered the floor. Computers were on but it was clear that they were of no use do to not being taken care of.
But Sheila knew that wasn't the worse part. What laid in the tiny room with the large window was what she and the others should be truly afraid of. And by the looks of things, that's where the Ganado wanted her to be. Well, to at least look at.
"What's going on? Sheila," Ashley wailed as both girls were pushed toward the large window.
"I don't know."
Both girls gasped at the horror that laid on the autopsy table. Its long body and sickly grey skin color was unnatural and definitely inhuman. Though it had five fingers and the same amount of limbs, it had no toes, and no hair on any part of its body. Neither girls could tell if the thing was male or female since it had no sex organs.
"Oh man, please don't come back alive yet," Sheila said with a panicky voice.
"Yet? What do you mean yet?"
Before Sheila could respond, the bandanna Ganado ordered the other to walk Ashley back to the cell. Sheila watched with fear as Ashley and the Ganado left her alone with a sleeping monster and a scary Ganado.
The soldier grabbed the teen roughly and forced her to look him straight in the eyes. Sheila whimpered as his grip grew very painful.
The Ganado began to talk in rapid Spanish, making the teens brain feel dizzy. He was speaking too fast and since she didn't know a lot of Spanish, she couldn't make out his words.
"Yo habla un poco de espanol," Sheila said loudly so the angry Ganado could hear her. (Translation: I speak Spanish a little.)
"Perdon," the soldier remarked sarcastically.
"You no escape again. Americano run," the Ganado said while pointing at the monster. "Americano dies. Comprendo?"
Sheila nodded. "Si, senor."
The girl didn't have to be told twice. She tried any more stunts, she would end up as the Regenerator's lunch.
The soldier seemed satisfied that his message got across. He released her arms and began to escort her out of the medical room. But then he stopped and turned around.
To Sheila's horror, he led her over to the light panel. He began tapping the buttons, trying to open the locked door. The red light beside the sliding door went green, showing its unlocked status.
Sheila was dragged inside the room where the frozen corpse and the parasite laid in plain sight. The teen quickly turned away, too sick to gaze at the frozen death mask of the poor soul lying on the operating table.
"Senor Vega?"
Sheila lookd over her shoulder at the Ganado. Apparently, he was looking for someone. Didn't he know that everyone was dead in this room?
The Ganado peeked behind the curtain. He gasped before running to the corpse on the floor. Sheila hesitantly followed. When the Ganado bent down to grab the key card that Leon would be needing soon, Sheila screamed.
The Ganado whipped around, looking startled. Forgetting the key card, the soldier grabbed her by the shoulders and shook. But Sheila refused to stop screaming. She found herself willing to do anything to get out of that death trap.
Suddenly, a loud boom and crash interrupted the two. Both Ganado and teen looked at each other in surprise. The Ganado released her and slowly approached the sliding door.
The door slid back, revealing the Regenerator. Sheila opened her mouth and let out a scream of terror. One of her worst nightmares had woken up early and decided to say hello.
**R**
Wesker silently got dressed in his gear. Today was going to be a very special day for the man. Not only will he get the sample of the Las Plagas, but he will finally ge his revenge! His nemesis will never know what hit him.
That is why he was getting a very early start in his preparations for the day. Some of the scientists and Umbrella soldiers didn't understand the whole getting up in the wee hours of the morning. But Wesker had a philosophy. And that philosophy was the early bird gets the worm. And Chris and his sister were the worms.
After he was through, he left the locker room with a spring to his step. Everything was coming together nicely. His enemies were all on the tiny island which made it easier to kill them all at once. Ada was close to getting the sample and retrieving Luis who will work for them, even if he didn't know it yet.
And of course there was the project. Steve was in prime condition and currently going through a training exercise. From what the scientists told him, Steve was the perfect killing machine.
Deciding that he wanted to see the young man's peformance himself, Wesker back tracked to the training room. He used his keycard to enter the safety room that allowed Umbrella employees to watch in safety as special projects went through the obsatcle courses.
"Good Morning, sir," Heath greeted groggily.
"How's the subject doing," Wesker asked. Getting straight to the point.
"He has went beyond our expectations predicted! He has both cunning, agility, and the killing instinct down pact. He's... beautiful."
Wesker slightly smirked as Steve leaped in the air over the tyrant's head. Without hesitating, he punched a large hole through the monster's chest. Gore and blood sprayed the two way window. With a sickening thud, the young man threw down the still beating heart. Then, as an after thought, he kicked the tyrant's legs to trip the big lug. Within one second, he snapped the creature's neck.
"That's his thirty-second kill this morning," said the scientist proudly.
This pleased Wesker. "I have one question. Has there been any glitches that I need to worry about?"
For a moment, the young man thought that the old scientist had ratted him out. But then he relaxed, knowing that he would have already been dead if that was true. Without missing a beat, Heath lied.
"No. The subject has shown nothing but perfection. With the chip in his head, he is completely under our control."
Wesker was silent. The scientist's voice came out clear and even, making it hard to tell if he was lying.
"Good. Because if anything goes wrong when I bring the subject on the training field excersise, I will blame you. I will personally kill you myself. Do you understand, doctor?"
The scientist shivered as he gulped. "Yes, sir. But let me assure you that-"
"That will be all. Now, I have to make some more preparations for the project's flight. When our golden boy is done, get him geared up. We leave just before dawn."
When Wesker left the safety room, Heath crumbled to the ground. "GV-23... Please don't fail me now. Or else we're both going to be terminated... permently."
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**A/N**: Sorry to leave it like that, but I didn't want to cram everything in one chapter. So, what do you think? Did that little appetizer get your taste buds going? Good! Now, there is still time to vote on my poll. Just go to my prophil page to vote.
Also, I'm sorry this chapter is late. Really late. I had the computer shut down for several reasons. Saving money, it's a old slow piece of crap, and because of family problems. Let's put it this way. I've been so angry, hurt and some what depressed over a little family situation that has accured. It affected me so much that I couldn't do anything creative till recently. But now, I'm better and at peace. More chapters are on their way.
35. Chapter 34: The Boogie Man
**A/N: **Prepare yourself for the creepy, irritating Regenerators! Just writing about them makes my skin crawl. And don't get me started on the Iron Maiden! Thanks for voting in the poll on the situation with Claire. I will be closing it down and starting a new one soon. Let's just say it was a close one! Yay!
* * *
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 34: The Boogie Man**
Sheila backed away, too scared for her life to move. She knew that she should make a run for it, like in the game. But fear had immobilised her.
She looked at the Ganado in front of her, waiting for the dirty man to take action or do something. But it seemed like her, he was unable to do anything to save their lives. Or it could be that he wasn't as smart a she thought him to be. Either way, he backed away, allowing the sliding door to slide back shut.
Sheila gasped as the footsteps neared the door. Half of her expected for the creepy yet interesting music to start playing its haunting melody.
The door suddenly slid open. A whimper escaped the teens' mouth. The Regenerator was more horrifying in person. The creature's skin had a grey tint that glistened as the monster moved. The eyes were red with a certain spark that told her a story that ended with her grisly death. Was it hunger that she also saw? Makes sense, since its teeth was made to tear chunks out everything around it.
The creature wheezed as its eyes zoomed over to the Ganado. Sheila slowly inched her way over to the dead corpse holding the card key. The curtain around him prevented anyone to see him, including the girl. It was the same fear that told her to hide under the bed as a little girl that now told her to hide with the dead body.
Sheila heard the Ganado say something. The fear in his voice was not a good sign.
Sheila peeked around the corner, wishing she didn't. The monster was closer, moving its limbs like it was doing a weird attempt at dancing. Drool dripped from its long fangs as it stared at the pale Ganado. Then suddenly, just like a snake, it struck without warning.
The Regenerator roared as it reached for the Ganado. iIs long arms some how stretching farther than humanly possible. Its long fingers clamped around the frightened Ganado's arms. And with inhumanly speed, pulled the young man toward it, its arms wrapped around him tighter than a lover would do.
Unwillingly, tears of fear streamed down the girl's cheeks as the Regenerator sunk its teeth into the Ganado's flesh. The Ganado's scream of agony caused Sheila to hyperventilate. For that could have been her if she hadn't moved when she did.
Sheila finally looked away as the Regenerator tore a hunk of flesh. The way it fed was very close to a rapid dog. The image seemed to have burned itself in the teens eyeballs. She tried to focus on getting up and running, but her mind wouldn't stop replaying the scene she just witnessed.
_I'm going to die! I'm going to die! I'm going to die! Oh God, I don't want to die!_
The sound of chewing and groaning filled Sheila's ears. She covered her ears and tried to block out the sound.
_Get a grip! You're not dead yet. Now get up! I said get up!_
Sheila nodded, listening to... well, herself. She stood up, though her legs were shaky. Wiping away her tears, the scared teen peeked again. The Ganado was still alive, barely. His arms hung limply as the Regenerator feasted on his dirty flesh. Then suddenly, the parasite popped itself to the surface through the man's neck. It was a full grown adult.
The Regenerator ignored it, though that was soon changed. The parasite released its acid on the monsters neck and half of its face. The Regenerator hissed as it released its prey.
_Oh crap._
Sheila felt like using every curse word known to man at that moment. Now she had to get past two monsters, both lethal and dangerous to her personal health.
She had to think fast. Looking down at the card key the corpse was holding, Sheila bit her lip as it came clear to what she must do. She had no choice in the matter. If she did get past the two alive, the possibility of more Regenerators now awake and roaming the halls was as high as it can get. And the only way out of this section of the base was the card key. Well, after she uses it in the machine that remakes it for the other door. Either way, she was in one of the crappiest spots in the game.
Sheila peeked again around the curtain, checking out the two freaks position. The Regenerator apparently healed quickly, the acid burns now healed over with new, ugly skin. Its long fingers were clamped around the parasites human neck. It roared as it began to attack with its teeth. Now was her chance to make a break for the door.
Sheila grabbed the card key. Taking a deep breath, the teen ran.
There was no stopping or looking around as she flew. Her adrenaline had kicked in which gave her the extra boost that she needed. Before she knew it, she had made it to the last door. Finally, she paused. Was she jumping from one fire to the next? Only one way to find out.
With trembling hands, Sheila grabbed the door handle and slowly opened the door.
**R**
Leon blasted the last parasite, its brown blood splattering the walls. He grunted as his broken ribs began to throb. Luis and him had encountered the armored Ganados, along with their little friends. It had resulted into a rough battle. Which as always, involved getting knocked around and barely surviving.
"That my friend, was not easy," Luis remarked.
"Story of my life," Leon replied as he sat down in the chair by a small wooden table.
"How's those ribs," Luis asked as he reloaded his gun.
"They're (grunt) doing better," Leon lied.
Leon smiled crookedly as Luis snorted.
"The girls can't be far now," said Leon.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because of the heavy security we just encountered. Think about it. We've recovered the two girls more than once _**and **_managed to kill his Big Cheese and his psycho mini-me. He's so close to completing his evil plan."
Luis nodded slowly. "He'd be an idiot to not take extra precautions."
Leon slowly got up, grunting as he did so. "Right. Like I said, we're getting closer to where they're being held."
The blond agent leaned against the table as a sharp pain pierced his rib cage. Luis reached out, but the stubborn young man waved him off.
"I'm fine. Just a little stiff... My God, what is that?"
Luis looked down at the dirty plates, just now noticing the strange and rotting substance covering the plates and table. Flies literally covered about seventy percent of the dried substance.
"That... I don't want to know. Let's get going."
Leon curtly nodded and preceded to take the lead. Cautiously, he lead Luis up the stairs, his Striker ready for any more interference. But for the moment, it seemed that the area was clear.
Then they heard a sound. The two edged closer to the door that lead to a area they had yet to explore. They froze. The sound was Ashley, yelling with all her might.
Throwing caution to the wind, Leon kicked the door open and ran inside. Luis was close behind him. They ran past some filing cabinets and crates, expecting to find Ashley. But instead, they found a security monitor system.
Leon slowly stepped forward, his eyes intently on the image on one of the monitor screens. It showed Ashley banging on a metal door, her face flushed from screaming and possibly crying.
"Da-n it! Ashley's there, but where's Sheila," Leon growled as he began to press certain buttons that would let him peek at different areas of the facility.
"She's not alone," Luis whispered as he leaned in to take a closer look at Ashley's screen.
Leon froze, watching with growing concern. A Ganado slowly approached Ashley from behind, face held a look of contempt for the young woman.
Ashley seemed to have noticed the noise behind her. She turned around, looking frightened.
"No, wait! Stay away!"
The Ganado grabbed the young American roughly, his lips curled into a snarl. Ashley struggled, though in vain.
The Ganado pushed her away from the door, looking like he enjoyed his power over the situation. Ashley yelped when hitting the floor, tearing the skin on her exposed knees and hands.
"Callete," the Ganado ordered. (TRANSLATION: QUIET! or SHUT UP!)
Ashley gave the soldier a dirty look, but didn't dare to utter another word. Leon narrowed his eyes, anticipating when he could get his hands on the arrogant soldier.
"Well, at least she's in one place for the moment. Now, let's see if Sheila is near by,"
Leon began to switch to different rooms and parts of the facility. At first, it seemed that they wouldn't find the young troublesome girl. Then, they happened upon the medical area. Luis groaned.
"What the hell is that?"
"The Regenerator," Luis choked out. "And it's slowly heading her way."
"Turn around, da-n it! Go through the doors behind you! We got to go!"
Leon ran to the door, not hearing Luis's pleas to stop and listen.
"Leon! Wait, you don't know what you're getting in to!"
"It doesn't matter Luis! That thing was too close to spotting her. We've-"
"What's all that commotion about Strangers? Keep that up and you'll might as well turn yourselves in to Saddler."
Leon stopped for a brief moment, walking toward the Merchant. "Sorry, but I don't got time to stop and chit chat. Got a girl to save," Leon replied before briskly walking ahead.
"Wait! There's some-"
But the merchant didn't get the chance to finish. For the Garage door opened as Leon and Luis came into view around the broken window. Two Ganados lit their dynamites, then tossed them toward the visitors.
"Oh crap," Leon muttered before rolling back toward some cover.
**R**
Sheila gulped, hearing the heavy breathing just around the corner. It seemed that she just didn't wake up one Regenerator.
The breathing seemed closer than it did a minute ago. Did the creature hear her close the doors or something? She thought that she was being quiet, considering her fearful state of mind.
Either way, her options weren't good. If she went back, a Regenerator and possibly a adult parasite will be waiting for her. If she stayed where she was, either the Regenerator in the hall would eventually find her or the one in the autopsy room would bust the doors from behind her down. Then of course was her last option. To take a mad dash for the freezer room... Where yet another Regenerator would possibly wake up.
The teen swallowed the scream that wanted to escape. She tried to push her fear away, telling herself that her heroes were on their way. Maybe... Possibly...
Sheila wiped the tears away, preparing herself for her possibly last run. Her adrenaline was still in high gear, so she wasn't exactly afraid of tripping or something stupid like that. She was too pumped up to let a little inconvenience like that to get her killed.
The wheezing was definitely closer. She was sure of it. Her choice was now absolutely certain. Running would be the smartest thing to do. Even if her legs at the moment suddenly felt like led.
Touching the grenade in her pocket, Sheila took a deep breath. Then she ran.
As she rounded the corner, the teen collided with the tall monstrosity. Its low growl caused her body to go numb. She and the monster wobbled unsteadily, but did not fall. Long cold fingers wrapped around her throat, and then lifted her off the ground. Sheila's eyes widened as she fought for air. She was now facing the creature at eye level, her feet moving frantically in the air.
Sheila stared into its shining red eyes. All she could see was death, her death.
The Regenerator roared as it slammed her down to the ground, releasing her throat. She coughed violently as she gasped for air. Her throat felt like it was on fire and raw as her air ways opened up.
Sheila held her throat with her left hand as she meekly tried to crawl backwards. But the Regenerator wasn't done with her. Not for a long shot.
It knelt down and grabbed her left hand and yanked her back. Drool dripped down its chin as it wheezed. The teen moaned as she began to thrash her body around, trying to break away. The monster roared as it quickly bent down to go for her neck, going for the kill.
Sheila had her grenade ready. She jammed the grenade in its open mouth. The monster stopped and bit down, its teeth sinking threw her tender right hand.
Sheila screamed while yanking her hand out. The teeth had went deep. Just looking at her hand made her head spin.
Sheila quickly scrambled away, holding her injured hand close to her body. The monster seemed preoccupied with the strange metallic thing in its mouth. Then... BOOM!
The head splattered around the surrounding area. The body shook violently, then slowly it began to recover. Tentacles whipped around, as the flesh began to reconstruct itself. Sheila grunted as she scrambled back to her feet and began to run.
She ignored the heavy breathing ahead as she opened the double doors. The small light above the freezer room beckoned her as she stumbled toward it, the blood loss causing her to be disoriented.
Sheila grabbed the door handles and pulled. But they wouldn't budge. A cold sweat moistened her brow as the panic crept in. She began to push and pull, whimpering as the cold doors wouldn't budge. Then she remembered the key.
"Stupid... Regenerators! Made me forget," Sheila hissed as she shakily put the key card through the key slot.
There was a short beep sound before the sound of the door being unlocked. Then a low growl from behind her made the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end. Without a moment to spare, Sheila opened the doors and ran in.
**R**
Leon cursed as he failed yet again to kill the dynamite throwing enemies. Whoever was controlling the garage door was smart enough to shut it almost immediately after the Ganados threw their explosives.
Leon and Luis were able to get in a few shots, but not enough to break the two crazie Ganados concetration. The determined agent was becoming agitated. He didn't have time for this.
"Well, now what do we do," Luis muttered as another blast against the small wall with the broken window caused it to shudder.
Leon shook his head. "I don't know. Maybe if we create a distraction-"
"A distraction? And exactly how are we going to do that?"
"I don't know, Luis!... (Boom!) Maybe you can (Boom!) run out there and (Boom!) get their attention."
Luis gave the agent a incredulous look.
"Listen, I just need you to distract them long enough for me to... I don't know, throw a grenade or something at them. Come on Luis! We don't got much time," Leon said with an intense gaze. Luis looked torn.
"Fine! Let's do it," Luis conceded with a hint of anger.
Leon nodded and began to open his case up, intending to grab a grenade. Then he stopped, getting a different idea.
"What are you doing," Luis whispered as he watched Leon close his case.
"Don't worry about it. Just go and create the distraction."
Luis hesitated, then left the wall. He began to jump around, shouting curses at the closed Garage door in Spanish. Meanwhile, Leon got his Sniper rifle ready.
The door opened revealing the two men with the sticks of dynamite. One laughed while pointing at Luis. His compadrae took out his lighter and lit the fuse, chuckling darkly.
Leon took the shot, his aim right on the money. The Ganado dropped dead from his head shot. Unfortunately for his buddy, the dynamite was still lit. The garage doors closed, leaving no escape for the lone Ganado.
BOOM!
Both men stayed still, holding their breath. After a few moments, both relaxed.
"It worked."
"Surprised?" Leon asked with a smirk.
Before Luis could respond, the garage door opened again, revealing three crossbow snipers. The Spaniard raised his gun, aiming at the middle one. His confidence was running at zero when he saw the three aim their crossbows at him.
"Leon," Luis hissed.
Suddenly, their was a tiny sound. Like a pin dropping. Then a grenade was tossed toward the three snipers. The middle one began to shout, motioning to his left to close the shutter. The shudder did close, but not before the grenade slid in with them. Sound of panicked screams were heard before the explosion.
Luis turned around, expecting to see Leon. Instead, he saw the red eyed merchant. He was shaking his head at the whole situation.
"Sometimes you strangers need to stop and listen! Otherwise I wouldn't have to stop what I'm doing and go and save your reckless arses!"
Leon slowly walked up, looking a bit sheepish. Luis mumbled something about Leon and looked away. The merchant sighed.
"Now, if you will listen, I've got something that would not only interest you, but will save your life. Let's just say that you're getting tactical with the situation! Heh! Heh!"
The merchant took his heavy pack off and pulled out the Tactical vests. Leon's eyes widened.
"I figured ya would be needing these. I'll sell it to ya for a great price."
**R**
Sheila shook violently as the cold seemed to freeze her through and through. The cold air stung her bare legs and arms. Especially her face. Living in Georgia did not prepare her for this freezing temperature.
She tried to walk, but the floor a tad slippery. Yet another thing the game forgot to show. Reality was so different than games.
After struggling to gain her balance, the teen proceeded forward. The air was foggy and not so clear. She could make out the shapes of the failed Regenerator experiments hanging on the meat hooks. A chill that had nothing to do with the freezing air went down her spine. She was glad she couldn't make out their faces clearly.
_Must... find... key machine! So... cold!_
Sheila walked toward the east toward the open door. She walked sluggishly inside, cracking a smile when seeing the strange machine. After a few moments of trying top find where she put the key, Sheila successfully placed the key in the slot.
_That should do it... Okay, why isn't this thing working!_
"Come on! Why aren't you working, you piece of crap!"
Sheila examined the machine. There were different buttons in different colors. None had the word 'Start' on it. Frustrated and cold, Sheila eyed the cryogenic freezer device in the corner. If she turned the device off, then the cold air would stop and things would start to melt.
Though she would love for the cold air to sop, she was worried about the Regenerator. In the game, he woke up when Leon took the Infrared Scope. But here in reality, things could be way different. Like causing the boogie man to defrost which in turn wakes up to spread its freaky horror. That wasn't what she wanted. Her little plan was to wait for Leon there so that she wouldn't have to face these things alone.
But the possiblity of freezing to death was looking like her immediat future that would soon happen if something wasn't done. Any longer in the cold would cause some serious damage. Besides, it would be easier to deal with the machine with no freezing air zapping the oxygen from her lungs.
Sheila nodded at her decision and decided to turn off the cold air. She walked to the tiny corner and presses the red button. Hopefully it was the right one.
The temperature began to drop. Sheila's breathing became easier. Each intake of air was easier and didn't feel like sharp knives piercing her lungs.
"The others so owe me for this," Sheila mumbled as she walked back to the machine.
Sheila noticed that there was a flashing yellow button. Could that be it?
Holding her right hand close, Sheila hesitantly pushed the yellow button with her left hand. A strange sound came from the odd machine. After a few seconds, the teen began to wander if she pressed the wrong button. Then, the yellow flashing button flashed green. The key card popped out, ready for use.
"I am so good," Sheila purred.
**R**
Leon and Luis silently walked into the Regenerator's domain. After buying both Tactical vests and forcing Luios to wear one, Leon decided to go on.
He listened to Luis giving a brief description of the Regenerators. And sadly, he didn't exactly have the equipment that would help him kill them. Neither did the merchant, unfortunately.
So now, they were going in, hoping to use what they had to at least save Sheila and escape the almost invincible monster.
The first sign that they were one of the creatures was the sound of its heavy breathing. Leon tightened his grip on his trusty Striker, hoping to find Sheila still alive. If he didn't...
Leon froze, spotting a Regenerator standing about six feet away. It wasn't really doing anything but stand there... and wheeze. The scene reminded Leon of the zombies he encountered not so long ago.
He studied the situation. It was really dark with only a light here and there to show the current surroundings. So it was possible for them to sneak by. Well, that is if the hallway wasn't so narrow. Confrontation with the large monster was inevitable.
Leon gave Luis a small nod. The Spaniard did not look thrilled at all.
Taking a flash grenade off of his belt, Leon pulled the pin and threw it. A bright flash lit up the dimly lit hall.
"Move," Leon ordered. Both men ran past the roaring monster. Leon quickly kicked open the double doors, running toward the freezer room.
Suddenly, a pair of hands grabbed Luis and yanked him several feet back. Leon turned around, hearing his companion scream.
The monster's red eyes seemed to glaze over as it gave Luis a strange look. Then it roared and tried to sink its teeth into his left shoulder. It growled when the armor deflected its attack.
Luis struggled and tried to pry himself away from its body. As he struggled, he came across something squishy that blended in with the rest of the Regenerator's body. He found one of the parasites.
Luis gritted his teeth as he sunk his fingers into the parasite, causing the Regenerator to cry out in pain and surprise. Leon ran over and began to beat on the creature with his trusty Striker. The monster released Luis, staggering back about two feet.
Leon grabbed Luis's arm and led him back to the freezer doors. The sound of heavy breathing to their right had Leon cursing all scientists.
"How many of these things are there," Leon growled.
"Many, amigo. We need to-"
The freezer doors opened up, startling the two men. Sheila didn't wait for the two to say anything. Instead, she grabbed Leon's hand and pulled him inside. Luis quickly followed. The teen then quickly slammed the doors shut, turning instantly away from the dried blood stain covering both doors.
A pair of strong arms inveloped the teen, causing a bright smile to light up her pale face. Leon was warm and... his chest was hard as a rock. Pulling away, the teen smiled at the tactical vest. It looked great on Leon, especially in real life.
"You're freezing," Leon said with concern.
"And she's hurt," Luis added as he held her injured right hand. Sheila tried to ignore the pain as she expressed her relief to see the two older men.
"You guys just don't know how happy I am to see you! I thought for sure that it was game over for me. Those freaky things really know how to bite."
"I know. And they can do much worse. Leon, I need your first aid kit."
"Here... What is that?"
Sheila didn't bother looking at the dead experiments hanging on the hooks. She already got an eye-full when running into this death trap. Those long, razor and crooked teeth of the failed experiments were another thing on her 'Scar Me For Life' list. Sheila gulped when the memory of her current encounter with the boogie man replayed in her frazzled mind.
"This is the freezer room for the facilities failed Regenerator experiments. As you can see, we had a lot of problems with the genetic structure of the parasites and the human hosts," Luis replied as he sprayed Sheila's bloody hand. She yelped as her hand burned and stung as the medicine began its work.
"No kidding! I thought nothing could surprise me after Raccoon City. But this... Poor souls."
"Luis, why is there frozen grown parasites here?" Sheila asked, looking at one of the dead creatures that was on top of one of the dead bodies. Luis didn't answer right away as he bandaged her hand.
"There was an accident," Luis answered at last. "Somebody forgot to make sure two of the hosts were truly dead when putting them in here. That little mistake had caused several of the facilities best to be slaughtered. One of the other scientists who was lucky enough to survive turned the temperature down before escaping, saving the rest of us from exposure. Well, for the time being."
Sheila bit her lip, looking around the bloody place as Luis finished his work with her hand. The blood stains were every where, just like a Jason movie. The thought freaked her out, causing her already pale skin to turn a shade lighter. Feeling woozy, the teen began to swoon. Luis grabbed her.
"Whoa, don't faint on me now. You're going to be alright."
"What's wrong?" Leon asked.
"I'm fine. Really. Just need some iron." Sheila squeaked. "Can we go? I really don't want to stick around."
"Sure. But first, we got to look for some more medical supplies. Leon, check the cabinet over there." Luis said as he began looking mong the mess.
Sheila leaned against the doors, watching the dead Regenerators carefully. So far, no movement. Could it be due to Leon not grabbing the new sniper scope yet? Should she distract him and just forget about it? In the game, it was a very valuable tool in fighting the Regenerators and Iron Maidens.
"I'm going to check in here," Leon said as he entered the tiy space where the infer-red scope was held.
Sheila felt her heart begin to race. She had to make a decision soon. Feeling cornered by fates unlucky road, Sheila gasped, then pretended to faint.
"Sheila!" Luis cried out. Leon ran back and joined the Spaniard.
"What happened?"
"She fainted. I think she lost more blood than I realized." Luis answered as he looked at her pale countenance.
"This is not good! How are we going to get past those monsters while she's unconscious? She's not going to make it unless she has some rest." Leon said in a worried tone.
The guilt began to eat at the teen as the two were so obviously torn in two by the dilemma she created. Gathering her courage, Sheila decided to let fate continue with this especially scary part of the game. Opening her eyes, Sheila pushed away the helping hands.
"Stop fussing." she said grumpily.
"Don't get up. You need to rest." Luis said urgently. "You've lost allot of blood and-"
"We don't have time for that. We need to save Ashley. And I got the key to get us past this... freak show!"
"Where did you find that?" Leon asked. His surprise at her finding skills slightly stung her pride.
"Oh, who cares! All that matter is that I reconfigured it in that thingy in there so now we can get out of this creepy area," Sheila said as she showed them the key card. Both men gave each other a look.
_Oops! Way to make them more suspicious of you! Dang it! Why can't I play the oblivious person better?_
A sound over by the failed experiments stopped any questions for the time being. All three slowly looked at the back. A thud was heard. Sheila slowly stood up, her heart in her throat. Luis and Leon pushed her behind them as the body of one of the Regenerators pushed itself up, its red eyes zooming in on its prey.
"Oh, crap." Sheila squeaked.
"You can say that again." Leon muttered.
The creature roared, it's arms stretching forward. Sheila let out a scream.
**R**
Claire was sweating bullets as her brother played crutch for her as they finally made it to the complex. Chris left his sister leaning against the wall as he went to scout out the area.
"Da-n," Claire muttered. She gingerly touched her bandaged wound.
The medicine did heal her enough to stand without help. But walking was another story. Her brother worried that infection would settle in, even with the combination of the herbs. Claire kept the worry at bay, keeping her mind on light things. Such as food. Nice, steamy, hot chicken noodle soup. Or even better, a T-Bone steak! Ooh, the image of the meats juices made her mouth water.
"Okay, all is clear. Leon and Luis did a thorough job so far." Chris said as he came trotting back. Claire smiled.
"Ready for some more exercises?" Chris said playfully, though the mirth wasn't in his eyes.
"I was born ready. Let's go." Claire replied as she grabbed Chris's arm. Their slow process made her feel like an old lady.
"Do you think they found the girls yet?"
Chris shrugged. "I don't know. But knowing Leon, he'll rescue the damsels in distress in no time."
Claire heard the doubt in Chris's voice, but didn't comment on it. Truth be told, she was starting to feel crampy, grumpy, and sweaty. It was becoming a major inconvenience with her physical status being the way it was. She trusted Leon and Luis and knew that they would kill anything in their path, but that didn't mean that there wasn't any more freaky things of science lurking around.
Chris's concerned look got her going. "Stop hovering over me! I can take care of myself."
Claire's irritable mood seemed to just slide off of Chris's back like water on a duck's back. He took the lead, going extra slow for his little sister to keep up. No Ganado's insight. His only worry was when they would reach the kitchen. From the pasty tint to his sister's skin, they would be stopping soon, again. Something was up with her, he could tell. Call it sibling intuition or just plain instinct, something was most definitely wrong.
"I guess this is the kitchen area," Chris spoke aloud, stopping in front of the dirty, resturant like door. "You don't suppose that a nice slab of steak is on the menu?"
"Along with a huge Cesar salad and strawberry ice cream." Claire replied with a dreamy look in her blue eyes. At least she had kept her sense of humor. How either of them could joke or smile had to be a sign of the shock of staying up for over twenty four hours.
"I'll go first." Chris said suddenly, losing all humor. Flicking the safety off on the side of the Blacktail hand gun, Chris kicked the door open and jumped inside. He quickly passed the dirty watery sink, interring the kitchen. The smell and sight had him backing away, gagging.
"I guess steaks are on the menu." Chris said with disgust. "Pity to waste all that meat, letting it get rotten like that."
There wasn't much to explore. Just lots of cans scattered, a scorch mark of a man in the oven (Chris wasn't even going to go there), and of course a drying puddle of vomit. Well, at least one of the girls (or Leon and Luis) left a trail. Shaking his head, he turned to go back to Claire, only to find her standing there behind him.
"Claire! I told you I was going to scout out the area first!"
"It's dark and eerie." Claire replied. "This place is too silent and creepy to be alone."
Chris noticed her sweating getting worse as she favored her stomach, as if wounded there instead. "Claire..."
"Let's keep moving, Chris. I want to catch up with the others before anything else happens."
Claire passed her brother, slightly hobbling. Her injury was painful, but the cramping in her stomach and chest was worse. She couldn't let herself dwell on the fact, too consumed with getting the others through this safely and alive to take a look at her condition. If she did, she would remember what had happened back at the castle and the parasite growing within her body. For the egg had hatched, and the parasite within was already growing, though still tiny. Then again, maybe it is best for her to push past her limits, for Leon had the pills that would would slow the progress. It was too late to kill the parasite, but to slow it's growth would help save her life if they ever did get to Luis's miracle machine. But that's further down the road. On back to Sheila and the to guys who's name starts with L! Double 'L' team!... What? I got nothing cool to say other than that geek statement. (author smiles)
**R**
_"Oh no you don't!" _Leon thought as he quickly stuffed the barrel of his gun in the icky monster's mouth as it yanked him toward it's slimy body.
Regenterator blood and gore splattered the low hanging roof, glass and metal cupboards as tiny grey tentacles whipped around from the bloody stump of its neck. Leon was released thankfully as it waved it's arms in the air... Waving them like it just don't care! (I just had to add that!)
Sheila turned upon hearing the beep sound of the cold doors locking_. _
_Crap! Crap! Crappity, crappity, crap, crap, crap! _
"You can't kill it like-"
"We've been through this before! I know!" Leon shouted at Luis. "I'm trying to slow it down!"
This just wasn't happening to her! Sheila watched as Leon shot at the monster over and over, waiting for him to go get that Infrared scope. But he wasn't, and neither was Luis. Why weren't they doing what she did in the game? But reality is just as unfair as a game can be. Sheila knew that more than other people, and why she just now was re-realising that now proves that she is under a lot of strain. At least, that's what she tells herself as she runs into the northeast chamber, slipping on the melting, icy floor. Crawling toward the defrosted locker, she quickly murmurs an 'Ew!' at the dead adult parasite on the floor. She then stands and attempts to twist open the lock on the locker. Of course, it won't budge. Ice, as in reality, just doesn't melt that quickly as it did in the game.
"Stupid... weak... skinny... arms! Stupid... Twist.. in... Reality! Leon, Luis! In here!"
Her answer from the two heroes?
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
_Crash!_
"Roaaaaaaaaar!"
Sheila turned around, then hesitantly tip toed to the open doorway. Leon and and Luis were on the ground, covered under a pile of dead Regenerators. Apparently, the dead freak was a wrestler in his past life or something. His or should I say it's red, glowing eyes zoomed in on her. She couldn't quit her silent mantra of 'Oh crap!"
"Guys! Get up!" she squealed as the creature suddenly launched itslelf in a uncharacteristic, half jog and half swagger toward her.
Running to the back of the small chamber, Sheila turned and tried with all her might to get the locker to open. She could have sworn that she heard the eerie song that happened when the Regenerator approached. It's breathing was heavier as it neared its prey. Sheila openly cried as screamed for the valve to twist.
Either the game decided that it was time to cut her a break, or God was working in mysterious ways; the locker door suddenly sprang open on it's own accord. Grabbing the Infrared Scope, she quickly turned around to go give the special addition to the agent. But her movement ceased when seeing her escape blocked. The creature stopped, seemingly to smile with glee as it now was just standing four feet away. It reached it's long arm and slapped her. The Scope was flung from her hands, smashed through 0the glass window and fell down to the ground near Leon and Luis, who were attempting to unscramble themselves from the dead experiments.
Sheila was getting tired of being slapped around by the enemy. And even more angry with the fact that she was yet again trapped by a Regenerator... Again!
"Leave me alone!" she screamed, covering her stinging and swelling cheek.
The monster reached down, it's vile stench making her gag. Acting on pure instinct, she quickly attempted to crawl between it's legs. For a moment, she had outsmarted the lumbering monster. But as she reached the door, two large, freezing cold hands clamped down on her ankles and pulled. She of course screamed, grabbing onto the edge of the door way for dear life.
"Will somebody kill this thing, please!"
The two men were now free. Luis spotted the scope and quickly picked up. "Here! This should help you see the parasites on its body. Shoot them all, you kill the Regenerator."
Leon quickly fumbled with his case, bringing out the sniper rifle. With quick but shaking hands, he took off his regular scope and replaced it with the heat sensing one. Luis ran inside the chamber and grabbed Sheila's wrists and began to pull. Sheila now knew what a Thanksgiving wishbone felt as two people pulled on the opposite ends.
Leon came into view and raised the sniper rifle, peering through the scope. To his dismay, the lens was cracked, giving him three Regenerator targets. "Da-n! The lens is cracked!"
"Just shoot!" Sheila screamed.
Leon did just that. The first shot missed, which earned him "I can't believe you missed that!" from the terrified red head. Growling, he readjusted his aim and nailed a parasite on the right shoulder. The Regenerator gave a started growl, releasing Sheila. She and Luis scrambled away as Leon fired again, again, and again.
As the creature rapidly became metabolically unstable, Leon slowly backed away, grimacing. The Regenerator then exploded into a pile of warm, sticky goo. Luis was holding and calming the quivering red head as Leon stepped out of the chamber, covered in the sticky goop that was a Regenerator just a second ago. He simply looked at Luis, not saying a word.
"Um, did I forget to mention that the creatures become unstable when the parasites die?"
"Nah, duh." Leon remarked.
Sheila looked up, eyes puffy and red from the crying. Seeing the state Leon was currently in, she burst out in hysterics. Leon scowled. Wiping a heaping hand full of gold like goo off his face, he wiped the offending stuff on the back of his pants.
"Did you find any bars of gold, Leon?" Sheila half jeered and half asked out of curiosity. She got a well earned scowl from the game character as he shook his head.
"We need to get going."
After calming down, the teen and Luis followed Leon over to the door. There was a beeping sound as the lock released. The danger was over... Not really.
"I really don't want to fight any more of these things. So let's look at the map and see if we can get out of her without any more confrontations." Leon suggested.
Sheila hated it, but she had to remain silent as the two looked over the map. There would be more Regenerators, along with the Iron maidens. But, as long as Leon had the rifle, they should be able to get through this... Maybe.
"It's the corridore right next this freaky freezer." Leon comented as he rolled the map back up. "It'll be simple as pie, as long as those creatures out there don't get in the way."
"Pfft!"
The two looked down at the short red head, who in turn shrugged. "Since when has this ever been simple?"
"Good point." Leon replied. "OK. Ready... Set... Go!"
Leon whipped the doors open and ran out. Just as in the game, there was some Regenerators. But Leon wasted no time, meaning what he said. He quickly killed the one in the corridor and led then down to the locked door that had the sign, "Flammable Liquid." Taking the key card, Leon used it, relieved that it worked. Entering, the three reunited companions now entered the garbage dump area.
They quickly proceeded down the next corridor. Sheila reached the door first, signaling for the other two to keep quiet. Neither questioned her as she silently opened the door. Of course, it creaked loudly. Wincing, she slipped inside, followed by her two rescuers. Tip toeing over to the control console, the three peered down through the dirty glass. Three soldier Ganados were just standing around, speaking a little as they stood guard. One was standing behind the blue dumpsters in the left south corner, another standing about two feet from the edge of the dump shoot, the other two where near another short corridor. Sheila grinned. Here was something she was definitely going to get to do.
She frowned when she spotted Leon examining the controls.
"Leon," she whispered. "Can I please do it?"
"Do what?" Luis asked.
Leon smirked. "Apparently, great minds think alike."
"Please, please, please!" she whispered excitedly.
"Sheila, using this thing to dump those thugs down the chute sounds great in a video game," Leon began to lecture, "but in real life, it wouldn't work."
Leon pulled a flash grenade from the clip on his belt. "But this should help do the trick. Luis, you shoot after I give the soldiers this surprise."
She crossed her arms, sticking out her bottom lip as the two began to leave. She seriously wanted to kick Leon Scott Kennedy's butt at the moment. Sure, the natural order of things would suggest that Leon's plans were for the best. Smart even. Simple, boring, but smart nonetheless. After all, the crane wouldn't be fast enough to catch the real life soldiers.
Sheila touched the control with her bandaged hand, rubbing the joystick lovingly. It's not like the Ganados were the brightest light bulb in the bunch. Though the soldiers had a bit more brains then the pesky villager Ganado. Gulping, Sheila felt the urge to press the blue 'Start' button, crank up the crane and try to get her prizes. She was never that good at the cranes back at home, the toy ones... Not the real deal. Anyway, she never got a prize before in one of those stupid yet addictive games. That was another thing against her crazy impulsion. But this was a different world, dimension, game, whatever. Things weren't always as they seem.
Smiling, Sheila made her decision. After all, you only live once! Taking a deep breath, hearing the door close as the two oblivious men left her to take care of the pests, the teen took action. Pressing the button, the crane roared to life, and as she expected, the Ganados didn't notice or care. She grinned as she moved the crane, deciding that the dumpster guy would be first. She could hear the door swinging open as the two came running back in. Pressing a yellow button, she lowered the roof crane. The soldier Ganado looked up, his yellow eyes widening as the crane closed, grabbing him painfully.
Leon and Luis starred with open mouths as she easily moved the crane over to the dump area. His Ganado companions quickly began to fire their bow guns at the poor soldier. He screamed louder as one arrow buried itself in his ankle. Pressing the yellow button again, she released the Ganado, his screams echoing as he fell into the darkness below.
"Woo-hoo! My first crain prize!" Sheila cheered, not bothering to be quiet. "Now, let's go for Dumb-dumb number two!"
She moved the crane over the one two feet from the ledge, who was shouting at the crane, shaking his fist. Sheila rolled her eyes as she lowered the crane, snatching up her prey. Humming a little tune, she swung the crane over the dump and dropped her second prize. Now it was time for the two for one special.
These two were trickier and smarter. They would run around in circles, (Okay, they weren't that much smarter!) making sure to stay out of the devices shadow. Frowning, she stopped, and lowered the crane. She didn't release the yellow button, keeping the jaws open as it hung there, seemingly stalled. The two Ganados stopped, and hesitantly walked over to the device. One tapped it with his bow gun, then chuckled.
They looked up at the window and laughed, thinking that the enemy had no more juice. One even crawled under it, mockingly acting scared. His shorter but thicker companion joined him, all the while laughing. Sheila's lips curled into a malicious smile. Releasing the button, the jaws of the crane ensnared the victims, lifting them high in the air. They kicked their legs, dropping their weapons as they attempted to wiggle free. It was no use. Soon, they were dumped in the dump. Just like the game, the crane broke down after that.
Grinning form ear to ear, she turned and said proudly, "I'm number one!"
"She did it." Luis said. "The soldiers, they just stood there and... did nothing."
"Hey, two did run around in circles, I have you know!" Sheila retorted. "If it wasn't for my clever bait and trap, I'd still be chasing those two idiots."
"You know, you might have alerted the entire base to our presence." Leon said coldly. Sheila's joy suddenly dried up. "You could have gotten us killed!"
"Hey, Leon. That's a bit unfair." Luis said as he wrapped an arm around the suddenly crestfallen teen. "She was only trying to help. And look, it worked!"
"But it could have backfired as well!" Leon said, raising his voice higher.
"I saved you guys some ammo, though!" Sheila said, raising her own voice. She wasn't used to Leon being cross with her. "If anything, I saved your lives!"
"You should have done as you were told!"
Sheila's shocked look had Leon's angry seething to quickly disappear. Rubbing his face, he attempted to make amends. "Look, I didn't mean to yell at you like that. It's just been..."
"Crazy? Scary? Dangerous? Stressful?" Sheila offered, looking down at her feet. She snuggled closer into Luis's tactical vest covered chest.
"Yeah." Leon answered simply. Lifting her chin with one finger, Sheila found herself staring back into his beautiful, sky blue, grayish eyes. Her insides melted. "I'm sorry. Just... try to listen to orders when I give them. I wouldn't forgive myself if you were killed. Okay?"
"Okay." Sheila answered in a daze. If she thought she had a chance, she'd push Claire and Ada aside and kiss the guy. But that would probably be a bad move considering who he was.
Besides, it wasn't mentally healthy to develop a crush on a video game character... Now, if she can convince herself that fact, then maybe she can become half way normal.
"Good." Leon said brightly. He suddenly grabbed some of the drying Regenerator goo from his chest and put it in her dirty, tangled red curls. She gave a startled yelp, then glared at Leon as he chuckled.
"You big... big... doofus!"
Leon snickered, shaking his head. "Ah, I had to discipline you some how for disobeying me, cadet. Though, I have to admit, that was some pretty impressive moves you did with the crane."
What on earth had her melting over Leon like that a second ago? The crush was now dead. Gone. Obliterated!... Oh yeah, his smile and smirk was what did her in. And still does... DANG IT!
"Well, just for that, I think I'm up to tell another merchant theory."
Leon groaned as he lead the two down to the garbage disposal. The stench of the dump stalled Sheila for a short bit as they passed through. But she quickly kept up with the two men, ignoring her natural reaction to gag. Soon they entered the security room. Snooping around, Leon and Luis gathered some scattered ammo as the teen began cooking up the theory.
"Okay... So the merchant is from the future-"
"That theory has already been played out." Leon commented grumpily. Sheila pointedly ignored him.
"The far, far distant future. He's an intergalactic space explorer, like Star Track or somthin'. His job when sent visiting planets is to sell stuff, helping out people during important points in history. Like the Civil war or the American Revolution. His ship is waiting behind our moon as he helps us out. You know, trying to keep Saddler from infecting the entire planet. The catch is, he, the merchant, is now infected by the parasite. He's not allowed back on the ship, nor is he deserted either. He's taking a special serum that let's him be... normal, while being beamed all over the place by the ship to help us while at the same time hoping we'll find the cure."
Luis grinned as Leon simply scowled at the red head. "You were the kid that stared off into space during school hours, weren't you?"
"Only in my 5th grade year. How did you know about that?"
"Lucky guess." Leon mumbled. "This way."
"Get out your Striker. " Sheila warned. Again, with the looks. "Better safe than sorry, right?"
Leon did as she suggested, grabbing his shotgun Striker. Luis kept his Rednine handy, winking at Sheila as he opened the door to the next area.
**R**
"What the hell is that?"
"I'm just as lost on that as you are." Chris replied, looking at the security monitors. The two Regenerators were standing near the freezer doors, breathing... Creepy.
"Whatever they are, it's obvious that Leon and Luis were not able to kill them."
"Maybe they were in a hurry, or didn't see them. Either way, we got to get past them." Claire said, looking down at her calf with a scowl.
"There's no way you're going to be able to run, Claire." Chris argued. Claire rolled her eyes.
"Uh, hello? The merchant did give me a special on this tactical vest and flash grenades." Claire said as she waved one flash grenade in his face. "I'm all stocked up with these babies. We'll use them to blind Creepy and Creepier, then run like hell. Simple."
Chris flicked through the other monitors, hoping to find Leon and the others. He did. "Hey, they found Sheila!"
"Really? Let me see!"
Claire pushed Chris back, hogging the monitor. She frowned. "She looks pretty beat up... Whoa! Look at those spiky guys."
Chris leaned in, smirking. "Man, they have all the fun."
Claire scowled at her brother, who in turn tried to cover his tracks. "I mean, they have _their _fun, but not as fun as I am having with you... No action is.. fun."
"Save it. Let's go, already!"
The two eagerly and a bit more quickly, left.
**R**
"Leon! I'm here!" Ashley screamed as she beat on her cell door.
Leon and Luis rushed over, giving soothing and encouraging words. Slipping the card key in the mechanism, they found to their disappointment that it didn't work. Sheila joined them, giving Ashley a half hearted wave.
"Sorry, Ashley. Looks like we've got the wrong key." Leon apologised. The twenty year old sighed, and moaned pitifully.
"There's gotta be another one of those things nearby." Sheila offered, shivering as she remembered just who for some reason had one. The Iron Maiden.
"Ashley, I need you to listen. We're going to go find a key for this door." Leon said calmly, knowing that the blond was almost at her breaking point... again.
"No! Please, don't leave me again, Leon! You don't know what it's like being stuck with all these creeps!"
"Oh, save it, princess." Sheila grumbled, pushing Leon and Luis out of the way as she looked through the opening where's Ashley's unhappy face was peering through. "Try meeting up with a cold, clammy, razor sharp tooth Regenerator. And before you ask, you don't want to know what they are. They're on the 'Another Weird Monster' list."
Ashley nodded, noticing her bloody bandaged hand. "Will you stay then?"
On a normal occasion, the teen wouldn't. They didn't do so well alone together. But, this time, Sheila was willing to compromise. "Yeah. I'm feeling kinda woozy anyway. You guys mind?"
"Actually, I was going to suggest that very thing." Luis replied. "Though leaving you alone unguarded wouldn't be in your best interest.
"Here," Leon said, handing his Blacktail over while managing to hold his Striker at the same time. "Something to defend yourself with. Here's a box of ammo, and a flash grenade, just in case there's a whole mob... Remember, don't go looking for trouble."
Sheila saluted Leon, grinning. "Yes, Mr. Doofus."
Leon chuckled, then became serious. His mood swings really had Sheila on her toes. AS the two men left, Sheila and Ashley wished them luck. They were going to need it.
**R**
"Throw the da-n grenade, Claire!"
"Duck!"
Chris rolled out of the way as the third flash grenade went off. The two Regenerators screamed, leaning way, way back. Grabbing his sister's hand, Chris forced her to run with him as they went down to the corridor that led to the dump. As they closed the door behind them, the two gave a involuntary shudder.
"Note to self. Whenever we come across those freaks again, don't fight. Run. Run very fast. " Claire panted.
"I agree." Chris squeaked. "They were some tuft boogie men."
"No arguements there."
Chris heard Claire yelp as she attempted to apply pressure on her injured leg. Instantly, he was down and looking at the bandaged limb. Some fresh blood was there, but not soaking the bandages. Looks like the herbs were doing their work.
"Want to take a breather?"
"Yeah, I'm feeling kinda... winded." Claire admitted with an embarrassed nod. Sliding down, the two sat in silence.
"Chris?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think those things know how to open doors?"
Chris's eyes went wide. "You just had to mention that, didn't you?"
Claire smiled sheepishly. Her chest tightened, but not too bad. It felt kinda... constricted, but not much.
"Well, from what I figure it, some zombies can open doors, so why not these things. Come on, let's find some where else to take a breather."
Claire groaned as Chris helped her to her feet. "Remind me to thank Saddler personally for our lovely visit here."
"Oh, I will. And I'll be there to give my personal regards as well."
**R**
Leon and Luis found themselves in some kind of medical/experiment lab. And like the rest of the game, this area seemed empty too. How wrong you are if you think it is. As Leon opens the door where the lab table is, the sound of a door sliding catches his attention. He sees what looks like another Regenerator. Only, weirder. The creature spots them, and it's spikes flare out for a second. Leon quickly backed up, almost knocking Luis down.
"Crap! There's another one.. With spikes!"
"The Iron Maiden." Luis whispered as he and Leon backed all the way to the door. Leon handed Luis the Striker, quickly grabbing the sniper rifle from the strap over his shoulder.
"The Iron Maiden is much harder to kill." Luis explained. "Even when you destroy the parasites, it still doesn't explode like its cousin; not until you do enough damage."
The breathing was closer as the quicker monster appeared just outside the door. Leon raised the weapon, and waited.
The door was busted open by the monster as it entered the small corridor. Leon wasted no time as he fired. The crack in the scope had prevented him to miss a couple of times, but he got the job done. And just as Luis had said, it still kept coming after them, growling and extending its arms with wicked ease.
Luis knew that something had to be done, so he reached for Leon's belt and grabbed a grenade, then threw it at the monster. It screamed as the grenade went off, destroying one of it's legs. Tentacles whipped frantically as it regenerated, though not quite so fast. Leon got the idea and through one of his own. Luis began to fire the heavy Striker as the second grenade went off. Together, the two took out the creature.
Spikes and goo covered the spots in the wall and ground, but the job was done. Leon cocked his head a little as he studied the warm sticky mess on the ground. Bending over, he picked up a card key. Luis read the inscription on it.
"Storage Room Card Key... Huh. That's a weird place to put the key to Ashley's cell."
Leon nodded. "Don't question it. That's my new motto. Just go with the flow."
"Well, let's go-"
"Let's look around. This is a lab. There should be some more medical supplies, and maybe some more... medicine."
"How much do you got left?" Luis asked as he followed Leon toward the specimen area.
Leon looked grim as he answered. "Just enough for one of us. I'm thinking of giving one pill to Sheila, and one to Ashley. Will only one pill be enough for them, you think?"
Luis nodded. "Yes. Maybe we'll find some more medicine. I do remember experimenting on the cure in this particular lab."
"Among other things." Leon commented, tapping on one circular glass valve containing some lumps of flesh and tentacles.
"Sadly, yes." Luis replied as he rummaged around. After a short but intense search, they found some herbs, more bandages, and a small sample of the pills. There was four in the bottle.
"Ai, yi yi! Four? Sorry Leon."
"Hey, every little bit helps." Leon replied.
As the two began to leave, Leon pointed to another door in the small hall next to the lab. "Where does that lead to?"
Luis's expression lit up. "I think that leads to... the control tower!"
The two looked at each other, then quickly ran out the door. Crows scattered from their intrusion into the outside, but it was worth it. The merchant winked at them as they ran half way down the small bridge.
"Good to see you two alive, strangers. Did you find the girls?"
"Yes. They're both fine." Leon explained. "Ones locked up while the other is keeping her company as we scout out the area."
"Good. I also have some good news for the two of you. I've seen and sold some things to Zombie Killer and his sister. I think it shouldn't be long before you reunite."
Leon grinned as Luis sighed with relief. After buying some more grenades, the two ran over to the tower, taking the small lift up. It creaked and groaned, but didn't stall out. As the two stepped out, they notices the thick dusty layer covering the tower's glass windows.
"Looks like nobody has been here for quite a while." Luis said as they headed for the door. "Hopefully it works still."
Upon entering, their hopes diminished slightly as yet more dust covered the old control station. Running over, Leon looked over his shoulder at Luis, and tried to smile encouragingly.
"Cross your fingers."
Turning on the radio, lots of static filled the silent, still air. Reaching over for the speaker, Leon rotated the knob till he found a clearer channel.
"Hunnigan, anyone, do you read? This is agent Leon Kennedy, calling for backup. Do you copy that?"
Nothing. Leon attempted again. "Repeat, we need backup, asap. There is six of us, counting the subject of rescue. We need immediate evacuation, over."
Leon quickly gave the coordinates and the name of the island. Yet still, he only got some slight static. Leon slammed his fist on the controls. "Damn!"
"Do you think anyone heard you?"
Leon pursed his lips and shrugged. "Hard to tell. Maybe, maybe not. The scrambling they got going seems less way up here, but I can't be sure. We might as well keep being used to being alone out here."
Luis nodded. Leon then added, "And don't tell anyone that we made the call. I don't want to get their hopes up."
**R**
Sheila heard Ashley gasp as they heard the door slam. It sounded like it came from the opposite end, which crossed the two men from the list. Sheila gripped tightly onto the Blacktails handle, slowly edging her way over. Her heart was pounding faster and faster as the sound of footsteps came closer. Taking a deep, shaky breath, Sheila leaped into view and aimed the gun straight into Chris's astonished face.
"Whoa! Don't shoot, Red!"
"Aah! You guys!" Sheila squealed, wrapping her arms around Chris's waist as Claire rubbed Sheila's slightly, slimy head.
"Where's Ashley?" Claire asked.
"Over here!"
Sheila led them over to Ashley's cell. Her eyes filled with tears at the sight of Chris and Claire.
"Oh! You're okay!"
"Uh, I'm not so sure about that." Sheila said, looking down at Claire's bandaged calf. "How that happen?"
"Long story. First of all, where's Leon and Luis?" Chris asked, looking around. "Did they leave you guys here by yourselves?"
"They went to find the key to Ashley's cell." Sheila explained. "I volunteered to stay. Too tired to keep going."
Claire nodded leaning against the wall. She closed her eyes and sighed. "Me too."
"Well, lucky for you two, me and Claire killed a bunch of Ganados that were on their way here. Looks like Leon and Luis caused quite a disturbance."
"I helped." Sheila said proudly. Chris rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, knowing you."
Their little chit chat was cut to an end as Leon and Luis appeared. After some hugs and 'Are you alright?" questions, Leon showed Ashley the gooey key. Sheila grimaced. Yeah, the Iron Maiden seemed to be just as gooey as the Regenerators.
Sliding the key card in place, the jail cell opened. Leon opened the door, only to find himself suddenly being enveloped by a very happy blond. After coaching the crying girl off of him, he and the others filed inside the cell, checking her out and asking if she was hurt. Of course she was fine, and seemed genuinely glad that everyone was back together again. A breeze blew in the storage room, carrying a paper airplane with it. Claire caught it, and opened it. She frowned at the lip stick kiss on it, clearly from Ada.
"Here. It's for you."
Leon took the letter and read it. He and Claire shared a look. "There's going to be no way for you to make it."
"I'm better than I was." Claire argued. The others still had no clue what the letter was about, except for Sheila.
"Not from where I'm standing."
"Leon, there's no other option. Our quickest and only way out of here is by what Ada said in her letter. I'll just have to... be careful."
"Okay, what are you two talking about?" Chris demanded.
Leon gave him the letter. After reading it, he gave it to Luis, who in turn gave a disgusted snort. They wisely didn't give it to the curious blond, knowing what her view and answer would be.
"Claire's right." Chris said after thinking about it. "She'll have to... perform like the rest of us. Maybe butt first."
"Butt first?" Ashley repeated with a frown.
"Whatever, can we just go, please? While I'm young." Sheila said impatiently. Although Chris and Claire prevented the Ganados that would have attacked them when exiting the storage room, she still wasn't willing to tempt fate... Again.
"Yeah, let's get this over with." Leon reluctantly said, giving Claire a concerned look.
The group back tracked all the way to the dump sight. Thanks to Claire and Chris, they were now ahead of schedule of the game, not having to deal with a mob of Ganados. Sheila felt her stomach twist in knots as they looked over the ledge. Ashley covered her nose, looking down with a clear disgusted look.
"Ew! It stinks!"
"Sure does." Leon commented, then smiled at the blond. Her eyes widened as she finally realized what the discussion a little bit earlier was about.
"You can't be serious! I am not going down there!"
Leon grabbed Claire suddenly, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Actually, you are."
To Ashley's surprise, Chris grabbed her arm and dragged her with him as he leaped off the ledge. Ashley's screams could be heard as they fell down into the darkness below. A well muffled, 'Jerk!' was heard after they landed.
"You're next, Sheila." Leon ordered. Sheila grinned as Luis grabbed her hand and winked at her.
"Shall we, beautiful?"
"Oh, definitely yes!"
The two leaped off the ledge as Leon told the others to look out below. They heard Sheila's giggles as she and Luis called for the two to hurry up. Leon placed his slightly whiskery cheek against Claire's smooth one.
"You ready for this, Redfield?"
Claire felt her heart skip a beat at the close, intimate contact between them. She tried to keep her voice even as she leaned back in his arms, snuggling her cheek against his.
"More than you know."
Smiling, Leon turned themselves around where his back was facing the open space. "One... Two..."
Leon suddenly fell back with a wicked chuckled, Claire screamed. They fell with a thud on the squishy trash. Leon had took the most impact, protecting Claire from anything too hard on her injured body. It took him a minute to catch his breath, but he finally did, releasing Claire's struggling body.
"You forgot to say three!" Claire complained. Leon grinned as he slowly sat up with a groan.
"Three."
"Hey, what's that?" Ashley asked as she pointed to the lumpy object next to the couple. Sheila already had her hand ready on the gate lever, knowing exactly what it was.
"Oh, crap! Come on!" Leon said as he sprang into action, dragging Claire off the pile of trash. The being suddenly came awake, looking at the intruders.
"The Iron Maiden!" Sheila groaned.
* * *
**A/N: **It has been along, long, long, long, long, long time, hasn't it? Sorry. I've been busy, not to mention having computer problems the last time I posted for this story. Good news though. I got a brand new computer that shouldn't give me any more problems! Of course, publishing won't be as quick because I am really busy, not to mention caught up in a another particular story of mine. But no worries! I will never forget about this story, it is my first after all. As for the other Res fics, they'll be updated to. Any how, thanks for sticking with me so far everyone!
36. Chapter 35:Snap, Crackle, Pop! Watch 'em
**A/N: **Attention all readers! I am posting the poll on the merchants theories! At long last, you, the reader, can ultimately decide which theory concerning just how the merchant gets around becomes true. Since there is a lot of theories, you may choose more than one. At the end of the chapter, I'll show you the choices if you don't want to go check out my poll... I would prefer if you went and checked the poll... (smiles evily)
* * *
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist in Reality**
**Chapter 35: Snap, Crackle, Pop! Watch 'Em Drop!**
The Iron Maiden was definitely not dead. It's shiny, slimy spikes extracted for a few seconds as it let out a shriek that almost turned Sheila's red hair white. Almost is the key word here, folks. Luis, noticing the red head just standing there like a lump on a log, clutching the lever with a death grip, sprung into action. Wrapping his hand around the lever as well, he quickly pushed up, opening the gate.
There was no time for the two professionals to draw their guns. Instead, Leon and Chris put an arm each around the lovely Claire, and holstered her up while they followed the others through the gate. This time, Sheila didn't freeze up as she closed the gate. The monster hissed as it did it's famous walk toward the closed gate, it's spikes extracting again.
"Girls, get in the dumpster." Chris ordered.
Sheila and Ashley quickly did as they were told while Claire reluctantly was placed in there by the meddling two worry warts. All three gave a shaky smile up at the men. Leon whispered for the women folk to stay quiet, then he closed the lid and followed Chris and Luis out the other open gate. After Leon got his sniper rifle ready and Chris and Luis got the grenades out, the gate was closed.
Sheila couldn't stop shivering, not all due to the chilled damp air in the metal dumpster. To her ears, her breathing sounded just as loud as the Iron Maiden's. Only, less weird. The loud clanging sound of the monster banging against the bars of the gate startled all three as they sat in the darkness. Doubt creep-ed in as the the monster roared with frustration with each _clank! Clank! _Gun fire soon followed. The rifle was loud, yet clearly welcome. It was all Sheila could do to stop herself from cheering Leon on.
The sound of metal groaning was eerie and knew to Sheila. Ignoring Claire and Ashley's whispered pleas, Sheila slowly and slightly opened the green dumpster metal lid. Unlike the game, this freak didn't figure out to use the lever. Instead, it beat and pulled on the rusted bars till they began to bend sideways, then out. Once the Maiden made the opening large enough, it crept in gracefully, it's spikes on its head seemingly rippling with pleasure. It began it's eerie walk toward the men on the opposite of the other gate.
Leon stopped to reload, taking his time. Chris and Luis didn't look so happy about that.
"Kennedy, what the-"
"That barrel is a flammable one, right?"
"What?"
"Luis, are those gasoline barrels still used recently?"
"I suppose. Why ask that _now_?"
"Old gasoline isn't flammable once it doesn't have fumes anymore. In reality, the fumes is what actually starts fires and explosions. One spark near fresh gasoline and you're dead. " Leon replied calmy as he carefully aimed again, looking through his Infrared scope. "If this is recent, then all we have to do is ignite it once the damn thing gets close which right now would be a good time, guys."
"Oh." Chris said as he pulled the pin and threw the grenade at the red barrel.
Apparently, the gas was new because a giant fire ball engulfed the Iron Maiden as the barrel exploded. It roared and almost toppled over. Lots of the tentacles erupted as it tried to repair it's damaged flesh. Leon fired again as Luis threw his grenade. It's body began to swell as spikes extract with vigour. Then_... KABOOM_!
"I guess it was new." Luis muttered as Leon opened the gate. Leon whistled, letting the ladies know that all was well for the present time.
"Wait!" Sheila exclaimed loudly as she grabbed Ashley's arm. "Um, maybe you guys should check the rest of the area out.. You know, just in case there are more of those things."
"Yeah, I guess that would be the smartest thing to do." Leon said after some thought. "Just lay low until we give you the signal."
With a sigh of relief, Sheila and the others settled back in the smelly dumpster.
"Hm, I wander if this is another _intuition_." Luis remarked casually.
"Don't start." said Leon. "She's right. I should have thought of that."
It didn't take long for the three to push the dumpster container into the empty space in the sewage, completing the makeshift bridge. Since Leon had the special scope, he took the lead while Chris and Luis followed closely with a grenade each. The lighting was dim, but it wasn't hard to find the creature, what with the heavy breathing. Nothing needed to be said as they began to take down the creature. Several bullets and a grenade or two later, the monster was exterminated. Checking out the rest of the area showed that all was well.
Luis quickly began to track back to get the women folk. As he crossed the metal dumpsters across the sewage, another unlucky moment happened to our dear Spaniard. Taking into consideration that he's supposed to be dead, not running around with Leon, well, you can see why it seems that the game is trying to kill him. Or the grim reaper. Whatever it was, it now decided to take another shot at poor Luis.
Bursting from the stinky sewage came one of the soldiers that Sheila had dropped with her crane. In place of his head was the fully grown parasite.
Hearing Luis's screams, Leon and Chris rushed back. The parasite hissed as it tried to yank him inside the filth with it. It only succeeded partly due to Chris and Leon's quick actions. With both legs half inside the murky liquid, the two men were holding on to Luis's upper half of his body, having sort of a tug of war with the Las Plagas. It took all of their strength to keep a hold of what they got as the strong specimen pulled effortlessly.
Sheila, Claire and Ashley were now out and watching dumbstruck as Chris and Leon fought for Luis's life, who was previously cursing rapidly in Spanish. Seeing that neither men could spare one hand to grab his weopan, Claire hobbled over to the opening, with Sheila and Ashley following closely behind. Sheila took out the Blacktail that was loaned to her by Leon, and aimed. Luis managed to get a glimpse of the red head and the gun, his eyes growing wide.
"No! Don't shoot!"
Who could blame the guy? Sheila wasn't an expert marksman after all. She knew that, but the tone in his voice had her more determined to try and save him, even if he didn't want her to. Claire, thankfully, told the guys to close their eyes as she threw the flash grenade at the monster. The monster screamed, releasing Luis as it fell back. Luis was quickly pulled fully back on top of the dumpster.
The guys laid their in a daze, recuperating from the flash grenade. The girls went and helped them back to their feet. Ashley crinkled her nose as she stepped back from Luis. The Spaniard sighed as he looked down at his pants and shoes. He refused to let his mind dwell on the fact about the sewage and what was in it. Looking on the more positive side of life would do... If he could find what was so positive on having sewage soaked into your socks, shoes, and the lower portion of your pant legs.
"Is it just me, or does the Grim Reaper have something against you?" Sheila half jockingly asked. Her chuckles quickly died out as silence dominated the moment.
"Sometimes I wander." Luis admitted. "I wander..."
As if an answer to the puzzle, the grown, spider like parasite crawled out of the murkey sewage. It lined its sites on Luis, then leaped in the air. A couple of shots was heard. The creature fell to the ground, then melted. All eyes turned to Claire, who was holding Sheila's smoking, borrowed gun. Sheila's eyes were glazed over with hero worship as she grinned.
"Claire, you're an insperation to all of the female race."
**R**
GV-23 sat alone in his tiny room, staring off into space. His dark eyes seemingly seeing nothing. To the observers who watched him through the two way mirror, he was doing just as he was programmed to do. He was nothing but a weapon, a shell of the young man that had died. The only one who knew that Steve Burnside was still in there, was himself and Heath. Though the young, arrogant scientist thought it was just memories, mimicked of a life gone by, much like the zombies who could open a door occasionally, performing a task that was somehow left in the remnants of its brain.
But Steve was still there, lost, and alone. He didn't remember who he was during his wakeful hours, but in sleep his soul alowed memories to merge with dreams. How he wanted to sleep now, to go back to the forgotten dreams! But he couldn't allow himself the luxury. Something was up. His inhuman eyes briefly glanced at the clock. It was far too early to be awake, yet, he wasn't tired in the least. The virus within him kept him rejuvenated, especially after a training exercise he just went through. The power that literally coursed through his veins was intoxicating. Yet, with all that power, he was still just someone else's weapon. Good for so long till a bigger, better weapon was made.
His locked door slid open, catching his cold, one tracked mind. Two men entered, one elderly and the other young, like him. The young, slim man with the large glasses smiled st him as two more people entered, dressed in black tactical suits and armed with machine guns. The Umbrella signia stitched on their arms faintly resignated within GV-23.
"Good morning, GV-23. I know it's too early to discuss things, but orders are orders. It's time for you to get ready for your first field assignment."
GV-23 said nothing as his black eyes watched the young man, not blinking. The older man in the white lab coat gulped. "Let's make this quick, Heath."
Without taking his eyes off of the Bio weapon, young Heath smirked. "Don't worry, Jones. GV-23 won't attack us. That chip in his head keeps him... How should I say this... docile. Well, until he's been given a direct order. The wanders of technology!"
Jones didn't look convinced, but as far as orders go, they had some that came directly from Albert Wesker. Taking a deep breath, the elderly scientist walked over and began to take the young monstrosity's blood pressure. Heath Cliff was busy scribbling notes down on his clip board. Despite the late (or early hours) Heath felt so energised with excitement that he just knew that after the experiment and Wesker leaves, there will be no going back to sleep for him. That was why he personally volunteered to be one of those who would be keeping track of them as they went on their field exercises, not to mention picking up Ada from her mission... IF she lives that is.
"Blood pressures high-"
"That's normal for him." Heath replied, rolling his eyes.
Jones ignored the sarcasm as he took out a tiny flash light and moved it back and forth across the red head's black eyes.
"Well, he's alert enough, can't tell if pupils dilate due to the coloration of the eyes. I have to admit, he's pretty focused for someone who only slept for one or two hours."
"It's the virus. His metabolism has accelerated more since that training exercise. The miracle of it all is that any further mutation will be slim. Looks like the data from Alexia Ashford combined with my brain came in handy after all."
GV-23's eyes shifted up to look at the mad scientist's face. That name... So familiar. Flashes of a beautiful woman began to flicker in the deepest regions of his mind. A gorgeous women standing over him, her long blond hair that could be almost described as white, flowed down in waves, caressing her crimson dress. Her lips curled into a sadistic grin as she pulls out something from behind her. The light from the ceiling sparkles on the shots thin needle. Her blue eyes, so very much like her dead brother's, looks down at him with hate and almost satanic glee.
"Father was too weak for my creation. Though the coward proved useful for study of my beautiful virus. Let's see if you're made of better genetic material then he was."
As young Steve began to be swept up in his horrific memories, the chip performed in it's duties. The only one who notice a slight difference in Steve's demeanor for the moment of memories resurfacing, was the scientist Jones. Those death like black orbs had flickered to his natural green state. Then they returned to the bottomless pits.
Jones blue eyes met Heath's brown confused ones. "What?"
Being a man who took his job seriously, Jones would immediately be the one who sound the alarm. But, from a previous conversation before with the young brat scientist, his old but very clear mind refused to let his mouth voice his concerns. Heath already knew the dangers of a subject with any kind of human memories, how unstable they could become. Clearing his throat, Jones came to a decision. Let young Heath Cliff carry on with his arrogant ways, it was high time for his fall to come. Suppressing a shiver of pleasure, Jones stood up and nodded at the impatient young man.
"I say this freak show is ready."
Heath snorted. "Of course he is! GV-23 is more than capable for what Mr. Wesker has in mind for him. Now, if you're done wasting my time, I will be getting it ready."
Jones smiled as he left them. What was that old bible verse that his mother taught him as a child?... Pride goes before the fall. When operation B.O.W. is in motion, he'll be there to watch Heath's world come crashing down upon him.
**R**
The Ganados on the way to the Incinerator room was easily taken down. Once Leon and Luis popped a few heads, the injured Claire threw a flash grenade to finish them off. Little was spoken as they climbed into the cylinder chamber in the next room. Now, the others looked out through the broken giant fan into the heated room of the Incinerator. A large circular pit of the hot steaming liquid caused sweating to be an issue. Wiping the sweat from around his eyes, Leon looked around the empty chamber. All was quiet... Too quiet for comfort.
He jumped down, Striker ready. Seeing nothing, though he definitely was sensing that he was being watched, the agent warily signaled for the others to join him. Luis, Ashley, Sheila, then Chris and Claire came down. He sighed as he pointed at the basement passage. It was blocked, but lucky for them, that good ol' wrecking ball was there.
Sheila tensed as they began to walk toward the control room. On cue, the crazed soldier Ganados burst inside the room through a door from the right. Sheila's covered her ears as Leon fired his Striker shotgun. The blasts combined with Luis's red-nine and the Blacktail that Claire confiscated from Sheila earlier was enough to get both her and Ashley running toward their destination. Sheila got a good glimpse from over her shoulder as some of Leon's blasts from his gun sent the bad guys into the burning pit. Soon, the rest followed to what seemed to be a bad spot to be. From both sides, Ganados and those scary spiked Ganados entered the control room from both sides.
"How do you work this thing!" Ashley screamed as she looked over the controls.
Without a single word, Sheila pulled on the lever on the right side. The huge wrecking ball slowly lifted, then swung across the room. Everything vibrated as the ball connected with the blockage.
"Damn! It didn't work!" Chris spat out before shooting one of the Ganado's in the knee cap. The dirtied soldier fell to his knees with a grun. Chris quickly kicked the creep out of the control room. "There's too many of them!"
Sheila tried reusing the lever. Too her disappointment, the same time frame as before in the game seemed to be the same in reality. "Dang it!"
"Give it some time," Leon shouted as he shot at one of the spiked, armored jerks as he filled the right door on the side of the control room. Being shot in the head made the big lug stumble back.
With a growl, the bald Ganado launched himself in the cramp quarters of the control room, knocking Leon back against the wall. Chris tried to intervene, but wound up being knocked out of the protection of the control room and into the throng of the Ganados. Grabbing Sheila, who was waiting for the stupid wrecking ball to back up, was grabbed yet again by her hair and lifted up high. Taking Ashely under his other massive arm, the Hercules wanna-be began to trot toward the door the ganados came from.
"No! This isn't how it's supposed to go you idiot!" Sheila screamed, kicking her feet in the air as she was carried out by her hair, cave man style.
Shots were heard, the armored lug nut grunted as he stumbled, then fell down on one knee. Sheila caught a glimpse of one of his knees, the knee cap was destroyed from the bullets. The Ganado's head blew up as Chris pointed the weapon point blank at the large Ganados head and fired. Ashley and Sheila were both released as he disintegrated. But the danger was far from over.
Sheila took out a knife from her boot, though inwardly she knew that there was no way she could inflict any damage, not like Leon anyways. Chris ordered for her and Ashley to grab some Blacktail magazine from his pockets. Quickly they did, that way, when he had to reload, the girls had it ready to lock and load.
With the three of them now the targets for all the Ganados, Leon, Luis, and Claire covered them with open fire. But as the famous Chris Redfield predicted, there was just too many to really do any damage. Seeing that something had to be done, and soon, Claire pulled on the lever again. The wrecking ball swung down with a groan, directly toward the three.
"Oh crap, get down!" Chris shouted as he pushed the girls down, then lying down as well.
The ball swung over them, the breeze ruffling their clothes and hair. With a loud boom, ball connected with the last remnants of the blockage. The basement door was now accessible. Without a second word, Chris forced the girls up and dragged them toward the doors. Leon and Luis followed while helping Claire move quickly. By some miracle, they made it to the door. As they ran in, the rest of the unstable rubble from above collapsed, almost crushing poor Luis in the process.
Panting for air, the group looked behind them. Nothing but rubble was left. For now, it seemed that they were safe.
"How long do you think that will keep them out?" Luis asked.
"Don't know. But I'm not sticking around to find out." Leon replied.
Knowing what laid ahead, Sheila knew that finding safety first for her and Ashely was a must. With two Regenerators in this basement passage, the odds of her and the blond wander getting in the way was very high. Besides, she had enough of Regenerators and their cousins, the Iron Maiden, for a life time.
"Can we catch our breath first?"
"Yes, catching... breath... sounds nice." Claire gasped. Chris was instantly by her side.
Concerned, Leon nodded. "Over there, in that room. Let me check it out first."
Sheila moaned with frustration. "It's fine! The Regenertor ain't in there!"
Not caring aobut that little blunder, Sheila stumbled toward the west room. The others fallowed, Chris carried Claire who by now was finding it difficult breathing.
"See? No freaks in here... Well, other than Blondie, that is."
"Hey!"
"What did we say earlier about you not following orders?"
"Technically, you didn't give me an order, Leon."
"Claire!"
The little spat between the red head and video game character was interrupted as Chris set his baby sister on one of the crates in the back. Her face was turning red as she gasped for air, clutching her chest. She was sweating horribly as she let out a short scream of pain.
"My chest! Oh God, it burns!"
Luis shoved Chris over as he told him and Leon to grab her arms as she began to convulse.
"She can't be!" Leon exclaimed, as Claire went through the motions of being one of the infected. "Saddler couldn't have-"
"Who cares the when or how! Give me one of those pills!" Luis ordered.
Leon released one of Claire's arm and pulled out the bottle of pills. With shaking hands, he managed to open the bottle and get a pill out. Luis grabbed it and forced Claire's clenched mouth to open. She chocked and tried to spit out the offending medicine, but together with Chris and Leon, Luis managed to get the young woman to swallow. Claire nearly jerked off the crates as she began to move wildly. Then, just as sudden as the convulsions began, they stopped. Her breathing was ragged as she slowly relaxed, her blue eyes closed with exhaustion.
"Luis..."
The Spaniard looked at the older brother. Chris's face was almost ashen as he gazed at Claire's pasty complexion.
"I honestly don't know how, other than maybe during the time of one of her abductions..." Luis's voice trailed off. "Salazar did tell us that he... that they... She would become one.. of them."
Leon looked at the two quiet younger women, and asked grimly, "Girls, do you remember anything during your time alone with Salazar at the castle that might explain this?"
Both shook their heads. Sheila felt horrible. "I... I don't remember exactly. When Ashley and I were meeting Salazar's precious queen freak, things kinda went... blurry. Hazy. Ashley, you?"
"Sorry, same here." Ashley answered mournfully.
"It was after you girls were... whatever that thing did to you." Claire whispered, her eyes still closed. "I remember it perfectly now, though strangely, it comes and goes. The pain, that little creep gloating over me as that... that monster stuck it's tentacle in my neck. Then.. Then... How could I forget that?"
"Claire, shh. It's alright. Don't cry." Chris whispered, cradling her limp body as she sat up. As she baried her face in his broad shoulder, his eyes met Luis's in a silent question. Luis shrugged, shaking his head. Who knew if they stopped the parasite from hatching. Only time will tell.
"I'm sorry! I was going to tell all of you, but with all the life and death situations and pain, I really did forget."
The sound of the shutter door outside in the basement passage way was faintly heard. Nobody paid much attention as they tried to wrap their mind around this new predicament. It wasn't till the tell tell sign of heavy breathing outside the door with the bars covering window did they notice something wasn't right. Turning around, Ashley and Sheila squealed as the door was slammed open.
"Oh, sh-t!" Leon hissed as he handed Chris his Striker as he prepared his Sniper rifle.
Chris aimed the weapon and fired, agitating Mr. Chomp-Chomp. Leon quickly took his position beside his friend while ordering Luis to stay with the women folk, just in case he and Chris couldn't take it down. With rednine in his hand, Luis waited, ready to fight. Sheila shivered as she pulled herself up on the crates with Claire, glad that the rest of the junk in the room kept the sight of the Regenerator blocked. Claire weakly put an arm around her shoulders, her breathing still ragid. The shots continued till the sound of the Regenerator exploding filled the room.
"God, I hope that's the last one I see." Chris announced hoarsely.
"Don't count on it." Sheila grumbled. Claire didn't seem to pay attention to that little slip.
Chris walked back to the back of the room, face still slightly pale. "Luis, stay here while Leon and I scout out the rest of the area."
"Take this." Luis said as he tossed a flash grenade.
With a deep sigh, Chris left them in the room as he joined Leon for the hunt. Running down the south passage, they stopped when hearing that icky, wheezing perverted sound. Sharing a look with the agent, both braced themselves to the task at hand. The Regenerator soon came into view, it's hypnotic dance causing an eerie shadow on the tunnel's wall. Leon tapped him on the shoulder, nodding back. Chris nodded and quickly retreated down the other path up north. Kicking the door open, both entered backwards as they waited. The door was kicked open by the unwelcome intruder not much time later. The loud crackling sound of Leon's Sniper rifle had his own ears ringing, but that didn't stop Chris. He played his part well. Throwing the flash grenade, both men turned their heads as the bright flash filled the room.
The Regenerator gave an eerie howl as it literally doubled over backwards, a move that would have any contortionist to wince. Chris calmly aimed hithe Striker and resumed firing at any part of the disgusting freak. Leon kept up on eliminating the camouflaged parasites. Once the last parasite was destroyed, the Regenerator began to swell rapidly, the tell-tell sign of the coming explosion. Brown and yellows goop splattered the walls, some of witch landed on their shoes. Chris shivered as the monster's lower half continued a few steps, then disintegrated.
"You know, after all I've seen and experianced, watching that bag of puss explode is just... wrong."
Chris heard his friend chuckled, patting him on the back while taking his Striker back.
"Yeah, well, be grateful that you weren't right next to the creep."
Chris eyed Leon's appearance from head to toe, not to mention the smell that came from him. "I wasn't goin' to say anything."
Leon shrugged. "Well, it's better than being covered by zombie parts."
Chris nodded, smiling, despite the fatigue that suddenly gripped him. It's been over twenty four hours without sleep. He hoped this journey would soon be over before he collapses all together.
"Come on, let's get outta here." Chris said as he forced himself to jog out of the room. Leon followed closely. Their path was soon halted when reaching the south end. A shudder blocks any further traveling. Leon pressed the button beside it, but nothing happened.
"It's locked." Leon muttered.
"There must be a switch or something." Chris looked around. "I'll go back to the room to look around."
Chris's mind instantly went back to his sister as he searched for the button. How could she forget about what happened to her? Why didn't she tell him right away? Sure, he gets how this thing can really mess with your brain, hell, even Leon didn't know until he started having convulsions. He knew that blaming Claire for something that was out of her control was wrong. In fact, he didn't blame her, but the anger of the hopelessness of the situation just wouldn't fade away. Did they get the medicine in her system on time? Or did the monster hatch? Punching the cement wall, Chris allowed himself to concentrate on the physical pain then the emotions that was threatening to choke him.
Counting to ten, he managed to put a lid on his growing rage that had started when Sheila was kidnapped. Justice will come for those who screwed around with nature and all that crap. Salazar got what he deserved, and Saddler would soon face the same fate. That tiny vow itself had his head clearing enough to notice the very noticeable switch in the southeast corner of the room. After pressing it, he called out to Leon as he went back to check on the others.
Upon entering the room, he heard whispering. Quietly, he crept to the back of the room. The tightness in his chest eased more when seeing more color in Claire's face, though she still looked tired and pale. Sheila had her head lying on her shoulder as Ashley was on the other side in the same position. Chris smiled. His sister always had a knack with younger people and children. Just like their mother, Claire could make a two year old in a full grown tantrum suddenly stop and sigh with contentment. One day, he knew that she would be the best mother that lucky kid or kids ever had. That is if she doesn't...
Claire's eyes found his, looking relieved to see him whole and not dead. "I guess you two took care of the nastiness?"
Chris nodded. "Yup... Has Luis here been a good boy?"
"A perfect gentleman." Sheila giggled, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Where's Leon?" Ashely asked, trying to find that elusive Kennedy.
"Waiting for us. You feeling up to move?"
Claire rolled her eyes as she slid off the crates. "As much as somebody who's got an injured leg and possibly a... Well, I'm ready."
The girls left, with Chris and Luis lagging behind. Chris leaned up against the crates, his muscular arms crossed over his broad chest. "What's the verdict, Sera?"
"I'm not sure. Usually, the sign of the egg hatching is convulsions and spitting up blood. With Claire, there's no blood showing up... yet."
"And that means?.."
"It means that we won't know for sure if we gave her the medicine on time untill her condition worsens or not."
"Well, that's just dandy!" Chris exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air as he began to pace.
"Look, Redfield, I can't give a diagnosis without the proper equipment. And besides that, the medication may not work if she is too far along. Either way-"
"She becomes one of them? Just like Sheila, Leon, and-"
"I told you much earlier that I might can cure them with my special machine on the base. We won't know for sure till we get there."
"Are you guys coming or not?"
Chris looked at the door as Sheila's screeching echo had them both wincing. "We don't have much time... do we?"
"Time's against us. Always has been."
"Wow... Did you read that off of a fortune cookie?"
Luis snorted, following Chris out. As they rounded the the last corner, they managed to see Ashley crawling under the partially up shutter. Seconds later, the shutter was opened. The blond smiled dreamily as Leon patted her on the shoulder for her cooperation.
Chris noticed as Sheila immediatly headed for the door in the southwest side of the room. "Sheila?"
Opening the door, she gave everyone a pleased grin. "Hey, Mysterious Merchant guy, what's happenin'?"
**R**
GV-23 looked at himself in the two way mirror. He wore a simple black tactical shirt that hugged all his muscles and muscular chest. No body armor for him, considering his regenerating genes could take care of any knife or bullet wound. In fact, losing a limb wouldn't even slow him down. His black jeans was just as simple. You could say that he looked like a normal twentish guy, especially since that pale tint of green seemed to have vanished. But we all know that Steve (aka GV-23) will never be normal ever again.
"Your weopans will be ready for you once you've landed." Heath explained as he hooked up Steve's leg weopan hoslters to his thighs. "Of course, Wesker may want to see hand to hand combat first. Whatever the man in black is in the mood for, you'll be doing it."
Steve cocked his head as he checked out his equipment. Some more gun holsters, ones that cops wore under their coats in the movies was applied. Whatever was going on, today was the big day for something big and testing. Everyone was buzzing in the wee hours of the morning. His body tensed as he thought about the thrill of the kill. What would they have him hunt today? Thoughts like that were reigned in by the chip in his brain. Too much emotion would be a hazard after all. But even that chip couldn't stop all feelings, not the ones buried so deep that even Steve himself couldn't yet reach or acknowledge them.
"There! Now you're looking more like a soldier." Heath sighed with pride. "But don't forget GV-23, you're better than that."
_I'm better than that._
"That's why I refused to have you garbed up in that cliche Umbrella uniform. No offense, boys."
The two guards neither acknowledged or cared what the scientist said.
"No, that tactical armor and crap would only get in your way. You don't need all that stuff that the frail humans need."
_Humans?_
"And if Wesker decides that he wants to see your full potential, then any of these clothes won't be an issue." Heath chuckled. "Now, I'm going to leave you to rest. You're leaving in about... ten to fifteen minutes. Make me proud as you kill and destroy, GV-23."
_Kill... Destroy..._
Heath and the two mysterious soldiers left our poor BOW weapon in the dark. For awhile, he stood there and gazed at himself. The killing machine breifly wandered who he was? A freak? A man? Both? A pang of loneliness washed over him. Even monsters felt the icy chill at times of being alone and feared. For this monster, he didn't relish in that fact.
Shaking his head, he went back to his bed, lying down, keeping his new combat boots on. He closed his eyes and rested, for sleep wouldn't come.
**R**
"Can I have the gun back, Claire?"
"Oh, sorry. There you go."
"Hey, you already have one!"
Claire smirked at the red head. "Sorry, my brain went out the window when that thing came out of that sewage."
Sheila grumbled, hating how for some reason, nobody like her handling a gun. Sure, she's tired and her aim probably wouldn't be that good, but dang it! She needed something for when Saddler makes his stinkin' appearance!
"I'll be taking that back, thank you." Leon replied as he took his gun from her.
"Hey!"
"I'll sell ya one for half price, little Stranger."
Sheila glared at the merchant. "Half price? How about for free?"
"Ha! Sorry, lass, but my time of giving anything for free is over."
Grumbling, Sheila managed to buy the 9 mm handgun, along with a box of ammo. It took all that she had left of the pesetas, but at least she had something other than that pocket knife.
"Since you're determined to take all of my money, can you at least give me a hint on how you just pop up out of the blue like this?"
The merchant chuckled as Chris dragged her out of the room. So much for info. But time was wasting. Sheila yawned as Leon and Luis figured out that trick with the levers and the big metal gate. She inwardly chuckled when Leon became a little too hasty. The second try was succesful. The guys did a quick once over, which wasn't needed. The area with the bulldozer was clear.
"Man, now this is what I'm talking about!"
Claire smiled at her brother. "Guess we have transportation now."
"So, who knows how to drive this thing?" Leon joked. Like anyone in this room had experience-
"I do!"
Four shocked pair of eyes turned on the excited blond. Sheila paid no attention as she managed to crawl up into the flatbed, pointing the gun at the President's daughter. Ashley looked down at the laser dot on her chest and scowled.
"Then get up here and drive, cowgirl."
"Don't point that thing at me! Didn't your mother teach you that guns were dangerous?"
Sheila rolled her eyes. "The safety's still on, ya dumb-"
"Shut it, both of you!" Chris grumbled as he put his sister up in the bulldozer's flatbed. Chris joined them, his legs dangling of the edge as he sat. "How much _experience _do you have with a bulldozer, Ashley?"
Swinging back in forth with her hands behind her back, the blond gave a happy giggle. "Well, daddy worked in construction years before he got into politics. Even after being elected President, he would take on projects for the family. Anyways, all my life I would visit him at the site. He'd let me sit in his lap and show me the gears and what did what."
"There's a difference between being shown and actually doing it." Luis spoke up, unsure if he was wanting to let this girl who was barely out of her teens, drive this heavy machinery.
Ashley's brown eyes narrowed with a cold look that could have frozen the ocean. "I did more as I grew old enough. So yeah, I can drive this thing. No problem."
"Hell, she's got my vote." Claire replied. "Leon?"
"I'm not crazy about the idea. That would leave you out in the open if the enemy attacks."
"Oh come on_, Kennedy_. I think she can do it." Sheila retorted. Noticing Leon's icy stare for using his last name like a certain Redfield does, she tried giving him an innocent smile. "I mean, Leon dearest."
"I can do this, Leon." Ashley said confidantly, taking his hand in her own.
Sheila snorted as she laid her head on Chris's broad shoulder. Luis shook his head as he joined them, though sitting all the way at the other side of the flatbed.
Leon sighed with an unsure smile. "Alright, Ashley. But only because none of the rest of us knows how to work this thing."
Grinning, Ashley hurried over and took her place behind the wheel. As Leon joined the others on the flatbed, Ashley turned the big machine on. It's engines roared to life, diesel fuel filling the air. As she popped the clutch, Sheila couldn't resist commenting on this new development.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, buckle your seatbelts 'cause the Peroxide Blond is driving!"
"Shut-up, Sheila!" Ashley growled as the bulldozer jerked forward.
Pulling out of the garage was very tense. Leon and Luis stuck near Ashley, guns raised. Sheila looked over her shoulder and frowned.
"Uh, Leon? You might want to use that TMP of yours."
"Why?"
Sounds of angry shouts was the answer. Ganado soldiers began to invade the tunnel, moving quickly toward the slow moving Bulldozer. Chris's curses filled the air as he quickly scrambled back with Sheila. Guns were drawn as everyone (excluding the driver) fired at the smelly menaces that threatened to ruin their traveling plans. Leon didn't have time to take out that TMP as more Ganados appeared after the first crowd was killed. Many more appeared out of the side area and began to leap inside the truck. Leon and Chris switched from firing their guns to hand to hand combat. Claire and Luis kept the rest at bay. Well, as much as they could. Sheila, managed to nail a few, but they just kept coming.
"Oh God! What's going on back there!"
"Just keep driving!" Leon shouted, breaking the neck of one of the Ganados. He quickly flung the body over board as the parasite imerged.
And just as suddenly as it began, the Ganados stopped their chase.
"Had enough, you bags of-" Chris's little taunt was interrupted by the blast of a truck's horn.
Sheila's blood turned cold as they began to go on the wide curve. Which meant...
"GUYS! LOOK!"
All eyes turned to look at the back as the large, rusty military truck came barrelling up from behind. The Ganados realised their comrade wasn't going to stop even though they were in its path. Many of those Ganados were mowed down by the out of control vehicle as it got closer and closer.
Sheila curled up in a ball as her instincts warned her to do, though she knew (well, hoped) that the others would stop the dangerous collision course that would happen if somebody didn't shoot! Gun fire erupted as Leon opened fire with the Striker. Allowing one peek, Sheila smiled with relief as the vehicle began to blow up as it stalled. The place shook, though it didn't stop the armored bulldozer on it's course.
"Guy's, there's no more road!" Ashley squealed as they entered another room.
"Up there!" Leon said as he pointed at a switch.
Chris leaped down and frantically began to climb the ladder. As always, the Ganados came out on their mark and attacked. Leon urged Chris to hurry as he knocked a Ganado off of Ashley. They were everywhere! Throwing caution to the wind, trying to avoid the head area was no longer an option. If a parasite decided to emerge, then the thing was kicked off and had to eat a flash grenade. Simple.
The ground began to move up, causing the Ganados own attacks to stop. Chris leaped aboard, joining his sister, guns ready. Leon eagerly passed the Striker to Luis as he took out his case and took out the TMP. Loading the weapon, Leon kept his position near Ashley.
"I'll hit 'em high, you get them low."
"Sure thing, cop." Luis replied.
True to his word, Leon fired at those in the high places. A few narrow misses as debris was thrown at them, but none of the tiny band of survivors were majorly hurt. In fact, it seemed that they might just escape. Only Sheila knew that this would not be so. As soon as Ashley tore the metal gate down with the bulldozer, strong blasts of another truck coming filled the air.
All the guns firing at once was deafening. The truck's explosion was much louder, though. As the now lifeless truck came rolling down, Ashley panicked and swerved. The truck collided against the side, sending the bulldozer crashing into the cement walls. Sheila faintly remembered hearing Leon telling everyone to get down as they crashed. Then the world went black yet again.
**R**
"I don't trust her, sir. She's up to something."
"Ada's always up to something, Krauser. That's why she's so useful. Otherwise, I would have killed her long ago." Wesker replied to the computer monitor.
The rivaly between the two was amusing, and efficient in Albert Wesker's eyes. In fact, he actually counted on some sort of confrontation between the two. The chance to see if Krauser would actually go a long way in data was greatly welcomed. What with the T/Veronica-Virus and the Las Plagas combined, Krauser would make yet another invaluable accet to Wesker's collection of freaks. Of course, he didn't tell Ada about that part of Krauser's hunger to be even more powerful. It was something that had to be kept to keep the vixen on her toes.
"She's a liability to the cause, sir. Her history with Leon could put a wrench in the plans."
"Yes, I have heard your misgivings on Ada Wong already. Don't be a broken record, Krauser. I know both the benefits and possible harm our little spy could cause."
Krauser's scarred face looked insulted, even some of the rage began to breach the surface. Wesker sighed on the inside. No, the one who could really cause any damage would be the big, hulk of an ex-soldier. Though he had a fantastic military mind, his emotions could get in the way.
"Besides, friend. She's not the only one with_ history_ with a certain, annoying agent."
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
Wesker's cold, hard, lips slightly turned into a smirk. "It means that emotions can be a tricky thing. Both of you have some link to Leon. Though in your case, it leans toward competition and jealousy."
"My past is dead, along with any... old grudges."
"Yes, well, let's hope they're not completely dead."
Krauser face crinkled as he looked at Wesker with confusion. "How so?"
Wesker's smirk turned into a malicious smile. "If Leon and his band of heroes get any closer to your location, I want you to personally take care of the problem. Understand?"
Krauser grinned. "Understood, sir."
"But remember, Krauser, I want the siblings alive. Their use has not yet expired."
**R**
Pain... Lot's and lot's of pain... Sheila could feel every part of her body, and those parts were not feeling pain free. Her head in particular. How she wanted to slip back to unconscious, but voices urged her to open her eyes. Those persistent voices that really needed to shut-up! Then something cold was sprayed over her hot, throbbing head. That spray began to sizzle and... and...
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUCH!"
"Hey, she's alive!" Chris joked as he began to bandage her head. She had taken a nasty wound to the side of her forehead. Hence the sticky red wetness dripping down her cheek.
"That hurt!" Sheila growled. She noticed Luis smiling as he put the first aid spray back in Leon's case.
"Pain is good, beautiful. Shows that you're alive." Luis commented.
"Well, right now, I'd rather be dead... Okay, not dead, but dead to the world. As in unconscious."
"Suck it up." Chris replied, finished with gauzing her head. "There. Looks like you have a concussion."
"Great. Now I have two concussions that was caused by Ashley."
"Too bad it wasn't her mouth that was damaged instead." Ashley grumbled as she and Claire helped Leon stand back up.
"Everyone okay?" Leon rasped.
"We're all alive. That's good enough for me." Luis replied.
"Yeah, except for the bulldozer. Looks like our ride is canceled." Chris sighed.
Sheila looked up at Chris as he helped her to to her feet. "I guess we're walking again."
"Are we even close to that machine with the miracle cure of yours?" Claire asked Luis.
Luis sighed. "No... Yes... We still got some ground to cover, I'm afraid."
Leon could only shake his head. "Well, let's do what we do best. Walk."
That was easier said then done. As with all car crash victims, shock is a dangerous enemy. The human body goes through stages when just going through something as traumatic as what they just did. But with the herbs that was passed out, shock was stopped, though their shaking limbs was hard to move as they slowly exited the destroyed room they crashed into.
The next room was a small but kinda clean mess hall. They couldn't help but look through the cubbards for food or water bottles, only to find them empty. This dampened their spirits even more.
"Man, I'm hungry." Sheila whispered, touching her stomach and head gingerly.
"Me too." Leon replied. "I've got maybe... two energy bars left."
Everybody had their eager eyes on Leon as he split those two, small bars between them all. Sadly, the tiny, meager, early breakfast only aroused their hunger even more. Leon passed the canteen of water around, which had to be rationed as well. Sighing, the agent tried to encourage them by saying that they'll get out of there in no time. It didn't work.
"Um, can't we rest a little, Leon?" Sheila asked as she looked at the doors that would lead to yet another kidnapping.
"Sorry, Red, but we can't. That crash will be attracting a lot of attention."
"But... I just... I don't think we should go that way."
"That's our only way, Sheshe." Claire said as she gingerly hugged the teenager. "Don't worry, we're not letting anyone get to the two of you girls again."
Sheila bit her lip as they entered the next room. Last of the moonlight as it slowly began to set gave light into the dim room. As far as the human eye goes, they were alone. But of course, Saddler was waiting for them, still blending in with the shadows. Sheila held on to Claire's hand tighter as they proceed to enter further. Saddler chuckled.
Everyone froze as the predater stepped into the light coming from the windows. In his hand was his living staff. Tentacles were waving back and forth from the top as Saddler smiled at his guests.
"Your performance has been very... admirable. Surviving this far is truly an achievement, my friends. Each of you would be more than welcomed into my new kingdom under normal circumstances."
"Under normal circomstances, you would be in an insane assylum." Leon retorted.
"Ah, still unaccepting my gift, I see. No matter, you're not the one I want."
Eyes turned on the girls. Both were hanging their heads with their eyes closed. Saddler smirked as he raised his free hand.
"Come to me, my dears."
"You can't have them!" Chris growled as he raised his handgun and fired, emptying his gun.
Everyone was silent. Saddler looked down at his body, his robe now filled with bullet holes. Pushing the hood back from his head, the leader of this grotesque monster propaganda looked at his adversaries with annoyance.
"I rather liked that robe."
Suddenly he began to growl, his attention taken away from the girls. Both opened their eyes and looked around them with confusion, as if waking from a dream. Claire told them to back away as Saddler's growl grew. Suddenly, his growls turned into laughter as he raised his hand again, this time dropping all of the bullets that was in his body.
"You've gotta be joking." Chris spat as he and the other three heroes backed away.
"No, this is no joke. As you can see, nothing you do against me will work. I will have the two girls. Ladies?"
"Girls, run!" Claire shouted. But neither of them moved.
Luis tried to push them toward the doors, but what he saw took his breath away. Their eyes were now the same crimson red as with the other Ganados.
"No!" Claire screamed as they began to walk toward Saddler.
Claire tried to grab Sheila's arm, but was quickly stopped as a large tentacle with a boney spike on the tip swatted her away. Luis's eyes bulged, recognizing the tentacle, the one that belonged to Saddler who almost killed him hours earlier. He raised his gun but soon was slammed against the wall by the appendage. It went after Chris so fast that he had no time to fight or recoil. All that was left was Leon.
Leon easily leaped out of the way, fireing with his TMP. But as you and I know, Saddler would get what he wants. Raising his hand towards Leon, he snorted with disgust.
"How can you fight when you are one of us, Leon?"
The agent screamed, clutching his chest. The parasite within wiggled and began to send charges through his entire nervous system. He wasn't even able to brake his fall as he collapsed, howling in pain. This amused Saddler to no end.
"Oh, my dear boy! You cannot defeat me! The parasite within you grows stronger with each passing minute, coming into its full potential. Soon, you will not be able to resist. And when the time comes, you will kill your friends with your bare hands."
"Never!" Leon screamed as he tried to fight.
Saddler chuckled as the girls met him atop the steps. "It's a losing battle, Leon. You will not be able to save your precious country, friends or this toxic world. Not even yourself."
Smiling down at the two, Saddler felt his chest swell with pride. The queen parasites within them were growing normally. No deformities or weaknesses. On other occasions, he would allowed their progress to grow naturally in a nice, sterile environment. But now, with these human bugs that pestered him every step of the way, not to mention that spy that was hanging around the facility, the plan would be altered slightly. It was a gamble to do what he was going to do, but he believed that it would be the best method considering his options.
"Come, my little ones. There is much to do."
Leon looked up and tried to stand, but the pain was just too great. As he slipped into unconsciousness, he felt the waves of despair threaten to overwhelm his optimistic mind. He failed them again.
* * *
**A/N: **And there it is, friends. We're are getting closer and closer to the end. I'm excited about finally finishing this, at long last! Now, as I promised, the theories for you to vote for. I repeat that I would prefer if you went to the poll to vote. The poll will not close till we reach the last place where the merchant sells his goodies. Now, here they are. I hope I didn't leave out any theories. I really did look through the chapters. Oh, these theories were submitted by those who kindly took the time to submit them to me. I would put all their names down, but it's hard work remembering all the names. So instead, I put the name of the character of the story who told it by each one. Those who have checked back on this fic know which theory belongs to them. Give yourselves a cookie for taking the time to make this fic funnier than originally planned!
**1. (Character theory: Sheila) He has this super advanced, special bicycle that he flies with, like E.T. the alien. He rides it to get to place to place without being seen or heard.**
**2. (Character theory: Leon) He has tunnels that leads everywhere in the town and castle area. Old forgotten ones that only the Merchant knows about.**
**3. (Character theory: Chris) The Merchant is actually someone else each time you see him. In short, he is... sextuplets! And all of them look exactly alike. Oh, and for those who don't know what sextoplets are, they are actually six kids born together by the same mother. Poor woman, pregnant with six kids at once!**
**4. (Character theory: Sheila) Nothing but a bunch of clones.**
**5. (Character theory: Chris) Our friendly neighborhood Merchant is the result of shadow cloning transformation... Cool!**
**6. (Character theory: Claire) He's actually an Anamorphic being that likes to turn into those crazy black beetles that whack into everything. He morphs into the beetle, then flys to to place to place without being seen... Cause he's tiny.**
**7. (Character theory: Sheila) He met up with Triple H at a wrestling match. The guy comes up to the audience where the Merchant is sitting and reaches for the empty seat to beat up his opponent with. Well, Mr. Merchant tries to sell it to him for a very high price. Needless to say Triple H gets really, really, really angry. Top that with how much he was screwing up the match, Triple H walks away to grab a sledge hammer that was reserved for a different match. Next thing the Merchant knows, he gets whacked on the head by the heavy weopan, which causes his brain to rattle around till that part of the brain we don't use suddenly kicks in. Whammo! Super speed Merchant!**
**8. (Character theory: Claire) He met up with Taki and kept passing out from massive nosebleeds, so he had to learn to teleport to get away. He's Mr. Teleport Merchant Guy!**
**9. (Character theory: Sheila) He met the Scissors man from Clock Tower three and got so freaked out at how stupid the freak looked, that he jumped and learned how to fly... Seriously!**
**10. (Character theory: Chris) He met the Scissors woman and flew the coop when she wouldn't stop taunting him. Wouldn't you?**
**11. (Character theory: Leon) The blue flames from his torches is the key. Inside each torch is a teleportation device that teleports him from one set of blue flamed torches to another. **
**12. (Character theory: Sheila) He got caught playing ding-dong ditch at Kane's mansion while he had Undertaker and Shawn Micheal's over to hang out. First time, he gotta away safely. But eventually, he was caught by all three guys at once. The three wrestlers began to chase the poor Merchant, trying to tombstone and body slam him. So, the guy learned tai jutsu to avoid a major butt kicking. With the skills from that, he can get anywhere without being seen!**
**13. (Character theory: Chris) He's actually a big organic weopan trained to sell crap! Ain't that wonderful.**
**14. (Character theory: Sheila) Uh-O****h. The Merchant had to run from Jazz Master Saddler because he was trying to have his way with him. (Must be the Merchant's animal magnetism) So, he had to learn teleportation Jutsu Karate to avoid being turned into a fairy child. Handy technique, don't ya think?**
**15. (Character theory: Luis) The Merchant is actually a alien with an invisible spaceship! He flies around, finds a spot to set up shop and then, he teleports himself down to sell his junk, seemingly coming out of thin air!... I want a invisible spaceship. Sounds cool.**
**16. (Character theory: Sheila) One day, the Merchant got really hungry. He spotted Mendez's expensive cheese, and sneacked insde and ate the entire thing! Once the tall freak got home and saw the Merchant just sitting there, with an empty container that once had his cheese inside. Mendez went berserk and tried to kill him. NOt able to catch him, he put a bounty on the Merchant's head, declaring that he must be killed. So, he had to learn to become invisible to save his own skin! Invisibility rules!**
**17. (Character theory: Leon) He's a ninja, people! a super ninja with super stealthy moves. The guy follows the characters around, listening in and skipping up on ahead to get his stuff ready to sell. Unfortunately, the characters in the story has become paranoid concerning him and his stealthy, ninja ways... **
**18. (Character theory: Sheila) Like in Star Trek, the Merchant is actually a intergalactic space explorer from the future! He travels through different point in earth's history to sell his goods to those who need it. Right now, he's currently set up to help those who oppose Saddler, the guys who's trying to spread his crappy parasites everywhere. Unfortunately, he, the Merchant, has been injected with one of those things. Because of this, he's not aloud back on the ship, which is currently parked behind the moon. But, he was given serum by his people to keep himself from turning into Saddler's slave, at least long enough till the characters find the cure. The crew beams him from place to place as the characters get further along in the story.**
37. Chapter 36:A Meeting of Rivals
**A/N: **_Well, after having a very strange dream of Wesker and other freaky things and hearing from a old friend in this Resident evil Fan fiction universe, I knew it was time to finish this chapter. Heck, I should say finish this fic. If I don't, who knows will pay my dream world a visit... It would probably be Alfred... (shudders) Scary thought. _
* * *
**Resident Evil 4: A Twist In Reality**
**Chapter 36: A Meeting of Rivals and a Lesson on Lasors **
Waking up and finding yourself back in the nightmare is one thing. Waking up and finding that the girls you're supposed to have protected was gone, is another. For these brave men and the young woman, it was yet another crippling blow. Time was against them, the mind puppets that Saddler controlled was against them, everything seemed against them. The question of what could possibly come next was on their minds, though none voiced it.
In silence, they brought their aching, bruised and battered bodies up to their feet, forcing fatique to the back of their minds. As they began to leave, Claire voiced her concern at last.
"How will we find them?"
Leon paused, before turning back around. "With this."
Smiling sadly, he took out his visual walki talkie, pressing a button on the side. The screen suddenly showed a dot blinking on the screen.
"I threw a tiny, radio beacon reciever on Sheila before Saddler did his number on me. The closer we are to her, the faster this dot blinks. It's not much, but it's better then nothing."
"It better do better then nothing." Chris murmured as he read the memo Saddler had left behind. "Da-n. Time is running out."
**R**
"What's the news on our friend, Leon?" Krauser casually asked as he kept tossing his blade up in the air.
Ada frowned, crossing her arms across her chest. "He's not making it easy. The sample?"
"Saddler's got it. It seems he's sniffed out our little game."
Ada didn't miss his amused yet accusing look he was casting her way. She smiled, unfazed by his statement.
"Perfect."
Krauser caught the blade in the air, then stood up as he abandoned his relaxed position. "Just so we understand each other, clearly. I don't trust you, nor does Wesker. If you try to do anything clever, I will kill you."
Like she hasn't heard that line before. How many times has it been now since she's been threatened or told that she wasn't trusted? Hm, lost count. By now, it was just all too boring to hear the enemies threats. Especially from Wesker's minions. If he only knew how long this cat and mouse game has been going on between herself and Albert Wesker. Then again, maybe he does.. Uh, no. Not this big ape. Excellent soldier? Yes. Evil, conniving genius? No.
"Is that so? You know, I met Wesker long before you."
"We'll see soon enough if you did."
Ada turned to leave, then paused as she smirked at the large man. "Yeah, we'll see."
Jack Krauser's scarred faced shifted in a murderous smirk. "Humph."
**R**
It was time to leave. The sky was still considerably dark in the early morning hours as the moon slowly began to set, dawn still some time off. But he preferred it that way. So many things could be done while other lesser beings slept the hours away. Of course, Wesker wasn't as arrogant to not remember that he was once a normal human being who needed rest. But even then, he managed to be sharp by only having four hours of sleep.
Wesker straighted up after completing his stretches, almost resembling a professional athlete just before the big game. He felt energized and alert, even a tiny bit giddy. A word that when put together with Albert Wesker, was completely weird and uncomfortable. But he just couldn't help but feel this way.
Today was the day_. _The day when he could enjoy not only watching a long, hard, bloody battle between his new toy and the meddling threesome, but to see the end of his most hated enemy, Chris Redfield. A blood curdling smile touched his thin, sculpted lips as pictures of the pig headed Redfield trying desperately save his darling sister from the boy she failed to save all those years ago. Many scenes of different ways of killing Chris danced around in his head like sugar plumbs in the Christmas poem. The minds of a psycho path are scary, trying to describe it in this fic is just plain insane!
Wesker's somewhat chipper mood was faintly seen on his outer exterior, but those who worked for this horrid man (or what's left of one) knew him well enough to be taken off guard by his new mood. At least he didn't decide to wear something other then his black attire;, that would have caused downright panic among the scientists and soldier populace.
Stepping into the empty elevator, Wesker looked down at his clothing. He deserted the black business suits that he has worn for so long, going back to his grass roots. Black jean pants, black steel toed boots that reflected the lights from the perfect polishing he gave them. A black tactical vest that molded tightly to his sculpted chest and abs. Staying fit has always been apart of his life, even as he entered his late forties, he ran at least ten or more miles a day. The T-virus has done a marvelous job in keeping him alert and from feeling the effects of the years passing by.
Over the shirt he had a tactical (black) vest, though he honestly didn't need it. As he grew older, the T-virus has developed his healing capabilities, increasing his speed and agility as well. Wesker chuckled, his red/orange eyes glittering with evil anticipation behind his trade mark black shades at a thought that popped into his all too evil brain. Chris would be finding it more difficult to pull his trade mark Redfield surprises. The fool would rue the day that he survived the mansion incident. His black gloved hands touched his large knife he kept in a sheth at his hip, the only thing that was a different color then black. Though dark Umber was close to the black color.
The elevator doors opened to the outside of the hidden base. Heath Cliff and two other young scientists surrounded the soldiers as they carefully led GV-23 toward the helicopter. All movement stopped when a guard announced Wesker's presence. The soldiers saluted, the scientists stood straight and nodded in his direction while the the experiment, Steve Burnside just stood there looking straight on, no recognition in those fathomless black eyes.
"As you were, men... Well, well, well. Today is a day of reunions, my boy." Wesker said, standing right before the tall young man. Their heights were exactly the same, allowing both to see eye to eye. Wesker removed his glasses, allowing the monster to see just who was the biggest one. The one in charge. "Reunions can be fun. Let's just hope that the pretty face will not distract you from your purpose. I've invested a lot of money in you."
"Don't worry sir, GV-23 won't let you down." Heath spoke up. He gulped when Wesker turned those inhuman eyes in his direction, clearly not appreciating the young scientist from speaking when not spoken too.
After a beat, Wesker put his shades back on. "Remember Cliff, if one glitch occurs, your life will be mine."
Heath slowly nodded. He never had any doubt about that.
"Load him up."
The soldiers quickly obeyed, leading the young man inside the large helicopter. The blades began to whirl as Wesker and two soldiers loaded the chopper. The door closed as the large whirly bird lifted up in the air, carrying two of the most dangerous monsters on earth. The question was, just who was more dangerous to the other? The intelligent, calculating Albert Wesker who had power, strength, and a money to kill the other without a single thought? Or was it the young man who's mind was only blank and under control because of a chip made by a arrogant, narcissist scientist?
**R**
Dispatching the pesky, Ganado soldiers was done with little effort. It seemed that it just wasn't the tiny band of heroes that were tired and aching.
Losing the girls again dampened their spirits. Hours of fighting for their lives and leaning on adrenaline was taking its tole both physically and emotionally. The subject of the medicine that Claire took would work in time to kill the parasite had again been put on the back burner, for the moment that is. Now, all that mattered was to make up for lost time after the confrontation with Saddler.
Little was said as they boarded the lift, though not of fearing of being heard by more enemies. Truth be told, the area now seemed deserted. Other then the small skirmish they had happened upon, any presence of more enemies wasn't there. Leon had holstered his Black-tail as well as Claire. Leon and Luis still had their handguns out, though their stance wasn't threatening in any way.
The lift came to a groaning stop to a more bright area lighted by the natural faining light of the moon as it slowly set. Leon barely noticed the light as he walked casually out on the metal railing floor, the others casually following from behind. The hairs on the nape of his neck stood on end. He stopped in his tracks, slowly reaching up to grab the hilt of his large knife. Someone was watching them. Luis's startled gasp had Leon turning around, knife out in a defensive gesture.
"Did you see that?"
"See wh-"
Chris's hand raised for silence, stopping Claire from finishing the question. The feeling of being stalked by something hostile caused dulling senses to suddenly be alert. Chris and Luis had their guns pointed up at the metal beams, as a noise here and there drew their attention. The silence was deafening. Then, their stalker made his presence known.
From the corner of Leon's eye, he saw a human blur launch itself toward him from above, the enemy letting out a predator's cry of pleasure as it came crushing down. Despite broken ribs and many wounds he's lost count of, Leon managed to roll out of the way just before the blade embedded itself in his chest. Instead, only his right cheek felt the combat knife's sting.
Guns were pointed at the large, mammoth of a man. Bullets were fired, but the human blur amazingly out maneuvered the deadly led. Chris flew back from a powerful round house kick to the gut, smacking hard against the lift. His weapon was dropped as he gasped for air. Luis received a headbutt, then was tossed over the railing. Claire managed to grab his hand before the unlucky Spaniard could fatally fall upon the hard concrete. She gasped as his hand slowly began to slip from her own. Her strength not on par to hold on to the dazed scientist.
All of this took less then six seconds, not allowing Leon the time or thought to help out his friends. He wiped the blood from his cheek, the blood flow already clotting from the slight scrape of broken flesh. His body was tense and alert as he crouched. Jack Krauser walked over to the blade that had been embedded in the metal crate like floor, easily dislodging it from the metal. Leon's blood dripped from the tip, barely spotting the ground.
"Been a long time, comrade."
Leon kept his knife ready, eyes and body so intense that it seemed that he wasn't surprised to see what was supposed to be a dead hero. The only thing that betrayed his shock was his voice.
"Krauser!"
Leon wasn't fooled by his nonchalant manner as he playfully tossed the knife up in the air, then catching it. Jack Krauser wasn't any ordinary soldier. The man was a legend. One that Leon once considered himself lucky to have met and known as both friend and competitor.
"I died in a crash two years ago. Is that what they told you?"
Krauser began to circle the agent, reminding Leon of a shark. "You're the one who kidnapped Ashley."
"Don't forget the chattie one." Krauser replied with a smile, his hand nimbly twirling the knife around in his hand.
Leon turned and followed his movements with his eyes. His own hand tightened around the grip of the matching combat knife. "You're the anonymous tipper, aren't you? Bringing Chris and Claire in this was a bad move, Jack."
The only visable effect of his first name being used was the tightening of his mouth. "You catch on quick. That's expected. After all, both you and I know where we come from."
Krauser suddenly attacked, just as agile and fast as a cobra. Leon jumped back as the knife barely missed his throat. Leon took the offense and sliced back, along with a thrust up towards Jack's throat. But the large man was quick on the defense as well as he avoided the fatal blows. Gone was the casual demeanor's as the two held their identical combat knives in a defensive posture, each looking for a opening to strike.
"What do you want?"
Krauser's lips curled into a cruel smirk. "Hm.."
Krauser took a step back and attempted to slice Leon open. But the blond easily stepped back, focusing on avoiding that blade. But Krauser suddenly changed position and brought the knife up as Leon did just seconds ago. The change in the attack nearly ended Leon's life then and there. Both resumed their circling one another; identical blades gleaming as the moonlight shined down through the glass windows.
"Heh. The sample Saddler developed, that's all."
Krauser again attacked, this time with a straight thrust. Again, Leon was ready for him, bringing up his blade. Sparks seemed to come from the blades as they noisily rasped against each other. Feeling the strength of the possessor of the knife, Leon quickly circled away. Jack has always been the stronger of the two, but the once rookie cop was the one who possessed speed. Now, it seemed that his old comrade had that too. With the odds against him, Leon knew that he and the others had to get away from this man. Even that seemed nigh impossible.
"Luis!" Claire screamed as his hand slipped even further.
Leon was momentarily distracted, giving his adversary an opening. Quicker then you and I could blink, Krauser cut Leon's arm. Gritting his teeth from the sting, he back flipped out of the way. The scarred man smirked as more of Leon's blood dripped from his knife. Both knew that he could have killed the agent at that moment. But Jack Krauser was making a point in this knife game of who was the superior being, and who had the power.
"You dragged them here just for that?"
Chris stumbled toward his sister, clenching his teeth as he reached down and grabbed Luis's wrist. Together, the siblings managed to pull the dazed Luis back to safety. Now, they could concentrate on taking down this strange enemy. Easy as pie. That is, if you count a man who's large, fast enough to out maneuver bullets, and seemingly the one who's the reason for poor Ashley and Sheila into this mess in the first place easy as pie. In other words, there was no way this big scarred guy was going to be easy to take down.
"W-What happened?" Luis groaned, still seeing everything in double vision mode.
His eyes widened when seeing Krauser and Leon. Specifically Krauser. The American agent didn't have a chance against this freak.
"Oh, I needed Ashley to buy Saddler's trust in me. As for the red head, she has a particular part to play in this script that has nothing to do with the sample. She's the bait."
Krauser growled as he kicked the nearby barrel towards his old partner. Leon kicked it out of the way, then quickly brought up the knife to deflect Krauser's blow. The knives again sparked as both men flipped over to the level down below. Both landed on their feet, then slowly stood up to once again resume the battle of wills.
"It's Wesker, isn't it? He's the one who set all of this up." Leon growled as his blade whistled through the air, slicing Krauser's chest. The soldier looked down at his chest with surprise, then seethed as Leon smirked.
The two tangled again, but quickly broke apart as sparks and the sound of metal meeting filled the silent room. Emotions were now running high.
"What the hell happened to you, Krauser?"
"You mean besides being pushed out of the job because that bi-ch chopped off my arm, infecting me with the T-Veronica virus?" Kruaser growled, running forward to kick Leon's knee. As the athletic blond rolled out of the way, Krauser immediately began to slice and jab at him as if some bored young boy poking fun at some bug with a stick.
"Shoot him! He's going to kill him!" Claire shouted, supporting the still dizzy Luis as Chris aimed at the battling duo.
"I can't! Not without hitting Leon!"
"Don't worry, Leon. When all is said and done, I'm still an American trying to protect and serve his country. I just got a different boss who gave me everything I ever needed."
Both men launched at each other. Leon caught Krauser's hand just before he could get in inch closer to his forehead, twisted it while going for his kidney's with his own blade. Of course, his old friend was just as quick and twisted his wrist as well till both were at a stand still. Blades inches from the others faces, faces close enough to feel each others heated puffs of air. Sweat began to bead on Leon's forehead, trailing down his temple and cheek. The older man chuckled, then lifted his leg and kicked Leon back with enough force to knock the air and knife from him.
Chris began to shoot, his aim true. But all he received for his efforts was an annoyed Jack Krauser as he used his own side arm to shoot the gun from Chris's grasp.
"Well, this is where we say our goodbyes, Kennedy. Don't worry abouth the girls. I'll make sure Umbrella takes good care of them as it did for me."
"Umbrella?"
"Hm. Almost let it slip. No matter. Enough talk, die comrade!"
Krauser leaped down upon his fallen enemy, his knife poised over his neck. Leon kept a hold of Krauser's wrist, using every ounce of his strength from certain death. But even that wasn't enough as the blade slowly inched closer and closer. Chris leaped down, his own knife in hand as he ran over to save his friend. But he didn't need to as another party intervened with a single bullet. The knife flew from Krauser's hand; a red dot resting over his heart. Looking up, he gave a annoyed grunt at the lady in red. Her smoking gun telling him everything he suspected since the start of this strange journey.
"Ada!"
"Well, if it isn't the bit-h in the red dress."
"It looks like we have the upper hand here."
Smirking when now noticing that Luis and Claire were pointing their own weaponry at him as well, Krauser ran and leaped up and landed on a nearby ledge, 20 feet above Leon. No average human would have come close. Peering down at the small band of heroes, Krauser then gave his final threat.
"You may be able to prolong your life, but it's not like you can escape your invitable death, is it?"
Then he was gone, leaving the group alone with Ada Wong.
Luis, Claire, and Ada joined the two silent men. The others eyed the spy with a mixture of awe and wary suspicion.
"You... knew each other?"
Leon grabbed the knife Krauser left behind. "More or less. Maybe it's about time you told me the reason you're here?"
Ada shurgged as she walked past him. "Maybe some other time."
She suddenly paused, then turned and looked at Luis. His gaze shifted away from hers. Then she left as mysteriously as she appeared.
Being one who's been trained to notice every little detail, it didn't take long for our favorite American agent to put two and two together.
"She's the one who convinced yout to steal the sample."
Luis neither denied or confirm the statement.
"In the words of the sexy lady in red, maybe some other time."
Nodding, though in no way pleased, Leon turned and took the lead.
**R**
The two girls paused as Saddler stopped to speak to one of the Ganados. Neither spoke or made any movement, the parasites still in complete control. And that was more terrifying then facing a hundred zombies. To be locked away and aware of everything, but not in control was terrifying. The longer they were under the influence, the harder it was to fight. And fight they did. But as long as Saddler was their with that ugly, living parasite staff of his, neither could do much but follow the parasites lead, and to listen in on the conversation.
Saddler smiled, looking interested in what his Ganados had to report. Reaching deep inside his religious, ugly, over done robe, he pulled out a radio similar to Leon's. He then removed his hood as he switched on the satellite radio. If Sheila could voice her thoughts, she would have mentioned that the removal of the hood was no way an improvement.
SADDLER_: Enjoy the reunion with your old friend?_
LEON_: As a matter of fact, I did._
SADDLER_: Wonderful. I wouldn't want my special guests on the island feeling unattended._
LEON_: Guess I'm supposed to thank you, right?_
SADDLER_: Ah... I have an idea. Since you and your friends are here, why don't I introduce you to 'It'. 'It' should keep you busy. _
LEON_: Can't remember the name? A senior moment, perhaps._
SADDLER_: (laughter) Enjoy the fun._
While Ashley mildly wondered what in the world is a 'It', Sheila was proverbially chewing on her nails with fear and dread. It. Yes, she remember exactly who It is. It was not a fun thing to fight. It majorly sucked. It needed to die. Of course, she knew with the numbers on Leon's side, he could defeat it more easily. Then again, sometimes numbers can get you killed. Which brought to her mind the laser hall. How were they going to get past that?
"Come on, my sweets. Time is of the essance."
Dang, what did she do that was so bad to have Psycho Saddler to give her a pet name? If she was lucky, then maybe she would be the one to use the rocket launcher on the arrogant jerk in the end, instead of Leon.
**R**
"I have a bad feeling about this," Claire voiced her concern as she and the others looked at the brightly lit hall with dread.
"Kinda sci-fi-ish." Chris commented.
"Da-n! I can't believe I forgot about this!" Luis hissed, running his hands through his dark hair.
"Care to enlighten us?" Leon asked.
"It' a special security system that Saddler had bought from some company on the black market. If the security measure is on, and it should be, then whoever steps inside the hall will be faced with fast moving lasers."
"Lasers? Like James Bond lazors?"
Claire rolled her eyes at her brother's comment.
"Si. It's still in it's beginning stages, but the basic concept is the same. The temperature of the lasers is half the degrees of the sun. So they would slice through your flesh like butter."
"Well, is there some grid around herr for us to turn off the security measures?" Claire asked as she looked around the small room.
"No. It's voice activated by Saddler himself, and some of his top security. They are the only ones who can turn it off... Thought there might be a way."
"Like what? Surviving the lasors and pressing that shiny green button at the end?" Chris asked, heavy on the sarcasm.
"Actualy, yes. That is the only way."
"What?.. You know, sometimes I feel like some game character; forced to endure all these puzzles and traps for some sick adolescents amusement," Chris grumbled.
"You too?" Leon enquired.
After a beat, Claire asked, "So, who's going to be the unlucky one to face certain death?"
Another beat or two went by.
"I'll go." All three heroes announced. Luis kept quiet.
(Hey! The poor guy has the game trying to kill him. Cut him some slack.)
"Leon, you just went through a life and death knife match with that weirdo. And since Claire has that injured leg, and Luis is too chicken-"
"I am not too chi-"
"Plus he has that weird bad luck going on." Claire added.
"I appreciate it Chris, I really do. But let me handle this one. You can handle the next trap of horrors, alright?"
Shrugging, Chris stepped aside, giving Leon room to proceed on.
The others watched in the saftey just outside of the electric sliding door as Leon proceeded on. He left his large case with Chris, leaving him more free to move around in a tight spot.
He heard the sound of crackling as he took a few steps in. Suddenly, these black spots on the side shot out three orange lasor beams. The one horizontal line rolled up and down as the other two vertical lines went side to side quickly. Leon waited, noticing a pattern. After a few seconds, he waited for the large opening when the lines intersected and made a rectangle. He made his move unscathed.
"One down, Leon. Four more to go... I think," Luis announced.
"You think?"
"Well, I'm about ninety percent sure."
Leon ignored that part, concentrating on the next laser death trap.
This time, their were five lines. Vertical, horizontal, criss crossing and moving rather quickly. He waited, calmly watching till he noticed the pattern. This time, for a three second span, an opening in the shape of a triangle appeared. Waiting patiently for the triangle to appear again, Leon took a deep breath and ran through. It was a close one, but again he managed to get through without any injury.
"Keep it up, Kennedy!" Chris encouraged. Other then that, everyone remained quiet as they anticipaited the next one.
Leon stopped as now five lasers intersecting move toward him quickly. They criss crossed, but left a smaller opening mid way. Running forward, Leon torpedoed forward through, nearly getting his legs nicked by the dangerous lasers. He released the air he had been holding, staying in the kneeling position he had landed in. Standing up, he looked behind him and gave the others a thumbs up. Their answer was some shaky smiles. Three down, one to go.
Seeing the door so close at hand, he ran forward, then stopped. Several of those black spots on the walls suddenly gathered, making that crackling sound. Seeing that there would be no opening through the multiple spots that had gathered, the agent plunged on ahead. It wasn't till he was smack in the middle of these death cannons did his instincts scream to duck and cover.
Leon flipped back a couple of times as the lasers came to life. And it didn't stop there. All of the lasers came for him before he could have a chance to blink. Pure instinct (and a smidgen of luck) came into play as Leon somersaulted back perfectly in time as the lazers came, missing him as ever angle of his body moved through the air. He landed flat on his stomach as the last laser swished over him. It's heat felt all over his body as it passed on by.
The jubilation his friends made had him relaxing slightly. He laid there, taking a moment to just gather back his wits.
"That should do it, me amigo!"
"That was just!.. I mean, wow! That was wow!" Claire squealed, boosting Leon's ego even more.
As he stood up, he turned and winked at the impressed young woman. "What can I say? I'm just skilled that way."
"Lucky, Kennedy. You're just plain lucky."
Leon shrugged as he strutted forward. "Yeah... But I'm still skilled... Like a ninja."
"You wish," Chris teased good naturedly.
Leon smirked, pressing the button as he turned to say something back. But what he saw had him paling.
At the entrance where the others still were, lasers covered almost ever inch of the hall. The only free space was the very top while the rest criss crossed in every fashion. Basically, this looked like the end for him.
"Leon!" Claire screamed.
_YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDIN' ME_!
But this was no joke, especially since the lasers were coming toward him rapidly. Grasping for straws, Leon ran toward the lasers. The others screamed at him, thinking that he either went suicidal or actually thought he was that skinny. But Leon S. Kennedy isn't one you should ever underestimate. He proved that by his next move.
He turned away just before he ran into the lasers reach and ran back toward the end of the hall. He used his momentum to jump and run up the door and into the air as the lasers sweeped underneath him, senging one of his blond locks as he leaped backward over them.
Everyone was silent. Leon just stood there, his back to the others. Nobody moved...
Turning around, Leon looked at the others and said, "Again, tell me Luis. How many was I supposed to face again?"
Luis nervously chuckled. "I did say I was about ninety percent sure."
Claire was the first to run forward and join the agent, giving him a huge, bear hug. Leon grinned, enjoying the female appreciation of his skills. He mentally thought to himself how luck had nothing to do with his awesome moves. As the auther, I'll leave that up to you guys.
"Chris?" Luis snapped his fingers in front of the taller man's eyes. Blinking, Chris shook his head.
"That was... Did you see?... I can't believe... Wow."
"My thoughts exactly, amigo. But I don't think we should let him know that. His ego is being stroked enough by your luscious sister... Some men get all the luck."
"What?" Chris looked at the pair in the hall, and scowled. "Keep those hands above the south pole, Kennedy!"
Luis snickered as they joined the other two to proceed on. The still scowling older Redfeild gave Leon's case back to him as they entered the next room.
The room was almost completely dark, lit up by red and orange lights, with some of the waning moonlight from the sky lights above.
"This is just so creepy." Claire grumbled.
Luis strolled forward. "Welcome to Saddler's throne room."
"Somehow, I pictured him having a huge golden chair for his throne," Chris replied. "Like his evil midget did, Salazar."
"That's evil, little, person, Chris." Claire chastised.
Leon sat down in the chair, crossing his legs as he rested his cheek on his fist. He gave a devilish smirk and said, "It's good to be king."
"Alright, Mel Brooks. Can we go now?"
Snorting at Chris's impatience, Leon got up and moved to the sliding door behind the throne. Chris quickly sat in the chair, taking out the Salazar crown out of his case and placing it on his head.
"Ah, yes. It does feel good to be king."
"CHRIS!"
Sighing at his sister's screech, he placed the crown back and joined the others on the really, really small elevator. And that my friends, is the end of this chapter. Sorry it's short, but it's really late and I'm tired. In the meantime, think about the up coming battle with... IT! Dun! Dun! Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun!
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**A/N: **_The poll for which theory for the merchant you want to win is still in place! GO vote... Well, review first, then vote! And don't forget, if you don't review and vote, 'It' will be paying you a visit! Muah! Ha ha ha haaaaaa!... Kidding! Sheesh!_
38. Chapter 37: 'IT'S' a pain in the butt!
**A/N: **_Thanks and enjoy! You guys are the best!_
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**Resident Evil 4: A Twist In Reality**
**Chapter 37: 'IT's' a Pain in the Butt!**
"Welcome, strangers! It's so good to see you back in one piece!" The Merchant happily announced as the heroes made their way to him. Then he rolled his eyes once he saw who was missing. "You lost them again?"
"His eternal pain in a-s Majesty intercepted us," Chris explained.
"Hm, that doesn't bode well," the Merchant replied. Suddenly, his red eyes turned from solemn and to something giddy as he opened his jacket. "What will ya be buyin'?"
Tune ups was the orders placed. Chris bought himself a new hand gun while his sister and Leon ordered some grenades. While the merchant tuned up his magnum and Mine Thrower, Luis kept looking around, as if waiting for something to pop up from the ground. Paranoia and all that jazz.
"Have you noticed anything around here that is... odd?"
The Merchant raised an eyebrow at the Spaniard.
"Odd as in 'IT'," Luis explained further.
"No. Then again, I haven't gone out of my way to look."
Luis wasn't pleased with the answer, but it was clear that the Merchant knew nothing as he returned his two most powerful weapons to him.
"Come on, the signal has stopped." Leon exclaimed excitedly, looking entently at his radio screen.
"Good luck, Strangers! And don't die too soon."
"Um, we... won't," Claire replied as they entered the next phase of survival.
Torches along the rocky walls was the only light in the darkness. Make shift wooden bridges crossed chasms of a deep dark abyss. The place screamed 'Monsters Lair'. Especially when coming across the rectangular metal cage hanging over the huge abyss.
"Wow... You know, I really don't want to know what that thing's for," Claire muttered, shaking her head at the contraption.
"It's just one of many of Saddler's sadistic playgrounds for his favored subjects." Luis replied absentmindedly.
Leon picked up the pace as the beeping grew louder and quicker. But any hopes of finding the girls vanished when reaching the signal. Putting his radio back in his pocket, Leon bent down and picked up the little tiny radio receiver from the wet puddle.
"Now what?" Claire asked.
Before Leon could reply, the ground and rock wall began to shake as something came drilling through the rock and dirt toward them. And that something made 'IT's' presence known by bursting through the wall.
The experimental monster roared, using its tentacle arm to knock Leon and Luis at opposite sides of the cage. The monster jumped down to join the fun.
Leon shook his head, standing up as the monster roared again. I don't really need to tell you guys how ugly, grotesque, and a bunch of other names to describe the totally scary yuckiness this monster is. Or how unfair it is for the game characters to face another boss challenge after that Krauser incident. But this is a twist in reality, folks. I never did say it was fair.
The creature was the perfect example why splicing genes is a no-no. His upper torso was human enough, and his bald head and large nose could almost pass for a human male. But that's as far as normal you got on this creep. The rest of his body was like some large, fleshy, insect yellow abdomen with no butt. Then again, it's belly dragging on the ground could be classified a part of the anus area. Gross. And the weird thing, that's not the only ugly, yucky thing about his royal "IT-NESS''. His mouth separated from the chin, revealing sharp, elongated yellow sharp teeth with the most blood red gums you and I (and the characters) have ever seen. The drool and slobber was dripping down his chest as he made his monster noises at Leon, his long tongue whipping out like some demonic snake tongue.
"Shoot it, man! Shoot the freak!" Chris shouted as the beastly creature stomped forward toward his frozen prey.
Leon pulled out his BlackTail and popped off several rounds. Nothing fazed 'IT'. With one wave of it's long tentacle arm, it tried knocking Leon into next year. He saw it coming, and reacted the only way he knew how. The agent rolled out of the way as the limb slammed down on the cage bottom, slightly shaking the metal maze.
"There's something blinking down there." Claire noticed. The blinking something was consoles with buttons. "Guys! You need to work together and find the consoles! I think it's your only way out!"
"Easier said then- Argh!" Leon screamed as the monster wrapped it's tentacle arm around his waist, lifting him up while squeezing him tighter then a lover.
Grabbing his knife, Leon began to stab the appendage. He was released as the creature growled in pain. Pulling off his case, he quickly grabbed the best thing for his survival. The Striker.
With a roar of his own, Leon let loose. The monster growled and roared from each blast. Taking a step forward, then two back as each blast took chunks of its own flesh off in a blaze of gore and blood. But just as quickly as the wounds appeared, they were healed.
Meanwhile, Luis found the first console at the north end of the death trap. He quickly pressed the button, which gave a loud buzzing sound as it half way unlocked the red gate.
'IT' howled, leaving Leon to pursue more easier prey. Not questioning the sudden disappearance from his seemingly invincible enemy, Leon set to work in finding the other console with the aid of his friends shouting directions as they watched on from safety. Reaching a shutter with a green light next to it, he quickly shot it, hoping that would work. His instincts proved correct, giving the agent access to the back of the cage where the console was.
Meanwhile, Luis was waiting by the closed entrance to the next part of the compartment. His Red-nine was out as he pointed wildly up in the air, hearing noises as the experiment moved all around him. He had the distinct feeling of being sized up, in which he wasn't surprised. After all, he had a hand in this experiment gone wrong, though he wasn't the main creator. Though the creature wasn't the sharpest knife in the bunch, 'IT' still had a cunning instinct when engaging potential prey and how to kill it's target in a amazing time span of a few seconds.
He turned around, looking at the locked gate after hearing a noise. Another bad thing about this monster was that despite of its girth, the freak was pretty agile and quick.
Taking a couple a steps back, he didn't expect to hit something hard and slimy. With dread, he turned and looked up at Saddler's pet.
"Ah, sh-t!"
The monster backhanded Luis with it's tentacle, sticking out its long, pointy tongue as it gave a growl mixed with a pleased purr. Luis didn't bother getting up as he began to fire, aiming for the freak's head. The purring turned into howls as it covered it's face, though the wounds began to heal quickly, pushing out the bullets.
Red lights began to blink as an alarm began to sound off. The gate opened to Luis's relief, giving him an exit from the close proximity to 'IT'. The monster allowed it's prey to escape, moving on to the other annoying human in the caged compartment.
Leon cursed when finding another shutter barring his way. He raised the Striker and eliminated the green light. He rolled underneath the shutter as it slowly raised up, knowing that whenever an alarm like that went off, it usually meant something bad was going to happen. Like an explosion or in his case, the cage falling down into the bottomless pit.
Luis encouraged him as he ran towards the next stage, but a slimy tentacle wrapped around the agent's neck, lifting him up in the air where the creature was perched. 'IT' looked intensely into Leon's eyes, it's hot, steamy breath surrounding the agent's senses with its grotesque stench. He grimaced deeply as the creature opened its mouth and stuck out its tongue. Licking him from his chin and all the way up to his hairline, leaving a slimy, slobbery path. Unlike what I would do, Leon didn't panic. He kept his cool and did the one thing that would save his cute hide.
Dropping his heavy weapon, Leon tried to peel the thick appendage from his wind pipes, but was unable to. Shakily pulling out his knife yet again, he managed to cut deeply into the slimy surface twice before he started seeing spots from lack of oxygen. The monster released him. With a few seconds left, Leon managed to grab that Striker of his, and leap across the threshold just as the compartment dropped.
"We... stick.. together." Leon wheezed, rubbing his abused neck.
Before either could do anything more, their old pal decided to join the duo for another round. They somehow avoided the large blob of a thing and ran east. The sound of 'IT' rummaging around above wasn't promising for what was in store for their future.
They then proceeded to head south, but was stopped in their tracks by a shutter suddenly closing off the path toward the gate. 'IT' dropped and tried to grab Luis with it's somewhat normal looking hand, but wasn't able to thanks to Leon. The creature leaped out of sight again, giving the two a chance to head east till they came across another console. One down, another one to go. They then backtracked to the middle aisle and decided to deal with the metal shudder door. This time, the light wasn't beside it or anywhere to be seen.
"Guys, look out behind-" Claire didn't get to finish as 'IT' leaped down to block them from running back, trapping the two in the narrow passage way.
"How do we kill this thing?" Leon screamed as he began to fire away.
Both ducked as the tentacle extended to whack off their heads.
"I don't know! IT's-" Luis grunted as the disgusting appendage wrapped around his ankle and began to pull him toward itself.
The monster's jaw was open and it's tongue wiping across it's own face with greedy anticipation.
He didn't wait for Leon's help. The Spaniard let out a stream of curses in Spanish as he fired at the tentacle wrapped around his limb, freeing himself for the moment. Fortunately for him and Leon, he could see the elusive green light beyond the shutter gate, above it hidden on the metal beam. With a couple of shots, he shattered the light and opened the shutter door. Both men ran as 'IT' kept closely at their heels. With the directions shouted at them from the other two, they found the next lock console in the west side of the maze compound. Leon threw a flash grenade at 'IT' as Luis pressed the button. The familiar red light and siren went off as 'IT' still stumbled around from the blast of light. Both squeezed by and entered the next compartment.
When the creature came around, they blasted it till the cage fell. Both stood there silently, looking down at the vast chasm.
"You think it's... You know, dead finally?"
"God, I hope so." Leon rasped. "I could use a break."
Leon turned and walked over to the lock console, pressing the button to release one lock of the last red shudder door. The moment of peace was gone as 'IT' leaped down, separating the two. It's huge butt/stomach thing whacked poor Luis back, causing him to lose his balance and topple over the edge.
"LUIS!" Leon shouted.
He didn't have time to do anything else as 'IT' began to mutate right in front of his eyes. Muscles rippled, skin ripped as it bent down to let this new growth emerge from just below the back of 'IT's neck. This new mutation was large and long, the skin covered in yellow bile slime that smelled of rotten eggs. The new addition turned out to be another head, with large, jagged pincers around it's mouth, which was filled with razor sharp teeth. 'IT' growled like a rapid dog from it's new mouth, then roared as it's slimy tentacle arm wrapped around Leon's ankle, pulling him to it's snapping pincers and mouth. The monster seemed to have yet learned it's lesson, and Leon was all too happy to remind it why touching him with it's disgusting limbs was a bad idea. The knife sliced the tentacle, the wound spewing forth red blood mixed with a strange yellow puss substance similar to the slime covering it's new head. The freak growled and proceeded to go snap up it's prey, tired of this sick little game.
"Shoot it in it's new head!" Luis shouted as he emmerged from the edge, pulling himself up.
No time to feel the relief that the Spaniard wasn't dead yet. Leon did as instructed, keeping as far away from the large bone pincers.
"Back - (Boom!) the hell - (Boom!) up, you son-of- (Baoom!)"
The creature shook it's head, hissed, then leaped up to play it's little hide and seek game.
"Leon, we're going to have to go around." Luis pointed out, entering the much narrower passage with walls and a roof. Leon followed suite. 'IT' jumped back down and tried to snap Leon in half, but it's girth was just to large to fit in the tunnel. It's long neck only could go so far.
"Ha!" Leon exclaimed.
The monster roared, stomping it's many feet-like-hands in a temper tantrum. 'IT' then gave one last menacing snarl before leaping up, out of sight and mind.
"Not good." Luis said, tugging on the agent's arm.
"Hey, we're safe for the-"
The large pincer head burst through the roof, obliterating the feeling of safety for Leon.
"Guess not."
Both ran and exited the tunnel, finding themselves in yet another jam. Bars blocked their path from reaching the metal shutter door with the green light. Luis aimed his Red-nine and fired, then nodded to Leon. They turned and backtracked through the tunnel, all the while hearing the soft rumblings from their stalker.
Pincer head didn't make his appearance as they emerged. Neither commented as they went through the metal shutter door Luis just opened, finding the last lock console.
"Be ready for 'IT'," Luis ordered, knowing that the monster had wizened up, waiting for just the right moment to strike.
"I'm on it," Leon assured him.
Pressing the button, the oh so familiar alarm went off. And yet, as they entered the middle tiny corridor, still no sign of their deadly friend. Luis pressed the button beside the red gate, opening it and releasing a long chain with a hook. Apparently, that was their ticket out of there. Yet another sign of Saddler's sick, twisted, tastes.
"Figures." Leon commented as he quickly put up his Striker less then six seconds. How he does that is a mystery. In fact, I feel another theory coming-
"This shouldn't be too hard," Leon said sarcastically.
Okay, forget the theory. Let's just presume he can do all things 'cause he's Leon, secret agent man.
With that said, he ran forward, used the bar railing as leverage to leap up in the air. His hands wrapped around the chain, his feet landing in the hook, as scripted in the game version of this twisted little story. He swung back and forth, encouraging Luis to follow.
But as Luis's bad luck would have it, 'IT' appeared. And he was persistent in making Luis his meal. With a shriek of terror, the Spaniard ran forward and leaped off the the trembling compartment. As if on cue, the chain suddenly lifted up several inches. Coincidence? Luis nor Leon had the time to even go there. Closing his eyes, our favorite Spaniard grabbed whatever came in sight. To his relief, his his arms wrapped around Leon's waist. He hung on for all it was worth.
'IT' rushed forward and reached up with it's massive pencor jaws, salivating for it's meal. Both men screamed as they swung toward their doom. Chris and Claire also screamed. Heck, I'm screaming while writing this! THE WHOLE WORLD SCREAMED WITH TERROR!
Just as they swung back within range of it's massive jaws, the compartment jettisoned down, taking the howling monster as it snapped it's jaws in a last attempt to maim and kill.
The two just swung there, too paralysed to move.
"Leon?"
"Yeah?"
"I... I think I may have... wet my pants... a little."
"Yeah? Well, you're not the only one."
"I won't tell if you don't, amigo."
"I like that plan."
The sound of their two friend's shouts of victory echoed off the cavern's walls as Luis managed to crawl up Leon's body. As both somehow (with much toil and near death experiences) crawled at a snails pace up the chain, Chris and Claire hugged each other with relief as they waited for the two to ride the lift across the deep dark abyss to get them. Everything seemed to finally slow down for the tired friends... Or did it?
As the two finally reached safety, they heard the all too familiar roar of their adversary. Looking down the ledge, their hearts dropped when seeing 'IT' run up from the pit with blinding speed.
"No, no, no, NO! How did 'IT'-"
"Less talking cop, and more running!"
The two ran for the opening, 'IT' (or now known as U3) was following closely behind. Both leaped through the opening, with the fiend skidding through as well as the bars slammed shut behind it. This time, there was no where to run or hide. It was fight or die. And the monster knew it as well, now slowly walking over to confront its elusive prey.
With another ledge nearby, and a large rock formation in the middle of the small space, Leon took in the advantages and disadvantages in short seconds. (Again, the super secret agent man coming to the rescue. Next thing you know, he'll create some super weapon out of dental floss and a paper clip. Just like MacGyver!) Taking notes on the rocky tunnel with the lever on the side of both openings, the agent quickly set out to make the most of what they got.
Luis backed away, shooting till his large clip was empty. The bullets was nothing more then a irritation, even when it met it's vulernable second head. But the grenade Leon threw proved more useful, getting the monster to squeal as it's flesh was damaged from the blast, dirt and rocks flung in all directions.
As U3 let everything within a five mile radius of the giant, underground cavern know its displeasure of swanky, smart Leon throwing things that go 'BOOM!' at it, our hot agent pushed the marked man Luis toward the narrow tunnel. I wander when will the game grim reaper will strike next?
"In there!"
"What?"
Pushing Sera inside, Leon grabbed the inside lever and waited for the monster to come.
"What the hell-"
"Go lock up the other side!"
The Latin man didn't argue any further, leaving Leon to his own devices for a few seconds.
The monster shifted, now apparently over its little scare. U3 cocked both heads, crouching low as it scratched the earth beneath its disgusting feet and hand. Luis appeared back at Leon's side, surprised that the supposedly intelligent American agent has yet pulled the lever.
"Leon-"
"Grab something from you case that is more powerful then that old antique of yours."
Remembering what he and Chris found in the locked room back at the castle, Luis nodded. He took the Broken Butterfly from the small case, the large magnum looking deathly in the flickering light of the torches flames.
U3 lifted it's lethal head and howled.
"Start blasting the d-mn thing when the gates down," Leon ordered as he pulled the pin from the grenade, but did not throw it.
Luis's eyes darted between the danger charging them and the one held in Leon's hand. "Leon-"
"Just a little further."
"Leon!"
The creature's jaws were opened wide as it's pincers widened for the kill.
"LEON!"
"NOW!" Leon shouted as he threw the grenade while simultaneously pulling the lever.
The grenade exploded in both of 'IT's faces, surprising the freak and successfully stopping the creature in its tracks. The original head was now unrecognizable. Most of the skull was gone, revealing he mushy brain and all the tiny parasite tentacle emerging from the organ. U3 moaned as blood and puss sprayed the earth below its feet, shaking its pincer head.
"Now would be a good time to shoot, Spaniard!"
Luis was pulled from his nauseous staring and raised the heavy, powerful magnum. With shaking hands, he fired. The recoil from the now even stronger weapon pushed him flat on his butt, thanks to not bracing himself in the proper stance. Leon cursed, covering his ringing ears from the loud blast of the Broken Butterfly. The Spaniard shook his head as he slowly stood back up.
The blast was powerful enough to rip a large hole int the thick, slick, long neck of the creature. Howling with outrage, the beast charged. His body collided with the bars, bending the rusting metal slightly inward. Both guys leaped back as U3 continued to bang against the bars with a steady, enraged persistence.
"Shoot it, Luis! Keep shooting," shouted Leon, though this time he back away while plugging his ringing ears with his fingers.
Bracing himself, he fired again. He missed. The bars were now giving way to the weight and strength of the freaky experiment gone wrong.
"You missed! How can you miss it when it's standing just three feet in front of you!"
"Shut up, cop!"
Luis snarled as he fired again, ignoring how numb his hands were from each shot. The blasts had pushed the monster back, wounding it severely. The wounds healed quickly in its' neck, though Luis desperately was trying to get one good shot at it's dangerous head. After getting another lucky shot, this time just an inch down from its snapping jaws, U3 stopped trying to break his way in. With a low guttural growl, the monster rolled and dodged the blasts, taking the shots in it's thick body. It basically learned that the head and neck area was more vulnerable then its meaty body, which could take allot of abuse.
When the gun clicked, Luis cursed as he emptied the chamber to shakily put in more bullets. Leon was firing uselessly through the bars with his Blacktail as the creature gave them a look. Just as the magnum was reloaded, U3 drilled away into the loose soil. The ground shook, then stopped as the two found themselves alone.
"Sh-t!" Leon cursed, looking down at his feet. He didn't need his smart fellow survivor to tell him that the ground they stood on wasn't solid rock.
"D-mn it! 'IT' has always had a learning curve."
"Shh! Does this thing sense vibrations?"
"What?"
"Haven't you ever seen Tremors?" Leon whispered, his blue eyes looking wildly around. From Luis's incredulous look, he knew that he didn't. "Guess not."
"It doesn't matter how quiet we are, 'IT' knows we're here."
"Change of plans, then. Starting with getting the hell out of here," Leon quickly said, grabbing the lever and pushing it up.
Nothing happened. He tried again, then again and again. "It's jammed!"
The two turned and began to run to the opposite end. But they didn't get far past the red, explosive barrel when U3 decided to play peek-a-boo. It's pincer head burst through the earthy surface, nearly getting poor Luis. Neither could retaliate as the snaky head disappeared yet again. It kept up with this new tactic, keeping them away from the other gate. It wasn't long before Leon had enough of this cat and mouse game.
Ripping off the idea off the aforementioned 'Tremors' movie, Leon pulled the pin of another grenade, he threw it at the last spot where U3 made his quick appearance. The blast must have had its desired affect, for a loud, muffled shriek could be heard from just underneath the earths surface as the monster quickly moved away. This gave the two a little time to escape this self made death trap.
Safely out, the panting two looked around and waited.
"Luis, give me the Mine Thrower."
Luis handed his case over to the agent, keeping his magnum pointed at the ground.
"You know, one wrong shot with that thing can kill us both."
"We're dead anyway if this thing keeps up with the sneak attacks."
Armed with the Mine Thrower, Leon waited for U3's next attack.
"Come on... Two happy meals waiting to be eaten, here. Where are you?"
"You that anxious to die, Leon?"
Before he could reply, signs of the predator was made known as the ground shook. Coming from underneath the barred gate that kept them from escaping wasn't hard to see as the monster through caution behind as it torpedoed its way toward them. Then the large rushing hump submerged completely for a few seconds when near.
"I don't like this," Luis spoke softly, becoming more paranoid by the minute.
Suddenly, the earth beneath Luis's feet became unstable as U3 burst through. Luis found himself straddling the freak of science's back, which would seem like a stroke of luck. He had the perfect advantage to do some major damage with the Broken Butterfly. But that lumbering, plump creature had the perfect advantage over him too. For instance, U3 demonstrated how it's neck had a commonality with the ball joints combined with the bones as the snake has. Allowing it to contort its neck to such an angle that it now was face to face with Senior Sera. There's nothing like being face to face with a monster that gets the blood flow pumping. Especially when it roars directly in your face, spraying spit and ruining the smelling senses for years to come thanks to the sewage breath.
Leon knew that it was too dangerous to use the Mine Thrower at this perticular moment. Always one to think on his feet, he did the first thing that popped into his sharp mind. He unclipped his last Incendinary grenade and used it. Needless to say, neither U3 or Luis appreciated the aciton as flames covered the monster within seconds. Luis fell off, rolling on the ground to extinguish any flames that had tried to start on his expensive clothing.
U3 quickly went back underground, leaving a slightly smoking Spaniard and the American agent alone for the moment.
"Are you insane? You almost killed me!"
Leon's ignored Luis for the moment, too busy making as much noise as possible. It didn't take long for the creature to start the bite and dig routine again. But this time, Leon was the hunter as he led the monster slowly back in the tunnel. Luis's first question was answered for him by this crazy scheme the agent was cooking up.
Getting tired of its prey always alluding it, U3 finally burst through the earth, right beside the red barrel. Using his last grenade, Leon tossed it behind him as he quickly ran back towards the exit. The earth loving 'IT' tried following on foot, but the grenade went off just as it crossed over. The combination of the explosive gasoline and the grenade caused a cave in, inside the tunnel. The ex-cop leaped just in time out of the table, yet again surviving by the skin of his teeth.
Luis quickly helped him up, both looking at the now useless tunnel with wary expressions. As a minute passed, their tense bodies slightly relaxed.
"It's over," Luis sighed, glad to be alive. And over all, that another gruesome experiment eliminated from ever wrecking havoc in this world again.
"It better be. I'm not in the mood for another round. Twice was enough."
"Amen to that, friend."
The sound of the gate lifting was like music to their ears.
"And that's our cue," Leon announced. As the two began to leave, the agent had a disturbing thought. "Luis, that thing is the only one of its kind, right?"
"Of course. 'IT' is actually the only one of his kind, an experiment gone bad. Why do you ask?"
"Just making sure. It would really suck if we had to face another one of these things. Considering we have some ground to cover till we find the girls again."
The slight sound of some of the rocky debris moving froze the two heroes in their tracks. Looking at each other with shared disbelieving looks, the two finally reluctantly turned to confirm that the monster was indeed dead. Poor, poor souls. They really thought it would be that simple to kill Saddler's pet.
With a mighty triumphant roar, the U3 monster burst free of the rubble. Battered, bloodied, and one pincher torn off, but still alive and well enough to give these two some major problems.
**R**
Sheila and Ashley were barely aware that they had finally reached their destination, the capsule room. The Ganados busy working on the computers and equipment immediately stopped what they were doing, gazing at their Master and his two guests. All chanted his name with looks of a blankness that rivaled that of the zombies of where the incident in America had occurred. The only difference between the them and the two girls was a certain spark of humanity that still lingered within the two young victims. But that would soon change if reality proves to be a much crueler mistress then that of the game world.
Saddler greeted two Ganados in lab coats, standing beside a large, capsule like machine. The two eagerly bowed and talked excitedly in their native language with their Master, taking just a bit of his attention off of his relentless control over the two Americans. It was enough to let the girls have control over their thoughts and body functions. Although, it was plain to see that he allowed this simply because there was nothing the two could do to escape or cause trouble. Where could they hide? Where would they go when most of his soldiers were at every corner?
The two held hands for comfort as they got a good look at their surroundings. Wires and several computer equipment took majority of the space of this room. Modern technology clearly excepted here then back in the village and castle. But none of these things were holding any interest like the large contraption they stood in front of. Sheila instantly recognized it, looking at the thing with curiosity and dread. For even in the game, they never showed exactly what it was for and capable of. The theory the teen came up with in the safety of her bedroom was that it somehow put the victim to sleep. In which while the patient was snoozing away, it somehow nurtured the parasite to grow faster or something like that.
That, or it was just something to put Ashley in to shut her up for her journey back to the States.
"Sheila," Ashley whispered.
"Yeah?"
"We're not going to be rescued this time, are we?"
Despite of her game knowledge, Sheila couldn't in good conscious answer that question. Not when the future seemed so bleak.
"I... I don't know... We... We have to have faith... That our friends will pull through and come for us... They have to."
Ashley looked at the tall, creepy man that was the cause of all her woes. Her eyes narrowed with barely suppressed hatred.
"I wish I had a gun."
That statement simultaneously surprised the red head and reminded her of the gun she bought from the merchant before they crashed their ride. But the fleeting ray of hope was squashed when she felt her lower back, finding no gun packed in the back of her shorts, or ammo in her pockets... OR HER MONEY!
Giving the laughing old evil dude talking to his loyal idiots a look of pure violence, Sheila replied, "Me too. But trust me, the others will come for us. And when it comes to the final showdown, there is going to be some pay back... Big time!"
Nobody steals money from Sheila and gets away with it. NOBODY!
**R**
It's fair to say that the battle between the U3 and the two unlucky Res characters was not pretty. Sure, the ugly creep wasn't any longer up to full speed as before. Especially with only one pincer left, but that didn't mean that it was going to let these two go so easily. It's like that old saying when you're facing an old tiger. They're at their worst when cornered and dying... Wait... Did I get that right? Whatever, the point is that 'IT' was seriously P.O.-ed with these two humans, and no longer interested in toying with its meals.
"Why won't you die?" Leon screamed as kicked the large snapping head away.
It was ruff, especially since he had a nice Mine Thrower to use, but couldn't since the mutant freak wouldn't stop chasing him with everything it had left. And Luis used his Magnum when he could, but those powerful bullets didn't do anything special to the thick hide. It was the head they needed to eliminate, but getting close enough without being instantly killed was a big issue.
Nerves frayed, the battle going way longer then it should, both began to become careless. Well, less caring of personal safety as the need to put this thing down once and for all became top priority. This became abundantly clear when Leon fired some mines, and the little heat seeking goodies decided that Luis was a better target to go after. Did I mention that the game really wants this poor guy dead?
"LEON," sshouted the Spaniard as he ran and dogded the explosive mines, barely managing to get away.'
At least, that's what he thought. Feeling something kinda heavy and weird attaching itself to his booted foot, Luis looked down and saw the blinking weapon of destruction attached to the heel.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH," screamed Luis as he attempted to shake the increasingly beeping mine of his boot.
Upon seeing Luis's predicament as he yet again rolled out of the U3's way, he cursed and said, "Take the d-mn boot off!"
Luis slid the snug leath boot off, then threw it over the cliff. It exploded about two seconds later.
"Luis, look out!"
Looking over his shoulder, he saw the big beasty coming after him. Screaming his frustration, he began to fire the remaining bullets in his magnum without aiming really well. Leon fired another a couple of mines. This time, they settled for the monster.
Two of Luis's bullets met the creature's head dead on, ripping the other pincher off and the other blowing a wide hole in the back of it's throat. As the monster tripped and stumbled around like some drunk, the mines in its butt/belly went off. Bowels, unmentionable organs, tentacles, everything foreign and not so foreign in the monsters body splattered the ground. Breathing heavily, U3 collapsed on the ground, barely offering a guttural grown before ceasing movement.
"You better be dead," Luis growled.
His answer was the sudden melting of the large, parasite experiment. It was finally over...
The two couldn't say anything. No whoops of joy or patting each other on the back. They couldn't even crack a smile. They could only look at each other, then at the steaming puddle on the what seemed like eternity, Luis broke the silence.
"We did it. I think."
"I'm pretty sure when they melt, it means they're dead. Completely. As in not coming back like some deranged zombie psychopath."
Luis nodded, then gave the tired agent a hard look.
"Leon?"
"Yeah?"
"Give me my Mine Thrower back."
"Uh, what?"
"You suck at using it, give it back now before you try to blow me up again!"
Leon snorted, tossing the heavy weapon to the angry Spaniard. "You got in the way."
"You almost killed me!.. TWICE!"
Well, I would tell you about the rest of the conversation, but it's not really important. Lot's of name calling, (in Spanish for Luis) and a whole lot of useless bickering. But I promise they didn't kill each other as they took the lift back to get the waiting siblings. OR that death stopped messing with Luis... for the time being.
**R**
The Ganado soldiers and scientists left Saddler and the two girls alone. Needless to say that Saddler was the only one who was smiling and in a good mood.
"Well, my dears, it is time for the next step of your evolution."
"W-What do you mean?"
Saddler's smile may have meant to soothe Ashley's tender, raw nerves, but its results was the opposite.
"Because of the interruption that American agent and his friends have caused, the progress of the gift we bestowed you will be manipulated slightly. To help the growth progress speed up, in a way."
Ashley whimpered, shaking her head violently.
"Do not worry, Miss Graham. You will not feel a thing. In fact, you will be resting through this stressful progress. And when you wake up, all your fears and misguided ideals shall be left in the past. The power within you finally manifesting itself in ways you can only imagine!"
"Is this the part when you offer us some candy to get in the van with you and that you're not a evil, old perv?"
Saddler looked at the mouthy teen with a look of disdain, sarcastically replying, "You're American wit amuses me to no end."
"Well, I do try."
"Laugh while you can, _Sheila. B_ut I guarantee that this shall be your last."
"Ah, so you finally know my name. Huh. I still prefer Nunya."
"Sheila," hissed Ashley, "this is not the time to be a smart mouth little twerp!"
"You should listen to her, my young American friend. For I do not forgive easily."
"Bite me."
"Don't tempt me," Saddler replied with a low, menacing voice. Sheila wisely kept her next insult to herself.
"Now," Saddler said as his face suddenly brightened, "It's time for you to become more then what you are, Ashley."
"Please, don't do this," Ashley sobbed, tears beginning to fall down her dirty face.
Smiling sadistically, Saddler pressed the large Green button on the large contraption. The clear, glass door slid open as the metal restraints opened to receive its victim.
"I don't want to!"
The two girls clung desperately to each other as Saddler raised one hand, his smile never wavering.
"It's time to sleep."
Sheila felt Ashley's death grip loosen, her head hanging. To the teens horror, Ashley lifted her head and smiled. Her red eyes blank as she took Saddler's offered hand as he helped her enter the capsule. The metal restraints clasped around her wrists, ankles, and waist as the glass door slid shut. A smoky substance filled the strange device, till finally the only thing that could be seen was the glowing red eyes that peered out. Then those unrecognizable eyes slowly shut.
"Ashley," squeaked Sheila, raising her hand to rest on the cold glass.
"I wouldn't worry about her, if I was you."
The cold calculation in his voice sent shivers of dread down to her soul. Slowly turning around, Sheila tried to appear brave, but failed miserably.
"You're going to put me in another capsule like this one?"
Chuckling, Saddler replied, "There is no other one. Like when we first met, I have to do things the traditional way. It involves much pain, suffering, and time to complete the progress. But after two.. maybe three sessions, you will be ready to return to America to make more Ganados for me. Spreading the good news of the new Eden I am bringing to this world."
"No... No... NOOOO!"
Saddler's laughter bounced off the walls as the teen attempted to flee. She made it to the sliding doors, but never left through them as a strong, large hand pulled her back to his hard body. Fingers dug into the bare flesh of her arms as he chuckled at her predicament.
"I am so going to enjoy this, Sheila. More then you can imagine."
Sheila felt something slimy slide up her leg. Looking down, she let out a loud, intense scream as Saddler's large, bone tipped tentacle slid up and pressed against her stomach. Then with a violent jerk, it speared her trembling abs and began injecting a strange substance inside her body. As the main tentacled did its thing, smaller tentacles pierced the back of her neck, directly into the spinal vertebrae with the utmost care. The parasite wreathed and seemed to take a deeper hold of her body and mind as Saddler slowly began to nurture it.
Ganados nearby in the facility stopped for a moment in their work, then proceeded on as if the screams of agony was an every day occurrence.
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**A/N: **Sorry it took so long. Been busy doing everything. But I'm done, and I hope it's satisfactory. I was going to put Chris and Luis as the characters to fight 'IT' together, but then decided on Leon at the last minute. I thought it would be kinda cool to put Leon through more trauma after getting through the Krauser fight and lasers. Plus, he had the Striker, so... There! HA-ha!
Now review, then go the poll to vote on the merchant theories. We're getting closer to the end, so hurry up and vote on my prophile page before it's too late!
39. Chapter 38: The Hunter and the Hunted
**A/N: **_Yay! Round two for Krauser and Leon. Except this time, he's got help!_
* * *
**Resident evil 4: A Twist In Reality**
**Chapter 38: The Hunter and the Hunted**
It was business as always with the merchant. Some witty words were exchanged, money was given for an upgrade or healing item, then the farewells were given as they departed. Nothing else was said between the four as they trudged on to the next area. From the looks of things, this was some kind of ancient ruins of an old village. Older then the village of Pueblo. And unlike that evil little village, this one was clearly abandoned long ago. Or so they thought.
Leon was ahead of the group, making his way across the ruins. As he drew closer a small, old, square one room building, he noticed that maybe this place wasn't a ghost town after all. The metal bar door with an electronic lock definitely didn't fit the time period when this place was a thriving small city.
Further proof of a presence among them was when a deep, taunting voice spoke from across the way.
"So, you two are all hooked up now, is that it?"
The small troupe paused, looking at the large man. HE had discarded his tactical shirt, standing bare chested with the exception of his weapons belt criss-crossed around his chest. His face was painted with red camo paint, as if an Native American Brave with his war paint on. He was completely intimidating in this representation of confidence and power.
"Where's the girls?"
Krauser snorted at the agent's naive question.
"Do you really want to know?.. They're beyond that gate. But you four will need three insignias to open it."
"Leave them out of this. This is between you and me, Krauser."
But the determined, calm man continued on as if he hasn't said a word, walking slowly with his arms crossed.
"There's one in the north... and another in the east."
Krauser stopped walking, looking at the group with a creepy excited expression.
"And let me guess... you have the last one."
Chuckling, Krauser replied, "It pretty much means I have you four on a tight leash. But I'll settle for you, Leon. The rest can turn around and leave in one piece."
Krauser pulls out a TMP and aims it at Leon. His orders were simple. Take out Leon, allow the other three to live. But people can get caught in the crossfire, it happens every day. And that is the story he's sticking with when he's completed his objective.
"Sounds like you thought this one out pretty well," Leon replied evenly as he slowly reached for his tiny grappling hook.
Conversation done, Leon threw the grappling hook at the ex-soldier while making a mad dash for cover behind a crumbled, unstable wall. The others had to settle for backtracking a little for cover since Krauser had easily knocked the grappling hook to the side with his gun, then sprayed the entire area with bullets.
"Run, Leon! Run!" Krauswer taunted loudly over the gunfire.
The wall Leon used for cover wasn't holding out well. He had to move on, and do it alone.
"You guys stay back! This is between me and him!"
Before the others could reply, Leon made another mad dash toward to small, square one room building. The barred door opened easily, though that was the only easy thing about this new predicament. Now, the ultimate life and death game would begin. Without stopping or looking around, the agent climbed up the metal ladder, knowing that Krauswer wouldn't be too far behind.
When the gun fire stopped, Chris gave a look at the other two, then ran toward the building. The human blur of the determined blond knocked him to the ground, then leaped uptop of the building LEon waiting on.
Krauser smirked when seeing Leon standing there, knife poised and ready. Pulling out a larger knife, the bitter man zipped back and forth so quickly, that the agent found it hard to predict what he was going to do next. It wasn't till Jack was standing in front of him and attempting to slash his neck did the agent react.
Knives clashed, and for the moment, Leon seemed to have escaped the danger. But Krauser wasn't palying by the rules, using his new superior strength to back hand the agent into next year. Poor Leon felt a new world of pain explode from the contact, and as he flew threw the air, he swore he saw stars. His back hit the edge of the building, nearly toppling over. Instead, he found his balance and managed to slide down ungracefully on his butt.
"Come on, Leon! Is that all you got?"
Several gun shots in the back interrupted the battle between hunter and his prey. Locking eyes with Chris, Krauser sneered.
"So you decided to join our little game. Heh! Wesker gives you more credit on your intelligence then you deserve."
"Wesker?"
Krauser threw a flash grenade down, blinding the two men as he made his escape. Luis and Claire's voices of concerns down below in the small building slowly brought them back from their blinding haze.
"We're fine. Just a little... dizzy," Chris grumbled, shaking his head in attempt to get rid of the ringing and dizziness effects from the flash grenade. "I'm beginning to hate that guy."
"You shouldn't be here. This is between me and him," Leon repeated what he said earlier as he angrily climbed down the latter.
"Tough, Leon. We're not leaving you. That's what the Rambo wanna-be wants," Chris replied as he chose to just leap down instead. It wasn't a long drop, so no flattened Chris, folks.
"You don't know Krauser like I do," Leon replied angrily, pushing past the concerned Claire and Luis as he opened the back bar door to the next area. "His military mind is none like any other I have come across. His strategies on the battle field and skills of disappearing is the best in his field. He could come up and slit your throat before you can blink. And that was before the accident! Now he's... he's..."
"Leon, you can't face him alone. You should know this is just some sick, rigged game that he plans to end with your death," Claire said as she followed him out. "We have to stick together, or none of us will survive."
"This isn't the place or time for you guys to be-"
Leon was unable to finish as Krauser's blade nearly made contact with his temple as leaped out from the first, crumbling wall on the left.
"She's right about one thing," Krauser said as he flipped his knife in the air, uncaring about the guns Leon's friends were pointing at him. Catching the knife with ease, he continued, "None of you will leave this place alive."
In a blur of motion, Krauser charged. This time, Leon was ready.
He ducked as the large deadly knife passed overhead, then flipped back when the larger man tried to deliver a round house kick. With quick motions that shouldn't be possible after everything he's faced, Leon fended off the knife easily till finally, he was able to retaliate with a drop kick with both feet.
Chris quickly joined the battle with his knife, proving to be a not so easy kill. Leon cursed as he ran over to keep the short knife battle in Chris's favor. But even with the two of them matched against only one of Jack Krauser, the beastly man was able to leave without a single scratch. His laughter was heard echoing as he yet again pulled the flash grenade trick.
"Great. Now it's too late for you guys to leave," Leon spat out while stalking off down the short pathway and down the stairs. "He loves challenges. You interveining gives him the thrill he's seeking."
"Man up, Leon. We're not going anywhere," Chris replied as they examined the stone door to the north. There were three empty slots where the Holy Beast insignias needed to be placed.
"Yeah, I see that."
"I wouldn't mind staying here," Luis interjected. The last battle with "IT' was enough in his books.
"Shut-up, Sera," Chris ordered. "We stick together from here on out. The creep knows we're here to stay, and probably would take any chance to kill one of us to get even with Leon. Am I right?"
"Yeah, you are," Leon replied reluctantly. "Like I said before, it's too late to turn back now."
"Now that's settled; the big ape said that there was a insignia to the north and one on the east. Since it seems the next path so far is leading east, so we shouldn't be too far from it," said Chris as they reached the central, stone bridge.
A grenade landed in front of the talking Redfield, shutting him up instantly.
"Grenade!" he shouted as he and the others leaped to the cover of the left pillar.
The explosion sent some rocks and debris flying around them, but none were harmed for the present moment.
"This is my playground, Leon! I hope you and your friends enjoy it while you can."
Muttering curses under his breath, Leon took out his sniper rifle from the case; removing the cracked Infrared scope to replace it with his long range one. He waited patiently for Krauser's burst of gunfire to cease, then took action.
Krauser grunted as the high caliber bullet found its mark in his gut. Now, it was his turn to duck and cover.
"Not bad, Leon," came the taunt. "But a true marksman uses this!"
Further down on the building across the bridge, Krauser pops up like some deranged mole from that classic game, 'Whack-A-Mole!' Except for this dirty mole, he has his special bow and arrow. Now, what's a bow and arrow set got against Leon's automatic Rifle?... Nothing, just some arrows tipped with a special gun powder with a timer ready to set it off. No biggie.
The arrow found its mark in the left stone pillar, beeping loudly.
"Oh snap!" Claire squealed.
They barely managed to dodge to safety as the arrow and its 'BOOM!' substance exploded.
"That is it! Luis, give me your Mine Thrower," Leon ordered as he reached for Luis's case. The Spaniard eyes widened as he snatched it away from Leon's reach.
"Hell no, cop! Never again!"
"I told you that wasn't my fault, dumb-ass! Now stop acting like a paranoid game character and give me the freaken'... weapon!"
The struggle between the two would have been amusing if it wasn't so sad. Not to mention happening when a freak like Krauser was happily throwing grenades and using a special 'Boom!' arrow to show his complete lack of sanity. So, as the oldest of the group, it was up to Chris to break up the fight. But since he had no time to play the father figure, he did what any of us would have done in that situation. He grabbed both of them by the back of their collars and smashed their heads together. Effective and less time consuming.
"Ouch!" Luis whiined as he rubbed the front of his forehead.
"That hurt!" Leon growled as he covered his own.
Snatching the case from Luis's free hand, Chris opened it and took out the heavy duty weapon.
"Never send in a boy to do a man's job," Chris growled as he took a chance by stepping out on the bridge.
Krauser laughed as he lined the confidant Redfield in his sights with his bow and arrow.
"Like shooting fish in a barrel," he crowed, his scarred face set in a hunter's glee.
Carefully looking through the scope, Chris fired off a couple of mines. Both almost made contact with Krauser bare chest. But the older man leaped and dodged the heat seeking tiny missiles. The mines attached themselves to the lower portion where he stood.
"Ha! You missed!"
"No, I didn't," Chris replied.
The two mines went off, breaking the unstable portion of the roof of the building. Krauser and the roof came tumbling down, though Chris knew that the surprised lunatic wasn't no wear near dead.
Cursing loudly, Krauser shook off the dusty rubble. A deep bloody gash oozed blood down his face, somehow making him look even more psychotic and dangerous. Or maybe it was the way that deep wound quickly healed itself.
Raising his large knife, Krauser pointed at Chris and announced, "You will pay for that."
His answer to that was shooting another mine at the big boy. Instead of running and avoiding the deadly mine, Krauser somehow flicked it hard with his knife, deflecting it without a second glance. The mine went off far from its target. Cool, but not for Chris.
Leon joined Chris's side and began to use his Rifle. Krauser gave up the chase for the moment, throwing his flash grenade to make his escape.
"We're going to need a rocket launcher to take down this guy," Chris said in a exasperated tone as the group quickly crossed the bridge. "Or a da-n tank!"
The next barred door was locked, as well as the lever next to it.
"I guess we go this way," Claire commented, nodding in the direction of the tall building. "He's waiting for us, I guarantee it."
"Then let's not dissapoint him," Leon replied, shouldering his sniper rifle in favor of his knife. He knew that Krauswer would be wanting more hand to hand combat.
Leon ran up the twisting passage way, with Claire surprisingly hot on his heels. When the found themselves in a open space, among what looked like a Roman theme balcony; bars slid down behind them, keeping Chris and Luis from joining their side. The trap was set, giving them no way to avoid Krauser.
"Look, there's an insignia!"
Leon turned and saw at what Claire was pointing at. Both hurried over, and found that it was indeed one of the missing pieces. Just then, Krauser seems to appear out of no where, his knife drawn out as he circles the two. Protectively, Leon keeps Claire behind him at all times.
"What do you intend to do, restoring Umbrella?"
"To bring order and balance to this insane world of ours."
Leon snorted as grabbed the panther insignia and tossed it in the air before catching it, "A psycho like you can't bring order or balance."
Jack Krauser smirked, casting Leon an amused glance.
"You don't seriously think a conservative mind can chart a new course for the world, do you?"
Leon and Krauser simultaneously charged and attacked. Both were a sight to behold. Strength, power, and agility was in each step and deadly swing. Both in their elements as the battle between good and evil, old and new, came together in a battle almost worthy to be put in the category of 'Clash of the Titans'. A hero with normal human strengths facing off with the monster with a special power and superior genetics.
But even heroes make mistakes. Soon, Leon found himself in on the defensive, and loosing ground quickly. His mind on his friend who was nearby, and easy target for Krauser. As for Claire, she wasn't so much worried for herself, but for Leon. She couldn't get a clean shot, knowing that the risk in ending Leon's life was too great.
Chuckling, Krauswer leaped upon the crumbling wall, the did a fancy backflip up on higher ground. He takes out his TMP and begins to fire.
"Dance for me!"
Leon grabbed Claire's hand and quickly led her behind the crumbling wall. After a minute of endless bullets that were lazily shot in every direction, it finally stopped. Leon peeked around the wall, seeing that Krauser was smiling down at him with a predator's smirk.
"Don't just stand there. Come out and fight like a man!"
"I'm not falling for that one!"
"Just trying to have fun."
Quickly, Krauser leaped down. Giving Claire strict orders to stay put, Leon came out of hiding and again entered a knife fight with his old comrade. But this time, Krauser wasn't so straight forward in his dealings with the tiring agent. Using his new speed and agility in a game of deadly tag. Jack was never one to play fair; exploiting weakness of his enemies a big past time with him.
Leon swung his knife when Krauser was literally right there in his face. But instead of getting the satisfaction of disemboweling him, he only found empty air. He paid for the miss. Pain exploded in his lower back as his swift enemy delivered a powerful karate chop, the bones in his large hand able to take the impact against the bullet proof vest Leon wore. He collapsed down to his knees, one hand covering his lower back region.
"You're making this too easy," Krauser sighed, kicking him in the ribs. Despite the protection the tactical vest gave, it couldn't stop the mini explosions of pain with each powerful action Krauser delivered. "Get up, Leon. Or I guess I'll have to make sport out of your weak, cowering girl over there."
Jack's taunting grin was replaced with an explosion of pain stemming from his groin area. Something that even the virus and parasite couldn't quite make invincible. Claire stood behind him in a defensive stance, her steel toed boots coming in handy after all. Krauser sank to his knees, looking over his shoulder at the auburn haired woman with a mixture of respect and surprise.
"This weak, cowering girl just whooped your ass!.. Well, maybe not your _ass,_" she said with a pleased smirk.
"That's my girl," Chris cheered on from behind the barred door. "Now get your a-s back behind that wall, Claire!"
Leon took the opportunity of distraction to stab Krauser, the blade sinking deep into his left pectoral muscle; all the way to the hilt. His face laced with pain, Krauser chuckled as he quickly sprung up. With a quick flick of his wrist, he used the flash grenade to leave without notice, leaving Leon's knife behind.
Gears shifted as a stone statue was slowly raised from beneath the stone floor surface. The Gargoyle perched on the base of the statue was broken, missing its grizzly head. And as Leon and Claire moved the blasted thing over on the floor switch, they found themselves grateful that it was missing that particular head.
The sound of the bars covering the lever within this area shifting was good news. Pulling the lever, the gate barring them from leaving lifted, allowing all the heroes to reunite. Though trust me, there was no room for celebrating. The dangerous camando Umbrella freak was still roaming the premises; hunting them as they hunted for the remaining Holy Beast insignias.
When reaching the crumbled building they left earlier where the now free lever was, Krauser made another appearance. Though this time, they were expecting him. Pulling the pin from the grenade, Leon tossed it toward the shadow around the corner. Loud cursing mingled with the loud boom, satisfying Leon's urge for payback.
Jack stepped from around the corner, frowing. The burns and and damage done by the blast now becoming just a memory as the inhuman blood within already began to heal the wounds.
"Good Leon! It's about time you lost that boy scout code of ethics. I never remember you using such underhanded tactics... I'm impressed."
"You know, I'm getting tired of hearing you yak," Leon said between clenched teeth as he suddenly whipped out his Blacktail and fired at the larger man point blank.
Krauser was pushed back from the better edge the Blacktail had behind the power of each shot. But even that superb 9mm handgun couldn't keep Krauser down for long. Heck, even when the others joined in with their handguns, the big scary guy with the freaky arm wasn't affected like they so desperately wanted it to.
Leaping up over the wall, landig on the ledge in a handstand; the show off tossed a flash grenade before flipping out of sight with flair and grace unusual for such a large man.
"Luis, you're a scientist. Are we going to have brain damage if the Poster Boy for 'Arnold-Schwarzenegger-Fan-Gone-Horribly-Wrong' keeps leaving us his special goodbye presents?"
The scientist shrugged as he followed the others, leaping down to the last leg of Krauser's twisted playground. Though that didn't mean it was any easier in the least. What with hidden mechanical surprises waiting for their prey to come in their sights...
"I wouldn't worry about that, Chris. You're safe," Luis replied as they came close south to the landing point. Chris seemed satisfied with his assurance. That is, until he continued, "The lack of functioning brain cells in that mind of yours is as low as the count can get. I'm amazed that you're able to form coherent thoughts at all."
Chris paused and raised his gun. Luis swallowed as he turned to see the gun trained in his direction, and nervously chuckled.
"It was a joke, Americano. Just a-"
"Don't... move," Leon ordered.
The three Americans were looking at Luis. Well, actually behind him. And though curiosity demanded Luis to turn around and face whatever was behind him, he much rather follow Leon's orders. He knew that his luck in this world was against him, so playing it safe seemed to be the best course of action.
"What is it," Luis asked with apprehension.
"Some of Krauser's toys he's worked on perfecting through the years," Leon replied, raising his Blacktail to aim at the mechanical mechanisms. "From my experience, they're accurate and too deadly. Only one way of handling them."
Luis wasn't sure if he was okay with the way this was heading or not. "And that is?"
The laser dot rested on the mini robotic technology hidden mostly underneath the dirt. It's twin less seen as the only part of it seen was the blue light on its head, trying to detect the enemy.
"Leon?" Luis tried again, noticing how the agent stiffened in preparation in using his firearm. "Chris? Guys?"
Luis jerked when both men fired. His pant legs literally felt the wind as the passing bullets nearly connected with flesh instead of metal. He stumbled toward the so called protectors of human kind, looking at the small deadly robots kicking and jumping wildly as their systems began to go on the fritz from the bullets. Their blue lights turned red as a beeping sound filled the relatively silent area. Finally, the two four legged drones blew apart in small mini explosions. Bits of metal covered the area.
"Stay sharp. There's more around here that are even more deadly then these," Leon warned as he took the lead.
"You know, I'm really getting tired of being shot at," Luis muttered, getting a sympathetic pat on the arm from the lovely Claire Redfield.
Continuing on, each one of them heard the sound of a strange wind blowing. It almost sounded mechanical somehow, like some mini-jet nearby. At any rate, the others were more alert and on edge. Their more careful and paranoid nature proved to be a wise thing. For just around the next corner, a slight shift of the top layer of sand had everyone freezing in their tracks.
Giving Chris a silent signal, Leon edge carefully closer while his friend aimed at the area where their carefully hidden enemy lay in wait. When Leon was within at least three feet from its location, the little camera bomb robot lifted its round head, blue light turning red. Leon raised his hand for the go sign; unflinching as Chris fired. The robot didn't give a dying performance like its last two brethren. It exploded immediately with a puff of dirt and sand.
Taking another a couple steps forward, Leon became slightly more relaxed and declared this little bit of land was safe for the moment. Together, they proceeded until they neared the entrance to the final showdown that would soon be occurring.
"What is it you fight for, comrade?"
They looked up to see Krauser balancing perfectly on a crumbled wall.
Knowing that the question was directed to him, Leon answered truthfully, "My past, I suppose."
"Hmph. Umbrella."
The strange wind sound they heard earlier was back, this time making its presence known. A strange circular flying robot came hovering down, its camera blinking red when aligning them in its sights. Another ground-bot leaped from its hiding spot in the dirt and immediately back to charge forward, its red light blinking as the beeping sound was heard yet again. As they tried to get away form the ground danger, the threat in the air showed how lethal it could be by firing its automatic attached gun.
They managed to escape the bullet melee and even avoid the self destructing critter on the ground. But the hovering air robot wasn't finished as it proceeded to hunt down its prey. But in the end, it proved easy to destroy as it appeared around the corner. Once good shot with Chris's Riot gun was all it took.
"I think we should switch to heavier gunfire; don't you?"
The others were in totally agreement, the feeling that this game of hunting was coming to a close. Claire was handed Leon's TMP, which suited her just fine. Chris preferred to stick with his Riot gun since it was his most successful weapon of choice in defense and offense for himself. Leon had his Striker out, locked and loaded with plenty of ammo thanks to the Merchants last and final upgrade for the powerful weapon. One hundred shotgun shells in one weapon wasn't anything to sneer at. As for Luis, he had the Broken Butterfly and the Mine Thrower to choose from. Since the old unstable tower they were about to embark on seemed too small and not ready for anything that would cause major structural damage, he decided the magnum was the best choice. The problem was, he didn't have much ammo left. It was loaded to the max, but in his box of ammo was only two bullets left. Not very comforting.
"You know that you three can go back to the wall and wait for me. I hate to repeat myself, but this battle is between me and Jack. Not you guys."
"We know. And we respect your wishes. Really, we do... Now shut up, Martyr-Boy! We have to make sure this lackey of Wesker's doesn't pull another stunt in kidnapping innocent girls for world domination," Chris replied, pushing past the reluctant agent.
"Just so you know, I would happily let you deal with the Neanderthal on your own if it were up to me," Luis chirped up as he followed behind the others. Leon scowled at the Spaniard behind him as he and the others crossed the threshold.
Suddenly, bars slid shut, seperaiting Luis from the other three.
"Well, maybe my mistress Lady Luck is back on my side after all."
"Or maybe Krauser is picking off the weakest from the herd," Chris retorted.
Luis looked both offended and slightly uncomfortable at that statement. Either they were about to face the scarred, traitor, American face to face, or he was about to come in contact with death yet again.
"Either way, it looks like this is it. Krauser isn't about to let any chance of escaping, unless..."
"Unless he dies," Claire finished for Leon.
"Well, let's make sure he's the one who dies," Chris said as he gave Luis a nod before going up the winding stairs, Claire following closely behind.
"Leon, take this," Luis said as he pushed the heavy, powerful, Broken Butterfly through the bars. Leon looked started by the request. "It's been upgraded enough to hold ten bullets. It's fully loaded and ready for action. Here's the rest of the ammo. I know two bullets doesn't seem like much, but when you're in a corner and without it, well..."
"It's better having something then nothing... Thanks."
"Don't get mushy on me now, cop. Just take care of business and get the two remaining insignias," Luis said with his old charm. As the agent turned to go, the mysterious scientist had one tip left. "And Leon, watch out for that arm of his. The virus in his blood isn't the only thing that changed him."
He gave Luis a short look, as if trying to read all of his secrets. Then without another glance, he ran up the winding stairs, magnum in hand while the Striker was put away back in his case. If push came to shove and he ran out of bullets, then his knife would do nicely for what had to be done.
"You ready for this," Chris asked, looking up the ladder that will lead them to the final showdown.
"No, but I was thinking of winging it," Leon replied.
"Cute, Kennedy. Real cute," Chris retorted as he climbed up the ladder first.
"Wasn't trying to be."
"Enough with the witty quips, guys. It stopped being cute an hour ago."
All three on the roof of the circular tower, they could see the entire ruins and beyond from their viewpoint. It would have been beautiful if this was a tourist trip in Spain and not a rescue, survival, horror filled mission. Which is why the beauty and historical value of the scene wasn't even considered as they dogged on to find the elusive second insignia. But eventually, Leon cam across it to the west of the entrance where they came from. The Eagle Holy Beast puzzle piece was found, leaving one to go.
Sensing rather then actually hearing him, Leon and his two friends took a few steps and looked up to see Krauser standing high above them. In his hands is his modified TMP.
"Two down, one more to go, Krauser."
"Hmph. We'll see about that."
Tossing the TMP away, Krauser begins growling low in his throat as pain and a certain maniac glee took precedence on his face. He held up his right arm as the muscle beneath the skin began to ripple. In fact, the large biceps and tendons in the entire arm began to expand. The skin getting tighter and tighter till the very tissue that encased it ripped from the pressure. His hand morphed exaggerating into long sharp fingers, then the skin there ripped as well as something sharp broke through the wrist. The whole arm at this point began to mold with the bone like claw grew massive, soon arching and becoming sword like with its curves. The parasite and virus had indeed melded into something lethal and terrifying.
And with a burst of triumph, the arm and the jagged edges of the bone jutted out as Krauser spoke with conviction and complete intensity that resonated with passion and violence.
"Witness the power!"
With a look of disgust at the throbbing mutilation of what was once a good man's human arm, Leon replied, "You've lost it completely, Krauser."
"God, what the hell did you let these mad men do to you," Claire asked, refurring to Wesker and Saddler.
Looking down at the humans who would never understand or be capable of it, Jack responded the only way he could. Violence.
"Prepare for your deaths, human scum!"
Krauser leaped down with his sword like arm arched in anticipation of cleaving one of these pests in two. But his prey were quick and proving yet again it would take more then inhuman strength and speed to take them down. What they didn't know was that he had pressed the button on a wireless detonator that was linked to the dynamite he had placed all over the ancient ruins. Even if they managed to kill him and take the last insignia from his cold dead hands, they still had to beat the time on the clock. Either way, he won.
Meanwhile, down below, Luis is waiting patiently for the others return. There was no use going back to the gate they needed to unlock since he presumed they would be returning back through the way they came. Well, that's what he hoped for. Not that he didn't have faith in them, but Jack Krauser was something that even Saddler has never completely been able to control. It didn't take a genius that this seemingly American traitor didn't join the cult by chance or even by the lie he gave in order to join. No, somehow, Luis knew he was here for the sample. The same as the lady in red. If they were enemies or allies has yet to be determined in his mind.
"Well, well, well. Fancy seeing you here."
Luis raised his head, surprised to see Ada's beautiful face. He quickly stood up, unsure exactly what to do or say. Was running an option he should consider?
"What's the matter? Have I rendered that endearing wit of yours speechless for once?"
"No. Just... surprised to see a lady of your exotic and enticing looks in this part of town. You looking for a handsome bloke like myself to show you a good time?"
A quick but very much seen amused smile brightened her face for a moment. Then the mysterious hard to read face was back in place.
"I presume that means you haven't retrieved the sample back from Saddler."
Sighing, Luis gave a curt nod. "Kinda hard when at every corner death seems to be waiting for me. Besides, I have a feeling that you would rather have me retrieving it without a certain ex-cop and his friends catching me in the act."
"Oh yes, I do. Which means you will have to ditch this company at the first ample oppertinuity."
Her simple observation was more then it appeared. More like an order then a suggestion.
"I will. Once I help them extract the parasites, then I'll take my leave. I promise, I will get the sample."
"You better," she softly replied, leaning in and placing both hands on the collar of his shirt, as if straightening it. "The organization's success in ridding the world of these dangers is riding on your actions. If you were to fail..."
His collar was suddenly twisted tightly in her slender fingers.
"Well, it wouldn't end pretty for either of us. Understand?"
Luis wordlessly nodded his head.
"Good," Ada Wong replied, releasing him and taking a step back. She looked up at the sound of Chris's loud curse. "Leon and the gang fighting Krauser and that arm of his... I seriously hope they kill him soon."
Remembering the remark Krauser made when Ada stepped in at the right moment to save Leon's life, Luis replied, "Could it be because he knows more about you then you let on?"
Smiling at his intuitive reasoning, the spy simply turned around and said as she walked away, "Actually, it's because of the dynamite he has placed all over the ruins. Krauser likes to cover all his bases."
Luis looked up and all around, till he spotted some flashing lights up on the base of the ciruclar tower. Plenty of dynamite was there, which meant...
"He probably already pressed the trigger."
And with that, she was gone. Leaving a more frantic and panicked Luis then he was before she showed up.
The battle up above was intense. Krauser was fast and powerful, his arm adding more to his advantage. But what made him near impossible to kill was the way his arm sprout out these razor sharp shards of bone that protected him as a shield whenever they fired at him at close, blank range. There wasn't much strategy except to try and keep Krauser between the three of them, shooting from different angles. But when the intended target still had human cunning and superior strategy planning, the plan wasn't able to be put to much use.
The only weapon that seemed to have gotten some lucky shots in was the TMP. Claire was able to keep herself from being targeted much by the big hulk of a man, which was needed considering her injury. But that soon changed when Krauser performed a back-flip over Chris's head, managing to charge the surprise young woman by knocking the weapon from her grasp. The TMP clattered far down below, useless and out of reach.
His human hand wrapped around her neck, raising her high up in the air. For a second, her eyes flashed red, giving Krauser a pleasant surprise. The thought of taking the auburn haired Redfield with him just in case he couldn't retrieve the sample took root. Wesker would get his specimen and have his enemy's cherished little sister.
"Let go of her, you rat Basta-d!"
The blasts from the Riot gun had Krauser dropping his new hostage, taking the focus off of her for the moment. With a curl of his lip, Krauser sped forward with his thrusting forward. Chris ducked, then rolled as the arm slammed down in attempt again on his life. A sharp, annoying pain in his right shoulder had Krauser taking a step back while grabbing the hilt of the protruding knife. With a growl, he turned and threw it at Leon. He dodged it, the knife now wedged in the old stone of the tower.
"Stabbing other in the back was always your specialty," Krauswer huffed as he leaped in the air across the distance.
Leon rolled out of the way and tried sweeping his legs out from under him. Jack jumped as he tried, then slapped his super arm down. The agent rolled out of the way, and continued to do so as Krauser repeated his actions over and over again.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
Leon managed to get back up on his feet to fend off his old friend's attacks. Chris came running up and attempted to blow the back of the super soldier's skull off. But Krauser was quick and much intuitive to his surroundings. He grabbed the barrel of the Riot gun and batted it down with his large deadly arm, pinning it as he punched Chris with his human but no less lethal hand.
"I'm talking about you telling our superiors exactly who was responsible for taking my arm on our last mission together!"
Leon lowered his magnum and shot at Krauser's left knee. With a grunt he knelt down, releasing Chris's gun and becoming exposed to both men. Both blasts from the weapons to his chest sending the large man several feet back near Claire. She had her handgun drawn out and shooting desperately in his body.
Krauser sprung back up, though less in speed then he usually did. Though the large gaping wounds in his chest was quickly at work repairing itself, Krauser had to take a deep breath or two to get back in the swing of things.
"I had to tell them! She was loaded with the T-Veronica virus. They had to know to save you from becoming another Umbrella tratedgy," Leon exclaimed as he and the others resumed firing. This time, he was in prime position to be hammered at all sides.
Getting tired at being shot from all angles, Krauser went berserk and went for the one he wanted to kill the most. Leon. The magnum was ready though and had him stumbling again. Coughing up tainted blood, Krauser looked up at the younger man and sneered.
"A little too late for that, Leon. But well worth the price."
With a howl of rage, he pushed his body to the limit with his arm raised. Leon then emptied all the rounds in the powerful gun, saving his life and the others in the process. Krauser groaned, his head lolling forward as his running steps slowed to a stop. His human hand clutched the gaping holes in his chest. Suddenly, a spray of blood spewed forth from his chest as his heart seemingly gave out. His eyes were wide with shock at his own demise. With one last howl of outrage and loss, Jack Krauser fell forward; unmoving.
Chris placed a hand on Leon's shoulder as they looked down at the still form.
"Krauser... What happened to you? You used to be a good guy...," Leon whispered. But he and the others already knew the answer to that. Umbrella.
"What? Luis, I can't hear you! Speak louder," Claire shouted down. Apparently, the anxious Spaniard has been trying to get their attention the past minute.
"Wander what's got Sera's panties in a twist now," Chris wandered aloud, sharing a grin with Leon.
"Aie-yie-yie! I SAID KRAUSER HAS THIS WHOLE PLACE RIGGED WITH EXPLOSIVES! WE'RE GOING TO BLOW UP WITH THESE RUINS IF YOU DON'T GET YOUR ASSES DOWN HERE TO OPEN THE GATE!"
Nobody spoke for a second, freezing at the implications...
Then they all reacted as one. Leon searched the body, finding the last insignia while Chris and Claire ran up to the spot where they came in. Only now, it was closed. As if sensing their anxiousness, it slid open as the bars down below that led to the short cut to the gate unlocked. They quickly climbed down the metal ladder, spotting the short cut.
As the last one made it down from the short leap down, Luis rounded the corner to join them, panting heavily. Leon quickly placed the insignias in. Panther, Eagle, and snake. At first, the old stone slab did nothing. Luis was looking at his watch, eyes widening by the second. Though he didn't know how much time they had left, he presumed it wasn't long. But I do know how much time was left... They had exactly twenty seconds left!
Finally with a groan, the stone gate slid away to reveal the metal one. They now had less then ten seconds. Five, four, three, two-
The explosion was loud and intense, catching the attention of every living creature on the island. I'm sure you guys want to know if the heroes made it or not. If you have to ask, then I think you should stop reading because... OF COURSE THEY MADE IT! DUH! WHAT KIND OF AUTHOR KILLS THE MAIN CHARACTERS JUST WHEN THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET EVEN MORE INTENSE!
Yes, they made it. A bit rattled, tired, and aching from the none stop boss battles. But yeah, still in one piece.
**R**
Saddler smiled as he checked the vitals on Ashley. So far, she was making progress with no danger to her life. It would seem that the capsule was doing exactly as it was designed to. It was pleasing that at least one thing was going as planned. That and the silence that now reigned. The red haired American teenager was quiet and unmoving on the flat, sterile hospital bed nearby. Like with the capsule, his own way of nurturing the queen parasite inside was working so far. In about fifteen minutes, if she was awake or not, he would again resume with his procedure.
As I said, everything in his world seemed to be going more smoothely. Even when one of his loyal Ganado soldiers came in to report the death of Krauser, it didn't affect his mood. Not when that very same man represented a whole new set of problems different then the American agent and his nosey friends.
Taking out his radio, he contacted his enemy without delay.
SADDLER_: So, it seems you killed Krauser too. How should I return the appreciation?_
Leon's face on the small monitor brought a smug smile to his own. Though unknowing that Leon and the others knew a little bit more then he did on exactly who Krauser was working for.
LEON_: Wha- What are you talking about? I thought he was with you._
Saddler chuckled.
SADDLER_: What are **you** talking about? Did you really think I'd trust an American? To tell you the truth, I was contemplating how to get rid of him. But thanks to you and your friends, that's no longer necessary._
LEON_: You were just using him right from the start._
SADDLER_: Oh, I must hand it to you... You've demonstrated a bit of promise by killing Krauser. When your assimilation with Las Plagas is complete, I'll have you and the young woman serve as my guard. _
LEON_: Unfortunately, me and my friend will have to decline your generous offer. We have prior engagements._
Saddler's lips tightened into a thin line.
SADDLER_: Hmph. Enjoy your smart mouthing while you still can._
He cut the connection, tired of exchanging words with the irking agent. His pale eyes settled on the soldier Ganado.
"Our guests are on their way. I hope you have the welcoming party ready?"
The soldier nodded eagerly, proclaiming that there was no way that the infidels will be getting past the army waiting for them. Saddler wasn't believing that for a second. Somehow, these pests have managed to survive everything that he has had thrown at them. Even that traitor Luis managed to elude death. Until he could see for himself their grisly death, the leader of the cult would remain wary and prepared to change courses if the need arises.
* * *
**A/N: **Done. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I have writing the chapter. If anyone is wandering, I still made the battle with Krauser more Leon focused. Considering that they have a history together, it seemed fitting to keep Leon as Krauser's main target. As for Jack being out of the picture yet; if you played Separate Ways on the Resident Evil 4 game, then you know there's still a little bit more life in him.
Okay, you know the drill. Review, then go to the poll and vote for which theory you want to win. So far, I have a tie. Keep voting if you haven't already. Remember, you get four choices. Oh, and another thing. I do have something else that you fans can decide. It's about Mike, the helpful helicopter pilot that gets blows to smithereens in the next coming part. Would you guys like him to survive, or to die? Keep in mind that if he lives, he will be having a vital role with another Res character that will be making an appearance in the later chapters ahead! I won't be putting up a poll for that one. Just leave a yes or no review on the Mike question. Okay? Okay!
End file.
| fanfiction |
Ads Can Be Customized To Viewer
Advertising, Guerilla Marketing, Health Care, Home Building, Media, Tech tips
Someone's watching you — and who you are determines what they'll show you.
In malls, health clubs, gas stations and even grocery stores, small cameras are being embedded in the screen or hidden around it to track the viewer's gender, approximate age range and, in some cases, ethnicity – and can change the ads it displays to those ads that are aimed at that demographic.
That could mean hardware ads for men, cosmetics ads for women and video-game ads for teens. Crazy, huh?
And even if the ads don't change to match the viewer's demo, the technology's ability to determine and record this info in general market terms is important for advertisers who want to know how effectively they're reaching their target audience at any given location.
While the technology remains in limited use, advertising people say it is finally beginning to live up to its promise. The manufacturers say their systems can accurately determine gender 85 to 90 percent of the time, while accuracy for the other measures continues to be refined. With hair styles on today's youth, the system is probably more accurate than I would be.
Demographics, but no individual information
Remember "Minority Report"? Tom Cruise's character enters a mall where a retinal scanner identify him and greet him by name. Well, it's a little like that, but people are not identified by name. They're just categorized by how they look.
Using this technology, a screen might show a truck ad for a group of men but switch to a minivan ad when women and children are spotted in the frame by the hidden cameras.
Anyone concerned with privacy?
Because face tracking might scare people (think "big brother"), manufacturers are hurrying to offer reassurances. When the systems capture an image of a person watching the screen, a computer instantly analyzes it for specified variables. The systems' manufacturers say that nothing is ever stored and no identifying information is ever associated with the pictures, thus making the system less intrusive than a surveillance camera that records what it sees right now. At least that's the manufacturer's take.
In general, a sensor or camera in or near the screen identifies viewers' faces by analyzing shapes, colors and the movement. The concept is similar to the way consumer cameras now can automatically make sure faces are in focus. Yes, those little boxes that make pictures so good are now coming back to haunt us.
When the system focuses in on a face, it compares shapes and patterns to those that are already identified in a database as male or female, thus allowing the system predict the person's gender almost immediately.
"The most important features seem to be cheekbones, fullness of lips and the gap between the eyebrows," said Paolo Prandoni, chief scientific officer of Quividi, a French company that is also developing the technology. Others include Studio IMC Inc. in New York.
The companies say their systems have become very good at determining a viewer's gender, but age is not so simple. Currently, the software can group age in only the broadest terms – teens, younger to middle-aged adults and seniors. The companies developing this technology acknowledge that determining a person's ethnicity is more challenging than figuring out his or her gender and age range.
Is It Accurate?
It may never be more accurate than it is now, but we should never say "never". And anyway, even 70% accuracy is better than what is out there now. Think about it: If you're advertising housing to empty-nesters, you can choose to have your ad seen in a mall by everyone who passes, or take a shot at targeting the ad to those in your demo. Even if you miss 50%, the other 50% will see your message — and only they will see it.
Advertisingadvertising technologycamerasmall advertisingMediaretail advertisingtechnology
The Mustaches behind Movember at Sherman Health
TV Ads Targeted By Geography and Demographics? | slim_pajama |
Increase in kinetic energy of a system when there is no external force
If a man starts running on a boat with an acceleration $a$ with respect to the boat, there is no external force that acts on the Boat+Man system (assuming friction due to water to be zero and neglecting air drag). But the velocity of system increases. What causes the increase in kinetic energy even if there is no external force?
I have not neglected friction between man and boat. But in boat+man system, its not an external force. Gravity does not do any work since displacement of boat is perpendicular to force due to gravity.
It does not matter that there is no external force acting on the system. The kinetic energy comes from the man running on the boat. He is turning the chemical energy in his muscles into kinetic energy. If we have an isolated system (i.e. one with no external forces and where nothing leaves or enters the system), we require energy to be conserved within that system but not the conservation of kinetic energy, which I think is what you have assumed.
Let us take an analogy. You have a car stationary on a road with no other forces present except the friction between the road and the car. The car can start its engine and drive off, increasing the kinetic energy of the system. Here the kinetic energy comes from the car's fuel which is burnt in its engine. In this case the road will in fact move (like the boat moves) but since it is attached to the earth the motion of the road is far less noticeable than that of the boat.
| stackexchange/physics |
COMMITTED
by
Carol Watson
REVISED 3/10/04
Producer: Hal Schwartz
Director: Ellie Kanner
FADE IN:
INT. BEDROOM - APARTMENT - DAY
The sweet silence of slumber. Suddenly, an alarm clock on a
nightstand SHRIEKS the operatic tones of Maria Callas.
A well-manicured hand, nails painted pink, slaps the snooze
button and mutes Maria. A few seconds reprieve.
Then, another clock, stationed on a dresser, broadcasts the
FORTISSIMO POUNDING of the "William Tell Overture." Toes,
also painted pink, swing out of bed and run to the dresser.
LETTY MAYER, late 20s and beautiful, turns off the music.
She opens a dresser drawer and surveys panties that are
arranged by color, from white to beige to black. Behind the
panties are rows of bras, also organized by color. Letty
pulls out some taupe undergarments, checks them against her
nails and replaces them in favor of a pink bra and panties.
Letty goes to her closet and removes a tailored, pink linen
suit. She lays it on the bed. Beast, her cat, jumps on the
bed and settles into the jacket. Letty swoops the animal off
her clothes and brushes cat hair from the suit.
LETTY
Listen, Beast. What have I told
you about linen?
The scolding is cut short by an "Urge Overkill" song that
SCREAMS OUT from another room. On cue, Letty heads down the
hall, dressing as she goes. She CLUCKS for Beast to follow.
INT. KITCHEN - SAME
Letty turns off the alarm clock that BLASTS "Urge Overkill"
from the counter and checks the time against her watch.
She swings open a cupboard to look at cans of cat food
arranged by type. Seafood on the left, chicken in the
middle, then, naturally, beef. Letty reaches for a can.
LETTY
(looking at Beast)
It's liver saute.
Letty considers the cat a moment, and chooses another can.
LETTY
Fine, then, chicken in gravy. But
you're going to have to eat the
liver tomorrow.
2.
INT. BATHROOM - SAME
Letty puts the finishing touches on her make-up and pulls
back her hair, plastering an errant curl into place with hair
spray. Yet another alarm clock sounds, this time BLARING the
voice of shock jocks MARK AND BRIAN.
INT. ENTRY HALL - SAME
Letty hurries down the hall and turns off the clock, which is
mounted near the front door. She bends down to kiss the cat
good-bye, grabs a briefcase and leaves.
EXT. HALLWAY - CHASEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - DAY
A school bell BUZZES. Grade-schoolers, clutching lunch
pails, scurry past Letty, who stands outside an office door.
She straightens her jacket, takes a deep breath and starts to
turn the handle.
Letty is stopped cold when CHANDRA, 7, the victim of a bloody
nose, runs up to her, bawling.
CHANDRA
Miss Mayer. Miss Mayer.
Letty looks quickly at Chandra, her watch, the door.
LETTY
(to Chandra)
Goodness, this is a bad one. Tip
your head back.
She bends down and pushes back Chandra's head. Chandra, off
balance, places one very bloody hand on Letty's jacket lapel,
staining it for all eternity.
Letty, grimacing, takes the bloody hand firmly in her own and
guides Chandra down the hall, coaxing the child as she goes.
LETTY
Come on. Pinch it, Chandra. Pinch
it.
INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE - CHASEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - LATER
PRINCIPAL GAIL LAUER, 40s, sits in uncomfortable silence with
BILL JOHANSEN, the 50-something school Superintendent. Also
present are MRS. MONTES, who is a School Board Member, and
two other BOARD MEMBERS.
Principal Gail glances at the clock. Mrs. Montes taps her
foot. Johansen clears his throat.
3.
JOHANSEN
Well, I have a full calendar today,
and I'm afraid...
The door bursts open. Letty stumbles into the room. She
clutches her briefcase to her chest, trying to cover her
blood-smeared lapel.
LETTY
Mr. Johansen, hello. I'm so sorry
I'm late. It's very nice to meet
you.
Letty continues to hug the briefcase while awkwardly bending
down to shake hands with Johansen and the others.
PRINCIPAL GAIL
The Superintendent was just getting
ready to leave.
LETTY
I do apologize. A student had a
crisis.
MRS. MONTES
A crisis, you say?
LETTY
A bloody nose...
There is no response. Letty reluctantly lowers the briefcase
and reveals the stain.
LETTY
A bloody nose of epic proportions.
Johansen smiles.
JOHANSEN
OK, Miss Mayer. Ten minutes. Wow
us.
EXT. PLAYGROUND - CHASEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - LATER
A bunch of BOYS play kickball in a haze of sawdust. Chandra
sits on a bench, clamping an ice pack to her nose. JENNY, a
limber 8-year-old, hangs upside down from the jungle gym.
Letty talks on her CELL PHONE. She glances around to monitor
her wards, eyes darting like a hawk's toward the kickball
game.
4.
LETTY
No cherry drops, Jenny.
(into the phone)
Yes, hi. I'm calling for Paul
Lascher.
(beat)
Could you tell him it's Letty?
(beat)
He can't? Um, well, tell him, tell
him that they went for my math
idea. Thanks.
Letty dials again. She sees two boys fighting over the ball
and moves in to break them up.
LETTY
(to boys)
Not so rough, guys.
(into phone)
Mom? Hi. You'll never guess
what...I've got the best news.
(beat)
No, about work. How about dinner?
Brawl averted, out of the corner of her eye, Letty catches
Jenny make the daring Cherry Drop back flip off the bar. She
blows a series of ANGRY, STACCATO NOTES on her whistle.
LETTY
(to Jenny)
You're in trouble, young lady.
(into the phone)
I know, Mom. But it's the only
place I can call from.
(beat)
Can you tell Ruth about dinner?
(beat)
Paul's fine, just fine.
The class bell BUZZES.
LETTY
Got to go, Mom. The monsters call.
INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Tuxedoed waiters glide through the tony restaurant, where the
patrons dare speak only in hushed tones. Letty sits sipping
wine with her mother, MRS. MARTHA MAYER, immaculate in a
cream suit, young looking for her 50-odd years.
5.
Letty's sister RUTH--early 20s and pretty, with flyaway hair
and an ever-present smile--bounds into the restaurant, oozing
happiness. Letty discretely waves her over.
RUTH
Sorry I'm late.
Letty pours her a glass of wine.
MRS. MAYER
Letty was just getting ready to
tell me her good news.
RUTH
(to Letty)
Tell, tell.
MRS. MAYER
(leaning toward Letty)
Letty, dear, is that a cat hair on
your blouse?
Letty removes the nasty hair from her blouse.
LETTY
So, I got the district to approve
my after-school math program.
Ruth smiles at her, but vacantly.
MRS. MAYER
How wonderful, darling.
(beat)
What does that mean for you?
LETTY
I'll be running it three days a
week, and...
MRS. MAYER
Will you get time off to do that?
LETTY
Not now, but maybe later, if they
like the program.
Ruth stares around the restaurant, a shit-eating grin
plastered across her face.
LETTY
(to Ruth)
What's up with you?
6.
RUTH
Me? Nothing. Tell me more about
the job.
MRS. MAYER
(to Ruth)
Not a job, a promotion.
LETTY
No, Mom, it's more of a prestige
thing.
RUTH
Mmmmmmm.
Letty passes her hand in front of Ruth's eyes.
LETTY
Ruth. Calling Ruth.
RUTH
(laughing)
Sorry.
LETTY
Just go ahead and tell us.
RUTH
There's nothing to tell.
MRS. MAYER
(to Ruth)
Are you sure, Dear?
LETTY
Come on.
RUTH
No, really. Tell me about the
promotion.
LETTY
Well, my theory is that people can
really enjoy math, but they lose
interest...
Ruth can't hold it a moment longer without bursting.
RUTH
(almost screaming)
I'm getting married.
7.
Mrs. Mayer's eyes immediately fill with tears. Ruth leaps up
and hugs her mother. Other diners glance toward the table.
One WOMAN IN THE RESTAURANT taps the side of her glass with
her fork and raises a silent toast to Ruth. Other DINERS
follow suit. Ruth grins back and starts to giggle.
MRS. MAYER
I'm so happy for you. It's just
wonderful.
Mrs. Mayer dabs her eyes with her napkin.
MRS. MAYER
My goodness. A wedding. My
goodness.
LETTY
Wow. Congratulations.
Ruth dashes around the table to embrace the stunned Letty.
RUTH
(to Letty)
Can you believe it?
Ruth sits back down and pulls a gorgeous ring from her purse.
She slips it on and wiggles her finger in front of Letty and
her mother, who peers at it with approval.
MRS. MAYER
Tell us every detail.
LETTY
You've only known Jake a few
months.
RUTH
Three and a week.
(screaming again)
Isn't it great?
MRS. MAYER
My goodness. What about an
engagement party? We must start
planning.
(signaling a waiter)
Champagne. Girls, we need some
champagne.
Off Letty's frozen smile, we
CUT TO:
8.
INT. BEDROOM - LETTY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Letty's in bed, drawing a giant multiplication chart. PAUL
LASCHER, early 30s, handsome in a corporate way, shrugs off
his expensive suit.
He opens a drawer of Letty's dresser, and removes a neatly
pressed T-shirt. He smooths out another shirt he has
accidently rumpled in the process.
PAUL
So, another one bites the dust.
LETTY
It's not another one. It's my
sister.
(beat)
Aren't you happy for her?
PAUL
She's only known the guy a few
months.
Paul lays his folded trousers across Letty's desk.
PAUL
Can I put these here for tonight?
LETTY
(pointing to the closet)
In there's better.
(beat)
It's kind of romantic, don't you
think?
PAUL
I really think if you're going to
spend your life with someone you
want to know them pretty damn well.
Paul sits on the bed, and leans against a pillow.
LETTY
Believe me, I know your feelings on
the matter.
PAUL
The receptionist said you called
earlier about something.
Letty holds up her multiplication chart and shows it to Paul.
9.
LETTY
My math program. The
Superintendent said he'd fund it.
PAUL
Good going. I knew you could do
it.
Paul kisses Letty on the cheek.
PAUL
It looks like we're both bucking
for advancement.
LETTY
Yeah?
PAUL
Huntley told me today that if I
come through on the Benton
deposition, they may consider me
for senior associate.
Letty hugs Paul.
LETTY
Congratulations. We should
celebrate.
PAUL
I was thinking dinner on Friday
with James and Meg at the Saint
Mark.
LETTY
I mean tonight.
Letty sensually caresses his shoulders.
LETTY
Like right now...
PAUL
Actually, I need to review the
deposition questions tonight.
Maybe tomorrow?
LETTY
Oh, ok. Maybe.
10.
PAUL
But I thought if you don't mind,
you could listen and see how I come
across?
LETTY
(beat)
Sure. Of course.
Letty continues coloring her multiplication chart.
PAUL
Letty, please, I need your full
attention.
Letty puts the chart down and sits up straighter.
LETTY
Let me have it.
INT. CLASSROOM - CHASEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - DAY
Letty rubs her eyes with fatigue. Bobby stands next to her
holding a crumpled paper bag.
BOBBY
My dog ate my turtle, and the shell
went crunch. I brought it for show-
and-tell.
The children perk up at this news.
LETTY
I’m sorry about your turtle Bobby,
but you know we only have show-and-
tell on Mondays. Today, we're
scheduled for grammar.
BOBBY
But my mom says I have to throw it
away tonight.
Bobby opens the bag. He reaches in to remove the turtle. The
children TITTER. Letty's on him in a second.
LETTY
Don't even think about it.
She grabs the bag. From outside, there is a KNOCK. Letty
and the students look toward the window.
It's Ruth. She's been crying. She waves to Letty. Chandra
waves back at Ruth.
11.
Letty puts up her finger to signal "just a minute" to Ruth.
She sets the turtle bag on Bobby's desk.
LETTY
Class, why don't you...
Ruth knocks on the glass again. Letty glances at her
distraught sister and walks quickly toward the door.
LETTY
(to class)
You guys pull out your verb sheets
and review them.
Letty leaves the room. The class watches through the window
as Ruth throws her sobbing self into Letty's arms.
EXT. HALLWAY - CHASEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - SAME
RUTH
She says she won't even come if Dad
brings Monica.
LETTY
Mom won't miss your wedding.
She'll come around. I promise she
will.
Letty glances through the window at her classroom, where
Bobby waves the turtle over his head.
RUTH
How?
LETTY
I'll talk to her, and to Dad, too.
(beat)
A few wisely-chosen guilt tactics
and they'll be ours.
RUTH
Maybe if we had them both to dinner
or something.
Letty looks again at the classroom, where the students are
lobbing the turtle back and forth.
LETTY
Maybe.
RUTH
You always throw the best dinner
parties, Letty.
12.
Letty's attention snaps back to Ruth.
LETTY
Oh, wait a minute, now I see where
you're going.
RUTH
Please, Letty.
LETTY
Mom and Dad? At dinner together?
Are you crazy?
Ruth starts to sob--big, loud, air-gulping sobs. Letty pats
her shoulder.
LETTY
Maybe, though. Maybe it would
work. I could throw you an
engagement party maybe.
RUTH
Really?
Principal Gail, trolling the halls, spies Letty with Ruth.
She dispatches a stern look in Letty's direction.
LETTY
(nodding toward Gail)
You know what, Ruthie? I better get
back to my class, OK?
RUTH
And the party?
LETTY
Yeah, it'll be fun.
Ruth grabs Letty in another hug.
RUTH
Thank you so much.
INT. CLASSROOM - SAME
Letty strides into the classroom, pulls the turtle away from
Bobby and drops it in the trash.
LETTY
Who can come up here and give me a
sentence with a "to be" verb in it?
13.
ZACH
Who was that girl?
LETTY
Come on up, Zach.
Zach approaches the board and begins to write, "I am..." He
doesn't get any further before Letty cuts him off.
LETTY
Neater, Zach.
Zach begins again, but Letty stops him when he reaches "am."
LETTY
Zach, you know the line by the "a"
has to come straight down or it
looks like an "o."
Zach looks back toward his classmates for help.
LETTY
What's wrong, Zach?
Letty picks up a piece of chalk and writes an "a." She
erases it furiously and works at it until the "a" is perfect.
LETTY
Try again, Zach. Like that.
Letty jabs at the board with a piece of chalk. Zach freezes.
He sees Letty's shoes, her arm, her contorted face, and,
above all else, that perfect “a” staring right back down at
him.
Letty grips Zach’s arm, guiding the chalk to form what looks
like a pretty good “a.”
LETTY
I don't believe it. You still
can't do it.
ZACH
I'm sorry, OK, Miss Mayer?
LETTY
No, it's not OK. You'll never get
to college on OK.
Letty's fingers press into Zach's arm. A tear slides
ominously down his cheek.
14.
LETTY
It has to be good, Zach. Do you
understand me?
Zach wrests free of Letty. He's in full cry now. He backs
away, stumbles, then makes a run for his seat. Bobby
SNICKERS at Zach's misfortune. Other children glance around,
unsure, confused.
Letty looks vacantly at the children, stares at the board and
looks at the children again.
She sits down at her desk and buries her face in her hands.
Letty's fists, clenched at first, slowly relax. She takes a
deep breath and raises her head.
LETTY
I'm very, very sorry, Zach.
Zach continues to cry. Letty looks down at her desk. She
grabs a piece of construction paper and a jar of paste.
LETTY
You know what, guys? Wednesday's
not a grammar day. It's a collage
day. It's a collage ON THE WALL
day.
Letty jumps up. She slaps the paper on the wall with some
paste. She motions for the students to join her.
The children slowly approach her. Zach lags behind.
LETTY
And, Zach? Zach, I want you to be
in charge of paste.
INT. BEDROOM - LETTY'S APARTMENT - DAY
Letty lies in bed. The alarm clock BLASTS opera. Letty
fumbles for the switch. She can't turn it off. She yanks
out the cord.
Letty gets out of bed, walks to the dresser and turns off the
second clock before it rings. She goes to the KITCHEN and
snaps off the alarm, then heads down the HALLWAY and shuts
that alarm off, as well.
Letty hurries back to her BEDROOM and crawls into bed. Paul,
toweling his hair dry, walks in.
15.
(MORE)PAUL
What are you doing? You're going
to be late.
LETTY
I'm calling in sick.
Paul sits on the bed and puts his hand to Letty's forehead.
PAUL
You don't have a fever.
LETTY
I don't feel like going to work
today.
PAUL
Won't it be hard for them to get a
substitute this late?
LETTY
It'll be OK.
PAUL
But what about that math project?
LETTY
Paul, I just can't go. Is that OK
with you or am I committing some
horrible crime?
PAUL
Forget I asked.
LETTY
I'm sorry.
(beat)
I'm just...I'm so tired lately.
PAUL
Maybe you ought to see a doctor.
LETTY
No, it's not like that.
Letty starts to cry.
LETTY
It's just I've got those parent
conferences, and I'm supposed to
set up the math program by next
week. 16.
LETTY(cont'd)
And shopping for Ruth's dress and
that, that engagement dinner.
PAUL
You can get out of the dinner.
LETTY
No, I can't. I've already
convinced both Mom and Dad to come.
PAUL
Come on, Letty. It'll get done.
Paul touches Letty's shoulder. She pulls away from him.
LETTY
I don't think so.
PAUL
Of course it will. Remember the
big talent show you planned last
year? And what about the Christmas
benefit when Santa canceled at the
last minute? But you still pulled
it off.
LETTY
Yeah.
PAUL
You just need to get more
organized.
LETTY
Maybe.
PAUL
Let's make a list of the things you
need to do, OK?
Letty nods her head, and Paul grabs a legal pad from his
briefcase.
INT. CLASSROOM - CHASEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - NIGHT
MR. and MRS. ANDERSON, over-eager parents, sit across the
desk from Letty, who stares at the legal pad in her lap. As
the Andersons talk, Letty twists a lock of hair tighter and
tighter.
MRS. ANDERSON
So at home, we've started our own
little library for Chandra.
17.
MR. ANDERSON
We thought it would be a good
project for her to set up her own
card-catalogue.
LETTY
I see.
Letty tries unsuccessfully to extricate her hand from her
hair.
MRS. ANDERSON
But what I'm wondering is whether
we should also be spending more
time on her computer skills at
home. What do you think?
LETTY
Well...
MR. ANDERSON
Because we don't want her to get
behind her classmates.
MRS. ANDERSON
And we trust your opinion.
Chandra's always talking about Miss
Mayer.
LETTY
Oh.
MR. ANDERSON
Just the other day she came home
and told us about you taking care
of her bloody nose.
MRS. ANDERSON
And she went on and on about the
collage. That seems very
inventive, Miss Mayer.
Letty stares blankly at the couple.
MR. ANDERSON
Miss Mayer?
LETTY
What the fuck. It's my job.
Off Mr. Anderson's raised eyebrow, we
CUT TO:
18.
INT. LIVING ROOM - LETTY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The room is a mess of scattered papers and the math Twister
game. Letty sits on the ground crying. She makes a pyramid
out of the wadded-up tissues that surround her.
INT. BRIDAL SHOP - DAY
The upscale shop is festooned with pastels and lace and lots
of signs announcing "Sale Day." Frenzied women pick through
dresses as "Pachelbel's Canon" plays in the background.
Letty is wedged into a corner, sipping coffee. A CLERK
approaches her with a coffee pot and tray of pastries.
CLERK
More coffee?
LETTY
Hit me.
CLERK
Danish?
LETTY
(rooting through the tray)
No more bear claws left?
Ruth bounces into the shop.
CLERK
(to Ruth)
Danish?
RUTH
Oh, no thanks, I'm too excited to
eat.
The clerk gives Ruth an approving smile as Letty rips into a
sweet roll. Ruth looks through a nearby rack of gowns.
RUTH
(to Letty)
Where's Mommy?
LETTY
Do you have to call her Mommy?
RUTH
Where's the old bag I sometimes
call Mommy?
19.
LETTY
She said she'd be here at 10.
Ruth pulls a dress from the rack and holds it up.
RUTH
What do you think of this one?
LETTY
I'd have to see it on.
Ruth looks closer at Letty.
RUTH
Have you been crying? Your eyes
are all puffy.
Letty self-consciously touches her eyes.
LETTY
Things have been kind of stressful
lately.
RUTH
But everything's OK?
Ruth is trying on a veil at this point.
LETTY
Yeah, everything's under control.
RUTH
What about the engagement party?
LETTY
Everything's ready for tomorrow
night--except the artillery.
RUTH
Thanks so much for planning it,
Letty. Jake's really looking
forward to it.
Letty sighs, moves to the racks and pulls out a dress.
LETTY
You better start trying on before
the vultures get all the good ones.
INT. DRESSING ROOM - LATER
Ruth twirls around in a taffeta gown as Letty picks up
discarded dresses from the floor and hangs them up.
20.
RUTH
What about this one?
LETTY
(with sisterly pride)
You look beautiful.
RUTH
Really?
LETTY
Truly.
Martha Mayer is led in by the clerk.
LETTY
Hi, Mom.
RUTH
Look, Mom, I think I've found the
dress.
MRS. MAYER
You look just wonderful, Ruthie.
But I really think you should try
on a few more, don't you?
Letty and Ruth shoot each other a look of doom.
INT. BRIDAL SHOP - LATER
A bedraggled Letty and her mother fight the crowds to look at
dresses. They are bumped and jostled from all sides.
MRS. MAYER
Has Paul heard about his promotion?
LETTY
No, not yet. But you know Paul.
He's sure to get it.
Ruth comes out of the dressing room in another gown.
MRS. MAYER
I don't like the bias cut on that
one.
Mrs. Mayer holds up an ornate dress.
RUTH
No more. I can't stand to try on
one more dress.
21.
MRS. MAYER
Letty, I think this would be
beautiful on you.
LETTY
Oh no.
MRS. MAYER
Paul could pop the question at any
time.
LETTY
Mom, please.
MRS. MAYER
Especially with a promotion in the
offing.
RUTH
Go on, Letty. I want to see it on
you.
LETTY
(to Ruth)
Do you think I should?
RUTH
Yes, yes. It'll be fun.
Letty takes the gown and disappears into the dressing room.
INT. BRIDAL SHOP - LATER
Letty emerges from the dressing room.
LETTY
Mom? Mom? Ruth?
Letty peers around the corner, becoming a tad frantic. But
neither her mother nor Ruth is to be found. It's just Letty,
resplendent in ecru satin.
CLERK
I think they went over to the next
shop to take a peek at shoes.
Letty pushes back her veil, sits down on the floor and takes
a sip of her now-cold coffee.
22.
INT. LETTY'S LIVING/DINING ROOM - EVENING
A "House and Garden" picture of elegance. Letty, Paul, Ruth
and Jake stand at nervous attention, decked out in their
Sunday best.
A KNOCK marks the first arrival. Letty opens the door to her
mother, who does a quick reconnaissance of the room.
MRS. MAYER
I gather he's late as usual.
LETTY
(to her mother)
Can I get you a glass of champagne?
The doorbell RINGS. Letty greets her father, a mid 50s
business type, and his wife MONICA, a younger version of
Letty's mother.
LETTY
Hi, Dad, Monica. I'm so glad you
could come.
Suddenly, the parents are face-to-face, Letty standing
between them.
LETTY
Mom, this is Monica. Monica, my
mother, Martha.
The two Mrs. Mayers make appropriate MURMURS. Letty's
parents stare each other down. Ruth shifts from foot to foot.
Silence falls in the room with a thump.
LETTY
Dad, Mother, you've met before,
right?
Ruth takes a dramatic gulp of air. The evening hangs in the
balance. Finally,
MR. MAYER
How've you been, Martha?
INT. LIVING ROOM - LETTY'S APARTMENT - LATER
Mr. Mayer and Monica cozy up to each other on the love seat
while Mrs. Mayer, Ruth and Paul sit on the opposite couch.
Letty passes hors d'oeuvres, and Jake doles out napkins.
23.
LETTY
It's mushroom-time, folks.
MR. MAYER
(biting into one)
I like the touch of cilantro. It is
cilantro, isn't it?
LETTY
You can always call it, Dad.
MONICA
You must get your cooking skills
from your father, Letty.
Uncomfortable silence falls on the party. Monica wipes the
edge of Mr. Mayer's mouth with her napkin.
LETTY
Ruth's narrowed the dress hunt down
to two, Dad.
MR. MAYER
Tell me about them.
RUTH
One's a silk...
MRS. MAYER
Not in front of Jake, Ruthie. It's
bad luck.
Ruth looks at Letty nervously.
MONICA
I remember how hard it was looking
for my dress. I must have been to
100 stores.
Mrs. Mayer clears her throat. More silence.
LETTY
You know what I think we need?
Martinis. How about martinis to
celebrate?
PAUL
Yes.
MRS. MAYER
That might be nice.
24.
MR. MAYER
As long as you have...
LETTY
Puglia olives. Would I forget?
(beat)
A round of martinis coming right
up.
Letty leaves with Paul hot on her heels.
INT. KITCHEN - SAME
Letty shakes the martinis while Paul gets out the glasses.
Ruth enters the kitchen and sidles up to Letty.
RUTH
How can I help?
LETTY
Paul, can you hand me the olives?
Ruth, I need you to, what was it?
RUTH
What about the souffle? Has that
gone in?
LETTY
Yeah, I just put it in. But the
squab, I think that needs to be
basted.
Paul hands Letty the olive bottle.
PAUL
(to Ruth)
Kind of icy in there.
RUTH
(to Paul)
Thank God we have alcohol.
Letty skewers olives and puts them in the martinis. Bits of
fleck rise from the olives, then swim to the tops of the
glasses.
LETTY
Fuck me.
RUTH
What's the matter?
Letty grabs the olive bottle.
25.
PAUL
Letty?
Letty stands still, fixated on the olive bottle.
PAUL
Let?
LETTY
Olives Aux Herbes De Provence. I
got the wrong kind of olives.
Ruth holds up a glass.
RUTH
What's all the dreck?
LETTY
Sage, rosemary...
(in a sarcastic French
accent)
Les Herbes.
RUTH
It'll be fine.
LETTY
No, no. They've got to be Puglia
olives, packed in a light brine
with a flavor that doesn't
overpower the palate.
Jake enters. The three turn on him.
LETTY/PAUL/RUTH
You can't leave them alone./Get
back in there./Are you nuts?
Jake whirls around and exits.
Letty looks for olives, banging open the cupboards one after
the other. Quicker and quicker. More and more frantic.
INT. LIVING ROOM - SAME
Jake, Mr. Mayer, Monica and Mrs. Mayer stare at each other,
listening with alarm to the wild slamming of cupboards in the
kitchen.
JAKE
What do you think of those Lakers?
26.
INT. KITCHEN - SAME
Letty paws through her purse.
PAUL
What are you doing?
LETTY
(wild-eyed)
Can you loan me a 20?
PAUL
Sure. Why?
LETTY
I'm going to the store.
PAUL
I think you're overreacting.
Letty turns her best school marm look on Paul. He hands over
a crisp bill.
RUTH
Letty, dinner's almost ready. The
souffle...
LETTY
I'll be back before you can say
souffle.
Letty leaves from the kitchen's back door. Ruth heads to the
living room. Paul leans wearily against the counter,
savoring one of the herb-filled martinis.
INT. GROCERY STORE - NIGHT
Fluorescent lights beat down on Letty. She races through the
aisles. She clutches her keys in one hand, a $20 bill in the
other. Letty careens around a corner. At the last second,
she avoids smacking into another shopper. She stops.
LETTY'S POV:
Shelf after shelf of olives...black olives...all black.
BACK TO SCENE:
Letty darts up and down the aisle, searching, searching.
Nothing.
27.
Letty scurries to the front of the store. She taps a STORE
CLERK on the shoulder. Six people waiting in line mutter,
annoyed.
LETTY
I can't find martini olives. All
you have are black.
STORE CLERK
(without looking up)
Aisle 2A.
Letty whips down an aisle. She starts to sweat.
An OLD LADY blocks her path.
OLD LADY
Excuse me, Miss. I can't reach the
cat food.
Letty pauses. She reaches up and hands the woman a can of
food.
OLD LADY
And a turkey and giblets, too,
please. She does like her turkey.
Letty grabs another can, throws it in the Old Lady's cart and
darts away while the Old Lady continues to talk.
LETTY'S POV:
The sign for Aisle 2A. Olives. Lots of them. Green. All
shapes. All sizes.
BACK TO SCENE:
Letty's shoulders relax. She scans the shelf.
LETTY's POV:
Labels of olives: big, small, with pimentos, without. None
from Puglia, Italy.
BACK TO SCENE:
Letty zooms back to the front of the store. To the clerk.
LETTY
They're not there. I need the ones
from Puglia.
28.
She gets no response from the clerk, who counts change for a
customer. Letty gestures wildly with her hands.
LETTY
They're the ones that are packed in
brine, but they don't overpower
the, you know, the palate.
STORE CLERK
(without looking up)
Specialty foods. 7B.
Letty's off again. To the land of pink peppercorns,
dehydrated mushrooms and Chinese 5-Spice. But no olives.
Not a single bottle.
Letty paws through the shelves, knocking things over as she
scours the aisle. She is oblivious to the mess that
surrounds her.
An EMPLOYEE with a price checker walks half-way down the
aisle. He spots Letty and rushes away.
LETTY
Where are they? Where are they?
More and more items crash to the ground. Letty is beyond
frenzied.
EMPLOYEE (OS FILTERED)
Manager to 7B. Manager please.
LETTY
Where are they?
Letty pounds her fist against the shelf. More goods fall.
Shoppers stare. The Manager rushes toward Letty.
MANAGER
What's wrong, Miss?
LETTY
Tell me where they are.
She gestures. She knocks over a bottle of fat-free
Lingonberry preserves. It crashes to the floor, spewing jam.
MANAGER
I think you should go now.
LETTY
I need my olives.
29.
MANAGER
It's time to leave.
The Manager places his hand on the small of Letty's back as
if to guide her out of the store. Letty backs away. The
manager grabs hold of her wrist.
Letty whacks him in the shoulder with her free hand. She
pushes him away. Hard. He staggers against the opposite
shelf.
Customers and employees gather at both ends of the aisle,
riveted by the spectacle.
MANAGER
Call security. Where's security,
please?
Letty takes her arm and slides a shelf-full of products onto
the floor. They crash and break. She screams.
LETTY
Fucking olives. Fucking, fucking
olives.
Two SECURITY GUARDS turn the corner. Letty spots them. One
creeps closer.
LETTY
No, no, no. Go away.
Guard One continues to approach, cooing encouragingly. Letty
throws a jar at him. It clips him in the head. He turns
away, bleeding. Guard Two pulls out a billy club.
MANAGER
(yelling)
Call police. Now.
Letty stops. Dazed. She turns around. Guard Two walks toward
her. His stance suggests he's stalking a wild animal.
Letty tries to brush off the jam that dribbles down her
skirt. She looks to both ends of the aisle.
LETTY'S POV:
Faces, dozens and dozens of faces, stare down at her. People
point. One boy LAUGHS.
BACK TO SCENE:
30.
Letty backs against the shelf. She slides down it until she
is sitting on the floor. She buries her head in her knees,
sobbing.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. LETTY'S ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
The room is furnished like a Hyatt Hotel minus anything you
might use to kill yourself. Letty sleeps.
MICHAEL, mid 30's, in jeans and T-shirt, sits in a chair next
to the bed. He looks intently at Letty, checks his watch and
taps her on the shoulder. She stirs.
MICHAEL
Miss Mayer? Miss Mayer?
LETTY'S POV:
Everything's a morning blur. Gradually, items come into
focus -- the intercom for the nurse, the door with a window
in it, the three tissue boxes on the bedside table. It's a
hospital, all right. Letty's vision is filled suddenly by
Michael's concerned face peering into hers.
BACK TO SCENE:
MICHAEL
I know you've had a rough night,
but I have a few questions for you,
Miss Mayer, or Letitia.
Letty pulls herself up to a sitting position.
MICHAEL
Do you mind if I call you Letitia?
LETTY
Letty.
MICHAEL
(consulting his notes)
First off, Letty, can you tell me
where you are?
LETTY
I answered these questions last
night.
31.
MICHAEL
I know this can be a real drag, but
the attending physician on day
shift is required to do his own
prelim exam when a patient is
admitted during the night.
LETTY
Hillview Psychiatric Hospital.
MICHAEL
Great. Now, Letty, I'd like you to
remember three items. I'm going to
ask you to repeat them in just a
few minutes. They are chair, cup
and ball. Did you get that?
Letty nods.
MICHAEL
OK, let's subtract 6 from a
succession of numbers starting with
91.
LETTY
85.
MICHAEL
And 85 minus 6?
LETTY
59.
Michael waits.
LETTY
No, 79. Sorry, this makes me
nervous.
MICHAEL
It's OK. It's not a pass-fail kind
of thing.
Letty smiles uncomfortably.
MICHAEL
Now the three things I asked you to
remember.
LETTY
Chair, cup and ball.
32.
MICHAEL
Terrific.
Letty smiles, a real smile this time.
MICHAEL
Let me shift gears here a minute...
(beat)
Do you ever hear voices that other
people don't hear or see things
they don't?
LETTY
No.
MICHAEL
What about patterns? Do you find
yourself checking and re-checking
locks? Or washing your hands over
and over again?
Letty shakes her head "no."
MICHAEL
How about arranging your
possessions in a certain way?
Letty pauses.
MICHAEL
Yes? Go right ahead.
LETTY
Sometimes my food, and my clothes,
and my underwear.
Michael leans closer.
MICHAEL
How do you sort it--by lace and
cotton?
LETTY
By color.
MICHAEL
What if it's got a pattern?
LETTY
Is this really important? Because
I don't think it's a problem.
33.
MICHAEL
I see.
(looking at his notes)
How long has it been since you've
done something you've enjoyed,
Letty?
LETTY
(beat)
A while, I guess.
MICHAEL
That must be really difficult.
Letty tears up. Michael puts his hand lightly on her arm.
MICHAEL
Hey, it'll be OK. We'll make sure
of that.
Letty gives him an appreciative look.
MICHAEL
For now, why don't you just take it
easy while I confer with my
colleagues. A nurse should be in
shortly.
INT. LETTY'S ROOM - LATER
Letty, dressed and made up, sits rigidly on the bed. She
writes in her organizer. DR. ROBERT EMLEE, early 40s and in
jeans, enters with his own organizer.
DR. EMLEE
Hello, Letitia. I'm Dr. Emlee, and
I have some questions to ask you...
LETTY
I did this already.
DR. EMLEE
It's hospital policy...
LETTY
To be interviewed every hour?
DR. EMLEE
I'm the only doctor making rounds
this morning.
34.
LETTY
Well, I don't have hallucinations.
Honest.
DR. EMLEE
This doctor, was he tall, with dark
hair?
LETTY
Yeah, and a dimple.
Dr. Emlee shifts uncomfortably.
DR. EMLEE
I'm afraid he's not a doctor.
LETTY
Psychologist, therapist, whatever.
DR. EMLEE
Patient.
LETTY
What?
DR. EMLEE
Michael, the man who came to see
you, is a patient.
LETTY
What kind of place is this?
DR. EMLEE
I apologize for the inconvenience,
but I must ask you some...
LETTY
I want to see my mother
immediately.
DR. EMLEE
We discourage family visits for the
first 48 hours after an emotional
trauma like the kind you've
experienced.
LETTY
I don't think you understand. I
won't wait.
35.
DR. EMLEE
You'll have to. Your family agreed
to the conditions not to see you
when they admitted you to Hillview,
Letitia.
(beat)
We can talk about how that makes
you feel, but we can't change the
rules.
Letty sinks back on her pillows, the wind knocked out of her.
DR. EMLEE
Dr. Stone's evaluation from last
night indicates you're experiencing
a great deal of anxiety, probably
related to depression...
LETTY'S POV:
Dr. Emlee continues to talk. His words become more and more
distant as the RINGING in Letty's head grows louder.
DR. EMLEE
We need to talk about starting you
on drug therapy. Most depressive
personalities benefit from a drug
like Prozac or maybe Zoloft...
CUT TO:
INT. REC ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - SAME
It's a bigger version of a waiting room you'd find in a
doctor's office. And it has more games.
Some patients watch television. Others play pool. Several
form a group around Michael, who holds the same notebook he
used in his session with Letty. JOHN, unkempt in a bathrobe,
hands him a few ratty dollar bills.
JOHN
I'm in for 5 for manic depressive.
THOMAS, late 40s and in a suit, waves a $5 bill at Michael.
THOMAS
I'll go with that as well.
Michael takes the money, and turns to MARIE, late 30s.
36.
MARIE
(to John and Thomas)
You two always bet manic
depressive.
(to Michael)
Tell me more about the guard she
strangled.
MICHAEL
No, just hit in the head.
JOHN
What about voices? Does she hear
voices?
MICHAEL
Not that she admits to.
MARIE
Is she a washer?
MICHAEL
No, but she is exceptionally
organized.
THOMAS
How organized?
MICHAEL
She arranges her underwear by
color.
Michael motions to MRS. HALLSTROM, mid 50s, who shuffles by.
MICHAEL
Mrs. Hallstrom, you want in?
MRS. HALLSTROM
All tapped out.
MICHAEL
I'll float you.
Mrs. Hallstrom keeps walking.
MARIE
(to Michael)
It's been weeks since she played.
MICHAEL
What about you, Marie?
37.
MARIE
(handing Michael a $20
bill)
I'll say major depression
complicated by obsessive compulsive
disorder.
(beat)
And could I get my change in ones?
INT. HALLWAY - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Letty lags behind NURSE GATES, early 30s and in civilian
clothes, as they walk down the hall.
NURSE GATES
Treatment schedules are posted on
the bulletin board. Dinner at 6,
lights out at 10 and no
fraternizing between patients.
Letty nods.
NURSE GATES
(pointing as she goes)
That's the rec room. We show
movies there on Wednesdays and
Fridays...And this is the dining
hall.
Letty stops in her tracks at the sight of the room, an
upscale version of a college cafeteria. Groups of people eat
and talk. A paper airplane sails from one table to another.
LETTY
I'm really not that hungry.
NURSE GATES
Just eat whatever you want. This
will give you a chance to meet some
people.
LETTY
You know, my mom's coming to get me
tomorrow. I'll be leaving.
NURSE GATES
It's OK, Letty. I'll be right here
with you.
INT. DINING HALL - SAME
Nurse Gates guides Letty to a table where John, Mrs.
Hallstrom, Marie and Thomas sit.
38.
THOMAS
So I said to my publisher this
afternoon, I said, don't you even--
NURSE GATES
(interrupts)
Hi, gang. I want to introduce you
to Letty.
(to Letty)
Letty, this is Mrs. Hallstrom and
Marie, and John and Thomas.
THOMAS
(to Letty)
Just discussing my pesky publisher.
May I ask what you do when you're
not vacationing?
MARIE
(to Thomas)
Let the poor girl get some food,
for Heaven's sake.
LETTY
I'm a teacher.
THOMAS
As you may have gathered, I'm a
writer.
John snorts. Thomas ignores him. Mrs. Hallstrom stares down
at her plate.
THOMAS
I don't like to say novelist. That
sounds a little grandiose, but I am
on my third novel and...
NURSE GATES
Excuse me for interrupting, Thomas,
but we really should get some
food...
Nurse Gates leads Letty to a table, and hands her a plate.
Letty looks up to see Michael at the other end of the table,
doing a card trick for two OTHER PATIENTS.
MICHAEL
(to patients)
Now I'm going to say that the card
you picked was the Ace of Spades.
39.
(MORE)He flips the top card up and it's the Ace of Spades. The
patients chortle.
NURSE GATES
Michael.
Michael turns toward the nurse.
NURSE GATES
Michael, this is Letty. She just
arrived yesterday.
Letty stares at Michael coldly.
LETTY
We've met.
(to Michael)
I missed you during rounds this
morning.
Letty turns and leaves, carrying her empty plate with her.
NURSE GATES
(to Michael)
This doctor thing has got to stop.
Nurses Gates hurries after Letty.
EXT. HALLWAY - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Letty stands outside the waiting room door. She tucks her
blouse into her jeans and enters.
INT. WAITING ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Letty's mother sits on the edge of a couch in a room that
looks much like the library of an English country manor. She
springs up as soon as she spots Letty. They rush to each
other. Letty's mother strokes her hair.
MRS. MAYER
I'm here, Sweetheart. I'm here.
It's going to be OK.
LETTY
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
MRS. MAYER
Oh, Letty, what happened?
LETTY
Mom, I was there, and I just, I was
so... 40.
LETTY(cont'd)
They didn't have the olives, and I,
I got so upset. I don't know how it
happened.
MRS. MAYER
I've talked to Doctor Emlee, and he
says...
LETTY
I'm so glad to see you. You can't
believe the people in here.
They've got patients posing as
doctors...
MRS. MAYER
Everyone says it's the best
facility in the area for this sort
of thing.
LETTY
I just want to go home. Can we go
home now?
MRS. MAYER
I think the best thing for you
right now is to stay here and get
well.
LETTY
Maybe I should talk about this with
Ruth, or Paul.
MRS. MAYER
We all agree with the doctor, Dear.
He thinks it's safer for you to
stay here for a while.
Letty listens, waits, can't absorb it.
LETTY
You all really think I need to be
here?
MRS. MAYER
Yes.
LETTY
But what about Beast? Who'll...?
MRS. MAYER
Ruth's already taken him home.
41.
LETTY
And my class. It'll be hard to
find a good substitute. And what
about my math program?
MRS. MAYER
Paul said he'd call the school.
(beat)
And your father thinks he's
convinced the guard not to press
charges as long as you get help.
LETTY
Charges?
MRS. MAYER
For his injuries. I guess you...I
guess he got hit in the head.
Mrs. Mayer holds out a duffel bag to Letty.
MRS. MAYER
I packed up some of your clothes,
and I can bring whatever else you
need.
Letty refuses to accept the duffel bag. Her mother sets it
on the floor and stands. Letty is five again.
LETTY
Mom, no, please don't go. Please.
Letty's mother holds her. Mrs. Mayer, crying, pulls away
from Letty. She kisses her daughter on the cheek.
MRS. MAYER
I'll see you soon.
LETTY
Tomorrow?
MRS. MAYER
As soon as Dr. Emlee says.
Letty's mother walks out the door. Letty stares after her.
INT. LETTY'S ROOM - NIGHT
Letty, crying, unpacks her duffel bag, laboriously smoothing
and refolding every item she puts in the drawer.
Finishing her task, Letty goes to the mirror and stares at
her reflection. Finally, she fixes her makeup.
42.
Letty leaves her room. We follow her FOOTSTEPS down the
hallway. In the distance, Letty sees the Rec Room. She
hears the CLAMOR of voices. Every step is agony.
Letty stops herself just before entering, trying to collect
herself.
MICHAEL (O.S.)
Four people bet OCD and clinical
depression so I split the pool.
JOHN (O.S.)
Yeah, her diagnosis was no mystery.
MARIE
Especially the OCD.
Sick realization spreads over Letty's face.
JOHN (O.S.)
Fuck, I mean, anyone who color-
codes her panties has big problems.
Letty freezes. Michael rounds the corner. He stops when he
sees her, falters, recovers his composure.
MICHAEL
Hey there. They're showing
"Groundhog Day" if you...
LETTY
You took bets on my diagnosis?
MICHAEL
It's no big deal. We all compare.
LETTY
(voice rising)
Who do you think you are?
INT. REC ROOM - SAME
Patients are grouped in front of the TV, watching Bill
Murray. Heads turn as they hear shouting in the hallway.
Not even a moment's hesitation before, one by one, they get
up and hurry to the hall. Only Mrs. Hallstrom remains.
INT. HALLWAY - SAME
John, Marie and others gather around the fighters.
MICHAEL
Don't take it personally.
43.
LETTY
You have no right, no right to take
the worst thing that's ever
happened to me and make it into
some kind of game.
MICHAEL
Stop acting like you're someone
special. You're just like the rest
of us.
LETTY
I'm not the one who's masquerading
as a doctor. I'm not the one
who's, who's...
JOHN
(to Letty)
He's schizophrenic.
LETTY
I'm not the one who's
schizophrenic. I don't see people
who aren't there or run around
acting crazy.
Letty pounds her fist against the wall.
PATIENTS
Go, Girl!/ Come on, Michael.
MICHAEL
Oh, no, you're perfectly sane.
That's why you're here.
Letty looks like she's been slapped. She thinks for a
moment. The patients wait, breathless, for her retort.
LETTY
Go fuck yourself.
Michael grins at Letty. She turns, and strides down the
hall. There's a smattering of applause. It grows stronger.
We see Letty's eyes fill with tears as, behind her, the
patients yell.
PATIENTS
Bravo./Encore./Re-match.
44.
INT. LETTY’S ROOM - NIGHT
Letty, unable to sleep, tosses and turns. She gets out of
bed and paces the room nervously, trying to hold herself
together. She slumps to the floor and starts to cry.
INT. GROUP THERAPY ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Dr. Emlee and seven patients sit in a circle of metal folding
chairs. Michael, who sits next to Emlee, practices rolling a
quarter back and forth across his fingers.
Letty sits across from Michael and Emlee, her legs and arms
crossed tightly. The group concentrates on Mrs. Hallstrom.
MRS. HALLSTROM
I can't stop thinking about the
things I did wrong when my daughter
was little.
DR. EMLEE
And how's that make you feel?
MRS. HALLSTROM
I just feel like sleeping. All the
time.
THOMAS
Hell's bells, you can count me in
on that. I haven't had enough Z's
since I ran those sleep disorder
experiments at Stanford back in the
70s.
MARIE
We really miss doing things with
you, Mrs. Hallstrom.
Michael, sitting next to Mrs. Hallstrom, squeezes her arm.
MRS. HALLSTROM
Maybe when I hit my manic phase
again.
Group members smile.
JOHN
I've noticed Letty doesn't much
like to do things with us.
The group looks expectantly at Letty.
45.
LETTY
Oh, no. Of course I do.
JOHN
Then why are you so defensive?
MICHAEL
(to John)
I don't think we need to sacrifice
Letty to pep up a slow session.
JOHN
(to Michael)
You're the one who told everyone
about her panties.
Michael grimaces at John. Letty's head is bent down.
DR. EMLEE
Maybe you'd like to share some of
your feelings about OCD or
depression with us, Letty.
Letty eyes the doctor. She's dangerously close to tears.
LETTY
Do we have to talk about this?
DR. EMLEE
I think in the spirit of group
therapy, it's beneficial for each
of us to open ourselves up to the
others.
Michael reaches his hand behind Dr. Emlee's head, catching
Letty's eye in the process. Michael pulls a silver dollar out
of Emlee's ear.
Letty looks but doesn't respond. The other patients ignore
Michael. Emlee is oblivious.
DR. EMLEE
You never know, Letty, how the
person sitting next to you may be
able to shed light on one of your
problems...
Michael goes for a bigger trick. Reaching again behind the
doctor's head, he produces a small bouquet of paper flowers.
Letty, almost against her will, smiles.
46.
DR. EMLEE
...by revealing something that's
going on in his or her own life.
Michael waves the flowers back and forth behind the doctor's
head. Letty's smile broadens.
DR. EMLEE
(responding to her smile)
There, now, I knew you'd feel
better once we discussed group
process. Let's talk a little about
your OCD.
INT. LIBRARY - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Letty ponders a shelf of ratty paperbacks. Michael turns the
corner, thumbing through a dog-eared book. Letty spots him
and moves away. Michael sidles up next to her.
MICHAEL
Looking for a romance?
LETTY
Excuse me?
MICHAEL
What are you looking to read?
LETTY
Anything interesting.
Michael holds out his book to her.
MICHAEL
This is good.
Letty glances at the title, "101 MAGIC TRICKS."
LETTY
But you're checking it out.
MICHAEL
I've already checked it out 17
times.
Michael reaches behind Letty. She pulls away. He produces a
scarf from behind her back, and presents it to her. She
doesn't take it.
LETTY
You keep the book. I'm looking for
Emily Dickinson.
47.
Letty walks away. Michael follows.
MICHAEL
Hey, if you take the magic book,
I'll feel like maybe you accept my
apology and don't hate me anymore.
Letty hesitates.
LETTY
I haven't heard an apology.
Michael drops to one knee.
MICHAEL
I'm really sorry I hurt your
feelings. I got a little carried
away. Can you ever forgive me?
Letty takes the book from him and walks away.
INT. REC ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Letty sits in an arm chair staring out at the garden. Her
attention is drawn to a nearby couch where Michael sits
opposite Mrs. Hallstrom, apparently playing cards.
Michael lays a card down.
MICHAEL
Mrs. Hallstrom, I'm pretty sure you
could use that.
She shakes her head slowly back and forth. Michael places it
in her hand of cards.
MICHAEL
Now, don't you have a gin rummy,
Mrs. Hallstrom?
(beat)
Go ahead, now, just lay those cards
down.
Mrs. Hallstrom slowly spreads her hand of cards on the couch.
MICHAEL
Hot damn. Gin rummy. I told you
so. You're three games up on me.
Mrs. Hallstrom smiles. Michael catches Letty watching them,
and Letty quickly looks away.
48.
(MORE)INT. LETTY'S ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Letty opens her drawer to pull out a T-shirt. Several are
rumpled. She starts refolding them when she spots it.
There, nestled among her clothes, is a book of Emily
Dickinson's poetry. Letty picks it up, runs her hand over
the cover and starts reading.
EXT. COURTYARD - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Paul and Letty walk onto a postcard-perfect stone terrace
overlooking the garden. Paul pulls up a chair for Letty and
stares out at the scenery.
PAUL
It's prettier here than I thought
it would be.
LETTY
Yeah, I guess it's all right.
PAUL
Are you all right?
LETTY
That's a big question.
PAUL
I hope it wasn't something I did.
LETTY
Something you did?
PAUL
That put you in here.
LETTY
Of course not, no.
(beat)
Is that why you're here?
PAUL
I think we need to talk about some
things.
LETTY
Yes, I suppose so.
PAUL
This has been really difficult,
this whole thing. 49.
PAUL(cont'd)
These past few weeks, it's made me
really go back and examine our
whole relationship.
(beat)
I mean, we've been going out for
four years, and it hasn't always
been so easy.
LETTY
No.
PAUL
Especially this last year.
LETTY
(softly)
Especially now.
PAUL
So, I've been thinking a lot...
LETTY
I have too, Paul.
PAUL
I talked to Ruth a little bit, and
I think it's about time...
LETTY
I know. We can't just keep going
through the motions.
PAUL
Exactly. It's time to make
decisions.
LETTY
You don't have to say anything
else. I've known for a while that
this was coming.
PAUL
I just wish we'd done it sooner.
Paul takes Letty's hand in his.
PAUL
Will you marry me?
Paul pulls a diamond ring from his pocket and puts it on
Letty's finger. She stares at it, mesmerized.
50.
PAUL
I had to smuggle it in here. I
guess you're not really supposed to
have jewelry.
LETTY
(by rote)
Or be up past ten or fraternize
with other patients.
PAUL
I hope you like it. It's a Marquis
cut, 1.5 carats. They had one with
emeralds around it, but this was
simpler, more classic in its lines.
(beat)
Letty?
LETTY
It's, it's really nice, Paul.
PAUL
You can take it back and we can
have one custom made if you want.
LETTY
No, you've done a perfect job.
PAUL
So, what do you say, Let?
Letty looks him in the eyes for the first time.
LETTY
Do you think, really, that it's OK
to get engaged when I'm in here?
PAUL
Sure. We'll save the formal
announcement for when you're out. I
already told your mother. I hope
you don't mind.
LETTY
No, no.
PAUL
So will you?
LETTY
(working up a smile)
Of course. Yes. I will. I do.
51.
Paul and Letty kiss, then hug.
EXT. COURTYARD - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - LATER
It's completely dark. Letty sits in the same position we saw
her in hours ago. Michael walks up to her.
MICHAEL
You missed out on some great
broccoli florets at dinner.
LETTY
I wasn't hungry.
MICHAEL
John even managed to lob a load of
mashed potatoes into Mrs.
Hallstrom's milk.
LETTY
(smiling)
Finally. I was getting tired of
watching him try every night.
MICHAEL
Was it bad news--the visit from
Peter?
LETTY
Paul.
MICHAEL
He looked pretty serious.
LETTY
He asked me to marry him.
MICHAEL
Very romantic setting.
LETTY
It was romantic. He's very
romantic.
MICHAEL
So are you engaged, or what?
Letty holds out her hand, where the diamond glistens. Michael
bends forward to look at the ring, caressing her hand as he
does so.
Letty pulls away. The ring is gone.
52.
LETTY
What have you done with the ring?
MICHAEL
It's magic.
Letty stands up.
LETTY
This isn't funny. Paul would kill
me.
Michael holds his hands in fists toward Letty.
MICHAEL
Guess which hand.
LETTY
Enough with the abracadabra.
MICHAEL
Guess.
LETTY
The left one.
Michael opens his hand. It's empty. Michael addresses an
imaginary audience.
MICHAEL
(to audience)
The fair maiden guesses
incorrectly. Should we give her
one more try?
(to Letty)
The audience says one more try.
What guess you now?
LETTY
The right one.
Michael opens his right hand. A plastic, Cracker-jack ring
rests in it.
LETTY
Come on, Michael.
Michael grabs Letty's hand and slides the ring onto her
finger.
MICHAEL
With this ring, I thee...
53.
Letty pulls her hand away.
LETTY
Really, this isn't funny.
MICHAEL
OK, OK, I'll give it back.
Letty holds out her hand.
MICHAEL
For a price.
LETTY
Good God.
MICHAEL
A small price.
LETTY
I won't do your portion of kitchen
cleanup.
MICHAEL
No.
LETTY
And I'm not covering for you when
you sneak out to call Dominos.
MICHAEL
I want a kiss.
Letty stares at him. She laughs.
LETTY
Get serious.
Michael moves close to her.
MICHAEL
I'm serious.
Letty looks into his eyes.
LETTY
(softly)
Everything's a joke with you.
Michael and Letty kiss, long and deep. Letty pulls back.
She gazes at Michael. She steps closer to him.
They kiss again, longer and deeper.
54.
They separate. Letty looks ready for another kiss. Michael
caresses her cheek.
He walks back toward the hospital door. He stops, comes back
to Letty. He hands her the diamond ring.
MICHAEL
Here.
He walks inside. Letty watches him go.
INT. DR. EMLEE'S OFFICE - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Dr. Emlee and Letty sit across from each other.
LETTY
The medicine's still bothering me.
It feels like I have cotton wrapped
around my brain.
DR. EMLEE
We'll see about adjusting the
dosage if that doesn't clear in the
next week.
(beat)
How are other things going?
LETTY
I think I've told you all the news.
Let's see--the engagement. Oh, and
my sister's coming to visit me, and
they say my cat misses me.
DR. EMLEE
The question, Letty, is how are you
feeling?
LETTY
I miss Beast a lot, too.
INT. MICHAEL'S ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Darkness. Michael sleeps. A Christmas Carol BLASTS through
the intercom system.
INTERCOM
Hark the Herald Angels sing...
Michael bolts awake. He stumbles out of bed, in wildly
striped boxers, and races toward the hall.
55.
INT. HALLWAY - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - SAME
Doors open like kernels of popcorn exploding. Michael,
Marie, Thomas, John, then Letty.
The music BLARES on. Nurse Gates runs down the hall and
shouts to Michael.
NURSE GATES
What are you doing?
MICHAEL
(yelling)
Not me.
The music lowers. Mrs. Hallstrom, in a Santa cap, appears.
She distributes erasers as she threads through the patients.
MRS. HALLSTROM
Sorry, sorry. Candy canes are out
of season.
NURSE GATES
Mrs. Hallstrom?
Mrs. Hallstrom gives an eraser to the nurse.
NURSE GATES
Come on. Come with me, Mrs.
Hallstrom.
Nurse Gates leads Mrs. Hallstrom away as the older woman
continues tossing erasers down the hall.
Marie stares at Michael's shorts.
MARIE
Hot boxers.
Michael smiles awkwardly at Letty. She returns to her room.
INT. LETTY'S ROOM - SAME
Letty climbs into bed. She opens the bedside drawer, and
pulls out a Tiffany's ring box. There, cradled in the satin
lining, is the diamond from Paul. Right beside it is
Michael's Cracker Jack special.
Letty puts on Paul's ring. She studies her hand. With an air
of secrecy, she slips on Michael's ring. She quickly takes
it off. Wearing Paul's ring, she turns off the light and
snuggles into bed.
56.
EXT. GARDEN, HILLV IEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Afternoon light casts long shadows in the garden of pruned
hedges and tea roses. Letty and Ruth power-walk down a
cobblestone path, heading away from the English Tudor
hospital that looms large in the background.
Letty wears a sweatshirt emblazoned with the logo for the
University of South Carolina Cocks.
LETTY
I can't believe you finally gave me
the shirt.
RUTH
Loaned you. And it's only 'til you
get out of here.
LETTY
That settles it. I'm never leaving.
RUTH
I can hardly wait 'til you're free.
Planning the wedding without you
has been a disaster.
LETTY
You're slowing.
RUTH
(picking up the pace)
Mom and I fought for 20 minutes
over whether we should go with ecru
invitations or brilliant white.
Letty checks her stop watch.
RUTH
What do you think?
LETTY
Ecru.
RUTH
And then the gold scroll or the
black Romanesque print?
Letty completely stops and faces Ruth.
LETTY
Do we have to talk wedding details?
57.
RUTH
Oh, no, of course not.
LETTY
I mean, you can always send me
fabric samples to look at or
pictures of dresses. But, it's
been so long since we've seen each
other.
RUTH
Of course. You're right. Besides,
we should be talking about your
engagement.
They start walking again.
LETTY
Tell me more about Beast beating up
that other cat.
RUTH
Bloody furry mess, like I said.
(beat)
Aren't you so excited about Paul?
(beat)
Letty?
Ruth stops this time.
RUTH
What's going on with you, Letty?
LETTY
Ruthie, do you ever wonder if
you'll meet someone else...someone
besides Jake?
Power walking's forgotten. Ruth and Letty start to amble.
RUTH
What's his name, Letty?
LETTY
I didn't say...
RUTH
Don't even try. What's his name?
INT. LETTY'S ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Nurse Gates passes by the open door, and pokes her head in.
58.
NURSE GATES
Lights out, Letty.
Letty closes the door. She pulls a nightshirt from a drawer,
disrupting a perfectly-folded T-shirt. Letty bends down to
straighten it, but changes her mind. She shuts the drawer.
Letty puts on the nightshirt, crawls into bed and snaps off
the light. She fluffs her pillow, and turns over. She rolls
back.
Letty turns on the light. She goes to the drawer, opens it,
pulls out the T-shirt and refolds it. She shuts the drawer.
Letty yanks open the drawer again and looks at her handiwork.
It's a fight with the drawer. Opened and closed. Until Letty
takes a deep breath, pulls it open a final time, hesitantly
ruffles the T-shirt and slams the drawer shut.
She runs to bed and hops in, turning off the light and
burying her head under the pillow.
A few moments pass.
A KNOCK on the door. Letty opens it to find Michael.
LETTY
We're supposed to be asleep.
MICHAEL
Exactly.
Michael takes Letty's hand and pulls her toward the door.
LETTY
We'll get caught.
MICHAEL
No rounds for another three hours.
Michael checks the hallway and pulls Letty into it.
MICHAEL
Nervous? Scared? Worried you're
not fit for a caper of epic
proportions?
LETTY
Don't be ridiculous.
MICHAEL
Rendezvous at the closet in 30.
59.
Letty forges ahead to the nurses' station, while Michael
turns a corner in the hall, peeking out so he can watch Letty
approach Nurse Gates.
NURSES' STATION - SAME
NURSE GATES
Letty, you should be in bed.
LETTY
There's a spider in my room.
NURSE GATES
Yeah?
LETTY
It's got a green dot on its back.
I can't go to sleep with it
watching me.
NURSE GATES
Sounds awful. I guess we better
check it out.
Letty and Nurse Gates walk down the hall to Letty's room,
passing the alcove where Michael lurks in the shadows. He
sneaks into the main hall and pads up to the nurses' station.
NURSES' STATION - SAME
Michael wanders around the desk, crouches on the floor so he
can't be seen from the hallway and pulls the phone down to
his level. He dials.
MICHAEL
Extra large pepperoni and
mushrooms.
(beat)
And two cokes.
(beat)
Hillview Psychiatric Hospital on
Glenfield. Off the Fourth Street
exit.
Michael reaches up to a hook and grabs a white lab coat. He
puts on the coat, which identifies him as "Val Williams."
CUT TO:
INT. LETTY'S ROOM - SAME
Letty and Nurse Gates, sprawled on their stomachs, peer under
the bed.
60.
LETTY
It had this red spot on its back.
NURSE GATES
Green spot.
LETTY
Mottled really. Green and red.
Nurse Gates looks Letty squarely in the eye.
NURSE GATES
I don't know why you feel you have
to lie, Letty.
LETTY
Lie?
NURSE GATES
If you feel lonely, or need to
talk, all you have to do is say so.
LETTY
To talk?
(beat)
Well, OK, that might be good.
NURSE GATES
I understand you just got engaged.
Maybe that's where we should start.
Off Letty's look of dismay, we
CUT TO:
EXT. GUARD STATION - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - SAME
Michael pays the DOMINO'S PIZZA MAN and tries to walk past
the guard, JIM, who blocks his path.
JIM
I'm afraid I can't let you take
that in without the proper invoice.
MICHAEL
It's a pizza.
JIM
All the same, rules are rules.
61.
MICHAEL
You don't understand. This is a
very important, very special,
morale-boosting pizza.
JIM
What I understand is how low morale
gets when you're posted at a guard
station all night, Val.
Reluctantly, Michael opens the pizza box, and Jim helps
himself to two slices. Michael starts to shut the box. Jim
reaches in for a third slice.
CUT TO:
INT. LETTY'S ROOM - SAME
Letty and Nurse Gates sit cross-legged on the bed, facing
each other. Letty's face is puffy from crying.
LETTY
I don't mean to go on and on like
this.
NURSE GATES
It's OK. It's good to let it out.
Michael passes the open door with the pizza box and points
down the hall. Letty stares right through him.
NURSE GATES
Did you ever tell Paul how you
felt?
LETTY
He was graduating from law school,
and he just assumed I was OK with
dropping out.
(beat)
We never really talked about it.
But I know he was disappointed in
me.
CUT TO:
INT. LINEN CLOSET - LATER
The roomy closet houses an inconceivable number of white
sheets and towels, arranged on wide, tall shelves.
62.
The pizza, cokes and a candle sit in the middle of the floor,
which Michael has draped with a sheet. Michael stares at the
dwindling candle.
CUT TO:
INT. LETTY'S ROOM - SAME
LETTY
I mean I'm just not sure I want the
same things now that I did even a
month ago.
Nurse Gates nods sympathetically.
LETTY
Is that so wrong?
Michael passes the open door again, waving his hands wildly
to attract Letty's attention. She doesn't notice him.
NURSE GATES
You can only do what feels best to
you now.
LETTY
I guess so. I think that's right.
CUT TO:
INT. LINEN CLOSET - SAME
Michael blows out the candle.
CUT TO:
INT. LETTY'S ROOM - SAME
Letty blows her nose as she walks Nurse Gates to the door.
LETTY
You've been so great. I just feel
a lot clearer about things.
NURSE GATES
I'm glad.
LETTY
And if I need to talk again...
NURSE GATES
Yes, of course. Whenever you want.
63.
Letty gives Nurse Gates a hug.
INT. LINEN CLOSET - SAME
TAPS on the door. Michael looks up. He jumps to his feet
and lets Letty in, gesturing for her to sit. They lean
against a stack of pillows.
LETTY
Sorry I'm late...
Michael puts his finger to Letty's lips.
MICHAEL
Shhh.
A SERIES OF SHOTS THAT FADE INTO EACH OTHER:
A.) The two munch on pizza. Michael picks off black olives
and hands them to Letty, who plops them on top of her pizza.
B.) Michael hands Letty a cigarette. She gestures no. He
lights one for himself and begins blowing smoke rings.
C.) Michael offers Letty pizza. She clutches her stomach to
show that she's full.
D.) Letty indicates she wants a cigarette. Michael
demonstrates how to smoke, affecting the style of a 1930s
movie star. Letty follows suit.
E.) Letty grabs a pillow and hits Michael over the head. He
pulls the pillow away from her. Letty stands up, grabs
another pillow and hits Michael again. He whacks her in the
back of the knees and she falls on top of him.
Enough of the fighting. They kiss. Michael strokes the back
of Letty's neck.
FOOTSTEPS approach the door and stop. Michael and Letty stop
kissing and look at the door. The FOOTSTEPS continue on.
Michael pulls Letty's shirt up. She starts to pull it over
her head, but can't get it all the way off in the cramped
space. Michael kisses Letty's mouth through the shirt. She
GIGGLES. Michael helps Letty off with the shirt.
He kisses her chest. Letty bites him lightly on the
shoulder.
Michael pulls away in surprise, grinning. Letty reaches up
and bites him again. Michael bites her back.
64.
Letty reaches her hands behind her head, searching for
something to hold onto. She grabs a stack of sheets, which
topple onto Michael.
Michael sits up, trying to clear the sheets off himself and
Letty. Letty pushes him down and crawls on top of him.
CLOSE ON her hands as they unbutton Michael's Levis, and we
FADE OUT
FADE IN:
INT. REC. ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Mrs. Hallstrom sits close to the television, watching Joan
Rivers hawk jewelry on the Home Shopping Network. Michael
drapes the room with streamers, and surveys his work.
MICHAEL
How's it look?
MRS. HALLSTROM
Shhh. They're coming to the cubic
zirconium.
MICHAEL
I like those sapphire earrings
myself.
MRS. HALLSTROM
Simulated sapphires. I bet my
daughter would love those, too.
Michael sees Letty pass by the room as she heads down the
hall. He follows her.
INT. WOMEN'S ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Marie enters with her toothbrush and toothpaste. She moves
towards the sink but stops as...
GIGGLES come from the stall. She looks closer, sees two
pairs of feet and one familiar pair of boxers.
MARIE
Jesus...just get a room.
Marie walks out.
65.
(MORE)INT. STALL - WOMEN'S ROOM - SAME
Letty and Michael, partially disrobed and hugging each other
tight, burst into GUFFAWS.
INT. EMLEE'S OFFICE - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Letty sits on the couch. Emlee leans forward in his chair.
DR. EMLEE
I think it's a problem that you
never told me about Michael. I had
to hear it from another patient.
LETTY
I couldn't really say anything
because of that fraternizing rule.
DR. EMLEE
Well, Letty, this does present a
liability issue for the hospital.
LETTY
I'm a grown woman, Dr. Emlee. I
can take care of myself.
DR. EMLEE
What about Michael? Do you know
the extent of his...
LETTY
I know Michael's a schizophrenic,
and Mrs. Hallstrom's manic-
depressive, and John Lockyer has
episodes of psychosis, and I heard
a rumor that you suffer from
delusions of grandeur.
DR. EMLEE
Go ahead and put the guard back up,
Letty. But you need to know what
you're dealing with.
LETTY
I don't need a lecture. I care
about Michael.
DR. EMLEE
Then that's even more reason to
listen. Look, schizophrenics tend
to withdraw from reality. They
experience emotional disturbances
that result in personality changes.
66.
DR. EMLEE(cont'd)
(beat)
You could be lying next to Michael
in bed one night, and he could have
a hallucination, or a delusion. It
might happen when you're driving
or...
LETTY
Look, I know he's almost through
with treatment here. And, he's on
medication.
DR. EMLEE
Drugs can help suppress symptoms.
But lots of patients stop taking
them when they're on their own
because the side effects are so
harsh.
(beat)
And, Michael's condition is often
worsened by periods of stress. He's
been in and out of...
LETTY
I don't want to hear anymore.
DR. EMLEE
I'd like you to promise you won't
carry on a relationship with
Michael. Otherwise, I'll consider
moving one of you to another ward.
LETTY
First you tell me to do what I want
to, then you tell me to stop.
DR. EMLEE
All I want you to do is think about
what's best for you. Really think
about it.
EXT. GROUNDS - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Letty lies in the middle of a copse of trees, reading Emily
Dickinson. Michael walks up and hands her a dandelion.
MICHAEL
A daisy for the lady.
LETTY
The lady knows this is a dandelion.
MICHAEL
A rose is a rose.
67.
(MORE)Letty kisses him on the cheek.
LETTY
Thanks. Where've you been all day?
MICHAEL
Back-to-back sessions with the
shrink.
LETTY
Sounds important.
MICHAEL
I'm not allowed to see you anymore.
LETTY
Really? Me too.
MICHAEL
I had to sneak by the guards to get
here. They say you’re highly
unstable, have a depressive
personality, and may hold back my
own recovery.
LETTY
Wow. I'm bad news.
MICHAEL
What's my rap?
LETTY
Schizophrenic recidivism marked by
hallucinations and paranoid
delusions.
MICHAEL
Fuck. That's all true.
Letty laughs.
MICHAEL
Really, though. My thoughts go
haywire sometimes.
LETTY
What are the delusions like?
MICHAEL
I think people are after me, crap
like that.
(beat)
68.
MICHAEL(cont'd)
When I was 18, my mom came home and
found me sitting naked on the
kitchen table. I thought I was God.
He waits for Letty to register the information.
MICHAEL
Shocking, huh?
LETTY
Sure. But I took out a whole
grocery store.
MICHAEL
I wish I could have seen that.
LETTY
I'm starting to think that
everyone's crazy to some extent.
MICHAEL
My Grandma Rosa says that some
trees get planted in rich top soil,
and they grow right up to the sun,
tall and straight. Other trees,
they start as seeds in the crevices
between rocks so they have to twist
and bend to reach the light.
(beat)
But even though they end up
crooked, they're still trees, just
like the straight ones.
Lying on their backs, Michael and Letty stare up at the
leaves overhead.
MICHAEL
(with a start)
Why in the world did you let me
start talking in metaphors? That's
no way for us to break up.
LETTY
Break up? They wish.
Michael and Letty hug.
INT. NURSES' STATION - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Nurse Gates pours tablets from a potpourri of pill bottles
into little paper cups. A Federal Express delivery man with
a bunch of boxes stops at the station.
69.
DELIVERY MAN
I need a signature, please.
Nurse Gates looks at the form.
NURSE GATES
What is all this stuff?
DELIVERY MAN
I just deliver it, Ma'am.
NURSE GATES
Well, who exactly is it for?
DELIVERY MAN
A Mrs. Eunice Hallstrom.
NURSE GATES
I see. Can you wait a moment?
Nurse Gates locks the medication in a cupboard, and hurries
down the hallway.
INT. GROUP THERAPY ROOM - SAME
Our usual cast of characters.
DR. EMLEE
But how does that make you feel,
John, what Letty said about your
hostility?
JOHN
She doesn't know what the hell
she's talking about.
Nurse Gates barrels in. The group looks up.
NURSE GATES
I'm sorry, Doctor. I just need a
moment with Mrs. Hallstrom.
DR. EMLEE
What seems to be the problem?
NURSE GATES
They say she ordered...Mrs.
Hallstrom, did you order a bunch of
stuff, because Federal Express...
Mrs. Hallstrom's face glows.
70.
MRS. HALLSTROM
It's here, everyone. Come along.
It's here.
She runs out. Nurse Gates follows her. A moment passes. The
patients look expectantly at Dr. Emlee.
DR. EMLEE
Oh, fine, let's see.
They storm the door.
INT. NURSES' STATION - SAME
By the time the patients round the corner, the Federal
Express man is leaving, and Mrs. Hallstrom has ripped open
one of the boxes. She clutches a handful of jewelry.
MRS. HALLSTROM
For you, John. And, Letty. And,
Michael, I know you'll love these.
She hands Michael a pair of faux sapphire earrings. He clips
them on. Letty and several others carry necklaces. Thomas
sports a rhinestone tiara. The patients compare jewelry.
DR. EMLEE
Mrs. Hallstrom, you ordered all
this?
JOHN
(to Mrs. Hallstrom)
Thomas got a crown and all I got
was a lousy bracelet?
DR. EMLEE
You must have spent thousands of
dollars.
MRS. HALLSTROM
Don't worry, Doctor, I didn't
forget you.
Mrs. Hallstrom hands Dr. Emlee a fake ruby hair comb.
DR. EMLEE
Mrs. Hallstrom, you can't possibly
afford to pay for this. It must go
back.
Chatter in the hallway stops.
71.
MRS. HALLSTROM
Why, no, Doctor. It can't. Most
of it's for my daughter, Lily.
She's coming to family day
tomorrow...all the way from
Cleveland with my grandson.
(beat)
You can't be taking away their
"Welcome to California" presents.
DR. EMLEE
It's going back. We'll contact the
company this afternoon.
(to patients)
Take the jewelry off, please.
The patients reluctantly remove their gifts.
MRS. HALLSTROM
But I have to keep something for my
daughter.
DR. EMLEE
Let's go back to group, and discuss
it there. Back to group, everyone.
The patients head back to group. Dr. Emlee turns to Nurse
Gates.
DR. EMLEE
(to Nurse Gates)
Increase her lithium to 600
milligrams, three times a day. Oh,
and Nurse, let's see about
canceling the cable.
EXT. PATIO - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
The place buzzes with festivity. A "WELCOME FAMILIES" sign
hangs from a patio beam. A table is laden with cookies and
lemonade and platter after platter of carrot curls.
Letty takes a cookie and looks toward the lawn where Michael
plays frisbee with his family, even his grandmother, ROSA.
Nurse Gates walks up to Letty.
NURSE GATES
Your mother's in the rec room,
Letty.
72.
INT. REC ROOM - SAME
Letty passes Mrs. Hallstrom, who sits by herself, holding one
small gift on her lap.
Letty spots her Mom across the room, and walks up to her.
Her mother has covered a table with swatches of fabric.
MRS. MAYER
It's so good to see you,
Sweetheart.
LETTY
You too, Mom.
MRS. MAYER
You're looking good. A little
thin, but good.
Letty examines a fabric sample.
MRS. MAYER
Thanks so much for doing this.
Ruthie and Jake are up to a million
things. And I just can't decide.
Letty rearranges the fabric samples on the table by color.
LETTY
Which flowers did you order?
MRS. MAYER
We haven't. I wanted to talk that
over with you, too.
LETTY
Oh, OK, well, better to choose the
table cloths first anyway.
MRS. MAYER
I was thinking either the peach
moire or cream damask.
Letty holds up a swatch of bright yellow.
LETTY
This would complement the blue in
the bride's maids' dresses. Look.
MRS. MAYER
Where's your ring, Sweetheart?
73.
LETTY
We aren't allowed to wear jewelry
in here, Mom.
MRS. MAYER
Just think, pretty soon, we'll be
doing all these wedding
preparations for you.
(beat)
Of course, if that's what you still
want. Ruthie told me some silly
story about a crush on some boy
here.
Letty pulls out a cigarette, lights it and starts smoking.
LETTY
I haven't had a crush since I was
12.
MRS. MAYER
When did you start smoking?
LETTY
I'll put it out if it bothers you.
MRS. MAYER
The puckering, dear. It doesn't
seem so now, but in time, it will
cause wrinkles around the mouth.
Letty grinds the cigarette beneath her heel. She bends over
the fabrics.
MRS. MAYER
You know, your life isn't about
being in a mental hospital.
LETTY
What?
MRS. MAYER
I hear this Michael fellow is
schizophrenic.
LETTY
Mom, please.
MRS. MAYER
Don't forget that Paul's a
promising young attorney who loves
you very much...
74.
LETTY
Mom, look, if I want to dump Paul,
I'll dump him. If I want to screw
Michael or live with him or marry
him, then I'll do that.
Thomas, who sits across the room, looks up from his book.
MRS. MAYER
(whispering)
I'm only looking out for you.
LETTY
(yelling)
And if I want to smoke, I'll
fucking smoke.
Letty races out the door and into the garden. In the
distance, Michael spots her and jogs over. Letty's mother
watches them. Thomas approaches Mrs. Mayer.
THOMAS
Mrs. Mayer, I'm sorry but I
couldn't help overhearing. I just
wanted to say, not that it's any of
my business...
MRS. MAYER
Yes?
THOMAS
I think, really, I think I'd go
with the cream damask.
INT. REC ROOM - LATER
Letty and Michael walk through the rec room toward the dining
hall. Nurse Gates bends down in front of Mrs. Hallstrom, who
sits where we last saw her.
NURSE GATES
It's OK to be upset.
MRS. HALLSTROM
(gaily)
Upset? Why of course not. My
goodness, no. I'm sure she just
got hung up.
Letty and Michael stop.
75.
MICHAEL
Mrs. Hallstrom, why don't you join
my family for dinner. You'll love
my Grandma Rosa.
MRS. HALLSTROM
That's so sweet, Michael. But,
really, I've so many things to do.
LETTY
If you change your mind, we'll be
in the dining hall.
Michael and Letty walk on, exchanging a sad look.
INT. DINING HALL - LATER
Mr. Santucci and Mrs. Santucci sit at the heads of the table.
Letty sits between Rosa and Michael.
ROSA
(to Letty)
What do you need now?
(to Mr. Santucci)
Send down the lamb. This girl's as
thin as a stick.
LETTY
Oh, no. I'm stuffed.
ROSA
Tell her to eat, Frank.
MR. SANTUCCI
Mangia. Mangia.
MICHAEL
(whispering to Letty)
You can't turn down Grandma Rosa's
lamb.
ROSA
Or my eggplant. I make the best
eggplant in L.A. The mozzarella I
use, it's so fresh it sweats.
Letty heaps more food on her plate.
MRS. SANTUCCI
Michael says you're a teacher.
76.
LETTY
I was. I'm hoping I'll still have
a job when I get out.
Mrs. Hallstrom walks into the room, wearing her Christmas
stocking cap. She starts to dispense erasers.
LETTY
What's she doing?
Mrs. Hallstrom, practically skipping, zeros in on Grandma
Rosa. She hands Rosa the gift meant for her daughter.
MRS. HALLSTROM
Rosa, Rosa, you must have this,
Rosa.
ROSA
Grazie.
MICHAEL
Mrs. Hallstrom, join us. Please.
But, by this point, Mrs. Hallstrom's already bounded away,
divesting herself of more and more erasers to bewildered
parents and delighted children.
She clambers onto a table in the middle of the room. Marie
gets up from another table and leaves the room to get help.
MRS. HALLSTROM
Merry Christmas to all. Ho, ho,
ho, ho.
LETTY
Michael, we've got to stop her.
Michael pushes back his chair. He's trapped between the
table and the wall.
MRS. HALLSTROM
My goodness, it's so very warm in
here. So warm.
She takes off her cap and tosses it to a surprised looking
man. But she doesn't stop there. With haphazard abandon, she
begins to disrobe, first her blouse, then her skirt.
MRS. HALLSTROM
Way, way, way too warm for
December. Now, let's sing Jingle
Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the
way...
77.
The group looks on in horror, mesmerized by her behavior.
Then, almost as one, the patients spring into action.
Michael bolts over his dining table and runs to Mrs.
Hallstrom. He jumps onto her table, trying to restrain the
dancing woman so he can wrap his sweater around her.
By this time, John, Thomas and Letty have surrounded her in a
protective enclave. Michael sets Mrs. Hallstrom on the
ground. She looks up at the group, and continues belting out
"Jingle Bells."
INT. LINEN CLOSET - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Letty and Michael lie on the floor next to each other,
trading puffs on a cigarette. The glowing ember is the only
light in the room.
MICHAEL
You must have thought about it.
Everyone does.
LETTY
I just want to see Beast.
(beat)
Where would you go?
MICHAEL
The mission up in Santa Barbara.
LETTY
No way.
MICHAEL
That's where I always go when I get
out.
LETTY
Why?
MICHAEL
My dad used to take me there when I
was little. It's totally quiet.
And you can see the ocean for
miles.
They smoke for a while.
LETTY
What else would you do?
78.
MICHAEL
I'd like to drink a bottle of red
wine with you and then make love to
you and spend the whole night
together. And we'd get up in the
morning and spend hours lounging
around and reading the paper.
LETTY
And we'd eat Spaghetti-O's in bed
from the can.
MICHAEL
How can you even mention Spaghetti-
O's after eating Grandma Rosa's
dinner tonight?
LETTY
I have a terrible confession.
MICHAEL
Tell the doctor.
LETTY
I don't like lamb.
Michael sits up.
MICHAEL
Then it's over.
LETTY
Lie down.
Michael lies down.
MICHAEL
It's a good thing my family loves
you.
LETTY
Your family just met me.
MICHAEL
You're right. I guess I was
projecting. What I should have
said is, "It's a good thing I love
you."
LETTY
Do you?
79.
MICHAEL
I do.
LETTY
Michael, I...
MICHAEL
It's OK. You don't have to say
anything.
LETTY
But I do. I love you, too.
Michael and Letty lie still, looking into each others eyes.
INT. MICHAEL'S ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Posters of Harry Houdini and Doug Henning. Handcuffs and
card decks all over.
MICHAEL
Your Honor, I feel I should be
released. I'm sufficiently able to
look after...
Michael stops. His eyes glaze over. His head darts toward
the corner of the room.
MICHAEL
(to the corner)
What? What?
Nothing's there. Nothing at all. But Michael keeps staring.
A KNOCK on the door. Michael's eyes refocus. He opens the
door to find Letty.
LETTY
John and Nurse Gates are waiting
for you.
MICHAEL
Oh, right. I'm ready. How do I
look?
LETTY
(straightening his tie)
Great. I came to tell you to break
a leg, and to give you this for
good luck.
Letty hands him the Cracker Jack ring.
80.
INT. COMMITMENT COURT - DAY
Michael sits near the front of the courtroom with half a
dozen other patients from various institutions.
Nurse Gates sits a few rows back near JOHN'S MOTHER and
Michael's family--Mr. and Mrs. Santucci and Grandma Rosa.
JUDGE MILTON, 60s, questions John, who's on the stand.
JUDGE MILTON
Why have you petitioned to leave
the institution?
JOHN
I haven't had an episode in more
than a month, Sir.
JUDGE MILTON
How do you plan to support
yourself?
JOHN
My family's helping me out, Your
Honor.
JUDGE MILTON
Where will you live upon release?
JOHN
Live?
John's mother nods encouragingly at him.
JUDGE MILTON
Where do you plan to reside, Mr.
Lockyer?
JOHN
With my mother.
JUDGE MILTON
Is your mother here today?
John points to her. John's mother waves at the judge.
JOHN
That's the bitch. That cock-
sucking bitch. She put me here.
She did. She's the Satan that did
this all.
81.
As bailiffs remove John from the stand, Michael offers a wan
smile to his family.
INT. COMMITMENT COURT - LATER
Michael, outwardly poised and collected, sits on the stand.
His hands are clenched in tight fists.
JUDGE MILTON
The records indicate no major
episodes in the past four months.
And it seems you have the support
of the staff.
MICHAEL
Yes, Sir.
JUDGE MILTON
But I see you've been in and out of
the hospital more than ten times.
MICHAEL
Eleven, Your Honor. But I'm on a
new medication now.
JUDGE MILTON
Do you feel ready to re-enter the
world?
MICHAEL
Yes, Sir. My family is prepared to
support me until I find a job.
They've already located an
apartment for me that's very near
them.
JUDGE MILTON
Very well, then. By order of the
court, you are released. I wish
you good luck.
Michael's shoulders relax. He opens his fist. Inside is the
Cracker Jack ring, and the magenta circle it has imprinted on
his palm.
EXT. COMMITMENT COURT - LATER
Michael walks to the car with his mother, father and
grandmother, who keeps tousling his hair with pride.
82.
INT. VISITING ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Letty stands awkwardly in front of Paul, who sits in a
wingback chair.
PAUL
What's so urgent? You've got me
worried.
LETTY
I need to tell you something, and
I'm not sure how.
Paul stands.
PAUL
You can tell me anything.
(beat)
Do you want to postpone the
wedding? Is it too much pressure?
LETTY
No...
PAUL
That's a load off my mind.
LETTY
Paul, I want to break off the
engagement.
PAUL
You what?
LETTY
I don't mean to hurt you. I know
this is a terrible thing. And I
have really loved you.
PAUL
Whoa. Whoa. Have really loved me?
Letty, it's natural to be nervous.
But we're going to work through our
problems.
LETTY
I've met someone else.
PAUL
Who?
LETTY
It doesn't matter who.
83.
PAUL
Have you been seeing another
teacher?
LETTY
No.
PAUL
It's a doctor, isn't it? That's
unethical. I'll have him rung up
on malpractice charges so fast his
head will spin.
LETTY
He's a patient here.
Paul considers this a moment.
PAUL
Of all the crazy things. I
understood when you dropped out of
law school. And during this whole
mess, I've tried to be supportive.
But, really, Letty, what can you be
thinking?
LETTY
I love him.
PAUL
You're going to throw away our life
together for some shared experience
with a looney-tune that you
misguidedly think is love?
LETTY
Here's the ring.
PAUL
No way. You keep the ring. You'll
come to your senses.
LETTY
I've made my decision, Paul.
PAUL
You keep it, Letty. This is not
over. Our life is not over.
EXT. FRONT STEPS - SAME
Paul walks out the door and down the steps past Michael, who
runs up them two at a time.
84.
MICHAEL
How's it hanging, Paul?
Paul turns to watch Michael as Michael swings open the door
and sails into the institute.
INT. VISITING ROOM - SAME
Letty waits as a NURSE opens the door to the ward. Letty is
about to step through, when Michael enters.
MICHAEL
Visitor for Ms. Mayer.
Letty whirls around.
LETTY
Well?
MICHAEL
Home free.
Letty and Michael hug.
NURSE
Letty, Michael, you have about five
minutes until visiting hours end.
The nurse retreats.
LETTY
Tell me all.
MICHAEL
I was brilliant, or at least
boringly sane.
LETTY
So there were no problems?
MICHAEL
Not a one.
LETTY
And did you go to the mission?
MICHAEL
No, you goof, I came to see you.
LETTY
Just checking.
85.
MICHAEL
I saw Paul leaving. Did you do the
dirty deed?
LETTY
Yeah.
MICHAEL
So, it's over?
LETTY
All over.
(beat)
Did you see your new apartment?
MICHAEL
One bedroom, second floor, no view.
LETTY
Furnished?
MICHAEL
No, I need some serious household
advice.
LETTY
First off, you'll need to go to
Target. And, let's see, what
should you buy?
MICHAEL
I better make a list.
LETTY
List schmist. You'll remember.
INT. HALLWAY - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Letty sits in the corridor opposite Marie and Thomas. They
are playing BLACKJACK. Letty deals.
THOMAS
Hit me.
Letty hands one over. Thomas flips over his cards.
THOMAS
I’m over.
Letty looks to Marie, who waves her off. Marie is fine with
her cards. They look down the hall. Nurse Gates walks beside
JAMIE, a man in his late 20s, who wears the same dazed
expression Letty did the morning after she was admitted.
86.
NURSE GATES
(to Jamie)
Dr. Stone will ask you some
questions, and then we'll get you
settled.
Nurse Gates and Jamie come upon the gang.
NURSE GATES
(to Letty/Bill)
Lights out in 15, Guys.
Nurse Gates continues down the hall, hand firmly planted
under Jamie's elbow as he weaves unsteadily beside her.
MARIE
Wow, that first night is hard.
LETTY
It's going to be a difficult few
weeks for him.
THOMAS
It really makes you think.
LETTY
It really does.
They look down the hall at the retreating figures. They look
at each other.
MARIE
I'll put in 5 that it's a straight
diagnosis of depressive
personality.
LETTY
Are you kidding? With those glazed
eyes? I'm willing to bet 10 there
was some break with reality going
on there. Psychosis. Without a
doubt, psychosis.
INT. DR. EMLEE'S OFFICE - DAY
Letty is curled up in a chair opposite Dr. Emlee.
LETTY
But what I really can't believe is
that I'm starting to actually miss
work.
87.
DR. EMLEE
Have you been in contact with the
principal about your job?
LETTY
I thought about calling, but I want
to wait until I know when I'll be
out.
DR. EMLEE
Then, you should call.
LETTY
What?
DR. EMLEE
I think it's about that time,
Letty. The charges against you
have been dropped, the drugs have
evened out and you seem to be
dealing with your life quite well.
LETTY
Are you saying I'm through with
therapy?
DR. EMLEE
Let's not be hasty.
(beat)
I'm saying we should plan a release
date for early next week.
Off Letty's excited face, we
CUT TO:
EXT. TARGET - DAY
Crowds, crowds and more crowds. Michael pulls unsuccessfully
at a shopping cart that is stuck to another.
A MATRONLY WOMAN walks up, nudges Michael out of the way and
yanks the cart out of its row. She rolls it toward Michael,
grabs one for herself and is on her way into the store.
Michael takes several deep breaths. With trepidation in his
step, he heads into the great unknown of the crowded store...
EXT. TARGET - 30 MINUTES LATER
88.
Michael emerges from the store, quite pleased with himself
that he made it out alive. He commands a cart heaped full of
useless gadgets and trinkets, a half dozen picture frames and
about 20 decorative pillows.
EXT. GROUNDS - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Letty and her mother walk briskly through the gardens.
MRS. MAYER
Must you walk so quickly?
LETTY
It's good exercise, Mom.
MRS. MAYER
I've got 26 years on you. If we
could just slow down, we could talk
so much easier.
Letty slackens her pace.
MRS. MAYER
I'm so thankful you'll be leaving
next week. If you want me to pick
you up, I will.
LETTY
I've already made arrangements.
MRS. MAYER
Ruthie mentioned that Michael might
be coming for you.
Letty stops and wags her finger at her mother.
LETTY
Mom, we agreed. You can visit, but
you're not allowed to mention
Michael.
MRS. MAYER
Not even if it's something
positive?
LETTY
Nyet. That's the condition.
Mother and daughter keep walking in silence.
MRS. MAYER
Have you spoken to Paul at all?
89.
LETTY
One more and you're out.
MRS. MAYER
Honestly, Letty.
LETTY
A deal's a deal.
The two walk on in silence.
Silence.
More silence.
MRS. MAYER
Have you heard the figure on how
much Queen Elizabeth's going to pay
in taxes this year?
Letty stops walking. She turns a sunny smile on her mother,
then hugs her.
LETTY
I knew you had it in you.
INT. LETTY'S ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Letty neatly folds garments and lays them in a suitcase. Dr.
Emlee looks on.
DR. EMLEE
So, we'll meet every Tuesday and
Friday. And if you have any kind
of emergency, you can page me.
LETTY
OK, good. That's good. Thanks an
awful lot for everything, and for
coming down here to see me off.
DR. EMLEE
It was just a little going-away
gesture.
LETTY
I have a going-away gesture for
you, too.
DR. EMLEE
Oh?
90.
Letty puts her hand in her suitcase and rummages through the
clothes, creating a jumbled mess. She snaps the luggage
closed. Bits of clothing hang out. They LAUGH.
INT. NURSES’ STATION - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Letty sets her duffel bag down next to two suitcases. She
hugs Marie, John, Thomas, then walks over to Mrs. Hallstrom,
who hangs back from the group. Letty embraces her.
LETTY
I'll miss you, Mrs. Hallstrom.
There's no response. Letty goes to Nurse Gates and hugs her.
NURSE GATES
Take care, Letty. And, let me know
if you need help with any spiders.
LETTY
You know I will. Thanks for
everything.
Letty walks toward Michael, who gathers up her bags.
MICHAEL
See you later, guys.
Michael and Letty walk through the VISITING ROOM...
MICHAEL
Aren't you supposed to throw a
bouquet or something?
LETTY
Aren't you ever quiet?
They walk out the doors onto the FRONT STEPS OF THE HOSPITAL.
Michael grabs Letty's hand as they hurry down the steps.
MICHAEL
Where to?
LETTY
I've heard the mission in Santa
Barbara is the place to go.
EXT. SANTA BARBARA MISSION - MAGIC HOUR
In the background, the Spanish-style mission blends into the
hillside. Letty and Michael sit on a bluff, holding hands.
They look out at the ocean, where the sun heads toward the
waves in a fiery red glow.
91.
INT. HALLWAY - MICHAEL'S APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT
Michael and Letty walk down the hall. Michael stops at a door
and showcases it. He jingles the keys.
MICHAEL
This is it -- 3B. Check it out.
LETTY
Open up. I want to see.
MICHAEL
Close your eyes.
Letty claps her hands over her eyes. Michael opens the door
and guides her into his castle.
INT. MICHAEL'S APARTMENT - SAME
MICHAEL
OK. Open them.
Letty surveys the territory. Forget tables, chairs and
couches. Throw pillows are strewn everywhere.
LETTY
Wow.
MICHAEL
You like it?
Letty picks up a pillow and runs her hand over the fabric.
She pauses a moment before speaking.
LETTY
I love the pillows.
MICHAEL
Throw pillows, Letty. The sales
lady said they're the latest thing.
LETTY
Very trendy. Let's see the rest.
Michael leads Letty to the bedroom.
INT. BEDROOM - SAME
A futon bed, draped with a mosquito net, rests in the corner.
Two TVs take center stage.
LETTY
It's TV heaven.
92.
MICHAEL
I was tired of watching what
everyone else wants to watch. Now
we can watch two shows at once.
LETTY
Let's try out the bed.
Michael grabs her hand and pulls her toward the door.
MICHAEL
You've got to see the kitchen
first.
INT. KITCHEN - SAME
MICHAEL
Do you like it?
LETTY
I love your apartment.
MICHAEL
Really?
LETTY
You'll never get rid of me.
Michael kisses Letty on the lips.
LETTY
What do you say we go out to dinner
to celebrate?
MICHAEL
Out? Are you kidding? I've got
all the fixings here.
Off Letty's look of surprise, we watch Michael open a
cupboard door. The shelves are filled from top to bottom
with cans of Spaghetti-O's.
Letty squeezes Michael in a bear hug.
INT. BEDROOM - MICHAEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Letty, in a T-shirt, and Michael, in boxers, lounge on the
futon. They watch both TVs -- one tuned-in to Jay Leno, the
other to David Letterman.
Michael eats from a can of Spaghetti-O's. Letty reaches over
with her fork and snags a mouthful from Michael's can.
93.
LETTY
How can you not like the Top 10
List?
MICHAEL
I like it. But Headlines are
better.
LETTY
You're so wrong.
Letty takes her remote and increases the volume on her TV.
As Letterman gets louder, Michael zaps his volume.
It's a war. Letterman then Leno get LOUDER and LOUDER and
LOUDER until Letty makes a might lunge. She wrests Michael's
remote from him. Letty MUTES both TVs.
MICHAEL
Hey.
LETTY
It's sex time.
Michael mockingly checks his watch. Letty climbs on top of
him. Michael rolls on top of her.
MICHAEL
I think it's my turn.
CLOSE on their faces as Michael gently licks the side of
Letty's mouth.
LETTY
Did I get spaghetti sauce on my
face?
MICHAEL
No.
Michael licks Letty's nose.
LETTY
Michael.
MICHAEL
Shhhh.
Michael and Letty look into each other's eyes, bathed in the
blue light thrown off by the twin televisions.
Michael places a pillow gently beneath Letty's head. He
caresses her face.
94.
Letty's eyes are alive to every look, every touch. Michael
kisses her slowly on the forehead, the nose, and the lips.
CLOSE on Letty's hands as she reaches up to stroke Michael's
forehead and caress his temple.
CLOSER on her hands as Letty runs them through Michael's
hair, then twists a curly lock around her finger.
SOFT MOANS as we
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. BEDROOM - MICHAEL'S APARTMENT - DAY
CLOSE on Letty's hand, resting on the comforter on Michael's
bed. The alarm clock RINGS. Letty's hand slaps it into
submission.
INT. BEDROOM - MICHAEL'S APARTMENT - LATER
Letty's still in bed, a look of bliss across her face.
MICHAEL
Letty? Rise and shine.
LETTY'S POV:
Michael's face fills her vision.
BACK TO SCENE:
Letty's eyes close.
LETTY
Not yet.
MICHAEL
I'll be forced to tickle you.
Letty opens one eye and glares at him.
LETTY
Go away.
MICHAEL
How about this? It's 10:30.
Letty bolts upright.
LETTY
I'm supposed to meet the principal
in half an hour.
95.
MICHAEL
I'll see you tonight.
Michael gives her a kiss and walks into the LIVING ROOM.
Michael adjusts his tie. Letty, naked, runs into the room
and throws her arms around his neck.
LETTY
Good luck.
MICHAEL
You, too. Kick ass today.
Michael walks out the door. Letty thinks for a minute. She
flings open the door and yells to Michael's retreating back.
INT. HALLWAY - SAME
LETTY
My apartment tonight. You can meet
Beast.
Michael swings around.
MICHAEL
Sounds good. Oh, and Letty?
LETTY
Yeah?
MICHAEL
(yelling)
You've got one hell of a great
body.
The door across the hall opens. A LITTLE OLD MAN stares at
Letty's naked figure. She slams Michael's apartment door.
INT. LIVING ROOM - MICHAEL'S APARTMENT - SAME
Letty collapses in GIGGLES.
INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE - CHASEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - DAY
Letty sits across from the principal.
PRINCIPAL GAIL
I didn't have any choice but to
include the parents' letters in
your file.
96.
LETTY
Well, I understand. I know my
behavior was poor.
PRINCIPAL GAIL
So, in light of how the parents
feel, and the fact the students are
doing so well with the substitute,
I don't think I can put you back in
the classroom just yet.
LETTY
Look, Gail, I've been a good
teacher.
PRINCIPAL GAIL
I know, Letty. But the incident
with Zach was frightening for the
children.
(beat)
Now if you'd come to me, explained
what was going on...
LETTY
Believe me, I wish I'd understood
what was going on. I've worked
really hard to get better.
PRINCIPAL GAIL
I'm glad you're doing well.
LETTY
I've already thought about how to
tell the kids where I was.
Letty hands the principal a letter.
LETTY
And I'd like to send the parents
this letter of explanation. With
your support, I think they can
accept me.
The principal reads the letter.
PRINCIPAL GAIL
It's a very nice letter. But I
have to go with what's best for the
students.
LETTY
What does that mean?
97.
PRINCIPAL GAIL
I need someone to work on budget
projections.
LETTY
Office work?
PRINCIPAL GAIL
Or, of course, you could take a
sabbatical the rest of the year.
INT. BANK - DAY
Michael sits at a back desk with MR. SMYTHE, who wears a
three-piece pin-striped suit and taps a pencil on his knee.
MR. SMYTHE
It's not that we're doubting your
intelligence, Mr. Santucci. But
your work history shows so many
interruptions.
MICHAEL
I know, but as I said...
MR. SMYTHE
I appreciate your candor about your
illness, but my bosses are
concerned.
MICHAEL
I can do the job.
MR. SMYTHE
Between you and me, my uncle, he
has some mental problems, and I
know what you're going through. If
it were up to me, I'd hire you.
Michael's already standing.
MICHAEL
Right. Thanks for your help.
He shakes Mr. Smythe's hand, and, downcast, gets out of the
bank as quickly as he can.
INT. LIVING ROOM - LETTY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Letty sits on the floor. She gulps down some aspirin, then
hauls Beast into her lap. The doorbell RINGS.
98.
LETTY
It's open.
Michael walks in, and looks around.
MICHAEL
Gosh, Letty, this is a great place.
LETTY
Thanks.
He kisses her, and lies down on the floor to stroke the cat.
MICHAEL
This must be Beast.
LETTY
That's Mr. Beast to you.
MICHAEL
How was your day?
LETTY
I bombed. It's either work in the
office or nothing.
MICHAEL
Sounds grim.
LETTY
Yeah. How was the job search?
Michael makes a thumbs-down gesture.
LETTY
Who ever said sanity was fun?
MICHAEL
It doesn't matter. It'll work out.
LETTY
Promise?
MICHAEL
Promise.
(beat)
As long as we have steak.
LETTY
Steak?
99.
MICHAEL
It's a well-known fact that a red-
meat dinner can cure the blues.
(beat)
You and Beast wait here. I'll be
back in a jiff.
Letty gives Michael a tired smile. Michael jumps up and
leaves. A moment passes. The door opens again.
MICHAEL
While I'm gone why don't you slip
into something a little more naked?
EXT. GROCERY STORE - NIGHT
Michael walks out of the grocery store, loaded down with
bags. He carries a bottle of wine and a bunch of flowers.
He passes two ladies who gossip outside the store.
LADY ONE
I can't believe he did that.
LADY TWO
What a weirdo.
Michael stops abruptly. He turns back and looks at the
women. They LAUGH.
Michael starts toward the car. He hears more LAUGHTER from
the women. He turns back and walks up to them.
MICHAEL
Don't ever talk about me again, you
hear me?
The women pull back in fright.
INT. KITCHEN - LETTY'S APARTMENT - LATER
Letty, in a skimpy negligee, lights candles on the table.
Michael enters with the groceries and wine.
LETTY
I thought maybe you got lost.
MICHAEL
The store was busy.
LETTY
You got wine. That's great.
100.
MICHAEL
Would you mind if we just called it
an early night?
LETTY
You go ahead and relax. I'll cook.
MICHAEL
I think I should go home.
LETTY
Are you OK?
MICHAEL
Big restaurant interview tomorrow.
LETTY
But what about the red meat-blues
thing?
MICHAEL
You know, we've got that dinner
with my parents tomorrow, too. I
should really get some rest
tonight.
Michael gives Letty a kiss good night. He leaves. She
stares after him. Reluctantly, she blows out the candles and
starts putting the groceries away.
LETTY
(to Beast)
How's filet sound?
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
The coffee shop hasn't opened for business yet. Michael and
six people in their early 20s fill out applications.
Michael stares blankly at his application. He fills out his
name. He can't get any further.
TWO OTHER APPLICANTS glance toward him. Michael tries to
write. He can't.
MICHAEL
(under his breath)
No, no, no. Not now. No.
The other applicants look toward Michael and quickly avert
their eyes. The RESTAURANT MANAGER walks up to the group.
101.
Michael grabs his briefcase and walks out of the restaurant.
His application, incomplete, remains on the table.
INT. KITCHEN - SANTUCCI HOUSE - NIGHT
This kitchen is the heart of the home--copper pots, two pasta
makers and every size wooden spoon made.
Letty, lightly dusted with flour, mixes fresh pasta with her
hands. Mrs. Santucci peers into the bowl.
MRS. SANTUCCI
More water. It's too pasty.
Letty pours in more water.
LETTY
I'll never get the hang of this.
MRS. SANTUCCI
All the Santucci women go through
this.
Letty smiles at her and kneads harder. Mr. Santucci enters
and kisses his wife.
MR. SANTUCCI
Hi there, Letty.
LETTY
Hi, Frank.
Mr. Santucci looks in the pasta bowl.
MR. SANTUCCI
It needs more water.
He dumps some in. Letty looks sadly at the gloppy mess.
LETTY
(to Mrs. Santucci)
Maybe we should make lamb next
week.
Michael walks in.
MRS. SANTUCCI
Hi, Sweetheart.
LETTY
How'd it go?
102.
Michael takes his tie, holds it up like a noose and lets his
tongue loll out of his mouth.
LETTY
What happened?
MICHAEL
Four interviews. Four no-gos.
LETTY
The restaurant, too?
MICHAEL
I couldn't even face that one.
Mr. and Mrs. Santucci look at each other.
LETTY
That's OK. We can call and
reschedule in the morning.
MICHAEL
You don't have to take care of me,
you know.
An uneasy silence falls in the room.
MRS. SANTUCCI
Maybe we should save the job talk
for after dinner.
Michael looks in the bowl of pasta dough that Letty continues
to labor over. He reaches in to help with the mixing.
MICHAEL
(to Letty)
Just promise you'll love me even if
I end up in a job where I have to
wear a blue polyester cap.
LETTY
I think you know I'd love you even
more in a blue polyester cap.
INT. BATHROOM - MICHAEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Michael finishes brushing his teeth. He opens the medicine
cabinet, pulls out a prescription bottle and pours a pill
into his hand.
LETTY (OS)
You're going to miss the Top Ten.
103.
MICHAEL
Coming.
He raises the pill to his mouth, then opens his hand and lets
it drop in the sink. Michael runs the water and watches the
pill swirl slowly down the drain.
LETTY (OS)
Michael, hurry.
Michael stuffs the pill bottle in a bottom drawer. He opens
the door, sprints into the bedroom and leaps onto Letty, who
lies on the futon. Letty SCREAMS and LAUGHS.
INT. MCDONALD'S RESTAURANT - DAY
Michael sits in a booth drinking coffee. He bows over an
application, pen in hand. About a third is filled out.
INT. SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE - DAY
Letty and Superintendent Johansen sit on the floor, which is
covered with math games, posters and charts.
LETTY
I think I could get the program up
and running in the next two weeks.
JOHANSEN
From what I understand the
principal has removed you from
student activities.
LETTY
She's worried that I'm unstable.
Johansen studies her.
LETTY
But I wouldn't push for the program
if I wasn't ready.
JOHANSEN
What about the office work?
LETTY
I'd have to do that, too. But I've
gotten better at pacing myself.
JOHANSEN
Are you sure?
104.
LETTY
I'll call you if I have problems.
Scout's honor.
JOHANSEN
I have to say I'm inclined to give
it another try.
Letty hugs Johansen.
JOHANSEN
But, Letty, why don't you give
yourself three weeks to set it up
this time?
INT. MCDONALD'S RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Michael sits in the same booth, eating a hamburger. About
half of the application is now completed.
INT. TUXEDO SHOP - NIGHT
Letty and her mother sit in silence. Letty smiles at her
mother. Her mother gives her a very tiny smile back.
Michael hurries in.
MICHAEL
Hey, Letty. Mrs. Mayer.
LETTY
I got worried. Are you OK?
Michael pulls a blue polyester hat out of his pocket and puts
it on.
MICHAEL
How may I help you?
LETTY
Congratulations.
MRS. MAYER
Michael, the shop's about to close.
Maybe you could try on your tux.
Michael heads to the dressing room in the back of the store.
LETTY
(to Mrs. Mayer)
Michael just got a job. Couldn't
you congratulate him?
105.
MRS. MAYER
I will, Dear. I promise.
(beat)
Why McDonald's?
LETTY
He's been looking everywhere for
weeks, Mom. It's not that easy
after you've been locked away.
Letty looks toward the back of the store. Her mother looks
at her. Letty ignores her mother.
MRS. MAYER
I've read that lots of people my
age are supplementing their incomes
these days by working at McDonald's
and Burger King.
Letty looks at her mother, tries to read her.
LETTY
I'm going to take that as an honest
effort at being open minded.
MRS. MAYER
Don't be fresh.
LETTY
Just remember that I love him.
Michael walks out of the dressing room and advances toward
the two women, bowing in Cary Grant fashion as he nears.
Letty's mother turns to her daughter, who beams brightly at
the dashing Michael.
MRS. MAYER
(to Letty)
I'll say this, Dear. He looks damn
good in a tuxedo.
EXT. TRACK - DAY
Letty and Michael jog.
MICHAEL
Aunt Lily is the one who married
your father's cousin?
LETTY
No, that's Aunt Connie. Lily is
the one who looks like a hooker.
106.
MICHAEL
Oh. And, Harry, he's the one who
likes magic?
LETTY
You don't have to know all this by
Saturday. It took me years.
INT. CHURCH - DAY
Every inch of every pew in the Baroque church is stuffed with
guests. Michael sits in the second row. He cranes his head
around as "Pachelbel's Canon" RINGS OUT and the FLOWER GIRL
advances.
Letty, in the first part of the bride's maids' procession,
heads down the aisle next. The bride is nowhere in sight.
But even so, as soon as Michael spots Letty, he stands.
Everyone else remains seated. They look at him. Michael
doesn't notice. He has eyes only for Letty.
Letty's mother looks at Michael with more than annoyance.
Begrudgingly, she also stands.
Following the lead, the entire church stands for Letty. She
smiles at Michael.
INT. BALLROOM - COUNTRY CLUB - LATER
A parade of guests pass through the receiving line to greet
Mr. Mayer, Monica, Letty, Mrs. Mayer, Ruth and Jake.
Michael hovers close to Letty. AUNT LILY, with fluorescent
red hair and a silver lame miniskirt, spots him.
AUNT LILY
(to Michael)
What a beautiful wedding.
As she passes out of earshot,
MICHAEL
(to Letty)
Aunt Lily?
LETTY
Bingo.
Mrs. Mayer talks to her brother CORT.
107.
MRS. MAYER
Oh, and have you met Michael? He's
Letty's boyfriend.
Letty and Ruth overhear this. They make eye contact. Ruth
raises her eyebrows toward Letty. Letty smiles back.
INT. BALLROOM - LATER
Ruth and Letty talk while Michael twirls across the dance
floor with Monica.
RUTH
The worst was when I stammered
Jake's name.
LETTY
I don't think people even noticed.
I thought the ceremony was perfect.
RUTH
That's thanks to all your help.
Cort, overweight and red from drink, approaches Ruth and
Letty.
LETTY
Uh oh, Uncle Cort at 6 o'clock.
RUTH
Sorry to do this to you. But I am
the bride.
Ruth turns and flees. CORT pounces on Letty and plants the
wettest kiss ever on her mouth.
CORT
(to Letty)
I don't think I've seen you in two
or three years.
LETTY
Has it been that long?
CORT
You were with that lawyer.
LETTY
I'm dating Michael now.
CORT
Met him in the receiving line. What
is it that he does for a living?
108.
Michael walks up to Letty and Cort as they speak.
LETTY
Well, he just got a job...
MICHAEL
In the restaurant business.
Letty looks at Michael, surprised.
CORT
Speak of the devil.
(beat)
How did you guys meet again?
LETTY
At the psych hospital.
CORT
I would've sent a card, but your
aunt and I, we weren't sure if that
was the thing to do.
LETTY
That's fine, Uncle Cort.
CORT
(to Michael)
So you were a volunteer over at the
hospital?
MICHAEL
Something like that.
LETTY
When he could get time off from the
restaurant business.
MICHAEL
(to Letty)
How about a dance?
CORT
You two go ahead. I'm going to go
bother that pretty sister of yours
for a dance.
Cort gives Letty another big, wet kiss.
LETTY
Bye, Uncle Cort.
(to Michael)
What's with the lie?
109.
MICHAEL
It wasn't exactly a lie.
LETTY
Pretty close.
MICHAEL
People at weddings don't want the
truth.
Michael grabs a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.
LETTY
It's not good to drink so much with
the medication you're on.
MICHAEL
What's with this music? I'll go
talk to the D.J. and see if we
can't get something good going.
Michael heads toward the D.J. and confers with him. Mr.
Mayer walks up to Letty.
MR. MAYER
It’s good to see you so happy.
LETTY
Thanks, dad.
Michael then walks back to Letty and pulls her out onto the
dance floor as "Twist and Shout" BOOMS OUT from the speakers.
Letty's mother departs the dance floor, grimacing. Ruth
shoots Michael a look of pure pleasure. And everyone begins
twisting, as we
CUT TO:
INT. LIVING ROOM - MICHAEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Completely dark. Silent.
Letty, in a nightshirt, wanders in, and stumbles through the
room. She fumbles for the switch on the floor lamp.
The light comes on, illuminating a small circle. Just
outside of it sits Michael.
He stares straight ahead. Letty kneels down in front of him.
110.
LETTY
Michael?
(beat)
Michael? You should come to bed.
Michael remains focused on the space directly in front of
him.
LETTY
Did you take the aspirin and water?
You don't want to feel awful in the
morning.
(beat)
I'll get you some.
Letty begins to stand up. The movement breaks Michael's
trance. He pulls her back down.
LETTY
What is it? Are you OK?
MICHAEL
(strangely calm)
Always the drugs.
LETTY
What?
MICHAEL
I saw you talking to my Mom.
LETTY
We both talked to her, Michael.
And your dad.
MICHAEL
Why'd you tell her I wasn't taking
my meds?
LETTY
What do you mean not taking your
meds?
MICHAEL
Why'd you tell?
LETTY
I didn't talk to her about
medications, Michael. Don't be
silly.
Michael beats his hand on the floor.
111.
MICHAEL
Silly? Silly am I?
LETTY
Michael, take it easy.
MICHAEL
Silly, silly, silly.
LETTY
I think I should call someone.
Michael reaches out, grabs the floor lamp, and pushes it
over. He lurches to his feet and pulls Letty to a standing
position.
MICHAEL
(screaming)
Don't upset my Mom. Don't you
upset my Mom.
LETTY
Michael, calm down. Please. It's
OK.
Michael knocks some flowers over, then rips apart a pillow.
Letty hovers in back of him. He pauses. She puts her hand
on his back.
Michael whirls around. He slaps Letty's hand away. She
stumbles backward.
LETTY
Michael, stop.
He stares in her direction, but he doesn't respond. Letty
can't make a connection.
Michael shoves his fist through a window.
Letty grabs the phone.
MICHAEL
Not my Mom. Not my silly silly
Mom.
Letty runs with the phone. Michael follows her. Letty
trips. She rights herself. She locks herself in the bathroom.
INT. BATHROOM, MICHAEL'S APARTMENT - SAME
Michael POUNDS on the bathroom door. Letty dials 9-1-1.
112.
LETTY
I've got an emergency. I'm at...
Michael HOWLS -- a long, piercing inhuman sound.
LETTY
1450 North Jenkins. Apartment 2.
My boyfriend's out of control.
On the other side of the door, Michael SCREAMS. Another
window SHATTERS.
NEIGHBOR (OS)
What's going on in there?
LETTY
(into phone)
Please, please, send someone.
(beat)
No, he's having an attack. He's
schizophrenic...
INT. LIVING ROOM - MICHAEL'S APARTMENT - LATER
Letty, wearing Michael's tux jacket, is curled up on the
floor in a fetal position.
She stares...at the upset flowers, at the ripped-up pillows,
at a fist-sized hole ripped through an unsturdy wall. Her
gaze stops on a Spaghetti-O's can, lying empty on the floor.
KNOCKS on the door. Letty rises slowly, padding to the door
like an old woman.
The KNOCKS grow urgent. Letty opens the door to Ruth.
Letty throws herself into Ruth's waiting embrace.
Immediately, Letty cries.
After a moment, Letty steps back.
LETTY
I'm sorry, so sorry. I never
should have called.
Ruth looks into Letty's eyes.
RUTH
You did the right thing.
LETTY
I ruined your wedding night.
113.
RUTH
I'm glad you called. Now, not
another word about it.
Ruth pulls Letty into the apartment and shuts the door behind
them. It is only then that she sees the destruction in the
living room. Horror flashes across her face.
RUTH
Oh my God.
Tears stream down Letty's face. Ruth starts to cry.
RUTH
Did he hurt you?
Letty shakes her head "no." Her sobbing intensifies. Ruth
puts her arm around Letty, and together, they sit on the
floor.
Ruth holds Letty until the crying eases.
LETTY
Oh, Ruthie, what am I going to do?
RUTH
You don't have to make any
decisions tonight.
LETTY
But what am I going to do?
RUTH
Do you want to go see him? I'll
take you if you want to go.
LETTY
I can't. I can't see him there.
Ruth holds her close again.
LETTY
I was so sure. I really thought it
would work.
(beat)
We have plans, Ruth.
RUTH
I know. I know.
114.
EXT. SANTA BARBARA MISSION - DAY
Letty sits on the same bluff she once shared with Michael.
She smokes a cigarette, and stares out at the ocean.
EXT. SANTA BARBARA MISSION - LATER
Letty remains on the bluff, crying. A priest, passing in the
background looks over at her, and continues on his way.
EXT. SANTA BARBARA MISSION - NIGHT
In the darkness, Letty lies on her back. She stares up at
the moon and stars, bright against the night sky.
EXT. BOTANICAL GARDENS - DAY
Letty walks along a pathway with Paul.
PAUL
I'm glad you agreed to see me.
LETTY
I'm just glad there aren't any hard
feelings.
PAUL
Oh, none. None. I completely
understand what was going on.
LETTY
Oh.
PAUL
How's work going? Are you back at
school?
LETTY
I start on Monday.
PAUL
So things are back on track?
LETTY
Getting back.
PAUL
I heard about your friend.
LETTY
What?
115.
PAUL
I heard your friend was back in the
hospital.
LETTY
Michael. Yes.
PAUL
I just wondered, well, if this
meant there was a chance for us.
Because I think about you a lot,
and I still feel...
LETTY
Our relationship meant a lot to me,
too, Paul. But it's over.
(beat)
And Michael being in the hospital
doesn't really change things.
PAUL
I think I've heard this speech
before.
LETTY
I'm really sorry.
Letty reaches up to hug him. He quickly disengages himself.
PAUL
I've got a deposition that I really
need to get cracking on, so if you
don't mind...
LETTY
Sure, I understand.
Paul starts down the path.
LETTY
Wait. Wait.
Letty runs up to Paul.
LETTY
I need to give you this.
Letty hands Paul the engagement ring. He takes it and
continues walking as she stares after him.
116.
EXT. HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Letty walks up the steps to the imposing facility. We follow
her journey through the VISITING ROOM, past families
conversing with patients, to the NURSES’ STATION.
Letty walks up to Nurse Gates, who gives her a quick hug.
John and Bill watch as Letty signs the visitors’ register.
NURSE GATES
He's in Jamie's old room.
Letty walks down the HALLWAY and pauses outside Michael's
door. She KNOCKS.
MICHAEL (OS)
Come in.
INT. MICHAEL'S ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - SAME
Michael is in the middle of taping up the same Houdini poster
we saw in his last room when Letty enters.
LETTY
Hi.
MICHAEL
Hey.
Letty and Michael kiss awkwardly. Dead silence.
LETTY/MICHAEL (TOGETHER)
How are you?
They smile nervously.
LETTY
I guess we need to talk.
MICHAEL
I guess so.
LETTY
It's hard to know where to start.
MICHAEL
Pretend like I'm your shrink.
Letty rolls her eyes.
MICHAEL
Sorry. I'll be quiet.
117.
LETTY
I think about you all the time.
MICHAEL
I sure know what that feels like.
LETTY
And all the plans we have.
MICHAEL
Yeah, the plans.
Letty looks out the window.
LETTY
I've been thinking I could try to
visit you at night after work, and
then there'd be more time on
weekends to see...
MICHAEL
Letty, please.
LETTY
What?
MICHAEL
Like I've told you before I don't
want you taking care of me.
LETTY
Someone has to take care of you
right now, Michael. You tore up
the apartment. You stopped taking
your medications.
MICHAEL
But that wasn't me. I didn't mean
to do that.
LETTY
Well then why'd it happen?
MICHAEL
I don't know. I don't fucking
know.
Letty and Michael glare at each other. Letty looks away.
LETTY
I'm sorry. I didn't come here to
blame you.
118.
MICHAEL
I didn't mean for any of this to
happen.
LETTY
Oh, God, Michael, I know.
(softly)
Why does everything have to be so
hard?
Michael shakes his head.
LETTY
What are we going to do?
MICHAEL
What do you want to do?
LETTY
I know I don't want to lose you. I
don't think I could stand it.
MICHAEL
Yeah, but can you stand to be with
me like this?
Letty waits. She looks away. She turns back and stares into
Michael's eyes. Finally, she says it.
LETTY
No. I can't, Michael. I'm so sorry,
but I just can't handle all this
right now.
Letty starts to cry. Tears well up in Michael's eyes.
MICHAEL
I know. I can't either.
Michael sits down on the bed and they hold each other.
LETTY
I love you so much.
MICHAEL
I love you too, Letty. I love you,
too.
Letty and Michael grip each other. Finally, they pull apart.
LETTY
Maybe we could just run away to
Tahiti and live on the beach.
119.
MICHAEL
That's the best idea I've heard in
a long time.
Letty wipes a tear from Michael's cheek.
LETTY
Don't you have a magic trick or
something to make this easier?
MICHAEL
How about something better? Like a
kiss.
The couple kisses more tenderly than ever before.
LETTY
I can still come visit you, you
know.
MICHAEL
Would that really be such a good
idea for either of us?
LETTY
Just promise me you'll be OK, OK?
MICHAEL
I will. And you make sure you take
care of yourself.
Michael puts his hand under Letty's chin and draws her head
up so he can look into her eyes.
MICHAEL
Promise you won't fall for any guys
pretending to be doctors.
Letty shakes her head "no" as tears stream down her face.
LETTY
I guess I should go now.
MICHAEL
You should go.
Letty stands up and walks toward the door. She comes back
and embraces Michael again. Slowly, they separate, and Letty
leaves the room. Michael stares out the window.
120.
EXT. HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - SAME
Letty walks out the door, down the steps and along the front
walkway -- until, finally, the hospital recedes in the
distance.
INT. CLASSROOM - CHASEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - DAY
Letty sits on top of a desk. Children of all ages stare her
down. A few familiar faces--Bobby and Jenny--grace the room.
Principal Gail passes outside the window and glances in.
LETTY
First of all, I want to welcome you
to MathShop. I have lots of fun
games planned for us.
(beat)
Let's see, Bobby, can you help me
pass out these cards?
Bobby doesn't move.
LETTY
Is something wrong, Bobby?
BOBBY
Why were you gone so long?
JENNY
My mom said you went crazy.
LETTY
I had what some people call a
nervous breakdown. I wasn't
dealing with life so well so I
went...
BOBBY
To a place for psychos.
LETTY
To a psychiatric institution.
JENNY
What's that?
LETTY
It's a place where you figure out
what you want, and what things in
your life aren't working. You
learn to look out for yourself and
not get...
121.
Letty trails off. She sees that she's lost the class. Bobby
launches a spit wad that hits the boy in front of him.
LETTY
Let me show you the best thing I
learned.
She walks up to Bobby. He twists around in his seat, trying
to hide the rest of his supply of spit wads.
Letty waves her hand around Bobby's head. The children,
stare, delighted. She pulls a bright coin out of his ear,
and hands it to him.
CHILDREN (TOGETHER)
Wow./ Neat./ Do it again, Miss
Mayer.
Letty puts her hands behind her back and produces a bouquet
of paper flowers. Now, she's got the class hooked.
FADE OUT
THE END | screenplays |
the history of psychiatry describes the medicalization processes and the mechanisms by which society has emarginated diversity and has always been imbued with the attitudes which mental health institutions and services have had towards the patients families .
the advent of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis was the turning - point when theoretical and clinical medicine was first concerned with etiology of psychiatric disorders .
this prompted a redefinition of the role of family and their importance in mental health care .
as discussed by castel spirals of guilt are no longer constructed , the aim nowadays is rather to construct dialogues which support and promote the family as an entity capable of replicating and optimizing modern welfare systems .
the role of family members has changed over the centuries , especially since the closing down of lunatic asylums , and this has led to responsibility for the patient being shared between the health service and the family network .
this new scenario questioned the old concept of delegation to the custody of ... , allegedly the only concrete answer to the family s perpetual oscillation between the need for assistance , the impossibility of a cure and the desire to get rid of a problem .
now that the possibility of totally delegating the task of care to the health services is decreasing , the family begins to be defined as a resource for community psychiatric services .
this different mindset , which views the family as an alternative to institutionalization , leads to it being seen as an essential entity in the setting up of community service dynamics .
it is a new approach which is bound up with new care models and with the changes in the subjects involved . as discussed by saraceno
there is a change in perspective , which the interviewees in our study , both the heads of the services and the workers , highlighted repeatedly ; the family is considered not only as an entity to be instructed and assisted , but also as an essential and necessary resource for the rehabilitation of the psychiatric patient .
indeed , it is identified as one of the principal actors in the process and organization of care .
the family s role is therefore redefined and it has gained importance to become the main focus for dialogue for mental health services .
the new interactions between the mental health services and the family have led to different requests and , thus , different expectations , tools and resources . in the comparative literature on the welfare state , psychiatry assistance have represented a marginal theme .
social policy scholars have in fact concentrated mainly on the core sectors of the welfare state . yet
, the closure of the large mental hospitals in much of the western world has created the paradigmatic shift .
it born a great deal of discourse about the experience between family members and services . in this field ,
moreover , research has tended to a large extent to focus on microsectoral aspects : family member needs and burden ; participation in decision - making and relationships with psychiatric workers .
current research tends to focus on barriers between families and mental health services , such as staff attitudes and inadequate communication with family members .
for example , slade et al . reported that family members were seen as pushy and demanding , prejudged if they tried to share information , and had to persevere in contacting services .
alternatively , gray et al . found that family member were often discouraged from approaching services , and that they were seen as troublemakers and as part of the problem .
gray interviewed sixty - five participants ( directors , managers and senior staff from social , voluntary and healthcare organizations ) who were encouraged to talk in detail about their understanding of family emotions .
what emerged was a rich understanding of the broad spectrum of family members negative emotions ( such as fear , anger and denial ) .
participants noted a clear lack of emotional support for family carers , with accompanying feelings of marginalization , particularly during transitions and especially involving young family members as well as ethnic minorities .
a year later , gray proposed drawing up a covenant between mental health services and family carers , one based on mutual obligations .
he claimed that much of the relationship between families and services puts the interests of service users and providers ahead of family members and suggested that family members were hidden and invisible , trapped and isolated in narrow roles .
therefore , a covenant would help clarify what professionals expect of carers ; and would ultimately improve engagement and relationships . in italy ,
the closing of lunatic asylums and the nationwide development of local services to treat people with psychiatric disorders and return them to the community have put these people back in their original social context and , especially , in their family . currently , the assumption is that much of psychiatry is oriented to the involvement of family members in the rehabilitation therapy of the patient .
but , when family members considered to be collaborative ? currently , in italy lacks a literature that examines , in particular , the construction of the relationship between operators in psychiatric services , family and territory .
the main objective of my research is to observe the intertwining of issues involving people with mental suffering , their families and services .
the starting point is the concept of the family as a resource for the entire mental health service but : i ) the sense of failure and denial of illness which often creates an obstacle to a collaborative approach ; ii ) another obstacle to collaboration lies in the latent sense of guilt in family members ; iii ) obstacle to collaboration could derive from some staff behavior and not only from the family with its problems . from this final point of view , collaboration is something that mental health services and family should approach from a position of parity and symmetry , with both sides reacting to the other s behavior and attitudes .
hence , it becomes evident that those in charge should attribute positive worth to every sector of activity carried out within it , so as to make the unit work in function of the patients needs and the workers job satisfaction .
it should not be overlooked here that the building up of relationships with the family , or with family associations , could , first of all , make it easier to listen to people who , though they may lack specific technical or scientific knowledge , are still people , to cite creer with a wealth of experience which can be of use .
this experience should be exploited , since no system of treatment can work adequately and efficiently without complete collaboration from family members , without their first - hand knowledge and without a mutual sharing of the task .
the interviews showed that the problems to be investigated were predominantly in the interpersonal sphere , that people s subjective impressions carry great weight , that society s interpretations of mental illness are significant and that everyone has their own personal cultural viewpoint .
structured interviews were conducted among 26 health professionals that included psychiatrists , psychologists , nurses , rehabilitation professionals , social workers and head nurses .
the study was carried out at the public mental health services in rome , also because there were links there with another , wider - ranging research project ( it is an interdisciplinary research project drawn up by dr .
maone , head of the via sabrata community , romea , with the participation of prof .
cammarota of the university of messina and antonella torre , an operative in the mental health services ) .
the starting point is the concept of the family as a resource for the entire mental health service ; a concept expressed across the whole range of interviews .
these parents who have to deal with their son or daughter s schizophrenia are usually no longer young and may have some physical problems of their own , since onset of schizophrenia usually occurs between the ages of 20 and 30 .
these mothers and fathers will all tend to have different ways of facing up to the difficulties and of expressing their pain . in some cases , in the absence of parents , brothers and sisters will come .
given that nowadays the majority of these services recognize the importance of family involvement by drawing up formal intervention plans , when family members considered to be collaborative ?
but we are always looking for collaboration ... sometimes you find the family in agreement and willing to collaborate .
but the important thing is to build up a relationship with the family and proceed .
( galia , psychiatrist , csm romed ) well ... yeah ... at first there is some reluctance [ ] .
i must say that ... mainly it s reluctance connected with the fact that , when parents send a son or daughter to us , they are unconsciously in competition with the community, ... because , in a way , the separation , entering the community is nt something they view ... it s seen as a problem , there s a sense of failure .
( leopold , psychiatrist , community romeb ) galia is psychiatrist in the a mental health centres , while leopold is a psychiatrist in a community which frequently works with family members , also using multi - family groups .
galia thinks that the essential starting point for a collaborative approach with the family is for them to express agreement with therapy and treatment .
non - acceptance by the family of the specific nature of their relative s disorder becomes an obstacle .
galia makes it clear immediately that , even when this expression of agreement is not there at first and the family has an attitude of opposition or ambivalence , the possibility of building up a relationship with the family is still a priority for the mental health service .
galia thinks that a collaborative approach is connected to how and whether family members accept the patient s disorder .
the need to obtain the family s agreement to therapy and treatment is seen as something in which the service must invest energy and resources .
leopold too talks about reluctance on the part of some family members which often becomes an obstacle to collaboration with the service and which is usually a consequence of a sense of failure or impotence .
yet , taking a longer view , leopold makes it clear that , even when there are difficulties at first , the results can be amazing if pathways to mutual understanding and collaboration are created with the family . making the effort to work with the family brings gratification and excellent results , once the initial difficulties are overcome .
an essential ingredient for a collaborative approach is acceptance on the part of the family of their relative s situation .
these roots spread back to the process of stigmatization which society has applied to mental illness , deriving from the centuries - old view of madness as something frightening .
only a few studies take into account this stigmatization process , which involves people close to psychiatric patients such as family members .
they too become victims of the social exclusion strategies which lead to a sense of shame and isolation in addition to their suffering and despair . as discussed by hatfield , unlike other unfortunate events which can occur in the private family sphere , such as death or a physical illness , in the case of psychiatric illness sometimes the structures of socially formalized assistance and sympathy seem to be lacking . the sense of failure and denial of illness which often creates an obstacle to a collaborative approach , here are the stories of some events experienced by other staff : a personal memory of mine was [ ] a widowed mother with a schizophrenic son , the schizophrenia was nt responding to medication [ ] this boy caused a lot of problems , in his neighbourhood and in his family .
[ ... ] when you set a sectioning process in motion , with signed documents , the police , two doctors and all the rest , well that s a big thing .
when they got to the house , the mother would say : no , he s all right now [ ] .
this is an example of how a parent can be passive and aggressive at the same time , first they ask for help and then they refuse the help .
then you get the parents who ca nt be collaborative because they are psychotic themselves .
( mustaf , psycologist , community romeb ) mustaf here illustrates the ambivalent attitude , present not only in this specific case , which causes parents to swing perpetually between fear and love , between despair and a search for protection .
this attitude can be seen as a consequence of the fear of the son or daughter s reaction when the sectioning procedure is set in motion , but there is probably also fear of being abandoned by the institution which assists them . in the light of this , the road to information and awareness that the mental health services constructs with the family is an essential prerequisite for a relationship of trust .
it is prevalently the chief nurses who express a concept of collaborative care which implies practical and concrete participation , to assist the mental health services .
if we ask them to ..... well , say .... to act in a certain way , like do nt come too often or please phone before you come , you know , not turning up unexpectedly without saying they re here ..... they must nt go into the rooms ..... and they do as we ask [ ... ] everybody has stuff to do , sure ... but the patients are nt just parked here , we do require basic co - operation . [ ... ] it s true that we all have things that take up our time , but if you really want to , you can make time for something [ ] ( ellen , head nurse , community romeb ) we do believe that parents and family are of great value sometimes they can reach places we do nt , for example ... if a patient is reluctant to take medication , a parent or other family member who has been well instructed can be a great help to us . also , if we give health education and explain what the early symptoms of a crisis can be , then sometimes we can avoid hospitalization ... that means they also have an actual financial value , in terms of costs to society .
( crisanta , head nurse , csm romed ) in these cases yes , having contacts with the family that helps in giving medication ; i have the prescriptions written out by the doctor and then i give them to the family ..... sometimes a mother will telephone to say look , he did nt take his medication today .
( isabel , nurse , csm romea ) ellen , who works in a residential community , says that the kind of collaboration that the mental health services are often obliged to ask the family for , because they lack either the staff or the time , is everyday tasks such as health checks with the doctor . when the family refuses to do this , ellen interprets it as an offloading of the patient by the family onto the mental health services .
ellen s worry is that a residential community could become , in the eyes of some people , a sort of alternative to the old lunatic asylums . for ellen ,
non - abandonment and this kind of participation is a yardstick for measuring family collaboration .
the community where ellen works does in - depth work with the patients families , both to have immediate support during treatment and to recreate relationships with an eye on the future .
crisanta sees the collaborative assistance which is requested from the family as the services need for an extra eye , which checks and monitors the situation outside the structures of the service itself .
the family thus takes on an active role in the therapeutic process and its management , as well as being an external support for the service . for this to be successful , however , it is necessary to work with the family , by giving them instruction and information about the warning signal symptoms which precede a crisis and about the importance of the patient following correct methods of medication .
isabel , like ellen and crisanta , helps to clarify the difficult points where the services can not be effective on their own .
in her view , family participation and collaboration is essential as an extension of the services efforts , as something which enables them to work better .
what isabel actually makes clear is that , in spite of limited contact with family members and the difficulties encountered with them , the services real need and proper attention towards the patient are elements which can create a scenario where collaborative work with the family is a real possibility .
it is clear so far that the majority of the workers interviewed in this study , even those who technically have less contact with the family , see collaboration as something which has to be constructed together .
this attitude is also found among the psychologists : i mean , family collaboration can become something more than just .....
i ll try to check that my son or my wife takes the medication ... and you get the family noticing behavior which is completely different from usual and telling us about it [ ] .
very , very often there s denial ; some families say oh no , you say he s ill , but he s not .... ( magda , psychologist , csm romed ) a collaborative parent is one who says : doctor , i ve noticed that my son is doing this or doing that , maybe it has significance for you .
then maybe i ll call them back to say : you were right , it was a good thing you pointed that out to me because it let me work on that aspect .
intrusive is when they say : look here , you have to see that things are just not going right here . [ ] they criticize our work , the way we go about it ; they say you do nt understand the kid , i d better explain him to you .
[ they do it ] as a defense strategy [ ] ( beverly , psychologist , csm romed ) the family may be non - collaborative for two reasons : first when they are disturbed themselves ; and second , when the medical staff do nt create an alliance because , in their own minds , they believe that the parents are actually responsible for the disorder .
( mustaf , psychologist , community romeb ) magda and beverly are both psychologists in the same mental health centre , yet here are two people , in the same structure with the same professional role , who define collaboration differently .
magda is one of the few interviewees who emphasizes the importance of collaboration viewed first and foremost as a journey to be made with the family .
its basis is the ability and the need , not just of the service as a whole , but of each individual worker , to create a relationship with the family , through meetings and continuous dialogue .
she believes that is the only way to obtain a type of collaboration which gives support to both the patient and the service .
magda also thinks that non - acceptance of the patient s disorder is an obstacle to construction of collaborative relations with the family . in her view , it is necessary to make every effort to surmount this obstacle as soon as it appears .
beverly makes it clear that she only considers the family collaborative if there is an a priori respect for the workers professional training and knowledge , with no intrusiveness ; in other words , the family should have implicit faith in the professionals opinion . here a detailed outline of the actions and the practical interventions necessary for a definition of collaborative is not given , just an indication of the attitude required by the worker of the family to facilitate its involvement in the care program drawn up for the patient : the attitude consists in respect for the healthcare professional .
while beverly too sees family collaboration as a support for treatment , in her opinion an obstacle to collaboration lies in the latent sense of guilt in family members .
thus , magda and beverly both consider a successful collaborative process with the family to be an effective tool for the worker in treatment of the patient , but have different opinions as to what constitutes an obstacle to its creation . on the one hand
there is a belief in the possibility of creating collaborative pathways , also by overcoming human failings , but on the other the building of bridges seems to be compromised by the massive sense of guilt that families have .
the constraints on collaboration created , in beverly s opinion , by the sense of guilt , which leopold also spoke of using the word failure , are viewed from an opposite point of view by mustaf .
he observes what could be a mistaken attitude on the part of the mental health workers ; the apportioning of blame .
mustaf is the only interviewee who , on identifying an obstacle to collaboration , suggests that it could derive from some staff behavior and not only from the family with its problems . from this point of view , collaboration is something that mental health services and family should approach from a position of parity and symmetry , with both sides reacting to the other s behavior and attitudes .
the study did not reveal a common way of interpreting collaboration between mental health services and patients families .
indeed , the interviews contained various points of view which , in most cases , tended to neglect the way workers should be and concentrated on what the family should do . even though the various healthcare professionals have different ideas about collaboration , practically all the mental health services in rome included in the study intended to continue to attempt collaboration with the family .
they were aware , however , that many obstacles can be encountered : i ) the sense of failure and denial of illness which often creates an obstacle to a collaborative approach ; ii ) another obstacle to collaboration lies in the latent sense of guilt in family members ; iii ) obstacle to collaboration could derive from some staff behavior and not only from the family with its problems .
the study also shows that , in spite of all the structures included in the study having specific guidelines for ways of meeting with families , the actual relationships vary not only from one structure to another , but also between the staff members in the same structure .
one of the main contradictions that emerges is the fact that in some structures , despite there being , in theory , a common code for collaborative action with family members , a grey area appears , within which individual workers have their own interpretations of what this actually involves . in the light of this , the tools and resources that the structure actually employs in practice are just as important as the theory in mediation of the relationship with the family .
it was also observed that , very frequently , when the mental health service gives added value to all types of worker by actively involving them in work with family members , then each individual worker has a higher opinion of the worth of their job .
this leads to an improved capacity for empathizing with the family , which the worker sees as needing support and assistance , as well as being able to give these things .
seeing things from this perspective would mean that the mental health services must create places where workers and family can meet and establish a dialogue , so as to deepen the understanding of the daily difficulties that the family has to face . in conclusion services
should create moments , such as multi - family groups or groups of information , managed by nurses and not only by doctors . | pubmed |
diabetes is a chronic disease that approximately involves 350 million people ( 6.5% ) worldwide , with an increasing trend to some 440 million ( 7.8% ) by 2030 .
it is burdened by microangiopathic ( nephropathy , retinopathy , and neuropathy ) and macroangiopathic complications ( cardiovascular disease and fatal or nonfatal stroke ) .
cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetes mellitus , especially in type ii .
overall , myocardial infarction , fatal or nonfatal stroke , and amputations are 2 to 4 times more frequent , and global cardiovascular risk is about 3 times higher in diabetic patients than in the nondiabetic population . by the way , in a finnish study , mortality in patients with type ii diabetes without prior myocardial infarction turned out to be even equal to that of nondiabetic subjects with prior myocardial infarction .
peripheral arterial disease ( pad ) represents a continuum of disease entities that range between asymptomatic pad , stable symptomatic intermittent claudication , cli , acute limb ischemia , and amputation .
cli is defined as pad causing resting lower - extremity pain at rest and having threatened or frank tissue loss and is classified as rutherford - becker classes 46 or fontaine classes iii and iv .
cli is a disabling disease and represents the end of the spectrum of pad prior to tissue and limb loss .
other definitions for cli have been suggested to include absolute pressures of ankle pressure < 5070 mm hg , toe pressure < 3050 mm hg , or reduced tcpo2 < 3050 mm hg .
diabetic foot ( df ) is one of the main complications of diabetes mellitus ; it involves approximately 15% of diabetic patients [ 5 , 6 ] and represents the main cause of amputation in developed countries [ 79 ] .
df is a multifactorial disease , since neuropathy , peripheral vasculopathy , and a lower resistance to infections contribute to its development .
feet complications , closely related to neuropathy and obstructive peripheral vascular disease , are responsible for more than 1 million leg amputations every year .
frequently , df complicates the clinical course of ulcerative lesions of the foot and also greatly increases the risk of amputation , especially when associated with a severe deficiency of blood tissue perfusion .
the treatment of df ulcers significantly depends on the vascularization and the presence of infectious process .
treating an infected lesion without having secured an appropriate vascular support does not make sense .
the foot needs greater vascular support to heal than what is needed not to get sick . anyway
, the presence of arterial obstructive disease increases the risk of amputation by itself ; when it is associated with foot infection , which frequently complicates the clinical course of df , the risk of amputation is greatly increased [ 1315 ] .
no consensus is reported in the literature about health - care professionals involved in these fields and about the timing of the treatments .
the aim of this work is to analyse whether the introduction of a new multidisciplinary protocol might change the outcome of our patients in terms of mortality , morbidity , major amputation , and wounds healing .
from january 2007 to december 2011 , 375 patients with df infections and cli have been admitted to our center of vascular and endovascular surgery .
the treatment of these patients has always been characterized by interdisciplinarity with implication of various professionals in the several stages of the long process of healing . since january 2010
our center adopted a new - shared protocol that was applied to all treated patients .
the protocol is divided into four phases and provides the following : early diagnosis with a 24 h on call df team .
all the members of the team should be able to perform a duplex scan and to identify an infective disease , if present;urgent treatment of severe foot infection with an aggressive surgical debridement;early revascularization within 24 hours . in all cases
the first line approach should be represented by endovascular procedures ( pta stenting);definitive treatment : wound healing , reconstructive surgery , and orthesis .
all the members of the team should be able to perform a duplex scan and to identify an infective disease , if present ; urgent treatment of severe foot infection with an aggressive surgical debridement ; early revascularization within 24 hours . in all cases
the first line approach should be represented by endovascular procedures ( pta stenting ) ; definitive treatment : wound healing , reconstructive surgery , and orthesis .
on the basis of these protocols , we divided our experiences into two different phases : from 2007 to 2009 , 192 patients ( group a ) underwent surgical debridement of the lesion followed by a delayed revascularization ; from 2010 to 2011 , 183 patients ( group b ) were treated following the described protocol .
demographic , clinical , and intraoperative variables were entered into a specific database by the operating team .
all patients underwent clinical examination , abi ( ankle - brachial index ) measurement , and ultrasound examination before treatment .
the angiography was performed at the same time as the procedure in order to map the femoropopliteal lesions accurately and thus optimize the revascularization strategy .
all patients were treated by a vascular surgeon in an operating theatre equipped with a portable fluoroscopy unit ( ge - oec 9800 ; ge medical systems , salt lake city , ut , usa ) . in our center
anterograde ipsilateral percutaneous femoral access was preferred when at least 5 cm of a patent proximal segment of superficial femoral artery ( sfa ) was evident at ultrasonography .
a contralateral approach via a cross - over long sheath was only used in the presence of either sfa occlusion in its origin , high femoral bifurcation ( documented by ultrasound ) , or obesity .
we were able to check the correct localisation of the common femoral artery puncture and reduce the risk of retroperitoneal bleeding using micropuncture sets and contrast injections under fluoroscopy . a soft ,
angled , hydrophilic 0.035 guidewire in combination with a 5-f , angled , hydrophilic catheter was brought near the origin of the occlusion .
advancing the guidewire through the true lumen was attempted in all cases . when needed , the subintimal plane was entered by forming a loop at the end of the guidewire and advancing it , along with the catheter , across the occluded arterial segment .
a reentry device was used ( outback , cordis corporation , miami lakes , fl , usa , in all cases ) only when recanalisation by simple subintimal angioplasty ( sap ) was unsuccessful . following confirmation of catheter reentry into the true lumen ,
stenting was performed only when residual stenosis was > 30% or there was a flow - limiting dissection .
we tried to use a standardised approach : a brief sap procedure of 3040 min and use of a reentry device are advised when accessing the true lumen proves difficult , so as not to dissect the popliteal artery or threaten the supragenicular collaterals . if the procedure can not be concluded safely , we continued the intervention surgically or used a hybrid approach .
the presence of a vascular surgeon in the team is important , as in the case of a failed sap , the first intervention should not preclude the possibility of further surgical revascularization . our surgical or endovascular approach is oriented to respect the angiosome concept due to the necessity of a direct blood flow to the wound related arteries .
the log rank test was used in order to detect if there were any statistically significant differences between the two curves .
significance level was set , ( p < 0.05 ) ; stata se , version 12.1 , statacorp , college station , texas , usa software was used for the analysis .
we report mortality rate , major amputation rate ( defined as above the ankle amputation ) , and wound healing rate in both groups at 6 months of followup .
minor amputation below the ankle was considered as a wound healing when function of the limbs was conserved , and as nonhealing ulcer in other cases .
limb function in below the ankle amputation was conserved by the use of appropriate orthesis that ensures the discharge of the affected area in the early postoperative period .
these devices allow achieving a weight bearing of the affected area from amputation ( whether calcaneal tarsal or metatarsal ) by sole rocking .
after successful healing , it is possible to prescribe custom - made shoes with rigid filling to ensure proper mobility .
no significant differences in terms of age or comorbidities were recorded in the present series .
the main time between debridement and revascularization was 3 days ( range 17 days ) in group a ; all patients in group b were revascularized within 24 h from the surgical debridement . in our experience , even in very complex cases , a primary amputation was never performed . as described above , all patients underwent first stage endovascular procedure . only in case of endovascular failure ,
open surgical conversion was performed intraoperatively in all cases of failure in endovascular recanalization . in all cases
, the patients executed a specific antibiotic therapy based on a previously performed antibiogram . at six months of followup
we report 22 ( 11% ) deaths in group a and 9 ( 4.4% ) deaths in group b , which represents a statistically significant difference between the two groups ( p = 0.0224 and hr = 0.41 ) ( figure 1 ) . in group
a we reported 2 deaths ( 1.04% ) due to septic shock ; both patients were septic at moment of clinical presentation .
an endovascular recanalization with restoration of direct flow to the foot was achieved in both cases .
unfortunately , both patients developed an acute renal failure and a multiorgan failure . during the followups 12 cases of fatal mis
were observed ( 6.25% ) , 5 fatal strokes ( 2.60% ) , and 3 renal failures ( 1.56% ) .
no case of septic shock was recorded in group b. fatal mi was observed in 6 patients during the followup ( 3.27% ) , stroke in 2 patients ( 1.09% ) , and 1 patient ( 0.54% ) death of colon cancer at 3 months of followup .
major amputation rate was , respectively , 39.6% and 24.6% in group a and in group b ( p = 0.0024 , hr = 0.58 ) ( figure 2 ) . during the follow - up period ,
all patients in both groups were continuously treated and assisted by vascular surgeons , vascular nurses , and all the other care - providers involved in the healing process by clinical evaluation and wound care . wound healing ( figure 3 )
was achieved in 34 patients ( 17.8% ) in group a and in 39 patients ( 20.8% ) in group b ( p = 0.45 , hr 1.18% ) ( figure 4 ) .
critical limb ischemia and in particular df are still considered cinderellas in our departments . and
this is difficult to explain if we consider that every year more than one million people suffer from a lower limb amputation as a result of diabetes .
it is hard to believe that although 85% of all amputations are preceded by the development of foot ulcers , the prevalence of amputations ranges oscillates from 0.2 up to 4.8% .
we must consider that the complications associated with the diabetic disease are difficult to manage and require a significant commitment in terms of health care [ 19 , 20 ] .
prompers et al . reported that the presence of critical limb ischemia greatly increases the risk of major amputation .
of note , in their experience , the presence of diabetic neurophathy ( even motor or sensory ) is linked only to a higher incidence of ulceration ; no major risk of amputation was detected .
ulcers , depending on pathogenetical features , can be defined as neuropathic , ischemic , or neuroischemic ; all of them can be complicate by a superinfection .
even if many different staging systems of ulcerative lesions have been defined in recent years , the wagner 's classification continues to be the most widely accepted .
wagner 's classification identifies six categories of lesions progressively worsening from stage 0 to stage 5 , depending on involvement of different tissue 's layers , topographic location , and presence of any infection .
this classification allows a clinical diagnosis of the lesion , but on the other side it does not consider the local vascular conditions .
this is the main limit because ischemia is the main factor conditioning the clinical evolution of lesions and also the choice between different kinds of treatments . in order to obviate this problem , a new classification ,
the texas wound classification , which considers also the possible presence of ischemia has been validated .
the texas wound classification demonstrated a positive correlation between dimensions of ulcer , ischemia , and infection with the increase of relative risk of amputation ( table 2 ) .
moreover , it demonstrated a significant positive relationship between the extension and the depth of the infection and the risk of amputation .
early control of infective process represents the main therapeutic goal of emergency surgery in infected df .
the general impression , although not supported by specific prospective studies , is that patients with rest pain and trophic lesions have a worse prognosis than those with only pain and that the greater size of the ulcer worsens the prognosis but only with respect to limb salvage and not for the purpose of patients survival .
diabetes is the most important risk factor for critical limb ischemia [ 19 , 2730 ] , and it is well recognized that diabetic patients have a high risk rate of both amputation and death compared with nondiabetics . despite the benefits of pharmacologic therapy , arterial revascularization remains a mainstay in the management of cli because the restoration of adequate blood flow to the foot is crucial to provide pain relief , promote wound healing , and avoid amputation .
although surgical revascularization is an important therapeutic option , recent data supports the use of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty , which is both feasible and safe in this setting [ 3235 ] .
however , recent reports from the literature seem to suggest the positive role of new commercially available drugs in order to prevent ulceration in diabetic patients . these findings might completely change the scenario in the future .
more aggressive techniques have been developed to improve the results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in vessels below the knee .
techniques such as subintimal angioplasty , retrograde approach with transpedal access , subintimal arterial flossing with antegrade - retrograde intervention [ 39 , 40 ] , transcollateral angioplasty , and pedal - plantar loop [ 42 , 43 ] are improving the success rates of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty even in the most distal vascular territories . by the way , control of any local sepsis through appropriate use of surgical ( debridement , drainage , and even amputation ) and medical ( antibiotics ) modalities is always the immediate priority in df management .
consequently , timing has a key role for the diabetic 's foot treatment , especially if it is infected .
have confirmed how , in case of cli ( especially if it is associated with a severe infection ) , an early surgical treatment of the infection , followed by early revascularization procedure , can achieve limb salvage or a more distal level of foot amputation .
caravaggi has proposed an integrated surgical approach that considers the main aspects of treatment of severe foot infection : time , emergency surgical treatment , and revascularization procedures . since early surgical treatment of infection is closely correlated with limb salvage , they have underlined that surgical debridement has to be performed as soon as possible regardless of vascular condition of the foot .
revascularization procedures , both surgical or endovascular , are secondary in comparison to the local and systemic infections control . in conclusion , the need for a coordinate , multidisciplinary care has long been obvious .
the recent growth of dedicated amputation prevention centers represents a positive trend , and new drugs could modify the natural history of the disease . at the moment
, we would like to suggest a four - step approach to patients with df.early diagnosis with a 24 h on call df team .
all the members of the team should be able to perform a duplex scan and to identify an infective disease , if present.urgent treatment of severe foot infection with an aggressive surgical debridement.early revascularization within 24 hours . in all cases
the first line approach should be represented by endovascular procedures ( pta stenting).definitive treatment : wound healing , reconstructive surgery , and orthesis . early diagnosis with a 24 h on call df team .
all the members of the team should be able to perform a duplex scan and to identify an infective disease , if present .
the first line approach should be represented by endovascular procedures ( pta stenting ) .
this solution is also recommended by the most recent guidelines , in particular by international guidelines on the treatment of diabetic foot and the guidelines of the european society of vascular and endovascular surgery of critical limb ischemia and diabetic foot . in our experience
many different professional skills should work together 24 h365 d to reach the goal to avoid major amputations in patients with df .
it is a hard and complex work , but it is proven that only an interdisciplinary integrated diabetic foot team may lead to a significant impact on the outcome of our patients : time is tissue ! | pubmed |
uterine leiomyomas are the most common benign tumors among women . although most of them are asymptomatic , 20% to 50% of them cause menorrhagia , pelvic pain or pressure , colorectal and or urinary complaints ( 1 ) .
fertility - preserving operations such as myomectomies have become more imperative because older women are willing to have children , the use of assisted reproductive techniques has increased , and the incidences of dyspareunia and sexual dysfunction following hysterectomy have also escalated ( 3 ) .
substantial blood loss associated with the dissection of huge fibroids renders myomectomy a more technically challenging procedure .
it was reported in abdominal myomectomy that up to 20% of patients need blood transfusion and up to 2% might need hysterectomy ( 4 ) .
number of interventions have been introduced to reduce bleeding during myomectomy . despite these actions ,
prevention of excessive hemorrhage during myomectomy remains a major task for surgeons ( 58 ) .
it is well known that prostaglandins such as misoprostol prostaglandin e2 analog , not only increases myometrial contractions but also reduces uterine artery blood flow and may decrease intra - operative hemorrhage in myomectomies ( 9 ) . in this prospective
randomized controlled trial , an attempt was made to examine the effectiveness of two doses of pre - operative vaginal misoprostol for reduction of blood loss and the operative time during abdominal myomectomy .
this study comprised of 69 patients among those attending the gynecology outpatient clinic at mansoura university hospital during the period from january 2011 to january 2013 ( clinical trials .
all patients had multiple symptomatic uterine fibroids ( abnormal vaginal bleeding , dull aching lower abdominal pain and pelvic heaviness , subfertility or recurrent abortion ) and were scheduled for abdominal myomectomy according to the hospital guidelines .
the excluded patients were the ones who had hypertension , cardiac and pulmonary disease , chronic endocrine or metabolic diseases such as diabetes , obesity ( body mass index > 30 kg / m2 ) , all cases of single myoma and those known to be allergic to prostaglandin preparations .
none of the patients had received pre - operative hormonal therapy ( such as a gnrh analogue or oral contraceptive pills ) that could affect intra - operative bleeding or the duration of operation .
all participants were provided with patient information sheet and were counseled before being considered eligible for inclusion in the study and a written consent was obtained from each participant .
all patients were randomly allocated into two treatment groups using a computer - generated random table in sealed envelopes .
group a included 34 cases and received 400 microgram prostaglandin e2 analog , misoprostol , ( misotac , 200 microgram , by sigma pharmaceutical industries , alexandria , egypt ) , intra - vaginally , 1 hr before operation .
group b included 35 cases received 800 microgram prostaglandin e2 analog intra - vaginally in two doses , 3 and 1 hr before surgery .
the tablets were mixed with lubricant gel and inserted in the posterior fornix and the patient was asked to rest in bed for at least 1 hour after insertion .
abdominal myomectomy was performed according to the standard technique through transverse lower abdominal incisions in all patients by consultant level without use of intra - operative tourniquet .
blood loss during and after surgery was estimated by suction and towel collection and weighing .
the outcome measures in both groups included the operative time , intra and post - operative blood loss , post - operative hemoglobin concentration , intra and post - operative blood pressure and body temperature over the post - operative 7 days .
the data obtained from this study were statistically analyzed using spss software ( spss 11 inc .
, zonguldak karaelmas university , zonguldak , turkey ) and using chi - square test to compare differences in rates and student t - test to compare means and standard deviations .
the data obtained from this study were statistically analyzed using spss software ( spss 11 inc .
, zonguldak karaelmas university , zonguldak , turkey ) and using chi - square test to compare differences in rates and student t - test to compare means and standard deviations .
table 1 for patients ' characteristics showed no statistically significant differences between both groups .
menorrhagia was the main presenting symptom for both groups ( 22/34 , 64.7% , in group a and 24/35 , 68.6% , in group b ) .
all patients had multiple uterine fibroids in different locations of the uterus ( submucous , intramural and subserous ) .
patients ' demographic criteria in the myomectomy study groups ( single vs. double pre - operative intra - vaginal prostaglandin e2 dose ) data shown as meansd in group b , the mean operative time was significantly ( p<0.001 ) shorter than group a ( 25.84.14 vs. 35.45.6 min respectively ) .
the mean value for operative blood loss was significantly ( p < 0.001 ) smaller in group b ( 101.425.5 vs. 200.16 18.8 ml ) .
there was a significant ( p<0.01 ) rise of body temperature in group b ( 38.50.7 vs. 37.18 0.84c ) .
there were no differences between the two groups regarding hemoglobin levels , post - operative febrile morbidity or hospital stay ( table 2 ) .
patients characteristics , blood loss , operative time , pre- and post - operative hemoglobin , and length of hospital stay after myomectomy in the study groups ( single vs. double pre - operative intra - vaginal prostaglandin e2 dose ) data shown as meansd
three categories of interventions can be identified ( a ) interventions on uterine arteries such as laparoscopic uterine artery ligation , uterine artery embolization , pericervical mechanical tourniquet for uterine arteries and hormonal tourniquets such as vasopressin ; ( b ) uterotonics such as ergometrine , oxytocin , misoprostol and sulprostone and ( c ) myoma dissection techniques which include the use of laser , electrosurgery and chemical dissectors such as sodium-2-mercaptoethanesulfonate ( mesna ) ( 510 ) .
( 2008 ) identified 8 well designed randomized trials that have assessed the effect of each intervention on blood loss .
the largest effect on blood loss during myomectomy was recorded by the study that combined the occlusion of the uterine arteries and ovarian arteries using tourniquets prior to myoma enucleation ( 11 ) .
. significant reduction of intra - operative blood loss was noted when vasopressin was injected into the uterine muscles overlying the myomas .
vasopressin is costly and can cause temporary increase in blood pressure , pulmonary edema , myocardial infarction and life - threatening hypotension , all can limit its routine use ( 12 , 13 ) .
the injection of bupivacaine plus epinephrine into the myometrium overlying the myoma was also evaluated in one study and the result showed evidence of reduction in blood loss ( 14 ) .
some trials on oxytocin showed no evidence of its effect on blood loss during myomectomy and this is consistent with other evidence that the myometrial concentration of oxytocin receptors is very low in non - pregnant uteri ( 15 ) .
gnrh analogues have been used prior to myomectomy and there is clear evidence that their use reduces uterine volume and fibroid size and reduces blood loss and operating time during myomectomy ( 16 , 17 ) .
first , it increases myometrial contractions ( 18 ) and affects the vascular structures which stem from both uterine artery and utero - ovarian anastomosis and blood flow is reduced .
the second mechanism may be the direct vasoconstrictive impact on uterine arteries ( 19 ) .
misoprostol , both in single or double doses , is not expensive which is a crucial factor in low resource settings for the choice of medicines . in this study
, it was demonstrated that two pre - operative doses of misoprostol , 400 microgram each , resulted in a statistically significant reduction in operative time and intra - operative blood loss and consequently no need for post - operative blood transfusion when compared to a single dose use .
these results were consistent with the one found by husnu and ek - rem but they used a single dose
400 microgram , one hour before operation while in this study single or double dose regimen was used ( 20 ) .
therefore it can be administered an hour before the operation and significantly reduces intra - operative blood loss .
this in fact is due to absorption kinetics studies which indicate that 400 g microgram of vaginal misoprostol reaches its peak concentration in the plasma approximately 60 min after it is administered and remains at levels close to this peak concentration for at least 60 min ( 21 ) . in this study , we have used 2 doses pre - operatively , versus a single dose to reduce blood loss in myomectomies where uterine congestion is excessive and abrupt bleeding is threatening the operation .
it was reported that the most common side effects after administration of 400 g of vaginal or oral misoprostol were chills , nausea and vomiting , headache and vertigo , abdominal pain and diarrhea ( 22 ) . in this study , however , despite the elevated body temperature above normal in double versus single dose ( mean body temperature : 38.5 0.7 and 37.180.8 respectively and p<0.005 ) , this rising did not increase during few hours and was not associated with serious systemic side effects .
despite the small number of patients included in this study , it clearly showed that the use of intra - vaginal prostaglandin e2 misoprostol was easy and it was an inexpensive method to reduce blood loss during abdominal myomectomy . doubling the dose rendered more reduction of intra operative blood loss and made the procedure less time consuming . | pubmed |
You are here: Home / Sports / NFL / Cleveland Browns QB Johnny Manziel is Frustrated, Might Play Sunday
Cleveland Browns QB Johnny Manziel is Frustrated, Might Play Sunday
October 29, 2014 by Sara
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel is a hot shot. He's controversial. He's a social butterfly. According to Browns head coach Mike Pettine, Johnny Manziel is frustrated, quiet and tired of watching Browns games from the sidelines, too. And that mindset may change this Sunday.
It's not surprising that Johnny Manziel is frustrated. Although he dropped like a rock in the first round of the NFL Draft, he was still scooped up with the 22nd pick and thought he'd have a chance to start. During the preseason he and current starting QB Brian Hoyer shared reps, leading to the rare photo above of Manziel getting meaningful playing time.
Eventually coach Pettine named Hoyer the starter, but not before ruling out the possibility of a dual-QB system. The idea was straight out of the la Chip Kelly playbook for a few seasons when Kelly was coaching the University of Oregon Ducks football team. That two-QB system hasn't worked out, though, with Hoyer predicted to start well through this week's Week 9 Browns game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Yet if coach Pettine's comments today are to be believed, Manziel may be poised to see some playing time.
Pettine told ESPN that Johnny Football has shown "flashes" of first-round talent in practice, but that he and the rest of the Browns coaching staff really need to evaluate Manziel in live game situations.
"All the games are meaningful. If it ever gets to the point where we're potentially up big, down big, or if there's a situation that calls for him to go in, we'll get an opportunity to see him," said Pettine. "But there's a lot of football left to be played. You're looking for an evaluation at some point, but I don't think you can force it."
Pettine may not have to force it. This week's Browns game comes against the 1-6 Buccaneers, a team that's won its last three games against the Browns but is primed to drop this year's matchup.
The 4-3 Browns are certainly no powerhouse this year, especially on defense, but Tampa Bay is dead last or close to it in just about every statistical category. If there's ever to be a game when the Browns are up by a bunch and can afford to give Manziel some reps, this Sunday's Bucs / Browns game is the one.
So, while Johnny Manziel is frustrated and "quiet" around the practice facility, certainly two attributes we're not used to reading about him, he may get to build his case for being a starting NFL QB just a few days from now.
Filed Under: NFL | slim_pajama |
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If a system is in chemical equilibrium is it possible to put the system out of its current state by introducing **novel** substances not present in it whose behavior isn't analogous to the one of the substances already in the system and whose interactions can start new reactions unseen by the system till the moment the new substance is added? Can even a miniscule concentration of that substance (so miniscule it could be as small as even 1 molecule) start dramatic changes capable of affecting the entire system?
To be clearer I would like to show an example. Imagine there is a system of substances all of the reactions among which have already reached equilibrium rates and the concentrations of their reagents and products are stable. Then, we add extra reagent not present in the system until that moment capable of interaction with its components to form novel molecule which on its turn is able to further interact with the components of the system to form other novel molecule and it can further interact with components of the system and so on until a molecule so large is formed that it splinters into 2 molecules. However, each of these molecules is further able to interact with components of the system to produce a "new generation" of large molecules which when a certain limit is reached splinter into 2 whose properties, however, are identical to the 2 molecules already described, so in the end novel substances emerge able to dramatically shift the equilibrium in which the system was before their addition. Then, is this example possible proof of the ability of even a single molecule to start a chain of reactions able to shift chemical equilibriums and is it a proof there can be systems appearing to be in the state of equilibrium but actually able to undergo great changes if the **appropriate** molecules are added to them?
Basically, the purpose of my question is to ask (if it's even possible) to have a system which has reached a state of chemical equilibrium **stable in time** but which can be radically altered by a reagent not characteristic for it by even a minute concentrations of that reagent. A perfect example of my point is a sterile growth medium. By all means it's in state of chemical equilibrium. All possible reactions able to occur in it are already occurring with equal speeds of the forward and reverse reactions with concentrations of their reagents and products already in equilibrium. As such there is *nothing new* that can occur in the system if we rely **only** on the *natural* processes able to develop in it. However, if we add even 1 bacterium able to grow in the medium many new reactions will start to occur as a result of its metabolism and it can dramatically change the entire system bringing it out of the state it was able to occupy for extremely long periods of time without it. To my mind the growth medium *is* in a state of chemical equilibrium and there is no way to suddenly develop a bacterium on its own, therefore, our perception of chemical equilibrium entails us with a certain degree of **predictability** we prescribe to systems actually able to undergo drastic changes if the "right kind" of reagents are added to them even in extremely minute concentrations, even for extremely large systems. Is my interpretation of chemical equilibrium correct? Am I misunderstanding something here?
Furthermore, if it's correct does it means there are possible systems whose path of evolution can be entirely unpredictable but they could appear stable in time? What if the difference between their long-term stability and the myriads of unpredictable states they can occupy is a single molecule of complexity unable to be produced by the system itself? Does it mean, then, that chemical equilibrium alone isn't a measure of the possible states of the system but only an *approximation* to what is currently possible under certain physical conditions for a mixture of reagents? Then, does it means there is a "limit of opportunity" for any system in equilibrium defining what is possible for the system currently, but not all that is possible for it under the physical conditions it's in? Finally, does it means certain substances can change this "limit of opportunity" by generating novel compounds and starting novel reactions taking the system out of its current state without the need for addition of new reagents for the system? Is that possible for any known **chemical** (I'm referring to chemistry alone here and not mentioning any equilibrium changes induced by biological agents) systems and what are these examples?
I'm looking for both a system and a reagent capable of displaying such behavior to explain a quest of mine. I'm thinking about the possibility of the existence of "cascade reactions" able to dramatically change systems already in **stable**, e.g. equilibrium, state but the compound causing the initial reaction in the cascade shouldn't be native to the system and it shouldn't be able to produce it on its own. I'm thinking about the existence of limits to the reactions possible under certain conditions induced not by the conditions themselves but by the levels of complexity the products of the reactions currently occurring in the system can reach. I mean if the reagents are relatively simple substances combining to produce relatively simple products then the system can reach a level of complexity where all reactions are in equilibrium under the given conditions but not **all possible** reactions that these reagents could participate in have occurred. Then, if we add even a single molecule of novel substance with a higher degree of complexity than the ones in the system, could it trigger this "cascade" of reactions leading it to a higher degree of complexity than it used to have? What if in this new state of more complex chemistry we add 1 more molecule with even a higher degree of complexity? If we repeat the process over and over again how far can we get? Could we react a state where **the entire system itself can begin selfreplicating its complexity** and even **evolving** further complexity on its own without further outside intervention? If this is possible then the purpose of my question is to understand in what systems at what state what kind of molecule can trigger such transition? If it isn't possible I want to know why and at what level of complexity such a transition stops? Basically, I my motivation is to understand where is the border when biology and chemistry meet and **is concept of a break in chemical equilibrium triggered by even a miniscule amount of the "right" kind of complexity crucial to finding it?**
P.S. I hope now my question is clear enough to attract good answers and be unblocked.
Nobody cares about a single molecule, so let's say *"a very small quantity"* instead. Well, then the answer will be along the following lines:
1. Small influences produce small changes. In particular, that small addition will bring your system to a new equilibrium (another state, if you'd like), but it would be infinitesimally close to your initial one.
2. Alternatively, if one tiny droplet will make the system run out of control and finally end up somewhere pretty far from the initial state, this means *it was never in equilibrium in the first place*.
3. In this last case, in particular, the added droplet might not have been necessary. Sooner or later, a huge enough fluctuation would do the same.
As an example of a system in the *"seemingly, but not really stable"* state, think of those [effervescent tablets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effervescent_tablet). They just sit on the shelf and do nothing, but add a *very* tiny amount of water and see what happens.
---
To sum it up, out notion of stability is pretty solid. There very much **is** the state of stability for any system; it is the only one, and it can't be dramatically changed by addition of one molecule of anything. In some systems this state may be hard to reach, but that's another story.
So it goes.
| stackexchange/chemistry |
the detection of large angular scale anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background ( cmb ) radiation was first reported by the _ cobe_-dmr experiment in 1992 ( smoot et al .
1992 ; bennett et al .
1992 ; wright et al . 1992 ; kogut et al . 1992 ) .
the initial detection was based only on the first year of flight data . since that time
the dmr team processed and analyzed the first two years of data and found results to be consistent with the first year results ( bennett et al .
1994 , grski et al .
1994 , wright et al .
we have now processed and analyzed the full 4-years of dmr observations : this paper is one of a series describing the results of our analysis .
the maps and an overview of the scientific results are given in bennett et al .
( 1996 ) . in this paper
we analyze the anisotropy in the 4-year dmr maps using the 2-point correlation function as a measure of the angular power spectrum .
the _ cobe_-dmr experiment was designed to measure the cmb anisotropy on angular scales of @xmath2 , corresponding to spherical harmonic multipole moments of order @xmath3 .
the dmr has produced full - sky maps of the cmb temperature at each of three frequencies , 31.5 , 53 , and 90 ghz , with two independent channels , a and b , at each frequency . in principal
, one can obtain an estimate of the cmb power spectrum from an anisotropy map simply by decomposing the map , @xmath4 , into spherical harmonic components and averaging them to find the mean power per mode @xmath5 : @xmath6 with power spectrum @xmath7 . in practice , however , there are a number of complications that arise . first , the need to apply a galactic cut to the data renders the spherical harmonics non - orthogonal , thereby coupling the @xmath8 coefficients and increasing their uncertainty .
moreover , since @xmath9 is a quadratic form , any uncertainty in the @xmath8 ( whether due to coupling , instrument noise , systematic effects and/or foreground sources ) produces a positive bias in the estimate of the power spectrum .
however , see grski et al .
( 1996 ) and wright et al .
( 1996 ) for spherical harmonic - based analyses that account for these difficulties .
an alternative to estimating the power spectrum is to evaluate its legendre transform , the 2-point correlation function . for a given power spectrum with multipole amplitudes @xmath10 , the predicted covariance between pairs of map pixels @xmath11 and @xmath12 with angular separation @xmath13 is @xmath14 where @xmath15 is the cmb temperature in pixel @xmath11
, the angled brackets denote an average over an ensemble of universal observers , @xmath16 is the experimental window function that includes the effects of beam smoothing and finite pixel size , and @xmath17 is the legendre polynomial of order @xmath5 .
we estimate the 2-point correlation function in our sky by evaluating the average product of all map temperatures with a fixed angular separation @xmath18 where the sum is restricted to pixel pairs ( @xmath19 ) separated by an angle @xmath20 , @xmath15 is the observed temperature in pixel @xmath11 after monopole and dipole ( and optionally quadrupole ) subtraction , and @xmath21 is the statistical weight of pixel @xmath11 .
this statistic is straightforward to compute , and offers a quick test of the consistency of the power spectrum from map to map . in the approximation
that the 2-point function can be treated as a multivariate gaussian distribution , one can form a likelihood function with which to estimate the power spectrum normalization . in
2 we present the 2-point correlation data in the 4-year dmr maps and examine its consistency from map to map . in
3 we evaluate the gaussian likelihood as a function of the mean expected quadrupole moment , @xmath22 , under the assumption of a scale - invariant , power - law spectrum of anisotropy . in
4 we compare these results with those obtained by other methods and summarize our findings .
the 2-point correlation function , as given in equation [ 2pt_data_eq ] , is the average product of all pixel temperatures with a fixed angular separation .
the data are binned into angular separation bins of width @xmath23 with the first bin reserved for all pixel pairs ( @xmath19 ) such that @xmath24 , the second bin for pairs with separation between @xmath25 and @xmath23 , and so forth . for the present analysis
we employ the maps pixelized in galactic coordinates and use the custom galaxy cut described by bennett et al .
( 1996 ) , for which there are 3881 surviving pixels . to minimize cosmic variance we assign equal weight to each surviving pixel .
the basic 2-point functions obtained from the single frequency maps are shown in figure [ 315390_fig ] .
we plot both the auto - correlation of the weighted sum of channels a and b at each frequency ( the coefficients used to form the weighted average maps analyzed in this paper are given in table [ map_coeff_table ] ) and the cross - correlation between channels a and b. for reference , we also plot , as a solid line , the auto - correlation of the weighted average of all six dmr channel maps .
the error bar attached to each point represents the @xmath26 due to instrument noise , based on 2000 monte carlo simulations that include only instrument noise .
the plot clearly demonstrates excellent consistency of the 2-point correlations at 53 and 90 ghz , even in the absence of any galactic signal corrections . the 31 ghz data exhibit
a small discrepancy from the mean data that is primarily quadrupolar and is presumably due to residual galactic emission .
the data are quantitatively tested for self - consistency by forming differences of the 2-point functions and comparing them to simulations .
the statistic for the test is defined as @xmath27 where @xmath28 is the observed difference between 2-point functions , with entries @xmath29 ( @xmath30 denotes an angular separation bin , ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) denote specific data selections ) , @xmath31 is the mean difference , computed from simulations described below , and @xmath32 is the covariance matrix computed from simulations . for each realization in the monte carlo ,
we generate a single realization of a scale - invariant power - law sky with unit normalization , and six noise maps , one per channel , with appropriate noise level and coverage ( bennett et al .
we assume the noise is uncorrelated from pixel to pixel , based on the analysis of lineweaver et al .
it is then possible to generate an ensemble of simulated 2-point functions for any desired auto- or cross - correlation function constructable from the dmr data .
we generate such an ensemble for each of the six panels depicted in figure [ 315390_fig ] ; note that a given realization of the six combinations shares a common cmb signal .
we compute @xmath33 as defined above for each possible difference and compare its value to the ensemble derived from the simulations .
note that our computation of the covariance matrix from simulations automatically includes bin - bin correlations in the definition of @xmath33 . in no case
does the observed value of @xmath33 exceed the 5% confidence upper limit derived from the simulations , which corroborates the visual consistency of the data .
the 2-point functions obtained from selected multi - frequency combinations of the data are shown in figure [ 5390ng_fig ] .
we plot the auto - correlation of the weighted average map , the cross correlation of the 53 and 90 ghz maps , and the auto - correlation of two maps which have had residual , high - latitude galactic emission modeled and removed ( table [ map_coeff_table ] and kogut et al .
note the excellent consistency between the auto - correlation of the weighted average map , which is sensitive to _ all _ structure in that map , and the cross - correlation of the 53 and 90 ghz data , which is sensitive only to common structure in the maps .
note also that the two methods used to model and remove high - latitude galactic emission introduce only small changes in the 2-point data , and hence in the angular power spectrum .
this observation , coupled with the fact that the correlation and combination model maps render very similar 2-point functions , supports the claim of kogut et al .
( 1996a ) that the free - free emission at high latitudes is 1 ) weak , and 2 ) approximately traced by the dirbe 140 @xmath0 m map at @xmath34 resolution .
given a power law model of initial gaussian density fluctuations , @xmath35 , where @xmath36 is the power spectrum of density fluctuations as a function of comoving wavenumber @xmath37 , it is possible to derive the corresponding angular power spectrum of cmb fluctuations , @xmath10 ( bond & efstathiou 1987 ) .
the result is @xmath38 for the scale - invariant case , @xmath39 , this reduces to @xmath40 , which has one free parameter , the mean quadrupole moment @xmath41 .
we customarily express the normalization in terms of @xmath42 , the mean @xmath26 temperature fluctuation expected in the quadrupole component of the anisotropy .
we determine the most likely quadrupole normalization , @xmath22 , from the 2-point function by evaluating the gaussian approximation to the likelihood function @xmath43 here @xmath44 and @xmath28 are @xmath45-dimensional row and column vectors with entries @xmath46 , and @xmath47 is the covariance matrix of the correlation function .
note that @xmath28 is defined differently than in 2 since we are comparing a single 2-point function to an ensemble here .
the angled brackets denote averages over both measurement errors and over the ensemble of anisotropy fields implied by cosmic variance for a given @xmath48 .
we estimate the mean correlation and covariance matrix as a function of @xmath22 using monte carlo simulations described above .
the simulations account for all important aspects of our data processing including monopole and dipole ( and quadrupole ) removal on the cut sky . because of this subtraction , the bins of a given correlation function are not all independent so the covariance matrices derived from the simulations are formally singular .
we invert these matrices to form @xmath33 using singular value decomposition , which permits an unambiguous identification of the zero modes that arise due to multipole subtraction .
we then evaluate the logarithm of the likelihood , @xmath49 $ ] , in steps of 1 @xmath0k in @xmath22 , spline the result to a resolution of 0.01 @xmath0k , and identify the maximum .
we test the likelihood method for accuracy by feeding the simulated 2-point functions into the likelihood function and solving for an ensemble of @xmath22 maxima .
we define the bias in our method to be @xmath50 where @xmath51 is the mean of the recovered maxima and @xmath52 is the simulation input normalization .
the resulting bias depends on the noise level in the data , but ranges from @xmath53 to @xmath54 @xmath0k for the all cases except the 31 ghz data where it is @xmath55 @xmath0k .
we correct for this bias in all reported results .
the uncertainty we assign to @xmath22 is the @xmath26 scatter of the ensemble @xmath56 which typically exceeds the @xmath26 of the gaussian likelihood by about 10% .
the corrected power spectrum normalization deduced from a variety of data combinations is given in table [ q_table ] .
the smallest and largest normalization deduced from any data combination are 16.4 and 19.6 @xmath0k respectively , with values @xmath118 @xmath0k generally preferred .
the normalization inferred from the 2-point function is now in better agreement with other determinations than was the case with the 2-year data .
the change is due to data selection : with the 2-year data , we only analyzed the 53 @xmath57 90 ghz cross - correlation function ; with the 4-year data we have analyzed many more data combinations , including the auto - correlation of a weighted average multi - frequency map which yields a normalization @xmath11.5 @xmath0k higher than the cross correlation .
the multi - frequency auto - correlation is more comparable to the data analyzed by other methods , and the 2-point analysis yields consistent results in that case . for a comparison ,
see table 2 of bennett et al .
( 1996 ) . in general , the normalization inferred from the 4-year data is slightly less than we found after 2 years , in part because of the extension of the galaxy cut . for comparison ,
the 31 + 53 + 90 ghz auto - correlation with a straight 20@xmath58 cut yields a best - fit normalization of @xmath22 = 19 @xmath0k .
as shown in table [ q_table ] , the effects of further modeling and subtraction of galactic emission are less than 1 @xmath0k in the normalization .
while a likelihood analysis is capable of inferring the best - fit parameters for a given model , it does not say anything _ per se _ about the goodness of fit . for reference
we have included in table [ q_table ] the values of @xmath33 at the maximum likelihood value of @xmath22 ( with @xmath39 ) .
since the 2-point function is only approximately multivariate gaussian distributed , our tabulated statistic is only approximately @xmath33 distributed .
however , we have used our monte carlo simulations to compute the expected distribution of this statistic and find it to be approximately @xmath33 with a mean of @xmath59 and a standard deviation of @xmath60 .
the values computed with the dmr data are very consistent with this distribution , implying that the data are well fit by a scale - invariant power spectrum .
analyses of @xmath61 have also been reported by banday et al .
( 1996 ) , grski et al . (
1996 ) , hinshaw et al .
( 1996 ) , kogut et al .
( 1996b ) , and wright et al .
all results lie between 15.5 and 19.6 @xmath0k with most between 17.5 and 18.5 @xmath0k . in general , all methods for analyzing a given data combination give consistent results , while there is modest dependence on data selection .
fortunately , the dependence on data selection does not exceed the statistical uncertainty due to cosmic variance and instrument noise . a reasonable conclusion to draw for the normalization of a scale invariant spectrum
is @xmath61 = 18 @xmath62 1.6 @xmath0k , with the error quoted conservatively .
lllllllll 31ws & 0.611 & 0.389 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 53ws & 0 & 0 & 0.579 & 0.421 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 90ws & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0.382 & 0.618 & 0 & 0 53 + 90 & 0 & 0 & 0.412 & 0.299 & 0.110 & 0.179 & 0 & 0 31 + 53 + 90 & 0.049 & 0.032 & 0.378 & 0.275 & 0.102 & 0.164 & 0 & 0 correlation & 0.049 & 0.032 & 0.378 & 0.275 & 0.102 & 0.164 & 3.364 & 0.314 combination & @xmath63 & @xmath64 & 0.367 & 0.266 & 0.256 & 0.413 & 2.055 & @xmath65 [ map_coeff_table ] ccllll 31a & 31b & 18.2 @xmath62 4.1 & 68.3 & 18.0 @xmath62 4.6 & 71.0 53a & 53b & 18.3 @xmath62 1.6 & 73.5 & 18.6 @xmath62 1.7 & 69.6 90a & 90b & 16.4 @xmath62 2.2 & 72.3 & 18.4 @xmath62 2.3 & 71.0 31ws & 31ws & 17.1 @xmath62 3.7 & 67.9 & 17.6 @xmath62 4.0 & 79.6 53ws & 53ws & 18.7 @xmath62 1.6 & 99.9 & 19.4 @xmath62 1.6 & 97.5 90ws & 90ws & 17.5 @xmath62 2.0 & 63.5 & 19.0 @xmath62 2.2 & 61.5 53ws & 90ws & 17.2 @xmath62 1.5 & 60.8 & 17.8 @xmath62 1.5 & 64.1 53ss & 90ss & 17.0 @xmath62 1.6 & 61.2 & 17.9 @xmath62 1.6 & 62.3 53 + 90 & 53 + 90 & 18.5 @xmath62 1.4 & 84.2 & 19.6 @xmath62 1.5 & 83.5 31 + 53 + 90 & 31 + 53 + 90 & 18.6 @xmath62 1.4 & 80.0 & 19.3 @xmath62 1.4 & 78.2 correlation & correlation & 17.5 @xmath62 1.4 & 76.2 & 18.5 @xmath62 1.4 & 78.3 combination & combination & 16.7 @xmath62 2.0 & 89.2 & 17.8 @xmath62 2.2 & 92.4 [ q_table ] banday , a.j . , et al .
1996 , , in preparation bennett , c.l . , et al .
1992 , , 396 , l7 bennett , c.l . ,
1994 , , 436 , 423 bennett , c.l .
, et al . 1996 , , submitted bond , j.r . , & efstathiou , g. 1987 , , 226 , 655 grski , k.m . ,
hinshaw , g. , banday , a.j . ,
bennett , c.l . ,
wright , e.l . ,
kogut , a. , smoot , g.f . , & lubin , p. 1994
, , 430 , l89 grski , k.m . ,
banday , a.j .
, bennett , c.l . , hinshaw , g. , kogut , a. , smoot , g.f . , & wright , e.l .
1996 , , submitted hinshaw , g. , banday , a.j . , bennett , c.l . ,
grski , k.m . ,
kogut , a. , smoot , g.f . , & wright , e.l .
1996 , , submitted kogut , a. , et al .
1992 , , 401 , 1 kogut , a. , hinshaw , g. , banday , a.j . ,
bennett , c.l . ,
grski , k.m . , smoot , g.f . , & wright , e.l .
1996a , , submitted kogut , a. , banday , a.j . , bennett , c.l . , grski , k.m . , hinshaw , g. , smoot , g.f . ,
& wright , e.l .
1996b , , submitted lineweaver , c.h . ,
1994 , , 436 , 452 smoot , g.f . , et al .
1992 , , 396 , l1 wright , e.l .
, et al . 1992 , , 396 , l13 wright , e.l . ,
smoot , g.f . ,
bennett , c.l . , &
lubin , p.m. 1994 , , 436 , 443 wright , e.l . , bennett , c.l . ,
grski , k.m . ,
hinshaw , g. , & smoot , g.f .
1996 , , submitted | arxiv |
Adami Tullu and Jido Kombolcha is one of the woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Misraq Shewa Zone located in the Great Rift Valley, Adami Tullu and Jido Kombolcha is bordered on the south by Mirab Arsi Zone with which it shares the shores of Lakes Abijatta and Langano, on the west by the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region, on the north by Dugda Bora, on the northeast by Lake Zway, and on the east by the Arsi Zone. The main town of woreda is Adami Tullu; other towns include Abosa, Bulbulla, and Jido.
Overview
Most of this woreda ranges in altitude from 1500 to 2300 meters above sea level; Mount Aluto is the highest point. Rivers include the Bulbula, Jido, Hora Kalio and Gogessa. A survey of the land in this woreda shows that 27.2 is arable or cultivable, 21.6 pasture, 9.9 forest, 15.7 swampy and the remaining 25.6 is considered degraded or otherwise unusable.
Industry in the woreda includes two state-owned industries one producing Soda ash, the other Caustic soda, 44 private small industries employing 299 people, and 1,670 registered businesses including 321 wholesalers, 1034 retailers and 315 service providers. Ziway State Farm is a major on-going government project in this woreda. There were 37 Farmers Associations with 17,144 members and 12 Farmers Service Cooperatives with 8740 members. Adami Tullu and Jido Kombolcha has 95 kilometers of dry-weather and 85 all-weather road, for an average road density of 141 kilometers per 1000 square kilometers. About 84 of the rural, 88 of the urban and 85 of the total population have access to drinking water. In October 2009, woreda authorities announced that 4,300 hectares of land was being developed for irrigation, involving over 2,000 farmers who would plant the land in various fruits and vegetables, which could then be harvested more than twice a year.
Demographics
The 2007 national census reported a total population for this woreda of 141,405, of whom 71,167 were men and 70,238 were women; 20,923 or 14.8 of its population were urban dwellers. The majority of the inhabitants were Muslim, with 82.65 of the population reporting they observed this belief, while 11.61 of the population said they practiced Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, and 5.09 of the population were Protestant.
Based on figures published by the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, this woreda has an estimated total population of 167,066, of whom 82,926 are men and 84,140 are women; 57,068 or 34.16 of its population are urban dwellers, which is greater than the Zone average of 32.1. With an estimated area of 1,274.54 square kilometers, Adami Tullu and Jido Kombolcha has an estimated population density of 131.1 people per square kilometer, which is less than the Zone average of 181.7.
The 1994 national census reported a total population for this woreda of 111,926, of whom 55,969 were men and 55,957 women; 31,869 or 28.47 of its population were urban dwellers at the time. The five largest ethnic groups reported in Adama were the Oromo 78.69, the Amhara 8.53, the Soddo Gurage 2.87, the Silt'e 2.81, and the Sebat Bet Gurage 1.19; all other ethnic groups made up 5.81 of the population. Oromiffa was spoken as a first language by 76.05, 16.09 spoke Amharic, and 2.2 spoke Silt'e; the remaining 5.66 spoke all other primary languages reported. The majority of the inhabitants were Moslem, with 72.37 of the population reporting they practiced that belief, while 23.43 of the population said they were Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, and 3.79 were Protestant.
Notes
Category:Oromia Region
Category:Districts of Ethiopia | wikipedia |
Doesn't the Many Worlds interpretation of Quantum Mechanics rail to remove randomness?
In the Copenhagen Interpretation, the observed state of a particle is random. In the Many Worlds interpretation, the all possible observed state of a particle are true, an the universe "splits". But isn't the version of the universe you are in after "splitting" also random, therefore not actually solving the problem of fundamental randomness?
The randomness goes away because the observer splits along with the world. Most of the difficulty people have with Many Worlds comes from thinking that there is just one observer, but in fact an observer is a quantum mechanical object like everything else.
| stackexchange/physics |
recent years have seen an explosion in both the amount of data available to scientists of all persuasions and the computing power necessary to run simulations of mathematical models .
there is a rapidly expanding vista for the application of mathematics to the life and social sciences .
one major theme of this effort is _ emergence _ , the name given to the idea that patterns in the collective behaviour of large groups of interacting agents may be explicable even if each individual is assumed to obey only rules which are both simple and _ local _ , the latter meaning that each agent is only influenced by its close neighbours , in some appropriate metric .
this idea is mathematically appealing , as it suggests a preference for deducing interesting theorems from simple hypotheses .
hence , even if the relevance of any particular mathematical model to `` reality '' may be a difficult and controversial issue , there is at least the promise of some beautiful new mathematical results and conjectures resulting from these efforts .
the field of _ opinion dynamics _ is concerned with how human agents modify their opinions on social issues as a result of the influence of others .
this paper is a contribution to the study of a particularly elegant and well - known mathematical model , the bounded confidence model of hegselmann and krause @xcite , or simply the _ hk - model _ for brevity . in the simplest formulation of the model
, we have a finite number , say @xmath0 , of agents , indexed by the integers @xmath1 .
the opinion of agent @xmath2 is represented by a real number @xmath3 , where the convention is that @xmath4 whenever @xmath5 .
the dynamics are as follows : there is a fixed parameter @xmath6 such that , after each unit of time , every individual replaces their current opinion by the average of those which currently lie within distance @xmath7 of themselves .
this is summarised by the formula @xmath8 where @xmath9 . as the dynamics is obviously unaffected by rescaling all opinions and the confidence bound @xmath7 by a common factor
, we can assume without loss of generality that @xmath10 .
note that the hk - model seems to implicitly assume that each agent is aware of the opinions of all other agents , even if he chooses to ignore most of them when modifying his view .
hence the agents do not really obey `` local '' rules in the sense described earlier . in one sense
, this is a matter of interpretation .
for example , a conservatively inclined uk citizen may switch the channel whenever a member of the labour party is giving an interview , or my keep watching but shake his head and mutter under his breath .
in other words , the agent adopts strategies which both filter out unwelcome opinions and prevent him from being aware of them in the first place . on the other hand
, the hk - model clearly assumes that an agent is aware of all opinions within his current confidence range .
there are no restrictions imposed by , for example , geography , which prevent certain agents from sharing opinions a priori .
other important features of the model are that it is fully deterministic and that all agents act simultaneously .
hence the model differs in important respects from other famous models of opinion dynamics such as classical voter models @xcite or the deffuant - weisbuch model @xcite .
the update rule ( [ eq : update ] ) is certainly simple to formulate , though the simplicity is deceptive .
associated to a given configuration @xmath11 of opinions is a _ receptivity graph _ @xmath12 , whose nodes are the @xmath0 agents and where an edge is placed between agents @xmath2 and @xmath13 whenever @xmath14 . the transition in the configuration from time @xmath15 to time @xmath16
is determined by this graph at time @xmath15
. however , it is clear from ( [ eq : update ] ) that the graph will in general vary with time . in algebraic terms , the dynamics are governed by a time - dependent stochastic matrix . this time dependence is the basic reason why many beautiful conjectures about the hk - model remain unresolved , as we shall now explain .
+ we begin with the necessary notation and terminology .
the state space for a system of @xmath0 agents obeying the hk - dynamics is the set of non - decreasing functions @xmath17 , equivalently , the set of vectors @xmath18 such that @xmath4 whenever @xmath5 .
an _ equilibrium _
state is one such that @xmath19 whenever @xmath20 . clearly , once an equilibrium state is reached , then the opinion of every agent will be frozen for all future time .
it is also easy to see that the converse holds : if @xmath21 for all @xmath2 , then @xmath22 must be an equilibrium state .
any set of agents sharing a common opinion are referred to as a _
cluster_. by a slight abuse of terminology , the term `` cluster '' may refer either to the set of agents with a certain opinion or the real number representing that opinion .
hence , a hk - system is in equilibrium if and only if no two clusters are within unit distance of each other .
the simplest kind of equilibrium state is a _
consensus _ ,
in which there is only one cluster . given a cluster @xmath23 ,
its weight @xmath24 is the number of agents sharing opinion @xmath25 .
a _ stable equilibrium _
is one in which , for any two clusters @xmath26 and @xmath27 , latexmath:[\[\label{eq : stable } this last notion was introduced in @xcite , which is the paper that directly inspired the present work .
the two fundamental facts about the hk - model are the following : + + ( a ) any initial state will evolve to equilibrium within a finite time .
+ ( b ) even if the receptivity graph is initially connected , the subsequent equilibrium state need not be a consensus . + fact ( a ) seems to have been rediscovered several times over and there are a number of different proofs in the literature .
indeed , the same fact has been proven for a wide class of models of which hk is just one particularly simple example , see @xcite .
some of the known proofs of ( a ) give effective bounds for the time taken to reach equilibrium , as a function of the number @xmath0 of agents only .
the best - known bound is @xmath29 , which was proven independently in @xcite and @xcite .
it is speculated , however , that equilibrium is always reached within @xmath30 steps , and that the worst - case scenario is given by the initial state , the initial state @xmath31 reaches equilibrium in about @xmath32 steps , where @xmath25 is a constant slightly greater than @xmath33 . ]
this is an important open problem in the field . regarding ( b )
, it is easy to see that consensus may not be achieved if the initial distribution of opinions is very uneven .
for example , suppose we have @xmath35 agents and the initial state is @xmath36 at @xmath37 , the opinion of agent 99 will be pulled very close to @xmath38 , while agent 100 will only modify his opinion to @xmath39 . thus , agent 100 will now be isolated from everyone else and will form a cluster by himself in the equilibrium configuration .
what is more interesting is that consensus may not emerge even when there is no such unevenness in the initial configuration .
the simplest example is the initial state @xmath40 .
a direct computation shows that the resulting equilibrium consists of clusters at @xmath41 and @xmath42 , each of weight three . at this point
it seems natural to ask what a `` typical '' equilibrium state looks like . in order to make this question precise ,
let us fix a parameter @xmath43 and suppose that the initial opinions @xmath44 are chosen independently and uniformly at random from the interval @xmath45 $ ] .
the following two conjectures are supported by overwhelming numerical evidence : [ conj : critical ] with opinions chosen initially as just described , let @xmath46 denote the probability that the resulting equilibrium is a consensus . then there exists a critical value @xmath47 is close to 5 . ] such that , as @xmath48 , @xmath49 whenever @xmath50 and @xmath51 whenever @xmath52 .
[ conj:2r ] with opinions chosen initially as described above , let @xmath53 denote the probability that the resulting equilibrium is stable , in the sense of ( [ eq : stable ] ) .
then for any fixed @xmath43 , @xmath54 as @xmath48 .
we have not seen conjecture [ conj : critical ] stated explicitly anywhere , though it is implicit in the statements of many different authors .
conjecture [ conj:2r ] is a special case of conjecture 1 in @xcite .
they conjecture that the equilibrium state is almost surely stable under the weaker assumption that the initial opinions are chosen independently from any continuous and bounded pdf on @xmath45 $ ] with connected support , and not just the uniform distribution .
indeed , it is expected that , when the initial distribution is uniform , then the clusters at equilibrium will typically have about the same weight and hence , if ( [ eq : stable ] ) holds , will typically be separated by at least two .
this hypothesis is referred to in the literature as the _
@xmath55 conjecture_. we are not aware of anyone having turned this hypothesis into a precise conjecture , however .
the reason for this is probably that , at least as far as can be told from simulations to date , the distribution of cluster sizes arising from a uniform initial distribution of opinions appears to be quite subtle . in an attempt to better understand the behaviour of the hk - model for a large number of agents , blondel , hendrickx and tsitsiklis introduced @xcite a _ continuous agent _ version of the model . here
the uncountably many agents are indexed by numbers in the closed interval @xmath56 $ ] and the state space consists of non - decreasing , bounded functions @xmath57 \rightarrow \mathbb{r}$ ] .
the analogue of ( [ eq : update ] ) is @xmath58 where @xmath59 and @xmath60 denotes lebesgue measure .
of course , for ( [ eq : contupdate ] ) to even make sense we must assume that the state space contains only lebesgue measurable functions . an _ equilibrium state _ in this setting is a function attaining only finitely many values , such that the difference between any two such values exceeds one whenever both are attained on sets of positive measure .
stable equilibrium can be defined as in ( [ eq : stable ] ) , where now @xmath61 , and the inequality is required to hold whenever both clusters have positive weight . in particular , consensus means a constant function , whereas any equilibrium state which is not a consensus is represented by a discontinuous function .
it is natural to assume that the initial state @xmath62 is continuous , however .
intuitively , @xmath63 should be injective and @xmath64 should correspond to the cdf in conjecture [ conj:2r ] .
this suggests restricting attention to initial states which are @xmath65 . on the other hand
, there are simple examples where @xmath66 but @xmath67 has corners . for example , suppose @xmath68 .
an easy computation yields @xmath69 hence @xmath67 is not differentiable at @xmath70 and @xmath71 .
we shall assume henceforth that the initial state is _ regular _ , by which we mean that it is almost everywhere @xmath65 , with strictly positive lower and upper bounds on its derivative where it ex1ists .
this is a slight strengthening of the notion of regularity as defined in @xcite .
in contrast to the discrete case , it is not clear whether any initial state will reach equilibrium in finite time . indeed , since any continuous function will obviously remain so when updated according to ( [ eq : contupdate ] ) , no regular initial state can reach a non - consensus equilibrium in finite time . in @xcite ,
it is conjectured that a regular initial state @xmath62 will converge almost everywhere to a stable equilibrium , that is : there is a stable equilibrium @xmath72 such that , for each @xmath73 there is a @xmath74 such that @xmath75 for all @xmath76 .
they prove a weaker statement in @xcite , but this fundamental conjecture about the continuous agent model remains open .
note , however , that hendrickx and olshevsky have recently @xcite proven a corresponding conjecture for another variation on the model where time is also treated as continuous . thus ,
for the continuous agent model , a regular initial state will reach equilibrium in finite time if and only if that equilibrium is a consensus more precisely , @xmath77 will be constant if and only if @xmath78 .
this brings us to perhaps the most curious aspect of the continuous agent model , namely it is not obvious that there is any regular initial state which does not reach consensus .
the existence of such states was conjectured in @xcite , but they could give no example with proof .
more precisely , conjecture 3 of @xcite postulates the existence of a regular @xmath62 such that @xmath79 the motivation for this restriction is that they could prove that , if ( [ eq : overtwo ] ) holds , then @xmath22 is regular for all @xmath15 . our contribution here will be to prove this conjecture : [ theorem : main ] there exists a regular function @xmath80 \rightarrow \mathbb{r}$ ] such that , if the sequence @xmath81 is defined according to ( [ eq : contupdate ] ) , then @xmath82 for all @xmath15 .
section [ sect : proof ] contains a proof of this result and section [ sect : discuss ] contains a discussion of some open problems .
the opinion function to be described below will converge pointwise to a non - regular stable state with 3 clusters of positive weight , and the construction can be extended to allow convergence to ( at least ) any odd number of such clusters .
let @xmath83 $ ] . to construct our initial state @xmath62 , we first partition the set @xmath84 into closed intervals @xmath85 , @xmath86 , @xmath87 , @xmath88 and @xmath89 , each overlapping the next in exactly one point . for a small @xmath90 that will be specified later , we also require @xmath91 and @xmath92 , where @xmath93 denotes the length of an interval , so that the endpoints of the intervals lie symmetrically around the centre @xmath94 of @xmath87 . we also define @xmath95 $ ] , @xmath96 $ ] and @xmath97 $ ] for some @xmath98 to be subsets of the opinion space .
how small @xmath90 needs to be will depend , among other things , on the choice of @xmath99 , so to save us some bookkeeping , we will fix @xmath100 .
these sets are fixed and do not depend on time .
there is some freedom in the construction of the initial state , and in some places conditions will be given along with an example .
we will often present an example without explicit bounds on how much it can be varied .
first of all , the initial opinion function @xmath62 is defined to be anti - symmetric about @xmath25 . by this
is meant that if coordinates were to be chosen so that @xmath101 and @xmath102 , then @xmath62 would be odd . from this symmetry
, it easily follows that @xmath103 for all time steps @xmath15 , and that the anti - symmetry remains .
second , @xmath62 is defined so that @xmath104 , @xmath105 and @xmath106 .
this will give @xmath62 the shape of a `` double s '' , with a small plateau in the middle and two long tails , see figure [ skurva ] .
not only should @xmath62 stay within these `` boxes '' , illustrated in figure [ box1 ] , but we require also that the derivative fulfil that @xmath107 and @xmath108 for suitable constants @xmath109 and @xmath110 . in this example , we will take @xmath62 to be linear on all intervals @xmath85 , @xmath86 , @xmath87 , @xmath88 and @xmath89 , and @xmath109 and @xmath110 to equal the derivatives on @xmath85 and @xmath86 , respectively , so that @xmath111 and @xmath112 .
lador2gimpad(0.53 ) to prove that , from the initial state @xmath62 , condition ( [ eq : overtwo ] ) will be satisfied , a sort of induction will be used . for every time step ,
the average opinion for the agents in @xmath85 will increase , and we will prove that this increase is at most linear in the measure of the set of agents with opinion in a certain subset of @xmath113 .
we will then show that this measure will shrink quickly enough for the sum of the increments in @xmath85 to converge , and thereby show that there will always be agents in @xmath85 with opinion less than @xmath90 , provided @xmath90 is chosen small enough .
because of symmetry , this will imply the existence of agents in @xmath89 with opinions greater than @xmath114 , and since @xmath115 this will complete the proof .
ladorgimpad(0.5 ) let @xmath116)$ ] and @xmath117)$ ] be the sets of agents with opinions in @xmath118 $ ] and @xmath119 $ ] , respectively , at time @xmath15 , see figure [ box2 ] .
the reason for using @xmath120 instead of just @xmath90 will become clear in the proof of lemma [ lem : vxder ] below . we also let @xmath121 .
we will let @xmath122 denote the average opinion on @xmath123 at time @xmath15 , and a vertical bar with a subscript will denote the restriction of a function to the set in the subscript . the precise assumptions on the function at time @xmath15 are the following : i : : @xmath124 .
ii : : @xmath125 .
iii : : @xmath126 .
iv : : there is an @xmath127 such that @xmath128 .
v : : there is an @xmath129 such that @xmath130 .
vi : : @xmath131 . note that with , from our definition of @xmath62 , it is clear that all but the last assumption hold for @xmath132 . for
the last assumption to hold @xmath90 must be small enough , and it is easy to check that @xmath133 is enough at @xmath132 . under these assumptions
we will prove the following lemmas : [ lem : nstab ] only the agents who at time @xmath15 have opinions in @xmath134 may end up in @xmath135 , and @xmath136 .
an immediate consequence of this is that @xmath137 and @xmath138 .
we simply examine the two extreme agents in @xmath139 to see that these will have opinions on opposite sides of @xmath113 at time @xmath16 .
let @xmath140 firstly , we observe that the agent @xmath141 can see all agents in @xmath86 and @xmath87 , some agents in @xmath88 , and one agent in @xmath85 .
for the function @xmath142 we thus have that @xmath143 ifto compute this bound we use @xmath100 ] @xmath145 , so @xmath146 .
the second inequality follows precisely from the fact that @xmath141 can not see any agents in @xmath88 , and only one agent in @xmath85 that is also in @xmath86 , which implies @xmath147 .
secondly , we observe that the agent @xmath148 can see all agents in @xmath85 , @xmath86 and @xmath87 , and some of the agents in @xmath88 . the function @xmath149 has averages greater than or equal to @xmath22 on all the subsets of @xmath84 that can be seen from @xmath148
. we can thereby use @xmath150 to get the following bound : @xmath151 for at least@xmath152 , where the last inequality is true according to assumption vi .
this also proves that @xmath153 .
we have now shown that @xmath154 and @xmath155 both lie outside @xmath113 , and monotonicity now completes the proof .
[ lem : medelkning ] the increase in the mean opinion from @xmath123 at time @xmath15 to @xmath156 at time @xmath16 is at most linear in @xmath157 .
more precisely , @xmath158 .
lemma [ lem : nstab ] tells us that @xmath159 , and this allows us to write @xmath160 , a disjoint union of two non - empty sets . as for the first of these sets ,
the part of @xmath161 that is visible from @xmath123 has opinions that do not exceed @xmath162 , and so the average of @xmath77 over @xmath123 at time @xmath16 will be @xmath163 where the two last inequalities use that @xmath164 , which is true by assumption i. note that this bound is simply a bound on the opinion of the rightmost agent in @xmath123 at time @xmath16 , that also bounds the whole average because of monotonicity .
the average of @xmath77 over @xmath165 at time @xmath16 is certainly at most @xmath120 , by definition of the set @xmath156 .
we also know from lemma [ lem : nstab ] that @xmath166 , and we thereby get the total average @xmath167 as long as @xmath168 . [ lem : krympder ] the derivative of @xmath77 on @xmath85 is bounded from above : @xmath169 provided @xmath129 is big enough , which we will show is the case , this implies the much weaker statement @xmath170 .
[ lem : vxder ] the derivative of @xmath77 on @xmath135 is bounded from below : @xmath171 this gives us a bound on the size of @xmath135 : @xmath172 in the proofs of lemmas [ lem : krympder ] and [ lem : vxder ] the following additional lemma will be used : [ lem : derivata ] let @xmath22 be a regular opinion function on @xmath84 such that @xmath173 and define the functions @xmath174 as follows : @xmath175 @xmath176 @xmath177 then the updated function @xmath77 is regular with derivative , where it exists , given by @xmath178.\ ] ] that @xmath77 is regular was proven in lemma 4 of @xcite . assuming @xmath77 , @xmath179 , @xmath180 and @xmath181 are differentiable at @xmath182 , we can compute as follows : we first use the definition in ( [ eq : contupdate ] ) along with the product rule for derivatives to get @xmath183 the first term simplifies to @xmath184x_{t+1}(\alpha)}{w_t(\alpha)}\ ] ] and , by the chain rule ,
the second term can be rewritten as @xmath185.\ ] ] but by definition of the functions @xmath179 and @xmath180 , we have @xmath186 we would like to substitute the values @xmath187 and @xmath188 into ( [ eq : term2 ] ) .
the former does nt hold when @xmath189 , but in this range @xmath190 so @xmath191 , so we can make the substitution anyway and it does nt matter .
a similar reasoning applies to the latter substitution .
hence the right - hand side of ( [ eq : term2 ] ) simplifies to @xmath192 substituting ( [ eq : term1 ] ) and ( [ eq : term22 ] ) into ( [ eq : summa ] ) leads after a little computation to ( [ eq : derivekv ] ) . for agents @xmath182 in @xmath85 we have that @xmath193 , so @xmath194 .
using lemma [ lem : derivata ] this gives @xmath195 for all @xmath196 . from assumption
iii we know that @xmath197 , so we know that all agents in @xmath85 can see each other and at least some agents in @xmath161 , but no agents beyond @xmath161 , so @xmath198 .
to get a bound on @xmath199 , we use the definition of @xmath180 , the chain rule , and the formula for the derivative of an inverse function : @xmath200 to bound this , first note that @xmath196 implies @xmath201 .
second , note that since we assume @xmath126 , it follows that @xmath202 $ ] .
in particular , @xmath203 , and thus @xmath204 . putting this together
results in the bound @xmath205 finally we observe that @xmath206 holds trivially , and we can now insert this and ( [ eq : vprim ] ) into ( [ eq : beviskrympder ] ) to obtain @xmath207 as desired .
first observe that since both the terms within brackets in ( [ eq : derivekv ] ) are positive , only one of them is needed to construct a lower bound for the derivative : @xmath208.\ ] ] we know from assumption iii and symmetry that no agent in @xmath161 can see as far as @xmath89 , so @xmath209 .
the first statement in lemma [ lem : nstab ] and the definition of @xmath161 together assure us that @xmath210 : all the agents in @xmath135 must have had opinions in @xmath211 at time @xmath15 , or they would have ended up outside @xmath135 after the update , according to lemma [ lem : nstab ] .
this is the motivation for using @xmath120 in the definitions of @xmath123 and @xmath161 .
it also lets us use @xmath127 and @xmath129 in a way similar to what was done in the proof of lemma [ lem : krympder ] to get that @xmath212 . applying these inequalities to ( [ eq : bevisvxder ] ) gives the result .
the upper bound on the size of @xmath135 simply comes from multiplying the inverse of the bound on the derivative with the height of @xmath135 , which we know is constantly @xmath213 by construction . to begin with note
that , if we were to rescale the inteval @xmath84 it would not affect any of our arguments . hence , in order to simplify notation , we rescale so that @xmath214 .
we would like assumptions i - vi to be true for all time steps , for then we would be done .
lemmas [ lem : nstab ] , [ lem : krympder ] and [ lem : vxder ] show that assumptions i - v can be made for time @xmath16 if they hold for time @xmath15 , provided that @xmath90 is small enough .
take @xmath215 .
this is small enough for all the previous arguments to go through , and will be small enough for the arguments to follow .
as for assumption vi , lemma [ lem : medelkning ] tells us that the mean value @xmath122 on the increasing sequence of sets @xmath123 depends linearly on the sizes @xmath157 . from monotonicity and the fact that @xmath216 by assumption i , we know that the average on @xmath85 at time @xmath15 is less than @xmath217 , so an upper bound on @xmath217 will be enough to finish the proof . to obtain a bound on @xmath90 that guarantees convergence of the values @xmath122 , we will use lemmas [ lem : krympder ] and [ lem : vxder ] , mostly the weaker statement in lemma [ lem : krympder ] . at time @xmath218 , assuming @xmath214 , we have @xmath219 and @xmath220 . at time
@xmath221 we have @xmath222 and @xmath223 , and this will be enough to complete the argument as we get the bound @xmath224 for @xmath225 , and hence , by iteration @xmath226 for @xmath225 .
this might appear like circular reasoning at a first glance : we show that the variables @xmath129 are growing using the fact that the variables @xmath127 are not , but this in turn depends on the variables @xmath129 being big enough . to see that the argument actually holds , note that the inequalities can be checked one time step at a time , and that the correctness of every step follows from the previous one . with the bound on @xmath227 from lemmas [ lem : vxder ] and [ lem : medelkning ]
we get that @xmath228 for @xmath225 .
if @xmath132 we instead get that @xmath229 which lets us sum up the bounds on the increments and obtain @xmath230 where the last inequality holds at least for @xmath215 .
this completes the proof .
when thinking about how to construct an example to prove theorem [ theorem : main ] , we first considered a `` single - s '' shape , without the narrow plateau in the middle , but with the height of the narrow strip connecting the two tails still being above two . we could not prove that the updates of such an initial state would also satisfy ( [ eq : overtwo ] ) , though we suspect this is the case .
in fact , what we think happens when the function is updated is that a narrow plateau will form in the middle , thus yielding the `` double - s '' shape of the function in section [ sect : proof ] as an intermediate step in the evolution . in any case
, there should be even simpler examples of regular functions which satisfy ( [ eq : overtwo ] ) .
indeed , conjecture [ conj : critical ] suggests the following corresponding hypothesis for the continuous agent model : [ conj : linear ] let @xmath231 \rightarrow \mathbb{r}$ ] be a non - decreasing linear function .
then there is a critical value @xmath232 such that the updates @xmath22 satisfy ( [ eq : overtwo ] ) whenever @xmath233 , whereas @xmath62 will evolve to consensus when @xmath234 .
moreover , @xmath235 , the critical value in conjecture [ conj : critical ] .
in fact , we also conjecture there will not be evolution to consensus at the critical value @xmath236 . intuitively , the reason for this is as follows .
for any continuous @xmath62 , the ranges @xmath237 of the updates will be strictly decreasing with @xmath15 as long as we do nt have consensus .
the `` @xmath55 conjecture '' suggests that , given a linear @xmath62 , there will eventually be consensus if and only if the range of opinions shrinks to strictly below two at some point .
hence , at @xmath238 , we should converge almost everywhere to an equilibrium consisting of two clusters of equal measure and separated by exactly two .
abrr a. bhattacharya , m. braverman , b. chazelle and h. l. nguyen , _ on the convergence of the hegselmann - krause system _ , proceedings of the 4th innovations in theoretical computer science conference ( icts 2013 ) , berkeley ca , january 2013 .
r. hegselmann and u. krause , _ opinion dynamics and bounded confidence : models , analysis and simulations _
, journal of artificial societies and social simulation * 5 * ( 2002 ) , no .
3 . fulltext at ` http://jasss.soc.surrey.ac.uk/5/3/2/2.pdf ` | arxiv |
Perturbation of the energy-momentum tensor: mistake in my computations or in the book?
In the book [Cosmology - S. Weinberg](https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/com/0198526822) eqauation $(5.1.28)$ is
$$
\delta T^{\mu}\_{\;\;\nu} = \bar{g}^{\mu\lambda} [\delta T\_{\lambda\nu} - h\_{\lambda\kappa} \bar{T}^{\kappa}\_{\;\;\nu} ] \tag{5.1.28}
$$
In which $\bar{g}$ is the unperturbed metric and $h$ is the first order perturbation to the metric defined by
$$
g\_{\mu\nu} = \bar{g}\_{\mu\nu} + h\_{\mu\nu}
$$
and
$$
h^{\mu\nu} = - \bar{g}^{\mu\rho}\bar{g}^{\nu\sigma}h\_{\rho\sigma}
$$
$\bar{T}$ is the unperturbed energy-momentum tensor, which in this case take the form of a perfect fluid
$$
T\_{\mu\nu} = pg\_{\mu\nu} + (p+\rho)u\_\mu u\_\nu
$$
At this point $h$ is completely general and there is no need to take a gauge where $h\_{00}$, in fact he even writes $h\_{00} = -E$.
He then writes $\delta T\_{00} = -\bar{\rho} h\_{00} + \delta \rho$ and so far I'm ok with it. My problem is with equation $(5.1.43)$ in which he writes:
>
> The perturbed mixed components (5.1.28)
> of the energy-momentum tensor, which are needed in the conservation laws,
> now take the form
>
>
>
$$
\delta T^0\_{\;\;0} = -\delta \rho.
$$
But from equation $(5.1.28)$, shouldn't this be
$$
\delta T^0\_{\;\;0} = -\delta \rho - \bar{g}^{00} h\_{00} \bar{T}^{0}\_{\;\;0}
$$
?
can you please explain to me why that second term I've written disappear?
I have checked the errata corrige and that's not a typo, I happen to make quite a lot of mistakes doing these kind of computations so my bet is that I'm doing something wrong.
Let's go slowly using the fact that $\bar{g}^{0\lambda}$ and $\bar{g}\_{0\lambda}$ are only nonzero for $\lambda = 0$.
\begin{align}
\delta T^0\_{\;\;0} &= \bar{g}^{00} \left [ \delta T\_{00} - h\_{0\kappa} \bar{T}^\kappa\_{\;\;0} \right ] \\
&= -\left [ \delta T\_{00} - h\_{0\kappa} \bar{T}^\kappa\_{\;\;0} \right ] \\
&= -\left [ -\bar{\rho} h\_{00} + \delta \rho - h\_{0\kappa} \bar{T}^\kappa\_{\;\;0} \right ] \\
&= -\left [ -\bar{\rho} h\_{00} + \delta \rho - h\_{0\kappa} \bar{g}^{\kappa \lambda} \bar{T}\_{\lambda 0} \right ]
\end{align}
If this makes sense so far, there is only one more thing we need to use: the fact that the frame is comoving with the perfect fluid. This wasn't explicitly stated in your question but it's the only thing that makes sense given the context. So I would make sure Weinberg mentions it. This would mean that, much like $p$ and $\rho$ are expanded around unperturbed values $\bar{p}$ and $\bar{\rho}$,
\begin{equation}
u\_\mu = \bar{u}\_\mu + \delta u\_\mu = (1, 0, 0, 0) + \delta u\_\mu.
\end{equation}
This leads to a diagonal
\begin{equation}
\bar{T}\_{\mu\nu} = \mathrm{diag}(\bar{\rho}, \bar{p}, \bar{p}, \bar{p}).
\end{equation}
Plugging this into the expression on top, $\bar{T}$ singles out $\lambda = 0$ which means $\bar{g}$ singles out $\kappa = 0$ and then we have
\begin{align}
\delta T^0\_{\;\;0} &= -\left [ -\bar{\rho} h\_{00} + \delta \rho - h\_{0\kappa} \bar{g}^{\kappa \lambda} \bar{T}\_{\lambda 0} \right ] \\
&= -\left [ -\bar{\rho} h\_{00} + \delta \rho + h\_{0 0} \bar{T}\_{0 0} \right ] \\
&= -\delta \rho
\end{align}
| stackexchange/physics |
species - area laws quantify the relation between area and the number of species found in that area and represent one of the most robust biodiversity patterns @xcite .
clearly , larger areas harbor a greater number of species , but the increase occurs in a remarkably orderly way @xcite .
typically , empirical species - area curves display an inverted @xmath0-shape : at small ( local ) and very large ( continental ) areas ( @xmath1 ) the number of species ( @xmath2 ) increases in a relatively steep ( nearly linear ) way with the area , while the increase is shallower at intermediate areas @xcite .
whilst the two extreme regimes are relatively easy to rationalize , the intermediate one remains intriguing and has attracted much attention ( see @xcite and references therein ) .
several fitting formulas have been proposed to describe collected data @xcite , among which , the most widely adopted are the logarithmic law @xmath3 @xcite and the power - law relation @xcite @xmath4 data from many field studies tend to slightly favor the power law fit ( [ eq : sar ] ) with values of the exponent @xmath5 showing a dependence on environmental variables , e.g. , the latitude @xcite .
moreover , body - size seems to be an important factor in shaping sars : with some provisos on possible biases due to undersampling or taxa identification @xcite , species - area curves for microorganisms are typically shallower than those of larger organisms @xcite .
different hypothesis have been put forward for the reduced spatial diversification of microorganisms ( see the review @xcite and references therein ) : enhanced dispersal rates due to large population sizes and short generation times , decreased local diversification due to low extinction rates ( owing to large population sizes ) , and to low speciation rates ( because of horizontal gene transfer and imperfect isolation ) . despite the role of the local population size in determining the mechanisms above ,
the effect of its variations has not been tested ( to the best of our knowledge ) in the context of individual based models . along with empirical studies ,
theoretical efforts have been devoted to identify ecological mechanisms responsible for shaping species - area curves @xcite .
examples of these mechanisms include trade - off and interspecific competition @xcite , or predator - prey dynamics @xcite ( see @xcite for a review ) .
the _ neutral theory _
@xcite emphasizes the role of _ stochastic _ mechanisms such as demographic processes , able by themselves to generate nontrivial diversity patterns .
in particular , neutral models incorporate processes such as colonization , dispersal , and speciation and assume , in contrast with the _ niche _ paradigm @xcite , that all individuals , regardless of the species they belong to , have the same prospects of death , reproduction , etc .
_ spatially implicit _ neutral models have been shown to produce species abundance distributions ( sads ) in remarkable good agreement with empirical data @xcite .
this suggests that they capture the essence of general and robust community - level properties or , at least , promotes neutral theories to suitable null - models @xcite .
etienne et al.@xcite showed that sads remain unaltered when breaking hubbell s @xcite `` zero - sum assumption '' , postulating that the community size is strictly kept constant by resource saturation .
then , the question arises of whether the spatial distribution of species is equally robust upon modifying other `` details '' of the underlying neutral theory ? ( see @xcite ) . if not , what are the relevant ecological mechanisms / forces that , implemented in a neutral model , are relevant for shaping the sars and thus the value of @xmath5 as .
for example , what is the relevance of body - size ?
_ spatially explicit _
neutral models generate species - area curves very similar qualitatively and , to some extent , quantitatively , to empirical ones .
they display power - law behaviors with an exponent @xmath5 in a realistic range @xcite .
species - area curves in spatially explicit neutral models are mainly shaped by the interplay of dispersal limitation and speciation @xcite .
in particular , for finite ranged dispersal kernels , regardless their specific form , the actual value of @xmath5 is mainly determined by the speciation rate @xcite , which is however difficult ( or impossible ) to estimate .
sensitive variations of the exponent value , at fixed speciation rate , have been observed when the dispersal process couples distant locations in the ecosystem , e.g. by considering fat tailed distributions @xcite .
the influence of other factors was investigated by chave et al .
@xcite who mainly focused on violations of the neutral assumptions , e.g. , by introducing trade - offs . in this paper , we study the effect of varying the number of individuals that can live at a single ecosystem site on the species - area curves generated by neutral spatial models .
we consider two kinds of variations : allowing for large _ local population sizes _ , by letting each site host many individuals , as appropriate for describing communities of microorganisms connected by dispersal , and allowing for empty sites , i.e. changing the level of _ habitat saturation_. to explore these possibilities , we present extensive simulations of the stepping stone model ( ssm ) @xcite , which incorporates variable local population size by increasing the number of allowed individuals per site , and the multispecies ( or multitype ) contact process ( mcp ) @xcite , which is suited to study non saturated habitats .
these models have been not thoroughly explored before in the context of spatial neutral theory : in particular , the mcp , discussed by durrett and levin @xcite , was not , to the best of our knowledge , previously simulated .
the ssm is popular in the context of population genetics but its predictions for species area laws have not been explored before . to complete the picture
, we compare the species - area relationships generated by the above models with those for the multispecies voter model ( mvm ) , which is possibly the most studied spatially explicit neutral model @xcite .
we remark that the term `` voter model '' is often used to denote the model with nearest - neighbor dispersal among sites . in this paper
, we use the same name also when more general dispersal kernels are considered .
common to all the above models is that individuals of different species are placed at the sites of a two - dimensional lattice and evolve according to basic demographic processes such as birth , death , migration , and speciation .
however , important differences also exist .
while the mvm and ssm describe saturated habitats with a constant density of individuals , the mcp describes fragmented systems where the density of individuals is irregular both in space and time , with the presence of gaps .
the models differ also in the number of allowed individuals per site . in the mvm and
mcp each site can hosts one individual at most , as appropriate to describe large organisms , such as trees . in the ssm
, each site represents a local community of @xmath6 individuals , making the model more suitable to describe , e.g. , patches of microorganisms connected by migration @xcite .
indeed , as discussed by fenchel and finlay @xcite , comparing larger and smaller organisms is essentially equivalent to compare organisms with smaller and with larger population sizes , respectively .
for instance , it has been estimated that one gram of typical soil can host @xmath7 bacteria @xcite .
we conclude that together with speciation rate and the dispersion kernel the size of the local population is an important shaping factor for neutral predictions on species spatial distributions and , hence , on sar curves . on the other hand , mild violations of habitat saturation
i.e. not as extreme as to break the space into isolated regions have little effect on the slope of sar curves on scales larger than the typical size of the gaps .
we now present the three aforementioned spatially - explicit neutral models and discuss afterward their main similarities and differences .
the section is organized as follows . in the three first subsections we introduce and motivate the models that will be the subject of our study .
then we discuss their similarities , differences and numerical implementation .
the last subsection is devoted to a discussion of the effect of the choice of the dispersal kernel .
the multispecies voter model is a spatial generalization of the infinite allele moran model used in population genetics ( see , e.g. @xcite ) .
each site of a square lattice is always occupied by a single individual : the habitat is thus saturated . at each time step , a randomly chosen individual on the lattice
is killed and immediately replaced : with probability @xmath8 , by a randomly chosen copy of one of the nearest neighbors ( dispersal event ) ; with probability @xmath9 , by an individual from a new species ( speciation event ) . when @xmath10 , any species will eventually go extinct ; speciation events compensate extinctions so that a dynamical equilibrium eventually sets in @xcite . in the previous model ,
each lattice site hosts a single individual , as appropriate when modeling , e.g. a forest , where each site represents the space occupied by a single tree . in such cases ,
the limiting resources are indeed strongly related to space , so that it is reasonable to model competition by simply assuming that when an individual dies , a vacant site is left to be occupied by another individual .
conversely , microorganisms , such as small eukaryotes or bacteria , are often present in very large numbers below a scale in which one can assume that all individuals share the same pool of resources . therefore , it is more appropriate to think of the habitat as subdivided into small patches , connected by migration and each hosting a large population of individuals that directly compete with each other @xcite .
such a setting is even more relevant when the habitat is physically divided into patches , so that moving from a patch to another is more difficult than moving within a patch , like in the case of an island chain or of soil fragmented in different soil grains . @xcite . in this perspective , the stepping stone model , originally introduced in population genetics @xcite , straightforwardly generalizes the mvm by allowing each site to host a fixed ( but arbitrary ) number , @xmath6 , of individuals . at each time
step an individual is randomly selected , killed and then replaced : with probability @xmath8 by the offspring of an existing individual or , with probability @xmath9 by an individual of a new species . in the former case , the parent is chosen with probability @xmath11 among the remaining @xmath12 individuals residing at the same site and with probability @xmath13 among those at a randomly chosen nearest neighbor site . for @xmath14 ,
the ssm recovers the mvm with ( as detailed in appendix s2 ) @xmath9 substituted by @xmath15 , which is the effective speciation - to - diffusion ratio in the ssm .
note that , in general , as dispersal occurs every @xmath16 time steps and not at every time step as in the other models , one can show that comparison should be done equating @xmath15 ( speciation - to - migration rate ) to the value of @xmath9 used in the other models ( see , e.g , @xcite ) . in the mvm ,
gaps left by deaths are immediately filled by newborns leading to habitat saturation .
this is tantamount to assuming reproduction rates infinitely larger than death rates @xcite . in the contact process
@xcite , this assumption is relaxed and gaps can survive for arbitrarily large times
. in particular , each individual dies at rate @xmath17 and reproduces at rate @xmath18 giving rise to a newborn at a randomly chosen neighbor site . as each site can not host more than one individual , attempted reproduction is successful only if an empty neighbor is chosen .
when reproduction is successful , the newborn belongs to the parent species with probability @xmath8 and to a new species with probability @xmath9 .
thus , the relevant parameters are the speciation rate @xmath9 and the birth - to - death ratio @xmath19 , controlling the fraction of occupied sites in steady state conditions . for large @xmath20 , gaps are small and infrequent : in the limit @xmath21 the mcp recovers the mvm @xcite .
conversely , lowering @xmath20 results in an unsaturated habitat with larger and longer - lived gaps . finally , at @xmath22 , i.e. the cp critical point @xcite , births become too infrequent , leading to global extinction .
we now discuss the main similarities and differences among the above models , as summarized in table [ tab : models ] .
a key feature is the maximum number of individuals allowed at each site : @xmath23 for the mvm and the mcp , @xmath6 for the ssm .
while the mvm and the ssm describe a saturated habitat , in the mcp , as sites can be empty , the habitat is not saturated . in all models ,
diversification is implemented as point speciation @xcite , which of course should not be regarded as a realistic speciation mechanism but rather as an effective one @xcite . in this perspective
, the speciation rate @xmath9 has to be interpreted as a normalized rate ( speciation over death rate ) .
moreover , as said above , due to the different dispersal rule , in ssm the proper quantity to set up a comparison with the other two models is the speciation to migration ratio @xmath15 .
.*summary of models * [ cols="<,^,^",options="header " , ] summary of the main features of the considered spatially - explicit neutral models .
y / n stands for yes / no . [
tab : models ] concerning the simulation scheme , the voter model and the stepping stone model can be reformulated in terms of coalescent random walkers @xcite , leading to approximate estimates of the exponent @xmath5 ( that , for mvm , were put forward in @xcite ) and also to very efficient numerical implementations @xcite .
one of the main advantage of this method is that numerical simulations are virtually free from boundary effect problems as if simulating a portion of an infinite landscape @xcite .
details on the coalescing random walk analogy , the resulting numerical scheme and analytical estimates are discussed in appendices s1 ,
s2 and s3 .
unfortunately , such reformulation does not easily extend to the multitype contact process , which was simulated by means of a standard algorithm @xcite adapted to the multitype case . in this case , periodic boundary conditions have been employed and tests to minimize possible finite size effects performed .
appendix s4 details the numerical scheme . to close this section
, we remind that , while in this paper we restricted our comparison to models in which competitive interactions among individuals are present , recently , odwyer and green @xcite introduced a model in which individuals do not compete ( so that species are independent ) . in this case
the number of individuals per site is unrestricted ; the advantage of this simplifying assumption is that it allows for a full analytical treatment of the problem .
the above models have an additional degree of freedom related to the choice of the dispersal kernel , which is , in general , important to reproduce sar curves similar to empirical ones .
in particular , nearest neighbor ( nn ) kernels generate biphasic sar curves rather than triphasic ones @xcite , because the steep - growth regime at small areas can not be reproduced .
to observe triphasic @xmath0-shaped sar , similar to empirical ones , requires more general ( finite - range ) dispersal kernels , acting on several sites .
moreover , the resulting sar curves do not depend on the shape of the kernel but only on its range @xcite .
fat - tailed dispersal kernels could also be considered to model some dispersal mechanisms found in nature , and have been found to quantitatively influence sars both in terms of the extension of the intermediate range and in terms of the exponent @xmath5 values @xcite . in this paper
we mostly explored the behavior of the species - area curves by implementing the above described models with the nearest - neighbor kernel .
this choice is mainly dictated by its simplicity and by the costs of simulating the ssm with large lattices ( as necessary if more general kernels are used ) when the local population size becomes large . moreover , for the mvm , at small areas sar curves obtained with nn - kernel approximatively behave as power laws and qualitatively match the behavior of the intermediate ( power law ) regime of more general kernels @xcite .
however , to test the robustness of our main findings against the kernel choice we also performed simulations by employing a finite - range square kernel : a killed individual at a given site can be replaced by any of the individuals present in a square centered at that site and having side @xmath24 .
we remind that for the mvm , as soon as @xmath25 , @xmath5 does not depend on @xmath26 and the entire curve can be rescaled @xcite . for this reason tests
have been performed at @xmath27 .
the speciation rate @xmath9 determines most features of neutral species - area curves , in particular , the interesting power - law regime eq .
( [ eq : sar ] ) @xcite . therefore , to discriminate the influence of the different ecological mechanisms incorporated in the models , we will compare species - area curves obtained by the above introduced models at equal @xmath9 .
once @xmath9 ( and the dispersal kernel ) are fixed , the mvm is fully specified , while the ssm and the mcp need additional parameters to be set .
as previously shown , both the ssm and the mcp reduce to the mvm for @xmath14 and large birth over death rate ratio ( @xmath28 ) , respectively .
hence , to stay away from this limit , we allowed for a large local community size for the ssm by choosing @xmath29 with migration probability @xmath30 ( holding @xmath31 equal to @xmath9 in the other models , as specified above ) , and considered habitat unsaturated conditions for the mcp by choosing @xmath32 , ensuring that only @xmath33 of the available sites are occupied . to compare species - area curves generated by the three models
, we performed extensive numerical simulations of the mcp and the ssm ( see appendices s2 and s4 for the numerical implementation ) .
most of the simulations have been performed by using nearest - neighbor kernels and tests on ssm and mvm have been done using the square kernel discussed in _
methods_. for the mvm we relied on already published numerical results @xcite .
figure [ fig : sarcompare ] shows the species - area curves generated by the three models at @xmath9 ( @xmath34 in the ssm ) equal to @xmath35 .
the curves are qualitatively similar to each other .
they display a shallower than linear growth for small areas and become steeper , eventually linear , at larger areas .
the transition between these two regimes occurs at a similar scale ( shown to be @xmath36 for the mvm @xcite ) in all models .
( @xmath37 for the ssm ) using nearest neighbor dispersal.**the mvm and the ssm are simulated on a @xmath38 square lattice . in the ssm
, we chose @xmath29 and @xmath39 .
the mcp is simulated on a @xmath40 lattice with @xmath32 adopting weighted averages ( see fig . [
fig : cp ] and related discussion ) . in all cases , we averaged over @xmath41 independent realizations and statistical errors are smaller than symbols size . to ease the comparison ,
@xmath2 has been normalized by the average number of species @xmath42 at the smallest sampled area .
inset : local slopes @xmath43 of the four curves for areas smaller than @xmath44 .
, width=384 ] the interesting regime can be quantitatively scrutinized by looking at the local slopes , @xmath45 , shown in the inset of fig .
[ fig : sarcompare ] for small areas . a power - law range , as in eq .
( [ eq : sar ] ) , would correspond to a region in which @xmath46 .
this is a good approximation for the mvm and the ssm whose local slopes are characterized by a shallow parabolic shape . as customary in recent literature @xcite , in the following we shall determine the exponent @xmath5 as the minimum of this parabola ; equivalent ( within error bars ) results can be obtained fitting a power - law as eq .
( [ eq : sar ] ) on the species - area curve in the scaling range .
local slopes and thus @xmath5 display some variability among the three models . in particular , the stepping stone model gives rise to shallower curves with respect to the voter model , i.e. @xmath47 . on the other hand , no clear power - law range can be identified for the mcp , as the local slope increases monotonically from zero at increasing the area .
we anticipate that this behavior is due to the presence of gaps in the distribution of individuals ( see the subsection _ multispecies contact process _ below ) . as a function of @xmath9 for the mvm and ssm .
* panel ( a ) shows @xmath5 vs @xmath9 for mvm and ssm with nn- and square - kernel with @xmath27 .
the ssm is simulated for @xmath29 and @xmath39 . due to computational limitation
, simulations for the ssm at @xmath27 have been performed at three different values of @xmath9 only .
the system size has been chosen in each simulation in order to properly resolve the power - law regime .
panel ( b ) shows @xmath48 vs @xmath49 for the same data of ( a ) .
dotted straight lines are best fits obtained using eq .
( [ eq : fit ] ) .
fitted values are : for the nn - kernel mvm @xmath50 @xmath51 and ssm @xmath52 @xmath53 ; for the square - kernel @xmath27 mvm @xmath54 @xmath55 and ssm @xmath56 @xmath57,width=384 ] figure [ fig : z - vs - nu]a shows the dependence of the exponent @xmath5 on the speciation rate @xmath9 ( @xmath58 for ssm ) for the mvm and ssm ; mcp was excluded because as seen in fig .
[ fig : sarcompare ] no reasonable power - law range exists for @xmath20 close to @xmath59 .
let us start comparing the two models with nn dispersal .
as for the case @xmath60 ( fig . [ fig : sarcompare ] ) , the exponents are different and the curves produced by the ssm are consistently shallower than those generated by the voter model in the explored range of @xmath9-values . in this figure
we can see that the exponents for the ssm with nn - dispersal appear to be close to ( but not coincident with ) those of the mvm with the square - kernel ( @xmath27 ) .
however , when comparing the exponents of the ssm and mvm when the square - kernel ( @xmath27 ) is employed for both , we still observe that the former is shallower ( see also fig [ figure - ssm ] and its discussion in the next section ) .
notice that increasing further @xmath26 in the mvm does not produce further changes in the exponent @xcite .
therefore , as the comparison with the same dispersal kernel reveals , the decrease in the exponent @xmath5 due to the increase of the local population size is a genuine effect .
we also observe that the function @xmath61 is remarkably similar in the two models ( independently of the dispersal kernel employed ) , as demonstrated in fig .
[ fig : z - vs - nu]b where @xmath48 is shown as a function of @xmath62 . in particular , both models are fairly well described by the fitting formula @xcite @xmath63 where the constants @xmath64 and @xmath65 are model - dependent . for the mvm ( with nn - dispersal ) , some mathematical results are available for @xmath61 .
durrett and levin @xcite ( see also @xcite ) provided the asymptotic estimate @xmath66 , which is consistent with the fitting formula ( [ eq : fit ] ) , but for a very slow variation of the slope @xmath65 due to the @xmath67 term .
the specific values of @xmath65 and @xmath64 obtained by the numerical simulations are slightly different from those implied by the asymptotic estimate ( see ref .
citepigolotti2009 for a detailed discussion ) . for the ssm ,
as described in appendix s3 , we derived the approximate asymptotic formula @xmath68 consistently with our numerical results , the above estimate predicts that in the limit of large local population sizes ( @xmath69 ) the species - area curves of the ssm are shallower than those of the voter model , which are recovered in the limit of small local population sizes ( @xmath70 ) .
we also mention that the fitting formula eq .
( [ eq : fit ] ) is also compatible with the result of an exactly solvable variant of the neutral model @xcite .
the following two sections focus on the ssm and the mcp , to further elucidate the importance of local community size and habitat saturation on the variability of sar curves .
sensitive variations of @xmath5 are indeed observed by changing @xmath6 and @xmath13 , for fixed speciation to migration ratio @xmath15 . in particular , the exponent @xmath5 decreases with @xmath13 and @xmath6 and seems to be mainly determined by their product @xmath71 , as shown in fig .
[ figure - ssm ] for two different values of @xmath34 . for the ssm as a function of @xmath72 at fixed @xmath15 .
* the left panel shows the case @xmath73 for @xmath74 with nn - kernel . the shaded area indicates the value @xmath75 ( including the estimated error ) of the exponent for the mvm with @xmath76 . for @xmath69 statistical errors
increase because a smaller number of realizations was used as simulations become very costly .
the right panel shows the case @xmath77 for @xmath78 with nn - kernel .
the shaded areas display the value of the exponent for the mvm with both the nn- and square - kernel ( @xmath27 ) and the ssm with square - kernel ( @xmath27 ) for @xmath29 and @xmath39 ( i.e. @xmath79).,title="fig:",width=288 ] for the ssm as a function of @xmath72 at fixed @xmath15 .
* the left panel shows the case @xmath73 for @xmath74 with nn - kernel .
the shaded area indicates the value @xmath75 ( including the estimated error ) of the exponent for the mvm with @xmath76 . for @xmath69 statistical errors
increase because a smaller number of realizations was used as simulations become very costly .
the right panel shows the case @xmath77 for @xmath78 with nn - kernel .
the shaded areas display the value of the exponent for the mvm with both the nn- and square - kernel ( @xmath27 ) and the ssm with square - kernel ( @xmath27 ) for @xmath29 and @xmath39 ( i.e. @xmath79).,title="fig:",width=288 ] for @xmath70 the exponent @xmath5 approaches the corresponding value in the mvm , while at large @xmath72 the exponent decreases in a sigmoidal fashion and displays a tendency towards a different asymptotic value .
these two limits correspond to very different regimes .
when @xmath80 is very small , sites have a small local population and species ( individuals ) exchanges among sites are rare : most sites are not able to sustain diversity and contain only one species ( i.e. in this regime local fixation dominates ) . in this limit , the ssm reproduces mvm behavior with the on - site mono - dominant community in the former playing the role of a single individual in the latter .
conversely , when @xmath80 is very large and @xmath9 is very small , the large local community size ( buffering local extinctions and fixations ) and the frequent exchanges among sites allow each site to host a large number of species on average .
a further consequence is that each species will be statistically represented in a similar way at each site of a large region .
also , distant sites can now host many common species .
this leads to shallower species - area curves , and thus to the smaller @xmath5 values shown in fig .
[ figure - ssm ] .
it is worth remarking that shallower sars do not necessarily mean lower diversity as , for @xmath81 , the prefactor in front of the power - law ( [ eq : sar ] ) can be very large ( not shown here ) .
remarkably , the above qualitative argument can be supported by analytical estimates , see eq .
( [ eq : analytics ] ) . by generalizing the calculation of durrett and levin @xcite
( see also @xcite ) , we have been able to estimate that , for @xmath82 , one should observe @xmath83 ( see appendix s3 for details ) .
the numerical results of fig . [ figure - ssm ]
display the correct tendency : for the largest values of @xmath72 we could explore , we observe that @xmath5 is reduced by a factor @xmath84 with respect to @xmath75 . this behavior is also confirmed for varying values of @xmath34 ( not shown ) .
it would be very interesting to explore the ( numerically costly ) larger values of @xmath72 to test the theoretical prediction .
we close this section observing that in the right panel of fig .
[ figure - ssm ] we also show the value of the exponent @xmath5 obtained by using the square kernel for both the mvm and the ssm ( we only show the value for @xmath85 here as it is already close to the saturation regime ) . as already mentioned while the mvm with the square kernel is not far from the values of the exponent obtained with the ssm with nn - dispersal , still the exponent for the ssm with square kernel is sensitively smaller , confirming the robustness of the effect of increasing the local population size . at fixed speciation rate and varying the birth - to - death ratio @xmath86 of the mcp , we can inspect how the level of habitat saturation affects sar - curves . for @xmath87 ,
the habitat is close to saturation , as the density of occupied sites approaches @xmath23 , and the mcp is equivalent to mvm . indeed , as shown in fig .
[ fig : cp ] , the curves generated by the two models are essentially coincident already for @xmath88 .
as labeled : ( a ) with weighted averages eq . ( [ weighted ] ) and ( b ) with bare averages eq .
( [ blind])*. inset of ( a ) : for @xmath32 , comparison among bare and weighted averages for @xmath89 with the bare average for @xmath90 . notice the flattening of the weighted curve at short scales and the equivalence of both averages at larger scales .
inset of ( b ) : @xmath48 vs @xmath49 , the straight line shows formula eq .
( [ eq : fit ] ) with fitted values @xmath91 and @xmath92 .
the exponents @xmath5 were estimated as the minimum of the local slopes of the species - area curves .
, width=384 ] for highly non - saturated habitats , i.e. for smaller values of @xmath20 , larger and larger areas with very few ( or zero ) individuals become more and more probable . in this regime ,
sar curves display a strong dependence on the choice of the sampling procedure , as we illustrate here with two examples .
the first procedure , that we dub `` bare average '' , consists in ignoring the non - saturation of the habitat and thus averaging over many samples of fixed area @xmath1 , regardless of the number of individuals they host : @xmath93 where @xmath94 is the number of distinct species in sample @xmath95 and @xmath96 is the total number of samples of area @xmath1 . with this procedure
, @xmath97 will be inevitably affected by the spatial variations of the density of individuals .
for instance , for @xmath98 ( i.e. on a single site ) , @xmath99 or @xmath100 so that @xmath101 , as given by eq . ( [ blind ] ) , reduces to the average density .
a second and more appropriate choice is to put less weight on areas with a smaller number of individuals , where the number of observed species is statistically biased to be small . in particular , by denoting with @xmath102 the number individuals present in the area @xmath103 , we define the `` weighted average '' ( which was used in fig . [ fig : sarcompare ] ) as @xmath104 sar curves for different values of @xmath20 are shown in fig .
[ fig : cp]a and [ fig : cp]b for weighted and unweighted averages , respectively . for large @xmath20 , the dependence on the averaging protocol ( if any ) is mild , while it is strong for small values of @xmath20 .
the strongest effects are observed at small areas , where bare averages eq .
( [ blind ] ) are influenced the most by local densities .
this effect is demonstrated in the inset of fig [ fig : cp]a , where the black line is simply the fraction @xmath105 of regions of area @xmath1 occupied by at least one individual ( of any species ) . for small areas ,
the weighted average becomes very shallow without any signature of power - law behavior ( see inset of fig . [
fig : sarcompare ] ) .
conversely , the bare average almost coincides with @xmath105 , demonstrating its lack of sensitivity to the presence of more than one species at small scales . at larger scales , where @xmath106 , the two averages coincide .
in contrast with weighted averages and similarly to the other models in fig . [
fig : sarcompare ] , the local slopes of bare averages display a parabolic intermediate range with a well defined minimum , from which we can extract an estimate of exponent @xmath5 .
fig [ fig : cp]b shows @xmath48 as a function of @xmath49 for @xmath32 ; formula ( [ eq : fit ] ) fits well these data , yielding values of @xmath5 being larger that those for the mvm and the ssm .
however , as detailed in appendix s5 , in this case the interpretations of these exponents is problematic as the power - law can be induced by the spatial fluctuations of the density of individuals rather than by species distribution .
in this paper , we have studied the effect of changing the level of habitat saturation and the local population size on spatial neutral models .
we have shown that species - area laws quantitatively depend on these ecological features , which go beyond the previously explored variations due to long - ranged dispersal kernels @xcite .
spatially explicit neutral models thus seem to be much richer in structure than spatially implicit ones , where the species - abundance distribution seems to be insensitive to implementation details . moreover , the observed variations of sars suggest that spatial neutral theories can explain part of the variability of the exponent @xmath5 observed in nature .
in spatially explicit neutral models , sar curves typically display a range of scales where they are well approximated by the power law ( [ eq : sar ] ) , in particular at small scales for nn - kernels and at intermediate scales for finite range kernels .
we have shown that , generally , the inverse exponent @xmath48 is very well described as a linear function of @xmath49 , the logarithm of the rate of the introduction of new species @xmath9 .
the same kind of behavior was analytically confirmed in an exactly solvable neutral model @xcite .
however , the coefficients of this linear relation and thus the actual value of @xmath5 are sensitive to the ecological factors implemented in the model .
the logarithmic behavior is a general and robust feature related to two common features of all neutral models discussed here : species originate with one individual ( point speciation mode ) and then diffuse in space . altering the speciation mechanisms in spatially implicit models affects some aspects of sads @xcite .
it would be interesting , in the future , to study how different speciation modes reflect into the spatial variation of biodiversity , a program which just started in the context of spatial models ( see @xcite and references therein ) . in the context of the models considered in this paper , assuming that variations in @xmath5 are caused by @xmath9 variability among different taxa ,
amounts to say that the diversification rate per capita per generation increases at increasing body mass @xcite .
while this possibility can not be completely ruled out ( owing mostly to the difficulty of estimating such rates ) , organisms such as bacteria are characterized by high mutation rates and genetic plasticity , rather suggesting a higher rate of differentiation even when considered at the individual level .
relaxing the hypothesis of _ habitat saturation _
as occurs in the multispecies contact process does not greatly modify the behavior of species - areas curves with respect to the saturated case i.e . the multispecies voter model , unless the habitat becomes too fragmented . in the latter case ,
species - area curves strongly depend on the sampling procedure .
in particular , using `` weighted averages '' ( which weight to the sampled area proportionally to the population it hosts ) the contact process generates sars convex in log - log scale , with no clearly detectable power - law regime .
conversely , allowing for variations in the _ local population size _
as occurs in the stepping stone model leads to a monotonic decrease of the exponent @xmath5 as the number of individuals per site @xmath6 is increased . for large values of @xmath6
we numerically found a reduction in the exponent @xmath5 up to a factor @xmath107 with respect to the @xmath14 , voter model , value .
our analytical estimate ( [ eq : analytics ] ) suggests that this factor can be actually larger ( up to a factor @xmath108 ) when the community size @xmath6 becomes very large .
this is a quite remarkable result in view of the fact that microorganisms , for which a description in terms of very large local communities is appropriate @xcite , do actually spatially structure themselves with shallow taxa - area laws @xcite characterized by smaller values of @xmath5 .
for instance , a recent review @xcite reports results for salt - marsh bacteria , marine diatoms , arid soil fungi , and marine ciliates and shows that , in contiguous habitats , @xmath5-values for all these categories are roughly the half as those for larger animals and plants , in surprisingly good agreement with our results .
it is worthwhile to remark that the reduced diversification of microorganism has been sometimes ascribed to the possibility of long distance dispersal @xcite .
however , numerical results of ref.@xcite show that distant dispersal events increase rather than decrease the local slope in the intermediate regime and thus the value of the exponent @xmath5 ( while the local slope at larger scales decreases ) .
therefore , it is unlikely that large distance dispersal events can in the absence of additional mechanisms account for the observed small value of the exponents in microbial communities . more generally , the spatial variation of biodiversity observed in the stepping stone model suggests an explanation for the observed `` cosmopolitan '' behavior of microorganisms @xcite , where relatively small areas are found to contain significant fractions of the species known in the entire globe .
this phenomenon is remarkably well captured by the ssm where , upon increasing the local population size , each site tends to contain a considerable fraction of the entire biodiversity found in a large area . in conclusion ,
the results obtained with the stepping stone model add mathematical support , within the neutral theory framework , to large population sizes being one of the mechanisms for the shallower sar curves observed in microorganisms ( as put forward by fenchel and finally @xcite ) .
specifically , the ssm shows that having a large population size , within a well mixed patch , provides a buffer to local extinctions and enhances the local fixations time , making inter - patch migration more effective and the whole ecosystem closer to a panmictic population with , consequently , a lowered spatial diversification .
* appendix s1 * * dual representation of voter and stepping stone models * to compute sar - curves , one needs to generate several spatial configurations of the different models and average over them .
generating such configurations amounts to identify , at a certain ( long ) time @xmath109 , to which species the individuals residing at each lattice site belong to .
a straightforward algorithm is to evolve the system from time @xmath110 to time @xmath109 according to the dynamical rules described in the main text . for the multispecies voter model ( mvm ) and stepping stone model ( ssm ) an alternative strategy exists , that is to employ the so - called dual dynamics
this idea stems from the work of liggett @xcite , who recognized the relation between the voter model without speciation ( @xmath90 ) and a system of coalescing random walkers moving backward in time , and from the coalescent theory introduced by kingman @xcite in the context of population genetics .
let us start by briefly recalling the dual representation for the voter model . in the voter model
an individual creates a replica of itself at a randomly chosen nearest neighbor site . in the backward picture ,
the sequence of _ ancestors _ of any given individual , existing at time @xmath109 , is seen as a random walk moving backward in time on the lattice .
if , at a certain time @xmath111 , two random walkers meet at a site , the corresponding two individuals have a common ancestor and thus belong to the same species .
hence , for times , @xmath112 the two walkers _ coalesce _ into one . as a consequence , as time evolves backward , the number of walkers is progressively reduced .
introducing a non - vanishing speciation rate , @xmath9 , corresponds to annihilating random walkers at the same rate , i.e. to terminating backward paths . in this way
, the voter model with speciation or multispecies voter model ( mvm ) turns out to be _ dual _ to a system of diffusing and annihilating random walkers moving backward in time .
the dual representation allows for understanding some properties of the mvm and ssm in terms of diffusive processes @xcite , and for deriving analytical predictions ( see appendix s3 ) .
moreover , it suggests efficient algorithms for numerical simulations . for the mvm
, details of such algorithms can be found in @xcite , while details of our own results for the dual theory of the ssm , together with a description of an efficient algorithm for computer simulations , are described in the next subsection .
* appendix s2 * * dual algorithm for the stepping stone model * the dual process of the ssm is constructed by following the same idea as that for the mvm ( appendix s1 ) .
the main difference is that in the ssm each site can host @xmath6 individuals , and reproduction events can happen either at the same site with probability @xmath113 or at a neighbor site with probability @xmath13 . in the backward picture
, each site contains @xmath6 compartments , hosting at maximum one walker each .
the dynamics starts by placing a walker at each compartment of a @xmath114 square - lattice , resulting in @xmath115 walkers . as for the mvm
, the walkers move backward in time coalescing and annihilating .
the only difference here is that coalescence occur only if the walkers end up in the same compartment within the same site .
more specifically , the dual algorithm is implemented as follows . at each time step , a walker is randomly picked , and : * ( i ) * killed with probability @xmath9 .
then , the number of species @xmath2 ( set to zero at the beginning ) is incremented by one unit and assigned to the dead walker , which is removed from the pool of alive walkers ( @xmath116 decreased by one ) . *
( ii ) * with probability @xmath117 , the walker moves : * ( iia ) * with probability @xmath113 , it moves to a randomly chosen compartment among the other @xmath12 belonging to the same site .
if it was occupied , coalescence takes place , and one of the two coalesced walkers is removed from the list of alive walkers ( @xmath116 decreased by one ) . *
( iib ) * with probability @xmath13 , it moves to a randomly chosen compartment of any of the neighbor sites .
if such compartment was occupied , coalescence occurs as in * ( iia * ) .
each simulation ends when a single walker remains alive ( @xmath118 ) ; this is then killed as in * ( i)*. then , the stored information about the coalescing and annihilating events for each walker allows the genealogy of each individual to be reconstructed and thus we can assign a species to each individual , compartments by compartments and site by site .
the mvm corresponds to @xmath119 . with @xmath120 and @xmath121 , events * ( iia ) * correspond to time steps in which walkers do not move , leading to a time rescaling with respect to the @xmath122 case .
this clarifies why the effective speciation - to - diffusion ratio , @xmath123 , is the appropriate parameter to compare the ssm with the mvm .
simulations based on the backward dynamics present a number of advantages . as both annihilation and coalescence events decrease the number of walkers , the computation speeds up also when @xmath9 is very small ( where the bottleneck becomes the speed of the random number generator ) .
when there are many alive walkers ( i.e. at the beginning ) , the slowest operation is to search for the collision / coalescence partner * ( ii ) * ; this search is made efficient by means of a look - up table .
moreover , simulations are free of finite - size boundary effects .
as walkers can move in the whole plane , they effectively sample a portion of size @xmath114 of an infinite system .
this means that , to explore the power - law intermediate regime of sar - curves , there is no need to consider huge systems to avoid finite - size effects , at variance with the forward dynamics ( as discussed in appendix s4 for the mcp ) .
finally , there is no need to wait for a statistically steady state to establish , as is the case for the forward dynamics . in the dual representation ,
each simulation generates , by construction , a statistically stationary configuration .
as annihilating and coalescing events are independent , one could in principle perform simulations at @xmath90 , and perform killing ( speciation ) a posteriori by pruning the list of coalescences . in this way one could use the same realization of the coalescing random walks to increase the statistics by averaging over different speciation histories .
this is a standard procedure in population genetics @xcite , and can also be implemented in this context @xcite .
here we did not implemented such a procedure owing to its memory requirements for large @xmath6 values and large lattice sizes .
* appendix s3 * * estimates for @xmath5 in the mvm and the ssm * the backward dynamics can also be used to obtain analytical estimates for @xmath5 . before deriving the new results for the ssm , we sketch the original idea developed for the mvm in refs.@xcite .
the timescale for a new species to appear , i.e. the typical time for walkers to annihilate in the dual representation , is @xmath124 .
walkers diffuse in space and thus after a time @xmath109 , on average , they move a distance @xmath125 from their origin .
this means that , associated with @xmath126 , there is a characteristic spatial scale @xmath127 .
given a sample of area @xmath128 , the number of species present in the sample @xmath129 is given by the total number of annihilated walkers , which can be estimated as follows .
in a two - dimensional system of coalescing walkers , with short range dispersal and without annihilation , the density of walkers decreases asymptotically as @xcite @xmath130 the annihilation rate at time @xmath109 can be estimated as the annihilation rate per walker , @xmath9 , times the average number of walkers at time @xmath109 , i.e. @xmath131 .
its time integral gives the total number of annihilations ( the distribution of annihilations is poissonian ) , so that @xmath132 where @xmath133 is the time at which the asymptotic scaling relation sets in .
we assume @xmath134 and drop the dependence on @xmath133 in the above expression .
moreover , the number of annihilations happening for times larger than @xmath126 is bounded and can be neglected @xcite . finally , the estimate of eq .
( [ walkerarg ] ) assumes the number of annihilations being negligible compared to the number of coalescences , i.e. @xmath9 is very small .
postulating the scaling form @xmath135 for @xmath136 $ ] and using the fact that in an area @xmath98 there is only one species , one obtains @xcite @xmath137 we recall that this estimate captures the observed logarithmic dependence of @xmath5 on @xmath9 , but it is unable to match the proportionality constant computed in numerical simulations @xcite .
let us now discuss the ssm .
in this case , two different regimes @xmath138 and @xmath139 should be distinguished . in the former ,
all walkers at any given site typically coalesce intra - site before having the time to jump to neighboring sites , so that essentially no inter - site coalescences occur before all walkers at any site coalesce into just one .
once this has happened , the system becomes voter - like , and one can repeat the calculation above , but with the diffusion time replaced by an effective one being @xmath140 .
consequently , one retrieves the result ( [ z1 ] ) with @xmath9 replaced by the speciation to migration ratio : @xmath15 . in the opposite limit @xmath139 ,
intra - site coalescence is limited by diffusion and by the size of the local population @xmath6 ( after the initial stage , when the density of walkers has decreased , many compartments at the same site will be empty so that when two walkers land on the same site , the probability for them to coalesce is very small ) .
since walkers wander for long times before coalescing , we make the simplifying assumption that all couples of walkers within an area @xmath141 have the same chance to coalesce , regardless of their initial separation . in other terms
, we assume that the population living patches of size smaller than @xmath142 is well mixed .
consequently , we use the mean field formula @xcite according to which , in the absence of annihilation , the density of walkers decay as @xmath143 as opposite to eq .
( [ eq : decay1 ] ) . in this case , the equivalent of eq .
( [ walkerarg ] ) becomes @xmath144\ , .
\label{n2}\ ] ] ( parameters as in fig . 4 of the main text ) as a function of @xmath72 , for @xmath145 and @xmath146 ( as labeled ) .
the solid lines are obtained from eq .
( [ eq : ewens ] ) , where the colors correspond to the values of @xmath13 chosen in the simulations . numerical simulation and theory display a linear behavior for large @xmath72 .
the quantitative agreement between the prefactors decreases as @xmath13 is decreased as low values of @xmath13 generate correlations in the sample not captured by formula ( [ eq : ewens ] ) .
finally , notice that simulations suggest @xmath101 being a function of @xmath72 only while in the sampling formula @xmath101 at fixed @xmath72 still shows a dependence on @xmath13 , see text for a discussion .
, scaledwidth=70.0% ] in order to compute @xmath5 , we also need an estimate for @xmath101 , which in this case is not fixed to be @xmath23 like in the voter model . as we are assuming the population in an area @xmath142 to be well mixed
, we can think of a single site as a sample of @xmath6 individuals from this population and make use of ewens sampling formula @xcite .
as derived , e.g. , in @xcite we have that @xmath147 where @xmath148 is the product of the panmictic population size ( @xmath149 ) times the speciation rate @xmath9 , i.e. @xmath150 , and the last expression has been derived by approximating the sum by an integral . proceeding as in eq .
( [ dlest ] ) , using eq .
( [ n2 ] ) and eq .
( [ eq : ewens ] ) , we find @xmath151 where @xmath152 .
notice how , in the limit of small @xmath34 , @xmath5 is a factor @xmath108 smaller than the prediction of eq .
( [ z1 ] ) for the voter model .
we conclude by remarking that the panmictic behavior of the ssm is a rigorous result when periodic boundary conditions are implemented on a square of side @xmath153 and @xmath154 , as shown in @xcite . conversely , in the open boundary condition case considered here it must be taken as an approximation , whose accuracy may depend on the spatial scale .
we tested this approximation by comparing the estimate of the average number of species in one site from numerical simulation with the prediction based on the ewens sampling formula .
results are presented in fig .
[ fig : ewens ] , showing that the linear behavior in @xmath155 is well predicted by formula ( [ eq : ewens ] ) , apart from a difference in the prefactor . in particular , simulations suggest a prefactor @xmath156 , which seems to be independent of @xmath13 ( so that @xmath101 becomes a function of @xmath72 only ) , while the estimate of eq .
( [ eq : ewens ] ) predicts a constant dependent on @xmath13 which deviates more from the numerical results as @xmath13 is decreased .
the reason of this deviation can be ascribed to the effect of inter - site coalescence at smaller values of @xmath13 , reducing the number of species compared to the theory , i.e. compensating the increase of @xmath6 ( at @xmath72 fixed ) .
another way of seeing it is that individuals belonging to the same site at low @xmath13 constitute a correlated sample of the population .
conversely , in ewens prediction ( [ eq : ewens ] ) when @xmath6 increases ( at fixed @xmath157 ) it means that the sample size increases leading , obviously , to a larger number of species .
the issue above demonstrates a problem common also to the estimates for the mvm : quantitative agreement between theory and simulations can be compromised by hard - to - estimate constants , whose contribution becomes irrelevant only for inaccessibly small values of @xmath9 ( where the only relevant contribution is the @xmath158 term ) .
* appendix s4 * * numerical implementation of the mcp * the contact process is a self - dual model @xcite , meaning that its dual representation is the contact process itself .
therefore , duality does not provide any useful help in this case , and one needs to resort to standard forward - time simulations . here below we briefly sketch the algorithm we used and discuss some related issues .
we implemented a multispecies generalization of standard algorithms for the contact process @xcite .
a @xmath114 two - dimensional lattice with periodic boundary conditions is initialized by placing and individual at each lattice site ; its species is labeled by a positive integer @xmath159 ( @xmath160 means that the site is empty ) .
initially , a single species occupies the whole system .
we keep track of occupied sites in a list , containing @xmath161 entries at time @xmath162 . at each step
, time is incremented by @xmath163 and a random individual ( in the list of non - empty sites ) is chosen:*(i ) * with probability @xmath164 it is killed and removed from the list ( @xmath165 decreases in one unit ) * ( ii ) * with probability @xmath166 , reproduction at a randomly chosen neighbor site is attempted : * ( iia ) * if the chosen neighbor site was non - empty , reproduction is unsuccessful , and the state of the system does not change * ( iib ) * if it was empty , reproduction is successful ( @xmath165 increases in one unit ) * ( iib.1 ) * with probability @xmath117 the site becomes occupied by an individual from the parent species and is added to the list of occupied sites ; * ( iib.2 ) * with probability @xmath9 the newborn mutates from the parent , giving birth to a new species .
a new species - label is created by increasing in unity the largest existing one , and it is assigned to this site ( which , on its turn , is added to the list of non - empty sites ) .
when @xmath167 , the system evolves to a dynamical equilibrium , with new species appearing and older ones becoming eventually extinct .
the number of extant species is monitored .
once equilibration of the density of non - empty sites is reached , on longer time scales ( on the order of @xmath168 ) also the number of extant species equilibrate fluctuating around a mean value .
after equilibration , configurations of the system are periodically sampled , and used to compute the sar .
notice that , in order to have statistically independent measurements , the sampling interval should be also on the order of @xmath168 .
simulations are terminated when enough statistics have been collected . at variance with the backward algorithm for the ssm and mvm , here boundaries play and important role , requiring rather large lattices to avoid finite size effects .
in particular , @xmath153 must be larger than @xmath169 , which sets ( similarly to the ssm and mvm ) an approximate scale on which individuals are expected to diffuse before speciation .
if @xmath153 is taken too small , the measured effective value @xmath5 underestimates the true one . by comparing sars
obtained at equal parameters and different system sizes , we determined that a safe choice to neglect finite size effect is @xmath170 .
we also checked that for this system size and large values of @xmath20 the results for the mvm are recovered .
consequently , at decreasing @xmath9 simulations become more and more demanding both because a larger system size is required and because relevant time scales become slower and slower . owing to these limitations
, we could not simulate systems with @xmath9 smaller than @xmath35 with enough statistics .
* appendix s5 * * behavior of bare average for the mcp at low densities and low speciation rates * we discuss in detail how approaching the critical birth - to - death rate ratio , @xmath171 , sars measured using the bare average ( eq .
( 4 ) of the main text ) are mostly determined by spatial fluctuations of the density of individuals rather than by species diversity . for @xmath172
, the set of occupied sites constitutes a fractal set with fractal - dimension @xmath173 embedded in the @xmath174-dimensional space ( see , e.g. @xcite ) . in this limit
, the coarse - grained density @xmath175 of regions of area @xmath1 occupied by at least one individual grows as @xmath176 . as a consequence ,
when @xmath9 is very small and bare averages are chosen , one has @xmath177 for small areas , leading to an estimate @xmath178 . unfortunately ,
in two dimensions @xmath179 , it is very hard to verify this prediction , due to the difficulties in simulating mcp close to @xmath59 and for small values of @xmath9 . here
, we demonstrate this effect in the numerically simple one - dimensional case . in @xmath180 , one has @xmath181 ( see , e.g. @xcite ) , and the previous argument predicts @xmath182 .
this is confirmed in fig .
[ fig : cp1d ] where we show @xmath97 for @xmath183 and @xmath184 for @xmath185 .
( in @xmath180 @xmath186 ) for @xmath187 ( red symbols ) and @xmath184 ( blue symbols ) , in a lattice of size @xmath188 .
bare averages ( eq . ( 4 ) of the main text )
are employed to compute the number of species @xmath189 over segments of length @xmath153 . at @xmath185
criticality becomes evident : occupied sites live on a fractal set of dimension @xmath181 , which implies a spurious power - law behavior @xmath190 with @xmath182 , as shown by the black straight line .
also shown for comparison is the bare average with @xmath90 ( only one species ) .
notice how this coincides with the @xmath191 slr for @xmath153 short enough , confirming that the power - law has a pure geometrical origin . , scaledwidth=70.0% ] finally , we remark once more that in the framework of sars this regime must be considered as an artifact induced by bare averages , in the sense that the resulting power law does not contain information about species diversity .
this is made more clear in the figure , where the same power law is observed for @xmath90 where only one species is present .
we thank j. rosindell for useful comments and suggestions . m.a.m .
thanks the spanish micinn project fis2009 - 08451 and junta de andaluca , pr .
excelencia p09-fqm4682 for financial support .
we also thank the genil program of the university of granada for support .
the funders had no role in study design , data collection and analysis , decision to publish , or preparation of the manuscript .
schoener tw ( 1976 ) the species - area relation within archipelagos : models and evidence from island land birds . in : proceedings of the xvi international ornithological congress .
australian academy of science , pp . | arxiv |
Dragon Age Origins
**A/N: Because I'm currently struggling with writer's block with my Elder Scrolls stories, I decided to tackle the Origin Stories from _Dragon Age: Origins _in an AU where all of my babies - I mean, er, Wardens, were recruited by Duncan. I may tell the adventures of my Wardens after conscription at some point in another fic, with the gang us Dragon Age fans are very familiar with, but for now I'll just write out these little stories. **
**The Dwarf Commoner is one of my favorite origins in the game - tied with Human Noble and City Elf, and I quite like Anta and this story based off her. I hope you enjoy it as much as I liked writing it.**
* * *
_**Brosca - Part One.**_
There were only a few things Anta knew to do in her life. The first was to stay alive at all costs, and during the first few years in her life, this proved difficult as she and her older sister, Rica, were streetsweepers. The memories of her childhood as she and her sister swept the Orzammar Commons, while the passersby looked at them like they were nothing more than trash. Because they were.
_Casteless. _Anta heard the word daily, from her sister, mother and herself. They were Casteless; in the eyes of Dwarven society, they were nothing.
The second thing that Anta knew was that she had to do whatever Beraht said. Beraht reminded Anta and Rica on a constant basis that he didn't have to take them under his wing and give them jobs, so they owed him and had to do whatever he said, starting by Rica - the prettier of the two, according to him - prostituting herself and becoming a noble-hunter. Anta, who had learnt some combat skills from her father when she was younger, was nothing more than a hired thug, who intimidated those who had some history with Beraht.
Today she woke up to a better breakfast than usual due to the money Rica had been saving from doing other odd jobs recently. Then, she heard Beraht enter. Anta couldn't miss it; wherever Beraht went, you heard his loud, obnoxious tone.
"You got a sweet look, something to light a man on fire, Rica," Beraht said loudly. "But you got to make it count."
The look on his face as he looked at Rica made Anta want to take her dagger she had strapped onto her back and stab him in the most painful way imaginable. But she didn't, because she knew that if she did, they would have no income, and they would all wither away. Rica glanced towards her, and Anta could practically hear her sister pleading with her not to attack Beraht.
"Please, Beraht, I would rather not do this in front of my sister -"
"And why not?" Beraht snapped. "She knows the slopes of the land, doesn't she?"
Anta gritted her teeth.
"I told you not to talk about my sister that way," she snarled. _You greedy bastard._
"You told me a lot of things," Beraht said smugly. Anta resisted the urge to take one of her clenched fists to his face. "Not even one of which meant more than a fart in the middens."
The crime lord didn't care about them, except for whatever gold they managed to obtain. Anta tried to ignore how the comment stung deep down, and still pulled the angriest face she could muster. Beraht obviously didn't care, or find her menacing, because he continued.
"Before me, your sister is just another duster. Now check her out!"
Anta didn't need reminding about Rica's recent makeover. She was still Casteless, and still lived in Dust Town with everyone else like them, but she wore expensive clothes, had her hair done up really nice and - she looked like a Noble from House Aeducan. Beraht boasted on a constant basis that it was he who was responsible for buying all of Rica's new things fit for Noble hunting. It disgusted Anta.
"Braids down to here, gold capped teeth...she can even recite elf poetry and play the string harp. Every man's dream!" Beraht bragged, now wearing the most disgusting smirk Anta had seen on his face. "All she's gotta do is find a lord, squeeze out some kid that looks like him and we're all living the easy life in the Diamond Quarter."
Anta couldn't help but mentally scream that her sister was a person; a Dwarf with feelings just like Beraht, perhaps even more so. Not a toy that he could play with and then dispose of. Anta opened her mouth to speak, but Rica spoke before she could.
"Please don't get involved, Anta," Rica pleaded. "You know that never ends well."
"But how much more does he think you can do?" Anta asked angrily. "You're only a Dwarf, Rica, just like him!"
"That's enough!" Beraht bellowed. "Your sister will do whatever I tell her to, even if it's marching up to the king and -"
"Beraht, please!" Rica pleaded. "Not in front of Anta!"
Beraht glared in Anta's direction, but said nothing.
"You just keep your head down and say 'aye' to any job I decide is low enough for scum like you," he said to Anta with a sneer, before turning back to Rica, who Anta couldn't help but notice was trembling. "In you, I put out coin so you can doll yourself up and get a bellyful of some nobleman's brat. Then you can both go free. And I get the chance to join the family and be called 'my lord' for the rest of the little prince's life."
_Unless she has a daughter, _Anta thought angrily. If Rica had a daughter and not a son, the daughter would be Casteless, just like them - as a baby was always born into the same-sex parents' caste. The thought loomed over all of them.
"What are you doing here, anyways?" Anta asked.
"I was here to check on one of my investments," Beraht replied. "And at the moment, your sister hasn't brought in much gold."
Anta made a move to open her mouth again, but Rica turned to her and shook her head. _No, little sister._
"I'm giving you a week, precious," Beraht snarled. "If you haven't found a patron, you're back to sweeping streets."
"But...I have," Rica protested weakly. Anta looked up, shocked at her answer. "I've met someone...that is, I didn't want to promise, but he seemed interested."
"Oh?" Beraht also seemed mildly surprised. "Is that so?"
"How about you get a ladder, so you can get off her back?" Anta yelled at him. "Leave her alone and just tell me my job for the day, will ya?"
Anta was angrier than she thought she was clearly.
"Your buddy Leske's waiting outside for you, girl," Beraht responded, "he knows what I need from you today. Don't even think about bungling this job. Your whole family's on loose sand with me right now. And I know you don't have anywhere else to turn."
The merchant then turned around and left they small house the Brosca's couldn't even call their own. Anta sighed, and then turned to her sister. Rica looked as if she was about to burst into tears.
"I'm sorry you had to see that, Anta," Rica said, although Anta didn't understand why _Rica _of all people felt the need to apologize. It wasn't her fault they were Casteless and that the only way they could earn any money was by joining the Stonedamned Carta. If anything, it was all _his _fault.
Anta's father, Carden Brosca, left them a little over ten years ago for the surface, leaving Anta and Rica's mother, Kalah a bitter drunk and the two of them to fend for themselves.
Anta had _never _forgiven him.
"You don't need to hide anything from me, Rica," Anta said sadly.
"I always tried, though," Rica sighed. "At least I've kept you from buying your future with what's between your legs. But I should have told you."
_She should have, _Anta thought, but that didn't stop the fact that Anta already knew about Rica's prostitution, though she was afraid of bringing it up, due to the fact that it would undoubtedly cause an argument.
"Beraht's been warning me ever since two of his other girls found patron's at Lord Harrowmont's reception," Rica said. "They've been getting gifts already. Lord Rousten gave Elyse a surface-silk gown and she's not even pregnant. Beraht's getting impatient."
"And that bastard expects too much from you!" Anta snapped.
"And what other options do we have?" Rica snapped back. Anta was mildly taken aback. Rica was rarely angry with her. "Clean middens? Beg? Go up to the surface like your father?"
"Don't talk to me about him, Rica," Anta said dangerously low.
Rica shifted her eyes for a second.
"No, Anta…" Rica said. "Unless you find a way to save us all from Darkspawn and become a Paragon like Branka...there is no other options. We're pretty much on Beraht's leash for life."
_And the chances of me either joining the army or becoming a Paragon - let alone both - are zero. _
"I still say Beraht expects too much from you."
"But you know how desperate the nobles are for more children," Rica began. "They can barely field enough soldiers to hold the walls against the darkspawn. If I could… give one of them a son, the whole house would celebrate. And we'd all be raised up to noble caste to join the family.
"It's what Beraht's betting on. That's why he paid for my clothes, my voice lessons. He wants to share the reward," Rica explained. Anta didn't want to hear anymore of this; Rica was letting Beraht invest so much on her for the hope that she _might _bore a nobleman a son. _Might._
"I need to go before Beraht gets back," Anta said.
Rica smiled sadly.
"Stay safe, Anta," she responded. "I'll see you tonight for dinner."
_Whatever dinner is, _Anta thought as she stepped into the next room towards the front door. Her mother was asleep, her head lying across the table. Anta ignored her and made a move to unlock the door, which awoke her mother.
"Huh…?" Her mother slowly awoke and rubbed her eyes. "Whozzat? Why are you bothering me? Rica?"
Anta felt her heart sink. Her mother didn't recognize her as her child.
"Mom," Anta began, "it's me, Anta. Your child?"
"Don't talk to me like I'm an idiot!" Kalah Brosca screamed at the top of her lungs. Anta was sure that the whole of Orzammar, if not all of Ferelden, heard her. "You think I don't know my own kid?"
_Clearly, _Anta thought.
"Mom -"
"What are you doing here, anyways?" Her mother slurred. "Rica said you were finally making a use for yourself."
Anta shook her head. Her mother would never change. _The bitch._
"Doesn't it bother you that Rica has to whore herself out?" Anta snapped.
Her mother grabbed the half-empty bottle of beer she had been drinking and then took a large gulp, before she opened her mouth again.
"She's got the body," her mother said dismissively. "May as well use it before a couple of kids twist it out of shape."
Anta wanted to slap her mother and shout at her, make her realize just how they were living and what they had to do to survive. Instead she clenched her fists and gritted her teeth.
"Never mind," Anta snarled. "Sleep it off. Again."
And then she walked out of the door before her mother could utter another word in her direction.
* * *
Leske was waiting outside for her when Anta arrived, standing against the door with an anxious look on his face, until he turned and saw her. Leske grinned and Anta felt herself slowly grin as well.
"About sodding time," he remarked. "I was starting to think I'd have to burst in and get an eyeful of that spicy sister of yours. Ga-row!"
Anta was used to men lusting over her much older and more beautiful sister. Despite the hard life they had, Rica still looked beautiful with long, lustrous red hair (that was usually tied back for practical reasons), smooth skin and bright amber eyes. Anta had most of these characteristics as well. Same red hair, same amber eyes...but she paled in comparison. Her nose was too large in her opinion, and her hair was short, filthy and hard to manage. Not only that, but a profession as a hired thug wasn't exactly attractive.
"Haven't I told you not to think about my sister that way?" Anta said, though not in her most serious tone of voice.
"You're just jealous because you want the majesty of Leske for yourself, you shameless hussy. What do you say?" Anta gasped in mock horror.
"That when I saw your 'majesty', the sceptre was a little...soft," Anta responded with a smirk. She saw Leske's face turn bright red.
"I...kinda hoped you'd forgotten about that..." he said sheepishly. "But as much as I'd like to keep chatting, we'd better get down to business."
"So, who are we dealing with today?"
"Boss says we're out for a search and discipline. One of his smugglers is holding out on him. Name's Oskias, some surfacer. Beraht got word that he's been selling shipments topside that never make it to Beraht's ears down here."
So someone was selling out Beraht? Anta supposed she may as well propose marriage to the man as soon as she met him, if she could.
"He wants us to find the rotter and see what goods he's holding back," Leske finished.
"He steals from Beraht? I like him already," Anta quipped.
"Well yours will be a short and tragic relationship," Leske said. "Ready to show him some pain?"
"Yeah, sure. Let's show him what happens if you piss off Beraht."
"Poetry to my ears, Salroka."
* * *
The Dwarfs in the commons turned their noses up at Anta and Leske's appearance in the Commons. Some said nothing to them, but others muttered curses and other mean things under their breath. One woman who was carrying a child even said outright for Anta and Leske to stay away from them, lest they bring bad luck to her as well.
Nearby, Anta spotted a Dwarf male with dark brown hair nearby the bridge to the proving ground. He wore some of the most extravagant armor Anta had ever seen. Was he a warrior? Perhaps even a Noble? Beside him stood a Dwarf with red hair, wearing only a little lesser armor than the other dwarf beside him. The two walked towards the Proving, laughing like close friends. Leske tugged at her arm and they walked into Tapster's Tavern. The Bartender was viciously wiping the counter in front of him, until he looked up and saw Anta and Leske.
"No casteless," he said loudly and angrily, before pointing to the door. "Now git!"
"It seems you have an open door policy on martyrs though," was Anta's response, and she knelt towards counter.
"Who in the dust do you think you -" The Bartender's expression changed from anger to fear not long after he realized who Anta was. "Oh. My mistake. I didn't realize you were one of _his." _
"You didn't, huh?" Leske interjected behind Anta.
"Look...I'm not looking for any trouble," the Bartender said.
"And you haven't found any," Anta said, "so long as you tell me where a man named Oskias is."
The Bartender rolled his eyes.
"Is _that _what this is all about?" The Bartender pointed towards a younger Dwarf sitting at one of the tables. Anta took a step forwards and sat at the table in front of him. The Dwarf raised an eyebrow.
"Hey!" He exclaimed. "I was saving that seat!"
"That's real thoughtful of you, Oskias," Leske said, taking one of the other empty chairs beside him. "It's tiring work looking for you."
The surface Dwarf had a sudden fearful expression on his face.
"How...how do you know my name?"
"That's not important," Anta said dismissively. "We're here to stop you from making a big mistake."
"A mistake?" Oskias shifted his eyes away from her slightly. "I don't know what you're talking about. You probably have the wrong Oskias, see. I just got here this morning. I'm usually on the surface and—"
"So you're not the turncoat, two-faced swindling duster Beraht told us about?" Leske asked sarcastically.
"I never said anything," Oskias countered quickly. "Beraht's got no reason to send you after me."
_A likely story, _Anta thought. Beraht could smell any trouble for him and the rest of his damned Carta a mile away. He had never been wrong.
"Then you have nothing to fear, right?" Anta asked.
Oskias sighed.
"I just want to make sure nothing does anything...too hasty."
"Of course not," Anta said, "this is all just a friendly inspection."
"Making sure you didn't _accidentally _pocket any possessed lyrium," Leske added, eyeing Oskias's bag.
Oskias shifted his eyes again.
"Look, I-I always been loyal to Beraht. He's been good to my family; I-I know how much I owe him."
"I know," Anta responded, "but we need to be sure."
Leske muttered something about checking Oskias's bag, that was on the floor beside him. Anta watched as her friend knelt down and started unbuttoning the bag. Oskias let out a yelp, and looked towards Anta.
"Wait!"
"Spare me your excuses," Anta snapped. She had had enough of the Surfacer's stalling. This needed to be done.
"I...I do have some lyrium," Oskias admitted. _Now he starts talking. _"It's just ore. I made a side deal with one of the mining families. If it worked out, I was going to bring Beraht his cut, swear. I - I'd be crazy not to -"
"Suicidal, one might say," Leske said sarcastically.
"How much do you have?" Anta inquired.
"Just twenty five sovereigns worth," the surfacer said meekly.
_Twenty five sovereigns? _The words echoed in Anta's mine for about a minute or two, at least. It may not be much money by the Noble's standards, but to her it was enough to get her - and Rica - out of Dust Town.
"Most of that's with my buyers on the surface," Oskias began explaining. "I just picked up a few nuggets down here. If I were to… maybe give you a piece, that's a lot of coin. Could you, uh, forget to mention this to Beraht?"
The words "gold" and "freedom" rang in Anta's head. She told herself that she shouldn't get her hopes up. That it was a bad idea, but..._maybe…_
"I'm listening," Anta said.
* * *
As far as Beraht would be concerned, Oskias was dead, so the Surfacer decided that he should go back up to the surface and leave Ferelden for good, instead opting to leave for Orlais or Antiva as soon as possible. Anta and Leske turned the other way, until Anta felt Leske pull on her arm for the second time that day and drag her down a dark alleyway near the entrance of Dust Town.
"Are you breathing smoke?" Leske was angry. Actually angry. "Beraht'll _kill_ you if he catches you with his lyrium!"
"Too late for regrets, salroka," Anta said, "the bastard's probably halfway to the surface by now. Now, are we gonna sell the damn stuff or not?"
Leske raised his eyebrows. "We?"
Anta smiled. "You really think I wouldn't share with my best friend?"
"Well, that's another story," Leske responded, his eyes brightening. "Tell you what, cut me fifty and I'll take you to Olinda. She'll pay us and she won't tell Beraht. She refuses to work with the old man."
"Then we have ourselves a deal, my friend."
Olinda was an older Dwarf - perhaps a bit younger than Anta's mother - who got along well enough with Leske, even though she told him off for flirting with her, as was classic for him to do. The two walked away with thirty silvers and a sovereign each. It was less than Anta had expected, but a Casteless had to take anything they could get their hands on.
After that, they went to see Beraht, who was standing beside his second, Jarvia. There were rumors that Beraht and Jarvia were lovers, but Anta didn't know - or care - if it was true. All she knew was that Jarvia was the most powerful Casteless in the city and a complete bitch to the rest of them. She watched Leske and Anta with her steely eyes, as did Beraht.
"It's about time you two showed up," he snorted. "So what happened with Oskias?"
"He was smuggling lyrium out of Orzammar," Anta replied. "Had some contacts in the Miner caste. And no, he didn't say who."
"I see," Beraht said slowly. Anta felt her heart pound in her chest. _He doesn't believe us. _"Did he have anything on him?"
"No," Anta replied quickly. _Perhaps a bit too quickly. _
"And Oskias himself?"
"Dead," Anta and Leske said at the same time, before exchanging blank looks. Beraht raised his eyebrows, and then pulled a smug grin.
"Interesting," the crime-lord said. "Seeing how my cousin was at Tapster's Tavern this afternoon…"
Anta felt her heart pound again. _That's just great. We're going to get killed._
"And he says he saw something change hands between you and Oskias and then the duster sodding stood up and walked out on his own two feet!" Beraht slammed one of his fists on the counter beside him. He turned towards Jarvia, who was smirking slightly. _The bitch, _Anta thought. The two hated each other and there was nothing that could change that. "Does that sound like what I asked? Jarvia, what does that sound like to you?"
"Sounds like some jumped-up face-brands thought they could take a bribe and let him walk free," Jarvia said smugly. If it was under other circumstance, Anta might have vomited. "That's just not right."
_You're branded just like us, you evil bitch! _Anta thought angrily. Jarvia was asking for a knife to the throat, and Anta hoped one day someone would give it to her.
"The lady says it's not right," Beraht said. "You wouldn't disagree with a lady, would you?"
Anta rolled her eyes.
_Lady? Yeah, that seems accurate...NOT!_
"I'm not stupid enough to kill Oskias in public," she snapped.
"Right, I mean, no one's gonna say spit to you, Beraht, but we can't move that free. We needed to get Oskias somewhere private. We took him to the lava sinks behind the mines. You won't be seeing him again," Leske piped up, in a very sincere voice at that. Anta hadn't expected Leske to come up with a story that quickly, if at all.
"Hmm. I don't like you making me look weak… but it's smart to try to keep the Sword Castes from asking questions," Beraht smirked. "That's why I like you two."
_Too bad I don't like him, _Anta thought.
"Now, I got something else for you. Make some use of your… unique skills."
"What would that be?" Anta asked.
"The Warrior Caste is hosting a Proving today," Beraht said. This piqued Anta's interest; a proving was usually held on a special event. "It is in honor of Torgan Aeducan being named commander of Orzammar's armies."
Anta felt her eyes widen. _Torgan Aeducan? The King's son? _She may be casteless, but she knew enough about the royal family to know that Torgan Aeducan of House Aeducan was a young man that was respected by Orzammar's people - including her own.
"All the best fighters, last man standing—you know the sort of thing," Beraht continued. "They're also showing off for some Grey Warden who's looking for candidates to drag off to a life of eternal glory. Now, it's not often we get every name fighter in Orzammar lined up like that, and I have certain acquaintances who… take an interest in this sort of thing."
_Grey Warden? _Anta thought. Now that was something she had never heard of. Either that, or she was too stupid to remember.
"So we're gambling on the provings?" Leske asked.
"Exactly," Beraht replied. "There's a lot of coin to be made when people get the fever up. Favored fighter's an officer named Mainar, veteran of four darkspawn campaigns. Everd's a long-shot, just got back from a Deep Roads offensive. Some young buck who has all the ladies drooling. I've got a lot of money riding on him. Mine and other people's. I expect to see that eight-to-one payoff. Understand?"
"Crystal," Anta said.
"The fight only gets announced to contestants themselves… to prevent illegal gambling. So first, you'll have to find Everd, see who he's fighting, and when," Beraht picked up a small, clear bottle from the counter and handed it to Anta. "When the name Mainar comes up, I want you to slip this drug into the bastard's water. It'll slow his reflexes, just enough to take the edge off, not enough to show. But it wears off quickly, so don't use it until just before his fight."
Anta nodded, and took the bottle before stuffing in her pocket.
"You'll get a pass to enter the Proving Ground tomorrow at ten; the first fight is at noon," Beraht explained. That meant they only had a couple of hours to find Everd.
"C'mon, Anta," Leske said, "let's go."
"Wait a second, Brosca," Beraht said. Anta gestured for Leske to go ahead without her. He nodded slowly, and went out the door, leaving Anta with Beraht and Jarvia, who was giving her the worst glare yet.
"Don't even _think_ about screwing this up, Brosca," Beraht said in a dangerously low voice. Anta opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it after she realized just how serious Beraht was. "When I say I have coin on this, I'm not talking about some pittance, like the value of your life. If I don't see Everd's name on the winner's sheet, you'd better make sure I never see you two, or your sister, ever again."
End file.
| fanfiction |
Calculating molarity of a gas using ideal gas equation
Is hydrogen gas at 1 atm pressure and 298 K temperature considered as a 1 molar solution? If yes then can I use ideal gas equation $$PV=nRT$$ to find molarity as $$\frac nV = \frac P{RT}?$$
Hydrogen at one atmosphere pressure and 298 K is certainly not a one molar solution. However, you can still calculate the concentration with the ideal gas. Note that this is a gaseous solution and since it is a pure gas, the solute is also the solvent.
$$
c(\ce{H2}) = \frac{n(\ce{H2})}{V(\ce{H2})}
= \frac{p(\ce{H2})}{\mathcal{R}T}
\approx 40.9~\mathrm{mol\,m^{-3}}
\approx 0.04~\mathrm{mol\,L^{-1}}
$$
| stackexchange/chemistry |
Determine compound acidity based on structure
In an exercise I have the following structures
**Moclobemide**: 
**Paracetamol**: 
**Hexobarbital**: 
I know for example by heart that **paracetamol** is an **acid**. What is the best approach in determination of acidity of a compound based on it's structure?
I'd like to know for example if these compounds are:
* Basic
* Acidic
* Amphoteric
I know for example that many metals (Zn, Pb, etc) can be amphoteric (act as $H^+$ donors or acceptors). But I don't know how to determine what a complex structure is.
Please offer a detailed explanation, with links if possible.
Best Regards,
Panagiotis, in order to solve the exercise, one needs to identify the relevant functional groups and explore their environment a bit.
Supposed that we're talking about "standard conditions", i.e., what is likely to happen if the dissolve/suspend the compounds in water, the situation is as follows:
In the structure of **Moclobemide**, we spot an amide, and - in the morpholin moiety - an ether and a tertiary amine. Amides do have a lone pair on the nitrogen atom, but due to the conjugation with the carbonyl group, the electron density on the N atom is strongly reduced, as compared to an amine. Ethers are rather lousy bases, in fact, the $pK\_a$ of protonated tetrahydrofuran is as low as -2.05.
The remaining tertiary amine thus is the functional group that influences the pH: tertiary amines show a $pK\_b$ around 3.3.
In **Paracetamol** we identify an amide (that we've already excluded as irrelevant) and a phenol group. The latter, once deprotonated, will stabilize the negative charge by resonance with the $\pi$-system (G M has already mentioned this). Therefore, phenols are far more acidic than alkanols. Consequently, the compound definitely acts as an acid.
I'm sure that you've already noticed two imide units in the case of **Hexobarbital** and in fact, it is possible to abstract the proton from the nitrogen atom. However, you'd need a base such as a carbonate under anhydrous conditions to deprotonate here. As a result, **Hexobarbital** will hardly do anything at all in water.
| stackexchange/chemistry |
The VAN method named after P. Varotsos, K. Alexopoulos and K. Nomicos, authors of the 1981 papers describing it measures low frequency electric signals, termed seismic electric signals SES, by which Varotsos and several colleagues claimed to have successfully predicted earthquakes in Greece. Both the method itself and the manner by which successful predictions were claimed have been severely criticized and debated by VAN, but the critics have not retracted their views.
Since 2001, the VAN group has introduced a concept they call natural time, applied to the analysis of their precursors. Initially it is applied on SES to distinguish them from noise and relate them to a possible impending earthquake. In case of verification classification as SES activity, natural time analysis is additionally applied to the general subsequent seismicity of the area associated with the SES activity, in order to improve the time parameter of the prediction. The method treats earthquake onset as a critical phenomenon.
After 2006, VAN say that all alarms related to SES activity have been made public by posting at arxiv.org. One such report was posted on Feb. 1, 2008, two weeks before the strongest earthquake in Greece during the period 1983-2011. This earthquake occurred on February 14, 2008, with magnitude Mw 6.9. VAN's report was also described in an article in the newspaper Ethnos on Feb. 10, 2008. However, Gerassimos Papadopolous complained that the VAN reports were confusing and ambiguous, and that none of the claims for successful VAN predictions is justified.
Description of the VAN method
Prediction of earthquakes with this method is based on the detection, recording and evaluation of seismic electric signals or SES. These electrical signals have a fundamental frequency component of 1 Hz or less and an amplitude the logarithm of which scales with the magnitude of the earthquake. According to VAN proponents, SES are emitted by rocks under stresses caused by plate-tectonic forces. There are three types of reported electric signal:
Electric signals that occur shortly before a major earthquake. Signals of this type were recorded 6.5 hours before the 1995 Kobe earthquake in Japan, for example.
Electric signals that occur some time before a major earthquake.
A gradual variation in the Earth's electric field some time before an earthquake.
Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain SES:
Stress-related phenomena: Seismic electric signals are perhaps attributed to the piezoelectric behaviour of some minerals, especially quartz, or to effects related to the behavior of crystallographic defects under stress or strain. Series of SES, termed SES activities which are recorded before major earthquakes, may appear a few weeks to a few months before an earthquake when the mechanical stress reaches a critical value. The generation of electric signals by minerals under high stress leading to fracture has been confirmed with laboratory experiments.
Thermoelectric phenomena: Alternately, Chinese researchers proposed a mechanism which relies on the thermoelectric effect in magnetite.
Groundwater phenomena: Three mechanisms have been proposed relying on the presence of groundwater in generating SES. The electrokinetic effect is associated with the motion of groundwater during a change in pore pressure. The seismic dynamo effect is associated with the motion of ions in groundwater relative to the geomagnetic field as a seismic wave creates displacement. Circular polarization would be characteristic of the seismic dynamo effect, and this has been observed both for artificial and natural seismic events. A radon ionization effect, caused by radon release and then subsequent ionization of material in groundwater, may also be active. The main isotope of radon is radioactive with a half-life of 3.9 days, and the nuclear decay of radon is known to have an ionizing effect on air. Many publications have reported increased radon concentration in the vicinity of some active tectonic faults a few weeks prior to strong seismic events. However, a strong correlation between radon anomalies and seismic events has not been demonstrated.
While the electrokinetic effect may be consistent with signal detection tens or hundreds of kilometers away, the other mechanisms require a second mechanism to account for propagation:
Signal transmission along faults: In one model, seismic electric signals propagate with relatively low attenuation along tectonic faults, due to the increased electrical conductivity caused either by the intrusion of ground water into the fault zones or by the ionic characteristics of the minerals.
Rock circuit: In the defect model, the presence of charge carriers and holes can be modeled as making an extensive circuit.
Seismic electric signals are detected at stations which consist of pairs of electrodes oriented NS and EW inserted into the ground, with amplifiers and filters. The signals are then transmitted to the VAN scientists in Athens where they are recorded and evaluated. Currently the VAN team operates 9 stations, while in the past until 1989 they could afford up to 17.
The VAN team claimed that they were able to predict earthquakes of magnitude larger than 5, with an uncertainty of 0.7 units of magnitude, within a radius of 100 km, and in time window ranging from several hours to a few weeks. Several papers confirmed this success rate, leading to statistically significant conclusion. For example, there were eight M ≥ 5.5 earthquakes in Greece from January 1, 1984 through September 10, 1995, and the VAN network forecast six of these.
The VAN method has also been used in Japan, but in early attempts success comparable to that achieved in Greece was difficult to attain. A preliminary investigation of seismic electric signals in France led to encouraging results.
Earthquake prediction using natural time analysis
Since 2001 the VAN team has attempted to improve the accuracy of the estimation of the time of the forthcoming earthquake. To that end, they introduced the concept of natural time, a time series analysis technique which puts weight on a process based on the ordering of events. Two terms characterize each event, the natural time , and the energy . is defined as , where k is an integer the -th event and is the total number of events in the time sequence of data. A related term, , is the ratio , which describes the fractional energy released. They introduce a critical term , the variance in natural time, which puts extra weight on the energy term :
where and
Their current method deems SES valid when = 0.070. Once the SES are deemed valid, a second analysis is started in which the subsequent seismic rather than electric events are noted, and the region is divided up as a Venn diagram with at least two seismic events per overlapping rectangle. When the distribution of for the rectangular regions has its maximum at = 0.070, a critical seismic event is imminent, i.e. it will occur in a few days to one week or so, and a report is issued.
Results
The VAN team claim that out of seven mainshocks with magnitude Mw>=6.0 from 2001 through 2010 in the region of latitude N 36° to N 41° and longitude E 19° to E 27°, all but one could be classified with relevant SES activity identified and reported in advance through natural time analysis. Additionally, they assert that the occurrence time of four of these mainshocks with magnitude Mw>=6.4 were identified to within a narrow range, a few days to around one week or so. These reports are inserted in papers housed in arXiv, and new reports are made and uploaded there. For example, a report preceding the strongest earthquake in Greece during the period 1983-2011, which occurred on February 14, 2008, with magnitude Mw 6.9, was publicized in arXiv almost two weeks before, on February 1, 2008. A description of the updated VAN method was collected in a book published by Springer in 2011, titled Natural Time Analysis: The New View of Time.
Natural time analysis also claims that the physical connection of SES activities with earthquakes is as follows: Taking the view that the earthquake occurrence is a phase-change critical phenomenon, where the new phase is the mainshock occurrence, the above-mentioned variance term κ is the corresponding order parameter. The κ value calculated for a window comprising a number of seismic events comparable to the average number of earthquakes occurring within a few months, fluctuates when the window is sliding through a seismic catalogue. The VAN team claims that these κ fluctuations exhibit a minimum a few months before a mainshock occurrence and in addition this minimum occurs simultaneously with the initiation of the corresponding SES activity, and that this is the first time in the literature that such a simultaneous appearance of two precursory phenomena in independent datasets of different geophysical observables electrical measurements, seismicity has been observed. Furthermore, the VAN team claims that their natural time analysis of the seismic catalogue of Japan during the period from January 1, 1984 until the occurrence of the magnitude 9.0 Tohoku earthquake on March 11, 2011, revealed that such clear minima of the κ fluctuations appeared before all major earthquakes with magnitude 7.6 or larger. The deepest of these minima was said to occur on January 5, 2011, i.e., almost two months before the Tohoku earthquake occurrence. Finally, by dividing the Japanese region into small areas, the VAN team states that some small areas show minimum of the κ fluctuations almost simultaneously with the large area covering the whole Japan and such small areas clustered within a few hundred kilometers from the actual epicenter of the impending major earthquake.
Criticisms of VAN
Historically, the usefulness of the VAN method for prediction of earthquakes had been a matter of debate. Both positive and negative criticism on an older conception of the VAN method is summarized in the 1996 book A Critical Review of VAN, edited by Sir James Lighthill. A critical review of the statistical methodology was published by Y. Y. Kagan of UCLA in 1997. Note that these criticisms predate the time series analysis methods introduced by the VAN group in 2001. The main points of the criticism were:
Predictive success
Critics say that the VAN method is hindered by a lack of statistical testing of the validity of the hypothesis because the researchers keep changing the parameters the moving the goalposts technique.
VAN has claimed to have observed at a recording station in Athens a perfect record of a one-to-one correlation between SESs and earthquake of magnitude ≥ 2.9 which occurred 7 hours later in all of Greece. However, Max Wyss said that the list of earthquake used for the correlation was false. Although VAN stated in their article that the list of earthquakes was that of the Bulletin of the National Observatory of Athens NOA, Wyss found that 37 of the earthquakes actually listed in the bulletin, including the largest one, were not in the list used by VAN for issuing their claim. In addition, 40 of the earthquake which VAN claimed had occurred were not in the NOA bulletin. Examining the probability of chance correlation of another set of 22 claims of successful predictions by VAN of M > 4.0 from January 1, 1987 through November 30, 1989 it was found that 74 were false, 9 correlated by chance, and for 14 the correlation was uncertain. No single event correlated at a probability greater than 85, whereas the level required in statistics for accepting a hypothesis test as positive would more commonly be 95.
In response to Wyss' analysis of the NOA findings, VAN said that the criticisms were based on misunderstandings. VAN said that the calculations suggested by Wyss would lead to a paradox, i.e., to probability values larger than unity, when applied to an ideal earthquake prediction method. Other independent evaluations said that VAN obtained statistically significant results.
Mainstream seismologists remain unconvinced by any of VAN's rebuttals. In 2011 the ICEF concluded that the optimistic prediction capability claimed by VAN could not be validated. Most seismologists consider VAN to have been resoundingly debunked.
Proposed SES propagation mechanism
An analysis of the propagation properties of SES in the Earths crust showed that it is impossible that signals with the amplitude reported by VAN could have been generated by small earthquakes and transmitted over the several hundred kilometers between the epicenter and the receiving station. In effect, if the mechanism is based on piezoelectricity or electrical charging of crystal deformations with the signal traveling along faults, then none of the earthquakes which VAN claimed were preceded by SES generated an SES themselves. VAN answered that such an analysis of the SES propagation properties is based on a simplified model of horizontally layered Earth and that this differs greatly from the real situation since Earth's crust contains inhomogeneities. When the latter are taken into account, for example by considering that the faults are electrically appreciably more conductive than the surrounding medium, VAN believes that electric signals transmitted at distances of the order of one hundred kilometers between the epicenter and the receiving station have amplitudes comparable to those reported by VAN. Susan Hough noted that this amounted to special pleading, making VAN's hypothesis un-falsifiable because it relies on unrepeatable circumstances.
Electromagnetic compatibility issues
VANs publications are further weakened by failure to address the problem of eliminating the many and strong sources of change in the magneto-electric field measured by them, such as telluric currents from weather, and electromagnetic interference EMI from man-made signals. One critical paper Pham et al 1998 clearly correlates an SES used by the VAN group with digital radio transmissions made from a military base. In a subsequent paper, VAN said that such noise coming from digital radio transmitters of the military database has been clearly distinguished from true SES by following the criteria developed by VAN. Further work in Greece by Pham et al in 2002 has tracked SES-like anomalous transient electric signals back to specific human sources, and found that such signals are not excluded by the criteria used by VAN to identify SES.
Public policy
Finally, one requirement for any earthquake prediction method is that, in order for any prediction to be useful, it must predict a forthcoming earthquake within a reasonable time-frame, epicenter and magnitude. If the prediction is too vague, no feasible decision such as to evacuate the population of a certain area for a given period of time can be made. In practice, the VAN group issued a series of telegrams in the 1980s, warning of impending earthquakes that did not occur, or did not occur within the parameters listed in the telegrams. During the same time frame, the technique also missed major earthquakes. These inaccurate predictions from the early VAN method led to public criticism and the cost associated with false alarms generated ill will. Major opponents of VAN were the Greek seismologists Vassilis Papazachos and G. Stavrakakis. The debate between Papazachos and the VAN team has repeatedly caused public attention in their home country Greece and has been extensively discussed in the Greek media.
See also
Earthquake prediction
Seismology
Seismo-electromagnetics
Notes
References
.
.
.
.
External links
Nature debates. Is the reliable prediction of individual earthquakes a realistic scientific goal?
VAN earthquake prediction method.
P. Varotsos' bibliography the principal source of VAN papers.
Category:Earthquake and seismic risk mitigation | wikipedia |
7.5 million children to be vaccinated against typhoid
Published On: April 5, 2022 05:18 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal
KATHMANDU, April 5: The Ministry of Health and Population is to inoculate 7.5 million children against typhoid.
Addressing a press meet organized here today, chief of the Child Health and Vaccination Section at the Department of Health, Sagar Dahal said children between the age of one year three months to 15 years would be administered the vaccines against typhoid. The vaccination program will be conducted from April 8 till May 1. He said the typhoid vaccine would be administered for one time.
GAVI, the global alliance for vaccines, has provided the typhoid vaccines free of cost. Nepal is the first country in South Asia to administer the vaccine against typhoid and the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended vaccination against typhoid in other countries with typhoid prevalence along with Nepal.
The vaccines will be administered at 56,429 vaccination centers and schools throughout the country. Ten thousand health workers and 112,858 volunteers will be mobilized for the purpose.
Section chief Dahal said that going by the data for the last five years, typhoid infection has been found in over 450,000 people in Nepal. According to him, it was estimated that there were 820,449 typhoid patients in 2019. Although typhoid infection is seen in people of all age groups, it is more prevalent among children below 15 years.
The director-general of the Department of Health Services, Dr Dipendra Raman Singh pledged to eliminate typhoid through sanitation and vaccinations. One thousand sixty two people per 100,000 tests have been infected with the infection, according to a study.
Stating that the vaccine had been put to use only after its clinical trial, director of the Family Welfare Division, Dr Bibek Lal said it requires only one dose and it is 85 percent effective. Typhoid conjugate vaccine being administered in Nepal has been approved by the World Health Organization.
Common side effects post-vaccination include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and skin rash among others. However, the Department has urged parents to take their children to the nearby vaccination centers for the vaccine without being afraid of such common side effects.
Ministry_of_Health_and_Population
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RUSH
Written by
Peter Morgan
December 6th, 2011
1 EXT. CLOUDY SKY - GERMANY - DAY 1
Dark clouds passing overhead.
The bad weather that has hovered over the Eifel mountains, (in
Germany), the past three days is on it's way out..
2 AN EYE FLICKERS - WIDE OPEN - STARING INTENTLY 2
A pupil dilates and contracts in the light. The eye stares.
Blinks. Thinks. Making evaluations..
3 EXT. CLOUDY SKY - GERMANY - DAY 3
The first rays of sunshine break through. The voices of
international TV commentators in different languages.
COMMENTATORS
...in places the track is still
dangerously wet, but following a
drivers meeting the decision has been
taken. The race is going ahead...
4 INT. FERRARI - DAY 4
The eye belongs to a 27 year old Formula 1 RACING DRIVER
wearing a fireproof balaclava...
Highly intelligent, he also happens to be World Champion. His
name is painted on the side of his Ferrari. NIKI LAUDA.
NIKI (V/O)
My grandfather always said history is
cruel and reductive and no matter how
long we live, or how much we achieve -
we are remembered for very little. So
make sure it's the right things.
NIKI stares up at the clouds. His eyelids flicker. Thinking.
Agonizing. Wrestling with an all important decision...
Is it going to carry on raining? Or become dry? Should he be
using slicks or wets?
5 EXT. STARTING GRID - DAY 5
We widen to find ourselves on the starting grid of a major
Grand Prix. All around us...
(CONTINUED)
2
5 CONTINUED: 5
Engines scream into life as DRIVERS start their cars. An
OFFICIAL walks through the cars holding aloft a sign, "One
Minute"...
Deafening, angry thunder as engines rev impatiently.
NIKI
This is bullshit. We have no control
over our legacy. We cannot choose what
we are remembered for...
A Ferrari MECHANIC rushes towards NIKI, and shouts in Italian
above the noise, (we see sub-titles)...
MECHANIC
Mass usa slicks. Le vuoi cambiare
anche tu?
(Mass is going on slicks. You
want to change?)
NIKI looks in his wing-mirror back to see a red McLaren, white
helmet, number 12, several rows behind him. A team of
MECHANICS hastily changing the tyres to dry tyres.
NIKI
Otherwise I wouldn't be remembered for
my rivalry with this asshole. And the
1976 season.
NIKI then looks over at the car in pole position beside him.
Another McLaren, but with number 11, and a Union Jack...
NIKI
What about Hunt? Has he changed?
MECHANIC
No, he's going on wets.
The car in pole position: JAMES HUNT, surrounded by TV crews,
mechanics, girlfriends, hangers-on..
The Maclaren team is less than half the size of Ferrari's, but
HUNT makes up for this with magnetism. The rock star of F1.
NIKI's face: a stab of envy seeing a flash of his rival's
glamorous long blonde hair disappearing into his balaclava,
flirting with several hot-looking GIRLS..
NIKI
I don't know why it became such a big
thing. We were just drivers. Busting
each other's balls. To me this is
perfectly normal. But other people saw
it differently.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
3
5 CONTINUED: (2) 5
NIKI (cont�d)
That whatever it was between us went
deeper. And changed us both somehow.
Forever.
NIKI stares, then...
NIKI
Be, allora usiamo anche noi quells da
bagnato.
(Then we go on wets, too.)
The ten-second board is held up.
NIKI pulls down his visor...as he and HUNT's eyes meet for a
split-second, eyes staring...
NIKI selects second gear for the wet track and revs the
engine. The dashboard needle climbs through 8000, 9000, 10000
RPM.
NIKI
Maybe that explains the state of mind
I was in. And why it happened. The
other thing I'm remembered for.
(a beat)
On August 1st, that same year...
CAPTION: "AUGUST 1st, 1976".
The STARTER waves the flag. NIKI's foot hits the floor - his
engine screams that deafening, stomach rearranging high-pitch
scream, drowning out the roar of the 180,000 crowd.
NIKI's car is catapaulted forward violently, the wheel-spin
leaving livid black scars on the asphalt..
NIKI gets away first. A good start! But within seconds there's
a McLaren car right behind him, breathing down his neck.
His arch-rival. HUNT.
But as the McLaren roars past, NIKI sees a white helmet.
Number 12. It's not Hunt. It's MASS. On his bald, slick tyres.
NIKI curses under his breath. He screwed up. Made the wrong
decision. Should have gone on slicks. He urgently needs to
change tyres...
NIKI swerves angrily into the pits. Ferrari's pit is right at
one end...
4
6 INT. PITS - DAY 6
Commentary from all the world's TV stations explaining the
crazy, panicked situation as all the DRIVERS come into the
pits to change to dry tyres.
It's chaos. A traffic jam of Formula 1 cars...
The Ferrari team frantically work. Changing NIKI's tyres. Four
men with air guns, two men with rapid-duty jacks. The same
Italian MECHANIC appears, `plugs in' his headset to the car..
MECHANIC
Hair visto? Ti aveto detto di usare le
slicks!
(See? I told you to go on
slicks!!)
NIKI
Bullshit. Where's Hunt?
MECHANIC
There!
NIKI looks up to see the name JAMES HUNT written on the black
helmet roar out of the pits ahead, with new tyres on...
NIKI
C'mon...!!
NIKI screams at the MECHANICS, who are struggling. The airguns
make a high-pitched noise...something's not right.
NIKI
What's GOING ON???
"Thump", new (slick) tyres hit the tarmac, engines scream, and
NIKI exit the pits in pursuit of HUNT. But the delay has cost
him dear...
7 EXT. NUBURGRING - DAY 7
Archive TV commentary from the world's race COMMENTATORS
stations informs us of the positions.
MASS leading, HUNT in 3rd, LAUDA in 20th...
8 INT. NIKI'S CAR - DAY 8
NIKI gives it everything he's got. Tearing through the gears,
trying to catch JAMES HUNT, breaking as late as he can, engine
screaming.
(CONTINUED)
5
8 CONTINUED: 8
He flies over the take-off hump between Pflanzgarten and
Swallowtail - passes one car after another. Into 13th place
now. Pulling off outrageous manoeuvres.
NIKI's P.O.V: the world flies past in a blur. The steering
wheel shakes. The car is right on the edge. Cannot be driven
any harder.
NIKI approaches the Streckenteil Adenauer-Brucke section of
the course...turns left at the Bergwerk corner. Crazy speed.
And tight. Too tight. A mistake...
"Thump", his wheels come into contact with the kerb on the
inside. NIKI tries to counter-steer, but is travelling at 155
mph. The car jerks horribly to the right..
"Crunch", hits the embankment, then "Bang", hits the barrier,
and is thrown across the track..
Fire breaks out in the engine. NIKI's eyes widen in horror,
with another car bearing down upon him...
NIKI
No...!
The oncoming car crashes head-on into our car, "Crash", a
sickening, terrifying impact.
The car explodes. Seventy litres of burning high-octane
gasoline, with NIKI strapped inside, unable to undo his
seatbelt. Locked in a blast furnace.
NIKI screams as the flames engulf him. 800 degrees
temperature. Trapped inside his car.
Burning smoke fills his helmet, scarring his lungs...
Pandemonium: commentary in different languages as panicked TV
commentators helplessly describe what's happening..
NIKI's POV: he can just make out the barely recognizable
figures of the other DRIVERS rushing towards NIKI..
Their hands get burnt in the flames as they try unsuccessfully
to undo NIKI's seatbelt..
Fire extinguishers blast at the car. Dry powder extinguishers.
Covering NIKI's helmet. Blurring his vision, as he cries out
in agony, inhaling the powder..
Screaming voices. Panicked reactions. On the side of the car,
the painted name `Niki Lauda' blisters and melts.
(CONTINUED)
6
8 CONTINUED: (2) 8
Then sound fades. As NIKI blacks out - losing consciousness.
FADE TO BLACK:
Over this: the sound of a ringing phone...
9 INT. HOSPITAL A&E UNIT - (ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY) - DAY 9
We're in a busy hospital A&E unit. Noise. Crowds. A regular
Saturday late afternoon. The phone continues to ring..
Finally, an attractive station NURSE in her 20's, run-off-her-
feet, breathlessly picks up the phone.
NURSE
Emergency...
She covers her ears, straining to hear, listening to what is
being said. Then her expression changes...
NURSE
Okay...standing by!
The NURSE hangs up...then calls out to her NURSE and DOCTOR
colleagues...
NURSE
That was the race-track..! There's
been an accident..! A driver's been
injured and is on his way in..!
Instantly the atmosphere changes. A hive of activity as
DOCTORS and NURSES prepare themselves for a major trauma...
All PATIENTS with minor injuries are cleared out of the way.
The NURSE rings upstairs to the operating theatres and
consultant surgeons, telling them to stand by...
CAPTION: "EIGHTY-EIGHT RACES EARLIER"
Swing doors open, and a pair of shoeless, BARE FEET walks
through and into the accident and emergency unit.
Camera tilts up a pair of long legs in white racing
overalls...to reveal a tall, good-looking driver, JAMES HUNT,
(mid 20's), tanned, athletic, surfer long blonde hair...
A man about whom a word comes to mind one would rarely use to
describe an Englishman. SEXY.
Blood trickles from his nose, there is bruising to his lip and
the formation (already) of a nasty black eye, but make no
mistake. He rocks. Drop-dead gorgeous..
(CONTINUED)
7
9 CONTINUED: 9
JAMES
I think the racetrack telephoned ahead
that I was coming? Hunt? James Hunt..?
JAMES notices all the NURSES staring..
JAMES
What's the matter? No one seen a spot
of blood before?
NURSE
Are you all right?
JAMES
Absolutely fine.
10 INT. A&E UNIT - DAY 10
The attractive NURSE is examining JAMES, opening his overalls,
checking for wounds, cuts and bruises...
NURSE
We all thought you'd been in an
accident.
JAMES
I have. If you call a friendly
disagreement with another driver an
accident.
NURSE
What did you disagree about?
JAMES
None of your business. Ouch.
NURSE
Sorry.
JAMES
His wife.
NURSE
That's going to need a couple of
stitches. It's a nasty cut.
JAMES
It was a nasty blow. Done with a
bloody spanner.
NURSE
Why? What did you do?
(CONTINUED)
8
10 CONTINUED: 10
JAMES
Nothing! Only what she begged me to
do.
The NURSE notices bruising on JAMES's chest...
NURSE
Which was..?
She examines him, testing his ribs for fractures, his chest..
JAMES looks up. Their eyes meet..
JAMES
Be happy to show you if you like.
11 INT. JAMES'S APARTMENT - NIGHT 11
`Crash', the door flies open as JAMES and the NURSE stumble
through, mid-embrace, tearing at one another's clothes...
The apartment is basic. Cramped. Messy. Like that of a poor
student. Ashtrays filled with half-smoked joints. Empty beer
cans. A toaster. A kettle. A stereo. A cage containing two
budgerigars.
A mattress on the floor.
Newspapers with headlines about the Dockers Strike, England's
crumbling economy, Rolls Royce being bailed out by the
government - subtle reminders of Britain in transition,
leaving behind its strong, imperial past.
JAMES and the NURSE stand against the wall, still half-
dressed, but already passionately making love...
JAMES (V/O)
I have a theory why women like racing
drivers. It's not because they respect
what we do...driving round and round
in circles. Mostly they think that's
pathetic. And they're probably right..
(a beat)
It's our closeness to death.
JAMES and the NURSE continue noisily, tirelessly making love
in the shower...
JAMES (V/O)
The closer you are to death, the more
alive you FEEL...the more alive you
ARE. And they can see that in you.
FEEL that in you. The way you live.
Willing to risk everything.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
9
11 CONTINUED: 11
JAMES (V/O) (cont�d)
With no thought for tomorrow...as if
each day is your last. It's a
wonderful way to live...and the ONLY
way to drive. The only way to get that
tenth of a second on everyone else...
The lovemaking becomes more intense...
JAMES (V/O)
To dare to be one step bolder...one
step faster...
JAMES is covered in perspiration, out on the edge...
JAMES (V/O)
Sure one step closer to death...
JAMES and the NURSE, both screaming as they approach orgasm...
JAMES (V/O)
But one step closer to victory, too...
JAMES and the NURSE both climax together...and collapse on the
bed. Exhausted.
12 EXT. CRYSTAL PALACE RACE TRACK - DAY 12
A grotty old race track in South London.
JAMES and the NURSE arrive at Crystal Palace race track in his
battered old mini. They get out. She looks up, seeing the
mechanics, the racing teams, the cars..
NURSE
I've never been to a Grand Prix
before.
JAMES
You still haven't. This is Formula 3.
NURSE
What's that?
JAMES
A lower division. Where people like me
mess about in the hope of finding
sponsors or being talent-spotted to
race in Formula 1.
JAMES leads the NURSE into...
10
13 THE PADDOCK - CRYSTAL PALACE - DAY 13
The pits where JAMES introduces her to his team...
JAMES
Everyone, this is Nursie.
NURSIE
(correcting)
Gemma...
JAMES
Nursie, this is Doc our designer...
DOC
How do you do?
JAMES
Bubbles, our chief mechanic.
BUBBLES
How do you do?
JAMES
Le Patron - Alexander, Lord Hesketh.
HESKETH
How do you do?
NURSE
Fine, thanks. Blimey...is everyone in
Formula 3 this posh?
HESKETH
Glass of champagne, Nursie?
NURSE
It's Gemma. No, thanks.
HESKETH
You sure? It's Krug. Clos de Mesnil.
NURSE
It's also ten in the morning.
HESKETH
Oh, dear. Superstar? You haven't
brought us a bore, have you?
JAMES strips off, changing into his racing overalls.
JAMES
Trust me. Nursie's anything BUT a
bore..
(CONTINUED)
11
13 CONTINUED: 13
The NURSE, meanwhile, drifts over to look at the car where
BUBBLES is making last minute checks...
NURSE
That's the car?
BUBBLES
That's her. The Dastle Mk 9...with the
Lotus twin-cam sixteen hundred engine.
She's no beauty. But goes like the
clappers.
An odd-looking car. A bit like a giant Go-kart, blue with
yellow strips along the side and James's name in small
letters. It looks small, dangerously fragile.
JAMES
Uuuurrrrrkkkkkkggghghhhh.
The NURSE is shocked to hear a dreadful watery vomiting sound.
She sees JAMES bent over behind the truck...
HESKETH
Nothing to be worried about! Does it
before every race! Good sign,
actually. Means he's stoked!
14 EXT. PADDOCK - SAME TIME 14
JAMES continues vomiting...
JAMES (V/O)
There's a lie that all drivers tell
themselves. "Death is something that
happens to other people." That's how
you find the courage to get in the car
in the first place...
JAMES emerges, wiping his mouth...
HESKETH
All right, Superstar?
JAMES
Never better, Patron.
JAMES (V/O)
Because bad things only happen to
others, right?
HESKETH
Have a gargle with this.
(CONTINUED)
12
14 CONTINUED: 14
JAMES takes a quick swig of the champagne...gargles, then
swallows, puts on his balaclava...
JAMES (V/O)
Problem is deep down you know that's a
lie. That it could happen to you at
any moment.
HESKETH
Quick toke of this...
HESKETH passes over a joint, which JAMES inhales, taking a
huge lungful from....
JAMES (V/O)
So how do you make that terror go
away? Well, booze is good for that.
And wacky baccy. But better than
everything else is...sex.
JAMES goes to the NURSE...and kisses her full on the lips,
then puts on his helmet, and athletically vaults into the car.
JAMES hits the ignition, and a deafening high-pitched SCREAM
as the engine starts...
HESKETH
Ahhhh! What music! They could never
have predicted it, those pioneers that
invented the automobile that it would
possess us like this, in our
imaginations, our dreams. Nursie, men
love women...but even more than that,
men love CARS...
15 EXT. PADDOCK - CRYSTAL PALACE - DAY 15
JAMES notices another driver (NIKI LAUDA), his car already
unloaded, (number 35) and mechanics working on it..
JAMES
Who's that?
DOC
He's new. Some German.
BUBBLES
(corrects)
Austrian.
JAMES
Is there a difference?
(CONTINUED)
13
15 CONTINUED: 15
JAMES looks over. On the side of the car, painted markings, in
the form of a signature, "Niki Lauda".
JAMES
All bloody Goosesteppers.
16 EXT. RACE TRACK - CRYSTAL PALACE - DAY 16
JAMES is neck and neck with NIKI. They go into a corner.
NIKI gets there first. Up ahead though, approaching the second
bend...JAMES sees the tiniest, slimmest crack to overtake. No
right-minded driver would risk it. Only a suicidal maniac.
Which just happens to describe JAMES perfectly..
JAMES goes for it. Daringly. Brilliantly. And forces NIKI to
slam on his brakes to prevent a certain crash...
17 EXT. PITS - SAME TIME 17
HESKETH, BUBBLES, DOC and the NURSE watch from the
sidelines...
BUBBLES
That move was suicide!
HESKETH
It was also quite brilliant!! God he's
got balls!!
18 EXT. RACE TRACK - DAY 18
JAMES carries on driving. Flat out.
But on the flat, NIKI suddenly comes out of nowhere. As if his
car has 50 bhp more.
And overtakes JAMES. NIKI begins to pull away. And has the
Englishman beaten..
JAMES sees red mist...and in an act of do-or-die vengeful
madness, JAMES goes into a corner far too fast...
...yanks his steering wheel. And outrageously shunts NIKI's
car. An unforgivable act of unsportsmanlike vindictiveness.
NIKI and JAMES's cars both veer off...go into wild, lethal
spins..but luckily for JAMES he ends up facing the right
way...
(CONTINUED)
14
18 CONTINUED: 18
...and despite being badly shaken, dizzy, JAMES is able to
change gears, and continue driving...
NIKI's car, by contrast, has stalled...and now ends up facing
THE WRONG WAY on the track...
NIKI's eyes look up to see all the cars coming over a brow,
like a herd of Wildebeest, heading towards him...
NIKI
Umgotteswillen...
NIKI rips open his seat-belt, is about to get out of his car,
when one car shoots straight over the nose of his car.
NIKI ducks, then bravely leaps for cover, as....
"SMASH", one of the oncoming cars shunts into his car, (it
would have killed him instantly).
"WHAM", another car narrowly misses him...
"CRASH", another car forces NIKI into an evasive dive...
Cars scream past him on all sides as the race continues...
NIKI, battered, shaken, has had an unbelievably close escape.
He rips off his helmet, furious...
And now we see NIKI LAUDA's face for the first time. Sharp-
featured. Intelligent eyes. Dark hair. Protruding teeth.
Something unmistakably rat-like about him.
19 EXT. CRYSTAL PALACE RACE TRACK - LATE AFTERNOON 19
JAMES is on the podium, having won. He's with the NURSE, and
HESKETH and BUBBLES and his team, spraying them with
champagne..
NIKI walks past the podium, holding his blue helmet, and
shouts out, still incandescent...
NIKI
Hey...asshole! That was my line! I had
that corner...
JAMES
You mean the one you spun out of? And
finished facing the other way? I think
that corner had you.
Laughter.
(CONTINUED)
15
19 CONTINUED: 19
NIKI
That move was total suicide. What if I
hadn't braked? We'd have crashed..!!
JAMES
But we didn't, did we? Thanks to your
impeccable `survival' instincts...
JAMES makes chicken noises...
NIKI
Fuck you! What's your name?
HESKETH
James Simon Wallis Hunt. Remember it,
my little Jerry friend. Because one
day he will be World Champion.
JAMES
Jawohl. Remember ze name. Very simple.
"Hunt". It rhymes with....
"BEEEEP", a car horn hoots nearby, blocking out JAMES's c-word
insult...
JAMES
...a word that happens to describe you
perfectly.
Laughter. NIKI gives JAMES the finger, "Screw you, asshole".
The NURSE watches NIKI go..
NURSE
Who was that?
JAMES
No one. Chippy little Kraut. Bad
loser. Forget him.
NIKI continues to walk off, middle finger raised..
20 EXT. VIENNA SKYLINE - DAY 20
To establish: the Austrian capital. OVER THIS: the sound of
NIKI's voice...
NIKI (V/O)
In my home town, Vienna, my family is
famous for one thing. Business. My
grandfather was a businessman, my
father, too...
16
21 INT. NIKI'S APARTMENT - DAY 21
NIKI is in front of a mirror, and dresses smartly in a jacket,
and open necked shirt, evidently a little nervous...
NIKI (V/O)
So when they heard I wanted to race
cars for a living, they had a few
things to say...
22 INT. LAUDA GRANDFATHER HOUSE - NIGHT 22
A large, forbidding dining room. NIKI's FATHER and terrifying
GRANDFATHER, are eating supper. GRANDFATHER shakes his head,
clearly disapproves and barks in German...(we see subtitles)
GRANDFATHER
Never! Racing is for playboys and
dilettantes. Frivolous amateurs with
nothing in their heads. The name
`Lauda' appears on the front pages,
with politicians and economists, not
on the back pages with...
(gestures in contempt)
...footballers and skiers. If you want
my money, you do as I say and follow
me into my business..
NIKI stares at his GRANDFATHER..
NIKI (V/O)
It's in moments like this that you
discover who you really are..
...and in a move that he knows will rupture the family for
ever, NIKI gets to his feet..
NIKI
Fine. Keep your money. Don't invest in
me. But when I'm World Champion, and I
have the trophy, and my name is not
just on the back pages, but on the
front too, you will regret it.
NIKI walks out, the old man's insults ringing in his ears...
GRANDFATHER
You dare sit at my table and lecture
me on what I will or won't regret? Get
out! Impertinent wretch! Consider
yourself disowned!
17
23 INT. RAIFEISENKASSE - BANK - DAY 23
NIKI is in a meeting with visibly concerned BANKERS and
LAWYERS. They speak in German...
BANKER
Another loan? Herr Lauda, you still
haven't repaid the other...
BANKER 2
Three..
BANKER
Totalling millions of Schillings. Plus
your Grandfather called to inform us
he will no longer be offering
security.
NIKI
I know. There is no room for failure.
I understand that.
NIKI (V/O)
But I was still a Lauda...
24 INT. NIKI'S CAR/ ROAD TO VIENNA AIRPORT - DAY 24
NIKI is driving his car. Beside him, is the attache case on
his lap. His car passes under a motorway sign reading
"Flughafen". (Airport)...
NIKI (V/O)
...which meant I was still a
businessman above everything else.
25 EXT. VIENNA AIRPORT - DAY 25
A private jet. A balding, blazered Englishman in late middle-
age (LOUIS STANLEY), owner of BRM racing, disembarks onto the
tarmac...
NIKI (V/O)
It just so happens that the business I
deal in is speed.
26 INT. VIENNA AIRPORT - CAFE 26
NIKI sits with LOUIS STANLEY in an airport cafe.
Contracts are open on the table. NIKI is signing. LOUIS
STANLEY is counter-signing...
(CONTINUED)
18
26 CONTINUED: 26
STANLEY
In return for your money you get a
car, mechanics and a place on the
team. Plus fifty per cent of starting
fees and bonuses for podium finishes.
NIKI
Who's the number one driver?
STANLEY
Clay Regazzoni and you will defer to
him at all times.
NIKI takes out his cheque book and pen. He looks up...
NIKI
Why would I defer to him if I am
paying his wages?
NIKI writes the cheque. STANLEY's smile fades..
STANLEY
Because he's a proven winner at the
highest level, a good guy, and someone
who quite frankly, could teach you a
thing or two.
NIKI ignores this, continues scrutinizing the contract...
NIKI
OK. There is one clause missing.
STANLEY
The one about mechanics' exclusivity?
Sorry. We have a cardinal rule at BRM.
All information is shared between ALL
our drivers..
NIKI
And I made it perfectly clear that my
mechanics work for me. No one else.
This is something I cannot sign.
NIKI takes back the cheque. STANLEY stares...
STANLEY
All right. I'll have the lawyers amend
it.
NIKI
While you're at it you can tell them
to amend the clause for podium
finishes. Podium is first THREE
places, not just wins.
(CONTINUED)
19
26 CONTINUED: (2) 26
NIKI puts the cheque in his attache case. Snaps it shut,
taking it with him..
NIKI
You'll get the money on signature, as
agreed. See you at winter testing.
NIKI gets to his feet, and leaves. STANLEY watches the attache
case disappear.
STANLEY
If that little git drives half as well
as he negotiates, we're going to be
fine.
CUT TO:
27 OMITTED 27
28 INT. AWARD CEREMONY - NIGHT 28
An awards ceremony is in progress. The room is thick with
cigar and cigarette smoke. A presenter on stage, wearing black
tie...
PRESENTER
I'm delighted to say the winner of the
British Guild of Motoring Writers
award for the `Most Promising Driver
of the Year' is James Hunt...
A loud, boisterous cheer goes up at the Hesketh Racing table.
JAMES turns to a (new/different) girlfriend beside him, gives
her a lingering kiss on the lips, then gets to his feet,
shakes hands with HESKETH, and BUBBLES and skips up to the
podium...
JAMES
Thank you. My parents always wanted me
to be a doctor, or stockbroker, and
gave me a first class education...but
to no avail. My brothers are the
success stories. I get bored easily. I
have a hot head, an inability to
tolerate discipline. I fall out with
people left and right. I'm quick to
settle matters with my fists. The only
creatures I've ever loved and treated
well, are budgerigars. In any normal
area of life, I'd be...or AM...a total
liability. All I've got going for me
is I'm quick in a car.
(CONTINUED)
20
28 CONTINUED: 28
A good-looking woman calls out..
WOMAN
That's not all!
Laughter.
JAMES
So thank you for acknowledging that.
And giving me this...
(indicating trophy)
I'm going to give it to my Dad, and
tell him to put it on the mantle-piece
and imagine it's a first class degree
in medicine.
29 INT. AWARDS CEREMONY - LATER 29
Afterwards: everyone is celebrating. Thanks to JAMES, every
pretty woman in the club is around. The trophy is perched
beside bottles of champagne...
HESKETH
Well done, Superstar. One more season
in F2 then I'll move you up. To the
big time.
JAMES
You don't think I'm ready now?
HESKETH
You are! I'm not! I've got to find you
a car first. And the money. The
economics of Formula 1 are terrifying.
BUBBLES
Hurry up. You don't want him to do
what Lauda did.
`Pop', HESKETH opens a bottle of champagne...
BUBBLES (cont�d)
The Goosestepper. Remember him?
JAMES makes the chicken noises again..
BUBBLES
Said he no longer wanted to risk his
life with "a bunch of crazy amateurs
and losers..."
JAMES
Is that what he called us?
(CONTINUED)
21
29 CONTINUED: 29
DOC
Charming!
HESKETH
Nothing wrong with being an amateur!
BUBBLES
Said if he was going to risk his life,
he would only do so on the big
roulette table. Formula 1. So he got
himself a drive with BRM.
JAMES
What? How? He never won a thing! Not a
single bloody race.
HESKETH
Amateurs are what made this country
great.
BUBBLES
Took out a loan, apparently. Paid for
it himself.
HESKETH
"In war, as in lovemaking, amateurs
are invariably better than
professionals." Napoleon Bonaparte.
BUBBLES
A hundred and fifty grand!
JAMES
A hundred and fifty grand?
JAMES stares. Already sick with envy.
JAMES
That's either an act of utter lunacy,
or the ballsiest thing I ever heard.
CUT TO:
30 INT/EXT. RECEPTION PAUL RICARD CIRCUIT - FRANCE - DAY 30
The PAUL RICARD circuit near Marseilles in the South of
France. Where all winter training and testing is done.
NIKI arrives. An attractive woman (AGNES) greets him...
NIKI
Niki Lauda. Here for pre-season
testing. BRM?
(CONTINUED)
22
30 CONTINUED: 30
AGNES
Take a seat, please. I'll get someone
to come and collect you...
NIKI watches as she telephones the BRM workshops...
AGNES
Hi. There's someone here for you?
NIKI
(prompting)
Lauda.
AGNES
(misunderstanding, speaking
louder)
SOMEONE HERE TO SEE YOU.
She hangs up. NIKI decides against pointing out her mistake.
AGNES
They'll be right here.
NIKI
Thank you.
A silence. The RECEPTIONIST continues with her work. NIKI
watches her, unsure what to say, (small-talk not his forte)...
NIKI
Worked here long?
AGNES
Excuse me?
NIKI
Just wondered if you've worked here
long?
AGNES
Almost eight years.
NIKI
That long? And they didn't promote you
yet?
AGNES
Yes, several times. I am the AGNES.
Agnes Bonnet. If you're looking for
the receptionist, she's on her lunch.
NIKI is thrown. Feels humiliated. A total jerk. He is about to
say something when the door opens, and...
Two other F1 DRIVERS walk in..
(CONTINUED)
23
30 CONTINUED: (2) 30
Glamorous, long-haired, tanned, fashionable - like rock stars,
they talk effortlessly and flirt confidently with AGNES.
What are you doing answering the phones? New haircut! Like it.
What have you done to the weather?
They make her laugh. And smile.
NIKI feels invisible. Embarrassed. Awkward. Inadequate. He
gets to his feet. And goes to the car that has come to collect
him.
As he goes, (unseen by NIKI), AGNES watches him. Ignoring the
other DRIVERS. Intrigued.
He's different. Interesting. Intense. Intelligent eyes.
31 EXT. BRM WORKSHOPS - DAY 31
The car pulls up outside the workshops. NIKI gets out of the
car, and is greeted by LOUIS STANLEY, and the BRM team...
STANLEY
Niki, let me introduce you to our
number 1 driver, Clay Regazzoni..and
our number 2, Jean Pierre Beltoise..
The intimidating, muscular, moustachioed figure of CLAY
REGAZZONI, the Swiss driver. NIKI and CLAY shake hands.
STANLEY
And these are your mechanics,
reporting exclusively to you. As per
contract...
REGAZZONI, BELTOISE and STANLEY exchange looks as NIKI shakes
hands, ad-libbed greetings with his MECHANICS.
MECHANIC
You want to see the car?
32 INT/EXT. BRM WORKSHOPS - DAY 32
NIKI is led into the workshop to see a red and white Marlboro
sponsored car, number 21, with a tall air-intake duct just
above the driver's helmet...
MECHANIC
There she is. The P160..
NIKI
Same as Regazzoni's?
(CONTINUED)
24
32 CONTINUED: 32
MECHANIC
Identical in every detail.
NIKI scrutinizes the car...
NIKI
She looks heavy. How much does she
weigh?
MECHANIC
540 kilos.
NIKI
That's crazy. Why so heavy..?
MECHANIC
It's a 3 litre, V12 engine, that thing
weighs 190k alone.
NIKI
What horsepower are you getting out of
it?
MECHANIC
450.
NIKI
Not enough. Needs to be 500 and the
engine needs to be 20k lighter.
MECHANIC
We already tried...
NIKI
Did you use magnesium parts?
The MECHANICS look at one another skeptically...
33 INT. BRM WORKSHOPS - NIGHT 33
Shooting from above:
The entire car has been stripped to a thousand pieces. Now
spread all over the workshop floor.
NIKI's team of mechanics reluctantly work through the night
making the adjustments which NIKI is suggesting...
NIKI
Any solid plate, strip it out...
More disbelieving, skeptical looks. The car is in pieces on
the floor. NIKI brews coffee to keep people alert. Focused.
(CONTINUED)
25
33 CONTINUED: 33
NIKI
And when we've done that, we need to
look at the aerodynamics. Front and
rear wing..
More mutinous looks. "Who is this asshole?"
34 EXT. BRM WORKSHOPS - FIRST LIGHT 34
Daylight breaks over the race-track. The doors to the workshop
open, and the MECHANICS and NIKI emerge - their work done.
NIKI goes to shake hands with the MECHANICS...
NIKI
OK. Thank you. Good night..
But they're exhausted. Refuse to shake hands with this nut.
35 EXT. PAUL RICARD CIRCUIT - DAY 35
LATER: one of the BRM cars screams round the race-track...
NIKI watches on the sidelines as CLAY REGAZZONI is time-
testing his car. He walks over to where LOUIS STANLEY and
several MECHANICS are doing the timings...
NIKI
What was his time?
STANLEY
Two minutes six seconds.
NIKI
OK. Now put him in my car, and he'll
go round under two minutes.
STANLEY
Six seconds faster? Impossible.
NIKI looks up to see AGNES, the attractive TRACK MANAGER again
on the other side of the track.
NIKI waves hi. AGNES waves back. Smiles. NIKI raises his
eyebrow. Surprised.
36 EXT. PAUL RICARD CIRCUIT - DAY 36
REGAZZONI gets into NIKI's car.
26
37 EXT. PAUL RICARD CIRCUIT - DAY 37
REGAZZONI races round the track at full speed.
REGAZZONI roars past the finishing line in NIKI's car. LOUIS
STANLEY looks at the stop watch..
His expression changes.
38 INT. PAUL RICARD CIRCUIT - DAY 38
STANLEY comes into the workshop where NIKI and his MECHANICS
are in conversation, getting changed...
STANLEY
All right. What did you do to the car?
NIKI
That's information I will share with
you under certain conditions only.
STANLEY stares, bracing himself..
STANLEY
Go on...
NIKI
A guaranteed place in the team, and a
paid contract on equal terms with
Regazzoni for two years.
STANLEY
Are you crazy? Clay's a senior figure
in Formula One...you're a rookie. The
only reason we took you ON was because
you were paying us.
NIKI
Well, as of now, if you want me to
stay, we rip up the contract. I don't
pay you a cent.
STANLEY
It's outrageous.
NIKI
Was he quicker in my car? He was,
wasn't he?
STANLEY stares...
NIKI
Did he go under two minutes?
(CONTINUED)
27
38 CONTINUED: 38
STANLEY
(quiet)
One fifty-six.
NIKI
So have a think, work out your
priorities, and get back to me.
NIKI turns, and goes. STANLEY stares...
STANLEY
Not even my WIFE speaks to me like
that.
39 EXT. PAUL RICARD CIRCUIT - DAY 39
CLAY REGAZZONI emerges from testing his car. Still amazed by
the improved performance. Talking to his MECHANICS. In awe.
He removes his helmet, then stops.
In the distance he sees NIKI talking to AGNES the attractive
TRACK MANAGER. They are clearly hitting it off..
40 INT. PAUL RICARD CIRCUIT - WORKSHOPS - LOCKER-ROOM - DAY 40
NIKI is in the showers, then getting changed for his date with
AGNES. He is about to go, when he stops, and sees...
CLAY REGAZZONI getting undressed, looking at NIKI. CLAY speaks
English with an Italian accent..
REGAZZONI
I know what you're going to say. That
it's none of my business...
NIKI
What?
REGAZZONI
If it's the Track Manager you're
taking on your date tonight?
NIKI immediately becomes defensive...
NIKI
It's none of your business.
REGAZZONI
Okay, but if you want my advice...I'd
let this one go. I'm not questioning
your taste. She's a great girl.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
28
40 CONTINUED: 40
REGAZZONI (cont�d)
But Agnes's last boyfriend was a
British Formula 2 driver, who has a
reputation for two things. For being a
suicidal jerk on the track, and for
going all night, and all day
afterwards...and all night again in
bed. He's an OK driver, but an
IMMORTAL fuck, apparently. I don't
know about you, but that's not an act
I'd like to follow.
(shrugs)
But if that doesn't bother you...
NIKI
What's his name? The driver?
REGAZZONI
Hunt. James Hunt.
NIKI stares. Can hardly believe it.
REGAZZONI
See? You share information, I share
information.
CLAY slaps NIKI on his back, and goes into the showers..
REGAZZONI
That's what team-mates are for.
NIKI
(quiet/defeated)
Thanks.
41 EXT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT 41
A restaurant in Marseilles. Through the window we can see
AGNES, the attractive TRACK MANAGER sitting at a table alone.
Waiting for NIKI.
Reverse angle to reveal:
42 INT. NIKI'S CAR/ MARSEILLES STREET - SAME TIME 42
NIKI is sitting in a car across the street. He stares at AGNES
in the restaurant. Then starts his car, and drives off.
FADE TO BLACK:
29
43 EXT. EASTON NESTON - HESKETH RACING HQ - DAY 43
Easton Neston. Set in 3,300 acres, one of England's great
country houses. Home to the Fermor-Hesketh family since 1700.
JAMES and a new GIRLFRIEND drive up the gravel drive in his
anything but grandiose Mini. It splutters to a stop, just in
time.
They are greeted by uniformed STAFF who take his tatty bags
from his filthy car.
44 INT. HESKETH RACING WORKSHOPS - EASTON NESTON - DAY 44
The Hesketh Racing workshops, situated in the converted
stables on the estate. HESKETH leads a blindfolded JAMES in...
HESKETH
Keep them closed...! Wait for it, wait
for it...
HESKETH removes JAMES's blindfold...
HESKETH
There! What do you say?
JAMES opens his eyes to see a gorgeous F1 racing car, plain
white, no stickers...
HESKETH
Isn't she a beauty? The March 731.
Converted by the brilliant Doc..!
DOC POSTLETHWAITE takes a modest bow. JAMES shakes hands with
everyone, including his brother, (and manager), PETER..
JAMES
She is a beauty. But...haven't you
made a mistake?
HESKETH
What?
JAMES
That's not a Formula 2 car. She's F1.
HESKETH
She is, Superstar. Why? Because I got
together with the beancounters, and it
turns out that the economics of F1 are
not so significantly different to the
economics of Formula 2...
BUBBLES clears his throat, dutifully bites his tongue..
(CONTINUED)
30
44 CONTINUED: 44
HESKETH
So we thought if we were going to be
messing about losing money we might as
well be doing it with the big boys.
JAMES
Are you serious?
HESKETH
Never been more serious in my life!
JAMES embraces HESKETH in excitement, kisses him...
HESKETH
Actually, I got the idea after what
you said about the Austrian chap who
bought his way in rather than waste
his time in the lower divisions. I
thought, "Bloody hell, he's right!"
JAMES slips into the cockpit...
JAMES
Well done the Goosestepper!!
HESKETH
(indicates car)
No sponsorship, Superstar! I hope you
approve.
JAMES
I do, Patron.
HESKETH
No vulgar logos for cigarettes, or
condoms. Just plain white. With the
Union Jack. And racing overalls which
read...
HESKETH indicates JAMES's hanging racing overalls...
HESKETH
"Sex. Breakfast of Champions." Unless
it's me, of course, in which case it's
two kippers, porridge, boiled eggs,
and half a dozen slices of toast...
Laughter.
JAMES
So when do we start?
HESKETH
Soon as you're ready.
(CONTINUED)
31
44 CONTINUED: (2) 44
JAMES
I'm ready now.
HESKETH
That's my boy!
HESKETH pops champagne...
HESKETH
They won't know what's hit them!
45 EXT. SPANISH GP - RACE TRACK -27 APRIL 1975- DAY 45
To establish: a Formula 1 race track on Grand Prix week-end..
A helicopter comes in to land.
The Hesketh Racing Team makes a grand entrance with a retinue
of BUTLERS, GIRLS, ROLLS' ROYCE's, oysters, champagne...
A famous ex-champion TV REPORTER is there (Stirling Moss)
providing skeptical commentary about Hesketh's debut...
STIRLING MOSS
...hard to tell whether Lord Hesketh
and his team of upper class
enthusiasts is bringing glamour to the
racing community, or just comedy...
They walk around in their own branded clothing. Alexander's
jacket reads, "Le Patron". He speaks to MOSS.
Rolled eyes among other racing teams who express surprise,
curiosity (and frequently disapproval) at these new arrivals..
STIRLING MOSS
It's certainly the first time I can
remember seeing a butler serving
caviar and oysters in the pits...
Suddenly pandemonium breaks out. Screams. Something has
happened. A bad accident on the track. During testing...
STIRLING MOSS
(holding ear-piece)
...reports are reaching me of a
serious accident that has just taken
place in qualifying....
All smiles fade. The party atmosphere changes in a flash.
Panic breaks out.
The sound of sirens. Ambulances rushing to the scene of the
accident. All the JOURNALISTS and TV CREWS rush off, too.
(CONTINUED)
32
45 CONTINUED: 45
HESKETH, BUBBLES and JAMES look at one another, put down their
champagne glasses, and follow...
46 EXT. RACE TRACK - SPAIN - DAY 46
Mangled wreckage. A car has crashed into (badly installed)
Armco guard rails, splitting the railing in two...
The DRIVER has been decapitated. His helmeted HEAD lies
cleanly severed on the ground...
A goldfish-bowl of blood.
It's a horrific accident. People SCREAM and look away. Even
hardened medical professionals...
JAMES, HESKETH, BUBBLES arrive on the scene of the accident.
But they are kept away, at a distance...
STIRLING MOSS
...it seems the driver...just twenty-
six years old....was killed on
impact...and the death toll in Formula
1 shows no sign of slowing down...
47 INT. HESKETH PITS - SPANISH GRAND PRIX - DAY 47
JAMES, dressed in his overalls, is violently retching. Sick
with nerves. A TV plays in the pits...
COMMENTATOR
...in the last five years alone
Formula 1 has lost Piers Courage, Jo
Siffert, Peter Revson, Jochen Rindt,
Francois Cevert, Roger Williamson...
ON TV: quickfire clips of the terrible, violent deaths.
BUBBLES hastily switches off the TV as JAMES walks past...
48 EXT. PADDOCK - DAY 48
JAMES walks out of the paddock, towards his car. Other DRIVERS
gathered in concerned groups, talking...
DRIVER (O.S.)
It's terrible.
JAMES
They should cancel the race.
Then, a distinctive Austrian accent..
(CONTINUED)
33
48 CONTINUED: 48
NIKI
Why? No one came to see him anyway.
He made a mistake. Went into the
corner too fast.
JAMES
Is that right? So says the nobody who
had to pay for his own drive. How's
that working out, by the way?
NIKI
Fine. How's it at the back?
JAMES
Not planning on being there for long.
NIKI
Good. Look forward to you showing me
the way today.
JAMES
`Be happy to. I'll have you inside lap
one.
NIKI
Yeah right.
JAMES walks off to his car, shaking his head..
JAMES
Asshole.
NIKI walks to his car, putting on his helmet.
NIKI
Asshole.
49 OMITTED 49
50 OMITTED 50
51 OMITTED 51
52 OMITTED 52
53 OMITTED 53
54 OMITTED 54
55 OMITTED 55
56 OMITTED 56
57 OMITTED 57
(CONTINUED)
34
48 CONTINUED: (2) 48
58 OMITTED 58
59 EXT. SPANISH GRAND PRIX PADDOCK/ PODIUM - DAY 59
NIKI is on the podium, spraying champagne. He is wearing the
victor's garland...
Meanwhile: JAMES's car is embarrassingly being brought back by
a tow-truck. NIKI watches from the podium..
His eyes meet JAMES's..
60 INT. BAR - HOTEL - NIGHT 60
JAMES and BUBBLES and PETER HUNT (JAMES's blazer-wearing
manager and elder brother), sit together at a table in the
corner. It's late. A frank post-mortem. Drinking and talking..
JAMES
Niki humiliated me today. He lapped me
three times.
BUBBLES
He lapped Carlos Pace six times.
JAMES
That's supposed to console me? What do
I need to do?
PETER
Grow up.
JAMES
Shut up, Moneyman. `Didn't ask you..
BUBBLES
Your brother's right. You've got to
change your attitude. We all do. And
match it with a whole different mental
approach. Professionalism. Maturity.
Like Niki.
PETER
Bet he doesn't go out every night,
drink and screw himself stupid.
JAMES
So speaks the jealous married man..
PETER
No. So speaks the manager who's
wasting his time, making ten per cent
of absolutely nothing.
(CONTINUED)
35
60 CONTINUED: 60
BUBBLES
You've just got to take it more
seriously. Yourself more seriously.
PETER
Something he's never done.
JAMES
Don`t patronize me, Pete...
BUBBLES
We need you to spend less time in bars
and nightclubs...
PETER
Make that NO time...
BUBBLES
And more time with the mechanics,
setting up the car. That's what Lauda
does. 24 hours a day.
JAMES rolls his eyes...
BUBBLES
God knows there's nothing wrong with
your talent. Or courage. It's purely a
character issue right now.
JAMES
And the good news is I've got Sigmund
Freud Horsely, failed driver par
excellence, and a washed-up accountant
to lecture me on it.
PETER
(closes eyes)
Jesus, James...
BUBBLES walks off. PETER HUNT walks off. JAMES calls out..
JAMES
Bubbles? I'm sorry..! I didn't mean
that! Come back..!
61 OMITTED 61
62 OMITTED 62
63 OMITTED 63
64 OMITTED 64
65 OMITTED 65
(CONTINUED)
36
60 CONTINUED: (2) 60
66 OMITTED 66
67 EXT. EASTON NESTON - DAY 67
The grand Hesketh estate in the Northamptonshire countryside.
68 INT. HESKETH RACING WORKSHOPS - EASTON NESTON - DAY 68
JAMES is in the workshops, his hands and arms filthy, he's
been working on the car - but now his eyes are closed.
Memorizing tracks. Around him people are working on the car..
JAMES
....along the Beau Rivage, long left
into Massenet, into the short right of
Casino. Sharp right into Mirabeau,
then sharp left into Loews, mind the
guard rails...
VOICE
Is Alexander around..?
JAMES opens his eyes to see an endless pair of legs, a drop-
dead gorgeous figure, and the beautiful smiling face of SUZY
MILLER, the most successful model of the day.
JAMES
He was. Then went to the house to take
a call. He'll be back shortly.
SUZY
Only he wanted to show off his pride
and joy...
SUZY indicates the car...
SUZY
...rhymes with `boy' if you ask me.
And `toy'. I can't believe what I'm
seeing.
JAMES
Why?
SUZY
It's just so small! For something that
costs so much. And so flimsy. There's
no comfort. No protection. Nothing.
JAMES
No. Just a little coffin, surrounded
by high-octane fuel, being driven
round at 170 miles per hour..
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
37
68 CONTINUED: 68
JAMES (cont�d)
(becoming grave)
To all intents and purposes a bomb. On
wheels.
SUZY
Why don't they make it safer?
JAMES
No one wants it to be. It's like
saying why not make bullfighting
safer? It's a blood sport. The risk of
death turns people on. Without it, I
guess, it'd be half the fun. Which is
fine for the voyeurs, fine for TV,
fine for everyone..
(a beat)
...except us drivers.
SUZY looks JAMES up and down. Sees the bare feet, the rock
star good looks...
SUZY
You're James, aren't you?
JAMES
Yes.
SUZY
Thought so. You fit the description.
(shaking hands)
Suzy. Friend of Alex's.
JAMES
I know exactly.
In the background: one of the MECHANICS shows DOC a picture of
SUZY from a tabloid newspaper. She's clearly the most famous
model in Britain, and a star in her own right...
JAMES
What was the description?
SUZY
Mostly positive in terms of
appearance. Negative only in terms of
character. I've been told to avoid
you.
JAMES
By whom?
SUZY
Alex. He says you're a bad boy.
(CONTINUED)
38
68 CONTINUED: (2) 68
JAMES
Was. Not any more. New me very
professional. Early to bed. Early to
rise. All very dull.
SUZY
Really?
JAMES
Round-the-clock work, practise and
focus. Tedious, but apparently the
only way to vin against ze
Goosestepper..
SUZY
Is that what you were doing when you
came in?
JAMES
Visualization techniques. Memorizing
the circuit, in this case Monaco,
which is next up. Eyes closed, know
your way round in your sleep...
(a beat)
I know...I've always been a great
believer in getting there on the day,
putting the old foot down and playing
chicken with everyone else.
SUZY laughs..
JAMES
But they don't want me to do that
anymore...they want my body like a
temple. My mind like Monk.
SUZY
And your soul? Your heart?
JAMES
What does that mean?
SUZY
You can't be so disciplined in all
areas of your life, can you..?
JAMES
They want me to stop messing around,
get married and settle down with the
next nice girl I meet. They think it
would be good for me.
SUZY
What do you think?
(CONTINUED)
39
68 CONTINUED: (3) 68
JAMES
Sounds bloody awful.
SUZY laughs again...
JAMES
But since they're right about most
things, they're probably right about
that, too.
JAMES looks SUZY up and down...
JAMES
You don't fancy getting married, do
you?
69 EXT. BROMPTON ORATORY CHURCH - LONDON - DAY 69
The sound of ringing bells. London's grandest Catholic church
in the heart of Knightsbridge..
70 OMITTED 70
71 EXT. BROMPTON ORATORY CHURCH - DAY 71
JAMES and SUZY, top hat and tails, flowing white wedding
dress, looking ravishing, emerge from the church.
JAMES and SUZY fall into a passionate, sexy embrace for the
paparazzi cameras. Loud cheers go up, led by HESKETH and
BUBBLES.
They make their way to the waiting convoy of cars...
On his way: JAMES spots a serious-faced HESKETH and DOC
POSTLETHWAITE in conversation with some Formula 1 types in the
crowd..
SUZY is pulled away for photos. Clearly a bigger star even
than JAMES. JAMES turns to BUBBLES, indicates HESKETH...
JAMES
What's up?
BUBBLES
Nothing. I don't want to ruin your
day.
BUBBLES stares, then reluctantly...
(CONTINUED)
40
71 CONTINUED: 71
BUBBLES
It seems your revenge against the
Goosestepper might have to wait a
little longer than you'd hoped.
(a beat)
He's just been signed by Ferrari.
JAMES
WHAT??? But that's the best team in
the world. They could have ANYONE. Did
he pay his way in there, too?
BUBBLES
Apparently they took back Regazzoni
and he insisted they give Lauda a
trial. Thinks he's a genius. Setting
up the cars...
JAMES stares...then is pulled away to pose in photographs with
SUZY and her FAMILY.
72 EXT. FIORANO - NORTHERN ITALY - DAY 72
FERRARI's state-of-the-art practise facilities and private
test-track in Northern Italy.
72A INT. FERRARI CONTROL ROOM 72A
Closed circuit television, with 10 cameras and a complex track
timing system and computers....
72B EXT. FIORANO - TRACK SIDE 72B
ENZO FERRARI himself, the Commendatore, a formidable white-
haired patriarch in Onassis dark glasses, reads newspapers,
sitting by the race tracks, barely looking up as two red
Ferrari's roar round the track...
LUCA DI MONTEZEMOLO, the young, dynamic, aristocratic manager
of the Scuderia, by contrast, watches eagle-eyed..
72C EXT. FIORANO - TRACKSIDE - LATER 72C
The two cars stop, and NIKI and CLAY REGAZZONI gets out. NIKI
talks (in a mix of Italian and English) to his MECHANIC,
giving them typically blunt feedback...
NIKI
It's terrible! Drives like a pig!
(CONTINUED)
41
72C CONTINUED: 72C
MECHANIC
Sssshhh! You can't say that!
NIKI
Why not?
MECHANIC
It's a Ferrari!
NIKI
I've driven better milk floats. It
understeers like crazy and the weight
distribution is a disaster...
The MECHANIC gulps, then walks over to where the terrifying
COMMENDATORE and LUCA DI MONTEZEMOLO are sitting, and passes
on the information...
MECHANIC
He says the car is magnificent, a
masterpiece, but he has suggestions
for one or two minor refinements...
73 INT. FERRARI PRESS CONFERENCE - DAY 73
A large press conference, with motoring JOURNALISTS and
television CREWS from all over the world attending...
ENZO FERRARI and LUCA DI MONTEZEMOLO addresses the conference
(in Italian) which is translated by a translator...
ENZO
We are happy to welcome back to the
Ferrari family our good friend, Clay
Regazzoni...and also to introduce,
from Austria Niki Lauda..
A burst of flash photography. NIKI and REGAZZONI sit side by
side.
74 EXT. ITALIAN COUNTRY ROADS - DAY 74
A car drives fast on country roads in Northern Italy...
75 INT. CAR - SAME TIME 75
CLAY REGAZZONI is driving, NIKI is in the passenger seat...
REGAZZONI
"Ferrari Family". "Our good friend,
Clay Regazzoni".
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
42
75 CONTINUED: 75
REGAZZONI (cont�d)
You're friend and family to the
Commendatore as long as you win. The
minute you don't..
(mimes execution)
NIKI
I understand. It's business. I would
be the same.
REGAZZONI
But it isn't just business, is it?
What we do? It's passion. Love. Which
is why we're prepared to risk our
lives for it.
NIKI
Not me. If I thought I had more talent
and could earn better money doing
something else, I would.
REGAZZONI
But how do you know you will make
money here? You haven't yet.
NIKI
Not yet. But I will.
(smiles)
If you can, I can.
REGAZZONI shakes his head, can't help smiling...
REGAZZONI
You know, are you ever NOT an asshole?
NIKI laughs...
NIKI
Why am I an asshole? You know by now
I'm both quicker than you and better
at setting up the car. You can't deal
with that, then you're the asshole.
REGAZZONI
Screw you.
REGAZZONI pulls up outside the house...
REGAZZONI (cont�d)
I brought you along today because you
seem like a lonely kind of guy. I
thought if I introduce you to some
nice people, it'd be good for you.
Forget it. Make your own friends.
(CONTINUED)
43
75 CONTINUED: (2) 75
REGAZZONI walks ahead, disappears through the front door,
where he is warmly welcomed, and invited into a party.
NIKI calls after him...
NIKI
I'm sorry. C'mon, Clay...
76 EXT. COUNTRY HOUSE - NORTHERN ITALY - DAY 76
NIKI stares through the window. Inside: a very appealing
looking bunch - young, good-looking, cool, sexy GUESTS - all
having a good time..
By contrast: NIKI catches his own reflection in the glass
reflection. Pale. Intense. The outsider.
Inside: REGAZZONI is surrounded by friends, telling a story.
Everyone laughs.
NIKI watches. Then turns to walk away. As he goes, the front
door opens...
And a beautiful dark-haired woman (MARLENE) emerges loading
several BAGS into a car. Brunette, tan. Wearing a white dress.
NIKI
Are you leaving?
MARLENE
Yes.
NIKI
Can you give me a lift to the nearest
town? Anywhere with a train station.
MARLENE
Sure. Nearest town is half an hour's
drive. Get in.
77 OMITTED 77
78 EXT. ROAD - DAY 78
The car drives. The radio plays. Marlene sings along. NIKI
can't help noticing something. He turns down the music.
MARLENE's smile fades..
MARLENE
What are you doing?
(CONTINUED)
44
78 CONTINUED: 78
NIKI
You hear that noise when you
accelerate?
MARLENE
No.
NIKI
Your drive belt is loose.
MARLENE
My what?
NIKI
Alternator. And when you brake, your
foot goes all the way down. Means
there's air in the system.
MARLENE
Anything else?
NIKI
No. Apart from the rear brakes are
imbalanced. The front right wheel is
flat, and it feels like a crack in the
engine block...which explains why
you're drifting so much.
MARLENE
How can you tell?
NIKI
My ass.
MARLENE
What?
NIKI
God gave me an OK mind, but a really
good ass, which can feel everything in
a car.
MARLENE
You don't know what you're talking
about. The car is fine. And it just
had a service a week ago.
NIKI
Not a good one.
MARLENE
A very good one. From a proper garage.
It cost a fortune. This car is good as
new. Relax.
45
79 EXT. MOTORWAY - HARD SHOULDER - DAY 79
White smoke pours from the engine. The car has broken down.
Bonnet up. NIKI has tried fixing it, but to no avail.
NIKI has a fan belt in his hand, but it's all but
disintegrated under the heat of the over-worked engine.
NIKI's hands are covered in oil. He is pushing a pen into a
large crack in the engine, slick with oil and grease.
NIKI
Nothing I can do here. The car needs a
garage.
MARLENE
I'm sorry. You're not in a hurry, are
you?
NIKI
No. As long as I'm back in Maranello
by Monday morning.
NIKI walks out into the road. Sticks out his thumb...
MARLENE
So who are you anyway?
MARLENE breaks into GERMAN...(we see sub-titles)...
MARLENE
You're from Vienna, aren't you. We can
speak German. How do you know Curd?
NIKI
Who's Curd?
MARLENE
Curd Jurgens. The actor. It's his
house. He is, or was until yesterday,
my boyfriend. I must have been mad!
There is something very attractive
about an older man when they behave
like one. But when they behave like a
frightened child..
MARLENE gets to her feet...
MARLENE
C'mon, let me do this. Otherwise we'll
never get out of here. We're in Italy,
after all.
MARLENE indicates that NIKI should take a back seat, hitches
up her skirt, showing long, tanned legs..
(CONTINUED)
46
79 CONTINUED: 79
SSSCCCREEEEEEEEECCCCCHHHHHHH!!!!!
Immediately a passing car screeches to a halt, then reverses
noisily to pull level. MARLENE smiles at NIKI...
MARLENE
Not bad, eh? Three seconds. Admit it,
you're impressed..!
MARLENE smiles flirtatiously at the handsome, young Italian
MEN driving the open-topped sports car..
MARLENE
Ciao, Regazzi...!
But the Italian MEN walk right past her, not seeing her, as if
she's invisible, and stare at NIKI...
ITALIAN MAN
(in Italian)
Excuse me...are you Niki Lauda?
NIKI
Yes.
ITALIAN MAN
(in Italian)
Oh, my God...!!! I told you it was
him..!!!
(blown away)
Do you need a ride?
NIKI
Yes, we do...
The ITALIAN MAN gestures to his car, as his friend loads
MARLENE's luggage inside...
ITALIAN MAN
An honour, please!!! But on one
condition..
The ITALIAN MAN whisper in NIKI's ear. MARLENE stares, not
understanding, as NIKI protests, but then slowly, reluctantly
gets into the car. He starts the engine.
MARLENE watches as the ITALIAN MEN strap themselves in with
the seat-belts, tightening them...giggling like schoolboys..
MARLENE
Will someone please tell me what's
going on?
MARLENE turns to NIKI...
(CONTINUED)
47
79 CONTINUED: (2) 79
MARLENE
Who are you, anyway? What do you DO?
ITALIAN MAN
You don't know? He's a Formula I
driver. Who just signed for Ferrari!
MARLENE
Him? Never. Impossible!
ITALIAN MAN
Why?
MARLENE
Formula 1 drivers have long hair, are
sexy, have shirts open to here..
MARLENE indicates...
MARLENE
Anyway, look at the way he's driving!!
Like an old man!!
It's true. NIKI is driving in the slow lane. Like a pensioner.
NIKI
No need to drive fast. It only
increases the percentage of risk.
We're not in a hurry. No one is paying
me. Right now, with zero incentive or
reward, why would I drive fast?
MARLENE looks at him with her dark green eyes...
MARLENE
(in German)
Because I'm asking you to.
NIKI
(in German)
And do you always get what you want?
MARLENE
(in German)
Usually.
NIKI stares, trying to resist...but cannot. He does a
lightning double-declutch...
"SLAM", NIKI's foot hits the floor, the engine screams, the
rev counter flies to the right...
And the open-topped sports car lurches into warp-drive...
(CONTINUED)
48
79 CONTINUED: (3) 79
MARLENE is thrown back hard in her seat, "Jesus", her eyes
widen in terror and amazement..
MARLENE
Oh, my God...!!
The ITALIAN MEN scream in excitement, holding on for dear life
as NIKI, his heart not a beat over 60, takes the car to
breaking point, in a way it's never been driven before...
NIKI overtakes everyone on the motorway, fearlessly weaving
between cars at twice their speed..
We CLOSE on NIKI's eyes, remaining dead calm as his passengers
scream all around him, as he accelerates through the other
cars on the motorway...
His EYES remain calm, his WHEELS a blur of speed, and we...
MATCH CUT TO:
80 EXT. USA GP - WATKINS GLEN - 5TH OCTOBER 1975 - TRACK - DAY 80
Calm EYES, and WHEELS moving in a blur of speed. We're in the
middle of a Grand Prix, and NIKI is driving at the limit...
CAPTION: "1975".
Ahead of him: a familiar sight. The back of JAMES HUNT's
Hesketh..
81 EXT. PITS - DAY 81
MARLENE watches on TV in the pits as NIKI is engaged in an
epic tussle with JAMES...
Commentators note the improvement in JAMES's technique,
maturity and performance. But then, "Puff", a plume of smoke
comes out of JAMES's engine. The engine has blown...
Immediately JAMES loses speed, and NIKI sails past, overtaking
effortlessly. Taking the chequered flag.
Television commentary in various languages tells us: NIKI
LAUDA has become world champion...
82 EXT. FERRARI PITS/USA GP TRACK SIDE - DAY 82
NIKI's car pulls in, to be mobbed by jubilant MECHANICS as he
gets out of his car, removing his helmet, embraced by a
delighted LUCA DI MONTEZEMOLO...
(CONTINUED)
49
82 CONTINUED: 82
...then falling into a passionate kiss with MARLENE...
Champion of the World, he is immediately swallowed up by
REPORTERS who are demanding interviews in Italian, German,
English...
83 EXT. USA GP/PADDOCK - DAY 83
An impromptu party in the paddock area. The victor's garland
still round his neck, proudly holding the FIA World Champion
trophy, his hair matted with champagne, NIKI passes through
the crowds, accepting everyone's congratulations..
He runs into JAMES, who's in bare feet as usual. MARLENE is
pulled away to talk to someone else..
JAMES
Congratulations.
NIKI
Thank you.
JAMES
Though with a car like that, the rest
of us never stood a chance...
NIKI
Maybe the fact the car is so good
might have something to do with me.
JAMES
You're still in a Ferrari. And I'm
still in a Hesketh. On equal terms,
the way it was in Formula 3, I'd beat
you, and you know it.
NIKI
Never. You might get lucky and win one
race. Maybe two. Because you're
aggressive. But in the long run, over
the course of a season, no chance.
JAMES
Why's that?
NIKI
Because you're not serious. You're
just a party guy. Which is why
everyone likes you.
JAMES
Now try saying that and tell me you're
not jealous.
(CONTINUED)
50
83 CONTINUED: 83
NIKI
But all that affection, all those
smiles is also a sign of their
disrespect! They don't fear you.
Whereas compare that to me...
JAMES
Whom no one likes...
NIKI
Right..
JAMES
Not even his own team-mates..
NIKI
Right! Because I'm relentless. I don't
screw up. I go to bed early. I look
after myself, look after my car. And
then, soon as the race is finished, I
go home. You should go home more
often, too. I heard you got married.
JAMES
I did.
NIKI
So where is she?
JAMES
In New York. Working.
NIKI
You know I've never seen you with her,
once...
NIKI turns to MARLENE, "Let's go"..
84 EXT. EASTON NESTON - DAY 84
JAMES's Mini roars furiously up the long gravel driveway
towards Easton Neston. Screeches to a halt.
JAMES gets out of the car. Is greeted by staff, whom he
uncharacteristically ignores, storming past...
85 INT. EASTON NESTON - WORKSHOP - DAY 85
JAMES walks into the workshops where BUBBLES HORSLEY is busy
doing something...
(CONTINUED)
51
85 CONTINUED: 85
JAMES
Right, whatever it takes to beat
Lauda, just say it, your word is my
command. I'll do it. There are no
lengths to which I will not go. And I
mean it this time...
JAMES stops, noticing BUBBLES's expression...
JAMES
What's the matter?
Then JAMES notices what BUBBLES is doing. He's packing.
JAMES
What are you doing?
Then JAMES notices the lack of activity in the workshops. None
of the usual mechanics, or engineers..
JAMES
Where is everyone?
BUBBLES looks up. Unsure how to break it to him.
86 INT. DRAWING-ROOM - EASTON NESTON - DAY 86
An old drawing-room. The open fire roars. But HESKETH is
uncharacteristically quiet. Defeated..
HESKETH
Do you know what the date is today?
JAMES
November 14th.
HESKETH
Do you have any idea of the
significance of that date?
JAMES
I'm assuming it refers to some animal
you are allowed or no longer allowed
to slaughter on your estate.
HESKETH
Actually it's the deadline for
securing sponsorship for the
forthcoming Formula 1 season.
(a beat)
Which elapsed at midnight last night.
And we didn't attract any.
(CONTINUED)
52
86 CONTINUED: 86
JAMES
So? We aren't looking for sponsorship.
Condoms and cigarettes. Vulgar, right?
HESKETH
Right. Except we are. Or were. I've
made something of a miscalculation.
The economics. Formula 1. Reality
thereof. Turns out not like the lower
divisions at all.
JAMES
What are you saying?
HESKETH
I'm saying it's over, Superstar. The
banks have stepped in. Read me the
riot act. Started laying everyone off.
Probably have to sell this place. Fun
while it lasted, would do it all again
and all that...
(ashen)
I daren't tell you the actual figures.
JAMES stares at a devastated HESKETH...
JAMES
Christ.
87 INT. JAMES'S FLAT - LONDON - NIGHT 87
JAMES is on the phone to his brother PETER, while playing
Scale-electrix cars on a track alone, barefoot...
JAMES
I need a drive, Pete. Need you to find
me a drive.
(listens)
What does that mean? "My reputation
precedes me?"
"Crash", the electric toy car crashes...
JAMES
(listens)
Really? Is that what they said?
(a beat)
Did they at least say a "Quick
arsehole?"
(listens)
Bollocks to Lotus. Find me someone
else. I'll go mad otherwise.
"Click", JAMES hangs up. SUZY walks in. Sees his mood..
(CONTINUED)
53
87 CONTINUED: 87
SUZY
Don't worry. Something will turn up.
JAMES opens a bottle of Scotch, pours himself a drink...
SUZY
But I doubt that will help in the
meantime.
JAMES knocks back the drink...
SUZY
Why don't we go away for the week-end?
Before I leave again for New York?
JAMES carries on drinking..
SUZY
Talk to me, James. Don't make a
stranger of me.
JAMES doesn't react...
SUZY
I can't watch this.
SUZY picks up her coat, and bag..
JAMES
What were you hoping for? A well-
adjusted knight in shining armour?
SUZY
No danger of that....
JAMES
Let me give you some advice.
SUZY
I'm all ears...
JAMES
Don't go to men who are willing to
kill themselves driving in circles
looking for normality.
SUZY
Well, I certainly didn't get that...
JAMES
Should have gone for one of my
brothers.
(CONTINUED)
54
87 CONTINUED: (2) 87
SUZY
There goes that self-pity again.
How striking it is -
JAMES
What's that? Tell me..
SUZY
The gulf between appearance and
reality. Look at you, all sunshine
blonde beauty and smiles...yet the
reality is...a frightened, immature,
depressed, self-pitying child...
JAMES
At least there's SOMETHING behind the
facade.
SUZY
With a nasty temper..
JAMES
Fuck off to New York, dear. There must
be a moisturizer or eye shadow
somewhere that needs your vapid mush
to flog it.
SUZY
How quickly beauty can turn ugly.
JAMES
Agreed. Repellent.
SUZY stares...and goes. JAMES carries on drinking.
88 OMITTED 88
89 OMITTED 89
90 INT. JAMES'S FLAT - FOLLOWING MORNING 90
The following morning. The phone rings. Piercing the darkness.
JAMES, clearly the worse for wear, is talking to his beloved
budgies...
JAMES
Good girl...
A surprising vulnerability, and childlike innocence about
JAMES. He strokes the birds with real tenderness..
The phone continues ringing. JAMES picks it up...
(CONTINUED)
55
90 CONTINUED: 90
JAMES (INTO PHONE)
Hello?
JAMES listens, then hears something on the phone that makes
him sit up...
JAMES (INTO PHONE)
Who? McLaren?
JAMES is waking rapidly now..
JAMES (INTO PHONE)
Just get me in a room with them, Pete.
Say anything. Today? Yes, I can do
today.
(checks watch)
I can be there in an hour.
JAMES starts scribbling down the address.
91 EXT. MCLAREN HQ - TO ESTABLISH 91
The headquarters of McLaren Racing in Colnbrook, Bucks.
A small, unassuming building on the Poyle Trading Estate. Bare
brickwork surrounds a brash yellow facade, with the words
`MCLAREN RACING' in large white letters.
92 INT. MCLAREN HQ - BOARDROOM - DAY 92
A large boardroom. Team Director TEDDY MAYER (American, from
Pennsylvania, short, lawyerly, 50's - hair turning grey) sits
at the head of the table.
Next to him is Aussie Marlboro spokesman JOHN HOGAN and
McLaren Team Manager and chief mechanic ALASTAIR CALDWELL.
The atmosphere is tense, uncomfortable...
MAYER
I'll come straight to the point. Our
esteemed lead driver...
CALDWELL
Fitti-fucking-paldi..
MAYER
Has ditched us for another team at the
last minute..
CALDWELL
In November. Fucking outrageous.
(CONTINUED)
56
92 CONTINUED: 92
MAYER
And we need a replacement. Asap.
Thankfully a few hands have already
gone up. Good people...
CALDWELL
Like Jackie Ickx.
JAMES
I'm quicker than Jackie.
MAYER
But he's consistent, dependable.
Sponsor friendly. He'll dress up nice.
Say the right things.
JAMES
What do you want? A driver or a
brushes salesman?
MAYER
We want to be successful.
JAMES
So do I. But I measure that in podium
finishes and beating Niki Lauda not
being a show pony for sponsors.
MAYER
I've heard about this thing with
Lauda.
CALDWELL
(rolls eyes)
Everyone has..
MAYER
You really think you can beat him?
He's World Champion.
JAMES
I beat him in Formula 3.
CALDWELL
This season alone he's had eight
podiums, five wins, you've had what?
HOGAN
One.
JAMES
Only because I've been in the wrong
car. I beat him when the playing field
was level. I'd beat him again in a
McLaren.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
57
92 CONTINUED: (2) 92
JAMES (cont�d)
It's the only car out there as good as
the Ferrari. Which is why I'm here,
begging.
JAMES stares imploringly..
JAMES
I'll do whatever you ask. Even put on
a suit, talk to sponsors and say the
right thing. I promise.
(a beat)
Just give me the drive...
CALDWELL, HOGAN and MAYER look at one another...
93 OMITTED 93
94 OMITTED 94
95 OMITTED 95
96 OMITTED 96
97 OMITTED 97
98 EXT. SOUTH AFRICA GRAND PRIX - KYALAMI - 6TH MARCH 1976- DAY 98
Various shots, to establish. South Africa in the apartheid
era. We notice black race FANS unable to get into the track..
CAPTION: "THE 1976 FORMULA 1 SEASON"
COMMENTATOR
...welcome to the Kyalami Racetrack
where the big news is..
99 EXT. SOUTH AFRICA - KYALAMI RACE TRACK - DAY 99
Crowds flood to the spectator stands. The pit lane stretches
into the distance, filled with cars, drivers and mechanics...
COMMENTATOR
...that Britain's James Hunt in his
first race for Mclaren has qualified
fastest, beating Niki Lauda's Ferrari
to pole by two hundredths of a second.
In the crowds to watch the race none
other than movie stars Richard Burton
and Liz Taylor...
We pick out RICHARD BURTON and LIZ TAYLOR waving to screaming
FANS.
58
100 EXT. STARTING GRID - KYALAMI - DAY 100
NIKI and JAMES's cars lined up in positions 1 and 2 on the
starting grid. JAMES proudly indicates to NIKI...
JAMES
New car.
NIKI
I noticed.
JAMES
Pole position.
NIKI
I noticed that, too.
JAMES
Level playing field now, my ratty
little friend.
NIKI
Let's see where we are at the end of
lap one.
NIKI calls after JAMES as he walks to his car...
NIKI
Let's see where we are in six races
time!!
JAMES turns, makes a ratty face at NIKI. Protruding teeth.
101 EXT. VIP GRANDSTAND - DAY 101
RICHARD BURTON and LIZ TAYLOR are shown into the VIP area of
the paddock. They take their seats.
LIZ TAYLOR
(bored already)
Will this take very long?
An OFFICIAL introduces BURTON to various people - among them
SUZY HUNT...
OFFICIAL
Richard Burton...Suzy Miller, also
known as Mrs. James Hunt.
BURTON
Who?
There it is. The deep, dark, sonorous Welsh baritone
voice...scarred by alcohol and cigarettes...
(CONTINUED)
59
101 CONTINUED: 101
SUZY
James Hunt. One of the racers.
BURTON
Forgive me. Richard.
(extending hand)
Also known as Mr. Elizabeth Taylor.
He indicates LIZ who is deeply bored..
LIZ TAYLOR
What does a girl have to do to get a
drink around here?
SUZY smiles. Their eyes meet. And no eyes are more beautiful
than SUZY's. An immediate connection between them.
Their hands hold a fraction too long as they shake...
102 OMITTED 102
103 OMITTED 103
104 EXT. RACE TRACK - DAY 104
NIKI's car roars past the finishing line first. JAMES closely
behind...
CAPTION: "SOUTH AFRICA. LAUDA WINS. HUNT SECOND."
104AEXT. PODIUM - KYALAMI - DAY 104A
JAMES and NIKI are on the podium together...
JAMES
My car wasn't right today. Next time
I'll have you..
NIKI
Yeah, yeah...
105 OMITTED 105
106 OMITTED 106
107 OMITTED 107
108 EXT. SPANISH GRAND PRIX - JARAMA, 2ND MAY 1976- DAY 108
JAMES's car takes the chequered flag, finishing first!!!
60
108AINT/EXT. MCLAREN PITS 108A
In the pits: TEDDY MAYER, ALASTAIR CALDWELL and JOHN HOGAN
leap to their feet in delight. Punching the air. Victory..
CAPTION: "RACE 3. SPAIN. HUNT WINS..."
108BEXT. SPANISH GRAND PRIX PODIUM/ PITLANE 108B
Afterwards: JAMES and NIKI are on the podium together...
JAMES
What did I tell you? Car fixed. Equal
terms. You'd better get used to this.
JAMES walks off, to celebrate with the McLaren team...
NIKI stares darkly - threatened - watching JAMES go..
...then goes to talk to LUCA DE MONTEZEMOLO and the FERRARI
team.
CAPTION: "...BUT IS THEN DISQUALIFIED".
109 EXT. SPANISH GP PADDOCK/ PARC FERME- DAY 109
A huge furore as several OFFICIALS and FERRARI TEAM MEMBERS,
and TV CREWS surround JAMES's car...
Raised voices debating the width of the car, HUNT furious,
people almost coming to blows...
OFFICIAL
The car is too wide..
JAMES
Five eighths of an inch..!
OFFICIAL
Which makes it illegal! If you want to
compete, you have to change it.
JAMES
What? You can't just `change it'. That
means rebuilding the car. Who lodged
the complaint? It was Ferrari, wasn't
it?
The two rival PIT CREWS, (McLaren and Ferrari), scream abuse
at one another in Italian and English - a highly charged and
explosive atmosphere....
CAPTION: "LAUDA GETS MAXIMUM POINTS"
(CONTINUED)
61
109 CONTINUED: 109
NIKI watches from the inside of the FERRARI TRAILER.
110 INT. MCLAREN WORKSHOP - NIGHT 110
The McLaren MECHANICS, supervised by Alastair Caldwell, are
making adjustments to the car to make it `legal'..
MAYER
...we have to move the wing forward.
To make it legal...
CALDWELL
But that'll have a knock-on effect on
the oil coolers..
JAMES watches - already fearing the worst - as the car is
stripped down, effectively being rebuilt...
111 OMITTED 111
111AEXT. WATKINS GLEN 1976 - DAY 111A
"BANG", JAMES's car shudders violently, the wheels shake as
the drive shaft snaps...
CAPTION: "RACE 4. LAUDA WINS. HUNT RETIRES."
111BEXT. MONACO GRAND PRIX 1976- DAY 111B
"BOOM", a loud explosion. A thick plume of black smoke billows
from the engine...
JAMES
No! No! No!
CAPTION: "RACE 5. LAUDA WINS AGAIN. HUNT RETIRES."
111CEXT. BELGIUM GP 1976 - ZOLDER - DAY 111C
"CRASH" - JAMES spins out...and a tyre bounces along the
track...JAMES's car has crashed into a wall...
JAMES
I can't stand it...
The tyre continues bouncing, people diving out of it's path,
before the tyre finally smashes into a hot-dog stand...
CAPTION: "RACE 6. LAUDA WINS AGAIN. HUNT RETIRES."
(CONTINUED)
62
111CCONTINUED: 111C
112 OMITTED 112
113 EXT. BELGIUM GRAND PRIX - ZOLDER - PITLANE - DAY 113
JAMES storms back into the pits, screaming at MAYER, CALDWELL
and the MECHANICS...
JAMES
What's happened? What have you DONE??
The car's evil! It's undriveable..!
CAPTION: "LAUDA 56 POINTS, HUNT 6"
113AINT. PADDOCK/PRESS TENT - DAY 113A
Later: the victorious NIKI, wearing the garland, is all
smiles, giving `winner' interviews, surrounded by MARLENE and
a delighted LUCA DI MONTEZEMOLO.
JAMES is also giving interviews, but in a total fury.
Vibrating with anger. Still complaining about the
disqualification. Complaining about a conspiracy. Complaining.
NIKI finishes talking to JOURNALISTS, and walks off, through
crowds, and bumps into JAMES..
NIKI
So...six races in. How's it going so
far?
JAMES
Fine! Just got a little problem with a
bad loser rat and his team of Italian
saboteurs who've destroyed my car.
NIKI
What are you talking about?
JAMES
I won that race in Spain. And you know
it.
NIKI
In an illegal car.
JAMES
The aerofoil was five eighths of an
inch too long!! Something that doesn't
have the slightest effect on car
speed. You complained. Now we've had
to totally rebuild the car and it's
become a monster.
(CONTINUED)
63
113ACONTINUED: 113A
NIKI
At least it's a LEGAL monster.
JAMES
A car that was beating you week in
week out, so you have to resort to
this. Cheating.
NIKI
He drives in an illegal car and he
calls ME the cheat? Let me tell you:
two weeks before that race in Spain,
we put 20-inch rims on the rear
wheels. We get an extra half second
speed on each lap!! But the Old Man
tells me we can't use those rims, they
make the car too wide. Against the
rules. So we go back to 19-inch rims
making the car slower again. Rules are
rules. For all of us. You're just a
bad loser who can't accept that.
(tapping head, to MARLENE)
Komm, he's crazy. Sick in the head.
NIKI turns to MARLENE, speaks in German...
NIKI
Den Trottel lassen wir alleine..
(Let's go. Leave this jerk
alone.)
No wonder she left him...
NIKI and MARLENE go. JAMES is left staring. Not understanding.
114 INT/EXT. ZOLDER PADDOCK/ MCLAREN TRUCK - DAY 114
JAMES walks into the crowded MCLAREN pits. Sees TEDDY MAYER
and ALASTAIR CALDWELL...
JAMES
Is there something I should know about
Suzy? Where is she? Wasn't she
supposed to be here today?
CALDWELL nervously indicates the Sunday newspapers...
CALDWELL
We kept it from you. Didn't want to
tell you before the race...
JAMES looks at the newspapers, then his expression changes.
(CONTINUED)
64
114 CONTINUED: 114
Lurid headlines about SUZY HUNT in New York with RICHARD
BURTON. Pictures all over the front pages of RICHARD BURTON,
ELIZABETH TAYLOR, SUZY and JAMES. JAMES's face falls..
JAMES
Jesus.
115 EXT. RUNWAY - DAY 115
A jumbo jet roars down the runway and takes off...
116 OMITTED 116
117 EXT. MANHATTAN - DAY 117
The unmistakable skyline. Among the ten thousand craggy
rooftops and skyscrapers...
A grand, five-star hotel overlooking Central Park in
Manhattan's mid-town district...
118 EXT. HOTEL - MANHATTAN - DAY 118
A huge collection of paparazzi SNAPPERS and Journalist HACKS
is camped outside the hotel.
Immediately a surge of activity, "Here he is"...
A burst of flashlights and a volley of questions from the
JOURNALISTS as JAMES - gets out of the taxi and runs the
gauntlet of humiliation...
...into the hotel..
119 OMITTED 119
120 OMITTED 120
121 INT. HOTEL SUITE - DAY 121
A large hotel suite. There are flowers everywhere. Newspapers
are all over the table.
JAMES sits opposite SUZY. He sees an expensive gift; recently
opened. A diamond necklace..
JAMES
That from him?
SUZY nods. Even the uninitiated eye can tell: it's worth a
fortune.
(CONTINUED)
65
121 CONTINUED: 121
SUZY
Why have you come here, James?
JAMES
To get you back.
SUZY
You don't want me back...you never
wanted to be married in the first
place. You did it because you hoped it
might change you...settle you down...
help with the racing. Not because you
loved me. And who knows, if it had
been just the drinking, or the dope,
or the infidelity, or the moods...it
might even have worked...but when it's
all of them?
JAMES
I know. I'm terrible.
SUZY
No, you're not terrible. You're
just...who you are...at this point in
your life. And God help anyone that
wants more.
JAMES
Will he be able to give you more? He
has quite the bad boy reputation
himself.
SUZY
What's important is how it feels to
me. And it feels like he adores me.
A flicker behind JAMES's eyes. Failure.
JAMES
Right.
SUZY
He's aware of the delicacy of the
situation, and how it looks. Having
raided your larder. Plundered your
safe. Smash and grab, and so forth. So
he's assured me he'll take care of the
financial side. And will be very
generous.
JAMES manages a brave smile.
JAMES
Fine. I'll give him a call.
(CONTINUED)
66
121 CONTINUED: (2) 121
SUZY
No. His lawyers will contact you.
JAMES notices the vast unmade bed. Where, until recently, two
people had slept.
121AEXT. HOTEL - MANHATTAN - DAY 121A
JAMES emerges from the hotel - into the storm of paparazzi
again. He manages a brave smile...
JAMES
It's all very amicable. My wife has
found herself a new backer...I mean
lover...which makes her happy..
(laughter)
Mr. Burton has found a way of feeling
young again...let's hope his pockets
are deep...they'll need to be...
(laughter)
And I've found a way to be single
again without it costing me a penny,
which has to go down as the biggest
win of my career.
Laughter from the JOURNALISTS who are hungrily writing down
the copy. But JAMES's hollow smile fools no one...
122 INT. JUMBO JET - FIRST CLASS - DAY 122
JAMES sits alone in the first class section. A loser on the
track, and a loser in love, too. Being played out in the full
glare of publicity. On the front pages. Being read by everyone
on the plane.
A STEWARDESS looks over, catches his eye. Smiles.
123 INT. JUMBO JET - WC - DAY 123
JAMES and the STEWARDESS fucking. Hard.
Nothing to do with pleasure. An analgesic - a way of blocking
out the pain. JAMES catches his own reflection in the mirror.
Teeth clenched. Eyes burning with anger and self-loathing...
OVER THIS: we fade in the ROAR of car engines...
123AINT. FRENCH GP 1976 - PAUL RICARD - 4TH JULY 1976 123A
JAMES's teeth still clenched. Eyes still burning with anger.
Driving flat out. At the limit.
(CONTINUED)
67
123ACONTINUED: 123A
Suzy's words still ringing in his ears.
Make that beyond the limit. At the point of no return. The car
shaking. Weaving recklessly through other cars...
Where death has become a real option.
Because he doesn't care anymore. Because it's all he deserves
anyway...
And in that moment, in reaching his lowest point, JAMES has
unwittingly stumbled on the one thing that gives him an
advantage over everyone else...
The fact that he doesn't care. The fact that death has become
an option. The fact that there is no risk he is not prepared
to take...
So every corner is tighter, every braking point later, every
gap is an opening, no matter how tiny...
124 EXT. FRENCH GRAND PRIX 1976 - PAUL RICARD - DAY 124
The chequered flag waves as JAMES's car roars across the
finish line...
JAMES screams with released rage....
CAPTION: "RACE 7. HUNT WINS. LAUDA's ENGINE BLOWS UP"
125 INT. MCLAREN PITS - PAUL RICARD - DAY 125
Afterwards: TEDDY MAYER, ALASTAIR CALDWELL and JOHN HOGAN
celebrate in delight...cheering...
126 OMITTED 126
126AEXT. BRITISH GRAND PRIX - 18TH JULY 1976- DAY 126A
NIKI's car is pursued by JAMES's. They disappear behind a
copse of trees. Out of sight.
When they re-emerge, JAMES is ahead of NIKI, having overtaken
him - to the delight of the partisan crowd.
The chequered flag waves again as JAMES's car roars across the
finish line...
CAPTION: "RACE 8. HUNT WINS. LAUDA 2nd."
JAMES screams in catharsis and triumph. Teeth clenched. Eyes
wide and staring with concentration.
(CONTINUED)
68
126ACONTINUED: 126A
We notice SCREAMING GIRL FANS cheering him now.
127 OMITTED 127
128 EXT. FIA HEADQUARTERS - DAY 128
A blazer-wearing FIA OFFICIAL addresses a room full of sports
and motoring JOURNALISTS, TV CREWS, etc...
FIA OFFICIAL
Following an inquiry into the
disqualification of driver James Hunt
from the Spanish Grand Prix, it has
been decided to overturn this
disqualification...and to restore his
victory, and reinstate his points..
129 INT. MCLAREN HQ - BRANDS HATCH -DAY 129
JAMES, TEDDY MAYER, ALASTAIR CALDWELL, and all the MECHANICS
are watching on TV...
Huge celebrations. Cheering and whooping. SCREAMING GIRLS.
130 OMITTED 130
131 EXT. BRAND'S HATCH - PRESS TENT - DAY 131
A crowded PRESS room. In opposite corners of the room, JAMES
and NIKI are giving interviews to different PRESS and TV
journalists. Stirling Moss is talking to JAMES...
STIRLING MOSS
...James, a few weeks ago, you were
out of the running for this season
completely, now you're right back in
it. What's changed...?
Screaming GIRLS in the background, shouting "James, we love
you." JAMES stares across the room at NIKI...
JAMES
A combination of factors, not all of
which I'm prepared to discuss here.
Justice being done re: the
disqualification in Spain helps, and
having my old car back of course...
In the other corner: NIKI is doing his interviews in German,
(we see sub-titles)...
(CONTINUED)
69
131 CONTINUED: 131
JOURNALIST
Mathematically in theory it's now
possible for Hunt to catch you. Are
you worried?
NIKI
Not at all. For him to catch me, he'd
have to win all the remaining races,
and I'd have to lose them. And pigs
would have to fly.
Laughter among the confident GERMANS.
NIKI
Now if you'll excuse me, I have a
private family matter to attend to.
NIKI takes MARLENE's hand, and leads her away.
132 EXT. VIENNESE REGISTRY OFFICE - DAY 132
To establish: the Viennese skyline.
133 INT. REGISTRY OFFICE - DAY 133
NIKI and MARLENE get married. In stark contrast to JAMES's
wedding...it's a small, intimate affair. Modest. Not showy.
Away from the cameras. Just them. And a witness from the pub.
134 EXT. AIRFIELD - DAY 134
A small aeroplane takes off...
135 INT. AEROPLANE - DAY 135
NIKI and an INSTRUCTOR are in the plane. In the cockpit. With
MARLENE, who watches...
NIKI is learning to fly.
MARLENE watches as NIKI soaks up the instruction, asking
questions, happy. It's another side to him, completely.
136 EXT. IBIZA - NIGHT 136
NIKI and MARLENE in a pool. In Ibiza. Playing. Laughing.
Honeymooning.
Then NIKI's expression changes. His smile fades.
70
137 INT. BEDROOM - HOUSE - IBIZA - NIGHT 137
MARLENE is fast asleep. She wakes, to discover the bed is
empty beside her..
138 INT. HOUSE - IBIZA - NIGHT 138
MARLENE walks through the house, looking for NIKI. Then finds
him on a balcony...alone..
MARLENE
Come to bed.
MARLENE notices his mood. It's different.
MARLENE
What's the matter?
NIKI
It's the enemy, you know. Happiness.
NIKI looks up at MARLENE...
NIKI
It weakens you. Puts doubt in your
mind. Because all of a sudden you have
something to lose..
MARLENE stares at him.
MARLENE
When you call happiness an enemy, then
it's too late.
(a beat)
Then you have lost already.
MARLENE turns, and goes..
NIKI is left alone. We can tell from his expression, he is
struggling with something for the first time. Fear.
139 EXT. NURBURGRING - DAY 139
The notoriously difficult and treacherous German race track.
Testing is underway. A CAR (from one of the other teams)
skids, and crashes violently.
71
139AEXT. NURBURGRING - CRASH SITE - DAY 139A
AMBULANCES arrive. The Driver is badly hurt. Screaming in
pain. His leg is crushed. Bone is sticking out. A brutal
compound fracture. He is taken away.
139BINT/EXT. NURBURGRING PITLANE - DAY 139B
In the pits, everyone is shaken. JAMES, REGAZZONI, and other
DRIVERS nervously talk among themselves as the Ambulance races
past.
NIKI's face: visibly pale. More frightened than ever.
140 EXT. NURBURGRING - DAY 140
Race-day. Huge crowds arrive at the Nurburgring. And rain.
Heavy rain falling.
Television commentary informs us about the Nurburgring's
terrible reputation as a `graveyard' track.
141 EXT. NURBURGRING - DAY 141
JAMES arrives at the race track, to find ALASTAIR CALDWELL
waiting for him, a concerned look on his face...
CALDWELL
We've just been told, a driver's
meeting has been called.
JAMES
Who by?
CALDWELL
Niki.
JAMES's face. Instantly suspicious.
142 INT. MEETING ROOM - NURBURGRING RACE TRACK - DAY 142
About sixty people, (26 DRIVERS and all the different team
REPRESENTATIVES), are assembled in the room, where a blazered
FIA OFFICIAL and a member of the DRIVERS SAFETY COMMITTEE are
sitting behind a table...
A buzz of anticipation and curiosity. What's going on? What is
all this about? NIKI gets to his feet, raises his hands
calling for silence...
(CONTINUED)
72
142 CONTINUED: 142
NIKI
Thank you. I called this meeting
because as all drivers know the
Nurburgring is a race track from the
Stone Ages. The most stupid, barbaric,
outdated, dangerous, track in the
world. You've all seen the rain which
has been falling this morning. Those
of you with experience know the Ring
needs perfect conditions to be even
remotely acceptable in terms of risk.
As you can see today is anything BUT
perfect, so I called this meeting to
take a vote to cancel the race.
A ripple of astonished reactions among the drivers..
NIKI
There would be no change to the
situation as far as points is
concerned. The race would simply be
cancelled.
TEDDY MAYER looks over at FERRARI representatives....
MAYER
This is bullshit...
Another DRIVER (GUY EDWARDS) gets to his feet...
EDWARDS
If the race is cancelled, none of us
get our race fees...
NIKI
It's true. You leave without your fee,
but you might leave with your LIFE.
Another voice pierces the controversy...
VOICE
It also means you would effectively
win the championship.
It's JAMES HUNT, who is standing up...
JAMES
So I can see why this suits you just
fine.
NIKI
Why? There would be no points for me
either...
(CONTINUED)
73
142 CONTINUED: (2) 142
JAMES
But there would be one race less where
I, or anyone else, could catch you.
Uproar in the room...
BRETT LUNGER
James is right! This is just tactics!
ARTURO MERZARIO
Ferrari's dirty tricks! We've seen it
before!
HARALD ERTL
Maybe it's just that he's frightened?
Laughter among the DRIVERS...
NIKI
Which asshole said this?
Silence. No hand goes up. No one has the courage to own up.
NIKI
Yes, I am frightened. Always a little
bit when I race. I accept every time I
get in my car there is 20% chance that
I could die. But not one per cent
more. And today, with the rain the
risk IS more. How dare you accuse me
of lack of courage? Let me remind you.
I have the track record here. I am the
only person in history to do the Ring
in under 7 minutes. So actually it's
to my ADVANTAGE to race here today.
Because I'm quicker than all of you.
A stunned silence. One voice pierces the room...
JAMES
Fine. Then let's race!
It's JAMES who stares at NIKI: a ripple of excitement and
enthusiasm among the other drivers...
JAMES
There's a hundred thousand fans out
there who would never forgive us if we
didn't.
MERZARIO
And some of us need our race fees!!
(CONTINUED)
74
142 CONTINUED: (3) 142
FIA OFFICIAL
All those in favour of cancelling the
race?
NIKI puts his hand up. One or two other racers, too...
FIA OFFICIAL
All those in favour of racing?
JAMES puts his hand up. Clearly the more popular, charismatic
figure among the DRIVERS, everyone else follows.
FIA OFFICIAL
Gentlemen, start your engines!!
A clear victory for JAMES. He has swung the room.
Everyone leaves the room. JAMES and TEDDY MAYER give one
another a discreet hi-five...
But we rack focus through the crowd to see NIKI staring at
JAMES accusingly...holding his gaze.
143 EXT. STARTING GRID - DAY 143
"RRRROAAAR", an explosion of noise, as we widen and find
ourselves on the starting grid of the German Grand Prix.
An OFFICIAL walks through the cars holding aloft a sign, "One
Minute"...
Deafening, angry thunder, as cars rev their engines.
143AAN EYE FLICKERS - WIDE OPEN - STARING INTENTLY 143A
A pupil dilates and contracts in the light. The eye stares.
Blinks. Thinks. Making evaluations..
144 EXT. CLOUDY SKY - GERMANY - DAY 144
This time the eye belongs to JAMES. He stares up at the
clouds.
His eyelids flicker. Thinking. Agonizing. Wrestling with an
all important decision...
Is it going to carry on raining? Or become dry?
ALASTAIR CALDWELL comes up to JAMES, and shouts above the
noise - no time to plug his headset in...
(CONTINUED)
75
144 CONTINUED: 144
CALDWELL
Jochen's going on slicks. You want to
change?
JAMES looks in his wing-mirror back to his colleague, JOCHEN
MASS's car, number 12, several rows behind him.
White helmet. A team of Mclaren MECHANICS hastily changing the
tyres to bald, dry tyres - ('slicks'). Then JAMES looks over
at the car beside him...
JAMES
Has Niki changed?
CALDWELL
No. He's going on wets.
NIKI's car: surrounded by Italian Ferrari MECHANICS.
JAMES
Then we go on wets, too.
JAMES pulls down his visor...as he and NIKI's eyes meet for a
split-second, then...
The STARTER waves the flag. They're off!
JAMES's foot hits the floor - his engine screams at almost
9,000 rpms, drowning out the roar of the 180,000 crowd. The
car is catapaulted forward, the wheel-spin leaving livid black
scars on the asphalt..
JAMES and NIKI both make good starts, and are neck and neck,
but within seconds there's a McLaren right behind them,
gaining fast.
JAMES realizes it's his team-mate, JOCHEN MASS in a white
helmet. Number 12. On his slick tyres.
MASS was right to gamble on the track drying out. JAMES curses
under his breath...
JAMES
Shit...!
JAMES screwed up. Made the wrong decision. He urgently needs
to change tyres. With barely one lap completed...
He swerves angrily into the pits..
76
145 INT. PITS - DAY 145
Commentary from all the world's TV stations explaining the
crazy, panicked situation as JAMES comes into the pits to
change to dry tyres.
The McLaren team frantically changes the tyres. Four men with
air guns, two men with rapid-duty jacks.
ALASTAIR CALDWELL appears, talks to JAMES..
CALDWELL
See? I told you to go on slicks!! You
didn't take my advice...
JAMES
Shut up! Where's Niki?
CALDWELL
Behind you! He made the same mistake!
JAMES looks in his mirror to see NIKI's red helmet behind him
in the pits, then...
"Thump", new (slick) tyres hit the tarmac. JAMES gets the
signal, `Clear!'
CALDWELL
Go! Go!! Go!!
JAMES's foot hits the floor. He roars out, with new tyres,
leaving NIKI behind him in the pits...
146 EXT. NUBURGRING - DAY 146
Archive commentary: from the world's TV stations informs us
that JAMES roars up into 3rd position..
147 INT. JAMES'S CAR - DAY 147
JAMES gives it everything he's got. Tearing through the gears,
breaking as late as he can, engine screaming.
The world flies past in a blur. The steering wheel shakes. The
car cannot be driven any harder. No thought for safety. No
thought of failure..
Failure is unimaginable. Unconscionable.
He turns into the final straight, then stops when he sees
something ahead.
(CONTINUED)
77
147 CONTINUED: 147
Flags. Red flags. RACE MARSHALLS. Something has clearly
happened. An accident..
The race is being stopped. JAMES brakes, slowing down. He
pulls level with a uniformed MARSHALL..
JAMES
What's up?
MARSHALL
Accident. Bad one.
JAMES
Who?
MARSHALL
We don't know yet.
148 INT. NIKI'S CAR - SAME TIME 148
NIKI's POV: a continuation of the opening scene. Burning smoke
fills NIKI's helmet, burning his lungs. He cries out in agony.
NIKI
AAAAARRRRGHGHGGHGH!!!!
We can just make out the barely recognizable figures of the
other DRIVERS rushing towards him, as their hands get burnt in
the flames as they try unsuccessfully to undo his seatbelt...
We notice it is the same DRIVERS that were critical of NIKI in
the driver's meeting. HARALD ERTL, BRETT LUNGER, ARTURO
MERZARIO, GUY EDWARDS...
Fire extinguishers blast at the car. Covering NIKI's helmet.
Filling his lungs with chemicals, along with the smoke and
fumes, blurring his vision, as he screams horribly..
The sound of panicked TV COMMENTARY in different languages.
Screaming voices. Panicked reactions.
Then sound fades. As NIKI blacks out - losing consciousness.
FADE TO BLACK:
OVER THIS: the hypnotic sound of helicopter blades...
NIKI (V/O)
August 1st, 1976, I discovered comas
exist for a reason.
78
149 EXT. MANNHEIM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL - DAY 149
NIKI's POV: the door to a helicopter opens, as it arrives at
Mannheim University Hospital...
The sound of shouting voices. Hospital STAFF pull reach
towards NIKI, pull his stretcher out.
NIKI's internal voice groans: cries out at the pain.
NIKI (V/O)
Some things are better not remembered.
150 INT. MANNHEIM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL - DAY 150
"Crash", doors burst open and NIKI is rushed into emergency.
Neon ceiling lights pass overhead...
The sound of difficult breathing.
His stretcher is surrounded by DOCTORS, talking urgently,
making quick assessments..
NIKI's POV: fading in and out of consciousness.
Bursts of concerned, urgent, overlapping dialogue among the
German DOCTORS which NIKI can barely make out..
151 INT. INTENSIVE CARE UNIT - MANNHEIM HOSPITAL - DAY 151
Two narrow, barely open slits of light. NIKI's swollen eye-
lids. NIKI's POV: barely making out MARLENE standing beside
the senior burns specialist DOCTOR. NIKI hears voices...
DOCTOR
It's not the burns to his face that
are the danger. It's the burns to his
lungs. His blood oxygen level is
currently...
NURSE
6.8.
DOCTOR
Which is not enough to maintain
life...
NIKI slips out of consciousness again. MARLENE is distraught,
in tears.
152 OMITTED 152
153 OMITTED 153
79
154 TELEVISION NEWS - FULL-FRAME 154
TV news: giving the latest information on NIKI's condition.
155 INT. JAMES'S APARTMENT - LONDON - NIGHT 155
JAMES sits watching the news on TV in his apartment, while
feeding his budgerigars, (the collection has grown)..
He feels terrible. He goes to his desk, pulls out paper and
pen...
JAMES tries to find the right words, tries to write, tries to
put his feelings on paper, but words in general, and letters
in particular have never been his thing...
JAMES scrunches up the pieces of paper, throws it away. The
budgerigars, sensing his distress, flutter and peep..
156 INT. INTENSIVE CARE UNIT - DAY 156
NIKI's P.O.V: feels someone touching his forehead and his
hands with oil...and the sound of a WOMAN weeping...
PRIEST
...durch diese heilige Salbung helfe
dir der Herr in seinem reichen
Erbarmen, er stehe dir bei mit der
Kraft des Heiligen Geistes...
NIKI's eyes barely crack open, barely manage to focus to see
an ELDERLY PRIEST is giving him the last rites in German..
The sound of MARLENE crying somewhere in the room.
PRIEST
Der Herr der dich von Sunden befreit,
rette dich in seiner Gnade richte er
dich auf...
NIKI strains to move. A sense of excruciating pain.
He fights to open his eyes, give an indication...ANY
indication of the fact that he is hearing this, and is alive
and able to fight for life...
But to no avail. The PRIEST continues giving last rites.
MARLENE continues to cry. The PRIEST touches NIKI's
shoulder...
NIKI (V/O)
I'm here! Can't you tell? I'm here!
(CONTINUED)
80
156 CONTINUED: 156
NIKI screams inside. Wanting to be heard. Wanting to give them
a sign. He's OK. He's still there. But it's no use.
NIKI blacks out again. The pain is too great.
FADE TO BLACK:
157 INT. CORRIDOR - HOSPITAL - DAY 157
Sunrise: MARLENE has been sitting in the hospital all night
supported by members of FAMILY and several FRIENDS.
Niki's MOTHER and FATHER. CLAY REGAZZONI.
Presently: the door to the intensive care unit opens and a
DOCTOR comes out, beckoning her...
DOCTOR
Frau Lauda? Bitte kommen Sie! He's
awake! And just spoke!
MARLENE scrambles to her feet...
MARLENE
What did he say?
DOCTOR
"Tell the Priest to fuck off! I'm
still alive!!"
MARLENE covers her mouth, laughs nervously, already in tears.
She and the DOCTOR rush into the intensive care unit.
158 EXT. INTENSIVE CARE UNIT - DAY 158
Shooting through the window we see MARLENE approach NIKI's
bed. She sees NIKI..
And gasps. Trying to control her expression. Not give away to
him how horrified she is.
NIKI's face: is grotesque. His head has swollen to double it's
size. The skin has burned off on his head, his eyes.
MARLENE bravely composes herself. Then, without displaying the
shock she feels - she goes over and kisses him.
159 OMITTED 159
81
160 INT. NIKI'S HOSPITAL ROOM/TELEVISION COVERAGE FULL FRAME -DAY 160
The starter's flag drops. On television we see the Austrian
Grand Prix start.
NIKI watches the race on television, while beginning his rehab
in bed, in pain as bandages are changed..
ON TV: JAMES narrowly misses out on a podium, but still gains
on NIKI in his points total...
CAPTION: "RACE 11. HUNT FINISHES 4th"
161 INT. HOSPITAL - DAY - (A WEEK LATER) 161
NIKI continues his rehab in the hospital, now out of bed...
ON TV: the starter's flag drops. Another Grand Prix starts.
This time at Zandvoort, in the Netherlands..
NIKI watches the race on television as DOCTORS put a vacuuum
pump into his lungs. It's AGONY. JAMES leads, driving the
perfect race...
YOUNG GERMAN DOCTOR
We need to vacuum the lungs. Without
this, they can't heal. But it will
hurt.
An unimaginably painful pump is forced down his burned lungs,
to try to hoover out the impurities..
COMMENTATORS ON TV: talk about how HUNT is catching up with
LAUDA on points. It spurs NIKI on, through gritted teeth.
NIKI
Aaarrrggghhhh...
The chequered flag. JAMES crosses the line in first position.
CAPTION: "RACE 12. HUNT WINS."
The DOCTORS tell NIKI he's had enough vacuum treatment. He's
had more than enough pain. But NIKI waves them aside...
NIKI
Again!!
The DOCTOR nods. The vacuum is turned on again.
NIKI screams in agony. Eyes bulging. MARLENE and NIKI's family
cannot bear to watch...
(CONTINUED)
82
161 CONTINUED: 161
He watches as ON TV: JAMES is on the victory podium spraying
champagne.
162 INT. HOSPITAL - DAY 162
NIKI continues screaming in pain, watching the Canadian GP on
TV as..
CAPTION: "RACE 13 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX. HUNT WINS AGAIN"
For the first time, JAMES has taken the lead in points. NIKI
stares at the TV: his expression changes.
163 OMITTED 163
164 INT. HOSPITAL - DAY 164
NIKI screams again. MARLENE, NIKI's family and the DOCTORS are
deeply distressed, cannot bring themselves to watch, as...
NIKI
Aaaaarrrrggghghhhhhh!!
We WIDEN to reveal what NIKI is doing. What has caused these
unbearable, bloodcurdling screams of agony..
NIKI
I know what you're all thinking...
Now we see. With great difficulty NIKI has put his racing
helmet on for the first time. Pressing into his open burn
wounds...
NIKI
But if you love me - all of you - you
won't say a word.
He is almost unconscious with pain. His legs are weak. But he
has done it...
165 EXT. ITALIAN GRAND PRIX - MONZA - 12TH SEPT 1976 -DAY 165
The Italian Grand Prix. TELEVISION COMMENTARY sets the scene.
JAMES and the MCLAREN TEAM arrive in the pits to see a vast
commotion going on elsewhere...
JAMES
What's going on?
CALDWELL
Jesus. It's Niki.
(CONTINUED)
83
165 CONTINUED: 165
JAMES
What about him?
CALDWELL
He's here! He's racing!
JAMES
What?? They said he was half-dead.
JAMES stares. Shaken.
166 EXT. MONZA PITLANE/ FERRARI PITS - DAY 166
JAMES pushes through the pitlanes, until he reaches the
crowded FERRARI pits. He sees a racer in the background. The
name LAUDA on his overalls...
JAMES
Niki?
NIKI turns round. JAMES sets eyes on him for the first time.
JAMES reels, visibly horrified by his appearance. His bandages
are blood stained. He has no hair. Looks grotesque..
NIKI sees the horror in JAMES's face. Sees the shock. The
horror. And recognizes in that moment, this is how it's going
to be - this is how people will respond to him - forever.
NIKI
Wow. It's that bad, huh?
JAMES opens his mouth. Tries to say something.
NIKI
In the hospital I told them to tell me
straight, no bullshit - how bad it
would be. My appearance. They said
with time it'd be fine. But it won't.
I can tell, seeing your reaction. I am
going to spend the rest of my life
with a face that frightens people.
NIKI stares at JAMES, at his rival's beauty, his blonde,
tanned perfection. His matinee idol, movie star looks...
NIKI
That's a tough one to get used to.
JAMES
I wrote you a letter at the time. To
apologize.
(a beat)
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
84
166 CONTINUED: 166
JAMES (cont�d)
The driver's meeting in Germany?
Before the race? I swayed the room.
NIKI
Yes. You did.
JAMES
That race should never have gone
ahead.
NIKI
No.
JAMES
So in some ways...I feel responsible
for what happened. I'm sorry.
NIKI
Trust me, watching you win those
points and all those races while I was
in hospital fighting for my life...you
were equally responsible for getting
me better.
Ouch. That could have been meant generously. But in this case
it wasn't. It was a cold slap in the face.
NIKI turns and goes.
167 INT. MONZA GRAND PRIX - PRESS CONFERENCE - DAY 167
A packed press conference. The world's media. NIKI's accident
and recovery (as a story) has reached way beyond F1 race fans.
This is front page news around the globe..
NIKI walks out onto the podium - all eyes staring at him - the
sense of a ghoulish, voyeuristic freak show....
NIKI sits on the podium, in front of microphones, flanked on
both sides by FERRARI drivers and top brass. But no one wants
to talk to them. Everyone's here to talk to NIKI..
JAPANESE JOURNALIST
How are you feeling, Niki?
NIKI
Fine.
AMERICAN JOURNALIST
Can you confirm for us exactly which
procedures you have had? And the
expectations for your recovery?
(CONTINUED)
85
167 CONTINUED: 167
NIKI
Sure. I had a skin graft operation
where they put half my right thigh in
my face. It doesn't look too good but
one unexpected advantage is it's
impossible to perspire through a skin
graft, so sweat will never run in my
eyes again - which is good for a
driver.
Laughter. At the back of the hall, JAMES HUNT creeps in,
(unseen by anyone, disguised in a hat), to listen.
BRAZILIAN JOURNALIST
When they heard about your condition,
Ferrari immediately hired another
driver, Carlos Reutemann.
NIKI
Ja. Before even my first operation.
JAPANESE JOURNALIST
Is he your replacement now?
NIKI
No. Just another team-mate. Keen to
make an impression. So let's see where
Mr. Reutemann finishes today.
Laughter.
JAPANESE JOURNALIST
James Hunt and McLaren have caught up
a lot while you were away.
NIKI
Yes.
(a beat)
Is there a question now? Or are you
just trying to piss me off?
Laughter.
JAPANESE JOURNALIST
You think you can still win?
NIKI
Of course. I have the better car. I'm
the better driver. But he's a clever
guy and has used the time well while I
was lying half-dead in hospital to win
some points..
Laughter.
(CONTINUED)
86
167 CONTINUED: (2) 167
BRITISH JOURNALIST
What did your wife say when she saw
your face?
NIKI
She said, "Sweetie, you don't need a
face to drive. Only a right foot."
Laughter.
BRITISH JOURNALIST
I'm being serious. Do you really think
your marriage can survive? With the
way you look now?
Silence. NIKI squints into the lights..
NIKI
And I'm being serious, too. Which
asshole said this? Jesus..
No one moves. NIKI, disgusted, rips off his microphone..
NIKI
Fuck you. Press conference over.
NIKI walks out. The Press Conference breaks up...
JAMES sees the REPORTER who asked the question, laughing with
his friends. JAMES watches as the REPORTER leaves...
168 INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE PRESS CONFERENCE - SAME TIME 168
JAMES goes after the REPORTER, and calls him..
JAMES
Hey..!
The REPORTER turns, recognizes JAMES..
JAMES
I've got something for you on that
last question...
The BRITISH JOURNALIST smiles, "Great, thanks James!" Pulls
out a tape recorder. JAMES takes him to one side, then...
"WHACK, WHACK, WHACK" - JAMES punches his lights out, then
takes the tape recorder, stuffs it into the JOURNALISTS mouth.
JAMES
Now go home to your wife and ask her
how YOU look!!
(CONTINUED)
87
168 CONTINUED: 168
"CRASH" a final, sickening blow splits the REPORTER's nose..
JAMES
Prick!
169 EXT. STARTING GRID - MONZA - DAY 169
JAMES walks out to his car. TV CREWS. Banks of PHOTOGRAPHERS.
Commentators talk in different languages.
Everyone talking about NIKI's comeback.
NIKI is in his car. The MECHANICS are talking to him in
Italian...
But NIKI hears nothing. He looks at the steering wheel, the
shell of the car, the gear stick. And then we see..
His hands are shaking violently. He's utterly terrified.
The light turns green. They're off!
Other cars (including JAMES's), roar forward. But NIKI is
frozen.
170 EXT. TRACK - DAY 170
NIKI's mind is a mess - terrified - he starts slowly...finding
his courage..
COMMENTATORS point out it's madness. It was clearly too soon.
Ferrari were right to hire a replacement. NIKI is a wreck..
NIKI suffers terrible flashbacks from his accident...
NIKI shakes himself out...gradually building up speed -
ignoring the cars overtaking him all around him...
NIKI begins to accelerate. Gently at first. Then a bit more.
Trusting himself. Gaining confidence..
Blocking out further flashbacks...
170AINT. HOSPITAL - DAY 170A
Watching NIKI from the hospital where he had his treatment is
the DOCTOR who treated him...
88
170BEXT. TRACK - DAY 170B
COMMENTATORS look up. Notice NIKI's slow increase in speed.
What's this? Maybe there's life in him yet...
NIKI changes gears smoothly. He begins to overtake. The old
feelings come back..
170CEXT. PADDOCK/PITS - SAME TIME 170C
MARLENE watches from the pits. Can hardly bring herself to
look...
170DEXT. TRACK - DAY 170D
COMMENTATORS begin to get excited. LAUDA has started to
overtake the back-markers...
An incredible sequence. As NIKI gains more confidence, more
speed, and begins to work his way through the field..
COMMENTATORS now buzzing with excitement. This is incredible,
as NIKI overtakes first CARLOS REUTEMANN, the driver hired to
replace him, then others, working his way through the field...
170EINT. JAMES'S CAR - SAME TIME 170E
JAMES sees NIKI coming up behind him. Cannot believe his eyes.
JAMES move to block NIKI's path...
NIKI attacks fearlessly. Despite terrible pain. NIKI moves to
overtake JAMES.
Utterly intimidated by NIKI's bravery, JAMES panics, and loses
control of the car. He spins out..
COMMENTATORS cannot believe their eyes. HUNT's blown it!
LAUDA's overtaken him!
It's a miracle. It defies belief. As NIKI crosses the line....
CAPTION: "RACE 15. NIKI 4th. JAMES RETIRED."
171 OMITTED 171
172 EXT. MONZA - DAY 172
The Italian crowds are ecstatic. Delirious. NIKI is a national
hero. Lazarus back from the dead. Superhuman.
(CONTINUED)
89
172 CONTINUED: 172
TV commentary in different languages elaborates on what an
extraordinary, superhuman achievement they have just seen...
CAPTION: "LAUDA 68 POINTS. HUNT 65 POINTS."
STIRLING MOSS
What a race! What a man! What a
season! Now it all boils down to the
final race in Japan!
Hunt walks past, staring at a triumphant Niki.
172AINT. HOSPITAL - SAME TIME 172A
The DOCTOR in the hospital shakes his head, cannot believe
what he has just witnessed...
172BEXT. PITS - SAME TIME 172B
The Ferrari Mechanics that had initially so disliked NIKI, are
overwhelmed by what he has achieved...
172CEXT. TRACK - DAY 172C
A reluctant, modest NIKI carried on shoulders, surrounded by
LUCA DI MONTEZEMOLO, MARLENE and the PRESS...
CUT TO:
173 EXT. FUJI SPEEDWAY - JAPAN - DAY 173
Mount Fuji towers imperiously, dramatically above the Japanese
race track, dominating the skyline on a clear day..
Television cameras and press photographers assemble at the
race track for the biggest sporting event of the year...
174 INT. JAMES'S HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT 174
JAMES sits alone in his hotel suite. Speaking to an old,
trusted friend at the other end...
JAMES (ON PHONE)
The man was in a coma. His doctors
pronounced him dead!! Then he comes
back and does THAT???
90
174AINT. BUBBLES HORSELY HOME - MORNING 174A
BUBBLES HORSLEY back at home in England. At a breakfast
table..
BUBBLES (ON PHONE)
What did you expect? That Niki would
give you the championship lying down?
Of course not. He's a fighter. He's
going to come at you with everything
he's got. But you can do this. As a
driver, you're his equal - better,
maybe. And God knows you're quick and
brave enough. You just..
JAMES (ON PHONE)
What?
BUBBLES (ON PHONE)
Need to find the respect for yourself
to close out when it really matters.
You don't much like yourself, James -
that's the problem, therefore don't
believe you deserve it.
174BINT. JAMES'S HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT 174B
A knock at JAMES's hotel room door..
JAMES
I've got to go.
JAMES hangs up, and goes to the door. He snaps it open to
reveal..
Two gorgeous-looking BOAC Stewardesses standing outside. Smart
blue blazers, short skirts, white gloves, blue caps..
STEWARDESS
Hi. We've come for the party?
JAMES
What party?
STEWARDESS
The party we were told was going on in
room 2109.
Sure enough: on JAMES's door, the number 2109.
JAMES
Who sent you here?
(CONTINUED)
91
174BCONTINUED: 174B
STEWARDESS
A man. On the phone. He didn't give
his name.
JAMES
This man. Did he speak with an accent?
STEWARDESS
Yes. German accent.
JAMES can't believe it. NIKI.
JAMES
I'm afraid it was a joke..
STEWARDESS
(liking the look of JAMES)
Awwww. Pity.
JAMES
Sorry, ladies. Any other time. Not
tonight.
JAMES closes the door. Goes back into his hotel room. Then,
after a moment...
He snaps open the door. The STEWARDESSES are about to
disappear into the elevator...
JAMES
Wait..!
175 EXT. TOKYO SKYLINE - DAWN 175
The following morning, day barely breaks. The skies are
ominously dark over Tokyo. Thick, black clouds.
It's raining heavily...
176 INT. NIKI'S BEDROOM - HOTEL - DAY 176
NIKI wakes up and looks out of the window. Sees the heavy rain
which is falling outside...
His expression changes.
177 INT. JAMES'S BEDROOM - HOTEL - DAY 177
JAMES wakes up. Flinches. JAMES looks around, bleary-eyed.
Hungover.
He's in a room that looks like a bomb has hit it.
(CONTINUED)
92
177 CONTINUED: 177
The two STEWARDESSES are still asleep in the bed beside him.
Uniforms discarded on the floor.
Memories are now flooding back. Jesus, what was he THINKING?
JAMES leaps out of bed.
178 INT. NIKI'S ROOM - HOTEL - DAY 178
NIKI is being massaged by WILLI DUNGL in his hotel room in
preparation for the race.
NIKI continues to stare out of the window. They speak in
German. We see sub-titles..
NIKI
Can't see the mountain.
DUNGL
So?
NIKI
The locals here believe if you can see
the mountain in the morning, it brings
good luck.
NIKI's POV: the view. Nothing but mist, dark skies and rain.
179 OMITTED 179
180 EXT. JAPANESE GRAND PRIX - FUJI SPEEDWAY - 24TH OCT 1976 -DAY 180
Inside the race track: puddles everywhere. The rain continues
to fall. The circuit is covered in water...
DRIVERS and the TEAMS arrive at the race track. JAMES and
TEDDY MAYER and ALASTAIR CALDWELL among them...
SPECTATORS are huddled under umbrellas. TV CREWS struggle to
keep expensive equipment dry...
An American VOICE comes over the tannoy...
TANNOY
All drivers to the control tower,
please. Immediately.
JAMES looks at CALDWELL...
93
181 INT. CONTROL TOWER - MEETING ROOM - DAY 181
A driver's meeting has been called. All the DRIVERS are in a
small room, arguing and remonstrating with FIA OFFICIALS and
blazer-wearing POWERS THAT BE...
A Japanese official, (AKIYAMA), is trying to keep the peace...
AKIYAMA
One at a time! Gentlemen, please!
Local JAPANESE DRIVERS are complaining in Japanese, (we see
sub-titles)...
TAKAHARA
You can't send us out in that! It's a
death sentence!
HASEMI
You have to postpone the race!
181AINT. CONTROL TOWER - CORRIDOR OUTSIDE - SAME TIME 181A
JAMES, MAYER and CALDWELL arrive in a corridor outside the
meeting room...
MAYER
Niki's talking to them about
cancelling the race.
JAMES's POV: he can see NIKI, his wounds horribly visible,
remonstrating with the JAPANESE OFFICIAL about the dangerous
track conditions...
JAMES turns to TEDDY and ALASTAIR...
JAMES
I don't want any part of this. I'm not
going to be responsible for turning
the room again.
CALDWELL
But you have no option. You HAVE to
race, James. It's your only shot. If
you don't, Niki wins..
JAMES
I'm not voting against Niki
again....or forcing fellow drivers to
risk their lives. Sorry. World
Championship or not...
JAMES raises his hands and walks off. CALDWELL shouts after
him, "James, wait..!" Then MAYER reassures CALDWELL...
(CONTINUED)
94
181ACONTINUED: 181A
MAYER
Don't worry, this race is going ahead.
The TV rights have been sold all
around the world.
MAYER can see that a vote is taking place in the room. Many of
the drivers have their hands in the air, voting...
The JAPANESE OFFICIAL is struggling to keep order in the room.
MAYER
The drivers can vote all they like.
A round of applause in the room, as the DRIVERS vote to cancel
the race. But unseen by the DRIVERS..
The FIA OFFICIALS, TV NETWORK EXECUTIVES, and the blazered
POWERS THAT BE are in dark, conspiratorial discussion..
...making the decision that the race goes ahead.
182 ARCHIVE TELEVISION FOOTAGE 182
NEWSCASTERS from all over the world, in several different
languages, announce that a decision has been made..
The JAPANESE Grand Prix is definitely going ahead. The drivers
have been called to the starting grid...
183 OMITTED 183
184 INT. PITS - VARIOUS - DAY 184
In the pits alongside JAMES...
A series of shots of the other DRIVERS...being sent out like
lambs to the slaughter...
Visibly terrified, mouthing prayers, smoking last cigarettes,
meditating, crossing themselves, hands shaking..
Among them the JAPANESE DRIVERS. All laughter gone now.
Realizing what they've got into. Risking their lives.
Finally we come to rest on NIKI. Strangely calm.
NIKI puts on his balaclava over his still-raw wounds, wincing
with pain as he puts on his helmet..
95
185 EXT. JAPANESE GP - STARTING GRID - DAY 185
JAMES is piggy-backed to his car by MECHANICS so his feet
don't get soaked in the water pooling deep on the track.
186 EXT. JAPANESE GP - STARTING GRID - DAY 186
JAMES lowers himself into a car with puddles on the seat. He
straps himself in.
ALISTAIR CALDWELL approaches with a power-drill. Leans towards
JAMES, with the screaming drill...
CALDWELL
Keep still...
JAMES
What are you doing???
`ZZZZ", "ZZZZ", "ZZZZ", CALDWELL drill holes in JAMES's visor.
CALDWELL
To let the condensation out.
JAMES
But it will also let the water in.
CALDWELL
Not if you're leading.
CALDWELL stares at JAMES...
CALDWELL
Trust me. This race is all about the
start. Whoever's in front will see
everything. Whoever's second...
CALDWELL gestures, "Nothing"..
CALDWELL
Good luck.
They shake hands. JAMES starts the engine with a roar.
187 EXT. STARTING GRID - DAY 187
NIKI's engine replies with a loud roar. He looks over at
JAMES. JAMES turns to face NIKI..
ALL SOUND GOES SILENT...
...as JAMES and NIKI stare at one another. All around them,
the world slows down. Comes to a standstill.
(CONTINUED)
96
187 CONTINUED: 187
THEIR EYES MEET...
A connection between them. Unspoken realization of where they
have both got to. What this moment means. For them both..
It's what they have been waiting for. Working towards. All
this time.
NIKI raises his hand. In a gesture only JAMES sees. JAMES
raises his in return. A private salute.
Chivalric. From a bygone era. And in that moment, enemies
become brothers. Two men. Risking their lives.
THE TEN SECOND FLAG IS RAISED..
The moment's truce is broken. They return to the task at hand.
THE FLAG DROPS. THEY'RE OFF.
188 EXT. RACE - JAPANESE GRAND PRIX - DAY 188
HUNT's foot hits the floor. NIKI's foot hits the floor...
JAMES gets the better start. His car aquaplanes like crazy,
skating over the water, totally out of control...
189 EXT. FUJI PIT WALL - DAY 189
CALDWELL and MAYER watch from the pit wall...
CALDWELL
Hold onto it, James..!
190 EXT. RACE - JAPANESE GRAND PRIX - DAY 190
Miraculously JAMES steadies the car...
The spray from his wheels creates a curtain of mist. The other
cars are wrapped inside it...
But JAMES has a clear view ahead. He slams his foot down..
COMMENTATOR (V/O)
It's the perfect start for Hunt!
191 INT. NIKI'S CAR - SAME TIME 191
NIKI can see nothing. Surrounded by spray, water, noise.
(CONTINUED)
97
191 CONTINUED: 191
Other cars are spinning all around him. It's chaos. NIKI
bravely accelerates into blindness...
COMMENTATOR (V/O)
But Lauda's car is right on his tail!
Barely visible in the spray..!
192 EXT. RACE - JAPANESE GRAND PRIX - DAY 192
JAMES goes to a corner, then his car twitches, aquaplanes
again...badly...almost losing it completely...
COMMENTATOR (V/O)
Hunt turns too tightly! He almost lost
his car right there...!
193 INT. EASTON NESTON - DAY 193
BUBBLES HORSLEY, ALEXANDER HESKETH and a number of the
characters from the Hesketh Racing days are all watching...
HESKETH
Concentrate, Superstar!
194 INT. JAMES'S CAR - DAY 194
JAMES struggles to hold onto his car. He steadies it,
maintaining the lead.
194AINT. NIKI'S CAR - SAME TIME 194A
JAMES's spray makes it impossible for NIKI to see. NIKI can't
blink his eyes...it's agony.
Half-blind, NIKI tries to overtake. Gives it everything he's
got, breaking as late as he can, tearing through the gears...
For NIKI the world flies past in a near-blind blur. The
steering wheel shakes. The car cannot be driven any harder.
But the visibility is terrible. The spray tears into his
scarred eyes. He is unable to see anything but...
MARLENE's beautiful face: staring at him. Smiling tenderly.
Kissing him tenderly.
195 OMITTED 195
196 OMITTED 196
98
197 EXT. RACE TRACK - JAPAN - SAME TIME 197
JAMES continues to race flat out. Engine screaming. Foot to
the floor. His car aquaplanes again...almost skidding out...
198 INT. HOTEL - MANHATTAN - SAME TIME 198
SUZY HUNT is watching on television as RICHARD BURTON talks in
the background on the telephone...
SUZY
(urging him on)
Come on, James...
199 EXT. PITS - RACE TRACK - JAPAN - DAY 199
A sign is held up as JAMES races. Lap 39.
But there are problems with the car. One of the tyres...
CALDWELL
God! His front tyre! Look! It's
completely frayed!
CALDWELL and TEDDY MAYER watch in horror from the pits and on
TV. They can see the shaking car..
COMMENTATOR
Hunt's car has problems...it's
shaking...the Englishman is definitely
getting slower...
199AEXT. PITS - RACE TRACK - JAPAN - DAY 199A
ALASTAIR CALDWELL holds up a sign....
CHANGE TYRE
COMMENTATOR
...with just a few laps to go, McLaren
are calling for Hunt to come into the
pits to change tyres...
JAMES's car roars past the pits, refusing to stop...
COMMENTATOR
But Hunt is refusing! Simply ignoring
his team's orders...! He's made the
calculation that he can still hold
onto the lead...!
99
199BINT. EASTON NESTON - SAME TIME 199B
HESKETH and BUBBLES cover their eyes. Can't look...
BUBBLES
James!! What are you doing???
HESKETH
I can't bear it!
199CINT. JAMES'S CAR - JAPAN GRAND PRIX - SAME TIME 199C
Suddenly, a Ferrari in JAMES's wing mirror. Unmistakably, even
in the spray, he can see the distinctive RED HELMET...
It's NIKI. JAMES's blood runs cold...
JAMES
No! No! NO!!!!
JAMES tries to fend NIKI off. Swerves this way and that. But
his wounded car is now running at seventy per cent at best...
...and disaster!!! NIKI OVERTAKES HIM...
JAMES screams in agony and frustration. He's lost it! And has
no one to blame but himself! His own arrogance. And
stubbornness. NIKI's overtaken him!
THE CHEQUERED FLAG.
JAMES roars past. Has finished in third place. But that is no
consolation. NIKI has beaten him. As far as he's concerned..
JAMES has lost. Lost everything.
200 EXT. PITS - DAY 200
JAMES's car arrives in the pits. In a fury. At himself. For
refusing to listen. What a disgrace. What shame. What a fool.
But he is engulfed. JAMES gets out of his car, raging...
JAMES
I'm sorry!
But TEDDY MAYER is celebrating wildly. ALASTAIR CALDWELL, too.
The world's media descends on JAMES...
MAYER
Sorry?? What are you talking about??
You did it!
(CONTINUED)
100
200 CONTINUED: 200
JAMES
What?
MAYER
You WON!!
JAMES
Rubbish!! What about Niki?? He
overtook me!! I saw it!! A Ferrari
with a red helmet..
MAYER
That wasn't Niki. That was Regazzoni.
JAMES
What???
MAYER
Niki withdrew. Said it was too
dangerous, refused to drive!!
(gestures)
You're Champion of the World, kiddo!
TEDDY MAYER takes JAMES's number `11' from the side of his
car, and tears it in two, leaving number `1'.
JAMES's face: as he realizes. Then explodes with happiness.
200AINT. EASTON NESTON - DAY 200A
HESKETH and BUBBLES cheer in celebration...
HESKETH
He did it! He bloody well did it!
200BINT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT 200B
A television plays in the Emergency Ward of the hospital.
NURSIE catches sight of the victory, patients cheering and
applauding...
NURSIE allows herself a smile.
200CINT. HOTEL - MANHATTAN - SAME TIME 200C
BURTON is at the door in tuxedo, waiting to go. SUZY, dressed
glamorously, smiles.
SUZY
Well done, James..
Then turns the TV off. And follows BURTON out.
101
200DEXT. JAPAN GRAND PRIX - DAY 200D
JAMES is embraced by CALDWELL and MAYER.
201 EXT. FUJI PADDOCK - HELICOPTER - SAME TIME 201
Across the race-track, the sound of helicopter blades turning.
JAMES looks over to see...
NIKI in the helicopter with MARLENE and a PILOT. NIKI, now the
ex-World Champion, looks over to see a triumphant JAMES
surrounded by press, McLaren colleagues, etc
MARLENE
Are you OK?
NIKI turns, takes MARLENE's hand as he answers.
NIKI
Fine. It's just one race.
The helicopter lifts into the air, and flies off...
202 EXT. PADDOCK - SAME TIME 202
JAMES watches as the helicopter carrying NIKI flies away, then
turns to see...
...the world's press begins to descend on him, and the biggest
party of JAMES HUNT's life is about to begin..
In the background, the two JAPANESE DRIVERS are giving
interviews again. They didn't just survive, MASAHIRO HASEMI
got the fastest lap of the race, and NORITAKE TAKAHARA came
9th...
And at that moment, magically, the sun breaks through, and the
snowy peak of Mount Fuji is finally revealed.
203 A QUICKFIRE MONTAGE 203
Of newspaper headlines, television talk shows, lucrative
endorsements, TV commercials, sponsorship, public billboards.
JAMES's world championship victory has made him a rich man.
His movie star looks make him an international STAR and
marketing man's dream.
Girls, more girls, and even more girls.
(CONTINUED)
102
203 CONTINUED: 203
JAMES, dashing in a white suit, plays trumpet on the UK's most
famous talk show...
FADE TO BLACK:
204 EXT. RUNWAY - DAY 204
We're on the runway of an airport in Northern Italy.
CAPTION: "THREE MONTHS LATER"
A stretch limousine pulls up on the tarmac.
A still-drunk JAMES HUNT and several good-looking WOMEN, rowdy
FRIENDS (and hangers-on) spill out of the limo...
They cross the tarmac towards their waiting private jet,
passing other jets, when JAMES stops.
He's seen something that has caught his eye.
JAMES sends his FRIENDS on ahead to their waiting jet, and
walks over to a small private jet, (a Learjet 35)...
JAMES
I heard you were spending more and
more time in one of these...
A hunched PILOT doing final checks. The figure turns. It's
NIKI. His wounds have healed a little, but it's still a
painful sight...
NIKI
Do you fly?
JAMES
No.
NIKI
You should try it. If something goes
wrong up there, you're on the edge,
but have to stay within the rules.
Stick to regulations. Suppress the
ego. It's good discipline for the
racing.
JAMES
And there I was thinking you were
about to wax lyrical about the romance
of flight. I should have known better.
NIKI
What brings you here?
(CONTINUED)
103
204 CONTINUED: 204
JAMES indicates his rowdy, cool-looking friends..
JAMES
A friend's wedding. At least I think
it was a wedding. Might have been a
birthday. All a bit of a blur. How
about you? Been at Fiorano?
NIKI
Pre-season testing.
JAMES
Already? In February? You're
relentless.
NIKI
Thank you.
JAMES
I'm not sure I meant it as a
compliment.
NIKI
But it is one. Relentlessness is good.
Means you're a fighter. That you never
give up. Behind my back I know some of
you guys call me `The Rat.' Because I
look like one. It's meant as an
insult. But I don't mind it. Rats are
ugly, sure. And no one likes them. But
they're intelligent. With a strong
survival instinct.
JAMES can't help smiling. That's NIKI.
NIKI
So when do you start testing? Next
week?
JAMES
Are you mad? I didn't just win the
biggest thing of my life so I could
get right back to work.
NIKI
Why? You need to. To prove to all the
people who will always say you only
won it because...
JAMES
Because what...? Because of your
accident? Is that other people, Niki?
Or you? I won. On the all important
day when it came down to it, we raced
on equal terms in equally good cars.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
104
204 CONTINUED: (2) 204
JAMES (cont�d)
You bottled and I had the guts to see
it through.
NIKI
It's true. You won that race. And
believe me if I had to lose that title
to anyone, I'm happy it was you. But
that doesn't change the fact you have
to win again.
JAMES
Why?
NIKI
Because that's what it means to be a
winner, no? It's a permanent
condition. Never stops or goes away.
It stays with you always.
JAMES
That's winning? Sounds like losing to
me. Some of life needs to be for
pleasure, Niki. What's the use of
having a million cups and medals if
you never have any fun? How is that
winning?
The plane load of JAMES's friends call out..."C'mon, James!"
NIKI
You're right. I could learn from you.
In hospital the toughest part of my
treatment was the vacuum. Pumping the
shit out of my lungs. It was agony.
While doing it, I was watching
television...you winning all those
races...and I was cursing you.. "That
bastard, Hunt", I would shout, "I hate
that guy." one day the doctor said,
"Mr. Lauda, may I offer one piece of
advice? Stop thinking of it as a curse
to have been given an enemy in life.
It can be a blessing, too." I said,
"Who are you, Confucius?" He said, "A
wise man gets more from his enemies
than a fool from his friends." And you
know, he's right. Look at us. We were
a pair of kids when we first met.
Hotheaded jerks in Formula 3. Headed
nowhere. Now we're both Champions of
the world. Not bad.
JAMES
No, not bad.
(CONTINUED)
105
204 CONTINUED: (3) 204
NIKI
So don't let me down now. I need you
busting my balls. Get back to work.
JAMES
I will, Niki. But I intend to enjoy
myself first. And so should you. You
think you can?
NIKI stares. A blank look..
JAMES
See you on race day, Champ.
NIKI
You will. Champ.
JAMES goes. NIKI watches him, pulled into his plane by his
laughing, cool FRIENDS. An unmistakable flicker of envy in his
eyes.
Then NIKI turns, alone, and resumes his safety checks.
205 EXT. RUNWAY - AIRFIELD - DAY 205
JAMES's plane roars down the runway and takes off into the
azure blue sky...
FADE TO BLACK:
CAPTION: "JAMES RETURNED THE FOLLOWING SEASON, BUT WAS NEVER A
CHALLENGER AGAIN. HE RETIRED IN 1979. AFTER SHORT CAREERS IN
BROADCASTING AND BUDGIE BREEDING HE DIED OF A HEART ATTACK.
AGED 45."
CAPTION: "NIKI LAUDA WENT ON TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION IN 1977.
AND AGAIN IN 1984. HE NOW RUNS A SUCCESSFUL COMMERCIAL
AIRLINE. HE STILL CLAIMS TO HAVE NO FRIENDS."
The End
Rush
Writers : Peter Morgan
Genres : Action Drama
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A Remarkable AF, Low Light Jackpot: Canon EOS R3 Review
Photographers now can take their pick of cameras that can shoot stills fast enough to actually be movies. But Canon's approach to a speedy flagship is arguably the most different from Sony's and Nikon's. Instead of creating a camera that can shoot both fast and high resolution, the Canon EOS R3 uses a less-headline-worthy 24.1-megapixel sensor. Canon is taking a gamble that the photographers who want 30 fps are also the photographers who prioritize exceptional low light performance over high resolution. And, they're trying to sweeten the deal with an autofocus system that will just focus on wherever you're looking.
Will Canon's gamble pay off, or is the R3 going to lose out to a higher resolution foe? Does the AF in this headline mean autofocus or the Urban Dictionary definition of AF? I spent a few weeks with the Canon R3, shooting everything from wildlife to equestrian to low light portraits. I was blown away by both the autofocus and the noise reduction in the dark. And limited rolling shutter distortion may actually make the R3's top speeds useful.
Too Long, Didn't Read
Canon EOS R3 Pros and Cons
Gear Used
Canon EOS R3 Tech Specs
Eye Control AF
High ISO Images
RAW File Versatility
Extra Image Samples
Unedited
The Canon R3 has a top burst speed that's actually useful because of a great autofocus system and a faster processor to limit rolling shutter. This camera can not only shoot in the dark but print ISO 128,000 and still look good. While the R5 may make more sense for detail work, the R3 is an exceptional low-light and fast-action camera.
Impressive autofocus performance with both action and low light
Face recognition works phenomenally, even on birds and in dark scenes
Reduced rolling shutter distortion and 1/180 flash sync with electronic shutter
Excellent noise reduction at high ISOs
Built-in vertical grip
Lots of great controls
Weather-sealed
Resolution is lower than competitors (but this is partially why low light quality is so great)
Higher learning curve
Hot shoe adapter recommended for weather-sealing with older flashes
Heavier and larger than the R5 and R6
I used the Canon EOS R3 with the 70-200 f4, 85mm f2 Macro, and 16mm f2.8 RF mount lenses. I also paired the camera with both the EL-1 flash and the Flashpoint R2 Zoom Li-Ion III and a wireless trigger. I stashed the gear in the F-Stop Ajna backpack. The reflections you see in some of the night portraits were created with Lensbaby Omni wands.
Canon wasn't the first to announce a sports-focused mirrorless flagship; it competes with the speed of the Sony A1 and the Nikon Z9. But, there's still a lot of innovation here. Canon has included Eye Control AF, which was previously on some of their film cameras. This moves the autofocus point to whatever part of the frame your eye is looking at. The processor that's behind the 30 fps top burst speed also reduces rolling shutter distortion with faster image processing.
Adorama lists the following specifications for the Canon EOS R3, shortened for clarity:
Lens Mount: Canon RF
Sensor Type: 36 x 24mm (Full-Frame) CMOS
Sensor Resolution: Actual: 26.7 Megapixel; Effective: 24.1 Megapixels
Crop Factor: None
Aspect Ratio: 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9
Image File Format: JPEG, Raw, HEIF
Bit Depth: 14-Bit
Image Stabilization: Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis
ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 100 to 102400 (Extended: 50 to 204800)
Mechanical Shutter: 1/8000 to 30 Second, Bulb Mode
Electronic Shutter: 1/64000 to 30 Second in Manual Mode; 1/64000 to 30 Second in Shutter Priority Mode; 1/8000 to 30 Second in Aperture Priority Mode; 1/8000 to 30 Second; in Program Mode; Bulb Mode
Metering Method: Center-Weighted Average, Evaluative, Partial, Spot
Exposure Modes: Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority
Exposure Compensation: -3 to +3 EV (1/3, 1/2 EV Steps)
Metering Range: -3 to 20 EV
White Balance: Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Custom, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent (White), Shade, Tungsten
Electronic Shutter: Up to 30 fps at 24.1 MP for up to 150 Frames (Raw) / 540 Frames (JPEG)
Mechanical Shutter: Up to 12 fps at 24.1 MP for up to 1000 Frames (Raw) / 1000 Frames (JPEG)
Interval Recording: Yes
Self-Timer: 2/10-Second Delay
Video Recording Modes
Raw 12-Bit up to 6K 3:2
Video Recording Limit: Unlimited
Focus Mode: Continuous-Servo AF (C), Manual Focus (M), Single-Servo AF (S)
Autofocus Points: Phase Detection: 1053
Autofocus Sensitivity: -7.5 to +20 EV
Viewfinder Type: Electronic (OLED)
Viewfinder Resolution: 5,760,000 Dot
Viewfinder Eye Point: 23mm
Viewfinder Magnification: Approx. 0.76x
LCD: 3.2″ (8.1cm), 4,150,000 Dot, Articulating Touchscreen LCD
Built-In Flash: No
Maximum Sync Speed: 1/250 Second
Media/Memory Card Slot
Slot 1: CFexpress Type B
Slot 2: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II)
Connectivity: USB Type-C (USB 3.1), HDMI D (Micro), 3.5mm Headphone, 3.5mm Microphone, RJ45, PC Sync Socket, Wireless, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS
Operating Temperature: 32 to 104 Degree F (0 to 40 Degree C)
Operating Humidity: 0 to 85%
Battery: 1x LP-E19 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 10.8 VDC, 2700 mAh or 1x LP-E4N Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 11.1 VDC, 2450 mAh
Dimensions (W x H x D): 5.9 x 5.6 x 3.4″ (150 x 142.6 x 87.2mm)
Weight: Body Only: 1.8 lbs. (822g); Body with Battery and Memory: 2.2 lbs (1015g)
With a built-in battery grip, the R3 is large for a mirrorless camera, yet comfortable. Here's the physical tour of the camera that we shared during our original R3 first impressions, with additional impressions of the viewfinder:
With a built-in battery grip, the Canon EOS R3 isn't the type of mirrorless that sways photographers because of the small size. It is, however, about 35 percent lighter than the Canon EOS 1DX Mark III, weighing 28.8 ounces or 1.8 pounds. Like the R6, it's a mirrorless camera that still feels ergonomically as comfortable to grab as a DSLR, just a bit lighter. Despite the weight, I took this camera and the RF 70-200mm f/4 on a three-mile hike and didn't feel terribly weighed down by the large size.
That larger size allows room for a second set of controls to use when holding the camera vertically. The shutter, front and rear dials, M-Fn button, AF on, AF joystick, AF area mode, and star controls are duplicated on both grips. The vertical grip is a bit shallower than the standard grip, but still comfortable. The position of the viewfinder also means my hands are higher than my eyes when shooting in this position.
Besides the size, there are several ergonomic changes from models like the EOS R6. The top of the camera gains an extra screen that displays different settings. You can use that top screen for changing settings with the camera at waist level.
The top also lacks the mode dial and instead has a mode button inside of the rear dial. Tap the mode button, and cycle through the modes using that top screen or the back LCD. North of that mode button, Canon added a light to backlight the top screen and the menu buttons. I love this feature but wish more buttons lit up. It sits next to an exposure compensation button. That's just underneath the shutter, front dial, and M-Fn button. On the opposite side of the viewfinder bump, there's a drive AF and a flash compensation and metering button. Each of those buttons has two settings assigned to it. Press the button, then the two options pop up on the top screen, with the front control wheel adjusting the top settings and the back adjusting the bottom. This is a clever way to fit twice the options in a single button.
The back of the R3 has more in common with the R6, but still, there are a few deviances outside of that vertical grip. Instead of a record button at the top, there's a toggle near the viewfinder to switch from photo to video mode, surrounding a record button. The playback controls are under the screen instead of on the bottom right. Without the on/off switch at the top, there's one underneath the rear menu controls. It has a lock option, but it is a bit stiff and hard to switch sometimes.
The AF-On button the R3 has what Canon is dubbing the Smart Controller. There's a sensor embedded in the button. Photographers using the back button focusing can drag their fingers across it to jump to different AF points. This sometimes worked for me, sometimes not. The first slide over generally moved the point, but a subsequent slide didn't often move the points back the other way. I preferred using the R3's joystick, but I also typically don't use back button focus.
The viewfinder has a nice 5.76 million dot resolution. More importantly, it only blacks out after the first shot in a burst, then allows you to follow the action without blacking out between subsequent shots. The LCD screen is touch-enabled and flips out to the side.
The right-hand side of the camera houses the memory card door, with a slot for CF Express Type B and a second slot for SD cards. The opposite side houses the ports, such as the mic headphones, USB Type C, HDMI, Ethernet, and a flash cable. Underneath the ports is where the extra-large battery slides in. There's no door here, the battery itself has this section of the camera's exterior built-in. That leaves no ports or doors in the bottom, though a quick release plate can still be problematic with the vertical grip.
As Canon's flagship camera, the R3 feels like its price tag. The camera feels sturdy in the hands. The on/off toggle needed to loosen up a bit with use, but outside that exception, the controls and dials all feel great in the hands.
I shot with the R3 in some light rain, with no ill effects. Wildlife and sports photographers will venture out in more than a sprinkle, however. To really test the sealing, I gave it a good soaking with a glass of water. It held up well.
The R3's shutter closes to protect the sensor during lens changes. Just make sure the switch goes completely in the off position. (I got some lint from my gloves changing the lens with the R3 in lock mode.)
Photographers should also know that Canon's switch to a new multi-function shoe can affect weather sealing. While an older Speedlite will still fire on the R3, the fit is slightly different. Canon USA's technical advisor Andrew MacCallum says that without the AD-E1 adapter the flash may not lock properly. The adapter is highly recommended for weather resistance and proper fit. The adapter will add another $40 to the cost of upgrading to the R3.
One of the best features of the Canon EOS R3 is the autofocus system. The R3 houses a 1053 point Dual Pixel autofocus system that, on paper, focuses down to -7.5 EV. On top of that, Canon has incorporated Eye Detect AF, a feature from their film cameras that moves the AF point to where your eye is looking. But that's on paper — so how impressive is the R3's autofocus in real life?
The R3's autofocus is fast enough to keep up with its 30 fps burst speed. When photographing a horse and rider coming towards me at full burst speed, I had to throw away more shots from blinks than from rare autofocus misses. The R3 missed slightly more with the more erratic movement of a skateboarder. But, it still had very few misses. Just watching the tracking working inside the viewfinder or on the back of the screen is impressive.
Low light autofocus is equally impressive, perhaps in part because the R3 cheats here. When the exposure settings are too dark, the viewfinder briefly flashes a well-exposed image, focuses, then reverts to the exposure preview. This doesn't happen every time but seems to retain that information even if the focal point moves. You'll get another brief bright flash if you move the camera to a different composition. Sony and Fujifilm have a similar tactic for focusing in the dark that we'll call exposure preview assistance. (Leica takes a different approach and doesn't show the exposure preview until after focusing.) But, the Canon EOS R and Canon EOS R5 don't use this feature, which gives the R3 an advantage.
This is effectively like having the benefits of OVF simulation with the ability to preview your exposure. OVF simulation, since it creates a properly exposed image, creates more contrast for the camera to focus on. The R3 is essentially switching to OVF and back again when the exposure is too dark to focus. This is great for focusing, but it can be annoying and a little confusing at first when trying to properly expose the image. The low light autofocus performance blew me away, but on the flip side I believe this was why I was having trouble nailing the exposure of a backlit skateboarder.
That brief flash of a well-exposed image allows the R3 to focus in the dark. The R3 focused quickly and accurately for portraits taken in the dark, even lit with a flash where the view from my viewfinder looked like this:
What's even more impressive? The R3 still found her face. Face detection still worked for these shots that were too dark for me to even see the subject's eyes through the viewfinder. This was the most impressive feature to me, not only because of the face detection but because many mirrorless cameras struggle to focus on dark areas with little contrast.
I was similarly impressed with the R3's animal detection AF. The camera locked onto the tiniest eyes even with limited contrast — such as the tiny beady black eye on the black head of a Black-Capped Chickadee. It seamlessly went from birds to deer, recognizing the eyes in both scenarios.
Unlike Canon's earlier mirrorless cameras, you don't need to be in a specific focus area mode for face detection and tracking to work. You simply turn it on and off from any AF area mode and can also change the type of subject from people, animals, and vehicles. I detest auto-area mode, where many cameras keep their face detection, so this is an ideal setup.
Face detection wasn't perfect — it did, for example, occasionally want to focus on the C in a Champion logo on a sweatshirt instead. And the face can't be too tiny in the frame, like when shooting with a 16mm lens. Occasionally, a few shots had the focus on the eyelashes instead of the eyes. But, it's one of the most impressive facial detection systems that I've used so far.
Before we dive into this section, you should know a few things. I wear prescription eyeglasses to see far away. They've got blue light reflection and anti-glare coatings, and I always shoot using the same eye. I mostly used Eye Control AF for photographing horses and skaters. But even with scene detection turned off, you can use it to shoot a portrait and focus on someone's eye. Granted, you can't do it effectively unless it's a close-up portrait. Basically, someone's eye needs to be taking up more real estate space in the frame.
The R3 is the first digital camera that you can control with your eyeball. Eye Control AF moves the autofocus point to where your eye is looking. Canon even admits that it's not for every scenario — like in busy scenes where your eye may be pulled away from the subject. But, for me anyway, it seemed to work as advertised.
Eye Control AF doesn't move the actual autofocus point until you focus the camera. Instead, there's a brown circle that shows where the camera is going to focus using Eye Control AF. Once you focus, the AF point will move over to that point.
I calibrated the Eye Control twice. Canon says the accuracy will improve the more times that you calibrate it for different scenarios, such as for different lighting and for holding the camera vertically. It's a simple process that only takes a minute and just involves digging through the menu and following a dot that moves around the viewfinder.
The Eye Control was able to follow where I was looking. It wasn't always perfectly on the spot, but it was close enough for the subject detection to take over from there. It's a quick way to change the focal point that's a few microseconds faster than working with the joystick.
I liked using Eye Control AF — but I didn't like leaving it on continuously. I wanted to be able to glance around the rest of the frame to see if I needed to adjust the composition. Thankfully, using Eye Control AF and then focusing will move the AF point and you can quickly turn it on and off using the set button as a shortcut. I don't like leaving Eye Control AF on long term, but I do like quickly switching it on and then turning it off once I'm not going to need to quickly move the AF point anymore.
Do I even need to say that the R3 isn't a beginner's camera when it costs $6k? The Canon EOS R3 isn't going to be easily confused for a beginner's camera. Beginners would easily be inundated with the number of controls and the camera's sheer size. There, I said it.
But how easy is the camera to learn for someone who has shot with other Canon cameras before? Even Canon fans are going to need to get their feet wet with this camera, a natural effect of the R3's innovations. Photographers will need to do some menu surfing to explore the Eye Control AF. There are a few more menu options on the R3 than the R6, for example. The quick menu also has some changes because face detection and tracking works in every AF area mode. Even changing the mode is different from cameras like the R6. It's not horrible to learn, but like any new camera, you should play with it before taking it out to a serious shoot.
The subject recognition autofocus rewards photographers that are willing to explore the new controls to a simpler, fast way to photograph wildlife and action. I'm by no means a professional bird photographer — just a wedding photographer that started photographing birds amid COVID lockdowns. The R3 resulted in a lot more successful shots that I would have otherwise not been fast enough to capture. The animal AF locked onto the bird's eye quickly enough that I was able to grab some in-focus shots even when the bird only stayed perched momentarily.
The R3 has stabilization built-in. It's a bulkier camera, but the grip is good. That mixed with the stabilization allowed me to shoot some handheld shots at 1/6th of a second with the 16mm f2.8 lens.
With the R3, you can use flash with the electronic shutter. I was able to use the EL-1 flash in high-speed sync mode with the R3 in electronic shutter mode up to 1/8000. Without HSS, it synced at 1/180 with the electronic shutter.
But, the R3 uses a new multi-function shoe. That gives it the ability to do things like record audio from hot shoe mics to video. I was worried that this change-up would limit the functionality of previous flashes. But, I used both the EL-1 and a Flashpoint flash with the R3 and didn't experience any compatibility issues. The AD-E1 adapter that Canon launched with the camera is recommended for weather-sealing and proper fit, not compatibility.
The feature of this camera that gave me the most trouble was that brief flash of a bright exposure. It's only when the composition changes, but when photographing action that was darkly backlit, I had some trouble getting the exposure right in camera.
That and, of course, culling images from a camera that can shoot 30 fps is a chore. The cost of perfect timing is lots of time sorting. Prepare to fill cards and hard drives faster and spend more time choosing your shots.
While I did have a little trouble with the exposure on backlit subjects, the R3 passed the Sunny 16 rule. It created a well-exposed image following this rule, if not just slightly dark.
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. While Sony and Nikon's 6K flagships have high megapixel sensors, the Canon EOS R3 uses a 24.1-megapixel sensor. Yes, that means you can spend less on the R5 and get higher resolution files. But, what the R3 lacks in resolution it makes up for in low light images. The R3 can focus in the dark, but then it can create some pretty great images that even at ISO 12800 are large print-worthy. That's coupled with classic Canon colors and RAW files that can easily recover three or more stops of underexposure. The colors feel similar to the other R series mirrorless cameras that I've worked with.
Photographers that don't shoot fast motion and don't shoot a lot of images in the dark can spend less and get more detail from the R5. But, sports and wildlife photographers that are eyeing the R3 because of its headlining speed are also going to love the low light image quality. And the same applies to any photographer that's working in low light.
The R3's biggest features and fastest speed are made for use with the electronic shutter. I spent most of my review using the R3 with the electronic shutter. I didn't see a lot of the obvious rolling shutter distortion. While I wasn't photographing high-speed trains, I've been disappointed in rolling shutter-distorting faces before. Canon has claimed that the R3's faster processor reduces rolling shutter three times — and my experience is consistent with that statement. I didn't see the rolling shutter distort the shape of the face from having a person move towards the camera that I saw occasionally with the Sony A9. I even used the EL-1 flash with the electronic shutter.
The Canon EOS R3 is made for the dark. Not only can it lock focus in dark scenes, but it produces a wonderfully clean image at that. Between shooting flying birds on a cloudy day with an f4 lens and shooting night portraits and landscapes, I spent a lot of time at high ISOs. And I was rarely unhappy with the results.
Even at ISO 12800, the noise doesn't cancel out an overwhelming amount of detail. At this ISO setting, there is certainly some noise, but it's not too distracting and the small amount of color noise easily edits out of RAW files. ISO 51200 does lose some sharpness, but this is beyond the point where I would typically shoot with other full-frame cameras.
I printed the bird photo above, which was shot at ISO 12800, in a 19×13 on the Epson ET-8550 and it doesn't even look noisy. A lower ISO would have retained a little more detail and texture to the feathers if I'm viewing the image from a few inches away. But, I would readily hang that photo on my wall.
The RAW files on the R3 are versatile enough that I was able to rescue a night portrait where the flash didn't refresh in time. The image above is the same photo as the underexposed image in the autofocus section above. I brightened this photo, which was shot at ISO 800, by about three stops. While there's more contrast to the images with flash, it still looks great, even at 100 percent.
As with all digital cameras, white hot spots are lost for forever. But, I could recover about two stops of overexposed highlights if they were not blown out completely white. It's better to error on the side of underexposure. But, if you mess up, there is some wiggle room.
From day one, the Phoblographer has been huge on transparency with our audience. Nothing from this review is sponsored. Further, lots of folks will post reviews and show lots of editing in the photos. The problem then becomes that anyone and everyone can do the same thing. You're not showing what the lens can do. So we have a whole section in our Extra Image Samples area to show off edited and unedited photos. From this, you can make a decision for yourself.
The autofocus rarely struggles, even with low light.
Subject and face detection AF works great.
I didn't see as much rolling shutter distortion photographing moving people as I saw on the Sony A1. (And it still has a mechanical shutter too.)
This camera handles high ISOs really well.
Eye Control AF is helpful, though worked best switching it on and off with the shortcut button as needed.
Viewfinder doesn't black out between every frame.
The R3 is well built, there are lots of controls and both horizontal and vertical grips feel great.
The R3 is weather sealed.
Competing cameras have a higher resolution.
The trade-off of innovation is that there's more to learn compared to other Canon cameras. (It's worth it, but still worth mentioning.)
You should use a hot shoe adapter to maintain the weather-sealing with previously launched Canon flashes.
Exposure preview assistance can sometimes make it harder to get the exposure perfect in camera.
It's heavier and larger than the R5 and R6.
It's $6,000.
The Canon EOS R3 has reignited my excitement for the future of digital photography. Yes, competing cameras can brag about faster burst speeds and more megapixels. But, the electronic shutter does a great job of reducing rolling shutter — making that 30 fps speed actually usable — and reducing flicker. It has no problem focusing by the light of dim streetlights — and even finds faces to focus on in the dark. The R3 may not claim the fastest or most megapixels, but every feature is well thought out and just works well.
There are a few trade-offs for the innovation here. The R3 needs a little more time to learn than the R6. Using an adapter on the hot shoe will be annoying. The change to the viewfinder to focus in low light can make judging the correct exposure tougher. And of course, it's heavier and more expensive than the R5. The Sony A1 has more resolution and the Nikon Z9 has a faster burst speed.
By not trying to win the megapixel race, the Canon EOS R3 has instead delivered a camera with both exceptional performance and great low-light images. The Canon EOS R5 will still make more sense for the portrait and landscape photographers craving more detail. But, for sports, wildlife, and low light, the R3 is an exceptional (albeit expensive) choice.
I'm giving the Canon EOS R3 five out of five stars and the Editor's Choice award. Want one? Check it out on Amazon.
Hillary Grigonis
Hillary K. Grigonis is a photographer and tech writer based in Michigan. She shoots weddings and portraits at Hillary K Photography. A mother of three, she enjoys hiking, camping, crafting, and reading.
Wider Than 85mm. 3 Great Portrait Lenses For a Different Look
Why McCurry Doesn't Owe Anyone Royalties for Afghan Girl | slim_pajama |
GreekReporter.comEuropePatriarch Bartholomew Wants Turkey to Respect Hagia Sophia and Orthodoxy
Patriarch Bartholomew Wants Turkey to Respect Hagia Sophia and Orthodoxy
By Mary Harris
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew called on Muslims to show "respect" to the Christian faith, on the occasion of the end of the feast of Ramadan on Friday. He expressed "respect" for Islam, however, he called on the same courtesy to be paid to "places of worship of our forefathers" in reference to the Koran prayer readings transmitted live from Hagia Sophia every night of Ramadan.
Speaking at Hagia Kyriaki Church at Kontoskali in Istanbul, the Greek Patriarch said that the monument of Hagia Sophia had not only placed its seal on Christian church architecture through the ages but had also left a mark on the consciousness of an entire nation. Lack of respect to holy places of faith is not just an insult to Greeks but to world cultural heritage that a democratic country, such as Turkey, should respect and honor without insulting a minority of citizens that live in the country.
Description of Alexandria's Lighthouse found in Ancient Chinese Writings
Deadly Radioactive Capsule Lost in Australia | slim_pajama |
Compressible Factor
I 've a soft question on the terminology of compressibility factor. It is termed compressible factor because, its value determines how any reals gas is compressible with respect to an ideal gas according as its value-less than or greater than 1. If $Z>1$ then $\frac{pV}{nRT}>1$ and so $p>\frac{nRT}{V}$ which means it is more compressible than ideal gas. Because for ideal gas it is $p = \frac{nRT}{V}$. Simillar for negative deviation. But the question arises why we have not taken $V$ on LHS in these equations and inequations. I mean why does scientists doesn't named this as something like "volumetric factor" (actually can't find any specific word, but it is not important, hope readers can understand my question.) I mean something like Volume is greater than of ideal gases.
And another one is we always have graphs of $Z \rightarrow p$ to understand the deviation in real gases from ideal gases. (I'm posting a graph for instance.)
Why we don't take $T$ or $V$ on the X-axis to understand this concept.
The compressibility factor measures the ratio of actual volume of the gas (under the given conditions of temperature and pressure) to the volume the gas must have occupied if it were an ideal gas (under the same temperature and pressure). This ratio tells us how much compressible is a gas (more compressible if the volume is lesser) by a given pressure applied on it. At this point, we tend to take the temperature as constant and assume the volume is a function of pressure alone. Then, suppose changing the pressure and observe how the volume changes for the gas. This is what the graph in your question shows. It illustrates the variation in compressibilities of different real gases with pressure. The term as well as the graph makes sense in that they show the willingness of a given real gas to get compressed upon subjecting them to various pressures.
I look at it in a different way; not about volume but rather the relationship between molar volume and 'ideal' molar volume, $\frac{V}{n}$ and $\frac{RT}{P}$.
From $PV = ZnRT$ write
$$\frac{V}{n} = Z\frac{RT}{P}$$
The reason the compressibility factor Z is called 'compressibility' factor is that it relates these two quantities like a 'spring' constant. It relates how many molecules you can actually 'squeeze' or rather 'compress' into a volume at some particular state of temperature and pressure. For Z > 1 the number of molecules, n is reduced for the same volume, temperature and pressure than when Z = 1.
| stackexchange/chemistry |
Finding temperature at junction of rods
Let's say I have three tubs, from left to right Tub 1, Tub 2, Tub 3.
Tubs 1 and 3 are at 50 degrees Celsius and Tub 2 is at 10 degrees Celsius.
Tubs 1 and 2 are connected by a copper rod, and tubs 2 and 3 are connected by a brass rod.
So it looks like this:
(50) --(copper)-- (10) --(brass)-- (50)
I want to find the temperature of the middle tub after a long time (assuming no heat loss to surroundings). I want to use conservation of energy and $H = (kA/L) \Delta t$, but I'm just not sure how to compute this or set it up.
Would I do $ (T-10) = (k\_{Cu} A\_{Cu}/L\_{Cu})(50-T) +(k\_{Br} A\_{Br}/L\_{Br})(50-T) $, then solve for T. I'm not sure how to treat this.
Heat continues to flow between the tubs through the conductors, from hotter areas to colder ones, until the temperature difference between them is (including the connectors) **zero**, i.e. they are all at the same temperature $T\_e$ ([Zeroth Law of thermodynamics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeroth_law_of_thermodynamics)): full **thermodynamic equilibrium** has been reached and there's no more heat flow.
Because the system is adiabatic ($\Sigma Q=0$), we can write (initial state v. end state):
$$m\_1cT\_1+m\_2cT\_2+m\_3cT\_3=m\_1cT\_e+m\_2cT\_e+m\_3cT\_e$$
Assuming $m\_1c=m\_2c=m\_3c$ ($m$ is water mass, $c$ water specific heat),
we get simply:
$$T\_e=\frac{T\_1+T\_2+T\_3}{3}$$
The nature of the connectors does not affect the end result, only the time needed to reach full thermodynamic equilibrium.
Assuming the tubs are equally full of water (each mass M) then it is just delta T of cold tub x M = delta T of the warm tubs x 2M. Where delta T is T -10 for the cold an 50-T for the hot ones. It does not matter what material connects the tubs in the long term, but the pipe with the highest conductivity will just cool that tub a little faster but eventually it will all even out.
The formulas you had with k A over L x delta T are for heat transfer rates but because the tubs are changing T you need a diff eqn to get the T as a function of time AND the flows are NOT equal, I don't think you use these equations for this type of question.
If you were keeping tub 1 at 50C forever and tub 2 at 10C forever, then you could calculate the heat transfer rate with your formulas!
| stackexchange/physics |
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using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Data;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using FLib;
namespace SketchTypingBrowser
{
public partial class Form1 : Form
{
const string host = "127.0.0.1";
const int port = 8094;
const string gesturePath = "../../../Resource/gestureBrows.txt";
System.Diagnostics.Process server = null;
SketchTypingClient client;
Timer timer = new Timer();
public Form1()
{
InitializeComponent();
}
private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
}
void timer_Tick(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
if (client == null) return;
string text = client.ReadString();
try
{
if (text != "" && !text.StartsWith("StartInput") && !text.StartsWith("TabPressed"))
{
label1.Text = text;
SendKeys.SendWait(text);
}
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
MessageBox.Show(ex + ":" + ex.StackTrace);
}
client.SendReceivedSignal();
}
private void Form1_FormClosed(object sender, FormClosedEventArgs e)
{
DisposeSketchTyping();
}
void CreateSketchTyping()
{
try
{
server = System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(System.IO.Path.GetFullPath(SketchTypingServer.serverPath), host + " " + port + " " + gesturePath);
client = new SketchTypingClient(host, port);
timer.Interval = 66;
timer.Tick += new EventHandler(timer_Tick);
timer.Start();
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
Console.WriteLine(ex + ":" + ex.StackTrace);
}
}
void DisposeSketchTyping()
{
timer.Stop();
try
{
if (client != null)
{
client.Dispose();
client = null;
}
if (server != null)
{
server.Kill();
server = null;
}
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
MessageBox.Show(ex + ":" + ex.StackTrace);
}
}
private void checkBox1_CheckedChanged(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
if (checkBox1.Checked)
{
CreateSketchTyping();
}
else
{
DisposeSketchTyping();
}
}
}
}
| slim_pajama |
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