Writers UNITE: Community Fiction

[mazeman]

This thread is an attempt to tell a story.... perhaps a long, rambling story, but a story none-the-less.

Rules are easy: Read what's above you and add to it.

Each poster should take the time and read the entire piece of fiction before creating their post. Write at least two paragraphs, and try and follow the general idea of the story.

Let's start!!

It's not stealing when you're in love. The feel of the diamond cupped against Aeryn's palm was heat against flesh, pressing into the soft creases of her fingers as she turned slowly away from the mahogany casket and stepped off the altar.

There were twelve steps to the exit of the chapel, she had counted them on her way down the isle. As she stepped onto the carpeted isle it seemed to stretch and lengthen before her eyes, reaching beyond any realms of escape or salvation.

But now she had the diamond. And her mother would remain in the casket and the cold black of earth that was about to cover her.

Aeryn reached the chapel door and was almost through, almost to freedom, when the hand pressed down on her shoulder and a powerful male voice broke the silence of the mourners inside.

"Where the hell are you going with that?"

[Mistermoonlight]

You're on! I'm working on the second installment now.

We used to have a lot of doing this in my writer's group.

Here we go:


Aeryn glanced at the cute capuchin monkey perched on her shoulder, straightening the animal's black sheath dress with a finger, almost unconsciously, before allowing her gaze to drift toward the man.

"She's with me. You can't have her."

The monkey, named Crystal, smiled large at the man, and only a second later caught a glimpse of something shiny in Aeryn's hand. Of course, she wanted it, scampered down an arm, and began prying at the the frustrating fingers hiding the intoxicating prize.

[avp60685]

She quickly spun around and her eyes revealed a lonely sad petite young man who looked to be about in his early 20s.

As Aeryn spun around she saw the young man was with a young woman who was obviously pregnant and very upset over the recent death that had transpired.

Aeryn stared at the ground and stammered and apology before running out the door of the chapel. The young woman's eyes looked up into the bright sunlight and you could see she had blue eyes but her hair was strawberry blonde.

Why had Aeryn run out so quickly? Was it because the young woman had reminded her of the woman who lay in the casket?

The mourners gasped in horror as they watched Aeryn run from the chapel, but she would soon be stopped by a police officer who had a large German shepherd dog at his side.

"Halt! Who goes there?" the voice demanded from the officer.

[Watchtower]

I used to do this a lot, and I love doing this, but having two posts in response to the first one is very confusing and it makes me unable to continue...

[Watchtower]

Sept 20, 2012 15:42:06 GMT -5 Mistermoonlight said:

You're on! I'm working on the second installment now.

We used to have a lot of doing this in my writer's group.

Here we go:


Aeryn glanced at the cute capuchin monkey perched on her shoulder, straightening the animal's black sheath dress with a finger, almost unconsciously, before allowing her gaze to drift toward the man.

"She's with me. You can't have her."

The monkey, named Crystal, smiled large at the man, and only a second later caught a glimpse of something shiny in Aeryn's hand. Of course, she wanted it, scampered down an arm, and began prying at the the frustrating fingers hiding the intoxicating prize.

"Crystal, no!" Aeryn gently chided, but Crystal managed to pry the diamond out of Aeryn's hand and ran out the side door, Aeryn ran after her but stopped as she saw a young woman standing just outside the door with Crystal on her shoulder.

"May I have the diamond, please?" The young woman asked politely. Crystal paused and seemed to think before putting the diamond in the woman's hand. The woman smiled and thanked Crystal.

The woman inspected the diamond and assumed it had been very expensive, perhaps an heirloom. "Is this yours?" She asked Aeryn.

[Aeryn]

Aeryn gazed suspiciously at the woman before answering, "Indeed it is. That diamond has been in my family for generations."

The young woman looked at the diamond, then peered at Aeryn. The she giggled. "Why on earth would a monkey hand me your diamond? Aeryn shrugged. "Perhaps it's one of those creatures who have ESP...and thought that you could sell it for her."

The young woman then broke into a fit of giggles. "There's no such thing as ESP!"

[avp60685]

What the girl didn't realize was that someone was nearby and listening in to the entire conversation.

Out of the shadows stepped a middle-aged man who wore a dark blue suit and a white fedora. It was unusual to see someone dressed like this since the weather was nearly 85 degrees out and it was supposed to be a high of 105 by noon.

The man smiled at Aeryn "It's good to see you again my dear" he said kissing her hand. Aeryn knew this man as "Mr. X" and had always dubbed him as her Romeo.

Mr. X knew that Aeryn was very protective of Crystal and of the diamond, he wanted to assure her that no one would take either of these prized items from her care.

Aeryn rarely spoke of Mr. X's connection to her and her life, she just simply called him her "Romeo" to her best friend Kim who was working at that very moment at the local pharmacy.

Mr. X held out his arms to take Crystal back to Aeryn's home and to put the diamond in a safe place, he waited to see what Aeryn would do.

Aeryn handed Crystal to Mr. X and placed the diamond into a small drawstring pouch that hung from Crystal's neck, it was almost a brown suede color and smelled like it had been burned recently.

[mazeman]

Sept 21, 2012 6:07:01 GMT -5 avp60685 said:

What the girl didn't realize was that someone was nearby and listening in to the entire conversation.

Out of the shadows stepped a middle-aged man who wore a dark blue suit and a white fedora. It was unusual to see someone dressed like this since the weather was nearly 85 degrees out and it was supposed to be a high of 105 by noon.

The man smiled at Aeryn "It's good to see you again my dear" he said kissing her hand. Aeryn knew this man as "Mr. X" and had always dubbed him as her Romeo.

Mr. X knew that Aeryn was very protective of Crystal and of the diamond, he wanted to assure her that no one would take either of these prized items from her care.

Aeryn rarely spoke of Mr. X's connection to her and her life, she just simply called him her "Romeo" to her best friend Kim who was working at that very moment at the local pharmacy.

Mr. X held out his arms to take Crystal back to Aeryn's home and to put the diamond in a safe place, he waited to see what Aeryn would do.

Aeryn handed Crystal to Mr. X and placed the diamond into a small drawstring pouch that hung from Crystal's neck, it was almost a brown suede color and smelled like it had been burned recently.

"Was I good?"

The question came from Mr. X in the tone of a pleading child, and he looked sheepishly up into her face. Crystal squawked on his shoulder and began to rap her paws ontop of his head.

Aeryn sniffed as she looked back at the chapel. "You did OK."

The disappointment made his shoulders sag. "But, I did everything you said. I watched from the back...I kept an eye on your father...I made sure the diamond was on her TOP hand. Have you ever had to move am embalmed hand? It's not very..."

She started at him. "I. Said. You. Did. O. K."

He nodded, mute.

"Now go get the car, and get me back to the hotel room. We have some revenge to take care of. And when I'm done, those bastards back in the chapel are going to remember me for the rest of their lives."

[avp60685]

Mr. X followed Aeryn back toward the hotel room. He remembered that Aeryn had a deep secret that she planned to reveal when the moment was right but when would that be?

Mr. X drove in silence towards the hotel and soon they arrived less than 15 minutes later and they spotted the head housekeeper standing outside the doors of the hotel.

The woman was plump with wrinkles creasing her Latino forehead, she muttered under her breath "Diablo senorita" when Aeryn came inside and shook her index finger at Aeryn which made Aeryn laugh.

Aeryn quickly walked up the seven flights of steps since the elevator was out of commission for the time being and she knew she could reach her hotel room faster than the maid and Mr. X.

Mr. X went to the bar at the hotel as he awaited for the return of Aeryn but he first returned Crystal to her cage which was stored in his bedroom, he removed the pouch from Crystal's neck but then before he could react Crystal grabbed the martini he had be drinking from and dumped it on his head.

Aeryn came in the bar at that very moment and began to snicker "Martinis always do make your bald head so much shinier than I could ever imagine" she said with a smirk.

[mazeman]

"You make jokes at a time like this?"

Aeryn motioned to the bartender with a nod of her head. "Scotch. In a glass. See, X? It works much better if you drink it instead of dump it."

"We're too out in the open."

She exhaled in a rush of frustration and her hand slapped against the bar. "What the hell is your problem? Did they stop us? Did the police come get us? Has my rotten, stinking mother risen out of her grave and begged for the diamond back? You need to find some good in life, buddy. It will make you live longer."

There was a sudden rush of motion behind them, followed by screaming. and a splintering crash that brought the entire lobby of the hotel to a silent halt. Aeryn turned around and saw Crystal, diamond in her paw, scurrying up a trellis of ivy that bordered the revolving doors.

[avp60685]

Just then a shadowy figure that carried a small stack of books emerged with a smirk on their face.

As the figure emerged, Aeryn gasped and realized it was AVP her wacky friend who was a huge bookworm and very intelligent. AVP had been doing some research on a book she had been working on with Daniel Jackson.

"AVP? What bring you here of all places?" Aeryn stammered in surprise.

AVP smiled as she placed her books on the counter "Oh Aeryn, it's so good to see you too, it is a pity I had to miss today's ceremonies at the chapel but as you know research keeps me extremely busy these days."

Mr. X was now furious, who was this young woman and how dare she intrude on this meeting? Mr. X glared at Crystal who was chattering away and was trying to put the diamond away.

AVP explained that Daniel was nearby and she had her own secret to reveal but this wasn't the right place to do it but she placed a small business card in Aeryn's hand "Call me" she said and with a smirk she was soon walking out of the bar.

[Mistermoonlight]

"Well, that was beyond weird, which is normal for you," said X, looking at the disappearing figure. He turned to face Aeryn, "and don't forget, she's not in the ground yet. There's a difference between 'viewing' and 'funeral service.'"

"I'll tell you what's weird," said Aeryn, "even for this town. Having a hotel next to a funeral home. And a funeral home named 'Barney's'? Makes me think of cheap prices on horrible-looking designer clothes--or the Flintstones."

"Wait till you see this, 'diablo senora,'" said X, handing over a flyer.

"That's 'senorita', thank you." She looked at the gaudy pink ad. "You've got to be kidding."

It read:

Community Appreciation Day
Saturday Sept. 21, 2012
10am-12noon

Barney's Funeral Home

Free for the community!

and featured balloons that said Facepainting!, Music!, Clowns!, Free food!, Games!, and FUN!

"And the service is at?"

"Twelve fifteen," said Aeryn.

"Crystal?"

Aeryn pulled a banana out of her pocket. "She's got to eat sometime."

[Aeryn]

Aeryn did indeed pull a banana out...but it wasn't from her pocket. After extracting the banana, she looked at it for a few seconds, then asked, "Is anyone in the mood for banana smoothie?" No one said anything. Aeryn shrugged, and put the banana away for safe keeping. After all, she knew someone would desire a fresh banana smoothie that night.

AVP sat in the corner playing with a Rubik's Cube. A few minutes later, she grew frustrated with it, and tossed it aside. Moon sighed. He was a bit sad because his shipment of ball gags hadn't arrived yet. Aeryn saw the unhappy look on his face, so she hit him with a baseball bat went over and gave him a hug.

[avp60685]

Moon looked up at Aeryn "What the freak?" his eyes seemed to say to her.

Aeryn realized that perhaps Moon wasn't in the mood to be messed with and so she saw that Crystal was chattering away again but what was it this time?

At that moment Mr. X pulled out a pocket watch from his suit jacket pocket and looked at the time it read 11: 17 AM, he glanced at Aeryn "I think we better go" he said to her "We don't need to keep anyone waiting.'

At that moment, AVP had met up with Daniel Jackson and smiled him as he picked up the tossed aside Rubiks' Cube "I think you dropped something Miss" he said with a smirk.

Just before AVP could stand to her feet she felt dizzy and she looked at Daniel uncertain as what to say.

[Aeryn]

However, AVP didn't realize that Daniel was hoping she would bend over...but she didn't, to Daniel's great disappointment. So when she wasn't looking, he slipped a ruffie in her diet Coke.

He watched her closely, waiting to make his move.

[avp60685]

At that moment AVP stood and before she could take a step forward, she was falling backwards, Daniel quickly grabbed her before she fell on the hot concrete of the sidewalk.

The weather had been increasingly warm and hitting hot concrete in the middle of summer would burn your skin.

Daniel carried AVP back to his apartment and lay her on his bed, he removed her shoes and placed by the door. He noticed she had been increasingly tired these past few days and wondered if she was pregnant or was she anemic?

Meanwhile Mr. X had taken Aeryn to the community picnic being hosted by the funeral home when she ran into a woman who was wearing a bright red tube top, black leather miniskirt, fishnet stockings and black combat boots. Aeryn smiled as she spotted her, "Good to see you Lisa" she said to her. Lisa smiled back and waved "What brings you here?" she asked.

[Mistermoonlight]

I am taking this rare step of telling my goal for the next step of the story here because I'm having severe internet problems right now, and don't have a service call scheduled until Thursday morning.

I'm revealing a secret here in case I can't get online to do the development I've been planning on. My whole goal with changing the initial scene from a funeral to a viewing was that so we can somehow get Crystal into the casket sometime between the funeral service and the burial, then get her out again.

If I can't get online to do it, and you choose to carry out that step, you rule.

As always, it's your choice how the story proceeds, and if you choose something else, that's fine. That's how these things go. And should any of you or your staff be killed or captured, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your existence.

[Aeryn]

The technician never showed up for Moon's service call. He was livid, and grabbed a bottle of whiskey. Since his internet wasn't working, he watched some porn on Cinemax.

Dressed in his favorite pink boxers, he allowed himself to relax. He just loved porn. Especially when it featured midgets in spandex.

[avp60685]

Meanwhile Aeryn had seen another familiar face, it was her artist friend Alessio who was visiting from London. Alessio had gone to the States to visit with Lisa since she had told him about some of the newest art galleries in town.

Aeryn noticed that Alessio wore a black leather jacket, tight black jeans and a bright red t-shirt. She wondered why he had decided to wear such an outfit especially considering that the weather was extremely hot these days.

Lisa grinned at Alessio "Hey, find anything new to draw or create Michelangelo?" she said calling him the nickname she had given him a long time ago.

Alessio chuckled "Yep" he said and glanced at Aeryn "So G. what brings you to this sector of the world?"

At that very moment Mr. X was chasing after Crystal who had jumped off Aeryn's shoulder and was heading towards the funeral home again.

"Not again you devious primate" he said trying to grab her.