The Long Story

[Glennsallnighter]

Aw TICKY.......... That was so sweet!!

[ticky]

ok.. on with the next plot line...

Tim stepped out on the front porch of the Bitter Creek Ranch and stood in the early morning air. The light from the sunrise made his skin glow. He stretched and yawned and smiled into the rising sun. He was happier then he'd ever been. He'd spent the night with the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, a woman he could really love. His old life on the run, always looking around corners and waiting for the next fool to try and challenge him was over. He'd given it up to Sheriff Soda and he was free of it. He'd even left his ax, Old reliable lying on the floor under Willie's bed to gather dust. He wouldnt be needing it any more.
Tim stepped down off the porch and started to stride towards the barn. He stopped, dead in his tracks. Leaning against the barn was a man. Tall, lean, one leg bent with his foot against the barn door. His flat top cowboy hat was pulled down over his eyes and he had on his signature mirrored wayfarer sunglasses. Don. Yet another loose end.
Tim raised his hands passively. "Don, what are you doing here?"
Don smiled. "I've been Waiting in the Weeds All Night Long for you and your little girl friend to finish. We've got unfinished business you and I."
Tim smiled his best and most genuine smile. He didnt want any trouble with Don. He never had.
"Now Don, you and Me, we've got no beef! I dont even fight any more. Im a lover, not a fighter" Tim smiled. Someday someone was going to believe that. So far only Willie knew what he meant and he'd spent all night showing her.
Don grinned at Tim. "So I heard last night!"
Tim blushed. Don had been out side their window all night. That was not good. Don Stood tall and wobbled slightly. He was drunk. He started to walk towards Tim, his deadly drumsticks obvious in their holsters under his black duster.
"Now, Don. Im not armed, man." Tim backed up.
"You've got your girl, you got a life. I've got NOTHIN!" Don stopped. he was unsteady on his feet.
"It's just another lonely Tequila Sunrise for me." Don looked down at the ground and his face softened slightly. Then he looked back up at Tim and his face turned to granite. "She doesnt love me, she loves that fool brother of mine." Don started to reach for his sticks
"Who? Danielle? You dont really love Danielle. You never did! maybe the idea of her, but she's always been Almanzo's girl."
Don stopped in mid reach and smiled. "Thats right, 'cause who's gonna love me?" Don sneered.
"What about Jessica?" Tim asked.
Don froze. his face went blank and his jaw dropped. "Jess..." Don fell to his knees as if he's been punched in the stomach. Tim rushed to him and helped him to the porch. He also took Don's sticks and set them on the railing.
Don sat heavily in the rocking chair. "Jessica doesnt want me. Why would she want anything to do with a freak like me" Don sagged in the chair.
Tim knelt beside Don. It had been too long the old friends had been at odds and it was time to mend old fences.
"Jessica loves you, Don."
Don glared at Tim. "Thats a bold faced lie. Jess walked out on me the minute she found out."
"Found out what?"
Don laughed and looked out at the rising sun. "Do you remember or little experiment with lasers during the last tour? well I caught one right in face. It left me a freak!" Don whipped off his glasses. His eyes were perfectly round. His pupils were dialated and ringed by a golden yellow iris.
"Oh my God! You have Lion Eyes!" Tim was dumbfounded.
Don laughed bitterly. "They all think it's Lyin Eyes. I've never told a lie in my life." He looked at Tim. The effect was unnerving.
Tim couldnt look away. "Still Don, Jess's been looking for you all over town. She's scared to death you've left her."
Don Stood up suddenly and unsteadily. "SHE left ME!" Tim caught his friend before his fell and helped him back to the chair.
"You need some sleep, Don. You get some rest and we'll talk when you feel better."
Don stood again and started to walk towards the ranch house. Maybe you're right. I'll just get some re..." Don tripped and fell against Tim, his arms falling across Tims shoulders and his hand grabbing at Tim's neck for support.
Just at this moment, Willie followed Stewart out of the barn. She saw Don attacking Tim, trying to strangle him, his hands around the throat of the man she loved. She screamed. Stewart saw what was happening and whipped out his own sharp, bright red Les Paul Standard and dropped Don in one chord into Tims arms. Willie came running to Tim.
"Are you alright?" She held onto Tim looking for wounds.
Tim Stared in horror at Stewart. "Why..?" He held his sagging friend by the shoulders.
Stewart looked at the wounded man and smiled. "I stopped him from killin you!"
"He wasnt hurting me. He tripped"
Willie covered her mouth and all the color drained from her face. "Oh my God! Tim! is he alright?"
"No, he's hurt bad. Lets get him inside. Stewart, run and find the Doc." Tim Lifted Don to his shoulder and carried him inside. There was a leather covered sofa in the living room in front of a large rock fireplace. Tim laid his friend gently on the sofa and covered him with a blanket.
Don's eyes cracked open. "wha.."
Tim said "Dont talk, you've been riffed. Stewart thought you were attacking me. He's gone for the Doctor. Just lay still."
Don looked at Tim, creased his brow and said "Jessica...."
Tim looked away from his friend as tears filled his eyes. "I'll find her, man. Just lay still. Willie will help you."
Tim looked at Willie and begged her help with his eyes. She nodded and stayed by Don's side as Tim went to find Jessica.

[Mrs Henley]

Nice Nice Nice Rhonda!

I'm going back to the Sad Cafe!
What's been really happened to Lisa.. why she has to disappeared ..?

Timothy and Willie stood in the front of the door inside when we passed them. "What's the prob?" Rhonda asked Willie as she looked at the door. "I don't know, I've got the feeling that Somebody is following us here." Willie answers Rhonda."Nobody is following us, come on girl!" Glenn said and he walked to the bar. "Maybe are her working clothes still here" Glenn prayed to himself and he started to search, nothing. "It's too quiet here" I said and walked to the door in the back of the room. "Why so?" Rhonda asked and she saw me walking away. "I don't know, it's just too quiet" I said. "Ok, why should Lisa go away and don't tell me anything?" Glenn asked and he sat down on a chair. "I don't know.." Don said and he tried to comfort Glenn a little. "Hey! I found something" I shouted from an other room, what used to be warehouse. The other walked to me and looked to find out what I founded. "Ok, what did you found?" Joe asked and he looked up to Glenn who had tears in his eyes. "This is Lisa's purse, she'll never leave without her purse." I said and I looked at them. "So, it's no walking away, but kipnapping?" Don asked me and looked at me with fear in his eyes. "No, it's never kipnapping!" Glenn shouted. "I don't think either it's kipnapping..I think she has to run quickly and forget her purse.." Rhonda said. "Yeh, well I don't think both of those suggestions" I said and we all tried to think about it. "Where are Willie and Timothy?" Don asked after a couple of minutes. "Oh, outside" Rhonda replied. "Ooh..." Don said again. "Hey, focus!" Glenn shouted down to Rhonda and Don. "Hmpf!" Rhonda said and she walked away. "I Can't Tell You Why Lisa leaved us, maybe she's coming back" Joe tried to make a statement. "Maybe.. I hate maybe!" Glenn said and he stood up and walked outside. "He's just missing her" Don said and he walked to me. "We all are missing her, but do we react like that?" I asked Don and looked at him and Joe. "No, but..she and he..are really close" Don said. "Did you react like that, when Danielle walked away with Almanzo?" Joe asked Don. Don turned around and looked at Joe with the devil in his eyes. "Joe, never say that again!" I said to Joe and walked to Don and tried to calm him down. "Joe, will you never..never..never..never say that again, or I will do you something!" Don shouted and he walked away..pissed off. "He is Building The Perfect Beast inside of him" Joe said a little afraid and he walked also away. "Lisa..why did you left us behind?" I asked the Sad Cafe and walked outside.

"Hey, can we just go?" Timothy asked when we stood 5 minutes outside. "Why?" Don asked Timothy. "Well, I think you don't want to see him.." Timothy said and pointed to somebody who was walking by. "Almanzo?" I asked and looked at him. "Hi there babe" Almanzo said and walked to me, anyway he tried. "Hey, little bro!" Don said and Almanzo turned around. "Don, nice to see you!" Almanzo said and he walked to Don. "Don't try to steal her again" Don whispered when they shaked their hands. "She choose for me after that party at the Hotel California, so Get Over It Don!" Almanzo said and he walked to me. "So, how's My Girl doing?" he asked and I felt his arms around me. "Uh..fine" I said and looked at the ground. "Fine?" Almanzo asked and he looked at me. "Yeh, just fine" I said and I smiled at little. "Ok, well if you say" he said and gave me a kiss. Timothy, Willie, Joe, Rhonda and Glenn walked away to the cars, Don sayed, right in the front of me and Almanzo. "You have to make you choice" Almanzo said. "Me or Don". I looked at Don and at Almanzo, and I didn't had any choice.. "Danielle, please.." Don begged me. "Just choose baby!" Almanzo said. I was thinking by myself, that this could be heaven or this could be hell, but I had to choice to right one. "Don?" I asked him. "Yes?" he asked me. "I'm sorry, but we have to go." I said and walked to Don and grape his arm and toke him with me. "Bye" I said when we walked by Almanzo. He stood there with no words, and actually I couldn't choose between him and Don, but I prayed that I choose the good one. "Can't be closer" Glenn said when we walked to them. "Good decission" Rhonda said. We all staped in the car and we drove away, away from the Sad Cafe.

[eaglesvet]

Lion eyes...clever! But who's Dana

[ticky]

Dana is now Jessica! *G* and I'll let her reveal herself *G* *IF* she wants..

(and I loved the Lion eyes idea.. giggled myself silly in the shower)

[ticky]

Ok,.. back to poor Don and his serious problem. Looks like Viagra isnt going to cut it this time!

(I apologize in advance. Im in a really silly mood tonight. Im watching Young Frankenstein)

Dr. EV came rushing in with Stewart close on her heels. She fell to her knees besides the wounded man.
"This Horse has been Riffed!" she said. She looked again. "This is not a horse! this is a man! What am I doing here?" She looked at Stewart.
"She's the best we got! The only people Doc is in Fleetwood. Thats a good 50 miles away!"
Willie knelt beside Dr. EV and took her hand. "He's hurt Doc. He's been riffed by accident, and he needs your help. Is there anything you can do?"
Dr. EV looked at the man before her.
"Don. Well we all knew it would come to this." Dr. EV looked at the man. His face was in pain and he seemed to be asking for help. "well I can examine him and maybe clean the wounds, but he really needs a doctor."
Dr. EV began by removing his glasses. "Well! I have heard of this before, but I've never seen it! This man as an advanced case of RAT! Reverse Anthropomorphic Transmogriphication. He has Lion Eyes!" Dr. EV Looked down at Don. "Have you been exposed to radiation lately?"
"Doc!" Willie tried to gain the doctors wrapped attention. "Please, Don needs your help!"
Dr. EV looked at Willie and shook her head. "Of course, Im sorry. I've just never seen such a blatant case of RAT Syndrom before. Help me remove all his clothes and we'll tend to his injuries."
Willie and Dr. EV stripped Don of all his clothes. They stood over him and looked down.
"Now, where was he wounded?" Dr. EV asked.
"He was wounded?" Willie replied. "OH right! his wounds! Sorry" Willie smiled apologetically. "I guess I got distracted."
Dr. EV examined Don completely, from head to toe.
"Actually, Willie, I cant find a wound on him." Willie looked as well.
She sighed deeply. "Nope, not a single wound, not a scratch or a.... ahem scar.. " Willie smiled.
Tim came rushing in and stopped short at the sight of the woman he loved looking over the naked, prone, unconscious Don.
"Tim! Darling!" Willie rushed to his side. "Don seems to be unhurt! we havent been able to find a wound!"
"So what made him collapse and made you all run for the doctor?" Dr. EV inquired.
Behind Tim, Jessica stood. She was paralyzed at what she saw. Her beloved lay naked on the sofa, so pale, so still. She rushed to his side and knelt beside him.
"Don, sweetheart, are you alright?" Her hands brushed his hair back from his eyes. He looked at her, his freakish deformity glaring her in the face. She winced then saw past the wide golden animalian eyes and saw the man she loved begging for her to love him. She threw her arms around him and held him close. His wobbly arms grasped her desperately.
"Oh Jess, sweet Jess, please dont leave me." he wept into her shoulder.
Jessica Held him close.
"Uhmmm, I'd be careful if I were you, Jess" Tim grimaced as Jessica rocked Don in her arms.
"This is the man I love, Tim. He would never hu..."
Don pulled back from Jessica, leaned over the back of the sofa and threw up.
"I just meant he's had a lot to drink.." Tim grimaced.
"So I see." Jess said as she watched the love of her life bent over the sofa tossing up his socks.
"So, why is he naked" Jess seemed to have just noticed this.
"OH wow Stewart, shouldnt we get back to work?" Willie was suddenly ready to move on, now that Don was safe, Tim was safe and Jessica was asking embarassing and unpleasant questions. She grabbed Stewart's arm and began to drag him out the door.
"you mean, I missed?" Stewart had been standing in the corner with his mouth open since the women had discovered Don was uninjured.
"Yes, and I'd better get back to the office. Im sure there must be a bovine emergency that I need to tend to." Dr. EV made a hasty retreat as well.
Jessica looked curiously after both the women and used a blanket at the end of the sofa to cover poor, pale, greenish hued Don.
"Well, I guess I'd better go do, uhh,, whatever it was I was doing, umm before all this stuff.. happened.." Tim stammered as he back out towards to door. Jessica found a wet cloth and began mopping up after Don. She didnt seem to hear or care about what Tim was saying so he headed quickly towards the door....
It was just then Joe and Rhonda came running up.
"Has anyone seen Lisa?" Joe asked, winded and worried.


more to come! (isnt this fun?*G*)

[eaglesvet]

Luv it!

[ticky]

Ok, on with the story.. there have been some last minute replacements per request *G* The newest victo.. uhh player is a willing one! SO on with the show.



Tim smiled at Joe and Rhonda. Obviously they had been to the cafe and seen it closed up tight. Lisa was no where to be seen and they were worried about her.
"Oh now, there's nothing to be concerned with here. Lisa and Frank ran off to Vegas to get hitched!" Tim was thrilled for his old friends.
Joe and Rhonda looked at each other. Joe sat in the chair on the front porch and sagged.
"Oh boy.. this is NOT good"
Tim's smile faded. Rhonda moved next to Joe and rubbed his shoulder. He took her hand and held it.
"What's wrong? Is something wrong with Frank? Is Lisa ok?" Tim's concern was palatable.
Joe looked up at Tim. "There's a guy at The Last Resort that could be your twin! Except he's a throw back from GoodFella's"
"Goodfella's?" Tim looked quizically at Joe.
"Yeah, that movie with Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta? The Mafia guys?"
"I Loved that movie!! remember the scene where De Niro goes to the..."
Joe interrupted Tim's recounting of the film. "Tim! He's here to take the Sad Cafe! He has the Deed!"
Tim's face fell. "but he cant, it's Lisa's."
"But he is!" Rhonda tried to make Tim understand.
Tim looked blankly at her. "We need to find Lisa."
Rhonda and Joe looked at each other. Joe shook his head slowly and Rhonda rolled her eyes.
Tim, finally getting it, walked quickly back in the house stopped looked at Jessica and Don, grimaced at the smell in the house then turned towards the door. "You'd better wait out there. I'll get the note." Tim hurried into the kitchen where he'd seen the note that morning. He picked it up off the table and hurried back out onto the porch. He took a few deep breaths and started to feel slightly less queezy. He handed the note to Rhonda. "I found this on the kitchen table this morning."
Rhonda read the note and passed it to Joe. "Not much to go on. You sure they were going to Vegas?"
"Thats what the note says." It was Tim's turn to give Rhonda the "DUH" look.
"Right." Rhonda said and half smiled sheepishly.
"Right!" said Joe. "Looks like we're going on a road trip, babe. You game?"
Rhonda shrugged. "I didnt have any plans. Never been to Vegas. Let's go!"
Joe smiled at her. This was his kind of woman. Willing to jump in the cab of an 18 wheeler and take off for Las Vegas at a moments notice. He could really fall for a girl like that.
Rhonda was wondering if Joe'd stop and let her pee or if she'd have to hold it the whole way. Why was it guys hated stopping? She'd take an empty coke bottle just in case. This was going to be an interesting trip.

Fiddler was wondering what had happened to the two hands he'd sent out earlier. That little girlie was just bound to get herself hurt or killed tryin to do a mans days work and that Stewart, well he wouldnt put it past him to have that little filly out behind the barn tryin to score. Stewart was just trouble from the get go. Fiddler hadnt wanted to hire him, but Frank had insisted. Stewart was damn good at what he did. A little too good for Fiddler's comfort. Fiddler had always been the top gun at the Ranch and having Stewart that close made him uncomfortable. Still not having him close made him even less comfortable. There weren't many people Fiddler felt comfortable with, except maybe that pretty milk maid who came every morning to milk the cows. He guessed technically she wasnt called a milk maid, although thats what she did, he supposed that today she'd be called a bovine lactal extraction technician or some fancy title that made the person feel better but it all boiled down to the same thing. She was a milk maid, but a real pretty one. He'd never talked to her, but he'd often been in the barn while she milked the cows working on the tack and once he'd helped her bring the cattle in for milking and she'd smiled at him. It'd made his day, hell, it'd made his week!
He'd discussed getting one of those milking machines with Frank. Frank was a pretty down to earth guy and practical, but he was no expert when it came to anything mechanical. He was much better with people then machines. When he told Fiddler he was hiring milk maids, Fiddler had imagined 4 or 5 of them all these Pretty Maids All In A Row milking away. He was sure he'd never get the ranch hands away from the barn. Frank had only hired one, but she sure was pretty and Fiddler was the only one having a hard time getting away from the barn. Thats one of the reasons he was so hot over having to try and track those two no good half brained laze-a-bouts down and make sure that girly knew her place once and for all! Maybe Frank could hire her on as a milk maid too.
Fiddler had been stalking across the front yard of the ranch and noticed his awol two all but running from the house.
"Where the Hell have you two been?" Fiddler was furious.
Willie blushed. "Sorry sir, there was a.. umm.. an accident and we thought a man had been seriously wounded and..."
"Look here little lady, if you're gonna make it here on a man's ranch doin a man's work you'd better get ready to see a little blood shed and hurt!"
Willie was steaming at this scolding. "If your Git-crazed looney helper here hadnt just whipped out his ax and started riffing in every direction, there wouldnt have BEEN any accidents!" Willie was all but screaming at the crew boss.
Fiddler seethed at the outburst from this female and glared at her from slitted eyes. Willie didnt flinch. In Fiddlers eyes this earned her a small pittance of respect. There werent many men who could hold up under his stare, and the fact that this little lady was standing tall and giving just as good as she was getting meant a lot. Fiddler shifted his glare to Stewart. Stewart flinched. This is why he'll always play second base to Fiddler.
"Who's ya kill, boy?" Fiddler stared down Stewart till Stewart was staring at his feet. His voice was quiet and mumbled
"didnt kill nobody."
"Who got hurt?"
Willie piped up and said "Well, see no one really even got hurt! It was all a mistake." Stewart looked at Willie wide eyed and hissed "Shhhhhhhh.."
Willie looks questioningly and annoyed at Stewart and continued "Stewart riffed at Don, but he missed."
Stewart threw his arms up in the air and spun around in stunned horror.
Fiddler laughed. He gawfawed loudly slapping his knees and doubled over clutching his belly.
Stewart stood with his head down, covering his eyes with one hand while holding his hat on with the other.
When Fiddler's laughter slowed and finally died off, he stood up and wiped the tears from his face with the back of his huge hand.
"y..y.,.you missed?" Fiddler started to giggle and laugh again.
Stewart finally put his hands down and looked incredulously at the laughing man. "Alright, Yeah, I missed but you should be thanking me! If I hadnt you're good buddy Don would be a dead man!"
"W..well then Thank God yer such a lousey shot!" again Fiddler laughed like he'd burst wide open.
Stewart glared at Fiddler. "You just wait old man. You're time is comin'" Stewart said nearly inaudibly.
Fiddler stood straight. Still smiling but a coldness had taken over his eyes. "Just try it kid, if you wanna get riffed between the eyes."
Stewart's eyes widened slightly then narrowed again and he backed away just an inch.
Just then very attractive young woman came out of the back door of the ranch house. Fiddler's attention was immediately drawn to her. A smile took over his face, his eyes widened and sun made their blue green hue glow. His surprisingly white teeth glistened. He removed his black weather-worn stetson. His soft blond hair drifted slightly in the breeze wafting across his forehead.
"Hey there, Miss Cathy."
The young woman stopped and looked in his direction.
"Well Hey there Fiddler! How are you this morning?" She smiled back at him. Her dimples made her whole face smile and her eyes really did twinkle.
Fiddler was not immune to the effect. He blushed.
"Well, Im just fine. How are you?"
"Oh it's such a beautiful morning Fiddler! I am afraid I took too long getting ready this morning. The poor cows are probably hurtin! I could use some help this morning if you have some time!"
Fiddler had a full schedule with Frank gone and short one hand not including the little girl who thought it'd be fun to play ranch hand, but none of that was important to him as long as Miss Cathy needed him.
Fiddler's smile widened. "I'd be more then happy to help you out today." and off Fiddler ran like a puppy chasing a kitten.

[ticky]

Ok, lets move on..

Brooke used the pay phone in the lobby to call her husband. She had a bit of a hard time explaining what had happened but he just laughed and asked where to pick her up.
"Well, Im at a kind old sleazy little motel on the intersection of Dark Desert Highway and Seven Bridges Road and honey? Could you please hurry? this place is giving me the creeps! There are the strangest people here and the weird thing is they all look so familiar!"
Her husband just chuckled and told her he'd be there in 5 minutes. Brooke felt much better and hung up the phone.
An extremely well dressed but oddly familiar man came out of one of the rooms and nodded a hello to her. His smile made her shiver. He was so handsome and yet a little frightening. He watched her. His eyes never left her till he walked out the front door. She wasnt sure if she wanted to follow him or go take another shower. She sat in a large, red wing back chair that sat in the lobby. She couldnt quite place the decor of this place. It was so strange! Almost like an old time bordello, but well worn and out of place in this modern looking motel. She toyed with the idea of a glass of pink champaign but then decided one, it was too early and two it was probably flat! She looked up at the mirrors above her and wondered WHY would anyone put mirrors on the ceiling in a motel lobby? This place was just too weird! She decided to wait outside for her husband. First she peeked out the door carefully to make sure the strange man had left. He was nowhere in sight so she cautiously stepped out the front door. There was a bench by the door and no cars in the parking lot so she sat on the bench and stretched out her sore legs. She set the small bag full of her sweaty running clothes on the bench beside her and waited for her husband to arrive. She watched as an attractive young woman pushing a very well loaded cart down the walkway next to the rooms infront of the far El of the Last Resort. The room she had used, Rhonda's room, had been an indoor room in the main building. The el rooms were all exposed to the Dark Desert Highway and Brooke was sure the noise would have been awful. She was glad Rhonda had been lucky enough to have a quieter, more private room. Rhonda had been very kind letting her use her room to freshen up and rest as well as finding her the clean clothes.
Brooke watched the young woman push the cart in front of the first room and unlock the door. She was amazed as she watched the young woman enter the room, pull the cart in after her and then WHOOSH! clouds of dust billowed out the windows and door. and the young woman appeared again coughing and sputtering through the dust. Brooke thought at first that there had been some kind of accident or explosion in the room till she saw the young woman was unharmed and moved on to the next room. Again, she unlocked the door, pulled in the cart and WHOOSH! dust clouds and coughing. Brook tiptoed up to the window of the next room and watched as the young woman moved with the speed of light and cleaned the entire room in seconds! A large cloud of dust whooshed out the window taking Brooke by surprise! She was covered in dust. The young woman came out the door and started in surprise at seeing Brooke standing there looking like she'd been on a long trail ride.
"OH Im so sorry!! I had no idea anyone was here!" Shirley handed Brooke a clean cloth and a moist towelette. "The dust builds up here so fast! and it can really fly when I get going." Shirley smiled apologetically at Brooke and held out her hand. "I'm Shirley. Are you a guest here?"
Brooke took the cloth and the towelette and began removing the dust and grime that had been kicked up by Shirley's cleaning.
"No, I just borrowed a shower and some clothes. My name's Brooke. Nice to meet you." Brooke shook Shirley's hand and smiled through the dust.
"OH! you're the one who got lost! Right! Rhonda told me all about it. Im the one who had the spare clothes." Shirley smiled at Brooke.
"Oh, well thank you so much! I really appreciate the loan. I promise I'll return them after I wash them." Brooke was happy to meet this pleasant and surprising young woman.
"Oh, no hurry." Shirley grinned. "I have several pairs. You'd be surprised how often people loose their clothes here. It's kind of weird!" Shirley had never been sure about the strange things that happened at The Last Resort.
Brooke smiled back at the young woman when a honk sounded from behind her making her jump. Her husband was in the car grinning at her. She glared at him. He loved to play jokes on her like that.
She said good bye to Shirley and walked to the car.
"Sorry honey. Did I startle you?" Her husband grinned at her mischieviously. She glared at him and smiled.
"Just a little. Lets get out of here. This place gives me the creeps."
Her husband looked at her concerned. "Did something bad happen?"
"Oh no, everyone was very kind and helpful! I just get this feeling. There's something not quite right about this place. It's just... weird.." Brooke smiled thinking about Joe and Rhonda and Shirley and the strange but very attractive man in the motel.
"Everyone here is very attractive too.. and strangely familiar. I just cant quite place them though." Brooke mulled this over in her head and finally said "Lets just get out of here." and they drove home.

Shirley watched as the pretty lady and her handsome husband looked quizically at her and then drove off. "you meet all kinds..." she thought out loud and went back to her cleaning. No one had stayed in this section of the motel for months and Shirley liked to keep it tidy by doing a complete cleaning at least once a week. You never knew when someone might need one of these rooms and Dark Desert Highway seemed to raise and bring in more dust then a tornado! WHOOSH! Shirley finished another room. This was taking her forever! She needed to concentrate and she'd finish faster. The new man had her mind occupied. Yeah he'd been obnoxious, yeah he was a slick willie but there had been something about him that made her gut melt like veleeta in a microwave. She couldnt stop thinking about him and was tempted to go clean his room even thought he'd JUST checked in and she'd cleaned it first thing this morning! She hadnt seen him bring any luggage in, but a man that well dressed surely wouldnt wear the same suit every day. WHOOSH! another room finshed. It was all this thinking about a man that was slowing her down. Wasnt that always the way? Men tended to slow things down and make more work for women. WHOOSH, another room done. Still, there was something about that one. Those deep brown eyes, a girl could loose herself in those eyes. She thought that if she took that pony tail out his hair would look like spun silk. She wondered how it would feel against her skin. WHOOSH. Ok,, that was it. That room took her almost twice the time the others had. She HAD to stop thinking about that man! Shirley got a determined look on her face, narrowed her eyes and pushed her cart forward with newed determination. WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH! three rooms finished in seconds. THERE! that was much better! Men were just a waist of time and energy! and she could spend some serious fantasy time after she was done. She'd finish up here and change then walk down to the river side where she had her secret hammock under the willow and lay there and imagine his eyes, his hair, his arms and how they'd all feel there next to her. OH CHEESE N PICKLES! there she goes again.. CONCENTRATE Shirley!!! WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH! three more rooms. She was nearly done. Glenn appeared around the end of the El.
"Shirl! there you are! I need you to watch the desk for me today. I uhh.. need to be out of town.. I mean I need to GO out of town for a few days." Glenn glanced nervously around. "You havent seen that new guy around have you?"
"WAIT! a few days? Boss, I had plans for this afternoon, let alone a few days! I just cant do it!" She was furious at his assumption that she'd just cow to his wants and desires, but then, most women did!

Glenn flashed those big blue eyes at her. Opened wide and his lips slightly parted his dark brown hair falling across his forehead and over his eyes, he WAS indeed irresistible to women. Shirley was mesmerized. Glenn took her hand and stared deeply into her eyes. "Please Shirl. I need you!"
She drooled slightly. She shook her head. Angry with herself for falling for his tricks again she said "OH Fine! but you'd BETTER find someone else for the rest of the time! 'cause there's no way I'm working the desk after today!"
Glenn hugged her and smiled that thousand watt smile at her. She melted a little again. UGH! Men!
Glenn dashed off back around the corner of the el like he was afraid someone had seen him. He peeked back at Shirley and mouthed "Thanks!", blew her a kiss and was gone. Well, damn...

[Mrs Henley]

Rhonda, you're tooooo good!




I'm wondering what happened with Danielle and Almanzo