[JimmyDimples]

Looks like she's got plenty to spare already… but… more power to her!  😀

[JimmyDimples]

Tetsuko put the steel drum on the pallet.  "So, got any tape or shrink wrap?"

Les shook his head, and held up a giant blue elastic band. "Doc says to use these.  Tape and shrink-wrap's too wasteful."  And Les stretched one over the steel drums on the bottom, and once Tetsuko tossed all the boxes and lighter stuff on top, Les banded those too.

Tetsuko looked unsurely at the load, but said, "Okay, hopefully it won't snap and pop us in the eye.  Where do you want it all?"

"North side loading dock's closest to the nursery.  Just let me get the pallet jack."

She tilted her head quizzically.  "Pallet jack?"

"Oh, you know, like a fork lift, only hand cranked and pushed."

"Pfft.  We don't need that."

And she knelt down, making her big, thick thighs balloon unde the flex. She grabbed the sides of the pallet, and without the slightest sign of strain or effort, she hefted it up lightly to waist level.  And instinctively, she pulled the almost-tall-as-herself load close to her own body to steady it (leaning back more than a notch to account for her bust).

"Got it," she said. "Lead the way, help me to not trip over anything, and be sure to get the doors for me, ne?"

Les stared with his jaw all the way down.  "Uh… okay.  Right this way."  And he walked over to the loading bay into the old factory.

"What exactly is this place?" she asked as Les raised the dock door.

"Used to be a women's clothing factory.  I temped here one summer after graduation loading trucks.  But the local robber baron that's our landlord — hang a right turn here — shipped the jobs and most of the stuff off to El Salvador a few years ago.  No warning.  A lot of locals woke up with no job."

"Aw no!  That's terrible!" 

"Well, his plan backfired.  The El Salvadorans demanded American wages, and — okay, round the corner to the left here — his rivals undercut him thanks to even cheaper labor and manufacturing costs in Sri Lanka and Taiwan.  He just folded and sold off most of the works, though a lot of stuff's still here.  He's renting out the place to us for a song."

"So, that's why you and the doc set up here, and not out on a farm somewhere?"  Tetsuko asked.

"Well, the doc says he's letting nature reclaim the land.  Arcology and all.  But yeah.  The real truth is, rural real estate around here's gone through the roof thanks to retirement condos.  Sidestep left a little, there's an old cart here, that's good —  all right, place it down right here, please."

Thud.  She eased the lot down on the concrete floor.  And she looked around that big stack, and saw a hothouse with plants in it.  "So this is what you and Dr. Green have been working on?"

"Yeah.  Wanna closer look?"

And they went in, with Tetsuko turning sideways and crouching a little to enter.  A variety of green plants sprawled the big room.  Trees bearing oddly shaped fruit.  Pots with flowers in them.  Garden shrubs.  Bonsai-sized oaks.  Oak-sized bonsais.  And a bunch of other greenery Tet-chan didn't recognize. 

"Impressive… looks like an indoor Garden of Eden… hey, what's this over here?"  And off in a corner, she closed in on a solitary plant with very big, wide denim-blue leaves.

"Oh, that."  Les drew his toe in a circle and looked a little shy.  "Just… a little side thing I'm working on."

Tetsuko peered at him and half smiled.  "Come on.  Tell me more."

Les took a breath.  "It's… greenwear."

"Greenwear?"

"Yes.  The idea is, it's supposed to be living fabric.  It lives on the human body like lichen or moss.  Grows and reforms wherever there's a tear or rip, so you don't have to sew or patch anything.  Also grows with the human body, so there's no more hand-me-downs for kids, or constant clothes shopping for Mom."

Tetsuko felt a leaf with her fingers.  "Wow… sugoi."  And she placed it on her thick forearm.  "I'd heard many eco-folks say hemp's the cotton alternative, but it feels like a potato sack.  This doesn't."

Les shrugged humbly.  "Yes, well, glad you like it."

"No, really!" She put her hands on her hips and let Les see how wide she really was.  "You have any clue how many times I wished my wardrobe grew along with me?  I think you've got a major breakthrough here!  I bet Dr. Green's proud!"

Les' small smile then shrank to nothing.  "Yeah… well…"

***

Sitting at his desk Dr. Green glanced over the blue-leafed potted plant on it.  Then at the bandanna.  Then his unsettling narrow-eyed gaze locked onto Les.  "So it actually latches onto the wearer's skin like lichen?"

"Yes, doctor," Les said, fiddling with his wristwatch.  "It feeds off the dead skin and hair of the human body."

Dr. Green's expression didn't change.  "And leeches off the body like lichen on a tree?"

"Not really leeching.  It's more like removing the dead stuff that'd end up in a sink or bed anyway."

"The wearer is still going to think that it's like a parasite.  That's going to scare the public.  And even then, taking it off is going to be like pulling an adhesive bandage off a hairy arm.  It won't be accepted."

"It's not that bad," Les protested.  "More like Velcro if anything."

"It's not ready.  Has your generation ever heard of drawing boards?  Well, you've got to go back to it."

"Well, maybe you can help me find ways to fix the bugs–"

"No time.  Besides, this is a food research facility.  Trendy jean labels don't mean much to the starving."

"But clothing is just as vital to surv–"

"Wait, wait, wait, I'm not sure if I'm making myself clear.  Perhaps a visual aid might establish the situation here."

Dr. Green slapped the potted plant onto the floor with a crash.  He folded his arms.  "Now clean up your mess and get the data on the Mito-Chloroplast culture."

***

Les rubbed his own fingers on a blue leaf of the plant he'd rescued.  "I'm afraid he's got a few more projects of his own on the front burners right now," he said softly.

Tetsuko could feel Les' disappointment and battered dream in the air.  She set a hand on his shoulder.  "Les…" she started empathically.

"Look," he said quickly, turning to her to shake it off.  "Dr. Green wanted us to eat shortly, and I still haven't gotten the fruits and vegetables.  I'd better go and do that.  Did you need to sit down and rest in the old lounge?  I know you've driven really far."

"It's okay," she said.  "It's relaxing enough in here.  May I help you pick 'em?"

Les' smile returned.  "I'd love that.  Er, I mean, I'd like that very much."

***

To Be Continued…

[JimmyDimples]

Well there was one dream I had a few years ago, where I was back in college.  And guess who was going there with me?

A college-age Megami Eiko, from the film, "Project A-ko."

We chatted a little, and I wish I could remember exactly what I said to her, because it must've really impressed her:  we got in a very long, slow, kiss.

Then I took her up in my arms and offered to carry her back to her dorm room (don't ask me why I offered to carry someone who could throw a tank), and "had trouble" finding it, so I had to wander around with her in my arms. 😉

Then I finally found it, then this string bean dark-haired fellow met me there.  He asked me to dance, and I did… Eiko was about to ask what was going on…

And then I woke up.

Not the wildest, but not the most normal ever, ne?

[JimmyDimples]

Dabbled a little bit with White Wolf's Street Fighter storyteller game.  Created a Capoeria fighter that belonged to a "Guardian Angel" style street gang.  Friend of mine also had a ninja who took in a braniac/geek as her mascot/protoge.  Had some nifty adventures with that.

[JimmyDimples]

I know I promised DCM a Tetsuko story some time ago… and I'm kicking one around in my noodle.  I just have to put it out in print… and take care of Dyna Vs. Mezaros and others.

[JimmyDimples]

***

Craning his head up, Mezaros saw the huge dark hulk on the surface, churning away from the sunlight he'd forsaken long ago.  He pointed his staff.  "There."  His minions followed him as he jetted in front of the ship's bow, "crossing the T" pirate style at 6 o'clock low.  The undead warriors flanked him to form a phalanx.  Slowly he waved his staff in front of him in an intricate pattern as the vessel approached.  And he muttered… "Tjor… uqip zuas jamm…."  And then he thrust his staff right at it:  "…PUX!"

The ship kept coming at him.  Nothing else happened.

He tried again with the waving.  "Tjor, uqip zuas jamm… PUX!!"

The only stirring was the water cut by the approaching bow.  Not losing his head, Mezaros waved his undead forces along the ship's approaching sides.  They formed a column each, and with a flourish of his staff, the evil wizard propelled himself to keep up with the craft.  And once his army reached forward, grabbed and hung onto the bow's edge just as it passed.

Mezaros felt the ship's side.  "Hmngh.  A metal I don't recognize.  Light, and yet strong.  I will have to examine it once we've wrecked it."

And with that, the troopers slid on finger and toetip to surround the ship, and began to crawl up the rivets on the hull like expert rock climbers.

***

"So," Prof. DeBuncombe asked, as he pocketed his pipe, "you and Scott, right?  Why'd you pick this cruise?"

"Azores seemed warm and friendly, and, heh, not too crowded.  You?"

"Well, I have a student there on Pico Island doing some field research there.  Searching, ironically enough, for remains of Atlantis.  I came to see what she's found, and talk to her about other sites to check:  the isle of Thera, which had a Minoan city/state that was destroyed by volcano in 1500 B.C.  The legend of Atlantis might be based off that."  He grinned.  "And bring her some stateside comforts:  local newspaper, Dr Pepper, Snack-A-Roonie cakes, that sort of thi–"

BAM!  Something big and hard rammed against the ship's hull.  "What the deuce?" DeBuncome peered over the sea.

"Did we hit a coral reef or something?" asked Deena.

"We're way too far out for that, I think."

BAM!  It hit again.  Deena and the professor went to the railing, and peeked over.

Right down at he surface was a platoon of corpses in plate-mail armour in a V formation around a big skeleton elephant.  It floated back and charged forward with head down.  BAM!

***

Back in the dining room, Charlotte bobbed her head to the jaunty, light little between-act tune.  While the singers and actors were getting in spot for the next number, Scott decided to small-talk a bit.  "So, you like any TV shows?"

She stared back, surprised a grownup would show an interest in her entertainment.  "I like watching Magic Princess Mizuko when I'm back with my mom and dad," she said tenatively.

"Ah, I've seen that one."

"Haven't seen any new eps in a while, though.  I been reading a lot at Uncle Marc's."

"His idea?"

"Yeah.  He's a book junkie.  Doesn't even have a TV at his place."  Scott half-smiled at that.  "You think that's funny, huh?"

"Sorta.  I'm a camera guy for a TV station."

"No kidding?  Which one?"

"Channel 5 in New Vista."

Charlotte bolted upright.  "New Vista?!  As in, DYNA's city?!"

Scott tugged his collar.  "Uh… heh, yeah. I'd gotten footage of her before… are you a fan?"

"You kidding me?!" she gushed.  "I've been watching for her ever since she saved the city from Mista Haxor!  Got any more?  You gotta show me! You gotta show me!  You gottashowme gottashowme gottashowme!!"

He held up a hand.  "I don't have any footage with me.  Just my personal camcorder."

"Got anything on your channel's website?"

"Uh… yeah."

"We can surf the web in the library and see it!"  She jumped out of her chair and started yanking on his arm.  "Come on, let's go!"

"But what about the show?  Your uncle?  What about dessert?"

She blew a raspberry.  "He hates this show and we all know it.  Let's get take away-boxes.  And I can grab a milkshake from a buffet later."

"AIIIIEEEK!!!"  Mermaid actresses rushedly waddled with arms flailing.  Two singers then bolted into the audience.  Right onto the stage shambled three warriors in rusty armor, pitted grey flesh on the limbs, and rotted, toothy skulls, staring into the audience.

"Hey!" went Charlotte.  "Great makeup! Must've faked us out with the cheesy show before to set us up for this!"

One mermaid actress then stripped her cumbersome fish-tail leggings and sprinted for the exit.  Her troupe quickly followed.  The lead opera tenor grabbed some fruit and flung it at the lead swordsman, which didn't even need to move its shield to block it.  It then leapt at him and swung his blade clumsily, slamming it into a dining family's table and smashing it.  Two spear warriors chucked their spears, and one landed impaling Scott's lobster.

"Uh… Charlotte?" he uttered.

"I know," the girl squeaked.  "This isn't an act!"

And the two quickly joined the panicking exodus.

To Be Continued

[JimmyDimples]

I've got to say this last bit, though.

I thought I had said earlier I had decided against that one, Mark.  Out of deferrence to you.

I'm sorry, but I had given a wider and wider berth to his characters.  No interaction at all.  Okay, there was Principal Gregg, but the interaction was minimal. 

I was told it was a big school, and I assumed there would be room for both of us.  Turned out that was false.

What makes me unhappiest here is that I was under the impression that a person that was made a Marknew story character would still have his free will and affect the plot, though the Author would do his bit, too, throwing curve balls.

But that turned out to be false, too.  Apparently now the Author wants to do his bit and be totally free of any and all consequences that are not in his will.  Apparently the home team also wants to be the referee, too.

There will not be a Jimmy Templeton Thursday Afternoon or any other stories in this vein.  It's simply not fun anymore.  😥

[JimmyDimples]

Sorry, Mark, but there's something I don't follow here.

At first you opened up the story with Marylin's E-mail box, and asked the forum at large to put in their input, ask their questions, and gave us all the chance to join the story in the school somehow.  Many of us did.  I took you up on this with a will, and came up with all sorts of stuff that, according to a good number of others, wasn't exactly junk. 

Then I took the ball and ran with it.  Now you're asking me to totally upend it, warp it, and negate the whole thing that you invited us to join in the first place?

I'm definitely not messing with the principal characters in the original story.  I've given them a wide berth.

I definitely don't want a feud or flame war to break out over this.  But I have the feeling that I'm getting the "you need to diet" treatment from someone who invited me down to the buffet in the first place. 🙁

[JimmyDimples]

<.< *glances at Preview*

>.> *glances at preliminary notes, plans, and plotlines for Jimmy Templeton arc*

u.u;;;;

*pops an antacid*

[JimmyDimples]

So no action's gonna bleed over past midnight?  Or at least until dawn Friday morning?

Oh, and one more question… school will be meeting regular as clockwork Friday, I assume?

[Author]

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