CHC: Cuckoo's Nest, Part 8 Jackie, Chase & SFX - Las Vegas [After a chaotic encounter with an unidentified wild animal while driving down the Arizona highway, the Quantum Cats' RV is thoroughly randomized by Stephy's strange powers...not as much as Stephy, though, who has become Chase, an eight year-old boy!] [GM] **Oh God, where did this little boy come from?** moans Stephy. **This is like NO fun!** George drives willingly enough, glad for any excuse to avoid the little boy that was his voluptuous lover not long ago. He still seems quite rattled by the rapid transmogrifications of himself, the RV, and the world around him over the last few hours. SFX, wearing jeans and a buttoned shirt, comes back out front, looks at Chase on his animated metal Snoopy with a sigh, and begins looking over his computer equipment to see if anything can be salvaged. Shortly, he announces that pretty much everything has been fragged. He opens a box of diskettes and shakes out an assortment of pizza toppings. He holds up the keyboard, which is now a cylindrical piece of wood with Egyptian heiroglyphics painted along the outside. The monitor isn't turned into anything interesting; it's just half-melted. "Oh, man!" SFX says, bumping something. He seems to be miming picking up an object, until it's apparent that he IS picking up an object- an INVISIBLE one! "The fu- umm, the freakin' disk drive!" he exclaims. "It's invisible!" He stares at Chase. "Now that's some trick. Too bad you can't do that at will. NO, nevermind, fergit I said that, I don't want you tryin' it!" "Oh, don't look at me like that, kid," he says, after another resentful glare from Chase. "OK look, I'm sorry I bitched you out before, but what would YOU do if you got turned into a f- a tree?" He shakes his head and mutters "It's damn hard talkin' like you're on Mister Rogers." **SFX isn't really a BAD person, Chase** says Stephy. **He's just kind of a jerk. And he's all freaked out about- umm, nevermind. He's just worried you're gonna zap him into something else again." //Like an eight year-old playmate!// snickers Sid. Chase is already tired. He's starting to nod off as SFX says to Jackie "I'm almost afraid to ask this, but do you really wanna be wearin' that prom queen outfit when we get to Vegas?" He's asleep as the Quantum Cats' barely-functioning RV rolls unevenly into Las Vegas, Nevada. <><><><><> Chase: "Stephy!", Chase whines a bit outloud, "Don't you like me? Like you." After SFX comes out and begins commenting on the computer and being a tree, Chase looks at him. "I liked it. Looked like Seymor on Higgley- Piggley! But Seymor's nice." Those that watch kid's TV might recognize Seymor as a large tree puppet on that (totally fictional) children's show. "He doesn't like me," he replies, again outloud, to Stephy. "Wouldn't do that," he replies- also outloud- to Sid. "He's ooold." "I could fix it," he finally says to SFX. "I'm like fixing things." He gives a tremendous yawn and fights to keep his eyes open, "Bu.. tired now." He stops kicking and riding Snoopy and lays his head down on the head, closing his eyes, thus missing the QC's 'triumphial' entry into Vegas. <><><><><> Jackie - She looks at SFX, now in better spirits she sees and laughs, "So I should ditch the prom dress? Yeah not really me." Jackie rummages through everything and finds a windbreaker, T-shirt and black muscle pants, she dresses in the bathroom, or what's left of it. "You know I bet we could make some good cash on some of the weird stuff that Chaos makes, give it to Christie's or somethin, a real fence with some connections. Guess this really messes up our plans a bit, no cool entrance into Vegas, we come in with a wimper not a bang. Let's take an inventory of what we do have, Kid could you check all the electronic gear, our TV, VCR, etc? At least my nest egg is intact. Just comin here makes me feel a bit better, all this money tends to cheer me up!" <><><><><> [GM] "The TV works, by some miracle" says SFX. "Everythin' else with wires or chips in it is pretty much hosed." "So what do we do next? And how does this kid fit into the plan?" <><><><><> Jackie - She frowns after SFX gives the thumbs down on all the equipment. "Ok, first I say we get seperate rooms, me on my own playin high roller and George gettin one with you two." She subvocalizes..."for you to keep an eye out on these two." "We could use some sleep, then we can get our plan in motion here. Lucky we didn't set up a big press conference, or we'd look like real idiots. I'll cash some of my travellers checks so you all can get a half way decent room, I suggest different hotels, not to draw attention." Jackie frowns, collects one of her power business attire and changes, she fixes her hair as best she can and puts on her sunglasses. Looking over at the cube of metal she rearranges it to the shape of a heavy duty metal briefcase with her checks and Cds intact. Picking it up, she motions over to the door of the RV and steps out. When everyone is out, she wills the chains and pipe to bar the door from the inside and creates a "club" for the steering wheel. "Wait here, and I'll go get me a room and some ready cash." Jackie looks for the biggest glitziest hotel casino within a few blocks and makes way to it. <><><><><> [GM] "Oh great, I gotta SHARE a room with George and the kid?" SFX grumbles. "If he changes back to Stephy I am NOT stayin' in the same room with the two love-bunnies!" George gulps at that. Dominating the south end of the Vegas Strip is the MGM Grand complex, which is not only the largest hotel in Las Vegas, but the largest hotel in the world. It also contains the largest casino in the world, and all this is placed in the middle of a massive theme park called the Emerald City that's sure to delight Chase. With room set up, Jackie returns to the RV. SFX nudges Chase awake. "Come on kid, we gonna sleep somewhere nicer than this busted-up wagon tonight." He looks at Jackie. "Now what, boss, and where do we put the RV, in the hotel parking lot?" <><><><><> Chase: He rubs his eyes and stands shakily. "We there yet?" Realizing its SFX that woke him and is next to him, he shakes his head and moves away towards Jackie. Seeing Jackie's business/power suit outfit, he grimaces, then says, "You look pretty." The gaudy lights then penetrate his awareness. He cranes his neck towards the window, moving his head back and forth, eyes big and trying to take everything in. <><><><><> Chase: When Jackie walks away, Chase looks up at SFX and George, then shakes his head and whines, "JaaacKIIIEEE!" He starts/tries to run after her, whining, "Don't leave me!" Not even the wonders of Emerald City can distract him at the moment. <><><><><> Jackie - Jackie hands George a wad of bills, which comes to around 1 and a half thousand. "Ok kids, get a hotel room somewhere else, scope it out, then give me a call on my phone to give me your digs locale. Pick up a few cellular phones for each of us and give me a call when you do that. We'll meet for breakfast somewhere neutral tomorrow around say 10?" She smiles to Chase, "You can't come with me, Steven made plans with us to take care of this with us. Maybe you can try to do what he wanted? I bet you could do it better than he could, make some gold or silver? We all need some sleep, we are all cranky. Uncle SFX will take care of you, won't you Uncle SFX?!" Jackie looks down her nose to SFX not so much in anger, but trying to secure a promise, even though she knows it isn't something he wants to be saddled with. <><><><><> Chase: "Do I have ta?!", he whines in reply to Jackie, clutching her leg with hand not holding the teddybear. "I wanna stay with YOU." When she insists, he very reluctantly walks over to SFX, dragging his teddybear on the ground beside him. "Only because Jackie said so... and Stephy likes you," he mumbles in SFX's general direction, "even if you are a jerk to her." He is not happy. <><><><><> [GM] "Jesus, Jackie, this hotel is the biggest f***in'-" SFX stops, looks down at Chase, and amends, "biggest friggin' hotel I've ever seen. Why don't we just get separate rooms in the same hotel? It's like a small city in itself, no one's gonna link us, and it makes it easier to reach each other if...something comes up." He looks down at Chase again. "Besides, this way we got that big-ass playground for the kid. Just gotta make sure we have a talk about behavin' himself." <><><><><> Chase: His eyes lite up at SFx's suggestion and he began nodding his head, saying "Pleeeasse, Jackie? Pleeeasse? I promise I won't be bad." He gives her a heart-tearing, puppy-dog eyed look, his lower lip trembling. <><><><><> Jackie - She frowns, "Hell, I want to hit as many places as we can before or if we get tagged here. If there is two of us doing the gamblin at two places for a day or two, their light swon't go whacko when and if we start to win big. In the few times I played street gamblin in back rooms, there's nothin more they hate than some joe comin in and wipin their butts clean and not showin up again. George can blow some money and if Steve comes back him too, Kid you can't, under age and all. We look odd enough without us all travellin together. Let's try this for a day or two. I mean all of us are goin to get some dinner and a room and sleep. What else is goin to happen? Come on our luck ain't that bad is it?" Jackie sighs, 'Look you guys really want to do this, go ahead, but that's how I want it, so you decide." She walks back into the MGM. <><><><><> Chase: "I wanna go with Jackie!," he whined. "I wanna stay at the same place. Please, Jackie! Please! I'll be good. I'll will! I... I'll even try to bring Steven back... right now, if you want. I think I can..." <><><><><> Jackie - "Chase, if you bring Steven back, maybe he could stay with me, he would fit into the picture better, if you want to try...I'm sure Uncle SFX would appreciate it." Jackie grins to SFX and winks. <><><><><> Chase: Looking completely crestfallen, Chase walks a little ways away from George, SFX and Jackie. **She doesn't like me. None of 'em do. I want my mommy...** A suitable distance away, he concentrates as hard as necessary on bringing Steven back in control (however he understands that process) and controlling the splash. [Yes, I left out 'no other changes to himself', Chase is kind of bummed right now.] <><><><><> [GM] *Those meanies!* says Stephy sympathetically, even though she really wants to be back "out" again herself, while Stephen says //They like you...uh, Chase...they just want to do...grown-up things, and you're too young to help right now.// The little boy summons his power, and seems to grow instantly, as if he took a magic potion. Amidst a colorful cartoon-like display of stars and twirling ribbons, and the twittering of Disneytronic bluebirds, Stephen finds himself standing on a three-foot circle of what appears to be solid gold, imbedded in the surrounding asphalt of the parking lot. <><><><><> Steven: He sighs a deep sigh of relief, checks himself out quickly (clothing?) then stops and stares at the gold. **Well, I'll be... Thanks, um, Chase... An 8 year old kid?! Oh... sorry, uh, Chase, didn't mean it that way. Its just... a sh... a surprise. Th... thanks for bringing me 'out'. You're a very good boy. You'll see, they just need time to get used to you.** Gesturing at the gold, he says to Jackie, "Maybe that will help pay for the RV?" He glances at George, memories of Stephy's escapades with him, quickly turns away in embarassment. **Holee jeez... I can't believe I... she... I... Oh boy... Sure was... something... though... Oh,jeez, what am I, queer now?** His gaze settles on SFX. **Oh kerist... I was... in *love*... with him... kinda felt nice... to be in love with someone, though... Oh, man... I need a shrink. Or a girlfriend. Both. Bad.** Not looking at either SFX or George, he says, "Um... Jackie... maybe I should. Come with you. Uh..." **No way, I can deal with them right now. No way!** "But..., I think SFX's got a point. About using the same hotel... maybe same floor. So we can help each other out... if we're attacked again... if no other reason. Oh s***!..." Memories of the thing in the RV. "Oh s***. Ch... Chase wasnt making it up. We were attacked by... something. It ripped the RV apart like tin-foil. It had... teeth. LOTS of BIG teeth. Oh s***! I think it might have been that... we... werewolf thing on the news. Jezuz." He stands there, hugging himself, cold but not from the weather. <><><><><> Jackie - She arches her eyebrow at the circle of gold, checking first to make sure it is gold, she bends down to look at it. She looks around to make sure no one is looking, especially with the cute light show Chase put off. She looks at SFX, "we all clear here?" If he says ok, she will form the gold into another heavy suitcase like the one she has, then cover the gold with a layer of metal from her suitcase. Spending some time to iron out the roughness of both suitcases/briefcases, she finishes up and gives one to Steven. She looks at Steven with a icy stare, "Maybe. I'm not goin to argue, we stay in one place we put all our eggs in one basket. In this place Steve call me Jeanette, she looks SFX and George up and down, "And you s***heads, I don't know." Whispering to SFX as she walks away, 'meet us in the restaurant for breakfast, sit at a table a bit off and talk to me this way. Eight am?" <><><><><> Steven: He looks at the gold/suitcase, pursing his lips and says, "Ok... Jeanette." He repeats the name a couple of times silently. "Do you how much that weighs? Um... I don't know if I can lift that. Maybe, um, how about making it looking like a robot or something?" "Well, maybe, but if we keep separate- and if SFX can listen for our voices from that far?- it'd still be better than not being able to call for help if we need it. Um, I think. That is." He still doesn't look at SFX or George. He follows Jackie, rubber-necking a bit at the granduer of the MGM-G. <><><><><> Jackie - Jackie frowns at the amount of gold and the problem it will cause to transport. "A robot? Yeah let's walk into the hotel with a robot." She rolls her eyes. Concentrating, she has the gold ripple and flow under hers clothing, to cover her upper body with a half inch of gold, forming a bit more in the bust area. Determining that will look ridiculous, she flows it back to the ground, and instead froms it into 8 oz bars or as close as she can get. Then she'll take stock of how much is really there. <><><><><> Steven: "Well, jeez, I was just trying to help," he replies to Jackie's scarcasm. "I mean, it *is* Vegas. Gotta have seen a whole lot of weird stuff, right?" Seeing the goldbars forming, *still* not looking at George and SFX, he mumbles to Jackie, "Um, er... Not to tell you what to do or anything... but isn't that a little, uh, conspicuous? Maybe you might, er, just like make it walk over to the RV and hide it inside until tomorrow?" Adding under his breath, "Assuming its still here, then." <><><><><> [GM] In fact, you probably *could* make the gold into a pair of suitcases, but they'd be awfully heavy suitcases. After you form one (estimated) eight ounce bar, you determine there's enough left to make at least a couple *hundred* more. You can practically see the numbers clicking in SFX's head. "Kee-rist!" he says. "If this stuff ain't like outta fairy tales, where it disappears when the sun comes up, then what the hell we need to hit the casinos for, Jack- uh, Jeanette?" <><><><><> Jacqueline: Jackie cocks her head to the side, "Why Kid, WHY? For more money of course, can't make money without money. Besides what fun is bein in Vegas without a bit of fun. can't just go and sell bricks of gold anywhere, they usually have some fed stamp on it or somethin. Most people who deal in gold, the big shots anyways don't have actual bars of gold most of the time, they got it in paper. Even a couple hundred pounds is good, but we could get a bit more even through legit gamblin, anyway you look, it's found money. Right?" This has done wonders for Jackie's mood, she hardly looks mad any more, almost. <><><><><> Steven: Jackie scarcastic rejoinder, prompts an snappish response from him, "Well, you don't have to put an announcement up, you know? Just jide in the structure, or the under seat, or whatever..." He grabs his, Stephy's and Stephenie's clothes, as well as some of Jackie's from the RV. "I thought you might need some... tomorrow. And maybe... we should get, like, adjoining rooms... um, just in case." He then listens to Jackie and SFX. "Um... Could you duplicate the stamp?," his tone a little hesistant. "Or maybe make it into jewelry? Wouldn't that be easier to sell? And what the hell, SFX," he turns to him, looks, stops, his face burns scarlet and he turns back to Jackie, "I've... uh... never... er... been to Vegas. Sounds like... um... fun." **Oh, jezuz... how do I deal with this? I made a total fool of myself with him... and George... Oh, ke-rist! What do I do with him? This has got to be as difficult for him... Maybe, it'd be best if I played... if I was.. for a while... oh, ke-rist, I can't believe I'm thinking of actually doing that.** <><><><><> Jackie - "Yeah lets leave a few thousand in gold in a beaten down truck. I expect you can do this anytime you want right? Fine." Jackie concentrates and oozes the gold into the RV, then forms double bolts against the door from behind, then spends a minute or two making sure the Rv is fastened down tight. "let's go, I need a bed." <><><><><> Jackie - "I guess I could do the stamp, but that would probably land me in the can sooner than rigged gamblin would. That would be major fraud and forgery. I could turn them all into rings, but sellin them would take forever, maybe I could find a fence...? The room I got for us Steven is a suite, so you can have the couch, I can't wait to try my huge bed out." Jackie snickers. <><><><><> Steven: "Couch? Wait a minute. After all that gold I, I mean Chase... Well, I think I've paid for a bed. And a room." <><><><><> Jackie - 'Do what ever THE HELL you want! Take your gold and get a room. What have I been talkin to here a wall?! You guys want to do your thin fine go do it, I ain't stoppin you. I said I'd get us all here to Vegas, we are here. I want to keep a low profile, you all do what you want. I'm not goin to play the "what did you do for me lately game". You almost killed me, don't forget that. if it was a choice, I would have duked it out with whatever that thin was instead of bein caught in the way of the Razzle Dazzle Kid. Did you stop to think what if that kid wasn't awake. maybe not, but I have, plenty. You all know what I want to do, you want to join me fine, if not just stay out of the way." With that Jackie stomps off with room key in hand. <><><><><> [GM] SFX looks at Steven almost sympathetically. "Man, ain't you figured out yet she's got a hair-trigger temper?" He lowers his voice and says "Chick has a permanent case of PMS, you ask me, though she also just got outta jail...hell, I figure you just better off not rilin' her. Let's tag along an' see what she's got in mind. You wanna go get your own room afterwards, nothin's stoppin' you." He follows after Jackie, and George, after some hesitation, follows along. <><><><><> Steven: Steven does not reply to, or even look at, the retreating trio. After a few moments, however, not having a cent, Steven has no choice but to follow Jackie, after asking the deskclerk to keep an adjoining room open for a few hours if possible. Along the way to the room, he thinks, **S***! So throw a f****** hissy fit, why don't you! All I asked for was adjoining rooms, for ke-rist sake. One night- one lousy night- in the last 4 (?) I get to sleep in a bed. And Stephy...** He steers his thoughts away from that. **Maybe I should just blow the whole thing off? Get some money... go home and try to forget this whole thing. Or find Richard... Or do what she said, try to sell some gold. Then I could just party till my brain falls out.** He throws the bags into the room when they get there, **I can always make more. I just have to play Russian roulette with reality.** <><><><><> > Jackie - She makes her way to the elevator without a word, as the rest of the group follows her, she looks like she's going to explode again, but just seethes with anger. Opening the door she steps in and sits on the couch. She calls room service and orders some champagne, lobster and a fruit tray. She sits forward after the call and rubs her temples. 'Look Steven. You put me in a position I've been put into to many times it's not something I want to repeat. I really can't blame you too much. I really need structure to my life, some control. I need to have the choice to do thin's, that's the most important thin to me in my life. My friends," and she looks at George, "took that away from me and I went to the can. I got bounced from foster home to foster home when my Daddy died, same thin'. I had somethin else taken away from me without my choice...look this ain't show and tell, I am not the most adjusted person in the world. But Stephy took my choices away again with that magic show and near done took my life along with it. The worst that happens to you is you change, your power won't kill you, but can around those around you. We saw that. We don't even know what you did to that thin' that was hittin us, hell I hardly got to see it. I've been tryin real hard Steven, real hard, and I will keep tryin as long as i don't lose it myself. You are goin to have to try harder too. We can make this all work. As for all of us bein in other places, do you want us all to be in one basket if these weirdos want to get us? You think between the three of us this buidling would be left standin? Why risk all of us to jail or worse? I been there before, I mean what do you think they'd do to you Steven if they find you and discover you are one of these super guys. With your record in the funny farm, you'd be sedated for life or killed. Yeah, the government don't do thin's like that, sure. Me? I got a record, they'd squeeze me with threats, same deal for me if I refuse. The Kid, they'd threaten his folks, speakin of Kid", Jackie hands him her phone. <><><><><> [you gave the $$ to George. Until a few minutes ago he was an 8 year old boy, 'member? ] Steven: "Mind ordering me one of those too?" he asks Jackie as she orders dinner. "Well Jackie... I *hope* I killed the sob, or at least gave him such a bad case of indigestion, he'll leave me- and maybe people I'm near alone. Be thankful you didn't see him. He took my, Stephy's, power full blast and still walked away." "Jackie... I know its tough... What do you expect *me* to do about it? I'm only in control when... well, when I'm here. Imagine how I feel. And, now I get to roll the dice again. Cause, there's no way I should let the cameras in the casino see me otherwise. Not my idea of fun. Or, to be couped up in a motel room... But, at least if I had another room... I'd at least be able to put some distance between me and... And, *I* could actually get to sleep in a bed, *this* week." "As for separate buildings... Hell look what they did to Paladin. What diff would separate buildings do? But, an... infiltration... Like at the... hospital... That we could defend against at least. If we were like on the same floor. Not necessarily close. But, hell, it was just an idea." <><><><><> Jackie - "My point with you, no matter who's suggestion it was, last time we left you alone, what happened? You change for any reason in another room, one of your new friends decides to paint the town red, where will we be then? A hotel like this is bound to have rollaway beds, we can get some of those. As for the food, if we are pigs enough to eat all the food, we'll order more." She gives a reluctant smile. "Now what about the future after this place? Maybe we should contact a lawyer or somethin to see what we can do with this gold. I'm not up on my metal prices, but that has to be worth a mil easy. No use rubbin our brain cells to gether to get a half baked plan to make some money. Let's give this gamblin thin' a day, I'll see what I can do with my powers. I say from there we go to Seattle, lots of mountains and greenery, near Canada if we need to jet somewhere if trouble comes up. This time we take a plane." <><><><><> Steven: "Oh...," he started, "great... Well, don't say I didn't try. Or do I get to stay up here all night? And, by all means, sell the gold. What else is it for?" He sits down, head in hands. "Shees. First, were going to help this Wizard guy in Calorado. Now we come all the way to Vegas and you want us to spend one night in a hotel, then zoom, off to Seatle? So what are we, on tour or something? What happened to staying around here? And why Seatle of all places? Cause its close to Canada? Why not somehwere it doesn't rain all the time? Like L.A. At least, I've got family near there. And its not that far from Mexico." "And, geez, you *really* want to fly with *me*. On an airplane? Assuming it is *me*, by then. Are you sure that's such a good idea?" <><><><><> Jackie - 'Look. A walk across the street with you is no picnic, a car hits you with your luck it'll turn to Godzilla. I thought a plane because, I recall hearin quite a bit of B****** along the way here. I've just put a few ideas out, but that is what I want to do. The reason I suggested a day is because you thought we had plenty of cash from the gold. Seattle, for no particular reason. And yeah, if I can get this off the ground, it was intended to be a tour of sorts. And as crazy as this sounds comin from me, money isn't everythin. Ok, the Rv was ruined, the computer was ruined, WE WERE RUINED. You think we should go to a major metropolitan area, with a greater number of these Aces? Great idea. If you wanted great weather and a tan, you were borm into the wrong reality. I plan to do what I said, get this thin goin, go public and try to do somethin, maybe not good, but better for myself and this F***** up world, for a little profit. Where better to experiment with our powers than a state with plenty of wilderness and a few cities? Same for people lookin for us. I'm not tryin to get rid of you Steven, but I ain't goin the candy coated walk on eggeshells route. As it is, you could retire right now and live in the Bahamas, sippin drinks with little umbrellas. You all know what I want to do, fi you want to let's do it. If not you all have some cash for plane fare. George you been paid for the trip, I appreciate the help considerin. Just sign for the room service, I'll be up at 400 am to check the tables." Jackie goes off to the back room with metal briefcase in hand and collapses on the bed, soon asleep. <><><><><> Steven: "But...", he began after the first burst. "But I don't...", he continued after the second. "Look, we're near the middle of no where as it is...", he began after the third. "Wait a min...," he began when she finally wound down enough to let him get a word in edgewise.... [] then muttered, "Oh, to hell with it...", as Jackie walks off into the bedroom. A minute stretches by silently, Steven looking at the ground, the wall, out the window, anywhere but at George or SFX. Another. He was doing the best he could to just forget about them, especially George. **That wasn't me anyway... right?? That was Stephy... Right?? Totally different... Isn't it?? Oh, man... I'm going to drive myself crazy if I keep thinking about this... God d***, timesharing my *LIFE* out here...** He got up, went to the phone, called room service and ordered a bottle of Jack Black and a 6-pack of coke, then walked out on the balcony to think, closing the sliding glass door behind him, until room service got there. He didn't say one word to George or SFX. <><><><><> [GM] Steven hears the muffled voices of SFX and George, talking inside. Must not be anything of great interest to him, since SFX isn't bothering to "mute" the sound. Unfortunately, Steven can't mute the voices in his own head. **No fair!** sniffs Chase. **Didn't even get to ride the merry-go-round. Howcum Jackie doesn't like you either?** //She's an uptight b- uh, she just doesn't show she likes people real easy, Chase// Stephy says placatingly. Then, directing her comments to Steven; //Get a grip, bro! If you're so bugged because *I* had fun instead of moping and whining, why don't you just go get laid yourself? Or go gamble or SOMETHING! This is VEGAS! And if you don't enjoy yourself, let ME out and I *will*!// Room service arrives. Steven sees George hand over the money for the Jack Black and Coke, glancing through the sliding glass door at Steven. As soon as the bellhop leaves, George nods to SFX and goes out the door himself. SFX is sitting back on the couch and picking up the remote to flip through channels, and helping himself to one of the Cokes, when Steven comes in. "Figgers. Nothin' good on." SFX clicks off the TV. "You have a blast, get drunk or whatever. I'm goin' to sleep right here, me an' Jackie'll work out what the arrangements'll be for the rest of our time here when we both wake up. George wanted to go check out Vegas, he said he'd be back. Not sure I believe him, but he can do whatever he wants, right? You too, fruit-loops. Stick around or take off, Jackie an' I can make it with or without you." //Jackie can make it with or without anyone// comments Stephy. //I think SFX is a lot more attached to her than the other way around.// SFX lies down on the couch. "Do me a favor and dim the lights, 'kay? But make alla noise you want..." he snickers, as he begins dozing off. <><><><><> Steven: **Stephy...!! Um, Chase could you, er, um, that is... Oh hell, watch if you want, kid. Beats me how I can stop you...** He thinks in reply. **Chase, Jackie is... well, she had some realy sad things happen to her, and rather than get sad she got mad. Not at you or me, or really anyone specifically just... Like grouchy Smurf!," he twigs on the cartoon channel at prop-open-your-eyelids-with-toothpicks in the morning. **Grouchy isn't really bad, see. Just,... well, grouchy.** He grimaces internally at the imagine that conjures- Jackie Smurf **** When the liquor arrives, he enters the room, pours himself a double and coke, and takes a big gulp, letting it burn its way down while he listened to SFX. **Well, he's a little young for her, Stephy,*** he thinks. **If she even lets herself notice stuff like that.** He took a slower chug. "She happen to give you some money, or is the George the only one?", he finally sighed and asked SFX. [If so, take some if offered...] **I'll fruit-loops you one of these days, you little... Like I *asked* for that one? So ok, some of it was my fault... Oh hell... Just ignore him. Roll with the punches... I'm in Vegas... Stephy, you're right, I ought to at least enjoy it while we're here.** [Either way...] He goes out after George. He'll try to catch him. Since apparently they're only going to be here one night, he'll risk it without changing his appearance. He tops off and takes the drink, drinking it a bit quickly as he follows George. [If he catches George, Steven will screw up his courage and shove his disgust down as far a possible, not wanting to screw things up for Jackie with George more than he already has, and say, very embarassed, "Look, um, er, I'm sorry... but, she tried to... I mean, it wasn't m... Er.. Um... Oh hell... This s****."] <><><><><> [GM] SFX gives you a couple of hundred dollars. Outside in the hotel corridor, George shuffles and avoids making eye contact with you as you stammer your way through an explanation. "Look, I don't get you, man," he says. "I mean, Jackie can make metal move, and that punk kid controls sound, but you- what ARE you? Is Stephy really you, or do you turn into a chick when you lose it, or what? And you turn everyone else into other things too, and SFX says they rescued you from a loony bin.... it's just too weird for me, man!" <><><><><> Steven: "Me too, George," he sighed, "me too. I wish *I* knew what am I am..." He thought for a few moments. He doubted he could explain about quantum wave states and collasping event horizons. Assuming, *that* house of cards meant anything. Of course, it still didn't say whether they were parts of him, alternate realities, or what. Or maybe he was just the power and everything else was mere convenience? It was a lot easier not trying to answer those questions. Of course, he could just lie about it... "Look... I, um, don't just... And no I don't like... Uh... That is,... Oh hell, George, I don't know anymore. I've been..." **That was me, not her, that was in love with SFX and wanted...**, he thought silently. "Stephy is... Stephy's her own person. They all are. When one of them's here, well, I'm not." So ok, it was a little white lie, but not much. It was easier than trying to explain how he was just a passenger while they were... "It's like... time-sharing out your life instead of your condo." He tried a weak grin at his joke. Inwardly, he sighed. It'd be just his luck so far for George to up and scram. *He* would, if he were him. And then Jackie could come down on him for *that*. No, thank you. He half wished he could just try Stephy's trick, just think at him and !zap! he's convinced and cool with it. That would leave only himself to convince. Oh well... "Stephy told you about it, didn't she?... I'm frankly not sure... Other than I somehow can change, well, reality, including mine. So, yeah, I guess I can change things, including me into other people. Not just different bodies, though I can do that too." **Actually, all of this could be a heck of a lot of fun...**, he amended silently, **Except...** "But, then there's Stephy and Stephenie and... Ch... well, you get the idea...", he trails off in thought. **Of course, if they were really just different parts of my... psyche? Then they'd all still be me... Only its sure didn't *feel* like me... Course was that *me* in love with SFX and wanting a *guy*...** He shudders mentally. **Well, then what the heck does all of that mean? If that was me, then who am I? Whatever I want to be? Or whatever this crazy power makes me?** "I don't think I'm crazy. No crazier than anyone with four or five different people in his, er, well, whatever should be, I guess." <><><><><> [GM] "Uh huh. Yeah. Well, uh, I'll see you later man." George turns and walks away towards the elevators. <><><><><> Steven: **F***.** "Uh, George...," he called after him walking quickly after him, "I'll go. I mean, I don't want to be the reason you split. I... don't want to have to face Jackie with that. So, I'll just hit the road. Sides, I want to check the casino out." **S**** you, if you can't take it. You don't have to live with it. Or don't s**** you, definitely don't.** He then tried to ride the elevator down with George, trying to figure out if he was splitting on Jackie or not. Steven was acutely uncomfortable the whole way down. [If he gets the idea he is, or if they get towards bottom without a good sign George ain't spliting, and if they are alone in the elevator he may to do something more...] <><><><><> [GM] "Uh, yeah, whatever." George avoids looking at you, and is silent on the way down. When it opens on the ground floor, he mumbles an almost incoherent " 'later" and walks away. <><><><><> Steven: He looks around, watching where George goes, but checking out the hotel as well. If he can move but a little to do so, and without being totally conspicuous, he'll try to see if George leaves of goes into a gmaing room or whatnot. If the later, cool. The former... He's not sure what he'll do then. **Is it *really* worth having to deal with this s***?*, he grumbles to himself. <><><><><> [GM] George goes into the casino, and looks around for a while, then heads out the front door. <><><><><> Steven: **Ah... hell, now what do I do?**, he thought as he saw George leave the hotel. **I can't just go mess up his mind. Can I?,** he truns and walks towards the door Goerge left by. **And what if I get a misfire? And he realizes... Hell. Should have just told him to believe what he wanted. Might not be too far off the mark at that.** Pausing at the door, looking for George, he continued thinking, ** Can't just follow him. He's bound to get the wrong idea. Could just ignore him... But, if he doesn't come back, Jackie will have my head. So, do I really care? Do I want to stay with these folks? Strength in numbers... and if Chase 'came out' and... gotta sleep sometimes. What I need is a way not to be seen... Hmmm... The harddrive? S***. I don't know... But, who know's what'll get with body roullette. Damn... what's the use of having this thing if I do use it. Just gotta hope its not too weird.** Finding a dark, as deserted as possible, place he concentrates on 1) no mental changes, 2) control splash, 3) change his physical appearance to look like a 20 yr old Steve MacQueen. If it works wihout catastrophe, he'll then try to follow George thus disguised. <><><><><> [GM] Your power causes a bright flash of light, prompting you to look around nervously for any sign of reaction. Inspecting yourself, you seem to look somewhat like Steve McQueen...except you're black. Your clothes have turned into a perfectly cinematic trenchcoat. You don't feel any immediately obvious mental changes. You do have the distinct taste of tomato juice in your mouth. In fact, the smell of fresh, ripe tomatoes seems to cling to you. A couple of people are approaching cautiously to investigate the sudden light. You're able to slip away easily enough. You spot George heading for a casino across the street. Sid, who has been pleasantly silent for a while, speaks up. **All right, Stevie, I realize you think I'm the incarnation of evil, but may I ask just what the hell you hope to accomplish? George IS an adult, and he can do whatever he likes, can't he? I hardly think he's going to appreciate you following him around, much less trying to prevent him from leaving Jackie and your happy little family if that's what he wants to do.** //I hate to say it, Steve, but I kind of agree with Sid// Stephy pipes in. //I mean, if he can't handle us the way we are, who needs him? And if Jackie blames you for his leaving, tough cookies! Jackie knows what we are and what we can do, she said as much.// **She also seemed to half-expect George to take off long before now** adds Sid. **Face it, George isn't your responsibility, and if Jackie wanted to go to any extra effort to keep him from taking off, she'd have locked him in a closet or something. Don't we have ANYTHING better to do than shadow that dweeb?** \\We could go ride the merry-go-round!\\ suggests Chase helpfully. This provokes a giggle from Stephy and a snicker from Sid. <><><><><> Steven: **Damn...** He moves away from the area. **Well, close...,** he thinks looking himself over. **Why tomatoes?** He examines himself further, trying among other things to as surreptiously as possible tell if the smell persist or fades. **'S ok, Chase...**, he chuckles silently, **I liked it. Look... Stephy, Sid... I know this s****. I'd like to just go check the casino and floor show out too. Find some girl. See what happens. Hell, maybe I get lucky and I can duplicate Stephy's little experiment... Maybe we get carmel this time? Only what do we do with her then, huh?** **If George wants to bail... that's his decision, I guess. But... Regardless of what she said, Jackie *will* blame us. Doesn't matter that you tried to tell him, Stephy.** He followed George into the casino he entered. **In which case, I'd like to know. Before she does.** **And who says we can't do both, huh? Maybe he just didn't like the pickings over there. How about it Chase? Want to see a casino, do some betting? Lose a little money? We could probably do it right under his nose and George wouldn't know who it was, right? If he takes off again... well, we'll deal with that if it happens.** If George went into the casino, Steven follows, ostensibly checking out the games and ladies. <><><><><> [GM] //That's the idea!// chortles Sid. //Find some chick, turn her into a Playboy centerfold love slave, and the hell with Jackie and that punk kid! We can do whatever we want, Stevie! Hell, she wasn't even grateful for you giving her a million dollars worth of gold! What the hell do we need them for?// George blows a little money, buys some drinks, blows some more money. There are plenty of attractive ladies around. As George drinks more, he shows every sign of staying in the casino until his cash is gone. <><><><><> Steven: **Sid... we need them for friends. Someone who understands what's going on. Hell, at least Jackie's someone we *can't* change... kill maybe but... We blow them off, where are we next time we need help? And there's still the little matter of them rescuing me. As for the gold... Hell, she probably expects it to vanish by tomorrow. I hope not... Frankly, I'm expensive on the scenery.** Convinced that maybe George isn't going to disappear, Steven starts playing blackjack, betting small, chatting up the ladies, drifitng from table to table. He's not *really* on the prowl, but... if anyone returns the interest... <><><><><> [GM] There are a few women that seem to respond positively. If he wants to pick someone up, it won't be difficult. You do get a lot of puzzled and/or snide comments about tomato juice, though. <><><><><> Steven: After playing awhile and making sure George still looked he was staying put, he relaxed. He ordered a drink. Actually, there were some really nice looking women here... And it *was* Las Vegas... And, well, he really *wanted* to, if only to take the edge off of the memories Stephy left... Except for that damn odor, which he finally made up a story about having a can of the stuff blow up all over him a short while ago, but since he'd just arrived and didn't have a room yet... So it only seemed natural, to mention to the best looking of the receptive ladies, with an appreciative if wolfish smile, that his predicament had lead him to wonder what the rooms at this motel were like. [Yes, he's going to pick one up. This *is* Vegas after all...]