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Post by Tensleep on Jul 2, 2009 23:32:49 GMT -5
I am away from home this month, but I haven't forgotten you people! You lovely, wonderful people. Anyways, a friend of mine died quite suddenly, quite recently. He was very sick, but it was a car crash that took him. But before he went, he actually loaned me an idea for this rumble, after hearing about my own lovely vacation last year. So in honor of my good friend Chris, here we go.
Rumble, July '09:
The Vacation From Hell.
Your friends are your friends, through thick and thin, but how does that measure up when you're stuck together in the vacation from hell?
Write a story about the boys taking a vacation together where something - anything - goes wrong. As for the vacation - when, where, how, why, etc. - I leave that up to you. Six pages max, any POV.
Please copy, paste and post your entries under this thread so we can all enjoy them! I know there are some awesome imaginations on this forum. So get writing!
Tens
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cooroo
Teeny Bopper
All we hear is Radio Gaga...
Posts: 171
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Post by cooroo on Jul 3, 2009 13:00:37 GMT -5
Oh, Tens, I'm so sorry about your friend. I can't even imagine losing someone close to me - I've been lucky so far. I'm thinking of you, though. And he was lucky to have such a great friend who would dedicate a rumble to him. That's one way to immortalise someone, right? I'll try writing something for this one, because it does sound like fun. I've been super-busy lately, though, so I'll just have to hope and keep my fingers crossed.
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Post by Nittanylizard on Jul 3, 2009 18:40:35 GMT -5
Oh no, I'm so sorry, Tens! That's awful to hear. I hope you're holding up okay. Will be thinking about you lots.
{{{{hugs}}}}
Liz
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Two-Bitty
Teeny Bopper
"I've no interest in living for a thousand years. It's enough if I can live through today."
Posts: 109
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Post by Two-Bitty on Jul 5, 2009 11:19:19 GMT -5
Aw, I'm sorry Tens. At least he's in a better place, and doesn't have to deal with being sick, right? That's all we can hope for.
Since you have the prompt on both this and on Greaser Gangs & Social Clubs, I'll have to post it twice, or make two separate stories. Sounds fun.
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Post by Tensleep on Jul 6, 2009 22:05:10 GMT -5
Hey everyone. Thanks for the warm wishes. I'm glad you all are so supportive! I've had some time to recover, so it's not so bad, but still lonely, you know? I expect a little-brother type conversation everytime I turn on the computer or check my messages and it's just weird not to have it anymore.
Anyways, I do hope to see responses! I have one on the go! I know, shocker.
Happy writing!
Tens
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Post by Tensleep on Jul 27, 2009 16:53:31 GMT -5
Wow, I am so surprised I'm the first on this one! Go me, even though it is three days until month end. Oh well! Keep in mind, this is around 45 hour work weeks, no sleep, no beta, and all that jazz.
A Vacation on five dollars By Tensleep
“Well, this officially sucks.”
Two-Bit and Soda both glanced at Steve. He was right, but Steve was the only one who was blatant enough to say it out loud. When Darry had promised them a camping trip, none of them had envisioned that they would be sitting in the back yard with two tents and marshmallows to roast over the barbeque. The original plan was to drive out to the lake for the weekend and camp there, but Darry’s job had shifted schedules again and taking the weekend off wasn’t an option. It was something to actually spend time with his friends and just goof off for the weekend, but in Steve’s mind it was turning out to be one pathetic vacation.
“It’s not that bad, Steve,” Soda tried for what seemed like the fourth time.
“Soda, you know I’d normally try to put a positive spin on this, but I’m with Stevie on this one,” Two-Bit threw in.
“Don’t call me Stevie,” Steve responded automatically, flicking his half roasted marshmallow into the depths of the barbeque.
“Darry tried, so the least we can do is try to at least look like we’re enjoying this.” Soda grabbed a marshmallow to roast, hoping to set an example. "He even spent five whole dollars on food."
“Oh, it’s not us you have to be worrying about,” Two-Bit pointed out, gesturing at where Dallas was smoking by the back fence.
Soda frowned. If anyone was going to hurt Darry’s feelings, it would be Dallas. Darry would accept it, though. He had known Dallas for years and he had a thick skin because of it. This was the best he could do and it would be nice if Dallas would just go along with it to make Darry happy. But that wouldn’t be Dal’s way. Soda sighed, wondering if they were even going to make it to dinner before this whole night fell apart.
“But Darry! We only have two tents! It will be like sleeping in a sardine tin!”
Soda felt like sighing again. Then there was Ponyboy. The kid hadn’t been happy since he’d tripped up at the track meet three days ago and missed out on finals by only a few seconds. He’d been miserable to be around since and Darry seemed to be the one taking the brunt of his bad mood.
“It will not be that bad,” Darry assured him, carrying supplies for dinner outside.
“You’re a lot bigger than I am! You won’t even notice if you roll over and suffocate me in the middle of the night.”
Darry sighed, his patience obviously running low. “I don’t know what to tell you, kiddo. If you don’t want to sleep out in the tent, sleep in the house.”
“By myself?” Pony sounded like he thought even less of that idea.
“Talk someone into sleeping inside with you,” Darry suggested, setting down potato salad at the picnic table.
Pony scowled, shoving his hands in his pockets as he stalked off over to where Johnny was sitting on the back steps. Soda shook his head. This adventure in the back yard was supposed to cheer the kid up. Maybe he’d be happier once he had a hot dog or two in him.
“Anyone hungry?” Darry asked, gesturing at the tray of hot dogs sitting on the table.
“Hot dogs?” Steve asked, looking like he was done with this whole trip to nowhere if this was Darry’s idea of dinner.
“Yeah, we get to roast our own. Darry and I spent ten minutes straightening coat hangers just for this,” Soda told them, clearly trying to put a positive spin on the idea.
“Really?” Two-Bit perked up.
“Try not to burn the hot dog or yourself,” Darry directed, handing Two-Bit one of the straightened out coat hangers. “And if the hot dog falls into the barbeque, don’t try to fish it out.”
“Come on, Darry! I’m an old pro at keeping what I plan to eat intact or even clean in some cases.” Two-Bit winked and waltzed over to the barbeque with purpose.
“Two bucks says the hot dog hits the ground,” Steve wagered.
“Five says he eats it anyways,” Dal countered, sitting down beside Steve at the table.
“Wanna get in on this?” Steve asked Soda. “Wanna bet on some other catastrophe?”
“No bet,” Soda chuckled.
“Ha ha, guys. Just watch the master,” Two-Bit called over his shoulder.
He confidently put his hot dog over the heat and hummed as he focused on that. Both Steve and Dallas frowned.
“Hey Two-Bit, tell us a story,” Dallas ordered.
“Oh, you’d like that.” Two-Bit shook his head, carefully turning his hot dog.
It was common knowledge that the jester talked with his hands and no hot dog could survive that. A few minutes later he walked over to where there was bread and ketchup waiting. When he had the hot dog ready, he took a large bite and grinned at his friends around the meat and bread.
“You know, if you had some faith in me, you could have made a pretty penny there Soda,” Two-Bit informed him. “I’m an old pro at this.”
“When did you ever have the chance to roast hotdogs?” Pony asked, getting a hot dog of his own to roast.
“Well, how do you think Ma ever got Katie and me to eat anything that wasn’t covered in pasta sauce or chocolate when she was working double shifts at the bar?” Two-Bit asked. “She used to have us stand at the stove on the kitchen chairs with hot dogs on clothes hangers at least once a week while she was getting ready to go to work.”
“You are full of surprises,” Steve sighed, shaking his head.
“Your ma sounds like a brave woman,” Johnny commented, reaching for one of the uncooked hot dogs and taking a bite of it.
“Yep, my Ma is one great lady,” Two-Bit beamed. “Come on over here, Johnnycake. I’ll teach you the best way to cook a hot dog.” Johnny looked doubtful, but followed Two-Bit over to the barbeque with a hanger and a new hot dog.
“Want me to cook you one, Dal?” Two-Bit asked.
“If the kids can cook their own, so can I,” Dal replied, getting up to cook one.
“Cook one for me, Two-Bit,” Steve called. “I want to try one of those world class hot dogs of yours.”
“Coming right up!” Two-Bit shouted.
“Keep it down, will ya? He’s not across the road or anything,” Dal huffed, waving his hot dog up and down.
“Want some tips, Dal?” Two-Bit asked, earning a glare.
“Just cook your own damn weenie,” Dal growled.
“Alright, suit yourself Dal.” Two-Bit shrugged. “Now, the trick is to keep your dog moving, Johnny. If you let it stay on one side too long it won’t cook evenly.”
“Like this?” Johnny asked, turning his hot dog over and Two-Bit nodded.
“Perfect, you’re a natural Johnny!”
Dallas scowled at the pair of them, discreetly turning his hot dog like he hadn’t been listening in the whole time.
Darry shook his head and began dishing up the potato salad. With Two-Bit playing grill king, there was really no reason for him to hover.
“Now, Stevie, do you like your hot dog cooked or well done?” Two-Bit called, causing Steve to shrug.
“I thought this was your thing, Mr. Hot Dog King.”
“As long as it’s hot, he’ll eat it,” Soda assured him.
“Darry, do we have anymore marshmallows?” Ponyboy asked, holding up the empty bag that they’d already gone through.
“After dinner,” Darry promised.
Pony looked at the hot dog on his plate like someone was trying to torture him. Soda grinned at his younger brother and plopped a scoop of the salad on there as well.
“Darry made it with pickle chunks – just the way you like it,” Soda pointed out the green flecks in the white salad.
“No one else does,” Dallas grumbled, reaching to check his hot dog. “Son of a –”
“Oh, and when checking one’s hot dog, keep in mind not to grab the wire too high or you’ll burn your fingers,” Two-Bit told Johnny matter of factly.
Dallas glared at Two-Bit, not saying anything with his thumb and index finger of his left hand firmly sucked into his mouth. He made his point by tossing his poker – hot dog and all – viciously into the dirt.
“If you brush that off, it’ll taste just fine,” Steve pointed out, getting a glare from the injured Greaser.
“Want me to take a look at it, Dally?” Darry offered.
“It’s fine. It just hurts like hell,” Dal growled, studying his fingers where there was a perfect wire-shaped burn across his two fingers.
“Want some ice, Dal?” Soda asked with a wince at seeing the throbbing skin.
“No. What I want is a beer. I’m going to Buck’s.”
“Come on, Dally. This could still be fun,” Soda tried.
Dallas wasn’t listening. He had his jacket in his good hand a minute later, stomping off through the back gate and cursing at his hand as he made his way to Buck’s. Soda sighed. Well, it wasn’t all that unexpected.
“Alright. Here’s your hot dog, Stevie. That’ll be five dollars,” Two-Bit declared, handing over the hot dog like nothing had happened to interrupt his cooking.
“Two-Bit,” Darry looked like he was going to start lecturing.
“I bet Steve that Dallas would be the first to leave,” Two-Bit offered with a shrug. “Looks like I won.”
“Why’d you take that bet?” Pony asked looking surprised.
“Because I was sure we’d have it packed in because of you,” Steve replied.
Ponyboy scowled. “Well, if I were in on this bet, I would have been a winner with how you were the first to start beefing about this. You’re probably only still here because Soda guilted you into it!”
“You want me to leave, kid?” Steve asked, setting his hot dog down. “Just say so and you’ll get your way, just like you always do.”
“Ok, enough!” Soda stood, looking mad at the pair of them. “I can’t believe you two! You can’t even get along for one night!”
“I’m startin’ to think following Dal is a good idea,” Two-Bit told Johnny, who merely shrugged and ate his hot dog.
“I’m sorry, Soda,” Ponyboy sighed, looking like he had been scolded. “It’s just this whole dumb vacation in the back yard...”
“Darry tried really hard to make this into a good time. You know he did.” Soda shook his head. “It’s him you should be apologizing to.”
“Hey, where is Darry?” Two-Bit asked, looking around the back yard and not seeing him.
“He’s probably in the house looking for the bandages and stuff. You never know what could happen around an open barbeque,” Soda replied, glancing at where the kitchen light was on in the house. “Listen, I know this isn’t what we had in mind, but can we try? For Darry?”
“Yeah, I guess.” Pony nodded and the other three followed suit.
“Hey! Now that we all have a bunch of sugar in us, how about a couple ghost stories?” Two-Bit suggested. “Do you think Darry will let us light a camp fire?”
Soda smiled. “I think everything but the fire will be just fine.”
“Because I know this real doozy. It happened to me last week in Math class when Mrs. Herford bent over right by my desk and –”
“Save it for story time, Two-Bit.” Soda beamed.
“He’s not kidding about that one being scary,” Steve threw in, shaking his head. “I was two desks back and thought I was going to lose my eyesight when I saw that run in her hose that went all the way up to places I never wanted to think about.”
“Remember Mrs. Johnston in second grade?” Johnny shook his head. “I think that was the last skirt Curly looked under until last year.”
Two-Bit howled with laughter and the others started chuckling, picturing the look of utter horror on Curly’s face when he found out their teacher wasn’t wearing any underwear.
It was that fit of laughter Darry saw through the back door as he carried out another tray of marshmallows and chocolate. See? All it took was a little burn and an argument to get the piss and vinegar out of everyone. Now they could have a good time, even if this was the worst idea for a vacation he had ever come up with. Darry smirked to himself and wondered what else he could get away with. The boys were just too gullible when Soda laid into them. They’d have to do this kinda stuff more often.
Who said you couldn’t have a vacation on five bucks?
The end.
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Post by Maggie Writersblock on Jul 27, 2009 19:11:10 GMT -5
This made me smile. =D
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Post by Nittanylizard on Jul 27, 2009 20:17:53 GMT -5
ahahahaha! Tens, that was awesome! I love Ponyboy's comment - "You won’t even notice if you roll over and suffocate me in the middle of the night." And roasting the hot dogs, that whole scene was hysterical. You have such a great way with dialogue. This totally made my night!
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Post by Masquerade on Jul 28, 2009 13:09:06 GMT -5
Thanks, Tensleep. I really enjoyed that.
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cooroo
Teeny Bopper
All we hear is Radio Gaga...
Posts: 171
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Post by cooroo on Jul 28, 2009 13:56:31 GMT -5
That made me smile, Tens. It was really nicely done, and Two-Bit cooking the hot dogs was brilliant! It was great seeing the whole gang together and the different dynamics, like Dally storming off and Johnny taking hot dog cooking instructions. It was very good.
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Two-Bitty
Teeny Bopper
"I've no interest in living for a thousand years. It's enough if I can live through today."
Posts: 109
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Post by Two-Bitty on Jul 28, 2009 17:03:11 GMT -5
“Just cook your own damn weenie,” Dal growled.
I don't know why, but that made me laugh so hard. Maybe it was just the fact that Dally said 'weenie' which is something I didn't expect from him.
Overall it was a good story. I like the fact of the whole gang getting together and roasting 'weenies'. ;D Maybe I'll be able to get one in within... one day. Go brain go.
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Post by whatcoloristhesky on Jul 29, 2009 20:34:44 GMT -5
I really enjoyed that, Tens. I've been avoiding this rumble, actually—vacations aren't my forté, I'm thinking. lol. Anyway, awesome job. It made me laugh.
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Post by missmouse on Jul 29, 2009 21:39:50 GMT -5
I also have a problem with vacations, especially since they're poor- where can they go? haha. I have an idea floating about, and if I get the time, I'll write it. I really enjoyed the one that was posted! Dally saying weenie was awesome... I also liked the betting It was quite entertaining.
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Post by Tensleep on Jul 30, 2009 2:15:39 GMT -5
Hey guys, thanks for the great comments - you all managed to make me smile. In fact, this has been the best day ever and this is the icing to my great day cupcake...yeah. I said cupcakes. Man, I need some sleep...
Dudes, don't sweat over the deadline. If you ever finish something for the June '07 rumble, post it. I think that every idea deserves to be written, no matter what.
So keep on the sunny side, all.
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