Anthony J. Crowley (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
serpentinthegarden) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
tramitem_net2020-05-19 03:39 pm
serpentinthegarden) wrote in tramitem_net2020-05-19 03:39 pm
You're my only hope
[ Anthony looked frazzled as he cast a careful glance over his shoulder before slipping back under what appeared to be a blanket fort so he could stare at his phone. ]
Ok look, bad week... shit happened. Lots of shit happened, most of it was my fault. Got engaged, broke it off the next day, had to spend most of the rest of the time at the hospital looking after a sick relative. The visit from the creepy alien hunting suit was incredibly spooky... But none of that compares to this!
[ He swallowed and hushed his tone so he wouldn't be overheard. ]
Mum is here. Actually here in my flat right now, cleaning everything and making dinner because she says I look unwell even though she has done the magic heat sensing mum hand trick three times already and I don't have a fever. What do I do!? I can't tell her about even half of this stuff without--...
[ A second voice, much sweeter and calmer broke in to ask... ]
What is this?
[ And Anthony paled as he and phone broke free of the covers to see his grey haired mom holding that conspiratorial message from the mysterious MMF. Never had a man shot so quickly from a blanket tent to snag the paper, crumbled it, and chuck it into the nearest bin. ]
Nothing! Just some chain letter, probably thinks he is being funny by sending weird notes... Nothing to worry about at all! I told you everything is fine!!
[ His mum merely gave her poor highly strung son a sympathetic look and once again set her hand to his forehead. ]
Honey, you really need to calm down. I know what will help!
[ She turned and dug through one of her many bags until she found a tattered old teddy bear wearing yellow wellingtons. This was pressed into Anthony's arms as he was ushered back to the blanket covered sofa. ]
Its Mr. Yellow Boots! Now you and he can sit here all cozy until dinner is ready.
[ Anthony was sulking but he sat back on the sofa and looked helplessly after his mom until she was well out of ear shot. ]
Send help. Anything... I need her to stop worrying.
Ok look, bad week... shit happened. Lots of shit happened, most of it was my fault. Got engaged, broke it off the next day, had to spend most of the rest of the time at the hospital looking after a sick relative. The visit from the creepy alien hunting suit was incredibly spooky... But none of that compares to this!
[ He swallowed and hushed his tone so he wouldn't be overheard. ]
Mum is here. Actually here in my flat right now, cleaning everything and making dinner because she says I look unwell even though she has done the magic heat sensing mum hand trick three times already and I don't have a fever. What do I do!? I can't tell her about even half of this stuff without--...
[ A second voice, much sweeter and calmer broke in to ask... ]
What is this?
[ And Anthony paled as he and phone broke free of the covers to see his grey haired mom holding that conspiratorial message from the mysterious MMF. Never had a man shot so quickly from a blanket tent to snag the paper, crumbled it, and chuck it into the nearest bin. ]
Nothing! Just some chain letter, probably thinks he is being funny by sending weird notes... Nothing to worry about at all! I told you everything is fine!!
[ His mum merely gave her poor highly strung son a sympathetic look and once again set her hand to his forehead. ]
Honey, you really need to calm down. I know what will help!
[ She turned and dug through one of her many bags until she found a tattered old teddy bear wearing yellow wellingtons. This was pressed into Anthony's arms as he was ushered back to the blanket covered sofa. ]
Its Mr. Yellow Boots! Now you and he can sit here all cozy until dinner is ready.
[ Anthony was sulking but he sat back on the sofa and looked helplessly after his mom until she was well out of ear shot. ]
Send help. Anything... I need her to stop worrying.
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I can't seem to recall any flying vases.
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This is nothing.
[his step-father mutters something about getting Chinese and beats a quick retreat from the flat. Alec wishes he could follow him]
Siblings there too? Ellie had to cancel last minute, thank God. [which was probably why they were fighting. They wouldn't if she were here]
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[ There was another crash that sent him wincing in a, 'hopefully that was nothing important' sort of way. ]
How much did you tell them?
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Well, well! There's my wee lad! How are you doing, Anthy? You're looking well! Much better than string bean over there! How is your gorgeous fiancee?
[meanwhile a woman with short white hair rounded on Alec in the sofa]
You're comin' back wi' us to Edinburgh!
I bloody well am not!
You bloody well are! And don't you use that tone with me!
He's a grown man, Irene!
Piss off!
I told you I'm not going!
I'm telling you, you are!
[the apartment door slams shut behind them and Alistair grins]
How's life keepin' ya, laddie buck?
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It's... been a very busy week Uncle Alistair.
You look good. Haven't changed a bit.
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But tell me about her. Yer girl. I always said you'd get a knockout
Will you put the bloody suitcase down!
[there is a loud thump and a rattle and a silence which seems somewhat disturbing]
Two of a pair, they are
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[ The noise was so distracting that Anthony craned his neck to try and see what was going on over there as if he could look past his Uncle. ]
White haired, pleasantly plump he with a Mona Lisa smile... Shouldn't you see what that was?
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[sweat beads his temples as he looks over his shoulder at the closed door]
I'm not going in there. Tell your Mum to let us know when the dinner is and er... maybe we should catch a drink sometime.
[before much else can be said the door opens behind him and Irene comes out, face like a storm cloud]
I wash my hands of him. If he wants to be pitiful, let him. He's a grown man [this she spits at Alistair who glowers at her. She turns her attention the phone]
It's nice to see you, Anthy dear. I hope we get to meet your lovely fiancee--
Her name's Lisa
--soon. [then to her ex] I'm going back to the hotel. Give Alec his phone back and let him rest in peace
[Alistair's face goes red again]
Don't tell me what to do, woman!
Oh I forgot how allergic you were to any advice no matter how small.
See you later on then, Anthy.
[he opens the door and sets the phone on an endtable before slamming it shut behind him. Alec is still lying on the sofa, hands pressed against his eyes and from the other side of the door, Alistair snaps]
Oh fine, just walk away! That's what yer good at!
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So I told him about Fell, that went well... He's now waiting to meet Lisa.
How're you holding up? I caught some of that, mum wants you to go home to the UK?
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She does. Now she doesn't.
[and he isn't going.]
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I mean if you need a rescue...
[ He waved his hand to his own mum who was cooking away in the kitchen and singing a happy tune. She wasn't shouting at least. ]
She would make you eat a salad or something, between filling my fridge and freeze to the top with home cooked meals.
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...I don't want to be in the way.
[he swallowed]
And you'll have to help me downstairs.
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I'm a master at helping people downstairs.
And actually you would be the opposite of in the way. Going to pick you up is an excuse mum couldn't possibly object to.
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I'll be here.
[though he might just pass out in waiting so Anthony will have to let himself in.]
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I'll be there soon.
[ It actually took a few hours to get across town as the wreck of the century had plugged up large portions of Manhattan. Then there were the stairs... Anthony was huffing and puffing when he went to blow the door down to enter Alec's flat.
He picked up the discarded hospital provisions bag on the way by, tossing the previously worn clothing into what he hoped was a hamper so it could be filled up again with new fresh things. ]
Oi, Alec. Want to pack your own bag this time?
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He barely felt capable of moving but...]
Yeh. Give me a sec--
[he hoisted himself into an upright position and then... remained where he was to gather the energy to stand]
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[ Anthony just got a head start on things by grabbing up those same bathroom items he had collected the first time. No one should go anywhere without a toothbrush. ]
Are they all gone then? Likely to return?
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Probably.
Though hopefully one at a bloody time.
[Christ, he just wanted a nap]
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Maybe I should do the packing. It's fine to sit this one out.
[ Literally. ]
Is there anything you absolutely must take with you? Book you are reading? Favorite shirt?
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Few books. One on the nightstand. Don't care about the clothes so long as they're clean.
[he let Anthony go about it for a moment and then]
How long do you think it'll take to get rid of them?
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I'd like to say a week but... I have no idea. Most family visits back home lasted a week.
[ But this was medical. There was his mental breakdown and Alec's bad ticker. ]
Afraid they will stay longer?
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[he picks at a small hole in the arm of the chair]
And what if they're... What if the Bureau gets to them too?
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Never going to happen.
Why would they? I doubt they are going to give two figs about a group of old grumpy people. Besides...
[ He smiled back over his shoulder as the luggage bag was zipped up. ]
... your mum would break a vase over their head.
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