Pygmalion's Art
(Disclaimer: I have no business connection with JOAN. My only purpose in writing this story is to have fun and maybe share it)
(Author's Note: This story is part of a series that takes place after the JOAN OF ARCADIA TV show ended. A listing of the other stories is on my profile. The main events that have happened since May 2005 are
(1) Joan has let Grace, Luke, and Adam into her secret
(2) Joan and Adam got married in June, 2006 on graduating from high school. They are now attending a small college named Baconia University.
This story starts in September, 2006)
Chapter 1 Invitation to a Play
PYGMALION'S ART
DRAMA WORKSHOP
ALL STUDENTS WELCOME
GLOB THEATRE, 8:00 Tuesday
Adam had just finished reading the sign on the college kiosk when he heard a female voice behind him. "Pygmalion? Do they mean My Fair Lady?"
"It says Pygmalion's ART," he answered automatically. "Maybe it's the original ancient myth." He turned to see whom he was speaking to. "Elizabeth!"
"Hi, Adam," said Elizabeth Grozman. "It's odd we haven't talked here in college, seeing we come from the same high school."
"We parted last time on rather awkward terms." The last he had seen of her was her rear end, after a nude-modeling session had gone sour and she had stomped out the door. She was quite attractively clothed now, light blue blouse that actually meshed well with her jeans, and it appealed to his artistic sense. They walked away from the kiosk, to get some privacy and let some other students read the signs.
She was remembering the incident on different terms. "Yeah. I'm sorry I bopped you on the beanie. I got flustered."
"I was rude. I didn't mean to imply that there was anything wrong with your, um—"
"You wanted Joan. I figured that out afterward. So you two are married now?
"Yeah. Living in an apartment off campus. And I got a little studio on the edge of town."
She looked back at the kiosk. "I think I may go to that workshop. I haven't got involved in drama here yet." She had been an actress at Arcadia High, playing in everything from GODSPELL to WEST SIDE STORY to something weird called QUEEN OF THE ZOMBIES – which turned out to be another God Spell. "What about you?"
"After my scenery fell down at the high school musical? Who'd hire me?"
"Maybe it's volunteer."
"You know what I mean."
"Well, it's your choice. I know I'm going." She gave a goodbye wave, which looked eerily like one of God's departures.
Adam retrieved his bike and rode out to his studio, glad that Baconia University was in a small, quiet town where such transportation was possible. He spent a couple of hours working on his current sculpture, which he called "UnNamed Object #1". In fact he rather lost track of time, and realized that he needed to cycle back to home as fast as he could.
Joan was sulky. As he entered the flat, she had the TV on in the background, which did not seem to be entertaining her much. "Where were you?"
"Studio. It's a bummer, having it so far from our apartment."
She snorted. "The real bummer is having to wait for you to decide to come home. I'm not going to be a fifties sitcom wife, with dinner waiting for the hubby when he decides to come home. I've got my own career to study for." She picked up a tureen. "Have some cold soup."
"Thanks, Jane. It's all right, I can eat anything."
"Including my cooking, is that what you're implying?" Second bad choice on Adam's part. Joan was from a family that valued good cuisine, and where evening dinner was a family ritual.
"No, I—"
"You two should really get out more."
The startled couple looked around to see who had made that last comment, then realized that the television was talking to them.
"Oh, great. Big Brother is watching you," said Joan.
"I'm always watching over you, Joan, but it is out of love," said the TV.
"I bet Big Brother said that too. I've been reading 1984, for a class, as You obviously know."
"This is 2006, Joan. And you are lonely. You find it difficult to get involved in social activities because you live off-campus."
"Well, yes. The dorms don't take married students into account. Which is silly, because there are lots of unmarried couples living there."
"I can't rewrite the dorm policy, Joan. Free will. But there are other ways to meet people. Tell her, Adam."
"Tell her what? Oh. There's a drama workshop starting tonight, Jane. I ran into Elizabeth Grozman, and she's interested in it."
"A chance to meet people, Joan," said Television God. "Not just any people, but those who are interested in the arts, exactly the sort Adam would like."
"I don't want scenery to fall on my head again," she said, but she spoiled the effect of the complaint by giggling.
"It won't, I promise, Jane." He kissed her.
"Well – OK. What time?"
"8:00."
She looked at the clock. "7:15 now. We won't have time to heat the soup."
"As I said, that's OK, Jane." said Adam.
"Just one more thing." She addressed the television. "No more Big Brother, OK? Next time, let us argue in peace."
"Peace be with you, then, and may you enjoy the give-and-take. I will follow your request." The television turned itself off before Joan could reach the remote.
Joan and Adam looked at each other. "Looks like we have a new mission," said Joan. "I wonder: is it just socializing, or does He have something else in store when we get there?"
Adam was less apprehensive than his wife about missions, maybe because he had been on less of them. "I guess we'll find out."
TBC
(AUTHOR'S NOTE: The incident where Elizabeth posed nude for a painting of Adam's is from one of my other JOAN stories, TO THE FAIREST.)
(AUTHOR'S NOTE: The title will be explained when they get to the workshop, in Chapter 2.)
(AUTHOR'S NOTE: I changed God's exit line after Haruka Minamino complained about it.