Lost The Plot? Part 2
It was Sunday and things were still quiet in the town of Cliff Face Creek. Things in the apartment above the pharmacy, however, were far from quiet. Jessica was squealing as BA and Face played tag with her round the lounge. Amy was chatting with Molly and Suzie was watching television. Only Murdock was nowhere to be seen. Hannibal glanced up from the paper he was trying to read.
"Suzie, turn the TV down a bit please, kid."
Suzie glared at him but turned the volume down a touch. Hannibal moved his feet for the hundredth time as Jessica raced past him, chased by Face. He caught her and started spinning her round the room.
"Face, you'll make her sick," said Hannibal. "Put her down."
Face put Jessica back down on the floor and she looked at Hannibal.
"Daddy spoil my fun," she pouted.
"Daddy wants some peace and quiet," muttered Hannibal and went back to reading the paper. Moments later, he put the paper down again. He got up and walked over to the door, which led to the garden.
"What's up, Hannibal?" asked Molly.
"You lot are driving me crazy. I'm going outside for some peace and some fresh air."
He slammed the door behind him and Suzie started to giggle.
"What's up with you?" asked Amy.
"If it's peace he wants, he won't get it in the garden. Murdock's out there."
"Hannibal will kill him if he keeps up with this song thing."
"You'd better go and rescue your beloved," said Face, smirking.
Suzie glared at him.
"Leave him alone."
Face held his hands up.
"Not saying another word," he grinned. Suzie turned back to the television. Face grinned at BA and they both swooped on Jessica who had forgotten about their game since Hannibal had told her off. She screamed in delight as they both picked her up between them and swung her back and forth. They both threw her up in the air and BA caught her in his strong arms. He set her back down and she tagged him and ran off, giggling.
Out in the garden, Hannibal was smoking a cigar and watching Murdock who was over by the birdtable. He walked over to Murdock. He could overhear him talking to the birds.
"Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep."
Hannibal shook his head. This was really going on too long, even for his patience. Usually, he could tolerate Murdock and his crazy phases but this one was simply annoying.
"Wish I could fly," said Murdock.
"You talking to me, Murdock?"
"Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm."
"You can fly, you're a pilot, remember?"
Murdock shook his head.
"Flying without wings."
Hannibal shook his head again. He looked at Murdock who had started to stare dreamily into space.
"You coming inside, Murdock?"
Murdock shook his head.
"What's out here that's so fascinating?"
Murdock smiled.
"Sunshine after the rain."
Hannibal had to agree. It had been raining since they got up this morning and had only just started to brighten up. The sun was just starting to set in the sky and an orange glow had settled over the edge of the garden.
"It is nice to see some good weather again. I miss the fresh air too, that's why I like coming up her, to get away from the traffic and thousands of people."
"Inner city life," mused Murdock. "Living in America, gangsta's paradise."
"Keeps us in a job though, eh Murdock?"
"Stayin' alive."
Hannibal looked at Murdock and realized he had had a conversation with Murdock that actually made sense, despite Murdock talking in titles. Perhaps he was just getting used to it. It dawned on Hannibal that Murdock was just Murdock and any phase he went through was just a phase. It just needed the right approach to see it through.
"See you later then, Captain."
"Alright."
Suzie appeared at the door and Hannibal winked at her as he went back inside. Suzie walked over to Murdock and he smiled at her.
"My girl."
"Hey Murdock, whatcha doin out here by yourself?"
"Searching."
"And what exactly are you searching for?"
"Good vibrations," said Murdock, grinning.
Suzie laughed.
"I don't know whether to kiss you or kill you when you start acting the fool."
Murdock squeezed her close.
"Hold me, thrill me, kiss me, kill me."
"Oh you," said Suzie and squeezed him back. Face appeared at the door.
"Suzie, phone call for you."
"Who is it?"
"Someone called Denis."
Suzie raced for the house. Murdock followed and caught up with Face.
"Denis?"
"You astound me, Murdock. I never took you for the jealous type."
"Jealous guy?"
"If looks could kill, Murdock, the phone would have died."
Murdock shrugged and went inside the apartment. Face followed, grinning. When they got back inside, Suzie was putting her coat on, whilst at the same time, trying to talk into the phone.
"Yes, I know I said you could continue with the thesis but I didn't expect you to overwrite the disk with all my contribution on it. Yes, I've got a printout of it. That's beside the point, Denis. We needed the whole thing together and then a printout of the whole thing at the end. Look, don't do anything, I'll be straight round. Don't press anything and I mean anything until I get there."
Suzie hung up and tossed the phone to Hannibal who happened to be the nearest to the door as she raced out.
"Don't wait up," she shouted as she slammed the door behind her.
"What time will you be home?" shouted Molly but it was too late. Suzie had left and there was no response from the closed door.
"Sounds like a crisis," said Amy. "I know how contrary computers can be. I've had assignments or articles wiped in an instant. Very frustrating."
"Who is this Denis?" asked Hannibal.
"Don't come over all paternal with Suzie, Hannibal Smith. I've known Denis Cropper since he was three months old. He's in the same year as Suzie. His father was Eric's partner."
"Eric?" asked Face.
"My late husband," said Molly. "He died six years ago. He co-owned the garage with Martin Cropper, Denis' dad. They were both killed when an explosion blew the garage up. Nothing was ever proved but they had refused to sell the property to Doug Kingston."
"Who's Doug Kingston," asked Amy.
"The sleazeball who tried to put this town out of business," said Hannibal. "Are you suggesting that he was involved in the explosion in any way, Molly? Why didn't you mention this before?"
"Cathy told me I was being paranoid and it was just me looking for someone to blame. The police confirmed there was a fault in some welding equipment and that's what caused the explosion. Nothing was ever mentioned about foul play."
"But you think differently?"
"I don't think about it at all now. It's past, forgotten."
"Not if he's guilty."
"Hannibal."
Molly's voice carried a warning and Hannibal let the subject drop.
"So this Denis, he's a friend of Suzie's. I thought all her friends had gone to other colleges."
"So she thought," replied Molly. "Denis started the term late, due to an illness so she was quite pleased to see him when he turned up. She has made a few more friends though since her first day."
"Diana, Eleanor, Abraham, Martin and John," muttered Murdock.
Hannibal looked at him, puzzled.
"You okay, Murdock?"
"He's just jealous," said Face. "Can't you see the green tint in his face?"
"Go away and die!" muttered Murdock and Face laughed.
"I'm not getting to you, am I?
"Sod off!"
"Can't keep up the pressure, eh? Sod off isn't a song."
"Bjork," said Molly, laughing. "Although I have to admit, I don't know about Go Away And Die."
"Group called Spasm," said Face.
"Smart Aleck," said Murdock, sitting on the couch."
"You're cheating now, Murdock," said Face.
"Sorry Face," said Hannibal. "Old jazz number by Lionel Hampton. Face it, Lieutenant, you can't beat him."
"Roll with it."
Face punched Murdock in the arm. Murdock punched him back and the two men started a playful tussle. BA started to groan then felt a small tug on his arm. He looked down and saw Jessica looking up at him.
"Read me a bedtime story, Uncle Bosco?"
Hannibal looked at BA in surprise.
"Bosco?"
BA shrugged.
"Don't have no bad attitude to the little lady, do I?"
Hannibal grinned and BA took Jessica through to her room to read her a story. Molly sat down next to Hannibal. She lay down and put her head in his lap.
"Tired?" asked Hannibal.
"Hmmm," replied Molly.
Hannibal draped his arm over her in a show of brotherly affection. Face and Murdock stopped fighting and drifted over to the sofa. Face sat down in front of Amy and lay his head against her legs. She reached down and softly stroked his head. Murdock sat in the large armchair and curled up into a ball. BA came back into the lounge.
"Jessie's asleep for the night," he said. Hannibal nodded and closed his eyes. BA turned the television on quietly and they all sat and watched the television and waited for Suzie to put in an appearance for the evening, enjoying the peace and quiet they so rarely got.
Suzie crept through the door at four o' clock the next morning. Hanging her coat up quietly, she tiptoed through the lounge, which was in darkness and into the kitchen. She opened the fridge door and took out some things. She started to put together a sandwich, which wasn't easy in the dark. She didn't dare switch on the light in case her mother was still awake and saw the light from in her bedroom. She turned back and put the things back in the fridge She closed the fridge door and picked up the sandwich. She turned to go down the hall towards her bedroom.
"It's about time you got in. Where've you been?"
Suzie jumped with fright as the light switched on. She spun round to see Hannibal standing in the doorway.
"Jeez, Hannibal! You scared the crap outta me."
"Watch your mouth, lady."
"Don't tell me what to do."
"You didn't answer my question."
"You know where I've been. I've been at Denis' house."
"All this time?"
"We had a lot of stuff to get through."
"I'll bet you did."
"Hannibal!"
Suzie actually had the nerve to look shocked, in fact she was so shocked she started to laugh. However, Hannibal wasn't laughing.
"I don't see what's so funny."
Suzie promptly stopped laughing.
"There's nothing like that between me and Denis. We're friends, we've got an assignment due to hand in in two days time and he wiped almost the whole thing from the disk. We had to rewrite the whole thing over again. Do you know how long it takes to write forty pages of stuff again, especially when you CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT YOU WROTE IN THE FIRST PLACE!"
"DON'T YOU YELL AT ME, YOUNG LADY."
"YOU'RE YELLING AT ME."
"YOU'LL WAKE THE WHOLE BLOODY HOUSE UP."
"What on earth is all the yelling about?"
Molly came into the kitchen, rubbing her eyes and tying the belt round her dressing gown. Hannibal took several deep breaths, grateful for the interruption so he could calm his temper. Molly looked at him.
"I thought you'd gone back to the motel with the others.
"I was waiting for Suzie."
Molly stared at her daughter.
"Please tell me you haven't just got in."
"We had a lot of work to do."
"Couldn't it have waited until the morning?"
"We need every free moment possible."
Molly sighed.
"Go to bed, we'll discuss this tomorrow when you get home from school."
"I'm going back round to Denis' after school."
Molly sighed again.
"Just go to bed and we'll see what happens tomorrow."
Suzie walked out of the kitchen and they heard the door slam. Molly winced and waited. Sure enough, it came.
"Daddy!"
Jessica's cry came from in her room. Hannibal looked at Molly.
"Does she always cry out for me?"
Molly sighed.
"Every night. But you never come."
"Every night?"
Hannibal couldn't believe it. Molly stroked his arm.
"Don't feel bad, Hannibal. She never remembers in the morning. She cries out, I go and see her but by the time I get there, she's always back asleep again."
Hannibal just continued to stare at Molly in bewilderment. Molly wanted to hug him but instead she patted his arm and ushered him into the lounge.
"Sit down and I'll make you a drink. You look like you need one."
Hannibal sank down onto the sofa and put his head in his hands. Molly disappeared into the kitchen and quickly made two cups of coffee. She walked back into the lounge and she dropped the cups in horror. Hannibal was crying! She had only ever seen him cry once before, when she had told him about Cathy's death. He was sat on the sofa, sobbing. She raced over to him and threw her arms around him. He started to pull away but she held onto him tightly. He gave up resisting and sagged against her, still sobbing. She held him until the sobbing subsided.
"Hannibal, what is it?"
"I've failed her."
"Who?"
"Cathy."
"Why have you failed Cathy?"
"You said it yourself. Our daughter cries for me every night and I'm not there. I've failed as a father and therefore I've let Cathy down. I can't look after Jessie, I can't keep my promise to Cathy."
"You're a great father, in the circumstances."
"I'd give anything to stay here."
"And get caught by the military? What good would you be to Jessie locked up in prison for the next twenty years? Do you want to see her grow up from behind bars?"
"You know I don't want that."
"Then stop being so daft and pull yourself together."
Hannibal smiled at Molly.
"You always were a stubborn little madam."
"And you always were a daft sod."
Molly grinned.
"And now you can help me clean those coffee stains off the floor and then you can stay on the couch tonight."
Hannibal smiled again. He helped Molly clean up the dropped coffee cups and then she threw him a blanket and a pillow.
"Goodnight, Hannibal."
"Night Molly and thank you."
"Anytime."
Molly switched the light off and Hannibal lay in the dark, thinking things over and over in his head until sleep overtook him and he drifted off into a deep but fitful sleep.
TBC
It was Sunday and things were still quiet in the town of Cliff Face Creek. Things in the apartment above the pharmacy, however, were far from quiet. Jessica was squealing as BA and Face played tag with her round the lounge. Amy was chatting with Molly and Suzie was watching television. Only Murdock was nowhere to be seen. Hannibal glanced up from the paper he was trying to read.
"Suzie, turn the TV down a bit please, kid."
Suzie glared at him but turned the volume down a touch. Hannibal moved his feet for the hundredth time as Jessica raced past him, chased by Face. He caught her and started spinning her round the room.
"Face, you'll make her sick," said Hannibal. "Put her down."
Face put Jessica back down on the floor and she looked at Hannibal.
"Daddy spoil my fun," she pouted.
"Daddy wants some peace and quiet," muttered Hannibal and went back to reading the paper. Moments later, he put the paper down again. He got up and walked over to the door, which led to the garden.
"What's up, Hannibal?" asked Molly.
"You lot are driving me crazy. I'm going outside for some peace and some fresh air."
He slammed the door behind him and Suzie started to giggle.
"What's up with you?" asked Amy.
"If it's peace he wants, he won't get it in the garden. Murdock's out there."
"Hannibal will kill him if he keeps up with this song thing."
"You'd better go and rescue your beloved," said Face, smirking.
Suzie glared at him.
"Leave him alone."
Face held his hands up.
"Not saying another word," he grinned. Suzie turned back to the television. Face grinned at BA and they both swooped on Jessica who had forgotten about their game since Hannibal had told her off. She screamed in delight as they both picked her up between them and swung her back and forth. They both threw her up in the air and BA caught her in his strong arms. He set her back down and she tagged him and ran off, giggling.
Out in the garden, Hannibal was smoking a cigar and watching Murdock who was over by the birdtable. He walked over to Murdock. He could overhear him talking to the birds.
"Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep."
Hannibal shook his head. This was really going on too long, even for his patience. Usually, he could tolerate Murdock and his crazy phases but this one was simply annoying.
"Wish I could fly," said Murdock.
"You talking to me, Murdock?"
"Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm."
"You can fly, you're a pilot, remember?"
Murdock shook his head.
"Flying without wings."
Hannibal shook his head again. He looked at Murdock who had started to stare dreamily into space.
"You coming inside, Murdock?"
Murdock shook his head.
"What's out here that's so fascinating?"
Murdock smiled.
"Sunshine after the rain."
Hannibal had to agree. It had been raining since they got up this morning and had only just started to brighten up. The sun was just starting to set in the sky and an orange glow had settled over the edge of the garden.
"It is nice to see some good weather again. I miss the fresh air too, that's why I like coming up her, to get away from the traffic and thousands of people."
"Inner city life," mused Murdock. "Living in America, gangsta's paradise."
"Keeps us in a job though, eh Murdock?"
"Stayin' alive."
Hannibal looked at Murdock and realized he had had a conversation with Murdock that actually made sense, despite Murdock talking in titles. Perhaps he was just getting used to it. It dawned on Hannibal that Murdock was just Murdock and any phase he went through was just a phase. It just needed the right approach to see it through.
"See you later then, Captain."
"Alright."
Suzie appeared at the door and Hannibal winked at her as he went back inside. Suzie walked over to Murdock and he smiled at her.
"My girl."
"Hey Murdock, whatcha doin out here by yourself?"
"Searching."
"And what exactly are you searching for?"
"Good vibrations," said Murdock, grinning.
Suzie laughed.
"I don't know whether to kiss you or kill you when you start acting the fool."
Murdock squeezed her close.
"Hold me, thrill me, kiss me, kill me."
"Oh you," said Suzie and squeezed him back. Face appeared at the door.
"Suzie, phone call for you."
"Who is it?"
"Someone called Denis."
Suzie raced for the house. Murdock followed and caught up with Face.
"Denis?"
"You astound me, Murdock. I never took you for the jealous type."
"Jealous guy?"
"If looks could kill, Murdock, the phone would have died."
Murdock shrugged and went inside the apartment. Face followed, grinning. When they got back inside, Suzie was putting her coat on, whilst at the same time, trying to talk into the phone.
"Yes, I know I said you could continue with the thesis but I didn't expect you to overwrite the disk with all my contribution on it. Yes, I've got a printout of it. That's beside the point, Denis. We needed the whole thing together and then a printout of the whole thing at the end. Look, don't do anything, I'll be straight round. Don't press anything and I mean anything until I get there."
Suzie hung up and tossed the phone to Hannibal who happened to be the nearest to the door as she raced out.
"Don't wait up," she shouted as she slammed the door behind her.
"What time will you be home?" shouted Molly but it was too late. Suzie had left and there was no response from the closed door.
"Sounds like a crisis," said Amy. "I know how contrary computers can be. I've had assignments or articles wiped in an instant. Very frustrating."
"Who is this Denis?" asked Hannibal.
"Don't come over all paternal with Suzie, Hannibal Smith. I've known Denis Cropper since he was three months old. He's in the same year as Suzie. His father was Eric's partner."
"Eric?" asked Face.
"My late husband," said Molly. "He died six years ago. He co-owned the garage with Martin Cropper, Denis' dad. They were both killed when an explosion blew the garage up. Nothing was ever proved but they had refused to sell the property to Doug Kingston."
"Who's Doug Kingston," asked Amy.
"The sleazeball who tried to put this town out of business," said Hannibal. "Are you suggesting that he was involved in the explosion in any way, Molly? Why didn't you mention this before?"
"Cathy told me I was being paranoid and it was just me looking for someone to blame. The police confirmed there was a fault in some welding equipment and that's what caused the explosion. Nothing was ever mentioned about foul play."
"But you think differently?"
"I don't think about it at all now. It's past, forgotten."
"Not if he's guilty."
"Hannibal."
Molly's voice carried a warning and Hannibal let the subject drop.
"So this Denis, he's a friend of Suzie's. I thought all her friends had gone to other colleges."
"So she thought," replied Molly. "Denis started the term late, due to an illness so she was quite pleased to see him when he turned up. She has made a few more friends though since her first day."
"Diana, Eleanor, Abraham, Martin and John," muttered Murdock.
Hannibal looked at him, puzzled.
"You okay, Murdock?"
"He's just jealous," said Face. "Can't you see the green tint in his face?"
"Go away and die!" muttered Murdock and Face laughed.
"I'm not getting to you, am I?
"Sod off!"
"Can't keep up the pressure, eh? Sod off isn't a song."
"Bjork," said Molly, laughing. "Although I have to admit, I don't know about Go Away And Die."
"Group called Spasm," said Face.
"Smart Aleck," said Murdock, sitting on the couch."
"You're cheating now, Murdock," said Face.
"Sorry Face," said Hannibal. "Old jazz number by Lionel Hampton. Face it, Lieutenant, you can't beat him."
"Roll with it."
Face punched Murdock in the arm. Murdock punched him back and the two men started a playful tussle. BA started to groan then felt a small tug on his arm. He looked down and saw Jessica looking up at him.
"Read me a bedtime story, Uncle Bosco?"
Hannibal looked at BA in surprise.
"Bosco?"
BA shrugged.
"Don't have no bad attitude to the little lady, do I?"
Hannibal grinned and BA took Jessica through to her room to read her a story. Molly sat down next to Hannibal. She lay down and put her head in his lap.
"Tired?" asked Hannibal.
"Hmmm," replied Molly.
Hannibal draped his arm over her in a show of brotherly affection. Face and Murdock stopped fighting and drifted over to the sofa. Face sat down in front of Amy and lay his head against her legs. She reached down and softly stroked his head. Murdock sat in the large armchair and curled up into a ball. BA came back into the lounge.
"Jessie's asleep for the night," he said. Hannibal nodded and closed his eyes. BA turned the television on quietly and they all sat and watched the television and waited for Suzie to put in an appearance for the evening, enjoying the peace and quiet they so rarely got.
Suzie crept through the door at four o' clock the next morning. Hanging her coat up quietly, she tiptoed through the lounge, which was in darkness and into the kitchen. She opened the fridge door and took out some things. She started to put together a sandwich, which wasn't easy in the dark. She didn't dare switch on the light in case her mother was still awake and saw the light from in her bedroom. She turned back and put the things back in the fridge She closed the fridge door and picked up the sandwich. She turned to go down the hall towards her bedroom.
"It's about time you got in. Where've you been?"
Suzie jumped with fright as the light switched on. She spun round to see Hannibal standing in the doorway.
"Jeez, Hannibal! You scared the crap outta me."
"Watch your mouth, lady."
"Don't tell me what to do."
"You didn't answer my question."
"You know where I've been. I've been at Denis' house."
"All this time?"
"We had a lot of stuff to get through."
"I'll bet you did."
"Hannibal!"
Suzie actually had the nerve to look shocked, in fact she was so shocked she started to laugh. However, Hannibal wasn't laughing.
"I don't see what's so funny."
Suzie promptly stopped laughing.
"There's nothing like that between me and Denis. We're friends, we've got an assignment due to hand in in two days time and he wiped almost the whole thing from the disk. We had to rewrite the whole thing over again. Do you know how long it takes to write forty pages of stuff again, especially when you CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT YOU WROTE IN THE FIRST PLACE!"
"DON'T YOU YELL AT ME, YOUNG LADY."
"YOU'RE YELLING AT ME."
"YOU'LL WAKE THE WHOLE BLOODY HOUSE UP."
"What on earth is all the yelling about?"
Molly came into the kitchen, rubbing her eyes and tying the belt round her dressing gown. Hannibal took several deep breaths, grateful for the interruption so he could calm his temper. Molly looked at him.
"I thought you'd gone back to the motel with the others.
"I was waiting for Suzie."
Molly stared at her daughter.
"Please tell me you haven't just got in."
"We had a lot of work to do."
"Couldn't it have waited until the morning?"
"We need every free moment possible."
Molly sighed.
"Go to bed, we'll discuss this tomorrow when you get home from school."
"I'm going back round to Denis' after school."
Molly sighed again.
"Just go to bed and we'll see what happens tomorrow."
Suzie walked out of the kitchen and they heard the door slam. Molly winced and waited. Sure enough, it came.
"Daddy!"
Jessica's cry came from in her room. Hannibal looked at Molly.
"Does she always cry out for me?"
Molly sighed.
"Every night. But you never come."
"Every night?"
Hannibal couldn't believe it. Molly stroked his arm.
"Don't feel bad, Hannibal. She never remembers in the morning. She cries out, I go and see her but by the time I get there, she's always back asleep again."
Hannibal just continued to stare at Molly in bewilderment. Molly wanted to hug him but instead she patted his arm and ushered him into the lounge.
"Sit down and I'll make you a drink. You look like you need one."
Hannibal sank down onto the sofa and put his head in his hands. Molly disappeared into the kitchen and quickly made two cups of coffee. She walked back into the lounge and she dropped the cups in horror. Hannibal was crying! She had only ever seen him cry once before, when she had told him about Cathy's death. He was sat on the sofa, sobbing. She raced over to him and threw her arms around him. He started to pull away but she held onto him tightly. He gave up resisting and sagged against her, still sobbing. She held him until the sobbing subsided.
"Hannibal, what is it?"
"I've failed her."
"Who?"
"Cathy."
"Why have you failed Cathy?"
"You said it yourself. Our daughter cries for me every night and I'm not there. I've failed as a father and therefore I've let Cathy down. I can't look after Jessie, I can't keep my promise to Cathy."
"You're a great father, in the circumstances."
"I'd give anything to stay here."
"And get caught by the military? What good would you be to Jessie locked up in prison for the next twenty years? Do you want to see her grow up from behind bars?"
"You know I don't want that."
"Then stop being so daft and pull yourself together."
Hannibal smiled at Molly.
"You always were a stubborn little madam."
"And you always were a daft sod."
Molly grinned.
"And now you can help me clean those coffee stains off the floor and then you can stay on the couch tonight."
Hannibal smiled again. He helped Molly clean up the dropped coffee cups and then she threw him a blanket and a pillow.
"Goodnight, Hannibal."
"Night Molly and thank you."
"Anytime."
Molly switched the light off and Hannibal lay in the dark, thinking things over and over in his head until sleep overtook him and he drifted off into a deep but fitful sleep.
TBC
