Chapter Three - Exit Stage Right

"Um, excuse me… Mr. Face, is it?"

Templeton looked up from the documents he was going through in an attempt to find proof of shady business dealings from Tricorp Farms. Apparently this Tricorp thought the eighty acres owned by their newest clients, Betty and Ricky Thompson, (and their five kids), would be the perfect acquisition to help expand their growing corporation. All attempts to buy the acreage were met with refusal, causing the less than stellar organization to try strong-arming the Thompsons off of their own land.

Kathleen Thompson, the eldest daughter, seemed hesitant to disturb the blonde lieutenant, but gained courage with the welcoming smile he offered.

"It's just Face, actually." Templeton set the documents down in his lap in order to focus the whole of his attention on the shy teenager. He hoped this wouldn't be another one of those "underage girl crushing on the handsome stranger" scenarios, because he truly hated squashing their fragile egos. Not to mention the fact that her daddy would likely shoot first and ask questions later if he thought for one second her feelings were returned.

The man owned at least three shotguns, and Temp quite liked his balls where they were, thank you very much.

Therefore, he had been relieved at first to find out that she had sought him out for another reason. "My dad asked me to come get you or Mr. Smith because that guy with you looks to be about to jump off of the barn."

Face blinked for a moment in puzzlement before his brain caught up to his ears and he sprinted for the door, heedless to the scattering papers in his wake. He had no idea why Murdock would even be on top of the barn, much less trying to jump off of it. At least he assumed the girl meant his best friend. It was incomprehensible that B.A. would be the star in this unfolding drama.

Sure enough, Templeton could see the form of his closest comrade as he neared the imposing structure. Mr. Thompson and a few farm hands watched worriedly from the ground.

"Murdock! Get down from there!" Seeing that the pilot was pacing back and forth along the edge of the highest fucking point of the roof, Temp quickly entered into a panic. H.M. either couldn't hear his screaming, or was choosing to ignore him, so Face immediately scaled the ladder to reach the crazy man. B.A., actually having heard the lieutenant's screams and coming to see what the "crazy fool" was up to now, followed close behind.

Focusing on getting within reaching distance of the pilot instead of the unbelievable height, Face didn't hear what Murdock was saying until he was close enough to pull him to safety. (Or push him off the roof, depending on the answer he gave as to what the hell he was doing up here in the first place).

"O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I'll no longer be a Capulet."

"Murdock, you crazy fool! What're you doin', man?" B.A. stayed well away from the edge, but was close enough to snatch the pilot if he looked like he was about to fall. For the first time since he was joined by his friends, Murdock paused and looked up at them.

"Oh hey guys… come to watch the show?" Grinning like a loon, H.M. resumed his pacing. Only this time he did so to work off some nervous energy and not as entertainment for the masses.

Templeton rolled his eyes. "No, you idiot, we did not come to watch the show. We came to drag you off of the motherfuckin' roof! Do you have any idea how high up we are?"

Murdock giggled. "Well it'd have to be high, Facey. I'm currently reenacting all of Juliet's scenes from Romeo and Juliet and, since there was no balcony available, this is the best location I could find to capture the feeling she had as she gazed down at her one true love and begged like a shameless hussy." He shoo'd them away. "I'll be down as soon as I'm done."

Grabbing Murdock's sleeve as he got a little too close to the edge for Templeton's liking, Face tried to reason with him. "Murdock… listen buddy, you need to come down now. I'll find you a better spot to do this, okay?"

Murdock stubbornly shook his head and again motioned for the other two to leave.

Bosco growled, "Fuck this shit!" He reached out and grabbed the pilot's collar before jerking him backwards and picking him up over his shoulder. "I don't think it's too much to ask to be able to do just one job, you crazy fool, where you didn't act like a crazy motherfuckin' fool!"

James, who had started squirming as soon as he was manhandled, thankfully stilled when the black man reached the ladder and prepared to mount it. "Aw c'mon B.A., I was just gettin' to the best part!"

"Don't care. And if you get back on this ladder, Crazy, I'm gonna take all your sock puppets and cut 'em up into rags!"

Murdock gasped. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Try me!"

Finally back on solid ground, Bosco set his friend down before threatening him with a single look. Proverbial tail tucked between his legs, Murdock slunk off toward the house.

Face sighed and clasped the big guy on the shoulder. "Well, it could have been worse, B.A."

"How's that?"

"He could have been wearing a dress."

They both shuddered at the mental image.