Jackass: Don't Let Me Go
Chapter 4
Steve-O rolled over groggily, searching for the warm embrace of his new lover. Only to be left disappointed at the dismal emptiness of his bed. He propped himself up on his elbows, rubbing his eyes and scanning the room for a certain blonde nurse. All he found was a small handwritten note on his guest pillow.
Stephen,
Thanks for an amazing night,
V x
He lay there, with a thin white sheet barely covering his half naked body, analysing the simple words. He couldn't help but wonder why she had left without a proper goodbye. He wasn't supposed to go to the set today, but he knew that'd be where she was. Even though he felt a bit like a stalker, he decided he would have to go and see her.
He forced his way from the comfort of his warm bed and stretched, looking at himself in the full length mirror. Even though it was a vain and selfish thing to do, Steve-O thought that he looked good. His short dark hair was scattered messily across his scalp. His skinny yet defined body was covered in ink, pale scars and the odd bruise. This added up to equal one rough and dapper individual.
He looked over at the small black clock, on his tired looking bedside table, to see that it was 8am. Shooting normally started at 9am so he had plenty of time to get ready. He stumbled groggily to his small bathroom.
He turned to chrome nob with the red rim and waited for the clear liquid to run hot and create a slight mist in the small room. He pushed his cotton underpants down past his thighs and onto the chess board tiles. He pushed aside the old and slightly blackened curtain and stepped into the chipped plastic bath.
He stood there, enjoying the slight scolding of the water sliding down his reddening skin. He'd always enjoyed showers. The complete lack of silence the rain like flow of water left. The feeling of the dirt and sweat rolling in beads down his body, dragging the days shame and remorse with it. The smell of industrialized water. He loved it all.
After a long 20 minute shower, Steve-O got out, shivering in the cold air. He picked up his sodden used towel from the floor, having not washed it, and wrapped it round his waist. He strode into main room of his apartment and went into the kitchen.
He grabbed a loaf of bread, from the never closed bread bin, and removed two slices. He put them into the crumb filled white toaster and pushed down the leaver. He glanced around the kitchen: the sink was overflowing with food coated plates; the microwave door was open, revealing a grease lining inside; the oven was covered in black burnt meals and the floor in spilt sauces and footprints. The place was in disarray, no wonder Vanessa had left so eagerly.
He wandered over to his bed, drying his hair as he went, and grabbed a pair of boxers from his draws. He dressed casually and grabbed his keys, wallet and mobile before heading out the door, forgetting all about his toast.
He pounced down the steps, enthusiastic about getting to work even though he hurt himself for a living. He reached the front door and pulled it open before stepping outside. He made his way over to his Mercedes and climbed in, before starting the ignition.
He appeared at the set, a field in one of the more rural areas of West Chester. Today's stunt involved a considerably sized ramp and a modestly sized motorbike. Johnny Knoxville was going to ride the bike, at top speed, and jump it over as many Jackass cast members as possible.
Steve-O walked around the dehydrated and barren ground until he bumped into Bam and Ryan, who were sat on a wooden picnic table. Each of them had a beer and they were lightly punching each other, while laughing hysterically.
"Hey guys," Steve-O called in his shallow voice.
"What's up man?" They replied.
"Not much, just thought I check out the stunt," he said grabbing the back of his neck, "looks like it's gonna be good."
"Oh, so it has nothing to do with a certain blonde medic," said Dunn.
"Who you just so happened to have spent the night with," Magera finished.
"How do you know she spent the night?" Steve-O asked confused.
"I left her car at your place last night."
"And she turned up in it this morning," Bam said finishing Ryan's sentence.
"We just put two and two together," they said in unison.
Steve-O turned in his spot, covering his face with his crude hands.
"So, was she worth missing my party?" he asked making vulgar moves up against Ryan.
"I'm not talking about it," he replied walking away.
"Fucking girl," they shouted as he got father away.
He wandered over to the main stunt area and saw her sat under a gazebo smoking a cigarette. She was wearing an old baggy jumper, black leggings and suede boots; her hair was tied behind her head in a messy bun and her face was bare.
She turned her head slightly to the left and their eyes met, Steve-O couldn't have missed the smile that illuminated her face. He set off in her direction, rolling a cigarette as he walked. He was there within a few minutes and she lit his cigarette for him.
"Thanks," Steve-O said blowing out his first drag.
"You're welcome," she said smiling up at him.
"I got your note this morning," he said awkwardly.
"Oh, yeah," she looked down, "sorry about that. I had to leave early to get here in time, there was loads of prep work to do, I didn't even get a chance to go home. I had to wear my emergency car boot clothes. I would have woken you but..."
"But?" Steve-O teased.
"You looked to sweet to disturb," she said blushing.
"I'm not sweet," he replied trying to act macho.
"Sure you are," Vanessa said sarcastically punching his arm.
"Argh," Steve-O said rubbing his arm, "that hurt."
"You wimp," she laughed, "I didn't think you were coming out today," she inquired, "you weren't on the liability disclaimer."
"Oh yeah," Steve-O said embarrassed, "Erm... Bam text me about the stunt and I just got excited about it."
"Well, you're going to have to go and sign the disclaimer if you want to be a part of it," she said professionally, "and we shoot soon. You better go and see Tremaine."
"Oh, well I'll go do that now," he leaned down and gave her an effortless kiss, "I'll see you later then."
"I hope so," she replied as he walked away, "oh, and Steve-O?"
"Yeah," he said looking back.
"You owe me some gum," they both laughed as he went into a trailer.
She finished her cigarette, before mournfully moving from her complacent chair. She walked over the stunt site and began to prepare her bag, filling it with all kind of medical nonsense. She pulled her back straight, slinging her large medical bag over her shoulder.
"Can everyone take their places please," Jeff Tremaine shouted from his stool, "the stunt starts in 10 minutes."
She watched as numerous men began to line up in front of the large wooden ramp, laughing to herself at how it reminded her of a school playground. She noticed that Steve-O was the furthest from the ramp, with a broad grin across his cheeks, and an anxious shiver ran through her.
Johnny Knoxville took his place on the small red bike, wearing a white jumpsuit embellished with stars and stripes. He started the small engine, which happened to sound more like a travel sized hair dryer, and set off in the direction of the ramp. Her heart sank as she watched the red and white blur speed across the sky, getting lower the farther it travelled. He got closer and closer to Steve-O and Vanessa anxiety was getting the best of her. She knew something was about to go wrong.
Holding a shaking hand over her silently screaming mouth, Vanessa watched as Johnny's back tire inched closer and closer to Steve-O's head. It was a like catherine wheel of mud; she prayed that her new lovers blood did not join it.
She inhaled a sharp breath, finding more pleasure in it that all the cigarettes she'd ever smoked, as the wheel narrowly missed. The smile that formed her lips however was cut short as the same tire hit the hard dirt floor. The back axle snapped like a brittle twig and Johnny was thrown from it like a rag doll, landing harshly on his head.
She was running, similarly to the previous night, in the direction of her new patient. He had rolled on to his back and his helmet had fallen off, leaving his injured neck completely visible. She began her work, checking vital signs and seeing how responsive he was.
"Mr Knoxville," she said holding his wrist whilst looking at her watch, "can you hear me?"
She got no answer. Her professionally cold looking face did not show how she felt inside. Her stomach was churning and her eyes burnt with imprisoned tears. She couldn't face a death today. The second medic arrived carrying a stretcher and neck restraint.
"OK, Mr Knoxville," she said as she put the neck brace on him, "we are about to lift you onto the stretcher and the ambulance will be here soon. If you can hear me, don't panic everything is under control."
"Hasn't anyone told you yet?" Knoxville questioned dazed, "I don't panic."
The two medics began to lift him onto the red stretcher and he let out a scream of agony. They quickly set him down and gave him an injection before reattempting. With him safely on the stretcher, they waited for the ambulance.
"So," Johnny said deliriously, "do all the guys get this much attention, or is it just the injured ones?"
"Just the injured ones," she replied flatly.
"Well then, maybe I should take you out and give you some attention".
Vanessa starred at him for a moment, lost in thoughts of Steve-O and the previous night's events. Johnny starred back, wanting an answer, as the ambulance crew began to take him away.
"Sorry," she said with utter delight, "I'm taken."
She hadn't realised Steve-O was stood behind her, "so, we're a couple then. Are we?"
"Erm," Vanessa replied turning red, "if you want to be, we are?"
Steve-O place his calloused hands her smooth hips and pulled her into a passionate embrace.
"Does that answer your question?"
"You bet it does," she said pulling his head back towards hers.
"Come to my place tonight so we can you know... talk and stuff."
"OK," she replied cheekily, as long as you cook."
"Deal," he said kissing her.