A/N: Later that night…
I'm sorry this took so long. I just thought I'd give Angel a break from stuttering. ;)
Arms folded across his chest, Roger sat in a rickety old chair. His legs were propped up against this…sink thing.
Roger truly didn't know what to call it…so he called it a 'sink thing'. It was a three foot tall structure made of marble. On its surface, there was a shallow, wide indentation with a drain in the middle. Dozens of shiny, silver knobs surrounded the indentation. There was a long, thin tap-like contraption that spun 360 degrees.
He was in what they called 'The Tub Room'. It was a small, boring little place with white tiled walls. It used to be a public shower room but was now abandoned. About five separate shower stalls lined the back wall, collecting dust. A large, rusty old tub was sitting against another wall.
Roger sighed heavily and stared up at a tiny little window that sat high up on the far wall. As he thought over the day's events, a shark like grin formed on his face.
As much as he loved pissing off Nurse Ratched, he really began to feel that he had made a mistake. He felt hopeful, though. He could get out of here anytime he wanted to, right? He was an adult, after all. But what was next…back to jail? Roger didn't want that.
He enjoyed the peace and quiet that was in this room. He could hear his fellow patients (who were just outside in the main room that held the therapy sessions). The mindless babble that some of the more far gone patients produced really was maddening. He needed to get away for a while. He needed to zone out, to get his bearings and to think. Roger was restless. He needed an art therapy class or something…
I'm not crazy. I'm not crazy…
It really was enough to drive a person crazy, though. Therapy sessions, eating slop for breakfast, lunch and dinner (an older, severely insane patient had attempted to spoon feed him.)
And now, there was a designated bed time. A curfew.
Roger knew he would not be able to sleep. Not that it mattered, anyway. He thought about how funny it would be to challenge his fellow nutcases into a sleep deprivation contest. Surely it would really drive them over the edge.
He laughed loudly, his manic cackle echoing off the walls.
I crack myself up…
His amusement was short lived, however. The white walls reminded him of his fate. They hurt his eyes. He rubbed them wearily.
When I get out of here, there will be no white…
He seriously thought about building a bomb and blowing this place sky high…
"Where is Roger?"
Maureen's voice…
Torn from his thoughts, Roger turned in his chair to see 'The Wild Bunch' come filing into the tub room one by one. Maureen, Mark, Benny, Joanne and Angel. Collins stood just outside the doorway, looking blankly into the room, clutching that damn mop.
The whole fucking family was here. It was 'Cum Bi Ya' time!
Awww! They missed me! How sweet…
"What the fuck are you doing here?" Maureen asked him. She wasn't angry though…she just liked to swear.
"I'm…" For once, Roger couldn't think of something witty to say. He was too tired. Oh sure…he could go for the 'you-just-inturrupted-a-very-private-moment-between-my-hand-and-I' joke. But that was too easy…
Ah…fuck it…
"I'm hiding from that fuckin' nurse…" Roger informed her, a wary smirk on his lips. "Sometimes, I just wanna kill her. Have you decided to join me?"
Mark giggled, a stupid grin on his face. Roger couldn't tell if he was laughing at him or if he was laughing at one of his imaginary friends.
"Why?" Benny asked Roger, his eyebrows knitted together in concern.
"Because she's somewhat of a cunt, ain't she? She hates me because I'm not a fucking vegetable. I don't shit on the floor and rely on her to clean it up. I don't obey her and her fuckin' rules. You know what I'm sayin'? She likes a rigged game."
"Are you kidding me?" Joanne folded her arms across her chest. "She is a good nurse and she's trying to help you. Maybe she doesn't like you because you're so obnoxious?? You're being ridiculous."
"Roger is right!" Maureen retorted. "She is a fucking control freak!"
Joanne rolled her eyes at Maureen. "Do you ever shut up??"
Sensing another cat fight about to take place, Roger leaned forward to reach for the sink thing. He spun the tap around to face them and turned the cold water on full blast…
"HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!!" Maureen screeched, stumbling back.
"God dammit! You fucking nutcase!" Joanne cried angrily, running out of reach. It was too late, seeing as she was already soaked.
This is fun!!
Roger decided to spray everyone now.
Benny ran after Joanne. Mark opened his mouth to laugh, getting a mouthful of water in the process.
Looking more fearful than surprised, Angel leapt out of the way and ran for it, huddling in a corner.
"We're all nutcases, my dear! Besides, I was just cooling you ladies off." Cackling madly, Roger finally shut the water off.
Everyone remained still, staring at him.
"Oh, stop it. You're making me blush!" Roger cracked. "Come on…it was just a joke. Come back here, you guys…I'm getting lonely!"
Slowly, they regrouped around Roger. Benny hid behind Joanne just in case. After a few seconds of silence, Roger finally spoke up.
"I'm getting out of here and going to the nearest bar. Who's with me?"
"I'm with you, Roger." Offering him a supporting smile, Benny emerged from behind Joanne.
Everybody else just looked confused.
"How are you supposed to do that?!" Joanne snorted, her hands on her hips.
"R-R-Roger, you c-c-c-can't g-get out of here…." Angel informed him softly.
"Anybody want to bet?" Ignoring Angel, Roger grinned broadly.
"What are you gonna do?!" Maureen's eyes sparkled with excitement.
I'm gonna use Mark's head to punch a hole in the wall…
Roger decided to go with Plan B.
"I'm gonna take this sink-thing and throw it through a window. That's what I'm gonna do."
"You're going to lift that thing?! I think it weighs a ton. And it's bolted to the floor…" Joanne shook her head incredulously.
"So??" Roger stuck his chin out, defiance in his eyes. "Which one of you chicken shits wants to join me?"
No one said anything.
"Y-y-y-you c-c-can't l-l-l-lift t-that thing, Roger. N-n-no one can e-e-ever lift that thing…" Angel looked at him.
"Move aside, boy. You're using up my oxygen." Roger smirked.
Angel blinked, then slowly backed away. The others watched expectantly, wide eyed and curious.
"Alright…" Roger cracked his knuckles, fixing his gaze on the sink-thing. He carefully stood up and pushed his chair back. Bending at the knees, he gripped the structure in an almost bear hug and pulled.
Roger squeezed his eyes shut and grit his teeth so hard that he thought they would break. The thing wasn't budging…not even an inch. His muscles were already sore.
Come on! Come on…
"You give up, yet? You're gonna kill yourself…" Maureen snickered at him.
"Fuck, no! I'm just getting warmed up…" Roger shot her a look before bearing down once more… trying, with all his might, to lift the sink.
Hilarious, primal grunts came from him and he turned red in the face. He pulled and tugged. His heart pounded as well as his head…but it was no use.
Son of a bitch!
Slowly, Roger straightened up and released the sink. Not even making eye contact with anyone, he walked across the room, pausing at the doorway. He turned around to face his audience.
"Hell, at least I tried. At least I fuckin' tried."
He stood there for a few seconds, staring at his silent friends. Breathing hard, he wiped a trickle of sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand.
Wordlessly, Roger turned back around and brushed past Collins, going out into the main room.
Everyone stared after him, not knowing what to say.
A/N: I'm so sorry for slacking off. I know you guys must be pissed. So many story ideas are flowing through my head right now…it's kind of overwhelming. I WILL finish this, though. I love writing it and I'm not giving up on it.
On the bright side, at least I'm actually taking my time on this one. I think it's WAY better written than "Legion".
As of November 20, 2007…I've been writing RENT fanfics on this site for one year. It's been a fun, wonderful 525,600 minutes, you guys! Writing RENT fics, no matter how goofy the story is, has really helped me keep my sanity. Thank you SO MUCH! I don't know what I'd do without you…
Can I ask a favor of you? I'm frustrated…
Okay, I had a HELL of a time trying to edit this chapter. I have no idea why, but I just couldn't concentrate at all. I know that checking a story/chapter over for errors is necessary…I always make stupid mistakes and typos that take away from what I'm trying to say. But lately…I don't know what is wrong with me…but I'm having trouble.
I don't really like the idea, but I'm asking for a beta reader. A part time beta reader, anyway. The entire time that I've been here, I've checked my own stuff VERY carefully for errors…I'm used to doing it myself. But now I think I may need some help.
In no way will the beta reader have to check all of my stories/chapters for mistakes…only a few. I'd still like to do the majority of the work…but like I said…I need help.
Please PM me if you are interested. I'd be so grateful. And it will help me move this fic along much faster, I think.
Thank you!
