Chapter 9: Confrontation

*Just to give a heads up, strong language and a very violent Larry Fine up ahead*

The morning sun had risen and at about noon the Stooges were out of Vegas and back on the path to L.A. Moe was back at the wheel. As much as he tried to focus on the deserted cracked road, his mind was for from easy. Just four hours more and everything will return to their dull selfs again, pretend like nothing happened back there. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, Moe kept reminding himself. Larry had to know that things won't always stay how we want them to be forever. All good things do come to an end.

Moe didn't know wether to be excited to get home, or just groan about it.

Moe twisted the handle of the faucet of the mens restroom and splashed the cool water that was cupped in his palms onto his face, the cold liquid wakening him up now and was oh so refreshing since the weather was burning hot. Moe then glared at his reflection in the cracked mirror, seeing that he still appeared scruffy. His brown eyes weary and red. He still had his beanie on though. Just 3-4 more hours and he can throw the oversized sock in the fire. "Quit feel'n sympathetic, Moses.", he muttered to himself. "You're a grown strong gent. You're Dyna-Moe, you're Moe Howard." But then, Moe shook his head and sighed remorsefully. "And you're a real ass for doing this to the kid."

Moe grumbled then bust open the door to where he went out of the restroom and then pass the small gas station and met Curly and Larry back outside next to the muscle car. One glare at Larry and Moe groaned.

"You ok?", Larry inquired when examining how groggy the chief looked. He was about to put his hand on Moe's shoulder but once he saw the stare Moe usually gives when he's about to bite the hand that feeds him and Larry drew away.

"I'm good.", Moe assured, his voice raspy. "Let's just move on." With a groan, Moe made his way to the drivers side.

"You want some-"

"No I do not want coffee, or a pretzel, or a donut, or anything.", Moe stated. "Let's just saddle up and leave."

"Nothing?", Larry inquired, sounding shocked and a bit lamented. "Ok. If you say so." Larry shrugged then returned to the passengers seat.

X x x x

The stress and anxiety was getting to Moe and he felt nauseous. Not a rest stop for miles. Moe could feel his breakfast come up and he groaned. "I gotta stop."
"What?", Curly asked.

"I gotta stop now!"

Yells of questions were let loose from Larry and Curly as Moe pulled the car over to the side and stopped. Moe bolt out of the drivers side and dashed to the roadside ditch where he tossed his cookies. "GAHH!"

Larry and Curly stepped out of the car, shocked at what was going on, almost horrified that Moe was vomiting. "Oh my god.", Larry said, flabbergasted. "What happened?"

"Moe blew his grits. That's what happened.", Curly assured his clown haired friend.

Larry turned to Curly and fixed him a scowl that Moe would give. "I can see that he tossed his cookies.", he uttered.

"Cookies? Oh boy! I'd like to have a batch! Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk!", the enthusiastic dolt stated.

Larry then felt the urge to become Moe even, seeing that the actual Moe isn't able to buck him off since was ill, and glared at Curly. Years observing and admiring Moe and how he pulls out the slapstick would avail Larry. He did have to learn to be the strong and wise one when they all split. "Would ya like raisin or chocolate chip?"

"I'll take chocolate chip! Woop Woop Woop!" Curly rubbed his palms together and painted an excited grin on his dopey face.

"You got it." Then Larry let hand rip away, smacking Curly across the snout.

"Ow! HMMM!", Curly wailed. "Why you! I'll-"

"You'll what?", Larry stated, staring down the bald other as Moe would. Curly, being too use to when Moe stares him down and not aware that it's Larry now, stumbled back with a "nyah!" and twiddled his fingers nervously.

"I'll stand down.", Curly shakily replied.

"That' a boy." Larry then looked down at Moe, who was crouched down and looked like he was panting heavily. Larry carefully made his way down the small hill to comfort the soup bowl one. From the way he's been acting since they all woke up Moe's been acting peculiar, and it began to worry Larry.

Once Larry was finally to Moe he put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, what's the matter with-", but Moe got to his feet and turned quickly, taking Larry's hand off of him, clenching his four fingers.

"Don't put a hand on me!", Moe exclaimed. Larry was so stunned by the outburst that he would've stumbled back and fall on the died out yellow grass if Moe wasn't griping him.

"What the hell is your problem, Moe?", Larry exclaimed. "I was just try'n to help."

"Well don't!", Moe hollered. He let one hand rip freely on Larry, slapping him across the face so rapidly that Larry had fallen to the ground thanks to Moe releasing him. "Just leave me alone." Moe began to walk up the hill while Larry laid flat on the ground, just staring up at the partly cloudy sky. "What just happened?", he questioned to himself. "How can Moe just...go back to his usual controlling self so quickly?"

"Hey tumbleweed! Quit napping and get on back in the mobile!"

Larry finally picked himself up, brushing the grass off of him, and made his way up the hill, walking slowly for he was more confused than depressed.

X x x x

Larry said not a word during the rest of the long 2 hours that they were in the car. He didn't even take a glance at Moe. Despite Curly's thunderous poppa bear snoring, the silence was music to Moe's ears. Eventually he cooled down, though his mind was still uneasy. But the peace and quiet was all that it took for him to ease off. Moe turned his head a bit to look at Larry, who turned his head away from Moe and stared out the window as they drove past the mountains, a sign that they were almost home thankfully. Moe figured to let the kid be.

Meanwhile, Larry just gazed at the grassy mountains, going into deep thoughts. What's going on with Moe? Why does he act like nothing's changed...

At about 10 minutes to 5:45, the Stooges had at long last arrived back home in L.A. All three struggled up the stairs as they held their baggage. "Why can't we just use the elevator like everyone else?", Curly asked as he huffed and puffed every step.

"Because elevators are for lazy saps.", Moe assured. He set down his suit case on a step and turned and let one rip on Curly.

"What was that for?!", Curly wailed. If his hands weren't full he'd rub the fresh red spot on his cheek.

"For think'n like a lazy sap." Moe then glanced at Larry then let one rip as well.

"What the-?! What was that for?!"

"That's for absolutely nothing.", Moe assured, but then did a double take. "Oh wait, that's one of the reasons. Seconds is if you were thinking the same thing." Moe picked his case back up and the three continued to march up the stairs. Larry narrowed his eyes, and he wanted to know.

Once Moe had opened up their apartment door all three at once shuffled in, getting stuck along with the addition of their baggage. "Spread out!", Moe hollered. One by one, all three Stooges entered the tiny apartment.

When Moe shut the door, Larry dropped his things and turned to face Moe. "Alright, speak up.", he said, crossing his arms. "What's gotten into you?"

Moe cocked his head. "Whataya mean?"

"Why are ya all of a sudden letting slaps rain down now, after leaving Vegas? You're acting as if nothing's changed."

Moe then rolled his eyes and sighed heavily. Not this, not now. "Look, Porcupine. I'm all drained out. I'm not in the mood for talking." Moe was about to head to the bedroom when Larry blocked his path.

"Where do you think you're going? I'm not through with you.", Larry inquired, his tone like a parent with his/her teenage stubborn child.

"To the bedroom. I'm calling it a day so move your fanny!", Moe answered, getting ready to let another rip on Larry.

"Why? It's only 6:07."

"It's bedtime somewhere, ya dunce.", Moe said. "It's never too late to head in so I'll tell you this again, move it!"

Larry didn't budge. Moe became irritated. "Oh. I see I'll have to take action and move the boulder myself." Moe held up a hand with two fingers and was about to gouge Larry's eyeballs into their sockets but Larry had catlike reflexes and caught Moe's wrist.

Mow was stunned, but at the same time getting more aggravated. "Why you!" He put up his other hand but Larry caught that too.

"I wanna know why you're being the Moe Howard that never changed like we've never gone to Vegas. I wanna know why you're clobbering me all of a sudden when I just wanna help you." Larry had a serious touch in those sky blue eyes. They actually made Moe step back.

"I thought you liked it when I take control.", Moe backfired.

"But right when we already leave that you reclaim your throne? Why?"

Moe then knew he had to break the news. Here goes nothing. "Well first, let go of me and I'll be glad to tell ya."

Larry hesitated then broke away. Moe rubbed his wrists as they were clenched too tight and then spoke. "One reason is that we left the town, so I'm free to clobber you's two whenever I want again. Second is that whatever happened, happened. It'll only stay in Vegas."

Larry stared wide eyed. He felt goosebumps rise on his skin that was covered by his attire. He felt a lump in his throat and felt dizzy. Then Devil Larry's words ran threw his head. Don't ya know the saying "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas"?

Larry felt his blood run cold, chills run down his spine. "No.", he thought. "He couldn't be right. He couldn't!"

"Hey Porcupine! Ya done staring off into wonderland so I can get some shut eye?", Moe called out.

Larry finally blinked his way back to Earth and glared at Moe, feeling like he's gonna faint. "What are ya saying?", he nervously inquired, his voice all cracked. "Are you saying that what happened, all the stuff we did together, meant nothing to you?!"

Moe knew he was in a deep hole now, but he's not giving up to reach back to the surface. "Not all of it. Of course I loved Cirque Du Soleil, Fremont Street, even though it was filled with half naked morons, and even the tower." Moe then gulped at the mention of when he and Larry traveled up to the top of the Eiffel Tower, the breathtaking view that couldn't be described in words but tears of such beauty, and how Moe had overcome deeper emotions for the frizzy haired dolt that he's never experienced.

"Honest to say, just the 'crazy for you' part that I was dealing.", Moe continued, crossing his arms. The truth was out.

Larry almost dropped dead from what he was hearing! Curly was in the room too, but he didn't want to break the pre-fight, afraid that he may get bonked for it. Yet, on the other hand, the groundhog was starting to take interest of the tension. "This is better than novellas! Woop Woop Woop!", he thought excitingly. "If only I had the popcorn and salt!"

"So this whole time, you were just toying with me?!", Larry exclaimed. "H-how could you, Moe?! I thought you finally did care!" His heart felt like it was seconds away from bursting as it beat so rapidly like a dribbled basket ball.

"Oh grow up, Kid!", Moe insisted. "Man up! Not everything lives up to your expectations." Moe rubbed the back of his neck and sighed tiredly. "Look. Are ya just gonna stand there and look like a fish out of water with ya mouth wide open? Close it on up, ya gonna catch flies."

True. Larry was so flabbergasted by how Moe just told him to grow some hair on his chest when he revealed that Moe was playing with his beating heart. How can he? Then, Larry was overcome with rage, he was steaming like a pot of stew. He now clenched his fists, wanting to dust Moe right off.

"You...you bastard!"

Moe stumbled back wide eyed, his jaw dropping to the hardwood floor, with Curly doing the same. "What did you say?", Moe muttered.

"You fucking son of a bitch! I hate you!", Larry wailed at the top of his lungs. Hot tears had made their way to the surface. Larry launched himself onto Moe where they both fell to the floor with a thud. Larry began to get a grip and choked Moe with his bare hands on his throat, shouting out more insults and vulgar language. "I hate you! You selfish bastard!" Larry repeatedly shook Moe's neck like a rattle, his soup BowlCut head repeatedly hitting the floor.

Moe then dispensed a powerful slap on Larry's face then got a hold of the boiling porcupine, getting his hands off of his neck. "Now calm down, Larry.", Moe hissed, restraining Larry. "I hate to have broke it to ya, but a man's mind goes soft as cake once he enters Vegas. A man can be careless. Why do you think a couple get hitched by Elvis when they've just met five minutes ago? It's because a man's mind goes freely-"

"Shut the fuck up!", Larry yelped, struggling to break free. "Quit being rational! You're a failure example of a man to be backstabbing someone like that! Fuck you!" Larry then spit in Moe's face, the saliva hitting Moe's face.

Moe squint his eyes to shield them. He couldn't believe that Larry had a) just insulted him, the great powerful Moses Howard, Dyna-Moe, calling him a failure example of a man, and b) spit in his face like a llama! This certainly blew his top. "Ok, that's it!" He let out an ant farm of slaps and pokes and bonks on Larry. But Larry was so enraged that he wanted a real, manly fight. Larry threw up a fist that Moe didn't see coming his way and Fine struck him on the chin. The blow was so powerful that spittle flew out from Moe's lips and he fell back.

Curly stood back amazed, yet horrified for his life like he was watching a murder scene from a horror film. "Larry, how could you!?", he exclaimed, throwing his hands to his dome head. If he had hair he'd tear them out.

"He deserves it.", Larry answered. He then kicked Moe in the gut like he was a soccer ball as he laid there helplessly. Moe groan and clenched his side.

But Larry wasn't through with Moe. Next was to destroy all that he cherishes, and there was one thing that Moe really cherishes. "You never show me mercy, so now I ain't gonna show you mercy!" He bolt to the closet in the hallway and took out a baseball bat, an old fashioned wooden bat. He then returned to the living room where Curly was next to a beat up Moe. "You know what I'm gonna do with this?", Larry inquired mischievously, grinning like Jack Torrance from The Shining when he axed down the bathroom door where Wendy Torrance was hidden.

"Don't you dare struck him with that, Larry!", Curly yelled, stepping in front of Moe to defend him.

"Oh, it's not meant to batter his brains out like mashed potatoes, Curly boy.", Larry assured, grinning like a psychopath, laughing mechanically.

There was a moment of tension and scare between Moe and Curly until Larry marched to the door, swinging it open.

"Whataya gonna do, Larry?", Moe questioned, for the first time frightened of the bushy haired dolt.

"Just you wait." Larry then ran down the flight of stairs of all of the levels of the building. Moe got to his feet, avoiding the sharp pain in his sides, and dashed dashed down to follow Larry. Curly ran behind, both calling out to Larry.

"What do you think he's gonna do?", Curly asked anxiously.

"I don't know, but I do know it's gonna be something drastic.", Moe said.

Finally the two Howard's were in the parking lot where Larry rang out a whistle. "You looking for me?", he called out. Moe and Curly turned to face Larry where they saw that he stood next to their muscle car, grinning. He had his bat in his hands and looked like he's getting ready to hit one out of the park.

"Put it down, Larry.", Moe steadily command when he and Curly kept a close yet safe distance. "You don't wanna do that."

"Yes I do." Larry then clenched the bat tighter and got ready to blow. "You shattered what was mine, so I'm gonna shattered what's yours. You me to man up, so I'm manning up!" All hell broke loose as Larry swung the wooden weapon, ignoring Curly and Moe's cries of begging, and busted the glass windows of the car, glass shattering then pieces dropping to the floor.

"Larry stop it!", Moe wailed at the top of his lungs. "Larry stop! Stop it!"

Larry only ignored Moe and continued to do rampage on the mobile, smashing the hood, the rear, and the top until the car was completely trashed. Moe's had enough and tried to snatch the lethal weapon from Larry, but Larry pushed Moe forcefully away, causing him to bump into Curly. Onlookers gathered around and stared horrified at the stooges and the commotion.

Larry dropped the bat, panting heavily, then turned to Moe and Curly. A murderous look was panted on his face. "I've had it with you and your tricks and pranks.", Larry said to Moe. "You laugh at your victory but it's no fun to others. I gave you my heart and you predicted it with your heart of sharp stone. I gave you trust and you disowned it."

"Alright. So you hate me for crushing you. I get it.", Moe said, shaken up though. "But you had to go and trash my car? You got guts kid." Moe would've let one rip, but what's the use now? The more he torments the lion the more the lion's gonna snap and bite its master. Larry was already ticked off. No need to add more fire wood when the fire's still going strong. "Just get outta here.", Moe muttered. "Leave me alone."

"Oh I'll leave you alone alright." Larry turned then walked off, the gathering crowd breaking apart to make a clear path for him. "You always wanted me to get off your back, so here's your chance if Atlanta wasn't enough." That was all Larry said as he wandered off, away from all of the madness, the drama, from Moe.

Moe didn't know what to do now. He didn't think Larry would just leave so quickly. He just stood staring at his beat up muscle car that he often called his baby, saddened that it was now scraps of metal. Moe then turn to see Larry, a best friend he's had since they all were toddlers, walk off to nowhere in particular. He wanted to run to him, but didn't. Moe only stood there like his feet were super glued to the pavement. He was amazed at how the kid gave him a beating both physically and verbally. Then at how he rampaged the car. Aside from that one night in the empty alley near Fremont Street, Moe's never seen Larry flip out. The kid had balls!

And then, Moe was reminded that this whole mess started because Moe had kissed Larry's lips because he was so strangely attracted to his outbursts. Supposedly, that's what attracts Moe. Rage and outburst is all that Moe's ever known and done after all. But Larry may've given him a feeling he's never felt before; true companionship and attraction.

Sure he's got Curly, but the ignoramus would just get on his nerves in just five minutes. Larry, however, never gave Moe the crap Curly gives. Maybe all Larry does is help Moe out. Larry would keep Moe company here and there, and often times Moe enjoyed them. Larry even knew a lot about him like if he was his twin. He knew what Moe liked and disliked.

Plus, Larry was the only one who really admired Moe for who he really was inside. No other dames bothered to be with him, nor did they fancy him, but Larry did. From what Moe's seen of Larry over the years, Larry knew how to keep his temper time to time. He really did like when Moe bonks Curly over, he'd laughed about it when not defending the groundhog.

But now, the temper was snapped and Moe's only real friend and other half was leaving to somewhere unknown. "Larry..." In a flash, Moe raced up the lot to get to the street, seeing to where Larry could've gone. Moe ran like no tomorrow until he passed the entrance and got to the side walk. But when he finally stopped running Moe searched left and right.

Larry was nowhere to be found.