AN. I've not written the next parts yet, so it may be a while until those get posted here. I write & initially post them via Tumblr. Then I drag me lazy self over to FF and post them here as well. Hope you enjoy what you read!
Disclaimer. I do not own any aspect of the DC Franchise.
When Saturday finally rolled around Hal couldn't decide which shirt to wear. After fifteen minutes of deliberating he finally settled on calling Ollie.
"Let me get this straight. You called me to help you choose a shirt? Earth to Hal, you're not going on a date."
"Sue me for thinking my friend would actually be considerate of my predicament."
"Predicament? Hal, it is a shirt. Hell, just go to the theater shirtless for all I care."
Hal paused to consider that option. "Can you go there shirtless?"
Ollie face palmed at his buddy's question. "What am I going to do with you?"
"I take it that's a no?"
"That is a definite no."
When Ollie hung up a few minutes later Hal was still left without a single clue on what to wear.
Isn't this just a marvelous start to the morning.
Hal could hear John's authoritative voice from the theater's entrance. He walked past box office, through the lobby, and into the arena.
Kyle and Wally were busy painting the set. John stood in front of the seats, directing the teens on which color and where. Barry stood on a ladder at
the far end of the space. All four were much too preoccupied to notice Hal.
"John."
"Ah, Hal, you're here. Do you mind helping me in the back? Lois decided last minute to switch some of the furniture. I need help carrying things back to storage."
"No, of course not."
Before the two men left, John gave a few more instructions to Kyle and Wally. Then they were off to heave set pieces back to the storage room behind the theater.
"Any news on Paula?" Hal inquired as they hauled chairs and tables.
"She's finally out of ICU. Doctor doesn't think she'll be able to walk anytime soon… or ever."
"That bad?"
"That bad."
They continued their task in a mutual silence. It was about twenty minutes or more later when they wrapped up. John left for the men's restroom in the green room and Hal made his way back to the stage. Just in time, too.
For as Hal entered the arena, Barry's ladder simultaneously became unstable. And down fell the light technician.
From his spot on top the ladder, Barry watched as John and Hal left to move the furniture they were no longer using back to storage. Once he couldn't spot the top of their heads anymore he returned to the Fresnel he was currently hanging up.
"There."
As Barry climbed down the ladder he checked up on the boys.
"How's the painting?"
Kyle gave him a thumbs up, but never turned away from his work. Wally, though, threw his paintbrush onto the stage.
"I keep messing up!" he cried out in frustration.
"I'm sure it isn't that bad."
Wally huffed at the comment.
Barry shook his head. Then he gripped the ladder, a hand on either end, and shuffled it over a little. Lying in a seat nearby was another light with another safety cord already attached.
"Wally, could you hand me the light there?" Barry asked as he started to climb back up.
The red head mumbled something, but nevertheless stood up and made his way to the front of the stage.
"Thank you." Barry said as the teen passed him the ellipsoidal.
Barry easily attached the light's grip to the bar. Then he tightened it, pointed it in the right direction, and tied the safety cable.
Before he could start on the next one, he took a short break and visited the men's room.
"I'll be right back." but Kyle and Wally ignored him as he left.
He speedily returned to the arena, only to witness both Kyle and Wally flicking paint at each other. Kids will be kids.
With a stern look the two paused in their little battle.
Once again he moved the ladder and called Wally over to hand him the next light.
As Wally made his way back, a thought came to his mind. "Hey, Kyle."
"What?"
"Do you want to see who can paint faster?" Wally grinned.
"No. We both know you'd win."
"Not true."
Kyle gave his friend a look.
"Okay, okay." Wally backed down. "No go on the race."
He plopped back down on the stage. Painting was boring… and he failed at it.
"Kyle."
"What now?"
The only response he received was a paintbrush meeting the side of his face. Oh that idiot did not just throw a paintbrush at him. However, as much as he wished that his pal had better sense, the sad truth was that he didn't.
"Wally!"
Kyle immediately dipped his brush into the earthy brown toned paint, but Wally was already dashing away.
"No running Wally!"
"Get back here West!" Kyle leapt up and followed after him, dropping the brush onto the stage as he did so.
"No running Kyle!"
But neither boy listened to Barry. I wish John was here. They listen to him.
Barry finished with his current light right as Wally and Kyle made their way back through the arena.
"No running on stage!" Barry cried out as he started his way down.
However it was already too late. Both boys sped right past the ladder. One or both of them managed to hit it with their arm as they ran by, so it came as no surprise that the ladder became unstable. Barry moving at that moment, didn't help either.
And down fell the light technician.