The Claudia Zacchara Collective

Vixenella

November 2008

Part Two

Rated PG

While looking at a cartoon version of herself on a poster board, Claudia said "Wow, I look hot," Claudia said. "I'm gonna love being the stuff of little boy's fantasies all over the world."

"All over the...what?" Sonny asked "Oh, no...no way in hell. This isn't being seen anywhere." He broke the poster in half, causing Spinelli to cry out in anguish.

Claudia said "You're such a bastard, Corinthos. Do you kick puppies and drown kittens, too?"

"I'm not having my likeness as part of ," Sonny started "some freak game he made up in his twisted up mind. Forget about it."

"The Jackal can not forget about it, as Mr. Sir so vehemently suggests, because The Jackal has already sold the rights to said game to a major international distributor and it shall be on shelves in time for the Christmas rush...in fact it debuts in the morn and that is why I thought it so pertinent to inform all of you post haste to avoid the shock of inadvertently stumbling over one of the displays when you are out shopping for your wee ones or loved ones, as the case my be."

"You saying this is will be in stores tomorrow?" Sonny asked "Is that what he just said? Who can translate him for me? Lulu?"

Claudia said "You heard him. Its too late for your complaints to make a difference. Get over it." To Spinelli she said "I think its cute."

"I'm calling Diane!" Sonny cried out. As he headed for the door, he told Jason "Fix this."

Just then Maxie's cell phone rang. "Yes, Kate, I understand. Right away. Yes, we'll get on that."

After hanging up, she said "Sorry, Spinelli, but Lulu and I have to go. Kate needs us. But I love the game and I think its great you made this happen for you. Though I can't believe you kept it a secret. Sneaky!" She smiled and headed for the door.

Lulu said "Don't let Sonny bring you down, okay? Maybe you should have asked before using him in your game but what's done is done...congrats on selling it. I'll have to buy one and send it to Dillon. He'll get a kick out of it. See you later, okay?" Lulu started to leave.

Spinelli called after her "Farewell, The Blonde One and Maximista. The Jackal thanks you for your understanding and support. The Jackal never meant to offend Mr. Corinthos Sir."

Jason asked "What were you thinking?" He pointed at the picture of himself on the board.

"Stone Cold is angered at his apprentice?"

"He's not angry, Damian," Carly said "We are just surprised."

Jason gave her a look. "This can't happen. He's not selling that."

"Its done, Jase."

"Look at it!"

"I see it," Carly said. "At least he has a cute picture of me on there. Anyway, I have to get home to Morgan. Make sure you snag Lucas a copy of the game before it sells out, okay?"

She gave Claudia a hard look and said "You see me out anywhere, you better run the other way."

"Right back at ya."

After Carly left, Jason said "You got to put a stop to this, Spinelli."

"Oh." Spinelli moaned. "The Jackal has made a grievous mistake! In the pursuit of my own dream career, after the failure of my Jackal PI business due to that unfortunate incident that resulted in my brief overnight incarceration in that Canadian jail, The Jackal has been short sighted and only thought of what will bring himself joy and not what will bring others, especially Stone Cold, pain. The Jackal is most sorry...and will immediately seek a way to halt the release of Port Wars."

"Like hell you will," Claudia said.

"It's fine, Vixenella. The Jackal was foolish to pursue such a frivolous life course when Stone Cold spends his days fighting against the forces of evil, present company excluded of course."

"No, its not okay," Claudia said to him. Then she told Jason "You ever think he might have some kind of ambitions beyond being a faithful devotee to the Cult of Morgan? Maybe he has something he wants just for himself, something to make him feel proud and something to earn him a boatload of cash and prestigious. He gets to have that without you ripping it away just cause you can."

"You want your face on that game," Jason said "fine. But not me. I don't want people knowing me as Stone Cold...a mob enforcer."

"Too late," Claudia said "That ship has sailed. Don't you have a TV in that penthouse of yours? You were all over CNN everyday for a month when you stood trial for shooting Lorenzo Alcazar. If I could see it in Rome, then everyone over here certainly did. They know who you are and who Sonny is and Carly...and that's all because of what you did, not Spinelli."

"Fine. People know me. That don't mean they...should pretend to be me in a game."

"What's the harm? I think his game is pretty damn cool and I'm glad I made the cut to be in it."

"Yeah, its...probably a good game," Jason said. "But I want no part of it. Sorry, Spinelli. Maybe you can make another version or something."

"But it hinges on Stone Cold and The Dark Don's eternal battle for dominance of the crime destroyed futuristic town of Port Harborview. No other characters could replace Stone Cold and The Dark Don without losing the essence of the creation."

Jason seemed to take that in and soften slightly to the idea.

Claudia said "It makes him happy. Just cause you're miserable is no reason to make him the same way. This is his dream. Haven't you ever heard of following your bliss?"

Jason shook his head, wearily. "I got to go talk to Sonny and Diane. See if he's gonna file an injunction or what. I'll...see what I can do."

"So Stone Cold will help The Jackal to capture his dream?!"

Claudia said "If he won't then I will. Jason isn't the only one around with access to high priced lawyers."

Jason shot her an annoyed look. "We'll talk about this later, Spinelli."

He headed for the door. Spinelli wore a crushed expression. "But Stone Cold! Wait...The Jackal apologizes..." he called after him but Jason was already gone.

Spinelli seemed to deflate before Claudia's eyes. She said "Hey, come here," and gave him a hug. "It's okay. Don't worry about it, okay."

Claudia pulled away. Spinelli still looked pretty shattered. She hated seeing him like that on a day that should have been one of the best of his life. "Hey," she said "Who cares what Sonny and Jason think, huh? You're really talented and you shouldn't let them stop you."

"Thank you, Vixenella, for your unwavering support. Though it should be forbidden for The Jackal to...have such warm regard...for a known enemy of Stone Cold...The Jackal can not bring himself to feel anything but a well of gratitude each time Vixenella bestows her kindness upon him."

Claudia walked behind the bar and got out a bottle, she poured them both a drink. "You know what? I like being Vixenella. It's a hot name. And I like hanging around you...cause you see me as someone who deserves respect...and hardly no one else does."

"Vixenella deserves the utmost respect for she is one of the goddesses who walk among the mere mortal men of this fair city...and Vixenella not only possesses great beauty, she is fearless when it comes to taking on Mr. Sir and expert in the art of marksmanship and also in the ways of underworld. The Jackal could learn much from Vixenella ...and maybe one day not make so many blunders that upset the ones I hold dear."

Claudia passed him his drink and held hers up. "To The Jackal..."

"The Jackal is honored that Vixenella wishes to imbibe in my name." He clinked his glass to hers.

"To the Jackal," Claudia repeated "who is perfect just the way he is."

A ear to ear smile appeared on Spinelli's face. "To Vixenella ...and unexpected bonds of friendship. Long live The Jackal and Vixenella's association."

Claudia said "I'll drink to that."

THE END