A/N: Sorry its been so long guys, but I've had writer's block for the past
week. *sniff* But, here is the chapter now and you'll all be happy to
know that my muses came back to life. I have my MoodSwing!Blink and
BestFriend!Dave as always. I lost my Someonewithbrains!Jack, but I gained
a !JackinaCake and an AnswerMan/Smartass!Race. Yay for my muses!! ^_^ In
case anyone was wondering, there was a lack of Newsies last chapter,
because they were all here doing the goings on of this chapter.
Just reminding you all, that you can read NMR: Artemis's story by Artemis Chan of Redwing, or NMR: A Camper's Story by Cassie (whose FF name I forget ^_^ check the reviews)
And, I'm reading a really good story called Every Thing You've Done Wrong by Sloanne, a combination between Funkiechick and B. Everyone else should read it.
Shoutouts!
Artemis: Boo Hiss for apathetic Arty. My Creative Meter has been going off the wall, and I'm working on my site more than anything right now. My muses are alive though, so writing will improve. More boys in this chapter, so let's watch. O_O
Shot: YAY! I am luffled! ^___^ Yeah, I felt bad leaving Kristan out by herself to the dogs, and every time I see her, the first thing out of her mouth is 'I want Nick.' Kitch*Nsynk skit won't be until next chapter. Next chap will be long... so I better stop doing this and start writing that. Enjoy!
Kristan: You're welcome. I love you too. No, Nick cannot stay at camp. But he could come to All Camp. Then he has to leave though. *nod*
Cassie: I more walked into the car rather than hit it but... still. ^_^ Gotta love the childlike innocence.
Maddie: *shrug* Christine told me about the warts. I do like to be the center of attention. I was at Luthien's party... I just can't help myself. Happy is Oh so very nice... actually that didn't happen at all... but it's still my perception of her.
Yank: You know... divorce is a popular trend today. You still do have a chance with Gabriel, even if you don't find hit men.
Chipper: I keep finding more and more in the movie for my VSD files. *devilish grin* I can't wait until I finish this and finish my website so that I can write and post them. ^_^
Christine: Not quite getting duct tape... but you'll see eventually. ^_^ I do feel special. YAY!! I don't even know if you're going to be able to read this... but I hope you do and I hope you like!!
Brownie: Sorry about the homework. Ouchies!
Storm: hi hon... nice to see you're still alive. ^_^
Merry: Ending? Where? No ending in sight for this story! lol... actually, it is only a few more chapters, then an Epilogue. I can't wait until you're staff either. You'd make great staff. I'm working on the whole relationship thing. Race has to be gay, because well... he just has to. So sorry! I like him too.
Chapter 23: A Trip to Wal-Mart and a Little Practice
"I have to do what!?" Nike asked in astonishment. She was with the Newsies at the amphitheater. They were practicing for the night's show all afternoon, since they were doing quite a large portion of it.
"We wasn't gonna tell you until last night when we went on," Race explained, "but since you're here now an' we gotta practice again, we want you'se ta get used ta it."
"I don't need to get used to it," Nike replied, almost smirking and looking angry at the same time while she got in Race's face. "Because I ain't gonna wear it."
"Come on. Don't act like such a scab. Just put it on," Jack told her.
"Yeah, like you have any right to be telling any girl what to do, barn boy. You couldn't even get one of the horses to go out with you if you tried."
Jack snorted and turned away. Nike was starting to get on his nerves. She had hit sort of a sore spot with him. Spot sauntered over to the crowd, in a much better mood than he had been during the whole trip so far. For some reason, it amused him to see Nike put on the spot, so to speak. That, and he had just had a very excellent 'conversation' with Race in the bathhouse in Trail's End.
"Look at dis," he said, holding up the frilly pink dress that had been dredged up from the bottom of one of the costume boxes. "It ain't so bad."
Spot continued to examine the dress, twisting it around and generally being nosey about it. In a minute or so of his amusement, he had examined his way right into it properly. The dress hung a few inches on the ground, and it was quite baggy on him at the moment.
"You'se look good, Spot," Race said eyeing up his boyfriend.
"Eat you're heart out, Racey," Spot said, sweeping past Race. Spot promptly sat on Nike's lap and batted his eyelashes. She looked thoroughly disgusted, and seemed as if she were on the verge of pushing him off of her lap and down the stairs to the amp. "Dis ain't so bad, dear. Why don't cha jus' wear it?"
"Because, Spot, I couldn't look half as sexy as you, okay?" Nike rolled her eyes and decided on pushing Spot back to a standing postion. "Besides, now that you've been in it, it'll have to be burned."
Spot glared at Nike for less than a second before he started taking off the sequined material. He rolled it into a ball and threw it at Nike.
"Just shut up, Medda, and put it on."
"Fine."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Gryffin walked back to Mary Lodge with Luthien and Specs, who had been sent to fetch her from the barn. She was being sent to Wal-Mart with Christine and any three boys who volunteered and were not doing anything at the moment. For some reason, Gryffin had no idea why, the camp was suddenly out of duct tape and they needed more for the office. They were also going to buy something very heavy that would need to be tied to the roof of her car. (read: Gryffin couldn't find an excuse for the boys to come, so she just made this up)
"Aren't you guys coming in?" She asked when she got to the end of the path from the barn to the parking lot behind Mary Lodge.
"No, I think we're going to stay here for a little while. We have a bit of time off," Specs said.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Gryffin said, as she continued into the building.
"OUCH!"
"WATCH IT!"
Christine and Gryffin yelled at the same time, having just collided with the other's head.
"You ready Christine?"
"Yeah Gryff. I got the money."
"And I got the keys."
"We're missing one thing though."
"BOYS!" they both yelled together and headed through the swamp that was Outback to the Amp.
When they burst through the trees where there seemed to be no path, the action on stage stopped. Spot was looking daggers at David, up in his face at Medda's. Christine and Gryffin giggled hysterically.
"Wha'dja do, Spot," Gryffin asked, "Forget that Race is your boyfriend, not Dave?" She almost doubled over in giggles, caused by the giddiness that was shared between herself and Christine. Going to Wal-Mart was really, really fun.
"Did you want something?" David asked. He was acting like he had a stick up his pants, as usual. Gryffin struggled to straighten up.
"Yeah, we want Mush and Blink and someone else from a different unit who isn't doing anything for the rest of the afternoon."
"I ain't got anythin' ta do," Race said. "Why?"
"Because we're going out of camp," Christine replied shortly, as if this explained everything.
"So?"
"So, three of you guys get to come because we can fit five people in Gryffin's car, and Mush and Blink were already nominated whether they like it or not."
"Hey, I like it," Blink said, grabbing his bag.
"Outties," Mush said, ruffling Jack's hair as he followed Blink, both boys jumping off the stage and running up the seats.
"No thanks, I think I'll stay here then," Race said, looking skeptically at the two couples.
"Can I come?" Snipeshooter asked from the background.
"Sure kid, let's go!"
The five of them left with almost as much ruckus as the two girls had made coming in. Nike rolled her eyes. Dave sighed heavily, because things were not going the way he had planned, and Jack paced the stage, getting the boys set up to start that scene over again. It would be a long afternoon.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
They came to a hard stop in front of Wal-Mart. They had been listening to the Newsies soundtrack on the way. It was even more fun to listen to when you had the boys in the back seat singing their own parts as well as making fun of all of the other guys. Christine was in tears, and Gryffin was surprised that she kept the car on the road she had been laughing so hard. For the moment, the group seemed sober though, as the walked into the store.
"Okay, so what do we need? Just duct tape and sand for sandboxes right?" Gryffin asked Christine, who had been the one to talk to Happy.
"Yep. We pay for the sand at the register, and we can pick it up around back."
"Good," Snipe said, "I don't feel like carryin' it aroun' anyhow." Blink playfully pushed his head.
Since none of said staff members were duct tape fanatics, like the rest of the camp, they did the only thing they could think of: Walked aimlessly around the store hoping to stumble across the tape aisle. Of course, that failed when they realized that this was a super Wal-Mart, and they had about 150 aisles, and that there is something interesting to play with in each one of them. After a half an hour of this, Gryffin decided that it was time to go to Customer Service and ask where they may keep the duct tape.
That did not work so well either. They should have known that they were in for a hard time from the start. But, as they are all Redwing staff, they did not realize that anything was a bit odd. The people at Customer Service told them that the tape was in Electronics. The people in Electronics blatantly laughed at the group and sent them to Housewares. The people at Housewares, who were all older women and quite pleasant, told them very politely that the people in Electronics must have been a bit confused and that they should check Hardware. The people in Hardware said they were out and to check in Automotive, and the people in Automotive said that they never carried duct tape, that it was stocked in Electronics.
Gryffin was beginning to get frustrated. They had been in the store for an hour already, and they had not gotten anything that they needed. She did the only thing she could think of doing. Sing.
"Open the gates and sieze the day,"
"Who do you think you are? Dave?" Christine asked, giving her mentor a weird look.
"Shut up. Don't be afraid and don't dealy, Nothing can break us, No one can make us, Give our rights away,"
"Hey, she sounds bettah dan Davey, can we take her back to New York?" Blink asked.
"You liar. You just want to take her back to New York," Snipeshooter accused. Blink blushed a little and shrugged. Mush punched him in the arm.
"Arise and seize the day..."
"Open the gates and seize the day."
"Open the gates and seize the day," the boys came in automatically.
"Raise up the torch and light the way," Gryffin continued. The boys started dancing behind her.
"Raise up the torch and light the way," Christine joined them, though she did not dance. She merely grinned from ear to ear and strode down the main aisle of Wal-Mart beside Gryffin with three hot, singing dancing boys behind her.
"HEY! Who is that singing the Newsies Soundtrack?" a male voice said from about twenty yards in front of them.
The girls went into hysterics that anybody else knew who the Newsies were, and ducked into the closest aisle, laughing. The boys followed them in. Gryffin collapsed into Blink as they both melted down onto the empty shelf space. Snipe put his head into his arm on a rack, and Christine leaned against Mush, tears literally streaming down her cheeks.
"I didn' think dat people knew us dat well," Blink said, calming himself. Gryffin was being very careful not to look at anyone, because she was sure that she would burst into giggles again.
"Hey! Look!" Snipe cried, holding something in his hand. "I found the duct tape!" It was no use, they all fell to laughing again.
"Come on guys, we have to get out of here," Gryffin said, pulling Blink up after her.
"HI TIMES, HARD TIMES..."
Blink started yelling the song at the top of his voice as they headed out of the store. He and Mush treated Snipe as if he were Medda and pranced all the way to the register.
"Excuse me, would you like to try a sample of our appetizers from Rock Bottom?" a lady asked as they walked out the doors.
"Okay!" the boys said, always hungry. The dishes smelled very good.
"Dude!" Blink exclaimed. "Mush, this is the first time I've ever had my food in style."
"Yeah, me too," Mush said, holding up his mashed potatoes. "I've never even drank martinis out of a martini glass, let alone eaten white cheader mashed potatoes from one."
"Quit your yappin'," Snipe told the two older boys. "They're just plastic, and they come apart."
"Yeah, but they're martini glasses," Blink protested. The argument lasted the entire half hour drive back to camp, and by the time they got there, if Gryffin heard one more word about mashed potatoes, she was sure that she would kill someone.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When they finally did get back, it was nearly dinner time. They unloaded the sand near the Corral. None of them were quite sure what it was for. Then they drove back over the train tracks to main camp. Gryffin remembered jumping the tracks in her Suzuki a year ago, but she was not about to bring that up with a bunch of hyper people in her little yellow Cavalier. That was how she had accidentally ended up jumping the other vehicle in the first place.
Gryffin went to teach grace to the girls, and noticed that Artemis was not there. It was not like Arty to miss meals, and nobody was cooking out. If she did not hear anything about Artemis in a few minutes, she was going to go to her tent and get the child herself.
"Okay girls. Today, we're being evil to you all. Today, we are singing the Edilvice grace. It's easy, I promise. Just repeat after me."
End Twenty Two
Just reminding you all, that you can read NMR: Artemis's story by Artemis Chan of Redwing, or NMR: A Camper's Story by Cassie (whose FF name I forget ^_^ check the reviews)
And, I'm reading a really good story called Every Thing You've Done Wrong by Sloanne, a combination between Funkiechick and B. Everyone else should read it.
Shoutouts!
Artemis: Boo Hiss for apathetic Arty. My Creative Meter has been going off the wall, and I'm working on my site more than anything right now. My muses are alive though, so writing will improve. More boys in this chapter, so let's watch. O_O
Shot: YAY! I am luffled! ^___^ Yeah, I felt bad leaving Kristan out by herself to the dogs, and every time I see her, the first thing out of her mouth is 'I want Nick.' Kitch*Nsynk skit won't be until next chapter. Next chap will be long... so I better stop doing this and start writing that. Enjoy!
Kristan: You're welcome. I love you too. No, Nick cannot stay at camp. But he could come to All Camp. Then he has to leave though. *nod*
Cassie: I more walked into the car rather than hit it but... still. ^_^ Gotta love the childlike innocence.
Maddie: *shrug* Christine told me about the warts. I do like to be the center of attention. I was at Luthien's party... I just can't help myself. Happy is Oh so very nice... actually that didn't happen at all... but it's still my perception of her.
Yank: You know... divorce is a popular trend today. You still do have a chance with Gabriel, even if you don't find hit men.
Chipper: I keep finding more and more in the movie for my VSD files. *devilish grin* I can't wait until I finish this and finish my website so that I can write and post them. ^_^
Christine: Not quite getting duct tape... but you'll see eventually. ^_^ I do feel special. YAY!! I don't even know if you're going to be able to read this... but I hope you do and I hope you like!!
Brownie: Sorry about the homework. Ouchies!
Storm: hi hon... nice to see you're still alive. ^_^
Merry: Ending? Where? No ending in sight for this story! lol... actually, it is only a few more chapters, then an Epilogue. I can't wait until you're staff either. You'd make great staff. I'm working on the whole relationship thing. Race has to be gay, because well... he just has to. So sorry! I like him too.
Chapter 23: A Trip to Wal-Mart and a Little Practice
"I have to do what!?" Nike asked in astonishment. She was with the Newsies at the amphitheater. They were practicing for the night's show all afternoon, since they were doing quite a large portion of it.
"We wasn't gonna tell you until last night when we went on," Race explained, "but since you're here now an' we gotta practice again, we want you'se ta get used ta it."
"I don't need to get used to it," Nike replied, almost smirking and looking angry at the same time while she got in Race's face. "Because I ain't gonna wear it."
"Come on. Don't act like such a scab. Just put it on," Jack told her.
"Yeah, like you have any right to be telling any girl what to do, barn boy. You couldn't even get one of the horses to go out with you if you tried."
Jack snorted and turned away. Nike was starting to get on his nerves. She had hit sort of a sore spot with him. Spot sauntered over to the crowd, in a much better mood than he had been during the whole trip so far. For some reason, it amused him to see Nike put on the spot, so to speak. That, and he had just had a very excellent 'conversation' with Race in the bathhouse in Trail's End.
"Look at dis," he said, holding up the frilly pink dress that had been dredged up from the bottom of one of the costume boxes. "It ain't so bad."
Spot continued to examine the dress, twisting it around and generally being nosey about it. In a minute or so of his amusement, he had examined his way right into it properly. The dress hung a few inches on the ground, and it was quite baggy on him at the moment.
"You'se look good, Spot," Race said eyeing up his boyfriend.
"Eat you're heart out, Racey," Spot said, sweeping past Race. Spot promptly sat on Nike's lap and batted his eyelashes. She looked thoroughly disgusted, and seemed as if she were on the verge of pushing him off of her lap and down the stairs to the amp. "Dis ain't so bad, dear. Why don't cha jus' wear it?"
"Because, Spot, I couldn't look half as sexy as you, okay?" Nike rolled her eyes and decided on pushing Spot back to a standing postion. "Besides, now that you've been in it, it'll have to be burned."
Spot glared at Nike for less than a second before he started taking off the sequined material. He rolled it into a ball and threw it at Nike.
"Just shut up, Medda, and put it on."
"Fine."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Gryffin walked back to Mary Lodge with Luthien and Specs, who had been sent to fetch her from the barn. She was being sent to Wal-Mart with Christine and any three boys who volunteered and were not doing anything at the moment. For some reason, Gryffin had no idea why, the camp was suddenly out of duct tape and they needed more for the office. They were also going to buy something very heavy that would need to be tied to the roof of her car. (read: Gryffin couldn't find an excuse for the boys to come, so she just made this up)
"Aren't you guys coming in?" She asked when she got to the end of the path from the barn to the parking lot behind Mary Lodge.
"No, I think we're going to stay here for a little while. We have a bit of time off," Specs said.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Gryffin said, as she continued into the building.
"OUCH!"
"WATCH IT!"
Christine and Gryffin yelled at the same time, having just collided with the other's head.
"You ready Christine?"
"Yeah Gryff. I got the money."
"And I got the keys."
"We're missing one thing though."
"BOYS!" they both yelled together and headed through the swamp that was Outback to the Amp.
When they burst through the trees where there seemed to be no path, the action on stage stopped. Spot was looking daggers at David, up in his face at Medda's. Christine and Gryffin giggled hysterically.
"Wha'dja do, Spot," Gryffin asked, "Forget that Race is your boyfriend, not Dave?" She almost doubled over in giggles, caused by the giddiness that was shared between herself and Christine. Going to Wal-Mart was really, really fun.
"Did you want something?" David asked. He was acting like he had a stick up his pants, as usual. Gryffin struggled to straighten up.
"Yeah, we want Mush and Blink and someone else from a different unit who isn't doing anything for the rest of the afternoon."
"I ain't got anythin' ta do," Race said. "Why?"
"Because we're going out of camp," Christine replied shortly, as if this explained everything.
"So?"
"So, three of you guys get to come because we can fit five people in Gryffin's car, and Mush and Blink were already nominated whether they like it or not."
"Hey, I like it," Blink said, grabbing his bag.
"Outties," Mush said, ruffling Jack's hair as he followed Blink, both boys jumping off the stage and running up the seats.
"No thanks, I think I'll stay here then," Race said, looking skeptically at the two couples.
"Can I come?" Snipeshooter asked from the background.
"Sure kid, let's go!"
The five of them left with almost as much ruckus as the two girls had made coming in. Nike rolled her eyes. Dave sighed heavily, because things were not going the way he had planned, and Jack paced the stage, getting the boys set up to start that scene over again. It would be a long afternoon.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
They came to a hard stop in front of Wal-Mart. They had been listening to the Newsies soundtrack on the way. It was even more fun to listen to when you had the boys in the back seat singing their own parts as well as making fun of all of the other guys. Christine was in tears, and Gryffin was surprised that she kept the car on the road she had been laughing so hard. For the moment, the group seemed sober though, as the walked into the store.
"Okay, so what do we need? Just duct tape and sand for sandboxes right?" Gryffin asked Christine, who had been the one to talk to Happy.
"Yep. We pay for the sand at the register, and we can pick it up around back."
"Good," Snipe said, "I don't feel like carryin' it aroun' anyhow." Blink playfully pushed his head.
Since none of said staff members were duct tape fanatics, like the rest of the camp, they did the only thing they could think of: Walked aimlessly around the store hoping to stumble across the tape aisle. Of course, that failed when they realized that this was a super Wal-Mart, and they had about 150 aisles, and that there is something interesting to play with in each one of them. After a half an hour of this, Gryffin decided that it was time to go to Customer Service and ask where they may keep the duct tape.
That did not work so well either. They should have known that they were in for a hard time from the start. But, as they are all Redwing staff, they did not realize that anything was a bit odd. The people at Customer Service told them that the tape was in Electronics. The people in Electronics blatantly laughed at the group and sent them to Housewares. The people at Housewares, who were all older women and quite pleasant, told them very politely that the people in Electronics must have been a bit confused and that they should check Hardware. The people in Hardware said they were out and to check in Automotive, and the people in Automotive said that they never carried duct tape, that it was stocked in Electronics.
Gryffin was beginning to get frustrated. They had been in the store for an hour already, and they had not gotten anything that they needed. She did the only thing she could think of doing. Sing.
"Open the gates and sieze the day,"
"Who do you think you are? Dave?" Christine asked, giving her mentor a weird look.
"Shut up. Don't be afraid and don't dealy, Nothing can break us, No one can make us, Give our rights away,"
"Hey, she sounds bettah dan Davey, can we take her back to New York?" Blink asked.
"You liar. You just want to take her back to New York," Snipeshooter accused. Blink blushed a little and shrugged. Mush punched him in the arm.
"Arise and seize the day..."
"Open the gates and seize the day."
"Open the gates and seize the day," the boys came in automatically.
"Raise up the torch and light the way," Gryffin continued. The boys started dancing behind her.
"Raise up the torch and light the way," Christine joined them, though she did not dance. She merely grinned from ear to ear and strode down the main aisle of Wal-Mart beside Gryffin with three hot, singing dancing boys behind her.
"HEY! Who is that singing the Newsies Soundtrack?" a male voice said from about twenty yards in front of them.
The girls went into hysterics that anybody else knew who the Newsies were, and ducked into the closest aisle, laughing. The boys followed them in. Gryffin collapsed into Blink as they both melted down onto the empty shelf space. Snipe put his head into his arm on a rack, and Christine leaned against Mush, tears literally streaming down her cheeks.
"I didn' think dat people knew us dat well," Blink said, calming himself. Gryffin was being very careful not to look at anyone, because she was sure that she would burst into giggles again.
"Hey! Look!" Snipe cried, holding something in his hand. "I found the duct tape!" It was no use, they all fell to laughing again.
"Come on guys, we have to get out of here," Gryffin said, pulling Blink up after her.
"HI TIMES, HARD TIMES..."
Blink started yelling the song at the top of his voice as they headed out of the store. He and Mush treated Snipe as if he were Medda and pranced all the way to the register.
"Excuse me, would you like to try a sample of our appetizers from Rock Bottom?" a lady asked as they walked out the doors.
"Okay!" the boys said, always hungry. The dishes smelled very good.
"Dude!" Blink exclaimed. "Mush, this is the first time I've ever had my food in style."
"Yeah, me too," Mush said, holding up his mashed potatoes. "I've never even drank martinis out of a martini glass, let alone eaten white cheader mashed potatoes from one."
"Quit your yappin'," Snipe told the two older boys. "They're just plastic, and they come apart."
"Yeah, but they're martini glasses," Blink protested. The argument lasted the entire half hour drive back to camp, and by the time they got there, if Gryffin heard one more word about mashed potatoes, she was sure that she would kill someone.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When they finally did get back, it was nearly dinner time. They unloaded the sand near the Corral. None of them were quite sure what it was for. Then they drove back over the train tracks to main camp. Gryffin remembered jumping the tracks in her Suzuki a year ago, but she was not about to bring that up with a bunch of hyper people in her little yellow Cavalier. That was how she had accidentally ended up jumping the other vehicle in the first place.
Gryffin went to teach grace to the girls, and noticed that Artemis was not there. It was not like Arty to miss meals, and nobody was cooking out. If she did not hear anything about Artemis in a few minutes, she was going to go to her tent and get the child herself.
"Okay girls. Today, we're being evil to you all. Today, we are singing the Edilvice grace. It's easy, I promise. Just repeat after me."
End Twenty Two