Ch 8
At the end of the concert day, a line of trucks and flatbeds with food arrived for those who were camping out. A bus arrived to take those staying in Driftwood back to the hotel, and of course security made sure only those who were staying in Driftwood got on the bus.
Joan's hotel was busy that night with Eddie Brock, Louise, Duncan, Jackie, Jerry, the entire Australian gang, Randy and Moahan as guests. Sonya stayed there as well, but Joan didn't count her or Louise as a guest, they were family. Of course, the mermaids all went out for a swim in the lake before dinner. Cleo, Belle and Rikki had no idea before coming here that there were real biological mer people. Jerry had fun just watching them swim from the dock.
"Look graceful, don't they?' Duncan asked as he came up to Jerry.
"They do," Jerry agreed as he watched another pair of mers swim by. "This is really wild! I never believed they were real."
"They are, but we can't go telling where we saw them," Duncan told him. "Jackie puts on a tail like her sisters, but the real Mers live here. The girls from Australia got kidnapped by scientists to learn more about them. We don't want that happening here."
"Yeah, the real domineering and suppressing people would come after them," Jerry agreed. "They don't care about anyone else."
"Only what others can do for them. Even if they don't want to."
Out on the water, Jackie's head popped up. Bella then burst out of the water to leap up in the air and arc over to dive back in. When Bella popped up, Jackie raised her hands and clapped. "Yay, you did it!"
"Tail stands?" Bella asked.
"Sure!" Jackie replied. She rose up mostly out of the water, her tail churning up the surface. Bella rose up to her knees. Behind Jackie, Joan rose up to tail walk right up behind her, then gave her a push to knock her in, then dove in and took off deep. Jackie surfaced and looked around, then chased after Joan.
Duncan laughed. Bella giggled. Cleo shot up in front of Bella and pushed her backwards and in, then took off. Bella frowned and dove after her.
.
From the back porch, Eddie and Randy watched their antics. Seeing Moahan come up to hand walk onto the beach, Randy went over as she flopped down on her back.
"Sit?" he asked.
Moahan smiled broadly at him. "Mers here, much energy. Tired."
"I bet you are," he agreed. He helped her sit up then scooped her up in a bride's carry. "Porch, or chair?"
Moahan pointed. "Chair, follow Moahan."
Eddie watched them go, then noticed Louise hand walk up onto the beach. "Want a carry?" he asked.
Louise cast him a tired gaze. "I forgot how much energy Joan and Jackie have! They are hard to keep up with."
Eddie grinned. "Need a hand?" he asked as he got up.
Louise pointed at him. "Clap for me and I'll drag you in!"
Eddie went over and offered her a hand up. Louise took it to turn herself over and sit to take her tail off. "I swear those two have to go full bore every second!" she said in a huff. "They've always been like that."
"High energy. I can see that," Eddie agreed.
Louise got out of her tail, Eddie helped her to her feet. Frowning a bit she asked, "What was it Bob called Joan? Right, an Energizer Bunny hooked to a power line."
That made Eddie laughed and said, "It must have been interesting growing up with them."
"It was," Louise agreed with a smile. "Sometimes a good interesting, sometimes not so good. I'll say this, it was never boring. Want to sit with me for a while?"
"Sounds good," Eddie replied. He picked up her tail. "Pick a spot."
They sat and talked until dinner was announced. When they went in, Eddie held the chair for her. Louise was having fun.
.
Jerry was having a good time at dinner. He heard all about Sonya's 'boob octopus' that she got picked on about. Next to Enel, he watched Enel feed the little alligator on his lap and even got to feed the thing a piece of meat. His original idea of Jackie and Duncan being stuffy rich folk was gone. Many of the people here were rich that he could see, yet they were far from stuffy. They acted like regular people, talking, laughing and picking on each other. He was shocked when Venom erupted from Eddie's chest to grab a fish off a platter and draw back into him. The response from those around him was funny though.
"Feed him, will you!" several people yelled.
"OK, OK!" Eddie cried and got another fish off the platter.
Jerry bumped elbows with Jackie. "What was that?" he asked nervously.
Jackie pointed and said, "That's Venom, Eddie's symbiote. He can't live by himself, so he lives in Eddie. He also protects Eddie."
"There's things like that for real?"
"You just saw him," Jackie replied.
"Eddie, has Venom always been in you?" Jerry asked.
"No, I picked him up, or rather he picked me up in New York City. He eats the bad guys." Eddie explained.
Venom's head appeared on Eddie's shoulder. "That's right, so don't be a bad guy!" He then swallowed another fish and shrank back into Eddie.
Eddie rolled his eyes.
"That's cool!" Jerry said, grinning broadly.
Jackie's phone rang. She let out a huff and answered it. "Jackie … Hey Monty, what's up? … Yeah, Cameron and Delilah are my mothers … He did, just because they are my moms? …" She then looked at Sonya. "Sonya, do you know a Charlie Farnsworth?"
Sonya eyed her. "Tell him I got a job, I can't go make a movie."
Jackie grinned. "Sonya knows him, she said she can't go make a movie ... Why me? … OK, I'll read the script …" Seeing Sonya wave to her, she looked over at her.
"Be very careful making a movie for Charlie, make sure he's not plagiarizing it," Sonya said firmly.
"He does that?" Jackie asked.
"He tried to. Delilah and I talked him out of doing it," Sonya stated.
"Hey Monty, tell him I'll think about it, after I see the script … OK, bring it to Collinwood in week … right, I'm in Texas now … Yeah, I told you I was coming … Driftwood to play in the concert and … HE'S HERE? … Ahhh, no, no! I'll call him … Right after the concert is over … Yeah, promise. OK, see ya later."
Jackie hung up her phone. She saw Sonya looking at her. "Charlie Farnsworth came to the concert, trying to contact you and Moms."
Sonya face planted.
Joan chuckled. "I take it you know him, Sonya?"
"Unfortunately," Sonya grumbled. "What's Cameron and Delilah doing now?"
"Our parents are doing concert area security," Joan replied.
.
It was Cameron's turn. Someone else was at the fence to the band area begging to get in. The terminator there stopped him, but he was pleading why he had to get in. Approaching the man pleading with the terminator on her side of the fence, Cameron recognized him.
"Charlie Farnsworth?" she asked.
He looked at her and beamed her a smile. "Cameron! Thank God you're here!"
"What is it, Charlie," she asked blankly.
"I came to see the concert and I found out Jackie Connor is here. I really need to talk to her about doing a movie! She is one of the best fencers I have ever seen."
Cameron put her forearms on the fence and asked, "What's this movie?"
Charlie told her about his idea for a 'save the princess' movie with a twist. The princess runs away but is captured by the enemy a brigand defeats the enemy and come to find out the brigand is her true love.
Cameron shook her head. "Charlie, you're talking about the 'Princess Bride'. It's already been done."
He cast her a forlorn look. "But, I need to make another movie!" he complained.
Cameron eyed him for a moment, then asked, "What's it worth to you?"
"Ahh, I can get you in the movie, Delilah too," he assured her.
Cameron shook her head. "No. Here's my offer. WE decide what the movie will be, you help pick the cast BUT, we get final say. This won't be a fantasy movie, it will be about something that really happened. You do your promoting and directing thing, we split the profits from the movie."
Charlie frowned a bit. "Sixty forty, me you?"
"Fifty fifty," Cameron stated. "Don't worry, I think it will be a hit."
"How do you know?" he asked warily.
"It will follow some people who really did drive away the PRS. Their true story. People have been aching to know how we did it."
Charlie's face opened up in joy. "Your mean it? The real deal? Maybe with a bit of added excitement?"
Cameron shook her head. "It won't need anything 'added' trust me."
His head bobbed. "OK, yeah, but will there be sword play?"
"Doubt it. Sonya has a demanding job now and Delilah is needed here. I'll ask and see who would like to be in it. There is also a couple other stories that I know haven't been told, and would make good movies. I have to ask the ones involved if they would be interested."
"Movies, with the people who were actually there?" he asked with a gleam in his eyes.
"Go get some rest, Charlie. We'll talk after the concert is over." Cameron told him, then walked away.
Charlie went back to his RV, grinning like a fool.
.
The second day of the concert, the band arrived at quarter till six, and the crowds were coming in. The field before them was already full. The concert was scheduled to start at seven, Seeing the majority of people were here already, They started a little early with Delilah and her ragged acoustic guitar that only had three strings.
Going to the mike, Delilah announced, "I made this song to ask the question, what happens to a cyborg like me when I die? I hope you enjoy."
As soon as she began picking at the three surviving strings, the crowd cheered. She sang her 'Thousand year lullaby' and the crowd loved it.
They had talked Bob into singing also. After Delilah's song, he went to the mike and itched his head. "Hey guys. This is a song a guy I only know as fur faced George sang for Sonya."
The crowd laughed.
"He was no song writer, but he was very … shall we say impressed with Sonya. It's based off a Jim Croce song, 'Roller Derby Queen'. Hey, he actually made a song for her, so that was good, for George.
Bob sang Amazonian Queen to the crowd. There were smiles and chuckles. When he was done, laughter peppered the applause. Bob pointed over at Joan and announced, "She made me do it!" Which brought on more laughter.
Delilah came out and took the mike from Bob. Joan, Cameron, Karen, and Allison came up behind her as backup singers. "That was fun to listen to when George played it for Sonya," she said, which caused some more chuckles. "I'm sure everyone knows Bonnie Tyler…"
That brought on some applause. She waited it out and explained, "A woman here, Kaede, had lost her entire family when that bomb hit us. To say she was devastated is an understatement. Our son, JJ, had also lost his entire family, wives, kids, and all his friends up on his farm. He was in the same sad and devastated state. They traveled together when we were removing the PSR from the country, at first for mutual comfort and to rid us of those who would drop a bomb on us. Both feeling very alone and very sad. Eventually them came together, and upon coming home after Kaede made some very hard confessions to JJ and the others who came to work on his farm, they went in the house. By itself, or as Kaede believes, JJ's dead wife Peggy, knocked the radio over and turned it on. This is what it played." Delilah sang it with passion.
(turn around) every now and then I get a little bit lonely
And you're never coming round
...(Turn around) every now and then I get a little bit tired of listening to the sound of my tears
(Turn around) every now and they I get little bit nervous the best of all my years have gone by
(Turn around) Every now and then I get a little bit terrified and then I see the look in your eyes
(Turn around, bright eyes) every now and then I fall apart
(Turn around, bright eyes) every now and then I fall apart
And I need you now, tonight,
and I need you more than ever,
and if you only hold me tight
we'll be holding on forever
And we'll only be making it right
cause we'll never be wrong, together we can make it to the end of the line
your love is like a shadow on me all of the time
I don't know what to do, I'm always in the dark
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks!
I really need you tonight
forever's gonna start tonight, forever's gonna start tonight.
Once upon a time I was falling in love,
now I'm only falling apart.
Nothing I can do, a total eclipse of the heart.
(Turn around) every now and then I know I'll never be the girl you wanted me to be
(Turn around) every now and then I know you're the only boy who wants me the way that I am
(Turn around) Every now and then I'll dream of something wild
(Turn around) Every now and then I want to be lying like a child in your arms.
(Turn around) Every now and than I know there´s nothing any better and there´s nothing I just wouldn't do
(Turn around Bright eyes) every now and then I fall apart
(Turn around Bright eyes) every now and then I fall apart!
And I need you now, tonight, (Yes I do!)
and I need you more than ever,
and if you only hold me tight
we'll be holding on forever
And we'll only be making it right
cause we'll never be wrong, together we can make it to the end of the line
your love is like a shadow on me all of the time
I don't know what to do, I'm always in the dark
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks!
I really need you tonight
forever's gonna start tonight, forever's gonna start tonight.
Once upon a time I was falling in love,
now I'm only falling apart.
Nothing I can do, a total eclipse of the heart.
a total eclipse of the heart.
(Turn around bright eyes, turn around)
Applause thundered through the crowd. Delilah waited it out then said, "For you, Johnny and Kaede!"
Delilah then did 'I need a hero' which was also very popular.
Joan was next at the mike. "The great Pat Benetar sang a song that was my feeling towards the PSR." She sang 'Invincible'.
Again it was a party atmosphere right up until the noon break. After the break Cameron and Delilah sang Twisted Sister's 'We're not gonna take it' to the pumping of many fists in the crowd. Those old enough to know the song sang along as did most of the band. Of course, Delilah played the guitar solo. At the end of the song, Sonya strode to the front of the stage and yelled, "And don't you take it either!"
By 4 PM, the band was tired and they'd played all their songs, the last being Elton John's 'I guess that's why they call it the blues.'
Cameron did the ending speech. Holding an arm up high, she announced, "Thank you all for coming and your donations. When leaving, please be courteous to those around you. With this large crowd it may take a while to get back to your cars so please have patience. Charlie, just stay in your camp, I'll come see you as soon as I can. May you all have a pleasant trip back home. Again, I thank all of you for coming!"
Cameron was almost sad the concert was over. Now, she had to deal with Charlie and his movie.
.
While Cameron headed up to JJ's farm, John and Delilah were stuck with dealing with something that was worse them they had imagined. Cleaning up all the garbage as people filed out. After the crowds left, the terminator guards joined the major job of picking up after the concert.
.
Cameron arrived at JJ's farm to find they had all watched the concert both days and thought it was fantastic. It took a while before she got JJ and Kaede to the side.
Looking at Kaede, Cameron said, "I have a proposition for you. I know many parts of your life have been horrible. I also know much of it was kept secret. I want to expose what's happened to you. All of it. I think I finally have a way to do that."
Kaede eyed her with a raised eyebrow. "There is much I'd rather not talk about, or even think about," she said firmly.
"Yeah," JJ agreed.
Cameron said, "I want to make a movie about you to show the world how hard you've had to fight for even a decent life. Even then, it was blown up and you had to fight again. You don't have to be in it, or you, JJ, but what happened to you is truly horrible. Those who did it need to be singled out as the bad guys. Not you."
Kaede frowned. "I don't want to be reminded of any of that."
Cameron nodded. "I can understand that. How about just the parts where you fought the PSR with JJ?"
Kaede looked at JJ. JJ shrugged. "Kaede, hon, if you're not comfortable with it, just say no."
"He's right," Cameron told them. "But if you do, 20% each of all profits from the movie will be yours to split as you see fit."
"We need to think about it," JJ stated.
"I would expect no less," Cameron replied. "Let me know what you decide."
"Will Driftwood get part of the profits too?" Kaede asked.
"Yes, 25 % will be given to the Sheriff to help the town. The other 50% will go to the people making the movie. We could be talking millions here and our town could really use the cash."
"We'll think about it," Kaede said, echoing JJ's reply.
"Do it!" Sophie piped up. "Kaede everyone should know you're not the monster! It's those who abused you that need to be shown as the bad people!"
Kaede smiled at her. "As I said, we'll think about it."
"Thank you," Cameron said. "I'd stay longer but I'm very busy today."
JJ chuckled. "You always are, Mom. Tell dad and Mommy Two I said hi,"
"Will do." Cameron said and gave them both a hug.
Besides JJ and Kaede's experiences, Cameron thought Duncan and Jackie's story would make a good movie also. So would Joan and Allison's, Bob and Connor's, or any of them for that matter.
Approaching Duncan, he was flatly against anything being told about him. Connor was the same. JJ got back to her that for Kaede's peace of mind, he had to decline. She was doing much better now and didn't want to be reminded of the hells she'd gone through.
Cameron checked with everyone. The only ones who were willing to have their stories told in a movie were Bob and his wives. Joan didn't really care who knew what, Allison thought it might be fun, and Malinara was eager for people to know how good of a man her Master was. Bob himself just wanted to be sure they didn't expose anything they shouldn't.
Cameron then let John know about her idea.
At the concert site where they were cleaning up, John stared at Cameron a moment before he said, "You can't be serious. Cam, we, none of us can do that."
"I'm not planning to expose any black ops, where we live, the protected species we have here, or what we do," Cameron explained. "Just make a movie following Joan and her gang around from when the bomb hit us until the end of the war with the PSR. That was a very public event, John."
"Why?" he asked, frustrated. "We don't really need the money, and a true story movie about us will alert the world who, what and where we are," he insisted. "Cam, hon, it's a bad idea."
Cameron thought for a moment, then frowned. "I just want everyone to know our kids are heroes."
John grinned and let out a short chuckle. "Yeah, me too. I'd like the world to know how brave and selfless our kids are. We just can't do that, hon. Sorry."
"You're right, John," Cameron said. "I'll go tell Charlie."
Letting out a sigh, John said, "Thank you."
"I'm heading to the camp sites across the road to see how things are going there," Cameron told him.
Cameron walked over to the camp site area where terminators were raking and picking up garbage to fill up a couple dump trucks. Charlie's camper, grill and cooler were still set up. Charlie himself was at a small folding table, making notes as he munched on a hot dog. Seeing Cameron he got up.
Cameron came straight to the point. "I talked to my family and a few others. Many of us don't want anything to do with it. John said we can't do a true to life movie about what we did to remove the PSR for a few reasons."
Charlie's face fell.
"However, there are many public events that I can guide you into learning about. I can also finance your movie," Cameron explained. "I still get to approve of the script and have a say in what actors are used."
Charlie frowned briefly. "None of you can be in it," he said sadly. "I still think doing a sword and sorcery movie will be another big hit."
"You do, huh?"
"Yes!" he said, brightening up. "In that we can have famous fencers, and
People are sure to come see it if we can get members of your family as actors."
Cameron thought for a moment, then said, "All right, but the same deal, I make the plot and help select who's in it."