Chapter 10: March of the Toreadors
"People flooded the streets surrounding the bull ring. The bull fighters marched in a parade into the arena. All the fighters were there, except one. Curly did not march in the parade, instead, he was escorting Lila down the side walk, his chorus following them. Next to them were Sid, Stinky, Rhonda, and Nadine. Sid was smiling, because Nadine was on his arm."
CHORUS
Hail hail, out of our way!
Here comes Lord Curlimillio!
Banners flying high today!
Welcoming our noble soldier!
The Lady Lila, clings closely to him!
Their love is never ending!
SID
You must admit to finding me attractive.
NADINE
Well, I was slightly enraptured with you when I was young. Yes, you are quite handsome.
SID
So then, you love me?
NADINE
Love's a strong word, could you at least court me first?
SID
Oh. Uh, sure, of course.
"Harold, Gerald, and Eugene were walking together, and when they noticed Sid and Stinky, they rushed to join them."
HAROLD
Hey guys!!
STINKY
Howdy fellas.
SID
Yeah, what's up dudes?
GERALD
Not much, have you seen Arnold around here? He wasn't at his house this morning.
SID
Nope haven't seen him. Come Nadine, let's get something to eat.
"Sid and Nadine headed towards the concession stand."
EUGENE
Well, how have things been lately, you ever think of coming back to school?
RHONDA
My parents have agreed to send me to a private school, out of the country so I won't get in trouble.
STINKY
I don't know if I'll ever be able to get back to school.
LILA
Me neither.
CURLY
Fear not my love, I shall provide well for you.
LILA
Yeah, heh heh, sure.
"At the concession stand, Sid was buying Nadine a soda. She took a look down the street, and saw Arnold, limping up the sidewalk. She gasped at the sight of him, grabbed Sid, and ran back to the group."
CURLY
It's time for me to join the parade, farewell for now precious!
LILA
Yeah, cya later.
CHORUS
Away, away, to battle!
GERALD
I suppose we'll be going too, to look for Arnold.
STINKY
All right, see you fellas later!
"As soon as Curly and the other guys had left, Nadine came running up the street, gasping for air."
NADINE
Arnold... saw him... he was...
RHONDA
Slow down Nadine. Good, now calmly tell us what you saw.
NADINE
He was wearing a coat and it looked like he was hiding something underneath it. His eyes, they looked murderous!!!
RHONDA
What!!!
LILA
How could you tell?
NADINE
I don't know, I've never seen him look that way before!
RHONDA
Oh god... Do you think, maybe he was here for, you Lila?
LILA
*snicker* Who does he think he is!
STINKY
Lila, I think you should get out of here.
LILA
I shall not!!! I'm going to go and face him!!
RHONDA
Don't!!! You have no idea...
LILA
If it is my fate to die today, so be it!! I will not live in fear of him!
STINKY
I'm coming with you.
LILA
No Stinky, I'm gonna face him alone.
STINKY
Please!! I... don't want you to die, please.
LILA
Stinky... I'll come back, I promise you.
"She gently touched his cheek and then ran off to find Arnold. She finally found him, and boy did he look like a mess. His hair was disheveled, he walked with a limp, and he was still wearing his pajamas. She grabbed his hand, and pulled him into a alley. In the distance, she could here the horns announcing the start of the fight."
LILA
This has to stop.
ARNOLD
Lila, please... I beg of you.
"They both were able to hear the distant sound of Curly's chorus singing.
CHORUS
Le bull, it is released!
LILA
NO!!! This has gone far enough. You can't stalk me forever!
ARNOLD
I don't want to, but I love you so much.
CHORUS
Here comes our Lord!
His bravery is endless!
LILA
Stop saying that!!! You don't know what love is, you're acting so immature!!
ARNOLD
Me immature!! Look at yourself Lila, you've gone through seven boyfriends in the past year. SEVEN!!! Don't you be lecturing me about love!
"Hot blood coursed through his veins. He moved his finger up and down the sharp steel he hid under his coat."
CHORUS
The bull it charges!
Our hero dodges!
LILA
I... know I don't love you!!
ARNOLD
Where is your pretty boy anyway!
LILA
Curly...
CHORUS
His sword is drawn!
ARNOLD
Oh yes, Senor Curlimillio. I wonder what that relationship was based on.
CHORUS
Le bull, tis slain!
Victory for Curlimillio!
LILA
Stop it Arnold, just stop it!
"She dropped down to her knees, and started sobbing. Arnold dropped his jaw, and just stood there for a few seconds. He never expected this. He looked at Lila, who he thought to be one of the toughest girls in his class, bawling her brains out. Without a second thought, he shoved the knife he was holding deep into his pocket."
ARNOLD
Can I... comfort you?
LILA
Ok...
"He got down on his knee, and put his hand on her shoulder. She suddenly reached out her arms, and pulled him to her. She sobbed into his chest. He slowly petted her head."
ARNOLD
(thinking) I can't believe what I was about to do.
ARNOLD
Do you want to talk about it?
LILA
I hate myself!! I'm ever so sorry for hurting you Arnold.
ARNOLD
Don't apologize, its not necessary.
LILA
But it is!!! I know I don't love Curly, how could I? Its just another good looking guy I want to... be with. I'm sick of this!!!
ARNOLD
Shhhh... Calm down, its all right. So there's no guy you really like?
LILA
Well maybe...
ARNOLD
Who?
LILA
Promise not to laugh?
ARNOLD
Come on, its Arnold!
LILA
Stinky.
"Arnold couldn't help but giggle. She stood up and playfully slapped him."
LILA
Oh that's perfectly wonderful mister sensitive!
ARNOLD
It's just... Stinky, whoo boy. Didn't see that one coming.
VOICE
Don't touch her!!!
"Stinky ran into the alley, brandishing his sword."
STINKY
I'm sorry Miss Lila, but I couldn't bare to see you get hurt.
LILA
Don't worry, Arnold's not going to hurt me.
STINKY
Really?
ARNOLD
Yup. I'm back to my old self again.
STINKY
Well that's a relief. So, umm... Miss Lila.
LILA
Yes Stinky?
STINKY
Umm... Do you want me to escort you to the arena to see your boyfriend?
LILA
Curly's not my boyfriend. He was just a little fling. You can still escort me though.
STINKY
Why thank you Miss Lila!
LILA
Don't thank me, I'm ever so happy to be escorted by you!
STINKY
Aww shucks, well, let's go then.
"Arnold, Stinky, and Lila made their way to the Arena to meet up with their friends. They met up with Gerald, Eugene, and Harold on the way."
GERALD
Hey man, we've been looking for you!
HAROLD
Yeah, where the heck have you been.
ARNOLD
Just tying up loose ends.
HAROLD
Umm... ok.
GERALD
Let's go meet Sid and them.
ARNOLD
Have you seen Helga around here?
GERALD
As a matter of fact, yeah. She and Phoebe headed into the Arena too, the fights over anyway, everyone wants to see Curly.
ARNOLD
All right then, let's go.
HAROLD
Oh yeah, I saw your cousin wandering around too, he looked pretty mad.
"Arnold felt a rush of fear."
ARNOLD
Umm... let's hurry.
"He quickened his pace to almost running, and his friends could hardly keep up with him."
ARNOLD
(thinking) Come on... why are you scared?
"It was instinct mostly. He knew what Arnie was capable of. When they were nearing the arena, they saw Curly and his chorus setting up some tents on the grass. All his friends were there, including Phoebe, but Helga was nowhere in sight."
ARNOLD
Um... Phoebe, where's Helga?
PHOEBE
Oh my, where did she get off too.
ARNOLD
Can you retrace your steps.
PHOEBE
I remember we passed your house. Gee, the boarders sure are nosy, I think I saw one peeking out of the window at us.
ARNOLD
Oh god. Any place else you remember?
PHOEBE
I only remember meeting up with Sid as we were passing through the park.
ARNOLD
Ok, thanks. Hey Gerald! Harold!
GERALD
Yeah?
HAROLD
What's up?
ARNOLD
I'm going to need you guys as seconds now.
GERALD
All right.
ARNOLD
Ok, we're making towards the park, and let's hurry, I don't know how much time we have left!
"People flooded the streets surrounding the bull ring. The bull fighters marched in a parade into the arena. All the fighters were there, except one. Curly did not march in the parade, instead, he was escorting Lila down the side walk, his chorus following them. Next to them were Sid, Stinky, Rhonda, and Nadine. Sid was smiling, because Nadine was on his arm."
CHORUS
Hail hail, out of our way!
Here comes Lord Curlimillio!
Banners flying high today!
Welcoming our noble soldier!
The Lady Lila, clings closely to him!
Their love is never ending!
SID
You must admit to finding me attractive.
NADINE
Well, I was slightly enraptured with you when I was young. Yes, you are quite handsome.
SID
So then, you love me?
NADINE
Love's a strong word, could you at least court me first?
SID
Oh. Uh, sure, of course.
"Harold, Gerald, and Eugene were walking together, and when they noticed Sid and Stinky, they rushed to join them."
HAROLD
Hey guys!!
STINKY
Howdy fellas.
SID
Yeah, what's up dudes?
GERALD
Not much, have you seen Arnold around here? He wasn't at his house this morning.
SID
Nope haven't seen him. Come Nadine, let's get something to eat.
"Sid and Nadine headed towards the concession stand."
EUGENE
Well, how have things been lately, you ever think of coming back to school?
RHONDA
My parents have agreed to send me to a private school, out of the country so I won't get in trouble.
STINKY
I don't know if I'll ever be able to get back to school.
LILA
Me neither.
CURLY
Fear not my love, I shall provide well for you.
LILA
Yeah, heh heh, sure.
"At the concession stand, Sid was buying Nadine a soda. She took a look down the street, and saw Arnold, limping up the sidewalk. She gasped at the sight of him, grabbed Sid, and ran back to the group."
CURLY
It's time for me to join the parade, farewell for now precious!
LILA
Yeah, cya later.
CHORUS
Away, away, to battle!
GERALD
I suppose we'll be going too, to look for Arnold.
STINKY
All right, see you fellas later!
"As soon as Curly and the other guys had left, Nadine came running up the street, gasping for air."
NADINE
Arnold... saw him... he was...
RHONDA
Slow down Nadine. Good, now calmly tell us what you saw.
NADINE
He was wearing a coat and it looked like he was hiding something underneath it. His eyes, they looked murderous!!!
RHONDA
What!!!
LILA
How could you tell?
NADINE
I don't know, I've never seen him look that way before!
RHONDA
Oh god... Do you think, maybe he was here for, you Lila?
LILA
*snicker* Who does he think he is!
STINKY
Lila, I think you should get out of here.
LILA
I shall not!!! I'm going to go and face him!!
RHONDA
Don't!!! You have no idea...
LILA
If it is my fate to die today, so be it!! I will not live in fear of him!
STINKY
I'm coming with you.
LILA
No Stinky, I'm gonna face him alone.
STINKY
Please!! I... don't want you to die, please.
LILA
Stinky... I'll come back, I promise you.
"She gently touched his cheek and then ran off to find Arnold. She finally found him, and boy did he look like a mess. His hair was disheveled, he walked with a limp, and he was still wearing his pajamas. She grabbed his hand, and pulled him into a alley. In the distance, she could here the horns announcing the start of the fight."
LILA
This has to stop.
ARNOLD
Lila, please... I beg of you.
"They both were able to hear the distant sound of Curly's chorus singing.
CHORUS
Le bull, it is released!
LILA
NO!!! This has gone far enough. You can't stalk me forever!
ARNOLD
I don't want to, but I love you so much.
CHORUS
Here comes our Lord!
His bravery is endless!
LILA
Stop saying that!!! You don't know what love is, you're acting so immature!!
ARNOLD
Me immature!! Look at yourself Lila, you've gone through seven boyfriends in the past year. SEVEN!!! Don't you be lecturing me about love!
"Hot blood coursed through his veins. He moved his finger up and down the sharp steel he hid under his coat."
CHORUS
The bull it charges!
Our hero dodges!
LILA
I... know I don't love you!!
ARNOLD
Where is your pretty boy anyway!
LILA
Curly...
CHORUS
His sword is drawn!
ARNOLD
Oh yes, Senor Curlimillio. I wonder what that relationship was based on.
CHORUS
Le bull, tis slain!
Victory for Curlimillio!
LILA
Stop it Arnold, just stop it!
"She dropped down to her knees, and started sobbing. Arnold dropped his jaw, and just stood there for a few seconds. He never expected this. He looked at Lila, who he thought to be one of the toughest girls in his class, bawling her brains out. Without a second thought, he shoved the knife he was holding deep into his pocket."
ARNOLD
Can I... comfort you?
LILA
Ok...
"He got down on his knee, and put his hand on her shoulder. She suddenly reached out her arms, and pulled him to her. She sobbed into his chest. He slowly petted her head."
ARNOLD
(thinking) I can't believe what I was about to do.
ARNOLD
Do you want to talk about it?
LILA
I hate myself!! I'm ever so sorry for hurting you Arnold.
ARNOLD
Don't apologize, its not necessary.
LILA
But it is!!! I know I don't love Curly, how could I? Its just another good looking guy I want to... be with. I'm sick of this!!!
ARNOLD
Shhhh... Calm down, its all right. So there's no guy you really like?
LILA
Well maybe...
ARNOLD
Who?
LILA
Promise not to laugh?
ARNOLD
Come on, its Arnold!
LILA
Stinky.
"Arnold couldn't help but giggle. She stood up and playfully slapped him."
LILA
Oh that's perfectly wonderful mister sensitive!
ARNOLD
It's just... Stinky, whoo boy. Didn't see that one coming.
VOICE
Don't touch her!!!
"Stinky ran into the alley, brandishing his sword."
STINKY
I'm sorry Miss Lila, but I couldn't bare to see you get hurt.
LILA
Don't worry, Arnold's not going to hurt me.
STINKY
Really?
ARNOLD
Yup. I'm back to my old self again.
STINKY
Well that's a relief. So, umm... Miss Lila.
LILA
Yes Stinky?
STINKY
Umm... Do you want me to escort you to the arena to see your boyfriend?
LILA
Curly's not my boyfriend. He was just a little fling. You can still escort me though.
STINKY
Why thank you Miss Lila!
LILA
Don't thank me, I'm ever so happy to be escorted by you!
STINKY
Aww shucks, well, let's go then.
"Arnold, Stinky, and Lila made their way to the Arena to meet up with their friends. They met up with Gerald, Eugene, and Harold on the way."
GERALD
Hey man, we've been looking for you!
HAROLD
Yeah, where the heck have you been.
ARNOLD
Just tying up loose ends.
HAROLD
Umm... ok.
GERALD
Let's go meet Sid and them.
ARNOLD
Have you seen Helga around here?
GERALD
As a matter of fact, yeah. She and Phoebe headed into the Arena too, the fights over anyway, everyone wants to see Curly.
ARNOLD
All right then, let's go.
HAROLD
Oh yeah, I saw your cousin wandering around too, he looked pretty mad.
"Arnold felt a rush of fear."
ARNOLD
Umm... let's hurry.
"He quickened his pace to almost running, and his friends could hardly keep up with him."
ARNOLD
(thinking) Come on... why are you scared?
"It was instinct mostly. He knew what Arnie was capable of. When they were nearing the arena, they saw Curly and his chorus setting up some tents on the grass. All his friends were there, including Phoebe, but Helga was nowhere in sight."
ARNOLD
Um... Phoebe, where's Helga?
PHOEBE
Oh my, where did she get off too.
ARNOLD
Can you retrace your steps.
PHOEBE
I remember we passed your house. Gee, the boarders sure are nosy, I think I saw one peeking out of the window at us.
ARNOLD
Oh god. Any place else you remember?
PHOEBE
I only remember meeting up with Sid as we were passing through the park.
ARNOLD
Ok, thanks. Hey Gerald! Harold!
GERALD
Yeah?
HAROLD
What's up?
ARNOLD
I'm going to need you guys as seconds now.
GERALD
All right.
ARNOLD
Ok, we're making towards the park, and let's hurry, I don't know how much time we have left!
