The Fast & Furious Family Chronicle
Season 5 Episode 8: Lights, Camera, Action
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the Fast and Furious or New Girl Franchise.
Tuesday, February 10th, 2015
Parker Household, Los Angeles CA
2:15 p.m.
Third Person POV
January was gone within a flash. In return, February has brought a mix of partly cloudy skies and below-average temperatures. Nevertheless, The Toretto Crew made sure to keep themselves occupied. Cipher was still at large and needed to be dealt with asap before another near-catastrophic phenomenon transpired. However, the task in question was taking longer than anticipated.
And while Ramsey continued to tinker with God's eye, Roman had been preoccupied with trying to win tickets. Tickets to see a live taping of the Season 4 Finale of New Girl. After numerous days spent entering raffles and completing surveys, Roman marched to Tej's house to tell him the good news.
"I freaking did it!" Roman expressed on cue as the front door opened.
Tej lets out an amused smirk. "Did what? Did you find the perfect hairpiece to fit your enormous bald head?"
"No, smart-ass! What has been the number one thing I've been talking about for weeks?"
"I don't know, man. You talk so much it's hard to keep track."
Roman chuckles dryly. "You've got jokes, huh? I'm sure you'll change that tone at the sight of these-"
Roman retrieves the three tickets and hands them to Tej.
"General Admission for the live taping of Season 4 Episode 22 of New Girl.
Tej's eyes widened after reading the ticket front. "You won the contest? I can't believe it!"
"Well, believe it, Tej! We will be in the same vicinity as Zooey Deschanel & Hannah Simone!"
The two friends share a brotherly high five.
"Hell ya! New Girl has become my new favorite show. But you know who you should give the third ticket to?"
"Who?" Roman asked with raised brows.
"Little Nobody!" Tej said matter-of-factly.
"Oh yeah, he does, doesn't he?" But why does that matter?"
Tej stares blankly at Roman. "You can't be serious? Who else better to bring than another fan?"
"What if I wanted to ask Darryl or Ramsey to come?"
"Brian and Mia would have our heads if we let Darryl skip school during SAT prep month. And Ramsey is on her way to Phoenix with Dom and Letty to visit the O'Conner's."
Roman freezes and whispers a series of curse words under his breath. "Alright, fine, I'll ask Eric if he wants to join us."
"Why sound so sad? We all know little nobody is your best friend and secret lover!" Tej remarked.
"We kissed one time! And, it was a dare, remember?" Roman prompted.
Tej shrugs. "You could have backed out. But you didn't."
"And let you and the others boo me? Hard pass."
"I'm just teasing, Roman. It's my duty as your best friend."
Roman defensively folds his arms. "Un-huh, just be ready to leave at nine tomorrow."
~Fast & Furious Family Chronicle~
Tuesday, February 10th, 2015
Brian & Mia's Apartment, Phoenix AZ
Third Person POV
Later that afternoon, Dom, Letty, and Ramsey settled in at Brian and Mia's Phoenix apartment. However, after a few minutes of conversing, Letty can't help but notice the deep black bags under Brian and Mia's eyes. Something that wasn't as severe a few months prior.
"Are you guys getting enough sleep?" She questioned.
Brian chuckles amusingly before jabbing a thumb toward Jack, sleeping in his crib. "With that little stinker?"
"We're lucky to get 4-5 hours a night," Mia added.
Ramsey sets her tech bag down on the dining table. "To be fair, you both are balancing parenthood and college. I couldn't imagine dealing with the stress load that brings."
"Says the girl who invented an entire hacking device as an undergrad student," Dom smirked.
Ramsey throws up her hands in surrender. "I'm just saying I'll take quality bonding time with Jack any day."
"Feel free to take him any day. Keep him permanently if you want." Brian joked.
Mia playfully shoves her husband's shoulder. "Brian!"
Brian kisses Mia's forehead. "I'm just playing, honey. But speaking of children, where's baby Brian?"
"Staying with a sitter. Roman, Tej, and Little Nobody are going to some live taping of a New Girl Episode and couldn't babysit." Letty explained
Brian shakes his head. "Unbelievable. They blew off family time for an episode they'd see on tv in a few months, anyhow?"
"Think about it, Bri. Would you want those three to be responsible for a child? At the same time as hanging out?"Dom mentioned
"Touché."
"Besides, We have intel on your landlord from Indiana, Ramsey?"
Ramsey retrieves her laptop and pulls up a criminal report. "Lambert Nelson-Cruz. He's been arrested numerous times over the last fifteen years. Crime charges include; Kidnapping, Attempted Murder, Arson, Drug-Trafficking-the list goes on, but you get the idea."
"How is this dude not behind bars now?" Brian asked curiously
"Surely attempted murder charges equants to a life sentence?" Mia prompted
Ramsey nods. "You would think? All of Nelson's sentences have been under a year at best. I wouldn't be surprised if he's got a connection with the Indiana judicial system. And that being a landlord keeps him under the radar because of a different alias."
Letty sighs as her forehead creases. "But that's not all. Rumor has it that he's going to be attending this race venue in Tucson tomorrow night."
"Sounds like the perfect opportunity to take Nelson down for good." Brian hummed thoughtfully.
"My thoughts exactly."
"But what about Jack? And School?" Mia asked.
"We're allowed three excused absences per semester. I think going to this race tonight will be worth skipping. As long as I catch up on notes, it shouldn't be too bad?" Brian replied.
"I can watch Jack, While also working on God's eye ?" Ramsey suggested
"If you're sure?"
"Positive."
Dom grins with folded arms. "Then it's settled. We're going to Tucson."
~Fast & Furious Family Chronicle~
Rocket & Roll Bowling Alley
Pasadena CA
Darryl's POV
I should be studying for the SAT. Key word: Should. However, I couldn't miss the opportunity to try out for Silver Fox High's Bowling League. Honestly, I've always had a secret love for this sport. However, only upper-level students are allowed to partake in Bowling. Please don't ask me why because I'm still trying to figure that out myself. Every other sports team is open to all high school students, but it's whatever. I can see it now, getting accepted into Northwestern University by being a well-rounded student with grades and ex-curricular. And it's not just me trying out. Alyssa, Cindy, and Jared have accompanied me as well. With the same intent of boosting their college applications.
"Excellent work today, everyone! This has probably been the best try-out session I've seen in years!" Coach Henderson complimented.
"But there are only eight spots. How are you going to decide who makes the team?" Cindy asked.
"Excellent question, Miss Jackson. For me to determine who stays, they must prove themselves in a match against the San Diego Jaguars."
Jared raises his hand. "Silver Fox's rival district?"
"Correct. The twelve of you will be divided into teams of four. Each team will play against a set of players from the Jaguars. If your group wins, they will be guaranteed a spot in the league. And if all of you win, I'll have no choice but to expand the team's roster size to 12. But, like I said-your junior class has shown the greatest potential witnessed in over five years."
"And when is this match gonna transpire?" I questioned anxiously.
"This Friday. But feel free to come here to practice after school until then. But, I have faith everyone is going to crush those Jaguars", Henderson noted with an empathic smile.
My heart begins to beat uncontrollably fast. This Friday?! I've only got two days to prepare?! Not to mention, my practice SAT exam is on Friday during 5th and 6th periods. So when am I going to find time to study and practice?!
"I'm not the only one on the verge of a panic attack, right?" Alyssa whispered to us.
"Nope. I feel the same way. The Jaguars have one of the best bowling leagues in California."
"Exactly! I mean, there's always track and field?" Cindy mentioned
Jared scrunches up his face. "Me and running don't mix well."
Alyssa and I nodded. "Agreed."
Whelp, let the countdown begin.
~Fast & Furious Family Chronicle~
Fox Studios
Wednesday, February 11th, 2015
9: 25 a.m.
Third Person POV
Roman, Tej, and Eric arrived promptly at 9 a.m. sharp. Once they got past security and discovered their seats, the trio suspected filming would shortly follow. However, after a twenty-five-minute wait, people were starting to get impatient and restless, Roman included.
"Do you mind?" Eric grunted with irritability in his voice.
"What?" Roman asked nonchalantly.
"You keep drumming your fingers and tapping your foot every two seconds. It's giving me anxiety."
Roman sighs. "I'm sorry. I've just got this bad feeling that something has gone wrong."
"You're overthinking, Roman. The production crew is just running behind schedule." Tej explained.
Right before Roman could rebuttal, a production manager walks onto the stage. "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I regret to inform you all that production of the season 4 finale of New Girl has been postponed until future notice."
The audience collectively gasped as frantic whispers started to be exchanged.
"I know. We're displeased with the news as well. Unfortunately, one of our main guest stairs quit at the last second. Meaning that the writing team must go back and edit the scripts for the episode before filming can commence-"
The manager freezes mid-sentence after getting a glimpse of Roman sitting in the audience. "Actually, I think I may have found the perfect replacement. Hey, you-"
"Me?" Roman asked.
"Yes, you. How would you like to become a tv star?"
"But I don't know the first thing about acting."
"No worries, you can learn along the way."
Eric chuckles. "You already know how to be a clown, Roman. Shouldn't be too hard for you."
Roman punches Little Nobody in the arm. "I didn't ask for your opinion." Roman then turns back to the director. "Sure, why not?"
~The Fast & Furious Family Chronicle~
Wednesday, February 11th, 2015
Race Venue
6:45 p.m.
Brian's POV
That two-hour drive from Phoenix to Tucson couldn't have ended any sooner. The entire time, I kept replaying the plan inside my head while going back and forth occasionally. Usually, I'd say I wasn't this indecisive about taking the bad guys. But things are different now. I've got a family to look after. So what good would I be to them if I got shot again? Or worse, ended up dead? If the crew is going to take down Nelson-we must proceed cautiously. Stroke his ego, maybe? Offer him a deal he can't refuse.
As I stepped into the race venue, Some clapped at being in the same vicinity as someone from the famous "Toretto Crew" while also looking concerned for my well-being. There was only one person who hadn't acknowledged my presence. The one guy I traveled hundreds of miles to face off against.
"Yo, Nelson!" I shouted.
Lambert jolts up from the hood of his Chevy corvette, his eyes widening at my sight. "How the hell are you still alive?! I thought-I thought-" He stammered.
"Thought what? Thought you killed me? Santa Barbara Beach? Early October? Ring any bells?" I questioned with a head tilt.
"You've got some balls showing your face around me. I could kill you this instant." He scoffed.
"In front of all these people? I highly doubt it."
Nelson's lips curl into a snarl. His arms folded defensively. "Well, then, why are you here?"
"I've got a proposition for you."
"Why should I trust you? Remember that didn't seem to work out so well last time?"
"Trust me. You'll want to hear this. How about we race? If I win, you erase my debt. But if you win, I'll work for you to pay off my debt properly."
Nelson rubs his chin and hums thoughtfully. "You drive a hard bargain, O'Conner. You've got yourself a deal. One lap around Tucson. The first one back here wins."
"Sounds like a plan."
Jackpot. I got Nelson right where I wanted him.
10 minutes later-
Brian's POV
20 minutes of racing later and Nelson found himself getting shoved into the back of a little police cruiser. It didn't take much to fulfill this plan. I'd say the driving from Phoenix to Tucson was the tedious part of it all. But overall, the race went well. We had the occasional close call of ramming into nearby traffic. However, when you're as talented as me, you always know how to bounce back from spooks like that. And to think, Mia and I can probably make it home early enough before Jack falls asleep.
"This isn't over, O'Conner! I'm going to kill you with my bare-"
Nelson's threat gets cut off right as Hobbs slams the door shut. "You keep telling yourself that, buddy."
He then walks over to me. "Thank you for helping us track down, Nelson. But, try to stay out of trouble, yeah?"
I snorted. "Me, stay out of trouble? I think you're asking a bit much."
Hobbs rolls his eyes before giving me a friendly shoulder pat. "I know. What was I thinking?"
-To be continued-
