[A/N. I don't know whether or not I really like this story? I mean does it
seem weird to anyone else to finally see something good happen to the
Curtis family? A lot different from any of the other "Outsiders" fanfics
I've read anyway! Well I'm going to keep going for now. And it also
surprised me when writing this chapter how much history I remembered from
when I went over to England. I think it stuck in my mind because my mum's
English and I've always planned to go back for a few years maybe.]
NINE:
"Wake up guys!" Two-Bit called later that night. "Look at the time-we've missed dinner for sure!"
I sat up, rubbing my eyes. "Glory Two-Bit do you ever think about anything other than your stomach?"
"Sure-I think about the fact I need a beer, and I think about-" Two-Bit began, but Darry appeared in the doorway behind him and interrupted him.
"-What do you say we go and see if we can get us some takeaway food or something?" He asked.
Soda yawned. "Sure, just let me try and find my cigarettes in this mess."
About ten minutes later we were headed down the street in search of food. As we walked we discussed our plans for the next day. Not surprisingly everyone had a different idea about where to go! I interrupted all the talk.
"Listen guys, remember who won this trip!" I said.
Darry grinned wryly. "Pony's right. Well Pony, what do you want to do tomorrow?"
I told him, and the others nodded.
"Hey, what about fish and chips for dinner?" Two-Bit asked. "That's a very English concept isn't it?"
So we went into the fish and chip shop, and a little while later we walked back out with our dinner wrapped up in newspaper.
*****
"So this continental breakfast thing," Two-Bit asked as we went downstairs for breakfast the next morning. "What exactly is it?"
"Well I think its things like toast, donuts, cereal, juice, coffee.." I said, trying to remember.
"But no sausages like the English breakfast?" Two-Bit asked, obviously wanting the whole thing clarified.
"No, no sausages." I confirmed.
"Gosh Pony, where did you learn all that?" Darry asked, looking impressed.
"A book I read once." I said smugly.
"I always said books would come in useful." Soda said as we entered the dining room.
"Did you?" I asked. "I thought you said books should be used as toilet paper. I also seem to recall only a few weeks back when you said school and learning was a waste of time."
Soda looked embarrassed and we all laughed.
The waiter came up to us as we entered the room. "And what would you lads be doing for breaky this morning?" He asked.
"Breaky?" Two-Bit repeated.
"Breakfast." The waiter explained.
"Oh right." Two-Bit said with a laugh. "The free one, the continental one."
"Okay, on the table over there. You may eat as much as you wish." The waiter said, and he left us to our own devices.
*****
Later that morning we arrived at the Tower of London. It's a huge place, and the place it's built makes it part of the middle of London. I marveled at the fact that it was still standing and looking so well preserved after so long. As we went to the gate the lady asked us whether or not we wanted to join in one of the guided tours with a beefeater.
"A who?" Two-Bit whispered to me.
"A beefeater is a tower guard. See the guys in the funny clothes." I whispered back.
"Why are they called that?" Two-Bit whispered.
"I don't know!" I whispered back.
"Hey you two, are you two up for a tour?" Darry asked us.
I shrugged. "Sure."
So we joined the group around the beefeater and waited for the clock to chime the hour before we went inside. I looked around in interest. For a moment I imagined myself living here in the times of kings and queens, and knights and fair ladies. I'd ride in the gates on my white stallion, and the princess would meet me, and thank me for saving the country yet again.
My daydream was interrupted by Soda pulling my arm. "Come on Pon, we'll be left behind. You looked like you were in another world." We hurried after the rest of the group.
"Another time more like." I said, and Soda just grinned. That's the one thing I love about my brother-he never makes fun of my imagination and dreams. Some brothers would, but never Soda!
We'd done the right thing by taking the guided tour. There were things we wouldn't have learnt just walking around by ourselves. For example, we stopped at a gateway set in the wall, and the beefeater explained that when they were building the gate it fell down, so they started again. And then on the same night as before it fell down again, but this time the workers swore they saw the ghost of Sir Thomas. So they named the gate after him, and it hasn't fallen since. This fascinated me.
"A real ghost?" I asked.
The beefeater eyed me thoughtfully. "Let me tell you lad, there are a lot of ghosts in England-or at least there are meant to be if you believe in that type of thing. The English history is sure a lot different to the American history! We've had civil war after civil war, kings and queens killing others or being killed, executions, murders. Why when you look at all the kings and queens in the early days most of them were murdered...it sure is a bloody history."
I shivered, despite the warm sun. "I mean take Henry the Eighth, for example." The beefeater continued as we started to walk again. "He was an evil sod he was! He killed a few of his wives off. In fact if you go down to the dungeons you can see the name 'Anne Bolyen' scrawled on the wall whilst she waited for her execution up in the grounds. And this here, is the execution block. A few of Henry's wives met their end here. Of course he wasn't the only evil one. Take Richard the third here for example. He abducted his older brother's two sons in order to claim the throne for himself. He had the young boys imprisoned in the tower here where they were almost certainly murdered!"
Darry and Soda were looking fascinated by the whole thing, whilst Two-Bit was looking thoughtful.
One of the other members of the group, someone with a German accent I thought, asked the beefeater whether people actually lived in the Tower of London?
"Well see the building there in the middle of the yard, that's called the white tower right. On the top floor kings and queens used to live. On the next floor knights and their families lived, on the next floor was the banquet halls, and the bottom floor was the servant's quarters and the kitchen. And of course below it was the dungeon where the prisoners were kept." The beefeater explained. "Yes, the tower was certainly a hub of motion in its time. Of course as you are no doubt aware there are hundreds of castles over this country, and often kings or queens would build them for another home, or for security purposes, or for even no purpose. Later on the kings and queens moved from here to Buckingham Palace."
Two-Bit seemed to have recovered from his thoughtful mood and was now snapping photos like a professional.
"And here's another tale for you," the beefeater said. "Seven ravens are kept within the grounds of this castle at all times because legend has it that if they are not kept here the tower will crumble, and the royal family with it."
After the tour was over we were left to do our own thing, and we went into see the Crown jewels.
"Glory," I breathed looking at the many of them in their cases. "What would it be like to have money to afford things like that?"
"The Crown Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the second wears for formal engagements over here is indeed rather heavy. You can't wear things like this around all the time or you will be very sore." The beefeater standing nearby told me.
"Yeah," I said nodding. "It looks pretty heavy."
"Maybe that's why she always looks so pissed off. You know that fake little smile she gives, and the funny wave?" Two-Bit suggested. "Maybe that's because she's thinking get this damn thing off my head."
I snorted, but the beefeater didn't look too amused. "Maybe." He said coldly, and he turned to speak to someone else, probably someone who was more appreciative I thought with a laugh.
"What's so funny?" Darry asked, looking at us.
"Nothin', just Two-Bit being his normal self, trying to get us kicked out of the country." I said, and Two-Bit looked indignant.
"Think about it-think about her smile!" He demanded.
I just shook my head. What could you say to that anyway?
As we were leaving the place a few hours later Darry asked me what I thought of it?
I hesitated. Soda understood my imaginative thoughts better than Darry. I think Darry is simply too practical to understand. Plus being so busy and all he probably is too tired to think sometimes. Still I told him about how I'd been imagining what it would be like living in the times when the castle was inhabited by a king or queen. He smiled wryly and commented that knowing my luck I'd be beheaded for something. I frowned, wondering whether he was like this on purpose!
Then he grinned, and ruffled my hair. "I'm only teasing you Pony." He said, as we walked out the gate. "I was thinking the same things as we were going round there. This place sure has a lot of history doesn't it? And doesn't it bring together that unit we do in history at school-the English one?"
"Yeah," I said relieved that Darry wasn't making fun of me. "It does. It was fun though wasn't it?"
"Sure was little buddy. Sure was." Darry replied.
NINE:
"Wake up guys!" Two-Bit called later that night. "Look at the time-we've missed dinner for sure!"
I sat up, rubbing my eyes. "Glory Two-Bit do you ever think about anything other than your stomach?"
"Sure-I think about the fact I need a beer, and I think about-" Two-Bit began, but Darry appeared in the doorway behind him and interrupted him.
"-What do you say we go and see if we can get us some takeaway food or something?" He asked.
Soda yawned. "Sure, just let me try and find my cigarettes in this mess."
About ten minutes later we were headed down the street in search of food. As we walked we discussed our plans for the next day. Not surprisingly everyone had a different idea about where to go! I interrupted all the talk.
"Listen guys, remember who won this trip!" I said.
Darry grinned wryly. "Pony's right. Well Pony, what do you want to do tomorrow?"
I told him, and the others nodded.
"Hey, what about fish and chips for dinner?" Two-Bit asked. "That's a very English concept isn't it?"
So we went into the fish and chip shop, and a little while later we walked back out with our dinner wrapped up in newspaper.
*****
"So this continental breakfast thing," Two-Bit asked as we went downstairs for breakfast the next morning. "What exactly is it?"
"Well I think its things like toast, donuts, cereal, juice, coffee.." I said, trying to remember.
"But no sausages like the English breakfast?" Two-Bit asked, obviously wanting the whole thing clarified.
"No, no sausages." I confirmed.
"Gosh Pony, where did you learn all that?" Darry asked, looking impressed.
"A book I read once." I said smugly.
"I always said books would come in useful." Soda said as we entered the dining room.
"Did you?" I asked. "I thought you said books should be used as toilet paper. I also seem to recall only a few weeks back when you said school and learning was a waste of time."
Soda looked embarrassed and we all laughed.
The waiter came up to us as we entered the room. "And what would you lads be doing for breaky this morning?" He asked.
"Breaky?" Two-Bit repeated.
"Breakfast." The waiter explained.
"Oh right." Two-Bit said with a laugh. "The free one, the continental one."
"Okay, on the table over there. You may eat as much as you wish." The waiter said, and he left us to our own devices.
*****
Later that morning we arrived at the Tower of London. It's a huge place, and the place it's built makes it part of the middle of London. I marveled at the fact that it was still standing and looking so well preserved after so long. As we went to the gate the lady asked us whether or not we wanted to join in one of the guided tours with a beefeater.
"A who?" Two-Bit whispered to me.
"A beefeater is a tower guard. See the guys in the funny clothes." I whispered back.
"Why are they called that?" Two-Bit whispered.
"I don't know!" I whispered back.
"Hey you two, are you two up for a tour?" Darry asked us.
I shrugged. "Sure."
So we joined the group around the beefeater and waited for the clock to chime the hour before we went inside. I looked around in interest. For a moment I imagined myself living here in the times of kings and queens, and knights and fair ladies. I'd ride in the gates on my white stallion, and the princess would meet me, and thank me for saving the country yet again.
My daydream was interrupted by Soda pulling my arm. "Come on Pon, we'll be left behind. You looked like you were in another world." We hurried after the rest of the group.
"Another time more like." I said, and Soda just grinned. That's the one thing I love about my brother-he never makes fun of my imagination and dreams. Some brothers would, but never Soda!
We'd done the right thing by taking the guided tour. There were things we wouldn't have learnt just walking around by ourselves. For example, we stopped at a gateway set in the wall, and the beefeater explained that when they were building the gate it fell down, so they started again. And then on the same night as before it fell down again, but this time the workers swore they saw the ghost of Sir Thomas. So they named the gate after him, and it hasn't fallen since. This fascinated me.
"A real ghost?" I asked.
The beefeater eyed me thoughtfully. "Let me tell you lad, there are a lot of ghosts in England-or at least there are meant to be if you believe in that type of thing. The English history is sure a lot different to the American history! We've had civil war after civil war, kings and queens killing others or being killed, executions, murders. Why when you look at all the kings and queens in the early days most of them were murdered...it sure is a bloody history."
I shivered, despite the warm sun. "I mean take Henry the Eighth, for example." The beefeater continued as we started to walk again. "He was an evil sod he was! He killed a few of his wives off. In fact if you go down to the dungeons you can see the name 'Anne Bolyen' scrawled on the wall whilst she waited for her execution up in the grounds. And this here, is the execution block. A few of Henry's wives met their end here. Of course he wasn't the only evil one. Take Richard the third here for example. He abducted his older brother's two sons in order to claim the throne for himself. He had the young boys imprisoned in the tower here where they were almost certainly murdered!"
Darry and Soda were looking fascinated by the whole thing, whilst Two-Bit was looking thoughtful.
One of the other members of the group, someone with a German accent I thought, asked the beefeater whether people actually lived in the Tower of London?
"Well see the building there in the middle of the yard, that's called the white tower right. On the top floor kings and queens used to live. On the next floor knights and their families lived, on the next floor was the banquet halls, and the bottom floor was the servant's quarters and the kitchen. And of course below it was the dungeon where the prisoners were kept." The beefeater explained. "Yes, the tower was certainly a hub of motion in its time. Of course as you are no doubt aware there are hundreds of castles over this country, and often kings or queens would build them for another home, or for security purposes, or for even no purpose. Later on the kings and queens moved from here to Buckingham Palace."
Two-Bit seemed to have recovered from his thoughtful mood and was now snapping photos like a professional.
"And here's another tale for you," the beefeater said. "Seven ravens are kept within the grounds of this castle at all times because legend has it that if they are not kept here the tower will crumble, and the royal family with it."
After the tour was over we were left to do our own thing, and we went into see the Crown jewels.
"Glory," I breathed looking at the many of them in their cases. "What would it be like to have money to afford things like that?"
"The Crown Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the second wears for formal engagements over here is indeed rather heavy. You can't wear things like this around all the time or you will be very sore." The beefeater standing nearby told me.
"Yeah," I said nodding. "It looks pretty heavy."
"Maybe that's why she always looks so pissed off. You know that fake little smile she gives, and the funny wave?" Two-Bit suggested. "Maybe that's because she's thinking get this damn thing off my head."
I snorted, but the beefeater didn't look too amused. "Maybe." He said coldly, and he turned to speak to someone else, probably someone who was more appreciative I thought with a laugh.
"What's so funny?" Darry asked, looking at us.
"Nothin', just Two-Bit being his normal self, trying to get us kicked out of the country." I said, and Two-Bit looked indignant.
"Think about it-think about her smile!" He demanded.
I just shook my head. What could you say to that anyway?
As we were leaving the place a few hours later Darry asked me what I thought of it?
I hesitated. Soda understood my imaginative thoughts better than Darry. I think Darry is simply too practical to understand. Plus being so busy and all he probably is too tired to think sometimes. Still I told him about how I'd been imagining what it would be like living in the times when the castle was inhabited by a king or queen. He smiled wryly and commented that knowing my luck I'd be beheaded for something. I frowned, wondering whether he was like this on purpose!
Then he grinned, and ruffled my hair. "I'm only teasing you Pony." He said, as we walked out the gate. "I was thinking the same things as we were going round there. This place sure has a lot of history doesn't it? And doesn't it bring together that unit we do in history at school-the English one?"
"Yeah," I said relieved that Darry wasn't making fun of me. "It does. It was fun though wasn't it?"
"Sure was little buddy. Sure was." Darry replied.