Northern School of Plumbing: The Present
"Hey Luigi, those exams are a week away, have you studied yet?" asked Conner at the dinner table.
"Of course I have! Do you all think I'm that bad of a plumber?"
::Crickets are chirping.::
"All right! All right! But I have improved on my drills, right?"
"Aye, the lad's got a point. He's worked up more muscle than me mother."
"We ain't gonna dignify that, Harper", said Riley, sliding down the edge of the bench and away from the peg-legged man, giving him a wary glance.
They continued conversation until a very wet and smelly George showed up.
"He…..they ..." he spluttered nervously.
"George! Did Scotts do this to you?" demanded Luigi.
He merely nodded, water dripping off his fingers and nose.
Luigi got up from the table and walked over to the deserted hallway where Scotts and his goons loitered.
"Awe! Has papa come to save his wittle Georgie?" Scotts snickered.
"Listen Jam, just because he's a little bit, more…..vertically challenged, doesn't mean you can give him a swirly!"
Scotts shrugged him off, and Luigi started to walk away.
"Yeah, well, I heard your brother's so fat, his head wouldn't fit through the seat if he tried, flunker!"
Luigi turned suddenly and was on Scotts so fast, he didn't know what hit him. The lean Mario pinned him to the wall and spoke in a low, threatening whisper.
"I've had it up to here with you. Don't you ever say anything about my brother. He's a better plumber than you'll ever be." He shoved him again, then stalked off. But he didn't make it to the cafeteria door when he was attacked from behind. Luigi struggled against the eight grasping hands, and managed to kick one in the groin, but in the end he was trapped.
Scotts walked up to Luigi's face and punched him hard in the stomach.
"That, was for telling me off about plumbing." Scotts snarled. "And this is for getting in my way!" He punched him again, and Luigi winced, trying hard to hide his pain. He couldn't help but grunt as his air left him in a whoosh, and he couldn't catch his breath for a reply. Jamison Scotts sneered, getting into his face.
"Know this flunker. No one is a better plumber than I'll be. Oh, by the way," he added carelessly. "Here's a news flash for you: ….. Luigi is claustrophobic!"
Surprised? So am I. Luigi knew what they were going to do even before they did it. He tried to break free, but they shoved him in the nearest utility closet and locked the door.
"Hey....hey!" Luigi pounded on the windowless door frantically. He searched for handle, but there was none to be found. He set his teeth and rested his head on the door.
"All right! Ok! I won't bother you anymore. I'll stay out of your way Jamison…."
"Too late, plumber," Scotts laughed. "I'll see you later when the janitor comes Monday!"
"Huh?!" Luigi's voice cracked and his body snapped up, straight as a rod.
"Check your calendar, today is Friday!" They began to walk off, laughing.
"Ha. Ha-ha, oh, yeah, this is funny, guys, now can you let me out?! "
But Scotts was too far away to hear.
Luigi sank onto the cold tile floor. The big, yellow, smelly buckets, mops and janitorial uniforms only made his irrepresable feeling worse. "Ok, Luigi, don't panic, don't panic….just close your eyes and imagine—"
He was interrupted when all the doors to that hall slammed loudly.
He felt sick. "Ok, Luigi…..panic!" He stood up again, kicking at the door. But it held fast.
"Somebody PLEASE help me!" he shouted in desperation. He continued his pounding until he realized everyone had gone to the dorms.
" "Crap," he whispered. He tried again, more frightened this time.
"George?" he squeaked. "Connner, are ya out there, buddy?" No answer. His voice rose higher. "M-mr. O'Dell? Is that you?" Not a sound. "Riley?" he screeched. Nada.
"Mama-Mia, they can't hear me", he said in shock and disbelief. Then he passed out cold.
And boy oh boy, was that a sight for the janitor two hours later! She found a tall, handsome plumber out cold in the closet. "Poor guy!" she almost laughed. "Hey, mister! Are you all right?" she asked just as he came to.
"Awe, geez.", Luigi said to himself as he quickly picked himself up, trying not to look at the person helping him up. He rubbed a sore spot on his head, feeling embarrassed.
"Luigi?" gasped the janitor in disbelief. "Ali? What are you doing here? I thought you took the wrong train!"
"Uh, well, I, um…….Well, what were you doing in the closet?"
"Ladies first", he insisted, ears turning red.
"Well, I…..I work here."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Who would have wanted to talk someone with my job?" she asked quietly.
Luigi stared. "Ali, I never judge people."
"Well, now it's your turn to answer!"
"Ahh, can I use a lifeline?"
"Cute. And yet distasteful. Come on!"
"Well, some guys thought it would be funny to stick me in a closet."
"And? That's bad because?" She gave him a blank look.
"Well, I'm ::cough::-trophobic."
"Wow, really?"
"Yes, really," he answered, a bit of sarcasm dripping off his words.
Ali shrugged her shoulders. "There's nothing wrong with that. Everyone has something that they're afraid of."
"I guess," Luigi turned red again.
"So, I guess it's too late to go back to the dorms"
"Huh, you're telling me, I've been yelled at enough this semester."
"Oh, I'm sorry, do you want to talk about it?"
"Well not without a proper greeting first."
Ali blushed "I guess I forgot. So, Luigi Mario, how are you doing?"
"I could be better. And you?"
"Well, I'm a little flustered, because I just met a guy I haven't seen in three months, and he recently found out that I have a low, dirty job."
"Well, I'm sure that being a janitor doesn't make any difference to him, she's still real cute in overalls."
Ali blushed then said, "Yeah, so is he."
They stood awkwardly for a few seconds, then Ali punched his arm lightly, playfully.
"We prefer the term maintenance supervisors," she grinned. "Come on, I think you can come to my place, since we don't want your tail kicked again." "Is that all right? I mean, are you sure—"
"It's fine with me if it's ok with you. Just for some coffee until the "Curfew Patrol" goes to bed."
"Thanks," he said shyly. He had never really been invited into a girl's place, excluding the Princess, and he felt a tad bit uncomfortable.
When they arrived at Ali's 'place', Luigi wasn't surprised to find it small. It was actually an office that was made to be lived in. She had a futon set in one corner of the room, a desk on another wall, and somewhere in there was a refrigerator. The two of them talked for a while, then Ali checked the time.
"Oh my gosh! It's 12:34!"
"And ?" asked Luigi
"Oh! You're supposed to make a wish! See? It's 1, 2, 3, 4!"
"Uh, ok."
"Come on. Make a wish!"
"All right," he obliged, shrugging.
They closed they're eyes, and opened them ten seconds later.
"Ah, it didn't come true!" complained Luigi in a jocular way.
"What did you wish for?"
"That a beautiful girl would let me like her more than a friend."
Ali smiled. "Don't be so sure it didn't come true. But sometimes wishes like those need more time."
Ouch, shafted, thought Luigi.
"Well," started Ali as she got up from her chair. "I think it's time to hit the hay. You can have to futon……"
"Uh, am I staying here?"
She made a face, uncertain. "They usually stop checking for late-nighters in the early morning…I'm sorry, I feel silly. You can go if you want."
"No, no it's ok, I mean…thanks for the offer." Luigi was at a sudden loss for words. After all, it wasn't often he was invited to spend the night at a girls house. Not since third grade at least. And even then, it was a joke.
[For the last time, and for the love of my body, stay outta my love life!!! Kapeesh?]
Kapeesh! Kapeesh! Golly gee..... ::blows out air in a nervous whistle::
He shook his head. "I'll take the floor."
"Take the futon," she pressed. "You're my guest."
"That rule applies everywhere but here. Hey, if I can sleep in a broom closet, I can take the carpet."
Ali laughed. "Are you sure?"
"Sure as a steam gauge."
She grinned at his attempt to joke. "You must be tired!" She handed him a blanket from the chair she was sitting in. "Here ya go, Luigi. Sweet dreams."
"Goodnight.", answered Luigi as he sank onto the floor. In five minutes, he was asleep.
[Do I get her?]
*confused* Muh?
[Do I get Ali?]
Oh, that. *yawns, bored* We'll see.
[Awe, butta wanna know now! *throws a three year old fit*]
*sweatdrop* Have some patience for crying out loud!
**Author's Notes : Dang, that was long. But maybe some romance will get me some freakin reviews. I hate to complain....hope ya liked it, what few of those read it!** ^_^