Well, when SN AND LK review my fic, it's time to update it. Here's Chapter 2. I'd like to thank y'all for the reviews; I value all reviews, especially those that help me to do better. Thanks for the good reviews to bothe of you, as well as to Junior & Nightw2. Chuckster, maybe I did make it a bit unbelievable; maybe I should have had Tommy just be mentioned in the running for a Heisman instead of being a finalist, although I didn't say how Dil's team did in the World Series. And re. Kimi being a jock, you haven't seen anything yet. Thanks to you too, Ally. I tried to have them be as in character as possible & to reflect same in their careers. SN, I like a bit of angst occasionally, & I have something in mind which I'll get around to releasing in another fic. LK, here's more.
It occurs to me that when I sent in Chapter 1, I neglected something I'd had on my mind; a dedication. I include said dedication here. I'd like to dedicate The Rugrats Weddings to four people --- two male from the Encyclopedia message board, two female from around here --- without whom I wouldn't be writing Rugrats fanfic. In alphabetical order:
JusSonic, H! & Rrs author extraordinaire, who got me interested in Rugrats at all with his Histeria / Rugrats crossover fic The Histeria Kids Babysit the Rugrats, which also incorporates elements of Family Guy & I think Pinky & the Brain (my favorite moment is when Susie & Aka Pella meet, which makes sense considering I'm becoming quite the Cree Sumner fanboy). We on the EH board are currently non-working on the sequel, which throws in everything from Tenchi Muyo to 1776 to series I've never heard of. I think it's my turn to contribute to it, & if anyone from EH is reading this, I'll get to it, eventually.
Lil Kimi, my favorite Rugrats author. The first Rrs fic I read was Reflections, which started me thinking along the lines of Phil & Susie as a couple. I've since read all of Freshman Year, & of course we're all waiting for the next chapter of College Years, not to mention her other fics.
Pokejedservo, noted author in several genres, who gave me the heads up about fanfiction.net, where he is very well represented. He's particularly proud of his H! / RHPS crossover Toasty Histeria Picture Show, & justifiably so.
Starry Nights, my favorite author of Rugrats & Hey Arnold! fics. Considering the general opinion in the HA! comunity of Rrs, it's something of a rarity to find someone who's equally adept at writing for both shows, but she does it, & does it quite well. I look forward to her next additions in both genres.
JS, LK, PJS, SN, it's because of all of you that I'm writing this here; take that as you will.
Rugrats is created, owned, & / or copyrighted by Klasky-Csupo & Nickelodeon, which in turn is owned by Viacom. As to who owns the song I ref at the end of this chapter, your guess is as good as mine. I don't even know who sang it. Wang Chung? I dunno.
It's a typical day on the set. Of course for this show, typical could mean anything, absolutely anything. The show goes everywhere & the people involved do everything. The former Rugrats are prepping for the season finale of DareDevilles, which is to take place in the Andes. The air is thick with anticipation. In his office trailer, Chuckie is working out the details for overseas syndication of DareDevilles. The others are gathered around the table, noshing on snacks & drinks, just talking. They're waiting for Tom to arrive & make the group complete; it's just not the same if someone's absent. Finally, he makes his appearance in a dead run, practically collapsing into his usual seat between Susie & Kimi.
"You're late." Kimi pointed out.
"Sorry." Tom defended as he kissed his girlfriend. "A toy company doesn't run itself, you know."
"So we've heard." came the sardonic aside from Phil, who was on the other side of Susie with his arm around her.
"Chuck, Tom's here!" Lil shouted in the direction of the office. "Which means you're last, again."
"I'll be right there." was his response.
"I dunno who puts in more time on the grindstone, him or me." Tom remarked.
Kimi moaned agreement. "Me neither, & I'm the only one in a position to know."
"Say Tommy?" Phil ventured, "You're the inventive genius; couldn't you invent something to run the company for you?"
"Then what would I do?" Tom queried.
"ME!" Kimi shot, hopefully.
"Kimi!" Tom grimaced.
"Exactly!" Kimi continued to hint.
Phil, a huge grin on his face, explained, "Eh-heheheh, actually, I was thinking you could just sit back & take the money."
Tom actually gave the idea the proverbial great deal of thought, then dismissed it. "Nah, there's probably a down side I'm not seeing." Just then, Chuck finally graced the gathering with his presence. "Not one word about what you said." Tom mouthed to Kimi. She just grinned mischievously.
"Did I hear my favorite word?" asked Chuck as he took his usual seat between his sister & Lil, who was quick to rise to a challenge, of her boyfriend.
Lil: I thought that was me!
Chuck: Uh... a little help here?
Susie came to the rescue. "So, Tommy, good of your dad to let you off."
"Yeah, good thing he still wants to handle the toy conventions part himself, but he still wants me to learn my way around that."
"He still talking about retiring?" Kimi empathized.
"Oh, yeah." Tom responded, "If I've heard it once I've heard it a hundred times: 'I'll be turning 60 this year, son; I just can't do what I used to do & I'll be relying on you more & more as time goes by'."
About this time Lil decided to give up on getting her boyfriend's goat. "Someone wanna call the meeting to order?"
Phil obliged. "Hear ye, hear ye! The meeting of those in charge of DareDevilles will now come to order."
Susie was quick to comment. "Phillip Deville setting the tone for decorum; I never thought I'd see the day."
Phil shot back, "And I never thought I'd see the day you'd steal one of my lines. Now come on, Doc." And he turned serious; they all did. For they had learned that prepping for such incredibly dangerous stunts as those to which one & all were party, if not actual participants, was not to be taken lightly. The table was cleared & attitudes put into their usual places as Phil unfolded the map of the local topography over the table in full view of the group. Or started to; Lil blocked the map from being unfolded.
"Before we start that, bro, we have some old business." she implied, looking at their agent.
"Right," Chuck confirmed, pulling out his PDA computer. "Well, the contracts have been concluded with our contacts in Latin America, Europe, Moscow, Japan, Australasia, India, the Middle East, & sub-equatorial Africa. I've looked through the contracts --- some hard negotiating was called for there, I must say --- and they look good. I'm satisfied, & I think you two will be too." With this he looked directly at the stars of the show. "Here are our printout copies; they only require your signatures." Phil & Lil trusted their friend's judgment, so after cursory examinations of the contracts they both signed them. And so the deed was done.
"Just curious," Tom put in, "How much money are you talking here?" Chuck slid the freshly inked contracts over to his bestest friend, who gave an appreciative whistle, the whistle of one who has been quite impressed.
"Glad you approve." Chuck said.
"I do." Tom replied. "Actually, I'm ecstatic. For more than one reason." Eyebrows shot up all around the table at that last remark.
"Meaning?" Lil asked.
"Meaning it's good that you guys are doing so well, because it will make my news that much easier to take." Tom took a breath before he dropped his bombshell. "You see, the suppliers of raw materials for Pickles Toys have raised their costs. And our prices have to go up accordingly." As he was talking, he set his briefcase on top of the table. He opened it, & proceeded to remove certain financial documentation, including the annual budget & projections for Pickles Toys with recent rate adjustments factored in; documentation which he placed into the capable hands of the young man two places to his left.
Chuck studied the papers for a few minutes as the others crowded around him. Finally he removed his glasses & looked his bestest friend in the eye. "I'd say you have no choice; you have to raise your rates." He then cast his gaze on the twins, who by now had re-taken their seats, along with everyone else.
Phil & Lil looked at each other for a few seconds, as if in telepathic communication. Finally a decision was reached between them with a nod. Lil spoke. "Sure. We share our good fortune, you share your bad fortune."
Tom sighed in relief. "Thanks for being so understanding about this."
"Hey, you're still the best deal in town. Where else is DareDevilles going to go for their equipment needs?" Phil said.
"That reminds me," put in Susie, "You guys do much more than toys now; why don't you change the company name to reflect it?"
"Hey, people know us as Pickles Toys. It's the brand they grow up with & there's no sense changing what works. Besides," Tom added with a wink, "we don't want word to get out that we're too successful. Might attract the attention of a certain favorite aunt & cousin regarding a takeover." This brought a hearty chuckle to one & all.
"Okkay, now that that's over with, can we get with planning the season finale?" Phil asked.
"If we must." came from Kimi. With that, Phil again spread the map over the table, more successfully this time.
"We're not doing Aconcagua, are we?" asked Kimi.
"Nah, that's been done to death." Phil assured his friend.
"Lake Titicaca?" came from Tom.
"Did it." from Lil. "Anyway, it's too far north."
"No", from Phil, "What we're trying for is here, here, and here." And he pointed to various spots in the Bolivian section of the range.
Susie was incredulous. "You guys are going to try three mountains in one episode?!?"
"No guts, no glory, doc." Tom said.
"And it is doable." muttered Kimi, her mind on the physical requirements for such a feat.
Chuck was apoplectic. "ARE YOU GUYS CRAZY?!?"
"One of these days you're going to get yourselves killed & I'll be out of a job; I just know it." echoed Susie.
"Aw c'mon," began Tom, before everyone else chimed in, "IT'LL BE FUN!" Tom face-faulted. "So I've become that predictable."
"We both have," confirmed Chuck, "Why do you think I didn't say, 'I don't know, you guys,'?"
At this point the medical consultant tried to take charge of the situation. "Look, if you guys are serious about this, we'd all better turn in soon; you're going to need all the sleep you can get."
"That's not all we'll need. Phil?" At Lil's urging, Phil passed a list of equipment needs around the table to Tom, who already had his cell phone out.
"I'm on it. Overnight soon enough?" The twins nodded in response.
Kimi pulled the map over to her. "I'm going to have to be up for a while, studying this, & the last physicals for the group. Doc?" Susie nodded her response to Kimi's unasked question & got up to fetch the required medical records from the infirmary.
By the time she returned, C.C. & the Devilles were breaking up the party. "You're right, doc. We're turning in." Phil explained.
"I'll be up awhile yet; I'm not even a quarter of the way through this list, and the hard stuff is still ahead." Tom gestured at the pad on the table. Chuck looked over his friend's shoulder.
"Wow, everything but sportswear. You really have diversified."
"Why not sportswear?" Lil wondered.
"We've thought about it, but what would the advertising slogan be; 'If you're wearing this, you're in a Pickle'?" That brought a laugh from everyone, even distracting Kimi momentarily.
"You should've come to me." said Chuck. "I know some people on Madison Avenue who could help."
"Well, if we ever do decide to go in that direction, You'll be the first to know."
"See that I am; you know you won't regret it."
"I know, I know. Now if you guys will excuse me..." And with that Tom turned his full attention on business; any further attempt at communication with him would've been fruitless. The same was about to be said for Kimi.
"Now don't you guys worry; we'll be along in plenty of time."
"But.." Chuck started.
"Hey, I get you guys in shape, & if there's any body here I know inside & out it's my own. I know exactly how much sleep I'll be needing for tomorrow, or I will in a few minutes. And I'll send Tommy in in plenty of time, too." Then she too was gone to them, as she resumed poring over the charts, medical & geographic.
"C'mon, guys." said Chuck. "You know how they are; when they get like that, there's no budging them. Although Kimi could move Tommy if it came down to it." As the others started the walk to the sleeping trailers, he hung back momentarily. Which didn't escape the notice of the others.
"What?" Phil asked.
"You think maybe someone should chaperone?"
"Aw, c'mon, sweetie." said Lil. "You know when they're like this they're strictly professional."
"Besides," Susie continued, "Your sister can take care of herself."
"Well, that's the point." Chuck pondered. "Kimi's the aggressive one, even with Tommy." The others just grinned, including Phil, whose hand went to the back of Chuck's neck & turned him in the direction of the sleep trailers.
"Let's go, Chuckie." And with that, the four of them turned in, the boys in the blue trailer, the girls in the pink one.
Everyone got up with the sun the next morning, due to a certain Finster ensuring numerous awakening mechanisms, not excluding but by no means limited to alarm clocks. Lil & Susie had no peace until they put all thoughts of any more sleep behind them, as did the guys fifteen minutes later. At a quarter to 7 the group had breakfast, catered by Kimi who'd drafted Tom to help. By 7:30 they were assembled in a line just outside of the campsite. Kimi paced along & in front of them like a drill sergeant. By now everyone involved was used to being in this situation, but they still didn't like it, & Kimi didn't care if they did. When she decided to exercise her authority as their trainer she could be a tyrant.
"Ladies & gentlemen," she barked, "if we are to get in shape for the events of the season finale we will first need to ascertain our current physical conditions, i.e., our ability to handle such physical rigors as such an activity will entail. It is therefore imperative that we first undergo a series of tests; call them rehearsals if you prefer." She stopped next to a map she'd had constructed for the occasion, propped on an easel. It was a detail of their immediate area. "We will divide into two two-person teams. Deville & Deville, you will take this route. Pickles, you're with me." She illustrated her statements with a pointer, hitting the outlined routes pertaining to her words.
"For the record," Chuck ventured, "why those pairings?" He knew his sister wanted to be alone with his bestest friend, but he knew her other reasons would make sense.
"Well, the teams could be two male & two female," Kimi began. The silence was deafening. "Or I could go with Phil & Tom with Lil." brought the opposite effect as Tom, Chuck, Lil, Phil, & Susie all shouted "NO!!!"
"Don't want to risk breaking up any of the couples." Phil whispered to his twin.
"Like we haven't gone through this dozens of times before." she whispered back.
"Now," continued Kimi, "behind the scenes personnel," which indicated Chuck & Susie, "stay here & worry about the rest of us."
"I'll do the worrying." Susie said to Chuck. "You have other business to take care of, as in your client the baseball player?"
Suddenly the mercurial Kimi was all sweetness & light. "That's right!" And with that she bounded over to her big brother. "How much is Dil going to be paid again?"
On cue, Chuck adapted the personality of C.C. Finster III, super agent. "I didn't say, and I won't say until the official announcement. You will just have to wait until then like everyone else."
The mood was now definitely jocular.
"I've heard you're about to make my little brother baseball's first billion dollar man; any comment?" was Tom's contribution to the conversation.
"I can neither confirm nor deny that."
"How about just telling me how much you'll be getting out of it?" Lil attempted to sweettalk.
"That's just asking me the same question in a different way; you know I get 10 percent as is standard for agents."
"Well, I have a question on a completely different subject." Phil ventured. "Kimi, I've perused the details here of this test run you're sending us on." He held up a sheet of paper as he said this. "If I'm reading it right, we'll have to monitor our progress; I'd like to know how we'll do that."
Before Kimi could respond the friends heard a helicopter approaching. "Our answer has just arrived." Tom answered for her.
The helicopter flew to within a few hundred feet of their position & descended to just over their heads. From it was suspended a huge crate, which soon hit the ground. It was stamped with the words PICKLES TOYS INC. Tom was on the scene immediately, climbing on top of the crate & loosening it from the cables which held it. "Thank you!" he shouted at the pilot as he waved the helicopter off. It then ascended, turned around, & departed the same way it came. Tom had brought a crowbar with him to the morning lineup, & he now employed it in opening the crate. That done, he sifted through the contents, handing some items to the others --- who by now had joined him.
"Here it is; everything you guys wanted, and more." Here he brought out several sophisticated mechanical devices. "Tracking devices. Kimi had me add them to your list. It took some doing, but I managed to get a small shipment sent to the company, & on down here." He proceeded to distribute them to Kimi & the Devilles, keeping one for himself.
This done, they returned to their table, which was a hike of a quarter of a mile. "Okkay, guys, gather around." said Tom, & gather around they did. This group had developed a tradition, a ritual. Before embarking on an activity, they would gather in a circle around the table, which they now did.
*SLAP!* *SLAP!* Tom's right hand hit the table, & Kimi's followed, grabbing his wrist.
*SLAP!* *SLAP!* *SLAP!* was Chuck's hand grabbing Kimi's wrist, followed by Lil grabbing Chuck's & Phil grabbing Lil's.
*SLAP!* *SLAP!* as Susie grabbed Phil's wrist & Tom grabbed hers. Their right hande now formed a hexagon.
"LET'S GO!" all shouted, in the style of a certain song from, when, the '90's, the '80's? They didn't care; they just knew that they liked it.
Their ritual completed, Tom, Kimi & the Devilles departed for their runs, as Chuck left for his trailer & Susie for the infirmary.
No one could have known, but when next they met, all of their lives would have changed forever. And that's a good thing.
Well, that's it till next time. I now return to The Brainy Saga over in the HA! section. It goes without saying that I value all reviews here. I'm Nftnat, basically everywhere you find me. Meaning? Well, if you wanna e-mail me, I'm nftnat@aol.com If you wanna IM me my handle is Nftnat. And I'm Nftnat everywhere else. Please read & review. Cy'all next time.
It occurs to me that when I sent in Chapter 1, I neglected something I'd had on my mind; a dedication. I include said dedication here. I'd like to dedicate The Rugrats Weddings to four people --- two male from the Encyclopedia message board, two female from around here --- without whom I wouldn't be writing Rugrats fanfic. In alphabetical order:
JusSonic, H! & Rrs author extraordinaire, who got me interested in Rugrats at all with his Histeria / Rugrats crossover fic The Histeria Kids Babysit the Rugrats, which also incorporates elements of Family Guy & I think Pinky & the Brain (my favorite moment is when Susie & Aka Pella meet, which makes sense considering I'm becoming quite the Cree Sumner fanboy). We on the EH board are currently non-working on the sequel, which throws in everything from Tenchi Muyo to 1776 to series I've never heard of. I think it's my turn to contribute to it, & if anyone from EH is reading this, I'll get to it, eventually.
Lil Kimi, my favorite Rugrats author. The first Rrs fic I read was Reflections, which started me thinking along the lines of Phil & Susie as a couple. I've since read all of Freshman Year, & of course we're all waiting for the next chapter of College Years, not to mention her other fics.
Pokejedservo, noted author in several genres, who gave me the heads up about fanfiction.net, where he is very well represented. He's particularly proud of his H! / RHPS crossover Toasty Histeria Picture Show, & justifiably so.
Starry Nights, my favorite author of Rugrats & Hey Arnold! fics. Considering the general opinion in the HA! comunity of Rrs, it's something of a rarity to find someone who's equally adept at writing for both shows, but she does it, & does it quite well. I look forward to her next additions in both genres.
JS, LK, PJS, SN, it's because of all of you that I'm writing this here; take that as you will.
Rugrats is created, owned, & / or copyrighted by Klasky-Csupo & Nickelodeon, which in turn is owned by Viacom. As to who owns the song I ref at the end of this chapter, your guess is as good as mine. I don't even know who sang it. Wang Chung? I dunno.
It's a typical day on the set. Of course for this show, typical could mean anything, absolutely anything. The show goes everywhere & the people involved do everything. The former Rugrats are prepping for the season finale of DareDevilles, which is to take place in the Andes. The air is thick with anticipation. In his office trailer, Chuckie is working out the details for overseas syndication of DareDevilles. The others are gathered around the table, noshing on snacks & drinks, just talking. They're waiting for Tom to arrive & make the group complete; it's just not the same if someone's absent. Finally, he makes his appearance in a dead run, practically collapsing into his usual seat between Susie & Kimi.
"You're late." Kimi pointed out.
"Sorry." Tom defended as he kissed his girlfriend. "A toy company doesn't run itself, you know."
"So we've heard." came the sardonic aside from Phil, who was on the other side of Susie with his arm around her.
"Chuck, Tom's here!" Lil shouted in the direction of the office. "Which means you're last, again."
"I'll be right there." was his response.
"I dunno who puts in more time on the grindstone, him or me." Tom remarked.
Kimi moaned agreement. "Me neither, & I'm the only one in a position to know."
"Say Tommy?" Phil ventured, "You're the inventive genius; couldn't you invent something to run the company for you?"
"Then what would I do?" Tom queried.
"ME!" Kimi shot, hopefully.
"Kimi!" Tom grimaced.
"Exactly!" Kimi continued to hint.
Phil, a huge grin on his face, explained, "Eh-heheheh, actually, I was thinking you could just sit back & take the money."
Tom actually gave the idea the proverbial great deal of thought, then dismissed it. "Nah, there's probably a down side I'm not seeing." Just then, Chuck finally graced the gathering with his presence. "Not one word about what you said." Tom mouthed to Kimi. She just grinned mischievously.
"Did I hear my favorite word?" asked Chuck as he took his usual seat between his sister & Lil, who was quick to rise to a challenge, of her boyfriend.
Lil: I thought that was me!
Chuck: Uh... a little help here?
Susie came to the rescue. "So, Tommy, good of your dad to let you off."
"Yeah, good thing he still wants to handle the toy conventions part himself, but he still wants me to learn my way around that."
"He still talking about retiring?" Kimi empathized.
"Oh, yeah." Tom responded, "If I've heard it once I've heard it a hundred times: 'I'll be turning 60 this year, son; I just can't do what I used to do & I'll be relying on you more & more as time goes by'."
About this time Lil decided to give up on getting her boyfriend's goat. "Someone wanna call the meeting to order?"
Phil obliged. "Hear ye, hear ye! The meeting of those in charge of DareDevilles will now come to order."
Susie was quick to comment. "Phillip Deville setting the tone for decorum; I never thought I'd see the day."
Phil shot back, "And I never thought I'd see the day you'd steal one of my lines. Now come on, Doc." And he turned serious; they all did. For they had learned that prepping for such incredibly dangerous stunts as those to which one & all were party, if not actual participants, was not to be taken lightly. The table was cleared & attitudes put into their usual places as Phil unfolded the map of the local topography over the table in full view of the group. Or started to; Lil blocked the map from being unfolded.
"Before we start that, bro, we have some old business." she implied, looking at their agent.
"Right," Chuck confirmed, pulling out his PDA computer. "Well, the contracts have been concluded with our contacts in Latin America, Europe, Moscow, Japan, Australasia, India, the Middle East, & sub-equatorial Africa. I've looked through the contracts --- some hard negotiating was called for there, I must say --- and they look good. I'm satisfied, & I think you two will be too." With this he looked directly at the stars of the show. "Here are our printout copies; they only require your signatures." Phil & Lil trusted their friend's judgment, so after cursory examinations of the contracts they both signed them. And so the deed was done.
"Just curious," Tom put in, "How much money are you talking here?" Chuck slid the freshly inked contracts over to his bestest friend, who gave an appreciative whistle, the whistle of one who has been quite impressed.
"Glad you approve." Chuck said.
"I do." Tom replied. "Actually, I'm ecstatic. For more than one reason." Eyebrows shot up all around the table at that last remark.
"Meaning?" Lil asked.
"Meaning it's good that you guys are doing so well, because it will make my news that much easier to take." Tom took a breath before he dropped his bombshell. "You see, the suppliers of raw materials for Pickles Toys have raised their costs. And our prices have to go up accordingly." As he was talking, he set his briefcase on top of the table. He opened it, & proceeded to remove certain financial documentation, including the annual budget & projections for Pickles Toys with recent rate adjustments factored in; documentation which he placed into the capable hands of the young man two places to his left.
Chuck studied the papers for a few minutes as the others crowded around him. Finally he removed his glasses & looked his bestest friend in the eye. "I'd say you have no choice; you have to raise your rates." He then cast his gaze on the twins, who by now had re-taken their seats, along with everyone else.
Phil & Lil looked at each other for a few seconds, as if in telepathic communication. Finally a decision was reached between them with a nod. Lil spoke. "Sure. We share our good fortune, you share your bad fortune."
Tom sighed in relief. "Thanks for being so understanding about this."
"Hey, you're still the best deal in town. Where else is DareDevilles going to go for their equipment needs?" Phil said.
"That reminds me," put in Susie, "You guys do much more than toys now; why don't you change the company name to reflect it?"
"Hey, people know us as Pickles Toys. It's the brand they grow up with & there's no sense changing what works. Besides," Tom added with a wink, "we don't want word to get out that we're too successful. Might attract the attention of a certain favorite aunt & cousin regarding a takeover." This brought a hearty chuckle to one & all.
"Okkay, now that that's over with, can we get with planning the season finale?" Phil asked.
"If we must." came from Kimi. With that, Phil again spread the map over the table, more successfully this time.
"We're not doing Aconcagua, are we?" asked Kimi.
"Nah, that's been done to death." Phil assured his friend.
"Lake Titicaca?" came from Tom.
"Did it." from Lil. "Anyway, it's too far north."
"No", from Phil, "What we're trying for is here, here, and here." And he pointed to various spots in the Bolivian section of the range.
Susie was incredulous. "You guys are going to try three mountains in one episode?!?"
"No guts, no glory, doc." Tom said.
"And it is doable." muttered Kimi, her mind on the physical requirements for such a feat.
Chuck was apoplectic. "ARE YOU GUYS CRAZY?!?"
"One of these days you're going to get yourselves killed & I'll be out of a job; I just know it." echoed Susie.
"Aw c'mon," began Tom, before everyone else chimed in, "IT'LL BE FUN!" Tom face-faulted. "So I've become that predictable."
"We both have," confirmed Chuck, "Why do you think I didn't say, 'I don't know, you guys,'?"
At this point the medical consultant tried to take charge of the situation. "Look, if you guys are serious about this, we'd all better turn in soon; you're going to need all the sleep you can get."
"That's not all we'll need. Phil?" At Lil's urging, Phil passed a list of equipment needs around the table to Tom, who already had his cell phone out.
"I'm on it. Overnight soon enough?" The twins nodded in response.
Kimi pulled the map over to her. "I'm going to have to be up for a while, studying this, & the last physicals for the group. Doc?" Susie nodded her response to Kimi's unasked question & got up to fetch the required medical records from the infirmary.
By the time she returned, C.C. & the Devilles were breaking up the party. "You're right, doc. We're turning in." Phil explained.
"I'll be up awhile yet; I'm not even a quarter of the way through this list, and the hard stuff is still ahead." Tom gestured at the pad on the table. Chuck looked over his friend's shoulder.
"Wow, everything but sportswear. You really have diversified."
"Why not sportswear?" Lil wondered.
"We've thought about it, but what would the advertising slogan be; 'If you're wearing this, you're in a Pickle'?" That brought a laugh from everyone, even distracting Kimi momentarily.
"You should've come to me." said Chuck. "I know some people on Madison Avenue who could help."
"Well, if we ever do decide to go in that direction, You'll be the first to know."
"See that I am; you know you won't regret it."
"I know, I know. Now if you guys will excuse me..." And with that Tom turned his full attention on business; any further attempt at communication with him would've been fruitless. The same was about to be said for Kimi.
"Now don't you guys worry; we'll be along in plenty of time."
"But.." Chuck started.
"Hey, I get you guys in shape, & if there's any body here I know inside & out it's my own. I know exactly how much sleep I'll be needing for tomorrow, or I will in a few minutes. And I'll send Tommy in in plenty of time, too." Then she too was gone to them, as she resumed poring over the charts, medical & geographic.
"C'mon, guys." said Chuck. "You know how they are; when they get like that, there's no budging them. Although Kimi could move Tommy if it came down to it." As the others started the walk to the sleeping trailers, he hung back momentarily. Which didn't escape the notice of the others.
"What?" Phil asked.
"You think maybe someone should chaperone?"
"Aw, c'mon, sweetie." said Lil. "You know when they're like this they're strictly professional."
"Besides," Susie continued, "Your sister can take care of herself."
"Well, that's the point." Chuck pondered. "Kimi's the aggressive one, even with Tommy." The others just grinned, including Phil, whose hand went to the back of Chuck's neck & turned him in the direction of the sleep trailers.
"Let's go, Chuckie." And with that, the four of them turned in, the boys in the blue trailer, the girls in the pink one.
Everyone got up with the sun the next morning, due to a certain Finster ensuring numerous awakening mechanisms, not excluding but by no means limited to alarm clocks. Lil & Susie had no peace until they put all thoughts of any more sleep behind them, as did the guys fifteen minutes later. At a quarter to 7 the group had breakfast, catered by Kimi who'd drafted Tom to help. By 7:30 they were assembled in a line just outside of the campsite. Kimi paced along & in front of them like a drill sergeant. By now everyone involved was used to being in this situation, but they still didn't like it, & Kimi didn't care if they did. When she decided to exercise her authority as their trainer she could be a tyrant.
"Ladies & gentlemen," she barked, "if we are to get in shape for the events of the season finale we will first need to ascertain our current physical conditions, i.e., our ability to handle such physical rigors as such an activity will entail. It is therefore imperative that we first undergo a series of tests; call them rehearsals if you prefer." She stopped next to a map she'd had constructed for the occasion, propped on an easel. It was a detail of their immediate area. "We will divide into two two-person teams. Deville & Deville, you will take this route. Pickles, you're with me." She illustrated her statements with a pointer, hitting the outlined routes pertaining to her words.
"For the record," Chuck ventured, "why those pairings?" He knew his sister wanted to be alone with his bestest friend, but he knew her other reasons would make sense.
"Well, the teams could be two male & two female," Kimi began. The silence was deafening. "Or I could go with Phil & Tom with Lil." brought the opposite effect as Tom, Chuck, Lil, Phil, & Susie all shouted "NO!!!"
"Don't want to risk breaking up any of the couples." Phil whispered to his twin.
"Like we haven't gone through this dozens of times before." she whispered back.
"Now," continued Kimi, "behind the scenes personnel," which indicated Chuck & Susie, "stay here & worry about the rest of us."
"I'll do the worrying." Susie said to Chuck. "You have other business to take care of, as in your client the baseball player?"
Suddenly the mercurial Kimi was all sweetness & light. "That's right!" And with that she bounded over to her big brother. "How much is Dil going to be paid again?"
On cue, Chuck adapted the personality of C.C. Finster III, super agent. "I didn't say, and I won't say until the official announcement. You will just have to wait until then like everyone else."
The mood was now definitely jocular.
"I've heard you're about to make my little brother baseball's first billion dollar man; any comment?" was Tom's contribution to the conversation.
"I can neither confirm nor deny that."
"How about just telling me how much you'll be getting out of it?" Lil attempted to sweettalk.
"That's just asking me the same question in a different way; you know I get 10 percent as is standard for agents."
"Well, I have a question on a completely different subject." Phil ventured. "Kimi, I've perused the details here of this test run you're sending us on." He held up a sheet of paper as he said this. "If I'm reading it right, we'll have to monitor our progress; I'd like to know how we'll do that."
Before Kimi could respond the friends heard a helicopter approaching. "Our answer has just arrived." Tom answered for her.
The helicopter flew to within a few hundred feet of their position & descended to just over their heads. From it was suspended a huge crate, which soon hit the ground. It was stamped with the words PICKLES TOYS INC. Tom was on the scene immediately, climbing on top of the crate & loosening it from the cables which held it. "Thank you!" he shouted at the pilot as he waved the helicopter off. It then ascended, turned around, & departed the same way it came. Tom had brought a crowbar with him to the morning lineup, & he now employed it in opening the crate. That done, he sifted through the contents, handing some items to the others --- who by now had joined him.
"Here it is; everything you guys wanted, and more." Here he brought out several sophisticated mechanical devices. "Tracking devices. Kimi had me add them to your list. It took some doing, but I managed to get a small shipment sent to the company, & on down here." He proceeded to distribute them to Kimi & the Devilles, keeping one for himself.
This done, they returned to their table, which was a hike of a quarter of a mile. "Okkay, guys, gather around." said Tom, & gather around they did. This group had developed a tradition, a ritual. Before embarking on an activity, they would gather in a circle around the table, which they now did.
*SLAP!* *SLAP!* Tom's right hand hit the table, & Kimi's followed, grabbing his wrist.
*SLAP!* *SLAP!* *SLAP!* was Chuck's hand grabbing Kimi's wrist, followed by Lil grabbing Chuck's & Phil grabbing Lil's.
*SLAP!* *SLAP!* as Susie grabbed Phil's wrist & Tom grabbed hers. Their right hande now formed a hexagon.
"LET'S GO!" all shouted, in the style of a certain song from, when, the '90's, the '80's? They didn't care; they just knew that they liked it.
Their ritual completed, Tom, Kimi & the Devilles departed for their runs, as Chuck left for his trailer & Susie for the infirmary.
No one could have known, but when next they met, all of their lives would have changed forever. And that's a good thing.
Well, that's it till next time. I now return to The Brainy Saga over in the HA! section. It goes without saying that I value all reviews here. I'm Nftnat, basically everywhere you find me. Meaning? Well, if you wanna e-mail me, I'm nftnat@aol.com If you wanna IM me my handle is Nftnat. And I'm Nftnat everywhere else. Please read & review. Cy'all next time.