(A/N: The reference of 'pie' is used several times in this chapter, and probably in future chapters.  Since the play calls for occasional crude humor, I'm using 'pie' instead of sex.  So much funnier, wouldn't you say?) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SCENE 1-Pie and Marriage

Beat leapt up, his hands catching on the wooden picket fence.  He pulled himself up, grunting as he slung himself over, barely keeping his footing as he landed on the grass.  He crouched low, looking between the small spaces of the fence at his two pursuers.

"BEAT!" Tab yelled, looking around as he dashed into the square, "BEAT!  WHERE THE HELL DID YOU GO?"

Yo-yo followed close behind, seeminlgly less frantic, but still worried nonetheless.  "Yeah, C'mon Beat!  Joke's over, come on out!"

"I'll tell you where he went," Tab began, giving Yo-yo a quick nudge, "he went to go mack on that chick from last night.  Went to go tap that ass!" he cupped his hands around his mouth, pitching his voice so almost everyone in the square could hear, "WENT TO GO GET SOME PIE, HUH BEAT?"

Yo-yo groaned, grabbing Tab by the collar and dragging him out of the square to continue the search.

"Finally," Beat muttered, turning to inspect his surroundings.  He was in the back of the Capulet HQ.  Nothing special.  A few shrubs, and…..a balcony.  Not bad.  Beat crept towards the balcony, humming the Mission: Impossible theme before he heard footsteps above.  Muttering a few curse words, he dove under the cover of the balcony.

()()()()()()()()()()()

Gum stepped out onto the small concrete balcony adjoining her room.  She hadn't gotten any sleep the night before, and it showed in the dark bags under her eyes, and her strained, sluggish movements.  She grasped the rusty iron handles, leaning forward to look at the sun rising over Verona-Cho.  "Beat…..why did you have to be a Montague?  Of all the things for love to do to me…..the man I love is a Montague…."

Beat took the opportunity before him, stepping out of the balcony's cover.  "I love you, too, Gum.  I don't care if you're a Capulet, I love you with all my heart."

"You do?" Gum asked, a smile spreading across her face.

"I do."

Her face suddenly turned concerned.  "I…I hope you are telling the truth…I don't want to get hurt again."

"I would sooner die than hurt you, Gum.  You've gotta believe me."

Gum's smile returned.  "I do…."

A yell was heard, the voice echoing throughout the house.  "GUM!  HEY GUM!  C'MERE!"

Gum slowly backstepped into the house, taking a quick, adoring look down at Beat before rushing into the house.

No more than 30 seconds later, she had returned.  "If you really love me," she began, "ask me to marry you.  Tell me when and where to meet you, and I'll be there."

"GUM!  GUM!  C'MERE!"

Gum rushed off again, rolling her eyes.

Beat stood, his clouded eyes hidden behind his sunglasses.  Marriage?  He hadn't expected something like that this fast; but he loved this girl.  Marriage seemed like a good idea.  Yeah….Mr. and Mrs. Uh…….Beat.  Sure.  That had a ring to it.  With a chuckle, Beat turned, and began to make his way over the fence.  He had work to do.

Scene II- The Best He Could Find On Short Notice…

It was about noon when Beat found Father Garam.  Well, that's what everyone called him.  Beat had heard that he had been kicked out of his church after he was caught with some…herbs.  He could still marry people, as well as perform all of his priestly duties, but he now spent most of his time using his special 'herb', and snacking out on his couch.

The Father was watering a few plants.  "What do you want, kid?"

"I need you to marry me."

The man, turned, lifting a brow as he looked Beat up and down, before turning back to his work.  "Sorry, but you aren't my type."

Beat sweatdropped.  "No, I didn't mean it like that!  I meant I need you to marry me and this girl."

"I know you…Beat.  You're a Montague.?"

"Uh…yeah.  How'd you know."

"I'm psychic.  So who're you marrying?"

Beat's cheeks reddened a bit.  "Her name's Gum."

Garam gave him a wry look.  "The Capulet?"

"Yeah."

The Father chuckled.  "This is gonna be interesting….."

Scene III-Back To Normal

"Please, door, don't creak." Beat whispered, turning the handle softly.  He pushed the door gently, surprised to not hear the sickening creak that usually accompanied it's opening.  He crept in, turning to close the door behind him when…

"Well look who it is!" a voice boomed amusedly.

Beat whirled around to see Tab and Yo-yo, sprawled out on the couch, grinning over at him.  "Late night, eh, Beaty?"

"I was out shopping for deodorant for you, Tab.  I didn't want to be too obvious, though."

"Ouch.  That hurt.  How was your pie?"

"Better than yours, I'll bet.  I hear you get it from that 60 year old lady with the mustache across the street."

"Beat!  I'm shocked!  A) Your mother isn't that old, and B) She shaves her mustache now.  She says 'hi', by the way."

"Ew, Tabster!  You have any idea what's been in my mom?"

"You."

"My point exactly."
Tab grinned widely.  "Well, aren't we sociable!  It's about time you got back to normal.  Where the hell have you been?"

"Visiting your mom."

Tab cuffed him lightly across the chin, chuckling to himself when they heard a soft knock on the door.

The three gathered curiously around the door, as Beat opened it to reveal a slim, dark-skinned girl wearing a tight white midriff and tighter white leather pants.  "Uh…hi!"

The three waved weakly.

"Beat," she said, stepping inside, "I need to talk to you."

Tab smiled at the girl, making little kissing faces.  "Ya know, I could really, really go for some chocolate pie right now.  How about it, baby?"

"I'm thinking no, cowboy.  There's a reason I'm called Piranha."

Tab glanced down worriedly at his….ahem, unit, then back up to the girl.  "Point taken."

"Thought so.  Now Beat," she said, turning to him, "My friend Gum is ready to meet you any time.  She's really eager to get married, I suppose."

Beat ignored the wide-eyed looks of his two friends, giving a nod.  "Tell her to meet me at the at the 24-Hour Chapel up on Haoken Way at noon tomorrow."

"Perfect," she said, making her way towards the door.  She gave Tab a quick wink before leaving shutting the door behind her.

"So Beat," Yo-yo said with a grin, "tell us about this 'marriage' stuff…."

Scene IV-Persuasion

Gum paced impatiently in her room, glancing at her watch every five seconds.  She still hadn't slept, but all traces of fatigue were gone now, replaced by worry.  She almost exploded when Piranha poked her head into the room.

"Did you see him?  What did he say?  Was he there?  He wasn't there?  What happened?  Is he hurt?  Oh my god, he's dead isn't he?  I knew it!  Oh, lord…."

"Whoa, whoa, take it easy.  Beat's fine.  He isn't dead.  He told me just what you wanted to know; but…."

"But what?" Gum asked frantically.

"My back is really really sore….all that skating around.  I don't think I can remember all that information when my back is in this condition…."

Gum scowled.  "Stop playing around, Piranha.  Tell me, already."

Piranha simply moaned, pointing at her back. 

Gum moved behind her with a sigh, rubbing her shoulders.  "Better?"

"Much."

"You going to tell me now."

"Sure…later.  But for now, keep rubbing….."

Scene V-Here Comes The Gum, All Dressed In…Something That Rhymes With 'Gum'

It was 12:04 by the time Gum and Piranha made it to the chapel.  Not that Beat was counting or anything.

"Well," Garam said, glancing from Beat to Gum, "Shall we?"

Beat looked at Gum.  "Ready?"

She nodded, smiling at him.

"Yeah…..we're ready."

"Excellent.  Now, if you'll follow me, it's time to for you two lovebirds to get married."

(A/N: Yeah, I know that last scene was short, but in the actual play you never read about them getting married, it just sorta happens.  Oh well. ^ ^)