Chapter Three
A/N: Hooray! A decent length chapter! I was surprised I made it so long. I guess I just really elaborated or something.
P.S. I wrote this thing in two hours around midnight and typed it up around three. Sorry if there are any typos or whatever.
P.S.S. This part's kind of sappy. Sorry if you don't like sap, but it'll pick up, I swear it.
* The sound of rumbling metal bars and Hank Williams woke Dally up. He moaned and rolled over, trying to fall back asleep by burying his face in a pillow. Dally wasn't able to, though, because a guard was calling his name loudly and persistently. "Mr. Winston," he droned. "Get out of bed, Mr. Winston."
"Ishdawy," Dally mumbled into the pillow. He had been thinking about Johnny the night before and had accidentally stayed up later than he'd intended. Dally's body was numb with sleep. He was a rock. He would not move.
"Mr. Winston," the guard echoed, "Get out of bed."
Dally threw the flat pillow forcefully at the guard. "It's Dally!" he yelled.
Realizing his pillow was gone, Dally sat up in bed and swept his hand through his freshly cut hair. He liked his hair better when it grew longer, but he didn't dare protest against them cutting it. Dally had done that once before and ended up with a black eye. The men outnumbered him, and each held either a pair of scissors or a razor, so it was best not to retaliate. The greaser had to be content with scowling.
"Mr. Winston, you have company," the guard informed Dally, ignoring the outburst.
Dally focused his cold, blue eyes on the guard and stood up. He stretched and sauntered forward the guard. The guard stiffened up as his hand automatically reached for the gun at his side. Dally scoffed. 'What? Does he think I'm gonna try to lift his gun?' he thought crossly. Then, a sly smile crept across his face as he realized he considered just that only moments ago.
***
Ponyboy, Two-Bit, and Darry were waiting patiently for Dally to come. Ponyboy was silent as usual, taking in his surrounding and dreading the moment when he'd talk to Dally. Two-Bit was fidgeting. Anyone could tell he wanted to crack a joke, but every time he opened his mouth, he immediately closed it again. There was no doubt, though, that the brothers would hear any jokes Two-Bit thought of during the ride home. Darry sat next to Ponyboy. He looked strong, calm, and at ease, but his mind was racing. 'How will Ponyboy react when Dal rejects his advice?' he thought nervously.
The odd room the trio was sitting in wasn't helping to ease anyone's nerves. It was large, dank, and empty. Tables and chairs were scattered throughout the room, and several prisoners were sitting at various tables and talking to visitors. Once in a while, a prisoner would erupt; he'd shout and stand up and wave their arms or fists almost violently. Four windows were placed near the ceiling. Only a few rays of light could reach into the room, and eerie shadows were cast. With the exception of the tables and chairs, the room was empty. Any noises made echoed and echoed until they eventually faded away. When some dust aggravated Two-Bit's nose and he sneezed, he was surprised to hear the sound over and over again. Once again, he opened his mouth as if to say something, but instead made a mental note.
The doors on the opposite side of the room flung open. Dallas stepped in, closely followed by a guard. His eyes flicked across the room, and he smiled wildly when he spotted Pony, Darry, And Two-Bit. Dally sauntered arrogantly across the room, trying to give the impression that he was better than everyone else. No one was fooled.
Dally dropped into a chair and greeting his fellow greasers. He tried not to show it, but he was so happy to talk with someone and have some company that he could have laughed out loud. "So," he tried to ask casually, "what's up?"
Darry's eyes focused on Dally's. "Nothing. How is it going in here?" Darry asked, waving his hand vaguely in the air.
"It's not Disneyland, but I'll get over it. What about the Socs? They stayin' out? Acceptin' defeat?"
"Yeah, they're not happy about it, though," Two-Bit explained. "Evil eyes and whispers everywhere we greasers go."
Dally nodded in understanding. He looked up at Two-Bit, and his face reminded Dally of something important. He dug into his pocket and threw a hard, black object into Two-Bit's arms. "There ya go," Dally said cheerfully. "When the damned police frisked me, they didn't realize I was carrying your switchblade."
Two-Bit pocketed the blade quickly and thanked Dally more than was needed. He only shut up after Dally threatened to break his arm. Darry, Two-Bit, and Dally began talking, but Ponyboy kept out of the conversation. He only stared at Dally. Two-Bit and Darry were explaining what was going on outside the walls, how Soda and Steve were, and what the Socs were up to. Dally stopped the conversation abruptly and turned to Ponyboy. "Why the hell are you studying me, Pony? I'm not a damn book," he snapped.
Ponyboy glanced away sheepishly. He was blushing furiously and he knew it. "I'm sorry, I don't know why," Pony mumbled.
Dally started back at Pony, before laughing and telling Ponyboy his hair still looked funny.
Dallas turned and continued the conversation, but Pony knew damn well why he was studying the blonde greaser. All the while Pony'd known Dallas, he'd only seen hatred and defiance in the hood's icy, blue eyes. But, just now, Pony could have sworn he'd seen sorrow hidden in Dally's eyes. It was well hidden, though. Dally was smiling, laughing, and joking with the two older greasers, but Ponyboy could tell. Dally was sad.
Darry glanced at his watch. "Dal, we're about outta time," he said. He and Two-Bit stood up, but Pony stayed glued to his seat, staring into nothing, his heart pounding. They all shook hands, and Darry turned to leave, closely trailed by Two-Bit.
When, they were out of the room, Dally turned to Ponyboy, gazing at him expectantly. "Well?" he inquired after a few moments silence, "How are you, kid?"
Dallas wasn't really keen to the idea of being stuck in a room with the second quietest kid he knew. When a mental image of the quietest kid he knew popped into his head, he averted tears by concentrating on every word Ponyboy was saying.
"-want to, but I need to. Dally, I f-found this letter in Gone With The Wind."
"You found a letter. in the wind? Dally cut in.
After a second or two of inspecting his hands, Ponyboy looked at Dallas again. "No," he explained. "It's a book."
Dally waited once more for Pony to continue. 'How long is this going to take?' he thought impatiently.
Ponyboy was a good kid, but very quiet. Sometimes it took him a good amount of time to get his point across. He only continued when prompted by Dally.
"And?"
Ponyboy's gray green eyes darted left and right before he settled on staring at his hands again. "Johnny left me a note he wants you to watch sunsets and says there's good," Ponyboy blurted out and drew a deep, calming breath.
"What?"
Ponyboy shifted uneasily in his seat. He had to be content with staring absently at his hands. Ponyboy couldn't stand staring into Dally's eyes and seeing grief. He'd been so tough and strong, why'd he have to break now? Ponyboy ached for a cigarette. Dally sure wasn't making this easy.
Slowly, Ponyboy told Dally about the letter. Dally listened intently, but Pony knew it wouldn't last. "Johnny said that you should watch a sunset. He, um, also wanted you to know that there's still g-good in the world. Johnny wanted you to know."
"You're crazy," he spat.
At this, Ponyboy laughed. Johnny was right. Dally did think he was crazy.
"No," Ponyboy continued, "Johnny said."
"Johnny said," Dally echoed thoughtfully. "There's good in the world. Watch the sunset. And where did that advice get 'im? The grave!" Dally roared. "If I went livin' my life that way, I'd be dead, too! Watch the damned sunset. Of all the ideas."
Pony pleaded. "But Johnny said."
"Listen, Pony. I've got my life set out, even if it is damned. It doesn't include watchin' sunsets or being good. That stuff makes you soft. Pony, how the hell does he think that'll help me?"
Ponyboy gave it one last shot. Tears leapt to his eyes. "Johnny."
"Is Dead! And I ain't takin' advice from a dead guy! Had he lived his life how I lived mine, he woulda been livin, nothing could touch him, nothing could hurt him. But, he didn't take my damned advice!"
Once again, Ponyboy noticed the sorrow in Dally's eyes. Pony wondered if Dal could see the sorrow in his.
A guard came rushing in at the sound of Dally's repeated rants. He got behind Dallas and prodded him out. I think he's had enough for the day."
Dallas left but not before yelling "Never in hell!" as he was pushed through the door back to the cell.
Pony took one last deep breath and buried his head in his hands. Soda and Darry were right. Dal hadn't listened. But still, a faint glimmer of hope carried Ponyboy out to the car and back home.
*** Special Thanks To:
All of my reviewers! I love you all! Esp.
Jessie C.- Thanks for reading my story and reviewing it! You're such a sweetheart! I'm sorry it took me a while to get back to your story, but I was kinda busy..
DallysGirl4Life- Thanks for lovin' my story! Yeah, I couldn't stand it when Dally died ((), so I was like. "Why not?"
Scarlett7- Thanks for reviewing! Yeah, I hoped to describe Dally that way.
MissLKid- Thanks for saying my story's 'good stuff'. It's great to get those kind of comments!!!
A/N: Hooray! A decent length chapter! I was surprised I made it so long. I guess I just really elaborated or something.
P.S. I wrote this thing in two hours around midnight and typed it up around three. Sorry if there are any typos or whatever.
P.S.S. This part's kind of sappy. Sorry if you don't like sap, but it'll pick up, I swear it.
* The sound of rumbling metal bars and Hank Williams woke Dally up. He moaned and rolled over, trying to fall back asleep by burying his face in a pillow. Dally wasn't able to, though, because a guard was calling his name loudly and persistently. "Mr. Winston," he droned. "Get out of bed, Mr. Winston."
"Ishdawy," Dally mumbled into the pillow. He had been thinking about Johnny the night before and had accidentally stayed up later than he'd intended. Dally's body was numb with sleep. He was a rock. He would not move.
"Mr. Winston," the guard echoed, "Get out of bed."
Dally threw the flat pillow forcefully at the guard. "It's Dally!" he yelled.
Realizing his pillow was gone, Dally sat up in bed and swept his hand through his freshly cut hair. He liked his hair better when it grew longer, but he didn't dare protest against them cutting it. Dally had done that once before and ended up with a black eye. The men outnumbered him, and each held either a pair of scissors or a razor, so it was best not to retaliate. The greaser had to be content with scowling.
"Mr. Winston, you have company," the guard informed Dally, ignoring the outburst.
Dally focused his cold, blue eyes on the guard and stood up. He stretched and sauntered forward the guard. The guard stiffened up as his hand automatically reached for the gun at his side. Dally scoffed. 'What? Does he think I'm gonna try to lift his gun?' he thought crossly. Then, a sly smile crept across his face as he realized he considered just that only moments ago.
***
Ponyboy, Two-Bit, and Darry were waiting patiently for Dally to come. Ponyboy was silent as usual, taking in his surrounding and dreading the moment when he'd talk to Dally. Two-Bit was fidgeting. Anyone could tell he wanted to crack a joke, but every time he opened his mouth, he immediately closed it again. There was no doubt, though, that the brothers would hear any jokes Two-Bit thought of during the ride home. Darry sat next to Ponyboy. He looked strong, calm, and at ease, but his mind was racing. 'How will Ponyboy react when Dal rejects his advice?' he thought nervously.
The odd room the trio was sitting in wasn't helping to ease anyone's nerves. It was large, dank, and empty. Tables and chairs were scattered throughout the room, and several prisoners were sitting at various tables and talking to visitors. Once in a while, a prisoner would erupt; he'd shout and stand up and wave their arms or fists almost violently. Four windows were placed near the ceiling. Only a few rays of light could reach into the room, and eerie shadows were cast. With the exception of the tables and chairs, the room was empty. Any noises made echoed and echoed until they eventually faded away. When some dust aggravated Two-Bit's nose and he sneezed, he was surprised to hear the sound over and over again. Once again, he opened his mouth as if to say something, but instead made a mental note.
The doors on the opposite side of the room flung open. Dallas stepped in, closely followed by a guard. His eyes flicked across the room, and he smiled wildly when he spotted Pony, Darry, And Two-Bit. Dally sauntered arrogantly across the room, trying to give the impression that he was better than everyone else. No one was fooled.
Dally dropped into a chair and greeting his fellow greasers. He tried not to show it, but he was so happy to talk with someone and have some company that he could have laughed out loud. "So," he tried to ask casually, "what's up?"
Darry's eyes focused on Dally's. "Nothing. How is it going in here?" Darry asked, waving his hand vaguely in the air.
"It's not Disneyland, but I'll get over it. What about the Socs? They stayin' out? Acceptin' defeat?"
"Yeah, they're not happy about it, though," Two-Bit explained. "Evil eyes and whispers everywhere we greasers go."
Dally nodded in understanding. He looked up at Two-Bit, and his face reminded Dally of something important. He dug into his pocket and threw a hard, black object into Two-Bit's arms. "There ya go," Dally said cheerfully. "When the damned police frisked me, they didn't realize I was carrying your switchblade."
Two-Bit pocketed the blade quickly and thanked Dally more than was needed. He only shut up after Dally threatened to break his arm. Darry, Two-Bit, and Dally began talking, but Ponyboy kept out of the conversation. He only stared at Dally. Two-Bit and Darry were explaining what was going on outside the walls, how Soda and Steve were, and what the Socs were up to. Dally stopped the conversation abruptly and turned to Ponyboy. "Why the hell are you studying me, Pony? I'm not a damn book," he snapped.
Ponyboy glanced away sheepishly. He was blushing furiously and he knew it. "I'm sorry, I don't know why," Pony mumbled.
Dally started back at Pony, before laughing and telling Ponyboy his hair still looked funny.
Dallas turned and continued the conversation, but Pony knew damn well why he was studying the blonde greaser. All the while Pony'd known Dallas, he'd only seen hatred and defiance in the hood's icy, blue eyes. But, just now, Pony could have sworn he'd seen sorrow hidden in Dally's eyes. It was well hidden, though. Dally was smiling, laughing, and joking with the two older greasers, but Ponyboy could tell. Dally was sad.
Darry glanced at his watch. "Dal, we're about outta time," he said. He and Two-Bit stood up, but Pony stayed glued to his seat, staring into nothing, his heart pounding. They all shook hands, and Darry turned to leave, closely trailed by Two-Bit.
When, they were out of the room, Dally turned to Ponyboy, gazing at him expectantly. "Well?" he inquired after a few moments silence, "How are you, kid?"
Dallas wasn't really keen to the idea of being stuck in a room with the second quietest kid he knew. When a mental image of the quietest kid he knew popped into his head, he averted tears by concentrating on every word Ponyboy was saying.
"-want to, but I need to. Dally, I f-found this letter in Gone With The Wind."
"You found a letter. in the wind? Dally cut in.
After a second or two of inspecting his hands, Ponyboy looked at Dallas again. "No," he explained. "It's a book."
Dally waited once more for Pony to continue. 'How long is this going to take?' he thought impatiently.
Ponyboy was a good kid, but very quiet. Sometimes it took him a good amount of time to get his point across. He only continued when prompted by Dally.
"And?"
Ponyboy's gray green eyes darted left and right before he settled on staring at his hands again. "Johnny left me a note he wants you to watch sunsets and says there's good," Ponyboy blurted out and drew a deep, calming breath.
"What?"
Ponyboy shifted uneasily in his seat. He had to be content with staring absently at his hands. Ponyboy couldn't stand staring into Dally's eyes and seeing grief. He'd been so tough and strong, why'd he have to break now? Ponyboy ached for a cigarette. Dally sure wasn't making this easy.
Slowly, Ponyboy told Dally about the letter. Dally listened intently, but Pony knew it wouldn't last. "Johnny said that you should watch a sunset. He, um, also wanted you to know that there's still g-good in the world. Johnny wanted you to know."
"You're crazy," he spat.
At this, Ponyboy laughed. Johnny was right. Dally did think he was crazy.
"No," Ponyboy continued, "Johnny said."
"Johnny said," Dally echoed thoughtfully. "There's good in the world. Watch the sunset. And where did that advice get 'im? The grave!" Dally roared. "If I went livin' my life that way, I'd be dead, too! Watch the damned sunset. Of all the ideas."
Pony pleaded. "But Johnny said."
"Listen, Pony. I've got my life set out, even if it is damned. It doesn't include watchin' sunsets or being good. That stuff makes you soft. Pony, how the hell does he think that'll help me?"
Ponyboy gave it one last shot. Tears leapt to his eyes. "Johnny."
"Is Dead! And I ain't takin' advice from a dead guy! Had he lived his life how I lived mine, he woulda been livin, nothing could touch him, nothing could hurt him. But, he didn't take my damned advice!"
Once again, Ponyboy noticed the sorrow in Dally's eyes. Pony wondered if Dal could see the sorrow in his.
A guard came rushing in at the sound of Dally's repeated rants. He got behind Dallas and prodded him out. I think he's had enough for the day."
Dallas left but not before yelling "Never in hell!" as he was pushed through the door back to the cell.
Pony took one last deep breath and buried his head in his hands. Soda and Darry were right. Dal hadn't listened. But still, a faint glimmer of hope carried Ponyboy out to the car and back home.
*** Special Thanks To:
All of my reviewers! I love you all! Esp.
Jessie C.- Thanks for reading my story and reviewing it! You're such a sweetheart! I'm sorry it took me a while to get back to your story, but I was kinda busy..
DallysGirl4Life- Thanks for lovin' my story! Yeah, I couldn't stand it when Dally died ((), so I was like. "Why not?"
Scarlett7- Thanks for reviewing! Yeah, I hoped to describe Dally that way.
MissLKid- Thanks for saying my story's 'good stuff'. It's great to get those kind of comments!!!