Note: Anything having to do with the PPG doesn't belong to me (I wish it
did though, 'cause that be great!)
In response to Dooly's question, sorry, but I don't have a clue about spoilers, I wish I could help ya' out though. If I can, I might try to use references from "Shotgun Wedding". BTW, read "Home and Away,"... Loved it! I like how Fuzzy got his butt beat by a squirrel! Alright Bubbles!...OH YEAH! Sorry, back to the story! Enjoy! ^_^
Lost Promises, Found Friendships
By: Dramaqueen-8.0
Chapter3: Unexpected Guest
[SCENE: The picture returns to the screen, now viewing the inside of the Hardley household. But instead of a lab, we see the interior of a well kept, upper class house, much like that of Professor Utonium's. There are of course a few differences, like how the time period of the house doesn't resemble that of the sixty's, but instead that of a modern decor]
[It is one week later]
[As the camera pans slowly through the house, we see glimpses of the kitchen, dining room, a staircase leading upwards, and the living room. This is where the camera stops]
[This is where we see LAUREN, who is curled up on the sofa. She is now dressed in blue jean shorts and a purple tank top, which in her father's opinion, is too low cut for outside use. So, just for his sake, she has decided to stay inside and relax today, which is why, instead of shoes, she is wearing her favorite pink slippers]
[She is reading "Of Mice and Men". She has her glasses in her free hand and is slightly chewing on one of the earpieces. She has a headset over her ears and is listening to "That's What Girls Do" by No Secrets. She is obviously enjoying her summer vacation, as she reads and hums to her music]
[The camera suddenly pans quickly over to a nearby door, which has just been opened by DICK HARDLEY. He pokes his head out into view and looks around the room rather anxiously. He then spots his daughter on the sofa, smiles, and then comes all the way into the room. Before he shuts the door behind him, there is a bit of commotion heard before it is muted by the closed door]
[HARDLEY rushes over to LAUREN, almost skipping]
HARDLEY: (Singing) Oh, Lauren!!
[He stands behind her, waiting for a response. He then notices the headset over her ears and the music that's blaring from them]
HARDLEY: (A bit sterner) Lauren... Lauren... (Knocks on her head softly, twice) Anybody home...?
[There is still no response. She is obviously ignoring him on purpose. She is very much absorbed in her book and is on the last page]
[HARDLEY, who now shows an annoyed expression, tries to think of a way to get her attention. He brightens, as an idea occurs to him]
HARDLEY: (Grinning slyly) Hey...Doll Face-
LAUREN: WHAT!? (Turns to face him, exasperated) Can't you see that I'm kind of OCCUPIED at the moment!? (Turns off CD player and faces her book again, waving him away) Take a number, POPS, I'll be with ya' in a minute.
[HARDLEY rolls his eyes, knowing that he deserved that one. He then notices the title on the top of the last page of her book.]
HARDLEY: (Reads aloud) "Of Mice and Men"? Isn't that book a little...dreary for you?
LAUREN: (Annoyed) Dad, I'm twenty-three years old. I'm pretty sure I can handle it. (Closes book) Besides, it's a great novel. It's about these two guys during the Depression who are looking for work, but-
HARDLEY: (Interrupts her, excited again) Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's great, punkin! Now... how would you like to see something REALLY worth while? An unforgettable experience, that's definitely better than THAT old piece of literature. (Indicates book)
LAUREN: (Defensive) Dad, this is NOT an "old piece of literature". It's a fantastic, not to mention timeless, piece of writing that any adult could enjoy. Which, by the way, I am immensely doing so. And I don't appreciate you treating this book as if it were an edition of The National Enquirer!
[There is a short pause, as HARDLEY is starring at her blankly this entire time]
HARDLEY: (Hopefully) Soooo.. that's a YES, then? Right?
[LAUREN looks up at him and sighs while taking off her headset. She is still very much taken aback and hurt at her father's disinterest in her book. But, as usual, she decides to humor him for his efforts in science, no matter how absurd they may be]
LAUREN: (Putting on glasses) Alright, fine. (Looks up at him) I'm listening..
[SCENE: The camera now shows the laboratory of Professor Hardley, except this time there are people in lab coats running back and fourth with papers in hand, talking with other scientists about an equation or something of great importance. Equipment is buzzing and lights are flashing all around the room as other scientists look over the information being displayed on the screens and on the paper that is printed from them. Everyone is much jumpier than usual]
[LAUREN thinks this as she follows HARDLEY himself through the crowd of hustle and bustle. She is actually showing some signs of interest as to why everyone is so preoccupied with something that is obviously of great importance. She is curious as to what could possibly be so important]
[The two continue walking until they begin to near a single elevator at the far end of the room. This is something that Lauren is very familiar with. She uses it just about every other day in order to get to the lower levels of the lab. This is where HARDLEY keeps the simulator rooms where she trains and exercises, as she is a bit of a health nut]
[HARDLEY is about five feet away from the elevator, when a man dressed in a kind of black jump suit approaches him. He has short, dark brown hair with eyes to match and looks to be around his twenties. He is holding a pair of strange looking goggles in his left hand that are tinted red on the lenses, and a rifle in his right, which he has resting on his shoulder. His face is slightly glistened with sweat and he looks exhausted]
[LAUREN eyes him curiously, as she has never seen him in the lab before. The fact that he is attractive also gives her a reason to stare]
HARDLEY: (Beaming) Mike! (Pats him on the back) How are things progressing so far?
MIKE: That's what I need to speak with you about Professor. (Notices LAUREN, smiles) Hi.
LAUREN: (Shyly) Hi.
[She is trying not to blush]
HARDLEY: (Noticing this) Oh! I'm sorry, Mike. This is my daughter, Lauren. Lauren, this is Michael Atwood. (Pushes her in front of him, towards MIKE)
MIKE: (Puts goggles around wrist, holds out his hand) Call me Mike.
LAUREN: (Shakes his hand) Hi, Mike. It's nice to meet you.
[Once they stop shaking hands, MIKE looks back at HARDLEY, a serious look on his face]
MIKE: Sir, may I have a word with you? (To LAUREN, smiling again) In private, if you don't mind, Ma'am?
LAUREN: (Blushing again) Um.. Sure! No problem! (To HARDLEY, pointing towards elevator) Dad, do you want me to go a head and-
HARDLEY: Absolutely not! This'll only take a moment. Now you go on over there and sit in Daddy's chair while I speak with the nice young man.
LAUREN: (Extremely embarrassed) Da-Ad! (Through clenched teeth) Don't do that!
HARDLEY: (Not noticing her embarrassment) Go on Sweetheart, I'll be with you in a minute! (Pushes her toward his nearby desk)
LAUREN: (Sighs, still embarrassed) Fine.
[She trudges over to his desk and sits in the revolving chair. She spins once in a while out of boredom throughout HARDLEY and MIKE'S conversation]
[After watching his daughter, turns to MIKE, who also has been observing LAUREN]
HARDLEY: (To MIKE, smiling) So, how are things going on the lower levels?
[MIKE breaks his attention away from LAUREN after a moment and looks at HARDLEY seriously]
MIKE: Sir, some of us involved in the fieldwork have some concern for the amount of darts that-
HARDLEY: Ah, yes! That! (Chuckles, pats him on the back again) There's no need to worry, Mike. Everything is under control.
MIKE: It's just that each dart contains a highly effective toxin that's capable of bringing down a water buffalo in one shot. And during the past week, we've already used.. (Pauses, counting on one hand)..8, maybe 10 darts in all! (Showing concern) Frankly, the boys, including myself, are a bit surprised that he's still alive, not to mention his condition is-
HARDLEY: (Stern, no longer cheerful) Michael, your opinion is not needed at this point. We're well aware of the creature's condition. My colleagues and I are, after all, experienced professionals in our field. (Poking him in the chest) So, if for some obscure reason we can't figure out what the hell is wrong with the subject, then, and ONLY then, will we ask for your opinion! Other wise, I don't want to hear it! For now, you just do what you and your "boys" were hired to do; keeping that thing under control! (Backing off a bit, speaking calmly) Is that perfectly clear, Captain?
[MIKE looks on at him in silence, as if he had expected HARDLEY to act this way, seeing as he had the last time he had brought up the subject]
MIKE: (With forced calm)... Yes, Sir.
[HARDLEY, still a bit angry, forces a smile]
HARDLEY: Good.. (To LAUREN, cheerful again) Alright, Hun, let's go!
[LAUREN, who has been straining to hear the conversation the entire time, tries to act oblivious the moment he looks at her. She gets up out of the chair when she hears the Hun, knowing perfectly well whom he is addressing, and goes to his side]
HARDLEY: (To MIKE) You go ahead and take the rest of the day off, Mike. You look beat!
MIKE: (Forced calm again) Whatever you think is best.... Professor.
[HARDLEY looks at LAUREN and nods with a smile. He then heads toward the elevator]
[LAUREN stays behind for a moment in order to say good-bye to MIKE. But HARDLEY interrupts her before she can even begin to say something]
HARDLEY: (From O/C) Come along, Lauren! Don't dawdle!
[LAUREN glances at MIKE, gives a little wave, along with a quick "bye" before she follows her father into the now open elevator doors. He nods at her with a smile as the doors close. Once they're closed, the smile fades]
MIKE: (To himself, aloud) Experienced my foot. But for his sake. I hope you are, Hardley. God, I hope you are...
[He then walks off towards a door to his right, labeled "Locker Room", as the camera fades to black, ending the scene]
Wow, that was long!! Pheuw!! I hope ya liked it! Please review this one! TTFN! ;)
In response to Dooly's question, sorry, but I don't have a clue about spoilers, I wish I could help ya' out though. If I can, I might try to use references from "Shotgun Wedding". BTW, read "Home and Away,"... Loved it! I like how Fuzzy got his butt beat by a squirrel! Alright Bubbles!...OH YEAH! Sorry, back to the story! Enjoy! ^_^
Lost Promises, Found Friendships
By: Dramaqueen-8.0
Chapter3: Unexpected Guest
[SCENE: The picture returns to the screen, now viewing the inside of the Hardley household. But instead of a lab, we see the interior of a well kept, upper class house, much like that of Professor Utonium's. There are of course a few differences, like how the time period of the house doesn't resemble that of the sixty's, but instead that of a modern decor]
[It is one week later]
[As the camera pans slowly through the house, we see glimpses of the kitchen, dining room, a staircase leading upwards, and the living room. This is where the camera stops]
[This is where we see LAUREN, who is curled up on the sofa. She is now dressed in blue jean shorts and a purple tank top, which in her father's opinion, is too low cut for outside use. So, just for his sake, she has decided to stay inside and relax today, which is why, instead of shoes, she is wearing her favorite pink slippers]
[She is reading "Of Mice and Men". She has her glasses in her free hand and is slightly chewing on one of the earpieces. She has a headset over her ears and is listening to "That's What Girls Do" by No Secrets. She is obviously enjoying her summer vacation, as she reads and hums to her music]
[The camera suddenly pans quickly over to a nearby door, which has just been opened by DICK HARDLEY. He pokes his head out into view and looks around the room rather anxiously. He then spots his daughter on the sofa, smiles, and then comes all the way into the room. Before he shuts the door behind him, there is a bit of commotion heard before it is muted by the closed door]
[HARDLEY rushes over to LAUREN, almost skipping]
HARDLEY: (Singing) Oh, Lauren!!
[He stands behind her, waiting for a response. He then notices the headset over her ears and the music that's blaring from them]
HARDLEY: (A bit sterner) Lauren... Lauren... (Knocks on her head softly, twice) Anybody home...?
[There is still no response. She is obviously ignoring him on purpose. She is very much absorbed in her book and is on the last page]
[HARDLEY, who now shows an annoyed expression, tries to think of a way to get her attention. He brightens, as an idea occurs to him]
HARDLEY: (Grinning slyly) Hey...Doll Face-
LAUREN: WHAT!? (Turns to face him, exasperated) Can't you see that I'm kind of OCCUPIED at the moment!? (Turns off CD player and faces her book again, waving him away) Take a number, POPS, I'll be with ya' in a minute.
[HARDLEY rolls his eyes, knowing that he deserved that one. He then notices the title on the top of the last page of her book.]
HARDLEY: (Reads aloud) "Of Mice and Men"? Isn't that book a little...dreary for you?
LAUREN: (Annoyed) Dad, I'm twenty-three years old. I'm pretty sure I can handle it. (Closes book) Besides, it's a great novel. It's about these two guys during the Depression who are looking for work, but-
HARDLEY: (Interrupts her, excited again) Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's great, punkin! Now... how would you like to see something REALLY worth while? An unforgettable experience, that's definitely better than THAT old piece of literature. (Indicates book)
LAUREN: (Defensive) Dad, this is NOT an "old piece of literature". It's a fantastic, not to mention timeless, piece of writing that any adult could enjoy. Which, by the way, I am immensely doing so. And I don't appreciate you treating this book as if it were an edition of The National Enquirer!
[There is a short pause, as HARDLEY is starring at her blankly this entire time]
HARDLEY: (Hopefully) Soooo.. that's a YES, then? Right?
[LAUREN looks up at him and sighs while taking off her headset. She is still very much taken aback and hurt at her father's disinterest in her book. But, as usual, she decides to humor him for his efforts in science, no matter how absurd they may be]
LAUREN: (Putting on glasses) Alright, fine. (Looks up at him) I'm listening..
[SCENE: The camera now shows the laboratory of Professor Hardley, except this time there are people in lab coats running back and fourth with papers in hand, talking with other scientists about an equation or something of great importance. Equipment is buzzing and lights are flashing all around the room as other scientists look over the information being displayed on the screens and on the paper that is printed from them. Everyone is much jumpier than usual]
[LAUREN thinks this as she follows HARDLEY himself through the crowd of hustle and bustle. She is actually showing some signs of interest as to why everyone is so preoccupied with something that is obviously of great importance. She is curious as to what could possibly be so important]
[The two continue walking until they begin to near a single elevator at the far end of the room. This is something that Lauren is very familiar with. She uses it just about every other day in order to get to the lower levels of the lab. This is where HARDLEY keeps the simulator rooms where she trains and exercises, as she is a bit of a health nut]
[HARDLEY is about five feet away from the elevator, when a man dressed in a kind of black jump suit approaches him. He has short, dark brown hair with eyes to match and looks to be around his twenties. He is holding a pair of strange looking goggles in his left hand that are tinted red on the lenses, and a rifle in his right, which he has resting on his shoulder. His face is slightly glistened with sweat and he looks exhausted]
[LAUREN eyes him curiously, as she has never seen him in the lab before. The fact that he is attractive also gives her a reason to stare]
HARDLEY: (Beaming) Mike! (Pats him on the back) How are things progressing so far?
MIKE: That's what I need to speak with you about Professor. (Notices LAUREN, smiles) Hi.
LAUREN: (Shyly) Hi.
[She is trying not to blush]
HARDLEY: (Noticing this) Oh! I'm sorry, Mike. This is my daughter, Lauren. Lauren, this is Michael Atwood. (Pushes her in front of him, towards MIKE)
MIKE: (Puts goggles around wrist, holds out his hand) Call me Mike.
LAUREN: (Shakes his hand) Hi, Mike. It's nice to meet you.
[Once they stop shaking hands, MIKE looks back at HARDLEY, a serious look on his face]
MIKE: Sir, may I have a word with you? (To LAUREN, smiling again) In private, if you don't mind, Ma'am?
LAUREN: (Blushing again) Um.. Sure! No problem! (To HARDLEY, pointing towards elevator) Dad, do you want me to go a head and-
HARDLEY: Absolutely not! This'll only take a moment. Now you go on over there and sit in Daddy's chair while I speak with the nice young man.
LAUREN: (Extremely embarrassed) Da-Ad! (Through clenched teeth) Don't do that!
HARDLEY: (Not noticing her embarrassment) Go on Sweetheart, I'll be with you in a minute! (Pushes her toward his nearby desk)
LAUREN: (Sighs, still embarrassed) Fine.
[She trudges over to his desk and sits in the revolving chair. She spins once in a while out of boredom throughout HARDLEY and MIKE'S conversation]
[After watching his daughter, turns to MIKE, who also has been observing LAUREN]
HARDLEY: (To MIKE, smiling) So, how are things going on the lower levels?
[MIKE breaks his attention away from LAUREN after a moment and looks at HARDLEY seriously]
MIKE: Sir, some of us involved in the fieldwork have some concern for the amount of darts that-
HARDLEY: Ah, yes! That! (Chuckles, pats him on the back again) There's no need to worry, Mike. Everything is under control.
MIKE: It's just that each dart contains a highly effective toxin that's capable of bringing down a water buffalo in one shot. And during the past week, we've already used.. (Pauses, counting on one hand)..8, maybe 10 darts in all! (Showing concern) Frankly, the boys, including myself, are a bit surprised that he's still alive, not to mention his condition is-
HARDLEY: (Stern, no longer cheerful) Michael, your opinion is not needed at this point. We're well aware of the creature's condition. My colleagues and I are, after all, experienced professionals in our field. (Poking him in the chest) So, if for some obscure reason we can't figure out what the hell is wrong with the subject, then, and ONLY then, will we ask for your opinion! Other wise, I don't want to hear it! For now, you just do what you and your "boys" were hired to do; keeping that thing under control! (Backing off a bit, speaking calmly) Is that perfectly clear, Captain?
[MIKE looks on at him in silence, as if he had expected HARDLEY to act this way, seeing as he had the last time he had brought up the subject]
MIKE: (With forced calm)... Yes, Sir.
[HARDLEY, still a bit angry, forces a smile]
HARDLEY: Good.. (To LAUREN, cheerful again) Alright, Hun, let's go!
[LAUREN, who has been straining to hear the conversation the entire time, tries to act oblivious the moment he looks at her. She gets up out of the chair when she hears the Hun, knowing perfectly well whom he is addressing, and goes to his side]
HARDLEY: (To MIKE) You go ahead and take the rest of the day off, Mike. You look beat!
MIKE: (Forced calm again) Whatever you think is best.... Professor.
[HARDLEY looks at LAUREN and nods with a smile. He then heads toward the elevator]
[LAUREN stays behind for a moment in order to say good-bye to MIKE. But HARDLEY interrupts her before she can even begin to say something]
HARDLEY: (From O/C) Come along, Lauren! Don't dawdle!
[LAUREN glances at MIKE, gives a little wave, along with a quick "bye" before she follows her father into the now open elevator doors. He nods at her with a smile as the doors close. Once they're closed, the smile fades]
MIKE: (To himself, aloud) Experienced my foot. But for his sake. I hope you are, Hardley. God, I hope you are...
[He then walks off towards a door to his right, labeled "Locker Room", as the camera fades to black, ending the scene]
Wow, that was long!! Pheuw!! I hope ya liked it! Please review this one! TTFN! ;)