Disclaimer - Unfortunately I do not own Sam, "Benny and Joon" or Buster Keaton's hat.
Oh, thanks for all the suggestions for stories everyone! Hmmm, I don't know, I'm kinda leaning towards Don Juan at the moment - only because there is a very short supply out there, and I love the movie! *sigh* wouldn't mind owning Don Juan, especially when he looks suspiciously like Johnny Depp! lol.
OK, this chapter I realise is kinda draggy, it was a real pain in the ass to write. Hmm, I decided to pull a "Kill Bill" (kick-ass movie!! QT - you're the best!) and split it so I can stretch this story for all it's worth - and because I'm too impatient to think of the rest right now. Alrighty - so please forgive me for screwing the story up! Hope you don't hate it too much!
Once they had gotten back to the apartment, Sam had decided he wanted to be alone for a few hours. It was lucky that not all that much had actually been burnt by the fire - mostly just some items in Joon's art room. It was surprising, considering the amount of smoke which had been present at the time. Sam thanked his lucky stars. He decided to take a bath so he wouldn't look like a mud monster, and also, so he could ponder over what was to happen at 2 o'clock. Would it be filled with awkward silences, would it resemble a grand epic showdown - spaghetti western style? More importantly - would Joon forgive him, and would he be allowed to explain his side of the story?
These questions swam wildly around in Sam's head as he sat in the frothy bath, with an expression of deep thought etched on his face. 'Well, I guess I should at least try and look presentable for Joon - maybe even wear my spiffy new spats! Fred Astaire wore spats. Everyone likes Fred Astaire!'
Sam held his breath as he submerged beneath the frothy bath water. Sam was afraid of taking a shower at the moment - with a cranky Joon on the loose - who may decide to swing by the apartment early, Sam was slightly afraid Joon may pull a "Psycho" on him. Sam knew Joon wasn't THAT cranky . . . but still, a bath seemed a less scary option at the moment. Drawing a breath, Sam stole a glance at the bathroom clock. Hmmm, better get ready soon, there was a LOT to do before 2 o'clock.Sam rose from the bath and wrapped a towel around himself as he padded towards the bedroom, leaving a trail of watery footprints behind him.
Sifting though his closet, he found the perfect outfit to wear. Actually, it was pretty much what he usually DID wear - except for one thing - the hat. This was Sam's most treasured possession. One genuine hat which was once worn by the great Buster Keaton himself! Sam only wore this on VERY special occasions, or when he needed a little luck. He didn't dare wear it as his everyday hat - as after watching several films had become a great believer in Murphy's Law - if something can go wrong - it will. After all, there are a LOT of birds out there . . . Sam didn't know what he would do if ANYTHING ever happened to this hat. His grandfather had been a prop and costume guy on some of Keaton's early shorts, like "The High Sign", and had decided to keep the hat as a memento. Sam gazed lovingly at the hat - if anything would give him luck today - it was this hat. It was like it was blessed!
So once Sam was dressed to kill, and dashed down stairs to the kitchen. Sam started madly making sandwiches - peanut butter and banana, honey and asparagus, etc. Once Sam was done with the sandwiches, he grabbed some appetizing fruit and some drinks and placed them carefully into a large cane basket. Sam paused. He was forgetting something. A light bulb went off in his head. He skidded over to the linen press and pulled out a shabby old blanket which faintly reeked of moth balls. Sam reeled back slightly, pulling a face.
'Gee, probably should have aired it first' he realized. "OK" he started out loud as he paced back and forth "we've got food, drinks, a blanket . . .is that it?" Sam pondered silently for a moment 'Hmmm, I know! I'll get her some flowers on the way, but NOT daisies' he thought with a grin.
Satisfied, he grabbed the basket, and his cane and strolled outside. Ruthy was standing by her door. Together, arm-in-arm, they left in the hope of making peace with Joon...or at least something like it...
* * *
At around noon, Joon was released from the hospital with a clear bill of health. This would give Joon a few hours to consider what was to come.
Did Sam honestly think she would forgive him just like that? Simply forget all that she had witnessed over the past week? My God, that little monkey better have a jolly good excuse, or he would be in for a nasty surprise! Joon shook her head, trying to keep it clear of all these powerful emotions and thoughts. 'Calm yourself down Juniper, give Sam a chance. You never know - he might just surprise you' the tiny voice in her head reasoned. "You're right, maybe SOMEHOW all the things I've seen all week could just be . . .um . . .I don't know, YOU'RE supposed to be the SMART ONE!" Passers-by stopped and stared in her direction. "What?! Haven't you ever seen someone talk to themselves before?!" Joon roared. The passers-by all gulped, and moved at a slightly quicker pace than before.
Now, where was I? Ah yes . . .Sam. 'What am I going to do?' Joon thought desperately as she sat on an old bench. Joon knew she shouldn't be the one moping around - although . . . if Sam and Ruthy WERE "together" . . . yep, he SHOULD be the mopey one after all. Joon wasn't actually sure whether she truly believed Sam could ever care for anyone the way he did for Joon. She knew deep down . . . 'no, you DON'T know deep down - if you DID - you would have already made up' the voice nagged.
"I'm so confused" Joon cried out softly.
* * *
"What kind of flowers do you think she would like?" Sam asked Ruthy thoughtfully "There's so many to chose from!" Ruthy frowned "I remember in 'Kate and Leopold' Leopold was telling Charlie what the different flowers meant, you know - friendship, love . . .hate - I don't think you'd like to give Joon a "hate" flower, do you!" Ruthy said with a small laugh. Sam shook his head fearfully. "Arg! I'm sorry Sam, I can't remember. Um well, I'd probably stay away from pink carnations, so how about some daisies? They're nice happy flowers!" Ruthy suggested with a shrug.
Sam was about to tell Ruthy of the trouble he had at the park with the evil daisy, but stopped, remembering the bright, sunny smile Joon had wore that day; the sweet laughter which had escaped her lips. "Yes" he said slowly "maybe it might make Joon remember the better times we've had! Thanks Ruthy!" Sam pulled out his pocket watch and flipped it open.
1:45pm.
OK, this was it - time to face the music . . .
Wow, is it just me - or did like NOTHING happened in this chapter?! lol - but the NEXT chapter, well, hopefully that's where the REAL action comes in (well, not action literally, but hopefully something which resolves or adds to the plot (or LACK of . . .) Ooh only 65 days until Once Upon A Time In Mexico comes out on dvd! - I am SOOO jealous of all those lucky American and others who've already GOT OUATIM - about a million years ago! *sigh* Well, hopefully my next chapter will be better - if anyone is still reading it! Thanks again everyone who reads and REVIEWS (wink-wink) my story!!! You all rock!