Author's note: Disclaimers pretty much the same, but I twisted some of the facts we know here (some OOC traits can be observed). So, let's get on it!
Rugrats Midlife: Seven Years in Seven Days
Chapter Three: Leaving!
Phil
With spring break on track, I decided to take the opportunity to organize our retreat plans. So Wednesday night, after checking some test papers I would give out after the break, I went to typing profiles of my friends, based from what I knew about them. And man, do I know them!
After about three and a half hours (including resting my fingers from all the typing) I was now printing my friends' profiles when my Filipino-American roommate, Fr. Roel, looked in.
"Whoa! Oh, Roel, it's you," I interjected as he went in.
"Sorry for interrupting you there, pare (pal)," Roel replied. "Whatcha doing there?"
"Ah, nothing, something for the retreat thing I brought up with the Father Superior yesterday," I responded rather calmly. "And no, you may not look at them."
The other guy just looked at me asking for a chance."Oh come on, Phil, like we hadn't shared anything the past seven years!"
"That alone isn't a reason why I can give this to you, bud. You have your own goings-on, I have mine."
"Hay naku, Phil naman..."
"Fine! Take a look." I don't really know what persuaded me to give them to him, but to cut the long story short, I gave the finished profiles to him. If you were reading it this is what you'd see:
Pickles, Col. Thomas Louis, USMC (Ret.) (Tommy)
Civil Status: married, to (formerly) Kimi Watanabe-Finster
Occupation: Chief Security Consultant, CFP Securities
Characteristics: frank, devoted, courageous, creative, a bit conservative, temperate
Interests: world affairs, filmmaking (even though it blacked out on him as a career), taking care of his kids, making up his own cadences, sports
Often takes the role of: Fearless Leader
Pickles, Kimi Watanabe-Finster
Civil Status: married (see above)
Occupation: Asst. Chief Security Consultant for Technology, CFP Securities
Characteristics: a bit of a rebel, frank, liberal, cheerful, optimistic, very creative
Interests: alternative and country music, foreign languages, Internet safety, kids, paintball and other extreme sports
Often takes the role of: Fearless Bride of the Fearless Leader
Finster, Charles Crandel III (Chuckie)
Civil Status: married, to (formerly) Madeleine Antoinette Fulbright
Occupation: President and Chief Executive Officer, Finster Holdings
Characteristics: pragmatic, a bit anxious, prone to panic, family man, diplomatic, moderately religious, braver than he used to be as a child
Interests: business and legal affairs, newsmagazine shows, golf, religious programs & services, volunteering in charity programs, family
Often takes the role of: Peacekeeper, (de facto) Chaplain, Alarm Bell
Cruz, Lilian Mary Ann DeVille (Lil)
Civil Status: married, to Gunnery Sgt. (Ret.) Alfredo Cruz y Villaruel
Occupation: (former) Vice President for Human Resources, Finster Holdings, (currently) housewife
Characteristics: homey, creative, temperate, has strong stomach for ridiculosity a bit superstitious Interests: kids, human resources, guitar lessons, pissing me off
Often takes the role of: (with me) Cocky Consultants, (she alone) Piss-off
"Ridiculosity?" Roel asked, "Does that word even exist? And you sure don't look too kindly at your sister, don't you?"
"You try having a twin sister like that Roel and see if that doesn't affect you," I replied briskly. "But otherwise, God help her."
Pickles, Dylan Prescott (Dil)
Civil Status: married, to (formerly) Katrina Shalhoub
Occupation: President and CEO, Pickles Technologies
Characteristics: unconventional, creative, imaginative, sly, opinionated
Interests: aliens, conspiracy theories, unconventional dress, reading Proust
Often takes the role of: Town Oddball
"What in heaven's name happened to him?" Roel asked.
"Lil and I accidentally dropped him on his head some months after he was born. Don't ask for details."
Gottwald, Angelica C. Pickles
Civil Status: married, to multimillionaire Calvin Gottwald
Occupation: syndicated lifestyle columnist
Characteristics: sly, cunning, formerly arrogant
Interests: writing, Easy Listening music, stock markets, fine food and wine, latest fashion and diet trends
Often takes the role of: weasly brat nearing menopause
"Not exactly the nicest person you'll ever meet, eh?"
"Yep. Fortunately for us, age at this stage means Angelica actually wishes she was one of us. Ain't it ironic?" He continued reading.
Jones, Susan Carmichael (Susie), M.D.
Civil Status: married, to Atty. Malcolm Jones
Occupation: pediatrician, w/ competency in obstetrics
Characteristics: articulate, opinionated, scientific, streetsmart, sharp, very talented
Interests: singing (R&B, Easy Listening, jazz, pop), chess, lifestyle magazines
Often takes the role of: Voice of Reason, Angelica's counterbalance
Roel then looked at me. "So this is your turn now, eh?"
"No prizes for guessing," I replied. "Maybe that's some pile of inflated, sexed-up data you're holding there."
"Oh come on, pare, we are but people. Writing about ourselves is often subjective."
DeVille, Rev. Fr. Philip, S.J.
Civil Status: single, but married to the Church
Occupation: priest sidelining as Biology teacher at Xavier Catholic Academy
Characteristics: pliant, homey, a bit disgusting, lovable, strict on students, gracious with friends
Interests: Biology, water skiing, cars, missionary efforts, singing
Often takes the role of: de jure Chaplain, Clown Prince, (with Lil) Cocky Consultants
"I knew it!" Roel exclaimed. Gracious with friends, he says-you didn't even-"
"Geez, have you ever been my friend, Roel?" I laughed. "Kidding-fine then, so you are my friend."
The other priest then gave my sheets back to me. "So how long have you known them?"
"Since we were in diapers," I replied. "That's how I got to know everyone. Kimi was the latest addition-we met her in Paris. Her mother used to work at the Reptarland there, and Chuckie's dad was supposed to marry another woman. Fortunately LaBouche's coup scheme was foiled, and the rest is history."
"Just like the movies," he replied with a smile. "Siya, it's kinda late. Both of us should better go to sleep. Good night!" He then left the same way he got in-quietly.
"Good night yourself, Roel," I muttered as I saved the file and shut down the PC.
Tommy
"Granna-san!" came Clem and Des as they lunged towards Kira, who had just barely stepped out of the station wagon when two hyperactive kids bore down on her.
"Now, now-aagh, now my little ones, calm down-Huseyin, onegai (please)!" She said with a bit of excitement and exasperation as the driver (Huseyin) helped her up. She then turned to both me and the kids. "Now I want you to behave while your parents are not around-certainly you wouldn't want to see them disappointed at your behavior, ne?"
"Yes, Granna-san," Des, the over-eager boy said as he helped her get up more properly. This was so cute a moment I don't know what I was doing not having a camera around.
OK, moment over. Chuckie, Madie, Kimi, Carl, Mellie, Tancred and-God bless us all-Rupert came out of the green Camaro from another end of the street. The moment Rupert got out would be worse than the firefight I went through in Kabuganda two years ago, though fortunately no bullets won't cut me down like two did that time-I was also felled by shrapnel at the back.
Kira just leered at Rupert with an evil glare, then at me with a look of betrayal. "What's the meaning of this, Thomas?" She knows what it means.
"Let's just say it was a reconciliation attempt?" I stuttered nervously. Fortunately Kimi came out in my defense.
"Come on, Mommy-sama, please," she pleaded. "For the kids. For us. Onegai, ne?"
"Fine then!" her mother responded. " I just hope Rupert doesn't cause trouble."
"Can't botha lookin, ye flat-eyed Jap," he sneered in derision.
"Ha! Flat eyeballs are a small price to pay for not having a ruptured ass-"
"Ya makin' fun of my medical conditiun, Kirer?"
"Like you didn't Rupe?" The three of us got to peacekeeping mode as Kimi went berserk, shouting in Japlish about the kids and Chuckie trying to calm down his father-in-law and calling Madie (who remained in the car) for help. Fortunately, Madie, who was still staying in the car, ran up and asked Huseyin what the hell happened.
"Madam felt slighted about Rupert-bey's comment on her myopic vision, so she mocked his colostomy bag." Madie just looked at the two angrily. "I don't think this is good for their blood pressure. Oh, Stuart-bey is here." Dil had just dropped off Dad and his two-year-old son Daniel, but not before introducing himself. (Introduction here means he went down and had a chat.)
"Yaller, fellas! So what's the buzz?"
"Or what almost made it," Kimi said without delay. "Mom and Rupe nearly turned this into a slugfest."
"Dang, often happens!" He exclaimed. Dad now approached the two seniors to try and calm them down (I've seen this before with mom, and maybe that's rubbed off on him too.) He said, "Look, the two of you. As you would say Kira, let's deal with this like the civilized people we claim to be, okay? Okay?" Both seniors nodded. "Good. I'll try to keep you apart while we're here."
"Foine then," Rupert huffed.
"Understood," Kira snickered. Both still looked at each other with seething hatred, but for the kids' sake calmed down. "But I wash my hands on any untoward incident that happens."
"So do I," Rupert retorted. "Come onnaw, kids, let's get in. Ye parents leave at three'n th' mornin', 'kay?"
"At three in the darn morning?" Dil asked.
"Yes, D, at three in the darn morning," I replied. "Now let's get inside the house, our dinner won't wait."
As we went inside, Tancred tugged my shirt.
"Uncle Tommy?"
"Yes, Tank?" I replied with the nickname I made up for him.
"Why do Granna and Grampa often quarrel?
"Wish we knew, Tank," Kimi replied for me, apparently overhearing the conversation. "Wish we knew."
OK, I know what you're thinking, why the animosity, but we won't deal with much of that. The next day, they will leave for Berkel Creek. What will happen on the way? Watch for it in the Tommy-viewpoint Chapter Four: Along the Way to Berkel Creek.
P.S: Any complaints should be sent to me personally.