Carol
There was one very important ex, Monica thought, someone no-one had considered. It was crazy to think that Carol would have anything to do with this terrible stalking but if there was a plot, perhaps she'd been approached. Perhaps someone had asked her questions. There was no way that Ross would talk to Carol - not for a second would he consider that she might know anything about the terrible recent events, but someone had to ask.
So she went to see Carol and after opening pleasantries, she brought up the topic of the wedding.
'Yeah,' Carol said, 'I've been trying to work around the dates. Ben's had to cancel a trip away.' Monica hadn't expected a complaint.
'Well it is his father's wedding,' she said.
'I know, but boys aren't really into all that wedding stuff,' Carol said. 'We couldn't reschedule the trip so he's a bit disappointed. There's no chance that the date will change is there?'
'No,' Monica said.
'Good. But Susan and I won't be coming.'
'What? Why not?' Monica asked.
'Well something came up for Susan with her family. Also she's asked me to come, so I'm going too.'
'But,' Monica said, 'It's Ross's wedding.' It was unthinkable that Carol would miss it.
'You can't expect Susan to prioritise that over her family,' Carol said.
'But what about you? And Ben?'
'Ben's going with Jack and Judy,' Carol said, 'As for me, well, I should be with Susan, she needs me.'
'But Ross went to your wedding,' Monica said.
'Yes, and I'm still married,' Carol said. 'This is his fourth wedding. The first I had to be there for, but Monica,' Carol laughed, 'Really, you don't expect me to change my plans for this do you?'
'This marriage is going to last,' Monica insisted, hating the way that Carol's eyebrows twitched ever so slightly.
'I can only hope so. After what he did to that poor British girl and then the mess in Las Vegas, it had better last.' Monica scowled. She didn't like the way Carol was talking about Ross one bit. 'Anyway, was there something you wanted?' Carol asked.
'Well yes,' Monica said, recalled to her mission. 'I was just wanting to know if anyone has been asking you about the wedding.'
'One or two people have.'
'Really?' Monica was now alert.
'They've been wondering what's going to go wrong this time.' Monica shivered.
'Hopefully nothing.'
'I hope so to. It's about time he settled down,' Carol said.
'What are the names of the people have been asking questions?' Monica asked.
'Why do you want to know? You look anxious.'
'I am. We think someone's trying to stop the wedding.'
'You're kidding me right?' Carol laughed.
'No, I'm serious,' Monica insisted. 'Someone's been bugging us.' Carol laughed again.
'Oh that's too wild, I had no idea it was that bad.'
'It is,' Monica said, mystified by Carol's laughter. This was so far from being funny...
'No, I mean you guys. The world doesn't revolve around you six you know. There are millions of people in New York who couldn't give two hoots about Ross and Rachel's wedding.'
'What?' Monica was horrified. Carol didn't believe her!
'It's getting a bit old,' Carol said. 'I just can't get over how you seem to think it's all so important to other people.'
'It must be if people are bugging us!' Monica exclaimed, but Carol shook her head in pity.
'You're not so bad, but Ross has always been amazingly self centred and he hasn't gotten any better with time.'
'How dare you!' Monica was getting nowhere with this and she decided to go.
'You really need to get a little less involved with each other,' Carol said, 'You're so enmeshed, it's unhealthy.' That was just incredible, Monica thought. Friendship was always healthy!
'I never asked for your opinion,' Monica said. 'I thought you were different!' She had got to the door when Susan came in.
'Hey Monica, good to see you.' Monica, who had been about to storm out hesitated at the door, not wanting to be rude.
'Hi Susan.'
'Guess it's all busy with the wedding,' Susan said breezily. And to Monica's horror she winked.
'You - you - ' Susan was staring at her as though nothing had happened. Monica looked at Carol, who was frowning slightly. She just couldn't bring herself to say anything. As Ross had said about Julie, what difference would it make?
