A/N- this is a really short chapter, sorry, but it is mainly to show the dynamics and friendship between the three, Max, Liz and Michael. And to get a little more into Michael's head, though I'm not sure it accomplished it's goal. So, here it is.
NYM
Chapter 4: Welcome to New York
The phone rang in the quiet hotel bedroom in a shrill and offensive tone. Groaning Michael rolled over and fumble for the source of his torment. When he picked up the phone he grumbled something that sounded vaguely like, "What?"
"This is your 10 o'clock wake-up call. Thank you for staying at the Lions Den." Came a too perky, and too awake voice from the other end. The click of the line disconnecting was answered by Michael's entire vocabulary of profanities, which happen to span many languages. If you learn nothing else about a culture, at least learn its curses, words to live by. Rolling out of bed and onto his feet he just groaned, and kicked the unoffending night stand, resulting in more curses.
"I thought this was a vacation." He moaned, rubbing his sore toe and limping towards the bathroom.
"I think he's up." Liz commented absently, as she thanked the now freaked out room service gentleman and gave him his tip. With a hurried bow he rushed off down the hall.
"That was a little cruel honey. You know he hates waking up when he doesn't have to." Max told her, flipping through channels, stopping briefly on a work out fitness show then continuing on at his wife's sidelong glance.
"It had to be done, he sleeps like a rock, a really stubborn rock." Liz explained, lifting the lids off of the stack of breakfast dishes. "Where did all these come from? I told you to order enough for us, not for 8." Lizzy rolled her eyes at her lounging husband.
"That is enough for us. The breakfast platter is for you, and then Michael and I can divvy up the other 6. I think that should be enough." Max gave her a sweet little smile which only caused her to roll her eyes again and grab her plate. She then sat on her husband, pinning him to the couch.
"Honey, I want to get up and eat too you know."
"To bad." Liz told him, taking a big bite out of her bacon. "Mmm! This is so good." She moaned, stressing every word. Then she stuck her tongue out at him. Laughing, Max grabbed her around the waist, and careful not to tip her plate lifted her in the air. Once he was up and out of the way he carefully dropped her on the couch.
"Fine, I get your spot now." She tried to sound miffed and dignified, but was laughing too much.
"I'll be right back, and I'll want my spot back." He told her, play threatening.
"Oh no, Mrs. Deviil." Liz exclaimed, still laughing.
Suddenly there was a loud crash followed by more cursing from Michael's room.
Silence ensued. "Um, I think he started the shower." Liz said slowly.
"And probably found out that we used all the warm water. He never was one to test the temp before just stepping in." Max guessed, bacon half way to his mouth.
All Liz could do was nod and laugh weakly.
Drying his hair as he walked out of the steam filled bathroom wearing a towel, Michael finally started to like a living being again. He dug through hid still packed suitcase and pulled out random cloths. Sniffing at the articles he had retrieved he shrugged and slipped it on.
When he was done getting ready he pushed open the door to see Liz and Max tickling each other on the couch.
"Oh good lord, what have I done for this punishment?" He asked, casting his eyes heavenward. He then slipped past the couple and into the kitchen, completely ignoring them. After being around these two for as many years as he had he developed a method of ignoring them completely. The only issue with this is Liz's giggles and squeals broke through that impenetrable barrier.
He checked out what was in the covered dishes, then picked a few he liked and walked over to the chair next to the couch. He settled into the chair, then, snagging the remote, he blared the volume to drown out the giggles.
"Come to BROADWAY!" An announcer sang out, leading into a commercial advertising Alex and Isabel's play.
"So guys, we're going to this tonight?" Glancing over at the still tickling and kissing couple, trying not to laugh as he wolfed down his food. "I'll guess that's a yes, I see you guys back here at 4."
"Uh, huh." Came a garbled response from the heap on the couch.
"I'll call if I need anything."
"Uh, huh."
"The FBI just broke in and we're all going to be taken in for genetic experiments involving needles."
"Uh, huh."
"That's what I thought, see you guys." Michael picked up his now empty dishes and dropped them into the sink, then walked out of the hotel room.
As the door clicked closed Liz and Max finally looked up, trying to catch their breath from their all out war.
"Uh, where's Michael, I could have sworn I heard his voice." Asked Liz.
"Where's the FBI?" Max asked blurrily, still dazed from Liz's kiss.
"What? FBI? Get up." Liz told her hubby, smacking his shoulder at his stupid response.
"What?" Asked Max, sitting up and rubbing his shoulder.
"Now, come on, I wanna get some shopping done before lunch. Hurry, we've been inside way to long!" Liz exclaimed, dragging Max behind her, turing left in the hall towards the elevator.
"Oh, like another 3 minutes to get our shoes on would really hurt your time schedule dearest." Max stated, looking down at Liz's sock covered feet.
"Oh, yeah, back to base, then we go shopping. I have to look nice for the opening night!"
"Honey, what about those 3 other nice dresses you brought here for that purpose?"
"Oh, those wont do, come on!" Liz enthused, again dragging her willing captive.
Michael stepped into the lobby from the stairwell and took a deep breath. The stairwell was stuffy and musty, though the lobby smelled of perfumes and leather. Holding the door for a family of four, he then continued walking into the tiled entry way. He nodded at the uniformed guard who held the door.
"Need a taxi sir?" The balding man asked.
"No thank you though. I'm going to explore on foot." Michael decided spur of the moment, his voice even and quiet.
"Very good sir" The guard tipped his hat and promptly turned to smile at another guest.
Michael looked around, then shrugged and started walking left, as most people were. Michael stuffed his hands deep into his pockets and hunched his shoulders a little as he walked. He glanced at store fronts and took in thee appearance of the people milling around them.
A child caught his eye. It was a boy of about 10 leaning against the building wall, trying to look cool and nonchalant, but to Michael he looked suspicious. Michael watched as the boy made his move, a man's wallet. Oh, he's smooth, Michael thought, watching the kid pick the distracted man's pocket. Michael also moved in. he pick up the boy, took the wallet and calmly tapped the oblivious man on the shoulder.
"Excuse me, sir, your wallet fell out of your pocket. My little brother found it." Michael explained, alleviating suspicion as he could, and handing over the wallet.
"Oh, um, thank you." The man said to Michael and the boy, then went into the office he had just exited, presumably he had forgotten something. As he passed the revolving door he was frantically checking that he had everything.
"God Man! Let go of me! What was that!" The kid kissed, trying to get out of Michael's firm grip.
"First off, never take the wallet, they care too much about that." Michael said, finally getting a good look at the kid. "Second, try getting a job, delivering newspapers or something, before resorting to this. Even then, don't steal. Okay kid?" Michael could tell he was not getting through other than getting the kid to think he needed to be committed. Well, maybe he did. "What am I saying, you are still going to steal after this, and probably get caught again by a cop this time, then get tried as a Juvenile and get fined or something. Just think before doing." Shrugging, Michael set the kid down, wondering as he did why he had gone all parental all of a sudden.
"What ever man." The kid said, jerking his arm out of Michael's already loose grip and slipping into the crowd.
"Yeah, what ever." Michael said to himself, then continued on down the side walk, heading towards the locals district. He could already see the mom 'n pop stores, and the apartments. He hunched his shoulders some more, and kept walking as the crowd thinned out. "Welcome to New York." He said to himself sarcastically.
A/N- the theif was just an idea i had, it has some symbolism, but it's so vague in my own head, that i'm gonna let you figure it out yourselves, you'er probably right. hope you are likeing the story!
