A/N: Yeah! You don't know how thrilled I am that people actually are reading and liking this! Thank you for your reviews!!! Now after putting this chapter up, it's the same amount of chapters The-N has, so you can't cheat ;).
Disclaimer: I do not own RFR, only Danielle.
Chapter 7
I stared down at my half glass filled chocolate shake, pondering quietly. It still didn't make the slightest sense, on how I got here. I replayed all the events in my head, and still came up with nothing. I shrugged. Actually, how could it make the slightest sense? I was in the world of a TV show that I watched weekly at home, a world in which Roscoe was a real place, a real school, or maybe even a evil abyss to some. I tapped the counter thoughtfully. I didn't know if I should take it as a dream, or a wacked-out nightmare.
I absentmindedly stirred what was left of my milk shake with my straw. It was after school, and I some how managed to follow a group of students to Mickey's, a usual hang out spot for the Roscoe High students. I didn't engage in a conversation with them, or anything like that. I could just picture it if I did : 'Hey, I was just in a TV set of Mickey's a few hours ago!' Yeah, that would be a definite ice breaker, but I would totally freak them out in the process. I took a glance around the restaurant, café, what ever you want to call it, there were some kids listening to samples of CDs by the racks, some 'chilling' on the couch talking to friends. Others were at tables hunched over text books and papers busily scribbling down homework and notes.
With a sigh I reached over to my own text book which was idly sitting next to my seated spot on the high table I was at. I didn't plan to do school work, since I considered this all 'weird mix up', and not permanent , but at least maybe it would keep me from being bored. I opened the text book to the pages that we were doing in class. I glanced down at them, with very little interest.
"It's four o'clock," said the guy with the many braids who worked behind the counter. "RFR is on now, put it on 88.l, will ya?" I watched as another man behind the counter obediently reached up for the small yellow and blue radio and turned the dial. Slight static was heard through the speakers. Conversation around the room quieted down, people took off their headphones and started to listen intently. Surprised by this interest of so many people, I closed my book and also started to listen.
"This is......," a voice started, coming through the radio speakers.
"Radio....." a calm deep voice added.
"Free....." A female voice chimed in.
"Roscoe!" a comical voice ended.
"I'm Question Mark, and I'm wondering.......what can you get out of good judgment?" Question Mark asked. I looked around the room of earnest listeners It was weird that I knew he was actually Robbie. Defiantly weird, but also slightly on the cool side.
"Well," Pronto started confidently. "You probably will make the right choice and do the right thing."
"Yeah, but that can't always be good, right?" Shady Lane asked in more of a statement way.
"Why?" Pronto's confidence faltered in his voice.
"There is pros and cons of good judgment," Smog commented. "It is what you make of it that counts. You could have really poor judgment but make the best of it by learning from some of the mistakes you make with it. That means you use the poor judgment to your benefit. If you always have good judgment, one day when you make a mistake, you won't know how to fix it....."
"But would you never make a mistake if you always have good judgment?" Pronto interrupted. There was a long deep sigh heard.
"You aren't getting me, are you?" Smog asked. When there was no answer he started talking again. "How about we use an example of judgment from our callers? The lines are now opened."
After a few moments there was a telephone ring heard from the radio speakers.
"Hello, Drama Queen, you're on the air," said Question Mark, "What are your feelings on judgment?"
"Well, I think that people can make horrible judgments! They can totally rip your heart out and break it into pieces! Like my stupid ex boyfriend! He- he...."
"Um, Drama Queen," Question Mark started. "I feel really bad about you situation you've got there, but....."
"And you know what he did! Do you? Do you? He just never called or anything and......"
A few snickers were heard in the room. A couple of girls whispered to each other and started giggling as if they knew who the boyfriend deprived girl was. A deep sigh came from the side of me.
"Jeez, I feel bad for those kids," I man spoke "They have to put with her today, not being able to hang up, with freedom of speech and all that."
I turned and recognized the man as Mickey, the one who owned the place. He was wiping down the counter with a rag, listening to the radio, and tut- tuting the caller's outburst. I listened vaguely as the Drama Queen babbled on and on about her ex and his history of bad judgment. "Well, she certainly lives up to her name." I commented with a smile. Mickey also smiled and gave a small chuckle. He sat himself on the stool next to me.
"You know, I give those kids a lot of credit. It's some responsibility to have a radio station, not to mention your own. Everyday after school they have that show. Great kids, I always wonder which ones from the Roscoe bunch they are though."
"Defiantly," I agreed. I, of course, knew the identities of these people. It just never hit me how mysterious it is to all those who listened to the station regularly. If not for the TV show, I would be just as curious.
Mickey snorted at another interruption the Drama Queen did to Question Mark's feeble attempt to quiet her. "Great kids that are doing this show. They are always speaking out and helping others...."
"Yeah, helping people...." I repeated quietly to myself. I fingered my glass thoughtfully.
"And they're pretty darn good at it too!" Mickey continued "I mean they have callers and everything, either to voice an opinion, or to ask a question, which the RFR crew answers. It's a really great thing they are doing." Mickey frowns slightly "Even though Principal Waller isn't too thrilled about it, I can tell you right now, I thoroughly enjoy it." Mickey sighs and gives me a smile. "You just have to take advice and suggestions when it is handed to you like that."
I listened to him quietly, after his last words. It was true, when advice is offered, take it. I turned and looked at my now empty glass, thinking about my situation and the irony of it all. Mickey watched me stare hard at my glass.
"Well, sorry for going on and on like that. I probably bored you stiff. I should get back to work anyways....."
"Thanks Mickey." I said as I eagerly took my cell phone out of my pocket with a grin. I knew what I had to do."Thanks so much for everything!"
"Um, your welcome..," said Mickey while giving me a bewildered look as I jumped off my stool. The cries and babbling of the dramatized caller were suddenly brought to a sudden stop in the back round. I stopped and listened.
"Uh, that's all the time we have for you Drama Queen," Pronto said. "Maybe you could call tomorrow," he added thoughtfully. There was a 'smack' sound in the back round. "Ow.....okay, maybe tomorrow wouldn't be a good day either...."
"Well, our lines are open to other callers. We'll get back to you after this song." Question Mark stated. I grabbed my bags and books off the counter and rushed out of Mickey's, with the cell phone gripped tightly in my hand. Once I was outside, I punched the RFR phone number into my cell phone. I placed the phone to my ear as I walked down the sidewalk. I frantically second guessed myself about what I was doing. Well, I couldn't back down now, so I let the phone continue ringing on the other end.
"Hello this is RFR, can I please have a nick name." Smog answered.
"Uh...Lost Alien.." I blurted. It wasn't very creative, but it was true to my situation.
"Okay Lost Alien, please hold for a few moments," said Smog aka Travis. I waited patiently on hold until the song ended. My heart was thumping uncontrollably. But I knew this was the only way. I continued walking at a fast pace down the sidewalk.
"Hello, we're back and we have another caller. Hello Lost Alien. Have any thoughts about judgment? Maybe even examples."
"Well, I would like to ask about telling a secret, having a good judgment on when you should tell, or who to tell." I explained. My mouth was beginning to dry up. I waited patiently for the response, as I kept my fast pace walking.
"That's very interesting thought," Shady Lane began "I feel that you should tell a secret if you feel that you should, or it's the right time to tell."
"Or maybe even tell the secret when it effects those around you, including yourself." Question Mark put in. They were pretty interested in the conversation that I had started. I turned and started walking into a familiar alley way.
"I feel that you should tell a secret to those who are willing to listen, or willing to help." Smog added wisely. "It of course depends on the secret." I reached for the wooden door and gripped the cool metal handle. I slowly opened it.
"Is your question answered?" Pronto asked curiosly. I slowly made my way down the metal stairs.
"Yes, it is," I began speaking into the cell phone. "Because now I know that I have to find people to trust, to confide in......"
I opened the thin metal door wide and stepped inside the Underground. Lily's eyes opened in surprise as I stepped in. Ray, who was talking to Lily turned to see what she was looking at. When he saw me, he's mouth hung, gaping at me. Travis took his gaze off his the controls in the back and turned front. His forehead creased as he did a double take. They didn't say anything, but their faces asked the questions. Robbie, who had his back to me didn't notice my arrival.
"So, Lost Alien, I hope you find the right people." "Thanks," I said speaking into my cell phone, but also out loud. Robbie's head whipped around at the sound of my near voice. "But I think I already have."
I hung up my cell phone and put it into my pocket. I glanced at all their faces, that were filled with shock, confusion, and questioning. After a few moments, Robbie, as the one that first regained from the sudden surprise of my entrance, hastily grabbed his microphone.
"Well, uh, thanks Lost Alien. Um...let's play another song shall we?" he said quickly. On cue, Travis grabbed one of the CDs from the pile and put it in, then shut off all their mikes. With their mikes turned off, the RFR crew ripped their headphones off their ears.
They sat there, looking at me standing there for a long couple seconds in silence. They probably had so many things to ask of me, they had to think of the first question to actually ask. Robbie licked his lips about to say something. I waved my hand to quiet him.
"You guys..." I looked down at the floor. "I need to talk to you about something."
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