The next morning, which started sharply at 7:30 am for Conrad, she began to lay out a plan for their day. After cooking breakfast enough for 8 people, Conrad set out the plates and did the dishes. Then she went on when of her compulsive cleaning sprees cleaning everything she could without waking Palmer. After refolding every item in her suitcase, Roger came over and knocked on their door. It was about 9am then, so Conrad served Roger his breakfast. Fresh pancakes from locally wheat, fresh farm eggs, and a hunk of meat that was perfect for bacon.
"Wait, you mean to tell me you can cut bacon from regular meat?" said Roger between mouthfuls. "Yup, there's lots of things I can do, but unfortunately for you you're not one of them." replied Conrad jokingly. Next, Mark and La came over to check on Rhi.
"Oh good lord, Conrad, you didn't have to do all this...is she still out?" Lauren asked, sitting on a chair.
"Oh no, you know I always cook like this. And as far as I can tell yes. She's moaned a couple times but I think it's just cause she was having a good dream..if you know what I mean." shooting a direct look at Roger. Lauren looked over at her.
"Well lord knows she'll have a hangover," she said. "Can I help you with anything?"
"Uhh actually I'm good. I need to go find my drugs, I think I have a pill for Rhi's hangover.." said Conrad as she scuttled over toward her suitcase. There, she pulled out a bag of every imaginable OTC medicine, including sleeping and unsleeping pills and of course, one to help with the hangover. After popping two pills to keep her awake, she brought over her stash. "Anyone else need anything?" Lauren raised an eyebrow.
"Holy. Shit."
"Oh look La, here's one of those 72 hours pills for you!" Lauren turned very red. Mark choked midway through a bite of pancake. "What, you need one too?" said Conrad playfully. "Ohh and sorry about my little outburst yesterday." Roger started laughing at the look on Mark's face. "Mood swings...yeah not something I'm particularly proud of." said Conrad bashfully. Lauren shook her head.
"Is there a coffee machine in here?"
"Here hun, I brewed a pot of local stuff. I hate it, but it's supposed to be good." said Conrad. Roger looked surprised.
"Wait, you don't drink coffee, how do you stay up?"
"Those pills do come in handy, and they're less dangerous than crystal meth so.." said Conrad as she swept up the empty plates. "Should someone go check on Collins and Angel?"
"No." said Mark and Roger at the same time.
"Ok" chuckled Conrad.
"Mark, do you want coffee?" Lauren asked, as she poured half the sugar bowl in hers.
Roger laughed. "What, are you two married now?" he muttered.
"NO!" Mark said defensively. "I mean.. err.. no."
"Just don't make me wear a dress and I don't care" said Conrad as she scrubbed the plates. Lauren raised an eyebrow, oblivious that Roger had said something. "You don't like coffee?"
"Ohh umm.. sure..coffee..yeah.." said Mark, now a bit absent minded. La, still oblivious,
"Ok, do you like it black?"
"Like your women?" chimed Roger.
"Does she look black?" said Mark pointing to Lauren and she fell into a lovely salmon color.
"Nope, she looks pink," chuckled Roger. Lauren put her head in her hands.
"Aww I think its cute." said Mark as he walked by her, running his finger down her cheek (the front one). Rhi began to stir.
"Ugh...what the hell did I drink?"
"Try about twenty shots of Vodka hun" said Conrad. "Breakfast?"
"Gah..no way..how bout a bucket instead?"
"The bathroom is about ten feet away from you, get there yourself." said Conrad as she put away the last of the plates. Roger walked over to her.
"How are you feeling?" Conrad opened her mouth to say something, but Lauren threw a bagel at her and shook her head. Distracted by the yummy bagel, Conrad began to spread some goat cheese and enjoy her own breakfast. La, now cuddled close near Mark, watched as Rodger comforted Rhi in her time of hangover. Collins came into the room, watched Rhi throwing up in the garbage can, saw all the food Conrad had prepared and realized that Mark and La were cuddling.
"Holy fuck I missed a lot." Conrad, mouth stuffed with bagel, said
"Wup wou wid..bweakfwast?" and pointed toward the full plates on the table.
"Why not," he sat down. Conrad swallowed her bagel and said.
"I've glasses for more vodka, or orange juice if you're feeling less daring." Collins just laughed and said
"Mix em up together, and pour it over the rocks." Roger grabbed a bottle of water and started to make Rhi drink.
"Conrad, what'd you do with those pills?" he asked.
"Uhh which ones? They are categorized you know.."
"The ones to make her feel better!" La sighed.
"Ugh, why's he doing this? He's got Mimi...he's going to get her hopes up and then..."
"Ohh those..uhh..let's see.." said Conrad as she dug through her pharmacy on wheels. "Hun, calm down, what happens here stays here. Ohh here we go!" exclaimed Conrad as she pulled out a bag of bright red pills. "Two of those should do it, and as Palmer woken up yet?" Roger took them.
"Come on, swallow these, you should stop being sick. Come on," he said, holding back her hair. Lauren sighed.
"I can see it...she's getting attached...he's going to break her..." she muttered.
"Mmmrph." Palmer replied, putting a pillow over her head.
"Ahh wake up sleepy head. Everyone else is here. Wake up...I have food.. GOD DAMN IT WAKE UP PALMER!" screamed Conrad, hitting her with a pillow. Lauren laughed, and drank some coffee. Palmer sat up.
"I hate you. Where's the food?"
"On the table genius." said Conrad, playfully sticking her tongue out at Palmer. "Want OJ?" asked Conrad.
"Duhh.." said Palmer as she stumbled over to the table. Lauren stood up.
"Conrad, let me do something. Please."
"Nope. My Room, My Bill, My Funds, You sit." replied Conrad.
"Soo.." said Collins, stretching back in his chair, "What's our plans for the day?"
"Well, I figured once Rhi feels a little better, we could go on a little wildlife tour so Mark could get some footage and we could enjoy the scenery of this place. That will put us back here around four, giving us two hours to pack up before we leave for the airport at six sharp." said Conrad as she traced the route on the map. Collins just shook his head,
"This girl is insane." Conrad just looked and laughed,
"What can I say, the Conrad never sleeps."
"Oh hun did you not sleep again?" said Palmer, "that's really unhealthy."
"Hun, I don't care. Exercise Regularly, Eat Right, Die Anyways." replied Conrad.
"Wait, what do we need the airport for?" said Rodger. "We need to stop there to get our boarding passes for the flight back. So I guess we don't really need to pack up, but it would be a good idea to help everyone get organized." Conrad said. She never rested unless everything was perfect..no wonder she couldn't sleep in this world. Lauren frowned.
"I'm going to get mauled by some type of animal, I know it."
"Hun, we're taking that Hummer. Real scientists take that vehicle into lion dens. We'll be fine." assured Conrad. Lauren looked her in the eye.
"Look who you're talking to."
"Besides Ill protect you," said Mark, now slightly blushing himself.
"Ha! From what? You were nearly killed by hairspray." laughed Roger. Everyone had to laugh, even La.
"I'm sorry, but it's true." The door burst open.
"Good morning everyone!" Angel said, bursting in wearing a leopard print outfit and lime green safari hat.
"Darling, you look perfect for our day's event!" exclaimed Collins has Angel came and sat on his lap and took a bite of the food left on Collin's plate.
"Ohh, Angel, that must be cold now, let me put it in the microwave for just a moment." said Conrad. Lauren rolled her eyes.
"Conrad, do you ever sit?" she asked, getting another cup of coffee. "Need anything, Mark?"
"Only when my feet hurt, then I stand again when my ass hurts." laughed Conrad spanking her own behind.
"Ohh no I'm fine thanks" said Mark as he fussed with his glasses.
"Ugh what are you doing?" she rolled her eyes, looking at him fumble with his glasses. Angel smiled.
"They're cute."
"Ha, I know, but not as cute as us." said Collins, playfully kissing Angel on the cheek. Rhi rolled her eyes.
"They make me ill." she took down some more water.
"Who?" said Rodger.
"Personally, I've never seen Collins any happier." Rhi shrugged.
"Yeah, I'm not saying they're not happy..." she trailed off.
"Oh please don't pull that anti-gay shit now.. other wise you might not get this other pill" taunted Rodger with the bright red pill that would be Rhi's salvation. Lauren sighed.
"Oh why does he have to do that to her..." she complained quietly.
"That's not what I meant," Rhi said, snatching the pill from him.
"Quiet..quiet.." whispered Mark, slowly moving closer to La's face. Rhi sucked down the last of her pills and went to puke some more. Conrad, still being in charge, assertively addressed the group.
"Guys, if we're gunna go on the tour, we should get moving. If any of you want showers or to change clothes you should probably go ahead now."
"What about you?" said Roger.
"Me? Well I've got lots to clean up and beds to make and I've got to press my clothes for tomorrow, and since I took my shower at 5am, we can be ready in about an hour." said Conrad.
"Wait, don't they have maids to make the beds?" said Collins.
"Yeah, but I'd rather do it myself.." Conrad trailed off before returning to work. The group slowly disassembled. They met down in the lobby around noon. Conrad began reading the itinerary, but no one really paid attention.
"No booze this time," Lauren warned.
"Well, better not tell that one about this." said Collins, flashing a full bottle of Stole's to Angel, making her eyes light up.
"Later, baby, later.." said Angel as she rubbed Collin's back. They piled in the car.
"Oh, Conrad, no hairspray incidents this time, alright?"
"Ha-ha, you guys used all mine up last night, all I've got now that can be considered a weapon is pepper spray" said Conrad. Lauren shielded Mark's face.
"Ahh, no need to shield him, La. You're not pregnant yet, so no need for punishment." said Conrad. Lauren turned bright red. Rhi sat up straight.
"WHAT! I MISSED THIS DETAIL!"
"Well that's what you get for getting drunk and passing out, my dear" said Conrad as she pointed her finger at Rhi. "This, kiddies, is why booze is bad."
"Shut up," Rhi laughed. "What happened!" she was very eager to hear, while Lauren went rather pink.
"I don't wanna embarrass anyone, but those two had very intense fun last night." giggled Conrad.
"Ohh really Mark?" said Collins. Lauren put her face in her hands. She couldn't even look at Mark, she was pretty sure he hated her now. But much to her surprise, Mark actually scooted closer to her, almost hugging her.
"Yup," Mark replied, "and I wouldn't have missed it for anything." They all started to giggle, while Lauren nearly threw up in the car.
"Wha..."
"Oh come on, you can't seriously not remember?" said Mark.
"Well no, but--" she blushed.
"New subject, as fascinating as this is, but take a look at this wildlife. LOOK A GIRAFFE! GIRAFFE!" screamed Conrad as her friends restrained her from jumping out of the car.
"Anybody have my tranquilizer?" Lauren snorted.
"It's in my purse," said Conrad, "BUT LOOKIE A GIRAFFE! MARK FILM!" Conrad was now petting an invisible giraffe.
"Err...where'd I put that thing...I know I brought it..." he looked around. Palmer nodded.
"Yeah La, he's as bad as you."
"Oh shut up," said La as she hit Palmer.
"GAH! GIVE ME MY PURSE!" screamed Conrad. She pulled out a fancy 8 mp digital camera and video recorder. Conrad began to snap shots of the giraffe like crazy as the rest of crew just looked in awe.
"That girl's pockets must run as long as her to-do list." speculated Angel.
"GIRAFFES! COME HERE GIRAFFES! Damn, why must they have no voice box so there can't be a mating call.." said Conrad, still snapping pictures. Suddenly, the giraffes seemed to see the shine of the flash, and looked as though they were ready to charge the vehicle. "
Oh shit..." Roger said.
"GIRAFFES! MY PEOPLE!" screamed Conrad. "Let me out of this damn sin wagon." said Conrad as she whipped over her seatbelt and hopped over the side of Hummer. She ran around the giraffes in circles, snapping pictures and tempting them with carrots which she had brought.
"CONRAD GET YOUR ASS BACK IN HERE! YOURE GOING TO BE KILLED!" screamed La. Rhi began to laugh, while Angel nodded.
"Honey, you can't die, we need you to pay our bills!"
"I won't die! Giraffes are herbivores. Did you know they love carrots?" she said cheerfully feeding one to a baby giraffe. La hid her face behind her hands.
"I can't watch...she's going to get mauled...that's it, we're done for..."
"Ok giraffes, I think my friends need me now. Ill come back and visit, ok?" said Conrad, now sounding sad. The baby giraffe nodded, as if he understood, and ran his tongue down Conrad's face. Conrad gave him the last of her carrots and ran back to vehicle. "See guys now wasn't that fun?" said Conrad, now beaming that a giraffe had just licked her. Lauren looked up.
"Is she alive? Is she bleeding?"
"Hun, I'm fine. A bit sticky, but other than that I've never been better!" said Conrad. The group continued on their little safari, stopping every now and then to look at more animals. Roger frowned.
"Why does that elephant look like it's ready to charge the car?"
"Hmm, well considering its ears are back, eyebrow slightly bent in, and front leg curved in, he is most certainly ready to charge the car! Oh wait.. shit.. FLOOR IT!" said Conrad "That might just kill us- elephants have been known to trample entire villages out here!" Lauren started screaming and threw herself on the floor, while the driver was oblivious to what Conrad had said. Conrad quickly turned to the driver and exchanged a few frantic Swahili words with him. In no time the gas pedal was pushed to the ground and the car sped away. Rhi, the lightest of the group, went flying sideways as the accelerator was thrust down.
"Rhi stay put!" said Palmer clutching her dear friend
"Holy shit, is that a rhino?" Collins asked.
"He's got a horn as big as yours!" exclaimed Angel as Collins just smiled. The others blocked the image from their minds, while Roger frowned.
"Damn, that would hurt..."
"Roger- you're straight. YOURE STRAIGHT!" screamed Rhi.
"Anyways!" said Conrad, "I think were gunna turn around now, I mean it is almost 3 and by the time we get back.."
"Why do we all have to go get these return passports?" Angel asked. Mark looked at the letter he kept in his pocket.
"According to this, there's another celebration, but it's not necessary for us to attend. Just as long as we go to the final one, since we went to the first one."
"If we want to get back in America we have to get them." said Conrad. And today is just the most convenient day to get them.. or I suppose I could swing by and get them late tonight.."
"Conrad, honestly, let someone else do something for once!" Palmer said soothingly.
"No, I'm fine my dearest. And besides I'm the one who deals with airports anyways." Conrad said as she smiled. "So I guess we can stay out here. Does anyone like have to shit or anything? Cause there is a big tree over there." said Conrad.
"TREE? TREE!" said Palmer, jumping out of the car and running to go hug the tree. Lauren laughed. Suddenly, a large bird began swooping down upon them. "PALMER, MOVE!" Rhi shouted, while La dove to the floor of the car.
"Oh no, we're gonna die, we're gonna die..."
"No we'll be fine." said Conrad as the bird came swooping down for another pick. "Just stay on the floor!" said Conrad, grabbing the animal tranquilizer. "I'll handle this!"
"No that's for Lauren!" said Rhi from under the seat! Conrad bent down and whispered "I have more don't worry" with a wink.
"MARK, GET DOWN!" Lauren yelled; as Mark was attempting to film this, as he'd just found his camera. As the bird flew down for the third time, Conrad shoved the needle into the stomach of the bird. It let out a terrifying screech, flew away a few feet, and then fell down. Palmer looked up
"Oh my God You killed it!" said Palmer on the verge of hysterics.
"No, its tranquilizer, and a very weak dose. It will wake up in about ten minutes." said Conrad.
"What if it gets eaten?" said Angel.
"Well..err..sucks to be him" said Conrad. Lauren peeked up.
"Is it safe?"
"As far as I can tell." said Conrad. She spoke with the driver once again and soon they were on their way. They drove around for quite sometime, and Collins looked at his watch.
"Does it seem that this is taking a lot longer than it should?"
"What do you mean?" said Angel.
"It is getting late," said Palmer, "and I don't think we wanna be out here when it gets dark."
"And I don't remember those," Roger said, pointing to a set of mountains.
"Are you sure this driver knows where he is going?" said La.
"I'll ask." said Conrad. After a few words, Conrad turned around. "He says we have to stop at the little town up here for gas. Then we'll turn around and go home." Lauren frowned.
"You don't think these people are cannibals do you?"
"He didn't say anything about cannibals.." Conrad mentioned.
"I wanna go home. Or at least be back in the hotel." Lauren scowled. Rhi rolled her eyes.
"Grow up, would you?"
"But I wanna go hoomeee.." whined La. Mark instantly snuggled closer to her and she clamed down a bit. Within no time, the Hummer was full up of fuel and they were on their way back to the city and the hotel. There were lots of interesting noises. Every so often, something would growl, and La would yell. Roger looked out thoughtfully.
"Are lions nocturnal?"
"Yup." said Conrad. "They sleep during the day and hunt at night. We might see a few tonight!" said Conrad excitedly. Rhi shook her head.
"I swear, if we make it out of this alive..." she mumbled.
"We'll be fiiiinnneeeee" crooned Conrad. "What don't you trust me anymore?" It was then they turned onto the main road. Seeing as it was now close to six, Conrad wondered if anyone else was hungry. "Anyone want food? I'm sure there is a great restaurant around here somewhere." Mark frowned, remembering the comment about cannibalism. "Tee hee," giggled Conrad, "I mean does anyone want something besides human flesh?" They all raised a hand. "Good, lets head into town, my treat. Maybe we can get some shopping in." said Conrad. She told the driver their plan, but first she stopped at the ATM machine to get out cash. They found a decent looking place to eat, and sat down at a long table. Mark restrained his urge to stand on top of it and proclaim his beliefs."Please..restrain yourself.." said Conrad grabbing his arm. "They wouldn't even understand, they don't speak English!"
"Hmm.. what's this?" said Angel, pointing to a weird looking word.
"Hmm.. vulture." said Conrad. Lauren choked.
"Can you find something safe for me? Like salad?"
"Hmm.." Conrad scanned the menu. "Well this is a salad..with..err.. no not safe for you. Here I'll ask if they have anything American." She grabbed the first passing waiter and exchanged a conversation. "He said they have hamburgers, if anyone feels like not being exotic."
"Sure, ham, that's what they're calling it..." Roger laughed. Lauren sighed. "Apparently I won't be eating." she said. "Cause there's no way you're getting me to eat elephant brains."
"Its not elephant brains! If you wanted that turn to page 3, second line down.." said Conrad. Lauren shook her head.
"Nope. Not eating." Rhi frowned.
"Hm...I think I'm gonna try this soup, whatever it is. I mean who cares what we eat; our ancestors ate anything to stay alive!"
"Good point!" said Conrad. "I mean I'm just eating chocolate cake..but still! It's my treat so get whatever you want." About a half hour later, Rhi had her soup, Conrad had her cake, and everyone else had ordered something, except for La, who was picking off of everyone else's.
"Roger...can I have your roll? Please?"
"No way," said Rodger. "I have eaten a real meal in over a year, no fucking way you're getting my roll."
"Here, you can have mine," said Mark.
"No, you need food, you're too skinny." she said. Roger rolled his eyes.
"And what am I, huge?"
"No! I mean err.. I just want normal food!" cried La going into pouting mode.
"Fine, guys box up your stuff and Ill get the tab." said Conrad as she forked out a few bills on the table and took out a shiny card to pay for the meal. Palmer suspiciously followed Conrad to register.
"Hun, that's not your parents name on the card's slip." said Palmer. Conrad jumped back, not knowing Palmer was there.
"What? Oh I know.. it's actually my..err.. cousin." Conrad said, doing her best to put on a normal smile. Palmer frowned.
"Hun, you shouldn't be doing this."
"Has that ever stopped me? We need cash and this how I get it. So sorry if it's not morally correct." frowned Conrad. "Come on, its only 7:30 lets go shopping." "Hun, I don't wanna spend that money- it's not yours." "Well I do." said Conrad as she walked out to the nearest cultural shop. They strolled around, and Angel found an ethnic clothes shop.
"Oh...ooh...pretty!" she said, staring at the dresses through the window.
"Go pick a few out." nudged Conrad.
"Ohh.. well they are very pretty, sure you don't mind?" said Angel before running inside.
"I love making people happy."
"Well I bet whoever's card that is isn't very happy.." Palmer complained.
"What?" said Rhi. Lauren walked over.
"Powwow? What's going on?"
"Conrad's using someone else's card to pay for everything." said Palmer.
"Hun, it's not a big deal. Really. I'll pay it all back..later." said Conrad. "Now go buy souvenirs." Lauren frowned.
"That's...not good." she said.
"Look, either drop it now or I'm getting on a plane and leaving." said Conrad, sounding more irritated than ever. Roger knelt next to a crate going through some local African music cassettes.
"Do you want one?" said Conrad.
"Uhh..actually this one looks cool.." he said, not trying to sound beggish. Conrad gave him a few bills.
"That should be enough." Lauren and Palmer looked at each other.
"She really shouldn't be doing this..." Conrad shot them an evil, evil, glare.
"Shut..the...fuck..UP." she snarled. La rolled her eyes and looked around.
"Oh lord, we lost Mark."
"Well go find him." said Conrad, now shuffling through some handmade skirts. La ran off to find Mark. Rhi walked up to Roger.
"Whadja buy?"
"Uhh.. just some tribal stuff. Should be interesting." said Rodger, trying to the read the label on his tape. After emerging with a large shopping bag and Angel, Conrad suggested that they go back to the hotel. They looked around.
"Where's La?" Palmer asked.
"Where's Mark?" Collins added. Angel laughed.
"Don't want to know."
"Do you think they can get back on their own?" said Rhi. "Uhh.. nope." said Palmer. "We can't just leave without them." La wandered back.
"Guys, I swear, I think we lost him. Oh god, what if he's getting eaten!"
"Oh come on, he's not being eaten, where could he have gone anyways?" said Roger. Rhi sighed.
"All I want is to go back and sleep..." she complained.
"I like her idea," said Rodger. "Here I'll go back to the hotel with her." They both turned to leave when Palmer butted in
"I think Ill come too." La whispered,
"Thanks." When the three of them got back, Roger called Mimi. Strangely, there was no answer. He left a message, now sounding concerned,
"Hey, baby, it's me Rodger, where'd you guys go? I'm worried, sorry I didn't call back yesterday. I love you!" Back at the marketplace, La was going into meltdown mode.
"Guys, I'm scared! Honestly, what if something's captured him, or he was attacked by lions or vultures, or he was robbed..."
"Hun, he had no money anyways!" said Conrad. It was just then that Mark came running out from an alley, with a chain of older merchants chasing and screaming at him in Swahili.
"Oh good lord," Angel said, while Collins stood in front of her for protection. Mark finally reached his friends while Conrad went over to try and smooth things out with the old ladies.
"MARK! YOURE ALIVE!" screamed Lauren as she ran up to hug him. He just shrugged and said
"Barely, I was just looking at the fruit when one of them accused me of stealing something, and I didn't know what they were saying so I just ran and now..this..ugghh I'm sorry." Angel shook her head.
"Mark, I swear, you're not going anywhere alone anymore." Mark just blushed,
"Let's go back.." Back at the hotel, Roger got up, went out his door, started walking, and ran into Rhi in the hallway.
"Oh, sorry." he said.
"Oh no, its fine" smiled Rhi as she gently ran her fingers through her hair.
"Uh...I thought you were sleeping?"
"Oh no.. I'm not err sleeping.. but I am..err..alone." said Rhi, trying to sound as alluring as possible. Roger raised any eyebrow. "They haven't come back yet?" he asked, oblivious.
"Uhh not yet.." Rhi said, now sounding desperate.
"I'm sorry babe," Rodger finally said, "I have AIDS."
"I know." said Rhi.
"Oh no.." said Rodger. Rhi shrugged.
"And you have Mimi, so..." she trailed off. Palmer was standing behind her door, fuming.
"RHIANNA LEE VOGAN!" she bellowed. "Get in this room right now." "Palmer go away." said Rhi. Palmer just threw her hands up and stormed back into bed. It was then that the rest of the crew came up from the elevator. Roger and Rhi looked up at the crew.
"He was being chased by fruit ladies," Conrad said before they could ask. Rhi snorted.
"Fruit ladies, eh?" said Rodger. "I'm sure what ever they had was sweet." Lauren scowled.
"Rhi, I thought you were going to bed." she said.
"Well you didn't think I wanted to go by myself, now did you?" smirked Rhi. Lauren scowled.
"I'm going to go get a banana from Conrad's room, and I expect you to be sleeping when I get in there. Alone." she added. Rhi just giggled as she walked into her room, curious to see if Rodger would follow. He didn't, so she had no choice but to fall asleep, alone. Lauren stormed around Conrad's suite.
"I mean, honestly! Like he can't control himself. He seems perfectly happy with Miss Mimi, why's he have to play with her like that?" she asked, slamming a banana on the counter.
"If you squish that banana on my counter you're going to scrub it till your fingers fall off." said Conrad. "And besides, let them have their fun, geez. If she gets hurt, she gets hurt. As long as she gets her fun then who gives a damn?" Lauren rolled her eyes.
"Honestly." she said, peeling her banana and sitting down. "Shs got phellings toof."
"Well she's a big girl. She'll be fine." said Conrad, cleaning up what Lauren thought to be an invisible mess. Lauren frowned.
"Did Mark just kind of leave? I hope he's alright..."
"Why don't you go check on him?" chuckled Palmer. Lauren rolled her eyes.
"Oh leave me alone." she said.
"OOH LOOK I HAVE COOKIE DOUGH!" exclaimed Conrad.
"Roger, you can't keep doing this to the poor girl," Mark was saying, putting on pajamas.
"What.. She's cute you know? Like a great one night stand." Rodger said, now stripping off his shirt. Mark threw a shoe at him.
"You need to stop looking at them like a piece of meat."
"What? They are something else?" said Rodger jokingly.
"You're horrible, you know that. You either decide whether you actually like this girl or stop playing with her." he said, hanging his sweater over the chair.
"I don't like her..but I could." said Rodger. "I don't know, its confusing with Mimi and everything.
"Speaking of Mimi, have you heard from her lately?" he asked, taking off his glasses.
"Nope. I called her and left a message. I'm kind of worried about her." said Rodger thoughtfully. Mark didn't voice what horrible thoughts flashed across his mind. "Oh. Night then."
"You don't think something could have happened to her, do you?" said Rodger as he climbed into bed.
"She's tough. I'm sure she's fine," Mark lied.
"Hmm.. ok." said Rodger, still sounding unsure. "Good Night." Lauren went back to her room, and tried to get ready for bed as quietly as she could. Rhi, however, was still awake.
"I can't sleep like this." said Rhi. La could hear the tears forming in her eyes.
"Like what, hun?" she asked, sitting on her bed.
"I need to know what's going on between him and me, and how soon I can make a real move." Rhi said, now tears streaming down her face.
"Oh honey...I told you not to get too connected," she said, hugging her. "I think he's just being a man and pulling the, "I'm a confused poor soul" card."
"I dunno, hun how can I not get connected when he's flirting so badly?" Rhi cried.
"Oh...hun. I'll talk to Mark and see if he knows anything, ok?" she hugged her. "And if he hurts you, I'll kill him, aids or not."
"Ha-ha, ok hun I can always count on you." Rhi smiled and fell asleep. After complete her bed time ritual, La went over to check on Conrad.
"La! err. Hi, what are you doing here?" said Conrad, seeming more jittery than normal.
"Conrad...are you alright? What's wrong?"
"Oh no.. I'm err.. fine..that's it just fine. Look! The TV is on! Ha-ha!"
"Honey...I think you should get some sleep...and let up on your pills..."
"NO! I mean.. no I'm not sleeping.. not now.. lookie TV!"
"Ok honey.. I'm gunna let you go.." said Lauren, now sounding concerned.
"YES! I mean..err.. do you want a cookie?"
"Hun, get some sleep. You need it." Lauren started to head for the door.
"No.. no sleep. I have work to do.." said Conrad, getting up to show La to the door. Once La exited and she though the road was clear, Conrad snuck out of her room and down the elevator to the lobby, where a man was waiting for her.