"Older writers are what keep anything going, but it is the new writers that inject new enthusiasm and new ideas into the way we look at anything. While many just take a small step in, others plunge in head first, and begin to inspire others themselves."
"Hey, it wasn't so long ago that we were new writers here, and look at where we are now! Hosting the Fannie Awards, hanging with all these beautilicious babes, and just having a great time!"
Jason just glares out his good eye. "Yes… great time! Now, giving us the nominees for Best New Writer… Mr. Steve Barkin!"
Steve Barkin marches straight to the podium, wrapping his hands around the sides of it, his expression set.
"Listen up people, I'm presenting the award for Best New Writer. More often than not, most new writers lack the proper discipline to get out a good story. But every so often, a few manage to pull off something that is halfway decent. That's what this award was designed to represent, the best of the new batch of recruits coming in. And the nominees for Best New Writer are…"
Commander Argus…
Out there, in here.
The face that said those words was always the same. The mop of unruly blonde hair the color of Nebraska corn, the wide, almost goofy grin, the smattering of dark freckles that would never fade with age…
…the chocolate brown eyes that were so full of love and so full of hope as he said those words.
Those words!
Out there, in here.
Those words were special to her. They were the both an ending and a beginning. They brought an end to her childhood, to her selfish needs. They were the beginning or true love, the key to an epiphany that few were fortunate enough to even come close to.
Her dream played on in her head, his face, always the same, always there for her. She knew that face had changed, ever so slightly, but it was still the same. It was leaner now and it would look at her from slightly above, where once it had been even with her, very slightly below her. Love, admiration and hope were joined by wisdom in those eyes. She looked into those eyes, lost in them. His face was so beautiful to her now.
She danced with him, looking at his face, watching him as they stepped ever so slowly, the music soft and distant as if it was respecting their privacy. One hand was on her waist, the other on her shoulder while hers were clasped behind his back.
Ron was wearing his father's powder blue tux and she was wearing a shimmering blue gown with a charred and ruined hem. The dance went on and on, their eyes never wavering from each other as they spun alone on a dance floor they could not see.
Slowly he changed. Now he was looking slightly down at her, though he had not moved. He was wearing a dark suit while she was wearing her cream colored dress. His face was leaner now, just as it had become over the course of their long summer together. A slight fuzz had formed on his upper lip where he refused to shave, hoping a mustache would grow there. She smiled inwardly, knowing that very soon she would talk him into shaving it off. Not now, but soon. This night all she could do was look into those brown eyes.
His clothing morphed once more, as did he. Now he was wearing a black tuxedo with a white bowtie. His face was even leaner, more adult looking. He was actually looking down at her now, more than several inches taller. As he leaned over her shoulder, wrapping his arms around her more tightly she could see a satin white yarmulke on the top of his head. That's when she realized that she was now wearing a flowing white dress. Closing her eyes she got lost in his embrace as they danced.
When she opened her eyes again they were no longer alone. Other dancers had joined them. One couple moved closer and she gasped as she realized who they were.
It was Ron, wearing his blue and yellow cheer squad uniform, looking like he did when he was fifteen, short, round faced, hair tousled. He was dancing with a girl in a Middleton High School cheerleader uniform but her back was to her. Not that it mattered, she would have known the wavy platinum blonde mane anywhere.
Failte200…
And Kim agreed, "Yeah. 'Mayberry, RFD, black and white'. I get it. Probably true, too. But, I'm getting better... don't you think I'm getting better?"
He looked up from the phone, "Slowly, KP. Very slowly. Now shush! Drak? It's me. Oh, no, just helping out Kim a little, apparently she -"
"RON!"
"... uh, I mean, is Shego around? Kim wants to talk to her."
Ron listened for a moment while Drakken relayed the message, then looked over at Kim, "She says she has nothing to say to you."
Kim sighed, "Tell her it's Mayberry's newest lesbian."
Ron passed it on to Drakken, who held the phone down while he in turn told Shego. Suddenly, the normally quiet lair seemed to erupt into a variety of noises -
Crash! Shego! You just.. Bang! watch out for the - Thump! Crash! Tinkle tinkle tinkle My porcelain! Watchou – BAM! Sheg-OOF! Kim! (pant) Kim is that you! (pant) KIM!
"Uh, here ya go, KP..." Ron said, calmly smiling.
MattK…
Someone was shaking him.
"Ron! Ron, wake up!"
"Mmmmdonwanna"
"Ron!"
"Fivemoreminutesmom…"
"Ron, please!"
"I can't go to school, mom, I'm sick, I have a headache…"
Then Rufus was tugging on his ear, squeaking "Kim! Kim! Kim!"
That woke him up. He sat up abruptly, nearly throwing Rufus. The sudden move nearly made him pass out again, but he closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, and the dizziness passed.
Then he opened his eyes, and wished he had passed out again.
An entire wall of the cafeteria was gone. In its place, a huge pile of rubble sprawled out into the parking lot. Some of the cars had been smashed by debris, but others had been flipped over and thrown by the force of the blast itself.
"Ron?" Monique was kneeling at his side – she was apparently the one who'd been trying to wake him up. She hooked an arm around his shoulders, helped him stay sitting up. "You okay?" She asked.
"I guess so," he said. "Where's – "
"Can you stand up?"
"In a second. Why?"
"We need your help, Ron – you and Rufus." She pointed at the pile of rubble.
"Kim is under there."
StarvingLunatic…
"Keep hollering like that and Ill show you some real pet abuse," Shego threatened the girl.
"Pet abuse!"
Shego dived at Kim, who rolled out of the way just in time to miss being pounced. The redhead laughed since her mistress had not caught her and had crashed onto the floor. Shego was on Kim in a flash while she was busy chuckling; the younger female was very surprised when she was captured. Kim yelped as her mistress pinned her to the floor. Shego grabbed Kims hands and held them over her head with one hand so that the redhead could not flail her arms again.
"Now, are you done acting up?" the pale woman inquired with a triumphant smirk.
"Did you ever consider that this is what I wanted all along?" Kim countered with a smile of her own.
"And the winner is… StarvingLunatic!"StarvingLunatic is flung out on stage to accept the award, much to her surprise. She picks herself up from the floor and looks around, trying her best not show that all of the people are freaking her out.
"Um...I won? Are you sure? Maybe you should check again. Well, I should probably say thanks really quick. So, thanks and has anybody seen Shego? I think she's planning to kick my butt from what I've got going on in 'On a Short Leash.' Yeah, so thanks for this and if somebody could just point me in the direction of the emergency exit, I would really appreciate it because I bruise easily. Thanks again."
Jason points to his right, and StarvingLunatic makes a run for it while she has the chance.
Jason just mutters to himself. "Wish I could have bailed like that!"
Matt just draped an arm across Jason's shoulders. "Man, it's not that bad. The swelling is barely noticeable."
Jason just glared in response. "I will get you back, you know that, don't you?"
Matt just chuckles softly. "And on that note, let's introduce Five For Fighting, with 100 years!"
I'm 15 for a moment
Caught in between 10 and 20
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are
I'm 22 for a moment
She feels better than ever
And we're on fire
Making our way back from Mars
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to lose
15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got 100 years to live
I'm 33 for a moment
Still the man, but you see I'm a they
A kid on the way
A family on my mind
I'm 45 for a moment
The sea is high
And I'm heading into a crisis
Chasing the years of my life
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy, Time to lose yourself
Within a morning star
15 I'm all right with you
15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got 100 years to live
Half time goes by
Suddenly you're wise
Another blink of an eye
67 is gone
The sun is getting high
We're moving on...
I'm 99 for a moment
Time for just another moment
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are
15 there's still time for you
22 I feel her too
33 you're on your way
Every day's a new day...
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to choose
Hey 15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got 100 years to live