Today's song is "It's a hard knock life" from Annie. Hmm, less comedy in this until the end, so work with me here. Thanks.
"Let's get this over with." As Jackson leaned over to retrieve the air phone Lisa tried to think of anyway to delay the call. To her relief fated intervened.
"Excuse me. I'm sorry, could you help me again? Last time, I promise. "The woman whom had asked for Jackson's help was back for round two. Although Jackson's look was intangible, Lisa was openly relieved.
"Sure." Jackson collapsed back in his seat and looked at Lisa before getting up.
Jackson glanced back at Lisa, "Don't get cute." As if to make sure of this he put away her purse in the over head compartment. Lisa bit back a curse.
"Hello, again. You know I didn't think this book would be so much work. There's all these surveys about yourself before you can go on to the rest of the book. "Lisa looked up to see the nice old lady from check in talking to her again. This time though Lisa was in no mood for a little dance. Why couldn't this woman leave her alone?
"Uh, could you wait a second?" It seemed Jackson was going to be delayed a moment longer. An idea struck Lisa.
"Don't worry about the surveys I'll just highlight my favorite part." She said, doing her best not to snatch the book and highlighter from the woman's grasp.
"Wonderful." Lisa began to scribble a message, oh please don't let Jackson see, "Would you gimme your address too, I want to return the favor." Added the woman.
"Clear the aisle." The flight attendants seemed to be coming down, but Lisa didn't care, anything to gain some time.
"Looks like we're on a collision course." The old woman said with a chuckle. Lisa strained her ears to hear the other woman and Jackson converse; the old lady could have him as far as Lisa was concerned.
"I'll come back for that." Lisa couldn't be caught with the thing. "No, here you go." She said just as Jackson came back to his seat.
"I'm sorry I'm blocking your seat." The old woman said dancing out of the way.
"Not at all." Jackson slipped back into this seat as the flight attendants spoke impatiently.
"Ma'am…"
"I'm going, I'm going. They're much pushier these days." She added to Lisa and Jackson.
"I didn't want this to get complicated Lisa, I have to assume she's going to read that." Jackson said in a resigned voice as Lisa fought to control her shock.
"Read what?" He didn't answer. Instead searing pain brought Lisa into a black oblivion. The last thing she was heard was Jackson's voice. "Oh god that hurt!"
Random words were swimming towards Lisa through the darkness and the pain as she awoke to turbulence. Oddly familiar words with an even more familiar voice. Was Jackson reading to her? And what about the old woman?
"Fact: You've been out for an half an hour and Keefe's room still hasn't been changed. So, I bought you some aspirin. I need you coherent Leese."
Relieved the old woman was all right Lisa glared at the cup Jackson was shaking in front of her face before her headache forced her to take it.
"If I do it, if I make that call do you promise to tell whoever's outside my dad's house to go away?"
"You call, I call, everyone's happy." Lisa didn't reply and Jackson picked up the phone once more. "I am now calling your hotel." Lisa accepted the phone when he handed to her.
"Cynthia its Lisa."
Never had that girl's voice sounded more annoying, if she started singing…" You sound terrible are you okay?"
"Turbulence?"
"You're still on the plane? Well you'd be so proud of me..."
Oh shut up. "I need you to do me a favor." Lisa paused when Cynthia asked about her well fare. "Cynthia please don't ask me again if I'm okay." Then the line went dead.
"Oh crap!" Lisa clamped her mouth shut; she shouldn't have shouted that… Alerted Jackson wrenched the phone from her and when he too realized the line was dead called over a flight attendant.
"They sometimes cut out during storms. It'll probably come back when we find some fresh air." The flight attendant paused. "Fresh air, I mean clear air, its funny cuz the air line is called Fresh Air and…" Seeing the look on Jackson's face the girl scurried off.
"I guess your thinking a plane isn't a great place to conduct business huh?" Lisa asked. Jackson in turn glared. "Blame your grandmother, she keeled over, you hopped on the next flight out and here we are." Lisa didn't reply.
Awhile later Lisa spoke again, having been lost in thought. "I know him."
"Know who?"
"Keefe, he's a decent man."
Jackson shrugged. "Look at it this way, I'm Irish. You're Canadian. Hell your dad is Scottish. We don't like America. No one likes America; you ought to be happy your helping get rid of Keefe." Lisa said nothing to this and Jackson sighed.
"Well sometimes bad things happen to good people." He paused for effect, "Like you."
Lisa glanced up; he couldn't know… there was no way….
"You know I've known you for awhile now, before tonight I mean. And as far as I can tell your life revolves around your job, the occasional cocktail at the corner café, the classic late night movies, oh and scrambled eggs at three a.m."
He was getting too close to what she thought no one knew. "What is it that turned you into such a loner? Was it your parents divorce?" Too close. "Oh wait did someone break your heart?"
Did she have to answer? The ding of the seatbelt sign saved her from any answer. "I have to use the restroom." Jackson stared at her. Again. Holding out the now empty water bottle he said, "Best I can."
So not funny. "Okay you got me, I'll make the call, but right now you got to let me go." Did she have to do the bath dance?" You got to let me go."
"Okay, I trust you." Amazing, because he really shouldn't. No matter. Lisa walked up the aisle only to discover the bathroom was in use. Glancing back she was horrified to see Jackson watching her. Freak.
When Lisa finally got into the bathroom after seeing that adorable little girl again she collapsed on the floor. Oh, all that alcohol….
Hm, maybe she shouldn't be lying on the toilet seat. Sitting up Lisa felt something new rise in her stomach. It wasn't bile after all, it was a song!
"It's
the hard-knock life for me!
It's the hard-knock life for me!"
Holding her head in her hands Lisa sang softly but strongly.
"'Steada
treated,
I got tricked!
'Steada kisses,
I got knocked
out!
It's the hard-knock life!
I'll have no dad to speak of,
so,
it's the hard-knock row I hoe! "
A crappy
pillow,
'Stead of good!
Threatened
'Steada of loved
It's
the hard-knock life!
Don't if feel like the wind is always
howl'n?
Don't it seem like there's never any light!
Once a day,
don't you wanna throw the towel in?
It's easier than puttin' up a
fight.
No one's there when your dreams at night get creepy!
No
one cares if you live or if your die
No one dries when your eyes
get wet an' weepy!
From all the cryin' you would think this
place's a sink!
Ohhhh!
Feeling ill life!
Rotten smelly
life!
Full of sorrow life!
No tomorrow life!
My father I'll
never see
my father I'll say, what's that?
Who's he? No one
cares for you a smidge
When you're in seat 18-G!"
Lisa was now beginning to feel angry. Slowly letting go of her hair she began to imitate Jackson like a small child would imitate their parents.
"You'll
stay up till this call's made
or I'll call my dog!
Get rid of
his stupid grin!
Jab him with a safety Pin
head butt him
I
hate you Jackson!"
Oh what was she doing sitting her singing on the floor? She had lives to save.
"All
right
get back up!
I said get up!" With that Lisa managed to
pull herself off the floor and wash her hands. But then… wait…..
"It's
the hard-knock life for me
It's the hard-knock life for me
No
one cares for you a smidge
When your in seat 18-G!"
Lisa stood back to admire her work. 18-F has bomb, it looked good. Lisa turned to the door, still sniffling but determined. This song needed to end.
"It's
the hard-knock life
it's the hard-knock life
it's the
hard-knock life!"
Lisa wrenched open the door to the restroom and gasped to see the horror of all horrors. Jackson Rippner was standing in the doorway.
