Chapter Nine; La Vie Boheme
From the PDA of F. Darcy
Start work today. Time to get back to something I enjoy, too long I've been thinking about Elizabeth. I can't do anything and living in my head isn't helping, so now I welcome the theater as a diversion. Bimbos and gay men with injuries will keep my busy. The business is less than interesting but a delay, I was supposed to start the first of October but no dice. The people that run the place are very nice. I should be happy. Perhaps I will get her off my mind with all this work. Yet some how I doubt this.
Darcy looked into his car's mirror and adjusted his collar. Georgiana had given him strict instructions as to how he was to dress and behave on his first day on the job. He was nervous but took a deep breath and stepped out towards the impressive Lady Austin theater home of her company. He entered the grand lobby and looked around; there was no one there and no handy sign that said, 'Yo, Darcy, this way to someone who knows anything.' Lacking a heavenly signal Darcy entered the auditorium and found the stage full of dancers stretching out and crew wandering about with an unknown purpose. He approached quietly and observed the dancers' warm ups. Off to one side was a strawberry blonde dancer doing one handed push ups while talking to a tall sandy haired man in business casual clothing. There was a dishwater blonde – brunette man talking to an older couple by the front of the stage. Behind them a couple kissed and a read head holding a bundle of fabric hit them with a belt. Behind and in between more people milled about and shouted random things to each other, it was very jovial atmosphere. At the other side of the stage was a woman bending over touching her palms flat to the ground in a stretch her divine ass to the empty auditorium. He recognized her butt he was sure of it but before he could think the man she was talking to, another business casual guy waved him over as he called out to everyone.
"Front and center! Doctor Darcy's here!" The people, aside from those who must be the crew moved to a mass center stage. The woman with the tight black pants and fine ass stood and for a second Darcy was positive it was Elizabeth. She moved to stand in the back and as much as he would like to the men in suits were talking to him and he could not stare at the dancer.
"Everyone this is Doctor Will Darcy, he's here to fix you up when you break and be an all around good guy. Darcy this is everyone, and I promise you that they will keep you on your toes." The older man said Darcy recognized him to be the voice he had often spoken to on the phone, Edward Gardner. As if prearranged individuals began to give their name, job, and then someone else's name. It began with the younger man on the right of Edward.
"Chris Brandon, Producer/ Business, Marianna Dashwood – Brandon." Chris said proudly, he was the sandy haired man talking to the strawberry blonde doing push ups. Next to him was a taller and younger still brunette man,
"Eddie Ferrars, Producer/ Business, Elinor Dashwood." He too was proud and beaming, primarily as he said the last name. There were a few comments from the peanut gallery at the last name as well. The name game soon moved to a red head sitting on the floor.
"Anne Elliot, ballet dancer, Fredrick Wentworth!" More comments from the peanut gallery, lots of applause.
"Cathy Tilney, costumer, Henry Tilney." Said a dinky dark haired woman in the beginning stages of pregnancy. She rubbed her stomach as she said Henry's name.
"Edmund Bertram, dancer, Fanny Prince." Said a dark haired man, there were many shouts of 'about (insert random expletive) time.' Apparently that relationship was a publicly screwed up one. Darcy didn't look at the Elizabeth clone as he tried to place names and jobs. A ditzy looking blonde named Emma gave a dreamy expression and only gave her name and a job, and a reference to going back to school, she listed no other name. Fanny Prince confirmed Edmund's declaration and blushed as she too received cat calls. A muscular brunette male ballet dancer, Fredrick Wentworth, was equally thrilled to say Anne Elliot's name as she was to say his. Harriett Smith had coppery hair, some pudge and a shy disposition she blushed as red as the fabric that she was holding as she spoke.
"Henry Tilney, King of the stage," a light brown haired man said popping up from his seated position, the woman next to him, Emma pulled him down as the rest of the group booed him. "Oh and I love Cathy!" He said, Cathy laughed and replied that she loved the king of the fools. Next was an older woman standing in the back with the Elizabeth look-a-like, she had salt and pepper hair in a thick braid down her back and a fit older body.
"Maddy Gardner, Chorographer, married to that hunk of man next to Doctor Darcy for thirty five years!" The hunk of man (Aka Edward Gardner) turned to Darcy and explained that they had just gotten back from their anniversary trip to the lakes. Next to speak was Elizabeth, as soon as he heard her voice he was sure it was her, but tried not to let it show,
"Luciana Keene," She said, then Henry called out,
"Prima Donna!" she blushed and mumbled something about being a ballerina. She then moved on with confidence and said,
"Pookie Pokster, more dignifiedly know as Ted E. Bear." There were some laughs and some hisses at her announcement, the peanut gallery must've wanted something racier. There was another dancer yet to be introduced but Darcy didn't hear her, he was focusing on Elizabeth who was focusing back at him, both blushed and looked away.
"What about you Doctor?" Cathy Tilney asked politely after everyone was introduced.
"I'm afraid I don't know what to say." He said rubbing the back of his neck.
"It's simple, your name, job and who you're sleeping with." 'Luciana' spoke up from the back; she had a devilish look in her eyes.
"Okay then, Will Darcy – to you all, Sports related injuries style of doctor, and right now I don't even have a teddy bear." He said looking around trying to be funny. They humored him with, 'oh poor baby.' The meeting soon broke up and the three business men took him to his new office so that he could get settled in.
Darcy spent the majority of the morning organizing his office; he was stationed in a remolded bathroom. It was fairly good sized with plumbing, lots of counter space, and cabinets galore. Everything was quite until about noon when a young blonde came into his office clasping her hand.
"Doctor Darcy, got a band – aid?" she asked, he grabbed one and walked over to her, she had a slice across her hand that was more that a smiley face band – aid could fix.
"Its gunna take more than this thing!" he said dragging her over to the sink. After giving her a talking to about her hand he put some butterflies on it.
"You're Elinor, right?" He asked looking at her. Darcy remembered her from upstairs.
"Yep." She said nodding. They talked idly about the company for a while she seemed to be a nice, stable young woman. Of course that's what he thought of Charlotte Collins and look at what happened there.
Suddenly Eddie Ferrars came in half carrying 'Luciana', however when he saw Elinor he dropped the dancer.
"What happened to you?" he asked. Behind him Luciana grabbed the door knob and pulled herself standing with little grace. It was definitely Elizabeth. Eddie and Elinor left both entirely taken with each other. Darcy and Elizabeth watched them go and it was a sweet moment as Eddie fawned over Elinor. And it was shattered when Elizabeth tried to walk. She fell forward and was caught by Darcy, for the second time in their history he carried her over to the counter.
"What happened to you?" he asked, she was as breath taking as ever with her dark hair in a tight bun with soft tendrils of stray locks falling around her face.
"I did something to my leg." She said looking at her; the wheels in her head turning were visible in her eyes.
"Dance step?" was his sarcastic question as he had her lay down.
"No. Lifting this anvil safe made of lead in a concrete box with Henry." She replied.
"Which leg and where?" He asked, she told him and he was able to diagnose it as a pulled muscle.
"Elizabeth…" he said as he began to fix it.
"Of all the theaters in all the towns in all the world, you walk into mine. Fitzwilliam, please, I'm not Elizabeth here, very few know me as anything other than Luci. Let my name slip and I let yours." She said through gritted teeth.
"Fair enough Luciana, I really should've known. Even when Jessie, Matt, and that other guy told me everything I still didn't put it together…"
"Whey did WHAT?" She exclaimed popping up, and then winced, "Ow." He made her lay back down and stay still.
"Don't be mad at them, I was being dumb."
"Fine, I won't kill them. I should've known as well. How many Doctor Darcy's does one person know? No more than one."
"Actually, I know several; a majority of my family is some form of doctor either PhD or MD."
"Shut up." He fixed her leg and told her not to lift things that Henry tells her to.
"Elizabeth…"
"Fitzwilliam, please, forget that you ever met Elizabeth Bennet and meet me anew." She said before leaving.
From the PDA of F. Darcy
The guys didn't tell me Elizabeth's alias was Luciana Keene. And that she's dancing with Lady Austin. First day of work/ forget Elizabeth and she's there, beautiful and perfect as ever. I lost hope until today, but she asked that I meet her a new as Luci, if I'm meeting her anew that means that she's meeting me anew and that she can forget our rocky history. There's hope yet I can feel it!
Crawling, on the planet's face. Some insects, called the Human Race. Lost in Time, and lost in space... and in meaning.
Don't dream it, be it.
October 20th, 2005 6:06:06 EST
Feeling: Surprised
Music: As Time Goes By; Frank Sinatra
Play it, Sam. Play "As Time Goes By."
Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world she walks into mine. Or more appropriately of all the theaters in all of New York City he has to come to work at mine. Fitzwilliam Darcy sworn enemy of the state of Lizzy is Doctor Darcy promised miracle worker of the state of Lizzy/ the state of Boheme. Why can't he leave me be? Why can't he leave me alone? And he knows everything the guys betrayed me and told him EVERYTHING! Damn them how could they? Hold on more later. Lottie's calling me; she's in Maine right now so this is big.
"Hey girlfriend!" Lizzy said picking up her cell phone.
"Ohmigod Lizzy, I love him!" Charlotte exclaimed into the receiver in the background there was a shower running and the drone of singing.
"You do?"
"Remember how you were worried about me having to sleep with him?" Charlotte said she was dying to tell Elizabeth about her wedding night.
"Yha..."
"I'm so happy you turned him down, now I have him. He's great! The best!" What's she comparing him to, anyone beats the rabbit when that's all you've had for the last four years. Elizabeth thought.
"I know what your thinking and I can't compare him to anyone but I climaxed so hard that my toes didn't just curl but cracked!"
"You're shitting me!" Elizabeth was amazed, the todget a bon-a-fied sex god?
"Ohmigod, thank you so much!" Charlotte said giddy. In the background she could hear Collins calling to her,
"Come and shower with me my love."
"I gotta go Benn, but I thought you should know. I hope you're as happy as I am. Love you!"
"Have fun with Mr. Collins, Mrs. Collins." Elizabeth said ringing off. She looked at her computer and began to pen a new entry in her livejournal.
"Mood: Reminded of my sexless existence. Music: Ironically Sex bomb, for everyone but me. Title: Um, let's go with 'Monogamy is fabulous. It gives you a deep and profound connection with another human being, and you don't have to shave your legs as much.'" Elizabeth said aloud as she typed, feeling very Carrie Bradshaw as she did so, she could be the poor knock off, Sexless in the City.
"Charlotte York of Sex and the City once pointed out the fact that if you go a year with out sex you can be re-virginized. I've thought about this and realized I'm a virgin times oh, four years. And the last two I've completely given up, last time I touched my goodie draw I was looking for batteries for my alarm clock. God how sad am I?" Elizabeth spat rubbing her eyes before continuing, "And now Lottie calls, I was so certain that her wedding would fail and her night would be hell and she would be sorry. She called about five minutes ago to thank me for giving her William the Sex God Collins; apparently his orgasms are toe popping good. I can't believe this, I'm happy for her, but I can't believe this!" The phone rang again; Elizabeth picked it up and found that Janie was on the other end fighting with tears.
"Lizzy, Charles and I are having trouble." Oh God, he hurts her I'll kill him. An eye for a ball if you get my drift.
"Speak." Elizabeth said.
"We haven't had sex in three days." Jane said. Ohmigod I am like Carrie!
"What do you want me to do about it?"
"I don't know? I don't know what I'm doing about it. We used to always sleep together, his sisters left last week and since then we've been going at it like rabbits. But come this week and the few times we've had sex it hasn't been the same."
"Oh really?" Images of sweet sex, roses and candles and such danced around her head and she tried to block them. Thinking about your sister nailing her boyfriend isn't something fun. "How so?"
"You actually want details?"
"I'm taking my cues from Dr. Ruth, now what's the matter with your sex?" Jane sighed but her sister's comments had taken the edge off of her grief.
"Well before it was so sweet, roses and candles, but we got over that, our first time was in a bed but our last time was in the tub – we were going to try the kitchen but both our floors are that cold hard terracotta. Any way. And it was good, no it was great, he made my toes not only curl but crack that's how good it was. He's made me meow…"
"He's made you meow?" Elizabeth said, maybe this Doctor Ruth thing wasn't a good idea; she didn't need to hear about that.
"Yes! And just when I would think about how it couldn't get any better he would spoon me and stay the entire night. But lately he's been in bed but not on the planet. We don't cuddle any more, he just falls asleep, or rolls over and pretends to fall asleep but he's not asleep and I can't talk to him. I love him so much. But want if he doesn't want me any more, what if he drops me after sex. Some do that you know. I'm just so afraid, Lizzy…" Jane dissolved into tears.
"Oh honey don't cry. Don't cry. There should be some alcohol somewhere in your apartment, I know I left a bottle, have yourself a belt, there's a good girl. Okay and then think about everything that could possibly explain this change, but never think he's leaving because this guy loves you. He LOVES you. But he could be stressed or something. Then I suggest you go over there and seduce him, have mind blowing sex and see what happens. Do your best to be supportive and be yourself. He loves you." Elizabeth said.
"Thank you honey. I will. And to say something like you, if nothing else I'll have a really good orgasm."
"Attagirl!" Elizabeth said, the sisters exchanged love and hellos for people and hung up. Elizabeth returned to her journal and began to type again.
I'm like Dr. Ruth, just got off the phone with Jane. She and Charles are having issues with their sex. He's not cuddling any more. I wish my only sexual issue was over spooning. She says that even though he makes her toes pop (what's up with these toe popping good orgasms? It's not fair) he goes all distant. She's terrified that he's regretting their relationship. If this has anything to do with Darcy trying to talk him out of it I'll kill the man. Pulled muscle fixer or not. It'd have to be Darcy or that unholy bitch from hell Caroline. Caroline is a bitch from hell and Darcy has a major pull up his ass and a family that is all about blue blood. Besides he thinks all Iowa girls are hicks, he wouldn't want his friend doing that to HIM. I pray he's just stressed about something like I don't know the fact that Neatherfield needs new terraces and other land work. Yha that's it; he loves Jane, but hates the color of the shed and is calculating the amount of paint he needs. It better be it, if he leaves Janie I'll kick his ass.
The next day Darcy still didn't know how to get into his office other than from the stage so he entered the auditorium. Instead of stretching the dancers and crew he met yesterday were performing a new musical scene to be sure. Music was blaring as different members of Lady Austin's company sang. Darcy recognized the tune as La Vie Boheme B; he also recognized the feisty singer dressed in a black leotard, pink tights barely visible around her purple and white thigh high legwarmer, and red toe shoes. It was Elizabeth. Chris, Eddie, Henry and the others had shouted 'To Dance" in time with the song and Elizabeth jumped center stage and belted out the responding lyrics while dancing with lots of high kicks and head tosses,
"No Way To Make A Living, Masochism, Pain, Perfection, Muscle Spasm, Chiropractors, Short- Careers, Eating Disorders!" She then began to spin on her toe like a top and it spun her back out of the lime light as everyone shouted "Anarchy". They must've doctored the recording because the music was with them; he knew from Georgiana's collection that there was a sketch on movies and music. Everyone shouted,
"Revolution, Justice, Screaming For Solutions, Forcing Changes, Risk, and Danger Making Noise and Making Pleas!" They then continued their little rant with Collins' line, "Actual reality -- Act Up -- Fight AIDS!" The song changed and everyone clapped, a new tune began, also from a musical. A short curvy girl with the thickest and curliest brown hair he had ever seen stepped to center stage. The song began and so did she.
"There was a time, I don't know when, I didn't have much time for men, but this is now and that was then, I'm learning. A girl alone, all on her own, must try to have a heart of stone. So I try not to make it known my yearning, I try to show I have no need. I really do, I don't succeed." Her voice was a strong belt alto but her body and maturity were way too young for the part she was singing.
"So let's bring… on the men and let the fun begin a little touch of sin why wait another minute step this way its time for us to play they say we may not pass this way again so lets waste no more time Bring on the men!" A bit of actually singing soon began and some more women joined in Elizabeth, Fanny, and Cathy he was positive were in the chorus. But there were others.
"I always knew, I always said, a silk and lace in black and red, will drive a man right off his head, its easy. So many men, so little time, I want them all, is that a crime (NO!). I don't know why they say that I'm too easy, they make me laugh, they make me cry, they make me sick, so god knows why…"
"We say bring on the men, and let the fun begin, a little touch of sin, why wait another minute? Step this way its time for us to play, they say we may not pass this way again so lets waste no more time. Bring on the men!" The chorus sang, before the young woman belted the next lines, Darcy had stepped more into the room, now about the middle, but stood watching still.
"They break your heart. They steal your soul. Take you apart, and yet they somehow make you whole. So what's their game? I suppose a rose by any other name the perfume and the pricks the same." The musical interlude took place and Elizabeth was pushed center with cants of "Wheel, wheel, wheel." With a smile she did a perfect back flip, over and over again. Where one ended she began another. It did sort of look like a wheel. There was no wonder why she hurt herself if that was what she did any mount of times. The interlude finished and the curvy singer had thrust another young girl center stage to finish the song. She did with a shy nature and a soprano voice. The group, this time including Darcy clapped and shouted praise. Another song didn't start instead everyone left the stage and Darcy went down to his office as the crew began shouting to each other numbers and such.