"Forces are Gathering"
Disclaimer: I do not own Rent, or any of its characters (although I wish I owned Roger…) and this is purely for fun. In fact it's my first fic, so please don't throw flaming arrows at me or anything. Donuts would be nice. Comments, critiques, criticism, all is welcome. This is the last chapter.
Chapter Five: You're Off The Hook for now
Two weeks passed by, none of the bohemians spoke with Benny after the wedding. Both Roger and Maureen despised him, while Collins and Mark just regarded him as an annoyance.
"Wait. So you're leaving us?" Mark's expression reminded Collins of a hurt puppy, causing a small wave of guilt to come over him.
"Just for a little bit Mark, you know I'll visit though! I got a teaching gig up at MIT, so I'm moving up there of a while."
"Awwww Tommy, we'll miss you." Maureen pouted her big red lips at Collins as she went over and embraced him, rubbing his back gently before releasing him.
"Yea, thanks man. Now we gotta pay more for rent." Roger said sarcastically, but he still wore a smile as he engulfed his friend in a huge hug. Although he was only teasing Collins, what Roger said was true. It was looming on each of the tenant's minds, but no one else dared to mention it. They barely had enough money as it was. Roger made a little cash doing gigs here and there, Maureen used her saved up cash from the small, off-off Broadway plays she did every now and then, Mark's parents paid for his share, which he hated. He had always promised that once he sold once of his screenplays or films, he would cut himself off from his parents all together. And now with Benny gone and Collins leaving, they each had to put out even more cash which they didn't have.
"Sorry man, it's something I gotta do. I promise I'll come back with tons of cash, then we'll party and blow it all on booze." Collins' laughter was interrupted by the ringing of their phone. Being the closest, Mark reached to pick it up.
"Hello?"
"Mark, hi…"
"What do i you /i want?" Mark asked bitterly as he recognized Benny's voice on the other end.
"Mark, please don't be mad…"
"Mad? You punched Roger and put us all down in front of everyone!"
With that line, Roger, along with everyone else in the room, knew who was on the phone. "What does that ass want?" he spat out.
"I know, I'm sorry about that. I acted like a jerk. But-"
"But nothing Benny! Don't call here again."
"Wait! Mark, listen. I want to make it up to you."
"Well it's a little too late for that now, but how do you intend to do that?"
"As you know-" Benny continued, "Alison's father's company owns the building."
"Yea, so?"
"Well I bought it from him. Now I own the building and the lot next door."
Mark didn't know what to make of this. He would admit, he was shocked, but he wasn't quite sure where Benny was going with this. "…What's your point?"
"I'm letting you guys live there rent free."
"…What's the catch?" There had to be a catch. There was always a catch.
"No catch. I swear. You guys are my friends! I'm not gonna charge my friends rent."
"Hold on." Covering the receiver, Mark turned to the others. "Benny bought the building, he says we won't have to pay rent."
"You see? That's great you guys! Problem solved!" Collins exclaimed, however the other two seemed less-than thrilled. Maureen folded her arms as she and Roger exchanged a glance.
"Fine, but we're still not forgiving him." Maureen stated against her own wishes. Both she and Roger did not want to take hand-outs from their enemy, but free rent would help them out a lot.
"We'll accept your proposal." Mark said into the phone after uncovering the receiver.
"Great. I promise you guys, I won't let you down."
-click-