Disclaimer: We don't own Rent!
Miranda: Hi again, everyone :) I know all of you were sad that Benny died, and we're sad too (we're not really Benny-haters), but it's going to get happy and interesting :D And funny n' stuff. So keep reading, this isn't angst!
Katy: I miss Benny. XD -cries for Benny- But we're going to move on and not be depressed! -smiles- Whee!
Benny: I'm still mad at you guys -.-
Miranda: Well, deal with it!
Katy: Yah! Get over it, Mister Lamey-pants!
Chapter 2: Lightbulb!
Benny's expensive funeral went by without a problem or a loud crying fit, although all 6 of the "Bohemians" from "Benny's previous life" were exchanging tissues and holding each other comfortingly. Of course, the Greys and the Coffins stayed stony-faced, the women pretending to dab at the corners of their eyes with silk handkerchiefs. No one went up to speak, not even Benjamin Coffin II himself. After the funeral, a man who introduced himself as "Mr. Coffin's lawyer" approached Collins to talk about "the matter of the will." Just as he had said in the hospital, Benny had left the group of friends half of all his money, as well as ownership to the apartment building they lived in. It would be transferred into a bank account in Collins' name.
They all went back to the loft soon after the talk with the lawyer, and Mark immediately got a case of beer from the kitchen. Collins took a bottle and stood, proposing a toast to Benny.
"To Benny. I can't believe he's really gone. I mean, sure we had some rough times and he was an ass sometimes... but he was our friend."
"Amen to that!" Mark said, taking a big gulp of his beer. "The guy was cool, even when he was bugging us for the rent."
"Or trying to get into Mimi's pants." Roger said, laughing.
"Or running off to marry some rich woman and her yappy dog." Angel added, giggling along with Roger. Everyone was soon laughing and remembering funny stories from back when Benny had lived in the loft with them.
"And then he went," Collins began an imitation of a very high Benny. "Man, Collernins, I love ya... if I like die or somethin' you're gettin' all mah money! Just like aardvarks..."
"Guess he wasn't kidding..." Roger said quietly.
"Guess not," Collins replied sadly. "And I still don't get the aardvark thing... guess that really was the pot talking there." He paused for a second, staring into space. "God, what are we gonna do with all that? Benny wouldn't want us to blow it on a shopping spree... he always talked about how money is the gift that should keep on giving."
"Coooooolliiiiins!" Maureen whined, "If you put it in the bank, I won't be able to buy all those clothes I wanted!"
"And what about that adorable pair of shoes I saw?" Angel whined, wrapping her arms around him.
"I need hair-care products, Collins! Have you SEEN my split ends?" Roger shoved some of his hair into Collins' face. "Look, the split ends have their own split ends! SOMEONE thought film was more important than shampoo and conditioner! Now I'll need some serious hair therapy!"
"Fine, girls... and Roger... we'll spend SOME of it. Enough to be comfortable. The rest... we invest. Not in a bank, that's boring. But how...?"
They sat in silence and stared around the room, thinking of how they could invest their new small fortune. Joanne almost said something, but shook her head and stopped. Maureen looked over at Angel, who looked at Joanne, who looked at Collins.
"What about that restaurant you're always talking about, Col? That could work..."
"Yeah! We could open up a restaurant... Here! I don't want to move to Santa Fe, honey." Angel said, leaning against Collins. "Wouldn't that be fun? A little restaurant here in New York, and we could all work there..."
"That might actually work. Well, is everyone agreed?" Collins looked around at the rest of them, and everyone nodded enthusiastically. "Good! Then we open a restaurant!"