Rent copyrighted to Jonathan Larson, and stuff like that. This chapter is about Mark helping Maureen out with her protest. After hearing what Ducky had to say, I think I won't make it the same protest as the other one. My time periods are jumbled up anyways, so it doesn't matter. Hehe so, just ignore the errors and stuff. Oh, and also Angel and Roxie's play date. Roger and Mimi's time at the loft. I am going by the NYTW for this part. Joanne went for the cable but she's late. So this is like "You'll get over it".
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Mark Cohen, what have you gotten your self into this time? There hasn't been much of a change between you and Maureen. She was as happy as ever being a lesbian. Well, what can a guy do when he's lonely, bored, and horny? Either way, it was time to brace oneself for the sucking up comments and constant rejection.
When the filmmaker, now tech support, had arrived there was Maureen standing over the soundboard. "It's times like this I really appreciate…" The drama queen had mumbled to herself. "Mark!" She cried out suddenly looking to the awaited arrival. "I can't get this thing to work, do you think you could fix it? Oh, by the way Markie, you look like you lost some weight." Locks of hair were brushed over her shoulder, then smiled and briefly hesitated. "I mean... You always looked great."
"I try Maureen." He muttered sulking and walked over to the soundboard, "Say something, anything." Maureen had pranced over to the microphone and chirped cheerfully, "Test, one two three!" The cameraman sighed replying, "Anything but that…" This was defiantly going to be a very very long sound check. After all, this was probably the most awkward of times anyways. Plus, Mark was getting irritated from trying to get over Maureen and then having her drag him right back. Emotional blender, now on high.
"Now don't get irate." She commented nonchalantly. It wasn't that she was genuinely concerned with Mark and was actually going to make things much easier. The drama queen just wanted to have her equipment to be fixed. Plus, let's not forget, the wait for Joanne as well. Unfortunately, the lawyer was the one who was forced to go back and get the cable they couldn't find. It wasn't in the nap sack or anything…desperate times called for an ex-boyfriend.
Flatly Mark had replied, "Why Maureen?" It was a rhetorical question of course. "Tell me what it's like. With a girl and a girl. Who leads the dance, and who wears the pants? Who's on top?" Hey, a question was a question. Plus, he had never been too attracted to the same gender anyways. What would make Maureen not be the same way when she had been spending so much time chasing after other boys? There was that slight infatuation with Rosando, but that was a completely different. It, to Mark, was platonic.
"No way!" It wasn't any of Mark's business what it was like. This is who she was destined to be. Or, at least, that's what she thought at this point in time. Maureen was one to change her mind though, and now wasn't an exception. Even if she never did wear flannel shirts or liked k.d. Lang.
"Tell me, or I'll walk away." Ah, ha. Now there was something he could at least feel somewhat confident about. This time it was Maureen who was hanging on his every word. For some reason, this didn't work to well for Mark at all. He wasn't the type to do these sorts of things, so in short, that really wasn't important at all. Or even change the situation in the least bit.
"It's amazing!" Maureen romanticized appearing to swoon slightly. Take her or leave her, this is what the performer was. No wonder Joanne wasn't too disappointed in having to leave to get the cable. It wasn't that bad to take a break from Maureen. Even though she still loved her as much as ever. "Please Maureen, just give me one more chance!" Mark had desperately tried once more.
"You'll get over it!" She had retorted into the microphone. The digital delay had echoed her words emphasizing this line. Even if that wasn't intended.
"I'd call this a cause for hope."
"I'd call this platonic."
"Thanks, you're a life saver...Don't grope!"
-With Angel and Roxie at the Life Café-
"So, what have you been up to lately?" Roxie had asked tracing her finger around the rim of the coffee cup. She wasn't bored, just a little distracted. It had been the first time the two cousins had one on one time without arguing or attempting to hurt each other. Hey, as childish as they may've acted… It probably rooted from them never getting to know each other as respected adults. Emerald eyes looked up to chocolate ones with a look of kindness with an overtone of solemnity.
"Well, I obviously am with someone now. Collins, he's a sweetheart. I have my own apartment, and it's turning out pretty nice. I do, do drumming on an old pickle tub for money." She had smiled a little and took a sip of her own coffee. It wasn't too bad at all. Plus, if people did start classically staring at them and making comments… Well, the both of them could handle what would happen. Or just ignore the people. At least they had that going for them.
Leaning back into her chair a little Roxie picked up the cup and pulled it to her Béseame-
adorned lips. "That's wonderful. I'm glad to hear you're going out and doing things. Plus, an apartment is always a good thing to have. I, unfortunately, didn't think of that. It wasn't such a good idea to rely on rich guys then. Look where I am now, running around trying to find a form of income." She couldn't help but let a small laugh pass her lips. 'Those who can laugh at themselves are forever amused, right'? Well, either way… It wouldn't be without a slight overtone of bitterness.
Angel shrugged a little and replied somewhat cheerfully, "Well, I remember Roger mumbling something about trying to make you go out and get a job or something. I'm sure you'll do well with that. You just have to stay as confident as you normally are." She tried to be comforting about this, but she didn't want to spit out the generic advice of 'well, do what makes you happy. You can do whatever you want, if you put your mind to it'.
"Yeah, I did actually go out and already look. I think I have my foot in the door to say the least."
-With Roger and Mimi-
"So, Roger, what is Maureen protesting about?" Mimi asked lying against Roger resting her head on his shoulder. They had been doing plenty of things that involved using a lot of energy. Such as playing a game of 'Twister'. The two just wanted some form of rest now. Plus, Maureen's protest was a reason for concern. They had already had to give up meat thanks to her new vegetarian thing going on. Aisha knows what the heck she was planning this time around.
The rocker had thought about that question for a moment. There were so many different things spoken of, so nearly anything was fair game. But there was one idea that stuck in his head particularly. "I think, something about same sex marriage." He finally replied somewhat indifferently. It wouldn't matter to him anyways, he lik-loved Mimi. Hopefully she wasn't keeping any secrets that could change his viewpoints though. It wouldn't be the first time Roger had been confused. After all, he had thought both Angel and Roxie were girls when they had arrived. He had felt a little stranger about Angel when he had first seen her though. Because the ex-druggie actually found her attractive. Oh well, life was made for mistakes such as these. As embarrassing as they were.
The answering machine had then went off, unbeknownst to the couple…
"Speaak"
"Uh… Hello? Does Rosando live here? This is John the one who's directing. Well anyways, you are encouraged to come back to the workshop tomorrow around eleven in the morning. We're doing the second part of the auditions, and your voice qualified. Thank you."
Click.
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-Béseame: Really expensive make up. Link here (remove spaces) h t t p / w w w . b e s a m e c o s m e t i c s . c o m /
I don't know if this existed in the time period, but I honestly do not care. Hehe, I just imagine Roxie still having a ton of make up that was bought for her when she still had a steady flow of money. So, she doesn't decide to save it and just wear it for any occasion.
Thank you for the reviews by the way! Oh, and I made a reference to Sondheim a chapter or two back. It wouldn't fit but the chapter 'A drag queen, but one of vague consequence' is supposed to be 'A drag queen, but one of little consequence'. In reference to the song "Kayama Yesaemon. A samurai, but one of little consequence'. From the musical 'Pacific Overtures'. Hehe Yep, more useless information.
