Author Note: I don't own Grease or Grease 2 nor any of the characters. I only own the plot to the story and a few characters which are my own.
Summary: Grease 2 Rewrite. Michael Carrington finds himself in America after his grandfather dies with a family who don't want him. Stephanie Zinone wasn't looking for a boyfriend after ending things with Johnny.
Chapter 2
Rydell, High. Rydell California
5th September 1961
Michael Pov
I made my way to my first class of the morning. I manged not to lamp Nogerelli nor the three stogies that followed him around like puppies. It seemed they had a nickname for beside English. Shakespeare. Really original right.
History. This class I had with Stephanie. I took a seat at the back of the class. Arsehole with the two hundred dollar jacket came strutting into class. He took a seat a few rows up from me. His entire outfit probably cost close to a thousand dollars.
I had seen what Money did to people. My mother's parents came from old money. I had lived among rich self entitled snobs for the first thirteen years of my life. I would much rather have little money but a loving family. I had that for a few years before Pop got sick with Lung Cancer from the Muster Gas. It didn't help he smoke two packs a day either.
Our teacher came in a minute or so later. He was a short stout pot bellied red in the face type of man. I could smell the alcohol on his breath from here. He looked to be in his mid forties. With a balding head.
"Morning Class. Those of you that are new here. I am Mr Upton" Upton introduced himself as he set his things on his desk.
"More like Upchuck."I heard a thick Scouse accent say from beside me.
"He got a drinking problem"
"You could say that that. I'm Gus. Gus Moretti. You from London" Gus question
"Yeah East Ham. Liverpool"
"I moved here with my Mum and two sisters when I was fifteen. Dad was killed in a car accident" Gus nodded.
"Sorry. Me Dad died when I was a year old. Me Mum died when I was thirteen. Lost my grandfather a couple of months ago Lung Cancer."Upton started to read off the name of the call roll.
"Michael Carrington" Upton called my name. I raised my hand to indicate I was present Upton carried on reading down the list of names.
"Kenneth Ellsworth" Rupert raised his hand.
"Zinone I heard you dump Nogerelli. Finally decided a you wanted a real man then"
Stephanie turned to face to Ellsworth.
"Is that what you call your limp dicked self then a real man" I snorted with laughter. Ellsworth glared in my direction.
"What are you laughing about you limey bastard" Ellsworth snapped in my direction.
"Your piss poor attempt a flirting mate." I answered
"Oh that explains it. An Uneducated Cockney limey"
"What the fuck meant to mean arsehat" I growled at him.
"Your Aunt and Uncle took in there poor orphaned bastard nephew. I heard all about it"
"You shut your mouth Ellsworth or I'll shut it for ya" My fuse was getting shorter and shorter.
"It's no wonder your parents didn't want you" Ellsworth pushed the wrong button. I stood up abruptly.
The whole class included Upton went silent. Michael Carrington stood to his full height of six foot three. I grabbed Ellsworth by the collar of his shirt. I slammed him against the class room back wall.
"I'm going to say this only once Ellsworth. Don't ever talk about my parents again or you'll regret it" I threatened lowly. My arm across his throat.
"We understand each other" Ellsworth said nothing."We understand each other" I repeated. He nodded. I let him go and taking my seat again.
"Mr Ellsworth please return your seat."Upton found his voice again.
"But he. Assaulted me and threatened me" Ellsworth protested.
"You provoked him Mr Ellsworth. I would if I was you keep your mouth shut for the rest of the class"
Stephanie looked up when Paulette slid a piece of paper to her. Upton had his back turned to them writing on the blackboard. What do you think about the new kid. Steph looked over her shoulder at Michael.
There was no denying he was handsome. His blue eyes found hers for a few brief seconds. There seemed like there was a lasting sadness in his eyes. Like he had witnessed some horrors growing up.
His rough but rich cockney accent reminded Stephanie of her mom. It had been five years this passed January since her mom had been killed. Her dad had done his best to raise his six kids on his own in the years since.
Steph had only been twelve at the time, Vince was ten, Hamish seven, Frankie and Lucy where four. And David had been only nine months old.
I could feel someone watching me a few times during Mr Upton's class. I looked up once catching Stephanie Zinone watching me. We made eye contact for a few brief minutes before she turned away.
The bell rang for second period shortly after. I gathered up my books and jacket. Gus and I had three classes together this morning it seemed.
The bell rang for lunch before too long. I followed Gus to the Cafeteria. I met his younger sisters Addie and Ellie. He introduced me to few other people. Brandon Ferguson. He spoke with the thickest Scottish Accent I'd heard. It was hard at times to understand Brandon. He'd lived in America for a decade. But hadn't lost his thick accent.
Then there was Anton von Zimmerman. Anton and his family had come out from Germany in 51. And lastly was Mattaios ‛Matt' Aaldenberg he was half Greek and half Dutch. He was taller then I was. He had a good three inches on me at 6'6.
"What part of England did you grow up in Michael" Anton asked looking from the book he had his head on.
"London. I lived with my grandfather for the last four going on five years" I answered.
"What about your"
"Parents" I finished Anton nodded for me to continue.
"My mother died when I was thirteen. My father died when I was a year old. A few days before Christmas 44"
"So you go family your staying with here"
"Of course he's got family he's staying with you idiot" Gus hit Brandon in the shoulder.
"My Aunt Evelyn and Uncle Thomas Olsen" I answered
"Olsen" Matt started to choke on his lunch. Ellie slapped him on the back "As in Sandy Olsen"
"Yeah Sandy's my cousin what of it" I questioned.
"You know she's all but royalty around here. She was dating the leader of the Birds a few years back Danny Zuko. They got married the summer after their senior year. He knocked her up" Frankie cut in. I knew all this anyway
"I know my grandfather and I helped them buy their house" I had a pretty large trust fund Mum had left me when she died. When Pop had become my legal guardian he became the extractive of the estate. My Aunt Evelyn and Uncle Thomas couldn't touch it though.
Eugene who had been showing around this morning. Was balancing his tray, and books as he passed the T-Birds table. Nogerelli stuck his foot out tripping poor Eugene. It was like washing a car wreck slow motion.
The poor bastard fell face first into his lunch. Nogerelli and his three sidekicks sniggered. I got up from my chair. I went over to help the poor bastard.
"You alright mate" I ask knelling down to help him up.
"I will be alright. Thank you" He thanked me as I helped him to his feet.
After helping Eugene find a seat at the table with the rest of us. I sat back down in my seat. "So the rumours are true" Ellie suddenly spoke.
"What rumours" Gus looked at his younger sister.
"Zinone dumped Nogerelli over the summer" Ellie nodded back to the T-Birds and Pink Ladies table.
"That don't mean shit to the rest of us mere mortals. Her and the rest of the Pink Ladies are look but don't touch. Not unless you want your teeth kicked in" Matt commented.
"What I could take that little piss ant and his three side kicks with one hand tied behind my back" I cut in.
Brandon, Matt, Anton and the rest of those at the table looked at me strangely "You box"
"Sure you get pretty good at it. When you regularly get the seven shades of shit kicked out of you by your step father" I replied darkly. I had been nine when I started to fight back against my step father Oliver Burton-Reed. I had the scars to back up the stories.
No one said a word. I didn't want their sympathy or pity. He was dead. And would never hurt my mother or I again. I didn't regret beating that bastard to death that night.
The bell rang for next period saved me from explaining. I headed off to my next class. Before long the final bell of day rang. I shoved the books and such in my locker I wouldn't need.
I followed the others out to the front of the school. I was the only one of us without wheels yet. Gus stopped beside his pride in joy. A 40 Ford Deluxe. Matt folded himself into his 29 Five Window Ford Coupe Hot Rod. Anton and Brandon got into Brandon's car. He had a 40 Deluxe as well. But it was a coupe.
"Hey Mike you want a life. Or you going to take the Bus" Gus called to me as Ellie and Maddie got into the back of the Deluxe.
"Sure. A ride would be good" I agreeded.
"Where am I dropping you off" Gus asked as we pulled out onto to the road. He turned on the radio.
"Kenickie & Zuko Auto Repairs and Towing" I answered lighting a cigarette as the latest Roy Orbison song came over the radio.
Before long. Gus pulled the Deluxe up at Kenickie & Zuko Auto Repairs and Towing. "Thanks for the lift" I thanked Gus as I got out.
"No worries Mate. You need a lift to school in the morning" Gus asked.
"No I'll be right" I answered
I winced when I heard Riz barking down the phone about a late shipment of parts or a late payment from customer.
Doddy and Sonny where working on a DeSoto. Danny was under the hood of a Mercury, Putize was working on a Buick. Kenickie was no where to be found. He must be out on a tow job.
"Michael" Sandy appeared in the door way of the office with my second cousins Christopher on her hip.
"Hey Sandy"
"How was your first day" Sandy asked kissing me on the cheek.
"Not to bad. Nearly got in a fight with this years T-Birds before school even started other then that it was fine" I answered.
Danny came over taking Christopher from Sandy.
Sonny had been wandering across the floor to grab something when Kenickie came roaring in the tow truck a 48 International KB-5. A rough looking Oldsmobile hooked up to the back.
"Where you get this hunk of junk" Sonny sniggered as Kenickie got out of the tow truck.
"Got it for good price. All she needs is a better TLC. Lick of a paint. She'll be right as rain."Just then the bumper fell off.
"You sure about that Kenickie" Doddy observed kicking one bald tyre.
"She may not look like much now. But she's got kicking motor under the hood" Kenickie with the help of Putize, Danny and I unhooked the Oldsmobile from the tow truck.
Kenickie pop the hood. An Oldsmobile Rocket V8 motor sat under the hood. "What was it you was saying about it being a hunk of junk Sonny"
"It was like you say Kenickie it's just needs a little work" Sonny back tracked.
"The body looks pretty straight. The motor run" I asked.
Kenickie turned her over. After a few attempts she cough and sputtered to life. She was running a little rough.
"What do you reckon Mike" Danny asked.
"She's running rough. Might have to pull the whole engine and transmission out. What's in her Kenickie."I looked around the hood.
"Three speed. Automatic"
"Might want to see if we can swap it for a four speed Manuel. Surely the wreckers would have something" Buying a brand new one would cost more then it would to get one from the wreckers.
"They should."
"You guys could any work going" I asked Danny about ten minutes later.
"We loved to take you on Mike. But we're overextended as it is. And can't afford to take on another mechanic. But I know someone who might be looking for a mechanic. Hey Kenickie" Danny called over.
"What's up man"
"Jake Zinone was looking for another mechanic right" Danny asked.
"Yeah he was why"
"Mike's looking for work. We would take him on. If we could afford it" Danny answered.
Jake's Service Station, Rydell California
5th September 1961
Jake was in his office. Going over the books. He didn't think nothing of it as a car pulled into the Service Station.
"Hey Boss. Kenickie's here to see you" His head mechanic and long time friend Paul stuck his head around the corner of the door way.
"Show him in" Jake looked up from the book work he was doing.
"Mr Zinone how are you" Kenickie extended his hand to Jake. Kenickie wasn't along. A boy about Stephanie's age perhaps a little older was with him.
"Fine, yourself Kenickie" Jake shook his hand.
"I'm good. This is Michael Carrington. He was looking for work. We'd take him on. But we can't take anymore staff. He's good with engines" Kenickie explained.
"Michael."Jake extended his hand.
"Mr Zinone" A thick East Ender Cockney London accent spoke. Reminding Jake of his late wife Molly.
"You know engines then"
"Yes Sir. I worked for a mechanic shop back in London. Before I moved to California" I answered.
"How old are you Michael"
"Seventeen. I turn eighteen in December" I replied.
"So you attend Rydell. My daughter goes there perhaps you've met her"
"I have Sir."I answered.
"Before I say yes. There some simple ground rules if you work here. Keep your nose clean. I don't need the cops sniffing around. Do your job. You'll get paid. Now when can you start."My now Boss asked.
"Now if you want" I replied.
"Good welcome aboard" Mr Zinone extended his hand I shook it firmly.
"Thanks Kenickie" I thanked him for helping me get the job.
"Hey I only made the introducing Mike. You did the rest. I better get back" Kenickie replied before heading out of the office.
"For fuck sake Johnny. How many times I have to tell you it's over. Before you get the picture" I heard Stephanie Zinone yelling at Nogerelli.
"Excuse me for a minute Michael" Mr Zinone got up from his desk. Picking up the Shotgun from beside his desk.
"Nogerelli. I thought I made myself clear. Stop harnessing my daughter" Mr Zinone bellowed with his shotgun in hand.
"I just wanted."
"You got three seconds to get on the Motorcycle of yours and piss off. Before I fill you full of holes" Mr Zinone wasn't taking no for an answered.
"We'll talk about this"
"Get going boy. Or I'll make good on my threat" Jake Zinone was by no means a small man. He was a strapping six foot five. He was a quite man. But when you got on his bad side look out. It was like poking a grizzle bear.
Johnny seemed to get the hint. He got on his motorcycle and left. Jake relaxed once Nogerelli was out of sight.
"Remind me what I saw in the that meat head" Stephanie asked her dad as he hugged her.
"Sometimes you got go through a duds before you find a good one Darlin. He keeps bothering you. And I'll use this Shotgun on him" Jake had always been protective of his family.
"I take it you've met my daughter's bonehead ex boyfriend"
"I've met Nogerelli." I answered.
"Right. You'll be needing these" Mr Zinone threw a pair of old coveralls to me. I caught them." Once you've changed. Go and speak to Paul. He's my head mechanic"
"Yes Sir" I answered getting to me.
After changing into the coveralls. I left the office looking for Paul. I found him talking with Stephanie.
"You the new mechanic Jake hired" Paul questioned.
"Yes Sir" I answered.
"Enough of the Sir bullshit. I had enough of that during my time in the Army. Paul will do fine."
"Yes Paul." I answered again.
"Right you can give me a hand with this Ford." I nodded moving over to the Ford. Paul was working on.