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I do not own anything by Gaston Leroux, Susan Kay or Andrew Lloyd Webber, everything else is my own work.
An Irritated Aristocrat
"I thought that Madame Giry banned us from today's rehearsal?" Nadir questioned as he and Erik made their way silently along one of Erik's secret corridors.
"No, oh Pensive Persian, she merely told us we could not be in the room because we made her new dancer nervous, she never said we could not watch the rehearsal!" Erik pointed out as the men arrived behind one of the large mirrors in the foyer de danse.
"Why do I feel that this is going to end with a cane stuck somewhere painful!" Nadir said as he and Erik unfolded their travelling chairs and sat down ready for the rehearsal to start.
"Quiet!" Erik whispered urgently, "this wall is not soundproof they will hear us, Booby!"
It was a matter of moments before the corps de ballet started to arrive and proceeded to start their warmups. A grinning Meg and Christine arriving just after and joined them, then Madame entered the room… stopped and turned back to the corridor.
"Raouletta do not dawdle!" she barked as behind the mirror Erik and Nadir held their breath, then slapped their hands across their mouths to stifle their laughs as the newest member of the Corps tried to sneak in and join Christine and Meg at the barre to begin warming up.
"Raouletta?" Nadir breathed, as he and Erik looked at the Vicomte de Chagny wearing enough make up to look like a passable but ugly female, masquerading as a ballet girl complete with tutu, dance drawers and purple heeled man sized ladies boots.
"Yes," Erik replied his voice thrown neatly into Nadir's left ear, "Can you imagine what would happen to him if the Ballet Rats discovered the senior patron of the opera wearing very little, in their midst." He added, as Raoul started a round of plies. "Also, Meredith mentioned to my darling Angel, that Louis had to help shave him everywhere since it did not suit his dance attire to have a hairy anatomy, and then strap up certain aspects so they did not affect his Rond de Jambe." Erik continued.
Nadir silently sniggered, "He is so going to regret all that shaving at some point. But at least his shoulder length blonde bouffant makes an adequate chignon." He whispered, as the pianist arrived, and the two friends sat back as the rehearsal proper commenced.
ooo
It was only half and hour into the rehearsal when Erik and Nadir had to abandon their spying; though they both had to admit he performed a reasonable Cancan, the sight of Raoul in his tutu and ladies boots, was too funny, and they were in serious danger of laughing out loud then being discovered. Exiting the secret tunnel, they both decided they had better head to the office and get some work done.
ooo
Raoul was released from his penance the day before the gala, since Madame felt he had learnt his lesson. However, his punishment was far from over…
ooo
The de Chagny carriage was just pulling up to the front of the opera house the night of the gala, when Meredith noticed her husband had his hand down the front of his trousers his fingers moving in a rocking motion beneath the cloth, a smile on his face.
"What on earth are you doing?" she questioned horrified, as her husband rapidly pulled his hand out of his trousers and righted his clothes.
"Scratching!" Raoul stated, "I itch everywhere!" he added, "and I mean everywhere!"
"Well stop scratching!" Meredith hissed, "people will think you have fleas!"
Despite his discomfort, Raoul placed a charming smile on his face as he exited the carriage and offered his hand for Meredith to climb out, before they made their way into the foyer. Alas no sooner than they entered the main doors, He and Meredith were pounced on by Andre and Firmin.
"Ah, Our esteemed senior Patron!" Andre crooned grinning like he had slept with a coat hanger in his mouth just for this purpose.
"And his most charming Vicomtess, Madame Vicomtess you are looking every part the lady you are," Firmin drooled saccharinely.
Raoul could spot a management ruse when he saw one, "What has happened?" he asked cautiously.
"Nothing, nothing," Replied Andre airily, just… well… erm… there is a dance in the final act that we…urm… we…
"We do not condone and wish to inform you of it in case it offends you and charming wife!" Firmin finished for his now blustering colleague.
"What dance is this?" Meredith enquired knowing full well what it was.
Raoul stood listening to Andre and Firmin as they started waxing lyrical without actually saying anything when he realised that parts of his anatomy were once again protesting at have been shaved, and it was getting uncomfortable. Raoul stepped behind his wife and used her large evening bustle to cover a quick scratch.
"Are you quite alright?" Andre enquired having noticed that once the Vicomte had moved, a grin had appeared on his face.
Removing his hand immediately from where the offending itch was located, Raoul was relieved he had done so, because Meredith instantly turned around; removing his cover; to see what was going on.
"Raoul?" his wife questioned suspiciously, having no doubt he was scratching behind her.
Grabbing the bottom edges of his jacket in a blasé manner, Raoul managed to find a somewhat forced smile, "Yes I am quite fine, and as you are both well aware, we are personal friends with Madame Giry, La Jardinier and her husband, so we both know that the dance you are talking about, Le Cancan." He stated sharply, "I for one think that under the choreography of Madame Giry, the ladies will only be showing their remarkable skills in dance and nothing else!" Raoul finished, turning to walk away.
"Will your sense of propriety and your delicate wife not be offended by such a lewd dance?" Firmin enquired.
Raoul sighed, the itching was becoming unbearable and, in a location he could not scratch in open view, so gathering what patience he had left he eyed the two managers sternly. "Quite frankly, it is time for the introduction of new and modern dance styles to keep the performances fresh!" he snapped turning on his heel and thrusting his arm out "Come my dearest I feel the need to retire to our box ready for the performance!" Raoul commanded as Meredith took his arm and he almost dragged her away.
Halfway to their box Meredith had, had enough. "Raoul that was very rude!" she stated, glaring at her husband.
"Sorry but I am dying to have a scratch!" Raoul muttered, "These new trousers are irritating the shaving rash I possess in very important areas." He hissed.
Meredith stopped completely dead in the middle of the corridor, "So that is what you were doing behind me just now," she exclaimed, "Seriously; were you were scratching your…"
Raoul quickly placed his hand over his wife's lips, "Please not so loud!" he pleaded, "Can we just get to our box so I can have a scratch in peace…Please!" he begged.
Meredith looked at her husband in shock, "we receive guests and friends in the box before the performance, so you are not sitting there scratching… anything in view of society, she hissed, "Use the gentlemen's facilities." She directed.
ooo
Meanwhile in box five, Erik, Jean, Delphine and Nadir were getting comfortable. The friends were in high spirits especially after Erik and Nadir had told Jean and Delphine about Raoul's dancing.
"I would so loved to have seen that!" Jean said still sniggering.
"I am wondering how he is coping with the hair regrowth?" Delphine mused, "serves him right though" she added when Nadir looked a little concerned with what his intended was pondering about.
"You will be able to find out later," Erik reminded his friends "Remember we are all having a late supper at our house post performance and soiree." He added as they took their seats.
ooo
The lights were just dimming as Raoul finally made it back to box eight. "What took you so long?" she asked as the Prelude started.
"I was sorting out a few concerns," Raoul replied before they both settled down to watch.
ooo
Raoul was sniggering as Carlotta finished her introduction as 'Public Opinion', "That is the perfect role for her!" he whispered to his wife, as Christine entered the stage as Eurydice. It was then that horrid itching started again, Raoul calmly used the bell pull and waited for the box keeper to arrive.
"Could I have a glass with some Ice and nothing else, please." He asked.
The ice arrived just as Pluto was singing his aria about sheep and after quietly thanking the box keeper Raoul clutched the glass of ice in one hand grabbed the front of his trousers with the other, and whilst thanking the heavens that Meredith was engrossed in the performance tipped the ice down his trousers and adjusted himself, so the ice was relieving the itch.
The end of the first act came as Meredith turned to her husband and noticed he was sitting in a puddle, "Raoul?" she questioned as the curtain came down.
Raoul followed his wife's line of sight to the wet patch on the seat and grinned, "Ice, it has relieved the itching!" he sighed happily.
Meredith was not impressed, "Really; it looks like you could not get to the facilities in time!" she whispered angrily at him, "Now it looks like you have fleas and incontinence, why are you doing this to me Raoul?" she sighed hopelessly as she put her head in her hands.
ooo
Over in box five, Erik was glad he had already seen the whole operetta when he watched the final dress rehearsal the previous day, as it gave him chance to look around and more importantly watch the odd activities occurring in box eight. Each time Christine was no longer on stage Erik watched Raoul and Meredith with interest. Especially whilst being serenaded with a song about sheep and watching the Vicomte de Chagny emptying ice into his lap.
ooo
By the of end of Act three, Raoul had resorted to 'accidentally' tipping a jug of water on himself as the box keeper had run out of ice, and yet the dastardly itching continued. The problem exacerbated by the fact that Box eight, like box five was right near the stage and the heat from the gas powered stage lamps was magnifying every little prickle and itch. Erik by this point had given up and had positioned his chair so that he could keep one eye on Raoul and one eye on Christine, when she was on stage, but watching the Vicomte struggle with the discomfort of what Erik suspected, was Barbers Itch, was too amusing to miss.
ooo
As the Orchestra leapt into the last run of the Galop infernal, Raoul was discovering what hell truly felt like. It was bad enough with his groin itching. But now his back, front, arm pits and everywhere else that had been shaved previously had decided to join in, even his face. Trying to distract himself Raoul focussed on the stage and tried twitching his legs along to the music.
Almost as soon as Raoul started bouncing his legs to the music Meredith turned to look at him with a smile, "See I knew once you got into the music you would be fine," she declared happily, "You are just itching to get down there and dance," she merrily exclaimed.
Raoul looked at her from where he had previously fixed his eyes on the stage, legs still bouncing along to the music, and his face a rictus of discomfort. "No, I am just itching," he replied mournfully.
Meredith sighed but ultimately took pity on her uncomfortable husband, "Very well, I shall get a message to Erik and then we shall leave for home," she told him.
Raoul felt guilty as he looked at his wife, he knew she had been looking forward to catching up with their friends both at the soiree and then for supper at the lake house; Then an idea occurred to him, the lake house was beside a lake… A very cold lake, perfect for soothing itching.
"If I could crave your indulgence Dearest," Raoul started, I am sure that we could still enjoy our evening without cutting it short." He informed Meredith, "I just ask if you could attend the soiree on your own as I have some urgent business to attend to, but never fear I shall meet you at the Lake house for supper with our friends." He stated sounding a lot brighter than he had all evening.
ooo
The stage curtains had closed for the last time and Raoul seemed keen to leave, pressing his lips to Meredith's cheek, he bade her farewell and dashed off. With a sigh Meredith collected her stole and made her way to the soiree alone.
ooo
The soiree had gone very well and the plaudits for Christine, Ettore and Carlotta, as well as the rest of the cast and extra credit for Madame Giry for her bold choice of choreography, poured in from the Patrons as champagne was quaffed and little amuse bouche eaten. As the guests relaxed Erik and Christine took the chance to leave and head home to get supper ready.
"Daroga, if you and Jean would be so kind as to escort not only your own lovely ladies but Meredith as well via the Rue Scribe gate, since Raoul has vanished somewhere. Christine myself and Madame Giry will meet you back at the house since a large party disappearing into Christine's dressing room and not coming out will be noticed. We shall see you down there." Erik stated as Nadir nodded whilst Jean Meg and Meredith still chatted with the Marquis de Bordeaux and other Patrons.
ooo
The first indication something was not quite right, was when Erik picked up the soft strange 'oh' noises coming from the direction of the lake as he, Christine and Madame Giry walked down from Christine's dressing room. Christine obviously picked up on them too as she looked to her husband with concern.
"Erik, what are those noises?" she whispered, her face a picture of concern, "Is that the siren of the lake, you spoke off?" she asked
The little group stopped suddenly just before the ramp that led to where the boat was moored, and Erik turned to address his wife's concerns.
"Erm no," he answered, "The siren is just me swimming under water, even I have no ability to conjure mythical creatures," he added, "besides the catfish would probably eat it!" he finished trying to inject a little humour into the situation, as an almost obscenely orgasmic declaration of 'Ahh!" came from the direction of the water.
"Ladies stay here!" Erik commanded as he handed the lantern to his wife and headed towards the direction of the noise.
As Erik strode off down the ramp, Madame Giry and Christine looked at each other in the lantern light and decided that they were not going to just wait, so as Christine dimmed the lantern, they both followed Erik.
When Erik had located the source of the noises, he got quite a shock. Firstly, the boat was missing from the dock on the opera house side and then he saw the cause of the noises; sitting in the lake completely unaware of his audience was the Vicomte de Chagny, his bare shoulders just above the water. In the darkness Erik could see the grin of relief on Raoul's face and the pile of his clothes in the boat moored to the dock by Erik's house. Turning away from this sight Erik saw just in time the two ladies approaching behind him. Reacting quickly, he intercepted them both before either had noticed the unclothed aquatic visitor.
"I am a little tired tonight and do not feel like I could pole the boat across safely!" Erik quietly informed the two ladies, "Let us walk the back path around the lake," he added before taking off on a path away from the water.
Madame Giry and Christine looked at each other, Erik was up to something, but it was follow him or stay there. So, with high suspicion they followed Erik as he made his way around the lake and headed home keeping a pace that ensured he reached the lake house before either Christine or Madame Giry.
ooo
Raoul was enjoying the relief of the icy water on his inflamed skin when he suddenly noticed two glowing yellow flames trained on him, he swallowed hard, and ducked behind the boat when Erik's voice reached his ears.
"Stay in the water and do not make a sound!" Erik's voice sternly commanded, as the flames vanished as rapidly as they had appeared.
Quickly opening the front door, Erik waited beside the dock using his height and his cloak to hide the boat, its contents and the Vicomte from Christine and Madame Giry. "What are you hiding Erik?" Christine asked suspiciously.
Erik had learnt finally about how to handle Christine's curiosity, "Nothing my angel," he replied smoothly, "Would you like for me to stand aside and show you?" he asked innocently.
Christine looked at him, if Erik was offering to move aside instead of arguing, obviously there really was nothing he was hiding, she reasoned; "No thank you Erik, I really must get on and lay out supper before everyone arrives." She answered him before heading into the house followed by Madame Giry, who; despite Erik's best air of innocence, was still eyeing him with suspicion.
Once both ladies were inside the house Erik turned to face his boat, "Alright what on earth are you doing naked in my lake?" he hissed, as a nervous Raoul poked his head out from behind the bow of the boat.
"I am not naked!" Raoul whispered back, "I have my undershorts on!" he added, "And as to what I am doing, I am using the icy water to relieve the maddening itching I am suffering!" he finished.
"Itching?" Erik replied grinning, "I believe the term you are looking for is barbers itch perchance?"
Raoul grimaced, "Yes and it is not funny, I have a rash everywhere!" he blushed as he informed Erik.
"So that is what you have been scratching all night!" Erik stated with a smirk, "you do know that if you keep irritating that rash you are going to end up covered in pustules!"
Raoul pulled a puzzled face, "Pustules?" he questioned.
"Boils!" Erik clarified sharply.
"Boils to you too!" Raoul replied indignantly as he crossed his arms, "There is no need to be rude!" he stated.
Erik sighed, and put his head in his hands, "No you will end up covered in boils if you keep irritating that rash!" he explained in frustration.
"Oh, boils!" Raoul replied before a look of horror spread across his face, "Boils!" he yelped, "I do not want to be covered in boils!"
"Will you keep your voice down!" Erik hissed, "I do not want my wife to see you in dishabille like this!" he continued, "In fact I do not want anyone to have to see this!"
Raoul looked like he was going to cry, "What am I going to do! Help me please!" he begged.
ooo
Meanwhile up in the opera house, the soiree had finished, and Jean and Nadir were just waiting for the ladies to exit the cloak room.
"where on earth is Raoul?" Jean grumbled.
"Meredith said he would meet us at the lake house for supper," Nadir replied, "something about urgent business."
"Whatever!" Jean retorted as Meg, Delphine and Meredith joined the two men and the group made their way out of the opera house.
ooo
Down at the side of the lake, Erik had managed to calm a fraught Vicomte and was thinking on what to do, checking his pocket watch, he realised there was not a lot of time left before the rest of their friends arrived. Deciding that in this case honesty was might have to be the best policy, he left Raoul still in the lake, and entered the house.
Erik found Christine chatting to Madame Giry in the sitting room and sidled up to his wife, "Angel, where is your large jar of skin balm?" he whispered in her ear.
"Erik! Why are you asking about skin balm?" Christine replied, sounding a little annoyed.
"There is an irritated aristocrat sitting in our lake!" Erik replied glibly, as Madame Giry joined Christine with puzzled look of her own.
Christine was passed being puzzled, she turned to face her husband "You are talking in riddles!" she huffed, what do you mean an irritated aristocrat?" she almost demanded.
"I mean I have a Vicomte de Chagny sitting semi naked in our lake covered in Barbers itch, cooling his rash," Erik answered, "I need your skin balm, a towel and a change of clothes quickly before the rest of our friends arrive." He finished.
Christine placed her head in her hands "Oh, good grief, Meredith will not be pleased to see that!" she sighed, "Madame Giry please excuse me for a minute," Christine asked of the now smirking Ballet Mistress, getting up and heading to her dressing room, exiting moments later with a very large jar of her pink skin balm.
Erik met her in the hallway carrying a complete set of clothes and a towel. "Make sure he dries everywhere well before he applies the balm." She instructed handing Erik the jar. "If you need assistance I shall send Madame out, there are somethings I have never wished to see!" she added. Erik took the jar, with a surprised look on his face, he made a mental note to ask about that last comment when this was all said and done.
Arriving back outside with the required items and a small lantern just to give some light to work by, Erik addressed the now shivering Vicomte, "Get out of that water before you die of cold, get those wet undershorts off and dry yourself, then cover everywhere that itches in this balm!" Erik instructed, "and dress quickly before your wife arrives."
"Are you going to help me?" Raoul asked between chattering teeth as he climbed onto the dock.
"Not if I can help it! Now hurry up!" Erik hissed before turning his back to give Raoul some privacy.
With numb fingers, Raoul found getting his sopping wet undershorts off was difficult but finally he managed it and dried himself as quickly as he could before opening the jar and scooping out some of the contents, he started rubbing it into his irritated skin, "Ohh! That feels nice!" he groaned in pleasure as the balm effectively put out the fiery itching.
ooo
Jean and the ladies had just arrived at the Rue Scribe gate and were waiting as Nadir lit the lantern to help guide them to the lake house. Jean, Meg and Delphine were chatting happily as they walked behind Nadir, who himself was lighting the way and listening carefully for Erik; having had several nasty scares in the past when the masked man decided to pop up suddenly just to see him jump.
ooo
Back on the shore Raoul hit a snag, "I say, I know you would rather not help me, but I cannot reach my back!" Raoul declared as he finished smoothing balm on his chest, "and I still have other areas to cover as well!" he added as he turned his head and looked at Erik's back.
Turning around, Erik groaned, "Fine!" he huffed "I shall put the balm on your back, just get the other areas covered!" Erik grumbled as Raoul held the jar of balm out behind him for Erik to remove some.
Slathering balm on his legs, Raoul felt a pair of chilled hands on his back, "Oh, your hands are cold!" he said with a nervous giggle, as he finished smoothing balm on his legs, and reached for another dollop for the more vital areas, bending over to smooth it on the last of his irritated flesh.
Erik groaned with annoyance as he was finishing spreading the balm on Raoul's back, "Just hurry up this is not how I want to be seen thank you!" he complained. Alas it was too late, as a lanterns light from across the lake, flashed in his eyes then suddenly went out.
Nadir stood still for a moment praising any deity listening, that for security reasons all Erik's lanterns had a flame kill switch in case anyone was following who should not and for once the Persian was grateful for that switch. Frankly no one should have to have seen what he just witnessed, albeit for a fleeting second but still, this would haunt him for some time to come.
Back on the shore, Raoul was frantic, "they saw me they saw me!" he squeaked, as Erik dashed about and picked up the clean clothes.
"Wrap the towel around yourself" Erik ordered as Raoul obeyed, Erik then shoved the clean clothes in his arms, "Now get in the front door, turn right into the hallway then left into my bedroom the door at the end of the room is my bathroom, get in there and get dressed!" he whispered harshly as sounds of concern came from across the lake.
Back on the Rue Scribe path, Meg and Meredith were getting concerned, they, Jean and Delphine had been happily nattering when the lantern suddenly went out. "I cannot see anything!" Meg wailed.
"I have spare matches in my pocket!" Nadir responded, pretending to fumble around locating the matches, he knew were in his top pocket, 'Hurry up Erik and finish whatever you are doing!' he thought as he located the matches and relit the lantern.
At the same time as Nadir was locating his matches, Raoul had dashed though the front door like a mob was after him and was panicking in the doorway of the sitting room. When a snigger came from Erik's reading chair, "Turn right the first left!" Madame Giry informed him as Christine stood with her back to him eyes firmly shut. Raoul nodded his thanks and vanished into Erik and Christine's bedroom. As the door slammed shut Christine finally opened her eyes; to see Madame Giry chuckling with amusement.
"I would not worry my dear," Madame Giry said, "With how cold that water is I doubt you would have seen anything anyway!" she finished with a snigger.
Back by the lake Erik was welcoming the rest of the friends to the house, when Nadir insisted that the others went inside as he wanted a word with Erik in private. As Jean closed the door behind him Nadir turned to his long-time friend with an odd grin on his face.
"I shall need bleach for my eyes after what I saw earlier!" he declared as Erik screwed the top back on the jar Raoul had hastily abandoned in his panic.
"Trust me that makes two of us!" Erik replied sourly.
Nadir noticed the jar of balm Erik still had in his hand and recalled Erik creating it for his then young protégé in her youth when the stage make up made her come out in spots. He realised at that moment Erik had merely been assisting Raoul with his shaving issues; however, this had opened up an opportunity to razz Erik mercilessly and these opportunities did not come often. "What on earth were you doing with a naked Raoul?" he asked in a disdainful voice.
"Rubbing balm on his back and nothing else!" Erik retorted back with chagrin as he shuddered, then his eyes opened wide with horror, "You… You … You cannot be serious!" Erik squeaked suddenly staring at a smirking Nadir, shock infusing his voice, "You think I was engaged in a lewd tryst with that idiot!"
Nadir grinned, it was fun watching Erik squirm for a change. "I was calmly bringing our friends down to your house when I spied across the lake, you and the Vicomte canoodling obscenely I might add, his buttocks pressed against your trousers a look of pleasure on his face, his hands rubbing a part of his anatomy I do not want to think about and your hands gripping his shoulders, and you explain that with 'I was rubbing balm on his back!'" Nadir stated with a leer, "You also have greasy buttock prints on your trousers!" he added pointing to the offending marks.
"Ugh! I am going to kill that idiot!" Erik growled as he located his handkerchief and wiped the balm laden marks off. Suddenly realising Nadir was having a ball, winding him up, Erik was not impressed "You really are a Perverted Persian at times!" Erik hissed, as Nadir just laughed.
ooo
Back in the lake house a fully dressed and finally itch free Raoul had joined his wife and friends in the sitting room, and Christine was just waiting for Erik and Nadir to finish whatever bickering session they were currently engaged in before everyone could enjoy supper.
The front door opened just as Christine was getting up to fetch her husband and his friend from outside and a sniggering Nadir and an unimpressed Erik entered, "You say one word!" Erik growled as Nadir, still grinning, took a seat next to Delphine.
"As if I would!" Nadir replied with a sweet smile, as Erik headed to his bedroom.
"Where are you going?" Christine enquired, "Supper is waiting!" she exclaimed, as Erik stopped in his tracks and turned to smile at his puzzled wife.
"I am just going to freshen up and return shortly," he informed her, "Please everyone can start I shall join you, no sense waiting." He added, entering his bedroom and shutting the door.
It was at that moment Meredith noticed her husband's outfit was different from the one he wore to the gala. "What have you done to your clothes?" she demanded, "That is not the outfit you were wearing earlier."
"Well… I… err…" Raoul tried to explain, before Meredith sniffed him.
"You smell of Roses and…" she sniffed again, "Someone else's cologne," she huffed.
Erik returned to the sitting room having changed his trousers, and Meredith had to perform a double take. "You and Erik are wearing matching outfits!" she pointed out, glaring at Raoul.
The Vicomte had several options open to him at this point, and thankfully he chose the honest option. "I was itching from a non-contagious rash and I was uncomfortable, so I came down here at the end of the gala and sat in the lake to soothe the irritation, Erik found me and gave me some skin balm which has stopped the itching and because my clothes were wet he gave me a fresh set of clothes so I would not disgrace you at supper." He mumbled.
As the rest of the friends looked on Meredith sighed and shook her head at her husband, before turning to Erik, "This is becoming a regular chore, Thank you for getting my silly husbands backside out of the mire once again." She told Erik gratefully.
Nadir could not resist the chance for a final dig, "Trust me Meredith, it was not a chore for Erik to assist your husbands back side," He interjected cheekily, "I think Erik rather enjoys it!" he finished with a grin.
"Daroga!" Erik yelped his voice indignant, "So help me one of these days!" he grumbled as everyone else laughed, before the friends all enjoyed a well-earned supper.
