Everyone's A Critic
"Micki" said Reese firmly "What about you, Fusco?"
"Debbi" replied Fusco thoughtfully "…and Vicki" he added with a leer "Together"
Reese chuckled "Degenerate" he said affectionately "Funny, neither of us mentioned Susanna"
"She's too short" replied Fusco, rather rudely "What happened to Micki anyway? She dropped out of sight around '05"
"Dunno" replied Reese, taking a swallow from his bottle "They say she's retired on a farm in northern California. When I say 'they' I mean Google. Anyway Shaw is short – you like her well enough"
"Shaw's different – she's our killer midget. We could probably get the Machine to tell us about Micki" said Fusco lazily "She must get royalty payments. Be easy to track those"
"Lionel, I think you'd make a good stalker" said Reese, sipping his beer.
"Thin line between worship and craziness" said Fusco seriously "Just ask Finch about Root"
"Shall I phone 'em later? See if they want to meet for a late lunch – Shaw too. Be nice to be all together"
"That's a good idea" said Fusco enthusiastically "As long as no numbers are outstanding"
"There're always numbers outstanding" said Reese in a relaxed tone "We can't save 'em all"
"Better slow down on the beer, John" advised Fusco "We might get a call"
Reese shrugged and popped the cap on another bottle "Reckon we could retire to a farm? Maybe upstate - good country that way. Lots of fresh air - that sort of thing"
Fusco chuckled "I can't see Finch or Root cleaning out the pig sties. You or Shaw, yes, but not those two. They're too urban. Mind you, so am I, I guess"
"We wouldn't actually have to do any animal stuff" argued Reese "We could have a little commune – only without the sandals and hippy clothes"
"Probably without the sex too" said Fusco gloomily "What would we do though? Superheroes like us don't retire – look at Batman: he's still working and he must be getting on a bit"
"Er, Batman's made up, Lionel" grinned Reese "In case you didn't know"
"I know that, wise-ass. I know what you mean though" Fusco continued "But I don't think this path that we've chosen has an end. Certainly not retirement"
"Sometimes" said Reese, rubbing his hand over his face "I get so tired of saving the world"
Fusco looked concerned "Maybe you should take a week off, John. The rest of us can handle things. Detective Riley must have plenty of leave owing to him"
Reese grinned "I think he has. Maybe I'll go to the West Coast"
"You do that, buddy" yawned Fusco, swinging his feet up and stretching out on the couch "Find that farm. Meanwhile here's another question: Kathy or Gina?"
Reese pondered "Kathy" he said finally "Actually it's an impossible choice: name any two and I wouldn't kick them out of bed"
"I always preferred Jane" reflected Fusco "Like a lot of guys. Turns out she was a potty-mouthed little coke-head. Probably still is. Shattered dreams" he sighed.
"Hey" said Reese sympathetically "They were all coke-heads… except Charlotte, who was on smack. Shame – she seemed quieter and less scary than the others. They made some damn good tunes though"
"I think they're all clean now" said Fusco "Amazing that they all came out the other side of fame"
"Anything you walk away from" said Reese philosophically "You learn that in the services"
"Yeah, you're not wrong" agreed Fusco "You got the bottle opener?"
"Coming your way" answered Reese, throwing the object which Fusco casually caught one-handed "Nice catch Lionel. You should try out for the Mets"
"Oh, I'm ok at catching: it's running that might be difficult. I'm not the athletic type as you can see" he said as he removed the cap from his bottle. Fusco had been pleasantly surprised to find that he could control his alcohol intake much better now than in the past. He put it down to not being in HR and also helping Reese and the others – he no longer needed to deaden his conscience as he wasn't doing bad things any more. Not so many anyway.
"Ok, let's change gender: Sammy or Dave?" enquired a relaxed Fusco, looking at the ceiling.
"They both have strengths" replied Reese "Both write but Dave's more of a showman. Sammy can actually play the guitar though. Not sure what's happens now that Eddie has gone"
"They didn't treat Mike well" said Fusco "Guy works with you for 30 years, you don't just sack him"
"They're creative types" argued Reese "People like that have a different… perspective from folks like us"
"Yeah well" replied Fusco "I can't imagine you or Shaw screwing me over like that – you're both ex-military and value loyalty. Finch is pretty decent too. Root's a different kettle of fish – she'd kill us all if the Machine said so. Freaky bitch would smile while she did it, too"
Reese flicked a sideways glance at Fusco and hoped he wasn't planning any pre-emptive action against Root – she was one of them now. However what he said was true enough and it was a view that he privately shared: he was relying on Finch or Shaw to warn about any such inclinations on Root's part (or the Machine's). Before Root had teamed up with them Shaw had confided to him that Fusco was willing to "take care of her" and remove a threat to Finch and, by extension, themselves.
"My turn" said Reese, putting gloomy thoughts aside "Stevie or Christine?"
oooooooooo
Author's Note:
Micki, Debbi, Vicki, and Susanna are past and present members of The Bangles.
Kathy, Gina, Jane, and Charlotte are members of The Go-Go's.
Sammy, Dave, Eddie, and Mike are past and present members of Van Halen.
Stevie and Christine are members of Fleetwood Mac.