The Consequences

Last Updated: 2-02-07

Updated: 3-26-07

Chapter 13: An interview gone Awry

(Following Evening at 6:45pm at Ricardo Club)

(Butch's POV)

Blossom and I entered Ricardo Club dressed in our best. Personally I didn't understand how a swanky place like this got named 'Ricardo Club'. It looked more like blue-blood club. Or at least Rich and Famous no you're not supposed to be here Butch you're nothing but lowly well dressed trash Club'.

"Are you sure about this Butch?" Blossom asked apprehensively, "we can always leave," she told me, "go on a date, pretend this arrangement never happened."

"Blossom," I said frankly, "I'm not one to sweep my past under the rug," I said firmly, "not anymore," I added.

"Just because you lost…" Blossom started to protest.

"Lies and deceit ruin things Blossom," I interrupted her angrily, "you may not know this Miss Perfect but lying and sweeping things under the rug never turn out right," I told her, "and if it does," I continued, "you're either a no good codger or a person who'll die with unrequited hidden shame," I concluded.

Then I realized I had spoken loudly inside the club. People were looking at me as if I were a wacko.

"Great," I muttered.

Blossom was silent for a moment, obviously embarrassed.

"Um, let's get to our table," Blossom said with unconvincing brightness and moved briskly pulling me along.

I would've protested but she was already squeezing my right hand so hard that it cut off circulation. At least I believe it did.

I soon saw Rema Trick who waved brightly. But then I saw someone else. Two of them actually.

Princess and her husband.

I stopped in my tracks. Blossom dragged me the rest of the way without noticing.

"I see you always have a trick up your sleeve Rema," Blossom said as soon as we reached Rema's table.

"I brought her here," Mike said coldly, "I'm guessing you're unhappy to see my wife," he added.

Blossom blushed heavily.

I then looked at Princess. After not seeing especially so up close for so long made this encounter even stranger. She looked at me as if I were stranger. Then her eyes travelled the rest of my body then right up to my face. I silently waited.

"Hello," Princess said curtly then turned around.

I almost fell over.

That's all I get? A rude hello? I thought she'd be telling me off or something. (Butch's thoughts)

"Why don't you sit down," Rema offered pleasantly.

Blossom slowly sank into her seat. She looked like she'd like nothing more than to disappear.

I slowly moved back my chair and sat down as well.

"Good Evening," Rema said brightly.

Blossom and I responded in kind to everyone at the table.

"Are there anymore surprise guest?" Blossom asked testily.

"Blossom," I said trying to chastise her.

Princess stifled laughter and got a disapproving look from her husband.

"I only have one surprise guest," Rema said frankly, "she'll be here soon enough," she added.

"Why don't we order now?" Mike asked seriously, "anyone wants appetizers?" he asked.

"Where's the menu?" I asked.

Everyone else looked at me as if I had come from mars.

"Oh, um thank you," I said feeling dumber than a sack of hair.

"Don't feel bad, you're new," Rema said brightly, "frankly new is refreshing," she continued, "I didn't marry my husband for his rich and non-eclectic taste," she added.

I couldn't help but laugh softly. Rema was one strange character. Strange in a hot, deceitful, playful, cunning sort of way. But a character all the same.

I looked at Blossom to see if she had gotten the joke but she looked upset. Upset with me. The only other laughter at the table came from Princess.

"Well someone's allowing the release of her sense of humour," Rema said approvingly, "Mr. M…" she started.

"I don't like you," Mike interrupted, "I'm here for non-chatting reasons," he told her harshly.

I was surprised by Mike's behaviour. I looked around to Blossom smiling, Rema's mouth open in shock and Princess's mouth becoming a very thin line.

"I see you can find the mouth and mind to insult my favourite journalist," Princess said darkly.

"Rema's your favourite journalist?" I asked in surprise.

"I don't need any moral rhetoric from the pure of heart," Princess snapped.

"I have no rhetoric to give," I said which seemed to surprise everyone else, "I don't judge a person's character fully after only one previous meeting," I added.

"So you don't have a negative impression of me?" Rema asked frankly.

"I admit it's somewhat cloudy," I said honestly.

Rema laughed loudly. I was surprised that she'd do that at a sophisticated place like this. Especially since she seemed so sophisticated and well coifed.

"Wow," Rema said after he laughter died down, "you really know how to let a upper class woman let loose," she said happily, "I can see why Blossom dates you," she added.

I looked to see Blossom glare at her.

"I'm ordering," Princess said and Steve nodded his head at a waiter.

The waiter smiled and walked over.

"Chicken, fish, lobster, chicken along with rice, fish with veggies and lobster with corn on the side," Princess said, "I want the fish first after I've had the usual appetizer mix special," she told the waiter who nodded and turned to the rest of us.

"Appetizers for everyone," Rema said and the waiter nodded and left.

We were quickly served and I watched everyone to ensure I was eating correctly. This setting was really starting to unnerve me.

Thank God Blossom doesn't take me to things like this. I wouldn't be able to take such extravagance on a regular basis. (Butch's thoughts)

When I had enough I sat back straight and kept a straight face. I was NEVER coming back here again.

"Butch?" Rema asked and I looked across the table, "may I ask you a few questions?"

"Now?" Blossom asked obviously not happy about any of this.

I sighed.

"It's okay Blossom," I told her, "I came to be interviewed," I reminded her.

"But…" Blossom started to protest.

"Just let me get this over with okay!" Butch shouted at her.

The section they sat at fell in silence. All activity momentarily ceasing.

"Um, sorry," I apologized, "just ask me your questions Rema," I said refusing to look at Blossom's face.

"Hmm, okay," Rema said formally, "where did you and Blossom meet to be together like this now?" she asked.

"Um," I said trying to remember, "I was with an unknown band at the time," I recalled, "I think she found me in a bar, yeah a Yuko's Bar in New York."

"You were in a band?" Rema asked.

"Played electric guitar," I said proudly.

"Wow," Rema said and she seemed impressed.

"You a fan of the instrument?" I asked.

"Long as the guitarist can play," Rema said and I could pick up something not being subtle in that sentence.

"What's your next question?" I asked.

Rema smiled at me and took a few sips of water before answering.

"What would you say if I said I found who you had a scuffle with recently?" Rema asked me nicely.

I felt myself froze.

Oh no. (Butch's thoughts)

"Who?" Blossom asked immediately.

"Buttercup Utonium," Rema said simply, "she's on her way here," she added.

"What!" I shouted.

"Are you nuts!" Blossom screamed, "that bitch is going to…!"

"Don't you dare…" Mike started to say.

"BITCH HUH!" a voice shouted suddenly.

I looked to see someone appear before us in the speed of light. I didn't need to see her after hearing her voice though.

"If I didn't have super hearing I wouldn't have heard your big mouth from the entrance to the R.C.," Buttercup snapped, "bitch am I?" she demanded, "then what the hell are you?"

I noticed that everyone in sight was shocked in disbelief. Everyone except Mike. He looked calm too calm. Then I realized why.

"You invited her here didn't you?" I exploded at him.

Mike looked at me coldly.

"No," Mike told me.

"LIAR!" I shouted, "you did this to show me up in front of Princess," I accused.

"Don't flatter yourself," Mike responded, "Princess and I are happily married."

"Mike said he was invited by a special guest," Princess revealed, "when I heard Rema was also going to be there I…I wanted to come," she told me.

"I invited him," Buttercup spoke, "I was told by someone he'd be the best person to contact about the ways and behaviour of this place," she explained.

"Which person is that?" Blossom snapped glaring at Rema.

"Leave Rema alone, she only invited me," Buttercup snapped back, "I got Mike as a resource from a different source."

"Which source is that?" Blossom asked coldly.

"None of your business," Buttercup responded, "oh shit," she said suddenly, "I forgot Ace," she said and turned to walk away.

"Ace?" I asked.

"We're together, we've got kids, shut it," Buttercup said then walked off to find Ace.

I was awestruck.

"Did you know that she had kids?" Princess asked Mike.

"No," Mike responded, "she only told me that Butch had wanted to talk to her and had sent Rema when his meeting with her didn't work out," he continued, "then she said Rema invited her to Butch's interview and she wondered if I could giver her a good in and advice for going to Ricardo Club," he concluded.

"I hope that wasn't her taking your advice," Princess said.

Wouldn't surprise me. (Butch's thought)

"Of course not," Mike said incredulously.

"So you're really telling me, telling us, that you had nothing to do with this?" I asked him not believing a word out of his mouth.

"Yes," Mike responded cuttingly, "I've been proven to be a very honest man in my lifetime," he said looking me dead in the eye.

I angrily snarled at him. I knew he was throwing the fact that I had lost Princess because of deceit in my face.

"Mike," Princess said surprising me, "drop it," she told him softly.

Mike glared hatefully at me. But he calmed and kept quiet.

"What advice did you give her?" I asked.

"Butch," Princess said warningly.

"No Princess it's okay," Mike told her.

"I want this conversation dropped," Princess said her voice rising.

Mike went silent immediately.

I continued to glare at him but knew better than to defy Princess. Even when I had powers I felt that she could break me in half.

I heard stomping footsteps and saw Buttercup walking up with her boyfriend, baby father, whoever he was to her.

"Sit," Buttercup ordered firmly and Ace sat one seat away from Princess.

Buttercup sat down beside him.

"Good Evening everyone," Buttercup said sounding completely half hearted, "um," she said now sounding nervous.

"Just nod at one," Mike spoke.

I looked at him incredulously. How did he know she wanted food?

(Normal POV)

Buttercup nodded at a waitress who walked over.

"Welcome back Miss Utonium," the waitress said brightly.

"Um, thank you," Buttercup said pleasantly, "my husband and I will like the random appetizer special," she told the waiter, "and buttered seafood for both of us when we've finished the appetizer," she concluded.

The waitress nodded with a bright smile on her face and left.

(Rema's POV)

I noticed that Buttercup's order arrived even faster than others.

I watched as Buttercup nervously ate her food carefully. Taking careful small bites. Her common law partner Ace ate sparsely and it was obvious that he wasn't happy with the setting.

But at least they're dressed for this place. Mike must've bought her that Versace dress. The light green colour of the dress matches in contrast to her darker green eyes. It being sleeveless as well as that satin sash just a little below the shoulders helps emphasise that fit body of hers. Well emphasise it in a feminine way. When I saw her the other day she acted anything but delicate and feminine. She looked like a raging bull. Shows what a couple of friends, and an excellent dress can do for you. If I just saw her now I'd never believe she'd have a violent bone in her body. Ace is in a nice looking tux. The dark blue matches him. Probably didn't want to go designer because of that bad boy in him. Buttercup obviously wants to make a good impression. I guess that's sensible since she used to be this city's one of three heroines. (Rema's thoughts)

"Oh how rude of me," I said and acted flustered, "welcome Buttercup, welcome Ace," I said brightly.

"Thank you," Buttercup said nicely, "Ace," she said when he just continued.

Ace swallowed several more bites.

"Yeah, Thanks Rema lady," Ace said then continued eating.

"Ahem," I heard Blossom said softly and I looked to see a slightly amused look appear and disappear from her face.

She should make fun. At least Buttercup was smart enough to learn about this place and teach her husband. (Rema's thoughts)

Buttercup slapped her hand over her forehead. It was obvious that she was embarrassed.

"Don't worry darling," I said smiling, "you're man's not the only guy getting used to this surrounding," I told her.

Buttercup immediately looked at Butch. Like there was anyone else to look at.

"Hmph, am I not the lucky one," Butch softly said sarcastically.

Buttercup smiled mischievously.

I was finally seeing the real her since her earlier explosion.

"So how's life been treating you recently?" Buttercup asked Butch.

"Well," Butch responded, "you?"

"It's great," Buttercup responded, "my bar, my common law husband, and my kids are in great shape too," she added.

"You own a bar?" Blossom asked in an amused scornful tone.

Buttercup slammed her hands on her thighs.

"Why is everyone so affronted by the idea of me owning a bar?" Buttercup demanded.

"Maybe because she doesn't see bars as anything but brothels," Princess spoke up, "well except for the bar she met Butch in," she added.

I noticed Blossom's face go red. If I wasn't obligated to behave professionally I would've laughed my head off.

"You guys got together at a bar?" Ace asked sounding unconvinced himself.

"Butch mentioned it earlier in his interview," I spoke, "and I should continue that little thing, shouldn't I," I said, "Butch, is it true that you…um…you've had a pretty nomadic life before settling for Blossom after your break-up with Princess?" she asked.

"Um," Butch said.

"He didn't settle for anybody," Blossom said angrily.

"I think he's settling for the reddest headed girls," Buttercup spoke, "not that his prior tastes were that bad," she added.

Princess glared at her.

"Princess has matured since you last saw her," Mike spoke, "don't mistake her for a spoilt teenager," he told Buttercup.

Princess immediately threw her drink on him.

Butch laughed amused.

Mike looked at him darkly.

"You know why I really came here?" Mike asked him, "I was originally coming to see you sweat," he admitted, "but after listening to everything from Buttercup," he said seriously, "things she had been informed about by her sister Bubbles," he revealed causing gasps, "how could you sleep with Brick when she was his fiancée?"

There was a dead silence at the table. I was shocked and dumbfounded.

Blossom slept with… So that's why they never married! It was so publicized, their upcoming wedding. Just for it to be cancelled out of the blue and Bubbles taking her blonde moment further by marrying Mitch. The man of every girl who wants to get cheated on and hit dreams. But Blossom slept with Brick. My career's been made. Old dirt, new gossip. I have Buttercup's relationship, her kids, her drop at this interview, Butch's tussle with her, Blossom picking up guys in bars, and now…ha ha. Now she's some skank who slept with Brick when he was about to marry Bubbles. God, what else did that pretend goodie goodie bitch do? (Rema's thoughts)

"Mike," Blossom said in a tearful voice.

"Do you expect me to care?" Mike snarled, "you made Bubbles life hell," he told her, "you made her leave Brick for that woman beater Mitch," he whispered angrily, "Buttercup was devastated when I confirmed Bubbles assessment about him," he said, "if you expect me to care about your reputation, forget it."

Blossom's eyes were filled with tears.

"Rot in hell Blossom Utonium," Mike told her and got up.

"Sit down," Princess said firmly.

"I need to clean up," Mike told her harshly and walked off.

Princess looked after her husband incredulously.

My eyes were wide open. I wouldn't want to be him when they got home.

"Just wait 'til we get home," Princess said as she pouted.

She's so five-years old. God am I glad that she's at least rich since she's a fan. (Rema's thoughts)

I looked to see Butch looking at Blossom with the most disappointed face I've ever seen.

"Is it true?" Butch asked and I saw him gulp, "did you really sleep with Brick when he was engaged to Bubbles?" he asked.

Blossom whose head was hung in shame nodded.

"But you're such a good person," Butch persisted, "why?"

"Buttercup has the right perception of me," Blossom said tears flowing down her face, "I'm a horrible person," she said crying.

Butch hugged her, surprising me personally if not everyone else.

"You're not a horrible person Blossom," Butch told her, "the woman I met at the bar was a wonderful person," he said firmly, "and that wonderful person is right here," he said kindly.

"Are you kidding me?" Buttercup demanded, "after she bribed Bubbles into remaining a PPG, slept with Brick, …" she listed.

"Yes I forgive her," Butch said harshly, "she may have done bad things in the past," he said, "but she's a good person now," he told Buttercup, "she's not hiding anymore secrets."

"You really believe that?" Buttercup asked him.

"Yes," Butch responded, "yes, I do," he declared.

"Butch I…" Blossom started.

"Don't say anything Blossom," Butch interrupted, "Rema, this interview is over," he said and rose to his feet.

"But…" I started to protest.

"You are a bitch," Butch declared shocking everyone at the table, "you did this to get a juicy story," he snapped, "I read what you did on Bubbles, Blossom even warned me," he continued, "but I didn't listen," he said, "I trusted you, gave you a chance to give me a benefit of a doubt," he said to me, "and I regret it with every fibre of my being," he concluded.

I looked at Butch angrily. How dare he insult me?

"Rema…" Buttercup started.

"Is it worth it to try dirt on me Buttercup?" Blossom interrupted, "by bedding with the devil?" she asked.

"Hey," Ace spoke up, "the only person she beds with is me," he told her, "too bad you can't say the same with Butch Miss Promiscuous," he snapped.

Blossom's face burned in embarrassment.

"You're one to talk," Butch spoke, "I'm surprised Buttercup hasn't snapped your neck already," he countered.

"Maybe that proves something," Buttercup countered him.

"Let's go Blossom," Butch said instead of answering, "Buttercup, Ace, Princess, Mike, goodbye," he said and firmly escorted Blossom out the building.

I glared as I watched them go.

"Bet you're going to make them pay for that," Mike said as he drank a glass of water.

I didn't respond.

I didn't have to.

Chapter 13 Done

I had put the wrong update date for chapter 12, sorry about that. Sorry for not updating earlier. I'll do my best to update twice in April. Thank you to everyone who reviewed and the next chapter will focus on Boomer and his family. Thank you for reading and please review.