The Ballad of Roxanne Pelligrini

Written by: Craig Phillips

The characters herein this story is the property, copyright © and registered ® trademarks of Hasbro. The characters Jonathan Lawrence Patterson, Christopher Michael, Max Rogers, Edwin Pelligrini, Steve Pelligrini, Tyler McConnell, and Manic Deeds are my creations. The story itself belongs to me and is copyright ©. Reproduction of this story in any manner without prior written consent is strictly prohibited.

One word of warning, I do not believe in censorship of any kind, and therefore what you read is what you get.

Chapter 3 (The Deal)

Roxanne made her way to Sheila's kitchen, as she waited for her friend to finish getting ready. She rummaged around for some coffee to put on or the two of them Roxanne felt a wave of peace slowly wash over her. For so many years she kept her past locked away inside, but opening up to Sheila was therapeutic for her. She began to wonder if all the torment she bottled up was the reason she'd gotten vicious. Roxanne wanted to feel accepted and loved. There were nights she'd lie in bed crying for hours before finally falling asleep. She never knew why her aunt and uncle hated her so much, and why her father bailed out. Roxanne's deepest dream was to find her father, and perhaps try and build a relationship.

Sometimes her anger would get the best of her, and began to hate her father. Then other times her heart longed for him, and she wanted to be daddy's little girl. Having to live her life as a tough kid on the streets hollowed her heart out. When she dated any guy they usually just wanted to get in her pants, but she would kick the crap out of them if they tried. When she dated Mike whom she was very attracted to, but it ended badly. Mike thought Roxanne was way too clingy, and broke up with her after dating two months. When Roxanne was 17, she fell madly in love with Johnny Patterson. Johnny was a middle class kid, who came from a modest family. He was only 19, tall, brown hair, blue eyes, and always had a smile on his face. Not phony, but really sincere. He had a heart of gold, and his affections for Roxanne were always apparent.

(Flashback January 5, 1982)

Roxanne was sitting on the ground next to the ticket box office at Tower Theater in Upper Darby Pennsylvania. Roxanne hitch-hiked to Darby to catch a Long Island band named Manic Deeds who'd she'd become obsessed with. They had driving guitars, thunderous bass lines, pounding drum rhythms, and their lead singer Max Rogers had an amazing vocal range. Roxanne had been outside the ticket office since 3:00am when Johnny arrived. She heard footsteps drawing nearer and nearer, and when she looked up, and could not believe how hot he was. Roxanne quickly looked down blushing bright red. As the night drew on she regretted choosing the outfit she did, because it was cold, and there was a light wind making it worse. She wore a black spaghetti strap dress that had was made from very thin material, and was very short. Johnny noticed that she was shivering, and offered his leather jacket to her. She told him to get bent at first, but he insisted and just smiled. Roxanne could not resist his charms obliged him by taking his warm jacket.

They spent that morning talking about their backgrounds, life, and dreams. They were a natural couple waiting to be born. Once the ticket booth opened the large crowd that gathered got ready to buy their tickets, but Roxanne stood up and stepped out of the line and lost her place. Johnny who had been standing next to her looked at her with deep confusion. He knew she'd waited all night for these great tickets. Roxanne looked at Johnny with a little sadness in her eyes and said that she didn't even have the money for a ticket. He looked at her, and offered to get her a ticket. She said no, but again he insisted. Roxanne was really shocked that someone she didn't even know that well would be so nice to her.

The two of them approached the ticket booth, but Roxanne stood aside as he bought the tickets. He handed her a ticket, and gave her a warm smile. Roxanne's heart fluttered in her body, and impulsively she hugged tightly onto Johnny. She was not the type of girl to ever touch anyone in affection, but Johnny was different, and very special. The two stood next to each other during the entire show and absorbed the music that was blasting. Johnny would occasionally watch Roxanne headbanging and dancing to the rhythms, and playfully made a comment about too much headbanging would cause her brain damage. Roxanne just smirked, and continued.

After the concert Johnny treated Roxanne to a late dinner. This was in fact Roxanne's first good meal in a very long time. She scarfed down a double cheese burger, fries, three large Mountain Dew's, and two slices of apple pie ala mode. Johnny could only chuckle watching Roxanne eat. After a very loud and hilarious belch by Roxanne, Johnny came around and sat next to her. He gently turned her face, and kissed her softly on the lips. She closed her eyes, her body tingled from head to toe, she even let out a soft moan as he gently bit her bottom lip. Johnny was the only guy Roxanne ever let kiss her. Others tried, but were always met with a hard offensive jab to the stomach.

Roxanne thought she might actually have found her true love in Johnny. He treated her like a woman, and he never talked down to her. When she said she could not read, he looked into her eyes, and said that he'd be there to help if she wanted it. Johnny was a true man. She moved into his two bedroom apartment, and began what she hoped was her new life with her new man.

On that fateful rainy night on November 16, 1982, Johnny was coming home from work, and was hit head on by a drunk driver. He died at the scene. Roxanne got the frantic phone call from Johnny's mother who was crying hysterically. When she got the news, Roxanne fell to her knees shaking, sobbing, and screaming Johnny's name.

When The Misfits toured in Philadelphia in 1986, Roxanne took a cab to visit Johnny's grave. She first stopped by a florist and picked up two roses. One red and one white. The white rose was the first flower he ever gave her; it signified the purity of her heart. The red rose was given to her when they began dating. It signified their deep passionate love. The cab driver dropped her off at Woodlands Cemetery. Roxanne tipped the cab driver, and walked to the entrance. Tears filled her eyes, her body tensed, and she felt her heart squeezing tightly.

After a couple of minutes, Roxanne found his headstone. His grave was only a couple of feet away from an oak tree. On the headstone it read "In Loving Memory of our son Jonathan Lawrence Patterson. Your love for life was inspirational to all those who knew you." Roxanne closed her eyes, and sat down on her knees. Tears spilled from her eyes, as she placed the two roses on his headstone. With a shudder in her voice, she softly spoke to him.

"Hi baby. I miss you so much, and I wish you were her e with me. I miss your strong arms around me, and miss the gentleness in your touch. You were the only man in my life that understood who I was. You never judged me, never betrayed me, and never denied me affection," Roxanne sniffled, "Johnny, I wish you could be with me now, I miss you so damn much," Tears flowed down her cheeks, her eyes burned, and her throat became raw. "No one ever loved me as much as you. I had no family until I met you. Every waking moment I could spend with you, in your arms, holding me tight was like a fairy tale. I never knew what it meant to be loved, and you became my white knight," Roxanne was finding it hard to keep her composure. She began shaking, and clenched her fists as she hit the ground. "Dammit Johnny! Why did you leave me? How could you leave me? I need you so badly baby. How can I ever love another when I'll only see you in their eyes?" Roxanne reached out and touched the cold headstone and traced the letters of his name with her fingertips. "Baby, I wanted to tell you I made my dream of being a rock star," she trembled. All of her crying caused her body to lose some heat, she was getting cold. "If you could just see me now babe, the world loves me. You believed in me when no one else did," Roxanne began pulling blades of grass letting the light breeze carry them away. "How I dreamed of becoming your wife like we talked about, being the mother of your children, and spending the rest of my life with you," she then whispered, "I will always, always love you Johnny," leaning over Roxanne kissed the headstone.

Roxanne's eyes were bloodshot, her tear stained face had wrecked her makeup, but she didn't care. She stood up, almost falling over as her legs had fallen asleep. When she regained her footing, she touched her index and middle fingers to her lips and placed them on Johnny's headstone. Roxanne headed out of the cemetery and flagged down a cab. She was emotionally and physically exhausted. She just wanted to go back to her hotel room and sleep, but she knew there was a concert that night. Roxanne made her way to the nearest pay phone and called for another cab. Twenty minutes later a cab arrived and took her back to the hotel. Roxanne went into the bathroom and just stared blankly at her reflection. She turned on some cold water and splashed her face with it. She dried off and began to redo her makeup. All the while images of Johnny filled her mind, but she remained composed as she put the finishing touches on her trademark eye flame.

(Present day)

Roxanne gave up looking for the coffee. Instead she went to the refrigerator and grabbed the bottle of orange juice. As she poured the orange juice in a small glass, tears welled in her eyes; thoughts of Johnny filled her mind. A moment later, Sheila came out in her blue jeans, and a black Tinkerbilly's t-shirt. A towel wrapped around her head aiding in drying her long raven black hair.

Sheila caught a tear trickling down Roxanne's eye. Sheila walked over to Roxanne and lightly patted her on the back. "You're thinking about Johnny again, love?" Roxanne nodded lightly. During their conversation, Roxanne told Sheila about losing him. Sheila felt for her friend. Not only did Roxanne come from an abusive home life, but the guy she was head-over-heels in love with died.

"You know Sheila; I almost killed myself that day. Man I had the flippin' knife in my hand…," she trailed off.

"But ya didn't, love," Sheila hugged her friend, a little misty eyed as she felt the pain of Roxanne's heart bleed out. "Ya stayed strong there mate. And yank, to be honest, you have kept his memory alive."

Again Roxanne nodded as she sipped her orange juice. Sheila ruffled the towel on her head lightly, and then removed it revealing a very wild new messy hair style. Sheila's hair was going in all directions, and even some new ones. Roxanne looked up at her friend and just broke into laughter. Just then the phone rang. Sheila picked it up.

"Hello?" Sheila said politely.

"Hey Sheila, its Mary," replied the voice on the other end. There was quite a bit of excitement to her voice.

"Wow yank you finally managed to crawl out of bed," Sheila said coyly.

"Hey, Saturday's are my official sleep in days, there are no exceptions," she giggled. "Anyway, I just got a call from Kimber, and she said that Jerrica wants us to come to Starlight Music today."

Sheila couldn't believe what she just heard. "Are you daft mate? What on earth would Jerrica want with us?" When Roxanne heard Jerrica's name mentioned, she quickly rushed over to the phone to listen in. Sheila tilted it outwardly so Roxanne could listen in.

"Kimber didn't tell me anything more. All I know is that she wants to meet asap, like today," Mary said hurried, "Just meet me over at Starlight Music, bye Sheila," next sound was a hang up click. Roxanne turned to Sheila.

"Any idea what that girl's smokin'? She's gotta be hallucinating," Roxanne and Sheila were very confused. Why would Jerrica Benton want to meet with the Misfits? Nothing added up.

"I've no idea ducks. It did seem rather important, whatever the hell it is," Sheila commented as she went into her bathroom and began the arduous task of blow drying her hair.

"Jerrica, are you sure The Misfit's would even consider a contract with us?" Aja inquired.

"They've been ripped off for years Aja. Eric destroyed their careers even long before Pizzazz quit," Jerrica fumbled around with the newly printed contract, trying to get everything stapled together. "All that money he and Techrat used to ruin Jem and the Holograms ran into the millions.

Aja was still befuddled by her friend's kindhearted ways about the Misfits, "I know that things are different…well supposedly different with the Misfits, but can they really be trusted?"

Jerrica looked up from her desk and smiled at Aja, "I know where you're going with this Aja, and believe me I have thought this out carefully," Aja quickly reminded her of something very important.

"And what about Synergy? Don't forget that none of them know about her," she stated rather sternly. "You bring in the Misfits under Starlight Music, and…I just see a huge can of worms…," Jerrica cut her off.

"Aja your point is well taken and I understand the risks. I also know that Starlight Music needs new talent. Jem and the Holograms can't be the only band supporting the company," She sighed and walked to her friend, and lightly tapping her shoulders. "Sometimes Aja, we need to look at the bigger picture in life rather than live in complete tunnel vision."

Aja was still not convinced, but she backed down. She knew Jerrica was very savvy, and a very smart business woman. A trait she got from both her parents. And though Aja can be very stubborn, she knows full well that Jerrica can be just as pig-headed.

"Fair enough Jerrica," Aja said wryly.

"Aja, the Misfits are going to be here shortly. Mary called me before you came in. Would you grab one more chair from next door?"

"No problem," Aja said. She went into the next office and grabbed a couple of the chairs from the room.

"Here ya go Jerrica," she said with a smile. As she was setting them up around the large table, she spoke softly, "Jerrica, I'm sorry for not trusting your judgment on the Misfits. I guess with all the trouble they caused for us back in the day…well it's just hard to get over," Jerrica looked up at Aja.

"It's okay Aja. This has not been easy for me either. You're right though, the years they tried sabotaging our tours, shows, and special events don't make them good candidates for band of the year," Aja and Jerrica both laughed, "After talking in length to Storm…I mean Mary, well she really convinced me that all three of them were no longer about evil ways. They were about music, and making up for all the years they lost out on shows, et cetera."

Aja smiled. She was beginning to sense that Jerrica was making a wise choice. Even her boyfriend Craig Phillips had a tough time selling her on the Misfits change of heart. But if this was for real then Aja would forgive and forget.

"Oh by the way, can I assume then you will be working late tonight Jerrica?" Aja asked as she was heading out the door. "It's movie night, and I know that Deidre wants to go and pick the movie. Even though Ashley threw a bit of a fit over that."

Jerrica giggled, "Typical Ashley tantrum. Tell Deidre not to worry, I'll be home tonight, I promise," Jerrica said as she got back to organizing the contracts.

"Alright, oh and Ms. Bailey is making sloppy joes for dinner."

"Aja, stop it. I'm getting hungry," Jerrica gave Aja a cold but playful stare. There was a knock at the door. "That must be the Misfits. Aja show them in okay?"

Aja opened the door, but it wasn't the Misfits but Jerrica's long time boyfriend Rio Pacheco.

"Well Jerrica, I am not sure if Rio would make a good Misfit," Aja giggled.

Jerrica turned around and almost leaped ten feet into the air, and squealed, "Rio!" She hurried around from her desk, hugged and passionately kissed him. "But I thought the audio and lighting convention was not over until tomorrow?"

"No, it was only a two day event. There was a typo on the information. They didn't catch it until the engineers arrived," Rio kissed her warm moist lips again, "And I got us some great deals on updated live gear."

"Well, Mr. Pacheco, I'm glad you're home now," she held on to him.

"Should I leave you to love birds alone?

Rio smiled and then looked back at Jerrica, "yeah that'd be a good idea Aja," he playfully said.

"Don't forget to tell Rio about your good news," Aja said as she left the office.

"What's Aja talking about?"

"Rio, Starlight Music got the Misfits contract, and they are on their way over to…well hopefully to sign with us. She paused for a moment. "And before you say anything, yes know what I am doing, I know the risks, and my decision is final." She looked into Rio's eyes with a triumphant look to hers.

Rio could only smile back as he gazed into her baby blue eyes. "Don't worry honey, I learned real quick that arguing with you on contact matters won't get me anywhere.

"I taught you well Mr. Pacheco," she smiled.

"Hey I'll see you tonight," Rio said with a sly smile, and then graciously bowed before her. He then headed out the door almost running over Sheila.

"'Hey watch it yank!" Sheila said with a mild hiss.

"Sorry Jetta," he continued walking towards the elevator.

"'Call me Sheila!" She shouted, "that bloke, oy," the other girls just laughed. Though Sheila had mellowed out more these day, she still had that British attitude running through her veins.

"Ladies, please come in and take a seat," Jerrica greeted them each with a cordial handshake, "would anyone care for coffee, or water?" Seeing shaking heads, Jerrica walked back around her desk and sat down, "first off, let me just say thank you for meeting with me. I know that this may feel awkward given our past history, but I want you to know that there are no hard feelings," she smiled. Mary chimed in first.

"On behalf of the Misfits, we thank you for the invitation Jerrica. But we are all a little confused as to why we are here."

"Yeah yank, what's going on?" Asked Sheila, not really sure what to think at the moment.

Jerrica passed out three copies of their new contracts. The girls became wide eyed and were completely taken back. "What I'm is offering the Misfits is a fair and ethical contract under Starlight Music." Jerrica looked at each girl, getting a read on body language, and reactions.

Roxanne looked blankly at the contract, though she had gotten better at reading, she still struggled, "Um…Jerrica…Ugh this is embarrassing, but…I…uh…

"Can't read too well?" Jerrica finished Roxanne's sentence, "don't worry, we'll go over it step by step."

"Jerrica, are you serious about this?" Sheila looked at Jerrica with wide open eyes.

"Yes Sheila. I was able to negotiate your contract away from Stinger Sound. I did this because you got burned badly by Eric, and I know the Misfits are a hit band," Jerrica sighed because she had to break some very bad news to them. "Have you any idea how much money and control you lost?" The girls all shook their heads. "If my calculations are correct, you lost a total of twenty-one point five million dollars in back royalties from album sales that Eric swiped over the years. Not to mention the four point seven million dollars in royalties from radio play, and nine point eight million dollars in merchandise sales…"

"Figures! That daft cow!" Shelia exclaimed. "How much do you think Pizzazz walked away with Jerrica?"

"I'm not really sure, but I can imagine that it was millions. When I went over your original contracts, this is before you joined Sheila. There was a clause that allowed Eric, and Phyllis to obtain sixty-five percent of the net profits," Jerrica was disgusted by the dealings those two did. "In other words, Eric and Phyllis got almost all the money, and even took more out based on the clause "damages" due to the hotels that wound up trashed.

"So Eric and Phyllis took practically everything, and left us nothing for our efforts?" Mary said as she continued reading the contract. "Jerrica, I always got a $12,500 check for albums sold."

"Yes but even after the bills Mary, you still should have received a minimum of $212,000 for just fifty thousand albums sold." Jerrica continued looking at their horrified faces. "And to make matters worse the contact you signed, prevents you from collecting those back royalties.

Roxanne looked at her band mates. "You know what? Screw Raymond, and Gabor. I'm doin' this deal." Sheila and Mary looked at Roxanne.

"You haven't even read the contract, albeit it is a really fair one, you gotta make sure it is fair for you." Mary warned.

"Look, Jerrica is not gonna mess us around. She's someone we should have signed with long ago," Roxanne was fuming, and then turned to Jerrica with pleading eyes. "You wouldn't screw with us would you?"

"Never Roxanne, you have my word of honor," she said with a warm smile. "What I have done is made sure that your band receives the fair and just royalties. And while we can't go after Stinger Sound, they can't touch your earnings from this day forward. Finally Starlight Music is going to get you back into the studio, and send you off on a world tour.

The girls were in absolute shock. Eric had always cut corners where ever he could to save a buck. This was really true with the tours, and the crappy hotels. Since Roxanne had already signed it was down to Sheila and Mary. They exchanged glances, and then signed on the dotted line. It was now official the Misfits were under a major record label and they felt they won the war with Eric Raymond and Phyllis Gabor.

Mary looked at Jerrica, with tears in her blue eyes, "Jerrica, you don't know what this means to us…Kimber was right, this was the best surprise ever."

"Well hold on, I have one more thing to offer all of you." Jerrica said as she sat on the edge of her desk. "I want to invite you to dinner at Starlight mansion."

They all looked up at Jerrica in unison, and nodded. They never saw this side of Jerrica, and frankly it was a breath of fresh air. For once the Misfits were treated like rock stars, and not gutter trash.

Sheila then spoke, "what time do you want us?"

"Come over at five-thirty, we'll be eating at six," Jerrica commented.

No one ever thought in a million years that the Misfits would be invited to have dinner at Starlight mansion. When they were rivals, everything that was related to Starlight Music irritated them. At every turn they tried to upstage Jem's events. Sometimes they really pushed it into dangerous territory to the point of people almost getting killed. Though they never meant to cause personal harm, their actions (or that of Eric Raymond's) would often speak at high levels.

Back then sabotage was just routine. Roxanne seemed to enjoy it the most, even more so than Phyllis. For Roxanne it was the sadistic side to her personality, and getting off on other people's pain and misery. All these scams, lies and betrayals cost them millions ultimately. Eventually the novelty of what was once mischief, turned out to be more disastrous then even the Misfits could have foreseen. They'd been blacklisted on every local news, and radio show. Even the gossip queen Harriet Horn banned them from her show.

They really just wanted to be the biggest band in the world. It was suppose to be fun, and not a nightmare. Yes this was a lot of Eric's fault, but they also had to blame themselves. All the parties, hotel destruction, half empty houses did cause the band to crash and burn. Now they were starting over with Starlight Music, and one day the Misfits would come back and take it all!

To be continued in Chapter 4: Rise of the Phoenix