Chapter 2
We're Off to See the Wizard
"Oh!"
"Hey! My car!"
Jane and Maura shout simultaneously while exiting the precinct doors as they see Mo hooking the medical examiner's Prius up to his tow truck; the detective's squad car already perched on the long steel truck bed.
"What are you doing to my car?!" Jane exclaims at Mo.
"Uh, my job." He retorts. "I don't know how many times I've told you about parking here."
"I park here everyday, Mo." The detective adamantly asserts; backing up this statement with a death glare she normally reserves for murder suspects.
"Oh, not today." He counters, unfazed by her stare. "Have a great rest of your day, all right?" He adds with a chuckle and a cheeky grin before entering his truck, not one to miss an opportunity to rile up the detective.
Still irritated, Jane turns away and glances at the smaller woman standing next to her, directing her annoyance onto her.
Studying Jane's stern face, Maura knows there is nothing she can say to assuage this situation and dejectedly sighs. "I'm gonna rent a car." She states with a little bitterness to her voice as she pulls out her cell phone.
"Yeah, me too." The detective agrees, doing the same.
"Hey!" A voice rings out from behind them at the top of the stairs, immediately making Jane drop her hands to her side as she knows exactly who that voice belongs to. "Don't forget your dinner!" Angela continues as she scurries down the steps towards the two women.
"What is that?" Jane asks as she looks at the blue cooler in her mother's hands.
"Mortadella on foccacia bread, with a little roasted red pepper."
"Korsak put you up to this?" The detective interrogates.
"All I'm going through, and you two can't be civil?" She responds looking back and forth between Maura and Jane, completely ignoring her daughter's question.
"Don't you dare pull the annulment card." Jane warns her mother.
"He wants me to sign a paper that says I didn't want you kids." Angela proceeds, paying no attention to the empty threat.
"Ma we're grown-ups. We know you wanted us."
"If you're such a grown-up, then act like one and stop this!" She demands, looking at Maura too, letting her know that she knows that Jane isn't the only one not acting like an adult.
Maura's face falls a little when Angela scolds her too. But she doesn't wallow in her guilt for long before a smug voice catches her attention.
"Hey. Just saw Big Mo towing your cars. You want to borrow mine?" Frost calls out from his squad car as he pulls up along the sidewalk, beaming when he sees Angela smiling at Jane knowing he successfully played his part in the Rizzoli matriarch's scheme.
"Oh you're good." The detective deadpans, her mother and her partner only smirking in response.
"It's just a musical, Janie. One little thing for your mother, and you can't do it?" She guilt trips her oldest, knowing that she won't say no.
"It is more energy efficient if we take one car." The medical examiner pipes up trying to diffuse the tension.
"Fine, but I'm driving." Jane insists, already making her way over to the driver's side.
"Why do you get to drive?" The honey-blonde incredulously inquires as Angela grabs her arms and directs her towards the passenger side.
"Because it's an unmarked, and because I'm a cop, and because—just get in the car, Maura!" She frustratingly demands, plopping down into the seat.
"Have a good time girls." Frost jests with a little wave.
His comment goes unnoticed as Jane and Maura's bickering starts right back up about what music they will not be listening to on their drive to the theater.
xxxxxx
After thirty-two unpleasantly long minutes of radio tag and uncomfortable silence, the two women finally arrive at the Boston Opera House.
By the time they are seated, there's roughly ten minutes left before curtains up, which seem to pass painfully slow since neither woman has talked to the other since they left the precinct. To occupy the time, each of the women look around the venue.
Immediately, the Opera House's Roaring 20s splendor captures the detective's attention. This is her first time going to any theater and she's in awe of how massive, beautiful, and elegant it is.
However, having been to the opera house many times before tonight, Maura is accustomed to the aesthetics, so she finds herself observing the brunette. Upon seeing her mesmerized face, Maura's grudge towards her momentarily lifts from her shoulders, and considers informing Jane about some the historical background of this place to add more to her experience.
Yet, the look Maura receives from Jane as hazel eyes briefly meet chocolate ones, indicate that her 'fun facts' would be ill received.
Quickly averting their gazes towards the stage that's a few feet away from them, the women ignore one another as they delight in a sight that's a completely new experience for both of them.
This set design is very intriguing. It looks to be one of the more intricate ones I have seen for a musical. Maura ponders, recalling the numerous shows she's been to since she was a small child.
Huh, that's cool. Now I can see how far the different areas are from one another. Jane muses as she surveys the large cloth-like map from one of her favorite childhood films. Woah! What the hell is that?! She internally blurts out as her eye catches the enormous dragon looming overhead. Why is that there? I don't remember seeing one of those in the movie. I know there are flying monkeys. But dragons? I don't see why…
Jane's inner ramblings are cut short as the opening notes from the orchestra pit booms throughout the theater, summoning the dragon to life.