Chapter 2: Turquoise Cow and an Orange Moose
"Well, well, well…Lucas Scott." Brooke called from the counter.
"Brooklyn."
"So what do you think?"
"I think this place looks great. Even though my mom's café is history."
"Luke, you know I felt really bad about that. But I did keEP the sign." She said pointing above my head. There hung the sign from the café. It felt good to have it still in here.
"I'll make sure to tell my mom about it in my email."
"Where is she at now?"
"She is enjoying Scotland with my sister."
"Gosh, I can't wait to see Lily again."
"Yeah, me too. So Brooke, How does it feel having all of your dreams come true?"
"Today, it feels great. Tomorrow, well the jury is still out on that." She said in her usual Cheery sarcasm.
"So I wanted to come by for a couple reasons. First, the whole Peyton record label idea."
"You hate it."
"God, no. Brooke its quite possibly the best idea you've ever had. I talked with my mom and we have decided to give Peyton the office space at Tric for her office, rent free."
"No way, Luke she is gonna flip. Now there is nothing standing in her way which means that the money I give her will go even further. Her dreams are really within reach now."
"Brooke, it's the least we could do. Without her my dream wouldn't have happened. Your line, Peyton gave you the drive and the tools to make it what it is today. We owe her."
"You're right, as usual. You know I really hate that about you." She said prodding me in the chest with her index finger.
"Good thing we didn't get married."
"Yeah. I would have to kill myself….No I'm too pretty to die. I'd kill you."
"Oh, thanks Brooke. I love you too. But speaking of marriage, where is the Mister Brooke Davis."
"You know Chase hates it when you and Nathan call him that."
"I know. So where is he?" I asked.
"He is in New York. Finishing a photo shoot for our Spring Collection."
"I never would have taken him for a photographer in high school."
"He wasn't until that assignment where we had to spend time with the other person. After that he couldn't stop taking pictures of me. So I channeled it to my advantage. Now I have a free photographer."
"Only you would think of him as that." I said sarcastically. "So there is another reason I stopped by and I know full well that you are going to look at me like I am crazy but just bear with me."
"Luke, are you doing drugs, because you are sounding higher than a kite and loopier than a rollercoaster."
"No, I'm not on drugs. I am on a mission of sorts. Some secretive person sent an email to my book editor requesting that it be forwarded to me. But I can't read the email until I guess the answer to the password protection question."
"Okay, so why are you asking me?"
"Well, I can't figure it out. The answer is the owner of a purple monkey. But it wasn't me."
"Yeah, Mr. Tiggle wasn't it. He wasn't purple and not a monkey."
"Who told you about Mr. Tiggle?"
"Haley, did during a girls' truth or dare session. And to answer your question before you ask. It's not me. Flora was my childhood stuffed animal and she was a turquoise cow. I know doesn't seem like a Brooke Davis first choice, but I loved her." She said, with added indignation at the end.
"Brooke, I loved a hippo. But any chance you know what Peyton had as a little girl. Perhaps a purple monkey?"
"Luke, we've known Peyton all of our lives. She kept those things under lock and key. You'll have to ask her yourself."
"Great. Well then I better get started. This way I can give her the office space and see if she had a purple monkey all at the same time."
"Good luck and keep me posted. This is juicy stuff. Definitely something to write about."
"What is this gang up on Lucas day."
"Haley sent out memos."
"Bye Brooke."
"Bye." She said as I stepped out of her shop. I ran the three steps to my car and began the third leg of my trek. I texted Peyton and asked her to meet me at Tric.
After a fifteen minute wait, I was becoming extremely impatient. I was very excited to give Peyton her new office space but even more excited to see if she was the owner of a purple monkey. All of these wacky colored stuffed animals were making my head spin. It felt like a bad 70s acid trip. Not that I know what an acid trip feels like. It's just my writer's mind turning everything into a metaphor. Now that I realize it, I gotta get that under control. While daydreaming, Peyton runs her hand in front of my face trying to get my attention. I must have been so deep in thought that I didn't notice her come in.
"Luke, you know I don't drink before 5. Dad's rule."
"Haha, Peyton. I am here to show you the new office space for your record label." I said getting up from the chair and leading her to the door. I swung the door open and show her the large spacious office setting. Her eyes got huge and she realized exactly what I was saying.
"Luke, Ohmigod. This is so amazing."
"And its rent free as long as you use it for your record label."
"Luke, I can't tell you how much this means to me. God, I would do anything for you right now."
"Anything, huh?"
"Well, I won't sleep with you."
"Good, because we all know my situation on that. Actually, I was wondering if you had a purple monkey as a kid."
"A purple monkey, is that like some key word for a sexual organ?"
"No, no. I'm serious. I got this crazy email that is password protected with a question. And the answer is the owner of a purple monkey."
"Wow. No, I had an orange moose that my mom gave me when I was 3."
"Damn, I knew that. You named him Van, as in Van Halen. It was your dad's favorite."
"Yeah. Actually Luke, now that I think about it. I may know the answer."
"Really…who?"
"Follow me."