Michel & Josette

Chapter 26: Recommendations

"So, as I was saying before, I recommend bringing protection with you at all times, whenever you go out in public." Raphael went on and on with his recommendations, explaining everything to Michel about what to do.

Earlier today, Michel got very concerned about a crucial fact. This fact was about him being cursed. It was amazingly obvious to him that bad things happened to him whenever he went out. So, like a fool, he assumed that he was cursed. Getting scared, Michel had rushed over to Raphael's apartment, seeking advice on what to do. Raphael decided to help him by recommending stuff to him.

Michel was sitting on a couch while Raphael sat on the edge of his bed, hands on his knees while he gazed at Michel across from him. Fondue was curled up next to Raphael's feet, sleeping deeply and having dreams.

Absentmindedly, Michel wondered what dogs dreamt about, or if they even dreamt at all. As he pondered this, Raphael rambled on and on with his recommendations.

"I highly suggest you bring an umbrella just in case it rains," Raphael continued, holding up his index finger. "Also, it wouldn't hurt to take a duffle bag too."

"Duffle bag?" Michel frowned.

"Yes. Bring a duffle bag." Raphael responded with a grin on his lips, looking rather suspicious.

Michel pursed his lips and his frown deepened. "A duffle bag with nothing in it?"

Raphael nodded.

Michel looked skeptical. "Whatever for?"

"You know, just in case." Raphael responded, shrugging nonchalantly but looking rather amused.

"Fine." Michel sighed with a roll of his eyes.

"Okay, I also recommend bringing a…spatula and bananas." Raphael commented.

Michel started nodding his head in agreement. However, once what Raphael said registered in his head, he jumped to his feet and gave Raphael a look of accusation. "You're messing with me, aren't you?"

"Don't be ridiculous…" Raphael trailed, adjusting his glasses.

"I am no fool!" Michel yelled.

Raphael wanted to disagree on that, but he held up his hands in surrender, grinning widely. "As I said before, don't be ridiculous! I'm just trying to help you out here!"

"Sure," Michel said sarcastically. "I need a spatula and some bananas to protect myself from this curse!"

Raphael resisted the urge to roll his eyes at Michel's antics and foolish concerns. Raphael knew from the very start that Michel was just being silly, thinking he had a curse and whatnot. Raphael thought that Michel was just unfortunate, that's all.

"I'm positive," Raphael went on, wanting to mess with him. "I looked this up on the internet and read about it in books."

Michel looked very unconvinced.

"Look, if you don't believe me, you can just show yourself out." Raphael gestured at the front door of his apartment.

Michel bit his lower lip, ruminating before sitting back down, smoothing out his clothing in an agitated manner. He was starting to find this boring and unbelievable, but he really needed some advice from a friend.

"I honestly just want to see Josette…" Michel thought with a trail, imagining Josette's wonderful face in his head.

"Fine," he breathed.

Raphael's grin returned. "All right then. Now, I recommend you bring some scissors, a bamboo stick, a carton of milk, a Wii remote, and Krazy Glue."

"What?" Michel looked at him like he was insane.

"It works. Trust me."

"Fine…" Michel muttered, unsure.

"Now, that's about it." Raphael said with a short yawn, getting off of his bed and stretching out his legs.

Michel looked upwards, confused. "Huh?"

"That's it," Raphael repeated, pointing to the door in a deadpan manner. "Get out."

Feeling offended, Michel got up and headed for the door, making sure to stomp the whole way there. When he left, he made sure to slam the door really hard.

"Have an infant with you at all times too, is my last recommendation!" he could hear Raphael yell from the other side of the door, obviously happy.

Michel muttered nasty things underneath his breath before taking his leave, going back home.

[LATER]

For some odd and unfathomable reason, Michel went through with Raphael's recommendations. Michel had a duffle bag hanging on his right shoulder with bananas, a spatula, and an umbrella inside of it. Balancing on his left hip…was an infant.

As he walked around, people were giving him odd looks, some even laughing.

To his horror, Josette happened to run into him. She just stood there and stared at him for an extremely long time before saying,

"You're a father?"

Michel's eyes got huge and he was filled with complete terror. "WHAT?! No!" he wailed.

Josette shook her head in disbelief and walked off.

Michel felt to his knees, threw back his head, and wept.