A/N: Welcome back and I hope you enjoy this chapter. This is in fact the chapter where some major discoveries are made. I hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day, read on:
Day 7 of Mission: Moving
Monday, May 23, 2005
Car # 4
5:30. The alarm goes off in Piper's room. She wakes up the same time as Leo. She stretches and walks to the bathroom. She takes a shower and gets dressed.
Piper - walking into the room where the beds are at - Leo, clean up the boys and get them ready, ok.
Leo - This early?
Piper - Chomp, chomp. We've got an interstate to catch at 6:10 AM.
She walks out.
Prue's Room
Piper knocks on Prue's door. A few minutes later, Prue answers the door.
Prue - Sorry. Andy and I were giving Andy, Jr. the no-no word.
Piper - No-no word?
Prue - whispering - B-A-T-H. Bath.
Piper - Oh. We're leaving at 6:10.
Prue - Oh no. Phoebe.
Piper - Yeah. But she isn't the problem. Paige is.
Prue - Yeah, I've noticed she's not a morning person either.
Piper - Yeah. I'm waking her up now.
Prue - May the force be with you.
Piper - Thanks.
She walks away.
Paige's Room
Piper knocks on Paige's door. About 30 seconds later, Richard answers.
Richard - She's been up since 4.
Piper - shocked - No way.
Paige - coming out behind Richard - Nope, I've been wanting out of this state since we entered it.
Piper laughs.
Piper - How does 6:10 sound?
Paige - Good enough.
Piper leaves.
Phoebe's Room
Piper knocks on Phoebe's door. Phoebe opens the door and Piper is met by the sound of country music.
Piper - What's that?
Phoebe - WJLS. It's a station in Beckley, WV.
Piper - What's the dial numbers.
Phoebe - 99.5 fm.
Piper - Do you have any more songs?
Phoebe - No, that's why I was looking for a station… besides…
Piper - Yeah.
Phoebe - So, what time we leavin'?
Piper - 6:10.
Phoebe - Ok, see ya in a bit!
Piper - OK.
She leaves.
Piper's Room
Leo - You're back. Wyatt orbed out of the tub and now he's under the bed.
Piper - I'll get him. - she walks over to the bed, gets down on her knees and starts to talk to Wyatt - Hey baby, come on out.
Wyatt - in baby talk - Neau.
Piper - Come on baby. Out of there.
Wyatt - NO!
Piper - WYATT MATTHEW HALLIWELL! Now! - Wyatt's orbs fill his Mommy's arms - That a boy.
Leo - Ya see, I just don't have it. He laughed.
Piper - What about Chris?
Leo - Bathed and asleep once again.
Piper - Good.
Leo - So, we leaving at 6:10 ya say.
Piper - Yeah.
Leo - Great. I'm taking a nap. - he yawns and lays back -
Piper - Good for you. I'm watching the news. - Wyatt giggles - After I give him a bath. - he sighs -
Time Lapse
The girls left Morehead at 6:10 am as planed. They filled up the gas at Morehead and planned to eat at McDonalds there as well. But no luck, the drive through was filled from speaker to enter. The parking lot was filled and there was no way.
Piper - over the speakers - We'll eat at the next stop.
They start towards the interstate and that's when they realized why it was so crowded. There was a detour going through. Phoebe's car starts slowly towards the interstate and that's when, out of nowhere, a chicken flies out of the bushes. Phoebe screams, but maintains control.
Cole - over the speakers - Are you ok, Phoebe?
Phoebe - over the speakers; shaken - Yeah.
Piper - over the speakers - What happened?
Phoebe - over the speakers - A chicken. - laughing - I guess this is where KFC fries their chickens.
Paige - over the speakers - Those little bastards are sneaky.
Piper - over the speakers - Paige!
Paige - over the speakers - Sorry.
Phoebe - over the speakers - Guys. I'll be fine as long as you promise me, Piper, there will be no chickens.
Piper - over the speakers; laughing - Yes, Phoebe. Our chickens and eggs will come from Wal-mart.
Prue - in the phone - You ok, Phoebe.
Phoebe - over the speakers - Yeah.
They continue on out on I-64.They drive for a few minutes. Everything going good. Then, over the speakers, comes a strange voice.
Voice - over the speakers - WJLS; 99.5. The Big Dawg in Country! Don't touch that dial. This is Big Ugly with ya on a Monday. How in the world are ya doin'?
Paige - over the speakers; spooked - Who was that?
Phoebe - over the speakers - My radio station. He says his name is Big Ugly.
Paige - over the speakers - I think Big Scary will do.
Prue - in the phone - I like it. What is the dial numbers?
Phoebe - over the speakers - You heard him; 99.5 fm.
Prue - in the phone - The last part was what I was wanting.
She finds it, and it blares across.
Big Ugly - over the speakers - Schools are open, buses are running on schedule. Here is Sugarland. Baby Girl!
Music starts to play:
They say in this town, stars stay up all night,
Don't know, can't see 'em for the glow of the neon lights.
And it's a long way from here to the place where the home fires burn.
Well it's two thousand miles and one left turn.
"Dear Mom and Dad,
"Please send money, I'm so broke that it ain't funny.
"I don't need much, just enough to get me through.
"Please don't worry 'cause I'm all right,
I'm playin' here at the bar tonight.
This time, I'm gonna make our dreams come true.
"Well, I love you more than anything in the world...
Love,
Your baby girl."
Black top, blue sky, big town full of little white lies.
Well, everybody's your friend: you can never be sure.
They'll promise fancy cars and diamond rings, all sorts of shiny things,
But, girl, you'll remember what your knees are for.
"Dear Mom and Dad,
"Please send money, I'm so broke that it ain't funny.
"I don't need much, just enough to get me through.
"Please don't worry 'cause I'm all right,
I'm playin' here at the bar tonight.
This time, I'm gonna make our dreams come true.
"Well, I love you more than anything in the world...
Love,
Your baby girl."
I know that I'm on my way.
I can tell every time I play.
And I know it's worth all the dues I pay,
When I can write to you and say...
"Dear Mom and Dad,
"I'll send money. I'm so rich that it ain't funny.
It oughtta be more than enough to get you through.
"Please don't worry 'cause I'm all right,
I'm stayin' here at the Ritz tonight
"Whaddya know, we made our dreams come true.
"And there are fancy cars and diamond rings,
"But you know that they don't mean a thing.
They all add up to nothin' compared to you.
"Well, remember me in ribbons an' curls.
"I still love you more than anything in the world...
"Love,
"Your baby girl."
Ah yeah.
Your baby girl.
("Dear Mom and Dad,
("Please send money, I'm so broke that it ain't funny.)
("Don't need much, just enough to get me through.)
Your baby girl.
("Please don't worry 'cause I'm all right,
Playin' here at the bar tonight.
Ooh, ooh, ooh.)
Dreams come true.
Phoebe - over the speakers - I like him. He's the best. Now… - while the signal is lost for a while - that happens ever once in a while.
Piper - over the speakers - Ok, while the signal is lost… I'll do this. We've left Morehead and heading towards home. 2,495 miles down, 105 to got today and 105 to go altogether. How does that does that sound?
Music starts to play:
...And he says
Hell yeah, turn it up, right on
Hell yeah, sounds good, sing that song
Guitar man, play it all night long
Take me back to where the music hit me, life was good, and love.. was easy
Shes got MBA and a plush corner office
Shes got a dont mess with me attitude
She'll close the deal, she dont reveal that she can feel
The loneliness, the emptiness 'cept when she comes in here
She's a product of the me generation
She got a rock and roll side when you get her agitated
She got the tattoo there on her derriere from a spring break dare
In Panama where love was all she thought shed ever need
She yells out to the band, Know any Bruce Springsteen
Then she jumps up on the bar
And she, and she starts to scream
She says
Hell yeah, turn it up, right on
Hell yeah, sounds good, sing that song
Guitar man, play it all night long
Take me back to where the music hit me, life was good, and love was easy
Yeah, yeah, anything to get my mind off thinking bout
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Hey.. Hell, yeah...
Hell yeah, turn it up, right on
Hell yeah, sounds good, sing that song
Guitar man, play it all night long
Take me back to where the music hit me, life was good
Hell yeah, turn it up, right on
Hell yeah, sounds good, sing that song
Guitar man, play it all night long
Take me back to where the music hit me, life was good, and love was easy
Phoebe - over the speakers; after the song went off; laughing - I couldn't have said it any better!
Paige - over the speakers - How far are we from the Kentucky/West Virginia border?
Piper - over the speakers- Fifty miles.
Paige - over the speakers - Well, lets' get out of here.
Cole - over the speakers - Wait. If were only going 105 more miles. And Kentucky ends in 50... Damn.
Paige - over the speakers - What?
Cole - over the speakers - Damn. Can I go back to hell?
Phoebe - over the speakers - Yeah, sweetie, you are.
Paige - over the speakers - What? We could be going to Ohio. I trust Piper won't take us there.
Cole - over the speakers - Wanna bet?
Piper - over the speakers - Cole.
Cole - over the speakers - All right. Fine. Find out on your own.
Paige - over the speakers - I think I will.
Leo - over the speakers - No, you won't.
Paige - over the speakers - Oh, come on! Piper wouldn't take us to West Virginia.
Prue - in the phone - All I can say is find out on your own and be surprised with the rest of us.
Phoebe - over the speakers - Yeah, be very surprised.
Piper - over the speakers - Let's just drive.
Time Lapse
About 50 minutes later, they cross the state line.
Paige - over the speakers - YES! We're free! FINALLY!
Piper - over the speakers - Ok, Paige, yes. We have officially entered West Virginia.
Leo - over the speakers - Well, hello much anticipated West Virginia.
Paige - over the speakers - It doesn't look much Wild and Wonderful as they make it.
Piper - over the speakers - Well, this is part of the territory that is considered "state lines." The real beauty is inside.
Phoebe - over the speakers - I guess we shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.
Paige - over the speakers - Or a state by it's state lines.
Leo - over the speakers - You're right.
Andy - in the phone - West Virginia gets even prettier around the center. I've seen pictures.
Paige - over the speakers - But… we aren't going to the middle… right?
Phoebe - over the speakers - You have said next exit for 55 miles. Please, Piper… can we eat?
She passes up Huntington's exit.
Piper - over the speakers - Not here. The next.
Prue - in the phone - Sure.
Piper - over the speakers - What?
Prue - in the phone - Never mind.
Paige - over the speakers - I'm really hungry Piper, please!
Piper - over the speakers - Next.
Phoebe - over the speakers - It'd better.
Music Streak
Big Ugly - over the speakers - Schools are open; buses are running on schedule. In the next hour we've got music from Blaine Larsen, Alan Jackson, Montgomery Gentry, and Michael Peterson.
Music starts to play:
It was just another story printed on the second page
Underneath the Tiger's football score
It said he was only eighteen, a boy about my age
They found him face down on the bedroom floor
They found him face down on his bedroom floor
There'll be services on Friday at the Lawrence Funeral Home
Then out on Mooresville highway, they'll lay him 'neath a stone...
How do you get that lonely, how do you hurt that bad
To make you make the call, that havin' no life at all
Is better than the life that you had
How do you feel so empty, you want to let it all go
How do you get that lonely... and nobody know
Did his girlfriend break up with him, did he buy or steal that gun?
Did he lose a fight with drugs or alcohol?
Did his Mom and Daddy forget to say I love you son?
Did no one see the writing on the wall?
I'm not blamin' anybody, we all do the best we can
I know hindsight's 20/20, but I still don't understand...
How do you get that lonely, how do you hurt that bad
To make you make the call, that havin' no life at all
Is better than the life that you had
How do you feel so empty, you want to let it all go
How do you get that lonely... and nobody know
It was just another story printed on the second page
Underneath the Tiger's football score...
Dont rock the jukebox
I wanna hear some Jones
Cause my heart aint ready
For the Rolling Stones
I dont feel like rocking
Since my baby's gone
So dont rock the jukebox
Play me a country song
Before you drop that quarter
Keep one thing in mind
You got a heartbroke hillbilly
Standing here in line
I've been down and lonely
Ever since she left
Before you punch that number
May I make one request
Dont rock the jukebox
I wanna hear some Jones
Cause my heart aint ready
For the Rolling Stones
I dont feel like rocking
Since my baby's gone
So dont rock the jukebox
Play me a country song
I aint got nothing
Against rock and roll
But when your heart's been broken
You need a song that's slow
There aint nothing like a steel guitar
To drown a memory
Before you spend your money baby
Play a song for me
Dont rock the jukebox
I wanna hear some Jones
Cause my heart aint ready
For the Rolling Stones
I dont feel like rocking
Since my baby's gone
So dont rock the jukebox
Play me a country song
Dont rock the jukebox
Play me a country song
This ain't no temporary, typical, tearful good-bye, uh uh uh
This ain't no breakin' up and wakin' up and makin' up one more time, uh uh uh
This is gone (gone) gone (gone) gone (gone) gone
Gone like a freight-train, gone like yesterday
Gone like a soldier in the civil war, bang bang
Gone like a '59 Cadillac
Like all the good things that ain't never coming back
She's gone (gone) gone (gone) gone (gone) gone, she's gone
This ain't no give it time, I'm hurtin' but maybe we can work it out, uh uh uh
Won't be no champagne, red rose, romance, second chance, uh uh uh
This is gone (gone) gone (gone) gone (gone) gone
Gone like a freight-train, gone like yesterday
Gone like a soldier in the civil war, bang bang
Gone like a '59 Cadillac
Like all the good things that ain't never coming back
She's gone (gone) gone (gone) gone (gone) gone
She's gone
She's gone (gone) gone (gone) gone (gone) gone, she's gone
Gone like a freight-train, gone like yesterday
Gone like a soldier in the civil war, bang bang
Gone like a '59 Cadillac
Like all the good things that ain't never coming back
She's gone (gone) she's gone (gone) she's gone (gone) she's gone
She's gone
Gone like a freight-train, gone like yesterday
Gone like a soldier in the civil war,
Gone like a '59 Cadillac
Like all the good things
Well, she's gone
Long gone, done me wrong
Never comin' back, my baby's gone , shes gone
Lonely at home, sittin' all alone
She's packed her bags and now she's gone
Never comin' back, she's gone
No no never, no no never, no never comin' back
I was 12 when daddy said to me
Don't take to drinking boy that road don't lead no where
And don't you ever let me hear you swear
Don't you dare
He told me that stealing's a lazy man's way
Something for nothing leaves you hell to pay so don't lie
and then you can look the whole world in the eye
Honey I've tried
But Since I met you girl I've been breaking every rule
I must confess I'm just a back sliding fool
I want to drink from your loving cup
Swear I'll never give you up
Steal all your kisses underneath the moon
I wanna lie here close to you look at what you made me do
Darling you're the reason why
I drink, swear, steal and lie
Last night I threw away the 12 step book
I finally faced the fact that I am hooked on you
There's nothing more that I can do Ain't no use
Cause every time I see your angel face
My halo disappears without a trace I swear
Girl I'd admit I haven't got a prayer
But I don't care
I know this ain't exactly how I was raised
But heaven help me honey I ain't changing my ways
I want to drink from your loving cup
Swear I'll never give you up
Steal all your kisses underneath the moon
I wanna lie here close to you look at what you made me do
Darling you're the reason why
I drink, swear, steal and lie
I want to drink from your loving cup
Swear I'll never give you up
Steal all your kisses underneath the moon
I wanna lie here close to you look at what you made me do
Darling you're the reason why
I drink, swear, steal and lie
Drink, swear, steal and lie
Charleston
Piper passes the last exit into Charleston.
Paige - over the speakers - THAT IS IT! GET ME TO FOOD OR I'LL EAT MY OWN FOOT!
Piper - over the speakers - Ok, Ok, I'll stop at the next small town.
Piper sees an exit, exit 89: Marmet, WV.
Piper - over the speakers - Ok, this exit.
They turn off onto Exit 89. They drive for 3 miles and still no food.
Paige - over the speakers - Hernshaw! We were going to Marmet!
Piper - over the speakers - There has to be some food down here.
They continue to drive. Ten miles and they've entered Racine.
Piper - over the speakers - Sorry Paige, Phoebe. Nothing here either.
Leo - over the speakers - Piper, do you know where your going?
Piper - over the speakers - No, Leo, I don't. This was not planned!
Leo - over the speakers - Want me to get the maps.
Piper - over the speakers - No, follow the river. It always works.
She pulls off towards Seth, wishing this'll work. It does for direction, not food.
Coal Miner - calling out his car - Hey ladies, I've got to be somewhere! Move it!
Piper - over the speakers - Girls, let him by.
The four Girls let the Coal Miner by.
Paige - over the speakers - Wow, what a grouch.
Piper - over the speakers - Ok, guys. We are in a place where Coal is King. So, the only people on the road is Coal Miners, schools and other people: very rare. So if you see a car, pull of an tell others. Leo, get my map. I need to see how to get back on track.
Leo - over the speakers; handing her an Atlas - Here.
Piper - over the speakers - Uh, what happened to my laptop?
Leo - over the speakers - It died. It wasn't charged.
Piper - over the speakers - Great.
She flips through until she finds West Virginia. then she traces down to Seth, which luckily, was listed.
Piper - over the speakers - Ok, Whitesville it is.
She turns right. About 10 miles, she reaches Whitesville.
Piper - over the speakers - Oh, that is what I call sneak attack.
Phoebe - over the speakers - What? You just crossed the railroad tracks.
Piper - over the speakers - Just wait.
Phoebe - over the speakers - Whoa? Your right.
Paige and Prue - in the phone; over the speakers - What?
Phoebe - over the speakers - You'll see.
Paige crosses and…
Paige - over the speakers - Dang?!
Prue - in the phone - Am I gonna like this.
Prue crosses the railroad tracks and just out of the blue sits several businesses. Fast Check, Family Dollar, Rite Aide, just to name a few.
Paige - over the speakers - Food! Food! Food! That big Check Mark, now!
Piper - over the speakers - I'm sure there is a McDonalds in this place. - they drive, all the way down to the last shop: Massey's Paint & Body. - Nope, Fast Check it is.
Paige - over the speakers - Thanks the heavens!
Piper, Phoebe, Prue, and Paige turn around in a empty space/wide shoulder.
Leo - over the speakers - Is that a grocery store.
Paige - over the speakers; singing; not listening - Hamburgers, Hotdogs, Cole Slaw, Corn Dogs!
They pull into Fast Check. They get some things and leave. They head towards Beckley.
Piper - over the speakers - I know we're going the right way! I know were close!
They pass several cities: Montcaol, Naoma, Dry Creek, Rock Creek and then Dameron. They come to a "T" with a red light.
Piper - over the speakers - Uh, uh, uh, uh! I guess I go right.
Leo- over the speakers; looking quickly - Yes, yes, right!
The light turns green and they turn.
Piper - over the speakers - Leo, look for me a faster way to I-64.
Leo - over the speakers; lying - Um, this turn will get you there faster.
Piper, Phoebe, Paige and Prue all make a left. Leo leads them all the way to I-77.
Piper - over the speakers - Wow, Leo, we got to I-77 and I told you I-64, good job.
Leo - over the speakers - I know your schedule, remember.
Piper - over the speakers - Yeah, it's 10:20 already. We got to get to Ghent by 2:00.
They drive very slowly towards Ghent. At 11:45, they, finally, make it to Ghent. Piper pulls off on exit 28.
Paige - over the speakers - Uh, Piper!
Prue, Andy, Piper, Leo, Phoebe, Cole, and Richard - in the phone; over the speakers - Welcome home, Paige!
Paige - over the speakers - NO! NOT WEST VIRGINIA!
Phoebe - over the speakers; sadly singing - Home, home on the range. Where there bear and the wild cat play. Where seldom is heard a San Francisco City word. And the snow covers the ground all year.
Piper - over the speakers - Oh Phoebe!
Piper gets a motel and then unpacks their things. A man exits the check in/out lodge. That's when Prue's plates catch his attention: California. It has to be them!
Econo Lodge
Man - Excuse me, miss. Are you Piper Halliwell?
Piper - Yes.
Man - My name is Roger Cakewalk, I'm your relater.
Piper - Oh my goodness. You're early.
Roger - No ma'am. you are late.
Piper - No, I understood 2.
Roger - No ma'am 12.
Piper - I am so sorry. I was planning on arriving yesterday. But as you know all things don't go as planned.
Roger - Yes, I know.
Piper - Come in. My sons and husband are with my future-brother-in-law.
Roger - Ok, Mrs. Halliwell.
Piper - Ok, I think this table is suitable.
Roger - Yes, ma'am.
Piper - What do I need to do?
Roger - See the house. You've already placed down a payment.
Piper - Yes. Last one on my credit card.
Roger - Ok, are your sisters and their families gonna go with you.
Piper - Uh, no, I don't think that's a good idea.
Roger - Ok, Mrs. Halliwell. - they head towards their own cars - Uh, Mrs. Halliwell, maybe I should drive you until you can trade that city jeep into a country truck.
Piper - Oh, I can't trade in my baby. It's got 4-wheel drive.
Roger - Four wheel?
Piper - Yes.
Roger - Follow me.
They drive out of Econo Lodge and towards Odd Road. They drive all the way, then get on Gray Ford Road for a piece and finally Devil's Backbone.
Piper - Uh, Odd?
Roger - Welcome home.
Piper - No, there must be some kind of mistake. This is dirt road.
Roger - No ma'am, no mistake.
Piper - Well, what now?
Roger - Sign these papers, wait 'til tomorrow for your faculties to be turned on and you can adjust to Odd, West Virginia living.
Piper - bluntly with no emotion - Oh hell!
End of Chapter 1 - Something Wild This Way Comes
A/N: No, your not mistaken. That was all one chapter, I just broke it up for a more easier reading experience. I promise that the next chapters are no where near as long as this one: cross my heart! Tune in for chapter 2 next time!!!