Fridays Nights at Lime Ricky's

Disclaimer: I do not own the show Codename: Kids Next Door, nor any of the characters therein.

A/N: So I recently looked back at my other two KND stories, and I realized something: I hate them. Honestly, I really cannot stand them. They're shallow, slow paced, and choppy at best. At worst: juvenile. And during my loathing I came to realize something: I was bad at writing them because the stories simply disinterested me. Now I enjoy reading me a good action/adventure type story, all the time actually. But I just have no interest in writing one. The plots were half cooked and really only there as an excuse to write. All I wanna do, really, is do vignettes. I want to do interesting, concise interactions without the pressure of carrying out some silly plot I really don't have a purpose for.

So I apologize for those who read and actually enjoyed Operation: WAR and Uno On the Run. While I won't be deleting them, I am discontinuing them.

And in their place, I give you this: a series of one-shots (some might be loosely connected, we'll see) all taking place under the roof of Lime Ricky's speakeasy.

This first chapter will be an introductory monologue from the man himself: Ricky. The rest of the stories will be predominantly in 3rd person omniscient. Maybe some 3rd limited if I'm feeling brave.

Chapter One: Welcome to Lime Ricky's

Hey there! Come on in, set yourself down, take a load off!

…

Your first time here, huh? That's okay; in fact, that's great! Welcome to Lime Ricky's!

I'm the kid himself, ol' Ricky in the flesh. I know, not much to look at. But hey, at least every funny lookin' kid's got a momma who love him, right?

…

Sorry, what, you had-? You HAD and momma who-? I don't get…Oh.

Ooooh, ah geez kid, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean-!

…

You sure? Alright. I'm sorry kid, I'm sorry like crazy.

…

Uh, anyway, why don't I give ya the rundown of the joint, huh?

…

Most important thing is I got just about every kinda soda you could ever want, right here on tap! That's right, even Blurpleberry-Banna-Nut Cream Soda, it's all right here. If you're feelin' peckish, I've got a couple kids in the back kitchen that can whip something up. The menu's kinda limited, and it always depends on what my folks picked up at the grocery store this week. But that's half the fun, I think, always something different.

Anyhow, the cola and the grub isn't the only reason folk come here. Lots of kids come here just for the atmosphere and company. And not just me, no no, I'm no vain as to make that claim. Though I do suppose I'm a pretty okay conversationalist. Don't you think?

…

Haha, thanks kid! Anyhow, the crowd here is always up to have a good time. Especially on Fridays. Fridays, the regulars are always in without fail. Let's take a look around, shall we?

See that red-head girl over there? Yeah, the one screaming and hitting that poor boy with her hat. That's Fanny Fulbright, Celtic Chaos Causer Extraordinaire! She's got just about the nastiest temper you ever did see. But boy, she's a kick. Real live wire, that one.

And that poor guy she's wailing on, that's Patton Drilovsky. Now he's usually a mellow kinda guy, a little strict, uptight even. But that's just 'cause of his line o' work. But lemme tell ya, he can cause ruckus just about as well as Fanny does. Set of pipes like a megaphone, swear on my yet-to-be-dug grave.

Oh! And just down the bar from ya, that's Hoagie Gilligan. Hey, Hoagie!

!

…Yeah, I tend to overserve him sometimes. But hey, I do such things for friends. Careful though, one he knocks a couple back the guy can really talk your ear off.

…

What does he do? What DOESN'T that guy do. Depending on the day, he's either an inventor, a pilot, a comedian, or a PI. Sometimes all at once, and sometimes none of the above. Regular Jack of all trades.

Speaking of Jacks, there's Ace over there. Yeah, the one hovering by the table full of girls. He's our resident smooth-talker around here. Anything in, or anything that has ever worn, a skirt is his type of company. Now most times he's really pretty good, get the girls giggling and batting eyes and such all night. But every once in a while…

Yep! Right there. Splashed right in the face. Every once in a while he gets humbled. But it don't deter him. Not one bit. Heck, it just makes him hungrier. What can I say, the man loves the thrill of the chase.

Let's see, who else…Hey, there's a sight for sore eyes! The sweet lil' blonde that just came in, that Rachel. Rachel McKenzie. Now she may not look it, but that girl has the weight of the world on her shoulders. And the moon too.

…

Eeeeh, I'll explain later. Let's just say you've got a lot to thank her for and you don't even know it.

Mkay, the other blondie, the boy this time...

…

Yeah, the little guy. Haha, talk about a Napoleon complex. But I tell ya, he's got the right hook to back it up. Word to the wise, whatever you do, do NOT tick off Wallabee Beatles. He'll knock you into next week, and send you a post card with another knuckle-sandwich on express delivery once you get there. In case you didn't do the math, that's two black eyes in two to five business days, bank holidays depending.

Now once in a while you'll see a tall girl, big red hat, skin the color of rich hot cocoa. That'll be Abigail Lincoln. Coolest customer I've ever seen, lemme tell ya. If she's here, hang around. She's not quite one of the consistent ones, she's got other scenes she likes to hit up. She's a real sugar connoisseur see, so she likes to keep her palate practiced with variety. I don't take it as an insult, I get it. But it always makes for a real nice night when that chick's in town.

Once in a while she brings a friend, kooky lil' number by the name of Kuki. Kuki's not much into this kinda scene, so she doesn't show too regular. Now, another word to the wise: she's real pretty, but if Wally's around, don't even think about it. Just don't.

…

No, no, not official. Not even a little bit. Really, I doubt either of them really know it. But that doesn't stop 'em from gettin' jealous. Violently jealous.

Now let's see, that might be the shape of it. There're a few others; Lance, Bartie, Virginia, Harvey (Sweet Cherry Cola help us, though, if he shows), Lauren (THANK Sweet Cherry Cola if she shows, you've seen her on TV, you understand), Sonia, Lee, aaaand Gabe! Yeah, Gabe. You'll probably never see him, though. Always sits over in the corner.

Anyhow, that's the whole gang. Yeah, Fridays here, they're pretty happenin'. Never know who's comin' in the door. And never know what baggage they bring in with 'em.

Not gonna lie to ya, kid, they're've been some pretty nutty things happen here.

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Oh, stuff you wouldn't believe. All sorts of drama of course, but we've had dust ups, shake downs, shoot outs, and even tooth cleanings!

…

I am certainly NOT kidding you, kid! There's this total head-case dentist in town, totally OCD about everyone's, and I mean EVERYONE'S, dental hygiene. Really kinda creepy if ya ask me. But not to worry. Sometimes those weirdos show up, but between you and me, my clientele keeps the place nice n safe. And they're happy to do it. Ya see they may not look it, but most of those kids I mentioned are all in the KND!

…

What, is there an echo in here? Yes THAT KND. International peacekeeping force, fighting for all kid kind, that's the one. But see, the reason they like this place is that here they can just be normal kids. Instead of superspies, super-soldiers, or even superheroes they can just be super-kids.

…

Okay, okay, I know, that was cheesy as all get out. But what can I say? I'm moved by it. Of all the soda joints in all the towns in all the world and they walk into mine.

Oh, one last thing. You might hear the name "Nigel" a few times while you're here. You can ask if you want to, but if I were you, I wouldn't.

…

He's…He was a friend. People'll talk if ya ask 'em, sure, but no really knows much. He was here one day, and the next he just up and vanished. I mean, we all hope for the best, that it's all kosher and his family just moved. But when a guy disappears and no one hears A THING…It doesn't really inspire optimism, ya know.

…

Thanks for understanding. They'll appreciate it.

So, that's the whole story. Now, just sit back, relax, I'll pour ya something cold and fizzy, and we'll have ourselves a grand old time.

Whaddaya say?

A/N: Well, there's that. Just a goofy intro piece. First real chapter will be up shortly.