The Fall of the Misfits

Part the First

Falling Stars

By Nick Maro

David sat at his desk as he put pen to paper and began writing after collecting his thoughts:

I'm writing this now while the events are still fresh in my mind. I was asleep on the couch at home when the phone rang. Kimber yelled from my room to get that damn phone. I smiled to myself and mused how well she had recovered from being shot. It was a call that I never thought I'd receive so soon…

"Hello?" David answered politely.

"David? It's Ken. Listen, uhh, you need to come over. It's your father, man. Ju-just come over, all right," Ken told David in a voice softer than usual.

"What's wrong? What's going on, Ken? C'mon, you're my best friend. Tell me." David insisted feeling panic begin in the pit of his stomach.

Ken was silent for several seconds that felt like an eternity. He finally spoke. "Listen there are some things you don't tell people over the phone. This is one of them. Just get Stormer and Kimber and then get over here," Ken said before hanging up.

David started to dial his father's personal number but stopped. "Kimber, get up and get dressed, we need to get to my father's house. I need to wake Mary also," David said in hurry. He threw on the jeans he wore the day before, sniffed the shirt he was in and decided he needed to change it. He knocked on Stormer's door and opened it before getting an answer. "Mary get up, something's wrong with dad. We gotta get over there." He shook his half-sister awake.

"Wha-what's going on?" Stormer asked confused from being awakened from her slumber. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and looked up at David. "What's wrong?" David looked anxious which was something she had rarely seen.

"Just hurry and get dressed please," he said while she put on a pair of shorts. David turned his back while she put on a new shirt. "Ken just called and told me to get you and Kimber over to the mansion. He wouldn't say what was wrong, just that it wasn't something you say over the phone." Stormer put her shoes on while he explained. He turned around to face her, he saw that she now shared the same look of concern he had. "You ready?" he asked meeting Kimber at the bedroom door. Kimber and Stormer both nodded yes. David grabbed a set of car keys and tossed them to Kimber. "You drive."

Stormer tossed David his shoes. "Forgetting something?" she asked with a smirk trying to lighten the mood mostly for herself. When David didn't laugh she knew it was serious. The three best friends got into Kimber's car and sped off to the Gabor Estate. None of them were sure what to expect when they got there.

The flashing lights could be seen two blocks away making David's heart sink when he saw them. Kimber sped up to the gate of the mansion. She was stopped halfway up the driveway by an officer. After a brief argument with the officer she was let through. She parked behind Pizzazz's van. David and Stormer were running towards the house before she had the engine shut off. The scene inside wasn't as chaotic as David had expected.

Hitomi saw David and pulled him to the side. "David, we all agreed for me to be the one to tell you," she said in a very low and comforting voice. She guided him to the living room and sat him on the couch while sitting next to him. She took his hand and started to break the bad news. "Last night your father passed away in his sleep. The coroner hasn't arrived yet but we all think that it was natural causes."

David sat there not speaking in complete shock, not noticing Kimber had sat down next to him. He finally looked up at Hitomi finding it strange that he wasn't crying. "Where's Phyllis?" he asked quietly.

"In her room, she's the one who found him. Everyone has been trying to talk with her," Hitomi looked as if she was trying not to lose control of her emotions.

Standing from his seat, David started climbing up the rear stairway. "I'll come with you," Kimber offered quietly.

He shook his head and waved her back. "No, stay here, I'm her brother. Just...just stay here for now," he said feeling the numbness of loss hit himself. She sat back down next to Hitomi while he continued up the stairs. He slowly walked down the hall and stopped before a closed door. He listened for a few minutes and heard gentle sobbing. After a few moments of collecting his thoughts he knocked softly. "Phyllis, can I come in?" The door opened and Pizzazz hugged him tightly right away. David walked her back into her room and shut the door. He stood there and hugged his twin sister in return while she cried on his shoulder.

"Al-all I-I wanted to kn-know was wh-what he wanted f-for bre-breakfast," she sobbed into his shoulder. David held her for what seemed like an eternity until they sat on her bed and talked until Hitomi told them that the coroner had arrived.

…I didn't know what to say right away. I really thought I'd have more time with my father.

David put down his pen and stretched in his chair. He checked the time and saw that it was almost time to leave. Kimber entered the room dressed in all black. "The car is waiting to take us to the service," she said standing next to him while he put his shoes on. They walked hand in hand to the car. David held the door open for her. "Thank you," she said quietly while entering the limo.

David got in and sat next to Pizzazz. "How are you doing?" he asked with quiet concern.

Pizzazz looked at him and a little smile came to her lips. "I still hurt but I'm coping in my own way," she replied hoarsely. It was apparent been crying on and off for the past few days.

He looked at the others in the limo with his sister. Kimber sat next to Stormer, who was leaning on her for support. Next to Stormer was Roxy who was resting after staying up all night with Pizzazz. Jetta talked quietly with Clash. Techrat offered his support to both Stormer and Pizzazz. David wrapped his arm around his sister's shoulders.

The limo pulled into the cemetery and parked in front of the burial plot. The chauffeur opened the door and everyone filed out. David, Pizzazz and Stormer walked up the hill together. Kimber, Roxy and Jetta followed behind them. Clash and Techrat were behind the three women. Everyone stood in their places when the time came for the service to start.

David didn't realize his mind had wandered until he heard his name. He was being asked to give a eulogy. As he stepped up to the podium his mind went blank. There was so much to say yet he couldn't put it in the correct words. "Harvey was a great father and man. I only wish I had known him longer. I believe he raised my sister Phyllis the best he could. He truly loved her. She has a lot of his strength in her. That's all I have to say." David tried to think of something else to say but shut his mouth and joined his sister at the open grave. The casket was lowered as people came by to give their condolences.

"I just wanted to say that I'll miss him also, Mr. Gabor," said a man in his mid-thirties. He was accompanied by a man that David and the Misfits knew all too well. Eric Raymond. "Judging by your reactions you know my associate. My name is Mr. Kite I'm a representative of Adrian Lassiter. Mr. Lassiter sends his condolences about your father's passing. If there's anything we can do feel free to ask," the man only known as Mr. Kite said in a business voice.

"You and Raymond can go fu—!" Roxy was cut off by Jetta's hand over her mouth as she led the woman away from the two men.

David cleared his throat as he glared at both men. "I'd like for you both to leave and leave my sisters and I in peace. We're finished with Eric Raymond. He was specifically told not to appear today. Also please tell this Mr. Lassiter not to contact any of us. Good day, sir." David turned from the two men.

"They're gone," Jerrica Benton said from behind him. He turned around and she gave him a brief hug of condolences. "Those were some kind words you had up there." She hugged Pizzazz who returned the hug tightly. "Pizzazz, if you every need anything feel free to ask." Pizzazz nodded sadly and tried to smile.

"Must've been tempting to punch him for showing up like that, David," Jerrica's boyfriend Rio said trying to lighten the mood. Jerrica shot him a look of warning over her shoulder "Anyway, I'm sorry about your father. He was a good man from what Jerrica tells me."

Pizzazz walked back to the car while Roxy and Kimber stayed behind with David. Jerrica had asked what the official cause of death was. "The coroner said natural causes. He died in his sleep." David shrugged not knowing what else to say. "He had a physical a few weeks ago but Dr. McCoy said he was perfectly healthy. He didn't find out of the ordinary. I dunno, just have to grieve, accept it and move on. But thank you for showing up, I can tell that it means a lot to Phyllis." He hugged Jerrica again and shook Rio's hand. "I'd better get in the limo. Kimber, are you coming with?"

"No, it's okay. Spend time with your sister, she needs you more than I do right now," Kimber hugged him and kissed him lightly. David looked back at the grave and accepted Roxy's extended hand as he followed her back to the limo.

The limo driver dropped his passengers off at the Gabor Estate. Clash and Techrat gave their condolences again and left together in Clash's car. They were off to test a new gimmick that Techrat had come up with. Pizzazz went inside by herself almost immediately. David watched her leave with concern in his eyes. Hitomi, Eiji and Ken pulled up the drive way where they joined Roxy, Stormer, David and Jetta.

David turned to his friends and cleared his throat getting their attention. "I'm moving back into the manor. The house has more than enough room for you to stay as long as you want," he told the members of Pulsar. "Right now I think Phyllis needs all the support she can get from all of us. Excuse me, I have to make a few calls. The will and everything." David walked off into the house still filled with the numb feeling he'd had for the past week.

"This isn't really happening, is it?" Stormer asked getting slightly upset. "I mean, I just found my biological father when he leaves me in a way to never to return. Roxy, give me a ride home? I-I need to think."

"Yeah, me too, Mary," she said to Stormer. "See you guys later." Stormer and Roxy left in Roxy's car.

"Come on inside, Jetta. I challenge you to the title of Mistress of Rock in Street Fighter!" Hitomi said with a huge smile. Jetta laughed and followed the three young Japanese musicians inside.

An uneventful week passed by at a painfully slow pace. David was in his office reviewing the status of his father's other business ventures. He wasn't too sure who they went to after his death. By all the rights they should've gone to Pizzazz but his gut told him to check. He picked up the office phone and called Jerrica for help. "Hi Jerrica, it's David. No, everything is alright. Can you come over to my office? You're the only one I could think of to handle this problem. Okay, I'll see you in a few." He hung up the phone gently then asked his secretary to make some tea. He sank into his office chair and started reading the reports again.

"Hi, David," Jerrica said startling him and let out a short laugh when she saw him jump in his chair. "I'm sorry, Rose let me in. Now what's the problem?"

David let out a small sigh and rubbed his temples. "My father left his entire company to Phyllis. Neither she nor I know how to run a company. We're definitely going to need someone to help doing this. That's why I thought of you." He looked up at her from the paper on his desk.

"I can't run Gabor Industries, David. I have Starlight Music and the Starlight Foundation," Jerrica said without trying to sound unappreciative.

David chuckled softly. "I'm not asking you to run the company, I wasn't finished explaining yet. I was hoping you could help us find someone to run it for us. If you want I could pay you a consultant fee."

"No, no need to pay me. I'll do it." Jerrica smiled with relief. "I actually know someone perfect for this job. His name is Kevin Ross he owns and operates Kross Medical Industries. He donates some money to the Starlight Foundation every year. I'll give him a call and see if he can come over tonight."

There was a knock on the door causing Jerrica and David to look that way. Rose opened the door and she brought in the tray of tea. "Here you go, David," she said putting the tray on the liquor cabinet. David had hired Rose almost on the spot. She was a kind middle aged woman who answered the phone when it rang during the interview. She told him that it was habit. Right then he knew she would be perfect for the job. "Going to be a long night? If so, I'll call down the street to that nice little Chinese place you like," she offered politely.

"That won't be necessary, Rose," David said standing up and pouring himself some tea. "It's almost five and you can head home now if you want. If Jerrica or I get hungry we can call ourselves."

Rose thanked him and left. "That was kind of you. Do you often let her go home early?" Jerrica asked curiously.

"Just once in awhile, she has a family and she sometimes likes to cook a nice dinner for them. Which reminds me," he handed Jerrica a cup of tea. "I still owe Starlight House dinner." He took a sip of his tea. "Ah geez, where's my brain?" He grabbed a chair and offered it to Jerrica.

"David, it's okay, you don't have to be so formal with me. I'm your friend and I can get my own chair but thank you." She laughed softly. "Now, let me call Kevin and invite him over." She called Kevin Ross' office on her cell phone. He quickly accepted Jerrica's offer. As an afterthought David called Pizzazz and asked her to come to the office who also agreed.

"Eiji, when are we going to hold try outs for the new lead singer?" Hitomi asked while rapidly pressing the buttons on her controller.

Eiji cursed as he put the controller down. "I don't know. We also need a regular manager. Right now David is handling everything. So when he says its time I guess." He picked the controller up again and in his worst dubbed martial arts voice he yelled, "Now, you have ruined my concentration. Prepare to feel my wrath, insolent one."

Ken put his comic book down and shot his friend an amused look. "Man, Eiji that was terrible! Of course it was better than Hitomi's drumming." Without looking she backhanded Ken and went back to her game. Ken rubbed his arm feigning injury. "She does have a point though we should have the try outs. David is just the record company, which still blows my mind. How about we set it up for a week from now?" Hitomi and Eiji thought for a moment and then both agreed to his suggestion.

"Jerrica Benton! Just how are the Starlight Girls doing?" Kevin Ross exclaimed in a pleasant voice. Kevin wasn't anything that David had expected. He was about forty-two but looked around thirty. Kevin was a few inches taller than him. He appeared to be thin, but in very good shape. He kept his shoulder length, blonde hair tied back in a ponytail. David noted that his gray eyes gave him a comforting presence.

"The girls are doing very well. It's nice to see you again, Kevin," Jerrica said smiling after giving him a friendly hug.

Kevin turned to David with a wide smile. "And you must be David Gabor. I was saddened to hear about your father's passing. I never had any business dealings with him however he was well respected by me and the rest of the business community."

"I just want to thank you for coming by so quickly, Mr. Ross," David said shaking his hand. He wasn't sure what to make of Kevin just yet. "I know I shouldn't admit this but neither my sister nor I know a thing about big business and running a corporation. But Jerrica just insisted that I ask you to help us out."

David offered Kevin a seat. "First thing, call me Kevin. Being called Mr. Ross just isn't me. Besides I prefer first name basis as it helps promote familiarity between people," Kevin explained while looking at the papers David offered him. He looked up from the files and grinned again. "So, who's hungry? Better to do business on a full stomach than an empty one."

"We can go to this little Chinese place that David knows about." Jerrica offered. "It's right down the street."

"Ditching me already?" Pizzazz asked from the doorway in a mock hurt voice. "Sorry I'm late, Eiji needed to speak to me about something."

"Ah, you must be Phyllis Gabor. I'm Kevin Ross. It's a pleasure to meet you," Kevin said before kissing Pizzazz's hand who promptly blushed. "I'm sorry but do you prefer being called Pizzazz?"

Pizzazz replied while feeling herself blush, "No, Phyllis is fine." David and Jerrica were speechless since they each knew Pizzazz hated being called Phyllis. Even David only called her that when it was necessary.

Jerrica lightly hit Kevin's arm. "If you're done Prince Charming let's go eat."

"Should I bring the files with, Kevin?" David asked picking them up from his desk.

"No, leave them. We have plenty of time to look at them afterward," Kevin said hooking his arm around Pizzazz's. "Now, food calls my vacant stomach!" Kevin and Pizzazz left the office together.

Jerrica turned to David with a smile of pride on her face. "What do you think? Think he's qualified enough?"

"He's a character all right but is he like this all the time? Pizzazz seems to have taken a liking to him. It's too early for me to judge though."

"When it comes down to business he's more serious. You get used to him though," Jerrica said grinning. "Come on we don't want them to start without us." David and Jerrica left his office and caught up with Kevin and Pizzazz near the elevators.

Kimber waited impatiently for the microwave to beep. When it finally did she opened the door and grabbed the plate with pot holders. "Mary, leftovers are reheated!" she yelled from the kitchen. "Just hope it isn't cold in the middle. Hate that." Kimber mumbled to herself while sat down at the table and began to eat.

Stormer joined Kimber at the table and picked up her utensils. "Y'know, day old lasagna is better than freshly made lasagna." She watched Kimber eat for a moment. "What's wrong?" For the past few days Stormer had noticed that Kimber wasn't her usual upbeat self.

Poking her lasagna piece with fork, Kimber looked up at Stormer. "I'm bored that's all. When I first thought of quitting the Holograms, I figured I'd have more time with David but that isn't what has happened. I got shot and almost died. Then your father passes away and David is stuck dealing with his companies. I'm not mad about that, just at the getting shot part and that was my own stupidity." She threw her fork down startling Stormer causing her to jump in her seat. "That does it! I'm sick of being a push over. It's about time I took control of my life. Quitting the Holograms and moving in with you was the first step. Now I must go to the next step. And that's…and that's…damn, I don't know what's next."

After a moment of silence Stormer looked at Kimber. "Listen you deserve this time off. Relax a little, watch some television, go to a movie or start a new hobby. Don't force yourself into a new you. It'll flow naturally if you let it. You just need to give it time."

Kimber finished her dinner in silence and put her dish in the sink. She finally turned to Stormer. "You're right. Let's rent a movie, girl's night in or something." Stormer quickly agreed as she finished her own meal.

Roxy rang the apartment buzzer and drummed her fingers anxiously on the door handle of the apartment building. "Hullo?" a scratchy British voice came from the intercom speaker. "Wh' is it?"

"It's me, Jetta. Can you buzz me up?" Roxy asked politely. She shifted the paper bag in her arms and waited for the door to buzz. Once it did she pushed the door open with her shoulder. She climbed the stairs to the third floor apartment that Jetta lived in who was standing in her doorway looking concerned. Roxy gave a half smile greeting. "I'm in a bit of trouble."

"What kind of trouble," she asked following Roxy inside and locking the door. "Is it serious?"

"Kinda serious." Roxy put the bag down on the counter and sighed. "I got kicked out of my apartment." She turned and looked at Jetta. "I hate asking for help but can I crash here for a few days? Please?"

Jetta chuckled softly to herself. "Of course you can, luv," she said slightly amused. "Stay as long as you want. But stay longer than a month and you start payin' half me rent. Now why did you get thrown out?" She caught the bottle of beer Roxy tossed her and sat down on the couch.

"I got into a fight with the building super. We got into some stupid argument about the rent. With everything that's been happening I simply forgot to pay." She sat next to Jetta on the couch and opened her beer. "I told him I'd pay. He said I broke my lease or some shit like that. Next thing I knew I decked him." She looked at her friend with an innocent look on her face. "I'm still trying to decide if it was worth it or not."

"Have anythin' to bring up here tonight?"

"Just some clothes, toothbrush and stuff. I have until next week to get all my stuff out. I'll put most of it in storage," Roxy explained after taking a drink from her bottle. "By the way, were you inviting me to share the apartment with you?"

Jetta let out a loud laugh. "You catch on fast. Yes, you can move in with me." She set her beer down and headed for the door. "C'mon, let's go get your stuff out of your car. Later we can clean up the spare room a bit or I should say your new room?" Roxy joined her at the door.

"Thank you, Sheila," Roxy said softly with a small grin. They walked down the stairs to her car together.

Walking into the office of Kevin Ross, Pizzazz watched the receptionist look up. "Yes, may I help you, Miss?"

Pizzazz cleared her throat. "Phyllis Gabor here to see Kevin Ross, he should be expecting me."

"Please go right in."

"Thank you," Pizzazz said politely. She opened the door and entered Kevin's office. She had expected a huge extravagant office but it was very modest, almost had a home feel.

"Ah Phyllis, you've finally arrived. I thought for sure you were going to ditch me," he joked as he stood from his office chair.

Pizzazz gave an apologetic smile. "I was helping my friend move her things. She got kicked out of her apartment and is moving into a fellow band mate's place. I simply lost track of time."

"Oh that happens. Now let's get this ugly paperwork out of the way so you can get to the housewarming party," he said while pulling out a chair for her at a table.

"What kind of paperwork is this?" she asked scratching the back of her neck.

"It's just some mandatory paperwork that declares transfer of ownership of Gabor Industries. I noticed that Misfits Music wasn't a part of Gabor Industries. Do you know why that is?" he asked confused.

"Oh, I already own it. Misfits Music is my company. Name, company, building and all," she said signing her name to one document.

"That reminds me, there's a clause here that says you own the name to Gabor Industries. Yet you don't own any of the companies affiliated to the name, at least not yet. But the giving you ownership of the name without the companies confused me." Kevin watched Pizzazz as she signed the last document.

"Dad said it was for protection purposes, in case of a buy out or hostile takeover. They may own the companies but not the name." Pizzazz stood up after finishing signing. "I hate to cut this short, Kevin. But I need to get back to helping my friend move in. Thanks for helping us out like this."

Kevin walked Pizzazz to the door. "It was a pleasure and it kept me from being bored. Oh wait a minute." He ran back to the table with the documents and brought them with him. "Here give these to my secretary, she'll make you copies. I'll talk to you soon. Bye, Phyllis."

Pizzazz said her farewells and immediately went to the secretary. Kevin shut his door and strode back to his desk. After sitting down he pressed an intercom button. "You may enter now."

Eric Raymond, Mr. Kite and an African-American male entered the room. "So, did she sign?" Eric asked impatiently.

"Yes but she owns Misfits Music and the name Gabor Industries," Kevin said quietly, clearly annoyed.

The African-American man next to Eric spoke in a deep voice. "But the companies are still up for sale, aren't they?"

"Nothing to fear, Mr. Lassiter, all is under control." Kevin smiled wickedly. "All is under control. Phyllis Gabor doesn't even realize she just put her father's companies up for sale. We just have to make sure we buy them up first. Then my revenge on Harvey Gabor will be complete."

TO BE CONTINUED IN "SWAN SONG"

PART 2 OF THE FALL OF THE MISFITS