Sue's Birthday
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"Heyes, you think Kate would mind if we paid her a visit?"
"More than likely, I think she would mind. She's never been overly hospitable when we show up unannounced. Why, do you have a problem?"
"Well, I overheard them actors talking and...by the way, them two do just stand around talking a lot. Anyway, I heard the better looking one say that one of his fans has a birthday this month."
"In September?"
"Yeah, and according to the better looking one, this lady is about as devoted to Heyes and Curry as Kate is."
"Meaning this particular fan has a penchant for you?"
Kid shrugged and grinned. "Well, it stands to reason, Heyes."
"I'll have you know I have my share of fans, too."
"Of course you do, Heyes," Kid said condescendingly. "There's Rachel and...well there's Rachel."
Heyes just shook his head. "So what is it you're trying not to bother Kate about?"
"How are we supposed to know if a fan has a crush on us or a crush on them actors pretending to be us?"
"Well, have you ever gotten a fan letter, Kid?"
"A what?"
"A fan letter. It's a gushy letter that a fan writes and then mails to us, er rather to them. Haven't you ever heard them two talking about their fan mail? I think 'the better looking one,' as you so eloquently describe him, even actually calls some of the ladies that write him letters."
"You mean he courts em?"
"In a manner of speaking."
"Heyes, you think if we asked him, he'd court this lady for her birthday?"
"Wouldn't you rather be the one to do that, Kid?"
"Yeah, but there's over a century's age difference here. That's a lot of years to consider."
Heyes smiled. "Maybe that's where Kate comes into the picture."
"You want me to court Kate, too?"
Heyes smiled and shook his head. "No, but Kate could close the gap for the two of you. That's where her keyboard and computer come in handy."
"So we are going to have to talk to her. But she gets so testy when we drop in unannounced. She's kind of scary sometimes, Heyes."
"Kid, you want to let this fan know you appreciate her?"
Kid nodded.
"Then talk to Kate."
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"Why is it that I just somehow knew the two of you were going to show up?" Kate asked as she sat at her computer with her back to her two favorite outlaws.
"Might have something to do with the fact that you write everything we say, think, and do," Heyes said with a smirk on his face.
Kate ignored the sarcasm. "So Kid, you want to give a fan a birthday she won't forget, right?"
"I was hoping maybe I could spend the day with her. You know, help her forget how old...I mean help her celebrate such an auspicious occasion."
"Auspicious?" Heyes and Kate exclaimed.
"Yeah," Kid replied defensively. "Don't forget Kate, you're writing this. It was really your word, not mine."
"He does have a point," Heyes added.
"Alright Kid. Let me open a blank page and then you start telling me how you would like to help this lady celebrate her birthday."
"You might want to sit down, Kid. Knowing you, this might take a while."
"Okay, beginning to end, describe the perfect birthday for this lady," Kate told him.
"It would start out with her waking up in the morning with the sun streaming through the window, sort of framing her in this soft, warm, yellow light."
Heyes rolled his eyes. "You ought to write them dime novels, Kid."
Kid ignored his partner. "There would be a knock on her door and when she said "come in," with the most angelic voice I have ever heard, I'd open the door and stand in the doorway holding her breakfast tray. On the tray would be a delicately etched glass with a single red rose."
"All you're giving her for breakfast is a flower with a thorny stem?" Heyes asked.
"Maybe you'd best wait in the next room, Heyes," Kid snarled.
"Alright, alright. I'll be quiet."
"After breakfast, we'd spend the day doing all the things she loves to do."
"Which are?" Kate asked.
"How do I know? I ain't never met the woman. You're a woman, Kate. Put in all the romantic things women in your era like to do."
"Guess maybe you're not dime novel writer material after all," Heyes muttered.
"One thing's for certain, Kate. I don't want Heyes even mentioned anywhere in this story."
"That seems rather harsh, Kid."
"Well, we'll leave it to the lady's discretion, then."
"So, the day is coming to a close, what's next?"
"Dinner by candlelight at her favorite restaurant."
"I think that would be The Avalon," Kate told him. "I don't know if it's fancy enough for candlelight."
"Don't matter. Rachel gave me one of them little boxes of candles. You know, the ones for..."
"I get the idea. Let's just leave it at that," Kate replied.
"We'll have a glass of wine with our dessert, and then I'll walk her home in the moonlight and give her a romantic birthday kiss on the porch."
"And that's it?" Heyes asked. "Kid 'Lothario' Curry is calling it a night with a kiss on the doorstep?"
"Not necessarily, Heyes. But it's the lady's birthday. I think I'll just let her end the story in whatever way she sees fitting."
Kate smiled. "No wonder you're the favorite of so many fans. You're absolutely, one hundred percent willing to be every woman's fantasy."
"Oh for crying out loud," Heyes grumbled.
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Author's Note: Happy Birthday, Sue. Hope this fits the bill!