More Deleted Scenes from Beyond the Yellow Brick Road
Just posted some earlier, and I found a few others worth posting. :) Again, read these if you're caught up. Spoilers abound otherwise.
SOMETIME DURING THE HONEYMOON...IN THEIR SUITE AT THE ROCKFORD...
BRIAN'S POV
“Well, to be honest,” he continued, “I figured you’d come to your senses once I left.”
“Come to my senses?” you asked.
“So to speak.”
You nodded as if you understood, when you didn’t. Every sense that you came to while he was gone prominently featured him.
“It’s one thing to have these fantasies about being married; it’s something else to really want to make it work.”
You forced him on his back so you could see his face, “Justin, what the fuck are you talking about?”
“I’m just saying…it’s a big change for you. It was then…and it is now.”
“It’s a change I wanted,” you emphasized.
“Really?”
“How much weed did you smoke, Mr. Paranoid?”
He laughed, “I want some more.”
“No.”
But it was hard to be so matter-of-fact when his face was pressing against your chest, when he’d been responding to your random fondling during the whole exchange, but then suddenly he stopped, a horrified look on his face. You looked up, following his gaze as he spoke, “Oh my god, Brian, look. There’s a brand new painting over our bed.”
“Is it the same one?” you asked him. The frame wasn’t broken.
“No, it’s different. Just as tacky, but different.”
“What do you think it means?” you asked, a little afraid to keep sleeping in that bed.
He ignored your question, “I can’t believe I didn’t notice that when I was fucking you…when I was riding you.”
“Um, I can.” Who pays attention to mass-produced artwork when they’re riding someone?
(Answer: An artist?)
“Man, I was really into it,” he continued.
“Uh, yeah.” You were beginning to wonder if you were supposed to participate in this conversation, or just hang there like the painting.
And then he snapped out of it again, his face inches from yours as he wrapped his hands around the back of your head, “So anyway, you want this, right? You want to be married? To settle down?”
You contemplated rising from the sheets in the nude and breaking out a flip chart where you’d explain to him in very simple (blond) terms that ‘rings + raw=forever.’ But you decided that he deserved a more comprehensive presentation. After all, you were charging by the hour.
“I waited for you for a reason. Not even knowing if you’d really come back.” You had his full attention, as your voice fell off, “I didn’t think you’d want to come back.”
“Why?”
You were squeezing him in your arms, but you didn’t care, “Because coming back would be a reminder to you, of all the shit. Hobbes, the bomb, your parents.”
“You,” he pointed out.
“Me,” you agreed.
But you both meant different things.
/end
CHAPTER 24-CONTRITION--SCENE 24.1 PRE-WRITING THE ZEEK/JUSTIN/BRIAN CONFRONTATION
BRIAN’S POV
Good morning, Mr. Kinney. Today is Wednesday, February 22, 2011. The time is ten fifty-three a.m. The current temperature is sixty-one degrees under partly cloudy skies. You may enter your destination now.
“HOME.”
Thank you. Home is entered as your destination. Have a safe trip.
……
Neither Zeek nor Justin heard you walk into the house or saw you when you stood in the doorway of the kitchen. The front cover of the refrigerator’s PC was lying upside down on the counter.
“Whatever you’re doing, stop,” you told them. Zeek looked as if he was going to shit on your spotless linoleum. Justin looked remarkably similar. “I’m sorry, do you two want to be alone?”
“Mother fucking shit,” Zeek mumbled.
/end
CHAPTER 27-GRAVITY--SCENE 27.1--AN ALTERNATE VERSION OF BRIAN, JUSTIN, AND ZEEK GETTING READY TO LEAVE FOR NEW YORK
BRIAN'S POV
That morning, you had two meetings with your staff. The first was with Ted and Cynthia.
“Did you guys see the news last night about that homeless guy that was beaten up by the cops?” you asked them. They’d both seen it. “Well, that guys, his name is Alan Harper, and he’s one of Justin’s friends.”
Cynthia asked, “Is he going to be okay?”
“Justin just called me. He’d dead.” You gave them a few seconds for it to sink in and then added, “That’s why I called this meeting. We’re leaving this afternoon.”
“For how long?” Ted asked.
“As long as it takes. You two are in charge while I’m gone.” You handed them each a white envelope, “And here’s your bonus in advance.”
Cynthia tried to give it back to you, “You don’t need to give me a bonus.”
“I know. But I want to. I’m going to be pretty unavailable. You guys are going to have to work your asses off.”
……
You held your second meeting at ten thirty a.m. with everyone else. Gabe, Rube, Debbie, Erica, and Emmett came in, taking their places around the conference room table while you pulled Zeek aside and told him, “He didn’t make it. He’s dead.”
“Fuck.”
“You packed and ready to go?”
“Yeah.”
The two of you rejoined the meeting, where Ted and Cynthia had explained the situation, and then you added, “As far as I’m concerned, Ted and Cynthia are in charge in my absence. If you guys need to get in touch with me, please go through them first. Debbie, Gabe is going to step up and oversee the diner. Whatever he says goes. I know you run your own ship, but I’m not completely comfortable with that when I’m not here. Emmett and Erica, you need to help both of them out.” And then you turned to Rube, “Zeek’s going with us. You need to start interviewing bouncers. I’m sure Ben will fill in now and again if you need him to, but don’t rely on that.
“I’ll be back, little buddy,” Zeek told him. “I’m not leaving for good.”
“Just a three-hour tour?” Rube asked. The reference sailed over Zeek’s head and landed in your lap. You laughed.
“And Rube, I want you and Gabe looking at the club’s numbers, since I can’t and Ted will be swamped here. Give him your stats each week until I get back.”
“Will do.”
You thanked everyone, and, “You guys keep this together for me, I won’t forget.”
As they filed out, Debbie stopped beside your chair and put her hand on your shoulder, “Tell Sunshine I’m sorry.”
“I will.”
……
When you emerged from the conference room, Justin was waiting for you, his car keys in his hand. “Ready to go?” he asked.
“Yeah. Come on Zeek.”
The two of you followed Justin to the loft where he ditched the ‘vette, and the three of you headed for the airport with Justin in the back seat.
/end
That's all for tonight. :)
SOMETIME DURING THE HONEYMOON...IN THEIR SUITE AT THE ROCKFORD...
BRIAN'S POV
“Well, to be honest,” he continued, “I figured you’d come to your senses once I left.”
“Come to my senses?” you asked.
“So to speak.”
You nodded as if you understood, when you didn’t. Every sense that you came to while he was gone prominently featured him.
“It’s one thing to have these fantasies about being married; it’s something else to really want to make it work.”
You forced him on his back so you could see his face, “Justin, what the fuck are you talking about?”
“I’m just saying…it’s a big change for you. It was then…and it is now.”
“It’s a change I wanted,” you emphasized.
“Really?”
“How much weed did you smoke, Mr. Paranoid?”
He laughed, “I want some more.”
“No.”
But it was hard to be so matter-of-fact when his face was pressing against your chest, when he’d been responding to your random fondling during the whole exchange, but then suddenly he stopped, a horrified look on his face. You looked up, following his gaze as he spoke, “Oh my god, Brian, look. There’s a brand new painting over our bed.”
“Is it the same one?” you asked him. The frame wasn’t broken.
“No, it’s different. Just as tacky, but different.”
“What do you think it means?” you asked, a little afraid to keep sleeping in that bed.
He ignored your question, “I can’t believe I didn’t notice that when I was fucking you…when I was riding you.”
“Um, I can.” Who pays attention to mass-produced artwork when they’re riding someone?
(Answer: An artist?)
“Man, I was really into it,” he continued.
“Uh, yeah.” You were beginning to wonder if you were supposed to participate in this conversation, or just hang there like the painting.
And then he snapped out of it again, his face inches from yours as he wrapped his hands around the back of your head, “So anyway, you want this, right? You want to be married? To settle down?”
You contemplated rising from the sheets in the nude and breaking out a flip chart where you’d explain to him in very simple (blond) terms that ‘rings + raw=forever.’ But you decided that he deserved a more comprehensive presentation. After all, you were charging by the hour.
“I waited for you for a reason. Not even knowing if you’d really come back.” You had his full attention, as your voice fell off, “I didn’t think you’d want to come back.”
“Why?”
You were squeezing him in your arms, but you didn’t care, “Because coming back would be a reminder to you, of all the shit. Hobbes, the bomb, your parents.”
“You,” he pointed out.
“Me,” you agreed.
But you both meant different things.
/end
CHAPTER 24-CONTRITION--SCENE 24.1 PRE-WRITING THE ZEEK/JUSTIN/BRIAN CONFRONTATION
BRIAN’S POV
Good morning, Mr. Kinney. Today is Wednesday, February 22, 2011. The time is ten fifty-three a.m. The current temperature is sixty-one degrees under partly cloudy skies. You may enter your destination now.
“HOME.”
Thank you. Home is entered as your destination. Have a safe trip.
……
Neither Zeek nor Justin heard you walk into the house or saw you when you stood in the doorway of the kitchen. The front cover of the refrigerator’s PC was lying upside down on the counter.
“Whatever you’re doing, stop,” you told them. Zeek looked as if he was going to shit on your spotless linoleum. Justin looked remarkably similar. “I’m sorry, do you two want to be alone?”
“Mother fucking shit,” Zeek mumbled.
/end
CHAPTER 27-GRAVITY--SCENE 27.1--AN ALTERNATE VERSION OF BRIAN, JUSTIN, AND ZEEK GETTING READY TO LEAVE FOR NEW YORK
BRIAN'S POV
That morning, you had two meetings with your staff. The first was with Ted and Cynthia.
“Did you guys see the news last night about that homeless guy that was beaten up by the cops?” you asked them. They’d both seen it. “Well, that guys, his name is Alan Harper, and he’s one of Justin’s friends.”
Cynthia asked, “Is he going to be okay?”
“Justin just called me. He’d dead.” You gave them a few seconds for it to sink in and then added, “That’s why I called this meeting. We’re leaving this afternoon.”
“For how long?” Ted asked.
“As long as it takes. You two are in charge while I’m gone.” You handed them each a white envelope, “And here’s your bonus in advance.”
Cynthia tried to give it back to you, “You don’t need to give me a bonus.”
“I know. But I want to. I’m going to be pretty unavailable. You guys are going to have to work your asses off.”
……
You held your second meeting at ten thirty a.m. with everyone else. Gabe, Rube, Debbie, Erica, and Emmett came in, taking their places around the conference room table while you pulled Zeek aside and told him, “He didn’t make it. He’s dead.”
“Fuck.”
“You packed and ready to go?”
“Yeah.”
The two of you rejoined the meeting, where Ted and Cynthia had explained the situation, and then you added, “As far as I’m concerned, Ted and Cynthia are in charge in my absence. If you guys need to get in touch with me, please go through them first. Debbie, Gabe is going to step up and oversee the diner. Whatever he says goes. I know you run your own ship, but I’m not completely comfortable with that when I’m not here. Emmett and Erica, you need to help both of them out.” And then you turned to Rube, “Zeek’s going with us. You need to start interviewing bouncers. I’m sure Ben will fill in now and again if you need him to, but don’t rely on that.
“I’ll be back, little buddy,” Zeek told him. “I’m not leaving for good.”
“Just a three-hour tour?” Rube asked. The reference sailed over Zeek’s head and landed in your lap. You laughed.
“And Rube, I want you and Gabe looking at the club’s numbers, since I can’t and Ted will be swamped here. Give him your stats each week until I get back.”
“Will do.”
You thanked everyone, and, “You guys keep this together for me, I won’t forget.”
As they filed out, Debbie stopped beside your chair and put her hand on your shoulder, “Tell Sunshine I’m sorry.”
“I will.”
……
When you emerged from the conference room, Justin was waiting for you, his car keys in his hand. “Ready to go?” he asked.
“Yeah. Come on Zeek.”
The two of you followed Justin to the loft where he ditched the ‘vette, and the three of you headed for the airport with Justin in the back seat.
/end
That's all for tonight. :)