(no subject)

[figjam_boom]

Who: Derrick and Owen
When: Two days after the movies
Where: From Digger's to the Mall


Derrick knocks on the door, sure he could let himself in. But as far as he knew, the living room was still Owen's current bedroom. At least until they could finish the basement. Behind his back he had a box of chocolates. Okay, so usually men gave such things to women. But men liked chocolate TOO!

He was smiling. A rather stupid smile, but there it was none the less. Face down on the couch and snuggling against a pillow. He was right in the middle of a very very good dream when suddenly someone knocked on the door in the dream. He pouted a bit and then realized that it someone was actually knocking on the door. Owen's eyes blurrily open as he lifts his head from the pillow. He stood a bit awkwardly and slipped his slippers on. He was in loose pajama pants and a t-shirt, but looking down, the pants weren't loose enough. He grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around his shoulders. He hoped that hid everything. He walked to the door and pulled it open. Blinking a bit, he smiled a goofy sleepy smile at Derrick.

"Um, hi... sorry to wake you." Derrick said awkwardly. "Um... cold?" He asked. He shifted on his feet, looking down then up. "Um..." He held out the box of chocolates. "Um, not sure if you like chocolate? But well, these are really good. Someone I know from Belgium sends them to me when I ask. Annnnd, well... I talked to her on the phone and she sent me those to... well, give to you." He rubbed his face and told himself don't you blush. You're an old man, old men don't blush... yeah they do. Damn it!

Owen blinked a few more times. He looked between the chocolates and the man holding them. Then he broke into a grin and took the box. "I love chocolates," he commented as he stepped back to let Derrick in ", don't worry about waking me. I probably should have woken up ages ago." He led Derrick into the living room and started to clean up where he'd been sleeping. The blanket shifted and fell down, no longer hiding what he'd been trying to. When he noticed it, Owen blushed bright red and wrapped the blanket around him again. "Yeah.....cold...."

He grinned. "Yeahhhhh... admittedly? I'm not human and haven't been in a realllly long time? But, I seem to remember cold had the reverse effect on the male human anatomy. "That looks more like you were in the middle of a really good dream? Or you're really more happy to see me than you let on." He teased.

Owen gave him a withering look and laughed lightly. His cheeks were still flaming as he sat down on the couch and pulled the stuffed bunny he'd gotten for easter into his lap, looking the chocolates over. "It was....a very good dream," he laughed ", of course I could be happy to see you too....you really didn't have to send away for chocolates for me, Derrick," he turned bright red.

"I send things to her, she sends things here for me. It's the way it works. Might as well have her send something 'neat' for you." He said, going ahead and sitting down next to him, biting his lip through a smile. "I wanted to. Besides, I just sent her about five Victrola records. She fricken owes me more than just chocolates." He laughed. "Well, you have nothing to be 'upset' about that's for sure." He said, then added. "Okay that was overt flirtiness. Sorry. I uh, just meant that... nothing to be ashamed about, um... I should stop while I'm behind. Okay that was unhelpful as well. I'm going to SHUT UP NOW!"

He burst out laughing. He gave a big grin to Derrick and shook his head. "You really have a hard time not saying overtly sexual things to people you like, don't you," he laughs and grabs the glass of water on the table and takes a drink. Then he thinks a moment ", shit, I'm a terrible host. Did you want anything to drink? Something to eat?"

"No, I'm fine. I'm fine. But um, I don't know. I just... hey it's been a long time since I've liked someone." He admitted, ducking his head down with a grin. "But it's like everything keeps turning into unintended innuendo. Uhhh take it as a compliment?" He offered with a smile. "A... oh damn I almost said 'big' compliment... which would have been another innuendo and I should just smother myself now."

Owen smiled lightly at him. "I think I can handle the compliments, innuendo or not. Wouldn't want such a handsome guy to smother himself over me," he blushed a bit. Opening the box, he pulled a chocolate out and bit into it. Oh.....definitely delicious. Definitely the good stuff. He offered one to Derrick.

He took one of the smaller ones. Eating it slowly with a smile. "I'm still going to try to behave." He promised. "But I enjoy the compliment as well." He chuckled.

Owen smiled and nodded. "What did you have planned for the day? Did you need me to go find dad or were you here to see me," he asked with a cheeky grin. The couch shifted a bit and he now had a bowl of cereal in his hands, munching away. "So hungry," he said sheepishly.

"I actually came to see you." He admitted, glancing down at his hands before looking back up. "Was going to ask if you worked today? Or if you had it off?" He stopped and closed his eyes with a pained expression. Even the innocent expressions sounded dirty today.

Owen blinked and smiled. He chewed his cereal as he looked up at the other man and tilted his head at the look that Derrick was giving him. Then he realized what he'd said. He blushed again and looked down sheepishly and then back up, swallowing ", got the day off...Monday and Tuesday are dead days. It's usually the late week and weekend that I get stuck working at the theater. Need the money and it's pretty quiet most of the day, when the movies aren't getting out or getting ready to start."

"Welllll then..." He smiled. "How would you feel about going round and electronics shopping? I'd say we take the bike, but that wouldn't fit ON the bike. So I brought the truck today, if you're up to it!"

He grins at that. Finishing his breakfast, he washed the bowl and spoon, dried and put them away and was back in a matter of seconds. "Just give me...I dunno....five minutes. Have to shower and get dressed," he grinned and disappeared again. He was getting ready at record speed, he was sure. Not good to keep guests waiting too long....and best not to take too long in the shower when the man you were having a wet dream about was in the living room.

"No problem." Derrick assured, making himself comfortable. As soon as he was out of the room, the two rats poked up their heads and gave him the look over. Then one of them came up and started to try to rifle through his pocket. "Hey hey hey..." He protested in amusement. "Okay, already... here. But don't tell anyone I aided and abetted you." He handed them some goldfish crackers he had in his pocket and they scurried away.

Owen steps out of the bathroom to see Hermie and Hettie run off with distinctly fish shaped orange crackers. He laughed lightly and smiled over at Derrick as he finished drying his hair out. "Oh are you bribing them," he laughed and sat down to tug his shoes on.

"Welllllll, they were trying to help themselves anyway. I'm really surprised, before the other night? They never came near me before." He admitted. "But they seem to like goldfish crackers. They're pretty happy about it."

Owen smiled and leaned in ", wanna know a secret? I asked them to give you a chance because I like you. Plus, they do like goldfish crackers," he smiled and went back to tying his shoes, tapping his feet on the floor once they were on.

"You put in a good word for me. That's so sweet." Derrick laughed. "They are smart little critters, aren't they?" He was amazed by how much they understood! He watched him with his shoes and smiled. That was cute too. This time, he offered his hand to Owen. "Where would you recommend we go?"

He smiled and took the hand that was offered to him. "They really are. I think the problem is more just the smell of death...they know you won't hurt me, sense it at least, but they don't like the smell. That's why they don't stay near you long when they do get close to you." He stood up and ran a thumb over Derrick's hand before letting him go ", we should go to the mall. There's an apple store there and the Best Buy there. We can get your computer and iPod all in one place."

"It's been a while since I've been to the mall." He nodded. The last time he'd been there was when a manager of one of the outlets was having a heart attack and was being reaped. Ten years before hand, the man had been driving drunk when he hit someone else and they died. But he'd only walked around a few times. There had barely had any real food courts back then! "If you want? You can drive." He offered the truck keys. "In case I'm wrong about even where the Mall is these days." He grinned.

"I'm going to start thinking you have a kink for me driving your vehicles," he smirks and takes the keys, locking the house up after they leave and heading out to the driveway. "But the mall's been in pretty much the same place for ages as far as I could remember."

He smiles as he follows him. "Maaaaybe I do." He allowed, raising and lowering his brows in a wiggle. He slid into the passenger side, and fastened up. "Maaaybe sometimes I like someone else to 'control'." He then bit his lip and groaned at himself. "Derrick, behave yourself." He slapped his own hand.

Owen smiled over at him. "Don't worry, you're not the only one," he smiles and climbs in, buckling up and starting the truck. Adjusting everything to his preferences, he backed out of the driveway and made their way to the mall. "So.....tell me what you want for your computer...desktop, laptop? Anything too powerful?"

He smiled. "Things can be 'too powerful'? Seriously?" He asked with a laugh. "Your father is one of those types that is like... 'more power, argh argh argh'." He imitated Tim Allen's character from Home Improvement. "I dunno... maybe a laptop would be best because then I could take it to work if I need to?" He half asked. "I mean, what are the differences? Pros and cons?"

"I'm not surprised he's a more power type. Have you seen the boomerangs he invented? Aeronautic genius and the man wanted to figure out how to make a boomerang give off a bigger zap," he laughs and nods ", well, a few years back, the differences were much more noticable. It used to be that the desktops were more powerful and such, but now it's an even field. If you want to take it to work then, yeah, I'd get the laptop. If you want the best on the market? That's a good $3000 for a gaming laptop and that's without all the extra add ins. They have massive amounts of memory and drive."

"Hmmm well, if I get a 'good gaming' laptop, when Nicki is at her worst, I can just open it in front of her and maybe distract her for a bit. Of course, I'll have to boot your dad off occasionally, despite the fact he has his own laptop." He smiled slowly. "You did know your dad has been playing games on his laptop right?" He asked in amusement. "I've not seen any of his boomerangs lately? I mean, not since they were in the news? Because he doesn't need them anymore. He throws a uh... it's like energy that snaps back to him. But it knocks down astral bodies really well. Zaps them, as you said."

Owen let out a laugh. "God....the man's turning into more of a kid that I am," he grinned and shook his head ", this is going to sound pervy but....I should show you my boomerangs to you one of these days." He grinned and pulled into the parking lot at the mall, searching for a place. "So is that a yes to a gaming computer? I'll try to show you the best that the stores in here have to offer, though I'm sure there are better options online."

"He's having fun." Derrick smiled. "Second chance and all that. Might as well, I suppose. I think in a way that's what he's wanting us to do. Try to have some fun, enjoy ourselves. And yeahhhh that was right up there with 'would you like to see my etchings?'" He laughed. "Which suuuure I'd love to see. And yeah, gaming computer would probably be my best bet."

He grinned over at him as he parked ", yeah well, I'll show you when we get back to the house. Until then, shall we get out and find you your way into the twenty first century," he asked and smiled, getting out of the truck.

He got out of the truck himself and started toward the inside of the Mall, keeping pace with Owen. "I need a map of the twenty-first century." He chuckled. "I hope there are rest stops on the way too, and a food court that's worth visiting!"

Owen laughed at that and shook his head. "There's a good food court. Hell there's a few restaurants in here that might be worth visiting. As for rest stops? There's plenty of those," he smirked and pushed their way into the mall.

"Oh gooooood... cause I'm feeling half starved." He admitted. "I want something completely not good for me." He grinned. It wasn't like it would really kill him. So he could clog his arteries as much as he wanted to! "Whoa... okay, yeah, definitely need a map, for real. Okay, you're my sherpa. I think we might need camping equipment." He boggled at the size inside. They'd GROWN!

"Nah, just stick close to me and we'll find our way around," he smiles ", if you want good food that of questionable health, we could head to the Hooters. Food is delicious, atmosphere....fun in a way, and I'm pretty sure none of the food is good for you at all," he laughed at that.

"I heard they wear really tight shirts and are dressed rather skimpy." He snorted. "That... doesn't do a thing for me." He admitted. "But if the food is good? I'm willing to give it a go!" He said. He wanted to reach out and take his hand, but knew he couldn't do that. So he just stuck 'close' to him, and followed where he led.

Owen smiled over at Derrick and then led him down to the food court. "Normally I like to shop before we eat so I can tinker with whatever I bought, but I'm pretty hungry again too. Food first it is," he smiled and walks up to the waitress at the front of the Hooter's. "Two please?"

"You're always going to be hungry, methinks. Especially if the data bares out." He said. He was handed a menu, as they were led to their seats. Nope, the skimp clad young things didn't do anything for Derrick. But then, they never had. Though he secretly swore that the first person to make a Brokeback Mountain reference was going to be prematurely reaped!

He smiled at the waitress and looked down at his menu. "Nothing at all, eh? Strictly a man's man," he smirked up at him over his menu. When the waitress came back, he ordered his drink and smiled over at Derrick.

He ordered a soda and chuckled. "Not even a tingle." He admitted with a shake of his head. "Used to drive me nuts back in the old days. Pretending to be interested but beggin' off for some reason or another. 'Oh, I'm broke, lil'darlin' but you go on over to that guy, he's got the pay' or 'I'm sorry, but I'll be travelin' soon, it would be unfair to get involved'. Being on the trail was a wonderful excuse for turning down eyes being batted at you." He quietly laughed. "Wasn't like I was the only guy out there that liked the fact that there was no women out there." He whispered to him. "Just that for the most part? Yeah the entire culture was homophobic, but they turned a blind eye and deaf ear to a lot of it, depending on how strongly they felt. Some even went on to marry to do their 'duty'." He shook his head. "I doubt I could have pulled that one off."

"I imagine you'd kick my ass if I made a joke about a certain movie. I like my ass not getting kicked so I'll just sit here and mentally giggle," he smiled sweetly at Derrick and sat back as their drinks came and they ordered their meals. He'd ordered two hot dogs and two large orders of curly fries and then gave Derrick a sheepish look.

"Yes, yes I would." He grinned. "I knew that was going to come up somewhere. Ugh, I hate that damn movie." He was laughing though. Derrick ordered the same, but in the quantity of 'one'. He was chuckling. "It's okay, you have to have the calories. Hell order five if that is what it would take." He told him. The waitresses sure were friendly... of course they wanted tips. It was natural. Derrick mostly found it amusing. "Yeahhhh, thanks. I'll let you know." 'if he needed anything'. "I love it when waitresses work for tips. It means my drink gets refilled without me having to wave my hands like I'm trying to land a jet!"

"I don't think it's only that they're fishing for tips. You're really quite good looking. I think they might be fishing for a number of another kind," he smiles and takes a sip of his drink. "Not that I blame them. I'd be fishing for your number too."

"Youuuu on the other hand, can have my number any time. Oh wait, you do." He pretended to remember. "I think they like what they see in you, more though." He said. "Personally, I might not be too keen on them? But I'm keen on refills." He laughed. "So hey, they are overly attentive, I get refills, and they get a tip. It all works out. Even if they are disappointed they didn't get a 'rise' out of me, they'll later play it off as 'well he's obviously got a girlfriend, gay, or he's an ass.'" He ticked off the usual reasons on his fingers. "Either way? It works. I get my drink, they get money for it. Everyone's happy! But you? I wouldn't ignore." He conceded with a grin.

"And if I were your waiter, I'd have burn holes in the back of my pants from your staring, wouldn't I," he asked with a laugh. "I think as long as they get their tips they're happy. Of course, we could be playing it entirely wrong, they just want the tips because they're lesbians. Which may or may not be my over active speedy hormones talking," he shrugged with a grin.

"Wow, you mean you don't already have those holes?" He asked with a grin. "Why do you think I always ask you to lead?" He chuckled. "So you're one of them that liiiiike to watch the Lesbians." He grinned. "At least in porn if you can get your hands on it." He winked. Because most Lesbians didn't like to be watched in reality.

"I was wondering what those wear marks were....they were awefully symmetrical," he laughs. "Iiiiii've been called an equal opportunity horn dog. That was the comment of a coworker a year or so ago. By the way, one of the girls was wondering if I could get her your number," he grinned wickedly ", she clearly wasn't paying attention when she served us our snacks the other day."

His lips twitched. "Seriously? She..." He laughed. "Oh my god. Did anyone ever you know, explain things?" He asked. "And I hope you said 'no'!" He laughed more, shaking his head. "Seriously?" He grinned. "I mean, we didn't even have the 'dude' seat between us. You know the one, the one men use to indicate they are there 'together' but not TOGETHER. The empty seat of separateness."

"Yeah," he laughs and nods, grinning as he sits back as their food comes. "We just kinda looked at her and ignored her until she left the room, then we all laughed at her. I was too busy trying not to laugh so I didn't say no to her. "Dude seat"?" He laughs and shakes his head, munching a curly fry ", I have never heard that phrase before."

"It's also called the 'we are not gay, really, we're not' seat. But mostly? I just call it the 'dude' seat. Sometimes? You even get these guys that are so worried about it? They sit on opposite sides of the aisle from each other. You know, one here, the aisle and then the other on the other side. With no one beside them on the other sides. If she asks again, pleaaaase say 'no'. Because I do intend to take you to another movie again." He laughed, eating some fries.

"What? You mean you don't want us to show up, have her ask and then say no and pull me into a kiss," he asked sweetly. The hot dogs were huge and didn't have anything on them. Just the dog and the bun. The table was laden with food, most of it on Owen's side. He grinned again ", I really don't get the point of dude seats. That's a stupid name too. Even if it is just between two guy friends, how are you supposed to laugh at and talk about the movie if you have to lean over the middle seat. Or hell, an aisle?!"

"See, that's because you're not afraid of being seen as 'gay' or in a gay relationship. There's men that really freak out if someone even hints that they might like another man. Years ago? Well, even now in some areas, someone can be killed for it." He sighed a bit. "It's stupid, but there it is." He shook his head. "Sooooo, you wouldn't mind me pulling you in for a kiss, under those conditions?" He couldn't resist asking with a small smirk. "Under those conditions, I mean." He repeated, his smirk growing into a grin.

Owen shrugged. He knew that but he still didn't get how sitting in a movie seat next to another guy made you look gay. "You're right. I'm not afraid of that. But there are plenty of other conditions where I wouldn't mind you pulling me in for a kiss," he commented before he continued eating.

"Oh really?" He asked, curious. He smiled. "And what would those conditions be?" He asked. Beeeehhhhhhave Derrick. Friends friends friends, oh god look at that mouth wrapped around... mental-head-desk.

Owen just smiles and continues to eat. He knew damned well what this looked like. Might have added more incentive to ordering it. Probably would have anyway, this is his favorite meal here. Swallowing, he shrugged ", oh, you know. Any reason for you is good enough for me."

"Ohhhhh you're a tease." Derrick groaned. Then smiled. "Does that mean I can start really considering these 'dates'?" He asked. "Or am I still on the friends only list?"

He laughed. "I know I am. I'm horrible. But I think we can consider these things. I think we're in place where it's definitely not just friends but we're not quite ready to move onto the next step. Or at least, not just yet."

"Kind of a pre-dating, thing. Hm, the stage where I wouldn't have someone watching over us anymore, but at the same time I might still get skinned by yer folks if I tried to hold your hand for longer than it takes to cross the street." He theorized, squinting and closing one eye. "'Ventually, might even get to the part where we can walk arm in arm..." He was comparing it to the old courting that was done years ago. "Gotcha! This is the send little gifts to you and the family stage, if I remember right." He winked. "I'm working on it. Nice to know I'm on schedule." He laughed.

He just smiled indulgently at him. He'd never really thought about it that way, but then again, he had grown up in a rather liberal time period. There weren't set standards for dating. "Yeah, I guess that'd be the stage. But I'm pretty sure dad would either start making fun of you or find some way to put surveillence on you to make sure you don't hurt me....he's gotten protective."

"Probably both." He admitted. "He'd sit behind us in the theatre, somehow. Even if he had to stand there. Throw ju ju bees at my head and if I so much as leaned toward you. He'd interrupt and smack me upside the head. And I think he has every right to be protective of you. And eventually, I'm... going to uh... talk to him. Come clean, so to speak. Well, eventually. When I'm sure he's in a really good mood. Isn't armed. And hopefully very mellow." He said, dragging out the word melllllooooooow. "I'm thinking valium?" He said hopefully. "But really? I don't blame him. You're his son, he loves you. And you're the son he's allowed to get to know so far." He bobbed his head.

He laughed lightly. "I can't see dad buying Ju Ju Bees....You might get hit with a few Goobers though. I'd have to yell at him if he hit you though," he grinned and ate a fry. Looking down, his plates were empty and he sighed. Damned speedster metabolism. With a laugh ", I think.....it's best to leave out the pervier parts, but yeah, talking to him is a good idea."

"Sure he would, because they're the 'bb's' of the candy world. Hard, small, and you can really pelt someone with them." He mimicked throwing one really hard. "He'd eat the goobers. Use the Ju ju Bees as weapons! Probably make them bounce back too, that way he could 'reload' at will." He snorted and laughed. "But yeah, I'm going to talk to him. Probably do it at work to be honest. Koan is pretty good at keeping everyone in line." He could admit at least that much. He offered his plate of fries, what he had left. "Here, I'm actually kind of full." He gave him a bit of an embarrassed smile. "My eyes are often bigger than my stomach." Which was actually not a bad thing, because hey... give it to Owen and it didn't go to waste?

He smiled sheepishly as he took the fries. "Thanks...this is getting pretty bad. I never used to eat this much," he smiles and shrugs, making quick work of he fries. When the waitress came back over, he pulled his wallet out and smiled. "Think I can pay for this meal, since I ate most of it?

"I don't know..." He looked almost doubtful. "Um... how about yes, but only so long as you allow me to buy you something while we're here shopping." He said, narrowing his eyes at him and shaking a finger. "Cause, I'm the one doing the courting here. It's against the rules as it is to let you pay for the meal." He insisted. "But I know you have your pride as well. So, deal? You pay for this meal? I buy you something nice while we shop." He thought it was a good compromise.

"Fine fine," he smiled and shook his head. "Does this mean I'm the girl in this almost relationship? If so then I demand something shiny in this exchance," he smirked and laughed lightly. "Seriously though, you don't have to buy me anything."

"Not at all." He assured. "It's just that the way I see it, I'm pursuing you. I'm chasing you. I'm courting you. Therefore, I have to make the most effort. This is my job, to convince you to take the risk on me." He smiled, holding out his hands to gesture at himself. "It's like an audition."

He smiles at that explanation. "I think I'm oddly flattered. That you think I'm worth persuing. Thing is, though, you've already pretty much got me. I just need....time to sort previous things out."

"Annnnd, in the meantime? I want to do these things." He admitted. "It's been... a long time. Since I've shared with anyone. Anything. It makes me feel good. And take all the time you need, really. Though I will tease back when you tease me." He smiled. "But I am going to wait."

He nodded and smiled more. Setting the money down for the bill, he stood up and ran a hand through his hair. "Should we go get you your pretty new computer? Then an iPod so you don't have to die of boredom at work. I'm still telling you I don't know what I want, if I want anything at all."

"Yeah, lay on Macduff." He said, giving a short bow and waving him forward. "So I get the best view." He added with an impish look. "And we'll seeeeee." He said smiling. "I think we've all been slowly dying of 'boredom' for decades now." He chuckled. "You should see it, we're talking actually sitting there throwing cards into a hat type boredom."

"Well if that's the best view. I wouldn't mind letting you lead," he smiles as he leads Derrick towards the Best Buy. The mall wasn't nearly as crowded as it would have been if it were on the weekend. So when they made it to the store, there wasn't nearly as large a crowd to wade through to get to the computers.

"Now, Digger tried to warn me about something called the... Nerd crew? Geek mob? I dunno.Oh, Geek Squad..." He pointed to the sign. "Yeah he said don't trust them." He nodded. "Everything is very bright and shiny." He admitted, almost intimidated by everything. He'd gotten too used to sitting in corners and shadows being 'unnoticed'. Now he felt like he had a spotlight on him. "These aren't going to come alive and eat me are they?" He joked.

"Yeah, I don't call them when I have a problem. Normally I try to fix it myself but if it gets too fucked up, I take it to Piper. The man's a genius," he smiled and walked over to the laptop that looked like it was made from military grade armor and that a crayon box of neon colors threw up on it ", this would be a gaming laptop. Built like a tank and covered in retina burning colors. Though they probably just have this one out to show because it's the brightest. There's one over there that's just orange and black," he points.

"That is... terrifying. Don't they have that's only gray or only black?" He asked. "Instead of Halloween colors? Why do they have to be bright?" He asked. "Is it so people know 'steal this' when you're out and about?" He laughed.

Owen just looked at him with a smirk. "For a man that looks twenty years old, you sure are showing your true age. I'm sure that there are ones that are more dull colors," he laughed. Walking to the computer that was more tame, he knelt and looked at the selection in the cabinets underneath. "Yup, there. A plain black computer. And judging by the price, not to mention the frigging list on the sales ticket here, I'm thinking this is the best computer you could get."

"Well, I did warn you that I'm an old man." He chuckled. "I only look in my early twenties. I'm much much older than that." He bend down and looked at the computer. "Well, I can afford it, so I might as well. Not to mention, as I said I'll be sharing it with Nicki and Digger at work. So, it'll come in useful. Well until I try to take it home and they try to steal it." He grinned at him. "So we flag someone down to get this out of there?"

He smiled and nodded. Standing up, he flagged down the nearest worker. "Yeah, we wanna buy one of the computers in here," he jerks his thumb back to where Derrick was. "It's gonna be his so you best ask him which one he wants."

"The normal black looking one with all the bells and whistles but doesn't look like someone vomited on it or is trying to look 'edgy'." He said, pointing at the one he wanted. The loooooooook he received. "Hey it's not my fault all the other ones are ugly." He pointed out with a trace of a pout. He was being asked now to fill out a survey and he squinted at it. "Why do you care if I'm going to use a lap table or not?" He wondered. He looked at the guy weird. "Or whether or not I'm going to use it at home or at work? What are you going to do, follow me to see if I'm telling the truth and take it away?" He looked at the survey and frowned. He just scribbled answers.

Owen was really trying hard not to die in the background. That was the best response that he'd ever heard to those kinds of questions. He half wondered what Derrick was writing on the survey but didn't peek. He'd ask once they got out of the store with the computer.

He finally gave the paper to the kid, and then had to fill out other paperwork and such and then it was the 'let us customize your computer'. "No." 'But...' "No." 'But you must understand that if anything happens to it, we can't be held responsible... "Don't care. I know of a computer expert. As in, he could build these things from the ground up... don't need you to be poking around inside it. Just put it in the box, run my credit card through, and gimme." He made grabby hands. The clerk was very reluctant. "It's not your baby, and I swear I'm not going to abuse it too badly. I'll even wait two weeks before I find porn with it... gimme." He said again, with more grabby hands.

Owen has slid to the ground laughing. "God, Derrick, I didn't know I was going to have to bring a camcorder for this! Dad'll be pissed that he missed that little scene," he grinned up at the other man.

The clerk looked so disconcerted but ran the card through, with a doubtful look. They even looked surprised when the card went through. Like they hadn't expected him to be able to actually afford it. He could almost see them getting ready to ask for ID. He flipped his driver's license out and said. "Rich. Daddy. Gimme!" He intoned. "Go ahead, match the signatures." He prompted. He rolled his eyes. "Do you need finger prints too?" He asked, wiggling his fingers. The Manager came over and pushed a few buttons and turned a key and the sale went through unhindered. He was given the slip and he signed it. "Sheesh. You'd think I was trying to TAKE money from them rather than give it."

He grinned as he stood up and walked over to Derrick. He had a goofy smile plastered on his face and he couldn't hide how hilarious he found the whole situation. "So now you have your brand new computer. should we get you set up with the basic programs the new computers these days only come with trials of? Like Word and such?"

"Word." He stated. "What is word?" He asked. "I... have no idea." He admitted. "Only Nicki is really allowed to touch the computer at work. On pain of death." He added. "But uh, what do you think?" He couldn't help it, he just kept hearing the phrase 'word to your mother'... and wasn't that fucking surreal. Finally he just had to say it. "I keep hearing the phrase 'Word to your mother'. I'm disturbed."

There was a loud snort of laughter. "Well Word is a program to type in. There's really no other way to describe it. I mean, Microsoft does have other programs that can do other things, but I don't see you needing any of those except possibly that one."

"Okay, well then, that one!" He agreed. He shifted his hold on the box and put it under his arm. "Do we get that in another store then? Beeeecause I think those guys want to get rid of me. They're reading the survey." He said moving a bit more quickly toward the exit with a grin.

Owen bursts out laughing again. "Dude, did you just get me banned from Best Buy? Best place in the city for electronics and now I have to drive to Central to go the theirs? State lines," he laughed as he made his way out of the store with a grin.

"Ummm, well it's my name on the sheet so they might not connect you with me later." He offered with a small grin. "But I might have used the word porn, a lot. Okay, every other line." He admitted. "And for the lap table one, I said it would get in the way of my jacking off to the porn..." He paused. "Might be banned, I dunno." He giggled. "I know I probably am!"

He has to reach out to grab Derrick's shoulder as he starts to laugh. "God, I'll never be able to take you in there again! I'll have to have you shop online for things you want for Christmas or such," he grinned and shook his head, leading Derrick down the floor and to the other side of the mall for the Apple store.

"Wellllll, they should learn never to have people fill out surveys when they just want a computer and to get out of there." He grinned. "They totally asked for it. But, I'm going to learn how to buy things online! Woo! Yay me!" He cheered and laughed. "Okay, Apple store. The same company that pushed the Apple computers way back when?" He asked.

"Yup, that would be the same place," he grinned ", things are MUCH more sleek these days, you'll notice. And don't be lured in by their computers. They might look pretty but I don't like em. The setup looks nice but they're tempermental," he shrugs ", their iPods and iPhones, however, are amazing."

He nodded. "Well I already have the computer so no problem there. Now, the iPod thing we've discussed and that's what we're getting, but what is an iPhone?" He looked confused by that. "Is it a cell phone? Koan made us get blackberries a while back." He said, slipping his out of his pocket. "It's actually the second phone we've had. Before, we had this touch screen thingy that you had to use a little pointer for? Or rather, you could use your fingers if you had tiny fingers like Nicki. But anyway, I could never get the damn thing to work. I tried to stab it with the little wand and I threatened to submerge it in water. That's when Koan took them back and got these which are a bit easier. I'm serious? I could NOT answer the touch screen phone or make a call. I couldn't figure it out!"

Owen laughed and sighed ", I guess that means we're not getting you an iTouch or an iPhone. They're both touch screens. I've used them, they're easy to use, but I'm not putting all my confidence that you won't break it." He smiled and walked into the sleek Apple store and up to the iPod section. He pointed to the ones with the flat surface ", that, is an iTouch."

"You know damn well I want to finish that sentence with 'myself'." He laughed. 'I touch myself'. Oi. "Yeah, lets stick to those with the little... um... circle thingy." He said, pointing to the others. "Because yeah, I wanted to assassinate my touch screen phone when I had it. But I did console myself with the knowledge that a lot of people take them back after a while." He shook his head grinning. "Though, if you wanted one... I'd get it for you." He said.

Owen shakes his head with a smile ", nah, I like my iPod. It's everything I need. You might want something like it, but without the video for right now. I'd suggest one of these." He walked over to the iPod Nanos. He wasn't sure how much music that Derrick would be putting on it but he was sure something larger than two gigs would be a safe bet.

"They're so tiny." He said looking at them. It was times like this he really did feel old. He could remember to play music when you had a monster console that took up half your wall! "I remember in the late seventies and early eighties..." He started out slowly. "I had a stereo system. It played records, of course. And eight track. It also played eight track." He smiled. "But the thing was longer than your dad's couch, and came up to my hips in height. It had a lid that came down, and it looked like a very large...Cabinet? Kind of?" He was describing it. "You could store records in this little cubby hold under the lid as well. Oh and it had radio. The speakers were behind some decorative grating in the front. It took about three men at least to move it." He paused and tapped the glass over the nano. "This? Is amazing." He said seriously.

Owen looked at him with a smirk ", I think I saw one of those in a museum once. My little iPod is at least two generations behind. These things are state of the art. I even saw headphones online that don't block your ears, but clip to the outside of your ear, pulsing the music right into your skull, still letting you hear everthing around you." He smirked and looked at the gigs on the one Derrick was looking at. "This is an 8 gig one. Should hold plenty of music for you. Hell, you probably won't fill it a quarter of the way for a long time," he grinned.

He laughed and nodded. "You probably did. Hell you probably saw MINE." He snorted. "I got rid of the thing eventually because it took up too much space. Sooooo, well, let's flag down another clerk and ruin... I mean, make their day." He was kidding. He'd behave... so long as there were no surveys!