Dave Archives

November 8, 2007

Dave: Meanwhile, deep underground ...

"Should it be doing that?"

"Doing what?"  Her eyes and attention were still on the scroll in her hands.

"Glowing like that."

"Maybe.  What color?"

"Red."

Chrys said a word  that she'd once slapped me for using, and swung around  to stare at the statue.  "No, it should not."

"We need to leave?"

"Yes."

"Got any doors not blocked by rubble?"

She nodded at the graven foo-dog, glowing like the coals of a fire, though he could feel no heat.  "That will deal knocking a hole in the wall when it's unleashed.  Unfortunately, we won't be in a position to use it."

 

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December 3, 2007

Dave - The Big Interview

Okay.  Okay.  I can do this. 

Intro.   "Hi! I love your work!"  That is so dumb.  Rework it.  Three major questions, follow-up if there's time.  Ha -- infinite time, right? 

Okay, notes in my pocket.  Don't want to trust to memory.

Hmmm ... maybe drop the "Problem of Evil" down to #2, move the "Meaning of Life" up -- it's more feel-good -- I hope -- less of a challenge.  Ease into things.

My breath okay?  Hair?  Ha -- no need for silent prayer.

Secretary's inviting me in.  Okay, here we go.  I can do this.

I can --

Oh.

My.

God.

I think I'm in a lot of trouble.

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December 4, 2007

Dave: "Togetherness"

The first crone spoke.  "Let them be bound together, metals alloyed, melted, fused, bound by their substance for all time."

The second crone spoke.  "Let them be blurred, combined, made one out of two, made sole out of few, bound in mind for all time."

The third crone spoke.  "Let them be hemmed in, contained in arcane, drawn so tightly they are bound in soul for all time."

Roger leaned his head back to Chrys's ear.  "You know, in the right circumstances, this could actually be romantic."

She snorted.  "Yeah, without ropes and if it were a blessing, not a curse."

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December 7, 2007

Dave: Compatibility

Cici liked a venti latte at her Starbucks, with lots of whipped cream.  "Good thing I'm not allergic to dairy," she'd quip.

Delia was into whatever seasonal flavor they were serving -- pumpkin or peppermint or gingerbread or whatever.  She hated coffee, but had a heck of a sweet tooth.

Makela ordered whatever fancy blend was up on the board.  Kenyan AAAA or Upper Volta Peaberry or whatever.  She'd never drink the coffee I made at home.

Pat went for Frappacinos, even when it was snowing.

Laney, though -- she liked her Americano,  Simple, good taste, and what I ordered, too.

So I married her.

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December 17, 2007

Dave: The Latest Thing

Roger took the wrap off Chrys' shoulders, then felt her stiffen.  He looked up, followed her gaze. 

The denizens of the ballroom were anything but fashionable.  Their clothing was ragged, in tatters.  Their hair was dirty and knotted. Their cheeks were sunken and they shuffled listlessly across the polished wooden floor.

"I see why Mrs Patterson was concerned about her son," Chrys said.

"These guys look like DPs, or camp refugees, not the 'leading fashion lights of San Francisco,'" Roger muttered.

"But there's Alanna St John over there.  She's a top model.  And there's the Mayor, too.  Roger, what the hell's going on here?"

"Let's find out."

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January 20, 2008

Dave: Ain't no sunshine when she's gone

Many people labor under the illusion that the universe circles around them.  I knew very differently.  It revolved around her.

"I can't live without you," I told her.  Her hand was cold, gripping mine feebly. 

"Sure you can."  A faint smile.  "One day at a time."

The room was quiet. equipment all gone now save for the one monitor, its muted beat slowing with hers.  "I can't. If you die -- it's the end of everything."

Her lips twitched.  "Silly."

Breath slowly hissed away, and stopped.

Outside, the sun flickered, and went black.  Amid distant screams, I knew the star were going out, too.

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January 21, 2008

Dave: Bottoms up

"Have a drink, Mr. Donne."

Roger smiled.  "No thanks.  I know the trick.  Food and drink in Fairyland makes for a long stay."

Uncle Chu chuckled.  "Don't be silly, my boy.  That's for your European fae.  Sip, sup, and be enslaved forever. Very uncivilized.  I  promise you, my people practice no such tricks."  He nodded to the glass. "Please, drink."

Chrys wouldn't like it if he hacked off her favorite uncle. He nodded and tossed back the glass.

Seconds later, Roger slid off the chair, gasping, limbs leaden.  "My people," Uncle Chu continued, standing over him now, "prefer to poison their enemies outright."

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January 22, 2008

Dave: Friendly Skies

Thank God that's over, Shawn sighed, stumbling out the sliding doors, out onto the sidewalk.  He hated flying -- hated it.  Being cooped up in a bit of aluminum and plastic; fat, sweaty guy on one side; surly goth girl with cranked-up headphones on the other; stupid, stupid unrestrained 5-year-old kicking the back of his seat the whole freaking flight ...

Horrible food, overpriced drink, grating movie ...

And the security lines, and the ticket lines, and the extortionate McDonalds burgers and the baggage claim ...

Well, now off to the hotel --

Shawn never even saw the careening taxi hop the curb.

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January 24, 2008

Dave: Tree Hugger

"What are you doing up there?"

"I -- like it up here."

"In a tree?"

"Trees are nice."

"It's cold out.  What happened to your jacket?"

"I dunno."

"Where did you put your jacket?"

"It's -- I dunno."

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing."

"When I'm talking to you, young man, I'd like you to look at me."

"Okay."

"Thank you.  I'm still waiting to hear about your jacket."

"It's -- inside, I think."

"It's freezing outside.  Why are you out without your jacket?"

"I dunno."

"Well, get down here right now.  It's time for dinner."

"I'd -- rather not."

"Why not?"

"Because."

"Because why?"

"Because I'm scared."

"Scared?  Scared of what?"

"Of that."

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January 25, 2008

Dave: Civilized Behavior

Now, then, welcome to Penal MedPlex 47.  I'm Doctor Trine, your treatment director, pursuant to capital court decision.

We'll be starting with some live cultures.  Military pays us a good price for testing, as do certain pharma and bodymod firms.  Those are fast-acting, which frees you up ... oh, around 1 a.m. for the interrogation instruction.  It's always good for security trainees to learn how much they can push a body before it breaks.  And minds, for that matter.

Ah, now, no tears.  We're allowed just twenty-four hours before your execution.  The good news is, you only have one day to live,

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