#I’m gonna call you Gonzalez instead

[azzie-tangerine]

Nintendo had a missed opportunity to have Mario’s canonical last name be Gonzales

[nevadancitizen]

-> CH. 2: LIKE A MOUSE IN A HOUSE FULL OF CATS

synopsis: it's your first time deviant hunting with hank and connor. and gavin is an asshole – obviously.

word count: 3.4k

ships: Connor/Reader, Hank Anderson & Reader

notes: next chapter will have more one-on-one time with connor and original scenes i promissseee <33

HoFS taglist: @catladyhere (if you'd like to be added to the taglist, just ask!)

HEAD OF FALSE SECURITY MASTERLIST

As soon as you shut off the ignition, Hank turns to Connor in the backseat. “You – stay here.” He points at you. “And you – if you’re gonna vomit, don’t do it on my shoes.”

“Whatever you say, boss.”  You hop out of the driver’s seat, and Hank follows suit.

News reporters and concerned neighbors are swarming behind the digital yellow line that reads POLICE LINE: DO NOT CROSS. As you pass, you’re bombarded by “News Channel Five –” “Joss Douglas, for Channel Sixteen –” “Gordon Skalfe from DJE News –” “Can you confirm this is a homicide?” “Siobahn Gonzalez for SKE News –” “Is it true that an android was involved?” 

You just duck your head and wave them off, mumbling “No questions, no questions.”

Once you cross the yellow line, you hear a car door open and close behind you. You glance back and see Connor maneuvering his way through the small crowd and fight the urge to roll your eyes. Aren’t androids supposed to do as they’re told…?

A police-assistant android is standing behind the line and stops Connor when he tries to pass. “Androids are not permitted beyond this point.”

“Connor’s with me and Lieutenant Anderson,” you call over your shoulder. When you look forward, Hank’s looking at you. You shrug in response, unsure.

He looks over your shoulder at Connor. “What part of ‘stay in the car’ didn’t you understand?”

“Your order contradicted my instructions, Lieutenant,” Connor says, still with that lost puppy dog look on his face.

Hank just grits his teeth and deals with it. “You don’t talk, you don’t touch anything, and you stay outta our way. Got it?”

“Got it!” Connor chirps. 

You huff out a quiet laugh at his kinda-sorta enthusiasm, but it’s immediately silenced when you walk into the house. It reeks like hell, and is way past the sickly-sweet smell of death – it’s just straight pig shit in there.

Chris laughs, holding an N95 mask out to you. “You good?”

“Expected it like one would expect thunder in the clear sky.” You hold up a hand, turning the mask down. “That is to say: I did not.”

Chris smiles, shaking his head and tucking the mask back into his jacket. “You’ve got a way with words, you do.”

“Leave me be.” You smile and wave him away. 

Instead, you turn to observe the crime scene. You’ve been on homicide scenes before, but never like this. A man’s corpse is propped up against the far wall of the living room, fat and bloated and half-decayed. Blood streaks the wall behind him, both in an organic fashion and in precise lettering: I AM ALIVE. 

You half-listen to the debriefing: Carlos Ortiz, been here about three weeks, a kitchen knife, possible android involvement. It’s a puzzle that you don’t have the right experience to solve.

When you look over at the knife, Connor’s kneeling over it. His LED flickers, then he reaches down, swabbing blood with his two first fingers. He brings it to his mouth, and –

“Стой! Wait –!” 

You cringe and bring a balled-up fist to your forehead. A low groan escapes your throat and you can do nothing but watch as Connor licks his fingers.

“Ugh, Jesus!” Hank sighs. “What the hell are you doing?!” 

“I’m analyzing the blood.” Connor holds up his bloody fingers. “I can check samples in real time.”

He turns to you, still with blood on his fingers. “I’m sorry, I should’ve warned you both.”

You drag your hand down your face. “Just give us enough time to look away when you do it next.”

“No, actually,” Hank says. “Don’t put any more evidence in your mouth. Got it?”

“Got it.” Connor looks down at his fingers, his LED flickering as he analyzes the blood. Then, he nods to himself, as if confirming something.

“Christ, this goddamn android…” you mutter to yourself.

You try to busy yourself with looking away from the body, and getting away from the smell. You walk down the hall leading to the bathroom. As you walk, you notice something just barely sticking to the bottom of your shoes. 

When you look down, you expect blood, but there’s nothing there. Unless…?

You hold out your left hand, your thumb and index extended, and close your right eye. With your polymer retina active, the world turns into monochrome-blues. Your eyes turn to the floor, where speckles of mystery liquid lead to the end of the hall. (And you really hope it isn’t semen.)

You relax your hand and open your right eye. Sure enough, there’s nothing there to your naked eye.

You turn into the living room and call out “Connor! I need you to look at something for me.”

He turns the corner, raising an eyebrow when he sees you and an empty hall. “Yes, Officer? What do you need me to look at?”

You step to the side so that you’re not standing on the mystery liquid. “There’s something on the floor. I can’t identify it, and I can only pick it up with my polymer retina.”

Connor crouches and looks at the floor. “Yes. There’s Thirium here.”

“Thirium?” You echo. “Like, android blood?”

“Yes.” He smiles a bit, like he’s impressed. “Good work, Officer.”

You turn and scratch your cheek, huffing a little through your nose. “I’ve just been on a few cases like this before, that’s all. You’re acting like you’re in the seventh skies about it.”

“To say that I am would be to imply I’m able to feel excitement,” Connor says. “I am not.”

You furrow your eyebrows as your suspension of disbelief is shattered. The belief that Connor wasn’t an unfeeling robot – just a regular guy with that somewhat-cute, somewhat-maddening lost look. Maybe a bit clueless when it comes to social cues, sure, but really endearing when he does miss them.

“Right.” You draw your lips into a thin line. “Then, uh… just go back to whatever you were doing.”

“I’m nearly done figuring out what happened. I’d like you to be there to confirm.” Connor stands, then walks back into the living room without waiting for you.

You follow him, then prop yourself up in a corner to watch Connor conduct his business. He moves about the crime scene like a well-seasoned professional, rattling off his theory like he was there when the killing occurred. Once he’s done, he turns to Hank, as if waiting for approval.

Hank’s chin dips as he shrugs with his arms crossed. “Seems plausible. Doesn’t mean that we know why the android defended itself, though.”

“It could be from emotional shock,” you say, surveying the kitchen. “Or, the hit from the bat could’ve disrupted the biocomponents in a way that was just so, so that deviancy was…” you shrug. “Activated? Unlocked? I don’t know how to describe it.”

“A plausible theory,” Connor says. 

“We’re havin’ a nice time talkin’, but where the hell did the android go?” Hank mutters, eyes flitting around the house.

“I have an idea.” Connor’s gaze turns to the ground, then he starts to follow the invisible Thirium trail. 

Hank moves so that he’s standing next to you. “Where the hell is it going?”

“Following a trail of blue blood,” you say.

He looks over at you and scoffs lightly. “How do you know that?”

You smile and hold up your left hand – the one with your polymer glove. The star retracts, exposing the wires that slither out and move with minds of their own. 

Hank makes a sound of disgust, turning away. “Put that thing away.”

“Yes, sir.” You chuckle lightly and close your fist, causing the wires to go back.

When you turn back to the kitchen, Connor’s come back and picked up a chair. He starts to walk away, but Hank stops him.

“Hey-hey-hey!” Hank says. “What’re you doin’ with that chair?”

Connor looks over at Hank, then continues walking. “I’m going to check something.”

“Huh…” Hank turns to you and gestures at where Connor disappeared around the corner. “Gonna check something.”

You smile lightly. “The attic, for ghosts.” 

Hank huffs out a laugh and shakes his head. “Yeah, because Detroit has a ghost problem.”

“Maybe it does!” You laugh. “You never –”

Both you and Hank’s heads snap up as something clunks above you. There’s footsteps – two sets of them. You exchange a look with Hank and both set off to the attic opening.

“Connor!” Hank calls. “What the fuck is goin’ on up there?”

Silence for a moment. Your breath stills in your lungs.

Then, Connor: “It’s here, Lieutenant!”

“Holy shit.” Hank looks at you, then behind him. “Chris, Ben – get your asses over here now! C’mon!”

The cold of the observation room is only accentuated by the hot coffee in your hands, but you honestly think you’d fall asleep without it.

You can feel Gavin’s hard stare switching between drilling into the back of your skull and looking into the interrogation room. You’re just sitting at the desk, taking notes – which, so far, is as follows: No response to question. No response to question. Interrogator (Lt. Hank Anderson) showing signs of frustration. No response to physical aggression. No response to question.

You look up just as soon as Hank calls it quits and storms out of the interrogation room. He buzzes into the observation room, his footfalls heavy and frustrated.

“We’re wastin’ our time interrogating a machine – we’re gettin’ nothing outta it!” He practically shoves himself into the chair beside you.

“Could always send pinko here to rough it up a little.” Gavin tilts his head, looking over at you. “After all, it’s not human. And I doubt they would have an issue taking a hammer and sickle to the android.”

You sigh and set your data pad down with more force than necessary. “I’m not a sadist, Reed. And even if I was, I wouldn’t take it out on a suspect.”

“Additionally, androids don’t feel pain,” Connor chimes in. “You would only damage it, and that wouldn’t make it talk. Deviants also have a tendency to self-destruct when in stressful situations –”

“Okay, smartass,” Gavin cuts him off. “What should we do, then?”

Connor blinks, his eyes flitting between you, Hank, and Chris. It’s almost like he’s nervous to suggest that “I could try questioning it.”

Gavin laughs that asshole-ish laugh. You look over at Hank. He’s already looking at you. You glance back at Connor and shrug.

Hank sighs. “What do we have to lose?” He looks back at Connor. “Go ahead. Suspect’s all yours.”

Connor peels back the artificial skin on his hand, revealing porcelain-white plastic, and presses it to the biometric scanner, then steps through the door. 

You shudder. “That always creeps me out.”

Chris mutters under his breath in agreement.

You lean back in your chair and ready your data pad as Connor enters the interrogation room. He sits across from the deviant, then leans forward as he analyzes him. 

You lean over towards Hank and mutter, “Is someone taping this?”

“Yeah,” he mumbles back. “Why?”

“He has a tendency to talk quickly.” You glance down at your data pad, then back up at Connor. “I’m worried he’ll talk too fast for me to record.”

“Didn’t realize the DPD’s turning officers into stenographers,” Gavin says under his breath.

You don’t look back at him as you speak. “I heard that.”

“Yeah, and I’m sure your wire heard it, too.”

Hank holds up a hand. “That’s enough.”

You look forward through the double-sided mirror into the interrogation room. Your hands are ready, resting on the digital keyboard of your data pad. 

“I detect an instability in your program,” Connor says. “It can trigger an unpleasant feeling, like fear in humans.”

Connor leans forward, trying to look at the deviant, whose eyes remain firmly on the table. You record in your data pad: Switching interrogators. New interrogator is Connor (android, model RK800). No response to question about deviancy-induced fear.

Connor’s eyes flit down to the android’s arms. One of them is split open, exposing bent plastic and sparking wires. The other is littered with dozens of cigarette burns.

“You’re damaged.” Connor’s voice is turning a little colder. “Did your owner do that? Did he beat you?”

Again, no response. You record: No response to question about injuries/damage.

“You’re accused of murder,” Connor says, his voice turning colder still. “You know you’re not allowed to endanger human life under any circumstances. Do you have anything to say in your defense?”

You record: No response to pressure with blame.

Connor shifts in his seat, like he’s frustrated. You feel for him. It’s like talking to a brick wall in there.

He leans forward, his jaw set as he stares at the android. “If you don’t talk, I’m going to have to probe your memory.”

“No!” The deviant immediately barks, his head snapping up to look at Connor. “No, please don’t do that.”

You exchange a glance with Hank, then look back into the interrogation room. When you do, it’s like the android is looking through the double-sided mirror at you. His lips are parted, his expression shocked and pained. Dried blood paints his face but, in the harsh fluorescent light, it looks wet and fresh.

You find it hard to record. You just want to watch the interrogation, be fully immersed in it. But, still: Verbal and physical response to threat to probe memory. Shows fear – possible C-PTSD.

He shakes a little as he turns back to Connor. He can’t meet Connor’s gaze.

“Wh… what’re they gonna do to me?” His voice is soft and fearful. “They’re gonna destroy me, aren’t they?”

Connor doesn’t skip a beat, his voice and expression neutral and indifferent. “They’re going to disassemble you and look for problems in your biocomponents. They have no choice if they want to understand what happened.”

The android’s eyebrows crease. “Why did you tell them you found me? Why couldn’t you just have left me there…?”

You record: Continuation of expression of fear. Possibly trying to make Connor sympathize.

“I was programmed to hunt deviants like you,” Connor says evenly. “I just accomplished my mission.”

The deviant clenches his hands into fists, then relaxes them. He looks down at the table, then up at Connor. “I don’t wanna die.”

You record: Self-soothing with repetitive actions. Expresses fear of death.

Connor leans forward, his voice stern yet… somewhat understanding as he speaks. “Then talk to me.”

“I…” The android’s voice shakes. He squeezes his eyes shut, hunching over and closing in on himself. “I can’t.”

Connor blinks. Once, twice.

Then, he hits the table with his fist and barks out “You’re a machine. You were designed to obey, so obey!”

The deviant flinches – a response you record. Androids aren’t supposed to have any response to loud noises.

“Tell me what happened,” Connor says. 

After a few seconds, it’s clear he’s not getting through. He changes his approach so that he’s quieter, more emotional with his facial expressions.

“Listen,” he says softly. “I’m not judging you. I’m on your side. All I want is the truth.”

You record: Connor changes tactics. Before – hard, demanding. Now – more expressive, softer. Possibly manipulating suspect to extract confession.

He reaches across the table, his hand just barely shy of touching the deviant’s. “Confess and I’ll protect you. I promise, I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

The android’s voice is soft but sure as he speaks. “He… he tortured me every day. I did whatever he told me, but – but there was always something wrong.”

Connor gives an encouraging nod.

“A-and then one day…” his voice shakes. “He took a bat, and started hitting me. Over, and over. For the first time I felt…”

His shoulders tense. “Scared. Scared he might destroy me, scared I might die. So I… I grabbed the knife, and I stabbed him in the stomach.”

Connor continues staring. A silent motivation for the deviant to continue talking.

“I felt better,” he says. “So I stabbed him again, and again. Until he collapsed. There was blood everywhere…”

You look down at your data pad and start writing, partially tuning out the rest of the interrogation. You had what you needed. You record: Confession successfully extracted by Connor. Hypothesis confirmed – deviancy triggered by physical violence. Follow-up on related cases.

Connor’s voice causes your head to snap up and look into the interrogation room. “When did you start feeling emotion?”

The deviant’s lips tremble before he speaks. “Before, he used to beat me and I never said anything. But one day I…”

He shakes his head. “I realized it wasn’t fair!” He spits out the word like it causes a foul taste on his tongue.

“I felt… anger.” His jaw clenches. “Hatred… And then I knew what I had to do.”

Connor moves away from the deviant and turns to look into the double-sided mirror. “I’m done.”

“Well, shit.” Chris leans back in his chair. “Look at that.”

He stands and presses his hand to the biometric scanner, then enters the interrogation room. Gavin, then Hank, then you filter in after. You stick close to the door, as you’re only armed with a data pad and your wits. (You’re a cybersecurity officer – of course they wouldn’t give you a gun.)

Gavin passes by Connor, sneering at him. He turns to the deviant. “Chris, lock it up.”

Chris moves over to the android. He unclips a key from his tac belt and unlocks the android’s handcuffs from the table. Chris takes his arm, and –

“Leave me alone!” His voice trembles as he speaks. He presses his arms closer to his body. “Don’t touch me.”

“The fuck are you doing?” Gavin snaps at the deviant. “Move it!”

“Hey, c’mon now,” Chris says, continuing to try to force the android out of his seat. “Don’t be difficult – it’ll only make things harder.”

“No, don’t touch me!” He cries, cowering away from Chris.

You look over at Hank while Chris continues to struggle. You whisper, “Hank?”

He turns his head towards you, but doesn’t take his eyes off what’s happening in front of him. He holds a hand out towards you, as if telling you to not intervene. 

“You shouldn’t touch it,” Connor cuts in. “It’ll self-destruct if it feels threatened.”

“Stay outta this, got it?” Gavin snaps. “No fuckin’ android is gonna tell me what to do!”

“Connor’s right,” you say. “I want this one alive. A corpse is of no use to me, or the rest of the department.”

“It wouldn’t be a corpse! It would be scrap metal!” Gavin says. “And it’s not alive – so just shut your fuckin’ mouth, both of you!”

He turns to Chris. “You gonna move this asshole or what?”

Chris is still struggling to pull the android out of the chair, or literally in any other way. “I’m trying!”

“I can’t let you do that!” Connor storms over, tugging Chris off the deviant. He almost looks… angry. “Leave it alone, now!”

Chris stumbles back, and Gavin draws his gun and steps forward to take his place. 

“I warned you, motherfucker!” He growls out.

You balk. “Gavin!”

Hank cuts through the room with “That’s enough!”

Gavin’s jaw clenches. He glances over at Hank, then back to Connor, who is staring, unshaken, down the barrel. 

“Mind your own business, Hank,” he says lowly. 

“I said –” Hank pulls his own gun, keeping Gavin in his sights “– that’s enough.”

Gavin’s eyes flit between Hank, Connor, and Chris, but they settle on you. You, who’s standing quietly in the corner, clutching your data pad to your chest. (Christ, leaving Chelomey was a mistake…)

“Fuck…” he mutters under his breath. He holsters his gun, turning to leave. “Fuck!”

You step out of the way as Gavin storms out. You look over your shoulder, watching as the door shuts behind him. 

When you turn back, Connor’s kneeling by the deviant, a calming hand extended. 

“Everything is alright,” he says. It’s the most compassionate you’ve heard him. “It’s over now. Nobody is gonna hurt you.”

He looks up at Connor, his LED flickering between yellow and red. Eventually, his LED settles on yellow, and he nods slowly. 

Connor stands and turns to Chris. “Please, don’t touch it. Let it follow you out of the room, and it won’t cause you any trouble.”

The deviant stands slowly, a bit wobbly on his feet. When he passes Connor, he whispers something you can’t quite hear – but his LED turns blue, as does Connor’s. You hope it’s helpful. 

You watch as Chris leads the android out of the interrogation room and sigh. Your fingers drum against the back of your data pad in an unsteady rhythm. 

“Well.” You look down at your notes. “This will make for a fun report.”

[anotheronechicagobog]

Rangers, Lead the Way

Written by: @anotheronechicagobog

Warnings: Swearing, canon compliant violence, I had to use a lot of material from the actual episode, mention of domestic abuse

tagging: @detectiveinchicago​

A/N: So, this is a new series. Basically, OA Zidan (FBI), Jay Halstead (Chicago PD), and Kenny Crosby (FBI: Most Wanted) all went to Ranger training together and kept in touch, something that was useful when they couldn’t be the one to keep their ‘partner’ safe and need to call one of the others for assistance when their ‘paartners’ are temporarily working with another member of the trio.

OA wasn't a name that he'd heard in a long time. They weren't in the same unit but they were in Rangers training together. Jay was one of the only two people there who didn't have it out for him solely because of his religion, while he was shocked to find a Muslim among the ranks at first, he quickly got over it. Not only did he trust that his superiors wouldn't let a terrorist into the army at all, let alone Ranger training, but OA was a U.S. citizen, and had a very personal hatred for everyone who sullied the name of Islam and used it for violence and their own personal gain. So he and Kenny Crosby befriended OA despite the shock and ignorance from their brothers and sisters in arms. They studied together, trained together, ate together, and bunked together. When they'd all been given different assignments they made sure to stay in touch. And they continued to call, email, and text each other after they'd all been discharged.

When Hailey got temporarily assigned to New York Jay was... Well, it's hard to describe how he felt. It was such a nightmarish combination of devastated, terrified, and heartbroken. It was like an icy hand had enclosed around his throat and was slowly squeezing, painfully closing his throat, all while his heart was being dissected out of his chest by another. Not only was he reliving one of the most traumatic moments of his life all over again, but Hailey was going to be in the field without him. She was going to be in danger without him there to watch her back.

And since Hailey was amazing, she could tell just by looking at him that his mind was dropping down into a dark place faster than Alice tumbled into Wonderland. "It's just temporary. And I'll be okay, Jay."

"Hailey..."

"I'm going to put in my time and come back as quickly as possible. It's okay. It's all going to be okay." Hailey's words didn't reassure him in the slightest. How could they, when they didn't even reassure Hailey?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Special Agent Zidan."

"Hey OA, it's Jay."

"Hey man, how are you?"

"Honestly, not great."

"What's wrong?"

"My- uh my partner..."

"Hailey Upton."

"Yeah. She's getting detailed out to the FBI for a bit. I found out that she's getting assigned to your unit."

"That makes sense, my partner's doing a UC detail right now, we'll probably be partnered together."

"OA... Watch out for her. Please. She is strong and more than capable of defending herself, and you quite frankly, but- she's my- I..."

"Don't worry, Jay. I'll have her back. She'll make it back to you."

"Thank you. Seriously, you have no idea how much this means to me."

OA looked at the now-empty desk that had been causing his heart to ache at the sight of it. His shoulder sagged at the pain that was pulling in his chest, the dark fog that filled his mind whenever he started to think, started to wonder, caused his head to throb. "Actually, I know exactly how you feel."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You will be partnered with Agent Zidan."

"Hi, I'm OA."

"Hi. Hailey."

"Nice to meet you."

"You too."

"Listen up, everyone. This is Detective Hailey Upton from Chicago PD. She will be with us for the next few weeks as part of our interagency training program."

"All right, so let's, uh, direct our attention to the screens here. Found the body of a young John Doe in St. Nicholas Park. A hundred yards from Alexander Hamilton's house. Federal land, federal case- and no, it is not where Aaron Burr shot him. The famed duel took place in-- anyone, anyone? Weehawken, New Jersey. Kristen knew. Unfortunately, there's far less clarity in the present homicide case. Evidence of torture and abuse, the victim was brown-skinned, but there was no other evidence of a hate crime. So let's dig in, get to work, start filling in the blanks. Yeah? Go."

"You ready?"

"Yeah."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, Chicago PD? Should I be nervous?"

"Nervous?"

"You guys have been in the news a lot and not for good reasons."

"Uh, yeah, we've had some issues, but they're being addressed. It's a great place. I'm proud to be a part of it. The next time you want to insult me, just come out and say it, you don't need to disguise it as a compliment. This car right here?"

"Yeah, sorry. I didn't mean it like that. It's just my way of saying we do things differently here."

"Mhmm."

"Just trying to keep it real." And keep you from getting hurt so that Halstead doesn't develop a full head of grey hair. "So, you spend much time in New York?"

"Nah, first time here."

"Any early observations?"

"Pizza's too thin. It's like a cracker with sauce on it. Just trying to keep it real."... Okay, so maybe it would've been nice if Jay had warned him that she had an axe to grind, but he could make do.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"If I hear you're harassing any more immigrants, I'm gonna come back here, and I'm gonna break your arm. Do you understand?"

"Yeah."

"Good."

"I forwarded Kristen the pictures of Aman. She'll get us a street block number based on the license plates in the background."

"Just like that, huh?"

"The FBI, Upton. Our tech resources are pretty sick. Look, it's not a big deal, but now that you're working with us, just try and be a little bit more careful. If that guy Prichard calls the Bureau complaining that you threatened to use force..."

"Look, man, I don't need a lesson on how to talk to people, all right?"

"Hey, hey, hey. Don't get me wrong. I have no problem with someone breaking that idiot's arm, it's just... It's just that the Bureau is hardcore, and they take that stuff really seriously."

"You're right. I'm sorry. If he files a beef, I'll eat it and make sure you're clear. All right?"

"Appreciate that. But what the hell's a beef?"

"It's an expression."

"I'm kidding. Kristen said Aman's house is around this area."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, Hailey is a badass. That was pretty damn cool to witness. Sidenote; Jay is going to murder him.

Hailey was fine, more than fine, she actually saved his ass. But that didn't matter, Jay had trusted him to protect Hailey and hadn't failed, but he hadn't done the best job either.

They'd been searching a house, and after coming down the stairs he completely missed an assailant in the kitchen. But Hailey hadn't. No, she saw him and got him out of the line of fire. He provided cover fire while she jumped back over to the wall at the end of the stairs. OA tensed, more than usual when he was in a firefight unless Maggie was- nope, not going there, the point is, he didn't miss the way a bullet penetrated the wall a few centimetres from Hailey's head.

"Halstead."

"Don't be mad-"

"Oh god-"

"Hailey's fine. One-hundred percent fine, not even a scratch. We just, uh, we got into a shootout with an assailant. He got a shot off close to her head. She's fine- more than fine! I swear! She actually saved my ass in that altercation! And I was covering her the whole time!"

"... That's it? That's a pretty normal day for us, OA. She's okay, you're okay... So, everything, is... Okay. And seriously, thanks again, man. I can't even begin to tell you how much this means to me. I know that she can take care of herself and the others around her, but it's hard when I'm not the one there to have her six. So I really appreciate that I know and trust the person who is."

"Well, I'm glad that you're not gonna come at me like you did when I stole one of the cookies your mom made from your care package."

"Yeah, we wouldn't want a repeat of that."

"Plus, I know how it feels to... Not know. My partner is under right now and..."

"You're going out of your mind?"

"More than you can believe. I can't eat or sleep, and every time my phone buzzes I think it's a death notification instead of an emergency call from work."

"Sounds like you've got your own Hailey. You'll have to introduce me to Maggie one day."

"Yeah, I will. And Ken's definitely gonna have to introduce Hana. We have heard far too much about her to not even be able to put a face to the name."

"Tell me about it. Sometimes I regret our 'no search' rule, but then I remember how much we embarrass each other."

"By the way, thank you."

"Huh? For what?"

"For saving my ass back there. In the house."

"Oh. Okay. Cool. You're welcome."

"Halstead, how much do get shot at, exactly?"

"Why are you asking?"

"She pushed me out of the path of a bullet and when I thanked her afterwards she treated it like it was nothing."

"... I mean, there's not exactly a whole lot I can do about people trying to kill us..."

"Jay. Dude."

"I can try to stop being 'idiotically reckless' as Hailey calls it, but I'm not trying to be a hero or a dumbass or anything, it's just that... If it's not me getting hurt..."

"...It's her."

"Yeah."

"We're both whipped, aren't we?"

"Oh, ridiculously whipped. The desk Sergeant at my precinct is constantly making fun of me for it."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Just got ballistics back on the slugs fired at OA and Upton. They match the bullets that killed Aman, but get this; they also match the bullets pulled from a drive-by murder victim two months ago."

"Could they ID a suspect yet?"

"Yeah, arrested him too. Name is Santiago Gonzalez, known associate of the Latin Players. He's being held at MDC pending trial."

"Latin Players. That's a Chicago gang."

"Hmm, looks like they're expanding."

"So the Latin Players killed someone, they get arrested, go to jail, and the gun

stays on the street."

"And the new owner uses said gun to kill Aman, a studious Indian engineering student?"

"Right. What are we missing? How are these two murders connected?"

"Have OA and Upton pay a visit to Inmate Gonzalez. Maybe he can help us answer that question."

"Right."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So this guy, Gonzalez, is originally from Chicago. Runs with the Latin Players, so maybe you should take the lead on this one. But go hard on him." Hailey and Gonzales were from the same city, same blood, this was her turf, and OA wanted to make sure that he abided by that.

"You want a reaction?" Hailey seemed to get exactly what he meant, what he wanted, but she also seemed hesitant, like she needed more than clarification. It was like she needed permission.

"A big one. Big enough to force him to call his people."

"I think I can do that." And just like that, she had a smirk in her voice and was walking ahead of him. OA could see the wheels turning in her head and a coolness to her features let him know that she'd come up with a game plan. He didn't know if he should be afraid or not.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Where's the gun you used in the drive-by?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." They were less than a minute into the interrogation and he was already annoyed. Why did these guys always have to be so smug? He resisted the urge to roll his eyes, and just let Hailey do her thing, only popping in to keep the flow going. "One of your friends used it to kill a civilian last night."

"Used it again this afternoon on us. Fired off ten rounds."

"Like I said, I don't know what you're talking about." OA had to hold in a sigh.

"You're staring 20 to life on the case you're riding. Give us the name of the person you gave the gun to, and maybe I'll be able to get you a reduced sentence."

"Get my ass, blondie." OA quickly debated the pros and cons of stepping in. Honestly, this guy would probably just make him angrier with his smug attitude and sexist remarks, plus Hailey wasn't even phased. She was still in control, and she actually seemed a little... Bored.

"I'm not a fed like him. I'm Chicago police."

"So what?"

"Means I play by different rules. Also means I know the names of all the shot callers in the Latin Players. Tomorrow morning, we're gonna do a warrant sweep. Means a lot of people you know are gonna get arrested."

"That's not my problem."

"But it is. Because I'm gonna make sure that they know you are the snitch who gave them up."

"Now, you know nobody's gonna believe that."

"Really? Because in my experience, pissed-off bangers don't do their homework, and if they think you're a snitch, you're a snitch. In the street, rumours become facts like that."

"I'm done talking."

"Alright."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So you think he believed us?"

"I don't know. What?"

"Nothing, you just reminded me of my partner, Maggie, in there."

"Oh."

"In a good way."

"Then thank you."

"Can you cue up the audio feed?" The prison guard nodded back at OA and did as he asked.

"So where is your partner?"

"Uh, she is on an undercover assignment. That I know absolutely nothing about besides the fact that she is gone and unreachable."

"That's gotta be pretty tough."

"Yeah, but she's really good, so she'll be fine."

"We're up." The guard unmuted the computer and moved out of the way so that he and Hailey could see it clearly.

"Yo, just say the word, man. Chicago about to throw that heat."

"What are you talking about?"

Gonzalez sighed. "Police and FBI here sweating me, man."

"About what?"

"That piece that I left behind. I'm guess it's all connected to what happened on the night at Highbridge Park."

"All right, thanks for looking out."

"No doubt."

"Can you trace the number that he called?" OA was ansty, ready to get moving fast before their lead disappeared and from the honed in look in Hailey's eyes he could see she felt the same.

"Payphone up in Washington Heights." The prison guard was curt and efficient, exactly what they needed and OA was silently grateful.

"Okay. Thank you."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I'm guessing that's his girlfriend."

"Hold on. I talked to her at the park, right before we found Ernesto's body." From the way her body tensed OA could tell Hailey wasn't happy she'd let this girl slip through her fingers. He could tell her that it wasn't her fault, no one was even remotely aware of this connection, but he knew that was pointless. Any passionate law enforcement officer would beat themselves over something like this, himself included.

"Ah, and we have a hit off of social rec. Her name is Harper Quinlan, 23 years old, last known address is 84 Groton Street, Queens, New York."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Why were you at the park?" OA sat across from the young woman, dead set on getting all the information she knew. Arman's murder was quickly dissolving into a larger more horrifying crime and he was worried that the poor man who this had all started with would be forgotten and he didn't want to think about why that enraged him so much.

"I told you before. I was walking."

"Or was it to recover the glove that Lucas dropped after he killed his drug supplier?"

"I don't know anything about that."

"We have video of you in the driver's seat of Lucas' Range Rover at Highbridge Park the night that Lucas killed Ernesto Garcia, so you are now an official suspect in a murder investigation. That means no more lying, no more protecting your boyfriend. You either cooperate with us here and now, or you go to prison."

"I'm not gonna help you ruin Lucas' life. I just won't. He's a good person."

"Harper, good people don't sell drugs or kill people."

"Yeah, you don't know him like I do. He's so nice, and... he's sweet... He really loves me."

"Lucas isn't who you think he is, Harper. Protecting him will only get you and more innocent people hurt. Tell me why you think he was in the park that night."

"I'm not gonna help you."

"Are you listening to what I'm saying to you? You're a suspect in a murder investigation here. Lying to protect him makes this worse. You're putting more lives at risk. Be smart. Tell me why you were there that night. Harper, you don't need to go to prison for him." OA knew he wasn't getting anywhere and was trying to think of some other- any other method- to try and get Harper to talk, when Hailey burst into the room. She looked calculated, like she had a plan or idea that needed to be executed exactly or else the worst might befall those she was trying to protect. Which, if he read her character right, was everyone.

"Unlock it."

"What's going on?" Harper was just as confused as he was, but he knew better than to show it.

"Do it. Pull up your texts."

"Oh, my God."

"What does it say?" Hailey already knew, that much was obvious, but whatever was going on needed to be as brutally real as possible to Harper, and voicing it out loud would drive whatever was going on home for Harper.

"'Return the product, or he's dead. You have four hours. Tell your man to meet us at the place we did our first deal.' Oh, my- oh, my God." Harper's sobs quickly took up the space of the interrogation room, it didn't matter that she hadn't seen her father in so long, losing him would devastate her, and the Latin Players knew that well.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Let me take a run at her. I might have an angle to play." OA watched Hailey carefully, trying to make out was she was thinking, what angle she could possibly have, but he hadn't known her nearly long enough for any of that. There was this... Knowing glint in her eyes, and a sort of dark confidence had taken over her aura. She was confident in whatever plan she had, obviously, he just had no way of predicting what it was. In that moment, OA could really see what made Jay all twisted over her. She didn't look excited to break the accomplice of a drug dealer, or eager to impress the FBI. She looked like she was ready to get elbow deep in someone else's mess just for the sake of protecting as many people as possible with her quick wit and razor-sharp intelligence. So he just inclined his head and got ready to watch her work from the other side of the glass.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You're in a tough place right now, Harper. We have video of you at the scene of a murder, which makes you an accessory. You're looking at 15 to 20 years in prison. But if you cooperate, we can help you. We'll talk to the prosecutor, explain why you were there, help him understand the nature of your relationship with Lucas."

"What are you talking about?"

"I know what's going on. He hurts you, doesn't he?"

"No. That's not true. He's a good guy-"

"No, he's not. What are those bruises on your neck? You tried to cover them up, but I can see them. When you first met, I bet he was great. You guys hit it off, you had fun. He was everything you wanted. But then he started chipping away at your friends and your family. So you pop a pill to numb the pain and tell yourself everything's okay, just hoping that the abuse is gonna stop. Harper. It won't. I talked to your dad. He loves you very much. And he needs you right now. He's in a lot of danger. If these guys don't get their drugs back, they will kill him. The only thing that matters now is you helping us to find Lucas, so we can recover the drugs and find your dad." Watching Hailey in the interrogation room really was something else. From the slight waver of her tone, the palpable understanding in her voice that seemed to wrap a crying Harper in the first hug she's had in a long time, he could tell that she was exposing a pain-filled part of herself to this- this girl, this accomplice in drug dealing and murder. And still, she was able to remain professional and in control, and OA could honestly say that her incredible ability to do her job both made his heart ache for her and impressed him far more than he thought she would.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They were in the surveillance van, waiting for Harper and the SWAT team to get in to place. What OA was itching to ask her was highly personal. He did not expect her to feel comfortable talking to him about it, but she'd given Harper some of her strength and after revealing something so heart-wrenching, the protective Egyptian older brother in him needed to make sure that she'd left enough for herself. "So, how do you know so much about abuse? I am sorry, I did not mean anything by that."

"No, it's fine. It's all good. Everyone becomes a cop for a reason. I guess that's mine."

"Uh, yeah."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Don't forget, Harper. He wants the cash to get out of town, but we need the location where he first met his dealer. That's where your dad is." OA nodded along to Hailey's instruction, keeping a critical eye on the emotionally distraught Harper.

"Babe. They took my father."

"What are you talking about?"

"That guy that you deal with, they grabbed my father and texted me that they're gonna kill him unless we return the drugs that you took."

"Oh, no, no. I can't- I can't do that."

"They took my father!"

"Look, I feel bad, but they will kill me. Oh, Jesus, don't-"

"Lucas."

"Don't give me the sad eyes look."

"Lucas."

"I'm screwed. Look, I gotta look out for me- for us, you understand?"

"Look, I need to know where you and Ernesto did your first deal 'cause that's where they wanna meet."

"I just told you, I'm not going-"

"I will go! I'll call my uncle. He has a lot of money. Maybe I can negotiate a deal or something."

"I gotta get moving, all right, so give me the money."

"Where did you meet him?"

"Stay strong." Hailey could see her waver, could see her lose her ground and need someone to keep her steady. "Location first, then give him the money."

"Lucas. Lucas. Lucas!"

"I'll call you later on, all right?" Lucas, being the selfish douchebag that he is, grabs the bag of money and moves to book it, leaving his girlfriend who needs him behind.

"Damn it. Move in now!" OA sounded the call and immediately all agents left their posts and honed in on Lucas.

"Lucas!"

"You lying sack of..." Lucas, in an effort to prove that he really is a stellar guy, pulls out a gun and starts shooting at the agents, causing panic and fear in the civilians around them. Really, Harper? This guy?

"Get down! Get down!" Hailey pulled Harper out of the line of fire and pushed her to the ground before covering her with her own body, amazing OA with her selflessness yet again. You really picked a good one, Jay.

"Move, move!"

"Drop it!" Scola had joined them when Lucas went for the kill, forcing OA to do the same. Only OA was a good shot, though.

"Lucas! Lucas! Lucas! Lucas..." Harper couldn't stop calling for him, and OA was certain that the only reason she hadn't crawled over to his body was that Hailey was holding her in place. "It's okay." Hailey seemed to be stuck on repeat, comforting Harper. OA personally couldn't see how someone who had been abused would mourn their abuser... But then again, he thankfully had never had to suffer through that. Unlike Hailey.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"Sounded like he was ready to hit the road, so I'm guessing his dope is close by. Nothing back here." OA went to the Range Rover with Scola to look for anything- finding the drugs would've been preferable, but as long as it was a tangible clue, they could call it a win.

"Yeah. There's nothing here either."

"Any luck?" Hailey approached them, her I-know-something-that-you-don't-but-don't-worry-I'll-tell-you plastered on her face.

"Nope. Nothing."

"You have the keys on you?"

"Yeah."

"Here, let me try something. Hop in. Shut the trunk." Hailey closed the driver's door, started the engine, pushed a button on the stereo and on the car door. A drawer illuminated by blue light opens, containing the missing drugs.

"I already pushed it. Nothing happened." Scola sounded mildly insulted, but OA just chuckled internally.

"Okay, Chicago." He was impressed, and he wasn't going to hide that. He was also going to give Jay a call later to tell him to ask her out already. There's no way a woman this amazing stays single for long.

"I have a CI who installs these things. Engine has to be on and doors closed in order for it to open."

"Okay, we got the dope. Now we just gotta figure out where to deliver it to."- OA

"Yep."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"We have Lucas' texts from the phone he was carrying since Harper said he started doing business with the Latin Players about a month ago-" Kristen was leading their group of field agents and Jubal towards the front desks, explaining what she found, and while normally they would have totally enjoyed her explaining just how smart she is, things were a little time-sensitive.

"Yeah."

"We need to scrub that time period."

"There, on the 28th. There's a text that says, 'Meetings at 2. Let's do 9 instead of 8.'" One of the analysts pulled the info onto the computer screen in front of them, showing them the text records.

"'Let's do 9 instead of 8'? But the meeting's at 2:00. Is that some sort of code?" Jubal's mind was whirring away with Kristen's, figuring out exactly what it meant.

"Well, here's Lucas' GPS data from that day around that time." Kristen worked her magic so that Jubal could work his.

"All right, so from 1:37 to 3:12, he was in Brooklyn down by the river. Kris, can you zoom in? Get a more specific look at this. Yeah, over here. Can you drill down right there?"

"Okay."

"They met at 2:00 at a dock. Pier nine instead of pier eight. That's the meeting place." Scola voiced it out loud, like he was still in thought and hadn't had time to put all of the pieces in place internally first.

"There it is." Jubal's prideful voice made OA smirk.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"We've got 67 minutes to get the drugs down to pier nine. Unfortunately, the guy we need to deliver the drugs is at the city morgue." Isobel voiced the dreadful obvious from her office, forcing them all to sigh and start their plan to catch Arman's killer from scratch.

"I'll go under as Lucas' friend. I'll give him the coke in exchange for Harper's dad." Hailey volunteered herself, but not with the same gusto she'd been working the entire case. Something was off and OA's 'spidey senses' were giving him no peace.

"No. These guys have done their homework. They're not gonna buy that." OA knew he made a good point, but he hoped that no one saw the way his shoulders went rigid.

"I get it, but I think I can pull it off."

"No, I agree with OA. It's too risky." Isobel agreed with him and OA felt like he could breathe again, he promised Jay that he'd watch her back, something he couldn't really do if he was watching her not with her. And if he were honest with himself, he'd become a little attached to her in the time they'd been partnered together, hoping that they would become friends.

"So we need a plan C."

"Let me do it. He's my father. I'm the one who got him into this awful situation. So let me do it. Let me do something meaningful. Something that will make me feel good about myself... Please. Gotta let me do it." Harper looked at Hailey, not even acknowledging the rest of the room.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You're gonna do great. Just follow the plan we laid out."

"He doesn't get the second bag until you see your father."

"Right. Got it."

"And if your dad's not at the meeting place, you tell the man to bring him there. He'll say no. You stand your ground." Hailey seemed to be offering more comforting advice.

"You have more leverage than you think. This dope is worth a lot of money, and that's all they really care about." While he seemed to be offering more calculated advice.

"It's okay to be nervous. They'd be suspicious if you weren't. You good?"

"I'm good."

"Okay."

"Okay. Here we go."

"Alpha team in position."

"Where's Lucas?" The gang leader, covered in tattoos was menacing as he approached.

"He sent me instead."

"And my product? There's only one kilo here."

"The other four are close by."

"Close by doesn't do me no good."

"Show me where my father is, and I'll get you the other four."

"Don't get cute with me, mama. I'll cut your throat. Go get my dope."

"Let's get ready to move in."

"No, no. Give her a chance."- Hailey was confident, but OA couldn't help but side-eye her. Wondering just what made her so sure.

"You trying to get your dad killed? 'Cause, that's what's happen if you keep playing."

"I need to see him."

"He's alive. I promise."

"I need proof."

"[whistles] Right over there, chica."

"Okay, we got eyes on the dad. We're good to go."

"Wait, wait, wait. Let's see if we can get him talking about Aman's murder. As soon as we see a weapon, we roll."

"Okay." OA knew that Hailey was smart, and she had been making great calls throughout this case, but he was still hesitant. An innocent man's life was in the balance, but he wanted justice for Arman too.

"Be a good girl, go get my dope. Do that, Big Papa walks. I'll go with you."

"So... So... How do I know you're not gonna kill me and my father once I give you the dope?"

"I don't kill civilians. Bad for business."

"You kill that Indian guy? He was a civilian."

"I try my best, but I'm not perfect, mama." Harper meekly retrieved the second bag from behind construction equipment.

"You did good, Harper." But 'good' wasn't enough for him. Suddenly a large silver gun was pointing at the middle of her forehead.

"FBI! Don't move!" OA lead the charge, coming out of hiding and announcing himself the second that they got confirmation that he murdered Arman they'd burst out of the van and beat SWAT to Harper, the Latin Players, and Harper's father.

"Drop your weapon now! Let me see your hands now! Put the gun on the ground! Step away! Put it down now!"

"Get on the ground! Get on the ground, now!"

"Dad!"

"Let me go! Dad! Dad! Dad!" Honestly, he didn't give the tearful father-daughter reunion much attention or thought, but he noticed that Hailey did, if only for a couple of seconds longer than necessary. He didn't know what to make of that, though.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hey."

"Hey."

"I just filed my 302. Do you need help with yours?"

"Nah, I just finished."

"So, I have to admit, I wasn't so sure about you."

"Yeah, well, I wasn't sure about you either. But you're all right. For a fed."

"You wanna grab a beer?"

"I'm okay. You don't have to look after the new kid."

"I am pretty sure you don't need looking after. Come on, you saved my life. The least you can do is let me buy you a drink."

"For the tenth time, I didn't save your life. All right, let's grab a beer, but only if you tell me why you became a fed. I told you my reason. It's only fair you tell me yours."

"Deal."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They didn't quite 'go out for a beer'. When OA heard Hailey's stomach throw a temper tantrum in the elevator he suggested going out for food that was accompanied by a beer. She'd agreed as long as they didn't go out for "crackers with sauce on them". OA had laughed, not even remotely or phased by Hailey's obsession with Chicago pizza. It's just another thing she shares with Jay. Besides, he wanted to take her somewhere else.

When they sat down Hailey looked around, taking it all in. Omar has been coming to this restaurant all his life. It had been open longer than he'd been alive, he'd even had his tenth birthday here. He hadn't brought Maggie here yet, not because he didn't think they were close enough, he just didn't know how she'd react to realizing that they are that close. "I hope you like Egyptian food."

"I've never had it, but I'm Greek and I know that there are a few shared foods and ingredients."

"Really? I wouldn't have guessed Greek from 'Upton'."

"My parents changed it when they moved here, their name was too difficult for Americans to pronounce, and there was some... Other stuff."

"I'm familiar with 'other stuff'. Do you want any recommendations or need me to explain anything on the menu?"

"You know what? You can choose what I eat tonight. If I like what you pick, I won't tease you for it the rest of the time I'm here."

"Well, for the record-"

"What record?" Hailey laughed.

"For the record, I am completely confident in my knowledge of food so I know I'll find something you'll like. After all, it can't really be bad so long as it's not non-Chicago pizza. Right?"

OA ended up choosing a dish called 'kushari', it wasn't like the Chicago or Mediterranean food Hailey was used to but she'd loved it. OA was smiling at her, proud of his victory, Hailey rolled her eyes, smirking at his impishness. "Tell me about your partner." The question caught him off guard and for a moment he'd felt a significant crack in his walls, leaving him exposed. Suddenly all the feelings he'd been pushing back since Maggie went UC enveloped and starting drowning him. Fear gripped his heart, haunting curiousity stabbed his mind, and loneliness hooked onto his soul. "OA? We don't have to talk about her, I'm sorry I asked, I didn't mean to upset you."

"She's one of the most amazing people I know. She's smart, strong, generous, empathetic, courageous... She's honestly one of the most amazing people in my life and I love having her as my partner." Hailey looked at him the same way his sisters and mother did whenever he spoke about one of the most important people in his life. Like they were able to listen between his words and decipher another meaning to what he'd said. But like his mother, his sisters always gave him hell for it, she said nothing. I couldn't even dispute it if she did say anything.

"She sounds badass."

"She is. What about your partner? Tell me about them?" He'd narrowly averted saying 'him', unsure how she'd react if she knew just how close she and Jay really were, and just how much Jay had told him about her. She got this smitten grin on her face, and OA knew that the roles were reversed from a few moments ago when he had that same smirk and far off look in his eyes. "His name is Jay Halstead, and he's an amazing person, except for when he's getting himself shot, the reckless idiot. He would rather get shot at than get a needle which rattles me to no end, especially because he's so much more kind and intelligent than he gives himself credit for and we need him you know, alive, but still, I admire him so much. He makes me laugh and he just knows how to get to me, you know? I would... I would follow him anywhere. Wow... What is in this food? Truth serum? I'm not usually that open..." It was like he could literally see a forcefield shaping around her. Shrinking in on herself, her face hardening, hastily putting a forkful of food in her mouth. She looked at the wall behind him, pretending to be interested in the decorations, trying to pass off the slight panic in her eyes.

"Maybe it's just my charming demeanour, or that I got personal first, really personal. Or maybe it's because you needed to tell that to someone you don't see every day."

"Yeah. Maybe." She still wouldn't look at him and a tense silence enveloped them until she took a deep breath and shook herself. Light seemingly went off in her head before she gave him an absolutely devilish smirk. "I believe I was promised your origin story."

"Is that what we're calling it? An 'origin story'?"

"It is now."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Halstead."

"Get your head out of your dumb ass and ask Hailey out."

"I- OA-"

"You won't regret it, Jay. I actually think that you will regret it if you don't."

"I just don't know if I'm ready to admit anything to myself, forget Hailey."

"When does life ever wait until you're ready, man? Neither of you work in a stable occupation, and even then the universe isn't exactly known for working on anyone else's timeline. I can literally feel you aching for her from here."

"But what if I'm not good enough."

"Oh, I've only known her for a few days and I already know that no one's good enough for her-"

"Damn have you adopted her as another honourary sibling? How many do you have now? And Hailey actually knows you've adopted her, right?"

"Not important, and don't try and change the subject."

"But if no one's good enough for her, then..."

"You're too hard on yourself Jay. No one's good enough for you either. Why shouldn't two people who are far too good for the world be together? You deserve happiness, Jay. You both do, and I think telling her that you're far gone with her would be a great start."

"Thanks, man. Really."

"No problem."

"... So you think that I'm 'far too good for the world'?"

"And now I'm regretting every word we've spoken." No I don't, but your head really doesn't to get bigger.

"Nope, no take-backs. You think that I'm badass and amazing."

"I never said 'badass' or 'amazing'."

"Jay Halstead- described as 'far too good for the world' by the humble and decorated OA Zidan-"

"I also called you a 'dumbass' but whatever, goodnight Jay. And seriously, ask Hailey out."

[stuck-in-hawkins]

When He Left: Fall Semester 1989

Fandom: Stranger Things

Pairing: Mike Wheeler x Will Byers

Rating: Teen

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24656785/chapters/62398351

August 18th 1989

Mike’s eyes stung as he made his way back from the airport.  He turned down familiar roads. He thought he was driving back to his house but then, he ended up on Mirkwood.  He pulled over and rested his head on the steering wheel.  He didn’t want to go back home.  He didn’t want to sit in that house with his parents, who wouldn’t understand why he was crying so much.  He couldn’t explain it to them.  He didn’t want to face it.  But he so desperately wanted to talk about it.  

Lucas, Max, and Dustin were still getting settled in their dorms.  He would talk about it with them, but there was no way to reach them now.  The dorms’ only lines were shared pay phones, meaning they had to call him.  He felt like he was unraveling.  He just wanted to go someplace he could talk about it… or else he risked slipping into old habits.  

A thought dawned on him and he turned the ignition, waking the engine again.  He drove towards Indianapolis.  

_____________________

 Mike stood at the front door, he remembered how nervous Will had been the first time.  Coming to group had been such a good thing for Will.  He opened up and could talk about things he had bottled up, questions, thoughts, and topics that had been forbidden in most every other place.  The Indiana Youth Group had provided a safe space for Will and other queer teens to come together to talk and hang out.  Mike had driven Will countless times: sometimes for meetings, sometimes for events the group had arranged. Mike didn’t always stay for them, though.  He knew that group was one of the few places Will could talk about their relationship.  Mostly, he would just drop Will off, especially towards the end.

Mike couldn’t seem to move.  Doubt froze him to the stoop.  His fingers hovered over the doorbell..  He wondered if he had any right to be there.  He was straight… just also in love with his best friend.  He was confused.  What right did he have to be there?  But then, the door swung in and Chris Gonzalez stood in the frame; the man who ran the group, organized the meetings, opened up his home to lost teens.  His face was nearly always accompanied by a kind smile, like the one he was giving Mike.

“It’s good to see you again, Mike.  Come on in.”  

Mike nodded, “Nice to see you, too.” He followed behind him, still feeling awkward but thankful for the invite, it made him feel a little less like an outsider.

Everybody was putting food on their plates and sitting down.  Mike knew he should probably eat, but his stomach was so tight and gnawing on itself.  He just grabbed a roll and picked at it.  What was he even going to say?  

“Mike!”  

He turned to see Aubrey.  She didn’t give him a moment and wrapped him up in a hug.  

“Aubrey! How have you been?”

She had changed her hair to be in box braids with beads of every color, paired with bright neon shirt that read: “We are Everywhere.”

She let go, her smile shining.   “Really good!  I haven’t seen you since the picnic!  How have you been?”

“Good.  You did an incredible job organizing it.  I can’t believe how many people were there!”

She beamed, “I only organized the student chapter.”

“Well, it was a lot of fun.”  

“Thank you.  Do you want to get a seat together?”

“Sure.”  He felt such a wave of relief at not having to sit alone.  

As everybody sat down, Chris and his partner, Jeff, started out the meeting the way they always did, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality and sensitivity with the information, experiences, and stories shared in the space.  Mike listened as people began to share.  The knot in his stomach tightened and he felt like an invader.  Like a whiny child, craving attention, taking it away from people who had experienced far worse.  Someone who had been kicked out of their house and were living with a friend.  Another who couldn’t seem to break the cycle of abuse in their relationships.

What right did he have to be there?

“Mike, do you want to share?”

Mike nodded, “Umm… I… some of you probably don’t know me, but I’m Will’s friend.  I just dropped him off at the airport.  He’s going to college in San Francisco.” He looked around the room and suddenly felt his courage flee.  “I just wanted you guys to know how grateful I am for everything you’ve done for Will.  He’s been my friend for most of my life and he’s always been pretty shy around other people so I was nervous about him being out in California but he really opened up with you guys and it… it’s just a huge relief.  So, thank you.”

“It was wonderful having him here, and it’s good to see you here, too.  But you know you’re welcome here just as much, don't you?” Chris smiled.

Mike shook his head, “I…” His thoughts accused and raced around him, ‘I am a leech.’  ‘I don’t belong here.’ ‘I just would take up space.’

“Mike, if there is something else you want to talk about, it’s okay.”

How much had Will told them?  Did they know about their relationship?  Did they think he was just an asshole who used Will as a rebound?  He blinked hard.

He was trying so hard to keep it in but it was bursting forth.  He held his arm over his face.  

He tried to breathe but a sob came out instead.  “I didn’t want him to go.”  He felt Aubrey’s hand on his.  “I mean I want him to be happy.  I want him to get the job of his dreams…”  Then, it was like he’d opened the floodgates and everything came pouring out.  “I was such a selfish prick.  The whole time.  We… I know he probably told you guys but… Will and I used to.... We kissed.” And slept together and held each other.  Mike confessed, feeling shame in his cheeks, “I made it out like it was some kind of placeholder.  I knew it was temporary.  That I wouldn’t go with him to California.  So I didn’t want to give it a name.  I didn’t want to say what it actually was.  I don’t think I’m gay because I loved girls for most of my life.  I don’t know why I made an exception for him.  I don’t know how I can stop feeling this.  I don’t know how to let him go.”  He folded in on himself.  He felt embarrassed for laying himself bare like this, but it felt so good to say it.  “And I know I need to let him go, because… he’s gonna find someone else there-” and then he couldn’t talk anymore.  Aubrey had her hand on his back and he felt so weak.  

He heard Aubrey, “It’s okay, Mike.  For what it’s worth, I think you were an amazing boyfriend to Will, even if you didn’t call it that.  You’re a good friend to him.”

“I used him,” Mike whispered.

Elaine spoke from across the room.  She was transitioning to female.  In the time since Mike’s last visit, her hair had grown longer, and it was more stylized.  She seemed healthier, and he could hear her voice was changing, too. “I don’t think you used him, Mike.  You brought him here, drove him to the airport, actively encouraged him to go out there. None of that comes from someone that uses their partner.”

Chris spoke in a tone that was quiet but comforting, “Mike, the pain you are feeling right now is a kind of grief.  You are right to feel like something is ending because, in a lot of ways, your relationship with Will is going to change.  But that is not a bad thing.  You have such a strong foundation of friendship that I don’t think a thousand miles could break that.”

Mike wiped his eyes.  They stung so much from the day’s tears.  A boy from on the other side of Mike handed him a box of tissues.  

Jeff offered, “And it isn’t just one or the other.  Being straight or gay.  There is a large spectrum of sexuality that I think we are only beginning to scratch the surface of.  There are people that are attracted to one sex, both, or none at all.”  He asked, “Have you told Will about this?  About how you feel?”

Mike shook his head.  “Not really, but won’t it hurt him more to tell him now that we’re miles apart?”

Jeff answered, “I think communication is the most important thing in any relationship and will get you through most things life has to throw at you.  Burying it, hiding your feelings, hurts more in the end.”

It had felt so good and cathartic to talk with them, to let out something he’d been holding in for what felt like forever.  But their advice, while comforting, was so much harder to follow when Will was actually on the phone.  

For the first month Will was at college, Mike was like a lifeline for him.  Will called nearly every other day.  He knew Will depended on his voice to get through all the newness of the place.  Of having a roommate who didn’t understand why Will woke up in a panic at least once a week.  Of feeling overwhelmed with the load of work.  Not because the amount was especially heavy but because Will felt like nothing he made was good enough.  He was alongside people that went to high schools devoted to the arts or had been enrolled in courses since elementary school.  Mike imagined himself a lighthouse in a storm for Will.  And, if he was being honest with himself, he craved it.  It felt good to be needed.  

And so it was easier to prioritize Will’s problems, to minimize his own and not talk about his confusion.  And the longer he waited to tell Will, the more it felt awkward.  He was building up a wall.  He knew what he was doing, he just didn’t know how to stop.  Was this why it took Will so long to come out?

As the month went on, though, Will called less.  He had begun to find people in San Francisco.  The presence of the gay community was so open there.  For the first time, he saw drag queens out walking the city strips.  The Castro district became his sanctuary and he even found some people that went to his college.  Will found ways to distract himself outside of Mike.

He could feel Will pulling away.  He was opening up.  He didn’t need him as much and suddenly, confessing wasn’t such a scary thing, it might be a way to keep Will close.  But thinking like that felt so selfish.  His reason felt so selfish.  

He hadn’t been going to say anything but found himself slip one day.  “What do you think about bi people?”

Will seemed surprised, “What do you mean?”

Mike could feel his palms sweating as he held the receiver.  He’d overheard conversations from some of the gay guys in group.

‘I don’t understand how anyone could date someone bisexual.  What if he just decided he liked girls better after all? No thanks.’  ‘I got enough problems finding a guy who can commit to a relationship.  I don’t need one who can’t even pick a gender.’

Mike stumbled, “Just um… if you know anyone that is… if you think they’re just faking it… I dunno…”

Will was quiet for a second.  “June used to say something like that.  That bi guys are just gay guys that are too cowardly to admit to it.  But I think that’s bull.  Bowie is bi and he’s one of the bravest people I know.”

Mike exclaimed, “Where did you hear that Bowie is bi?!”

“One of my friends in group has been religiously recording Bowie interviews for ages.  In one of them the interviewer asked if he was bisexual and he was just like, ‘I am.’  The interviewer was like, ’Yeah, but are you really?’ And he just told her, ‘I’ve answered the question.’”  Will laughed,  “There’s a reason he’s an icon.”

Mike couldn’t find the words. Somebody that felt so close, someone that was in his box of records, was bisexual and he never knew.  Nobody talked about it.

Will continued, “I can’t pretend that I understand what it’s like.  For me, I never liked girls.  So I can’t imagine what it’s like being bi, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist or that their experiences are invalid, you know?”

Mike nodded, and barely spoke out an audible, “Yeah.”  He felt relieved but didn’t know how to get the next part out.  “I- Will?  I... I loved El.  But everything with you… none of it was pretend.”  

“I never felt like it was.”  And Mike could hear it.  There was a way Will communicated sometimes.  His heart would be in his throat and he could say so much with so little.  

Mike laid his head back on the pillow, it was barely audible, “It’s still there… I love you.”  There was a moment of fear, that he would hold Will back, that he was trying to keep a bird in a cage but then, without a moment’s hesitation-  

“I love you, Mike.”  He could hear it as full as the day in the airport.  

Mike felt his heart swell.  There was a heaviness, a weight.  It was something that they always said, but this time it was different.  This time it felt binding.  There was no ‘now’ at the end.  Nothing to tie it to the moment.  It was something that would stretch out for forever, or for as long as Mike could foresee it.  And though Mike was afraid, although he still wasn’t sure if he even believed in forever, he wanted to believe in it with every fiber of his being.

His doubt was kept at bay for the moment.  But only for that moment...

[blackmuzak8484]

nortey dowuona’s best of 2020

to be completely honest, I decided to do this entirely for TSJ. otherwise, I wouldn’t have bothered at all. Best end lists are for music nerds and billboard chart nerds and industry vultures, and i happen to be subscribed, in the discord and in the comments of the youtube vids of these folk. so, i decided to pick 10 out of random from the big best of 2020 i was compiling for the whole of the year, which I was gonna post to this Tumblr at the end of the damn year, but I guess I can just post the link to the playlist in the bottom of this post. Here, i’m gonna write about 10 songs I personally love, and pick out a few artists i specifically loved:

artist of the year.

RAP Ferreira put out his best album and best verses in a year everybody either stagnated, fell off or got rendered irrelevant by the world at large. He was ebullient, hilarious, thoughtful and even surprisingly honest. I enjoyed the fact that now he’s begun to create a real platform for many talented folx, and I hope he continues to do that in the margins and make even more beautiful music in the years to come.

rookie of the year.

Enny by a mile. Everybody else who debuted this year got hamstrung by the pandemic but she created 3 great songs, each thoughtful, insightful and a joy. Apparently she just started publicly releasing music to a large audience, and I hope she gets better and better, and even gets bigger than J-

most pleasant surprise.

Vic Mensa’s V Tape. An artist who I though had no more moves left completely turned around his whole career with a fantastic performance at Lollapalooza, a fantastic fleet of features and tis gorgeously produced EP which had some of his most brilliant songs on it. I love it all, Vic Mensah is well and truly back. Welcome back bro. (ALSO, DROP THE DRILL TRACK.)

GREAT THING A GHANAIAN ARTIST DID.

Strongman Burner, Amarae, Okunta Kinte, Vic Mensah in general.

cool things my friends and classmates did.

Justine Darcenne’s #4TheBaeless. Valencia Rae’s Siren thyhomebodies’s Coming of Age. (Phil, a producer in the group, made his own studio!) Brad built his own computer. petit abri put a track on APT9 Record’s compiliation album Volume II. khaalid anderson’s transitions. (khaalid will also be performing at Beats & Brunch on January 23, 2021 at 11 am.) Yannick Paul’s Bear Fruit. The Big Climax’s This Is Ya Boy kxng jetson’s Waves (ft. Kokko Williams & Mike Mezzl) Nicole Gonzalez performed in The Composer’s Melody. Victoria Marie released a bunch of beaufiful covers on her Insta, @toriiii_marie @ph0ssy_jaw works as a counselor online. Pay her at her PayPal. Johnny Aperano Yoba was on People AND Vogue. Dalitso is a wonderful pianist at his church back home in Zambia. Kobina is a fantastic drummer at his church. Kayla graduated with a BS in Music Technology and Industry! Damian been cookin on his insta. Travis graduated! (Look out for Clan of Dragons.) Rorghino Flores made a documentary! Francis (and Animax FYB) put out Mmofra on AmaLexPrime! (play it with yo kids.) A Hype has been dropping crazy all year, roll by his SoundCloud and check out Persistence Of Memory. Reina H been doing great covers on her Insta, @challenges_inlife. Hannah placed music on C. B. S.

best albums of the year (that nobody’s written about).

Maya Huyana -1991 DaWeirdo - Broke and Ugly $ilkMoney - Attack of the Future Shocked, Flesh Covered, Meatbags of the 85 VI Seconds - Because Why Not/Never Knows Best Erik Cain - Heart & Soul Vol. 2 Dimitri & the Scarecrow - Messenger is Sender (from 2015, finally got released onto streaming this year, still pretty great and another great Zimbabwean rapper for us to all fawn over, just like billy woods) Flowking Stone - Gifted 1 The Hoodies - Incommunicado Jayy Grams - Every Gram Counts Domo Genesis/Mike and Keys - Just in Case1/2 Madwiz - God’s Gold Teeth Maez301 - Hasaan Daara J Family - Yaamatele Dai Burger - Dessert EP TeePhlow - Road To Phlowducation II Tef Poe/Blvck Spade - Preacher in the Trap Terrell Hines - Portal One: The Mixtape redveil - niagara Nyukyung - Trap Harmonix AdrianXpression - Sucka Deante Hitchcock - Better (Deluxe) maassai & jWords - ve.loc.i.ty tobe nwigwe - cincoriginals everything Kelsey Lu did this year.

strangest things happening in music in general.

vic mensah actually making a great record. goldlink going through a narcissistic collapse and winding up making the best music of his career. redveil blowing up off Fantano calling him wack. pharoahe monch finally making a rock pivot and it actually works. meet me@the garden coming 10 years too late for my 14 year old self. RAP Ferreira being in the NYTimes, selling a vinyl record for $72, creating an actual nostrum grocers in a video game so we can listen to his next record. The entirety of the playboi carti phenomenom. The entirety of the lil uzi vert phenomenom. The entirety of Chance’s instagram EP being far more money worthy then the entirety of the Big Day and yet being released on Insta and not immediately monetized. Deante Hitchcock releasing a great album and being completely forgotten armand hammer releasing their underground kings wayyy too early. my ass continually not actually looking into amapiano despite always loving it when I review it. several good songs needing to be tacked on to a prior youtube vid as an ad for me to find them instead of actually listening to the artists. santan dave still releasing good verses after he made his illmatic. (expect his new album to suck.) slowthai becoming cake. (we let that go way too far.) Guapdad and BfB Packman being wonderful. Finding out BfB PAckman is a better rapper than Sada Baby. John Boyega putting on Ego Ella May. Having to admit Young Dolph was good all this time and i missed out like a fool.

best tv performance.

Chance The Rapper’s “A Chi-Town Christmas.” IDK’s “Change The Channel.” Sa-Roc’s Tiny Desk Concert. Chika in general. Robert Glapser’s “This Changes Everything (ft. Denzel Curry).” SZA at the Roots Picnic. Sampa The Great at the Roots Picnic. RAP Ferreira in general. Umi’s “Introspection Live Show.” Alexa Esperanza’s cover of “Is It A Crime.” Bad Bunny in general. the jwords, nappy nina and MIKE performances at Satellite Syndicate

most embarrassing piece of music i love with all my heart

Logic’s No Pressure. In all sense of the words I should not love this album like I love my siblings but I do. It is beautiful.

best 10 songs of this year objectively

1 - RAP Ferriera - An Idea Is A Work Of Art (ft. Mike Ladd) [prod. by Kenny Segal, mr. carmack and Mike Parvizi]

I know, I know. In all honesty Doldrums should be here. Then Noz put it on his best list and I had to be all ChiTown Go-Getter and pick the next better thing: this. And in all honesty, it has the best lyric RAP spits on the album: “we build better answers.” But it’s not just that, it’s RAP’s most animated performance, the most dexterous piece on the whole album and the most gorgeous beat, a loping bassline sliding behind the flatfooted drum, allowing Mike Ladd, his musical father, to gently drift through, saying, “what if royalty depised us?” and knowing the only gold is soul and giving it to all of us, all us maggots and vultures and locusts and weevils, to hold to the light so we can finally see. On the quest to get open and free, we continue.

2 - Chika - U Should [prod. by Lido]

I heard this the night it dropped and shot 2 insta videos playacting as it played. But apart from that, it’s a intimate, beautiful song about getting to know a new lady love, so tenderly sung it might melt and disappear if not held gently, with a sweeping guitar lick and purring trumpets sliding all over the place, Chika softly holding each frayed piece together into a considered, gorgeous piece - wait, she’s talking her shit.

3 - Issa Gold - Boys Don’t Cry [prod. by Kingjet & Sherwyn and Matt Zara]

The only reason this isn’t number one is because it dropped on Christmas Eve. But otherwise, it’s a openheart letter to us all. “it’s a lonely path being different,” Issa says, swimming in the melted ice caps as he once danced happily on the edges of melting glaciers that failed to drown him, looking at the world that keeps hurting his heart, yet he still opens his eyes and smiles, and dances. The heavy drums are so bouncy the whole song suddenly flies, formerly a hidden murmur becoming a bright sunlit flight across the sky so we can all see. I can’t wait to see Tempus, if it’s anything as good as this was.

4 - Deante Hitchcock - Growing Up/Mother God [prod. by Brandon Phillips-Taylor]

In all honesty, “Growing Up” is really not the best song on Better. It’s a sweet, happy song with a smooth, crackling bassline with soft, ghostly synths, but still kinda ok. It’s the song added at the end, “Mother God”, that has warm, sizzling piano chords and gorgeous singing in the back. It’s one of the few time I’ve ever heard a man pay homage to the woman in his life and to the God above while being entirely sincere and not faking the funk. The way he praises his mom, his lady, remembering the women in his family taking care of him and him foolishly neglecting Breonna due to his overburdened mind feels full of details, remembrances, explanations and praises. Plus, it actually makes sense that God, if she exists (she does) is a woman since -

5 - Yana Perrault - whiskey and weed [prod. by slate]

Apparently, Yana Perrault is verified now. Excellent. {YES YES MY GOD YESS}, It means more folks know about how great this song, and Yana herself is. If I had any sense, I would’ve written up 12:21 as the best song of 2018, but such is life. Anyway, we have this smooth, bass heavy slinker with shimmering percussion and lumbering drums about hooking up with a former flame who’s “sober” yet keeps on calling Yana to break their sobriety, “know we ain’t talked in a while but you still know my address,” she wryly mentions. As the beat sprints away under a warm cocoon of accapella echoes, it mirrors a relationship so tenuous it might disappear into the wind. Yet still strong enough to have whiskey on call.

6 - Marlon Craft - Culture Sick Freestyle [prod. by Cormill]

Apparently this was supposed to be a shot at Flex. And since Flex is a woman beater and a lame, good for him. Shouldn’t have even gone on Flex to be honest, but then again neither should Jay Critch or Tyler or Black Thought and besides, I watch those freestyles too. And on the freestyle, Marlon frankly put things in perspective. “You don’t want us to better, you just want to be cool still.” This describes all of rap media to be real. And tellingly, it only has 310,000 views. Methinks nobody really wants real. But I do. Thank u Marlon, you continue to be the best white rapper alive. (Nowhere near the best rapper tho, and if Token hadn’t fell off -)

7 - Miah - Cascades [prod. by Cedes]

I’m sideeyeing the boy Miah cuz I had to search up his Audiomack to find the producer’s name (it’s Cedes, and they have a really great avalanche of Drake Type Beats is you like that kind of thing). Were you trying to trick folk into thinking you produced it yourself? You don’t need to do that shit. Especially since you’re writing stuff like “back in high school all my peers were tryin to hit the league / until the league too far from reach so they tap dancing over beats.” When you can frankly break down life that clearly, don’t be trying to hide producer’s names unless you actually learn to produce too. Plaster your name all over that shit.

8 - Justine Darcenne - Off Days [prod. by Mikhail Miller] / Enny - Peng Black Girls (ft. Amia Brave [prod. by Paya]

Justine is indeed my classmate, but that’s not why this song is here. it’s here because it’s a nice little guitar driven song with a spellbinding bridge that’s the best thing I’ve heard her do yet. And I’mma keep it short cuz I already wrote this up at the Singles Jukebox.

Enny released this soft, cushiony record with washed out synths over bulky drums and floated FLOATED over them without even trying to run in the tar, saying frankly, “He said to me, 'they put guns in the streets, that’s what they wanted for me.’ And I said, ‘G, someone can fix you a plate but no one can force you to eat.’” After all, why not try to live for something greater than what the world has expected you to be. And Amia sings, “We’re gon be alright, ok?” with the joy and excitement of someone realizing the words coming alive on their tongue. One of the best songs of this miserable year, and it’s kinda funny watching Jorja accidentally Drake out Amia and even Enny (and by funny I mean irritating.)

9 - Tobi Lou - okay (ft. Dreezy) [prod. by Matteo Woods & Dilip]

Fun fact: Dilip did some great songs with Otxhello, a producer who recorded and mixed 2 records on my first album. That again is not why this song is here. The warm, swinging synths and heavy, bouncy drums are why this is here. Oh, and Tobi’s goofy, silly lyrics and his surprisingly effective Missy Elliott tribute are great too. But obviously, the verse that vaulted this into top 10 was Dreezy, which opens with such a openhearted line, “i can’t help it, it’s too hard to say I’m sorry.” And every line is harder than the last, until she closes with “and I ain’t talkin frontals but we got the city sown up.” Absolutely amazing.

10 - Strongman Burner - Pilolo (ft. KelvynBoy) [prod. by Nixie]

The sweet, gooey synths are poured over the soft, zipping and smooth drums as the wiry bass whirls between Kelvyn’s soft, thin crooning as Stoneman tap dances over the drums, both desperate and defiant, trying to salvage a sinking relationship that he knows is already gathering coral and snappers. It’s the best afropop song of the year and yet it still has a Nigerian on it (well, I put 4 Nigerians on here, next year I’m rectifying that.) And they even did a song together last year , not as good as this. At all. (still pretty good tho.)

best 10 songs i love (but not enough to write full paragraphs for, I already put 10 in and this is already 5 goddamn pages)

11 - Logic - Heard ‘Em Say

best song on the project that isn’t Dadbod but at least it isn’t tempting fate.

12 - Deqn Sue - Creep

I already love this for having a gorgeous bridge, and is cute af. Yes Sue, you can creep.

13 - Quelle Chris & Chris Keys - Sudden Death/ka - i love {moms, mimi, kev}

QUELLE CHIS CAN SANG SANG./ka can heart heart write.

14 - IDK - Square Up (ft. Juicy J)

I don’t know why this is here either but this slaps regardless.

15 - Nappy Nina - Modestly (ft. Maassai)

Maassai is creating some of the best raps out here. so is Nappy Nina.

16 - Kehlani - Lexii’s Outro (ft. Lexii Ajaii)

Let’s celebrate our great rappers when they’re alive (and this includes me. Pls Chika, don’t win Best New Artist.)

17 - Samad Savage - Goodnight

What Travis Scott should’ve tried to be instead of what he is now. Samad still dope af regardless.

18 - Bad Bunny - Si Veo Tu Mama

The way Bad Bunny actually hits that last note makes me feel so excited and alive.

19 - Fat Tony - Back In The Saddle

I fucked up. But I’m getting back in the saddle, back in the saddle next year. NO NIGERIANS ALL NIGERIENS. #ENDSARS tho.

20 - Lady A - the truth is loud

Why am I the only one who has this on a best list? I have 34 bot followers. Vibe, step it up.

best of 2020 music right here folxs.

worst music things of the year:

The Pop Smoke album. Just in all areas. (Better win that Grammy tho.) Travis Scott in general. (So loud and empty and boring.) Big Sean’s Detroit 2. (why does this exist? Just put out Deep Reverence and Detroit Night Cypher and leave everything on the cutting room floor fo the next album.) Remembering all the great rappers who are dead or incarcerated. No Kendrick album (just leaks. Not good enough.) J. Cole and Noname beefing and Noname getting strung up by twitter. Jay Rock pushing being anti-vaccinations. The realization that Normani might never drop a single record ever again. Tory Lanez in general. Joyner Lucas making actually good songs and falling off almost immediately. Cardi B in general. Anything positive being said about steven Universe songs. Luzamity shipping (until it’s canon please stop! Willuz is RIGHT THERE!)

[thefrenchyavenger]

You meet for the first time (part 2)

Wanda : 

You met Wand right after the interrogation of Rumlow’s man. You were introduced by Steve :

« y/n can you come please ? »

« Sure, something’s wrong ? » You asked, not before checking Wanda from head to toe with an appreciative smile.

« You were as perfect as usual. I just want you to meed our newest addition Wanda Maximoff »

« Oh ! The famous Wanda ! Steve hasn’t stopped talking about you ! Apparently you are, what did you said Steve ? Ah yes ! Powerful and trustworthy! »

« Ni..Nice to meet you » Stammered Wanda.

Oh my … her accent was wonderful ! Was it possible to fell in love with with someone’s voice ?

Wanda wasn’t capable to say another word. She was so scared of saying something stupid, like how your hair was so beautiful with the light, how your eyes were the most beautiful things she had ever seen or … yep, she was screwed. Wanda felt as if she was someone else. She knew she was shy but this was different. A good kind of different. 

« I’ve heard about your brother, I’m sorry for your loss. If you ever need someone to talk to, I am right here. I made the best hot chocolate, asked this idiot » You said pointing your finger at Steve « I’m pretty sure he talks to me just to get one ! »

« Y/N ! Of course not ! I talk to you because I can trust you and … »

« Steve ! Relax ! I was just teasing you. To tell you how good I am, once I stopped him from training to just sit and relax in front of movie. Let me tell you that to stop that big oaf from punching something, it can be though »

« You did ?! » shouted Wanda « But Clint said it was impossible to … »

« Ah don’t get me started on Barton ! He made me the god-mother of his daughter and now I’m forced to spend every summer holidays with them instead of going to Hawaii, Tahiti … Had I knew … Anyway ! Welcome ! »

« Thank you » Stuttered Wanda « It was so nice to meet you, I hope we … »

« Oh my ! I have to go !!!! Bruce is turning green because of Tony !!! »

« y/n wait ! » Called Steve « What did the guy said ? »

« Ah ! Oh ! I forgot ! Apparently Rumlow is somewhere in Africa ! »

Natasha :

She would never admit it but Natasha was dead on her feet. She could only dream of a hot shower and her mud. Her ears were still ringing after the explosion. Natasha being Natasha, she kept her head high, showed no signs of being tired. She went to meet Fury in office, if it was to give her a new mission, she would murder him. After a few hours of talking, she could finally leave ! But first, she had to find you. She needed to know who you were, after all, you had saved her life ! 

She asked Maria Hill, if someone could help, it was her. She got your name and learned of your favorite spot for a break. You were outside, you eyes closed. You were in your own little world. She came closer to you :

« Agent l/n ? »

Surprised, you turned around, a hand on your heart :

« Give a little warning next time ! Oh ! Agent Romanoff ? Sorry, I thought you were someone else ! »

« It’s fine. What are you doing here ? »

« Well, the mission you were one was a though one and after you were all safe I needed some air. »

« I see »

There was a moment of silence. Natasha was intimidating and you were not sure of what she wanted. Was she mad at you ? You took a deep breath, gathering your courage :

«  Anyway … What can I do for you ? I’m pretty sure that after that jump you would be begging for a shower and your bed. At least that’s what I would ask. »

« I wanted to thank you first. Thank you for saving my life. »

« It’s my job so … And I couldn’t let Black Widow die on my watch » You joked.

« Why are you belittling yourself ? I had people helping for years, but every single time I turned off the coms, why ? Because there are idiots who took idiotic decisions. Sometimes, people forget that I am human but you didn’t. That was … refreshing »

Okay, your heart wasn’t ready for that ! Could you heart stopped being so loud ?!  You felt yourself reddening so you took a last look at her :

« No need to thank me, try not to need me next time, it’s not a good sign when you do » You said, leaving a dumbfound Natasha who’s heart was pounding in her chest. 

Pietro :

Pietro had never been so thankful for one of Tony’s party. Usually he didn’t like them he would rather be outside, but this time it was different. Everything was different. You were here ! What happened is that he heard Tony and Pepper talking about you. Apparently convinced you to come to the party. So, if you were coming, so was he ! When he saw you … He couldn’t take his eyes off you. He took his courage with both hands and went to introduce himself :

« Pietro Maximoff » He said, blushing like a teenager in front of his crush. 

« y/n Barton » You smiled, shaking his hand. 

« Oh … » 

He felt like an idiot, of course you were already taken ! You were too beautiful to be single ! He felt like screaming. 

« I am Clint’s sister » 

You were what ?! Pietro’s heart was filled with hope again. Maybe he had chance ! He was sure Clint wasn’t the protective type, after all most brothers refuse to be involved in their sister’s love life. Speaking of Clint …

« Look who is here ! She finally left her laboratory ! And … oh my god ! You look human too ! Did you showered ?! »

« Clint, be nice and shut up ! » You growled, making Pietro laugh. 

« You two know each other ? » Asked Clint, with a fake smile.

« Just now and for God’s sake don’t start ! »

« Start what ?! »

« You know what ! »

« No I don’t ! »

« Yes you do ! »

« I don’t ! »

« You do ! »

« I don’t ! »

« You know what ? I’m leaving, I’m gonna get a drink and forget you are my brother ! »

« Haha ! I win ! Wait ! What ! No ! You don’t drink ! You don’t drink and forget about me ! I forbid you ! »

« Look how much I care ! » You said « Pietro, it was really nice to meet you, I really want to know more about you »

« Nope ! Not happening ! Speedy Gonzalez is going to be too busy in the next few weeks …months  … years ! » 

Pietro didn’t even heard Clint, too focus on your smile and kindness. He would avoid all of Clint’s arrows for you. He couldn’t wait.

Doctor Strange :

Finding the biological bomb ? Check. Running through the streets of Jakarta ? Check. Join the ranks, they’d cry ! It will be fun, they’d cry ! You’ll stay in shape, they’d cry ! Complaining is good for the heart … you were going to be immortal. At first, you were a genius in biology and biotechnology , then you had discovered some crazy super-powers for yourself, then you became an avenger, but you retired after the mess of the Civil War. And now, you were working « temporarily » for the government. Let’s just say you didn’t really had the choice. Your goal was to find every biological weapons on Earth, easy peasy no ? You wish ! You reached the top of the hill were you came face to face with the man you were chasing :

« hello there » 

Right at the moment you were about to take him down, a sparkling orange portal appeared. A man went through it. He was wearing a … cloak ?! He was also followed by hoard of ennemis. Because of him, the man you were supposed to arrest fled. Furious, you did not even tried to catch him, the new man was doing great :

« Get down » You ordered.

He did what you asked, giving you a strange look at the same time. He saw a blue burst going above his head, pushing his enemy away.

« I was doing great ! » He said. 

« Oh ? Really ? That’s not what I would say ! »

« Wait ! I know you !  You’re a doctor ! Doctor l/n ?! »

« It was in another life. But seriously ! You need some serious signs for your portals ! Couldn’t you see that the place was taken ?! Thanks to you, I’m gonna have a tone of paperwork and I can say bye-bye to my day-off ! Do you know how long it took me to find this guy  ?! But thank you so so so much, I really needed the extra-work ! Jackass ! »

« I didn’t do it on purpose ! » 

« So what ? You can’t control your magic ?! »

« I have a perfect control thank you very much ! I am Stephen Strange, Doctor Stephen Strange »

« Do I look like I care ? » You said leaving him behind.

That was not what he expected …

Peter.P :

You hated this school. Why did you father sent you there ? WHY ?! You asked the new AI where your father was. Furious, you went straight to your dad’s lab after throwing your bag on the couch :

« Dad ! »

« Hey Honey ! » Smiled Tony « What’s wrong ? »

« What’s wrong … WHAT’S WRONG ?! This school is awful !The biology program is useless, the Physics one isn’t even better and don’t get me started on the maths one ! »

« You’ve only been there for two weeks ! Give it time. May I remind you that you’re also going to the MIT at the same time ? That was the deal, you can go to the MIT but only if you finish High-school ! » Said you dad, refilling his cup with coffee.

« I thought you wanted to stop coffee ? »

« You, my dear child, Coffee, alcohol and shawarma are part of you DNA, we share the same, can you change my DNA ? I don’t think so. So no, I didn’t stop coffee. »

« Thank you for the genes … »

« Mister Stark I have an issue with … oh ! y/n ?! » Shouted Spiderman, coming in the lab.

« Hi Parker » You smiled.

« Mister Stark ! I though I was supposed to stay ‘incognito’ ! » Yelled Peter «  Wait ! You know me ? »

« I didn’t say a thing to her, she’s a genius … » Explained Tony.

« Yes I know you, I had to with you always looking at me » 

« Behavior young lady ! » Said your dad.

« Are you serious right now ?! »

« Nope »

« That’s what I thought. You’re coming or what Spiderboy ? »

« Hey ! Coming where ? It’s Spiderman not Spiderboy ! »

« I don’t like it ! I don’t approve ! » Said your dad. 

« Can I remind you of how many possible step-moms I met all these years ? You have nothing to worry about, we’re only going to work on a maths test »

« We only have to give it in two weeks, right ? » Asked Peter.

« Why is my daughter so studious ?! You didn’t get that from me ! Parker leave me your suit, yours too y/n ! »

« You’re a superhero ?! » Asked Peter, astonished.

« I’m Iron Man’s daughter, what were you expecting ? I’m not an official avengers anyway. Come on Parker ! Move it ! »

« Ned won’t believe me … »

Peter.Q :

You were on Xandar, trying to hide yourself among the people. Yes, you loved spending time with Thor who was like mentor, but sometimes he was … too much. You were happy not be in Asgardian dresses anymore. There were beautiful but after a while it was annoying. Asgard is great but annoying … just like your brother. 

You were on Xandar for a few days now, and you had the sensation that someone was watching you.Which was not impossible. You turned into different street until you could you point your gun at the head of the person following you :

« Hands up ! Oh god ! That’s so great to say ! I’ve always dreamed to say that ! » You said, loosing your train of thoughts. 

The man violently turned around :

« I was right ! You’re from Earth ! »

« You too ?! Cool ! I’m y/n and you are ? »

« Star-Lord ! »

« Star-what ?! » 

« Star-Lord the great outlaw ! »

« Star-Ford ? Like the cars of the actor ? »

« Lord ! »

« Yeah I got it the first time I just wanted to mess with you. Anyway, what’s your real name ? I don’t want to be mean but your nickname or whatever is kinda shitty »

« Hey ! It’s better than Peter ! »

« Hum … no, more stupid »

« I’m sorry … you know, for following you and all »

« Don’t worry ! I got worse ! »

« Care for a drink ? » 

Scott :

Scott was proud, like super proud. he won against an avenger !!! But not just any ! The Falcon ! He walked home, happy with himself, he almost wanted to sing.  Scott put his keys on the counter before finding himself stuck again the wall. It felt as if his body was crushing him :

« If there’s something I really don’t like, it’s people stealing my suff » you said, sat on a chair. 

Scott couldn’t believe it ! You were in his leaving-room ! His favorite Avenger in the whole wide world was in his house !!! He felt like a schoolboy in front of the school’s queen. You were even more beautiful in real life !

« You … You’re y/n ? The y/n ?! The Avenger ?! »

« That would be me but I prefer Doctor l/n » You answered to a Scott still stuck to the wall, his head touching the roof.

« You’re a doctor ?! What’s your specialty ?! » Asked Scott, He needed to know more about you. 

« That’s what is going to happened » You said « I’m going to let you go just this once. I am going to keep an eye on you, so everytime you will do something I don’t like … You’ll regret it, understood ? »

Scott couldn’t take his eyes off you, he didn’t even heard what you said. You were just perfect. Okay, you were scary but still … He kept looking at you, a smile on his lips :

« Are you stupid ? » 

« Excuse-me ? »

« I just threaten you and you … smile ? Did jail changed you that much ? »

« You know I went to jail ? »

« I know about everything »

« You’re my favorite avenger ! My daughter loves you too ! »

You closed your eyes and took a deep breath. You were the one the avengers sent to deal with people coming to close to them. You could scary sometimes. That’s why Sam went through to  Steve to tell you what happened. You could be scarier than Natasha.

« Do we understand each other ? » You asked.

« Yes ! Can we … »

« No » You said, Scott falling on the ground.

[thebisexualdogdad]

The chapel

Ao3 version with gifs

Requests: OMG! Yay! Maritza! Reader is a prison guard and he takes care of her? Like helping keep rude inmates away and such and the one day Maritza decides to surprise him. So she drags him into the church and he eats her out first and she orgasms but then someone comes in so Maritza goes under the podium gives him a blowjob as reader is talking and reader cums in her mouth then once the person is gone he fucks her bent over the podium? And maybe Maritza calls reader Papi?

 Also could you include the reader is always giving Maritza little gifts like the odd flower or makeup materials. 

Hey I made the Maritza requests. For the one they are in the church can you make the person that interrupts them Flaca? I didn’t know who to pick but flaca seems like a good idea. What do you think maybe Flaca learned that Maritza was with reader so she tracked them to the church but Maritza is under the podium giving reader a blowjob and reader tells Flaca he doesn’t know where Maritza is? And maybe when reader cums Flaca just grins and shakes her head before leaving telling them to have fun?

It was illegal, your relationship with Maritza, you know it was but you never meant to fall for her. 

The only reason you even took the job at the prison a year ago was because out of all the places you sent a resume to they were the only one to offer you a position. 

A prison was the last place you wanted to work but in this economy, a paycheck is a paycheck and you thought you'd just stick it out until another job came along but then you met Maritza and everything changed.

It was just flirting for a while, plenty of inmates and CO's made flirtatious comments towards each other and nobody batted an eye. 

Then she kissed you one afternoon when you were alone in the kitchen after you helped her finish cleaning up the mess from lunch. 

She promised she wouldn't tell anyone, even Flaca though her best friend already had her suspicions that something was going on between the two of you. 

"Why can't i tell Flaca?" Maritza said as she pulled up her pants after one of your first hooks up in a storage closet. 

"I know she's your best friend but no one can find out about this," you said cupping her cheeks, "your sentence will be extended and I'll go to jail for the rest of my life." 

"I wish we could get out of this hellhole," she sighed. 

"You've only got a few years left, one day we can leave here together and never look back," you said kissing her softly. 

After that day it was a struggle to sneak around. 

Anytime another inmate spoke rudely to her you wanted to stand up for her but you also couldn't make it too obvious of your feelings for her. 

One day at lunch a neo started shouting racist terms at Maritza and the others from the spanish Harlem. 

As usual the other CO's didn't try to put a stop to it and instead enjoyed the show. 

When she got directly into Maritza's face you couldn't stand back anymore. 

"That's enough!" You shouted pulling the neo away from Maritza, "that'll be 3 days in solitary Sanders." 

"Woah that's so not fair," Brandy yelled. 

"You want to join her Epps?" You yelled back. 

You glanced at Maritza while you walked Sanders to solitary, she smiled at you but you had to keep your cool. 

"Get back to your lunch Ramos," you said calmly. 

As the months went by your affair escalated little by little. 

From picking her flowers in the yard to sneaking her in her favorite candies. 

She accidentally told you she loved you for the first time when you brought her real makeup, nothing too expensive though so the other guards couldn't tell it wasn't the generic stuff from the prison store or something that she and flaca had concocted up themselves.  

That accidental 'i love you' led to your real first 'i love you's' and of course the first 'i love you' sex. 

You were walking down the halls, monitoring everyone during their free time. 

Looking into the rec room some of the inmates were watching tv, some were doing yoga and others were playing board games with missing pieces. 

At the doorway Maritza strutted past you, tugging down on your shoulder to whisper in your ear, "meet me at the chapel." 

You gulped and Maritza went on her merry way. 

Little did you either of you know that Flaca watched the whole thing happen from the table she was sitting at. 

You did a lap around the prison making sure there was nothing urgent that needed your attention, or maybe it was more so people saw you, giving you an alibi before heading to the chapel. 

Cracking the door open you peeked inside to see Maritza standing on the stage next to the podium. 

"What are we doing in here?" You asked walking down the aisle towards her. 

"We are having sex somewhere besides a storage closet," she grinned. 

"Shh don't be so loud," you said as you climbed the stairs finally standing in front of her. 

"Don't worry, no one's gonna bother us here," she said cocking her head to the side and lifted her shirt up revealing the fact that she wasn't wearing a bra, "now are you gonna fuck me or not Papi?" 

God did you love when Maritza called you papi, shit maybe you shouldn't use the word God when thinking about sex in a church. 

You lunged forward and kissed her hard, pressing her up against the podium. 

Your hands groped her breasts, Maritza rocking her hips into yours making your cock hard. 

"Eat me out," she ordered so you eagerly got to your knees, pulling her baggy pants down to her ankles. 

You threw one leg over your shoulder, wasting no time in running your tongue through her. 

Maritza groaned, tangling her fingers in your hair. 

"Yes," she moaned when you flicked at her clit. 

You sucked her clit into your mouth, digging your nails into the back of her thighs holding her up.

Moving your tongue back down and in a zig zag pattern Maritza's hips bucked into your touch. 

Her grip tightened on your hair, tugging slightly. 

"Oh fuck," she moaned as she came closer and closer to her release. 

Plunging two fingers inside her you sucked harshly on her clit and with a few motions she was cumming. 

When her thighs stopped shaking you got to your feet, kissing her deeply. 

"Mm i taste sweet," she smirked, "now let me see if you taste as good." 

Maritza was switching your positions with ease, now she was the one on her knees, taking your hard cock out from your work slacks and stroking. 

Before she could even begin you were being broken from your trance by the slamming of the chapel door. 

"Y/L/N!," it was Flaca. 

She had followed you to the chapel. 

You turned around and Maritza scrambled to get under the podium. 

"Gonzalez what the hell are you doing in here," you said and that's when Maritza's decided to take a long lick up the shaft of your cock. 

"I should be asking you the same thing, it's not Sunday," Flaca replied. 

"I-uh," you stuttered, Maritza swirling her tongue around the tip, "I thought I saw Bursett and sister Ingalls come in here but I guess I was wrong." 

Maritza began to bob her head up and down and you tried to not make any noises signalling the pleasure being given to you. 

"Whatever, have you seen Maritza?" Flaca asked even though she knew the answer. 

"Haven't seen her," you said gulping, " but- but if I do I'll tell her you're looking for her." 

Maritza's hand was stroking the base of your cock and you couldn't stop yourself from cumming between her lips. 

Flaca grinned and shook her head, turning and walking towards the door. 

As she was leaving she looked over her shoulder and winked, "have fun you two." 

When she was gone Maritza stood up. 

"Shit. Shit. Shit. She knows Maritza!" You said in distress. 

"Y/N," she said calmly, using the back of her hand to wipe her chin, "I promise you she's not going to tell anyone, she would never do that to me." 

"How can you be so sure about that." 

"Because she's my ride or die bitch." 

You sighed and stared at the floor. 

"I love you Maritza, i just don't want anything to happen to you," you told her. 

"I love you too Y/N and nothing is going to happen I promise, " she smiled and kissed you. 

The kiss quickly returned to the intensity of before, you're worries vanishing as you put all your attention back to Maritza. 

You took hold of Maritza's hips, turning her around and bending her over the top of the podium. 

You squeezed her ass, stroking your cock until it was hard again. 

"You're so fucking hot," you groaned slipping your cock into her.

Maritza's knuckles gripped the edge of the podium as you started thrusting. 

The podium under her was shaking with every movement, her moans filling the otherwise silent chapel. 

You leaned over her, moving her hair aside and kissing the back of her neck. 

Your hips moved faster and you reached around to grope her breasts. 

Nipping at her neck Maritza moaned low when you pinched one of her nipples. 

"I'm so close papi," she breathed out so one of your hands moved to circling her already sensitive clit with your fingertips. 

"Oh fuck, oh fuck," she chanted as she came again from sensory overload with your lips on her neck, one hand pinching a nipple with the other on her clit as you thrusted roughly into her. 

After she rode out her second orgasm you pulled out of her, stroking your cock until you came on her ass. 

"You better hit the showers," you said catching your breath and putting your cock into your slacks. 

"When can i see you again… privately that is," she smiled putting her clothes back in order. 

"I don't know, I'm not working tomorrow so maybe Thursday," you said kissing her softly, "and I've got some eyeliner I'm gonna bring you, I'll leave it under your pillow when i do bed checks." 

"I'm the luckiest girl in the world," she teased.

[psychosistr]

The Third Caballero- Chapter 7

Summary: After their confusing and mildly disappointing/heart-breaking encounter with the strange duck in the old mansion, José and Panchito learn his story...well, at least..what there is TO know of it.

Notes: Finally going to be introducing another key character this chapter other than the caballeros x3 Also, just in case I didn’t make it clear enough in the last two chapters, Donald has the Don Cheadle voice from the season 1 finale just so he wouldn’t be instantly recognizable (and because, lets be honest, Don Cheadle singing the “Once Upon a December” song would sound better than regular Donald singing it xD)

-First Chapter-

<-Previous Chapter Next Chapter->

Managing to be the first one to somehow choke down all of the confusion and disappointment weighing down his tongue, José was the first one to break the awkward silence that was left to hang in the air after Panchito let go of the confused duck. “My apologies,” He began with a sad smile. “I am afraid we mistook you for someone else.”

“Y-Yeah.” Panchito said while rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish smile. “At first we thought you were a burglar, and then we thought you were..well..” He looked at the picture on the wall for a moment with a slightly sad smile of his own. “We thought..you were HIM…”

The duck frowned, rubbing the back of his head in an equally nervous way. “Um..yeah..sorry about that.” He grabbed his hat off of the ground and brushed the dust off of it. “If it helps anything- I’m not a burglar.” He gave a nervous smile and held up one hand to convey his honesty. “Promise. I just kind of..ended up here and wanted to get out of the rain for a bit. I didn’t know anyone lived here.”

Panchito recovered his usual brightness and laughed with a shake of his head. “Oh, we don’t live here.”

The duck looked between them, clearly confused. “You don’t? Then..are you..?”

“We are not robbers either, meu amigo.” José chuckled a little himself as he guessed the duck’s follow-up question. “We are in a similar position as you, I suppose. You see, our boat is in need of repairs and this house belongs to a relative of our friend, so we-”

“You have a boat?!” The duck asked, looking at José with big eyes filled with something akin to..hope? Relief? Desperation? He wasn’t sure, but the duck certainly looked eager.

“..Sim…?” José answered after a pause, a bit thrown off by the duck’s sudden change in mood.

“Have you ever been to America? What about Duckburg?!” He almost tripped again when he left Panchito’s side to stand in front of José instead, looking at him with wide eyes.

“Y-Yes, we have. Many times, in fact.” José leaned away slightly from the over-excited duck. “Why do you ask?”

“Can you please take me there?!” The duck asked while taking one of José’s hands in both of his own, looking at him pleadingly. “I have to get to Duckburg! I’ve been trying for years, but-but things just kept happening and-!” He fumbled with his words for a minute before reaching into his sweater and pulling out a small bag. “Here, I know it’s not much, but I can help pay for the trip!” He opened the bag and poured the contents- which happened to be a handful of gold coins- into his trembling hand. “I’ll help cook and clean and do repairs and whatever else you guys need me to do, just, please, I-!”

José frowned and put his hands on the duck’s shoulders gently but insistently. “Breathe, pato, BREATHE.” He said softly, concern for the stranger overriding his earlier discomfort from the other man’s proximity. He frowned when he felt how skinny the duck actually was under his clothes, the frown deepening when his thumb brushed against what felt like a bandage under the fabric- the suspicion confirmed when the duck in front of him winced slightly. “……” His frown softened into a smile and he patted the duck on his shoulder gently. “How about we get to know each other first, hm? We just finished having dinner and have plenty of leftovers. We can discuss transportation and everything else after we have become better acquainted. Isso soa bem?”

The duck hesitated for a moment before a growl from his stomach seemed to make the decision for him. He looked away, clearly embarrassed by the noise, but nodded. “Isso seria bom. Obrigado.”

José blinked with a surprised expression, not expecting the stranger to reply in such perfect Portuguese. This whole meeting was becoming more and more interesting…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After José set the food back on the stove to reheat, he returned to the bedroom with a bottle of water and offered it to the stranger, the trio taking a seat at the small table set by the room’s balcony so they could talk.

“Now then,” José said as he took his seat next to Panchito, across from the as-of-yet-unintroduced duck. “Let us start with some introductions. My name is José Carioca, but many of my friends call me Zé.”

Panchito went next, smiling at the duck seated across from them. “And I’m Panchito ‘Pistoles’ Romero Miguel Junipero Francisco Quintero Gonzalez III, but my friends call me Panchito.”

The duck uncapped the bottle of water given to him by José and took a sip before introducing himself. “Most people just call me Donato. Or Don, for short.”

José raised an eyebrow, picking up on the way the other bird worded his reply. “That is what they call you? Is it not your real name?”

Don looked down at the bottle in his hands with a slight frown. “Well..that’s the thing..” He frowned a little more while looking at his reflection in the plastic bottle. “I don’t know my real name. I…I can’t remember it…”

José frowned too. “You do not remember your own name?”

Don shook his head and looked back up at the pair seated across from him. “Nope. I don’t know my name, where I’m from, or anything else about myself. I just woke up a few years ago on a fishing boat somewhere near Brazil with no memories at all.”

“Near Brazil?” José asked curiously. That was quite a coincidence… “So that is how you know Portuguese?”

Don nodded with a slight smile. “The fishermen that pulled me out of the water were really nice, but they only knew Portuguese and I only knew English. Talking was pretty difficult for the first year, but we eventually figured it out. After I learned enough to talk to them, I asked them if they knew where Duckburg was- they told me it was all the way in America.” His smile fell slightly and his fingers went to the pendant around his neck. “They said they would try to get me there..but..our boat was attacked…” He gripped the pendant tightly in his fingers, the pain of that memory very clear on his face.

“Attacked?” Panchito gasped. “Who would attack such nice fishermen?!”

“Pirates.” Don answered, his frown turning into a scowl. “A pirate ship led by a horrible man called Capitán Karnage. He’s from a family of pirates that terrorize everyone from South America through Mexico.”

Panchito shook his head with a frown. “I have heard of that family- they once tried to attack the ship my father sailed on when he travelled to Havana. He beat them back, but he always warned our family to be careful on the seas..”

“And in the skies.” José added while folding his arms. “There is a pirate by the name of Don Karnage that my own family has run into before- he attacks planes and robs the passengers of their valuables.” He looked back at Don with a troubled frown. “If this Karnage is anything like the rest of his family, I imagine things did not go well. What happened?”

Don took a deep breath to calm himself and another sip of water before he spoke. “He attacked our boat..and..when we told him we didn’t have any treasure, he threatened to make us walk the plank. I fought him off long enough for the fishermen to get away, and, to make sure he didn’t follow them, I told him I’d work for him as long as he left them alone.” Don sighed heavily, one hand going up to press against the bandaged spot that José felt earlier. “I’ve been stuck as a prisoner on that ship for the past couple of years. I actually just escaped today..” He smiled slightly and gave a small laugh. “When you guys kicked in the door, I thought for sure they’d found me and..I was gonna be dragged back…or worse…”

“……” Panchito and José frowned more, feeling horrible for jumping to conclusions and terrifying someone who had already endured so much.

Clearing his throat to break the silence again, José looked across the table at Don with a soft smile. “You have quite a remarkable story, meu amigo. Would you mind if I asked you a couple of questions?”

Don looked back up at him curiously with a shake of his head. “Nope. Go ahead.”

José held up one finger to start with. “First, I wish to know about your name. Was it something the fishermen gave you?”

Don tapped his fingers against the table as he thought the question over. “Kind of..? Once I started to understand Portuguese, they asked me what my name was. I couldn’t remember it, but something told me it had ‘Don’ in it. So, they started calling me ‘Donato’, kind of as a joke since I was ‘given’ to them by the sea.”

“Hmh, I see.” José said with a slight chuckle at the Latin joke. “Now, my second question..” He looked at Don seriously. “Have you been to Bahia, Donato?”

“Bahia, Brazil?” Don thought that question over just as seriously. “Umm..not that I can remember..” He closed his eyes and counted off countries on his fingers as he muttered. “Started in Sao Paulo…stayed over in Santa Catarina…pit stop in Uruguay…crashed by the Falkland Islands…two weeks in Chile during the storm…that layover in Ecuador…crossed over Panama…a night in Belize…aaaand then here…” He opened his eyes and shook his head. “Nope, don’t remember going to Bahia. Then again, for me, that doesn’t mean much, huh?”

“I suppose not..” José said quietly, leaning his beak against his hand as he thought everything over. There were just so many odd coincidences… He looked back up at Don for his final question. “Lastly, I must know: Why is it so important that you go to Duckburg?”

Don looked back down at his necklace. “I think…I think I know someone there..” He hesitantly reached behind his head and untwisted the clasp so he could take it off, but still kept a firm grip on it as he turned it over to show the other two birds the inscription on the back of the pendant. “I’ve had this necklace since I woke up. I feel like it’s..it’s important to me. No matter what, I made sure to keep it with me and never let it out of my sight. It doesn’t look like my handwriting on the back, so, I figured, someone must have GIVEN this to me..and, whoever that person is, they might still be waiting for me in Duckburg.” He put the necklace back on and looked at them pleadingly. “I know it’s a long-shot..but..Duckburg is literally the ONLY lead I have right now. If I can get there, maybe I can find the person that gave me this necklace and they’ll know who I really am..”

José looked down, mulling over all of the information in his mind: A duck that looked just like Donald, but sounded completely different and with no memories of his past. He felt like his name contained the word ‘Don’ and was found at sea near Brazil. Not to mention the fact that he had some sort of connection to Duckburg and just HAPPENED to find his way to the mansion the one time he and Panchito were there.

That was far too much for this to be a mere coincidence: This was fate.

“¿Algo está mal, Zé?” He heard Panchito’s curious voice and turned to see the rooster looking at him with a tilt of his head.

José gave him a calm smile and shook his head. “Está tudo bem, querido.” He stood up from the table and pushed his chair in behind him. “Your food should be ready by now. I will be back in a few minutes.”

“O-Oh, um, thanks..” Don said with a quick nod of his head while watching José leave.

José partly closed the door behind himself and slowly made his way back to the kitchen. There was just so much information to process, he needed the time and space by himself to go over everything.

For starters, WHO was this “Don” person, in reality? He looked exactly like their missing Donald down to the smallest of details (aside from his apparent malnourishment, but that was easily chalked up to abuse from the pirates he’d been living with for the past couple of years), and the only thing that really seemed different about him was his voice. José didn’t feel like he was lying to them about who he was or what happened in his past, so that left them all equally confused about who he was.

Secondly, WHY was he there, of all places? Not just in the mansion, but in DONALD’S room. Out of every possible room he could have wandered into, he just happened to go into the one place that was most familiar to Donald. That felt like some sort of instinct- similar to an un-domesticated bird such as a pigeon finding its way back to a previous location.

Finally, there was the most important question on José’s mind: WHAT was this strange feeling that had been gnawing at him since setting foot in the mansion? He felt like something was happening around him- something bigger than just himself in a way that he had not felt since the loss of his magic. Maybe the gods were trying to send him a message? If they were, then what was it? This duck had to be connected to Donald in some way, but he wasn’t exactly sure HOW.

“……” He arrived in the kitchen and heaved a heavy sigh as he grabbed Don’s food from within the oven. “Ay caramba…” He muttered and rubbed tiredly at his eyes once the food was safely on the counter. “That bruxa was right: Some things are worse than death…”

He leaned heavily against the counter, lamenting- and certainly not for the first time in the past decade- the loss of his magic. If he had his powers, he could’ve had any number of ways to find Donald by now, or help this new person sort out his missing memories, or done literally ANYTHING to help those around him. He just felt so…so…useless.

He knew that wasn’t true, of course. He knew he was still clever and skilled and capable of many things. He could fight and make plans and cook and help in any number of ways..but, without his magic, it felt like he was missing a vital tool that made him even more useful to those around him and he hated it.

As if to distract from his melancholy mood, he felt a sudden buzzing in his pocket and heard samba music playing. Picking himself up off of the counter, he fished his phone out of his pocket and saw a name on the screen that he hadn’t even thought of in years.

Swiping his finger on the screen to answer the call, he held the phone closer to his head “Gladstone?”

He heard the Gander’s familiar, slightly-arrogant voice in the speaker. “Hey, hey, big Jo! Long time no speak! How’s it hangin’?”

“Fine, I suppose.” He tried not to cringe, but Gladstone’s attitude was a bit off-putting to him. He certainly understood why Donald wasn’t a fan of spending extended periods of time with his cousin. “It has been a while. Did you need something?”

“Straight to business, huh? I like that!” The overly-lucky guy said with a laugh before his tone shifted into something slightly more serious. “Actually, yeah, I did need something. Are you an’ ‘chito still looking for Donald?”

José frowned slightly at the question. “Of course we are- we never stopped.”

“Good, good.” Gladstone sounded pleased. “That is EXACTLY what I wanted to hear. So, you guys got any leads?”

José was about to say no, but he remembered Don waiting in the other room and decided to tell the truth. “…Maybe..” He shook his head slightly and decided to serve up Don’s food while he talked. “Why are you calling about this NOW, if I may ask?”

“Because I think that we can help each other out.” José could hear shifting on the other end of the line, as if Gladstone was sitting down and getting comfortable for the rest of the conversation. “You see, old Scroogie McDollarsigns and Dellsie are on the up-and-up, so Scrooge decided to start searching for Donald again.”

That was certainly news to José. Good news, but still surprising to hear.

“Really?” He questioned while holding the phone against his head with his shoulder so he could carry the food back towards the bedroom. “That is good to hear.”

“Oh yeah, definitely. What makes it even better to hear is that old McMoneybags is offering a reward to anyone with leads on poor Donnie. Pictures, phone calls, even guys that look like him- he’s offering like 50k a pop on that last one.” He paused for a moment and José could hear him shifting his position again. “Anyway, that’s why I called you. Well, actually I didn’t call you- I kinda dropped my phone and it just HAPPENED to call you. Pretty weird, huh?”

“Sim. Weird…” José was very familiar with how Gladstone’s luck worked. It was a very special kind of magic that, ultimately, only benefitted him, and often in ways that even Gladstone himself couldn’t always see.

“You said you guys have a lead, right? What is it?” Gladstone seemed to be done tip-toeing around the subject and got straight to the point.

José paused outside of the door to Donald’s old room where Panchito and Don were still talking inside. “……” He hesitated to say anything, wondering if it would be right to tell Gladstone, of all people, before the rest of Donald’s family. Then again, Gladstone’s luck was an odd phenomenon and there was likely a good reason why he just happened to call when he did. Perhaps this was also fate? “We..met someone that looks just like Donald.” He finally answered. “He sounds different and has no memory of who he is, but he thinks he knows someone in Duckburg and wants us to take him there.”

Gladstone hummed in thought, then was quiet for a moment. “Can you send me a pic?”

“Um momento.” José said before quietly prying the door open enough to peek inside without being seen. He had a clear view of Don and Panchito across the room and snapped a picture with his phone, standing back from the doorway before sending the picture to Gladstone. “That’s him.”

There was a ding on the other end when Gladstone received the picture, followed by a low whistle. “You weren’t kiddin’- the guy looks JUST like Donnie. Alright, how about a deal? You guys get him to Duckburg and we’ll split the reward money three ways? Sound good?”

“I..I do not know..it feels wrong…” José frowned at the proposition. Cashing in on not only their closest friend’s disappearance, but also this poor down-on-his-luck stranger’s odd situation? It felt like it would leave a bad taste in his mouth…

“Aw, c’mon, don’t look at it like that.” Gladstone urged him. “Think about it this way: You guys are probably strapped for cash right now, right?”

“…Yes..” José answered after a moment’s hesitation.

“And this guy REALLY wants to go to Duckburg, right?”

“…Yes…” José knew he had a point, but it still felt wrong..

“I’m not saying we lie to anyone here- all I’m suggesting is you bring him here and let Scrooge and Della take a look at him. If it turns out he’s got some sort of connection to Donald, great! If it turns out he doesn’t, then he still gets to come to Duckburg and we all get some easy money. It’s a win-win!”

“..I..suppose you are right..” It did sound like a fair trade, all things considered. “I will talk to him and Panchito about it and see what they think.”

“Woah, woah, woah!” Gladstone’s tone stopped him from ending the conversation. “You CANNOT tell that guy about the money.”

“Huh? Why not?” José asked with a confused frown.

Gladstone heaved an annoyed sigh. “Ol’ Scrooge is getting sick of dealing with fake Donalds just acting the part so they can get a place in his will. If he thinks this guy’s another moocher, then he’ll have that buff house-keeper of his stop us at the gate. Just get him here and let me handle the rest, capiche?”

“We will do what we can.” José finally relented. “But, as you said, our financial situation at the moment is rather sad. What if we run out before we reach Calisota?”

“Huh? Oh, hold on one sec, J-Z.” Gladstone said, sounding distracted. José heard talking on the other end, though it was further away. After a minute, Gladstone returned. “Looks like I just won a free one-way trip to Panama, as well as a couple thousand in traveling expenses. It’ll be a bit of a trip, but do you think you guys could swing down that way then just take the Canal around to the other side an’ shoot up to Calisota from there?”

José thought over how much gold he’d seen in Don’s bag. It would be a stretch, but they were used to making their money last as long as possible. “I think so.”

“Great!” Gladstone sounded much more pleased with José’s compliance now. “I’ll be in touch. Ciao!” And, with that, he hung up.

José took a deep breath to settle his nerves and thoughts as he hung up the phone and put it in his pocket. He would definitely need to talk this over with Panchito, but it sounded like the right course of action to take.

They finally had a half-way decent lead and a way to get to Duckburg had presented itself at the most perfect possible moment.

While it still felt wrong to accept money for such a tragic situation, he decided it would be best to heed the call of fate this time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, all the way in Calisota, Gladstone was staying at Scrooge’s mansion along with a few of his other cousins. The multi-billionaire had started inviting many of their relatives over after making the decision to start looking for Donald again, both to make forming search parties easier and because December was right around the corner, so they might as well stay for the holidays and save on travel expenses (not that that last part was ever a problem for Gladstone, but he wasn’t about to turn down good fortune whenever it came to him).

Calling José had been a strange stroke of luck, but he had learned years ago to just roll with whatever fate gave him, knowing it would ultimately turn out for the best. Well, for him, anyway- he couldn’t say for sure how it would turn out for the rest of his family.

Eh, whatever, might as well play his cards and see where the chips land. Like he told José on the phone- it would be a win-win, no matter what happened.

The only minor hitch in his plan was having to go all the way to Panama. He REALLY didn’t feel like traveling all the way down there just to pick up some Donald look-alike. Maybe he could talk Fethry into it or something, the poor guy needed some more fresh air after being cooped up in the sea-lab for so long-

“Oof!” He bumped into a somewhat shorter someone while rounding the corner. Looking down, he saw that it was a young duckling in a striped sweater and died hair that looked close to the age of Della’s kids. “Geez, would it kill you to watch where you’re going?” She complained as she sat up from where she’d fallen on the ground.

“Oops, my bad.” Gladstone offered her a hand up, which she reluctantly took with a roll of her eyes at the lack of genuine apology in his voice. The girl seemed familiar, but looking at her for a moment afterwards did nothing to jog his memory about who she was. She wasn’t the same girl that came with Della and the boys to save him from the luck-vampire, he knew that much. “Sorry, but this is gonna eat me alive if I don’t ask- are you a relative or..?” He trailed off, waving his hand in a prompting manner.

The girl rolled her eyes again. “No, I’m not. I’m Scrooge’s house-keeper’s granddaughter’s best friend.” She paused for a minute to let all of that sink in. “Yeah, I know- this family is confusing.” Reluctantly, she held a hand out towards him. “Lena Le Strange.”

“Gladstone Gander.” He replied while giving her hand a quick shake. Realizing his hands were empty, he looked around at the floor. “Darn it, where’d it go..?”

Lena was the one to spot it, as it landed by her foot. “Looking for this?” She asked while retrieving the phone. When she picked it up, though, she happened to see the screen and, by extension, the picture from José that was still open. “Hey, who’s that?”

Gladstone took back the phone when she handed it to him and looked at the picture. “Oh, just an old friend of my cousin and some guy that looks like him. I’ve gotta head down to Panama to pick ‘em up. Anyway, nice meeting you. Later.” He said, already walking away and looking back at his phone to plan his trip.

“Yeah, whatever. Bye.” Lena said and continued on her own way…until, once she was out of sight, her shadow suddenly rose up on the wall behind her and formed a different shape entirely. Looking up at the shadow, Lena stuffed her hands in her pockets with an annoyed expression. “What is it now? I thought you agreed to keep quiet here.”

The shadow formed a female silhouette with a different haircut and figure from Lena, a wickedly excited smile spreading across its face. “That picture! Those idiots actually found the REAL THING!”

Lena raised an eyebrow. “You sure about that? His cousin didn’t seem too convinced.”

The shadow folded its arms, the smile turning into a scowl. “I recognize that pendant. Trust me- it’s hard to forget the last thing you see before you’re sealed away. You need to get to that duck and retrieve the dime hidden in his locket BEFORE he gets back to Duckburg! Once he’s reunited with his family, Scrooge will take back the dime and lock it away for safe-keeping. Getting it now is our best chance!”

“Okay, okay, I get it.” Lena said while leaning away from the shadow that had started to grow bigger against the surface of the wall. “But how am I supposed to get all the way to Panama? You got a spell for turning water into plane tickets or something?”

“Well, not water, but there is that one spell using a zebra- ah! Wait! There’s no need for that.” The shadow pointed in the direction that Gladstone had gone a moment ago. “That fool Gladstone is the only ticket you need. He absolutely loathes hard work. Offer to go in his place and he’ll probably see it as a lucky break.”

“Come on, it can’t be THAT easy.” The girl said with a doubtful look at the shadow.

“Trust me, it will be. Gladstone Gander is nothing if not predictable.” The shadow groused with a roll of its “eyes”.

Lena smirked slightly at the shadow on the wall. “You seem pretty confident about that. You know him or something?”

The shadow looked away from her, almost pouting. “It’s a long story and we don’t have time. Besides, we don’t talk about it…” She gave a shooing motion with her hand. “Now, go on, get to it before your one chance gets away!” And, with that, the shadow returned to Lena’s original shape.

“Whatever you say, Aunt Magica..” Lena said with an air of both annoyance and resignation. Backtracking, she found that Gladstone hadn’t gone too far yet. “Hey, Mr.Gander!”

He turned to look at her with one eyebrow raised in question. “Just Gladstone’s fine- Mr.Gander makes me feel old. What’s up, short stuff?”

Lena rubbed at the back of her neck, trying to give off a casual air while figuring out her own words. “It’s just..I was wondering if I could, y’know, go to Panama to pick those guys up for you..?”

Gladstone blinked, clearly confused by the sudden offer. “Why would you want to do that?” He narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously. “Lemme guess- you want in on old Scrooge’s reward money? Look, I understand the appeal, really, but I’m already splitting it three ways and four just seems like too much-”

“No, it’s not like that!” Lena cut him off, trying to quickly think of a good excuse. “I don’t care about the money, I just..uh..I want to travel! Yeah!” That excuse seemed feasible enough, so she ran with it and gave him her best excited smile. “Webby’s always talking about the places she gets to go with Mr. McDuck and the boys- I want a turn to go on an adventure too.” She looked down slightly, bringing her hands up to twiddle her fingers together in the best approximation of nervousness she could manage without feeling sick. “I’ve never even left Calisota before. My aunt doesn’t exactly have a stable job, so traveling’s out of the question on our budget.” She looked back up at him with a frown, hoping she came off as troubled and embarrassed to be asking for something. “I can’t really pay you back, but, when you bumped into me and said you were going all the way to an exotic country, it felt like, I dunno, fate or good luck or something?”

Gladstone only took a moment to think it over before he shrugged. “Okay.”

She blinked in surprise and stared at him. “ ‘Okay’..?” She repeated back to make sure she heard him right. It couldn’t have seriously been THAT easy, could it..?

Gladstone pulled something up on his phone. “Yeah, sure, why not? You want to go there, I don’t- it all works out. Hey, what’s your number?” He held his phone out to her and she put the information in. Once he got it back, he pressed a few more things and her own phone went off in her pocket. Pulling it out to check, she saw that he’d sent her the confirmation code for a free plane ticket. “Flight leaves in a couple days, make sure to keep me posted. Oh, and you’ll need this.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a credit card. “International card,” He explained nonchalantly while handing it to her. “Has a couple g’s on there. Should be enough to get you there and back with the guys. Good luck.” He left with a wave over his shoulder and that was that.

Lena blinked again, looking between him, her phone, and the card in her hand. Once he was out of sight, she finally said to herself “Okay, so maybe it IS that easy…”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

José pulled Panchito out into the hall while Don eagerly ate his meal, giving the excuse that they had to take a phone call. Making sure they were out of earshot, he caught Panchito up on the conversation he’d had with Gladstone a few minutes ago and what he’d agreed to do.

Panchito frowned a bit when José finished his story. “I don’t know, Zé..it feels kind of…” He trailed off with a glance to the side, apparently searching for the right words.

“Wrong. I know, trust me.” José sighed with a matching frown before placing a hand on Panchito’s shoulder to get the other bird to look at him again. “But..we need the money, you can’t deny that. Besides, it’s like Gladstone said- whether Don has any connection to Donald or not, he still gets a ride to Duckburg. Also..I feel like something is PUSHING us to do this. Everything is falling into place too perfectly: Don’s appearance, his desire to go to Duckburg, Gladstone’s call- it’s all too good to just be a coincidence, don’t you agree?”

Panchito nodded after thinking it over for a minute. “Well, if you think it’s the right thing to do, then I trust you, querido.” They shared a brief, tender smile before Panchito did a quick fist pump to show he was ready. “So, what’s the plan?”

José chuckled at the cute display of excitement and gestured for the rooster to follow him back in. “Just follow my lead.” The pair walked back in, gaining Don’s attention as he finished his food. “Our sincerest apologies, it was rather rude of us to just walk out like that.”

Don swallowed what was in his mouth with a shrug. “Oh, it’s fine. Sounded important, anyway.”

José sensed a perfect opportunity to broach the subject and decided to go with it. “It was indeed. The call was from an acquaintance of ours in Duckburg.”

That instantly got Don’s interest and he set down the bowl and spoon, looking at them expectantly. “Really?”

Panchito nodded, easily catching on to what José was doing after years of working cons with him. “Yeah, he wants us to head up there and see him.” He took a seat on the foot of Donald’s old bed casually.

Don began to look excitedly hopeful and it tugged on both birds’ heartstrings to see such an adorable look on that face. “Do you think I could- I mean, could I come with you guys?!”

José frowned slightly, both to keep up appearances and because he felt a bit bad for what he was about to say. “Well…I’m not sure..”

Don’s expression fell instantly and he began to look worried. “What? Why not? Like I said, I-I can pay for some of it!”

He began to pull out his bag of gold coins again, but José placed a gentle hand on his arm to halt his movements. “I know you can, my friend, and we really would like to help you, but this will be a very long and costly trip. Our acquaintance has agreed to fund the trip on the condition that we find someone for him.”

“Who is it?” Don asked quickly, desperately grasping onto any chance that he could still go with them. “Maybe I can help you find them!”

Panchito pointed over to the portrait on the wall that Don had originally been drawn to. “Him.” He stated simply, getting up to stand in front of it so he could look up at Donald’s oh-so-familiar face. “He wants us to find him, or at least someone connected to him..”

Don looked at the picture as well, frowning a bit. “Oh..”

José paused for a moment to appear as if he was thinking about something. “Hmm..you know..you DO look a lot like him, Don..”

Don blinked a bit in confusion, looking between José and the picture. “I do?”

Panchito looked back at Don with a grin. “You do! I mean, I actually thought you were our Donald when I saw you.”

“As did I.” José admitted with a sigh. “The resemblance is uncanny. You could probably pass for him quite easily.” He snapped his fingers as if the idea was just now coming to him. “That’s it!”

“What’s it?” Don asked while looking back at him.

Panchito gasped in fake surprise. “José, you don’t mean-?!”

“Oh, I do indeed, Panchito.” José replied with a confident nod.

“Mean what?” Don asked as he looked back to Panchito.

“But could it really work?” Panchito asked with a tilt of his head.

“We won’t know unless we try.” José said while crossing his arms.

Don finally exploded with frustration and yelled out loud while flailing his fists to emphasize his irritation. “Could you two just tell me what you’re talking about?!!”

José held up his hands in a placating gesture. “Calm yourself, my friend. Now, listen-” He placed one hand back onto Don’s shoulder and gestured to the portrait with the other. “You look like Donald, yes?”

“I guess so..” Don said while looking back at the picture for a moment.

“And you want to go to Duckburg, yes?” José asked while leading him slowly towards the picture.

“More than anything..” Don answered immediately in a soft voice, his hand coming up to touch his necklace.

“And Donald has family in Duckburg.” José stopped with Don while standing in front of the picture, Panchito standing on his other side while José spoke. “In my opinion, you look too similar to him for this to be a mere coincidence…”

“Wait, wait, wait.” Don looked up at the picture in front of him, staring at the face that matched his own with a confused expression. “You really think that I’m HIM?”

Panchito wrapped an arm around Don’s other shoulder, the duck held in place by both his and José’s light touch while the two gestured to the picture with their free hands. “Who knows? You could just be related to him. Either way, you’d have family in Duckburg that could tell you.”

“……” Don still looked skeptical, his hand tightening around the necklace. “What if you’re wrong…?”

José shrugged and waved the idea away with one hand. “I doubt we are. But, on the VERY unlikely chance that we are, you still get a ride to Duckburg. It would be a win-win, sim?”

“I..guess you’re right..” Don said quietly.

“Of course we’re right!” Panchito said enthusiastically while giving Don’s shoulder a squeeze. “We know Donald and his family better than anyone else, so we can tell you everything you want to know about them on the way there- it might help jog your memory!”

“Okay.” Don said once before repeating it with more conviction, finally looking excited about the idea (if the way his tail visibly wagged behind him was any indication). “Okay! Let’s do it! Teach me everything about my potential family!”

José and Panchito smiled while giving the excited duck their nods of affirmation, pleased that their little con was starting off so well.

<-Previous Chapter Next Chapter->

End Notes: Not much to say about this chapter other than 1.) Sorry it took a bit longer to publish, 2.) It’s my first time writing Lena as a character so let me know if she seems OOC, and 3.) The whole reason I picked the setting for the beginning of the story was solely so I could have José ask the “Have you been to Bahia?” question in this chapter because I’m a sucker for stuff like that xD

Translation Notes:

Isso soa bem? - Sound good?

“Isso seria bom. Obrigado.” - "That would be good. Thank you."

“¿Algo está mal, Zé?” - "Is something wrong, Zé?"

“Está tudo bem, querido.” - "It's fine, honey."

[ryder616]

Rewatching The Things We Bury

It’s Coulson’s turn to take the kids junior agents out of the house base - I guess not going crazy anymore nullified May’s No Field Operations rule - and it’s a fun time, brighten by the easy camaraderie between Skye and Trip ( 😭 ) and Fitz's growing self-confidence.

Then Trip is shot and Daddy Dearest shows up. 🥶

Cal is absolutely chilling (and MacLachlan is, needless to say, absolutely brilliant), switching from reasonable to psycho at the drop of a dime. And finally, we begin to understand why.

The Johnson family’s tragedy is immense: two generous people dedicated to helping others (Cal was a volunteer for Doctors without Borders and we’ve seen the nurturing side of Jaiying, who was also studying to become a doctor, too) and Hydra utterly destroyed them, condemning their daughter to a life of abandonment and unanswered questions. Despite all, they still found their way back to each other, only to be torn apart permanently, in the most painful way possible.

Jaiying endured the unspeakable and her distrust of S.H.I.E.L.D. and their fixation with putting people on lists before they do something that warrants surveillance is completely understandable even before considering what she went through.

The Afterlife Inhumans (the majority of whom hadn’t even unlocked their powers) will be expected to accept to be put on a watchlist by an organization that doesn’t even have any legal standing anymore. And all spearheaded by someone - Gonzalez - who at some point will casually call Skye a “thing”.

I find that entire way of thinking too repugnant to divorce it from its real life implications and I really wish the end of Jaiying’s story had at least been handled with a little more nuance.

Quake Rumblings:

There's a place, and if one of those special people you speak of takes this Diviner to that special place, it won't just kill. It will do something - scientifically speaking - much, much cooler.

[Whitehall] thinks the Diviner is just a weapon. He has no idea of its true power, of what's inside. 

It's exciting, isn't it? [...] Who knows how it'll shake out? All I know is, my baby's gonna be right there in the center of it.

Did someone order an Inhuman Superhero? ETD: 2 episodes 😎

Mrs. and Mr. Mockingbird:

Doesn't matter what I ask. I can't trust the answer. [...] I have always been honest with you, and you can't accept it. You search for lies! -- You're an elite spy! I'd be crazy not to. You know you've lied to me. [...] I don't know where the angles end. -- With you! Why do you think I vouched for you with Coulson? -- As much as I'd like to believe it was my magical personality, I think you have something up and running and need allies and know that I'll have your back, whatever it is.

I stand by my first diagnosis. You guys should be in a different line of work.

Bobbi did have something up and running and likely inserted her ex-husband for the very reasons Hunter here suspects. But, when it’ll come down to it, she’ll try to distance herself instead and not involve him after all. And once involved, he will side with Coulson. Maybe they aren’t doomed after all.

Stuff that crossed my mind:

Weapon? That's so small-minded. Indeed. Whitehall’s high regard for his intellect notwithstanding, his imagination is quite limited. Sadism and delusions of greatness seems to be the only things he truly excells in.

I'm unclear on how I'm stuck running the base and you're off to Hawaii. Oh, c’mon, he can finally stare at blank surfaces without reaching for the closest sharp implement, let him live a little.😁

You talk to anybody about what happened last week? [...] With the director. [...] The guy was violent. [...] No, no, he was out of his mind, man. Tell me something Mack, are you trying your own little recruitment drive with Hunter or are you really just majorly freaked out? I can’t take anyone at face value anymore. I blame Ward.

I'm surprised she's so civil. -- Want to see his head bashed in? -- That would be wrong, wouldn't it? Don’t worry Jem, I daresay he’ll get his comeuppance and then some.

How can you follow Whitehall? He's sort of a milquetoasty middle-management type. Now you...you got that whole classic Bond-villain thing going on. I like Bakshi better, too. It might be the accent.😊

So, you think Bakshi was brainwashed? -- No, but let the idea drive him nuts for awhile. Any Hydra member could've been, wouldn't know it. -- Yes, that's true. AoS trying very hard to make us paranoid about Jemma. It totally didn’t work, right? *cough* 😏 😁

I'm sorry, hon. I'll try to make it home this weekend, but with the strategy meetings, it's just...okay. Love you. It's me. Yep. Wide open. So, Scumbag Sr. is also a cheater. *badly mimics Peggy’s accent* how terribly shocking.

Am I good with this in my pocket? -- That depends. You ever want kids? 😭 😭

Did you hear what I said? Peggy Carter, founder, happens to be British, held this in her hand. YAML! (Yet Another Mom’s Look)!

The U.S. Government has recruited many German scientists. They'll send rockets into space. -- Maybe they can strap you to one of them. What an excellent idea! Pity you didn’t run with it, Peggy.

There’s a story. A myth from the east, of a star that fell from the heavens, of blue angels who came bearing a gift for all mankind, meant to save the world. We know the Kree weren’t this well-intentioned (or, well, at all). But at least a few of their “gifts” did save the world, repeatedly. So, in a very roundabout way...

I've lost everything important to me. And I want to kill those who took it. And finally be reunited with my family. -- Reunited? -- In the afterlife. According to the writer of the later episode “Afterlife”, the name for the Inhuman Shangri-La hadn’t been planned this far in advance but when the time came they remembered this line.

If I didn't broker that deal and did the speech Mr. Coulson wanted me to on TV, would we be out here now? You're free because of me. -- I fought my way out. -- Through how many? The four men I had on detail? Well, doesn’t this sound familiar. I seem to recall a certain formerly bearded traitor insisting that dropping two British scientists out of a plane and into the ocean was a generous ruse to save their lives. You guys are really two of a kind.

It is my fault. I let you all hollow me out, control me. -- Spare the non-apology. I’m a senator. HA! 🤣

Coulson doesn't roll that way. If he has you in the dark, it's for a reason. [...] Look, we've been through some crazy, you two especially, but the whole time, Coulson's been our anchor. He may seem lost sometimes, but he's always got a plan. Trip didn’t come to these conclusions by blind loyalty. In S1 he wasn’t shy with his objections. Now he has been working with Coulson for about a year, he has come to know him and respect him. This is well-reasoned trust.

Undersecretary Pierce granted him medical on parole in 1989. Quick reminder that Jaiying and Cal had at most a year with their baby daughter 😞 (and that undersecretary Pierce has yet another crime to answer for).

I wonder If your friends know the acts that you are capable of, how you were able to ingratiate yourself to Hydra. Do you fear their judgment should those details ever surface? At least some of those details will indeed surface, as Kara will find out that it was Bobbi who had given Hydra the location of the safe house where she was captured. However Bakshi here makes it sound like she did something worse than surrendering intel.

Fitz, how you coming with the transceiver patch? -- I've got it down to 7 minutes, 20 seconds. -- That's not good enough. -- No, that's with my bad hand. With both, I can do it, definitely. He practiced with his bad hand only 😎 I think he never believed that Coulson wasn’t testing him - and he may be correct, despite what Trip says - and was determined to show him.

Skye, you reading us? -- Standing by with Geek Squad. Paddington and Timelord are closing in. E.M.P. ready in 40 seconds. Paddington and Timelord? 🤣

You probably wouldn't recognize me from the picture I left for her, though I haven't changed as much as she has since then. I beg to differ. She simply grew up, you went from volunteering for Doctors without Borders to mass slaughter. As changes go, that strikes me as a wee bit more radical.

She's not here, is she? That's a relief. I'm only gonna get one chance at a first impression. This doesn't look very good. It’s good that he knows that, I guess?

You’re not her father! We’re abandoning all pretense of subtly paralleling these two already, eh? Good for you, AoS. Embrace the dad-off 😁 (who coined dad-off, btw? I love it).

That’s not her name! Yes, yes, we heard you the first time.

Guys? Is everything okay? They're patching Trip up and he's going to be fine, but you're acting like you saw the devil out there. No devils, just your slightly deranged long lost father. Fitz’s expression here kinda kills me. Even more so when you remember that he, too, knows something about growing up with absent parents.

I'll do to him what he did to you. I'll tear him apart! Twenty-five years living with this. No wonder he’s psycho.

[thetaxcollector2020veronlin-blog]

Cuevana The Tax Collector 2020 Pelicula Completa Latino HD

HAGA CLICK AQUI : https://bit.ly/33Lw9UB

HAGA CLICK AQUI : https://bit.ly/33Lw9UB

HAGA CLICK AQUI : https://bit.ly/33Lw9UB

HAGA CLICK AQUI : https://bit.ly/33Lw9UB

Production companies: Fast Horse Pictures, Kodiak Pictures, Cedar Park Entertainment Distributor: RLJE Films (select theaters, VOD, digital) Cast: Bobby Soto, Cinthya Carmona, George Lopez, Shia LaBeouf, Elpidia Carrillo, Lana Parrilla, David Castañeda, Conejo, Cheyenne Rae Hernandez, Cle Sloan, Noemi Gonzalez, Juan Carlos Cantu, Chelsea Rendon, Rene Moran Director-screenwriter: David Ayer Producers: Chris Long, David Ayer, Tyler Thompson, Matt Antoun Executive producers: Douglas Duncan, Buddy Patrick, Steve Matzkin, Misook Doolittle, Sarah Schroeder-Matzkin, Mickey Gooch, Jr., Doug McKay, Cindy Bond, Todd Williams Director of photography: Salvatore Totino Production designer: Andrew Menzies Costume designer: Kelli Jones Music: Michael Yezerski Editor: Geoffrey O'Brien Casting: Mary Vernieu, Lindsay Graham-Ahanonu

SINOPSIS No se sabe nada acerca del argumento de esta cinta de acción y crímen que, aparentemente, seguirá la línea de dos de los trabajos anteriores de David Ayer: Training Day y Sin Tregua (End of Watch).

La cinta está dirigida, pues, por David Ayer (Escuadrón Suicida, Bright) y protagonizada por Shia LaBeouf (Honey Boy, The Peanut Butter Falcon), Bobby Soto (For the People, S.W.A.T. Los hombres de Harrelson), Chelsea Randon (Nueve vidas, Urgencias), Cinthya Carmona (The Fix, Greenhouse Academy) y Lana Parrilla (Érase una vez, Chase).

'The Tax Collector': Film Review Violent Los Angeles street culture on both sides of the law has been an abiding fascination in David Ayer's output, notably in his bruising screenplay for Training Day and his nervy, documentary-style cop drama, End of Watch. The buddy dynamic and gritty milieu of that 2012 film invigorate the best elements of The Tax Collector, the writer-director's return to a smaller-scale project after taking a critical hammering with the big-budget, high-concept outings of Suicide Squad and Netflix's Bright. "So why another L.A. crime movie?" asks Ayer in his Director's Statement. Why, indeed.

Despite a lot of admirable aims, such as creating layered roles for the Latino acting community and spending production dollars in areas that could benefit from the economic boost, this grim bloodbath feels too routine to be of much interest.

The well-acted film is shot by Salvatore Totino with impressive dexterity, capturing the urban sprawl of L.A. with a sharp eye and deft ability to build textured atmosphere, and Geoffrey O'Brien's editing shows an equally propulsive hand. But almost everything about this mean-streets action thriller feels familiar and a touch self-important, starting with its heralding of the sacred code blasted over a portrait of protagonist David (Bobby Soto) with his beautiful wife and angelic kids: "Love. Honor. Loyalty. Family."

The vaunted authenticity legitimized by Ayer's upbringing in South L.A. in the 1970s and '80s in this case doesn't mean he has a fresh perspective. The conflict of a loyal lieutenant in a criminal organization who compartmentalizes his life into hard-core career thug on one side, devoted paterfamilias on the other — "God allows me to walk from the darkness and come back into the light," says David — by now seems a standard gangster trope. As soon as that's established, we know exactly where he's going to feel the pain.

While Soto (Narcos: Mexico) makes a reasonably charismatic lead, the more magnetic character is his sidekick, a twitchy killing machine known as Creeper (Shia LaBeouf, reuniting with Ayer after Fury). Encased in figure-hugging skinny suits, Mafia-grade sunglasses and just the right amount of bling, LaBeouf goes full Method with his flavorful dialogue and wired physicality, whether Creeper is extolling the virtues of his smelly protein diet, musing on the value of morning meditation and the meaninglessness of God in his universe or simply itching to stop talking and spill some blood. The actor builds a fully formed character that suggests an intriguing backstory, giving off sparks in his every scene.

Regrettably, that's not so much the case with the more generically drawn David and his wife Alexis (Cinthya Carmona), who is perceived as being safely outside the family's criminal operations but has enough of a stake in the business to know what's what. She certainly has no qualms about calling on David to put the fear of death into the "Mexican Kardashians" holding up work on their daughter's quinceañera dress, and she oversees the weekly tally of protection money collected by David and Creeper from 43 different L.A. street gangs.

Alexis is also the point person who communicates directly with Wizard, the overlord of the crime organization whose current situation (along with the unbilled famous name playing the role) is revealed in the film's closing scene.

'Tax Collector' Trailer Reteams Shia LaBeouf and David Ayer David's connection to Wizard becomes apparent only gradually, once an old rival of the crime boss returns from Mexico intent on reshaping the street-gang landscape according to his own rules. That hostile interloper, Conejo (borrowing the rapper name of Jose Martin, who plays the role with maximum menace), takes pleasure in reminding David how he's still a glorified errand boy instead of a fully-fledged made man.

Conejo first extends a hand offering David an executive role in his burgeoning empire. When that offer is declined, Conejo sends a brutal message via David's drug dealer Uncle Louis (comedian George Lopez, bringing understated snarl to a dramatic role). "I'm the future and you're the past," Conejo warns David, later adding, "Everything you love is gonna die."

While David prays to Jesus to keep his family and their palatial Spanish-style home safe, Conejo's religious rituals make Santeria look like Sunday school. The movie veers into grotesquerie as he prays at an unholy altar for protection in the oncoming turf war, bathing in the blood of a human sacrifice in a room that looks like Keith Haring threw a Dia de los Muertos party.

This might have been lurid fun from a director who didn't take it all so seriously, even if it's in questionable taste at a time when the White House administration has done everything in its power to demonize Latin American immigrants. There's little leeway for dark humor in Ayer's world, though I did get a kick out of Conejo's lady friend Gata (Cheyenne Rae Hernandez). Licking her lips lasciviously, the aptly named feline fiend can lob explosives and rain bullets from a semi-automatic all while skipping about on vertiginous heels. And you don't even want to know about her skills with a hammer. But Gata is a figure out of a Robert Rodriguez grindhouse world stuck in a fundamentally realist realm.

The inevitable faceoff between Conejo's goons and Wizard's is plenty bloody, intercut with Conejo's Satanic prayers. But the sequence feels almost perfunctory, yielding few surprises for a director with the sinewy action command Ayer has shown in the past. Pretty much everything that follows becomes both predictable and a little too easy as David musters all his force to protect what's most precious to him, calling on help from the leader of a Bloods gang (Cle Sloan) in his showdown with Conejo.

Earlier scenes have sketched in David's strategic ability to accrue loyalty as well as the humanity he shows when one gang rep's payment shortfall is explained by the medical expenses of his chronically ill daughter. But Ayer seems to be laboring under the misapprehension that the family-oriented gangster is something new in movies, along with the conflicted cycle of intergenerational violence. When blood-drenched David starts spouting hackneyed dialogue like "For my family, I live. For my family, I die. For my family, I kill," it's hard to stifle a groan. And the incorporation of the Zen aspects of Jiu Jitsu into his climactic fight is too flimsy to add anything.

Ayer drives the action along efficiently enough to the churning dread of Michael Yezerski's score. But there's too little depth to make you care about the characters and too little imagination at work to make The Tax Collector pay.

Production companies: Fast Horse Pictures, Kodiak Pictures, Cedar Park Entertainment Distributor: RLJE Films (select theaters, VOD, digital) Cast: Bobby Soto, Cinthya Carmona, George Lopez, Shia LaBeouf, Elpidia Carrillo, Lana Parrilla, David Castañeda, Conejo, Cheyenne Rae Hernandez, Cle Sloan, Noemi Gonzalez, Juan Carlos Cantu, Chelsea Rendon, Rene Moran Director-screenwriter: David Ayer Producers: Chris Long, David Ayer, Tyler Thompson, Matt Antoun Executive producers: Douglas Duncan, Buddy Patrick, Steve Matzkin, Misook Doolittle, Sarah Schroeder-Matzkin, Mickey Gooch, Jr., Doug McKay, Cindy Bond, Todd Williams Director of photography: Salvatore Totino Production designer: Andrew Menzies Costume designer: Kelli Jones Music: Michael Yezerski Editor: Geoffrey O'Brien Casting: Mary Vernieu, Lindsay Graham-Ahanonu

Tag/Keyword : The Tax Collector pelicula completa en español The Tax Collector pelicula completa online The Tax Collector pelicula completa en español latino The Tax Collector pelicula completa repelis The Tax Collector pelicula completa en español latino gratis The Tax Collector pelicula completa en español latino online The Tax Collector pelicula completa online gratis The Tax Collector pelicula completa gratis The Tax Collector pelicula completa argentina The Tax Collector pelicula completa audio latino The Tax Collector pelicula completa argentina online The Tax Collector pelicula completa allcalidad The Tax Collector pelicula argentina completa gratis The Tax Collector pelicula argentina completa descargar The Tax Collector pelicula argentina online The Tax Collector pelicula argentina online gratis The Tax Collector pelicula completa en español latino pelisplus The Tax Collector pelicula completa cuevana bajar The Tax Collector pelicula completa buster The Tax Collector pelicula completa en español latino The Tax Collector pelicula bajar The Tax Collector banco rio pelicula completa The Tax Collector pelicula completa cinetux The Tax Collector pelicula completa cinepolis The Tax Collector pelicula completa cinecalidad The Tax Collector pelicula completa online cuevana The Tax Collector ver pelicula online cuevana ver The Tax Collector pelicula completa online cuevana ver The Tax Collector pelicula completa online cuevana 2 The Tax Collector pelicula completa descargar The Tax Collector pelicula completa descargar mega The Tax Collector pelicula completa descargar utorrent The Tax Collector pelicula completa download The Tax Collector pelicula completa duracion The Tax Collector pelicula completa drive The Tax Collector pelicula completa descargar hd The Tax Collector pelicula completa descarga gratis pelicula completa de The Tax Collector The Tax Collector pelicula completa en español latino online gratis The Tax Collector pelicula completa en español latino cuevana The Tax Collector pelicula completa en español latino francella The Tax Collector pelicula completa en español latino descargar The Tax Collector pelicula completa en español jason statham The Tax Collector pelicula completa en español latino youtube The Tax Collector pelicula completa facebook The Tax Collector pelicula completa francella The Tax Collector pelicula completa filtrada The Tax Collector pelicula completa full hd The Tax Collector pelicula completa free The Tax Collector pelicula francella online The Tax Collector pelicula online gratis The Tax Collector pelicula completa gnula The Tax Collector pelicula completa gratis online The Tax Collector pelicula completa google drive The Tax Collector pelicula completa gratis cuevana The Tax Collector pelicula online gratis sin registrarse The Tax Collector pelicula completa online gratis repelis The Tax Collector pelicula completa hd The Tax Collector pelicula completa hd online The Tax Collector pelicula completa hd descargar ver The Tax Collector pelicula completa hd The Tax Collector pelicula completa en español hd The Tax Collector pelicula completa en español latino hd ver The Tax Collector pelicula completa online hd The Tax Collector pelicula hoyts The Tax Collector pelicula imdb The Tax Collector pelicula en ingles imdb The Tax Collector imdb robo del siglo The Tax Collector pelicula completa en español latino jason statham The Tax Collector pelicula completa latino The Tax Collector pelicula completa locopelis The Tax Collector pelicula online latino The Tax Collector pelicula completa español latino The Tax Collector pelicula completa on line The Tax Collector pelicula completa 1 link The Tax Collector la película completa The Tax Collector pelicula completa ver The Tax Collector pelicula completa mega The Tax Collector pelicula completa miradetodo The Tax Collector pelicula completa medium The Tax Collector pelicula musica The Tax Collector pelicula mexico The Tax Collector pelicula multiplex The Tax Collector pelicula puerto madero The Tax Collector pelicula completa netflix el gran robo del siglo pelicula completa en español The Tax Collector pelicula completa online repelis The Tax Collector pelicula completa online gratis gnula The Tax Collector pelicula completa online hd The Tax Collector pelicula completa online ver The Tax Collector pelicula completa online pelisplus The Tax Collector pelicula completa pelisplus The Tax Collector pelicula completa pelispedia The Tax Collector pelicula completa pelis24 The Tax Collector pelicula completa para descargar The Tax Collector pelicula completa pirata The Tax Collector pelicula completa para descargar gratis The Tax Collector pelicula completa sin registrarse ver The Tax Collector pelicula completa repelis The Tax Collector pelicula completa online sin registrarse The Tax Collector pelicula completa online gratis sin registrarse ver The Tax Collector pelicula completa online sin registrarse The Tax Collector pelicula sinopsis The Tax Collector pelicula showcase The Tax Collector pelicula completa taringa The Tax Collector pelicula trailer The Tax Collector pelicula taquilla The Tax Collector pelicula ficha tecnica The Tax Collector pelicula completa ver online The Tax Collector pelicula completa ver online gratis The Tax Collector pelicula online ver The Tax Collector pelicula ver online gratis ver The Tax Collector pelicula completa en español latino ver The Tax Collector pelicula completa en español latino gratis The Tax Collector pelicula wikipedia The Tax Collector pelicula winograd The Tax Collector pelicula completa youtube The Tax Collector pelicula youtube youtube The Tax Collector pelicula completa The Tax Collector pelicula completa 2020 The Tax Collector pelicula completa online 2020 The Tax Collector pelicula 2020 online The Tax Collector 2020 pelicula completa en español latino The Tax Collector pelicula 2018 The Tax Collector pelicula 2019 The Tax Collector 2020 pelicula completa online gratis ver The Tax Collector pelicula completa online cuevana 3

FOLLOW ME: https://twitter.com/i/events/1290345090586570752 https://twitter.com/i/events/1282720635433570304 https://twitter.com/i/events/1282725079688699905 https://twitter.com/i/events/1282730140934389760 https://twitter.com/i/events/1282735229539516416 https://twitter.com/i/events/1282741964899639296 https://twitter.com/i/events/1282747395277643777 https://twitter.com/i/events/1282751560145965057 https://twitter.com/i/events/1282755329734795264 https://twitter.com/i/events/1283088198537637889 https://twitter.com/i/events/1283094659124744192 https://twitter.com/i/events/1283098881304129537 https://twitter.com/i/events/1283103310824665089 https://twitter.com/i/events/1283106614250139648 https://twitter.com/i/events/1283809636055834625 https://twitter.com/i/events/1284140162100822017 https://twitter.com/i/events/1285595864723906567 https://twitter.com/i/events/1285598651188801542 https://twitter.com/i/events/1285603308946612224 https://twitter.com/i/events/1285604852253421568 https://twitter.com/i/events/1285606606403547136 https://twitter.com/i/events/1285609017897709568 https://twitter.com/i/events/1285641940910829568 https://twitter.com/i/events/1287795599002046464 https://twitter.com/i/events/1290171389794594816 https://twitter.com/i/events/1290174748756865024 https://twitter.com/i/events/1276204549498265600 https://twitter.com/i/events/1276208376821673984 https://twitter.com/i/events/1276211325266345989 https://twitter.com/i/events/1276215445909987328 https://twitter.com/i/events/1276218944563511296 https://twitter.com/i/events/1268050822295740416 https://twitter.com/i/events/1268056570945929216 https://twitter.com/i/events/1273286199516393473 https://twitter.com/i/events/1273287631342731264 https://twitter.com/i/events/1273289054377750529 https://twitter.com/i/events/1273290497285472256 https://twitter.com/i/events/1273292007926976512 https://twitter.com/i/events/1273292935476346880 https://twitter.com/i/events/1276231881936130049 https://twitter.com/i/events/1276235986993741824 https://twitter.com/i/events/1276749126684696576 https://twitter.com/i/events/1276753696928395265 https://twitter.com/i/events/1280198485657088000 https://twitter.com/i/events/1281264441888141312 https://twitter.com/i/events/1281268668593143809 https://twitter.com/i/events/1281273656589479937 https://twitter.com/i/events/1281276839604805634 https://twitter.com/i/events/1281281245289177088 https://twitter.com/i/events/1281286535376072706 https://twitter.com/i/events/1281289536983625728 https://twitter.com/i/events/1281997375200833536 https://twitter.com/i/events/1281997824771518469 https://twitter.com/i/events/1281998998123868162 https://twitter.com/i/events/1281999864209879040 https://twitter.com/i/events/1282000305282928641 https://twitter.com/i/events/1282007613253677056 https://twitter.com/i/events/1282012289810366465

[vespertine-legacy]

As I said, I have A Problem, and I made a Watcher Two|Keeper|Shara Jenn playlist. Information about the playlist in general and the tracks below the cut.

Apologies if you’re looking at this on mobile; I found out with my description of my Lana playlist that the formatting gets fucked on mobile, so hopefully it’s at least navigable.

This playlist was compiled with Watcher Two|Keeper|Shara Jenn/Female Imperial Agent|Cipher Nine (OC: Vero’razimiri’vosis aka “Raz”) heavily in mind. Frankly, it was a travesty and a crime that my Raz could not romance her. Also, yes, I will forever and always call her Watcher Two probably, because that’s just how she kind of got stuck in my mind, and because I have adorable tags for her (like “#watcher two where are you” for all the damn times that it would be like “Go to Intelligence HQ and see Watcher Two,” you get there and someone tells you “sorry, she’s busy, you can’t see her,” and “#watcher two i love you” which should be obvious. I may or may not sing those tags to the Scooby Doo theme song; you are not allowed to judge me for that here in my own house).

Without further ado, the tracks:

I Will Follow You Into the Dark - Death Cab for Cutie

If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks Then I'll follow you into the dark

[Are you kidding me, Watcher Two would follow Raz anywhere (figuratively, at least - she can’t really leave her station much, but she is only a holocall away and following Raz as best she can through the metaphorical and literal dark on every camera and satellite she can slice)]

Hardliners - Holcombe Waller

Now don't laugh 'cause I just might be The soft curve in your hardline There's no doubt that you are mine, babe There's no doubt that you are mine

[“I don’t get close to my agents, they tend to die on me.” Yeah, okay, Watcher Two, you tell yourself that. We all believe you.]

Nobody Does it Better - Carly Simon

I wasn't lookin' but somehow you found me It tried to hide from your love light But like heaven above me The spy who loved me Is keepin' all my secrets safe tonight

[Watcher Two opens herself up to friendship with Raz while the Cipher Agent takes down the terror cell on Balmorra, and doesn’t even realize she’s open to it being more than that until it is too late (but she’s not going to tell Cipher Nine that]

Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps - Cake

So if you really love me, say yes But if you don't, dear, confess And please don't tell me Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps

[Yeah, this one is Raz to Watcher Two. Maybe after fighting Jadus. She gets it - it’s dangerous for someone in their positions to have too many attachments that can be used against them, but still, just say it.]

Love me Like You Do - Kurt Hugo Schneider, Madilyn Bailey, MAX (cover)

What are you waiting for? Fading in, fading out On the edge of paradise Every inch of your skin is a holy grail I've gotta find Only you can set my heart on fire

[Fantasizing (・ω<)]

I Summon You - Spoon

All that you can give is a cold goodbye The law enforcement's impressed you've survived to this age Strapped-up soldiers They'll lock you in a cage without a goodbye

[Why Watcher Two can’t just say it. Not only is she too Imperial/British, she’s worried about the consequences for her Cipher.]

Chameleon Boy - Blue October

Stand by for another break down. Sound off the alarm. Is this the chameleon boy I swore I wouldn't become? So now we've come upon the hardest thing I've ever done. It's telling you that I'm a mess. What sort of mess I mean is self destructive gasoline... The kind that strips you of your best. While I play instead... The way that most would end up dead. You sleep alone at home and wish that I were in our bed. With this I'm telling you my color changes back to blue... How do I ask you this? Will you help me through?

[Another from Raz to Watcher Two. Being a double agent is hard on Raz, and they both know it. The “my color changes back to blue” line is possibly supposed to be a bad thing, but in this context, it’s good. Raz is becoming herself again (come on, she’s Chiss, she’s literally blue), it’s Raz finally being able to fully shed the “defector” cover. “It feels good to be Imperial again” - “You were always one of us.”]

Winter - Joshua Radin

Your voice is all I hear somehow Calling out winter Your name is the splinter inside me While I wait [Just in general because names are so important and change so often in this storyline.]

Heartbeats - Jose Gonzalez

One night to be confused One night to speed up truth We had a promise made Four hands and then away

[Has there ever been a time when Raz had a full night to recover from a mission, and actually got to see Watcher Two, for them to have spent a night together?]

One More Night - Stars

When she's breaking his heart she still fucks like a tease Release to the sky, look him straight in the eye

[Look, I’m gonna be real with you. Raz got a fade-to-black with Vector, and I feel like there’s no way that Watcher Two didn’t know about it. Raz doesn’t actually have feelings for Vector, but he made advances at a time when she was just having a lot of feelings in general that she wasn’t letting herself deal with, so they banged. She fixed things later, but it wasn’t a good thing for Vector or for Watcher Two (or for Raz, honestly).]

Polaris - Jimmy Eat World

You say that love goes anywhere In your darkest time, it's just enough to know it's there When you go, I'll let you be But you're killing everything in me

[Watcher Two has feelings after sending Raz off to become a double agent.]

Think I’m In Love - Beck

I think I'm in love But it makes me kinda nervous to say so What if it's wrong?

[Well, duh.]

How’s It Going to Be - Third Eye Blind

I wonder is there anything I'm going to miss I wonder how it's going to be When you don't know me How's it going to be When you're sure I'm not there

[Hi, I hurt myself again and imagined that she was still fully aware but just locked-in while the damn holoconference was overloading her brain. You’re welcome.]

Nicole - Hotel Books

I think I'm losing you, but I will never regret choosing you Because I am in love, and for now that will be enough And the ones around me convince me that I was the only person who was dumb enough to believe that you and I had hope But now I know even after you began to let your emotions slow the only reason I stood alone was because I was the only one who knew our love was never going to let go

[Raz, while Watcher Two|Keeper is comatose.]

Somewhere Out There - Our Lady Peace

I'm waiting for this sky to fall I'm waiting for a sign

[This one is Raz. The Wellspring on Voss did some things she didn’t expect. It’s more hopeful than it might sound.]

Desperately Wanting - Better Than Ezra

Take back your life and let me inside We'll find the door if you care to anymore

[Corellia. The distortion on the voice isn’t enough. Raz’s heart knows that voice.]

Your Guardian Angel - The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

I will never let you fall I'll stand up with you forever I'll be there for you through it all Even if saving you sends me to heaven

[Corellia. They both know the plan is terrible, but it’s all they have, and Raz will do anything for her.]

Demons - Kurt Hugo Schneider, Sam Tsui, MAX (cover)

Your eyes, they shine so bright I want to save their light I can't escape this now Unless you show me how

[Getting ready to take down the Star Cabal, babey. The Minister can get fuckt, but Watcher Two and Raz have got each other.]

Tell Her This - Del Amitri

Tell her what was wrong I sometimes think too much But say nothing at all

[If this isn’t our Watcher Two, I don’t know what is.]

Hey Ya! - The Blanks (cover)  no I will not apologize for including this song don’t even @ me

My baby don't mess around 'Cause she loves me so This I know fo sho!

[Raz is a goddamn dork, can you imagine her damn face when Watcher Two finally actually says the words “I love you” out loud?]

Songs I was going to include but they aren’t on spotify:

Snakes & Ladders - Basia Bulat

When only you could be the one To win out over me, When it isn't just a game; i's the way we come undone

In My Lady’s House - Iron & Wine

There is light in my lady's house And there's none but some falling rain This like a spoken word She is more than her thousand names

[lexthemondo]

Musical Mondays

Greetings and Salutations,

It is the first official Musical Monday! Woo-hoo! Cue the confetti and party music (Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus is acceptable). Now, my layout will be a bit odd, so I’m going to take the time to explain it this one time and that’ll be all as far as the actual posts themselves go, however, you are always welcome to message me if you’re confused about anything! 

I will first name and give a brief description (serious Lex mode) of every artist mentioned as well as their social media information in case you would like to see more of them. After that, I will talk about specific songs since a lot of you probably are not looking for complete albums. I will then go into recent album drops, or my absolute favorites, that I loved. This is when I drop the “serious Lex mode” and act a little silly while gushing about the music. I will not be doing this for individual songs, instead, I will be doing a rating system! 

The ratings will range from 1 through 5, with 1 being the most calming and 5 being more upbeat and fun. I think this will be easier when categorizing the individual songs themselves just so I don’t end up writing an essay about every song on the list. Plus, the artist summary should clue you in on their general aesthetic and groove. 

I will note, however, that some artists will either have shorter bios or none at all for the simple fact that I cannot find any information outside of their music. For example, in this post, we have a SoundCloud artist that is very small and does not have the same fanbase as the others on the list do. I just briefly stated that he does not have much information about him, but I know he is releasing an EP soon. Now with all the boring stuff out of the way, lets jam out. 

Some of these artists have completely taken over my playlist, and I have no idea how I survived without them before, while others have held a special place in my heart for years. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do, and please go send them some love by clicking on the links to their social media accounts.

Thanks

Lex

Artists:

Cigarettes After Sex

Cigarettes After Sex is an American Dream Pop band from El Paso, Texas. The group consists of lead singer/ songwriter, Greg Gonzalez who founded the band in 2008. Gonzalez, over the years, has also brought upon the help of keyboard player Josh Marcus, bassist Randy Miller, and drummer Jacob Tomsky. The group is known for its dream-like sound, ethereal vibe, and Gonzalez’s “androgynous” voice. The band’s first EP I. was released in 2012, with their single Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby being a huge commercial hit. In 2015, the band released their single Affection, and two years later their self-titled album dropped. In August of this year, the group then announced their new album Cry was announced as well as the released of their solo song Heavenly. The album was released on October 25, 2019.

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Brent Faiyaz

Christopher Brent Wood, or better known as Brent Faiyaz, is an American singer and producer from Columbia, Maryland. However, Faiyaz moved to Charlotte, South Carolina, and then ultimately to Los Angeles, California to further his music career. January 19, 2015, he released his debut single Allure followed by the release of his song, and lead single on his EP A.M. Paradox released in 2016, Invite Me. In October of 2016, Faiyaz along with producers Dpat and Atu formed a group called Sonder, releasing their debut single Too Fast on October 25, 2016. December 16, 2016, Faiyaz was a featured artist on Goldlink’s song Crew, alongside fellow rapper Sly Grizzly. This is Faiyaz’s most known song and has gained him a lot of success.  

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Kyle Dion

Kyle Dion is an American R&B singer from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Dion began making music back in 2013 with the release of his song Better. After which he released a cover of Frank Ocean’s song Thinking About You which boosted his popularity. His first EP dropped in 2014 gaining over 1.6 million plays, which ultimately gained Dion a loyal fanbase. This only furthered his passion, and in 2016 he dropped his EP Painting Sounds. All of this success has led up to the release of his debut album SUGA dropping in March of this year. According to The Fader, “The funk-infused album takes listeners on a journey of self-discovery, love and timeless nostalgia all through the eyes of Dion's alter ego, Suga, as he grapples with fame and battles his inner demons.”

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

LilBootyCall

Michael Bocanegra, or better known by his stage name, Lilbootycall, or “Call” for short, is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter from San Antonio, Texas. He is most known for his viral 2016 single Sailor Moon, but his first track Aquafina was released earlier that same year. Call’s next song Yugioh was released in January of 2017 along with Butterfly, Cigarettes, 330i, and First Date. In 2018, Honey and Oj in My Gucci Bag were dropped, and Call was featured in songs such as So Pink with Lil Weeb as well as Brokenheart with Cloud123. Earlier this year, his song with Cuco and Kwe$t, 777, dropped and amassed over 200,000 views within the first 2 months. 

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Flower Face

Flower Face is a solo project by Canadian, Ruby McKinnon. McKinnon has been writing and producing music since she was 14, and in 2013 she released her first studio album Every Part of You That’s Left in Me. McKinnon wrote and produced this in her basement within 2 months. In 2014, her next album Homesick followed by the Funeral Kid EP. April 5, 2016, McKinnon released her next album Fever Dreams dropped leading into her next album Baby Teeth dropping in 2018. Flower Face has since released two singles Ruth and Bedhead this year.

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Noire

Noire is a “reverb-heavy blues” band from Brisbane, Australia comprised of Billy James, Jessica Mincher, Thom Eagleton, Tom Hogland, and Mashara Wachjudy. They released their first single Baby Blue back in 2015. A couple of years later in 2017, the group dropped their single Real Cool from their album Some Kind of Blue.

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Xavier Gibson

Though I could not find a biography on out dude Xavier, here’s his Spotify biography, “Finding solace through music.” I do know, from his Instagram, however, that he has an EP in the works titled Warm Distortion. A release date has not been disclosed, but it is coming and I am so excited. I apologize for the lack of useful information for Xavier, but hopefully, we can find out more next time he pop-ups on Monday. Again, my apologies. 

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Lolo  Zouaï

Born in Paris, France Lolo Zouaï immigrated to San Francisco, California with her family as a child. She is well known for blending classical styles of French crooners with Arab influence from her father's Algerian roots She’s most known for her debut single High Highs to Low Lows released back in late 2017. She has since followed up her success with various singles and music videos. Lolo released her EP Ocean Beach in 2019, as well as her first studio album High Highs to Low Lows that same year. Her most recent work is a single titled, Money, Diamonds, Roses.

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Melanie Martinez

Melanie Martinez’s claim to fame from the singing-competition television show The Voice back in 2012. She has since taken over the music industry with her alternative pop music, creative lyrics, and overall aesthetic. She released her first EP Dollhouse, which ultimately leads to her first studio album Crybaby in 2015. The album follows the life of our main protagonist Crybaby and her dysfunctional family life and emotional troubles. Her most recent album/movie K-12 furthers this storyline more, which is highlighted in the movie, by following Crybaby and her troubles in school since she does not fit in. Martinez touches on eating disorders, problems within American school systems, friendships, and first love.

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Wale

Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, or Wale, is a Nigerian–American rapper from Washington D.C. He made his initial impact with his number Dig Dug and signed a contract with a local label called Studio 43. Dig Dug was featured on his first mixtape Paint a Picture, which was widely received. This was followed by his second EP Hate is the New Love. In July 2007, he released his third mixtape 100 Miles & Running, as well as his single Good Girls. His fourth EP The Mixtape About Nothing was released in 2008. Wale released his debut album Attention Deficit in November 2009. The album reached the 21st spot on the Billboard 200 list and sold over 28 thousand copies within a week. His sixth mixtape More About Nothing was released in August 2010, and his second album Ambition was released in the fall of 2011. It was followed by a promotional mixtape titled The Eleven One Eleven Theory that went viral. His third album, The Gifted, and his fourth album, The Album About Nothing, were released in 2013 and 2015. He released his fifth album Shine in April 2017. His most recent single, On Chill featuring Jeremiah, has been massively successful.

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Alina Baraz

Alina Baraz is a first-generation Ukranian-American singer/ songwriter from Cleveland, Ohio. She wrote her first song titled Roses Dipped in Gold, released on April 15, 2013, in the Lounge Masters Vibes collection series.After moving to Los Angelas, Baraz discovered Danish producer Galimatias and fell in love with his sound. After posting a song she wrote called Drift in 2013 with Galimatias’ instrumentals, the two came in contact and became good friends. The duo created the EP Urban Flora by sending each other music through Facebook. Though it was originally posted on Soundcloud, it blew up after getting a commercial license through Ultra Music. Baraz's first solo single Electric featuring Khalid was released on January 20, 2017. This song will also be seen on her second EP The Color of You in 2018.  Baraz released two singles titled Lavender and Velvet and Buzzin in 2017. Her latest release is a single titled To Me which dropped in September of this year.

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Samm Henshaw

Iniabasi Samuel Henshaw, or better known by Samm Henshaw, is an English singer/ songwriter from London, England.  Henshaw’s debut EP The Sound Experiment was released back in 2015 with the help of Wayne Hector and Fred Cox.  Henshaw proceeded to follow up on his debut release with his second EP, The Sound Experiment 2 released in the summer of 2016. Henshaw released music videos for Our Love and Night Calls, singles from The Sound Experiment 2.

Show ‘em some love: Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Songs:

Lovely, Brent Faiyaz (1)

          “And I know you love me, cause I think you’re lovely.”

Broke, Samm Henshaw (5)

           “It’s been a week from hell, I lost my job at 5 Guys. My girl just kicked me out, she says I’m lame.”

To Me, Alina Baraz (1)

          “Here’s to good music, great sex, little time to feel alive; little time to get it right.”

777, LilBootyCall (feat. Cuco, KWE$T) (3)

          “I had other girls, but I dropped ‘em all when you kissed me and you held me; now I got it all.”

Challenge, Lolo Zouai (4)

          “When I have it, I’m dramatic, tell me what did you expect?” 

Virgin, Flower Face (1)

           “ You hold my skin so softly, press into my bones. I am the one who found you here when you were alone.”

He’s My Baby, Noire (1)

          “Don’t know if you’ll stay. It’s all good if you do.”

On Chill, Wale (feat. Jeremiah) (2)

           “We’ve been on a tragedy for months. Why can’t you agree with me for once? Maybe we can be on chill tonight. Maybe I can give you chills.”

Starstruck, Xavier Gibson (2)

          “Maybe we could watch a movie and talk about our day.”

Albums:

Cry, Cigarettes After Sex

Tracks:

Don’t Let Me Go

          “I was dumb to let you drift away, and though I guess it had to come to an end, no one else could have the love we shared.”

Heavenly

          “'Cause this is where I wanna be, where it's so sweet and heavenly.”  

You’re the Only Good Thing in My Life

            “ Shouldn't have a care left in the world. Naked, tanning by the swimming pool.”

Touch

           “ And I watched you do a line that you spread out on the table.”

Hentai

           “I told you about the night that we first made love about a girl who as soon as she made you cum would show you the future and tell you your fortune.”

Cry

          “Wish I was good, wish that I could give you my love now.”

Falling in Love

          “When I hold you close to me I could always see a house by the ocean.”

Pure

          “When you walk in the room in a white bodysuit, and I say, ‘Take it off.’”

This album. This. Fucking. Album. It’s heavenly. I always love Cigarettes After Sex, but this album definitely takes the cake. One of my favorite albums that have dropped this year. It sounds like all of their other music, but that’s what I adore about this band. The dreamy, underwater vibe that they give is perfect for when I’m painting or chilling out in my room. It’s so nice. I think my favorites are Hentai, Kiss It Off Me, and Pure. I highly recommend. Make sure to check this one out if you’re looking for something relaxing to jam out to when you’re studying or doing homework. Also really nice for car rides in the middle of the night.

SUGA, Kyle Dion

On Fire

           “Colombiana, bring my cake up by the pound. Watch the sky with you as it crumbles down.”

Hands to Yourself

           “I got fangs, I got hands, you got plans to put me on my back.”

Spend It

           “My coat white like the '70s gotta keep it clean.”

Not All the Way

          “Sneak in Heaven through the side door.”

Cherry Blossom

          “If you're a tide, I'm the moon. Everything I make's for you.”

Brown

          “Dripping chocolate all over the bedroom. Drowning in your softly spoken sounds.”

Fly Little Bird

          “If you want it, you gon' have to let me take care of everything And anything you want's with me.”

Glass House

          “If you want it, you gon' have to let me take care of everything and anything you want's with me.”

69 Camaro

          “'69 Camaro, put it into drive, got it painted red and white.”

Teach Me

          “It's like I keep a tint on my window, 'fraid what you'll see if you ever look inside.”

No Strings

          “I'm all dried out, maybe it's by design.”

White

          “Showed me how to live and love, 'cause I can't be the shy type.”

Somethings We Can’t Do

          “Kicked out my bed, left me on read; truth is I'm dead to you.”

Bella might be Edward’s “own personal brand of heroin”, but Kyle Dion is mine. This man is so fine, and his voice is gorgeous. I adore this album. Love, love, love. It’s a fresh mix of R&B with some funk influence that just blends together effortlessly. I can’t get enough of it. Honestly, I just can’t get enough of him. He’s walking art, or if I can quote Alina Baraz for a moment, “walking poetry.” SUGA is my favorite album by Kyle, but I would recommend all of his music. My favorites on the album are Brown, 69 Camaro, and White.

k-12, Melanie Martinez

Wheels on the Bus

           “And I'm trying not to look across the aisle, 'cause Maya's letting Dan put his hand up her skirt, and she’s got her hand down his pants.”

Class Fight

          “Her face was fucked up and my hands were bloody. We were in the playground, things were getting muddy.”

The Principal

          “It’s not just me, it's everybody who thinks that you're fucking ugly when you come and hurt us just so you can get your money.”

Show & Tell

          “Like I'm a product to society art don't sell unless you've fucked every authority.”

Nurse’s Office

          “I'm pale as the loose-leaf paper they grow from hollowing out all my lungs in the snow.”

Drama Club

          “I'ma take a bow so you can kiss my ass.”

Strawberry Shortcake

          “Instead of making me feel bad for the body I got, just teach him to keep it in his pants and tell him to stop.”

Lunchbox Friends

          “Come to my house, let’s die together. Friendship that will last forever.”

Orange Juice

          “I wish I could give you my set of eyes, 'cause I know your eyes ain't working.”

Detention

          “Baby, can you meet me tonight in detention? I can feel your blood pressure rise, fuck this tension.”

Teacher’s Pet

          “Caught the teacher giving his eyes to a student, pouty, pretty cute, and she bit her lip back to him. Chewing on her nails and her pens while she's dreaming of him, and he's fucking in sin.”

High School Sweetheart

         “Could you be my first time? Eat me up like apple pie. Make me not wanna die.”

Recess

          “Don't let them fuck you, honey.”

The queen has returned! I know I’m late on gushing about this masterpiece, but in my defense, I was completely radio silent when it dropped, and I wanted it to be a part of my Musical Mondays’ saga. Putting the movie aside, which is a masterpiece all on its own and if you have not watched it you should. It’s on YouTube. It’s gorgeous, and Melanie looks stunning the entire way through. The music is to die for. The aesthetic is Melanie’s usual, but there’s something about this album that I love more than Crybaby. I like the storyline, and it’s something we can all relate to. If you’ve ever been to school, you know the feelings and emotions that she conveys throughout the album. My favorites are Drama Club, Strawberry Shortcake, Detention, Orange Juice, and High School Sweetheart. All-in-all, K-12 slaps and you should 100% go and listen.

High Highs to Low Lows, Lolo Zouaï

High Highs to Low Lows

          “Fake gold in my hoops, real rips in my pants, they think it’s all Gucci, but it’s 99 cents, I swear.”

Moi

          “Hit ‘em with the bilingual.”

Chevy Impala

          “Everybody lookin’ at my ride. All the boys they wanna come inside.”

Caffeine

          “Shake it on the floor, make it explode. Wanna see that soda pop pop, overflow.”

Ride

          “Watch me fuck it up, when I ride.

Here to Stay

          “ Pulls me closer like a siren, and the lows come crashing down.”

Look at Us

          “Big talk, lip gloss; put your mouth on it.”

Desert Rose

          “Love me like a desert rose.”

Summers in Vegas

          “My lucky days were when you would take me to your pizza place in the morning. Pay me in fresh dough and Mexican Coke, or take me home.”

Out the Bottle

          “Look at me now, primadonna. Off the runway like a model.”

Blue

          “I dyed my hair blue to fit my mood.”

Beaucoup

           “Oui je t'aime beaucoup, beaucoup, beaucoup.”

Lolo Zouaï is a bad bitch and you can’t kill her. I first discovered her a few years ago when High Highs to Low Lows first dropped, and I was waiting for this to drop ever since. I can honestly say this album is in my top 10, and a few of these songs are some of my favorites. The change in tone, the different styles, the lyrics, the way each song can completely change your mood; just everything is stunning. My favorites are High Highs Low Lows, Chevy Impala, Ride, and Desert Rose. Desert Rose is one of my favorite songs of all time. She’s just phenomenal. Great album, great artist, and you need to listen to this. 

[sagebaileyspeaks]

Boy this is gonna be a long one...

American Royals was a book I received through an ARC giveaway with Penguin Random House and I have some thoughts about it. 

The premise of the book is interesting but the execution leaves a lot to be desired and let's start with the biggest elephant in the room: it's about the Washington family reigning in a monarchy over the United States. This novel is almost painfully white and off the bat presents the unsettling question of, "So...the enslaved...where are they?" 

We can't deny the fact that George Washington owned people of African descent. Even in an alternative future, if there was a Revolutionary War, there were enslaved people but this is never mentioned - not even in passing - in the novel. It's as though Ms.McGee didn't think that people would notice. Now there are two characters who could be people of color, Nina Gonzalez (a main character) and Himari (a side character) but there's no confirmation of either. And there's really only two ways to look at it: a) the author was trying to be "colorblind" or b) the novel is implying a white supremacist country. 

And I'm more inclined to believe that it's B because the antagonist is a woman with white skin, green eyes and holds herself up as "the most beautiful" and "the most suited to be a princess" and actually calls Nina Gonzalez, one of two possible women of color, "trash." 

This text is a lot more racist than the author likely intended. 

That aside I have very complicated feelings about this book. The narrative moves through the perspective of four characters: Nina, Sam's best friend and Jeff's love interest; Sam, youngest royal daughter and twin to Jeff; Beatrice, first Queen of America and older sister to Jeff and Sam and Daphne, Jeff's ex-girlfriend. 

Daphne and Nina are interesting. Sam and Beatrice are not. 

Beatrice isn't interesting because she's a one-dimensional character. She's the young princess being forced to marry who has to one day be queen but oh no! She's in love with a commoner, will she choose love or duty? She chooses duty - and I'll come back to that. But Beatrice literally does not do anything the entire novel except internally complain about how hard it is to have to be perfect. Sure she lusts after her guard Connor, but at no point does she actually assert any agency - given that she's about to be QUEEN and is the most passive character I've read in recent fiction. 

You know who was a better-written character in an almost identical situation? Princess Jasmine. She had personality. She had goals. She had agency. Beatrice has none. 

Now Sam, on the other hand, is one-dimensional in a different way. She's the younger sister, she has no responsibility, no one pays attention so she acts out! Is she going to straighten up or continue her partying ways? It's neither. You know who was a better-written character in a slightly different situation? Cindy from Seeds of Yesterday (the movie, not the book.) 

The two of them are so flat but Sam's chapters were much easier to read than Beatrice's. Nina's interesting because she's innocent. She's a character that has been sucked into the world of the elite but not in any way influenced by it. She remains humble and plain in the wake of all the royal family's splendor and it's because of her humanity and realness that you want the character to succeed. And let's face it, Daphne is just flat out evil which makes her interesting. She's like an old Disney villain who just revels in being evil for the sake of it and I loved it....until the ending. 

Now here's the thing about this book: despite the cheesy prologue and somewhat racist implications of the world as established - I could not put this book down. Of course, I was certain of how it was going to end. Sam with Teddy. Beatrice with Connor. Nina with Jeff that's what the novel was working towards: the ability to choose and go against tradition. Except at the very last second, it does a complete 180 and turns into a different novel that seems to be telling you that "this is just how royalty works." 

And here's where the turn begins: out of nowhere the dad gets cancer. Why was this necessary? What did it add except an arbitrary deadline for the novel to be finished? So the King gets cancer tells Beatrice she can't marry Connor because it's not right for "America," Daphne straight up THREATENS Nina and instead of fighting for the relationship, Jeff accepts the breakup and seemingly ends up back in Daphne's arms after it's revealed how she fucked up her prior friend, Himari. Sam doesn't do anything and the novel ends with Beatrice becoming Queen on her father's deathbed. 

We spent a whole novel with these characters hoping for some type of growth and change but no. Sam is still a party girl. Beatrice is still being a dutiful father. And Daphne is back at Jeff's side. Now I'm not saying that Nina needed to win, I'm just saying you can't have all this buildup to what is the novel's natural conclusion, throw in cancer and then go in a different direction. 

The ending feels fake and unearned because if the author wanted to tell a story about how the royal family was fake and superficial she could've done that but she didn't. These aren't irredeemable people who relish in their higher status. These are people who want to get out of it so that they're free to make their own choices but in the last twenty pages regress to the point of being stereotypes. 

There so many love triangles, so many lover's quarrels, so many "but we can't marry commoners" and you know what novel handled this so much better? Crazy Rich Asians. Crazy Rich Asians is a novel without a moral that is pure sugar and absolutely insane but there's still a...point. This novel lacks a point. And it's frustrating on top of all of its other problems to have an ending that feels so disconnected from the rest of the story. 

Would I re-read this? Probably. Again Daphne's great and sometimes I just need trash and scandal, but I'd be lying if I said that this is a great book. 

Three out of five.

⭐⭐⭐

[deztinywarriors]

The Linked Charms - Episode 2 (Multi Liverpool players)

[little-bit-of-cinnamon]

Noticing - Javid

The times Jack and Davey noticed they were falling in love.

Jack and Davey fell in love fast and noticed slow. Jack started to notice the first time Davey joined his group for movie night. The movie had ended but it wasn’t too late, so everyone had stayed in the common room to chat . Race and Spot were giving a wild retelling of Race’s baseball scrimmage earlier that day, Elmer was tossing popcorn into Albert’s mouth, and Davey, well, Davey was falling asleep. Jack could tell that he was trying to appear awake but Jack also knew that Davey had been texting him the previous night about all the studying he had to do. Presumably, Davey was up late working and the lack of sleep was catching up to him. And that’s when it started.

Jack found himself zoning out of the conversations happening around him, instead focusing on how he can get Davey to go to sleep. Jack knew that Davey wouldn’t go back to his dorm, wanting to stay up and make a good first impression, so he opted for a different approach. Jack tried to remain subtle as possible as he leaned back into the couch he and Davey were sat on. He placed his arm onto the top of the cushion behind Davey and hoped he would join him, instead of continuing to sit up and pretend that he wasn’t nodding off.

It took about three minutes before Davey looked back at Jack. Jack offered an inviting smile and Davey gave in. He leaned back with him and cuddled underneath Jack’s arm, almost immediately shutting his eyes and drifting off.

Davey also started to notice on that first movie night. He noticed that he wanted to go to sleep, but there was no need to go back to his dorm when he had a perfectly good pillow sat right next to him.  

His relationship with Jack was still new and he wasn’t even sure if they were boyfriends yet. They hadn’t had that talk. But he was invited to movie night to meet Jack’s friends and Jojo had mentioned that they typically never meet people that Jack’s seeing. That prompted a blush and a piece of popcorn thrown at his head from Jack, and that seemed like a good sign.

Bust still, Davey found himself half asleep and too anxious to lie against Jack. So, when Jack leaned back and made his perfectly toned chest an all too inviting pillow, Davey could only restrain himself for a few minutes.  There, drifting to sleep under Jack’s arm, Davey noticed.

Jack noticed again when he realized that Davey was a caller. Typically, Jack hated phone calls unless he was calling home to talk to Medda. He preferred texting and group chats or SnapChat, Twitter DMs. He was not a caller. So, when he started getting calls from Davey wishing him luck before an art showing or arranging a coffee date, Jack expected to be annoyed. Expected to want to start not answering the phone and sending a text instead.

His heart to skipping a beat whenever Davey’s contact appeared on his phone? That was unexpected. Jack loved Davey’s calls so much that he didn’t care when Race would make fun of the goofy smile that plastered itself across Jack’s face when he picked up. Didn’t care when he’d get paint on his phone screen when he rushed to answer a call, skipping the step of wiping his hand on his apron. He didn’t even care when he started calling Davey more frequently, noticing that any chance to hear Davey’s voice was a chance he had to take. Jack noticed.

Davey noticed again when Jack bought new paints. Art supplies were expensive and Jack was very much broke, buying new paints was an exciting event to Jack. When Davey got a notification from Snapchat that Jack sent him a video he was surprised, as Davey doesn’t really like the app. But he opened the snap immediately, and it made his night.

“Dave, Davey, look. Look that these babies! Beautiful, yeah?” The video showed Jack arm gesturing to the new set of paints that sat on his kitchen table. The camera flipped so Davey could now see Jack’s face. His smile was the widest Davey had ever seen it. “I can’t wait to paint you something pretty so if you don’t hear from me, you know where I am.”

As the video ended and began repeating and the width of Davey’s smile rivaled Jack’s, Davey noticed.

Jack noticed when he heard Davey sing. They had been driving, carpooling to one of Race’s baseball games. Davey was driving as Jack sat in the passenger seat looking for music on Davey’s phone.

“Dave, babe, the only things on here are Broadway cast albums and Beyonce.” Jack continued looking through the music library.

“Yes, I know I have a wonderful taste in music,” Davey quipped, flashing a smile to Jack.

“If I play a musical then we’re both going to end up crying and you know I don’t like Beyonce.”

“Say that again and I’ll kick you out of my car,” Davey said seriously.

“I just don’t think she’s all that. She’s overrated and full of herself.”

“Don’t test me, Kelly. Just play something, it’s like an hour drive I need entertainment.”

“Oh, really?” Jack began, “Am I not entertaining enough for you?”

“Not if all you’re planning on doing is hating on Queen B.”

Jack shook his head and pressed play on the In The Heights cast album.

“Ah yes, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s finest work.” Davey reached to turn up the volume.

Now, upon first meeting one would not expect Davey to be as lively a singer as he is. He’s quiet until you get to know him, taking a while to come out of his shell. But once he’s out he never goes back. He can talk for hours about anything and everything, and singing is no different. He’s infamous on his floor of his dorm building for singing all the damn time. In the shared kitchen while making toast, in the shower, as he got dressed. He never shut up.

Jack’s dorm was in a different building and he has yet to experience the true power of David Jacobs’ voice. So you can understand the shock that came with Davey belting along with Mandy Gonzalez. Jack paused the song and stared at Davey with a surprised look on his face.

“Hey, turn the song back on.” Davey reached for his phone.

“Eyes on the road, Jacobs. Do you wanna tell me what that was?” Jack held the phone away from Davey and turned in his seat to face him.

“What what was? I love that song.”

“David Jacobs it is a crime to have been keeping that beautiful voice from me all these weeks.”

Davey smirked and kept his eyes focused only on the road ahead of him, despite now being stuck in standstill traffic.

“Unbelievable,” Jack shook his head, smiling, and noticing.

Davey noticed when Jack started working. Jack started assisting a nearby elementary school’s art class to get some extra money and, God did he love it.

Three days  a week Jack would come back full of stories about the children and drawings they gave him. He was so excited to be making an impact on the kids while doing something he loved.

So, when Davey came to Jack’s dorm to pick him up for dinner and he saw all the drawings taped onto the wall behind his bed, he fell hard.

“Jack just ran to the bathroom he’ll be back in a sec, come on in,” said Crutchie as he opened the door and stepped back to let Davey inside.

Davey sat on Jack’s bed and made small talk with Crutchie, who was typing something on his laptop, as he looked at all the drawings. Davey was so distracted that he didn’t notice Jack coming in until he sat behind him, wrapping his arms around Davey’s waist and resting his chin on his shoulder.

“Cute, right?” Jack grinned as Davey turned around to face Jack.

“Adorable.” Davey leaned forward to kiss Jack quickly as a greeting. “Those kids must really like you.”

“Yeah, I do my best. I really love working with the little guys.” Jack looked back at the wall.

Davey hummed in response. “I can tell.”

Jack couldn’t stop a smile from forming on his face.

Davey couldn’t stop his heart from swelling as he thought about Jack with all the children.

As they walked to the restaurant, Davey noticed.

When May rolled around Jack and Davey’s freshman year came to a close. Their dorms had been packed and Davey’s car was loaded. The pair was currently waiting for Medda to pick up Jack. They were sitting on a curb surrounded by Jack’s bags, both falling asleep after being up late packing.

“I can’t believe it’s finally over. I’m gonna miss you, Dave,” Jack said, resting his head on Davey’s shoulder.

“I live like half an hour away from you. I’ll see you so much over the summer that you won’t have time to miss me,” Davey reasoned.

“I disagree. I miss you whenever you’re not with me.”

“You’re such a sap,” Davey grinned.

“Jack Kelly is not a sap. I just love you a lot.” Jack sat up quickly, realizing what he had said.

Noticing Jack’s panic, Davey simply wrapped his arm around Jack’s shoulders and pulled him back toward himself.

“I love you too, Jack. You’re still a sap, though.”

They had both already noticed, but now they know.

[gdelgiproducer]

DOTV AU: An Exercise in Alternate History (Part VII)

Parts I, II, III, IV, V, and VI offer more detailed context. (To briefly sum up why these posts are happening: alt history – as in sci fi, not “alternative facts” – buff, one day got the idea that DOTV could have turned out hella different if Jim Steinman looked for a star lead in other places, decided to reason out how that might work.) This is still getting a good response, so I’m gonna keep the train rolling.

Parts of the AU timeline established so far:

Instead of stopping at recording two songs from Whistle Down the Wind on a greatest hits compilation, Meat Loaf wound up taking more of an interest in Steinman’s new theater work than he did in our timeline, and through a series of circumstances found himself volunteering to play Krolock in the impending DOTV when Jim poured out his woes to him about needing to find some sort of star to attract investors. At a loss for any better ideas, Jim accepted Meat’s impulsive proposal, but not without resistance from his manager, David Sonenberg, who proposed Michael Crawford as an alternate candidate. Through quick thinking on Meat’s part, and inspiration on Jim’s, Crawford left the room accepting an entirely different role than he walked in hoping to get, leaving Krolock still open for Meat.

There was a brief speed bump, when Meat disliked Jim’s English script for the show, but after meeting with the original German author Michael Kunze and convincing Jim to compromise, things were on the road to being back on track… at least until 9/11 occurred.

Following a brief hiatus, everyone involved met to re-assess their options. The current game-plan was to put the new script on paper, schmooze with potential investors or producers, and put together a new creative team. Preferably not all at the same time, but with the crunch on, they’d do whatever needed to be done.

So far, the schmoozing has gone well, but everybody that Meat, Jim, and the crew would like to be involved is tentative. The newest conclusion is that they need to show them there’s a working show, and a concert of selections from the score seems to be the route they’re taking, possibly financed by an unlikely source.

Continuing the alternate DOTV timeline, a little differently this time! This time we get a feature on the concert from the New York Post’s own Michael Riedel. Take it away!

VAMPIRES: NEW MUSICAL BLOOD by Michael Riedel

If you’ve heard the buzz on the Rialto of late, you’d be forgiven for wondering if you were having a particularly nasty acid flashback. Dance of the Vampires, a new $15 million musical of the macabre based on the 1967 Roman Polanski movie The Fearless Vampire Killers, is already a monster hit in Austria and Germany, and it’s starting to gather steam here in the States as well, with some... we’ll call it unlikely... star power attached. After all, what other musical (even in a preliminary concert presentation) can boast Courtney Love as an emcee slash investor, and such disparate names as Meat Loaf and Michael Crawford as co-headliners?

Admittedly, Meat Loaf’s presence is slightly less surprising, as the driving force behind the show is Jim Steinman, who wrote Mr. Loaf’s classic Bat Out of Hell albums as well as the lyrics for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Whistle Down the Wind.  He has written the score and is co-adapting the book for Vampires with playwright David Ives (All in the Timing), who is also currently at work with Steinman for Warner Bros. on a musical version of Batman, from German dramatist Michael Kunze’s original script. He also co-directed this concert with Starmites composer Barry Keating, though early reports that Steinman would be co-directing the eventual Broadway run with Jane Eyre creator John Caird have ultimately been dismissed.

“Roman directed it in Vienna, but he can’t work here because of his legal problems,” Steinman said, referring to Polanski’s indictment for statutory rape in the 1970′s. “He may be the first director who can’t work over here because of a statutory rape charge.” When queried about who then would be directing the New York run, Steinman was tight-lipped, but among those in attendance at the evening’s proceedings was Urinetown’s Tony-winning helmer, John Rando, who is now rumored to be in talks for the slot. Said Rando of the new show, “It takes the vampire myth and pokes fun at it, but it also embraces it. Its message is about the excesses of appetite. It has wit and an edge to it. I’d love to be involved!”

The presentation (at the 499-seat Little Shubert Theatre, about half a mile west of Broadway; events like this cause us rightfully to wonder why it doesn’t see more use) for a by-invitation-only crowd was kicked off by Ms. Love, Hole rocker and widow of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, in memorable form. Says a source in attendance, “You could sum it up in two words: too drunk. She was literally falling over. She wasn’t coherent at all.” Managing to gather herself enough to announce that Dance of the Vampires is a musical for people “who think musicals suck,” she didn’t manage to say much else of importance. “It just became a little too sloppy, and she was removed.” Insiders report that Steinman’s manager, David Sonenberg, who is also one of the show’s producers (and a first-timer at that), worried that those involved would be seen as taking advantage of a troubled addict. Ms. Love’s performance did little to dispel this perception. Lucky that representatives from noted L.A.-based promoter Concerts West, major music manager Irving Azoff (who numbers The Eagles, REO Speedwagon, Journey, Christina Aguilera, and Sammy Hagar among his clients), film and music mogul Jerry Weintraub, and Broadway’s own Barry and Fran Weissler were in attendance; a cash infusion from such sources may well be needed to save face if she can’t “live through this,” to twist a phrase from her 1994 album of the same name.

In addition to Sonenberg, already attached to Vampires on the producing side are Andrew Braunsberg (another first-timer, who also produced Polanski’s 1971 film version of Macbeth), Leonard Soloway, Bob Boyett (Sweet Smell of Success, Topdog/Underdog), Lawrence Horowitz (Electra, It Ain’t Nothing But the Blues), and Barry Diller and Bill Haber’s USA Ostar Theatricals. Boyett, a TV producer turned legit entrepreneur, used the phrases “trial by fire” and “going to war,” perhaps because while some novice producers just put up the money, get the credit and run, Boyett says he’s been taking the process very seriously: “I went to all the meetings and learned, like it was grad school.” While some Hollywood types find Broadway “less cutthroat,” Boyett finds it “more restrictive.” He mentions the sheer physical space of the theaters but also all the rules and regulations: "I’ve dealt with unions all my life, but I do find Actors’ Equity is very restrictive to the creative process.” Further, he regrets that Vampires will not have an out-of-town tryout. “I loved the experience of taking Sweet Smell of Success to Chicago,” he says with real enthusiasm, as if the project ended happily. “It was helpful to have the critics say what they did.” Not that Boyett thinks the right message from the critics got to the creative team. 

As for Boyett’s teammates, Bill Haber attended on behalf of USA Ostar, and although he wouldn’t consent to a formal interview, he couldn’t resist answering one question -- and it has nothing to do with Dance of the Vampires. Why is Haber’s other fall production, Imaginary Friends by Nora Ephron, being called a play if it has six songs by Marvin Hamlisch and Craig Carnelia? “It has nothing to do with how many songs there are,” he shot back. “It has to do with the fact that if you took all the songs out, it still works and you still have a play.”

And all this before we even get to the show itself. Vampires is your typical erotic musical about an innocent girl (played this evening by impressive newcomer Mandy Gonzalez, currently standing by for the role of Amneris in Aida and late of Off-Broadway’s Eli’s Comin’) choosing between two lovers, in this case an older, aristocratic vampire (Loaf, whose appearance here marks the first time he has worked with Steinman in theater since the early Seventies) and a hunky young grad student (Max von Essen, who reportedly also appeared in the Steinman/Caird-helmed reading in April 2001) under the tutelage of a rather intensely wacky vampire hunter (Crawford). Given the level of Loaf’s obvious commitment to the piece, it is surprising that his manager (Allen Kovac, of Left Bank Management) was a no-show, and in that light, rumors that Loaf has yet to formally sign on the dotted line for Vampires (in spite of previous announcements to the contrary, no less) prove even more curious. Calls to Kovac’s office were not returned. The rest of the cast, boasting some fine voices indeed, was filled out by assorted Broadway names and members of Meat Loaf’s long-time touring band, The Neverland Express, which also provided accompaniment for the evening under the crisp musical direction of veteran rock bassist Kasim Sulton (best known for his work with Todd Rundgren and Utopia, among others).

Speaking of the music: the score, as per Steinman’s usual style, is appropriately big and Wagnerian, with plenty of luscious, operatic melodies, including one familiar favorite that sticks out like a sore thumb: Steinman’s famous “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” under whose operatic pretensions I swooned as a teenager. “I couldn’t resist using it,” he says of a song that goes, ‘Once upon time there was light in my life / But now there’s only love in the dark.’ “I actually wrote it for another vampire musical that was based on Nosferatu, but never got produced.” Close listening to the CD sampler for interested investors also reveals a rehash of the vigorous “Tonight Is What It Means to Be Young,” his song for the film Streets of Fire, which I saw in Los Angeles in 1984 and sent me racing along Mulholland Drive to keep up with the propulsive beat.

As for the new stuff, maybe 50′s rock ‘n’ roll with a 70′s preen isn’t what the 80-year-olds who constitute Broadway’s audience want to hear (and Jim’s rock-mock-Wagnerian shtick admittedly tends to play better in London and Las Vegas than in Manhattan), but my sources say they knew from the first number --  an angelic trio with a beguiling (what did they used to call it?) melody and some expert (the Andrews Sisters used to do it) harmony -- that this would be my kind of score. Frankly I’m glad; since the prehistoric vinyl days, Steinman has been the guy I keep calling for to rejuvenate, or just plain juvenate, the Broadway musical, in a world where the musical theater establishment pronounces old ABBA records a hip pop sound.

The book, while reportedly in better shape than the April reading, is something else again. From the excerpts on display last night, the mix of bawdy humor and eroticism still needs fine-tuning. Says Sonenberg, “By the time we open, it will be a new version of the show, significantly changed with a view toward a New York audience, but right now it plays very much like the original in several respects.” Adds David Ives, “The German production is probably more faithful to the film, but it’s a fairly humorless show, with people getting hit on the head with salami. And I’ve been brought in to take out the salami and put in the chorus girls, without veering into camp in the process. Now it’s just a question of finding the balance, which, needless to say, isn’t easy. But I like what we’ve accomplished so far: Meat’s character is vastly different, a much more multifaceted, dynamic, complete figure. We’ve also made other changes and cuts and restructured the show into a book musical, with dialogue; the original is all sung. I think we’ve made it a much more interesting story.”

Time, as always, will be the ultimate arbiter of fate.