#they're just so neat! lots of continuations of older writing i did

[coff-in]

i'm trying to write angst. apologies for the lack of writing but i'm trying to push through my writer's block (more like an obstacle at this point?) and put in some effort in these asks. not like i haven't done it before, but like, more effort than usual. and it's taking a while. sincerest apologies

[hoagmaster]

Cody's Indiana Jones revisit

I wound up marathoning all five Indiana Jones movies this past week in the lead-up to the new one, which included four of them in the past two days. They're touting this fifth one as the last, which is probably at least the third time we've heard that statement but we'll see if that holds. (The middling box office numbers of the new one certainly won't help its cause for continuing.)

A marathon to the new one is actually what I did before the fourth movie because at the time I knew -of- the series but not much beyond what was often referenced in pop culture. I think my thoughts have stayed largely consistent with each picture since my first viewings, but have some longer thoughts.

(Maybe mildish spoilers follow?)

Raiders of the Lost Ark - If I was tasked with showing someone the "best" Indiana Jones movie, as in what best represents what people might know the series for, I'd point to this one. It's fleet, exciting, and always engaging from start to finish. Plus, I daresay Harrison Ford in this movie might be the dreamiest a guy has ever looked on camera.

Temple of Doom - This is a contentious and likely problematic picture, for good reason. Older movies' depictions of Indigenous cultures may not always be the most sensitive and this is where it's probably at its worst with this series. You've got characters who are probably less integral to the plot than the first movie and the tone can get pretty uneven at parts. But despite all that, or maybe because of some of it, this one actually sticks with me the most. I remember all the zaniness more than some of the other movies. It has my favorite action sequence in the whole series with the mine cart chase. It has my favorite piece of music besides the main theme ("Slave Children's Crusade"). I can agree with many of the criticisms but happily stick with it as my favorite entry.

The Last Crusade - Maybe the one I've cooled on the most because a lot of it wounds of feeling familiar to bits of the first movie. But it's not really a problem when it's done well, which is the case here. Most of the family actually sat down for this rewatch and we were all into it, which was neat. All told, a good time.

Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Oh boy, now is where the wheels fall off. The worst thing to ever happen to this franchise. Depends on who you ask, I suppose. I've always kind of enjoyed this one for what it does, which held true on this rewatch. I can see the issues and agree with them like the second movie. But while my enthusiasm never reaches the levels for that movie I can still watch and have a good enough time. And on a more personal note, I just don't think I can bring myself to dislike it because of what happened to me afterward. See, I was a young Cody who used to read and write fanfiction a lot more frequently on an old site back in the day. It was right after I watched this movie for the first time and came across a story written by someone who purportedly was spurred to write their piece after seeing this one as well. I left them some kind words and they soon returned to the favor. One thing led to another, and I can say they've been one of my most cherished friends for 15 years. They know who they are, so if nothing else I can always thank this movie for that.

Dial of Destiny - And now we get to this new one, which as stated previously is reportedly the last one. Without going into too much detail as it is still in theaters and just opened, I got to say it felt like they just played the hits a bit too often. The opening sequence feels like something right from the first couple movies and the ending sequence gets suitably over-the-top for the series, but the middle is a whole lot of wandering around. We get plenty of callbacks, some that made me smirk (they mention specific events from a certain movie for one) and some that made me tilt my head (eeh, the way they resolve someone from a previous movie). What we end up with is the most "fine" movie in the series. But considering how entertaining and engaging most of these movies can be a lot of the time, simply being "fine" feels like a noted step down. For something that is reported as being the end, it feels like a weak note to go out on. Even though I'm fine with the fourth movie, I can agree with calls it should have ended with the third one. (But then maybe I would have never met that friend and we'd have a paradox or something...)

Then after some thought, I can give my series ranking:

Temple of Doom

Raiders of the Lost Ark

The Last Crusade

Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Dial of Destiny

But really, I'd say they're all worth a watch. Plenty of good times to be had with them and I'm glad I decided to give this series a shot.

Now to figure out what to watch next!

[ill-skillsgard]

So would Henry possibly lie and say they're getting a divorce to get in his mistresses pants and lie and string her along juggling both women until finally it becomes clear he's playing them both? Like he really is a womanizer that likes to have a girlfriend and his trusting oblivious wife?

I don’t even know what I’m doing. This is becoming a whole ass world that I’m invested in and I’m not sure if I should write it as a full length or continue releasing it bit by bit. Feel free to tell me what you’d prefer! Until then... Enjoy

More Henry x Mistress here

Work became less of an inconvenient routine and more of a show. You found yourself distracted in the mornings by spending too much time fixing your hair and making sure that your uniform didn't have a wrinkle on it. When you worked behind the bar or went around cleaning tables, your guard was up. Henry could walk in any time and catch you slouching or slacking off and for some reason, you didn't want him to see that side of you. You remained on high alert until the inevitable happened.

Henry entered the café from the lobby with another suited man in tow. Indicative by the way they were chatting, they were friends or at least associates. The other man was a great deal heavier than Henry and you presumed about a decade older. Seeing them made you stop cold for a beat before you whipped on your practiced smile and nodded at Henry.

Henry's smile was pleasant but his eyes lingered as they took up a table in the center of the room. You always thought it strange that he always chose the center tables as opposed to the surrounding booths. That's where most guests sat when given the chance to seat themselves.

You approached the table after they had a minute to settle into their seats. The beating in your chest increased with each step you took toward him but you already knew how to handle that. What you didn't know how to handle was when his company started to make comments about you after you went over to give them a pitcher of water and to take their orders.

"Does the Caesar wrap come with a side of fries or can I substitute that out for a side of you?" The older man chuckled.

You glanced at Henry for a moment and did your best brush-off.

"Unfortunately not, sir. Fries, salad or soup."

"What kind of soup?"

"Today we have tomato basil and cream of broccoli."

The man flicked the laminated lunch menu and snorted. "She's definitely giving me cream of something, eh, Henry?"

Henry was gracious enough to look down at the table and not answer the man until he rattled the table leg with his knee, causing the water to slosh and nearly pitch over onto the tablecloth

"Come on, Frank. Just order your food already," Henry urged him.

"We're just playing, darlin'. How about you bring me that wrap and a side of fries with gravy. Oh, and whatever light beer you have on tap."

You managed to quell the urge to roll your eyes at Frank. You had hoped to see Henry but not accompanied by anyone else. The man's presence did more than make you uncomfortable. You cursed him for preventing you from speaking freely. He was completely unaware of his encroachment on the small window of time you had been looking forward to. Coupled with the wandering of his little bloodshot eyes over your outfit, you knew for certain that Henry could feel your trepidation.

"And for you, sir?" You turned to Henry and tried not to make your favour known by smiling for too long or staring at the way he crossed one long leg over the other.

"Coffee, please. And I'll have the soup if you don't mind," Henry was curt and polite, unlike his associate who prattled on with complete disregard as to whether you could hear over him or not.

You nodded and left them to their exchange, grimacing when you turned away. A text message showed up on your phone not but five minutes after.

Sorry about him.

You decided not to answer Henry and instead flashed him a sorrowful look when you were sure that nobody but he could see you. The corner of his mouth sagged as he returned your look.

It was difficult for you not to be annoyed and let your frustrations change the way you went about completing your tasks. It must have been a punishment for thinking about Henry so much. You knew in your heart that your lust for him should not have been allowed to see the light of day but when you stood behind the bar and watched how he sat, how he carried himself, the meticulous way he kept the area around him neat and the small smiles that teased at his lips, you couldn't picture anything but the two nights you had spent together. Consequently, whenever you got thinking about those times, you thought of his wife, too.

Henry was wearing his wedding band. As was Frank. You couldn't help but notice these things given the first-hand knowledge you had of Henry's secret. You wondered if his associate did the same kind of things behind his wife's back and felt a sickness in your gut thinking that perhaps Henry was no better of a man than the reprehensible lout he was dining with.

Your luck did not turn. Not after the two of them signed their bills and left or after that.

Frank returned the same evening as you were switching off with another employee and demanded to be served at the bar by you and you alone. After you politely told him that you were done for the night, he started to complain about the disservice. At first, you and your co-worker were unsure how to react, assuming that he must have just been drunk and wasn't being serious. But as you attempted to duck out, he slid off the barstool and followed you to the end of the bar, blocking you from getting by without coming very close to him. Your co-worker was newer than you and plainly afraid to leave you but there were other patrons in the café that needed tending to.

"Come on, precious. I saw how you were starin' earlier. You don't fancy a nice man with lots of money? Look at my watch. Guess how much it cost? Probably more than what your sweet little ass makes in an entire year!"

"Wow, that certainly is expensive," you commented.

"And I got four of 'em, sweetheart."

"Very cool," your tone dripped with impatience that was lost on him. "I'll be right back."

"You're comin' back to me, ain't ya?"

"Um... Well, like I said... My shift is over," you backed away, turned and made your way through the swinging doors into the kitchen where only employees were permitted to enter.

Finally out of his sight, you let out a long breath that had been growing stale in your over-inflated lungs. Digging around your bag, you found your phone and decided to answer Henry's text message from earlier.

Your disgusting friend is in the bar and won't let me go home. Please tell me you're still at the hotel?

Henry only made you wait a minute before he replied.

I am still here. I'll be right down.

The concern you had for your poor co-worker being stuck in the middle of a tense situation that had the potential to escalate made your heart rate stutter.

Can you do me a huge favour? Could you come around the back entrance of the hotel and walk me to my car instead? I really don't want a scene to be made. There's a grey door with a dumpster near it.

You couldn't go back out into the bar. Gazing through the small window from the kitchen, you saw Frank had perched himself back up on a barstool and was mumbling to himself as he sucked down another drink. That was where you wanted to leave him. You went through the kitchen mostly ignored and left out the back door, stepping into the crisp night air to wait for Henry to appear.

Footsteps could be heard from around the corner of the building and you didn't want to investigate. As they drew nearer, you hoped that it was Henry and smiled when he appeared, keys jingling in hand. Henry let out a sigh when he saw you.

"God... I'm so sorry about bringing that buffoon around you. Unfortunately, I have to make nice with him for work. Is he still in the bar?"

"I think so. I don't know. I just didn't want to go by him. He seems... I don't know. Aggressive."

"He's not but... I understand your worry. I'll talk to him."

"No. I don't want anyone drawing any strange conclusions about you and me. I'll just tell hotel security to look out for him."

"Strange conclusions?"

"He might wonder what our connection is."

"Yeah... I guess so. But I'm here to take you home and I won't allow him near you ever again."

You couldn't stop a smile from taking form on your face as Henry began to lead the way through the parking lot.

"My car is over there," you pointed in the opposite direction.

Henry didn't pause to look back at you. "I'd rather just drive you myself. That way I know you're safe all the way home."

"Henry... No."

"Yes. It would really set my mind at ease to watch you get home and lock the door behind you."

"But my car. I have to work tomorrow, as well."

"I'll pick you up."

He seemed unwilling to budge so you gave up quickly- not just because of his insistence but because you knew that you wanted him to drive you home. You wanted to be near him. Despite every voice inside that told you it was wrong, you got into his car after he opened the passenger side door for you.

"So why do you stay at the hotel so often if you're from here?" You asked him once the car was on the road.

"I'm not from here, really. We have a condo on the outskirts of town that rarely gets used. The hotel is a few blocks away from work so... It beats driving an hour through heavy traffic every day to get to the condo when we can stay at the hotel for free. Well, not free but. You know. Company pays for it."

"Where are you from then?"

"Maine."

"Oh... That's far."

"Yeah."

'What's the point of having another place then?"

Henry went quiet as he flipped on his blinker and made a turn. He sighed and glanced in the rear-view mirror. You thought that he was going to let your question go unanswered until he breathed in deeply.

"I might need it."

"What do you mean?"

"Not that you probably want to hear but... I just might need the condo soon. Seeing as how I'm no longer welcome in my own home."

"You don't have to tell me about it if you don't want to," you stared down at your lap and picked away at your chipping nail polish.

"I took your advice and told her that things need to change or else and it went horribly," he skirted what you said and continued. "All I asked for was an open platform so I could tell her how I felt about everything. So I told her that I wanted to sleep in the same room."

"And?"

"And she refused. She says I keep her up... Whatever that means. I don't know how the fuck I manage to keep her awake considering she's in an Ambien coma by ten every night."

"Henry... Something else is up. There has to be a reason why she doesn't want to be near you."

"She doesn't want to be with me but she wants the status of being with me. That's all. She has no interest in being a wife in anything but name."

"So now you're living separately?"

"I told her that I'll be staying in the condo until she decides she wants to be married again. I don't expect to hear from her for a while. Maybe this is what she wants."

"I don't know why you're still with her."

"Right now is just the worst time to start the divorce process," Henry was holding back a yawn. "I have a huge convention in Paris next week that I have to present at and there's a lot riding on it. And assuming it goes well, the weeks to come will be twice as busy. I can't have it riding on my conscience."

"Isn't it already riding on your conscience?"

"Like you wouldn't believe."

"I believe it," you sighed, looking out the window at the streaks of streetlights and the glimmer of the city on the horizon.

Henry pulled up in front of your apartment after you guided him through the streets and smiled weakly at you. You looked down at his hand on the gearshift and longed to touch him. You wanted to gather him up in your arms and take him inside with you. His eyes looked despondent and heavy. He was in no shape to be driving back as exhausted as he was but you knew you couldn't do anything about it.

"I know what you're thinking, but... I'm not going to kiss you. I'm not going to do that again."

"I understand," was all you could say.

"I want to kiss you. I do. And I hate myself for it but it's true. Earlier today when I saw you... God, my heart just stopped."

"Mine too," you admitted.

"But I want to stay as friends. Like this. I want to be able to talk to you. Is that bad?"

"I suppose just talking isn't inherently wrong," you contemplated out loud.

"Can I text you? Can we still talk like that?"

"Yes."

"And I want to still come to see you at work for coffee. Then I can pretend like we're having coffee together even though you'll be working."

You cracked another smile. It was so hard not to when you were around him.

"Sure. I'd like that."

"And I might keep talking to you about this stuff... If you don't mind."

"I don't mind, Henry."

"Because I can't talk to anyone else about it. Nobody understands. All the guys I work with... None of them have any valuable input. All they care about is golf and talking about women they'll never have. If you're married, you might as well be dickless in their eyes."

"I thought you said that people look up to you and your wife?"

"They do, which is another reason why I'd rather not discuss my issues with them. I hope you don't mind and you're not just saying that. I know I could hire a therapist but I'd really just rather talk to a real person."

"Therapists are real people," you giggled.

"You know what I mean. I'm not looking for a program, you know? I just want... I don't know."

"A friend?"

"Yeah."

"Don't worry, Henry. I'm here. I don't mind you talking to me. You have my number and I owe you for tonight."

"You sure? If at any time you want me to shut up, you tell me and I'll-"

"-I'll never tell you to shut up. So don't worry."

"All right," he said. "I should let you get going. It's getting quite late."

"Okay. Well... Thank you. I appreciate your help."

"No worries. What time should I pick you up tomorrow?"

"I start at noon," you replied.

"I'll be right here at 11:30 with coffee."

"Okay," you chuckled. "Sounds good."

The next day he showed up at the exact time he said he would and took you to work. There were no conversations about personal qualms and inner struggles, only pleasant topics and him talking about his excitement about going to Paris. He dropped you off and not but an hour later, you received your first text from him that began a long string of back-and-forth messages.

The next day you woke up to a message from Henry.

Hope you slept well. Paris in a few days. Might not see you at the hotel for a while. But I'm going to inundate you with texts so it will almost be like I'm there.

That's fine. Work is always so boring. I'll be happy for the distraction.

This went on for days leading up to Henry's trip. He promised to keep in touch but a few days went by and there were no morning texts from him to wake up to. You tried to put it from your heart and head but you couldn't shake the feeling of neglect. You went to work with a sour feeling in your stomach and completed your shift like a robot might- programmed to do everything calmly, completing no more and no less than what you had to. When Henry finally texted you from Paris, it wasn't the chipper greeting he usually sent you.

It's done. We're done. I'm in my room in Paris right now and it's over.

What do you mean? What happened?

We got into it before I left and she finally admitted that she has lost all emotion for me which is even worse than what I imagined. She doesn't love me. She doesn't hate me. Apparently, she's just neutral about it. Can I call you?

Yes, but let me get home first.

You sped home, lucky enough to not get ticketed for going twenty over at any given time. Rushing up to your apartment, you fired off a quick message letting him know that you were safely at home and he could call whenever he was ready. What you didn't expect was for a video call to come in. Panic struck and your chest tightened as you answered the call.

His face appeared too close to the screen until he held his phone at an arm's length from his face. Henry's eyes were lined with pink and it was painfully obvious to you that he had just been crying.

"So... Yeah. I don't know where to begin. But it's over. I'm taking the condo for now until I come home and we can sort out the details."

"Really?" You felt bad for not having more to say back to him.

"Yep. I won't see her for another two weeks at least. So I just get to pretend like my life isn't falling apart while I execute one of the biggest projects that I've ever undertaken."

"How do you feel? Are you okay?"

Henry began to laugh and you frowned.

"Oh, god... How do I feel? I don't know... That's a good question. How should I feel?"

"I'm not too sure."

"I know I feel numb. And Angry... And relieved, even. Only because she finally had the balls to admit that something is wrong."

"I'm so sorry, Henry. You don't deserve to be treated like shit. But at least you have somewhat of an answer, right? I know it's been eating you alive not knowing what she was thinking."

"I still don't know what's really going through her mind. Our last conversation wasn't exactly conclusive. Just a lot of yelling and then I had to go. That's kind of why I haven't said anything to you in a few days. It’s been hectic."

"It's okay," you told him. "You have to deal with your own life. Don't worry about me."

Henry sighed as he walked through his hotel room and collapsed on the bed. He was quiet for a minute and you had no idea what to say to comfort him until he sighed and brought the phone a little closer to his face. He didn't know the concept of angles and you stared at his face, puffy with emotion, and could see up his nose.

"This hotel is nice," Henry murmured.

"Well, that's good. I'm kind of jealous."

"The window faces the Eiffel tower. I can see it right now. It's all lit up and... It just looks beautiful."

"What time is it there?" You asked him.

"Almost midnight."

He scurried off the white bed and padded through the room and onto a balcony where it was so dark you almost couldn't see his face. Turning the phone around, he showed you the view of Paris at night and you sighed wistfully at your phone screen.

"That looks so beautiful," you said.

"It's pretty. You're prettier, though," his voice sounded weak, defeated.

"Don't even," you said, nerves crackling to life.

"Fuck," he sighed out into the night air. "I wish you were here. I want to... God, I want to have you right here. On this balcony. I don't even care anymore. I want that."

"Henry... Don't you think it's a little-?"

"-Early? Yes. It's early. It's too early for me to be fantasizing about what I want to do to you. Like there's no mourning period. I just want you more than anything."

"I miss you," you quietly stated.

"Well, stop missing me and just come here."

You snickered. "Yeah right."

"I'm serious. Come."

"I can't. I'm broke and I have to work for the next thousand years of my life."

"I don't care. Come to Paris. Right now. Get in an Uber and get on a plane. Pack up a suitcase first."

"You're hilarious," you rolled your eyes.

Henry walked back into his hotel room and the light from a standing lamp illuminated the seriousness on his face as he stared at his phone.

"I'm not being funny. I'm dead serious."

"I already told you that I'm broke, man! I can't just hop on a plane!"

"Yes, you can. I'll pay for it. I'll wire you enough money right now for a roundtrip. I'll send an Uber to you right now."

"You're insane."

"I know, I know," he rubbed at his eyes.

You thought he looked terribly good-looking with the shadow of a beard growing on his chin and along his jaw and upper lip. His hair was a mess and the top three buttons on his shirt were hanging open. The man on the phone screen made your hands start to shake.

"Can't help but notice that you haven't gotten up to start packing yet," Henry continued.

"Henry! I can't!"

You watched him fiddle with his phone, ignoring your protest. You scoffed at him when he smiled.

"Uber will be there in ten minutes. Better pack quickly."

Your legs rattled and words stalled on your tongue. He stared at you with his eyebrows raised high in expectation.

"Well? Get moving! Nine minutes now."

"You're lying."

"I'm not. You're coming here. And when I get my hands on you, woman... The whole world is gonna know it."