#vince secretly gets off on drama

[modernelites-if]

Modern Elites is a 18+ raunchy slice-of-life IF that follows you, a young royal, navigating the world of the obscenely rich and immensely famous while trying to keep your elite, royal family together in the midst of drama and tabloids.

Setting: modern times, fictional tiny country of Selusa, New York, Paris and more.

Genre: slice-of-life, drama, romance

Celebrity. Pop Culture Icon. Heir.

Royal.

As the heir to the Selusan throne, you're known by many names. Growing under the spotlight hasn't been easy, especially since it seems the vultures all want a piece of your elusive family. Country clubs, yachts, parties, private jets, elite schools, you've had it all.

But is there something missing?

Customize your heir from appearance to gender identity to personality. Dictate what kind of person they are: rebellious, dutiful. Do they care about the royal line or are parties more on their mind? Will you keep a squeaky clean rep or ruin the family name?

Customize Salusa and cater the country to your taste.

Dictate what kind of leader you want to be, and how others percieve you.

Experience the life of the hidden .01% and the drama of the ultra wealthy.

Engage in fiery, dramatic romances that could either uplift or ruin you and your family.

and more to come.

THE ADVISOR

Imogen/Ian Lancaster [f/m]- your family's advisor and publicist. I has cleaned up every mess, every leak, every scandal and at this point, there are no secrets between your family and them. Coming from a well-off family themselves, they know exactly how this world works...and they navigate it with a steel will and a cold, detached demeanor. I has you handled like an adult with a child, trying (and probably failing) to keep you in line. Anything you do will go through them, so it's better to think twice.

THE BETROTHED

Everett/Eva St. Clare [m/f] - the eldest of one of the most influential businessmen on your side of the world, black sheep, and a source of gossip in polite society, there have been talks of a betrothal between you two since the partnership started. Because of that, you two are forced into a fake romance for the cameras. E is an arrogant and brash casanova, sex-obsessed, and is proudly noncommital with string of rumors that follow them like their own entourage. Unfortunately for you, E's exploits can damage the carefully constructed facade you two have built. Of course, E doesn't give a damn.

THE REBEL

Vince/Vivian De Grasso [m/f] - (secretly) fresh out of jail and newly reformed (not) V's politician of a mother has asked in a favor from your family: to reform them and stifle their rebellious ways by adding them to your security detail. Your father having a soft spot for the kid, brings them in as one of your guards. Hopefully V keeps in line...or not.

THE COMMONER

Cordelia/Corden Bowen [f/m]- an employee at the country club you frequent, someone less polite would call them a 'nobody.' C has a bit of an attitude, but that's expected from someone who is used to getting berated by rich people all day. There's not much else to say about them...or maybe there is?

THE JOURNALIST

Romi Marshall [m/f]- a famed journalist with contempt for royalty and elitism. Their newsletters frequently slam you and your family's every move, and they don't like you one bit. You can confidently say they're your biggest hater.

THE ROYAL BEST FRIEND

Oliver/Olivia Ames-Astor [m/f]- a fellow prince/princess from another country and your best friend, who is still hung up on their ex. Forced to betroth someone else, O has so many problems you can hardly sort through them. Still, they're kind and as polite as you'd expect from a person who has had etiquette lessons drilled into them since childhood. They're also your best friend, so there's that.

[your-absent-father]

Re introduction to False Gods.

Progress: second draft, 1/3 done

Genre: Drama, hitorical in a sense

Tropes: morally grey leads, mafia romances, friends to lovers to enemies, doomed since the beginning, unhinged female lead.

Tw: lots of violence, refrences to transphobia, child abuse, destriptions of child neglesence, guns and violence. Death

Plot:

The False Gods felt for a long time like a band that will dominate the world. With their elaborate masks and mysterious personas, the band members were the people's favorite mystery. After a shocking expose and arrest of almost all the members of bankrobbery and murder, the lead singer Beatrix Jones confesses to everything, seemingly content on getting the death penalty.

As the truth unfolds, Love Bradley, well known podcaster of her own crime podcast, becomes determined to uncover the real story behind the band's secrets, and the reasons why Beatrix is eager to cover for the rest of the band. With the opportunity to interview Beatrix Jones, Love's investigation takes a turn, leading her down a dangerous path of deception, murder, and the dark underbelly of the entertainment industry, eager to find answers. Why the singer beat up her best friend? What is the connection between the band and the notorious syndicate of Hollywood? Annd most importantly, who exposed all of this into public knowledge.

Main Characters:

Love Bradley - Editor, writer and host of "Love and murder"-true crime podcaster who becomes facinated by the stories the band is hiding. She is ready to find eberything out, no matter what.

Beatrix Jones - The lead singer of The False Gods, before known as Roseblood. She is an enigma of a woman, even when she could talk your ear off. She won't reveal anyone else's involment, intent on going to grave with that information.

Stevie Dylan - Well meaning guitarist. Beatrix's oldest friend and confidadnt, altough separated in the present day. He is a calm version of Beatrix. He is secretly the son of Nicholas Harkness, an hollywood mafioso.

Nikita Grant -The group's bassist, already done with the mess she wasn't even making. She had a young daughter Ivy but is now in constant fear of people taking her because of her arrest.

Louis Knight - quiet but bright Louis Knight. Greatdrummer, who disappeared before the cops arrested everyone else.

Elize Grant - the groups manager and Stevie's girlfriend. She always wants to think someone is purely good, even tough her cliants make it hard to think so.

Other notable characters:

Vivienne Perez - Love's bestie and the producer of love and murder

Mickey Jones - Beatrix's lawyer and father

Evalyn Harkness - leader of Harkness syndicate, Stevie's half sister and Nikita's situationship

Valentine Lee - the smooth mafia leader and Evalyn's second in command.

Ivy Grant - Nikita's daughter

Vince May - toxic ex husband of Nikita. Is in jail for arson he didn't commit.

The tag: wip: fg

Let's see how many looked here lmao.

[thosewildcharms]

i was tagged by @theyarebothgunshot to talk about 8 shows to get to know me. thank you for tagging me! putting this under the cut because i ramble.

In no particular order:

1: the oc/gossip girl: yeah okay i’m cheating right off the bat by conflating these two but i don’t care it makes sense! besides being from the same creator/production team, i think in many ways they are natural inverses of each other (west coast/east coast, new money/old money, evolving beyond what people expect of you vs buying into your own propaganda etc). listen i am a sucker for teen dramas, always have been and always will be, and i think these two changed the game in a BIG way. neither are thee mothership of the genre (i think that goes to beverly hills 90210???) but they are both so compelling in different ways and i very often find myself thinking about them (also in very different ways) years after watching them, and subconsciously compare characters on other shows to the main cast of each and they always fall short (you will never be blair waldorf you will never be seth cohen etc). plus the soundtracks! incredible. i can talk about the oc in particular for days and how it has what every other teen show secretly needs (sandy cohen) but this is already too long and i need to shut up.

2. miranda (bbc): listen. LISTEN. i re-watch this show every year without fail. it is the ultimate cozy feel good show that also somehow punches me in the face with how much of an Experience it is. i can’t describe to you what it was like watching this silly little comedy for the first time, getting sucker punched so thoroughly (in the best way) over and over and then to finally have the most satisfying conclusion i could have imagined. references from this show take up a not-insignificant amount of my vocabulary and i quote it daily. it’s so good. i love it so much.

3. friday night lights: anyone who has watched this show knows why. it’s so hard to explain, it’s just good. as someone who has never given even the slightest shit about any sports game of any kind, i think the highest compliment i could give this show is that it made me cry about football more than once. the only people i know who don’t love this show simply have not seen it (actually, people don’t talk about this show enough anymore?? that’s so sad). when i think of my favorite shows, i always have to include fnl because it’s just so sincerely excellent. i own two fnl t-shirts and i will gush about it unprompted if you give me even the tiniest window to do so. texas forever, clear eyes full hearts etc. micheal b jordan you will always be vince howard to ME.

4. gilmore girls: this one actually surprises even me because i never talk about it on tumblr dot com lol but i literally have it on as background noise as i type and it’s almost always my default when i just want to put something on that’s comforting. it’s weird because i can’t really say i LIKE the show as a whole but it’s so cozy (at least the first five seasons) and i do have a LOT of opinions about it, but in a kind of low-stakes way where it’s fun to think about instead rage-inducing. it’s strangely enough, something i can talk about for hours (and often do) without even realizing it.

5. smallville: oh my god the way i was obsessed with this show in middle school lmaoo the way it’s not technically GOOD but also it kind of is? full disclosure i’ve only seen the last few seasons like, once but i used to have the first five or six seasons practically MEMORIZED. it’s a good time, and while i don’t know much about the superman comics (or any comics) it’s my....favorite? iteration of superman that i’ve seen? idk, i thought tom welling and kristin kreuk were the two most beautiful people i’ve ever seen in my life and i loved watching them make out. also michael rosembaum was an incredible lex luthor and i stand by that. i also find myself talking about this show a lot in real life.

6. lost: one thing about me is that i WILL go off about how the lost finale was good actually and NO they were not dead the entire time you idiot -  at any given opportunity. it IS one of the five petty, inconsequential hills i will die on. it’s a good show with a good and fitting ending FIGHT ME ABOUT IT. also sawyer/juliet supremacy their reunion scene in the finale is the scene i compare all other romantic scenes to. nothing compares. scene of all time.

7. hey arnold: i know it’s a cartoon shut up! but consider this: it’s beautiful and good. i legitimately watch it all the time because it’s so funny and melancholy and sad and smart and the soundtrack slaps. also finally getting the jungle movie (which was a conclusion to a HUGE cliffhanger from my childhood) was proof that sometimes you can get closure, actually! this happened before reboots became unnecessary and exhausting leave me alone

8. supernatural: i watched this show after thee november fifth and it accidentally became my whole personality. i don’t even know.

honorable mentions: selfie abc (if you haven’t heard me whine about how it’s the one show in the world i actually want a reboot for you simply haven’t known me long enough); my mad fat diary (i will be thinking about finn writing ‘i love you’ on rae’s back for the rest of my life), ugly betty (i just love it a lot)

tagging: @bisansastarks @buttobstacle @mmaddens @richonnies @dwcas, @coachlasso @wordybee @ilarual @hauntedpearl @burgundyshoes @someoldlady @that-gender-bender @bananaleaves @korralone and anyone else who sees this and would like to do it!

[ask-walter-and-vince]

What's the best date you two have had so far?

[niksixx]

Plus One

Hello hello hello!!! Here it is. Part 1 of my new Nikki Sixx mini fic. I love this piece, and I just hope you all will enjoy reading it as much as I loved writing it. This fic has more of a modern feel (so basically, present day setting with an 80s Nikki Sixx 😃).

Requested: Graciously by my incredible followers and mutuals :) 

Pairing: Nikki Sixx x OC Pia Worthington

Description: Fake dating your best friend when you’re secretly in love with him? Pia Worthington knows exactly how that feels. 

A/N: Leave comments and reblog💜 Thank you always💜

*Picture is NOT mine. Found on Google. Credit to the owner.*

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

*Pia’s POV*

As I clutched the red embroidered invitation in my left hand, the black decorated RSVP in my right hand, and stared down at the gold embellished invite on my kitchen counter, I realized that my worst nightmare had come true.

High school reunion.

Work party.

Wedding.

And a plus one line on all three cards.

At twenty-seven, I’d like to think that I am a successful woman with her priorities straightened out. I opened my own small business at seventeen, landed a job as a makeup artist in a beauty salon at twenty two, and became a homeowner at twenty five. On Thursdays, I run a book club, and volunteer at my local SPCA on Monday and Wednesday mornings. From an outsider’s perspective, one could say I have it all.

But like everyone else, I’m still not satisfied with my life. There’s something missing, something I won’t be complete without.

Love.

How cliche, right?

I know what you’re thinking. Pia, you’re a young, successful, independent woman. You don’t need a man. You shouldn’t want a man.

But of course, the only man I’ve ever wanted never wanted me back. Funny how that works.

Again, I’m only twenty-seven. Time is still on my side. But I’d be lying to you if I said I didn’t think about giving up sometimes. I see my friends falling in love, getting married, having babies, and I want that for myself.

Well...most of that. I can do without the kids part. What I want, what I truly want, is a wholehearted love. And one man always comes to mind no matter how hard I try to push him away.

Aside from being my neighbor, Nikki has been my very best friend and the love of my life for so many years. Our friendship blossomed ten years ago when his friend group mingled with mine back in our third year of high school. We were a crazy bunch with various personalities, but it just worked. We all clicked.

Out of the eight of us, Nikki and I were thick as thieves even though our personalities couldn’t be anymore polar. While I was best friends with Amanda, Charlotte, and Vivian since the fifth grade, my relationship with Nikki was just so different. There were things I could talk to him about, and instead of Charlotte’s judgment, I was greeted with Nikki’s comfort. We were an adventurous duo, never doing the same activity twice, which was a huge difference from letting Vivian decide what our group would be doing each weekend.

Aside from being my best friend, Nikki was the biggest supporter in my life. He was the only one that stood by my side, defending my integrity, when my friends were skeptical about my lipstick business. Of course, when I became more established, the girls had dropped dollars on every shade and made sure all the girls in our class knew about my business. But Nikki? He let me test the lipstick. On him.

Senior year was the year when some of our group decided to take things to the next level. Vince and Amanda experimented as a couple, and it unsurprisingly only lasted a good four months before Vince had moved on. At eighteen, he’d already had a reputation for sleeping around, and Amanda, the poor soul, was just clueless to his cheating.  

I think the biggest shock was when Nikki and Charlotte had started dating halfway through senior year. From the sidelines, I watched as they became the it couple. I was happy for them, (while simultaneously trying to bury my jealousy), but I had a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of them together. I never would have thought that Nikki’s carefree spirit would mesh well with Charlotte’s stuck up attitude, but for the year they were together, I was proven wrong. Luckily, my relationship with Nikki wasn’t affected. We were still each other’s best friend.

And then college happened.

Well, for some of us.

Vivian and Charlotte attended the most prestigious universities money could buy, and Amanda and I had been accepted into cosmetology school. Luckily, my small business was booming, and I was able to pay for my classes without any help from my family. While the girls and I were off getting our degrees and licenses, the boys were forming a band. An interesting one at that.

By junior year of college, Nikki and Vivian had become official shortly after Viv’s 21st birthday. Again, I watched from the sidelines as the man that I loved gave his love to another woman for three years. This time, I could feel a shift in my friendship with Nikki. We talked a bit less than what was normal for us. Over the years, I barely saw him. His band, officially named Mötley Crüe, had taken up the time he wasn’t spending with Vivian. I had become a mere afterthought, and my heart broke each time I wasn’t able to see him or talk to him. And, to make things even more strange, Tommy and Charlotte had drunkenly eloped in Vegas after one of the boys’ concerts and decided to stay married. At 24, it seemed like everyone was finding their soulmate. Nikki had Viv, Tommy had Charlotte, Mick and Amanda were giving it a try, and Vince and I both weren’t so lucky in the love department.

Fast forward a year later and life for all of us had changed drastically. Nikki and Viv had broken up and it was messy, to say the least. Nikki wasn’t too affected by the breakup, but Viv’s rage had turned her into a woman none of us knew. I had finally worked up the courage to tell Nikki how I felt (and believe me, I wanted to tell him) but, alas, shortly after Mick and Amanda had called it quits, Amanda and Nikki had fallen head over heels for each other. Vince and I were still painfully single (although Vinnie didn’t seem to mind the freedom) and were given the title of ‘godparents’ to Tommy and Charlotte’s son. The boys’ band had become one of the biggest bands in America. And to distract myself from the pain of watching Nikki fall in love yet again with someone who wasn’t me, I bought a house to wallow in.

Which, finally, brings me back to today.

I’m Pia Worthington.

27.

Homeowner.

Business owner.

Makeup artist.

And devastatingly single.

So, what happened to everyone else?

Well, Tommy and Charlotte remain happily married with two little boys. Who knew one drunken night in Vegas could lead to a happily ever after?

Mick and Vivian had married last year and were expecting twin girls. Yes, this shocked everyone, but they were a match made in Heaven. Who knew? Somehow, Mick had broken down the walls around Viv’s heart, and she loved him fiercely.

Vince and Amanda had decided to try again. I was proud of Vince. He’d done a complete 180, always treating Amanda with the respect she deserved.

And Nikki and I? We’re still best friends and closer than ever. We’re happy, all eight of us, after years of drama, devastation, and heartbreak.

With a sigh, I grabbed all three invitations in my hand and plopped down on my sofa. Okay, so I lied, I’m not completely happy. The plus one line on each invitation was just a painful reminder of how lonely I was.

And then my mind wandered to Nikki. Asking him to be my plus one would be practical, but I’m not sure my heart could handle knowing it wasn’t real.

But as I glanced down at the invitations once more, I realized that I couldn’t keep living like this. For years, I’d been pining over a man who dated all of my friends and neglected to give me a chance. I shouldn’t still want him as much as I do. He’s made it clear that I’m not and will never be more than a friend. And it’s about time I move on from the fairytale ending in my head.

So with a firm grip on the cards and a stern look on my face, I flung open my door and marched right over to Nikki’s house.

And he answered on the third knock, looking even more handsome than the last time I’d seen him.

Yeah...getting over the fairytale in my head? Not happening.

[toria-lilith]

smoke and roses - a douglas booth!nikki sixx fan fiction (chapter six)

A/N: Took me a little while to get chapter six up, but here it is! I hope it was worth the wait! If you’re enjoying Smoke and Roses, why not try chapter one of my new Tommy Lee fan fiction, Gateway Drug?

Trigger warnings: Drinking, general Motley debauchery as always. Towards the end of the chapter, Holly encounters a would-be attacker in the bar. Wordcount: 1517 Masterlist: Chapter one | Chapter two | Chapter three | Chapter four | Chapter five

"Dinner's ready!"

At her call, all four boys rushed into the kitchen like excited children. Holland wondered when the last time they'd had a decent, home-cooked meal was. Especially Vince, Tommy and Nikki, who didn't have girlfriends who's houses they could escape to when the Motley apartment became too much. They collected their plates and then sat in the front room, Vince in the armchair, Mick and Nikki on the sofa, and Tommy and Holland sitting cross legged on the floor.

"This is amazing, Holly," Tommy told her through a mouthful of chilli, and the rest of the boys mumbled in agreement, "Where'd you learn to cook like this?"

Holland smiled warmly, secretly thrilled they liked her cooking. "My older brother Peter is a chef," she said, "he's a worse influence than you guys, but he makes a mean chilli."

"We're not a bad influence!" Vince protested, but he had a knowing twinkle in his eye.

"Bullshit," Holland laughed and sipped from her glass of wine. She had no idea when she'd started drinking with her dinner, but then again, she was eating her dinner with Motley Crue. She finished her food in relative silence, feeling content listening to the boys chat excitedly about the show.

"I think we should introduce some pyro," Tommy said giddily, "how fucking cool would that be dude? Like a stage show in the clubs."

"There's like... a hundred health and safety risks there," Holland giggled.

"Well, yeah, that's the fun of it!"

While she and Tommy talked, she was utterly oblivious to the jealous glare Nikki had fixed on the drummer, and after his dinner, he returned to their bedroom in silence to get ready. "Is Nikki okay?" She asked when he'd gone. Mick only shrugged as he carried the plates to the kitchen, and Tommy followed, but Vince thrived on drama.

"Poor guy looked like he wanted to murder Tommy," he grinned.

"What?" Holland looked at Vince, puzzled, "why on Earth would he want to do that?"

"Holly, you're so blind," he laughed at her.

Holland smiled nervously. "Are you suggesting Nikki's jealous?"

"I can only say what I see," he shrugged, "and what I see is Nikki giving you serious bedroom eyes."

Holland considered brushing off the comment, but thought better of it and made her way to the bedroom. She knocked, and Nikki grunted from inside, so she went in. He was sat cross legged on the floor in front of the mirror, smudging eyeliner across his cheeks, but seemed frustrated. "Can I help?" She offered.

He nodded mutely. She sat beside him, gently turning his head so he was facing her. She took the stick of black eyeliner from him and carefully drew his trademark black rectangles on his cheeks, using her thumb to correct his mistakes. "Can I ask you something?" He blurted. She raised an eyebrow.

"Of course," she nodded, "anything."

"Do you have a crush on Tommy?"

Holland cursed Vince for being right. "No, of course not." She reassured him, "he's like a kid, and besides... I never had a thing for drummers." That seemed to satisfy Nikki and he allowed her to tease his hair for him. "There," she smiled, "all done! You look like a real rockstar."

Nikki smiled warmly at her. It was a smile she hadn't seen on him before, but she liked it. "Thanks, Holly."

"No problem," she smiled, "now get out so I can get changed."

He grinned and obediently left the room while she changed into a pair of tight leather pants, (which Tommy had insisted she wear to 'look the part'), and a Motley Crue T Shirt. She applied some dark red lipstick and black eyeliner, gave herself a once over, and decided she would do.

Nikki was waiting for her in the corridor. "You look great," he told her, looking her up and down.

"Thank you, Nikki," she smiled sweetly. He slid his arm around her waist and led her into the front room where the other boys were waiting. She expected him to move his arm away, but he didn't, and she didn't pull away. Something felt right about being pressed to Nikki's side.

At night, the Sunset Strip was abuzz with activity, and the band attracted a lot of attention just walking to the Whiskey A Go-Go. Kids from all walks of life flooded the street, and all of them were there for one reason; Motley fucking Crue. There were plenty of eyes on Holland too, any girl with the band was envied, especially a girl on the arm of Nikki Sixx.

They arrived at the Whiskey A Go-Go and went in through the back entrance to avoid being mobbed with fans. They settled in the dressing room, where Nikki and Mick absently tuned their respective instruments, Tommy drummed on the table, and Vince redid his hair about five times. "Holly, sit down. You look more nervous than we do," Vince told her.

Holland shrugged. She hadn't even realised she'd been pacing. "Technically, this is my first day on the job." She reminded him, "look, you guys are gonna kill it out there like I know you always do, but... please just make my first shift bearable and please stay out of trouble as much as you can."

"You have our word," Mick said before the others could protest. "Right?" He looked expectantly at the rest of the band, who muttered a quick 'right', clearly not thrilled at not being able to get up to their usual high-jinks, for now at least. Holland sighed in relief, feeling a little calmer than she had moments ago.

"Thank you." She said earnestly.

There came a knock on the door. "Motley Crue, this is your five minute call."

"Thank you, Five," Tommy called back. "Holly, will you be in the crowd?"

"I wouldn't dream of being anywhere else," she promised him. "Good luck!"

She watched the boys head towards the stage and then made her own way to the crowd, where she fought her way to the front. Motley Crue performed with energy like she had never seen before. Tommy had been right; they utterly blew her away. Vince's singing was enchanting, and it was though he'd put a spell on the crowd, (particularly the ladies). Nikki's bass was heavy and Holland felt it in her heart. Tommy's drumming kept up the energy, never letting for a moment. And Mick's guitar was just magical. She'd never heard anyone play like he played.

After the show, they disappeared backstage and Holland waited for them by the bar, nursing a diet coke. After the previous night's events, she thought it was wise to hold off on the alcohol for a little while, (or at least until the after party). As she waited, she sensed someone come up behind her, and then there was a hand on her ass. She turned, expecting to see Nikki, or even one of the other boys, but it was a man she didn't know. His breath stank of alcohol.

"What's a pretty young thing like you doing all by yourself in a place like this?" He slurred.

"I-I'm not by myself," Holland said and tried to move away but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her flush against his chest. "Please, leave me alone."

"Don't be like that baby," he said, an air of aggression in his voice.

"I mean it, leave me alone." She tried to be firm and pull away from him but he only tightened his grip around her wrist, so tight there would most certainly be bruises there the next day. She looked around urgently, but no one seemed to have noticed her predicament, and even if they had, they didn't look like they were going to make any attempts to help her. She was starting to panic. He abandoned his drink on the bar and started to pull her towards the exit, but she struggled violently, trying to throw him off. "Get the fuck off me!" She cried.

"Don't be a difficult bitch," he snarled in her face, but suddenly his arm was gone from her wrist, and he was on the ground. Atop him was Nikki, delivering blow after blow to his face.

"You don't ever put your fucking hands on her ever again!" Nikki screamed.

"Nikki!" Holland cried. He reared up to punch the guy again but she caught his fist and pulled him away. He whirled around to face her and he looked ready to fight her as well, but then he realised who he was looking at. When he saw the fear in her eyes, all his anger drained away. "That's enough."

He placed a gentle hand under her chin, gently tilting her head up to check her for injuries. "Are you alright?"

She nodded. "Just... just a little shaken."

"Come on," he said softly, "let's get you home."

[smilingformoney]

America’s Most Eligible 2 Diamond Scene: Stroll Through the Park with Adam

You: You up for a walk with me, Adam? Adam: I’m not about to let this sunshine go to waste.

Adam leads you down a path away from most of the crew, with a single camera operator trailing behind. Adam: There’s actually a spot I’ve had my eye on since we got off those bikes, as long as no one else… Adam: There! It’s all ours. He races over to a spare picnic blanket between a stand of trees. You smooth some wrinkles out of the checkered cloth and sit down. You: Cute, but we’re a few ingredients short of a picnic. Adam: That’s where you’re wrong. He pulls a red apple out from his jacket and carefully polishes it on one sleeve. Then he pulls a jar of peanuts from another pocket. Adam: Rule number one about racing: always come ready to snack. You: You’re a genius, Adam. Adam: Well, this genius is feeling generous. You get first pick. He lays the apple and peanuts on the blanket between you, but you also catch the whiff of a corn dog stand a little ways down the sidewalk…

What do you pick? -Shiny Apple

You: Dibs on the Red Delicious. Adam: Help yourself.

-Salted Peanuts

You: I need a salt fix, stat. Adam: It’s all yours.

-Corn Dog

Adam: I… must’ve left those in my other jacket. You: Than maybe you can buy me one. You nod toward the corn dog cart, and as soon as he sees it, Adam grins and dashes over to place an order. Adam: Two corn dogs with all the fixings, coming right up.

You both dig into your snacks, and with your adrenaline still pumping from the race, the food tastes like some of the best you’ve ever had.

-If you lost the race

You: After watching Vince beat me, I really needed some comfort food. Adam: I know how that feels. I’m sorry this Challenge didn’t go your way, Jamie. You: Me too. You: Come to think of it, I barely saw you and Ivy out there. Was she giving you a hard time?

-If you won the race

You: After all that drama with Eden and Slater, comfort food is exactly what I needed. Adam: I feel you. When a race doesn’t go the way I planned, I always go straight for a savoury-sweet combo. You: I’m sorry you’re in the Bottom Four, Adam. I didn’t-- Adam holds up a hand to stop you. Adam: Hey, you’ve got nothing to apologise for. Whatever Slater did or didn’t do, you rode a good race. You deserve to be proud of that. You: Ivy’s not the reason you guys finished so late, is she? You: If she’s messing with you…

Adam: Actually, she was weirdly cooperative today. I didn’t hear one snide comment the whole race.

You: I think… -She’s more worried about Slater than you.

You: You’re her partner right now, so you’re less of a threat, but I think she’s had it in for Slater ever since that laser tag Challenge. Adam: Ivy’s mad at him for bending the rules? Adam: Guess no one likes getting a taste of their own medicine. You: Especially not our resident Pageant Queen.

-She’s got something up her sleeve.

With a camera behind you, there’s only so much you can comfortably say, but… You: If Ivy’s behaving on camera, she’s probably plotting something behind the scenes. Adam: That’s exactly what I’m worried about. You: I don’t know how much she can do while you two are partners, but… just watch your back around her, and I’ll watch mine. Deal? Adam: Deal.

You polish off the last of your snack and lie back on the picnic with a contented sigh. You: Where’d this genius snack tradition of yours come from, anyway? Adam: Maybe I’m secretly stocking up on food for the apocalypse. You raise an eyebrow at Adam’s, and he laughs. Adam: Alright, alright, the truth. I spend more time on my motorcycle these days, but I was kind of a bike fiend when I was younger. You: This is my ‘I’m totally surprised’ face. Adam: There is nothing worse than biking for thirty kilometres and realising you’ve got nothing to eat at the finish line. Adam: Except maybe the muscle cramps you get five minutes later.

You: Thank you… -For always looking out for me. Adam +2

Adam: What kind of guy would I be if I let you suffer the world’s worst leg cramps? You: A real jerk. But luckily for me, you’re the opposite of that. Adam smiles warmly at you. Adam: I’m told I have my moments…

-For sharing your biking wisdom. Adam +2

You: If I’d known about your athletic past, I would’ve begged you for tips before the Challenge. Adam: Honestly, the best tip I’ve got is just ‘keep moving forward’. Adam: No matter how much it hurts… no matter what anyone else does… you’ve just gotta keep going. Adam: And I think you’ve got that part down.

Behind you, the camera operator quietly clears her throat and nods back toward the other contestants. You: Guess that’s a hint not to keep Carson waiting. Together, you tidy up the borrowed picnic blanket, then start to walk back through the trees. You: So, was this little stroll everything you hoped it’d be? Adam: It was a nice chance of pace. Although if you have any suggestions about the ending… The afternoon sun gleams in Adam’s eyes as she smiles at you, and for just a moment, even in his busy park, it almost feels like the two of you are alone…

You: How about… -A kiss? Adam +2

Adam briefly glances at the camera… then looks back at you with an open smile on his face. Adam: Yeah. Why not end on a high note? You step toward him, taking him by the hand, and eagerly press your lips to his. Adam cups your cheek with his other hand and deepens the kiss. You press close against his chest, letting the moment linger, until finally… Adam: Wow. You: Think our viewers are gonna remember that? Adam: I know I will. Smiling, you head back to the rest of the group hand in hand.

-A race back to the set? Adam +2

Adam: I think I’ve got enough fuel to get back to-- You: See you there! You take off without any further warning. Adam’s laughter trails behind you. Adam: Wait up! You: You’ll have to catch me first! You just beat Adam back to the group, where the crew has finished packing up their equipment.

[elizehurley-blog]

New Post has been published on https://www.withallwomen.com/3093-2/

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General Horoscope: We may feel lazy as our expectations soar today. We can be so enamored with the silver lining to a cloud that we forget about possible delays or setbacks that are looming out on the horizon. Meanwhile, a conjunction of sweet Venus and exuberant Jupiter amplifies romance and optimism. The animated Leo Moon harmonizes with ingenious Uranus, revealing new choices to solving an old mystery prior to her entry into perfectionist Virgo at 10:21 pm

Aries Horoscope MAR 21 – APR 19 A philosophy that relies too much upon luck could produce some unrealistically high hopes today. But set the stage for success through the time-honored combination of hard work and healthy sacrifice, and your ambition morphs into a horse of a different color. Fortune is on the side of the bold, especially in areas involving travel, education, broadcasting, or the accumulation of goods. Abundance may not fall out of the sky at your feet, but you sure can go out and claim it.

Taurus Horoscope APR 20 – MAY 20 Making a joint decision can prove to be as easy as one, two, three today. Some form of prosperity is sure to follow when cooperation is flowing smoothly. It could arrive in classic style as money or a gift. Or maybe your good fortune is something less tangible but more substantial like peace, love, or joy. Bring an open spirit to negotiations from the get-go and you can walk away with a victory that is a win-win from every angle. Lao Tsu wrote, “The heart that gives, gathers.

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Gemini Horoscope MAY 21 – JUN 20 You feel like you’ve got the world on a string today. In fact, it’s safe to bet that flirtation, romance, or love has something to do with your upbeat mood. When a tidbit of encouraging news from a sweetheart is enough to snap you out of a funk, imagine what a tsunami-like surge of positive attention from someone special can do. The truth is even a fantastical dream or lingering memory can have you floating on a cloud now. There is no need to overanalyze your feelings; it’s all good when Cupid’s in charge.

Cancer Horoscope JUN 21 – JUL 22 Your main objective is simplicity today. Casting procrastination aside, you’re determined to complete a useful task with a minimum of fuss. But whether this efficient execution is doable isn’t entirely up to you. Kids, coworkers, or even your spouse could plunk a formidable spoiler right into the middle of your plans. If that’s the case, you know the drill. Suck it up, shift gears, and respond when duty calls. Your dream of unimpeded, streamlined efficiency just might come true on another day when you’re not in such demand.

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Leo Horoscope JUL 23 – AUG 22 You are perfectly capable of resisting if someone is trying to cajole you into tagging along on an adventure or to join in on some harmless mischief. However, you might be in trouble if he or she happens to know that your kryptonite is a well-phrased dare. You practically salivate when presented with a challenge now, and it’s even more appealing if it shatters a mold. You could find yourself out on a limb at some point today, and truth be told, that just might be exactly where you secretly want to be. She who dares, wins.

Virgo Horoscope AUG 23 – SEP 22 The bug that bites you today is likely to be of the restless variety. The four walls of your everyday life that typically provide a sense of reassuring security suddenly seem to cramp your style. Binging home-improvement videos or trying to choose a paint color for a room remodel can be a decent salve. But the balm that might best soothe your restive yearnings probably involves travel, expansion, or setting up altogether new digs. There’s excitement on the horizon if you’re willing to embrace the uncertainty of change.

Libra Horoscope SEP 23 – OCT 22 Good news takes on a life of its own today. For a change, if there is a thread of gossip making the rounds, it’s likely about success, happiness, or celebration. However, it’s smart to take this message with a grain of salt until it can be reliably verified. Just as it happens in the childish game of telephone, any story can shape-shift with each retelling, upbeat ones included. Don’t immediately buy into fairy tales. Rely on facts instead.

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Scorpio Horoscope OCT 23 – NOV 21 In some ways, you might feel more like the temporary guardian of a material or spiritual treasure than its owner. And from the broadest possible perspective, that is just as it should be now. Although this gift comes to you from another, you stand ready to pass it along when the time is right. Your emotional connection with forerunners or ancestors is exceptionally strong today, and a source of both comfort and pride. Awaken your innermost spirit and honor those who paved the path before you.

Sagittarius Horoscope NOV 22 – DEC 21 Carefully cultivating your image through impeccable grooming and tasteful style is for you a reflection of healthy self-esteem. There’s nothing selfish about it. Ignore any critical barbs pelted by the jealous. Those that spout negativity tend to fall behind because focusing on bad vibes holds them back. You are going places if you embrace the commitment to live your best life and make choices that build up your confidence. Your drive for excellence is nothing short of awesome.

Capricorn Horoscope DEC 22 – JAN 19 You’re unusually drawn toward whatever is sentimental, inspirational, or sacred to you today. A quick glance back over your shoulder might let you catch a glimpse of the many times a guardian angel has seemingly had your back. There is mystery and magic even in everyday routine and down-to-earth interactions. Tune into the warmly protective vibes that are simultaneously exhilarating and humbling. An attitude of gratitude is a wonderful guide.

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Aquarius Horoscope JAN 20 – FEB 18 Take a temporary timeout today. Instead of struggling to manipulate the ins and outs or ups and downs of an off-kilter situation, it might be more productive to direct your energy toward something that’s already going well. Confidence and pointers picked up by studying what’s working can provide big insight to carry along when you reenter the high-drama arena. Recoup and refocus. Things look different when viewed through refreshed eyes.

Pisces Horoscope FEB 19 – MAR 20 The bigger you dream, the more you can achieve. This could serve as an excellent mantra of positive thinking as you, your team, or significant other begins an ambitious endeavor. However, there’s no logical reason for putting an arbitrary ceiling on how high you can climb. Following your passion is a time-tested formula for success. Author Norman Vince Peale wrote, “Shoot for the Moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

[people-of-uber]

Sat 2/25 to Sun 2/26, 2017

First Oscar-nominated person to ride in my car.

11:24pm. Found myself south of the Loop off of 288, in the middle of nowhere, then all of a sudden there’s a castle on the right. It’s called The Citadel, and it’s a banquet/reception hall that looks like a castle on the outside. The couple I picked up were dressed in Hawaiian shirts with cargo shorts, sandals with socks, with fake cameras around their necks – while everyone else was dressed in white dinner jackets or white Cuban shirts. This was a fundraiser for the couple’s kid’s school, with the theme of Havana Nights; they went as tacky American tourists in Cuba. Both of them are in the oil industry and so we talked about what I used to do at my most recent job there, with some overlap in what I taught and what he does (related to the interface screens for the control systems on drill ships). He asked for my card; you never know what might come of something like that.

11:50. Three high school kids, two girls and a guy. The girls in the back seat yammered away about Snaptexting and Facechatting and all of the high school drama of who likes who and who hates who, and pretty soon I couldn’t even follow. Dropped the girls off at midnight at one house, then the guy got dropped off at a different part of town. I was curious as to how they knew each other from different areas, and he said that one of the girls is the daughter of friends of his parents, and they’ve been friends since birth. None of them appear to have been drinking (surprisingly to me).

1:35am. A young guy (early 20s) from a bar, had been drinking, on his way home. He lives in the Montrose area and owns his own home, which he bought when he turned 20 with the inheritance he got when his parents died when he was 18. He owns his own business too, something to do with insurance. He went to college and got a degree in mechanical engineering, which was what his father (also an engineer) wanted him to do, but after he graduated he fell into an opportunity with some of his father’s friends and he’s doing well with his choices now. He was sympathetic to my story of being a laid-off NASA worker and is confident there are big things ahead for me.

1:46am. A couple apparently hasn’t been dating long, she mentioned how they haven’t really asked each other the hard questions yet about each other. She thinks she’s too quiet and shy before she’s been drinking, and comes out of her shell after a couple drinks, but she doesn’t like the fact that she has to be drinking for that side of her to come out. He asked her if he talks too much, she replied “you talk a lot”, which both he and I agreed that “a lot” is not as bad as “too much”. She posed a question for him to think about: name three fictional characters who make up various facets of your personality. She named Pam Beesley from “The Office” as introverted with a bit of a hidden edge; Hermione Granger from “Harry Potter” as the know-it-all who is secretly (or not so secretly) a bad-ass; and “because I have a legit Cinderella costume at home, I have to name a Disney Princess” so she chose Elsa from “Frozen” because she’s been called an ice queen.

1:59am. A couple who was not drunk, because they hadn’t been at the bar on Washington that long. They were at the Symphony earlier in the evening, then went home and changed to come out to the bar for a nightcap and to unwind. They agreed that they were getting too old for the bar scene, but while she thinks the bar scene on Washington is hopping (there really are a lot of people going home at 2am), he thinks it’s long past its prime.

2:23am. Picked up my last passengers of the night on Main Street downtown, right at the corner where a band of 4 musicians were playing Mardi Gras style music, because that’s what you do downtown after the bars are closed when you’re on the street eating pizza. He has lived in Houston a while, recently moved into the Heights. She’s just been here a few years, from LA. He used to work in Denver where he was the VIP manager of one of the downtown clubs, and they would regularly get customers that people would come looking for (like the cops), so they’d tell the cops they haven’t seen the guy and then tell the guy that the cops are looking for him so that he could leave. This one regular they had was a Russian guy with the nickname “Moose”, he played for the Colorado Avalanche hockey team but retired when he blew out his knee. Turns out that one night the cops came looking for Moose at the club, but not only did Moose flee the club, he fled the country because he was going to be busted for heading up Denver’s largest ecstasy drug ring. Moose is now living in Peru somewhere. [Note: I tried looking up this story on Google but was unsuccessful in finding anything, if you know more, please speak up in the comments.] After I dropped him off, she was going to get out with him and then just call another car to take her to her place, but I told her I’d wait a few minutes because that would be easier than her calling another car (though my ulterior motive was to continue this trip which was a 2.3x surge fare).

2:07pm. Woman flying back to Houston after a weekend in Dallas with a college friend, which wasn’t as interesting as this upcoming weekend would be, as her company is going to Las Vegas for “meetings” (that is, you have a business meeting in the morning and then you’re free to play for the rest of the day). She’s been there a lot and stays at higher-end properties like Wynn and Bellagio, and doesn’t like to gamble but likes to go shopping. We compared notes on which hotels we like, favorite places to go to the clubs (she likes the one at Aria), and places to go shopping (she likes the Forum Shops at Caesar’s). She’s seen all of the Cirque shows in Vegas except for the Michael Jackson one (even Elvis and Criss Angel), and the Beatles Love is her favorite, which she’s seen several times (I’ve seen it twice). She hasn’t yet seen La Reve at Wynn, which I liked better than the similar water-themed show “O” at Bellagio, or Absinthe at Caesar’s, which I liked better than the similar show Zumanity at NYNY. She’s never been to LA, so she got a cheap round-trip flight out there leaving before lunch and coming back at 10pm, she wants to go shopping and to the beach. I suggested Venice Beach and the Santa Monica Pier and the nearby Third Street Promenade pedestrian area.

3:43pm. Got lucky and found a rider who was going to Hobby Airport, which is on my way home. She’s flying back to LA. I asked her what she did out there, and she said she was a film editor. I asked why she’s in Houston when the Oscars are on tonight, she said she messed up and forgot the date, so her husband is recording it for her and she’ll get home about halfway through it. Some of her friends are up for awards tonight. For the duration of the trip, I was fascinated to be able to ask her questions about what her job entails, how she does her job (10-12 hour days watching the dailies and cutting footage together, then relaying info to the director on set about any shots that still need to be picked up or redone for things like bad angles or out of focus), how she got into the business (she made and edited her own stuff, then got an internship putting together a documentary, and while in film school – crossing paths with “Breaking Bad” producer Vince Gilligan – finding that she was the only one with editing experience in her class, and just moved into the industry that way), what her next project is (“Battle of the Sexes” coming this fall, with Emma Roberts as Billie Jean King and Steve Carrell as Bobby Riggs; she talked about how some scenes have facial replacements on body doubles and how they created that footage, and that they’ll Forrest Gump-style add their actress to replace a real person in archival footage with Howard Cosell), and examples of good and bad editing in recent movies (I mentioned I’ve heard that an editor is noticed only if they don’t do a good job, even though the director approves the edits; she countered with the fact that sometimes directors have certain stylistic choices they make in the editing room, and as the editor, it’s the director’s film, not hers). She doesn’t have a favorite movie that she’s worked on, as all of them are like her children. [Note: after I got home, I looked her up, and she’s Pamela Martin, who was Oscar-nominated for “The Fighter” in 2010, directed by David O. Russell. I didn’t ask if she had ever been nominated, and she didn’t offer it.]

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