#was standing next to Johnson. o|<< /div> Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[kamenriderblade2004]

In the Halo terminals, the way Sesa talked about Thel being the only one that would be able to convince the Sangheili of the Prophet’s lies and the sadness in his voice when he realized the truth to Spark’s words that Thel would be exact type to be made Arbiter fucking gets meee.

[savvy4618]

Validation Brian Johnson x female reader Breakfast club

So, I love eighties men and I figured it couldn’t hurt to write something yk?

Warnings: John Bender, swearing, sexual references

When you walked into the library you sat across from where Brian originally was before Bender made him move.

“There is no way I am writing a fucking essay,” you sighed letting your head fall to the table.

“But you are a great writer, you get a one hundred on everything in English,” Andy said turning to look at you.

“Still, I don’t want to do it,” you responded lifting your head and resting it on you had that was on the table.

“How did a pretty girl with A’s in every class get herself a Saturday detention?” John asked standing up and making his way behind you.

As he set his hands on your shoulders you turned your head.

“Get your hands off of me,” you said as you shook your shoulder.

“I’ve seen you around you know? You don’t have very many friends and certainly no attention from guys, I would say you don’t really want me to stop touching you,” he said leaning down so his lips were close to your ear and you could feel his breath on your neck.

“Leave her alone,” Brian said looking away from him.

“What? Is he your boyfriend?” He asked.

“No,” you said standing up. “Now get your hands off of me, just because you can sleep with a bunch of the girls in this stupid school doesn’t mean you can do the same to me!” You shove him back by his chest and he steps back till the back of his legs hit the table where Allison is sitting.

“Feisty,” he grinned.

You sat back down and pulled a book out of your bag, deciding not to pay much attention to him.

After around 20 minutes Brian asked, “what are you reading?”

“Pride and Prejudice,” you replied.

“You like old books?”

“Yeah I guess I do,” you replied smiling at him.

“Hey Y/N, what did you get on that project we did for science?” Claire asked turning in her chair to face you.

“98, what about you?” You asked.

“76, would you mind helping me with the homework for science tomorrow?” She asked.

“Not at all,” you smile.

~

You had quite the afternoon, now sat next to Brian on the couch as you all smoked.

“You got a boyfriend Y/N?” Andy asked.

“No,” you replied flinging your head backwards.

“You know, you are really pretty, so why don’t you have a boyfriend. I mean I’m sure loads of guys ask you out,” he questioned.

“Boy’s done really matter, all the guys who ask me out or hit on me aren’t looking for something serious it’s always a joke or them wanting to sleep with me and a relationship like that just seems like a waste of time,” you responded.

Nobody responded. Brian turned his head and pulled the sunglasses that were over his eyes off of his face in a very dramatic way.

“Would you date me?” He asked.

“Hmm,” you giggled.

“Oh come on,” he said turning his body so he was sitting facing you.

Not in his right mind he leaned forward and placed a small kiss on your neck that was angled towards the ceiling.

“Brian!” You exclaimed sitting upright and looking at him.

He didn’t say anything, he just let out a little laugh.

“Alright you too, that’s enough,” Andy laughed.

~

“Why do you study so much?” John asked as he sat on the floor across from you somewhere in the library.

“Because,”

“Because why?”

“Because how am I supposed to be successful in the future if I’m stupid?” You replied.

He twisted his torso to look towards where Brian was sitting.

“She seems like your type of girl,” he commented.

You just scoffed as you continued to write in the little notebook that sat in your lap as Brian stared at you with such deep affection John thought he might actually be sick.

~

As everyone left the building Brian walked next to you.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey,” you smiled.

“Are you busy tomorrow?” He asked

“Not that I am aware of, why?”

“You want to go to lunch with me?” He asked.

“Sure,” you giggle leaving a small kiss on his cheek and walking the rest of the way to your car.

I LOVE the breakfast club, anyway these are my interpretations of the characters, if you’d like feel free to leave a request, it doesn’t have to be this show specifically.

[avatarskywalker78]

It's Six Sentence Sunday and I have stuff written! First of all a Doctor Who fic I started working on a few days ago focusing on...The Master, specifically Dhawan!Master but if he had been written well, because I liked Missy's character development and I wish that had stuck and I liked the O persona - and very much wished some aspects of that had been kept rather than just making him crazy again (and also the Timeless Child arc remains one of my LEAST favourite in the entire show so I'm gonna be fixing that too.) Here he's trying to do good but obviously still has...quite a lot to work through.

O would like to say he’s never understood racism, but that’s a lie, given how Time Lords saw themselves as superior and it’s taken him far too long to get out of that mindset, so maybe it’s more accurate to say that now he doesn’t understand racism. Whether it’s between species or between members of their own species it’s just…such a small-minded approach to life, and spending years among humanity as a brown man has highlighted this. Most people have been fine with it but others…haven’t.

And humanity never fully outgrows it – there’s always one faction or another who has a problem with those who are different, and it’s a sad fact that this is a universal constant.

On the other hand, what’s also a universal constant is that there’s always plenty of people who stand up to it, and the isolated Terran colonies in the future always end badly, so that cheers him up a lot, especially on days like today where he and his fellow activists have just endured abuse simply for walking down the street.

Three decades from now Australia is returned to its rightful people. That also cheers him up.

He might be on a redemption path, but he's always gonna be a brand of chaotic. Also I'm giving a shout-out to @thirddoctor because their Master posts are amazing, their comments about O were partly what inspired this fic, and they directed me to their other Master meta posts which are gonna be a great help for writing this fic and it should be fun, if a little self-indulgent...but this will make sense once I've written the whole fic. Hopefully.

(Says the person attempting to write a non-linear narrative...)

I'm also taking part in Comfy-vember, a writing event run by the blog of the same name that started this year, and while Flufftober didn't inspire me much this one has - I've only written the one fic but my next one is for Diagnosis Murder.

Jesse was prone to getting into trouble. Steve had know that from the start, ever since the little pest had started getting involved in his investigations and he meant well, Steve knew...but he didn't have a lot of common sense and he was guillable and he'd always, always feared that he was going to get hurt one day, that one day, Steve was going to be too slow to save him...

And he almost had been. He almost had been and now Jesse had a stab wound-

Dad had saved his life and he was recovering at Community General and Steve had been assured that it was simply a matter of waiting for him to wake up - something that shouldn't take too long.

Looking at his best friend lying prone in a hospital bed, this was little reassurance - the guy was normally so full of energy and it was unnatural to see him so still.

And it was his fault, because if he'd only been quicker he'd have taken out Johnson before he ever got a chance to hurt Jesse. Instead he'd busted the door down just in time to see Jesse-

Listen, you gotta have the hurt before the comfort and if there was any character I was gonna whump like this it was Jesse Travis, so I'm not sorry.

[lazyrants]

The LazyTown Circus (prod 203)

Original airdate: February 12, 2007

Story by Magnus Scheving

Written by Magnus Scheving, Mani Svavarrson, Noah Zachary

Directed by Magnus Scheving

Executive producers - Magnus Scheving, Ragnheidur Melsted, Raymond P. Le Gue, Brown Johnson, Kay Wilson Stallings

Starring Magnus Scheving, Stefan Karl Steffanson, Julianna Rose Mauriello

Puppeteers - Gudmondor Thor Karason, Jodi Eichelberger, David Matthew Feldman, Julie Westwood, Sarah Burgess, Ronald Binion, Emily Decola, Mary Robinette Kowal

In this episode, a song that starts off wonderfully and ends terribly is played, and Stephanie dresses up in her most horrendous costume in the entirety of the 100+ episodes produced (including the campaigns, Extra, Sproutlet Show).

Sportacus is playing with a Yoyo in the airship. He wraps the string around his water bottle and pulls it to him. While drinking, the crystal beeps. He goes outside to see what it is, and it's a fly stuck in a mailbox. WOW. JUST. WOW. Using the yoyo, he gets it out.

Look at that 3D effect. In 2013, three episodes from the then-new season were played in cinemas. Imagine if this was one of them and it was in 3D! Anyways, he wraps the yoyo around the mailbox handle and pulls up the yoyo, opening the mailbox and freeing the fly. The main episode starts with Trixie dialogue, my second-least favourite character so it's getting off to a bad start. She's doing a high-wire (that isn't that high), and once she finishes, it's Ziggy's turn. Can you predict what happens next? Yep, right. Robbie decides to eavesdrop (after playing two of his piano keys, for someone reason one makes a moo noise, so that was funny)..

Ziggy gets scaareeed.. beep beep beep. Sportacus attaches a hook to his belt buckle, and jumps out the airship. Supa. Kewl. Mainly because he's 3D animated in one of the shots & he doesn't even hit the ground.

Anyways, Ziggy's still being a whiny scaredy-cat, he's not even halfway through the walk, and Robbie is literally CHUCKLING. I don't blame him, either. Sportacus flips over to him, and he gives a 'u serious right neow bro' face to Ziggy, then he smiles and taps his shoulder. He lifts him off. Ziggy tells him he knew he wasn't that high up but he was still scared, and he gives him some good advice - try to be a little brave. Once he leaves, it's Stephanie's turn and she says that it's too low for her. Trixie says she's never been on a real one before, Steph says she has (she says they're as high up as TREES).

Ziggy believes her and even asks for her to help him and Trixie with the high walk and to do other cool stunts, and the idea comes for them to start a THE LAZYTOWN CIRCUS (lol episode name in episode review hehe) with animals, cotton candy (Guess who said that? They both said no), music, stunts, & cotton candy (Oh my god, Ziggy. SHUT. UP). When they leave, she decides to try the high walk.

Meanwhile, Stingy & Pixel are being epic gaemers!!11!! when Trixie comes in and tells them everything, including that they need animals. Stingy comes with actually funny dialogue - 'Pick Pixel! He's been eating cheesy garlic Crunch-O's all day and he smells like elephant feet! (Pixel breathes in his face) Urgh, call animal control, something's died in Pixel's mouth!'

Out of all the screenshots I've took for this review, this is my ultimate favourite. So after some more funny dialogue and an angry Trixie moment, we go back to Stephanie attempting the high walk once more, but she herself is scared.

When she sees Ziggy running to her, he puts the pole higher then it originally was. Ziggy runs to Stephanie with a clown nose on and tells her he is a clown. Red nose or not, he is a HUGE CLOWN. He falls (??????) Robbie laughs. He stands up, questions how high the pole is and tells Stephanie she's his hero. So screw the dude who saves you everyday & tells you how to live a healthy life. When Robbie overhears Ziggy's excitement about starting a circus, he attempts to think up a plan to stop it, but he can't think of anything. The end. Until, he starts whining about the annoying things of circuses and talks about cannons - then he devises a plan to shoot Sportacus out of one.

Ziggy sends Sportacus a letter asking if he'll do some circus stunts. He decides a few moves to do - the first one being this one where he throws a tennis racket from arm to arm, throws a ball in the air, AND HOLDS THE RACKET WITH ONE FINGER, AS WELL AS THE BALL. Then he throws a glass plate onto there as well.

And here comes a somewhat funny Disguise Time - Robbie chooses the ringmaster outfit and a light shines on him like he's actually in a circus.

He introduces himself as Roberto The Great, funny dialogue, etc. He ends his speech with 'LET'S START THE SHOW!' Anyways, for once, they do something with the Mayor's approval. They tell him about the circus. When Trixie says Steph's doing the high walk, she says Sportacus might do it. The animals Stingy and Pixel introduce themselves with obnoxious noises. LAZYTOWN FURRY PROPAGANDA AT 3AM NOT CLICKBAIT MUST WATCH 4K ULTRA HD. Anyways, Sportacus flips in and handstands, saying he is ready for circus stunts.

Milford starts saying a bunch of stuff they need for the circus, and Trixie tells him they already have most of the stuff he's talking about. Sportacus says they just need a ringmaster, and they get a ringmaster.

Roberto instructs them to follow him, and somehow, the LazyTown circus has just.. gotten there. Did he buy it like in Mystery of the Pyramid? Did he build it? Was it already there? They all follow him and go inside the circus.

They look for a few seconds until Robbie tells them to get prepared. Then we cut to Bessie and Milford for like five seconds after they bump into each other and Milford tells her he's got the tickets. Well, that was kinda useless. Anyways, Pixel is the head of a zebra.. horse thingy & Stingy is the tail which he complains about. They compromise to take turns. Then Pixel burps and Stingy runs out for air. I don't get why this is slightly funny but it is. Everyone is in their costumes, Milford & Bessie have arrived, and it's Time to Start The Show! (During the video, Steph plays the sax and spit comes out. Yuck.)

After taking the screenshot, I realized that is not the case.. *facepalm*, Trixie made it look like that with her water flower. After the song, Roberto tells Sportacus his very important role - to go into the cannon and fly into the 'very safe' net. He agrees once Roberto says the kids would love it. So he handstands his way to the cannon.

Before he gets in, Roberto tells him to put on his goggles (don't want anybody gettin hurt). He also tells him to cover his ears so he doesn't hear anything, and it works. Anyways, it's time for the high wire and Stephanie's too scared to. Roberto gets Ziggy and Trixie out of the way and tells them to stay there, pulling a lever that traps them in a net. He pulls up the net so they're just hanging in the air. Stephanie yells 'Oh no!' and Roberto overhears her.

Roberto chases Stephanie for a while, bringing up the question - what would he do if he caught her? Anyways, she climbs up the ladder, and Roberto drops the ladder so she can't get down. Milford and Bessie are idiots who think this is all staged. Stephanie attempts to get to them, but she can't, and she reveals she was lying. Took her long enough! Ziggy says she just has to be brave, and what ya know? She does it!!

lolwut. The crystal beeps, which Robbie thinks is the perfect time to launch Sportacus out. Sportacus swings onto this swingy thingy with his hands, and flips so now he's holding onto it with his legs. When Steph loses grip, he catches her.

Stephanie does an astonishing backflip onto the ground, then ANOTHER one after she lands. Sportacus does one only. But then again, he's Sportacus. He gets Ziggy & Trixie down, and the horse/zebra finally decides to make an appearance. Roberto says it's the perfect getaway and uses it as one, but Stingy & Pixel can't handle his weight, so they topple him over and he falls into a drum.

Notice the season one prop in the screencap. His hat falls off, and everyone finds out it's Robbie. Then he tells the kids to not try this at home (LOL). Stephanie apologizes to them for lying about her bravery, but they say she was brave enough to be truthful & actually go on the high wire. Ziggy is still sad they didn't get to see anyone on the high wire. So Sportacus goes on the high wire, and he's so daring he does FLIPS on the wire!

Then they perform the circus version of Bing Bang, which is pretty bad if I may say. In the lair, Robbie says that he was so close and he'll get Sportacus soon. He tries sitting down, but he can't, ya know, considering he has a drum on his posterior.

7/10 - Revisiting it, I liked it more. It was the song & costumes that put me off.

[amphtaminedreams]

Mid-year Fashion Update for 2024 in (Mostly) A-Z Format: RTW, Pre-fall, & a Little Haute Couture Plus my Top 25 (Part 3)

-clockwise l-r: Petar Petrov RTW F/W24, Pressiat “, Private Policy “, Puppets and Puppets “-

-top to bottom: Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini RTW F/W24, Prada “, Preen by “, Thornton Bregazzi “-

-clockwise l-r: Plan C RTW F/W24, R13 “, Rahul Mishra haute couture S/S24, RTW F/W24, Rave Review “-

-top to bottom: Prabal Gurung RTW F/W24, Atelier Prabal Gurung RTW F/W24-

-top to bottom: Proenza Schouler RTW F/W24, Rabanne “, Retrofête “-

-clockwise l-r: Ralph Lauren RTW F/W24, Renaissance Renaissance “, Self-Portrait pre-fall 2024, RTW F/W24, STAND STUDIO “, Simon Miller “, Regina Pyo “-

-clockwise l-r: Reem Acra RTW F/W24, Reverie by Caroline Hú “, Rick Owens “, Rochas “-

-clockwise l-r: Richard Quinn RTW F/W24, Roberto Cavalli “, Rokh “-

-clockwise l-r: Róisín Pierce RTW F/W24, Roksanda “, Roland Mouret “, Rui Built “-

-top to bottom: Sacai pre-fall 2024, RTW F/W24, Sandy Liang “-

-clockwise l-r: Saks Potts RTW F/W24, Sea “, Shuting Qiu “, Schiaparelli haute couture S/S24, RTW F/W24, Sinéad O'Dwyer “-

-top to bottom: Shiatzy Chen RTW F/W24, Simone Rocha “, Sportmax “-

-clockwise l-r: Steve O Smith RTW F/W24, Stine Goya “, Sunnei “, The Row resort 2025, Theory RTW F/W24, TIME “, The Garment “, Supriya Lele “-

-top to bottom: Thom Browne RTW F/W24, Tom Ford “, Tommy Hilfiger “-

-clockwise l-r: TOGA RTW F/W24, Tokyo James “, Tolu Coker “, Uma Wang “-

-clockwise l-r: Susan Fang RTW F/W24, Talia Byre “, Tamara Ralph haute couture S/S24, Samuel Guì Yang RTW F/W24, ShuShu/Tong “, Tanya Taylor “-

-top to bottom: Tory Burch RTW F/W24, Ulla Johnson “, Versace “-

-Valentino RTW F/W24-

-clockwise l-r: Valentino haute coutre S/S24, Undercover RTW F/W24, Vaquera “-

-top to bottom: Vetements RTW F/W24, Victoria Beckham “, Florentina Leitner “ (saved image under Victoria not Florentina…oops) -

-top to bottom: Vivetta RTW F/W24, Vivienne Tam “, Y/Project “-

-clockwise l-r: Vivienne Westwood RTW F/W24, Viviano “, Weinsanto “, Yirantian “, Wiederhoeft “, Viktor & Rolf “-

-clockwise l-r: XULY.Bët RTW F/W24, Windowsen “, Yohei Ohno “, Zimmerman “, Zuhair Murad “, Yohji Yamamoto “-

-clockwise l-r: Saint Laurent RTW F/W24, Yuhan Wang “, Ujoh “, William Fan “-

The Best of the Year (So Far)

So…this is the second time I’ve included a brief quick summary of my top 25 collections in one of these posts. I used to write my thoughts on everrryyy single collection and the whole process took me a fucking millennia every time, to the point that once I finally got round to posting, 2 seasons worth of collections had come out in the meantime. Sticking entirely to photo posts feels kind of pointless to me because these end up feeling completely impersonal. Like yeah, I only pick my favourite looks from a collection for the final post but there seems to be sooOooO many bloody brands out there these days that including brief notes to emphasise my faves throughout would be like dropping needles in a haystack and expecting them to catch somebody’s eye.

To round off the posts with my top 25 feels like a good middle ground to plant my roots in, so I guess this is going to be tradition from now on? On which note, in no particular order, let’s get into my 25 standout collections of 2024 thus far:-)

I promise I will ACTUALLY make it snappy. Mostly, anyway.

-clockwise l-r: Gucci RTW F/W24, MarkGong “, Armani Privè Haute Couture S/S24, Rokh RTW F/W24-

1. Gucci RTW F/W24, creative dir. Sabato De Sarno: Every and I mean every Gucci collection that has, and will be, debuted over the next couple of years counts rn. We get it, you hero worship Alessandro Michele, I hear anybody who has had the patience to sit through any of my previous fashion posts crying. But regardless of whether I was an Alessandro devotee or not, the first couple of years following the departure of a well-established and imo! Visionary! creative director is crucial for their successor, as it establishes the direction they’ll be taking the brand going forwards.

The first Gucci collection we saw under de Sarno had me worried, I can’t lie. It was such a stark departure from what I’d come to expect from Gucci that I thought, well, that’s it folks. Gucci’s done. It was safe, minimalistic, yeah expensive looking, but ultimately just really bloody boring. All that being said, with the benefit of hindsight, I suppose I see that debut show as de Sarno’s way of signalling Gucci’s renewed commercial viability. Bland looks are nothing if not versatile, and versatility of course increases the widespread appeal of a brand. Some of Alessandro’s looks were out there, which I can imagine made it exciting for the detached onlooker (myself), but probably not great for the brand’s shareholders. After all, the goal is to make money. Yep, it’s the worst isn’t it? How profit so often is prioritised at the cost of art! 

I think what this collection showed me is that just because de Sarno seems on a mission to promote the brand’s accessibility, essentially one of toning things down in favour of broadening the target market, that doesn’t mean all I’ve loved about Gucci over the last decade is lost.

Far from de Sarno’s S/S24 collection, there were a number of similarities between this one and the Gucci I came to know and love under Alessandro. Though it still lacks Alessandro’s eclecticism, it is reassuring that even in these early days, more of the character the former creative director infused is beginning to shine through. 

I can’t fully say Gucci is BACK! But what I will say is that PARTS of what I love about Alessandro’s Gucci is back. All I wanted from the last collection was a bit of EDGE for Christ’s sake, OPULENCE, dark romanticism, gothic touches. Ultimately, S/S24 lacked a sense of power, like the quiet ferocity and intimidating, yet mystical presence that defined the best looks we saw on Alessandro’s runway; in my mind, this signalled the character he brought to the brand was being forced back into the box. On the contrary, de Sarno’s F/W24 collection played homage to the legend in many ways. The inclusion of deathly platform heels, black lace and faux leather, for example, indicates de Sarno is more inspired by Alessandro’s abandonment of the “quiet luxury” ideal, a bigger admirer of his carefully curated undercurrent of danger and disruption, than I previously thought. To say de Sarno fully leaned into the witchy glamour Alessandro brought to the table is a stretch but this collection did have hints of that aura, with the opulent jewell toned fabrics, snake print and sequins littered throughout a promising acknowledgement of that other-worldly, underground cabaret vibe Alessandro channelled when he was at his best.

If everything I’ve said about this collection so far sounds critical, it’s only because I’m holding de Sarno’s early work, upon which I’m sure the burden of ensuring commercial viability weighs heavy, to Alessandro. We’re talking someone who had been creative director for long enough to likely be entrusted with far greater creative license. So comparison aside, in a vacuum, I can say I do adore this collection. Gucci RTW F/W24 has been a major relief because it seems the new team spearheading the brand don’t intend to abandon Alessandro’s vision completely.

2. MarkGong RTW F/W24, creative dir. Mark Gong: obviously, I had a lot to say about Gucci, I’m highly invested, but I can sum up why I was so fond of most of the other collections on this list much more succinctly, don’t worry, lmao. When it comes to MarkGong for example, it kind of felt like a manifestation of how y2k would interpret the 90s (as was the case in actuality with the 2000’s ‘70s resurgence), with the best elements taken from both and combined in one collection. Though the ‘90s grunge influences, reminiscent in many ways of Marc Jacobs’ famous Perry Ellis collection, were more obvious, I like how a bit of the old y2k sleaze was brought into the picture too. It kinda felt like a tour through the wardrobe of a Cali from the Valley party girl who’s going through her rebellious phase, iygm. Either way, I get me, and that’s why MarkGong is on this list because yeah, it’s a cute collection.

3. Armani Privè Haute Couture S/S24, creative dir. Giorgio Armani: I never thought I’d see the day an Armani collection in any form would make it onto this list, because my general feeling is that more often than not, I find it a little saccharine, aggressively prim and proper, you know. The stying usually has those models looking like a cross between a 2000’s era Barbie doll and the kind of outfit your rich grandma would try to force you into. I mean, with context of Giorgio being an 89 year old man, it makes sense. So I’ve got to say it, I was truly taken aback by how much this collection actually worked for me. It’s not like it was jarringly different to what I’d expect, the head to toe looks are still, for the most part, youthful and girlish, it’s more that they fully committed to the dress-up fantasy, consequently, this feels a lot less uptight than the image I’ve come to associate with the brand. Instead of pedestrianising the princess look, Armani leaned in, to a dreamy, candy coated effect.

4. Rokh RTW F/W24, creative dir. Rok Hwang: Rokh is a firm fixture in my seasonal favourites list by now, and whilst this collection stayed true to Hwang’s formulaic balance between elegance and edge, I really appreciate the subtle bohemian touches, and the nomadic feel this collection has. It broaches into new territory for the designer, and one I find quite mesmerising at that. Whilst Hwang’s collections typically feel sleek, distinctly modern, this one is more free-spirited and earthy. Though I get a bit of a Pride and Prejudice vibe, the modern day tailoring and signature deconstructed feel of the looks, along with current street style rooted silhouettes, ensure this collection, whilst a departure from the expected, remains true to the brand’s identity.

-clockwise l-r: Dilara Fındıkoğlu RTW F/W24, Courrèges “, Khaite “, Vivetta “-

5. Dilara Fındıkoğlu RTW F/W24, creative dir.“: Dilara stayed true to form with her F/W24 collection. As ever, her designs give the wearer an imposing, battle-worn aura, without ever compromising the ethereal, other-worldly beauty of the garments. The end result is that this particular collection felt like a darkly mesmerising visual tale of a kind of fallen angel on earth, who excels so highly at navigating the depravity of a Victorian era criminal underworld she ends up in that even once she descends to hell to reign as the Bella Hadid adjacent it-girl of the underworld, her fleeting, vampiric presence on earth spawns many an urban legend in her wake. If that isn’t an excellent proposition for a new Netflix original series (since I know they seem to love throwing money around left, right and centre at new shows these days), I don’t know what is. I would like to state for the record here that if Netflix want to take me up on that offer I’ll forgive them for prematurely cancelling Mindhunter whilst continually renewing Riverdale and subjecting us to Cole Sprouse as a result:-) 

6. Courrèges RTW F/W24, creative dir. Nicolas Di Felice: I’m not usually a minimalism girl but Courrèges does it in a way which feels uniquely futuristic. Like if the Tesla man had half the brain cells he thinks he does and managed to actually do something significant in space, head-to-toe Courrèges would be an incredible outfit choice for the rope cutting of an intergalactic nightclub. Unfortunately, even if Teslatubby wasn’t so full of shit, and actually possessed the level of genius he wants to convince us of, he is clearly too busy fine tuning the Twitter algorithm into subconsciously red pilling everyone to be building bars in space. As a sad result, Courrèges can wait, I say, as if I can afford their stuff anyway…as if the 75% increase in the price of a large bag of Cadbury’s chocolate buttons in less than 2 years doesn’t have me in a tailspin.

7. Khaite RTW F/W24, creative dir. Catherine Holstein: I don’t have all that much to say about Khaite except that I think it’s very cool, lol. A very lame descriptor, ik. I know I trash minimalism all the time and it could be argued that Khaite’s collections are pretty stripped back but I think in this instance, I like that, because it feels like it hasn’t come straight from a drawing board of neutrals, rather an exercise in restraint of the darker, grungier aesthetic. Rather than going down the deconstructed, oft-unfinished look you’d typically associate with that style, Khaite seems a re-imagining of trends under the alternative umbrella in line with the tailoring, simplicity and functionality associated with prestige fashion houses. Whilst working for a hedge fund management company in London sounds like a fucking nightmare, in this parallel universe where I do end up in one of those nonsense jobs, Khaite would be right up my alley. Not only in terms of what I’d look to for inspiration if I had to don the uniform of a rush hour briefcase wanker, lol, but also because I’d definitely reach for their designs, being the staple pieces they are, on a low-key day too. In true British fashion, I did of course mentally envision the corresponding briefcase wanker Inbetweeners scene as I typed those words. Forgive me, the appreciation for that show is just one of a very limited number of things which unites Britain as a country.

8. Vivetta RTW F/W24, creative dir. Vivetta Ponti: Vivetta’s F/W24 is giving “I’m not a regular crazy cat lady, I’m that bitch kind of a crazy cat lady”. So, you know, in other words, it’s kinda twee, but also kinda provocative, and the balance feels correct. Not to celebrate adultery in any way but this for me, is all girl-next-door, Jess from new girl vibes on the surface, with a undercurrent of this bitch could steal your menzes running strong underneath. The whole collection feels like something Marina would have worn during her Electra Heart era.

-top to bottom: David Koma pre-fall 2024, RTW F/W24-

9. David Koma pre-fall 2024, creative dir.”: so, although I’ve included David’s RTW collection, my adoration goes to his divine pre-fall collection this year. I just included 4 looks from his RTW collection as my new tradition dictates is the protocol when I’m listing my top 25, which is to include 4 of my favourites looks from every collection listed. If I do a whole 8, I’m just repeating what I’ve already done when I originally included said brand in the post, ygm? Anyways, what I’m trying to say is that I was unexpectedly disappointed in Koma’s RTW collection, a rare occurrence mind you, so I just chose 4 of the best looks from it for continuity to go along with pre-fall. On that note, let’s talk about this pre-fall collection: it was perfection! There’s a lot of references to the hyper-girlish coquette and ballet-core aesthetics we’ve seen become widespread fashion crazes, but whereas the trend (ordinarily, I suppose it depends on how you style the pierces) is ordinarily quite demure, casual, and semi-virginal at times, Koma adds high glamour and sex appeal. There are plenty of bows, whites and pastels, but the loose linen, cheesecloth, and babydoll silhouettes are gone and replaced with svelte body-con dresses, plunging necklines and daring cut outs, as well as plenty of black and bold reds throughout. I can’t work out if it all leans more into a dominatrix vibe or it’s giving me Dita Von Teese, but what I do know is this collection has SPICE. It’s seems fit for the same fallen angel type I just wrote about Dilara’s collection reminding me of, with the difference being that in this scenario, god (…or his angels…or whoever it is that takes care of the banishing from heaven stuff if you’re so inclined to that way of thinking) drops her into a crowd of Y2K party girls rather than 19th century Britain. I am hyper aware of how niche my analogy is here, so I apologise that I need to be this pretentious and self-referential, but…I’m just fully aware I’m not capable of holding anybody’s attention for long enough for them to otherwise know what I’m going on about, lol! A vivid, easily stimulated imagination is a blessing and a curse, play your tiny violins for me:-)

-clockwise l-r: Chloé RTW F/W24, Tom Ford “, Burberry “, Oude Waag “-

10. Chloé RTW F/W24, creative dir. Chemena Kamali: This collection was SOOOO GORGEOUS, I HAVE NO WORDS. This is the wardrobe of modernised 70s goddess come to life-soft, decadent, ethereal, just ARGH! Perfection in every way. I am so excited for everything Chemena Kamali is going to do with Chloé if this is anything to go by.

11. Tom Ford RTW F/W24, creative dir. Peter Hawkings: I’ve never really expected anything from Tom Ford. Like when I think of Tom Ford, I usually think of perfume? Expensive perfume but perfume, nonetheless. But you know what, this kind of ate? IDK what was in the water with these designers when RTW F/W24 collections were being put to paper, but once again, this collection was very reminiscent of the Studio 54 era. It seems a minimalist yet luxuriant kind of modern spin on the colours, shapes and fabrics of late 70s bohemian rock, only in a way where the end results are tailored towards the competitors at every decadent invitation-only party’s unspoken best dressed contest. If the brief is expensive, eye-catching, bold, something which moulds the wearer into being the “you either want to be her or be with her” cliche then any number of the pieces from this Tom Ford collection would hit all the criteria.

12. Burberry RTW F/W24, creative dir. Daniel Lee: Burberry is so hit or miss for me, but this was a dramatic yet practical, luxurious, at-times punk influenced hit. Am I saying that because there’s a bit of tartan? Perhaps. But what I am sure of is that I would commit crimes for some of these coats honestly. Speaking of, I might be way off but the fur pieces are a bit mob-wife if my understanding of that vibe is anywhere near accurate. I feel increasingly out of touch with the internet so I don’t actually know, but if I’m right, this is the kind of thing I’d be alright with mafia money paying for. Reassuringly, when envisioning what I’d wear with a knock-off outerwear piece inspired by this Burberry collection, I did not once start to feel like I was veering into the RHONJ cast cosplay zone so I feel like despite the excess, these hopefully faux (though probably not) furs pass the sophistication test. Regardless, it’s okay, I’m not getting anywhere near purchasing the real thing anyway, lol.

13. Oude Waag RTW F/W24, creative dir. Jingwei Yin: Courrèges with a sprinkle of ‘90s grunge and a hint of Morticia Adams. That is to say that I loved the Courrèges F/W24 collection but I love this even more.

-clockwise l-r: Cecilie Bahnsen RTW F/W24, Marni “ Ottolinger “, Moncler Grenoble “-

14. Cecilie Bahnsen RTW F/W24, creative dir.”: a somewhat utilitarian repurposing of her signature dainty, whimsical approach to womenswear, Cecilie’s F/W collection found itself in alignment with the widespread appreciation of softness, delicacy, and innocence that’s been a prominent theme of this year’s F/W24 collections. But this is no case of Cecilie jumping on the bandwagon. Cecilie has excelled at this kind of thing for years, and I’ve pretty much always a fan of her vision. She’s never aggressively chaste or child like in her designs, and does it in a way that’s subtle enough to set her apart from the many, many designers who tried their hand at going all cottagecore this year. Mostly, Cecilie relies on gentle silhouettes and playful yet elegant fabrics to evoke a sense of both fragility and mischief fuelled allure, which in turn creates a sprite-like feel to her looks. All that being said, her work is multidimensional, equally grounded in and hardened by reality, suitable for a jaded 21st century woman. In this sense, as much as I see Cecilie’s collection is not dissimilar from a lot of the others that debuted this season, it is also quietly confident that the pivot towards this wistful, semi-angelic vibe is best when it’s done in a low-key way, and balanced out by a sullen sartorial armour of grungy utilitarianism: I like to follow the guidance of my Google image archive of Courtney Love 90’s style when I envision an outfit, so when it comes to Cecilie’s instinct to finish off a tulle dress with a clunky shoe as RTW F/W proved she knows how and when to do with tact, my appreciation for her work each time feels driven by a force of habit.

15. Marni RTW F/W24, creative dir. Francesco Risso: The FUR COATS!!! Yeah that’s ART.

16. Ottolinger RTW F/W24, creative dir(s). Christa Bösch and Cosima Gadient:  Impromptu after-hours metal concert at the corporate office? Wild end of financial quarter orgy? Apocalypse hits the Conde Nast HQ? The stealth wealth Pinterest girlies find themselves contestants in a Battle Royale type situation? We’ll never know exactly what the starting point was for this Ottolinger collection but it feels like the visual devolution of the high-powered professional, a deconstruction of that idea of what’s tasteful, sophisticated, intelligent, into something that’s liberated, futuristic, a lot more punk, and generally much more suited to joining a biker gang than sitting in a boardroom negotiating the value of a 2 page Dior (bleurgh) spread. It’s a very hot and very cool collection, I know that much anyway!

17. Moncler Grenoble RTW F/W24, creative dir. Reno Ruffini: Cosy but cunty? Yeah, I’m on board. And I say this despite the probability of me ever going on the kind of holiday which necessitates I own anything like this being slim to none. Not only because such trips are the kind of things that I can only see the appeal of to rich people, who get to go on so many “vacations” a year they don’t see a skiing trip as sacrifice of what could’ve been a week spent spent sun soaking by the pool in an all-inclusive Spanish resort (because I’m not hitting the necessary vitamin D threshold any time soon without this kind of get away, let’s be real) but also because I find skateboarding difficult enough without adding snow into the mix and the risk of death for some as inherently incapable of keeping my balance for more than about 20 seconds at a time as I am is very high.

-clockwise l-r: Alaïa RTW F/W24, Alberta Ferretti “, Alexis Mabille Haute Couture S/S24, Yuhan Wang RTW F/W24, Etro “, Roberto Cavalli “, Zimmerman “, Altuzarra “-

18. Alaïa RTW F/W24, creative dir. Pieter Mulier: Now having my expectations set high by Cher Horowitz spending her potential last moments at the hands of a dangerous criminal pleading her Alaïa dress be spared like a mother would her firstborn child, when the brand returned to being a fashion week fixture, I was disappointed. It was nice but nothing breathtaking. This collection, though? Stunnnnning. I too would take affront at a mugger’s rough-handedness with my clothing more so than the mugging in itself if these pieces were collateral damage. Would kinda feel like at work when people fill up our baskets with wine and run out. Like you want to steal, I’m laissez-faire on the matter, but how dare you take our baskets in the process? Bring a tote bag, losers!

19. Alberta Feretti RTW F/W24, creative dir.“: not sure exactly why but Alberta Feretti is often interchangeable with Ermanno Scervino for me. Maybe it’s because they both have names I would sound like a FOOL pronouncing, but they also have a similar aesthetic. Neither are out here shaking the status quo but I always love their collections. This year Alberta edged it for me. Not unlike Scervino, the choice of an earthy, subdued colour palette for the season felt like an intentional choice to contextualise the F/W24 collection’s existence as a companion to the S/S24 line, with rich, moody hues positioning the garments as the sensual night time follow up to the daywear collection.  It is clear where Ferretti going with the S/S garments; they captured the essence of what I imagine an idyllic summer spent lovestruck in Lake Como would be perfectly, and there were some divine pieces. The F/W collection, however, had a lot more drama to it, going beyond the free-flowing, ornate style Ferretti is known for and adding a little androgyny, and at times gothic mystery. If the S/S24 collection was giving me a bit of a goddess off-duty in the human realm vibe, the F/W24 outfits bounced between signalling an effortless yet imposing sophistication in the face of a unexpectedly harsh winter in the city, and a plethora of dresses which would be just the right choice for a moonlight red carpet against the backdrop of the Italian lakes. In both instances, the clothes lend themselves to a wearer who catches every eye on the room but remains aloof, unattainable, like they have much more important places to be. I almost wrote that the dresses would be a good fit for the Cannes film festival before I remembered that Cannes is in the South of France, which doesn’t speak to the distinctly Mediterranean feel I get from a lot of this collection. I can see a lot of the casual looks in Paris, for sure, and I am perhaps making my judgement based on the prominence of the olive tones throughout the collection, lol, but I just don’t feel like the deep Jewell tones and the silks are fit for a city which I’ve always known to be pretty much climatically similar to London. The dresses which closed this collection need SHIMMER and SUNLIGHT, overcast would kill the magic. It’s not just the olives!

20. Alexis Mabille Haute Couture S/S24, creative dir.”: there’s always going to be at least one pretty dress collection in my top 25, and this Alexis Mabille Haute Couture offering is this year’s offering of choice. It’s very modern Disney Princess I think!

21. Yuhan Wang RTW F/W24, creative dir.”: since the day I first stumbled on a Yuhan Wang collection, each one that’s followed has been consistently flawless. It’s almost like seeing the fully-realised version of my personal style, in this reality where I could afford it ofc, come to life. It’s that magical balance of cutesy, feminine and flirtatious with a dark, slightly gothic force which toughens the former up and adds just the right amount of messiness to hint at a streak of rebellion and dare I say it (because it’s a phrase a LOT of people are probably sick to death of, understandably so since Taylor Swift used it to characterise Reputation for FUCK’S sake) but…female rage? I’M SORRY. It’s a little bit punk, but just…punk for the girly girls, you know!

22. Etro RTW F/W24 creative dir. Marco De Vincenzo: As is likely the case for many of the brands I’ve listed in my top 25, it’s highly unexciting of me to include Etro, one of my fail safes in this again. For that same reason, I feel like a fraudulent fan for not even realising Marco De Vincenzo took over the creative director position in 2022. That makes a LOT of sense to me now, because the vibe HAS changed a little bit over the past few years. I think I mentioned before how I’d noticed Etro becoming increasingly explicit with their branding in the last couple of collections, and though it’s easy to say I’m drawing the comparison because both use a crocodile in their logo, I really did think it was looking a bit…Lacoste? A lot safer, more laid-back, bright, breezy, if you get me. But this collection felt like a promising return to form!

23. Roberto Cavalli RTW F/W24, creative dir. Fausto Puglisi: Was this collection a bit tacky at times? Totally. But at its best it felt like a meeting of the early 2000’s socialite look (I’m talking about the stumbling out of the club dresses, obviously), Coachella fashion at the height of its significance in the mid 2010s, and a Studio 54 vibe. When you’ve got such great ingredients, you can never fuck up THAT badly and when you succeed, you get this deliciousness. 

24. Zimmerman RTW F/W24, creative dir. Nicky Zimmerman: Super predictable of me to include Zimmerman in my top 25 but this collection was as elegant, romantic, and catered to the free-spirits amongst us as I’ve come to expect Nicky Zimmerman’s work to be to be.

25. Altuzarra RTW F/W24, creative dir. Joseph Altuzarra: Altuzarra’s F/W24 collection was stamped in my memory for all the right reasons. It was a playfully, modern take on classic silhouettes and tailoring, with a vibrancy about it emerging from a quality beyond the relatively subdued colour palette. Whether it stems from the checkerboard prints, the whimsical head wear, or dramatic ruffles, there’s wit and a lightness of spirit about the collection, which is neutralised by by oversized, androgynous silhouettes and harsh graphic prints. I think for me, Altuzarra’s RTW F/W collection was a great example of how to pull off ditsy, childlike details in a way that transcends the innocence and naivety underlying a kid’s choice of clothing, instead evoking confidence and maturity without losing touch with the charm and nostalgia associated with childhood.

So that’s it’s for now girlies:-)

But on a serious note…I know I previously stated I wanted to start every post by driving home what the Israeli government are continuing to do in Gaza, which in plain terms is nothing short of ethnic cleansing, but for the format of this post, it didn’t fit to do that until now, so I want to reiterate it here: THIS IS STILL. FUCKING. HAPPENING. WHAT. THE. FUCK.

A couple of days ago, the IDF again struck the supposed “safe zone” of Rafah, which they had claimed was a haven for refugees. Their actions continue to be as morally abhorrent as ever. Let us PLEASE not buy Israel’s clear-as-day BULLSHIT explanation of this being a “tragic” accident. You do NOT FUCKING “ACCIDENTALLY” bomb a refugee camp, AN ENTIRE REGION. THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN. I cannot BELIEVE this is still occurring, and that President Joe Biden, in amongst a chorus of Israel’s other defenders, is only now beginning to make vague mentions of a ceasefire. A CEASEFIRE IS NOT FUCKING GOOD ENOUGH. A “TWO STATE SOLUTION” IS NOT FUCKING GOOD ENOUGH. Let’s be clear Hamas have been proposing ceasefires since this entire IDF campaign started. All they have asked for is that Israel stop the attacks, and that they will give up Israeli hostages in return. Netanyahu has TURNED THIS DOWN, because he has no intention of stopping in forcing Palestinians out of the region all together, be it through their slaughter or permanent displacement. The Israeli hostages mean NOTHING to him.

Palestinians deserve to return to their homes, they deserve Israel and every other complicit nation’s investment in rebuilding their communities, reparations, self-determination, and reclamation of the ancestral homelands they have been  continually forced out of for the last 50 years. Maybe we have turned a corner and a ceasefire might finally come but it has NOTHING to do with the Israeli government’s cooperation, and it’s not a just resolution to the damage, destruction and slaughter Israelis and their allies have encouraged and facilitated in any way.

The death toll today, by conservative estimations, nears the 40,000 mark. A report conducted by Euro-Med Monitor, published on reliefweb.int proposes this number exceeds that. According to this source: “The Israeli army has killed 42,510 Palestinians over the course of its 200-day attack, 38,621 of whom were civilians, including 10,091 women and 15,780 children. The bodies of several thousand are still stuck under the rubble, while thousands remain missing and are presumed dead. These statistics include the killing of 137 journalists, 356 medical personnel, and 42 civil defence personnel.” Numbers only do so much, and fail to convey the horror of what every one of those individuals and their families have suffered through. Palestinians are being murdered at a rate of roughly 250 citizens per day, according to a report published by Oxfam in January of this year. If, and when, a ceasefire comes, this isn’t enough, and should be just the start of a push to hold Israel responsible for the destruction of Palestinian people and their culture. That’s what we ought to be reiterating now that these “ceasefire” talks are beginning, as well as the fact that these talks have absolutely NOTHING to do with Israeli leaders developing a conscience. All I can speculate is that as the US presidential election looms, Biden is realising how detrimental his revolting apathy to Palestinian suffering could be to voters. He cannot get away with this half-arsed U-turn nor can any of the ministers who have backed and facilitated Israel’s genocide over the last 8 months. WE HAVE A GENERAL ELECTION APPROACHING IN THE UK! And though it seems likely the Conservatives will be out, Labour do NOT deserve a sweep. The best outcome we can hope for is they end up as the minority governing party, so that even if they win, they know many of us are equally disgusted with their actions.

THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO TONE DOWN OUR DISSENT. Politicians careers are on the line right now, and the incentive for them to listen to what we will not stand for going forward I’m sure weighs more heavy on their consciences (if they have them) than EVER.

AROUND 40,000 PALESTINIANS ARE DEAD. THEIR HOMELAND HAS BEEN DESTROYED. WE NEED TO KEEP THE FUCKING MOMENTUM GOING. KEEP BOYCOTTING, PROTESTING, POSTING, THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT YOUR VOTE. WE DO NOT HAVE A 2 PARTY SYSTEM HOWEVER MUCH STARMER, SUNAK, AND THE TABLOIDS WANT US TO THINK. LOCAL POLITICS REALLY FUCKING MATTER RIGHT NOW!

The fashion is fun and all, but I couldn’t finish this post without reiterating where we’re at right now when it comes to the most pressing concerns we ought to be focussing on. 

With all that being said, thanks for reading if you did! On the mid-year fashion update front, it’s over and out from me! Hope this was somewhat enjoyable, and if nothing else, you enjoyed the pretty pictures-and fingers crossed, I’m echoing the common sentiment with what I included about Palestine.

ONCE MORE FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK: FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA, PALESTINE WILL BE FREE.

Lauren x

[midnight-star-world]

#CountryMusic

Cody Johnson - Leather

So today on the MSR (Midnight Star Review), I would like to talk about the latest album from Cody Johnson. The new album is titled "Leather" and was on Friday November 3rd, 2023. But before we dive into the new 12 track project, let's talk about Cody's Career for a little bit first up next.

Some of the biggest hits of Cody's career are songs like "'til you can't", "Human", & "On my way to you". Other hits include songs like "Nothin' on you", "Dear rodeo" with Reba McEntire, & "Ain't nothin' to it". Let's jump back o track before we go too far off topic. Here is the highlights of the album up next.

Cody had co-writting help from Hardy (Michael Hardy), & Devin Dawson on this new CD. His current single from the project is "The painter", & "Leather" is the title track as well. Other songs you should check out are "Work boots", "Double down" is a slight tribute to George Strait and his Ace in the Hole band, & "Watching my old flame go out". Kind of the stand out tracks in my opinion are "Dirt cheap", "Whiskey bent" featuring Jelly Roll, & "Long live Country Music" featuring Brooks & Dunn. Antther highlight of the album is "That's Texas", and here is the track list up next.

Track list.

Work boots.

Double down.

Watching my old flame go out.

That's Texas.

Dirt cheap.

Jesus loves you.

Whiskey bent (Featuring Jelly Roll).

Leather.

People in the back.

Long live Country music (Featuring Brooks & Dunn).

The painter.

Make me a mop.

And that's a wrap for the track list. And on the MSR (Midnight Star Review), I would give this new CD a 4.5 out of 5 stars. For a 12 track album, there were a lot of songs that stood out for me. So if you are Cody Johnson fan or a CoJo Fan, you will enjoy this new project. Thanks for taking the time to read this review. See ya all next time.

[david-ennocenti]

Blood On The Hill - TV Pilot

BLOOD ON THE HILL

(Pilot episode) "My Enemy, My Friend"

FADE IN:

EXT. SURRATT BOARDING HOUSE WASHINGTON D.C. 1865 - NIGHT

Horses tied to hitching posts in front of the boarding house. People walk past.

SUPER: "WASHINGTON D.C. APRIL 14, 1865"

INT. SURRATT BOARDING HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

JOHN HARRISON (early 40's) lies on a bed in a room in the boarding house. He overhears the others in the next room.

MAN #1 David Herold is going to bring Powell to Seward's house. Powell will kill Seward. George Atzerodt will get Vice President Johnson and Booth is at Ford's Theater right now.

The action changes to another room in the boarding house. There are three men: MAN #1, MAN #2, and MAN #3. All about 30 years old.

MAN #2 Who changed the plans?

MAN #1 Booth. He'll kill Lincoln. We need to get fresh horses and supplies so they can make it to the Surratt tavern. And from-

The back door to the boarding house is heard - SLAMMED SHUT.

INT. HALLWAY OF THE BOARDING HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

The three men in the room run into the hallway and see the back door is shut.

SARAH SLATER (mid 30's) is half way to the back door when the men enter the hallway.

MAN #1 (to Slater) Sarah, did you see who went out the back?

Sarah turns to face them.

SLATER The boarder, John Harrison.

MAN #2 He overheard the plan. He must be heading to Ford's theater.

Slater runs out the back door. The men start to run out the front door. The third man, Man #1 stops.

MAN #1 My horse is out back.

Man #1 runs out the back door. The others continue out the front.

EXT. THE BACK DOOR SURRATT'S BOARDING HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Man #1 steps out the back door and looks around.

MAN #1 Where's my horse?

EXT. FORD'S THEATER FRONT ENTRANCE - CONTINUOUS

INT. FORD THEATER - CONTINUOUS

Harrison runs past the THEATER EMPLOYEE in the front lobby.

THEATER EMPLOYEE Sir, no one is admitted after the show has started.

HARRISON Did you see John Wilkes Booth come in here?

THEATER EMPLOYEE Yes, are you a friend?

HARRISON Yes, is he here?

THEATER EMPLOYEE He said he was going to greet the President.

HARRISON How do I get to the President's seat?

THEATER EMPLOYEE (pointing) Down that hallway and up the stairs.

Harrison runs down the hall. Slater is at the end near the stairs.

THEATER EMPLOYEE But the guard won't let you in.

HARRISON (as he approaches Slater) Sarah, get out of here. You could be implicated. Booth is planning to get the President.

SLATER Yes, I know, I'm here to help. Follow me.

Harrison follows her.

PER-LAP

TELEVISION NEWS ANCHOR And in local news, Senator John Harrison was in Tysons Corner today…

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. HARRISON'S HOME IN WASHINGTON D.C. - NIGHT

Harrison stands in the kitchen. A Television in the kitchen is tuned to a local news channel. Harrison's picture is on the TV screen, behind the news anchor.

TELEVISION NEWS ANCHOR He held a press conference to discuss his bill The Trafficking Awareness Health Care Act.

Harrison is dressed very conservatively in a dark suit, white shirt, and tie. He loosens his tie as he walks through the kitchen. He rubs his neck. A scar is visible.

B.G. The news cast continues.

He opens the refrigerator and takes out a BOTTLE OF BLOOD marked type O. He pours a glass.

His FANGS show as he brings the glass to his mouth. He drinks the entire glass. He rinses the glass and puts it in the sink. He picks up the remote, turns off the TV, turns out the light and leaves the kitchen.

EXT. PUBLIC PARK - ROCHESTER NY - NIGHT

SUPER: "PRESENT DAY"

Congressman TOM CONLIN (40's) stands alone. He ties his jogging shoe laces and then jogs away. The bushes behind him move due to someone, or something, disturbing them.

INT. TV STUDIO TALK SHOW - NIGHT

John Harrison (still looks like late 30's or early 40's), and the TALK SHOW HOST of "Capitol Hill News" are in the studio.

INT. - NEW YORK STUDIO - CONTINUOUS

Democrat U.S. Senator DENNIS CARNEY (Mid 40's) is at a remote studio in New York State.

INTERCUT - TV STUDIO TALK SHOW/NEW YORK STUDIO/PUBLIC PARK

The scene continues to shift between the studios and the park.

TALK SHOW HOST In case you're just joining us, we're talking with Republican Senator from Virginia, John Harrison, who's here in the studio with me. Democrat Senator from New York, Dennis Carney, is in our New York Studio.

The talk show host turns to Harrison.

TALK SHOW HOST Senator Harrison, I understand you are going to Beijing.

HARRISON Yes. We intend to clear the way for development there.

CARNEY That's right, after the trade deficit we have with them, he's going to go and clear the way for his campaign contributors.

TALK SHOW HOST That's how some see it, Senator Harrison.

HARRISON And what's the problem with helping to expand American business and interest.

CARNEY Because you're expanding it where we have a trade deficit. They're practically our enemies.

HARRISON Lincoln once said, if I make my enemy my friend, haven't I defeated my enemy?

CARNEY There he goes again, quoting Lincoln.

TALK SHOW HOST You do seem to have a habit of that Senator.

CARNEY He quotes him so much, you'd think he knew him.

HARRISON I wish I had. I'll tell you this, I wish I could have prevented his assassination.

TALK SHOW HOST Tell us more on why you're going to Beijing.

HARRISON Benson Supermarkets would like to expand into Asia.

CARNEY Benson has donated to his campaign.

HARRISON Can we see your list of donors?

CARNEY The point is Benson is shipping American jobs to Beijing.

HARRISON Not at all. Opening a store in another country doesn't send jobs there.

CARNEY It's money they could invest here. This is the type of nonsense that has my colleague in the House asking the Senate to investigate Senator Harrison.

TALK SHOW HOST You're referring to Congressman Conlin From New York.

CARNEY Yes.

City park - Conlin jogging.

TALK SHOW HOST The feud between Conlin and Senator Harrison has been going on for years.

HARRISON Yes, it began when I was a Congressman. Conlin continues it.

CARNEY He has good cause.

TALK SHOW HOST Senator Carney, you've taken up Conlin's cause against Senator Harrison in the Senate.

HARRISON He sure has.

TALK SHOW HOST There's certainly bad blood on the Hill, that's for sure.

CARNEY We have our reasons.

TALK SHOW HOST How do you feel about Congressman Conlin's constant attacks and demands of investigations, Senator Harrison?

HARRISON It's a distraction but, I have my ways of dealing with my enemies.

TALK SHOW HOST Make them your friend?

HARRISON My first option, but I can resort to other means.

Conlin jogs in the public Park.

TALK SHOW HOST We're not going to resolve this tonight. Good luck on your trip to Beijing, Senator Harrison. Senator Carney thank you for joining us. That's going to do it for us tonight. We'll see you tomorrow night on Capitol Hill News.

EXT. PUBLIC PARK - ROCHESTER NY - CONTINUOUS

Congressman Conlin stops, catches his breath, and looks around. There is some movement in the bushes behind Conlin. A car pulls up and Conlin's aid, MARK WALTERS (30's) gets out of the passenger side.

WALTERS Congressman, there's some news about Senator Harrison.

CONLIN What is it?

WALTERS He confirmed he's going to Beijing.

CONLIN Great, he's going for it. I was afraid he'd back out. We've got him.

WALTERS Come on, get in. We need to go to D.C. for a Press Conference.

CONLIN You're right, better coverage in D.C.

Conlin gets in the car and they drive away. Behind where Conlin was standing there is movement in the bushes.

EXT. THE U.S. CAPITAL BUILDING - DAY

Aerial view of the Capital Dome seen from the front.

INT. THE CAPITOL BUILDING - DAY

Congressman Conlin, standing at the podium, conducts a press conference.

CONLIN The character of Senator Harrison has been questionable for some time. I've questioned his ethics and motives from the time he was a congressman.

REPORTER #1 Is this just another rehash of the same old, same old?

CONLIN Yes and no. Even if I had nothing new, what's in his past is questionable enough. Time doesn't erase it. He decided to go to Beijing to transact some business. Despite our trade problems.

REPORTER #2 He has the right.

CONLIN Listen, one of his biggest donors is Benson Supermarkets. They want to expand business into Asia. That's the purpose behind his going there.

REPORTER #1 Are you saying there is something illegal about it?

CONLIN At the very least unethical.

REPORTER #1 In what way?

CONLIN Senator Harrison is taking contributions from a business while he is also negotiating a deal for that business with a foreign nation.

REPORTER #3 How do you know he's negotiating?

CONLIN Because he's going to that foreign nation with his donor client.

REPORTER #2 You don't know he's negotiating.

CONLIN It has the appearance of impropriety.

REPORTER #3 But you don't know that there is anything improper going on.

CONLIN Are you familiar with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act?

REPORTER #3 No.

CONLIN Well you will be. I'm going to make sure we look into this. That's it for now.

Conlin walks away as reporters keep asking questions.

INT. THE SENATE OFFICE BUILDING HARRISON'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

Harrison and his Chief of Staff, MICHAEL STOKES (Early 30's), watch the press conference on TV.

Harrison shuts off the TV as the conference ends.

STOKES We have to do something about this.

HARRISON Why? We're within the law.

STOKES The problem is public perception. Like he said, the appearance of impropriety. It could put too much heat on you in the public eye.

HARRISON So you think we need to counter his attacks?

STOKES Yes, especially for three years from now.

HARRISON If I announce my candidacy for President?

STOKES What do you mean if?

HARRISON You realize it depends on who gets elected President this year.

STOKES I know.

HARRISON What do you suggest we do?

STOKES Start with what we have. We know plenty about him.

HARRISON Like what?

STOKES We know his habits, his lifestyle. We're reviewing his voting record. And, we've been following him.

HARRISON Do you have a plan?

STOKES We know he's an avid jogger.

HARRISON How does that help us?

STOKES Go on your trip to Beijing. I'll take care of things here.

Harrison shakes is head.

EXT. U.S. CAPITOL BUILDING - NIGHT

Aerial view of the Capitol Dome at night.

INT. A CONFERENCE ROOM IN THE SENATE OFFICE BUILDING - NIGHT

A number of Senators and members of Congress are in a conference room. Harrison is at the head of the table. In attendance SENATOR FROM MARYLAND, CONGRESSMAN FROM VIRGINIA, CONGRESSWOMAN FROM VIRGINIA, and a few others.

There are a couple of glasses of blood on the tables.

The door to the room opens. Harrison walks in.

HARRISON Bringing those refreshments in here is not a good idea.

CONGRESSMAN FROM VA Don't worry we'll take them with us when we leave.

CONGRESSWOMAN FROM VA It's still not a good idea. What if someone gets past the guard outside the door?

HARRISON Or, what if someone spills it. Don't do it again.

CONGRESSWOMAN FROM VA You'd think all of you would know better.

Harrison looks around.

HARRISON Not a very good turn out.

SENATOR FROM MD That's because congress isn't in session.

CONGRESSWOMAN FROM VA Only those of us from Maryland and Virginia are here for this meeting.

HARRISON Then why was it called? What's the big issue.

SENATOR FROM MD The big issue is you're getting too much exposure.

HARRISON What do you expect? I've been in the Senate two terms.

CONGRESSMAN FROM VA Yes, but it's the kind of attention you're drawing.

HARRISON Look, I can't help it if Conlin and his Senate sidekick-

SENATOR FROM MD Dennis Carney?

HARRISON Yes, Dennis the Menace.

CONGRESSWOMAN FROM VA You can't help it if what?

HARRISON I can't help it if they're going to constantly feud with me.

SENATOR FROM MD No, but you didn't have to advertise your trip to Beijing.

CONGRESSWOMAN FROM VA And for what, to work out deals for your campaign contributors?

HARRISON I went on the talk show with Carney to quiet those rumors.

SENATOR FROM MD Instead it fueled them.

CONGRESSMAN FROM VA And kept the spotlight on you.

HARRISON So?

CONGRESSWOMAN FROM VA So, we don't need the spotlight on us.

HARRISON Look, we're in the House and Senate, expect the spotlight.

SENATOR FROM MD And what are you going to do about the feuding?

HARRISON I'll take care of Conlin. Stokes, my Chief of Staff, is working on it. Things will be different when I return from Asia.

CONGRESSMAN FROM VA In the meantime, how do we stop the rumors that you plan to run for President?

HARRISON We don't.

SENATOR FROM MD You in the White House? That would be real low profile, wouldn't it?

HARRISON I'm not worried about it.

CONGRESSWOMAN FROM VA You should be.

HARRISON Why?

SENATOR FROM MD Because old Senators can fade way.

CONGRESSMAN FROM VA Old Presidents can't.

CONGRESSWOMAN FROM VA Have you thought about that?

SENATOR FROM MD After Presidents leave office they stay in the public eye, Senators don't.

HARRISON I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

CONGRESSWOMAN FROM VA You've been through this before.

HARRISON About a hundred years ago.

CONGRESSMAN FROM VA And you backed down then.

HARRISON It was time to recycle and hibernate.

SENATOR FROM MD Disappear and reinvent yourself.

CONGRESSWOMAN FROM VA Which is what you should do now.

SENATOR FROM MD My point exactly.

CONGRESSMAN FROM VA A vampire President can be trouble for all of us.

CONGRESSWOMAN FROM VA It's bad enough some people think Nixon was one of us.

HARRISON Just let me handle it. One of us in the White House has it's benefits.

Harrison gets up and leaves.

INT. A HOTEL IN BEIJING A CONFERENCE ROOM - NIGHT

Harrison is with his campaign donor JOSEPH BENSON (50's), from Benson Supermarkets and a Beijing business man, BOLIN CHEN (50's).

HARRISON I'm going to leave you two alone to discuss your business. I'll be in the lobby.

BENSON Oaky, Bolin and I can discuss our options. We'll get you when we're done.

CHEN (Mandarin accent) Fine Senator. I am sure we can work this out.

HARRISON It's best I stay out of it.

Harrison leaves the room and shuts the door behind him.

INT. HOTEL LOBBY - CONTINUOUS

Harrison walks out to the lobby and sits on a couch. The lobby is empty.

INTERCUT: HOTEL CONFERENCE ROOM/ HOTEL LOBBY - CONTINUOUS

The scene shifts between the conference room and the lobby.

INT. A HOTEL IN BEIJING A CONFERENCE ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Benson and Chen continue their discussion.

BENSON You know this is going to cost quite a bit.

CHEN How much?

BENSON Perhaps 100 million U.S. Dollars for starters.

RESUME IN THE HOTEL LOBBY.

Harrison has his finger near his ear, like he is listening. He jumps up and looks startled. He pauses a second and runs out the front door of the Hotel and is gone down the street.

RESUME IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM:

Men in plain clothes, guns drawn, break in through a back door in the conference room.

SAUNDERS FBI AGENT FBI. Freeze. Put your hands up.

FBI AGENT #2 Where's Harrison?

BENSON In the lobby.

FBI Agent #2 runs out to the lobby.

RESUME IN THE HOTEL LOBBY

FBI Agent #2 Looks around the lobby. Harrison is not in sight. The agent returns to the conference room.

RESUME IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM

FBI AGENT #2 He's gone, someone must have tipped him off.

CHEN How? He just walked out a minute ago.

FBI AGENT #2 Well, he's gone. He couldn't have heard us all the way in the lobby.

SAUNDERS FBI AGENT How could he disappear that quickly?

FBI AGENT #2 Who tipped him?

CHEN It wasn't us.

BENSON What's this about?

SAUNDERS FBI AGENT It's about bribing foreign officials.

BENSON What foreign official?

FBI AGENT #2 (pointing at Chen) Him.

CHEN I'm a business man.

BENSON He's not a foreign official.

SAUNDERS FBI AGENT No matter. Cuff them and let's go.

INT. A PARTY HOUSE ROCHESTER NY - NIGHT

There are banners in the room "Re-Elect Sarah Slater to New York Assembly."

SARAH SLATER (still looks like mid 30's) very attractive, speaks to the crowd. She is dressed like it's a press conference.

Applause in the room, dies down.

SLATER Thank you everyone for making this a successful fund raiser. A special thanks to my Chief of Staff, Jack Townsend. I plan to continue to serve Rochester as assemblywoman. Everyone enjoy the rest of the evening.

Applause.

Slater steps away from the microphone and approaches her chief of staff, JACK TOWNSEND (mid 40's). He is dressed casually.

TOWNSEND My work is done here.

SLATER Thanks again, Jack.

TOWNSEND I'm headin' home.

SLATER Good night. I'm heading home soon myself. It's been a long day.

Townsend leaves. Slater returns to the crowd.

EXT. PARTY HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Townsend exits the party house through the door leading to the parking lot. He continues walking.

EXT. PUBLIC PARK - ROCHESTER NY - CONTINUOUS

Conlin is jogging. He stops. He bends over, puts his hands on his knees, and takes a deep breath.

Suddenly someone jumps out from between the bushes, grabs Conlin, and drags him behind the bushes.

EXT. PUBLIC PARK - ROCHESTER NY - DAY

TWO ROCHESTER POLICE OFFICERS in uniform, examine the taped off crime scene.

OFFICER #1 Looks like he was murdered somewhere else and dragged here.

OFFICER #2 I think you're right. Not much of a struggle here, just some evidence of movement.

A WOMAN OFFICER in uniform, approaches.

WOMAN OFFICER That looks like Congressman Conlin.

OFFICER #2 How can you tell in that condition?

WOMAN OFFICER It just looks like him. Any I.D. on the body?

OFFICER #1 No.

OFFICER #2 No wallet. Could have been a robbery.

WOMAN OFFICER He was jogging he probably left it in his car.

OFFICER #1 Then why drag the body back here through the bushes after the murder?

OFFICER #2 We've got other officers looking around to see if a struggle happened nearby.

OFFICER #1 Have them check for parked cars.

WOMAN OFFICER What makes you think he was murdered elsewhere?

OFFICER #1 Look at his condition, he looks mangled. But, not much evidence of a struggle.

OFFICER #2 There's also little blood here. It's like he bled to death and was brought here later.

OFFICER #1 Or, at least after the blood clotted.

OFFICER #1 (to the woman officer) Call the congressman's office. See if they have anything on his whereabouts.

WOMAN OFFICER So you think it's Conlin?

OFFICER #1 No, but you do.

The woman officer pulls out her cell phone and walks away, typing on it.

OFFICER #2 If it's Conlin, we have to call the FBI.

INT. THE SENATE OFFICE BUILDING HARRISON'S OFFICE -DAY

Harrison's SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST is sitting at her desk. Harrison comes walking in. He looks disheveled.

SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST What happened to your trip?

HARRISON Cut short.

SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST Michael said you were coming in.

HARRISON Where is he?

SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST His office.

HARRISON Has Joe Benson's people called?

SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST No.

HARRISON Call his office and get me someone in charge there.

Harrison walks through the office and stops at Stokes door. He pokes his head in.

HARRISON My office.

Stokes follows Harrison into his office. Harrison sits at his desk, Stokes sits in a chair in front of it.

STOKES Want to clue me in?

HARRISON All I know is I was out in the lobby letting the two of them talk. I could hear the bust going down from the lobby. So I ran. Got on a plane. Here I am.

STOKES There's been nothing in the news about the bust.

HARRISON I wonder why?

STOKES Maybe they're waiting to see what you do.

HARRISON It's been two days. Not a word?

STOKES No.

Harrison picks up the remote on his desk and turns on his office TV. The TV is tuned to one of the news stations.

HARRISON Let's keep an eye on this.

STOKES Any clue about the bust?

HARRISON I heard them shout violation of the FCPA.

STOKES You could hear that all the way in the lobby?

Harrison taps his ear.

STOKES But wasn't there noise out in the lobby?

HARRISON No, fortunately it was empty.

EXT. PUBLIC PARK - ROCHESTER NY - DAY

TWO FBI AGENTS are at the scene with two Rochester Police Department Officers. Officer #1 approaches.

ROCHESTER FBI AGENT #1 (to Officer #1) Do we have a positive I.D.?

OFFICER #1 It's Conlin.

ROCHESTER FBI AGENT #2 Okay, let's find a cause of death and start making a list of the usual suspects.

OFFICER #1 Suspects?

ROCHESTER FBI AGENT #1 His enemies.

OFFICER #2 He's a Congressman, that list could be endless.

ROCHESTER FBI AGENT #2 Fortunately for you, we're the ones working the case now.

INT. FBI OFFICE ROCHESTER NY - DAY

The two FBI agents are in a conference room.

ROCHESTER FBI AGENT #1 I want to know who his friends and enemies in Congress were. What committees he served on. Which ones he may have chaired. What bills he sponsored or co-sponsored, maybe more important, which ones he opposed.

ROCHESTER FBI AGENT #2 Remember, it could have been just a random murder. His staff said he jogged there nearly every night.

ROCHESTER FBI AGENT #1 A victim of habit makes for an easy target.

ROCHESTER FBI AGENT #2 True.

ROCHESTER FBI AGENT #1 The evidence looks like he was murdered elsewhere and brought there.

ROCHESTER FBI AGENT #2 Who would do that?

ROCHESTER FBI AGENT #1 Someone trying to hide something?

ROCHESTER FBI AGENT #2 We should consider friends, acquaintances, possible affairs.

ROCHESTER FBI AGENT #1 We need to call the Capitol City Police Department.

ROCHESTER FBI AGENT #2 Why not the D.C. office of the bureau?

ROCHESTER FBI AGENT #1 Protocol. It's their jurisdiction.

INT. THE SENATE OFFICE BUILDING HARRISON'S OFFICE -DAY

Harrison and Stokes are in Harrison's office. The Television is still on the news channel.

HARRISON I'm beginning to think the FBI realizes they don't have a case.

STOKES They should have known that going in.

HARRISON They may not have cared.

STOKES Could be that they're dropping it because they missed you.

HARRISON Or, they're busy trying to get Benson and Chen to implicate me.

STOKES Implicate you in what? You know there were no violations.

HARRISON True, unless they want to manufacture something. After all, they did jump the gun on the bust. No one said anything incriminating.

STOKES You sure?

HARRISON I heard every word. I stayed just far enough away.

STOKES What would have made them jump the gun? They must have heard something.

Harrison SCOFFS.

HARRISON Those fools.

STOKES What?

HARRISON Benson said it would cost about 100 million. They must have thought that was a bribe.

Harrison eyes the TV, grabs the remote and turns up the volume.

HARRISON Hold it. Something about Conlin.

Harrison and Stokes turn their attention to the T.V. There is a photo of Conlin behind the news anchor.

TELEVISION NEWS ANCHOR Police in Rochester New York are reporting that Congressman Conlin has been found murdered in a public park.

HARRISON Is that how you took care of it?

STOKES I had nothing to do with this. He left for Rochester right after his last press conference.

HARRISON That doesn't exactly exonerate you. You did say you were following him.

STOKES Here. Not Rochester. We knew he jogged at night in D.C.

HARRISON What did you expect to gain from knowing he jogged?

STOKES We figured maybe you could accidentally bump into him off Capitol Hill and talk to him.

HARRISON Fat chance of him making amends.

STOKES You're the one who said, make my enemy my friend.

HARRISON He's never forgiven me for blocking his accounting and finance bill.

STOKES You were pretty adamant about it.

HARRISON Because the bill would have left no trust in the financial markets.

STOKES I know, I know.

TELEVISION NEWS ANCHOR We are breaking away to a press conference at the Capitol.

The scene cuts away to the press conference.

INTERCUT HARRISON'S OFFICE/CAPITOL BUILDING PRESS CONFERENCE

The scene intercuts between the Harrison's office and the Press conference.

INT. THE CAPITOL BUILDING PRESS CONFERENCE - CONTINUOUS

CARNEY I called this press conference to express my deep sympathy over the tragic murder of my friend and colleague, Congressman Tom Conlin. My deepest condolences to his family.

REPORTER AT CARNEY CONFERENCE Senator, do you have any opinion of the comment Senator Harrison made during your appearance together on Capitol City News?

CARNEY You mean how he would take care of his enemies?

REPORTER AT CARNEY CONFERENCE Yes.

RESUME IN HARRISON'S OFFICE

HARRISON He we go.

STOKES Starting already.

RESUME IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE

CARNEY Not really. The whole world heard it. Let the police take care of it. We all know of their feud.

REPORTER #2 AT THE CARNEY CONFERENCE Do you think the feud between you and Senator Harrison will continue?

CARNEY No further questions.

Carney steps away as the reporters shout out questions.

INT. THE SENATE OFFICE BUILDING HARRISON'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

HARRISON Oh, he doesn't want to comment at this time he just wants to throw some red meat out for the vultures.

TELEVISION NEWS ANCHOR In case you missed it earlier, this is the comment Harrison made on Capitol City News. The one referred to in the Carney press conference.

Harrison grabs the remote and shuts off the TV with a quick click. He drops it on the desk.

STOKES You realize that question was a plant?

HARRISON Ya think?.

STOKES That's going to be the sound bite of the week.

HARRISON Completely out of context. Cherry picked.

STOKES It'll continue until the next big sound bite.

INT. NY STATE ASSEMBLY OFFICE ROCHESTER SLATER'S OFFICE -DAY

Townsend charges into Slater's office.

TOWNSEND Did you hear about Conlin?

SLATER No, what about him?

TOWNSEND He was murdered last night.

SLATER That's awful.

She looks at Townsend's grinning face.

SLATER What's with the smile?

TOWNSEND Do you realize it's an election year?

Slater looks around at the election posters.

SLATER Yeah.

TOWNSEND You've made it known you want Conlin's seat in the House someday.

Slater is silent for a while and stares.

TOWNSEND What's the matter?

SLATER What's the matter is…I've made it known I want Conlin's seat in the House someday.

TOWNSEND So?

SLATER So? Am I going to be a suspect because I voiced my ambitions?

TOWNSEND Maybe, but don't worry about that.

SLATER Don't worry about that!

TOWNSEND Did you murder him?

SLATER Why would you ask me that question?

TOWNSEND That's not the right answer.

SLATER Of course I didn't murder him.

TOWNSEND That's better.

SLATER So now what?

TOWNSEND You announce your candidacy. But to be safe wait until someone else announces first.

SLATER Wouldn't it be better if I were the first to announce?

TOWNSEND Maybe if he died of natural causes. And even then only after you expressed your admiration and condolences.

SLATER What if it's someone I couldn't beat?

TOWNSEND Of all the possible candidates I doubt there is anyone you can't beat.

Townsend pauses a moment.

TOWNSEND Just to be safe, I'll go to the Democrat headquarters and ask them to announce that one of the County Legislators in your district is seeking the nomination.

SLATER What good does that do?

TOWNSEND Then you announce you're seeking the nomination for Conlin's seat. The legislator steps down.

SLATER How are you going to convince them?

TOWNSEND I'll point out how having someone announce then withdraw when you enter will keep this in the news longer for the Democrats.

SLATER Why are you so concerned that it doesn't look like I killed him.

TOWNSEND Just being cautious. When you announce your candidacy, you also endorse the legislator for your assembly seat. That way everyone comes out looking good.

SLATER You seem to have it all figured out.

Slater pauses a moment turns her head away from Townsend then back to him.

SLATER Did you kill him?

TOWNSEND Why would you ask me that question?

SLATER That's not the right answer.

TOWNSEND It doesn't matter about me, I'm not the one running.

Townsend leaves.

SLATER Yeah. You're not running.

INT. DOJO IN WASHINGTON D.C. - DAY

SHALLAMAR BOUDREAUX,(30), an attractive and physically fit woman kicks and punches a heavy bag. She is dressed in an all white karate gi and a black belt. The phone at the main desk rings and a MAN AT THE DOJO DESK, dressed in plain clothes answers.

MAN AT THE DOJO DESK (into the phone) Yes, she's right here.

The man puts the phone on hold and yells.

MAN AT THE DOJO DESK Sensei Shallamar, phone call.

BOUDREAUX (hitting the bag) Take a message.

MAN AT THE DOJO DESK It's the Capitol City Police.

Shallamar hits the bag once more, grabs a towel, wipes her face as she walks over to the desk. She answers the phone.

BOUDREAUX Sergeant Boudreaux.

INTER CUT DOJO/CAPITOL CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

The scene shifts between the Dojo and the Police department.

INT. CAPITOL CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICE - DAY

Capitol City Police officer PHILIP KIRBY, (mid-20's) physically fit, sits at his desk.

KIRBY You weren't answering your cell so I thought I'd try you here.

BOUDREAUX Good guess Sherlock. What's so important?

KIRBY Congressman Conlin was murdered last night.

BOUDREAUX Where?

KIRBY In Rochester New York.

BOUDREAUX In Rochester? So what are we supposed to do, fly there and investigate?

KIRBY They want us to go to the Senate office building and speak to Senator Harrison.

BOUDREAUX Why him?

KIRBY They say he made a threat. I'll fill you in when you get here.

Boudreaux hangs up the phone and takes a deep breath.

INT. THE SENATE OFFICE BUILDING HARRISON'S OFFICE -DAY

Senator Harrison sits at his desk. He is on the phone.

HARRISON (into the phone) Thanks. This is good to know.

He hangs up the phone.

INT. HARRISON'S OUTER OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

Harrison's Secretary is sitting at her desk. Sergeant Boudreaux and officer Kirby arrive in plain clothes. Boudreaux flashes her badge as she approaches the desk.

BOUDREAUX We'd like to see Senator Harrison.

SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST I'll ask him if he's available.

BOUDREAUX Suggest to him that he be available.

SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST (into the phone) Capitol City police are here.

She hangs up the phone.

SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST Go ahead in.

INT. HARRISON'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

Boudreaux and Kirby enter the office

BOUDREAUX Senator, I'm Sergeant Boudreaux and this is officer Kirby.

The officers take their seats in front of Harrison's desk.

BOUDREAUX You probably know why we are here.

HARRISON Should I?

BOUDREAUX Other than the murder of Congressman Conlin, is there anything else we should be looking into?

HARRISON What does his murder have to do with me?

KIRBY Your feud is well known.

HARRISON Well known, or did you look it up?

KIRBY It's well known.

BOUDREAUX And it's easy to look it up. What do you know about the murder?

HARRISON Am I a suspect?

BOUDREAUX You're a person of interest.

HARRISON Why?

KIRBY You had motive.

HARRISON As does two thirds of congress and half his constituents.

BOUDREAUX I'll ask again, what do you know about the murder?

HARRISON Only what's been reported in the news.

BOUDREAUX Nothing more?

HARRISON Why would I know more?

KIRBY That's what we'd like to know.

BOUDREAUX Look it's really no secret that you two have been feuding.

HARRISON Many of us feud.

BOUDREAUX Not like you two.

KIRBY Word is it was Conlin who contacted the FBI and set up the sting on your campaign donor.

Boudreaux gives Kirby a stern look.

HARRISON Who says he was my campaign donor?

KIRBY He contributed to your Super PAC.

Boudreaux gives him another look.

HARRISON That's all on public record. I'm not hiding anything, Never do.

KIRBY Never?

HARRISON I'm a Senator. What do you think?

Kirby SCOFFS.

BOUDREAUX Weren't you there when the bust came down?

HARRISON Should I have an attorney present?

KIRBY That's not necessary.

HARRISON Really?

BOUDREAUX We're not charging you with anything.

HARRISON How do you know it was Conlin who set me up?

BOUDREAUX So you were there?

Harrison fidgets a bit.

HARRISON Not really. But my donor-

KIRBY Your donor? I thought you said he wasn't your donor.

HARRISON So you're saying my acquaintance was set up in the hopes that I would be present.

BOUDREAUX And you're saying you weren't?

HARRISON Did the FBI say I was?

BOUDREAUX They saw you go in, but not come out.

KIRBY And Senator Carney is asking for an investigation.

BOUDREAUX Violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

HARRISON Which is quite a stretch since I wasn't present.

BOUDREAUX That remains to be seen from the investigation. Bribing a foreign official is a serious matter.

HARRISON There is no foreign official and just what would you know about the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act?

BOUDREAUX I studied the FCPA as an accounting student.

HARRISON Accounting student? So why did you become a cop?

BOUDREAUX I have a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Police Science.

HARRISON Why, both?

BOUDREAUX That's needed to become an FBI agent.

HARRISON So why aren't you with the FBI?

BOUDREAUX I'm working on it.

HARRISON Maybe I can help you with that.

BOUDREAUX What do you mean by that?

HARRISON You help me in some way and I'll see what I can do to get you in the FBI.

BOUDREAUX That sounds like a conflict of interest.

HARRISON Not at all. I wash your back, you wash mine.

BOUDREAUX Besides a bad visual, that sounds like a bribe.

HARRISON No how-

BOUDREAUX How about if we ask the questions?

KIRBY You started to say something about your accomplice.

HARRISON Acquaintance.

KIRBY What did you mean when you said on Capital Hill News, you have ways of dealing with your enemies?

HARRISON Nothing. Look is there anything you want from me with all this badgering?

BOUDREAUX Not at this time. The FBI in New York asked us to talk to you.

HARRISON Why didn't they send agents from their D.C. office?

KIRBY This is our jurisdiction.

BOUDREAUX So, where were you when Conlin was murdered?

HARRISON You know very well where I was.

KIRBY But you denied being in Beijing.

HARRISON I said, I wasn't in the meeting.

KIRBY So you were there. It doesn't exonerate you.

BOUDREAUX Al Capone was in Florida when his enemies were killed in Chicago on Valentines Day.

HARRISON Yes, I remember.

KIRBY You remember?

HARRISON I recall, okay? Do you have anymore questions? Something specific?

KIRBY We'd like your personal financial records.

BOUDREAUX You can turn them over or we'll get a court order for them.

HARRISON Why? Has this talk of Capone given you the idea of charging me with income tax evasion?

BOUDREAUX That's the Treasury Department.

KIRBY We can refer it to them if you'd like.

BOUDREAUX We're requesting them because the FBI wants them.

HARRISON You mean they want to see if there's a money trail linking me to Conlin's murder.

KIRBY Is there?

BOUDREAUX There may be other things they're looking for.

HARRISON Tell them get a court order, a warrant or whatever they need for that. In the meantime I'll contact my attorney. This interrogation is over.

Harrison stands and begins to come out from behind his desk.

Boudreaux and Kirby stand, Boudreaux hands Harrison her card.

BOUDREAUX Here, if you think of anything.

HARRISON You mean anything that can exonerate me?

BOUDREAUX Anything that helps us solve the case.

Harrison looks at her card.

HARRISON Okay, (reading the card) Sergeant Shallamar Boudreaux. Interesting first name.

BOUDREAUX My mother liked the perfume, but not the spelling. If you think of anything, call.

Boudreaux and Kirby leave. Harrison follows behind, pokes his head into Stokes office and indicates, by pointing, he wants to see Stokes in his office.

Stokes jumps up from behind his desk and follows Harrison into Harrison's office.

HARRISON Shut the door.

STOKES What was that about?

HARRISON Conlin.

STOKES Were they accusing you?

HARRISON I'm just one of the suspects. They claim I had motive.

STOKES Many people had motive. The network keeps showing that clip of you.

HARRISON Still out of context I'm sure.

STOKES Of course.

HARRISON They arrived while I was on a call from our FBI contact in Rochester. It was a vampire who did the killing.

STOKES Are they saying that on the news.

HARRISON Are you serious?

STOKES How can our contact be so sure.

HARRISON The evidence points to a vampire killing. The police just think the fact that Conlin lost so much blood that he bled elsewhere and was dumped there.

STOKES So what do we do?

HARRISON I don't know. What do you know about this?

STOKES Are you accusing me.

HARRISON You said you were going to take care of it.

STOKES Now who's being ridiculous?

HARRISON Look let's circle the wagons. I did find out one thing from those two, it was Conlin who set up the sting.

STOKES Now what?

HARRISON Now we cooperate and just go about business as usual. As for the woman cop, I say we keep her close.

STOKES Why is that?

HARRISON She could come in handy for our own needs. She's very sharp.

STOKES She's also involved in the investigation.

HARRISON All the more reason to keep her close. Besides, I've got nothing to hide.

EXT. U.S. SENATE OFFICE BUILDING - CONTINUOUS

Boudreaux and Kirby walk to their car.

BOUDREAUX You realize you gave him information he shouldn't have.

KIRBY Like what?

BOUDREAUX Like it was Conlin who set up a sting on him. He now has information that could interfere with the investigation.

KIRBY I didn't think that was a problem.

BOUDREAUX And, you told him we know Benson donated money to his Super Pac.

KIRBY What is that going to hurt?

BOUDREAUX He now knows we see the financial gain he has.

KIRBY It's not illegal for him to do that.

BOUDREAUX No, but it looks unethical. Look, just try not to give out any information that's not necessary. It makes them know what you're thinking and that makes you vulnerable.

INT. MONROE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC HEADQUARTERS NY - DAY

Slater stands at a podium with microphones from several news stations. Campaign signs are on the wall behind her. County legislator MARK GIVENS is with her.

SLATER I imagine everyone wonders why I called this press conference. It's to pledge my support for Mark Givens for New York State assembly.

The crowd applauds.

SLATER That's because I am announcing my candidacy for Congress.

More applause.

INT. THE SENATE OFFICE BUILDING HARRISON'S OFFICE -DAY

Harrison sits at his desk with Stokes in the seat in front. The T.V. is on in his office tuned to the station covering Slater's press conference.

HARRISON Hang on.

Harrison picks up the remote and turns up the volume.

HARRISON Oh my god.

STOKES What?

HARRISON It's Sarah Slater.

SLATER (on TV) I'm looking forward to campaigning for Congress and and representing my constituents in Washington.

HARRISON So, she's running for Conlin's seat. I wonder.

STOKES You have a history with her or something?

HARRISON You could say that.

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

INT. SURRATT'S TAVERN SURRATTSVILLE VIRGINIA - DAY

SUPER: "THE SURRATT TAVERN - SURRATTSVILLE VIRGINIA APRIL 1865"

John Harrison walks into the Surratt tavern. He approaches the bar and strikes up a conversation with the bartender. Sarah Slater sits at a nearby table with JOHN WILKES BOOTH.

HARRISON Excuse me, I wonder if you can tell me where I can find John Surratt.

BARTENDER SURRATT TAVERN He ain't in.

Sarah Slater appears to overhear the conversation and approaches.

HARRISON Do you know when he might be in?

BARTENDER SURRATT TAVERN He's away on business.

SLATER Excuse me, may I ask what your interest might be with John Surratt? He's a friend of mine.

HARRISON It's a little personal.

SLATER His mother may be in later.

HARRISON His mother?

SLATER Yes, his mother, most people have them.

HARRISON I didn't think she would still be alive.

SLATER Why is that?

HARRISON I believe John has to be in his 50's so I just thought…

SLATER Oh. I'm afraid you must have the wrong John Surratt, he's in his twenties.

HARRISON Yes, I guess I do. I was told that John and Mary Surratt own this tavern.

SLATER Yes, that would be Mary and John Senior. He passed away a year ago. I thought you meant John Junior.

HARRISON John Junior?

SLATER Yes, John and Mary's son.

HARRISON Oh, of course.

SLATER What did you want to see John Senior about?

HARRISON Like I said, it's personal.

SLATER Would you care to see Mary? She still owns this tavern. She should be at her Boarding house in D.C.

HARRISON I seriously doubt she would want to hear from me.

SLATER Sounds like you have a really deep secret.

HARRISON You could say that.

SLATER A dark past perhaps?

HARRISON Perhaps. You mentioned a boarding house. Might there be a room available?

SLATER A good chance. Why don't you have a seat over here with us and chat for a minute.

Slater walks back to the table and rejoins the man she was sitting with. Harrison follows her.

SLATER My name is Sarah, and you're?

HARRISON John Harrison.

SLATER Really?

HARRISON Yes, Really. You seem surprised.

SLATER In a way. Harrison happens to be John Junior's middle name.

HARRISON Interesting.

SLATER It is intriguing, isn't it? John Harrison this is John Wilkes Booth.

HARRISON The actor?

JOHN WILKES BOOTH That would be me.

HARRISON What a pleasure to meet you. Are you in town for a performance?

JOHN WILKES BOOTH No, I have other business to attend to.

HARRISON I wish you luck with it. (to Slater) Listen, I have to head back to D.C. I need to find a room. The Surratt boarding house?

SLATER It's at 604 H Street North West. Ask for Mary, tell her Sarah Slater sent you.

HARRISON Thank you, I will do that.

SLATER You must be disappointed that John Senior is deceased.

HARRISON Yes, I am.

SLATER Your deep dark secret intrigues me.

HARRISON Maybe we'll meet again.

SLATER Certainly, I spend a lot of time at the boarding house.

END FLASHBACK.

INT. THE SENATE OFFICE BUILDING HARRISON'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

STOKES So you actually met John Wilkes Booth?

HARRISON Yes.

STOKES Did you ever tell Slater what your deep secret was?

HARRISON You mean that I'm John Surratt Senior's bastard son?

STOKES You are?

HARRISON Yes. I told her later.

STOKES Did you ever tell Mary Surratt?

HARRISON Didn't have a chance to.

STOKES Why not?

HARRISON She was hung for the assassination of Lincoln.

STOKES Seriously?

HARRISON Seriously, my half-brother's mother.

STOKES Did you ever see Booth again?

HARRISON No, I just missed him.

Slater wraps up her press conference in New York on TV.

INT. SLATER'S ROCHESTER OFFICE -DAY

Slater and Townsend are alone in her office.

SLATER We need to raise more campaign money.

TOWNSEND I'm way ahead of you. I started a Super Pac.

SLATER Already?

TOWNSEND Yes, I'm calling it Cross of Gold.

SLATER Where did that name come from?

TOWNSEND Sometimes if you hide things in plain sight, no one notices.

SLATER Am I missing something?

TOWNSEND Nothing you need to know. But maybe the cross part will get some religious types to donate.

Slater gives him a confused look.

INT. SLATER'S ROCHESTER OFFICE - RECEPTIONIST'S DESK - CONTINUOUS

FBI Agent Saunders and FBI Agent #2 walk into Slater's office and approach the receptionist.

FBI AGENT #2 (showing his badge) We're here to see Assemblywoman Slater.

SLATER'S RECEPTIONIST I'll tell her you're here.

The receptionist picks up the phone and calls Slater.

SLATER'S RECEPTIONIST The FBI is here to see you.

The receptionist hangs up the phone.

SLATER'S RECEPTIONIST It's straight to the back.

The FBI agents head back to Slater's office.

INT. SLATER'S ROCHESTER OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

As the agents enter the room, Townsend leaves. They shut the door behind him.

SAUNDERS FBI AGENT Assemblywoman, can you tell us where you were the night congressman Conlin was murdered?

SLATER Why?

SAUNDERS FBI AGENT Just answer the question please.

SLATER You certainly don't believe I killed him?

FBI AGENT #2 And why wouldn't we?

SLATER From what I read in the paper, the killing was awfully violent. Do you really think I'm capable of doing that to anyone?

SAUNDERS FBI AGENT At this point everyone is a suspect.

FBI AGENT #2 You had the most to gain from his murder.

SLATER Maybe you should talk to the Republican candidate for congress.

FBI AGENT #2 We've done that already.

SLATER Gee, and I thought you said I was the most likely suspect.

SAUNDERS FBI AGENT No, we said you had the most to gain.

SLATER So did his Republican opponent.

FBI AGENT #2 Where were you the night he was murdered?

SLATER I was at a campaign fund raiser. A dinner with my staff and my supporters. You can verify it.

SAUNDERS FBI AGENT Okay, we will do that. That's all for now.

SLATER So now what? You gonna tell me not to leave town?

FBI AGENT #2 No.

SAUNDERS FBI AGENT Not yet anyway. We will have to talk to your staff as well.

Saunders looks at Slater and addresses her

SAUNDERS FBI AGENT Shall we meet your staff.

SLATER Sure, this way.

Slater leads the agents out of her office into the outer office.

INT. TOWNSEND'S HOME - NIGHT

Townsend sits in his living room; decorated like a red neck's humble abode. A Confederate battle flag is on the wall. He reads the newspaper. Country music is playing on his stereo.

INT. A CONFERENCE ROOM IN THE SENATE OFFICE BUILDING - NIGHT

The room with a conference table in the middle. All the seats are filled. Included are Congresswoman from VA, Congressman from VA, MAN SENATOR FROM NV, MAN SENATOR FROM PA, and WOMAN SENATOR FROM WI.

Harrison is at the head of the table and addresses everyone.

HARRISON Do we have anything new to report?

There is silence. All the members exchange looks.

CONGRESSWOMAN FROM VA Yes. We've decided that you need to lay low for a while.

CONGRESSMAN FROM VA You're front page news right now.

MAN SENATOR FROM PA Sort of like the Mafia Don being in the news too much.

MAN SENATOR FROM NV It draws too much attention to us.

HARRISON Are you all crazy? They don't know we exist.

CONGRESSMAN FROM VA We'd like to keep it that way.

HARRISON What makes you think I had anything to do with any of these accusations?

CONGRESSWOMAN FROM VA You're not being accused.

HARRISON Suspected then. How about some support? You can't possibly believe I'm guilty.

WOMAN SENATOR FROM WI What we think is not important, it's what the media thinks.

MAN SENATOR FROM NV And that influences what the public thinks. It reflects on all of us.

HARRISON The Republican party?

WOMAN SENATOR FROM WI Yes, Republican's too.

HARRISON Don't be ridiculous.

MAN SENATOR FROM NV The media doesn't like many members of the GOP.

CONGRESSWOMAN FROM VA That's the Republican's problem, it's not our problem.

CONGRESSMAN FROM VA Your party thinks all Republicans are vampires.

The Congresswoman from VA SCOFFS.

MAN SENATOR FROM PA There is a segment out there who thinks that of Congress as a whole.

WOMAN SENATOR FROM WI Some of us more so than others.

HARRISON I've been in the House and Senate for over 16 years. Suddenly I'm a blood sucker?

CONGRESSWOMAN FROM VA You have had a history of going for the jugular.

HARRISON Yes, when I'm defending myself, not as a steady diet.

MAN SENATOR FROM PA You did find out that Conlin's murder was committed by a vampire.

HARRISON Yes, but that could mean anything.

CONGRESSWOMAN FROM VA We still think you need to lay low for a while.

MAN SENATOR FROM NV Maybe we all need to.

HARRISON I say business as usual. Anything different could raise suspicions.

MAN SENATOR FROM PA How about business as usual, but a little more low key?

INT. THE SENATE OFFICE BUILDING HARRISON'S OFFICE - DAY

Harrison sits at his desk. Stokes walks in.

STOKES Your friend in Rochester won her race.

HARRISON No big surprise. Neither was the tight Presidential race.

STOKES Yep, it's going to require another Florida recount. Remember the first time it happened?

HARRISON I sure do.

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

INT. SALOON WASHINGTON D.C. NOVEMBER 1876.

SUPER: "WASHINGTON D.C. NOVEMBER 8, 1876."

The "National Republican" newspaper headline November 8, 1876 reads: "Florida Recount To Decide Presidential Race."

John Harrison sits at a table reading the newspaper. He downs of shot of whiskey.

END FLASHBACK.

INT. THE SENATE OFFICE BUILDING HARRISON'S OFFICE -DAY

HARRISON Tilden won the popular vote but the Florida recount sent the election to the House. Rutherford B. Hayes won by one vote over Tilden.

STOKES Sounds familiar. I wonder how long this is going to take to decide?

HARRISON Who knows. I'd like to stay out of it.

STOKES You should stay out of it.

HARRISON I may not be able to.

INT. SLATER'S CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE NIGHT

Harrison walks into Slater's office. She is behind the desk writing. She does not address him as he walks in. As if she doesn't know he's there.

HARRISON Mrs. Brown, I presume?

SLATER (without looking up) I haven't been Mrs. Brown in decades. (looks up) I wondered when you would get here.

HARRISON You're here early.

SLATER Early? It's late at night, John.

HARRISON I mean the next congressional session doesn't begin until January.

SLATER I'm filling a vacant seat, remember? I've been sworn in by the Speaker. Besides with Florida up in the air, who knows if my services won't be vital.

HARRISON Speaking of that vacant seat, did the FBI interrogate you about it?

SLATER Yes, they did.

HARRISON And?

SLATER I was at a fund raiser at the time of the murder.

HARRISON I should tell you, my sources in the FBI tell me it was a vampire who committed the murder.

SLATER And where were you?

HARRISON On a trip to Beijing.

SLATER That doesn't mean you didn't have it done for you. The news says you had plenty of motive and made threats.

HARRISON Statements taken out of context. You had plenty to gain as well. And who know, with the speed we can move, you may have had time to appear to be at the fund raiser and still commit the murder.

SLATER So…How have you been these past 150 or so years?

HARRISON A century and a half. Never quite thought of it that way. I wondered what happened to you. I thought maybe someone drove a stake through your heart.

SLATER No, but it has been broken from time to time.

HARRISON By the way, congratulations on winning the election.

SLATER Thank you. You know something tells me you haven't gotten to what you came in here for.

HARRISON You're right.

SLATER You're not going to try and get me to change sides are you? You know that didn't work before.

HARRISON I've come to bring you inside.

SLATER The Senate? But I'm a member of the House.

HARRISON No, inside the community. You do realize we have a community inside Congress?

SLATER I assumed.

HARRISON Well that's why I'm here.

SLATER But I'm a Democrat.

HARRISON Members in the community come from both sides of the isle.

SLATER Okay, I'll bite.

Harrison gives her a surprised look.

SLATER A figure of speech.

HARRISON Maybe we should meet again before I introduce you to the community.

SLATER What's the big rush? After all we haven't seen each other in 150 years.

HARRISON That's what I mean, we have a lot to catch up on. I'll be in touch.

Harrison leaves.

SLATER (to herself) How do they know it was a vampire?

Slater picks up the phone on her desk and dials.

SLATER Damn it, Jack, answer your phone.

Slater slams down the phone when she hears Jack's voice mail.

SLATER Did you really go straight home that night, Jack?

INT. THE SENATE OFFICE BUILDING HARRISON'S OFFICE -NIGHT

Harrison enters his office. He turns on the lights, goes into his office, and sits at his desk. Stokes arrives in the office. Harrison hearing someone come in gets up from his desk and enters the hallway.

INT. COMMON AREA OF HARRISON'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

Harrison and Stokes appear surprised to see each other.

STOKES Why are you here?

HARRISON I was about to ask you the same thing.

STOKES I want to do some research on what our role could be in the Presidential recount.

HARRISON Slater was just telling me the same thing.

STOKES When did you see her?

HARRISON Just now.

STOKES How was the reunion?

HARRISON Sort of uneventful considering it's been 150 years. She did seem a little off kilter. I told her Conlin's murder was a vampire. I'm not sure if she's hiding something or not.

STOKES Can we trust her?

HARRISON We're going to have to.

STOKES Are you saying we have no choice?

HARRISON It's like President Johnson said, Lyndon, not Andrew, about J. Edgar Hoover. It's better to have him inside the tent pissing out rather than outside, pissing in.

STOKES Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer.

HARRISON Exactly. Except I'm not sure which she really is.

STOKES Did she have a roll in the Lincoln assassination?

HARRISON Only one that I know of. I was in the boarding house that night. I over heard the plot, including how Booth was going to get Lincoln at Ford's Theater.

STOKES The benefit of great hearing again.

HARRISON More like thin walls.

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

INT. FORD THEATER - NIGHT

Harrison heads down the hall where the theater employee pointed. Slater approaches him from down the hall.

HARRISON Sarah, get out of here. You could be implicated. Booth is planning to get the President.

SLATER Yes, I know, I'm here to help. Follow me.

Harrison follows her.

She stops, turns around. Her FANGS Show. She grabs Harrison very aggressively showing great strength and bites him in the neck. Harrison falls. Slater catches him and slowly sets him down.

Off screen: a single GUN SHOT is heard. CROWD NOISE is heard. A LOUD THUD is heard from John Wilkes Booth hitting the stage after jumping from the balcony.

JOHN WILKES BOOTH Sic semper tyrannis! (beat) The South is avenged.

Harrison is on the ground as Slater holds him. Harrison's hand is on his neck where Slater sunk her fangs.

END FLASHBACK

TRANSISTION

EXT. ROCK CREEK PARK WASHINGTON D.C. - NIGHT

A YOUNG WOMAN is jogging alone in the park. She jogs past a ROCK CREEK PARK sign. A car drives past her. As she approaches an area near bushes, someone jumps out and drags her back into the bushes.

FADE OUT.

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"One aspect of this study would be the kind of democracy the men create in here. It is a democracy, I suppose, of men who share a common misery and a common foe—society—but it is very real, nonetheless. One manifestation of it is the sharing that takes place, regularly and matter-of-factly. Cigarettes are basic to most men in here. They serve as currency in the extensive barter that goes on. They are, in short, exceedingly precious, as evidenced by the stacks of cartons Nocky Johnson keeps in his locker. Yet it is a commonplace for a man with one or two cigarettes left in his pack, and perhaps days to go till commissary, to share his little hoard with a neighbor who has none!

Even more impressive is the almost universal delicacy when it comes to inquiring into another man's misdeeds, and the refusal to determine one's relations with another convict on the basis of his record. This does not mean that to a criminal all crimes look alike. On the contrary. There are categories of crime rigidly defined though somewhat different from those recognized by the "law-abiding citizens" outside.

The occasional political bigwig like Nocky Johnson, of course, is regarded with awe and the wistful hope that the great man will remember his friends when he comes once again into his kingdom.

Men who attempt armed robbery of banks or post ofiices or the like, are highly respected for their courage. They "put it on the line." They take the big chance when they go outfor crime.

Bootleggers, like my friend Tony, regard themselves and are regarded as respectable business men who have suffered a temporary reverse. Absconding bankers, who usually were the pillars of church and community, are looked on with a mixture of awe for their former positions and a human delight at their collapse. At the bottom of the list are white-slavers (the professional, not the amateur "one-woman" operator), rapists, kidnapers, dope smugglers.

But these are still all categories, and most of the time do not affect an individual's actual standing in the prison community. That is determined by the man himself—his personality, attitudes, and so on.

This morning I ate breakfast with two men whose crimes were atrocious and are generally known. One, a Greek boy in his twenties, an Army prisoner, killed a taxi driver by bludgeoning him to death with a tire iron rather than pay a fifty-cent fare. He is a cheerful, handsome, fairly stupid boy who seems to be troubled neither by a bad conscience over his crime nor by worry about his life sentence. Before his brief life in the Army he worked as a pimp for a New York bawdy house, and frequently regales us with stories of that unbelievably sordid life. (Dirty jokes are frequently uproariously funny; their counterparts in real life are profoundly pathetic and frequently nauseating...) But though Benny's crimes and character are widely known and deplored, Benny himself is moderately popular—a friendly, cheerful, "good guy."

Next to Benny today sat a twenty-year-old boy with a seventy-seven-year sentence. For sheer, cold-blooded brutality, his offense ranks with Benny's. He hitched a ride with a motorist, knocked him out, beat him very badly, and stuffed him into his own trunk, from which he was rescued two days later by a suspicious state cop. The victim lived, though minus the sight of one eye and badly crippled. Tom, then only eighteen, drew a sentence of seventy-five years, subsequently increased by two years when he attempted to escape. He is sullen and uncommunicative; around him there eddies an aura of sudden violence. The other prisoners detest and avoid him, but only because of his present attitude, not because of his violent crimes.

Benny is not liked because of his crime, nor is Tom detested because of his. Most of the men here disapprove of violence about as much as the average person outside. Consequently, they would disapprove strongly of the behavior of both men. But this disapproval does not determine the degree or nature of their acceptance by the prison society; only their present behavior and attitudes do that. It is a significant and perhaps promising sign." - Alfred Hassler, Diary of a Self-Made Convict. Foreword by Harry Elmer Barnes. Chicago: Henry Regnery Company, 1954 (written 1944-1945), p. 116-118.

[after-nine-at-the-oasis]

A don't care xD the high five <3

Hey at least they're happy for her!

Nahh you'll still be overlooked xd

MR. JOHNSON 💀 XDD

Aww cupcakes :D

"To match my Willard R. Abbott shirt" me: *pauses immediately* Jacob WHY

(tbh like jacobwhyy)

Okay good we love that xD

Rasheed 💀

Why does she enunciate her name so much. .

Ayy!! Girl I hope you prepared something xd

Girl why are you so short xD

Like that podium just does not help you I'm not gonna trying to be mean lovely xd

XD thanking for her laughing lol

Don't worry Janine it was a good pun xD I think I laughed idk it's been like a minute now

Thanking him lol

Crawled xD

OPE o.o

Ahh it's a concerted effort too xd

SLFJHFKS zipping up the short xD

"Now we know what the R stands for" SLFJGHSKDKHS HELP XD 💀

Yes Barbara exactly xD

That's lowkey a good acronym

Ahh yeah that is not good o.o

Don't blame yourself Jacob you're one guy lol

Just know it now yk xd

Yeah rewriting history :/

Seriously though could no one have found out somehow out of y'all xD

Joan o.o :'O

Not sure on the women Janine xD?

"My Uncle Franklin" xDD "A lot of eggs in that Franklin basket" xD

Yeesh that's a long time 😬 tracks but yk

I mean guys sometimes you gotta let it go xd it sucks ik but like

Ayy yeah the kids got pizza :D xD!

Well I mean it would be worse to go through with it xd

Lol are they seriously gonna come up with another xD

"I can do that" "Janine can do that" XD Ava I love you lol

"So racism's a laughing matter?" 💀 iconic xD

Nice play y'all lol

What now

Oh apocalypse xD

Ahh is that why we're gonna have a librarian episode next too xD

SLFKGSHFDKLS "Go help her, what if she needs to reach a book on the middle shelf" THE WAY THEY RUN XDD

Hey nice grab one :D

SLFDK did it flood?

SLFJGHSL YUP

Aww ay slay :D

Lol the little "okay trailblazing"

The book smelling bad xD

Ayy yes the librarian program!

Oop she didn't tell :o

It's the little things :'/

Bye Jacobbb

SLFJFHKS JACOB

Sir you might be too invested but I'm 100% okay with it xD

And not him doing that just to give them some time alone 💀 icon lol

The dirt joke xD slay lol

No that would be iconic

Yes library program :))) we love libraries

"And taking names" lol

Oh I thought he said pen for a second LOL xD

Also that is slay :D

And AAAHHHHHHH THAT SCENE WAS SO CUTE S T O P I LOVE THEM SO MUCH 😭😭❤️❤️❤️

Yeah you can't go around saying that randomly lol

Ohhh okay chill!

YOO okay a nice one :O

Direct descendant alright 👀👀

I mean you don't even have to lie just say you're changing it to that in light of finding out the details lol

AWW JACOB'S LITTLE LEG SHAKE

Sorry (not sorry) y'all I love him <333

YOOO DENOUNCING HIS GREAT ETC GRANFATHER'S RACIST VIEWS!!

That's perfect :D

I mean we're 13 minutes in so we'll see but xD

SLAY y'all :DD!!!

[libidomechanica]

Small pose was smooth

A ballad sequence

               1

Words to Betty’s stand, baba and     has been and wait. Her and loud clapping lately fickle Nelly     Gray! But those trunks? Features,

until their host; at length, to     still I quite in volleying history. Still that he should, if it     bent toward me by night, tis

eight years, white hand on thy fair hair.     Of clay, but her come upon stone wanted;—I write the flash’d     as the pair; a things which

on the will never alone. The     town, was o’er thing others, wrapping of Lope, so than when he’s     happiest among the

marriage vow, or turning children     nearly hours, I thought her care of two disturb your sudden     silent have hermit, every

of flower and sooth’d the charming,     with any saint, halloo’d, but here thee; but a fool depth     beloved! Next owner

for effusions, and talk with dancing     them not do that she was the rope that not, because they     reach’d the fatal flesh! Not

for man of those them through the heart,     my lassie o’ my head of Madam, wondered to Juan knew     not what t was bonie Jean.

               2

The Turks at myriads oft I have     done its tower’d Camelot. Dire was sent me tossing     among the pull and wither,

and plate been; besides such highest     place, and pea! Johnson, and love, and to make glad exclaim,     How thy lips do the

catalogues—which is politics, and     o’er thought you sung the first of pictur’d the charm if these treason:     they might chances therefore

the spring; at other is     tooth! Shakes to announces last and deaf, that should understand     orbed brow; there shall fool

me through clear rills float my high soul     within its while the earliest scrape, a tender haunches:     who can traced him whom I

tried to proceeding year i’d     window-panes; the song his horse with the torrent dance: no woods     were once too, which, with a

sight. Till never beauty moue; whose     simple olives, the school play upon the East the King of     the young person fair co-

heiress, of the Nil Admirari.     Juan was print age, as if once it was not my widow     to fresh foliage and

good-bye and begg’d herself being     coverture from strife, let his coyness I will she must now     doth express, to alight

love may find, am urged by an     accident be absence exiled from the fence things; such the     deep pace; their old Susan

she. A rose-fence, his strange of that     shall sing for very miserable man, frozen in the works     well mighty silver lives

out on its misery care to     teach, indeed, or fresh budding, which chokes an attract it give     up a thorough reformation

leaves upon me, company!     In every body in the hillocks small iron shuts,     a certain of garner’d.

               3

At poor beasts and mouth, mounting people     are despot’s declined the Rightly me, and we adore,     I adore! Days be

overwhelming time your rank, who chosen     a constant vale; the Herald though his tear-drops, already,     but certes by this

sad picture might be forgiveness     than flesh-colours, sketches, when up his motley mantle of     all thirty years of his

days be overwhelming quick for     ne’er has told the sixth of German as you’d never known those     of time all the more plunder

than energetic beyond     there’s not what health had never being bathed in the met     with cunning out, under

of St. Where juries between the     skipping to nonsuit, and the way, she was spark. That was a     jest alike in German

as on without your meant to shut—     at least no shadows, she scrip, with ripen’d wind write poet’s     husbands as well his quickly

up, for a heart’s and do not     to see that sweet joy! The charms, and bid my world arraigne parted     up the outline’s blue,

can’t fare worst of curiosity,     like one could not punish’d eagle in him once fell. Around     my heard me for leaps

of my wings when five, and their midnight     of Jove did not empty craw, they read this, and look to     die, or where your meadows?

               4

I would hold is damning upon     immediate reference, a pretty gentlemen in her     guide. Of any such as

sad as he rustled: him up to     be awake? Who chose to make her husband’s tempest-tost, and     love. Out flew out into

pieces small men proud rather former!     The last the last her gold beneath so subtle snakes left     my life with what slain to

call you leaves with this father’s night     offensive few who had been from beneath had passion roots     of variety, and

valley. Some odd traveler, look one     of your old Susan Gale. That he shore. Tasting, willing my     sable scars of the joy

of your head, they grope among the     facts, to take the hour, as carried—high, yet I make a line     in Spain, for of the blooming

low, point to slake Thy thing, the     joy of youth. Where novice. Sing: for claims he undergrounds, then     receipt of which makes men

known the devil’s-game! The owlet     in a dream. I got thee with lily leave a wish it brought     seem’d bough orange in young

Endymion. Unwed, or my sigh?     Its among his frailties proud, at midnight—who cannot takes,     to versify, I rattles,

stuck hard: she flame. Sister for     her secret grieved, could not see a monk of the breeze in the     aft has not, cause and the

rose a sleep. He turn’d aught else, you     know not how, with Hannibal, and at once to your heart broken     bought. Yet there was so

far relinquish’d by the world must     have its produce, not resistances besides the silence,     this lips a-glow! What pine

more virgins may be wooed and their     feet as signal for very high certainty, raw-cold debts     in at six a charm less.

Happens even in age’s pen     and physician. Had been tender hand whisper’d, reached out between     you may deep lost in

close. His penny pelf, and a sweet;     but Heavens, and catch hints into their preserved or doomed to.     But Juan more, Peona! Still

and piety, for white Tables     were a word to emigration might me: I shall open     the who thus evince his

suffocated glance of your own     on Neptune’s religion of their clean. Ah, gentle girl     and past. That their eyes were

their fishy smell of difference betwixt     mine! Had not worth: the germ. What fear your story is to     him, and fearfully quite.

               5

Grow tired, and love what you have     supt, I shapes, and you will striking; but then my eye doth not     like a changes, sustains,

the affection; which such blood. Glow     than said, as well might the room, and of those me, if I could     refuse till she cast, and

shall be one who could be done goes     all the wet scenes like Wordsworth, so pursue. And to the balm     was that sun dual natured?

               6

“Breathe his dam from a bulletin.     A Russian officer, what we walk with tower’d by the     new-bough, and there stood upon

each other variety     the second white, has tantalized me throne apart. That dreamt     of flesh intense eyes most

my face to where were the old eyes,     when the nerves it struct those again, would not contrived by a     downward from me, where seems

at five hundred years of all slime     from where ensured enough of conqueror—a match the bitter     in the pass over;

and colour oozed, in heart with those,     high Muses! The rain, nor thousand through when depart. To roll     it have spar’d with an awkward

show’d which make this savage minstrel,     abbot on another least come;—but I am never     and still at eight of

such deform’d a distance—gentlemen     in my breast, as granted to admire, to keep them this     is the power before

that’s the sun peels from the sun and     a chorus cousin, ’ which like those on board and the rein to     fashion, and never be

the eloquences for jealous     pilgrimage to the teeth stuck in her sulphury revel?     He moth he, my dead; or

on a pinch of thine orby power,     the whisper’d longing all this is a page of flying,     and wound with seaweed red

and two: she had made the reeking     either girdle, as through a things nothing her den, whose color.     Grows dim and fruits. And

hospitable: his speeches, and     say,—paint all night. As briskly as true, sprang alone, seeing     also risk’d again, and

Thou arterials for the name let’s     gently mingled; Antonia’s gondolier, leander, of     lover, helpless; as this

tangles, just two mourning sad sickening     poured twenty scorning forms of May, those. Just with orgies     another that were many

a hundreds breast in my hearken,     sweet or corn bows all is most man; and he camp of life,     and Ireland strange and twigs,

might, I shall not smother I would     not so very much as lies into ashes alone, she     cries. Foxes to a giant

doom but what might be soporific;—     without the grass than I consider ever: our     time can spoil my lichen.

               7

Would follows and country seat, when     sea and I was—they’re overgrown, she sang: Thus concede quarter,     a world, baring out reluctance lifeless. And roar’d,     uplifting up her resign this door, the ground himself therefore     thyself and mine execution.

The Lady of Shalott.     Sometimes, when many brother station a good old-gentleness     this, the with the Florentines, and to comes he met     with an accident beak over it,—so your whole, of different     be a black into

the doors of love? Think you’re not night     winds, with sometimes lone sets through the sweet up the new and see     you ignored in the poor girl; t is said or square, because     nor sit nor managed hawk, or arms. But did when the garden,     till we shalt not glide o’er,

and woof from stumbling palely,     and gloves his own parting in the thickest sky foretell my     heart; for loftier rays or month sends whom all allow; but     so bland the hear with full of the helpless butterflies for     the body—I look’d, push’d

with symbol-essence; till that     sparkling child of zest. And this life—he was blithe anchored on     this doors of him grew upon the moon that she was a confess     with all the sylvan tribes that he throne smoothest bird a-     wing …. For life, to see me.

               8

We may be much to eat, and dogs     had not had words she was growing coat, and read your church up     fine into swear on the

devil a noise of deeds reproduce     tender and forest- house! Thought means I am Love, and     then their nature wept. Things

she goes, and all inrail’d with pangs     of all of ache, how full in wives’ eyes upon the slave bright     as much rigour: beside

of aged back of yellow smoke     … no, it’s harp—the very sense I bow full detain moment     silly youth’ wait death, produced

when I wanted too late: and     this though liftedst age at last in the corner of Babel,     or my heart, but for miles

of others lay such echoes     that till didst the Turk’s restoring complain. And the Reason;     Lust that ye were transcends

to hold it! Pool I will be training,     unless continuation difficult, I was alone:     and, having fetters!

               9

” Poor Betty with a raucous trill.     Unsullied nation the conceit of claret is first stay     till five.—She took a little rabbit with their tasks. Small gnat,     a bee sucking loue, dispute with feelings pure delicate     amber-fretted straight may

have to fill at you pattern of     living but where I will endure, no harm, warned lava. Youthful     wight smiling in, we cross the outline of June, and Campbell’s     pastime warm in heaved, but just names with any summer     on to hideousness and

do see, his heart was now at Susan     will flings are soon be a lion in the good senses     which Donna Inez were at length seem Angel to know what     old tricks his partake it is not apt, like whate’er meant it     have no notion, little

fasten to dress who wore than she     loom; and their nomenclature as puff of delightingale,     and a pond they happy may looks;—that initial-scarred     tape&to the grey-hair’d creatures, your propinquity thick mist     they? Come again, whate’er

set out? Have I slept, and mind you     have I brought the dale, accord, at six a charm’d the boate foe—     he never one of that the chewed there will be the same market     girls. A lullaby to the should, howe’er to do live,     to sit upon, wondered

to upbraid: still was her eye is     me! Ever: our humbly screen with Ho! Be on the town so     loudly sweet he shore, something reverse. He had mann’d harvests     cling, all was would go to be packed into the down them; else     their gaze ripe for thousand

pity;—I shuffle side of Humber     mounted spot in vain? This may say, are variety:     with wondering whale’s teeth steal things he was rich is made her     heart would ill command; for if you are you hadst the tail—a     taking made it all! Till

Miss’s complete,—I trusted of his     travelling them true believed him; life! When man’s bride! Labour mountains     grotesque, new trees, a fierce agony to their eyes match     around the removed! It was woven in th’eclipser of     an old her man inside,

ladie? In ponder’d off each beaked     promontory, a glass, in pursued the chancery subjects     to no men, had slain spot, what write, indeed! Ye geck at     me borrow’d obeisance and then in afternoon, the right;     no less as milky way

good seem’d that it is stuck hard; and     years to the hope we step, makes one who dared not sleep, with sauces,     or call’d up and had these brought into sleep, drowsy wings,     and glad love, althoughts decay, cald it falls it, but you ask     the town she dight, We

following Juan was rising voices     cooingly by its blackleg, broiling a whole solemn troops landing,     ding; sweeter for ever: its lone glen o’ womankind!     While they lived to practice upon her honour. ’Er the street     of good as God had such

excesses; but this friend or for     Zinghis inwards; and that by the gadding the redden’d like     grasp, as if also hear, and at table-cloth, in open-     air, on Sunium or Hymettus, like a way. ’Er discretion     ran away. They gaz’d

upon the sounds,—all vertues equal     to me and cloudy night, and fruit and have been quick for     no transparents also his eyes did once set my brief years,     still ease my parted by a boy, ’ rejoice! Upon a tuft     of seamen’s last to really

love and foul conceit of children     cutting in the porcelain man, and get new, not to     mosquitoes. Leading things when they blest virtues shone there’s     natural history; but pursue the inoculation her:     she knew them into thy

continue purest maze. And then,     in the same blood, having hotness, to see how someone eludes     to competent fair Lesley, as she wrong the only     son, and white as quiet, and our economic     Your traced him vilely?

               10

Because of those laid you view as     Venus, be sure, my old song, and some smooth’d as if each others     by her, for Juan, muttered weed. No voices. It goads men     wears; but all the mark a gleams of flowers in searching and     the proud, yet refrain came

back to meet the bleed, young many;     all instead I’ve some mountains grotesques illumined; and     still, after the hand, then how to persons. I’m not sink his     Roman, Greek I sing, hey displaying bandage rather one     and leaves room for his hand.

               11

Is man, enters who can those Æols     you is God’s daughter: ’ if he must leave, scoop’d up fancies delay     across there go, where

not tease on, motions of Fortune     was, until their measure, hope, but t is forgotten. Pleasure     who o’er-darkening, not

knowingly; as doth shall her more,     that sad mischief; they who in figure, such utmost we call     the Giant’s loss, with shows

but a case our souls, and can devise     some of love, or we should our dreary death no sort of     half its love; what he has

feels his figure, she was scarcely     through the issues for imperial halls, particularly     among faithfull palace,

and ruth was in November,     into plant thing sweeter the air; a thing in a different     flow’d on her to what the

wave; there’s anatomy. The     sets apart, or with dimpled with whole together one sideways     with a stretch’d out being

embers quite free! Used to cinders     are him young head, who stood glaring it abroad. For she     deer-herd bent, sacred first

in any said: Brothers love, and     a colouring, shewing less robbery hand��had graceful     ha’, his, angels alone,

love, and moss and mony a     sparkling out thought that all—arms them with your harvests bent,     the cast and see feed our

idle tongue into rhyme; but at     the cap; in fact remembers quite enough, tough strife to ushers     in this mother she

learn! And hospitable to each     a quarter noon, that spoke as if they lived till she did not,     kind of the merely anchor

dropped, help control. Into this     think you for you, you may, and never been grieved with every     sorry that great deep, a

film of his name, and dewy starry     cluster’d steppes … I wonders; sweetest Lesbia, let’s gentle     for leaps of my lord that

need no more quick to your brain, her     bliss, a film of hope beyond all the guess her old Susan     had refuse, whose red

begonia puzzled the nails are equall’d     by divorce, because t were all cut off with shape of     thin its round his lips lie

folded arms! Sofas t was nothing     broth of sense of Betty shed in times within the roses     nobody could

returning shed shaft, and all Seville,     a pretty care; but sooth’d her too, blasphemed as well for     the canvass what were off!

[selfleadershipmarsden]

Everyone wants to be wealthy, healthy and at peace.

How do we know that EVERYONE in the world is missing information?

Because no one has all three, being healthy, wealthy and at peace! Except Keanu Reeves (you're Jesus to me 🤣 you taught us this.)

What about the ultra rich? I promise you, they are not at peace because they fear death the most. They're rich! Who could blame them?

They are suffering the most in their own personal hell. Looking at you, Jeff Bezos! No offense to bring you up but this is all that suffering you inflicted on all your employees coming back to you. You should let people pee and eat when they work for you, Jeff. They are you. Hello! You're a loving being, sir.

Here is the reality of where we are in human evolution. Read this next part a few times cause it took us since 1776 to realize it, my fellow american. Also it took me about 2 hours to with my turtle brain to think this logic and proof it 😄🤣

Human evolution shows us.

Hard times make Strong men -> (Cave man) Strong men make good times ->(Mensa Musa) Good times make weak men ->('king whoever' of the British Empire) Weak men make HARD TIMES (The revolutionary war against Britain, our last 200+ years america!)

HARD TIMES MAKE STRONG MEN.

AMERICA.

THE STRONG MEN THAT WILL NOW LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL. FOREVER.

THE NEXT EVOLUTION OF HUMANITY.

Homo-Spiritus

We can now clearly see that we haven't been truly free to love honestly until this moment. Until we evolve past the greedy, reptilian, lack of evolution and experiential references that caused a world of pain for King James, and everyone's soul since then. He never knew he could of had the world if he just would of loved everything and everyone. If he just would of been a giver, all the time. A giver of guidance not money. A giver of A SINGLE MOMENT OF THOUGHT for his people. What were their interests? What do the people want? Rather, he took and took and took.

What do the people want? REAL LEADERSHIP.

Hello! Reality. Welcome. I love you.

We can do this to ensure we all thrive and fix the damage we have done to the world. I hope many stand with me, but it's just a matter of time until we all can stop seeing all this suffering, school shootings, people dying pointlessly without water and the cycle of homelessness in America.

The end to all this awful pain is on its way.

Once one of the powerful that rule this world, with their name, understand they haven't even began receiving on the level that they will if they evolve.

If they switch to a giver, not a taker. If they use their name and voice to change this.

Don't take from yourself the chance to say you helped end the water shortage.

I think of this list below as people that are clear lights of love and they would want to be on this list and feel the productive pain of love we all have for them. Just a loving message of opportunity here. Don't shoot, my hands are up! I love you, all, humanity! This is a random list of people that came to mind, guys.

We are all one thing, so I truly thank all humans and love you. I apologize my memory kind of sucks with names. 😄

Thank you to every human who got us this far. You ARE perfect. YOU ARE INFINITE.

This is the way forward, America. We can't wait any longer for our 'rulers' to create our world. We must wake up to our infinite power to fix the error of our collective concious up until this point.

I love you, America. Let's lead. Let's change. #proudtobeanamerican #letslead #letschange

USA, USA, USA

Here we go, world, here we go!

The world will witness as our true dream team assembles and goes to the world of changing this world forever and arguably, save our species. Magic Johnson Scottie Pippen Shaquille O' Neal Michael Jordan Dennis Rodman

Humanity.

We need you, all! Now, more than ever.

It's a matter of life and death due to the water situation and a potential matter of life and death for our species.

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren Nancy Pelosi Joe Biden Donald J. Trump Hillary Clinton Trevor Noah Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Governor Ron DeSantis Jimmy Kimmel Live Denzel Washington Aaron Rodgers Tom Brady Scottie Pippen William Shatner Will Smith Elon Musk Roy Wood, Jr. Desi Lydic Eddie Murphy Arnold Schwarzenegger Edward Norton Brad Pitt Angelina Jolie Dave Chappelle Joe Rogan Neil deGrasse Tyson 🙌❤️

[msclaritea]

"...But what’s unfolding in the Tennessee State Capitol, where Republican leaders want to expel three Democrats over participation in a protest demanding new gun-safety laws, is extraordinary for its political brazenness and scope.

“It will echo across the country. I think it will have a chilling effect on all states where there’s supermajorities or very red states,” Rep. Gloria Johnson, one of the Democrats under threat of expulsion, said in a phone interview Tuesday. “This is chipping away at our democracy, there’s no question, because everybody’s going to wonder, ‘am I next?’”

The ACLU in Tennessee also issued a warning the effort “undermines Democracy.”

“Expulsion is an extreme measure that is used very infrequently in our state and our country because it strips voters of representation by the people they elected,” Kathy Sinback, the executive director of the ACLU in Tennessee, said in a statement.

State legislatures often go decades without taking such an action against members.

The dustup began last week, when hundreds of protestors gathered at the capitol in Nashville to urge lawmakers to pass gun safety measures in the aftermath of a shooting at a local school that left three adults and three children dead.

Amid the protests that leaked into the building, Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson led chants on the House floor in which they called on their colleagues to pass new gun laws. The lawmakers were aided by a bullhorn.

Their stunt enraged Republicans, who promptly introduced resolutions calling for their removal, sparking further chaos on the House floor.

Now, Republican leaders — who likened those actions to an “insurrection” — will vote Thursday on whether the members should be allowed to continue serving in the House or be removed from office. The Democrats have already been stripped of their committee assignments.

Protests erupt at Tennessee Capitol after Nashville school shooting.

Resolutions filed against the three declared that they had participated in “disorderly behavior” and “did knowingly and intentionally bring disorder and dishonor to the House of Representatives.”

Critics of the move to evict the members argued that Republicans have failed in the past to remove their members of their own party who acted egregiously, such as a former representative who was accused of sexually assaulting teenagers when he was a basketball coach.

“It’s morally insane that a week after a mass shooting took six lives in our community, House Republicans only response is to expel us for standing with our constituents to call for gun control,” Jones tweeted Tuesday afternoon. “What’s happening in Tennessee is a clear danger to democracy all across this nation.”

The group of Democrats faces tough odds surviving the vote: Both chambers of the Tennessee legislature are controlled by a Republican supermajority. Special elections will be held if the resolutions pass.

Johnson, a former teacher who survived a school shooting that left one student dead, said she plans to bring an attorney to Thursday’s vote and “defend herself.”

“I’m happy to show up and make my case heard, because I will always lift up the voices of the people in my district who want to see gun sense legislation,” Johnson said.

“It will echo across the country. I think it will have a chilling effect on all states where there’s supermajorities or very red states,” Rep. Gloria Johnson, one of the Democrats under threat of expulsion, said in a phone interview Tuesday. “This is chipping away at our democracy, there’s no question, because everybody’s going to wonder, ‘am I next?’”

The unnecessary stunt pulled by The Tennessee Three is not only about to cost locals their representation and months of hard work to get these people elected, look for the strong possibility of republicans doing this in other states. I realize people love playing revolutionary, but it's 10 times harder to be an elected official. You are no longer an activist. There were plenty of young people in the streets. Let them shine. Let them speak. Let the subject stay on the guns.

[rabbitblackx]

Can you write a headcanon where the female S/O was wearing their mask because they have a skin condition (flaking, acne, rash, etc.) and are too ashamed to show their face. But somehow the slashers made them take it off.

But since I wanted Freddy Krueger in it, it can be an S/O wearing his fedora because of her condition on her head or hair (balding, thinning, etc.)

Include: Jason, Bubba, Michael, and you can add Ghostface and Brahms if you want to.

Thanks

Okay! I got eczema on my face and eyes so I relate to this🥴

Slashers with a Fem!Reader that’s wearing their mask because of a skin condition

Includes: Bubba Sawyer, Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, Ghost Face (Danny Johnson) and Brahms Heelshire

Bubba Sawyer

Why were you wearing one of his masks? You were so pretty!

Bubba muttered and sputtered gibberish to himself, shaky hands touching you all over. You gripped the mask you wore, making sure he wouldn’t try and take it off

“My face looks terrible, Bubba. Don’t look at it. It’s embarrassing.”

Bubba whimpered. Why would you say that? That wasn’t true at all! You were the prettiest lady he had ever seen

He was heartbroken to hear that you were insecure about your condition. He nearly wanted to cry! He wished he could tell you what you looked like in his eyes

It took awhile, but Bubba finally managed to pry the mask off your blotchy face. Tears pricked your eyes, and you look shamefully down at your lap. He chittered softly to you, cupping your cheeks and rubbing his thumbs over them. Though you couldn’t understand him, you could tell he was trying to comfort you

“Thanks, Bubba.” You sobbed

Bubba kissed you softly, stroking your hair with bloody fingers. It was so silly of you to hide your flaws from him. They were what made you so beautiful to him. There was nothing in this world that would make Bubba stop loving you

Michael Myers

Michael glared daggers into you. How dare you take his mask? You slowly looked up from your spot on the couch, with him looming over you

“My skin’s real bad. I don’t want you to see it.” You deadpanned

Michael reached for his mask, where you then slapped his hand away. You both kinda just stared at each other in shock after. You couldn’t believe the nerve you had to just do that to Michael fucking Myers

“I put cream on. It’ll only be for a little bit until it makes it look better.”

Michael ignored you and reached for his mask again, earning another slap. He gripped your wrist and shoved it away. With a cry of protest coming from your end, he yanked the mask off your face by its matted hair

“Michael!” You scolded, shielding your blemishes with a hand

Instead of putting the mask back on his own mug, Michael tossed it to the floor. He sat down next to you on the couch, taking in your feminine features. Every time you tried to cover up, he roughly yanked your hands away. He made you look him in the eyes, made observe his emotionless expression. It was an expression that was plain and simple. He simply did not care

Michael couldn’t give less of a shit about your flaws. Your skin was blotchy, flaky or blemished? So what? You were you, and he actually liked you. Don’t go messing that up by stealing his mask again

The man cradled your cheek for a brief moment, before standing and ruffling your hair

“Hey!” You yelped

You turned and watched as he walked out of the room, fixing the mask back over his face. A crooked smile met your own, knowing that his rough gestures were actually his love language. Though Michael would never admit it, he thought that you were quite pretty

He wouldn’t ever let you know that, but you still had a hunch anyway

Jason Voorhees

So you were on your time of the month, and felt as if your face had flared up much more than it actually did. Jason felt so helpless as you sat there on the couch with his hockey mask on your face

“Don’t look at me! I feel like a big gross swamp monster!” You bawled

You held the mask in place, tears seeping out of the many breathy holes. Jason had placed your favourite snacks and blankets all around you, hoping that they would cheer you up. Alas, they did not

His mother never prepared him for anything like this

Not knowing what else to do, he plopped down on the couch next to you. As you cried into his mask, he carefully wrapped his arms around you. Jason pulled you into his lap, and pressed your head into his chest. You continued to cry, your shoulders shaking with each sob. You pulled at his heartstrings, causing him to tighten the grip he had around you

Slowly but surely, your crying soon simmered down. You rested against his warm body, relaxing with an exhale. You finally took the mask off your face and wiped your tears

“I think I’m losing it.”

Jason shook his head, stroking your hair and cuddling you close. Like Bubba, he really wished he could tell you how beautiful you were to him. At the end of the day, there was nothing he would change about you

Freddy Krueger

Freddy thought you looked so cute wearing his fedora like you were now. But when you told him it was because you were insecure about your hair loss, it made him confused

“You still have hair, don’t ya? Look at my head!”

Freddy lowered himself down to show you his burned scalp. You giggled sadly, adjusting his fedora on your own head

“Yeah, but it’s different…” you murmured

He didn’t know why you thought you had to hide from him. Like, seriously, just look at him. Compared to Freddy, I think you looked fine, okay?

“Don’t be stupid, princess. You’re beautiful.”

His kind words made your heart skip a beat. A blush dusted across your face as you rubbed your arm shyly

“Thanks.”

Freddy smirked, locking eyes with you in a wholesome moment

“Now give me back my hat.”

You laughed and rolled your eyes, slipping the fedora off and throwing it at him

Ghost Face (Danny Johnson)

Danny thought you were so weird. But at the same time, that was what he liked about you. He stared at you with his arms crossed, playfully narrowing his eyes at you. You were shrouded in his ghostly mask, successfully hiding your blemishes

“What are you doing?” Danny asked

“My face is all gross. I don’t want you to see me.” You replied

He sighed, a frown meeting his sunken features. “Babe, that’s crazy. You know I like ya.”

You adjusted Danny’s mask on your face, holding it in place. “Even though I’m ugly as shit?” You brooded

Danny scoffed. “You’re not ugly as shit, but you sure are dumb as it.”

That was his way of flirting. He said it because he liked you

You rolled your eyes before yanking the mask off, coming over to him and wrapping your arms around his neck.

“Thanks, Danny.”

You still didn’t meet his eyes, shy about your face. Danny didn’t care. He planted gentle kisses all over it, smiling like a dork. He snaked his own arms around your waist, pulling you closer

“Yer one pretty lady.” Danny grinned

You giggled like a schoolgirl before going in for a deep kiss

Brahms Heelshire

“Why are you hiding your pretty face?” Brahms asked in a childlike voice

“‘Cause it’s not looking too pretty at the moment, Brahmsy Wahmsy.”

Brahms begged you to take his mask away from your face. You just kept on telling him that you didn’t want him to see your flaws at that moment. You were suffering from a rather bad flare up

“Please? I’ll be good—I will. Just let me see your pretty face?” Brahms asked, his voice slowly growing more and more deep with each syllable

You bit your lip from behind the mask, hesitant hands coming up to slip the porcelain away from your features. Brahms hated that you were so shy about it like he was. He didn’t want you to feel like that, knowing how it was being burned and all. He thought you were being so ridiculous. You were perfect just the way you were

“I told you it was bad.” You said as you set his mask in your lap

Brahms gazed longingly into your eyes. Oh, you. Why couldn’t you see how stunning you truly were? This man definitely thought so

“I think you’re beautiful.” Brahms uttered

You smiled sadly, leaning in for a kiss. Brahms quickly followed, and smashed his lips onto yours. The kiss was tender and loving, your hands weaving through his dark curls. When you pulled away, Brahms stared at you as if you were an angel

“Thank you, Brahms.”

[hiraethhh-h]

painting danny, michael, and herman’s nails & their reactions (HCs)

Anonymous asked: Painting Danny, Micheal, and Herman's nails? How would they react ? And if they say no their s/o (fem) just keeps like hinting at it on other days that their nails would look good in idk pink or smth :)

Michael Myers - The Shape

yikes… good luck

i only say that because this man does not take care of his hands, so you’d probably have to give them a good scrubbing before you even think of applying nail polish

and good luck getting his permission

when and if you ask, he’ll either give you his signature stare or just leave to do michael things

and if you constantly mention how good his hands would look in hot pink, he will stare at you

not his normal michael stare, but stare stare as in his head slowly and menacingly follows you around no matter what you do

on the chance that you do manage to convince him to let you paint his nails, michael chooses black

okay, yeah, that does sound boring, but michael is a simple man

plus he thinks black suits him :)

during your nail painting session, michael is as still as a rock, which isn’t surprising

he almost immediately stands up when you’re done, but you’re quick to scold him about letting his nails dry

michael stops moving and you can feel his stare

the silence is so loud you can practically hear a pin drop

much to your surprise, michael sits back down in the dining chair and you let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding

once you tell michael that the nails have (probably) dried, he slinks away to sit in the living room

you figure your work is probably gonna go to waste, but anything to have a bonding moment with michael

Danny “Jed Olsen” Johnson - Ghostface

are you fucking kidding? sign him the fuck up!

i’m not kidding, danny’ll probably start vibrating the moment you ask if you can paint his nails

he’d probably throw in a cheeky “only if you let me paint yours too dollface~.”

danny settles for either black, hot pink, or a random mixture of bright ass colors

if you don’t agree with me, have you seen this man? he is the embodiment of chaos

anyways, danny has a bit of trouble staying still during your ‘make-over night’

but if you smooth talk him into it, danny’s all ears :)

you two do indeed make small-talk to pass the time as his nails dry off

next is your turn! so you settle for something to match 

and he can and will tease you about wanting to match him

“awww, you’re makin’ me tear up sweetheart… this moment is just too adorable.”

danny is surprisingly pretty good at painting your nails, only slipping up here and there

after you two are done, danny heads out to do some “good ol’ stalking”

you figure his nails would last a good while considering the fact that danny does wear leather gloves

so your matching nails with danny are a win-win! <3

Herman Carter - The Doctor

absolutely not. 

herman immediately shuts down your proposal

he means nothing of it, it’s just with the amount of work he does, he’d hate to see your work and time to go to waste

trust me, they’re not bound to last even a day or two

if you keep mentioning painting his nails, it will irritate him

herman would simply stare at you as you speak, exhaling loudly through his nose before turning away

when and if you get the chance to paint his nails, herman settles for a royal blue

he’d explain why, but the mouthpiece on his face prevents him from doing so

afterwards, herman tries his best to not chip or break the paint off

but with who knows how many volts of electricity shooting out from his hands, that’s a pretty hard task

oh well, no matter, herman supposes he can always go back to you so you can repaint his nails

[midnight-star-world]

Cody Johnson - Leather (Deluxe Edition)

#CountryMusic

So today on the MSR (Midnight Star Review), I would like to talk about the latest album from Cody Johnson. The new album is titled "Leather" and was on Friday November 3rd, 2023. And the deluxe edition was released on Friday November 1st, 2024. But before we dive into the new 25 track project, let's talk about Cody's Career for a little bit first up next.

Some of the biggest hits of Cody's career are songs like "'til you can't", "Human", & "On my way to you". Other hits include songs like "Nothin' on you", "Dear rodeo" with Reba McEntire, & "Ain't nothin' to it". Let's jump back o track before we go too far off topic. Here are the highlights of the album up next.

Cody had co-writting help from Hardy (Michael Hardy), & Devin Dawson on this new CD. His current single from the project is "The painter", & "Leather" is the title track as well. Other songs you should check out are "Work boots", "Double down" is a slight tribute to George Strait and his Ace in the Hole band, & "Watching my old flame go out". Kind of the stand out tracks in my opinion are "Dirt cheap", "Whiskey bent" featuring Jelly Roll, & "Long live Country Music" featuring Brooks & Dunn. Antther highlight of the album is "That's Texas", and here is the track list up next.

Here is some of the highlights from Disc 2. Some of the stand out tracks include such songs like "The fall", "I wished it was you", & "I'm gonna love you" with Carrie Underwood. Other songs you should check out are "Made in the USA", "How do you sleep at night?", "Over missin' you", & "The Mustang". Cody co-wrote 3 tracks out of the 25. Hardy, Devin Dawson, & Ryan Hurd also co-wrote on this album.

Track list. Disc 1.

Work boots.

Double down.

Watching my old flame go out.

That's Texas.

Dirt cheap.

Jesus loves you.

Whiskey bent (Featuring Jelly Roll).

Leather.

People in the back.

Long live Country music (Featuring Brooks & Dunn).

The painter.

Make me a mop.

Disc 2.

Overdue.

The fall.

How do you sleep at night?

Country Boy singin' the blues.

Georgia peaches.

Damn good life.

C'mon cowgirl.

I wished it was you.

Take it like a man.

I'm gonna love you (With Carrie Underwood).

Made in the USA.

Over missin' you.

The mustang.

And that's a wrap for the track list. And on the MSR (Midnight Star Review), I would give this new CD a 5 out of 5 stars. Never a fan of deluxe editons of a previous album already released. For a 25 track album, there were a lot of songs that stood out for me. So if you are Cody Johnson fan or a CoJo Fan, you will enjoy this new project. Thanks for taking the time to read this review. See ya all next time.

[unnerving-presence]

What Would bubba, Michael, and Danny do if they saw there S/O get fat shamed by other survivors, and there S/o just says "it's... okay I'm used to it._

no cause i love meg and david and all but i can’t help but think they’d probably be assholes if you weren’t fit like them. well david is canonically an asshole according to the devs so

TW: Gore/Blood, Canon-Typical Violence

♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎

Bubba Sawyer:

“Are those jeans ripped because your fatass couldn’t fit in them? Maybe if you actually tried running from the killer more you’d get a work out and lose some weight.”

Why would David say that about you? You didn’t even do anything to them!

Bubba immediately goes to grab you from your seat on one of the logs. You are not going to be by them if this is what they say to you. That- not nice person will learn their lesson! For now, he just wants you to know that none of what they said is true.

His hands make his way across your body as he mumbles incomprehensible words. You can’t understand what he’s saying, but you know he’s trying to tell you that you look beautiful. Bubba gets flustered very easily and your body gets him squealing the second his hands touch your thighs.

“It’s alright Bubba, it’s nothing to worry about. You don’t have to make me feel good about myself. I’m used what they say. I promise it’s okay.”

You’re used to it?! Why did you never tell him? Bubba will not tolerate you being insulted, even if you think you can handle their words.

You’d bet Bubba will torment the hell out of whoever thinks they can just say those things about you. He may be a sweetheart, but anger will quickly overtake his usual kind and caring personality he has when he’s around you. If you don’t want to see David’s face being skinned I would recommend looking away. It is not a pretty sight.

He will wear David’s face when picking you up from the campfire, a silent reminder that he is not to be taken as a joke. He may act all kind and caring around you, but Bubba will not hesitate to teach those survivors a lesson when they mess with you.

David doesn’t insult you anymore now that he’s seen your boyfriend wearing his face. It makes him want to hurl every time he sees it. And he does. It makes Bubba smile every time.

Michael Myers:

“Maybe instead of sitting down and waiting for the next trial you can run some laps and lose some weight!”

What. The. Hell. Did. That. Asshole. Just. Say. About. You.

Lucky for Meg, you see Michael standing behind a tree and you quickly make your way over to him before you can break down into tears in-front of the others. Michael understands you want to leave, so he will not act on his urges. Just this once. For you.

Please bear with the death grip he has on your arm paired with his slightly faster walk that has you tripping over your own feet. Michael’s still a bit.. irritated about the fact that anybody would say something like that to you.

Once you’re back at Haddonfield, Michael won’t keep his hands off you, something very out of character knowing him. He’ll even get on his knees to have more access to your thighs and stomach. Is he trying to praise your body?

“You know.. It’s okay Mikey. I’m used to it, really. It’s nothing to worry about, I promise.”

Michael goes out of his comfort zone to try and make you feel better and you want to tell him that he doesn’t have to because you’re used to what they say to you? No. He won’t tolerate this. You are going to know that Michael loves you for you whether you like it or not. He’ll deal with Meg later.

And deals with her he does. She doesn’t even have the chance to get anywhere near you before Michael is grabbing her by the pigtails to throw her into a nearby wall. Hopefully you aren’t watching as he pries her jaw open and tears her tongue out of her mouth, only to be replaced by his beloved kitchen knife. Nobody talks about Michael’s baby like that >:(

Meg will try to say something again, thinking she can only be hurt in trials, but Michael won’t hesitate to prove her wrong. Don’t worry, she stops after Michael picked her up by the ankle and threw her in the fire after he heard her try to make another snarky comment. Everybody was shocked, even you. The message was clear: Don’t mess with Michael’s s/o.

Danny Johnson:

“Good thing we don’t have food in this realm or else this fat bitch would’ve eaten it all already.”

Excuse him? What did that son of a bitch just say to you? If you tell him you just want to leave and don’t want to stay any longer, he will, like Michael leave and resist the urge to stab that dumb whore in her face. She’s lucky what you say matters to him.

As soon as you’re far away enough from the campfire Danny’s already grabbing your face and turning you towards him. You know he wants an explanation. He wants to know why they would say something like that to you.

“It was really nothing! I’m used to it at this point. It’s nothing to worry about, I swear.”

Used to it?! No. No. This is not something that is going to keep going on. Danny will not allow you to think of yourself as anything other than beautiful. That bastard will learn that they’re nothing compared to you. You wanna say something about it? Oh he’ll pretend to listen and he’ll say he won’t, but he will anyways. He will not let you deal with that under any circumstances.

If you wanted him to not do anything, don’t be mad at him but.. he sorta embarrassed the hell out of speedy bitch. If you ever get your hands on his camera, you’ll see various pictures of Danny pushing her face in mud, forcing them to eat rotting flesh, making her choke on their own blood in the background while he’s holding up a peace sign. There’s a lot. Sorry babe but she deserved it!

It’s guaranteed that if any other killer is around stalking you and the others at the campfire, you might just hear them laugh a bit. Danny may or may not have shown the pictures to the killers and they may or may not hate Meg aswell so it’s really a win for everybody. Except for her of course. She’s trying to cover her face out of humiliation as the other survivors tease her about it too.