Joy Left the World - Chp 18

[WriteNowDave he/him]

This is a first draft but I thought some of you might find it humorous. 

 

 

Sorry about the new paragraph line editing indention but it was written in google docs and it does weird indenting stuff when copied/pasted out.

 

 

===========

===========

 

 

Joy left the World - Chp 18

“Luxury”

 

Joy slowly lifted her head up and looked out the window. She had felt the limo starting to slow down and could feel it shifting lanes. She sheepishly looked over at Chris who was wearing the over sized spare clothes that the governor had lent him and to wear in place of the clothes she had vomited on just a few hours ago. “Are we stopping again for gas?”

Not intentionally both Chris and Jeb nodded their heads in a mirror like fashion which might have been her imagination seeing how similarly they were now dressed.

“Good, my head is pounding and I’m starving.” She looked Chris straight in the eyes and asked “now why did you both nod like that?” Are you somehow linked or talking with your minds?”

Jeb and Chris glanced at each other and then Jeb gave a bowing nod to Chris giving him free reign to try and explain it. “No Joy it was just coincidence. Though truthfully we have probably both been keeping track of the mileage and estimated miles per gallon this beast gets and doing the math in our heads.”

Jeb changed the topic slightly “as much as I've enjoyed riding in the back of this thing I've always hated how often poor Alfred has to fill it. I swear this thing needs to join some ‘AA’ group like additives anonymous.” Smiling wide “but since i’m not the one doing filling it up it doesn't bother me ‘that’ bad.” Leaning forward slightly towards the front “love you sweetie.”

“Eat it up while you still can because you know this whole subordinate facade is going to end the moment we get to the launch site.”

“I am doing my best to enjoy every last precious moment too.” Jeb leaned over towards Joy “I might have to reward him and appease that ego with some nookie later.” Her already hung over stomach started to churn with the added nausea which only made Jeb chuckle.

The car came to a stop in line before one of the pumps as Jeb said “you know we are not that pressed for time, why don’t all of us go inside for a bite to eat as kind of a last meal before our final goodbye to the earth at the…” He stretched his head about the window trying to get a better view of the name “...the W.E. getaway? What kind of lamebrain would come up with that excuse of a name?”

“Probably somebody not that smart?” Joy added.

Alfred quipped in “everyones a critic” as he got out and went to open the governors door.

Jeb got out first and was followed by Joy and then Chris. “Looks like i’m next in line to fill up, shouldn't be that long.”

Jeb grinned “I’ll save you a spot next to me” as he waived for Joy and Chris to follow his lead towards the dinner. “Order whatever you want as long as we are done and on the road again in under an hour.”

Taking a few large strides to catch up Chris asked “cheeseburger, fries, and chocolate shake Joy?”

“Dunno, I hadn't really thought about it yet. The bread from the burger would help my stomach and greasy fries do sound really good. Oh and yes a chocolate shake is probably something I won’t be able to find ever again.” She punched Chris in the shoulder. “damnation you.”

“Wha?”

“I was halfway thinking about something rarer like a lobster dinner or a good steak but now I don’t know. I mean this is the last chance I will ever have to have any food on earth and now you have me craving a simple cheeseburger and shake. Now why did you have to go and do that?”

“Sorry, I was just thinking of the one thing you usually order when you are celebrating.”

“I don’t know if celebration is the word I would use.”

“You are right, poor choice on my part.”

“No that’s fine i understand what you mean but still you are partially right. Normally we can’t afford lobster or nothing fancy but with money not being an issue now I am free to pick whatever I want.”

Jeb added “The only limitation is it has to exist on the menu of this greasy spoon.”

Joy suddenly stopped walking “which means the decision has already been made, they aint gonna have nuthin that great.”

Chris said still walking ahead “tell that to a man on death row picking his last meal. I'm sure he would ‘die’ for a good burger.” Joy and Jeb both groaned in together. “did you both moan in unison because of some mild meld conversation you two are having?”

Joy lunged ahead and slapped the backside Chris “you rat bastard!”

Jeb got to the door first and opened it for the other two. Chris walked up the the greeting podium and noticed a squirrely eyed man standing there. “Table for four please.”

The employee was talking but it appeared to be to the air as nobody was visible. “I said no, no more bodies. Listen we can discuss this later, can’t you see we have customers entering?” He then turned and faced the three of them as if they hadn't heard a thing he was just saying. His eyes went wide with recognition saying “say…. ain't you-.”

The only thing that managed to get out of Jeb’s mouth was “yes” as all three turned towards each other as if communally trying to figure out what had just happened.

The employee was quick to add “Oh sorry, I was just running over some of my dialogue for a book I am writing.”

Jeb let it go at that adding in humorously “Sure, now how about feeding the us before a whole worlds worth of people have to die?”

Joy gasped at the governors blatant admission. The employee, Dan by his name tag, apparently and thankfully, took it as only a surface joke and didn't relate it to the fate of the entire world.” Grabbing a few menus he started to lead them to a table adding “this way please.”

Chris pulled Joy close and whispered “relax, Jeb used it as a humorous expression not as a admission.”

Joy felt her stomach settling back down and moved to follow with Chris bringing up the rear. People from the various booths and tables began pointing in their direction as they passed. Joy waved back nervously knowing full well they didn't know her from any other tramp the governor might have picked up off the streets. She paused for Chris to catch up and reached for his hand which he took eagerly.

They got to a large booth in the corner of the window that afforded them a grand view out both windows. Out the front one they could make out Alfred leaning against the limo with his arms tucked up under his armpits to keep warm. The other window opened up to an empty field next to them which seemed bleak and sickly thanks to the low hanging overcast sky.

Jeb started shuffling his way in and around the table and saw the sea of eyes upon them as if for the first time. Joy could see the fear in those looking at him reflect back off of his face. He reached for his wallet and opened it up. “ladies and gentlemen, i know you don't often see the governor of the great state of Texas walk into a dinner round these parts but let me assure you that I heard the food here is excellent.” That brought a round of laughter from a number of the patrons as they knew better on both accounts. “I have been in contact with the president and we are working on some new strategies.”

One patron shouted out. “whats with the weather? Are they causing this to happen?”

“Let me just say that some things we know, other things we are still working on. As of right now we don’t want to tip away what we do know or what our next actions are going to be because, lets be honest here, were all people and we are going to talk. We know they are watching our media so the less i say the better things are going to be for the rest of us.” He handed his credit card to Dan saying nice and loud “I want every bill in this place put on my card.” He then faced the crowd “I just realized that it might look like I am trying to buy your votes but I remembered that we aren't in Texas right now so I think that clears that legality.” He paused for dramatic effect “is anybody here from Texas?” One lone trucker raised his hand on the far side of the counter. Throwing the man a thumbs up Jeb added “He gets Texas sized double portions.” The room started laughing again. Taking control of it he started to sit down saying lastly “Now if you don’t mind I have a personal visit I would like to catch up on here, thank you all very much.”

He finished sitting down but that didn't end the questions.

“Are they out to kill us?”
“Why is there so much traffic heading into area 51?”

“Do the aliens believe in green energy?”

“Are the aliens abducting people to be used as sex slaves and can I go with them?”

“Are they green?”

“Are we waiting for them to come out of the saucers before we release our virus?”

“Has Elvis returned?”

“Are they after our women?”

“I heard they eat cats?”

“Is true that the President ordered the unfreezing of Walt Disney’s head so he could help plan our defenses?”

“Some people say that they are here to abduct Rupert Murdoch.”

“I heard that they are here looking for midiclorians.”

“Are we really offering them Tom Cruise as part of an appeasement? Wouldn't that backfire?”

“Elron predicted just such an event as quoted in ‘Hubardis 13:42’.”

“Some people on the streets are saying that Obamacare is to blame?”

“I heard they fear burkas?”

Jeb spoke to just Joy and Chris “my apologies, I apparently didn't think this plan through enough.”

Joy felt some vague sense of relief upon realizing that the same old Jeb she had known from the news wasn't completely being overridden by the companion within him.

A lone voice shouted out above the rest causing everyone within the dinner to pause and look. “You all need to stop this and let the man eat!” It was a short slightly overweight balding man with spectacles wearing an impeccable top half of a formal chef's outfit which had but the faintest splotches of grease upon it. The lower half, which apparently is never seen because of the counter he works behind, he was wearing only boxers. “He is a human being like the rest of us and unfortunately for him he often doesn't get the ‘luxury’ of a meal out regularly like the rest of you all. Now leave him alone or I will personally kick each and everyone of you out. Is that understood?”

The room quieted down and everyone went back to their seats. It was hard to say what scared them off more, his speech or the display of his hairy thighs. Not a few seconds later a waiter bumbled his way over with glasses of water. “Hi all my name is Brandon and I will be serving you today. Have you all had a chance to look at our menu yet?”

Joy was just now picking it up to flip through it and was interesting at how wordy everything listed was. “How come you have no pictures?”

“Thats our brand new menu we launched just last week. Howard the cook, which you have already met, thinks its too wordy and likes simple pictures with few words. I on the other hand think it doesn't give enough time for the mind to come up with its own description. Do you want me to come back once you've had a chance to read through it?”

Jeb just tossed his menu at Brandon saying “do you have burgers and beer?”

“Yes .”

“Good” he then nodded towards Chris.

Chris handed his menu back also saying “I will have the same.”

A look of shock washed over Joy’s face as was trying to understand Chris’s order. “Chris?”

“It’s my last chance Joy, I am going to enjoy it.” Looking up at the waiter “In fact make it two.”

Jeb started chuckling as he reached out and slapped down upon the table enthusiastically “same for me!”

Joy handed her book over as well “double for me as well.”

The waiter asked “is that going to be it? Any appetizers? We make some really good onion rings.”

The door entrance dinger went off again and Jeb gave it a half second glance. Seeing it was Alfred he quickly amended “yes to the rings and add in another double burger beer order in all that for me.”

The waiter answered “Sure thing, I will be back with your order shortly” before walking off.

Jeb leaned in closer nodding towards the door “almost forgot about ordering for Alfred, here he comes.”

Walking over Alfred said dryly “I heard that.”

Jeb just smiled widely and slapped down on the empty bench on his side “some sit down and enjoy a good meal.”

Jeb sat down on Jeb’s left side sliding into the rounded booth. Alfred’s right hand disappeared under the table along with Jeb’s left hand. Joy noticed for the first time since meeting Alfred a smile, a very slight smile, had appeared on his face. Alfred noticed Joy’s look and instantly his smile evaporated. He asked dryly of Jeb “so I assume we are have having burgers?”

Jeb chuckled with predictability “Nothing but the best!”

They heard a crash of cups come from the next table, all eyes went to follow and there they saw a young woman fumbling and failing at clearing the table. She apologized and went about trying to sop up the mess she had caused “Sorry about that.”

Joy noticed that she had bandages around both of her wrists and asked “what happened to your wrists?”

She answered nervously “marionette accident. But the cops are dropping all charges.” with as best of a smile as she could muster.

All four at the table looked at each other in bewilderment which was only broken by Jeb turning and addressing the busing girl. “Excuse me… Mary. What kind of accident can you have from marionetting?”

She was finishing up and added “my lawyers told me not to go into details until the police officially clear the case.” Lifting her bin up to her waist she added “I am too young to be convicted of murder” as she started walking away.

Again all of their eyes met in the center of their booth. Joy asked “what?”

Alfred smirked softly “and you wonder why your planet is going bye bye.”

Jeb pulled his hand out of Alfred’s and jabbed him good in the ribs “stop, we don’t want to spook anymore than necessary. You should have seen the crowd that nearly drowned us with questions.”

“Like what? ‘Is Jerry Springer my daddy’?”

Jeb cracked a smile “that is…  surprisingly accurate.” Seeing that Brandon was heading their way with a large tray of onion rings he reached out and grabbed his glass of water which he threw back and drained in one big Texas gulp. “Forty five minutes people, then its all bye bye.”

 

* End of Chapter *

 

[Swimmingly he/him]

This is good. I recommend you learn how to use commas, unless you're aiming for the stream-of-conciousness / young child's viewpoint feel.

[Quiver he/him]

Honestly, I found this a little confusing. The main character, Joy, is being abducted by three guys, who might be telepathic (or really smart) who might not be human, and then they stop in a restaurant to eat, and a politician shows up and people start talking about aliens, and what?

Contrary to how it sounds, that's actually a good thing. Since this is chapter 18, I'm guessing that all the legwork for this novel and this situation has already been established, and this sounds very much like a middle-chapter in an ongoing story rather than a generic chapter in a generic book about a generic world.

Since there isn't. Uh plot wise to comment on (since I don't know the preceding or following events), I'll just say this; my grammar sucks. So I can't be certain, but I think the way you've formatted dialogue is...'wrong'. If I remember how to so it correctly, dialogue that starts in the middle of a sentence still needs to be capitalised, with a comma prior to the quotation marks.

[WriteNowDave he/him]

 

Honestly, I found this a little confusing. The main character, Joy, is being abducted by three guys, who might be telepathic (or really smart) who might not be human, and then they stop in a restaurant to eat, and a politician shows up and people start talking about aliens, and what?

Contrary to how it sounds, that's actually a good thing. Since this is chapter 18, I'm guessing that all the legwork for this novel and this situation has already been established, and this sounds very much like a middle-chapter in an ongoing story rather than a generic chapter in a generic book about a generic world.

Since there isn't. Uh plot wise to comment on (since I don't know the preceding or following events), I'll just say this; my grammar sucks. So I can't be certain, but I think the way you've formatted dialogue is...'wrong'. If I remember how to so it correctly, dialogue that starts in the middle of a sentence still needs to be capitalised, with a comma prior to the quotation marks.

---

I understand your confusion but I posted it because I wanted to show off the characters that worked at the dinner. It was a flattery/mocking/imitating of Brandon, Dan, Howard, and Mary from the podcast. I knew posting so far in (chapter 18) would leave things a bit confusing in following the main characters. The story is that yes the other three are aliens in human flesh that has died and been implanted/reanimated. Joy hasn't had this done(died). The general population isn't aware of the 'recycled' bodies walking around ever having died in the first place and so they blend in. Jeb, the current governor of Texas, had died and been implanted a good number of years ago. He still has to keep up the facade as long as the general population isn't aware of his species presence on the planet.

Now I fully admit my 'suckage' for the rules of grammar but that is just formatting tricks. I can edit that in later drafts.

Still, thank you for your input