Oddfellows Local 151

"So, Deanna, While we've somehow managed to find some time alone, I've been doing some thinking..."

"Me too, but I'm not sure we could get the mailman to wear the costume."

"Wait.... what?"

"I'm teasing, sweetheart. Okay, okay. what were you thinking about?"

"Well, now that the chaos has died down for a bit, I was wondering why you're all here. Starting with you, obviously. Is there anything more you can tell me? You seem pretty lucid and rational a lot of the time. As long as there isn't a fire going on."
"Well, I know this may sound like a cliche, but I don't remember much before the day you showed up. All I 'know' is I'm supposed to be here... it hasn't bothered me much, because strangely enough, even locked up here, on these meds that keep us from getting too far from the building... I feel... safe, within these stone walls in the middle of the desert."

"We're not technically in the middle of the desert, my love. We're in the middle of this strange town. Perhaps you've noticed that the fire department gets here pretty quickly? Still, the other day, you seemed happy to just jump in that puddle."

"I couldn't help it... don't ask me to explain, but I actually felt safe and strong enough to go outside.... I think it started after.... you know."

"I still don't understand totally.... I mean, I caused that fire trying to make you food. I failed, and you almost died... I only made the situation worse."

"Brian, I'm going to say this again. When Tammy and Leslie told me how frantic you were, concerned about me despite the fact you yourself had fainted... it... well, I already knew you loved me... but that night made me realize... just how important I am to you. I don't remember my past life, but... I do know it felt... very, very new and very welcome."

*smooch* *slobber* *grasp* *giggles* *murmur*

Get on with it!!!

"All right, all right; you don't have to shout!"

"Uh, Brian? I didn't say anything... who were you talking to?"

"Um.... it's nothing..."

"Oooookay. Don't go crazy on us... you won't like how they administer the medicine."

"Speaking of the medicine... I think Anne is reacting badly to her medication lately. Or the smoke inhalation."

"Yeah, that was weird... one second she's jabbing me in the chest saying how I should watch my back..."
"... and not three seconds later, she's talking about the tennis player she used to date. I said 'Well... I'd like to try tennis, it sounds like good exercise.' She smiled at that.
"I was cleaning the books off the rec room floor, and her diary was one of them. it wasn't marked on the outside, so I opened it to see what it was, and who it belonged to..."
"And? Anything interesting in there?"

"Well... I don't wish to reveal all the rantings of a crazy woman..."

"Boy, do I understand that."

"Very funny. Anyway, needless to say, she had a list of some of her previous lovers... you won't believe who she has on the list... with numeric rankings."

"Like who?"

"Well, for one, Daniel Pleasant, the Hall-of-Famer."

"When was this? He's a grandfather now, if I recall. His daughter Angela is Iron Chef Pleasantview, and his other daughter, Lilith, is running for Mayor of SimCity."

"Exactly. Imagine the scandal. She doesn't give dates, but it seems he's a solid eight point three. Apparently he lost points on the dismount. Odd, considering his line of workout videos."

"Speaking of which, I wish the meds you girls are on would let you exercise. We've got a growing problem around here, with all the institutional food they provide us."
"Growing problem? Exercise? What do you mean?"

I wouldn't have gone there at gunpoint. How will our hero answer this one? Let's listen.

"Do you mind? I'm trying to have a conversation here!!"

"You know, Brian, I think I liked it better when I was the one talking to the ceiling, and you were the sane one."

"I'll... explain later. It's.... complicated and very strange. Uh... what were we talking about?"

"Um... I've forgotten. I think our Chat interaction expired."

Ooh.... saved by the buzzer!