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May. 22nd, 2023 at 8:56 PM
[So this is how he gets away with it, then. Cruz, a skeleton, with a skeleton horse, lives in a skeleton of a house with a skeletal barn attached - and he remains unseen, his home apparently abandoned, all the way on the outskirts of this thing that's barely a town.
Well, you do what you gotta do, and Johnnie won't turn down a kind offer of a safe place to stay the night. He can't help but grin at Chrissy having such a good time riding that bony horse as he pulls the bike in through the barn door and parks it to the side, then hops off.]
Hey man, we owe ya for this. Here.
[See, this is yet another reason it's good to stock up on alcohol. He finds their most recent stolen bottle of tequila and pulls it out as he saunters over to their host and offers it in an outstretched hand.]
On us. Uh, if you drink, that is. You do drink, right?
[Normally that would be a dumb question to ask but the guy appears to be actual bones. But, bones that can smoke, without lungs, so he can probably drink without a mouth, right?
That earns a laugh from Cruz.]
I sure do, fella. You don't have to, though. I'm not looking for any kind of repayment, just helping out a couple folks in need.
[Johnnie shakes his head and waves that attempt off.]
Nah, it's all yours. Or if you really insist, we can all split it tomorrow, the three of us an' the rest of your crew. Can't wait to meet 'em. They all skeletons too?
Well, you do what you gotta do, and Johnnie won't turn down a kind offer of a safe place to stay the night. He can't help but grin at Chrissy having such a good time riding that bony horse as he pulls the bike in through the barn door and parks it to the side, then hops off.]
Hey man, we owe ya for this. Here.
[See, this is yet another reason it's good to stock up on alcohol. He finds their most recent stolen bottle of tequila and pulls it out as he saunters over to their host and offers it in an outstretched hand.]
On us. Uh, if you drink, that is. You do drink, right?
[Normally that would be a dumb question to ask but the guy appears to be actual bones. But, bones that can smoke, without lungs, so he can probably drink without a mouth, right?
That earns a laugh from Cruz.]
I sure do, fella. You don't have to, though. I'm not looking for any kind of repayment, just helping out a couple folks in need.
[Johnnie shakes his head and waves that attempt off.]
Nah, it's all yours. Or if you really insist, we can all split it tomorrow, the three of us an' the rest of your crew. Can't wait to meet 'em. They all skeletons too?
Comments
[Oh gosh, there's so much she wants. But she tries to limit herself here.]
Dry, sugary cereal. And those little juice boxes that aren't actually juice at all.
[Everything sounds amazing when you're hungry, but something about stealing a box of Fruit Loops and some Hi-C sounds like the best thing in the entire world. Especially if it's accompanied by cheese and crackers or a good PB&J.]
I think we'll need to break into a clothes store at some point soon too. I need some new things.
[His favorite discovery on this whole trip, aside from her. He laughs, grinning as he gladly dreams about sugar right along with her.]
I wouldn't mind getting more clothes either, some of my stuff is pretty wrecked. If you could pick clothes from any decade, what would you go for?
[As long as they're daydreaming, might as well. And hey, if they happen across a town when the radio says they're in the time she wants, he can sure pull over again.]
[She can find something she likes in just about any time, for the most part. Her favorite outfit is one they grabbed in the 50s, and she doesn't plan of letting go of that candy stripe ensemble any time soon. But new, clean things would be great.]
I need to get used to shopping in 1967. They have malls in LA, right?
[More than anything she enjoyed back home, she misses the mall. It was one of her favorite places, which is probably stereotypical. But who cares, she likes going and that's all that matters.]
Yeah, babe, we got malls in '67. LA is huge, you'll find whatever you want, don't worry. Malls, little smaller shops, tailors if you want any of it made to suit you real nice. An' if you get bored of American fashions, there's always the stuff imported from Italy, Mexico, India, China, wherever. Somethin' for everyone.
[Of course, you probably have to know someone to find some of those, tucked away in little neighborhoods and special ordered for someone's auntie's home business. But it's all there. Just one more reason he loves his city. It's like all of America in one place, and plenty more you can't find anywhere else, either.]
Except I shouldn'ta told you that 'cause now you're gonna fill my whole closet up, aren't you?
I'll try to be good and only take up half of the closet. But there's no promises, you've really made me like shopping for myself!
[It's all his fault, he's given her the ability to pick out her own things and wear whatever she wants. It's still a new novelty to her, since she always had her mother buying things and telling her it's what she has to wear. But she's found things she likes, and then one or two outfits she really likes. Maybe she'll go a little crazy buying all kinds of new things (or stealing them, really) but she doubts she'll fill his whole closet up.
Probably.
He gets a big wet, smacking kiss to his cheek before she leans back and finishes her piece of jerky. It's not a very big snack and won't tide her over forever, but it's nice for now.]
[He chuckles and leans against her in that hold while it lasts. And yes, he knows what she means, and he's glad to have enabled her discovery of things like fun and freedom, that's what he's all about! But he also believes that it's been in her all the time, just being stifled by some real assholes.
Once finished with the jerky, he gives her a one-armed squeeze and a kiss to the temple, then hops back on the bike and tugs his goggles down over his eyes.]
All right, let's see how long this highway holds out. Any bets for what time we show up next time we hit a town?
[Like they have any control over it and can choose what year to go to.]
We really need to call your brother, remember?
[Oh, his goggles are all tangled on the back of his head. She takes a few seconds to pull the strap back and straighten them out, and kisses the back of his neck once they're in place.]
We're not very far from home at this point. He needs to know you're coming back!
[There's nothing to do but drive and see if they make it to his year. He's not betting on it, what's one year out of centuries? He tries not to hope too hard either, just because the odds seem pretty poor. But, fuck, it would be real nice to get lucky.
He waits as she fiddles with the goggles strap, then fires up the engine. Time to drive.
This part of Texas is really barren in almost all times, it seems like. Aside from a handful of tiny towns in various states of near-nonexistence, it's hours before they get anywhere that looks like civilization, but soon they start seeing highway signs for Austin, and then after that, the blinking lights of the city outskirts.]
How you doin' back there? I think we still have another two hours to San Antonio from here if the roads stay good.
[With as much driving as they do on a regular basis, two hours is really nothing. The landscape in this part of the state is pretty boring, and there isn't a lot to look at. So he keeps driving, and she lets herself doze off against him for a much needed nap.
She comes to as they're coming to a stop at a streetlight. Her head lifts and she blearily looks around. It's really hard to tell what year they might be in, but it at least looks like something that's modern like they're used to.]
Did the roads stay good?
[It looks like a bigger city. One with traffic and people and lots of buildings. They have to be in San Antonio by now, right?]
[And actually, it was sort of a nice drive. One big modern freeway, not much traffic, just listening to the radio dip in and out between cities and times.
There's a grin on his face she can't see, and he doesn't say anything, just turns the volume up a couple ticks on the dial. He's found some little rock and roll station that claims to be playing the hottest new releases from "bands you've probably never heard of," some kind of hipster shit, and that's honestly fun enough, but as she wakes up, the station is currently about thirty seconds into Not Dead Yet.
Why that one took off and the rest of theirs haven't just yet, he's not sure. One of those weird quirks of working in a creative field. But hell, he can't complain. They're on the air in San Antonio? Guess he has at least one fan all the way out in Texas.]
It's your song! Oh my gosh, it's your song, isn't it? You've sang this to me before! You're on the radio!
[She's ecstatic to hear it, and is really proud of him. It's the first she's heard the band altogether, and it makes her excited to get to LA to see them live.
With the radio turned up nice and loud, she sings along and dances in place on the bike. She's just going to take this song playing as a sign that San Antonio is going to be amazing. ]
Wait. Does this mean you're famous?
Maybe we're finally gettin' there, yeah! If they're playin' our stuff as far out as Texas, then that totally counts as famous.
[To someone. Famous beyond a small studio and a few bars. Famous enough that they could probably book a gig all the way out here and a few in between, a real goddamn bonafide tour.
Except Rigo is probably still missing. Damn idiot better not have gotten himself killed, or if he did he'd better still be around to mash those drums because it's not like Johnnie is giving up on backing guitar.]
An' I think that means this might even be 1967. We just got this record out, what, six months ago? Hey, shit, we gotta get you to a record store!
She's the girlfriend of an amazing musician and San Antonio is going to be the best time they've had on this trip. She can feel it in her bones.]
Yeah! It's time we finally found one. But let's save it until after we're clean, okay? You may be a Phantom Rider, but you don't have to actually look like a phantom.
[She's only teasing, obviously, and it's easy to tell by the way she pinches at his filthy cheek.]
Would be pretty fuckin' funny though. Nah, we'll get cleaned up. Hey, if I'm a famous rock star, you think I get a discount at a fancy hotel?
[That's probably not how it works, famous rock stars are probably supposed to be rich. Oh well.
But they can still sneak into a nice room, right? At this time of night nobody will know any better. He bypasses the tacky places on the city outskirts and heads for downtown. It's always more fun to be right in the middle of it all.]
It wouldn't hurt to try getting nice things for free because you're famous.
[Like fancy dinners or front row seats to a show or something. They could really live large in San Antonio. That's something that excites her as they move into the downtown area, where crowds are bustling. There's something different about this city than other places they've been. The influence of a culture that isn't white is evident in open air mercados and churches that have architecture like she's never seen before.
Even the people here look more diverse and interesting, the fashion on display something that makes her grin as they stop at a red light.]
I think I saw a sign for something about a river. Do you really think they have one through the downtown area? It would be so nice to stay at a fancy hotel right on a river, wouldn't it?
Might as well look. Seems the river is just up ahead.
[And so are shops and hotels, thankfully. The river itself looks quiet as he drives along it for a few minutes just to scope it out - paved sidewalks, grassy lawns, only a smattering of graffiti. Probably safe enough to not worry about the bike getting stolen if they park out front of one of the hotels here.]
All right, let's see. Bexar Inn on the River? Riverway Resort?
[Chrissy doesn't have any method for choosing one over the other. It just sounds fancier somehow. It's not an inn. It's a resort. Very fancy. She'd be happy anywhere though, and hopes he knows that.
As they pull up in front of the Riverway Resort, Chrissy's so excited just to be here in this time and place that she leaps right off the back of the bike and practically drags Johnnie off the bike. They've got to get their things, but first she presses both hands to his cheeks and pulls him in for a kiss.]
We're going to have so much fun here.
[She's ignoring the few looks they're getting from people that pass them by and notice them. It's easy to imagine they look like they've been through hell. But that's just amusing to her, and she's left smiling as she pulls back from the kiss to grab one of their bags.]
Do you want to see if you can find a key? Or should we just try breaking into one of the rooms?
Rather have the key just so they're less likely to rent the place out with us in it, but then again who knows how gettin' hands on those will go. It's late enough, maybe someone won't have their eyes completely open. Lemme go look, okay?
[She gets another kiss, and then he trots off toward the concierge to scope the place out and see what their key system is like.
Security here is a little tighter than your average highway motel, that's for sure. He doesn't see keys on a wall inside anywhere, but the slow pace of the front desk at this time means he doesn't see anyone come in and get one, either. Leaves him with a few guesses - those locked drawers at the front desk, maybe, or behind another door past that desk. He slinks toward the door, trying to be unobtrusive, but -]
... C-can I help you?
[The young woman who has just emerged from that door in some sort of resort staff uniform looks shocked, like any moment she might retreat back into that room and lock the door. Quickly, he crafts a shaky half-assed plan and hopes it works.]
Yeah! Shit, yeah, you can, thank the Balancer someone's here. My girl an' I were caught in a huge storm, an' there was this fire, an' the fire department is clearing everyone outta the block an' putting people up in hotels for the night until they get it all sorted out. They said they'd cover our room here so we can get cleaned up an' figure out a more permanent spot to stay. Can you help us?
[This may not be as trusting a time as the thirties or the fifties or any number of places they've wound up, but it's still not too hard to con your way into something if you're convincing enough. The concierge nods her head, looking worried, and withdraws some kind of master key from a breast pocket to get at the room keys.]
Yes, oh heavens, I'm so sorry, you must be so distressed. Is your... Significant other? Around?
[While she's hurriedly filling out a form, Johnnie nods and jogs over to the front door, then waves toward Chrissy and the bike.]
Hey babe! She says she'll get us a room while the fire department figures out a better spot for us!
[She's smart, she'll catch on, he decides, and then heads back inside so he can sign whatever garbage he's supposed to put some ink on.]
You poor thing, you look like you've been through so much tonight. We'll get you taken care of, dears. Don't worry!
[Chrissy hasn't even had to lay on a sympathetic story yet, but she's sure going to test out her acting chops now.]
The fire department said you'd be able to help us. We were so worried we'd have to sleep on the streets tonight, but you'll help us? Really?
[Okay, so maybe acting isn't her thing. But she sounds genuinely happy that they're getting a room. Which seems to make the woman happy in return, even as she keeps glancing up at them in concern.]
Of course. You'll be in room two-twenty for the night. I'm going to have to ask you to come down first thing tomorrow so we can ensure the fire department has made the payment for you to stay longer if you need to.
[Although she's friendly, the concierge starts to sound hesitant, like she doesn't want to hand over the key. So she doesn't, instead she places it down on the countertop and studies them.]
What did you say your name was, sir?
[See, this is where the fake ID comes in handy. He digs his wallet out and slips the fake out of its pocket for her, like she might need it for something. Who knows.
If she wants them out of the room first thing in the morning, well, he can conveniently forget. They'll eventually send a note up or call or whatever but until then they have time to figure out an alternative. Should be no sweat to take the key to a locksmith and have a copy made.
So as she takes his ID and studies it, he slides his hand over the key because obviously that's his now.]
Thanks again, you've really been a big help. I'll come on down tomorrow, all right? Really appreciate it.
[Well, the key is in his hand now, and the concierge briefly looks at his grungy fingernails, then gives a firm nod and a practiced smile.]
Of course. We're happy to help out and I hope you two can get a good night's sleep. Please call down to the desk here if you need anything!
[Johnnie nods and retrieves his fake ID, then shoulders one of the bags as well as his guitar to take it all up to the room.]
Oh, and Mrs.Garcia!
[The concierge calls out, stopping Chrissy dead in her tracks. She mulls over being a Mrs.Garcia before realizing she has to play the part. Her head turns and she gives a little nod of her head.]
Yeah?
[The concierge runs over with a little paper sack that she hands over to Chrissy.]
There's some toiletries in there for you. In case you need them.
[Taken by the kindness of that, she just smiles for a few seconds. She's completely stunned to silence. They've met so many exhausting people on this trip that it's nice to run into someone that genuinely wants to help.]
Thank you. We'll see you in the morning.
[As soon as they're out of earshot and are walking down the hallway toward the rooms, she laughs under her breath and adds on-]
Or see you never.
[She prefers it to be that way. Less explaining they'll have to do.]
Eventually though they find their room, and he turns the key in the lock.]
Here we go, home sweet cleanup time. Goddamn I need a fuckin' shower so bad.
[Guitar tossed on the bed and bag tossed on the floor, he scopes the place out. For a "resort" it sure looks a lot like a usual, though nice, hotel room. Probably the resort part means restaurants and a pool and other fancy shit. Massage parlor or something. Hell, he hopes so, he could go for a massage.
But first thing is to strip down and get that shower running, and he does so in near record time, only to notice there's also a huge tub with a jacuzzi.]
Oh, shit - well, that's gonna be for after the shower.
After, huh? It sounds like you have big plans.
[Which she is all for, but first? She steps into the shower and gets under the water. There's no soap or shampoo in here, so she peeks out and gives him her best smile. One that's extra charming and sweet.]
Hey, baby? Do you think you can grab all my strawberry stuff from our bag?
Have your pick of what you want. I just gotta scrub all this off.
[Starting by grabbing a washcloth. Streaks of black and gray and red will probably mark up its white fabric forever now.]
Ugh. Makeup is worse than mud for gettin' it off though.
Here.
[She takes the washcloth from him, and gets some soap on there.]
Keep your eyes closed for a while. I'll get this.
[Even with as filthy as she still is, she takes great care to gently scrub his face clean. He's left with a little redness thanks to her scrubbing, but that'll go away soon. She smiles at her handiwork before kissing him.]
Do you think you can get your hair while I work on my face?