beyondtheline | I sure like the feeling of an endless road

Exactly! Yeah, you got it. It'd be the best damn time there was. Some day, baby girl. It'll happen.

[Why or when, he doesn't really know or care right now. It's just such a nice thought.

Nice enough to help him drift off to sleep for a while in the warming early morning sun while below, the city wakes up. He doesn't sleep all day - can't, these long summer days are way too long, and anyway there's too much going on with the breeze and the changing patterns of light and shadow on his face, and the occasional sound of an engine or people muttering as they walk past, engaged in their own private conversations.

But he gets a few hours and that's enough to feel ready to go again. He glances over at the bike parked a short walk off, decides it looks like it hasn't been messed with, then tries to see if he can extract himself from Chrissy without waking her up so he can stretch his limbs and comb his hair, and maybe see if any snacks whatsoever survived that late dinner.]

[The second he moves, her eyes open wide. She stays in place for a second, until she remembers where she is and who she's with. It's definitely sunny now, and she yawns as she stretches her arms and moves to climb up to her feet.]

I guess we didn't sleep too long.

[She says out loud as she looks up at the sky, noting the sun is definitely a lot brighter than she's used to these days. It makes her squint up at all that light as her eyes adjust, but she grins as she stretches out her arms and basks in all that warmth.]

But you know what? It's such a pretty day, we've got tons of time to do what we want, and I bet pawn shops are open now!

[A couple of women jog by and stare at them as they go past. Chrissy takes in their clothes and snorts. Yeah, they're definitely in the 1980s. Those outfits are awful.]

[Well, the good news is if she's up he doesn't have to worry about waking her as he goes about poking around at the bike for his comb. And a toothbrush, come to think of it. He finds that first and stuffs it in his mouth to brush and mumble-talk at the same time.]

Sure! Mmhm. Pawn shops 'n' food.

[Gotta get the money first, then they can treat themselves to a nice filling breakfast before they go on selling or stealing anything else.

While he's here, he checks to make sure nobody fished out the jewelry from the stash at the bottom of the saddlebag, but nobody touched anything as far as he can tell. He holds his toothbrush in his mouth, sets his jacket on the ground, and piles the few handfuls of jewelry onto it to wrap up and bring over to Chrissy by the tree.]

Here, help me sort this shit.

[She really admires how well he can get ready just out in the parking lot with no running water or a big mirror. Tooth brushing will happen for her as soon as they get somewhere with a real bathroom. Her hand covers her mouth and nose and she breathes out to smell and make sure she's not completely gross smelling, and is doing that as he walks up.

Her hand instantly drops down and she acts like she was just yawning, and she nods as she reaches forward to start sorting through his little treasure pile. It's not like she's an expert or anything, but she likes to think the one thing her mother and grandmother taught her was how to notice expensive things. They'll want to keep anything that would sell for more in the future for later on.

A couple of pieces she examines closely before sorting them into one of her piles, and after about five minutes she's got everything ready.]

Hey Johnnie? I think we should sell this pile while we're here. And everything here we should hang onto for when we're really in the future.

[All of that is called out without a care in the world, causing a couple of guys jogging by to glance her way like she's a crazy kid or something.]

[Johnnie may have a vague sense of what's decent jewelry and what's shit, but it definitely helps to have her perspective on what's still considered nice some twenty years later. Plus, girls know their sparkly shit inherently, right?

He nods along at her decision, steps aside to spit his toothpaste into the grass, then spins his toothbrush around in his fingers. Whoops, still no water to rinse that with. They really need to get some.]

Perfect. Sounds real good. Well, whenever you're feelin' ready to get up an' get going, I'm ready to go find a place to hand 'em off so we can get some breakfast.

I'm ready!

[The things they need to hold onto for later are put into her backpack, nice and safe. The other pile is handed off to him, and she hops up to her feet and dusts off her backside. They make their way back to the bike and she secures her backpack in the saddlebag, and gets his guitar back in position on her back. It's easy to get back on the road from the park, and he heads back toward the nearest pawn shop they had passed first.

While he goes to deal with the old lady at the desk, she looks around. There's all kinds of things in there, but she's fixated on the row of familiar technology. There's cameras, and those are great. But she spots a Walkman and a whole bin of tapes. She excitedly grabs it and starts sorting through the tapes to find music she knows and loves. Thankfully she loves so much pop music and that's mass produced and everywhere. It's easy to find a whole stack of cassettes that she wants to keep.

A few of them are pocketed, and she tries to find a way to discreetly steal the walkman too. But in her shorts and tank top there's just nowhere to hide it. Oh well. She'll just walk out with everything while Johnnie has the lady busy.]

[And he does, in fact, keep her busy, trying to haggle for more, saying it's all his grandmother's stuff from the sixties and it's worth more than that, it's in such good condition!

By the time they settle on a payment, Johnnie isn't sure if he really got a great deal or not, but it all sounds good to him. Inflation is a hell of a thing, and the stack of bills slid to him over the counter are big enough to make him happy for a while.

Chrissy is back at the bike when he walks out, and he shrugs, smiling, and waves his wallet at her.]

Think that turned out all right. I ain't loaded, but it'll get us some meals an' gas while we try an' figure out how to get farther forward in time. You see anything good in there?

[She's grinning ear to ear, and nods as she hops forward to give him a kiss.]

Uh-huh. I found a tape player and music I know and love! Now I can have it with me no matter where we are or what time we're in.

[And that's a really big deal to her. She misses so much of the things she adored back when she was just a cheerleader, a normal teenage girl who lived a pointless little life. There's a lot that she doesn't miss, but her favorite music and media are definitely among them.]

I can't wait for you to listen.

[Will he enjoy it? Maybe. He appreciates almost all music. But a lot of it is probably "girl stuff", so he might just listen briefly to humor her. All that matters to her is she's excited, and she skips her way to the bike to hop on the back. Now that they've taken care of business, they can go find something to eat.]

A tape player? Okay, you gotta show me once we get a little farther from that lady's front door.

[Grinning widely at their shared success, Johnnie gives Chrissy a hand onto the bike, then pulls away from his parking spot to go search the street for food.

Just like LA, this place has all kinds of options, but for breakfast things without searching too hard, he stops just a few blocks down at some Jewish deli and hops off. Bagels and sandwiches and all that sort of thing sounds like it'll hit the spot. He pushes the door open and holds it for her, then picks a booth to flop down into.]

I think you mentioned tapes before. They're smaller, right?

Yeah. Like small little rectangles. They have tape inside them that the music is recorded on I guess.

[She doesn't know how they work, she isn't a scientist. But she sure has spent many afternoons having to wind tape back into the cassette with a pencil after her player ate it all up. The memories make her smile as she initially slides into the booth across from him, then thinks better of it and goes to sit next to him instead.]

I hope we can stay somewhere close to a couple of clothes stores. I know I have stuff back home, but I really want to bring stuff from the time I'm from back with me. Just a few things.

[Of course, getting anything is dependent on her being able to swipe some cash. She's not going to ask him to get stuff for her.]

[A waitress drops by, smelling of cigarettes, and hands them a couple of menus, then starts pouring water.]

Just yell when you're ready.

[She says, before drifting off to go do something else. Johnnie watches her retreat, then chuckles. That's different, but hell, sounds practical. She must be busy.]

Uh, well yeah, I bet we can find you a clothes store while we're here. I mean, as long as we don't go too fast or too far, whichever it is, we'll stay in this time for a while, right? So stock up.

[He's not even worried about the cash for something like that. Shoplifting is easy. He pulls the water over to him, glances up at the clock on the wall in vague curiosity, then has a drink while he looks at the menu.]

Oh fuck, brisket sandwich? That sounds real good.

[His enthusiasm for brisket makes her laugh, and she gives his foot a nudge beneath the table. It's not as easy for her to find that kind of energy for a sandwich, but she does see a few things that look really good. One in particular stands out to her and she grins as she points to it on the menu.]

I think I'll try the classic Reuben. I'm not sure what makes it a classic but it sounds good.

[Honestly, she's really grateful for Johnnie bringing her to tons of places she's never gotten to experience before. It always enables her to try new things that she generally ends up enjoying.]

I bet we can get your pop tarts here too, by the way. So we better be careful not to drive too fast or go out too far. But we've always had a lot of luck when we were in other times and places. We should be okay here too.

Ohhhh, pop tarts. Fuck, I miss 'em. Yeah, I gotta stock up while we can. Hey, what else is good in this time that I've never tried? Gotta be some other kinda snacks, right?

[If pop tarts are that good, they must have tons of other good stuff, just waiting for him to taste it.

Waitress lady makes her way past to another table and Johnnie waves until she notices. She comes by after she's done at the other table so that they can order, and then she's off again. Johnnie chuckles and lights a cigarette to kick back with while they wait for their food.]

[Chrissy is absolutely overjoyed to be back in the land of Cherry Coke. She's so focused on getting to order one at a restaurant again that she immediately has only one answer for him.]

Cherry Coke!

[Which he already knows she loves, and she laughs as she shrugs off the fact her excitement embarrasses her.]

I mean, there's other stuff too. Lots of junk food. I guess I should take you to a grocery store so we can pick out good stuff. I bet you'd love Doritos. And fruit snacks.

[Her love of cherry coke is practically famous. He grins and taps her foot with his. Yeah, he's had it. It's fine.]

Yeah, okay, that's gonna be another mission while we're here, then. Plus, it's San Francisco, they're bound to have stuff you never had, too. Pretty different from the midwest, y'know.

[Considering how different LA was for her, and that's twenty years prior to the time she grew up in. Twenty more years of California making food from all the people who've come here from around the world? Yeah, gotta be something good.]

Other'n food, I dunno what there even is to find here. We'll have to look around. Give it a day or two before we keep goin' north. But I don't wanna stick around too long, 'cause we gotta get on forward in time eventually.

[Yeah, he's right. She's sure there's bound to be plenty of new food opportunities here. She's having one right now, isn't she? His statement about how long he wants to stick around pulls her out of her thoughts, and she nods in agreement.]

We don't have to stay longer than tonight. Let's do what we can here and leave tomorrow. But we gotta find a hotel to stay in, I need a shower. And we need a real bed so we can...well, you know.

[She trails off there as the waitress brings them their drinks, and Chrissy winds up blushing as she averts her eyes until the lady leaves. A quiet giggle escapes her right after, and for a second she leans her head over to rest against his shoulder until the embarrassment leaves her.]

Oh, yeah. I know.

[He mutters, snickering quietly, as their drinks arrive. He pulls his coke closer and has a long drink, then sneaks a hand under the table as the waitress walks off and squeezes Chrissy's thigh.]

Well, soon as we get outta here we'll go look around. Bet there's someplace we can find that'll let us check in early an' relax.

[It's not all that long before their sandwiches arrive, with sides - fries for him, because salad is bullshit. He eagerly chows down, hungry after the previous day's awfully light dinner.]

[Chrissy, on the other hand, seems excited to have a salad as her side. It's been a long time since she's had anything green, and it's pretty refreshing to eat something that feels healthy even when it probably is drowning in dressing. They're both so hungry they eat without talking, and it's surprisingly Chrissy that finishes first.]

Wow, I was so hungry I ate everything.

[She rubs at her stomach as she chuckles, and slouches down in the booth to relax a little.]

Do you wanna see if they have dessert?

Mmph. Yeah, gimme a second.

[Shit, he is full, but in the best way. That was a huge sandwich and he's so satisfied - but there's always room for dessert, he just needs to wash it down first with the last of his soda.

And then he grabs the waitress again for a dessert menu, and slides it between the two of them.]

Fuck, cheesecake? We could split a slice. Sounds like a lot, but it also sounds perfect. Better 'n pound cake.

Cheesecake.

[That's an easy decision, and she gives a firm nod as she gives the waitress their order. It's not like they deprive themselves of anything back home, but meals on the road are special because they get to have things like cheesecake.]

Oh! Can we add cherries on top?

[The question was meant more for Johnnie than the waitress, but she nods and heads off to grab them their cheesecake. That leaves Chrissy to lean over and give him a quick kiss because he's so sweet to go along with dessert just because she wants it.

It doesn't take more than a few minutes for the waitress to come by and drop off a plate and two forks, and Chrissy hands him one before she digs in. She's always starving after using those weird void powers, and it feels like she could probably eat a few pieces all by herself. She'll be good and make sure he gets his fair share though.]

This is really good. I wish we could bring some home, Rigo would love it.

[Man, that's good. The cherries are the right thing to add for sure, they add extra sweet-tart moisture that makes it all so much better. He's a little slower to eat than she is, once again, but hell, she can eat all the cheesecake she wants.]

Mmm. Yeah? Dude still needs to eat more. You shoulda seen him before he got all scrawny. He'll get there, though.

[One more bite, and then he's done. Time to lean back in the booth and give a content sigh.]

Well, that makes all the crazy drive worth it, huh? Ghost trains an' face first in the dirt an' all that bullshit with Papa, to this?

[Okay yeah no it doesn't make up for that last part entirely, but it sure helps.]

[She wasn't ever going to bring up his dad again, but since he's done it she guesses it's okay that she asks some questions. But she still hesitates a little, and takes to pushing cherries around the plate before she gets brave enough to ask.]

Do you know what I like about you? I mean, I like a lot of things about you. But I like that you still call him Papa even though he hasn't earned it and doesn't deserve it.

[What she wants to ask is why he does that. It's hard for her to think of calling her dad something that sounds affectionate, and her dad was only blind and indifferent to her at his worst.]

I wish things had gone differently with him.

[But their visit had been a disaster, and she's not sure it could've possibly gone any other way.]

[That first comment, he's not sure how to answer, so he doesn't. The guy was always Papa when he was growing up and then the guy got kicked out and it's not like it changes what Johnnie has always called him and continues to. Maybe it sounds affectionate to her, but it's just - "father" sounds too fucking weird, "dad" is really... weird too in a way he can't put his finger on. The guy's his Papa, for better or worse.

But, whatever. Johnnie just shrugs.]

If anything was gonna go differently it woulda had to go differently fuckin' ages ago. Ten years ago woulda been a good time. Nothin' was gonna go okay yesterday. Coulda been a lot worse, at least we didn't get arrested. Coulda gone worse for him too, 'cause I was about to break that fucker's nose in.

[That's not a particularly funny statement, but she nervously laughs because it feels awkward that she's said anything and she isn't sure how to fix it. There isn't any putting a bandaid on the way your parents mess you up. So she quietly finishes the cheesecake, and doesn't say anything for a minute or so.]

For a while I wanted to go back and see my parents. But I'm not so sure I do anymore. It's not like I can confront them in my own time, they buried me. It would be too messed up. And I can't go back in the past and warn them not to be awful, because if I do, that would probably mean I wouldn't ever meet you.

[And there's not a chance of that happening. She won't let it.]

But you know what? I think maybe I'd probably hit my dad right in the nose too. And my mom in her mouth.

[He chuckles, he can't help it, then takes one last lick of his fork before setting it back down on the plate with a clatter. Mm, sugar.]

I think that's as good a reason to go back there as any. They fuckin' deserve a punch or two. But, maybe what they don't deserve is us spendin' all the time an' energy to drive out there an' back just for that. At this point? They're a fuckin' footnote at best. 'Course, if we happen to find ourselves in the area...

[He smirks. Does he really want to do another cross-country road trip out that way just so she can give them a good thump or two? Not really, not when there's stuff to do that's way more fun. But, well, he can understand the desire real easily. If she decided she definitely wanted it, of course he'd go.]

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