To the movies -Open-

[Victoria Alexander]

“Jeeze my dogs are bark’en” Sally sat down next to Victoria as she finished her counts for the night. “You know I never hear you complaining about your feet, arn’t you ready to just prop them up and call it a night?” Victoria shook her head with a slight smirk on her face.

Sally always seemed to lighten the mood. “No Im pretty much used to being on my feet. Though the shoes you gave me do make me want to throw them across the room.” Victoria slid a foot out exposing the flat dress shoe that was part of her uniform.

“Your tellin me hunny but in this place unfortunately you have to look nice and be real nice to the people.” Sally got up and straitened out her dress. “Well darlin, Bob and me got a show tonight, figured I’ll let you be and get all nice and prettied up for him. One of those western shows he likes. You can take the man out of Texas but not the Texas out of the man. You have a good night doll” She laughed as Victoria shook her head slightly at her joke with a smirk and watched as Sally went out the door and around to the door next door which led to their place above the restaurant.

She was getting rather used to the couple. They were worse than teenagers in love half the time. He would always tease her and she would always tease back. Sometimes it was hard to be serious with them around. But she couldn’t complain. Sally knew how to gossip and keep that day moving. Bob even though as big as he is, seemed more of a gentle giant who knew how to whip something up in the matter of minutes. They seemed to fit each other and Victoria sighed at the thought of it.

“Maybe Im starting to get a little lonely” She said as her hand went up to her cheek. Resting on it as she finished the counts on the small little calculator in front of her. Taking a breath and blowing it out softly she watched as some of the receipts lifted up a little and back onto the table.

Sliding to the edge of the chair on the side she scooped up the receipts and the calculator and put them away. Maybe she would do something tonight. It was early and the good thing about working here, is by 9pm the place closes down. No doubt she could use a movie herself. She hadn’t been to one in a while and with the tip money she has been getting she could spare some for herself.

Victoria moved through the kitchen, going to the door that led to her basement room and skipped the stairs by two. She had to get out of this ridiculous outfit and into some normal clothing. Walking over to a neat folded pile she looked through the clothing that Sally had given her. A little girly for her she would admit but it was better than her limited selection of her own. Picking out a denim skirt, a blouse and her boots she moved over to the small little shower in the corner of the room. It wasn’t luxurious mostly a open space separated by a curtain, that dipped lower than the rest of the floor to hold the water from going anywhere but where it was supposed to go.

The chill of the basement made Victoria turn the water hot. The steam letting loose above and below the curtain. Undressing from the uniform she folded it nicely and inspected for spider webs before taking her shower quickly. She didn’t waste no time before she was dried dressed and her hair slicked back.

Looking into the small mirror stationed on the wall she shook her head. “I really need a haircut.” Turning her attention away she grabbed a few bucks for the movie, some spare for some junk food and shoved it into the back pocket of the jean skirt. Moving to the bed, she plopped down, jamming one foot at a time into her boots, tying them up one after the other and standing to look at herself. “Not too bad.” She looked behind her noticing how short the skirt was. “Bah, Sally needs to grow a foot or two, she’s killing me.”

Tugging at the bottom of the skirt it was no use. It was long enough to cover what needed to be covered but short enough to make Victoria not want to bend strait over for anything. Shaking her head at the thought she made her way out of the restaurant, locking it on her way out and making her way down the street.

[george]

George was sitting on a stool up on stage with his acoustic guitar in a really "upbeat" cafe' a few blocks away from Hircine. He played them, nothing too heavy, the kind of people that go to these type of cafe's are pretty fond of folk. Luckily, George was too. In fact, pretty much any genre really tickled his fancy! He didn't think it would be appropriate for him to wear his normal attire... not that it was obscene or anything, heavens no, its just a performer's gotta wear a crowd pleasing outfit! Thus his outfit consisted of a gray sweater with the sleeves pushed back to his elbows, not too thin to get him uncomfortable in the stage's spotlight though. His pants were just some jeans, not torn up.

He sang and played his guitar for the crowd, and they seemed to really just love his music. That really made him feel good about his talents. In the end they clapped for him and he stood up, holding his guitar beside him, he bowed to the audience... an age old tradition which has been completely forgotten by the flow of time. He walked backstage and then, off of it as the host announced the next performer, someone by the name of Jack, he wasn't paying much attention. He walked over to the owner of the cafe', a stereotypical beatnik, and said, "Well sir, how was my performance?"

"George, you're quite the talented young man! You very well may win this competition... after all, in the end it comes down to crowd persuasion. They loved your music my man, theres no need to even consider you... you're definitely going to the next stage..."

George did a "cha-ching" motion with his free right hand (left holding his guitar) and said "Ye-eah-he-eah!" He had to refrain from hugging the beatnik, so he just shook his hand. "Sir, you'll definitely see me again!"

"I sure will... congratulations George." George bowed respectfully to the man and then put his guitar on. He twisted it around to his back so its all pointing to the ground. He headed out of the cafe' and breathed deep the fresh, smoke-free air!

The crowd loved him, they loved his music! It was an ecstatic feeling, he suspected this feeling would almost rival that of the utmost... love. He put his hand in his pockets and started off down the street, towards home. Halfway there, an idea struck him. "Hey... I should reward myself... a movie perhaps? Yeah... lets let someone else perform for me."

He took out his wallet and looked inside... "Well... if life were a cartoon, a moth would be flying out of that..." He crossed his arms and put his right hand on his chin, scratching his beard and thinking, "hmm... well... perhaps I can street perform for some money? That might work... after all, they really liked my music in there... and I got some money in the park the other day... sure! Why not?"

He made haste to a busier side of town and "set up shop" on the sidewalk. He tied his long, brown hair back in a low ponytail as he usually liked it and turned his guitar around. Sitting down on a bench, he started to play. Without thinking about it, he started to get into his music and improvised a tune. It sounded pretty good... and people passing by on their way were donating to the arts... so to speak.

[Victoria Alexander]

(ooc-Not much to work with -wiggles fingers- but ill give it a try)

After walking a bit and getting directions from a hefty women wearing what looked like it should have been a shower curtain, accompanied by a poodle pointed her in the right direction. With many thanks, she made her way hoping to get there in time to not miss the night show.

Though what could be called a distraction led Victoria's ears to perk and her eyes to wonder ahead of her. No doubt someone playing a guitar. The rhythm wasn't bad and over all it seemed rather pleasant.

The sound brought back the days when Nicholas would play his sax. How it lured her. Her little knowledge of piano courtesy of Nicholas gave her a sense of sound. She still remembered the duo of music they would produce. Giving the misfits a show. But nothing compared to when Nicholas would put his soul in his music the jazzy feel of it lifting ones soul and letting it fly free and to forget their pain and misery of where they were now.

Jolting back into reality as she tripped her boot on a bit of raised sidewalk. She looked at the guy on the bench. Her eyes tracing the strings toward his fingers. The movement reminding her of Nicholas and his own musically talents. He seemed lost in it just like Nicholas was, how she missed home.

The sound seemed to fade, the end of the song hitting her as if she was disappointed in it not continuing on. Music spoke to the soul and even though it was drudging up her past with each pluck of the strings made it more of a comfort of a reminder of the good ol days.

As the sounds of the streets replaced the music Victoria put her hands together and clapped for the musician.

"Very well played."

She then took her hand to her back pocket grabbed a few bucks from her money and tossed it into the open guitar case.

"I would say that was worth missing out on some chocolate candy tonight."

She slightly laughed to herself. She knew once she was at the movie of her choice she would soon regret giving away her snack money.

[george]

Once his music had stopped, he felt a little... sadder. But, all things must end eventually, even the joy sometimes. But, the funny thing about joy and pain is that, YOU can determine when the come back!

He had his head bowed as he played, so he didn't quite put a face on the voice which complimented him. In fact, he just now opened his eyes and saw all the money in his guitar case. There was more than enough money for him to get in to see a movie so he smiled and then lifted his head.

"Ah, a pretty face to match said voice..." he thought to himself, then said aloud, "Thank you deeply for your kind words stranger. In reality though, its more that... the music plays me instead of me playing it..." He would've kept going, but he stopped himself from sounding all too weird.

"As for your candy... please, take your money back... enjoy the candy! I've made enough money to get into the movies tonight with a bit more for some snacks as well! Besides... whats the pleasure in snacks if you're the only one enjoying them?" He chuckled a bit and motioned for her to take the left over money after he put most in his wallet.

He hoped that he wasn't acting a little too weird for a first encounter. He often did that unintentionally. But, for his defense, he just played a great performance! He was extremely happy...

[Victoria Alexander]

Victoria crossed her arms and smirked.

"The movies you say, Is that so? I, myself was just heading to the place. Figured the night seemed to call for one. A sort of celebration that you have survived the day."

She had no intention of taking back her money that she had given him. She was not one to welch on payment of such entertainment. Growing up on the street gave her not only street smarts but curtesy when it came to other people.

"How about you excort me there. Im rather new to the city and no doubt be turned around in no time. I couldn't even tell you the way I came to be quiet honest and with this time of night not to many people are nice enought to stop to help with directions."

With a soft smile she uncrossed her arms and slid them into the back pocket of her jean skirt. She herself was feeling a bit lonely. The guy looked some what harmless. Even if he wasn't, it wasnt like she couldnt take care of herself. A stranger for company is better than no company at all. Whats the worst that can happen?

[george]

"What are the odds of that?" He thought quietly to himself, "coincidence, or destiny?" He smirked, George wasn't the kind of person to believe in destiny. In order for a destiny to exist, based upon its very definition, free will wouldn't exist either. Well... certain events can be destined, but not entire lives.

"Well, suit yourself..." He said just before taking her money she donated too. He felt kinda greedy, but if the lady insisted, who was he to deny her? Besides... he could always just buy her the food at the theater anyway, since she was now wanting him to escort her there!

"What a strange day... first I am a shoo-in at the competition... then this beautiful girl wants me to escort her... to the movies! But hey, who can complain eh?" He finally said out loud, "Escort you? Why of course I will... anything for a fan! But, my house is on the way, do you mind if we stop long enough for me to put my guitar away?" He stood up and picked up his guitar case, putting his guitar away.

[Victoria Alexander]

The thought of having someone accompany her to the movies was actually kind of a blessing in disguise. She hadn’t had much contact with people. Well, other than the opposing fighter she happened to be fighting to make dinner on the table. She tended to stay away from people to shield herself from what happened in Varron. She got too attached and in the end could have kicked herself royally. She couldn’t really blame herself. In reality, a man or in this case a woman couldn’t be their own island. Sooner or a later she would need to have humanly contact. If only a day she told herself, it wouldn’t do no harm.

Victoria waved her arm in front of her.

“Lead the way Maestro. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to your instrument if I would happen to say no.”

She would wait as he would straiten things. Close his case, latch it, and move into the direction of his place. She would follow just beside him, her hands in her back pockets. Her dark hair drifting slightly in the ever so often breeze. She wasn’t much of a conversational starter, in fact she was rusty all together.

“So, what made you want to pursue this road, or well I mean lifestyle. I’ve known a few musicians in my time and I found that passion ran deep when it comes to making this sort of choice.”

Her question would make her think of Nicholas and him playing in the small night jazz club, night after night. His passion keeping him there instead of the real world. She had called him naive the day she left. She regretted it. Who was she to question his path when she was tangled in her own. He was doing what he loved, what he had passion for. She, well she was drifting through life. Not having passion for anything.

[george]

So, what else wonderful would happen in this night? First off, completely triumphing in the first section of an open-mic competition. Secondly, performing well, with improvisation no less, enough to bring him money to see a movie. Thirdly, a beautiful girl wanting his company to the movies. Simply... outstanding... if he did say so himself.

"I'm not one to lead paths of men... But, in the literal sense... of course!"

With that, he started off down the street towards the theater and, in the general direction of his house. He still lived with his parents... so he hoped he wouldn't catch much... teasing... from his mother. She would often worry about his love life... so he wanted to avoid her, in case she'd get the wrong impression of his company tonight. Though he wouldn't rule out the possibility of romance as paths unfurl, after all, nobody knows what the future holds. But tonight, he didn't have the intentions.

Then she asked him a question he had never really thought of before. As he pondered, he slowed down a bit and walked beside her instead.

"Hmm... you know friend, thats the first time I've ever really thought about that. I suppose it all deals with two things... love and humility. Humility because, I love to see the enthralled and entertained look on the faces of my audience. I love to know that, my cheerful tunes allow them to forget about the worries and pains of their past or present, and just... love the few minutes they hear me play. I love knowing that my sad tunes allow them to reconnect with the emotions that make us humans... well... human! Which brings me to my second reason... love. I love music, almost to the point of being 'in love'. I have never experienced love with another person... and being a hopeless romantic of sorts... you can imagine its a hard burden on my heart. But when I feel the music flow through my arms or my throat... theres this feeling that HAS to be something like what lovers feel. The feeling surges throughout my body and I become lost in it, like lovers lost in one another's eyes..."

He trailed off for a moment, listening to their feet on the pavement, the cars passing by, the chatter of other people on the side walk, with his head bowed. But soon enough he lifted it and there was a smile there.

"Who says love must be with another creature?" He laughed, "I'm sorry dear friend, I tend to get lost in these rants... I've poured my heart out to you and I don't even know your name!"

He stopped and offered his free-hand for a shake, "my name is George, George Rollins!" His face was beaming, which was surprising given the serious or perhaps, saddening revelations about his feelings on music. Thats George for ya, always a smile, and its always sincere.

[Victoria Alexander]

Slowing to a stop beside him, she glanced at his hand and in return extended her own. Course anyone would think a dainty handshake would come from a girl wearing a short skirt and blouse but she grasped it firmly with a slight smile.

"Victoria Alexander, and don't get me wrong but love is over rated."

Her tone was serious, she looked up at the night sky for just a second the stars glinting in the dark mass as she looked back to his face.

"From experience, music is truer than love. Music can't deceit you, it can't complain or hurt you. Music is pure where love is dirty and in the end worthless."

Her voice was calm as her eyes would connect with his.

"Your better off not knowing the burden it brings on you."

She broke off eye contact and quickly shifted her eyes as she began to walk again, to get them both moving. Clearing her throat she pushed her hands deeper into her back pockets.

"You'll have to excuse me. I seem to be a little dramatic but love is a four letter word that does not seem to anything more than a word."

Her eyes were directed towards the ground. Even an idiot could tell that she had been hurt. Mentally kicking herself, she told herself she should have just agreed and went along with it. Course she would happen to open her big fat mouth.

[george]

His smiled faded a bit as he listened to her reply. This was definitely a hurt girl, no doubt about that. He wondered what exactly caused her to hate love so much. But, it was none of his business. Perhaps, as their friendship developed, more would come. Patience was the key, as it is in most endeavors.

He smiled again, "Well Victoria, to each his own. We all have the right to believe, as we want to believe. We'll leave it at that. This night need not be riddled with turmoils from the past..."

He definitely made sure to change the subject, mostly for her sake than his own. Surely she wouldn't want a complete stranger... nay, anyone, arguing why something she felt so negatively about was the greatest thing in the world to the other.

"So, what movie were you thinking about seeing?" Whatever it was, George would go and see it to. He really didn't have a clue... he rarely watched movies or even television for that matter, preferring other forms of entertainment. But, it didn't hurt every once in a while.

[Victoria Alexander]

Victoria could tell that what she blurted out seemed to tell more about than she had meant. It was one of those moments where you wish you could take it back and paint flowers and rainbows all over it. But what she said was the truth in her eyes. What he said after her made her breath easy after holding her breath. No doubt she could scare the first person that she had come in contact with that was seemingly being nice to her. Well, other than the two that let her crash in their basement anyhow.

Taking one of her hands out of her back pocket she could feel her cheeks kinda flushed as she moved some strands of hair behind her ear. She was a little embarassed about her outburst but he seemed to take enough notice to change the subject. She said a low thanks before he asked her what movie she would be seeing.

"To tell you the truth I dont know whats playing. Where Im staying at theres is no tv and I completely forgot to check the newspapers. I figured when I got there I would play enie meinie miney moe with it and pick from there. Im not much for horror movies to tell you the truth. I mean I can watch them but as for being scared for most of the movie it kinda makes me uneasy."

She made a slight uneasy face with her last experience of Saw. She had clung to Tak most of the time and spent half of the time with her nose pressed into his shoulder shielding her eyes from the rather gruesome sight. She vowed that she would never seen one of those movies again no matter how many they made. Course the Banger Boys teased her after that but she knew it was just them being guys.

"Hmm to think about it, Im not much into the girly movies for well you can kinda guess the reason with the outburst back there."

She shook her head at her own embarrassment.

"Though I could use a laugh. A comedy might be good. I mean who don't like comedies? I'll have to ask the ticket person which one seems to be popular."

[george]

He saw her flush and heard the low thanks. So his mind bean to ponder, "hmm... apparently she is either ashamed of what she said, or didn't mean to bear so much. People who do that often use those outbursts as... cries of help of sorts. Ah well, perhaps I can help with time eh? After all... one man isn't an army."

He listened to her debate about what type of movie to watch... he agreed with her on the whole. But, every once in a while, he found himself falling victim to the romantic ideas of "girlie" movies. A demasculating fact that he would be proud of. After all, he is a hopeless romantic.

His smile widened and he chuckled a bit, "Of course! Laughter, joy, merriment! What could be greater than that?" He laughed a bit, "I understand where you're coming from with the... lack of know-how about what movies are out. I have a TV at my house, but I don't watch it... busy with other things..." He shrugged the shoulder of the arm holding his guitar case.

He stopped at a crosswalk and waited for the signal for them to cross. He watched the cars go by and said, "Victoria... do you ever just... ponder about where these people could be going? What they might have on their minds or... what their stories might be?"

[Victoria Alexander]

(ooc-sorry for delay)

His questions seemed awkward for her to answer. At one time she did want to know, but now, how could she worry about anyone. Looking at the dark pavement of the street she slide her boot slightly over the edge of the concrete sidewalk, knocking a small pebble on the street watching to move only slightly before stopping.

"I did. Curiosity is human nature. The need to know what is going on with the world around you, its just a simple way of trying to expand yourself to others. To help them, to have them need you, to pity you, or to love you. Everyone’s story is pretty much the same. They sometimes hate what life had dealt them so they try to find that so called greener pasture. They might not want to admit it but in the end its there. I know if someone was looking at me right now, they would be asking the same questions your asking about those people. Who is she? What is she doing? Is she happy or sad?"

She paused turning her face upwards as the crosswalk light flashed and then became solid. It was their time to walk. Stepping off the sidewalk and onto the street. She put one foot in front of the other.

"I know curiosity sometimes gets the best of people and when they go searching for some things they find things they don’t like. They find those hidden pasts that people like to forget. Erasing them to make their stories, their lives just a little more uplifting."

She turned her head and looked at him.

"George, would you ever tell someone things that weren't all sunshine and flowers? It’s a matter of, I guess I would call it pride. You wouldn't want everyone to pity you because you got a bad grade in math, or you just lost a job. You would simply say, I did quite well in math even thou I found it to be quite hard or I feel like going back into the job market and finding a better job."

Taking her eyes back to the street her feet now hitting the other side of the sidewalk.

"You turn negative things into positive. So looking at someone and questioning what they do in their life, where they could go. You would think of positive things. In the perfect world bad things or bad circumstances wouldn't happen."

It’s the way of the world she thought to herself. The world hiding behind those rose tinted glasses that make everything in life seem like bliss. She had looked past. She had seen a lot of peoples pain. A lot of peoples suffering and she wished she could have went back to looking through those rosy shades but in the end even she couldn't have been fooled. Not with what she knew. Not with what she experienced.

"You know, I don’t know why blabber on like I do, I need to quit doing it. So how much farther till we drop off your instrument and head on. I think I might just have enough for some popcorn and the ticket. I can just smell the popcorn now."

She smirked slightly, more forced than anything as she tried to change the subject. He was a deep one, she thought. He was not what she was used to. The Banger boys, they were more, how could she put it. They were more simple. They just dealt with what was given to them not asking questions. Not being disappointed when what they were given was not enough. They would talk about sports and fights before they would talk about life or emotions. Course Tak, he was always different. George kinda reminds me slightly of Tak, she thought.

[george]

(ooc: sorry for the huge delay... university is raping me...)

He walked with her and watched his feet move across the pavement and sidewalk as they talked. She was a lot deeper than he had expected in all honesty. Not to say she looked stupid, but its just a rarity one can find someone like that at random. Then, she had posed a question of honesty upon him.

He chuckled, "Of course I'd tell people if it wasn't all sunshine and flowers. That is, if they asked. I'm not the kind of person who, runs around, dramatically shouting all the little miseries life throws at me. But, I'm also not the type to sugar-coat things."

He laughed a bit and said, "It may seem sugar-coated from time to time... but the actual truth of it all is... I'm really THAT optimistic." His smile was wide on his face. He was absolutely adoring this person's company. Its been so long since he could have a conversation about more than... who fought who or who slept with who.

"Umm... actually... my house is right there..." He pointed to the third house on the right of the street. "Never mind your "blabber" as you put it... it may seem like an annoyance to you, but I really enjoy it. But, if you do not wish to converse over such matters, that is solely up to you my new friend."

He stopped at his house and went up the front steps and onto the porch. Upon twisting the doorknob, he discovered that his parents weren't home. He fished around in his pocket and produced his key, unlocking the door. "I'll be just a moment, you can come in out of the cold if you'd like."

[Victoria Alexander]

As Victoria followed behind him she still felt that she was talking much more than she truely wanted to. Maybe it was her mind telling her she was more lonely than she led herself to believe. After all she hadn't had an actually conversation in quite some time. She wouldn't just strike up a conversation with the person she was fighting or some random person off the street.

She put her arms down, clasped her hands together and walked up the steps behind him. Looking at the front of the house. It was a nice house. 'I wonder if I lived in a nice house' She thought to herself but then shook her head slightly and wondered why she had thought about that.

Hearing his offer to step inside. Victoria didn't say a word only obeyed as he opened the door and stepped to the side so she could enter. Stepping to the side away from the door and out of the way, he was able to shut it behind her.

By now the night air had chilled her and the warmth from the house hit her strait on. It felt nice. Better than her room at the resturant basement. The breezy room couldn't hold a decent temperture if it wanted to.

Waiting for him to do his thing. Victoria looked around the room, it was nicely decorated. No doubt a womans touch. It felt welcoming and warm. Something she hasn't see very often. If the person who decorated this room saw the warehouse she used to call home. Surely they would have a fit.

With that thought she hadn't relized she smirked.