[Blizzard] [SCENE] Sub-Hero Weather
((Takes place on the 9th, the night of the blizzard.))
Desiree: *It's a blustery, snowy day, but that doesn't seem to bother Desirée DeLite in the slightest. She extricates herself from her shift at The Rusty Gust as quickly as she can, which is not very quickly considering how much she loves to chat with her coworkers while she's not on the clock. Finally, she gets out to the car. It's been too cold lately to take her bike, so she's been driving the car a lot more lately. It's a different kind of fun to drive, but she's still looking forward to the return of warmer weather. As she gets into the car and lets it warm up for a while, she takes her cell phone out of her purse and calls her husband*
Ron: *Ron is in the kitchen, watching the news on TV as he works on a casserole dish. He has on an apron with a chick on it. He picks it up, answering cheerfully while cutting up broccoli* Bon soir, ma cherie!
Desiree: Bon soir, Ronnie! I'm just leaving work. What are you up to?
Ron: I'm making dinner, Dessie! *looks up at the TV screen* Boy, the snow is really coming down out there, huh? *glances out the window*
Desiree: Sure is! I guess that's why it was so slow today. No one wants to come out in this kind of weather, not even for something hot and spicy to warm them up. *she laughs* What's for dinner? *decides the car should be warmed up enough by now and pulls out of the parking lot*
Ron: Sour cream chicken and broccoli casserole. *seeing the traffic report on the news* Gee...looks like there's an awful lot of motorists causing accidents right now...
Desiree: Haha, well that just means I'll be home right in time for the casserole to be done. Of course, I could take a shortcut. *in fact, as she pulls out she sees a long line that she doesn't particularly feel like getting into and swerves onto a side street that hasn't been plowed, sending snow flying up behind her*
Ron: *nervous* U-um, maybe it might be better to stick to the regular route...? I-I don't know. Whatever you do, please be careful, Dessie. The roads can't be safe right now.
Desiree: Oh, Ronnie, you worry too much. But if it'll make you feel better, I'll get on the highway. *Passes the highway sign - she's going past the speed limit - and hangs a U-turn to get back to the exit* Honestly, there's no one out here. This is my favorite kind of driving! *she does sound really excited*
Ron: *smiles a bit* Really? That's kind of a relief...though it doesn't mean you're 100% free from having an accident... *perks up suddenly, distracted by an ad on TV* ! They have new pancakes at IHOP!!
Desiree: Really? What kind? *swerves around a bus full of schoolchildren as she gets on the highway: they're practically crawling and she wants to get home!*
Ron: It's got chocolate strawberries and chocolate bacon, and it comes with a side of nannerpus! *takes scoops of sour cream, plopping it into a bowl*
Desiree: That sounds pretty tasty~! Not to mention cute. We should go over there for breakfast one day and try it. *taps her fingers on the dash and then turns the radio on low and quiet. It's playing "King of the Road"* Ohhh, I wish the weather weren't so bad, I want to be home already.
Ron: *pouts* I want you home soon, too. *adding salt to the bowl* Maybe you can drive faster!
Desiree: I'm driving pretty fast, but... Well, all right! *speeds up, accordingly. The snow is pretty bad by now, but she's blithely ignoring it, switching from lane to lane to get around the slower cars in her path. She turns up the radio a bit* You know, even though today was so light, I still feel like I worked my fingers to the bone! It really shouldn't be so cold in a saloon, but when people came in and out, they let the cold in. *she investigates her fingernails and then digs a nail file out of her purse, filing down the uneven edges she's found*
Ron: Are you hungry? *puts the broccoli in the greased casserole dish*
Desiree: I am! I took my lunch early and I was hoping to get home before I needed to eat but - oh yeah! Someone changed their order and I couldn't find someone to eat it so I have a couple of potato skins in a napkin in my purse. I should get those out. *holds her nail file in two fingers and roots through her purse for the food* If I come home too hungry, I won't be able to enjoy the meal you're making for me!
Ron: Well...A couple of potato skins can't hurt. I think. *sticks the cutting board in the sink* Do you have anything to drink with you?
Desiree: Hmmmm, I left half a caramel macchiato in the car when I got in this morning, but I think it's still frozen... This is fine~ *she puts the potato skin in her mouth and lifts the styrofoam cup to check the contents. It's thawed a little. She takes the potato skin out of her mouth* Oh, nope there's some in here! *she takes a sip, one hand on the wheel, one eye on the road*
Ron: Good! That should be enough to tide you over until the casserole is done. *brightening* Come home soon, Dessie~.
Desiree: I'm flying home to you as fast as I can, Ronnie~ I can see the sign for our exit coming up right n- *there's a clattering noise, the squealing of tires muffled by snow and distance, a muttered exclamation (though not an expletive) and then a loud crashing noise*
Desiree: *and then silence*
Ron: ...Dessie?
Ron: DESSIE! *checks his phone; the call has been cut off. He hits the speed dial to Desiree's cell and listens closely -- she's not picking up* Oh no, nonono...NO! T-this isn't good at all!! *runs out the kitchen, then runs back in* The police! I-I have to call the police!! *dials 911, frantic*
Ron: *as soon as the operator picks up, he begins stammering* PLEASE HELP! My wife was in a car accident! I think! I heard her car crash. I think! Just a second ago!! She was right by the number 8 southbound exit of Grandview Highway. Um. I think! She may've been taking Greenview. See, they're really close together and their names are so similar sometimes it's hard to-- oh, uhh, a red camaro. "Speed Queen." S-P-E-E-D-Q-N. It's a vanity plate. Please send a car there now! Now now now! What do you meeeeaaan it can't get there right away?! Well, yes, I know it's snowing-- okay, yes, I see your point, I'm sorry for yelling I didn't mean to I'm sure it's been a very stressful day for you... Okay! Thank you!! *hangs up, still in a panic*
Ron: Dessie... *with determination* I WON'T leave you out there all alone! *runs over to the coatrack, grabbing his green winter coat and putting on a pair of white fuzzy mittens* Here I cooooooooome! *storms out the door*
* * *
Desiree: *It's now been a bit since Desirée crashed her car. She's nestled snugly in a drainage ditch full of snow, her car having eventually come to a stop on top of a speed limit sign. (it was 65 and she was obliterating it) The car is still fairly warm, but it won't start anymore and it's encased enough in snow and dented enough from her going through the guardrails and ricocheting off the retaining wall that she can't get the door open*
Desiree: *her cell phone is no longer working, having flown apart during the crash, and though she's normally ever sunny and optimistic, there's no smile on her face now. She's not heard a car go by in quite a while, she's heard no sirens at all*
Ron: *suddenly, a pair of hands wipe away the snow on the driver side window, revealing Ron outside. He's yelling:* Dessieeeee! Dessieeeee?!
Desiree: *she can hardly believe her eyes* Ronnie...? Ronnie!! *presses her hands up against the window* Is it really you? How did you get here?
Ron: *is explaining as he flails his arms, but he can't be heard very well*
Desiree: *frowns, (it's closer to a pout, really) blinking in confusion* I can't hear you, Ronnie! And I can't get out of the car! *tugs fruitlessly at the door in demonstration*
Ron: *struggling with the snow, makes his way to the passenger side and digs at the mass of white blocking that door -- there's not as much there. He has a motorcycle helmet, and he's using it to scoop away the obstruction. After some time, he tries the door -- adrenaline surges through his body, and he manages to pry it free a bit. He jams his leg in, then an arm, then his whole head. Finally, he tumbles into the car, straight into his wife*
Desiree: *she laughs and wraps her arms around him to catch him and hold him up* Ronnie, I'm so happy to see you!
Ron: *shivering from the cold, he clings to Desiree* D-D-Dessie, a-are you hurt?!
Desiree: *shakes her head* No! No! Well, I broke a nail I guess. But other than that, I'm just fine! *beams down at him with the full force of her characteristic grin*
Ron: *looks up at her, tears welling in his eyes* Th-the police and ambulance should be here soon...but I didn't want to leave you alone! I-I scratched your bike on the way out of the parking lot! I'm sorry!!
Desiree: You took my bike? *her mouth falls open, she's speechless*
Ron: I saw the traffic report on the news and... *shivers and shifts in closer to Desiree* w-well, there's lots of cars getting stuck on the road, you see. And I figured I could have an easier time going around them on a motorcycle....
Desiree: *her wide eyes blink down at him and slowly fill with admiration and love* Ronnie... That's so brave...! You're amazing!! *she pulls him as close as she can, whispering in his ear* My hero...
Ron: *lets himself be pulled in, basking in her body heat* I think I swallowed a bug...
Desiree: Exotic cuisine! *laughs for a while, then presses her forehead to his* Ronnie... *her voice is full of warmth*
Ron: *as the sound of sirens approach, he smiles at her* Oh, Dessie...This car doesn't handle well in the snow, does it? I'll buy you a new one!
Desiree: *smiles with excitement* All right! I like this color, though! Oh! And if we have good snow traction in the new car, we can drive to Vale to go skiing with my parents!
Ron: Skiing? *his smile falters a bit* S-sounds great! *mumbles to himself* Though I've had enough fun in the snow already...
Desiree: *laughs and squeezes him a little tighter* Okay! Maybe not til next winter. *the sirens are closer now, she looks quizzically up* Are they going to make me go to get checked out, you think?
Ron: *a little dazed* If you go, I'll go with you. I might need to get checked out too...
Desiree: Are you hurt? *looks concerned* Oh no! *she spots the police officers and paramedics coming down the slope and waves* Please, my husband might be hurt! Come check to make sure my Ronnie's okay!
Ron: *somehow, between the frozen limbs, pounding heart, adrenaline rush buzzing through his head and the eyelashes in his eye that is really stinging right now, he knows from being in Desiree's arms that he's going to be all right*
Desiree: *It's a blustery, snowy day, but that doesn't seem to bother Desirée DeLite in the slightest. She extricates herself from her shift at The Rusty Gust as quickly as she can, which is not very quickly considering how much she loves to chat with her coworkers while she's not on the clock. Finally, she gets out to the car. It's been too cold lately to take her bike, so she's been driving the car a lot more lately. It's a different kind of fun to drive, but she's still looking forward to the return of warmer weather. As she gets into the car and lets it warm up for a while, she takes her cell phone out of her purse and calls her husband*
Ron: *Ron is in the kitchen, watching the news on TV as he works on a casserole dish. He has on an apron with a chick on it. He picks it up, answering cheerfully while cutting up broccoli* Bon soir, ma cherie!
Desiree: Bon soir, Ronnie! I'm just leaving work. What are you up to?
Ron: I'm making dinner, Dessie! *looks up at the TV screen* Boy, the snow is really coming down out there, huh? *glances out the window*
Desiree: Sure is! I guess that's why it was so slow today. No one wants to come out in this kind of weather, not even for something hot and spicy to warm them up. *she laughs* What's for dinner? *decides the car should be warmed up enough by now and pulls out of the parking lot*
Ron: Sour cream chicken and broccoli casserole. *seeing the traffic report on the news* Gee...looks like there's an awful lot of motorists causing accidents right now...
Desiree: Haha, well that just means I'll be home right in time for the casserole to be done. Of course, I could take a shortcut. *in fact, as she pulls out she sees a long line that she doesn't particularly feel like getting into and swerves onto a side street that hasn't been plowed, sending snow flying up behind her*
Ron: *nervous* U-um, maybe it might be better to stick to the regular route...? I-I don't know. Whatever you do, please be careful, Dessie. The roads can't be safe right now.
Desiree: Oh, Ronnie, you worry too much. But if it'll make you feel better, I'll get on the highway. *Passes the highway sign - she's going past the speed limit - and hangs a U-turn to get back to the exit* Honestly, there's no one out here. This is my favorite kind of driving! *she does sound really excited*
Ron: *smiles a bit* Really? That's kind of a relief...though it doesn't mean you're 100% free from having an accident... *perks up suddenly, distracted by an ad on TV* ! They have new pancakes at IHOP!!
Desiree: Really? What kind? *swerves around a bus full of schoolchildren as she gets on the highway: they're practically crawling and she wants to get home!*
Ron: It's got chocolate strawberries and chocolate bacon, and it comes with a side of nannerpus! *takes scoops of sour cream, plopping it into a bowl*
Desiree: That sounds pretty tasty~! Not to mention cute. We should go over there for breakfast one day and try it. *taps her fingers on the dash and then turns the radio on low and quiet. It's playing "King of the Road"* Ohhh, I wish the weather weren't so bad, I want to be home already.
Ron: *pouts* I want you home soon, too. *adding salt to the bowl* Maybe you can drive faster!
Desiree: I'm driving pretty fast, but... Well, all right! *speeds up, accordingly. The snow is pretty bad by now, but she's blithely ignoring it, switching from lane to lane to get around the slower cars in her path. She turns up the radio a bit* You know, even though today was so light, I still feel like I worked my fingers to the bone! It really shouldn't be so cold in a saloon, but when people came in and out, they let the cold in. *she investigates her fingernails and then digs a nail file out of her purse, filing down the uneven edges she's found*
Ron: Are you hungry? *puts the broccoli in the greased casserole dish*
Desiree: I am! I took my lunch early and I was hoping to get home before I needed to eat but - oh yeah! Someone changed their order and I couldn't find someone to eat it so I have a couple of potato skins in a napkin in my purse. I should get those out. *holds her nail file in two fingers and roots through her purse for the food* If I come home too hungry, I won't be able to enjoy the meal you're making for me!
Ron: Well...A couple of potato skins can't hurt. I think. *sticks the cutting board in the sink* Do you have anything to drink with you?
Desiree: Hmmmm, I left half a caramel macchiato in the car when I got in this morning, but I think it's still frozen... This is fine~ *she puts the potato skin in her mouth and lifts the styrofoam cup to check the contents. It's thawed a little. She takes the potato skin out of her mouth* Oh, nope there's some in here! *she takes a sip, one hand on the wheel, one eye on the road*
Ron: Good! That should be enough to tide you over until the casserole is done. *brightening* Come home soon, Dessie~.
Desiree: I'm flying home to you as fast as I can, Ronnie~ I can see the sign for our exit coming up right n- *there's a clattering noise, the squealing of tires muffled by snow and distance, a muttered exclamation (though not an expletive) and then a loud crashing noise*
Desiree: *and then silence*
Ron: ...Dessie?
Ron: DESSIE! *checks his phone; the call has been cut off. He hits the speed dial to Desiree's cell and listens closely -- she's not picking up* Oh no, nonono...NO! T-this isn't good at all!! *runs out the kitchen, then runs back in* The police! I-I have to call the police!! *dials 911, frantic*
Ron: *as soon as the operator picks up, he begins stammering* PLEASE HELP! My wife was in a car accident! I think! I heard her car crash. I think! Just a second ago!! She was right by the number 8 southbound exit of Grandview Highway. Um. I think! She may've been taking Greenview. See, they're really close together and their names are so similar sometimes it's hard to-- oh, uhh, a red camaro. "Speed Queen." S-P-E-E-D-Q-N. It's a vanity plate. Please send a car there now! Now now now! What do you meeeeaaan it can't get there right away?! Well, yes, I know it's snowing-- okay, yes, I see your point, I'm sorry for yelling I didn't mean to I'm sure it's been a very stressful day for you... Okay! Thank you!! *hangs up, still in a panic*
Ron: Dessie... *with determination* I WON'T leave you out there all alone! *runs over to the coatrack, grabbing his green winter coat and putting on a pair of white fuzzy mittens* Here I cooooooooome! *storms out the door*
* * *
Desiree: *It's now been a bit since Desirée crashed her car. She's nestled snugly in a drainage ditch full of snow, her car having eventually come to a stop on top of a speed limit sign. (it was 65 and she was obliterating it) The car is still fairly warm, but it won't start anymore and it's encased enough in snow and dented enough from her going through the guardrails and ricocheting off the retaining wall that she can't get the door open*
Desiree: *her cell phone is no longer working, having flown apart during the crash, and though she's normally ever sunny and optimistic, there's no smile on her face now. She's not heard a car go by in quite a while, she's heard no sirens at all*
Ron: *suddenly, a pair of hands wipe away the snow on the driver side window, revealing Ron outside. He's yelling:* Dessieeeee! Dessieeeee?!
Desiree: *she can hardly believe her eyes* Ronnie...? Ronnie!! *presses her hands up against the window* Is it really you? How did you get here?
Ron: *is explaining as he flails his arms, but he can't be heard very well*
Desiree: *frowns, (it's closer to a pout, really) blinking in confusion* I can't hear you, Ronnie! And I can't get out of the car! *tugs fruitlessly at the door in demonstration*
Ron: *struggling with the snow, makes his way to the passenger side and digs at the mass of white blocking that door -- there's not as much there. He has a motorcycle helmet, and he's using it to scoop away the obstruction. After some time, he tries the door -- adrenaline surges through his body, and he manages to pry it free a bit. He jams his leg in, then an arm, then his whole head. Finally, he tumbles into the car, straight into his wife*
Desiree: *she laughs and wraps her arms around him to catch him and hold him up* Ronnie, I'm so happy to see you!
Ron: *shivering from the cold, he clings to Desiree* D-D-Dessie, a-are you hurt?!
Desiree: *shakes her head* No! No! Well, I broke a nail I guess. But other than that, I'm just fine! *beams down at him with the full force of her characteristic grin*
Ron: *looks up at her, tears welling in his eyes* Th-the police and ambulance should be here soon...but I didn't want to leave you alone! I-I scratched your bike on the way out of the parking lot! I'm sorry!!
Desiree: You took my bike? *her mouth falls open, she's speechless*
Ron: I saw the traffic report on the news and... *shivers and shifts in closer to Desiree* w-well, there's lots of cars getting stuck on the road, you see. And I figured I could have an easier time going around them on a motorcycle....
Desiree: *her wide eyes blink down at him and slowly fill with admiration and love* Ronnie... That's so brave...! You're amazing!! *she pulls him as close as she can, whispering in his ear* My hero...
Ron: *lets himself be pulled in, basking in her body heat* I think I swallowed a bug...
Desiree: Exotic cuisine! *laughs for a while, then presses her forehead to his* Ronnie... *her voice is full of warmth*
Ron: *as the sound of sirens approach, he smiles at her* Oh, Dessie...This car doesn't handle well in the snow, does it? I'll buy you a new one!
Desiree: *smiles with excitement* All right! I like this color, though! Oh! And if we have good snow traction in the new car, we can drive to Vale to go skiing with my parents!
Ron: Skiing? *his smile falters a bit* S-sounds great! *mumbles to himself* Though I've had enough fun in the snow already...
Desiree: *laughs and squeezes him a little tighter* Okay! Maybe not til next winter. *the sirens are closer now, she looks quizzically up* Are they going to make me go to get checked out, you think?
Ron: *a little dazed* If you go, I'll go with you. I might need to get checked out too...
Desiree: Are you hurt? *looks concerned* Oh no! *she spots the police officers and paramedics coming down the slope and waves* Please, my husband might be hurt! Come check to make sure my Ronnie's okay!
Ron: *somehow, between the frozen limbs, pounding heart, adrenaline rush buzzing through his head and the eyelashes in his eye that is really stinging right now, he knows from being in Desiree's arms that he's going to be all right*