BaCC in Widespot: Round 1 - Mann
This right here is, in essence, what started it all for me so far as the storytelling goes. If there's ample text that's because, well, I wrote it out.
Primarily so that I would not forget Rich's thought processes. Seeing how long it took me to get around to it, I'm rather glad I did. So, BaCC in Widespot...
Junior snored the blissful snore of the innocent...
but his name is Rich Mann, too.
(Rich Mann II)
Rich would be flummoxed if anyone had the audacity to accuse him of being a hypocrite.
He loved his wife!
And she understood her role better than most women. They had the perfect marriage, he thought.
(He did what he wanted, when he wanted, how he wanted...
and, so long as the money flowed, Lana asked no questions.)
One thing she didn't understand was why they couldn't bring the servants with them when
they moved to this social wasteland. Her cook and her maid, that's all she asked, she's not
extravagant. They've even got 3 extra bedrooms to convert into servant's quarters in a
pinch. But Rich wouldn't hear of it. But just look at how they had to live without good help!
Rich was not concerned about her housekeeping woes.
All the same, she's lucky he didn't marry her for her cooking.
Junior could have that burnt whatever-it-was, Rich could wait for a decent meal when
he went into town for work. He had other business to attend first and migrated
upstairs, all the way up to the attic where he kept his prized possessions.
Oh, this was delicious! The danger of getting his own hands dirty
paled against the pure pleasure he got from cheating the system.
There were undeniable benefits to being Rich Mann II. Probably more than came from
being Mrs. Rich because he'd never had to earn his keep but Junior was just so bored.
Scot Land didn't have any such dilemma to weigh him down. He wasn't burdened by the enervating
idleness of luxury so he didn't know how lucky he was. Except that he was lucky, in love with his girl,
Virginia. So he needed pocket money. Even though there was nowhere to take her in Widespot.
(I imagine if Junior really wanted something to do he could've taken up the hedge-clippers himself. There's enough work
here to keep idle hands busy from sun up to sun down, instead of taking up 2 of Scot's afternoons to get it, mostly, done.)
Junior was fascinated by the Lands himself, they're such a family, their home so home-y.
Not that he wasn't fond of his lounging around routine with his mom but it was probably his
subconscious need to get in good over there that prompted him to suggest the job for Scot.
Something very special arrived in the 'mail' for Rich this morning, his very own Doomsday DeVice.
Message received.
"Soft kitty. Warm kitty. Little ball of fur."
Doomsday came right up to her new master and nuzzled her head into his hand for stroking.
Oh yes, message received.
Lana found Rich canoodling the newest lady in his life in their bedroom.
They had a rule about this. No cats. She was allergic to cats.
She accused him on the spot.
"Rich, what happened to our rule? And in our bedroom, too. How could you?"
She'd be sneezing and wheezing for the next week at least now.
She had a point, he had not considered Lana's feelings. The unexpected arrival of
Miss DeVice was just so thrilling. "I'm sure you and D.D. will get along just fine."
Rich retired to his secret room to rehearse old skills, he might need them soon.
On the one hand he was relatively inconspicuous living out here in Widespot, it was barely on
the map let alone on the radar of anyone who might matter. And he was far too long-sighted to
worry about Daytona's highway when he could simply exploit all the potential of a 'developing' town.
On the other hand he still showed his face at 'work' because it was good business sense, but it
made him less untouchable than he could be. Keeping his skills sharp might come in handy.
Junior was at the lake with Mary Land today. After she
left he scooped up some little fish to refill his tank at home.
Lana could not wait for her son to come home so she could complain about her husband and that cat.
"Ugh, what on earth have you been doing today, you smell like, like that lake. Have you been out
in that lake water? Even though we have a perfectly good pool right here? Junior, answer me."
"I was with Mary," he snapped, "if you must know."
Lana found Rich in his study a little later and she had a flashback.
She once picked a man's pockets like this. An old boyfriend, not Rich, she'd have never
tried that with Rich. But she was young, and well...you know, but that was a long time ago.
Lana sighed as she reached for the ringing phone. Rich was
absorbed in his work again, he had no time for her now.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Mrs. Beech, really I am..."
Rich's ears perked up at that name and his fingers hovered over his keyboard.
"...Well, Sandy, of course if you prefer..."
Rich set back to work.
"But I'm afraid there's just nothing that I can do. I mean I understand
how difficult this must be for you but we really don't have the room-"
*click*
Stupid cat. That cat will be the death of her. "Shoo."
Lana knew how to get her Mann's attention. In all their
years together woohoo appeal has never failed her.
But when they got to the bed he was distracted by that cat. What was so fascinating about
that cat! It was bad enough he'd established it in their bedroom, with no regard for her at
all-she didn't want to think about that now. Focus! 'On me!' she was screaming inside, 'Me!'
Time to take matters into her own hands again.
But Lana always got what she wanted in the end.
Sweet dreams, Lana?
There is zero chance she will get what she wants in the end on that one.
In the morning, D.D. (as she had been introduced to the family) let
Lana know just how she felt about her cuddling up to the master.
The feeling was mutual, cat. *Achoo!*
Junior didn't understand, he never forgot to feed his fish and he
didn't think they were saltwater, but he didn't honestly know.
Oh well, to the bowl they go.
After failing so miserably with the toaster pastries Lana decided what
she really needed was a challenge. Pancakes! She's ambitious.
Junior had unbounded faith in his mom.
With good reason. Ta-da!
"Are you seeing that Land girl again today?"
"Mom, no."
"She is rather homely but I hear she's an excellent cook.
And I'm sure she cleans, too. Her kind always do."
"Mom."
Rich had plans, well, schemes more like. Daytona was distracted, off fumbling about, trying
to redeem her reputation in the hopes that these morons would one day elect her mayor.
She should have left someone more competent than a Hart in charge.
Now you see him, now you don't.
Rhett Hart guarding the door. Ha! He probably believed he still was.
That young jackanapes was woefully unarmed for a battle of wits against Rich.
Now, let's see, what can we find here...
With Lana glued to his...hip, Rich had not seen his sweet young Candy in a while.
He hadn't had the energy. But when he caught a glimpse of her hair through the window
he had to stop to watch her waddle? Waddle! The little hussy! She hadn't even told him.
What could her game be? Did she think he'd be angry? Would she care? No, of course
not, she'd risk it, and well she should. Lana did. Things were different back then, so far as
his resources went, but while Candy may not be the brightest bulb in the box she's not
selectively blind like Lana and nowhere near as ambitious. So what could she be up to?
Perhaps the little hussy's just ashamed that she got caught.
Caught! Yes, she was caught all right! And with Junior. Junior! Now he sees what her game is.
Entrapment.
But nobody makes a fool out of Rich Mann...and lives to tell about it.
Junior grinned like an idiot when he saw his father heading over.
Candy did not.
"What the hell, Dad?" Junior finally found his voice. What was happening here?
Rich stormed off. He could not believe he'd been betrayed. Betrayed!
Junior turned to start after him but Candy held him back.
"He's hot right now," she said, "let him cool off."
"What are you talking about? He's off his nut, that's what he is. I can't let him-"
"Let him? You? You just watch your back, Junior, that's all I can tell you."
"This date is shot. I'm horny as hell but I gotta get off my feet."
"I'll walk you," he said, dejected.
"Don't worry about me. And don't come creepin' by my house any time soon. I'll find you
when I want you. Why don't you swing back and check on Mary Land. Again."
"I-"
"Give her my best." Candy walked off muttering, "If you can."
Candy went home to find Mary already getting the best, of a Hart no less.
She had made the mistake of going to her room where Pop found her and made her listen to
a lecture even though he was no better than her. She wasn't about to listen to another.
She closed her eyes. A shadow wafted over her and when she opened them again...
"It's his, isn't it?"
"How the hell should I know?"
He almost hauled off and slapped her again. "Don't play games with me, girl. You can't win."
Candy slumped back down and wiggled to find her sweet spot in the recliner again.
"Don't I know it, Rich. Look at me."
He was looking. Bloated all over and downright toxic. But he was seconds from jumping on her.
He was becoming a glutton in his old age! In thrall to this lazy two-bit tramp!
"I didn't plan for this," she said, "I don't want it."
"That I believe. A baby will surely cramp your style if your plan doesn't pan out. Is that why you
chose to hedge your bets with my son? You didn't think I would take care of you? Stupid girl.
What can he do for you without my permission, my signature-did you even think about that?
The only thing he can do for you that I can't is make you Mrs. Mann but he's not entitled to a
dime without my say so. You think about that and decide if it's worth the risk to be his wife."
"I ain't marryin' fucking Junior. Come on. Wouldn't even marry you and you know how I feel
about you. You know what I like. And no offense and all but bein' Mrs. Mann does not sound like
fun and it sure don't look like no fun. And fun is what you promised me. Remember? So one day
you weren't around and Junior was. So what. Is this what I deserve? Take charge, go 'head. I
don't give a shit, I'll do whatever you say. You got me into this mess so you owe me, I mean us."
~
Junior didn't know what was happening. When his dad went psycho and then just walked away and Candy
walked away, he did want to do as he was told and go bury himself away in Mary's uncomplicated nature. She
was no Candy but he was starting to think that was a good thing, Candy Hart was like a drug. She messed with his
mind and exacted her toll from his body but he knew better than to trust her. Nothing changed at all between them
since she showed up pregnant but she never said anything so he never asked. Junior had no reason to believe that
baby was his, Candy wasn't the coy, modest type and after all he was Rich. She'd have said something, right?
Of course, Junior had also not made the connection between his fish constantly dying and a filthy fish tank.
He tried to eat, pulled out a plate of leftover food from dinner
at the Lands', but he couldn't stop worrying about Candy.
*Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur...*
(Oops.)
Doomsday leapt into action, vigilant in her watch over The Interloper.
Junior needed to talk to his mom but he wasn't sure what to tell her or how much to tell. He knew
she wouldn't approve of his "relationship" with Candy, it was a mom's nature to be prudish.
(Clearly, Junior's never wondered how she got to be his mom in the first place.
He's the one who'd be embarrassed to learn just how Lana landed her Mann.)
Lana yawned awake at his approach. She could tell something was wrong by the look on
his face, so she patted the sofa beside her for him to sit down and tell Mom all about it.
All he could manage to tell her for sure, all he knew
for sure was that Dad was mad at him. Real mad.
(Guess he figured his 'pretty' face was inviolable or something and that's why Rich hit
Candy's instead. In his defense, his father never had been aggressive...with him.)
Rich had gone directly to work. It got him away from Widespot for a time while he tied together a new
loose end or two. He came home fully convinced of one thing: There is no honour among thieves.
His own flesh and blood, his namesake had robbed him of his dignity.
And smirked when he got caught with his hands in Rich's cookie jar.
Rich wouldn't begrudge any young Mann his chance to experience.
It was only right to explore (and exploit) an available resource. But Junior went too far.
A child! A solitary glimpse of his lover with child filled Rich with instant conviction that he was still
the Mann. Oh yes! He still had the zest. Seconds later Junior had swooped in and stolen his glory.
His own son! He was the new Mann? Not on his life would Rich consent to that. Not on his life!
Grandfather to his lover's unborn? Not father but grandfather? Not on her life either.
If Junior was Mann enough to steal from him then he should be prepared to pay the penalty or he should not
have gotten caught. No holds barred from here on out. Rich was a master of the psychological shakedown.
It's not easy being evil...but it sure is fun.
Preying on Junior's weakness filled him with inordinate glee.
Yesterday he'd have been ashamed of his son's bursting into tears.
Today it only gave him a clearer target and Rich thumped right on the tender spot.
Lana overheard the commotion and came to check on her...Manns.
"What do you think you're doing? Can't you see he's upset?"
"Upset? He'll be more than upset soon for what he's done."
Lana threw up her hands in exasperation. "Junior, come
apologise to your father so we can go to bed already."
Obediently, Junior stepped forward but Rich stopped him in his tracks.
"Don't you dare, you thief!"
Junior cowered as his father growled at him.
"No son of mine would ever steal from me. You are no
son of mine, do you hear me. Get out of my house."
Lana turned on Rich for the first time in her life.
"Have you finally lost your mind? That is our baby you're talking
to, not some stranger, our son! You cannot kick him out!"
"Oh, now you are going to tell me what I can and cannot do?
Is that it, Lana? Oh no, I say he's out. Tonight. Out of this
house, out of the will, out of my life, do you hear me? He is the
worst kind of thief, petty and stupid, to rob his father. He goes!"
"Then I go, too."
They stood locked in a tense face-off, the sound of Junior's sobs trailing away.
"As you wish."
Lana turned on her heels. Not another word was spoken.
Good riddance to the thief and the traitor. D.D. was all that he needed.
Furious, Lana bypassed Junior on the stairs and beat him outside.
She didn't say anything to him, didn't stop off to take anything, just
stormed out into the bleak of the night with Junior moping behind.
For the first time in a long time Rich slept alone.
Lana had made her decision, she would have to live with it.
He needed a new heir and she could not provide him with one. She had
overestimated her value to him. Love was not more important than pride.
But Rich had still not decided precisely how he would avenge his pride.
Disinheriting Junior was a necessary evil. Lana was equally compromised, she was too old to bear him another
son and the one she'd given him was a dud. Rich was certain that he could still sire a worthy heir but he had
no proof! Bested by the fraud! But not beaten, oh no. He would replace his heir, and despite her treachery,
Candy was still his first choice to do it with but he could never let his son come second to Junior's. Never!
(Apparently only a son would do.)
He knew a guy who ran a chop shop, discreet. The doc was from the long ago days, his license to practice long
revoked (if he ever had one) but he was thorough. Never a trace. And...just say he owed the doc a favour. Rich was
nothing if not loyal, in his way. But clearing the field changed the stakes. That baby was the stumbling block. Without
it, well, there was no further psychological obstacle to Rich taking his wife and son back into his heart and home.
Ah, D.D. Candy was the real problem, wasn't she? The girl would never submit at this stage.
There was no question that he'd take her back into his bed but he'd be willing to elevate her to Mrs. Mann
for a chance at a new heir if it must be so. But there was a chance, ever so slight you understand, that he
was not so virile anymore. And that double-crossing slut wouldn't be above substituting another child of Junior's
to secure her position. Especially if he forcibly dis-burdened her of the first. What was a Mann to do, D. D.?
Of course, he could just have Candy killed outright, eliminating both her and the Unknown. It would serve her
right. But he's awfully fond of the girl. He loves her for what she is, a true nymphomaniac! Nothing more, nothing
less. Far too lazy for ambition, she's not trying to be, she just is. Not to mention that she's a damned fine lay. Just
excellent! It'd be a shame to rid the world of such a pure personality. He would sorely regret the loss to himself.
"What is it, D.D.? Oh, is she here?"
He knew it must be Lana rummaging around but it was too late for apologies. If she wanted him she
could come upstairs and grovel before him. But he would not take back the traitor. Her time was gone.
Indeed, this could only have been Lana's handiwork. No one else would dare.
Perhaps he should just kill them all and start from scratch.
Candy was at home having a Hart attack.
It wasn't pretty but she lived to tell the tale.
Mine Enemy is growing old -
I have at last Revenge -*
But not tonight. The Beech can wait, she must take a backseat to the
faithless Hart but all will be dealt with in their turn. Oh yes they will.
"Wha-?" Candy jumped up groggily, "Rich? It's the middle of the night, what are you doin'? How'd you get in?"
"I've led a long, eventful life, my sweet. No locked door has ever stood in my way for long."
(Of course, he could've just waltzed in through the front door Daytona left wide open but Candy doesn't need to know that.)
"Get dressed!" he barked.
"Now come along."
This was not Candy's night. She couldn't catch a break for shit but
she did as she was told. Quickly, quietly, she went along with him.
Rich didn't take her to their customary room back at his house.
She'd never been upstairs before, it was too risky to meet with Junior here.
"Handcuffs? Not tonight, Rich, ok. I mean you got me here and everything but let me get some
sleep already." Candy knew very well that if he wanted her tied down she was getting tied down,
and it might not be for fun, but you couldn't show fear around a Mann like Rich, he'd pounce on it.
"I told you before not to play games with me. I meant it."
"Come on, Rich. I don't know whose baby it is. I don't know. I already told you."
"Yes, you lied. You know. And I know. But you are not going to make
a fool of me. No one else will know it, we will make sure of that."
Candy was relieved when he finally let her get some sleep.
There were no windows at all in this room and he'd locked her in, she heard the key turn.
But from her first encounter with Rich, Candy knew it was in her best interests to play along.
Next door to what she didn't know was Junior's old room, Candy snored the snore of the guilty.
Rich was resolved.
All that was left to do now was to see it through.
NB: Quite a few of the pics and references are meant to position the events within the timeline of what's already been shown in other households. One reference from the last Hart update may not be completely clarified: Candy had to find a new conquest, a certain shirtless fireman, because of the fallout with Rich2.
So, I actually don't have any kind of plotty plans in mind for Doomsday (yet?), mostly because my version of Rich is less lovable megalomaniac and more evil egomaniac (of sorts), but I couldn't resist her and neither could Rich. Just in case she ever swings back this way, thanks for making her Aegagropilon!
And once again the motivation formula hits it right on the head because Rich is indeed an evil genius, the only overachiever in the Mann family. Unless you count Doomsday ;-)
Last month I was feeling like I had finally gotten into a rhythm of sorts for getting these things up and then real-life got super-busy and it's not likely to let up much so yeah, one post for the whole of October. There's still more of Round One and I'd really like to get through it a lot faster and possibly even find time to play again, so anyway, hope you're enjoying my twisted take on the Widespot-ians!
*Mine Enemy is growing old -
I have at last Revenge -
The Palate of the Hate departs -
If any would avenge
Let him be quick - the Viand flits -
It is a faded Meat -
Anger as soon as fed is dead -
'Tis starving makes it fat
-Emily Dickinson