[[SCENE -- Stickler's mom is a BITCH -- Ema, Stickler, Fishmom]]
This is backdated to before the incident at People Park.
Stickler: *Afternoon, Stickler opens the door, dumping his heavy schoolbag on the floor. He looks around the entryway, perhaps with slight trepidation.* Mom! I'm home!
Fish Mom: *Is sitting on the couch, looking through one of Wesley's baby books. She calls from the living room in a high pitched voice* Hello, Wesley!
Stickler: *He wanders into the living room.* Oh hey, Mom, um! *He spots the book.* Mommm! Put that away! *He puts his hands on it.*
Fish Mom: *She looks down at it longingly. There is a high res photo of a baby Stickler in one of those little hats with a propeller on the top* Just reminiscing. I always knew you would be something great, Wesley. How was your day?
Stickler: Oh, uh, it was great I got my calc test back and it was an A plus extra credit but uh... *He looks around.* I have a group project today and my partner said her sister would probably not like it if I came to her place so I invited her here…
Fish Mom: 'Her' sister? *her mouth tightens* You should have asked the office if you could use their phone to call me ahead and tell me, Wesley. I told you not to be shy. The ladies who work there are very nice and they like to help smart, committed students like you.
Stickler: I- I know mom but they always glare at me for some reason when I go in there.
Fish Mom: They're just admiring, sweetheart.
Stickler: A-all right, but anyhow. *He takes off his hat and rubs his hand through slightly greasy hair.* I'm gonna go clean up my room a little bit or whatever. We're doing a presentation together on Thursday and stuff so we have to get everything done today. *He looks a bit more grim than usual.* She's pretty smart though so it should be okay.
Fish Mom: All right. I'll clean up the kitchen table so the two of you can use it. *She frowns intensely* I want her out of the house before supper time.
Stickler: Yeah, of course. *He looks a little nervous but it quickly passes. He rushes off to his room to get the dirty laundry and old textbooks off the floor.*
Ema: *Ema glances down to a small, crumpled piece of paper in her hand with Stickler's address scribbled across it. A deep frown was plastered across her face as she walked from the bus stop, glancing left and right at the houses lining the street. A disappointed sound escapes her once she spots his address-- having been hoping against hope that she wouldn't be able to find it, and just go back home. Her feet drag the rest of the way to the front door, cringing as she rings the doorbell.*
Stickler: *Stickler leaps as soon as he hears the doorbell, not sure he wants his mom to answer. He gallops over to the door, throwing it open.* Um, hey Ema. *He says, not exactly excited.*
Ema: *Ema narrows her eyes and has to bite her tongue for a moment. She's here to work with him whether she likes it or not-- and it wouldn't do calling him names if his mom was nearby.* ... Hi.
Stickler: My mom's in the kitchen, but uh. *He grimaces.* Look uh we're like top of the class right. So we should be able to get this done in no time and then you can go. I mean at least you don't have to do the project with a dumb jock like Jack Corey or something. *He shrugs, looking off to the side.*
Ema: *She holds onto the strap of her bag and shifts her weight onto one foot, looking decidedly more uncomfortable than before.* Whatever. Let's just get this over with already.
Stickler: *He peers around the corner.* Let's just go into my room for now.
Ema: *Ema closes her eyes for a brief second-- fighting back a small wave of disgust for going along with this.* ... Alright. *She makes to step into the house, but refuses to step in so long as Stickler is still standing in the doorway.*
Stickler: *He gestures and walks towards his room, shoulders slumped.*
Ema: *She follows, glaring daggers at the back of Stickler's head the whole while.*
Stickler: *His room is not messy... there's a neat pile of textbooks at the head of the bed and a bookcase full of various books about science. A desk marked up with some sort of caustic chemicals, and a laundry basket with t-shirts and not much else in it. He pulls out the desk chair and sits on the bed.*
Ema: *A persistent scowl tugs at Ema's lips as she sits down on the chair, bag in her lap.* Alright... so, this is fairly simple I guess, and I'm more than willing to bet that you already went through the handout and all that already so let's not waste any time... *She mumbles, pulling out her text book and a notebook first.*
Stickler: *He nods* So uh which one of us is going to talk first?
Ema: *Ema flips open her text, and scowls.* You go first. I'll get everyone's attention back during the last part of the presentation.
Stickler: O-oh, sure. *He pulls out his textbook and buries his face in it.*
Fish Mom: *Suddenly barges in from where she has been spying in the hall and looms in the doorway. She says in a nasal way* Wesley, you didn't introduce me.
Stickler: *He jumps slightly as she comes in.* Oh- uh hi mom you seemed busy and all didn't want to bother you. This is Ema.
Ema: *Ema looks up, and tries hard to keep most of the furrow out of her brows.* Ah... hi there. Nice to meet you.
Fish Mom: *She almost looks disgusted, and hides it poorly* Wesley, go get this lovely young girl a drink.
Stickler: Oh, right, sure mom. Sorry, Ema.
Stickler: *He gets up and scoots unhurriedly out of the room.*
Fish Mom: *Turns on Ema* Don't you dare try it!
Ema: *Ema blinks, staring up at Stickler's mom, unsure of... exactly what she just heard.* Uh... I'm sorry, what?
Fish Mom: I know you want to, you little harlot- otherwise you wouldn't have insisted on going into his bedroom! I can see right through you!
Ema: ... WHAT?
Ema: *Ema gapes at the woman, horrified.* WHAT? *She repeats, bolting up from her seat.* Oh, no no no nooo way, ma'am. No.
Fish Mom: *Snorts* You're a whore and a liar- and you're just using my son to boost your grades. He's a genius, you know.
Ema: H-Hey! I don't have to hear that from you! *She splutters.* Don't kid yourself! I wouldn't touch that fishy kid with a ten foot pole! *She runs her hand back through her bangs, looking slightly mortified. No -wonder- Sticker was so messed up, being raised by a woman like this.*
Fish Mom: Fishy? Speak for yourself, you wretched Jezebel! I won't be having you do this to my Wesley! You young teenage whores and your pregnancy plots... You can't rope him into a lifetime of child support and I won't let you!
Ema: P... PREGNANCY!? *Ema nearly chokes on the word.* Never! NO. Oh god, y-you can't be serious...!
Fish Mom: I am perfectly serious, you filthy slut. He doesn't need your AIDS baby or your hole diseases!
Ema: ...... *Ema's jaw drops slowly, and for a second, she's dead silent.* O...Oh my god. *She claps her hand over her mouth suddenly, eyes wide.* ... I think I... I just threw up a little in my mouth.
Fish Mom: Which is exactly what I did the moment I got a look at you. You stay away from my son! He's far too good, smart, intelligent, capable, and handsome for the likes of you, you street-walker! Go back to your brothel!
Stickler: *Stickler comes back into the room, looking profoundly uncomfortable, with two glasses of pink lemonade.* Uh, ok here you go Ema. *He passes one to her.*
Ema: ..... *Ema doesn't take the glass, one hand still held over her mouth.* I-I can't do this. Stickler, your mom is crazy. *She hisses, and spins around to grab up her books and bag.*
Stickler: W-what? *He looks dumbfounded and glances at his mom.* What are you talking about?
Fish Mom: Excuse me?! *She spins around on Ema* I knew it! I knew she was a harlot! Wesley, why are you allowing this girl to leech your grades from you?!
Stickler: *He looks pained, though it's hardly distinguishable from his normal expression.* Mom... Ema gets almost as good grades as me... I had to have a partner for the group project... *He crosses his arms, turning his head away, his cheeks burning.*
Ema: Yeah, well I'm doing it on my own now. *She hefts her bag up onto her shoulder, snarling.* I'm not hanging around for this.
Fish Mom: Almost as good grades as you...?! You, a genius? As though that's true. *Looks extremely critical*
Stickler: *He glances after Ema.* No! Look, it's a group project, they take points off if you do it alone!
Ema: *She points a finger at his mother.* I don't care! She's CRAZY! I'm going home so deal with it.
Stickler: *He draws himself up to his full, gangly height.* H-hey! Don't say stuff like that about my mom! Look, we'll just do the project separately and present together!
Ema: *Ema yanks her glasses down over her eyes and pushes past the two, back through the open bedroom door.* Have HER help you with it. I said I'm doing it alone. And who knows! If I tell the teacher what happened he might even give me extra credit for just trying to put up with you both!
Fish Mom: *flares up* Get back here!! There's no way you're getting any extra credit! This must have been your plan all along, whore!
Ema: *Ema digs through her back and pulls out her cell phone just as she reaches the front door. Her hand pauses on the handle, gripping tight before she yanks it open.* Yeah, well, at least I'm not a WHALE. *She shouts, stepping out before slamming it shut.*
Stickler: *Stickler grimaces.* M-mom....
Ema: *Ema breaths in shakily as she storms off back down Stickler's driveway. She contemplates calling for Lana, but only briefly before she dials up Klavier instead, holding her cell phone to her ear impatiently. She stands at the end of the driveway, next to the mailbox-- and after a second or two of listening to the phone ring she turns and gives it a swift kick.*
Klavier: *Klavier is in his apartment, just getting ready to leave when his cell rings. He adjusts the strap of the guitar case on his back and pulls out his cell, flipping it open without looking to see who's calling* Ja, ja, Daryan, I am on my way. Did you need something?
Ema: ... Klav, it's me, Ema. Listen. I need you to pick me up. I don't care what it is you're doing right now this is really important, alright?
Klavier: *Klavier blinks for a moment as Ema's voice registers in his head* Oh, hallo Fräulein. Ah... I am running a little late for practice but... Where are you?
Ema: ... *She stays silent for a moment, her free hand raising to press against her forehead.* ......... Outside of Stickler's house. *She mumbles, almost inaudibly.*
Klavier: *Klavier takes the guitar off his back and leans it against the wall, still holding the phone to his ear as he grabs his keys* Why are... Never mind, where does he live?
Ema: *She kicks again at the mailbox, lighter this time as she mumbles a quick set of directions.* It... it was for a school project, okay? *She adds.* And I wasn't about to bring him to my house.
Klavier: *Klavier sighs, smiling a little even though Ema can't see* Ja, I can understand that. Alright. I will be there... pretty soon, alright?
Ema: Just... try to hurry, alright? *She looks back over her shoulder* I... I kind of yelled at his mom. A lot. I don't want to be here much longer.
Klavier: Alright. Ten minutes and I will be there. *Klavier hangs up his phone and pockets it, heading out the door.*
Ema: *Ema frowns and shoves her phone back into her bag, looking back over at the house once more.*
Klavier: *Klavier pulls up in front of Stickler's driveway on his motorcycle, about ten minutes later, just like he said he would. He takes off his helmet and smiles to Ema* I cannot drive you all the way back to your house, but I will take you as close as I can, ja?
Ema: That's fine. *She says hurriedly, walking over to his bike.* Just get me out of here as fast as you can. You... you wouldn't believe how crazy that woman in there is.
Klavier: *Klavier smiles warmly to Ema and offers his helmet to her* You will have to tell me about it sometime -- I would like to know about the woman who raised Herr Fischstick.
Ema: *She lets her hair down out of her half-pony tail before pulling on the helmet.* She's a beached whale. *She hisses, climbing easily now onto the back of the bike. Her arms wrap around his middle, holding tight.* And... I... I kind of told her as much.
Klavier: *Klavier chuckles and starts down the road again once Ema is holding on to him. He drives her just over half-way back to Lana's house, stopping near the bus stop* The bus should be coming by in a few minutes... Did you need money? *he chuckles again* Daryan is going to be so pissed, I am already half an hour late.
Ema: *She stays on the bike as she takes off the helmet, shaking her hair out once it's off.* Mm, no. I've got a few bucks on me. *She holds it back out for him as she climbs back off the bike.*
Klavier: *Klavier takes his helmet and smiles a little at the girl* Alright. Ah, tell me more about the whale sometime.
Ema: *She smirks, and leans in to kiss his cheek.* If Daryan gets mad at you for being late, just say you had to make a pit stop to keep me from rolling Stickler's mom down a hill or something. He won't get mad at you over that, right?
Klavier: *His smile turns to a wide grin after she kisses him* Of course not, Fräulein. I will see you later, ja? *he puts his helmet back on*
Ema: *She nods.* Yeah, call me after practice or whatever.
Klavier: *Klavier nods and rides off*
Ema: *Ema smiles to herself as she watches Klavier’s retreating back, but it begins to fade after a time once he’s gone.* … I can’t believe I actually called her a whale... *She mumbles to herself, sighing as she takes a seat at the bus stop bench.*
Stickler: *Afternoon, Stickler opens the door, dumping his heavy schoolbag on the floor. He looks around the entryway, perhaps with slight trepidation.* Mom! I'm home!
Fish Mom: *Is sitting on the couch, looking through one of Wesley's baby books. She calls from the living room in a high pitched voice* Hello, Wesley!
Stickler: *He wanders into the living room.* Oh hey, Mom, um! *He spots the book.* Mommm! Put that away! *He puts his hands on it.*
Fish Mom: *She looks down at it longingly. There is a high res photo of a baby Stickler in one of those little hats with a propeller on the top* Just reminiscing. I always knew you would be something great, Wesley. How was your day?
Stickler: Oh, uh, it was great I got my calc test back and it was an A plus extra credit but uh... *He looks around.* I have a group project today and my partner said her sister would probably not like it if I came to her place so I invited her here…
Fish Mom: 'Her' sister? *her mouth tightens* You should have asked the office if you could use their phone to call me ahead and tell me, Wesley. I told you not to be shy. The ladies who work there are very nice and they like to help smart, committed students like you.
Stickler: I- I know mom but they always glare at me for some reason when I go in there.
Fish Mom: They're just admiring, sweetheart.
Stickler: A-all right, but anyhow. *He takes off his hat and rubs his hand through slightly greasy hair.* I'm gonna go clean up my room a little bit or whatever. We're doing a presentation together on Thursday and stuff so we have to get everything done today. *He looks a bit more grim than usual.* She's pretty smart though so it should be okay.
Fish Mom: All right. I'll clean up the kitchen table so the two of you can use it. *She frowns intensely* I want her out of the house before supper time.
Stickler: Yeah, of course. *He looks a little nervous but it quickly passes. He rushes off to his room to get the dirty laundry and old textbooks off the floor.*
Ema: *Ema glances down to a small, crumpled piece of paper in her hand with Stickler's address scribbled across it. A deep frown was plastered across her face as she walked from the bus stop, glancing left and right at the houses lining the street. A disappointed sound escapes her once she spots his address-- having been hoping against hope that she wouldn't be able to find it, and just go back home. Her feet drag the rest of the way to the front door, cringing as she rings the doorbell.*
Stickler: *Stickler leaps as soon as he hears the doorbell, not sure he wants his mom to answer. He gallops over to the door, throwing it open.* Um, hey Ema. *He says, not exactly excited.*
Ema: *Ema narrows her eyes and has to bite her tongue for a moment. She's here to work with him whether she likes it or not-- and it wouldn't do calling him names if his mom was nearby.* ... Hi.
Stickler: My mom's in the kitchen, but uh. *He grimaces.* Look uh we're like top of the class right. So we should be able to get this done in no time and then you can go. I mean at least you don't have to do the project with a dumb jock like Jack Corey or something. *He shrugs, looking off to the side.*
Ema: *She holds onto the strap of her bag and shifts her weight onto one foot, looking decidedly more uncomfortable than before.* Whatever. Let's just get this over with already.
Stickler: *He peers around the corner.* Let's just go into my room for now.
Ema: *Ema closes her eyes for a brief second-- fighting back a small wave of disgust for going along with this.* ... Alright. *She makes to step into the house, but refuses to step in so long as Stickler is still standing in the doorway.*
Stickler: *He gestures and walks towards his room, shoulders slumped.*
Ema: *She follows, glaring daggers at the back of Stickler's head the whole while.*
Stickler: *His room is not messy... there's a neat pile of textbooks at the head of the bed and a bookcase full of various books about science. A desk marked up with some sort of caustic chemicals, and a laundry basket with t-shirts and not much else in it. He pulls out the desk chair and sits on the bed.*
Ema: *A persistent scowl tugs at Ema's lips as she sits down on the chair, bag in her lap.* Alright... so, this is fairly simple I guess, and I'm more than willing to bet that you already went through the handout and all that already so let's not waste any time... *She mumbles, pulling out her text book and a notebook first.*
Stickler: *He nods* So uh which one of us is going to talk first?
Ema: *Ema flips open her text, and scowls.* You go first. I'll get everyone's attention back during the last part of the presentation.
Stickler: O-oh, sure. *He pulls out his textbook and buries his face in it.*
Fish Mom: *Suddenly barges in from where she has been spying in the hall and looms in the doorway. She says in a nasal way* Wesley, you didn't introduce me.
Stickler: *He jumps slightly as she comes in.* Oh- uh hi mom you seemed busy and all didn't want to bother you. This is Ema.
Ema: *Ema looks up, and tries hard to keep most of the furrow out of her brows.* Ah... hi there. Nice to meet you.
Fish Mom: *She almost looks disgusted, and hides it poorly* Wesley, go get this lovely young girl a drink.
Stickler: Oh, right, sure mom. Sorry, Ema.
Stickler: *He gets up and scoots unhurriedly out of the room.*
Fish Mom: *Turns on Ema* Don't you dare try it!
Ema: *Ema blinks, staring up at Stickler's mom, unsure of... exactly what she just heard.* Uh... I'm sorry, what?
Fish Mom: I know you want to, you little harlot- otherwise you wouldn't have insisted on going into his bedroom! I can see right through you!
Ema: ... WHAT?
Ema: *Ema gapes at the woman, horrified.* WHAT? *She repeats, bolting up from her seat.* Oh, no no no nooo way, ma'am. No.
Fish Mom: *Snorts* You're a whore and a liar- and you're just using my son to boost your grades. He's a genius, you know.
Ema: H-Hey! I don't have to hear that from you! *She splutters.* Don't kid yourself! I wouldn't touch that fishy kid with a ten foot pole! *She runs her hand back through her bangs, looking slightly mortified. No -wonder- Sticker was so messed up, being raised by a woman like this.*
Fish Mom: Fishy? Speak for yourself, you wretched Jezebel! I won't be having you do this to my Wesley! You young teenage whores and your pregnancy plots... You can't rope him into a lifetime of child support and I won't let you!
Ema: P... PREGNANCY!? *Ema nearly chokes on the word.* Never! NO. Oh god, y-you can't be serious...!
Fish Mom: I am perfectly serious, you filthy slut. He doesn't need your AIDS baby or your hole diseases!
Ema: ...... *Ema's jaw drops slowly, and for a second, she's dead silent.* O...Oh my god. *She claps her hand over her mouth suddenly, eyes wide.* ... I think I... I just threw up a little in my mouth.
Fish Mom: Which is exactly what I did the moment I got a look at you. You stay away from my son! He's far too good, smart, intelligent, capable, and handsome for the likes of you, you street-walker! Go back to your brothel!
Stickler: *Stickler comes back into the room, looking profoundly uncomfortable, with two glasses of pink lemonade.* Uh, ok here you go Ema. *He passes one to her.*
Ema: ..... *Ema doesn't take the glass, one hand still held over her mouth.* I-I can't do this. Stickler, your mom is crazy. *She hisses, and spins around to grab up her books and bag.*
Stickler: W-what? *He looks dumbfounded and glances at his mom.* What are you talking about?
Fish Mom: Excuse me?! *She spins around on Ema* I knew it! I knew she was a harlot! Wesley, why are you allowing this girl to leech your grades from you?!
Stickler: *He looks pained, though it's hardly distinguishable from his normal expression.* Mom... Ema gets almost as good grades as me... I had to have a partner for the group project... *He crosses his arms, turning his head away, his cheeks burning.*
Ema: Yeah, well I'm doing it on my own now. *She hefts her bag up onto her shoulder, snarling.* I'm not hanging around for this.
Fish Mom: Almost as good grades as you...?! You, a genius? As though that's true. *Looks extremely critical*
Stickler: *He glances after Ema.* No! Look, it's a group project, they take points off if you do it alone!
Ema: *She points a finger at his mother.* I don't care! She's CRAZY! I'm going home so deal with it.
Stickler: *He draws himself up to his full, gangly height.* H-hey! Don't say stuff like that about my mom! Look, we'll just do the project separately and present together!
Ema: *Ema yanks her glasses down over her eyes and pushes past the two, back through the open bedroom door.* Have HER help you with it. I said I'm doing it alone. And who knows! If I tell the teacher what happened he might even give me extra credit for just trying to put up with you both!
Fish Mom: *flares up* Get back here!! There's no way you're getting any extra credit! This must have been your plan all along, whore!
Ema: *Ema digs through her back and pulls out her cell phone just as she reaches the front door. Her hand pauses on the handle, gripping tight before she yanks it open.* Yeah, well, at least I'm not a WHALE. *She shouts, stepping out before slamming it shut.*
Stickler: *Stickler grimaces.* M-mom....
Ema: *Ema breaths in shakily as she storms off back down Stickler's driveway. She contemplates calling for Lana, but only briefly before she dials up Klavier instead, holding her cell phone to her ear impatiently. She stands at the end of the driveway, next to the mailbox-- and after a second or two of listening to the phone ring she turns and gives it a swift kick.*
Klavier: *Klavier is in his apartment, just getting ready to leave when his cell rings. He adjusts the strap of the guitar case on his back and pulls out his cell, flipping it open without looking to see who's calling* Ja, ja, Daryan, I am on my way. Did you need something?
Ema: ... Klav, it's me, Ema. Listen. I need you to pick me up. I don't care what it is you're doing right now this is really important, alright?
Klavier: *Klavier blinks for a moment as Ema's voice registers in his head* Oh, hallo Fräulein. Ah... I am running a little late for practice but... Where are you?
Ema: ... *She stays silent for a moment, her free hand raising to press against her forehead.* ......... Outside of Stickler's house. *She mumbles, almost inaudibly.*
Klavier: *Klavier takes the guitar off his back and leans it against the wall, still holding the phone to his ear as he grabs his keys* Why are... Never mind, where does he live?
Ema: *She kicks again at the mailbox, lighter this time as she mumbles a quick set of directions.* It... it was for a school project, okay? *She adds.* And I wasn't about to bring him to my house.
Klavier: *Klavier sighs, smiling a little even though Ema can't see* Ja, I can understand that. Alright. I will be there... pretty soon, alright?
Ema: Just... try to hurry, alright? *She looks back over her shoulder* I... I kind of yelled at his mom. A lot. I don't want to be here much longer.
Klavier: Alright. Ten minutes and I will be there. *Klavier hangs up his phone and pockets it, heading out the door.*
Ema: *Ema frowns and shoves her phone back into her bag, looking back over at the house once more.*
Klavier: *Klavier pulls up in front of Stickler's driveway on his motorcycle, about ten minutes later, just like he said he would. He takes off his helmet and smiles to Ema* I cannot drive you all the way back to your house, but I will take you as close as I can, ja?
Ema: That's fine. *She says hurriedly, walking over to his bike.* Just get me out of here as fast as you can. You... you wouldn't believe how crazy that woman in there is.
Klavier: *Klavier smiles warmly to Ema and offers his helmet to her* You will have to tell me about it sometime -- I would like to know about the woman who raised Herr Fischstick.
Ema: *She lets her hair down out of her half-pony tail before pulling on the helmet.* She's a beached whale. *She hisses, climbing easily now onto the back of the bike. Her arms wrap around his middle, holding tight.* And... I... I kind of told her as much.
Klavier: *Klavier chuckles and starts down the road again once Ema is holding on to him. He drives her just over half-way back to Lana's house, stopping near the bus stop* The bus should be coming by in a few minutes... Did you need money? *he chuckles again* Daryan is going to be so pissed, I am already half an hour late.
Ema: *She stays on the bike as she takes off the helmet, shaking her hair out once it's off.* Mm, no. I've got a few bucks on me. *She holds it back out for him as she climbs back off the bike.*
Klavier: *Klavier takes his helmet and smiles a little at the girl* Alright. Ah, tell me more about the whale sometime.
Ema: *She smirks, and leans in to kiss his cheek.* If Daryan gets mad at you for being late, just say you had to make a pit stop to keep me from rolling Stickler's mom down a hill or something. He won't get mad at you over that, right?
Klavier: *His smile turns to a wide grin after she kisses him* Of course not, Fräulein. I will see you later, ja? *he puts his helmet back on*
Ema: *She nods.* Yeah, call me after practice or whatever.
Klavier: *Klavier nods and rides off*
Ema: *Ema smiles to herself as she watches Klavier’s retreating back, but it begins to fade after a time once he’s gone.* … I can’t believe I actually called her a whale... *She mumbles to herself, sighing as she takes a seat at the bus stop bench.*