Ceiling Man eats at Sid's

[party_on_dudes]

Who: Kyle, Sam, Juice, Anna, Tim, Dot, Eva, Kya, Spike
Where: Sid's
When: Tuesday night, October 14



Kyle was being all sorts of mellow.

Sam had a few pages of sheet music in front of her, as well as a cup of coffee and a half-eaten bagel.

Juice had his arm around Kyle, and a huge steak in front of him. Life was good.

Anna sat by Sam, eying Sam's bagel.

Tim headed in, looking a little weirded out, and a lot more sober than the last time he was out.

"Eat it, already," Sam said with a smirk.

"Steaaaaak," Kyle announced.

"Love, steak, and relaxation- what more can we ask for," Juice asked. "Whoa, look- ceiling guy!"

Sam looked up ... at the ceiling ... then at Juice. "Huh?"

"Ceiling mannnn," Kyle agreed.

Anna grabbed Sam's bagel.

Tim waved,certain he'd seen those two before.

"Hey, dude- still tripping balls?" Juice asked, conversationally.

Sam waved, too, because Tim was kind of cute.

"No...

" said Tim "You must have been one of the people from last night."

"Yup," Juice said. "We were the Floor People."

"And you're the Ceiling Man," Kyle confirmed.

Dot nudged Juice. "What did I tell you about talking to people in the ceiling?"

Sam wasn' sure how someone would go about tripping a ball. After all, they didn't have legs. She frowned, pondering this.

"He wasn't wearing a skirt either," Kyle added.

Juice laughed. "He was super high last night. His name is either Tim or Princess something."

"I was really out of it dudes." said Tim "Name is Tim."

"Or Mario," Kyle added.

"Sam," Sam said.

Dot laughed. "You'll just encourage him. Stoppit."

"Hey Sam." Tim smiled "So, dudes. How're things?"

"Not bad," Kyle commented.

"Good," Sam said.

"I'm Juice, he's Kyle," Juice said, figuring if they'd introduced themselves last night Tim wouldn't have remembered it, anyhow.

Dot waved, deciding to go along with it. "Hi, I'm Dot."

"Hey. You guys are alright." Tim smiled "I'm a slacker."

Anna was just quiet.

"Rock on," Juice said, giving the thumbs up in approval of the slacker lifestyle

"I'm a bartender," Kyle added.

"Do you do tricks and stuff?" asked Tim "Like, juggle the bottles before making drinks?"

"Nah, I'm not that good at it yet," Kyle admitted.

"I'm a student," Sam said. "And I play violin."

"Sweet." said Tim "You should play the violin while he makes drinks. It'll be, like a musical about the life of Kyle the bartender."

Sam laughed. "Hey, there have been operas written on thinner premises."

"Totally." said Tim

"You from here in Sunnydale?" Sam asked.

"Yeah." Tim nodded "My parents moved here when I was five. The low rent allows for them to be creative."

"That'd be cool," Juice said.

Katie sprinted past the diner, running like her life depended on it.

"Hippies?" Sam asked. "I may have been conceived at a Dead show."

" ... shit?" Sam added.

"My folks've been dead for a while," Kyle commented.

"Mine are artists." said Tim, yeing the girl who came running in

Anna got up, and headed for Katie "What's up, babe?"

Katie screeched to a halt. "Whew... huh? Nothing, why?"

"You came running in like somethings after you." said Anna

"Oh -- I don't have a car," Katie said, as if that explained everything.

"Never too early to train for the Olympics," said Dot.

"Next time, call me, or anyone for a ride." said Anna "Let me get my number for you." she sighed, and went over to do that

"I used to want to be an olympic gymnast." said Tim

"Well, I'm kinda short on money at the moment," Katie admitted.

"So I was kinda just on my way home from the library."

"Do you have a job?" asked Anna

"Not at the moment," Katie admitted.

"I was thinking of applying for the Bronze," she added.

Dot shuddered. "Really? That place is so sketchy..."

Katie shrugged. "It's not that bad. Most of the time."

"You should work at the Sunset," Juice said. "That's where Kyle works, and I do some cleanup stuff there part time"

"Sunset is a good place." said Anna "I work there too, and we'd always make sure you got home ok"

"Are they hiring?" Katie asked.

Eva walked in, a blonde that scanned the faces in the room before sitting in a booth. She'd been careful, just as everyone had warned her- repeatedly.

"I'll talk to Mike." said Anna

Spike headed into the diner, took a quick look around and settled at the counter, not greeting anyone.

Kya was not there, even though she should have been.

Dot picked lazily at her eggs, mopping up yolk with toast.

Juice was halfway to finishing his steak, and chewing thoughtfully. "You know, Sunset should serve steak. Or at least steak sandwiches. And they could list them on the menu as S-t-a-k-e, 'cause it'd be funny."

"Isn't there a restaurant named the Stake House in town?" Kyle pondered. "I've never eaten there, though."

"Okay, then -- thank you, Anna," Katie replied.

"I think we ate there when I first moved to town," Sam said.

"No prob, babe." said Anna "You want me to spot you some cash until you get a job? I won't charge interest this time."

"Steak rocks." said Tim "If it was warmer, I'd grill some when I got home."

"No, that's alright... I don't think I should borrow money from anyone unless I know I can pay them back later," Katie answered.

"Oh, you'll be able to pay me back." said Anna "If you don't get a job, I'll just have you take notes for me the next time I fall asleep in class."

"Oh... well, that doesn't sound too bad," Katie nodded.

"Ok, cool then." Anna handed Katie a twenty.

Kya walked in, looking a little dazed. She headed for the counter- just like she was going to work.

"Hi," Spike said to Kya.

"Hi." Kya waved "You're here early tonight. The usual?"

"Please," Spike said.

Kya nodded, and prepared Spike's drink. She managed to spill a few things, and dropped a coffee cup.

Katie snagged it and pocketed it, then settled dwon into a seat.

" ... you all right, love?" Spike asked.

"Whoa, zoned out there for a bit," Juice said. "I miss anything?"

"One of the waitresses is drunk," Kyle pointed out.

"No." Kya said, handing Spike's drink to him. She then headed to the back.

"Bollocks," Spike said, and followed her. "What's wrong?"

Eva frowned when the blonde guy followed the waitress. Her cop instincts were kicking in just a little.

Kya stopped walking. "I need to go to work... I'll talk to you later. Oh, Drusilla said she wants to share."

" ... share what?" Spike frowned.

Juice shook his head to clear it.

Kyle eyed Juice. "The food isn't poisoned, is it?"

"Ask her." said Kya "I need to- I'm late, and I want to sleep, or sit down."

"Nah, I just didn't get much sleep last night," Juice said. "Side effect of you staying over, I guess." He grinned.

"Oh, the horrors," Kyle teased.

"Whores?" asked Dot.

"She bit you,' Spike said.

"A horror about whores?" asked Tim

Kya didn't say anything, she just started to head out, so she could find somewhere to sit down

"Horrible whores -- that sounds like the girls at the Bronze," Kyle commented.

Spike stormed out of the back of the restaurant, kicking a chair out of his way, shoving through the door and hurrying out into the darkness.

"The Bronzed Horribe Whores, a comedic tragedy." said Tim

Kya just sat down, and hoped her ride would eventually return'

Spike passed a tree along a nearby residential street ... paused ... took two steps back and looked up. "Bloody hell are you doin' up there, Dru?"

"The butterflies fell, and don't want to share." said Dru "Why won't you share with me?"

"The Neck Ruptures should do the score for that," Juice said.

"Dude. That could work." said Tim

"It could. It sounds much like most of their work," Kyle mused.

Spike's game-face popped up, and he leaped at Dru.

Dru laughed, and jumped down. "What a lovely game."

Spike didn't reply, he just punched her.

Drusilla looked up, her game face off. "It's not too late to come back to us."

"I'm totally going to suggest that to them," Juice said.

She then took off, to return again soon.

"I could write a script." said Tim

Spike returned to the diner, grim-faced, and sat across from Kya. "I need to get you home," he said.

Dot nudged Juice.

Kya nodded. "I'm sleepy."

Kyle nodded. "Sounds like a plan."

Juice got out his notebook, and jotted the idea down.

"Yeah, you would be," Spike said. "Come on ... " He helped her up.

"That sounds better than the community center play." said Tim "I think I signed up to help with that. I don't remember, though."

"Do you two know each other?" asked Eva "Because she looks drunk or drugged."

Kya nodded for a second before, laying her head on Spike so she could rest

Dot nudged Juice, a little harder. "Hey."

"She's my girlfriend," Spike said. "She's fine, she's just tired. Been sick." Spike didn't make eye contact or moderate his tone. He was pissed off and not in the mood to deal with someone nosy.

Juice nudged back. "Hey you too."

Dot laughed. "What's a girl go to do to get you to take her home? I don't wanna walk."

"Right." said Eva, before remembering that she wasn't a cop "What areyour names? I'm going to check on her tomorrow, and make sure she's alright."

"Butt out," Spike said, pushing past Eva and leading Kya to the door.

"I'll stay here with Sam." offered Tim "She can tell me about the violin, and let me know if she sold her soul to learn how to play."

"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Sam asked, but she laughed.

"Excuse me." said Eva, to the others "Do the two that just left know each other?"

Dot shrugged. "Dunno. Who are you?"

"I dunno," Kyle shrugged.

"Eva Miller. I'm a concerned citizen. I want to make sure he didn't slip her something."

"I've seen 'em both in here lots of times," Juice said.

"She was acting like that when she came in here. I think she just showed up to work drunk," Kyle suggested.

Katie just frowned and kept her mouth shut.

"I dont know them, but... I know they're a couple," Juice said.

"I've seen them around," Sam said.

"Why are you concerned? I'm sure they're fine," said Dot.

"Oh... as long as they are a couple." said Eva "I don't like to see people hurt other people. Sometimes, a persons drink could get drugged, and they'll end up raped, dead, or kidnapped."

"Thanks for the cheery thoughts," Sam said,

"Um... how is that new?" Kyle inquired.

"It's not new." said Eva "But, it still happens. When I was a cop, mt coworkers filed a lot of reports of young woman who were drugged."

"...that's pretty much Sunnydale for you," Juice said.

"I'm new here." explained Eva "Just moved in the beginning of the semester."

"Welcome to Sunnydale," Juice said.

Dot frowned. "You stopped being a cop? You stopped being a cop AND you moved here? I haven't even been here that long, but this whole place is ..uh, sketchy."

"I've noticed that." said Eva "And two of my classmates have dropped off the face of the planet, and no one seems to care."

"Classmates? You stopped being a cop to go back to school?" Dot frowned again.

Juice frowned. "Yeah.... that seems to happen a lot out here, too."

"I wasn't happy with being a cop, so I quit." Eva shrugged "And... crime rates weren't mentioned when I applied to my school." she frowned

Dot nodded. "I guess that's fair enough." To Juice she added, "Okay, fluffy-head. I think I'll walk off my late breakfast. I'll see you tomorrow, right?"
"You need a ride?" Kyle asked.

"Yeah, let me give you a ride home," Juice said, getting up.

"You shouldn't be walking alone at night."

Dot grinned and hugged them. "Yay, it worked! And I've walked home by myself plenty of times."

Katie commented. "It's not so bad. As long as you run."

"Dude, don't do that- you know better than that," Juice said. "Call me when you need rides. Speaking of which- Katie, you wanna come with us too?"

"Sure, if you don't mind..." Katie nodded.

Dot nodded. "I'm a fast runner too, but I like the company. Sheesh." She grinned and hugged them again. "C'mon, Katydid."

Katie stretched and got to her feet.

"Not a problem," Juice said. He headed on out the door, and into the parking lot.

"I love my sweet wheels..."

Kyle followed Juice out. "They are rather sweet."

Dot followed after. "Maybe you should get it repainted a nice lymon green."

"Dude, that'd be awesome if I could afford to..." Juice looked for his car....

Kyle paused. "Uh... Juice, where'd you park?"

"Uum...." He blinked. "I thought I parked right here."

Juice rubbed his eyes and checked twice. "No... maybe it was over here... fuck, where the heck..."

There was a piece of paper folded up on the ground near where the car had been.

"...dude," Juice said, and picked up the paper.

"MY FUCKING CAR," he said.

The note read, simply, "Had to borrow your wheels. Will return later."

Juice read. "Had to borrow your wheels... will return later. What the FUCK!"

Kyle blinked. "Uh..."

"Someone politely stole your car?" Dot whistled.

"Running doesn't sound so silly now, does it?" Katie commented.

"Ohmygod, I've been totally carjacked!" Juice said.

He re-read the paper, looking for some sort of clue who had taken it.

"Anyone recognize the handwriting?" Juice said, passing it around to his friends and trying not to totally lose it.

Dot peered at the writing. "New to me, but ...I don't really know too many people yet."

"This is seriously lame. I can't go home without the car. David'll kill me," Juice said, moaning and rubbing his head. "I am so dead."

Kyle frowned. "You don't think that guy took it, do you?"

"What guy?" Dot said, confused.

"The other guy that just left," Kyle continued.

"Dude, that guy with the drunk girl?" Juice asked. "Fuck."

"Huh, really? I dunno..." Dot shrugged. "How'd they get in? I don't see any broken glass..."

Katie shook her head. "I don't think they'd do that."

Indeed -- there wasn't any broken glass visible. Kinda odd, that.

"Meh..." Juice said, starting to pace. "I don't know what to doooo...."

"Call the police?" Kyle suggested dryly.

"Lemme go do that. What can you all tell me about the car?" Dot asked, patting Juice comfortingly.

Katie peered about, frowning.

Kyle commented, "It was a brown station wagon."

"I had fuzzy dice on it," Juice siad.

"Um, tags? Anything else? Juice, where are your keys?" Dot asked.

"I don't know tags, and um," Juice checked his pocket. "My keys are here."

"OKay, that's two clues. Katydid, I hate to tell you this, but one of us has to be Velma. We've got a mystery to solve." Dot said, and ducked inside to find a phone.

".. I need a Scooby Snack," Juice said.

Katie muttered after Dot left, "She can be Daphne. That purple bitch always gets captured."

Kyle pondered. "Does that make me Fred?"

"Just as long as you don't suggest we split up and search for clues," Juice said.

Dot found a phone and called in to the police on the non-emergency number to report the stolen car.

"Aww, why not?" Kyle asked.

"Because it's stupid and can get you killed?" Katie answered, irately.

The policeperson over the phone was very polite, and took in the report.

"Fuck," Juice said. "Fuck fuck fuck. Okay, I suck at this detective work. Um... can we follow tire tracks?"

There were, indeed, some tiremarks as though someone had hauled ass out of the parking lot. They might or might not have belonged to Juice's car.

"Look, see? There's these heavy tire tracks... someone get Dot," Juice said. "Let's see if we can follow them."

Dot came back outside after getting off the phone. "They said they'll -- Headlights?" she squinted.

"Juice thought he saw his car," Katie explained.

"But there's tire tracks at least," Juice said. "We could totally try to follow them."

Dot nodded. "We could, but I don't like that idea."

"Why?" Juice asked. "Just waiting here isn't going to bring my car back..."

Dot rolled her eyes "You boys are the ones who JUST said that we shouldn't walk anywhere, right? Everyone is always saying how dangerous this place is, and your car was stolen without anybody breaking anything. Stolen very nicely, and you still have your keys."

Katie nodded. "Yeah... not a good sign."

"But.. but... my car," Juice said, whining. "David is going to KILL me."

"You remembered to lock the doors, right?" Kyle asked Juice.

"I thought so," Juice said. "I dunno.. maybe I forgot." He started sniffling. He was seriously ready to cry.

Dot frowned, and hugged Juice. "Either way, chasing off in the dark is a good way to get ourselves in trouble."

"We're just gonna have to trust that they'll bring it back like they said, for now. Why don't we get over to the Sunset first? We can plan what happens next over eggrolls, and it's a better idea than hanging around here all night," she said.

Juice hugged and sniffled louder. "My car... my beautiful car."

Kyle nodded. "It'll be okay, relax."

Juice hugged Kyle too. "I want my carrrr"

"I know, I know..." Kyle patted him.

Katie fidgeted. "Um.. so are we going there now, or...?

Dot nodded. "We've gotta go somewhere, don't we?"

"Okay," Katie nodded, a bit nervously.

"Yeah, we should go got the Sunset I guess," Juice said. "If nothing else, Michael will help. Let's just stick close together... right? We'll be okay..."

Dot nodded. "Right, we'll be fine."

Kyle nodded, and snagged Juice's hand.

Dot frowned. "Wait. We're collectively dumb. Okay, new plan. Get back in there." She led the way back into Sid's.

Juice followed the Dot back in.

Kyle scuttled in after Juice.

Katie glanced around a moment, and headed back in after everyone else.

"Whew! That was close. Okay, this is a gentle mugging. Turn out your pockets, boys, I'm taking your money." Dot dug money out of her pack, by way of example, setting it on the table they'd just left.

Kyle offered up a five and three ones.

"Good, good. Keep it coming." Dot gathered everything together in the middle of the table. "Juice. Monies."

Juice dug in his pockets. "I got three bucks left after buying dinner for me and Kyle..." He handed those over.

Katie frowned. "I just borrowed twenty bucks from Anna, but..."

Dot nodded. "Okay, that should be good. Katydid, don't worry about it, I've got enough here. I'm gonna find us a cab."

She went and paged through the phonebook til she found a number for a cab company, then dialed it. "Hi! Uh-huh, uh-huh, yup, that's right. 20 minutes? Okay!"

"Good thinking," Juice said. "Unless they have vampire cab drivers."

Dot came back to the table. "Okay, that's settled. We'll go to the Sunset and plan everything from there."

Kyle nodded. "Awesome."

"Good idea," Juice said. He gave the thumbs up.

Dot smiled. "Someone's got to be the brains, and the muscle, and um..."

"I'm the hotness," Juice declaired.

Dot patted Juice. "Of course, sweetie."

Katie wisely stayed quiet.

"Oh look! It's our cab! C'mon guys!" Dot led the way outside and waited for everyone to pile into the cab. She told the driver to drop them all at the Sunset Club.

Juice headed on in to the cab, still sad.

"My beautiful car," he lamented