Saturday Night - Sunset

[christinaeliot]

Who: Tina, Katie, James, Michael, Sam, Tim, Warren, Lizzie, Juice, Kyle, Dot, Gil
Where: SUnset
WHen: Saturday Night

Katie was bussing tables at the Sunset, and mostly minding her own business.

Michael was sitting at his customary table, by himself for a change.

Tina was at her normal spot, near the bar, and eating grapes.

Gil was sitting at a table, reading a copy of 'Communion'.


Katie stopped by Gil's table. "Need anything?"

Gil shook his head. "Nah, I'm good. Might be on my way out in a little. Thanks, Katie."

"Alright," Katie said, smiling, and headed over to check on Tina.

Sam was hanging near Tina, eyeing her grapes.

Now this is much better than studying at least, James thought to himself as he wended his way through the club. A glance was directed towards the bar, and he considered, before heading in that direction. Leaning an arm against the metal surface, he said to the server, "Hey -- a Dr Pepper. Just a little ice."

Kyle nodded, and obligingly served up the drink. "One dollar, please."

Tina offered her grapes to Sam. She was in a sharing mood.

Sam smiled and snagged one. "Thank you." She glanced at James and smiled. Not a flirty smile, just a, "I'm not going to kill and eat you," smile.

After digging in his pocket, James offered two dollars to the server, picking up the glass and taking a slow sip as he glanced around the club. Idly, he wondered to Kyle, "Anything interesting going on tonight?" One thing you can be sure of, almost anywhere: the bartender, barista, or what have you knows things and are the best persons to talk to if you're new! A grin was directed at Sam, as well as a nod.

"I don't need anything..." Said Tina, glancing at the new guy

"Alright. Just wave if you need something, okay?" Katie said, squeezing her shoulder before trotting off to check on other tables.

"I'd like a Bloodlust, and some grapes," Sam said. "Please."

"Meep." Katie slammed on the brakes. "Okay -- I'll get you some. Just a moment."

Katie trotted barwards to do that.

"Depends on how you define interesting," Kyle said, smiling. "There's an open mic tomorrow, and people are trying to get in all their gothiness this weekend because we'll be closed next weekend for Thanksgiving."

Tina frowned when she heard the word THanksgiving. It would really suck with no family.

"Oh my fucking god," Juice called coming out of the bathrooms and heading towards the bar. "Can we just stop selling those green wings already? I'm going to die if I have to clean one more weird green stain. It was like a huge, slimey..." He pause when he realised there were customers all around the bar, and vivid description was likely not good for business. "But damn."

Dot finished her shift and called the Sunset.

"I define interesting as ..." It took a moment for James to decide on an answer, and to be frank it's not that good of one: "... interesting." Having made a face at this, he grins sheepishly and takes another sip from his drink, his gaze flickering towards Tina and nodding towards her.

Juice snagged the phone on his way around to the business side of the bar. "Hello, Sunset club..."

"Hi Juice! It's Dot!"

"Open mic should be fun, anyway," Sam said. "There's a lot of musicians in the area."

"It's what?" asked Tina, who was lost in her thoughts for a moment

Kyle shook his head at Juice's general existence.

"Hey, babe- how was your first day on the new job?" Juice asked, absently reaching under the bar to pour himself a coke while cradling the phone on his ear.

Katie returned with Sam's order, and made with the collection of money.

"Um, I have a LOT more respect for the waitpeople of the world," Dot said. "You know you wanna come rescue me, right?"

Sam provided cash. "Thanks," she said, and sipped a frosty, blood-red drink.

"Oh god do I ever," Juice said. "I was totally stuck on bathroom duty, and someone had the wings of doom again. Ky's got to watch the bar today, but I'll be over in like.. give me about ten, okay?"

"Okay! Do you or that other kid want anything? I can get free food!" Dot was very pleased with that part, at least.

"I guess so," James said to Sam, even if she wasn't speaking to him. A grin was offered, before he said, "I'd think about it, but I think they put me singing into the Geneva Convention as a war crime." He actually isn't that bad, but there's no way in hell he'd go up there.

"Oh sweet Jesus on a unicycle, that rocks," Juice said. "Hold on, lemme ask him." He covered up the phone and nudged Kyle with his shoulder. "Hey hon- Dot wants me go pick her up and asks if we want any free-type-food from her job."

"Breakfast food? Any food's good by me," Kyle said to Juice.

Sam chuckled. "I can't sing a note, either. I play though ... violin. I played last Open Mic Night, and it was a huge rush. I might do it again."

Juice nodded, then turned back to the phone. "Pancakes! And bacon and shit."

"No problem -- I'll be back later, so let me know if you need anything else." Katie trotted offwards to service other customers.

"Got it! See you soon!" Dot clicked off.

Juice hung up the phone and sucked down his coke.

"Not me," James said idly after finishing his drink. Waiting for Kyle to be free, he asked then, "Can I have a refill?" To Sam, he added, "Oh. Name's James. Nice t'meet you."

"Okay, I'm gonna go get the Dot, and our food..." Juice leaned over, kissed Kyle's forehead when he wasn't busy filling orders, then dashed out from behind the bar and towards the door.

"I'm Sam," she said. She looked like she was high-school aged, with dark hair and olive skin. "Nice to meet you."

"James?" Tina frowned "James Cohn?"

"Okay, be careful," Kyle called, and went back to serving customers.

A blink, and James turned to glance at Tina, "Huh? Do I know you?" He wondered, looking at Tina, a frown staring to hover upon his lips.

Juice drove diner-wards to collect a Dot.

Warren headed on into the club with Lizzie, and started looking around.

Dot waited in a booth by the window, with food in takeout boxes.

"Christina Eliot." She said "I remember you... because you left. To college."

Lizzie headed in to the Sunset, a determined look on her face. "Now we just have to find her and see if we can get her to talk," she was saying to Warren as she held the door for him.

"Well, how hard can THAT be?" Warren said.

"... I see." James' expression was difficult to decipher. "Didn't expect to meet anyone from back home here." One of his fingers kept tapping upon the bar, perhaps a nervous habit. "What're you doing out here? I'm attending UC Sunnydale."

"That depends on whether or not she was traumatized by the experience, I imagine.." Lizzie glanced around until she saw Katie waiting tables. "Oh good- looks like all we have to do is settle down and let her come take our order. Easy peasey." She settled at a table.

Sam eyed Tina. "Old friend?" she asked.

"Looong story." Tina replied "You still... don't go back, right? Because then you wouldn't be here..."

Juice pulled up and parked at the diner, then headed in to collect a Dot. "Your purple chariot awaits!"

Tina nodded to Sam.

Okay, so it was a purple station wagon, but hey.

Warren nodded, and in his best Mr. Burns voice, replied, "Excellent..."

"Yay! Here, take these!" Dot handed over food boxes. "Hey boss! I'm leaving! She waved towards the back to the diner and her replacement, then headed out with Juice.

"I also think our evil plan should include some hot wings and root beer," Lizzie said.

"Something like that," is all James said to Sam, before wrinkling his nose at Tina, "I'm tryin' to get a degree in history. Almost to my Bachelor's, going to go on to Masters and then hopefully a PhD. I want to teach." Translation: you think he's -nuts-? Still watching Tina warily, his hand fumbled for his drink and nearly knocked it over. After swearing under his breath, he sighed, and said, "You're lookin' good anyway." Probably the wrong thing to say, but James was rattled.

Juice carried the boxes out to the car. "Did you make tips? Did anyone throw food at you?"

Katie did indeed eventually come around to check on Lizzie and Warren. "Hey -- how are you guys this evening? Need anything?"

"Yeah, I made decent tips. Nobody threw anything at me! I think somebody left me their phone number!" Dot shuddered, just a little.

"Yeah, actually. We need some information," Warren said. "Got a few minutes?"

"I don't know what I want to do yet." Tina said, also nervous. "But I'm not going back, so you can tell them that."

"Awesome," Juice said. He put the boxes in the back and started driving back to the Sunset with Dot.

"Have you heard what happened to Kya?" Lizzie asked. "Do you know her?"

"Yes," Katie nodded. "She's in the hospital at the moment. Are you guys going to order? I'm going to get in trouble if I'm not serving customers."

Tim headed in, and looked around, before heading for the bar.

"Hey, babe!" Sam said, and gave Tim a peck on the cheek.

"Yeah, we can order- hot wings and root beer for me," Lizzie said. "What do you know about the vampire that put her in there?"

The look that James gave Tina was suspicious, before he wrinkled his nose, "I try to avoid them as much as possible, s'why I'm here. So don't look at me, sorry." A glance at Sam, and a realization that he was talking over her head. A grin was offered, as he said, "Sorry, old business. I'll be good. What sort of stuff do you play then? On the violin, I mean. Classical stuff? I heard a folk artist once, though they were more a fiddle."

"She's crazy, and desperately lonely," Katie answered. "I'll be back in a moment with your order." And off she scuttled towards the bar.

"...so I guess she wants to make friends and eat people," Lizzie said to Warren, puzzled by that.

"Little of both," Sam said. "Folk stuff is fun, but classical and modern orchestra stuff is pretty amazing. Tim, this is James. James, this is my boyfriend Tim."

Juice pulled up in the Sunset employee lot, and got out with the food cartons.

Tim waved.

Dot trailed along behind.

"The hallmarks of a successful person," Warren chuckled.

"Was it hard to get into college?" TIna asked James, hoping she could get a better feel for what kind of person he was. He seemed nice so far.

"You ever hear Great Big Sea? They're kind of a folk rock group. One of them uses a fiddle in some of their performances," James asks Sam with a curious look. He looks at Tim, and offers a nod, "Heya. Nice t'meetcha." He glances at Tina, and says, "Not really, no. Aced the tests. Used to be at UCLA, but transferred here recently."

Juice headed on in, and over to the bar with the cartons. "I come bearing awesome food..."

"Name sounds familiar, I'll check 'em out," Sam said.

Dot settled at the bar. "Whew! I survived!"

"Heya, Dot," Sam said. "How'd it go?"

JUice slipped behind the bar and set one of the cartons in front of Kyle, and snagged the other for himself.

Dot waved to Sam. "It went better than I thought! I didn't get yelled at, everybody was nice to me, and the tips were good too." She leaned wearily on the bar, head in her hands.

Kyle grinned and snagged a carton. "Thanks, babe."

Katie returned with the food and drink, and made with the charging.

"So... we're looking to find her. Any ideas?" Warren asked, when Katie returned.

"Sounds good, then," Sam said. "Dot, this is James, James, this is Dot."

"Hi James. I'd shake your hand, but it's my writing hand and it's a little cramped up," Dot smiled.

"It was nice seeing you again, James." Tina said "Be right back, guys." Tina left her grapes, and found another table.

"Forgive me, but I have to ask. Where's Yakko and Wakko?" James wondered with a mischevious smile, about to offer a hand before pulling it back, "Seriously though, nice t'meetcha." He glanced towards Tina as she left, his expression still holding a tinge of wariness.

"... no idea," Katie said, and collected money.

Dot laughed. "You've met 'em already." She indicated Juice and Kyle, and grinned.

Juice munched some pancakely goodness, then waved when Dot indicated him.

"Do you know where she lives? Where she usually hangs out?" Lizzie asked.

Sam gave Tim a squeeze. "How're you tonight?"

Tim shrugged. "I'm okay. Nice to meet you, James.

"Not really, why?" Katie asked.

"Because we want to try and stop her before she hurts anyone else," Lizzie said. "Please, if there's anything you know that can help us..."

"Well... I don't think you're going to find her," Katie said. "She's gone into hiding, I think, to wait out the fires and devastation that will sweep the town."

"You too," James said. His gaze is still focused where Tina left, his fingers tapping on the bar. After a moment, he finished his drink and rises to his feet, saying, "I shall return. I need to make a phone call." With this, he turned and headed up the metal steps towards the exit, disappearing out the door.

"Sounds great. So where WOULD we find her, then?" Warren inquired.

"I have no idea. And I'd better get back to work." Katie scuttled off.

"...That was sudden." Tim said. He snagged one of Sam's grapes

Sam nodded. "He and Tina know each other from Wolfram and Hart," she said.

"Is he evil?" asked Tim

"..fires and devistation?" Lizzie aske, blinking.

"... hm." Warren looked to Lizzie. "She has to know more than that."

Juice munched bacon. "Oh my god, can you get free food every night? 'Cause this rocks."

"I know, right? It's almost like.. she's protecting the vampire or something. But people would't do that, right?" Lizzie frowned.

"Very much so," Kyle agreed.

"Maybe she's retarded?" Warren opined.

Dot shook her head. "Not every night, no. I think they've got a limit."

"How's it going, guys?" Tim asked Dot, Juice, and Kyle "Sorry, wasn't paying much attention a few minutes ago."

Dot waved. "Hi Tim. My feet are killing me."

"Don't think so ... it sounded like he was trying to put as much distance between himself and them as possible," Sam said.

"Put them up." suggested Tim "And next time, wear more comfoftable shoes... or put some insoles in those."

"Not so bad," Kyle said. "We've got breakfast."

Dot nodded. "I know, I should have planned better. Tomorrow I'll wear the insoles."

Tim stole another grape from Sam. "Good."

"Grape thief,' Sam said.

Tim shrugged, and stole another.

Tina waved to Katie.

Dot fished out some money. "Kyle, can I have a quarter-orgy and a Coke, please?"

"It's just weird," Lizie said, frowning.

Juice tossed out their cartons when they were done eating. "Man, that rocked."

"Okay, meet me in the back in five minutes and I'll see if I can find a couple of friends," Kyle said. "Or did you mean you wanted five eggrolls?"

"Well, she has to know more than she's telling. So we could try questioning her further when she's not working. Or we could plant a bug on her and see if she leads us to our target," Warren said.

Katie headed on over to Tina. "Hey... need something?"

"Psssh. Less funny, more eggrolls. Besides, I don't want to be the cause of a catfight between you boys." Dot swatted at Kyle.

"A soda?" asked Tina "And, uh... when do you get to take your break?"

"I'll take it after I get you your soda," Katie said, and scuttled barwards.

Kyle smirked, tilled cash, and served up a Coke. "Hey, Katie, can you hit the kitchen for me and get an order of eggrolls for me? Five please."

"Okay -- but then I'm taking my break, okay?" Katie said, and went to fetch 'rolls.

"Hm... let's go with questioning first, and bug if that doesn't work," Lizzie said.

"Wonder if we could get sodium pentothal," Warren mused.

Juice leaned in and kissed Kyle's ear when he wasn't busy with the working.

Katie brought eggrolls to the bar, snagged soda, and went to settle down at Tina's table.

"Hm... we could ask Dot to help with the questioning- maybe she knows Katie better than we do?" Lizzie suggested. "I see her hanging out with her gay boys at the bar."

Tina gave Katie a hug.

"Worth a shot. Flag her down," Warren instructed.

Katie hugged.

Gil gathered up his stuff, and headed outwards, stopping to chat with Tina and Katie before he left. "Hey, ladies. What's cooking?"

"Hey... not much," Katie said. "Just... taking a break."

"Hey Gil." Tina said

Gil nodded. "Cool, cool. I won't stay too long, 'cause I'd hate to break up ladytime, but I wanted to drop off something for Tina."

"Oh, it's okay if you hang out." Tina said "...What did you want to drop off?"

Lizzie waved to Dot, trying to get her attention.

Gil rummaged through his bag and put the copy of 'Communion' down on the table. "I don't know if you've ever read that, but it's kind of a 'thank-you' for the astrology tip."

Juice frowned a bit, and glanced at Kyle.

Dot waved back.

"C'mere..." Lizzie made the crooked finger of 'c'mere'

"Days like this I wish we had those grappling hooks from Zelda. Just thwack -- shoot people and bodily yank them over," Warren said, contemplating.

Tina looked at the book, and ran her fingers over it. "...I had this. I never got to read it, but... I had this. Back when I lived in the woods. Thank you."

"Oh, don't you dare eat any of my eggrolls, boys. I'm gonna go talk to Liz really quick." Dot stood up and made her way over to chat with Lizzie and Warren.

"What's it about?" Katie asked.

Kyle looked to Juice once Dot was out of earshot. "Should we eat her eggrolls?"

Gil grinned. "It's about aliens! The guy who wrote it doesn't sound anything like a crackpot at all, which is almost disappointing."

"Aliens." Tina said "Gil had been talking about them..."

Dot dropped into a chair next to Lizzie. "Hi. What's up?"

"We need your help," Warren said.

"Oh -- neat," Katie said, peering.

Tina handed the book to Katie, so she could look at it.

"I already told Juice and Kyle that I can't feed them for free every night of the week," laughed Dot. "So whatever they've told you, don't believe them."

Lizzie laughed. "No, no... we're fine. We've got wings. But that thing we were talking about earlier... with hunting down that vampire. We need to get Katie to talk about what she knows... and she's claming up and won't talk to us."

"Maybe," Juice said. "But I'm stuffed..."

"You think she'll talk to me? I don't know her all that well. She's probably got a good reason for not talking," said Dot.

"Wait, we could get free food from you?" Warren added, smirking a bit.

Katie opened it up and began to skim.

"Yeah, me too. Damn." Kyle pouted.

"Dad's talking to a real estate agent." Tim said, to Sam. "SO, he's going to find a place here... big enough for the kids when they come back."

"Maybe every so often," said Dot. "Depends on how generous the boss is feeling, I think."

"So, um... next week is Thanksgiving." Tina said "With turkeys and indians and overindulgance"

"Neat. But yeah. We need to find that vampire and kill it, and she's not being helpful, and she definitely knows more than she's willing to tell us, and odds are she'd be more likely to talk to a closer friend," Warren summarized.

"Yeah... the club's going to be closed for business," Katie said, a little glumly.

"That's good, I'm glad you'll be staying here," Sam said.

"I could kiss you instead?" Juice offered.

"...Yeah." Tina frowned

"And starting schol Monday." Tim said

"Is it? I wonder where everybody's gonna go," wondered Gil.

"But yes, if you could talk to Katie... and find out what she knows about the vampire that bit Kya, it would help," Lizzie said.

"Awesome!" Sam kissed Tim. "I think you'll like it."

"I'll try, but I'm not going to promise anything. It's not like we're close at all," said Dot.

"I have no idea." Tina frowned "I guess they;ll be spending time with family, and burning turkey or whatever."

Michael actually was planning on inviting the clubstaff to Thanksgiving dinner at his house, but hadn't brought it up yet. He'd get around to it later.

"All these poor gothy kids," laughed Gil.

"My mom's going to be in Los Angeles," Katie said. "I think her boyfriend lives there."

"...Los Angeles?" asked Tina "He's not a lawyer, is he? And... uh, maybe I can talk to Michale, and you can stay here with me?"

"She's not taking you?" Gil frowned.

"No, why would she?" Katie said, just a wee bit bitterly. "And I think he's an architectural planner."

Juice mehed and looked down at the bar.

"I should probably go clean stuff."

"Bah. Michael's not complaining, so sit here with me and entertain me," Kyle said.

Tina gave Kaie a squeeze with one arm.

Juice smile, and kissed his neck. "Much better than cleaning stuff..."

Katie nodded. "If it'd be okay with Michael, then yes, please."

Tim shrugged. "I was excited about it before, but it'll be okay, I guess."

Kyle grinned. "Much, much better."

Gil nodded. "Well, if you've got nowhere to go, maybe I can come with something, okay?"

"Well, trying is good," Lizzie said. "Hopefully you'll do better than we did."

"And if not, we'll try plan B," Warren agreed.

"Let me ask him." Tina smiled "I'll be right back." she got up, and headed over to Michael

Dot nodded. "Okay, I'll see what I can do. I don't even know how I'd bring it up!"

"Just bring it up. That's what we did," Lizzie said. "I mean, she knows Kya's in the hospital..."

Michael looked up. "Hey Tina."

"It will be," Sam said. She smiled. "Things are going to be better."

Juice cuddled up to Kyle behind the bar. "Baby, I love you."

"I love you too," Kyle said, and absently handled an order.

"Hi Michael..." TIna began "I hate to ask you for a favor, but Katie's mom is going out of town over Thanksgiving, and I wanted to know if it would be alright if she stayed here?"

Dot nodded again. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. I'll give it a shot. But not tonight, I'm too beat."

"If she likes, sure," Michael said. "Incidentally, Ming and I are going to be having Thanksgiving dinner together, and we wanted to invite everybody, so... yeah. Heh."

"Really?" Tina asked "That's really, really nice of both of you. Uh, I'll volunteer for dishes... and thank you again." She seemed happy

"I hope so." Tim said

Michael nodded. "Ming was going to tell everyone today, but she's still asleep."

Juice settled back with Kyle once the customering was done. "You wanna take the night off tomorrow and do something?"

"IS she okay?" asked Tina

"Okay," Lizzie said, frowning a bit. "I just want to find out what we can soon so that no one else gets hurt."

"Yeah, she's just... uh, worn out," Michael said.

"Preferably before miss vampire sneaks into the hospital and finishes the job," Warren added.

Dot nodded. "Anyway, I've got to get back up there before those boys decide they can eat my eggrolls. We'll figure something out about our little problem, okay? I don't want to see anybody get hurt either, but everyone's got a right to keep secrets."

"I wish I could do something for her." Tina said "Both of you have been really, really nice to me."

Gil stood and stretched. "Have fun with that. Let me know what you think, oksy? Tell Tina I had to split. Have a good night!"

Michael took a moment to forcibly maintain composure.

"She's fine -- she's just sleeping, is all," Michael said. "I can't seem to get to sleep easily lately, and I kept her up all night."

"Alright, thanks Dot," Lizzie said.

Dot waved. "Have fun!" She headed back up to the bar.

"Have you tried any herbal teas?" asked Tina, after a monment

"Welcome backkkk," Juice said, waving to Dot.

Dot waved. "Thanks! And you even saved me my eggrolls. Bless your hearts."

"I meditate," Michael answered. "But when I come down, I'm as rested as ever. It's starting to bug me."

"We were too full to eat them," Kyle explained.

Katie started reading the book again while waiting for Tina's return.

"Was it the magic, stress, or both?" asked Tina, concerned. She knew that Micheal had asorbed a lot of magic, and she knew that a lot of stressfil things were going on.

"Thank goodness for that," Dot grinned, and ate an eggroll.

Gil had headed out after saying his goodbyes.

"Yes, we did consider it," Juice said.

"I'm sure you did. Thanks for reconsidering it," Dot smiled.

"Whatever I can do for you" Tina said "Let me know, and I'll do it."

"Probably a bit of both," Michael admitted. "I'm going to talk to Kit and Yansa about it on Monday."

"I just feel -wired-," Michael added.

"You want me to take you home?" Sam asked Tim.

"Maybe you should call them tomorrow." Tina said "But I guess Monday isn't too far off... but again. Just let me know what I can do."

"Yeah." Tim said "Well, the Downtowner. That's where Dad and I are staying until we work stuff out. You're going home after that, right? Spending more time with your sister?"

"Yeah... heh. Just do me a favor -- if I look like I'm freaking out to critical levels, call Kit immediately?" Michael asked.

Sam nodded. "Yeah, of course. If she's home," she said.

She got up and gatherd her stuff.

"I will." Tina replied "I need to get back to Katie, before her break is over- but I'll be right there." she pointed to her table "And again, thanks for everything."

"Alright... thank you," Michael said. "And we'll talk about Thanksgiving plans more later."

Juice yawned quietly. 'Man, I'm tired today."

Tim quietly got up to follow Sam. "Bye guys." he said to Dot, Juice and Kyle

Lizzie sighed, and ate a wing. "Well, this was less productive than I thought it would be."

Dot waved. "Bye now."

Tina nodded, and headed back to give Katie a hug and resettle

"Goodnight," Sam said, and headed outwards.
* jasonbeast is now known as sleepinbeast

Katie hugged Tina when she came back.

"Yeah... balls." Warren grumbled. "I'm seriously considering the merits of just planting a bug on her."

"You can stay" Tina said, to Katie "And we're all having Thanksgiving dinner together."

"Really?" Katie beamed.

"Yeah." Tina smiled

"Well, let's see if Dot comes up with anything in the next couple of days," Lizzie said.

"And if not ... we tranquilize her and bug her," Warren summarized.

"Good. Then I have somewhere to be, because I'll be here," Katie said, "while Mom's off lawyering or boinking the architect."

"I'm glad you'll be here." Tina said "It'll make me feel better, because I know that you'll be safe here."

"That's not very ethical, but is it ethical to let people be in danger of vampire attack otherwise?" Lizzie pondered.

Juice closed his eyes while leaning on Kyle's shoulder.

Dot yawned. "I am incredibly tired. What have I gotten myself into?"

"No. Plus, c'mon, she's acting all Stockholm Syndrome. Maybe she's actually in collusion with the vampire," Warren pointed out.

"A goth club," Kyle surmised.

Dot laughed. "Nono, will serving food to people be the death of me?"

"Probably," Kyle said. "Either you'll become sour and bitter and nasty, or something will eat you."

"Well, I don't want that. Hopefully I'll be able to get a better job down the Market when it finally opens," said Dot.

Lizzie blinked. "Whoa, do you think?"

"And then not only will you be tired from running all day, but you'll smell like cow poo," Kyle pointed out.

"Well, she certainly doesnt' seem too quick to be helpful, does she?" Warren said.

"Not if they just let me work selling vegetables," countered Dot. "Besides, cows aren't that bad."

"Only if you're from Iowa," Kyle counter-countered.

"Yeah... I'm trying -not- to end up a demon sacrifice," Katie agreed.

"Definitely not," Lizzie said. "And you'd think that knowing the lady who's in the hospital would make her more helpful."

"Colorado, so, um, close enough?" Dot laughed. "Besides, I'm much more at home down there."

"Veggies are cool," Juice muttered sleepily.

"Yeah, really. God." Warren shook his head.

"They are," Kyle said, and poked Juice in the side.

"I don't know what I'd do if something tried to sacrifce you." said Tina, to Katie "Or if anything tried hurting you."

Dot shook her head. "He's got the right idea. I think I'm gonna go sleep in one of the back rooms."

"Well, this is Sunnydale, and bad things happen," Katie said, and hugged Tina.

Kyle nodded. "Alright -- heh. Take Juice with you, I have to throw out goths in a few."

"Mmm...sleepytime," Juice said, getting up to go.

Dot poked Juice. "Wake up long enough to let me tuck you in, fluffy-head."

"But I don't want them to happen to you." Tina said "You don't deserve it."

Juice'd been working too hard lately to try and get some money together thanks to the brokeness.

"Yeah. But I'll be okay," Katie said.

"Well, it looks like the club is closing- so we'll have to try again tomorrow," Lizzie said.

Tina nodded. "Looks like it's closing time..."

Dot lead the sleepy Juice off towards the back.

Kyle, sure enough, was heading for the intercom. "Alright, kids... closing time. Wherever you go, there you are, but get the hell out."

Warren chuckled. "We could follow her out and see if she's meeting with The Vampyre, though what're the odds?"

"Hi Mike," Dot said, and waved on her way past. "I'm putting this one to bed because otherwise he'll sleep standing up."

Michael nodded. "Okay -- thanks, Dot."

"No problem. I'mma find a little corner back there to curl up in too, if that's okay?"

"Sure. Just don't forget to lock the door," Michael said.

"Willdo! Thanks, Mike!" Dot resumed her Juice-herding.

Michael helped urge goths outwards.

Juice looked really dead on his feet.

"Hm, maybe worth a quick look," Lizzie said.

Katie nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow, Tina." She smiled, and started heading outwards.

"There she goes," Warren said, and quietly started following.

Dot made sure Juice was tucked in, remembered to lock the door, too.

Lizzie made with the following, trying to look like she was casually heading out with the Warren.

Katie headed on out, and to the employee parking lot, to get into her car.

Juice flopped into his bed, displeasing Senor Paco in the process, as he'd been sleeping in the middle. "Rrrrow."

"Toughshit, kitty..." Juice muttered, and petted his hairless feline with a hapazard concern.

"Well, she has a car looks like..." Lizzie said.

Warren took a moment to note the license plate number. "Alright... we'll come back tomorrow and plant a tracking device on the car."

"Sounds like a plan," Lizzie said. It didn't seem like it would do any harm.