Chapter 25: Be The Change You Wish To Ski
Flightless Man
Versed in the lewd.
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Chapter 25: Be The Change You Wish To Ski
Grand Canyon, Arizona
September 19, 5:17 AM MDT
September 19, 5:17 AM MDT
The clinking of empty bottles in the front seat, wakes me up with a groan. Pounding in my head only gets worse as the sunlight washes over me.
The college campers had more than enough booze to share once Roy paid up. Even graciously let us share the site. Though that may have been because they love Mortal Kombat.
Patting the mattress brings great relief. Good, nobody I have to let down easy.
"Brah, keep it down." I think it's Calvin who complains from the floor of my van, with the pair on the bench seat mumbling agreement.
"Whatever." Slipping out the back door, I slam it as hard as I can in a form of petty revenge. Quiet enough for ya Brah?
Six tents are scattered around the cliff side, with Patrick rapped around the fire pit like a snake. His head resting on the leg of one guy who never got out of his lawn chair.
"Did Jade even set her tent up?" I creep through the camp and find on of her hiking boots outside Roy's crimson two-man.
"Oh..." A grin grows as I start planning the design. "This is going to be funny." Really shouldn't have tripped me into that puddle Roy. Get ready for a real case of blue balls.
It takes longer than I would like to create each brick individually. But in the end, it's more than worth it.
"She's going to kill you," Patrick lifts his head of his leg-pillow and grins t the igloo I built around the tent. One without any door.
Shrugging at the obvious, I decide she earned it after a few of the pictures sent to Artemis. "Worth it."
His expression shows how little he believes me. But in the end he decides the better part of valour, is feigning sleep.
"Just tell them I'll be back for lunch. I'm going ice fishing." And just to make sure nobody leaves me out here, I have both sets of keys.
Reaching the edge of the canyon just as the orange rays start stretching down to the river below, I inhale the fresh air. I wasn't really able to enjoy my trip East. So it's strange to find out Roy's not so bad.
Hell... I think I'm starting to actually consider him a friend. How many is that now?
"Doesn't look so high." Peering over the edge, I do know better than just making a straight shot down. Need enough loops to slow me down.
I give the slide a sturdy anchor on the ledge and climb up. Has to be another world record.
"Kowabunga!" Throwing myself onto the slide with a gleeful abandon, I guide the tube back and forth between the canyon walls.
My speed keeps increasing and I'm forced to make over thirty loops on the way. If I didn't, I probably would have shoot right through the ice on the last corner.
Tumbling out beside my fishing rod, I scan the river bank for a good spot. That looks slow enough, I guess it's fine.
A quick blast of blue energy later, and a sheet of ice stretches right to the other side. Should be thick enough for a recliner.
Whistling along with the birds, I cast my line into the river. And now the fun part.
"Can't believe how much Alan charged me for these. Better be damn good stuff." Securing the rod between my knees, I reach into my pocket for one of my joints.
The scream of inarticulate rage that comes from up above, is muffled by both ice and distance. Knowing how long it will take to get out of the igloo, only makes me smirk as I light a match.
Midway Studios, Arizona
September 21, 1:08 PM MDT
The college campers had more than enough booze to share once Roy paid up. Even graciously let us share the site. Though that may have been because they love Mortal Kombat.
Patting the mattress brings great relief. Good, nobody I have to let down easy.
"Brah, keep it down." I think it's Calvin who complains from the floor of my van, with the pair on the bench seat mumbling agreement.
"Whatever." Slipping out the back door, I slam it as hard as I can in a form of petty revenge. Quiet enough for ya Brah?
Six tents are scattered around the cliff side, with Patrick rapped around the fire pit like a snake. His head resting on the leg of one guy who never got out of his lawn chair.
"Did Jade even set her tent up?" I creep through the camp and find on of her hiking boots outside Roy's crimson two-man.
"Oh..." A grin grows as I start planning the design. "This is going to be funny." Really shouldn't have tripped me into that puddle Roy. Get ready for a real case of blue balls.
It takes longer than I would like to create each brick individually. But in the end, it's more than worth it.
"She's going to kill you," Patrick lifts his head of his leg-pillow and grins t the igloo I built around the tent. One without any door.
Shrugging at the obvious, I decide she earned it after a few of the pictures sent to Artemis. "Worth it."
His expression shows how little he believes me. But in the end he decides the better part of valour, is feigning sleep.
"Just tell them I'll be back for lunch. I'm going ice fishing." And just to make sure nobody leaves me out here, I have both sets of keys.
Reaching the edge of the canyon just as the orange rays start stretching down to the river below, I inhale the fresh air. I wasn't really able to enjoy my trip East. So it's strange to find out Roy's not so bad.
Hell... I think I'm starting to actually consider him a friend. How many is that now?
"Doesn't look so high." Peering over the edge, I do know better than just making a straight shot down. Need enough loops to slow me down.
I give the slide a sturdy anchor on the ledge and climb up. Has to be another world record.
"Kowabunga!" Throwing myself onto the slide with a gleeful abandon, I guide the tube back and forth between the canyon walls.
My speed keeps increasing and I'm forced to make over thirty loops on the way. If I didn't, I probably would have shoot right through the ice on the last corner.
Tumbling out beside my fishing rod, I scan the river bank for a good spot. That looks slow enough, I guess it's fine.
A quick blast of blue energy later, and a sheet of ice stretches right to the other side. Should be thick enough for a recliner.
Whistling along with the birds, I cast my line into the river. And now the fun part.
"Can't believe how much Alan charged me for these. Better be damn good stuff." Securing the rod between my knees, I reach into my pocket for one of my joints.
The scream of inarticulate rage that comes from up above, is muffled by both ice and distance. Knowing how long it will take to get out of the igloo, only makes me smirk as I light a match.
Midway Studios, Arizona
September 21, 1:08 PM MDT
I wasn't aware at the time, but Midway was in the process of liquidation when I sold my rights. In only three months, they've made enough to pay off the debt three times over. Everyone in America really does want to hit me.
The new offices are in the better part of Phoenix and are twice the size of the old building. At least according to the brochure.
Roy insisted on coming up with me and once I caved, the other two unbuckled their seat belts. His glare being directed at the board member is amusing. But not as funny as him insisting an archer could work in Mortal Kombat.
"I don't mean to offend you Glenn. But..." Alberto hesitates at the suddenly deadly gleam in Jade's eye.
"Who are they?" He nods in relief and I decide I'm not quite finished screwing with people. "Well she's a martial arts master I grew up with. Figured you might want to base a new character on her."
"I'm not selling my name." Jade is quick to insist, but that just makes Alberto more excited.
He flashes a dazzling white smile and takes the assassin's hand. "That's even better. It's far cheaper to just get your likeness."
The negotiation is fast and by the time we're back in the lobby, Roy's face is nearly crimson. Jade seems just as pleased by her new toy's reaction, as she is by the half million dollar check in her hand.
"Alright..." She holds it up to the light once we return to the heat. "I'm impressed. Not nearly as selfish as I remember." Because even though I forget more than half the time, I'm not really the Cameron you grew up with.
"Tommy was right. You do take care of us Boss." Patrick grins and puts extra emphasis on the title only he knows embarrasses me.
Bubbling with rage at not being able to change anyone insides mind, Roy just holds out his shaking hand for the keys. "Lighter's in the glove compartment?"
"... Yeah." Shocked at him finally succumbing, we follow him with growing excitement.
"I honestly thought he was going to throw it over the ledge once he sobered up," Admits an equally stunned Jade.
"So did I." I'm forced to agree as a cloud of smoke emerges from my van. "I think he needed this trip more than me." The coughing that follows gets all three of us to snicker.
Doing the math in my head as Jade and Pat climb into the back, I realize we should reach El Paso by morning. Which means I need to think fast and give Artemis a call.
I'd have to be blind to ignore how hot she is. But am I honestly good enough for her?
Artemis is an actual hero who wants to help people. I'm just some lazy punk who stole her friend's body.
But if I turn her down now... That's a door I'm closing forever.
The new offices are in the better part of Phoenix and are twice the size of the old building. At least according to the brochure.
Roy insisted on coming up with me and once I caved, the other two unbuckled their seat belts. His glare being directed at the board member is amusing. But not as funny as him insisting an archer could work in Mortal Kombat.
"I don't mean to offend you Glenn. But..." Alberto hesitates at the suddenly deadly gleam in Jade's eye.
"Who are they?" He nods in relief and I decide I'm not quite finished screwing with people. "Well she's a martial arts master I grew up with. Figured you might want to base a new character on her."
"I'm not selling my name." Jade is quick to insist, but that just makes Alberto more excited.
He flashes a dazzling white smile and takes the assassin's hand. "That's even better. It's far cheaper to just get your likeness."
The negotiation is fast and by the time we're back in the lobby, Roy's face is nearly crimson. Jade seems just as pleased by her new toy's reaction, as she is by the half million dollar check in her hand.
"Alright..." She holds it up to the light once we return to the heat. "I'm impressed. Not nearly as selfish as I remember." Because even though I forget more than half the time, I'm not really the Cameron you grew up with.
"Tommy was right. You do take care of us Boss." Patrick grins and puts extra emphasis on the title only he knows embarrasses me.
Bubbling with rage at not being able to change anyone insides mind, Roy just holds out his shaking hand for the keys. "Lighter's in the glove compartment?"
"... Yeah." Shocked at him finally succumbing, we follow him with growing excitement.
"I honestly thought he was going to throw it over the ledge once he sobered up," Admits an equally stunned Jade.
"So did I." I'm forced to agree as a cloud of smoke emerges from my van. "I think he needed this trip more than me." The coughing that follows gets all three of us to snicker.
Doing the math in my head as Jade and Pat climb into the back, I realize we should reach El Paso by morning. Which means I need to think fast and give Artemis a call.
I'd have to be blind to ignore how hot she is. But am I honestly good enough for her?
Artemis is an actual hero who wants to help people. I'm just some lazy punk who stole her friend's body.
But if I turn her down now... That's a door I'm closing forever.