Section I, Next Section
Act I Scene I
Ext. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
May 26, 2014
Christopher Darcy, twenty-two, sped down Lake Shore Drive at midday trying to get to the SuisseHotel on Wacker Drive. Blowing by the other cars on the road, he laughed as they all ate his dust. He fiddled with glove compartment, tried keeping one eye on the road, and looked for the sheet of paper that had the girl's name on it. He thought he should at least know her name if they were going to travel back to Boston together.
When he told his mother about the trip he was taking, and with whom, she laughed so hard that she inadvertently hung up the phone. When he tried phoning her back, she couldn't talk. She told him cryptically that things do come full circle. Going under the underpass, he turned onto Wacker Drive and stopped in front of the SuisseHotel. He didn't see anyone waiting for him. He got out of the car and looked inside the lobby. He saw a lone girl sitting with her head hung low. To Chris it looked as if she was crying. He took long strides to her.
"I'm sorry, but are you Julia Wolcott?"
She sniffled at him and looked at him with teary, bloodshot eyes. "Yes, I'm Julia."
"Yeah, well…" He stuck his hand out nervously. "Chris Darcy. I'm driving you to Boston."
She looked past him. "Which car is yours."
"BMW Aerotracker. Come on, we have a long ride in store for us." She motioned to her luggage expecting him to bring it to the car. He looked dumbfounded at her. Yet, she still walked away expecting him to bring her luggage to the car. He shook his head after her, and picked up her two bags.
"You might want to put the belt on; I tend to drive a bit too fast. Well, that's what my sister Kim says." He peeled out of the parking area and headed back onto Lake Shore Drive. Chris had definitely mastered the art of traffic derby. Julia had the need to hold onto the dashboard for dear life several times. He grinned at her with those deadly Darcy dimples.
"So do you have family back in Boston?" he asked trying to make small talk.
"No, I've been accepted to Harvard University for my Master's degree. I start with the summer term."
"Oh. Studying?"
"Marine Biology, you?"
"Journalism. Right now, I'm going to get a job at a newspaper, make quite a name for myself, then just maybe, I'll continue on with my education. I really don't need to work. But my father thinks it's important. My mom was a journalist in Boston about twenty-five years ago. Elizabeth Bennet."
"I've heard of her. She married that really wealthy man." She turned to him. "Oh, you're that Darcy.
He looked at her and made an ugly face. She turned to look straight ahead. "What exactly does that Darcy mean?" he demanded.
"Just that you're extremely rich." She defiantly looked at him. "And spoiled rotten."
"And you can be the judge of my character by knowing me for twenty minutes?"
"You're quite the open book. Daddy bought the car. Daddy paid for your education, daddy probably is giving you the condo in Boston. How far off the mark am I?"
"Just because someone belongs to a fortunate family, doesn't mean you should start stereotyping people."
"I didn't stereotype you. You did it perfectly well on your own. I'm going to sleep now. Wake me when it's my time to drive." She flashed a brilliant smile, pushed the seat all the way back and started to snooze.
Chris looked down at her and felt like slapping her.
End of scene I
Act I Scene II
Ext. Driving east on main highway
Three hours later
Chris wearily rubbed his eyes and tried to focus on the road. His passenger had managed to fall asleep as soon as she shut her eyes and had not once stirred. He didn't want to turn the radio on and wake her up, and be forced to listen to her tirades about his being a rich boy and getting everything he wanted. He looked at her with contempt. He was getting tired of driving and was looking forward to getting some shut eye. The road held no fascination for him, traffic was light and he was getting a bit hungry. He saw a sign a quarter of a mile back indicating food and thought now was better than never.
Quickly coming to a small restaurant, he pulled into the parking lot and shut the car off. He quickly shook Julia awake and told her that they were stopping to eat. She'd drive next shift. Sleepily getting out of the car, she trudged slowly into the restaurant. Chris and Julia waited at the hostess stand to be seated. Julia continued yawning and stretching, trying to get the kinks out. Although, he had a top-of-the-line SUV, it wasn't necessarily useful for sleeping.
Finally attended to, Julia and Chris sat down at a cramped table looking over menus. Julia looked around at the décor of the restaurant and grimaced.
"Where in the world are we?" she asked annoyed.
"Indiana somewhere. I stopped paying attention." He continued to check the menu not making any eye contact with her.
"How are we supposed to get to Boston, if you don't pay attention to the signs." She interrogated.
"What makes you think I don't already know the route?"
"Well then I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking clearly. I didn't realize that you could also drive to Boston with your eyes shut." She smirked at him.
"You can take the bus, too." He smiled wicked smile to her. "I'm having a drink. If I'm stuck in the car with you for the next fourteen hours, I think I'm due."
"You can't have a drink, you're driving."
"No, you have next shift. I'm sleeping."
"I can't drive a stick shift."
He looked at her in annoyance. "Why the hell didn't you say something earlier! So I'm to drive the whole way back to Boston. This is unbelievable. You do realize that we'll have to stay in a hotel now."
She looked at him in complete disgust. "Well you can stay at the Indiana Four Seasons, and I'll stay at Motel 8. You didn't tell me that the car was a stick." She said obstinately.
A young waitress overheard the heated discussion, and decided to set interference before one of them walloped each other.
"Hello, I'm Brittany, can I get you two drinks?"
"Lager, anything you have on draught." Chris said quickly.
"White wine, please." Julia said abruptly.
The waitress looked over Chris and gave him that certain look that he was more than used to. He returned it willingly. Julia sighed loudly. "We'll have those drinks now, thank you."
Chris laughed at her and continued to look over the menu. "Nothing that great here. Pity."
"Well we are in a two-bit dive in the middle of Indiana and even then you think we are in Indiana." Chris lowered his menu and saw her dark eyes blaze at him. They were almost black with anger. He noted her long, very straight black hair and the bangs that abruptly ended at the bridge of her nose. His hair was a tousled mess of blue-black curls, but it drove the girls wild. But he wasn't having the same effect on Julia. He thought she down-right hated him.
The waitress brought over the drinks and surreptitiously handed a note to Chris. He glanced at the flowery handwriting, looked back to the waitress and nodded his head, all very surreptitiously.
Julia sipped her cold wine slowly and briefly glanced at the menu. She turned to the waitress and placed her order. Chris ordered a burger with fries. The waitress went off with the orders.
"Listen, I'll be back in a minute. Must use the facilities." He smiled at her, and she rolled her eyes at him.
Chris arrived back twenty minutes later. Julia had finished her wine and had been trying to locate her server. She wasn't anywhere to be found. "I didn't realize that salad took twenty minutes to prepare." She shot at him angrily.
"The food will be here. Are you in rush to be somewhere? A hot date with someone?"
"No, I prefer to get to Boston quickly so I don't have to deal with you anymore."
He narrowed his eyes into slits and stared at her. "That m'dear, is the most rational thing you've said since I've met you."
"You're an arrogant son of a--."
He cut her off. "I think you've said more than enough."
End of Scene II
Act I Scene III
Ext. Somewhere in Ohio
Later that night
Chris kept his eyes firmly on the road and spoke not one word to his chauffeured-driven passenger since leaving the restaurant. She looked through a couple of magazines, when the light allowed her to. He just now dared himself a glance at her profile.
Julia Wolcott was by no means beautiful. Not beautiful in the sense that Christopher Darcy was used to. He dated blondes who generally towered over most of the average-sized women. Thin was key for Christopher. Julia, although not beautiful, was intriguing, her small nose seemed way too small for her face. Her shocking black hair and blunt cut made her face look quite pixyish. She wasn't ugly, but unusual to look at. Christopher chalked it up to the eyes. Her eyes were positively black. She was by no means skinny, but had a robust healthiness to her. She dressed fairly decently. Light silk T-shirt with a pair of old tattered jeans. The definite college look.
Julia felt the stare and turned to him. "Did you find something you think I should change on my person?" He quickly brought his attention to the road. That she was positively maddening, was more than true. He silently reprimanded himself for being caught in his examination of her.
Julia had also been examining the devastatingly handsome Mr. Darcy, but his attitude and overall demeanor, had turned her right off. That she was definitely not the type of person that he would be seen with at dinner, the theater or even kissing, struck a strange chord with her. Her standoffishness would be beneficial, she could, if allowed, definitely fall under his charms.
Chris heavily pushed his foot on the gas pedal and shifted down, he was tired and wanted to sleep. Julia felt the speed and quickly held on to the dashboard. "Are you trying to kill us?" He ignored her. "Do you really need to go this fast?" Again he ignored her. "Mr. Darcy! I demand that you slow down now!"
He slowly took his foot off the gas and shifted up. He turned off the highway and made his way down a dark dirt road, after three-quarters of a mile, he stopped at small hotel.
"You do have money to pay for the hotel, right?"
"No, I think I'll sleep here in this most comfortable auto you own." She said sarcastically. "We poor folk aren't used to sleeping in such grandeur style." She added.
"The rooms here are cheap and available. Do what you will. I'm going to sleep. We'll leave at six in the morning. If you're not around, I leave without you." He flashed a smile at her and walked into the hotel.
Julia, dropped her bags heavily onto the floor, looked around her surroundings and climbed onto the bed. She flicked the television on and watched a David Attenborough documentary on the Dens of the Wolves, she noted it was about forty years old. She quickly changed the station when two wolves started mating. She fluffed out the pillows, laid back against them and closed her eyes and saw Christopher Darcy laughing at her. She groaned loudly and covered her head with the other pillow.
Christopher Darcy walked to the bed, checked the sheets, and sat on the chair in the corner. Slowly taking off his shoes and socks, he unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it out of his khakis. He took a small vial of whiskey and poured it into the glass that he took from the bathroom. He drank slowly allowing the alcohol to infiltrate his senses. A very soft knock on the door, startled him. Quietly padding to the door, he opened it and smiled brightly.
"I knew you'd come." and he let her in.
End of Scene III
Act I Scene IV
Ext. Outside hotel
Next morning, six a.m.
Julia stood by the car waiting for Chris to arrive. The irony that she was on time and he would be late, stuck with her. She impatiently paced to and fro and only until she saw him come strolling out of the front door, did she allow herself to breathe. He said not one word to her, opened the driver's side door, got in and leaned over to open her door. Julia silently fumed at his irresponsibility and ungentlemanly behavior towards her.
Swiftly getting into the car, before she even had the door shut, he peeled out of the driveway. "I thought we'd stop off and get coffee somewhere." He said abruptly.
"Fine. What time do you expect us to get into Boston?" He checked his watch, did some imaginary math in his head. "I'd say if we drive straight through with minimal stops? About eight o'clock tonight."
"That long, huh?"
He shot a glaring look at her, "And if you could drive, we would be in Boston by now, so don't you start shooting off your mouth about the time it will take to head into Boston."
Tears prickled her eyes. She positively hated being with him. He was rude, arrogant, mean-spirited, and downright spiteful. She wasn't going to let him get the best of her. She swore that she would rise above him and prove that she was not a worthless piece of trash. Something that a rich boy like him would think. The tears didn't listen to reason and fell down her cheeks. Her sniffling caught his attention.
"Oh man, now why are you crying?" he asked perplexed.
"Why do you hate me?"
"Who said I hated you?" he was a bit annoyed with her, that was true. But hate had always been a strong word in his vocabulary.
"The way you treat me. Like I'm a nobody. I may not be rich like you, Christopher Darcy, but I have feelings too, and since meeting you, you have tried to stomp on them."
He shot her a furious look, "Me! I think not, dear. You have been calling me rich boy since you entered my car. You put me down because of my financial position. I should be questioning why you hate me."
She glared at him with her dark expressionless eyes, "Where were you yesterday for twenty minutes; who entered your room last night?"
He softened his look before speaking. "What I do and who I do it with is my business." He smiled gently to her. "What makes you think I had someone in my room last night?"
She bit on her lip to keep from screaming at him. That he was the most infuriating person she'd ever met was bang on. Chris pulled into a coffee shop drive-thru window and ordered muffins and coffee. She was definitely annoying him.
Heading out onto the main highway, Chris slowly sipped the hot coffee and nibbled on his muffin. He put music on to kill the horrible silence that pervaded the car. Julia looked ahead and quietly ate her food.
Several hours of no communication started wearing on Julia's nerves. He couldn't expect her to stay in the car for hours and not say anything. She thought about making small talk.
"You sound half British half American, where are you from?" she said suddenly.
He smiled at her softly. "Born in England attended schools in the states. My father is British, my mom is American, and you?"
"Well I grew up part-time in San Diego, I was born in a different country." She smiled. "Eh, we have something in common. Are you a citizen?"
"Yes, my mother wanted both me and my sister to have dual citizenship's. I'm perfectly legal and you can't throw me out." He joked.
"Oh." Was all she said.
"So what country were you born in?"
"I was born in one of the Asian countries…"
"Yes, which one?"
"I was born in Japan."
"Interesting. How long did you live there?"
"Well, I still do. My mom is there with her husband."
"I take it he's not your father?"
"Oh, no, my father died when I was younger. Heart attack."
"I'm sorry." He said truly sincerely.
"Don't be. Where in England did you grow up? I've been a couple of times."
"Derbyshire. My mother is owner of the estate I grew up in, Pemberley."
"Never heard of Pemberley. Is it a good size house?"
Chris laughed out loud. "Well they added some rooms, so now it totals about one hundred and twenty rooms altogether."
"Wow, that's pretty big. Does the house go to you on their deaths?"
He shot her a confused look. "What?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be harsh. Do you inherit the house?"
"Technically, no. My father has it so that Kimberley will get the house. He decided that the house will stay on the female side of the line. But only a true Darcy can own it."
"A true Darcy? What does that mean?" He sighed and tried to figure it out himself. Although his father told him time and time again, it still confused him. He did the best he could with Julia, who listened with rapture. He saw that when she wasn't glaring at him, her eyes just about sparkled.
"Interesting way of putting things. Your father really believes that the female line will stay true to the Darcy lineage?"
"Well Kimberley is the apple of his eye. She can do no wrong, but, I'll let you in on a secret, she can. One thing about Kimberley, she may look the angel, but she is definitely all devil. She is Evil."
"So you don't like your sister much?"
"I never said that. I adore her. We are actually quite close. She's just a hellion, but in front of the folks, she is perfect."
"Oh, one of those." She laughed, then he laughed.
"We are very close in age. She's not quite a year younger than me. She's attending Cambridge University. Why don't you tell me something about yourself? Like why you are studying Marine Biology?"
"I love marine life. Always have. It must be because I was always so close to the shore in San Diego. I used to bring home starfish, jellyfish, hermit crabs and keep them as pets. I once helped free a whale that had been entangled in some fishing nets. They needed a strong swimmer who was small enough to get under the whale and cut the net. It was the most exciting thing I've ever done. I was practically on top of this huge massive animal."
"Sounds dangerous, you could've been crushed." He said rationally.
She shook her head. "I was well protected. Although my mother nearly sued the Aquarium when she heard." She grinned at him. He looked at his watch and listened to the rumblings in his stomach.
"How about we have lunch. My treat?"
"Sure." She smiled back at him.
End of Scene IV
Act I Scene V
Int. Wine Bar in Ohio
Same afternoon
Julia and Chris sat companionably in the small café sipping on cold Chardonnay and eating French crusty bread. Julia told Chris a little bit about life in Japan and San Diego, not going into too much detail. She was still fairly wary of him. He found out about her younger brother who was in Japan and finishing up his schooling there. Chris thought it wise to find out where in Boston she was staying.
"I'll be staying in Charlestown with another grad student." She rifled through her backpack. "Ah, her name is Natalie Graves."
"I can drop you off there if it will be easier. Just give me the address."
She narrowed her eyes at him. "All of sudden, you are mister nice guy, what gives?"
He smiled his deadly Darcy smile at her, "I can be nice from time to time."
"Well then, tell me who was in your room last night?" she urged.
"Why is it important to you?"
She laughed at him. "Because I want to know how in the middle of Ohio, you have a woman coming to your hotel room."
He sat back and laughed at her. "It's the Darcy curse." He said mock-seriously. "Women follow the Darcy men wherever we go. It's a horrible curse that we can't seem to break." He stifled a laugh.
She sipped her wine quickly. "Oh, you poor thing. To be so cursed." She said with mock-empathy.
"It's a cruel, cruel world." He smiled. "It was the girl at the desk. I stay at the hotel whenever I drive home. We console each other."
"Oh, that is what you call it. Consoling each other." She said angrily. "You use a girl for your own sick, carnal pleasure and not hours before, you are with the waitress."
"I told you, I am cursed."
"You are conceited." She said bluntly. "I knew that your good nature couldn't last."
"You're the one being hostile right now. Julia, you are the one who dissects everything I say. You put a spin on it, then get angry with me." He took a fierce bite of the bread.
She looked at him over the wine glass and took a long sip. "The thing is Christopher, you are incredibly handsome, rich and available. But you know it. That is what's so disturbing."
"So you think I'm incredibly handsome?"
"Did you hear a word I just said? Will you stop thinking of your looks and think of the person deep down inside of you. You probably have a lot of potential, but you let everything else cloud it." She sighed.
"I don't need to be changed…"
"No one is trying to change you. " she interrupted. "But vanity will get you nowhere, especially in this day and age."
"Where did you become so knowledgeable? You would think that you knew me." He said contemptuously enough to make her shiver. "Don't ever question why I do what I do."
She sat back and stared at him. "I think perhaps the two of us weren't meant to be friends." She said resignedly. "Your vanity will always get the better of you." She thought she saw him flinch.
Act I Scene VI
Ext. Pennsylvania
2.30 p.m.
Christopher's jaw continued to move every time he thought of what Julia mentioned at lunch. He never, ever considered himself vain before, just fortunate. Who was this -- this person to question what he did and how he did it! Julia dared not speak one word to him. He looked ready to pounce on her, and she was frightened of his fierce temper, if he did, in fact, have one.
He couldn't believe that she had the audacity to call him vain after only knowing him for a couple of hours. No one dared to call him vain. He tried to gather his thoughts and exile her voice saying, "Your vanity will always get the better of you." He had a sudden urge to gun the gas and just take off as fast as he could.
"I'm not vain, Julia. You don't know me, please don't think you know me." He mentioned quietly.
"Maybe we should just let that discussion go." She said tightly. "It's not going to do us any good to harp on what was talked about in the restaurant."
"Agreed."
Charlestown, MA
8.30
Chris followed the directions that Julia had written down and finally made it to 2342 Monument Avenue in good time. To say that both were relieved, would be an understatement. Julia briskly exited the car and grabbed one bag. Chris grabbed the second.
"What floor?" he asked.
"Fourth, no elevator, though."
"That's okay. Will someone be there to let you in?"
She smiled to him. "I think so." Julia took off up the stairs with Chris nipping at her heels. She knocked on the door three times before a beautiful tall blue-eyed blonde model answered the door. Julia, for one reason or another, felt her heart sink.
"Hi, I'm Natalie." The blonde mentioned holding her hand out to Julia, but looking right at Chris.
"Julia. Nice to meet you." She turned to see watch Chris' expression and amazingly, he didn't seem to have one. Julia brushed past Natalie and motioned Chris to enter. Chris flashed his dazzling smile to Natalie, then turned to Julia.
"Well, I'll get going." He held his hand out to Julia. "It was some interesting drive. Good luck at Harvard." He stole yet another glance at Natalie, who read his looks brilliantly.
Julia watched the lingering looks, the bright dazzling smiles and narrowed her eyes at the two of them. Loudly dropping her bag, the other two looked at her. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize that I had disturbed you two. Christopher Darcy it was an interesting drive. I'm just glad that we didn't kill each other."
"Don't worry about it." He turned to Natalie, "You and I should have dinner some night."
"Sound wonderful." She cooed.
Julia walked throughout the apartment trying to find her bedroom. She couldn't believe that he was picking up her just-met roommate. Well, two beautiful people deserve each other. Too plastic anyway, she thought angrily. Finally finding her room, she went in, slammed her door and laid down on the bed.
She heard Chris give his number to Natalie and then a long silence, then the door shutting. He was gone.
End of Act I
Act II Scene I
Int. Cambridge University
"I don't care what he says, it's not for him to say what I do or who I do it with. He's just a child. I will go to that club tonight and, I will wear that dress." Kimberley Darcy said petulantly
"He's not going to like this, Kim. You heard what he said, he will kill you." Her friend said.
"Like my father will let him lay one slimy hand on my head. I don't think so. I told him it was over. He can't take no for an answer, that is his problem. I will be there." Kimberley turned from the mirror and smoothed down her golden locks. She pursed her lips and blindly put on the deepest shade of red lipstick on. "There, how do I look?"
"Beautiful as always, Kim. You know that."
"I know, I just wanted to hear you say it." The other girl rolled her eyes. "You can leave too. Go on, get out!"
"But Kim…"
Kim smiled wickedly at Hilary. "Don't you ever, ever roll your eyes at me or I'll tear them out. Now go on and try to look decent tonight. I don't want to show you up again, it is quite pathetic when the guys come crawling to me and leave you high and dry. Marc is on his way over, and I need you gone"
"Okay, Kim, sorry."
Hilary left the room and Kim snickered at her back. "Fat cow, she is."
Kim's phone rang several times before she answered. "Darcy here."
"Hello, dearest."
"Dad, what are you doing phoning me. I'm on my way out."
"Your mom wanted to see how the studies were going. She was upset that you decided to stay on during the summer term." Kim sighed. Her mother could be quite problematic at times.
"Well, you know, studying hard. Actually tonight we're studying all night at the library. Gotta keep getting those good grades."
Will laughed on his end, "You are a good girl, Kim. Just wanted to let you know that your brother is in Boston, so ring him when you can break free from the books, okay, love?"
"Yeah, whatever. Give mom hugs and kisses, and dad?"
"What, dear?"
"Try not to call around this time, I'm always studying, and you don't want to interrupt when I'm on a roll, right?"
"Right. Have fun." She hung up with her father, and decided she should call her brother. She looked at the time and started dialing his number.
Chris picked up after five rings, and not particularly happy either.
"Well is that some way to greet your sister, dear brother?"
"What the hell did you want?" he said angrily.
"Dad phoned and said to ring you. I am. Am I interrupting an amorous love session. What model are you having fun with this week?"
"Kim, you're in top form, I am busy -- so we'll talk tomorrow. Bye." He hung up the phone.
A knock on the door brought a smile to her face. Marc stood at the doorway, smiling lecherously at her. She grabbed him by the collar and dragged him into her room, kissing him.
"It's about time you've come. I thought you'd keep me waiting all night." Marc quickly turned the lights off.
End of Scene I
Act II Scene II
Int. London Nightclub
Hilary followed Kimberley into the club. Loud music and bright lights saturated the room. A young man sidled up to Kim asking for a dance, but she waved him off with a flick of her hand. Not handsome enough, she turned to Hilary and mouthed. Kim saw exactly what she had come for and dragged Hilary to the opposite side of the floor.
"Colin Parker is here, Hilary, I want you to lurk over by him and find out if he is with someone. Tonight is the night he gets to meet Kimberley Darcy. Now, go on!" Kimberley continued to stare at the handsome gentleman while Hilary made her way over to his area.
Kimberley walked to the long bar and ordered a drink, making sure to watch Hilary and her prey. She had been following this gent for some time and tonight was the night she would make her move. Slowly sipping her drink, she noticed Hilary slinking up to a table beside the handsome Mr. Parker. That gentleman turned to Hilary and smiled. Hilary did what came naturally and blushed, profusely. Angrily, Kim watched the transaction and tried to wave Hilary back over. Hilary was ignoring her mistress.
Kimberley cursed her so-called friend and walked over to where Hilary had sat down with Colin Parker. Not one to be outdone, Kim accidently tripped and spilled her drink on the front of Hilary's crushed velvet maroon dress. Mr. Parker immediately attended to the wet girl, as did Kimberley.
"Oh goodness, dear me, I'm such a klutz. I hope it's not ruined, miss?" Kimberley glared at Hilary. "Perhaps you should go to the ladies and see if you can take care of your beautiful dress." Hilary looked at Kimberley and did as requested. She turned to Colin Parker and flashed him her bright beautiful smile with her incredible dimples.
"Hello, I hope nothing spilled on you, sir." She said shyly.
"Not at all. I am sorry for the young girl. She seemed quite mortified. Do you think you should go see to her." She tilted her head to him and tossed her hair to the side.
"I think she's fine. I'm sorry, I've been rude. May I introduce myself?"
He watched her, and smiled. "Of course, Miss --."
"Kimberley Darcy." She held out her hand, and he bowed over it and kissed her hand. "And you are?"
"Colin Parker, Miss Darcy."
"And are you here alone, sir?"
He looked her over and was intrigued by what was in front of him. She was particularly dazzling and beautiful, he had to admit. But something about her, made him wary. "I am here with a friend."
She cast her eyes down, "Oh. Well, Mr. Parker, I will disturb you no longer." She gave him her hand again. "Although it was very nice to meet you." She raised her eyes to him, tilted her head again, watched him and reeled him in.
"Oh not a woman, Miss Darcy. Would you care to join me. My friend went to get drinks." He looked down at her empty glass. "Perhaps you'd like another?"
She smiled prettily to him. "That would be wonderful." She scored. "However, please call me Kim, I'm not too fond of Miss Darcy."
"Well Kim, then you can call me Colin." Kim had a vision of running her fingers through his hair, but didn't want to scare him off yet. This was going to be a fun conquest. If easy, she thought. Hilary came back from taking care of the spill and saw Kim and Colin chatting away happily. She watched the movements of Kim. The way she leaned into him, laughed and covered her mouth with her dainty, delicate, well-manicured hand. She would surreptitiously put a hand on his knee, then withdraw it very quickly. She would whisper into his ear, flash her dazzling smile. And he took the bait -- hook, line, and sinker. Hilary felt almost sorry that Kim got her claws into him, and that he would be taken apart piece-by-piece, and never even know it.
If Kimberley had a problem with Hilary, she would just tell her that she got her the introduction she needed. But somehow she didn't think that Kim would take that as an answer. Hilary made her way to the bar and ordered a drink, alone, as usual.
End of Scene II
Act II Scene III
Int. Kimberley Darcy's Flat
Two days later
Kimberley talked at length to her brother. She told him about finally meeting the elusive Mr. Parker, although nothing had taken place at that gentleman's behest. She was very intrigued by him. Christopher told her about the ride from Chicago to Boston from Hell, explaining Julia to her. But he gave absolutely no physical description of her. He did however describe the roommate at length, much to Kimberley's chagrin.
"Chris, is that all you do, shag blonde bombshells?" she asked exasperatedly.
"You're one to talk. What has you all riled up today?"
"I generally score faster than this. But this guy, he's… oh, I don't know -- different?" Kim sighed heavily into the phone causing her brother to laugh at her.
"You know, Kimmy, it's not that bad, he'll come around. You're a beautiful woman, of course he'll have you."
"It should read had, though. Listen, Chris, I love talking to ya and all, but I'm going now. Oh yeah, have you seen Ted around?"
"No, should I have? Is he back in Boston?" he groaned loudly, Ted Bingley was cousin to the Darcys and a year younger than Chris.
"Yeah, he's going to Harvard in the fall. Don't you open mail or listen to phone messages. Why do you think we have phonemail, dummy?"
"Oh right. No, I haven't seen him. Will chat with you later. Kim?"
"Yes, Christopher?"
"I love you. Don't forget it, okay?"
She blew a kiss into the phone. "Yeah, me too. I'll see about coming to Boston in August."
"Great. Talk soon." And they both hung up.
Colin Parker decided to take the enigmatic route with Kimberley Darcy. He knew exactly who she was and what she represented. He'd always wanted an introduction with her because she was considered the most beautiful girl in all of London. And her millions didn't hurt either. Because of her spoiled nature, he thought by teaching her that she couldn't always get what she wanted, she would modify her horrendous behavior. He wanted Kim, was true. He would have her, was also true, but on his terms and his conditions. He was prepared to fight the Devil head on, and when she did succumb to him, she would think it was all her, but he'd know it was all him.
He continued walking to her flat, took the elevator and was at her front door within minutes. Quickly knocking on the door, she looked quite shocked when she saw him at her door.
"Colin, what do I owe this honor?" she said somewhat taken aback.
"I thought I'd surprise you and take you out to dinner. We have reservations at Ché Monde," He checked his watch. "In about twenty minutes. Why don't you dress, and then we'll head out."
Kim looked down to her clothes and thought them very presentable, but did as he wished. She chose a light silk slip dress. She put her hair into a French twist, spritzed some scent on herself and then waited for the response. None was forthcoming. He offered her his arm and led her to his car.
Most men turned their heads when Kimberley Darcy walked into a room and that she knew it, she made sport of it. Usually finding one guy and making eye contact with him, teasing him. But tonight, her eyes were focused on the gentleman in front of her. She tried to look coquettish. She tried to look naïve. Sipping her wine, she stared at him over the top of her glass. He read her looks, and silently laughed to himself. To him, this was fun. To Kimberley, she felt as if she were failing. She decided to loosen the moment by making small talk.
"What brings you to this part of London?"
"Work. I've been working with an advertising firm in the center. How do your studies go at Cambridge?"
"Well, British Literature isn't too difficult. Although I have been thinking of changing to a more needy major in some sort of financial background. My father was a very important player at Fidelity Investments."
"Of course, everyone has heard of William Darcy. He was one of the most well-respected investment advisors in the world. He made the markets do what he wanted. I'd say he was the second most influential man to Alan Greenspan in his day."
"Yes. He was very important. But that was a long time ago. Now, he stays with my mother at Pemberley. I don't think I've ever met two people more in love with each other." She smiled prettily to him.
"And who do you resemble? I thought both parents were dark?" He put his elbows on the table and leaned closer to her.
"I resemble two aunts. Georgiana and Jane. They were fair. My brother, Christopher, is a dead ringer for my father. But has mom's quick intuition and wit."
He laughed. "So you come from a family of beautiful people." She blushed and fidgeted in her chair.
"Well, yes, my family does have the looks. It can be hindrance at times."
"Not such a bad hindrance, eh?" she watched his expression, trying to figure him out, but couldn't. He was a closed book at times.
"You know much of my family, Mr. Parker?" she said with a hint of frustration.
His eyes sparkled at her. "Ah, you're getting frustrated with me. I can tell because you revert back to calling me Mr. Parker."
She felt like stomping her foot, or rushing into his wanting arms and kissing him. A kiss that he'd never had before. She swallowed a large mouthful of wine to shake those thoughts from her head.
"Forgive me, but I don't get frustrated very often, I just made an observation that you knew a bit more about my family than the normal person would. It would seem that you had been checking up on me." She knew she made a direct hit, by the way his eyes lit up.
"You have figured me out, Miss Darcy. I am quite the open book." He said simply.
She decided to become bold. "So how long have you wanted me?"
He picked up his wine glass, took a long sip, and said nothing.
End of Act II
Act III Scene I
Int. Harvard Yard
Two weeks later
Julia sat under a maple tree reading one of her textbooks. The hot June weather made life unbearable for her, and she missed the sanctity of home. Home in Japan and home in San Diego. She was, surprisingly enough, getting along famously with her roommate, who in return was getting along famously with the handsome Christopher Darcy. Chris generally had Natalie meet him elsewhere, and Julia hadn't seen him since he left her two weeks ago. Julia questioned whether or not she had a problem with Chris and Natalie. She didn't think she did. But yet, she thought about him. Wishing maybe she had said this instead of that. Not been quite so judgmental. She shook her head to clear her thoughts of him and continued to look at the page. But those dimples just wouldn't go away.
A girl that Julia had met her on first day of advanced microbiology came up to her in the yard and parked down beside her. "Julia, we're all heading to Jillians for some Virtual Reality, would you care to join us. Have a couple of beers, some light appetizers?"
"Thanks, Lisa." She thought a moment. "Yeah, it sounds like fun. What time?" Lisa gave her the time and Julia told her that she'd be there. "Lisa, I'm going for a swim later, I'll meet up with you there." Julia called out to her. Lisa waved her response. Julia brushed herself off and headed to the Square to pick up her bus that would take her home.
Christopher Darcy liked Natalie. She was beautiful, smart, savvy and rich. She also didn't have problems satisfying any needs and wants that he had. He sat staring at Natalie in her apartment. Watching the blue eyes with the little flecks of gold and brown. She barely blinked. He came closer to her and kissed her. She slipped her hands around his neck and murmured something, he wasn't paying attention.
He gently pushed her away and stood up. "We should take this to my place."
"Julia is gone for hours, Chris. No, I want you here." She moved her hand suggestively over his chest. "And there." She moved it up to his shoulder. "And right here…" he groaned. He came closer to her again and kissed her. She started getting up, to lead him into her bedroom. Chris grabbed hold of her hand and silently walked into her bedroom with her.
Julia walked in moments later. Her long hair dripping wet from the good swim she just had. Her skin tingled from the many laps she took. She felt good, lucid and ready for anything. She headed into the kitchen and poured herself a water. She headed into the bathroom to put her hair up in a towel. Her long black hair usually took forever to dry as it was very porous and held the water. She decided upon taking a bath before heading to Jillians. She ran the water, getting the temperature just to the right settings. She added a little bit of bubble to it, but not too much, she wanted to soak.
Heading into her bedroom, she went through her closet to pick an outfit for the evening. Once that was done, she went into the tub. She put on a gel mask for her eyes and let the water and steam envelop her. She was thinking of a test she was preparing for and tried to remember formulas, equations, etc… Julia removed the towel from her hair and sank back into the water. Taking the beauty bar and running it across her stomach and her legs. She soaped up her legs good and took the buff and gently worked it down her leg. After she finished with that, she just closed her eyes and relaxed.
Natalie headed into the kitchen wearing nothing more than a big smile on her face. Chris headed into the bathroom. At first, Chris didn't see her, but he heard sounds in the tub, wheeling around he saw her, eyes closed, and not extremely well-covered with the water. He watched her for a minute. He watched as she sighed and kept pouring water over her midsection. She raised her knee and lowered it. She positioned the bath pillow that she was leaning against, but she never opened her eyes. Quietly turning around, he made his exit without disturbing her.
He walked up to Natalie. "Get dressed. We're going to my place, now." He grabbed her a little too roughly and pointed her into the direction of the bedroom.
"What got into you?" she said angrily.
"Nothing, but we are leaving, now." He threw his clothes and shoes on and grabbed his keys that were on the coffee table. Natalie put on a simple sundress and sandals and was pulled out of the apartment. Once in the car, he laid into her.
"This is the last time I come to you. If you want to see me, you come to me. I do not want what happened…" he trailed off.
"What happened." She said getting very upset.
"Nothing." He growled. "Just forget everything I just said. I wasn't myself."
She looked at him and wondered about him. "What is wrong, darling?"
He smiled to her and squeezed her hand. "I'm sorry. Forgive me, please?"
"Of course, I forgive you."
He kept his focus on the road. "Do you and Julia get along?"
"Yes, we do. She is very beautiful and men just go crazy over her. But she doesn't see it. She has incredible eyes."
"That she does have. Very unique eyes, positively black at times. Does she talk to her mother at all?"
"Julia is extremely close to her. Her mother's name is Toshie Yukimota, I've talked to her several times. Very sweet person. She lived in the states from many years before going back to Japan. After Julia's father died, her mom was devastated and went into mourning in Japan."
"Julia told you all of that?"
"No. Her mom did. I've seen pictures of her mom; she is very beautiful, you know painfully beautiful. Before she had Julia, she was married shortly, but she doesn't talk about it. Julia mentioned that this marriage is her third."
"Oh. Would you say that Julia resembles her mother?"
"Well, Julia at times can look positively Japanese and at times positively American. She has a kimono that when she wears it around the house, she looks like a Geisha girl." She laughed. "Julia doesn't see herself as beautiful. She thinks she is weird looking. But she's not. She is exotically beautiful.
"Yes, she is."
After Christopher left the bathroom, Julia felt a swish of cold air and shivered. She took the mask of her face and looked around the room. She called out to Natalie, but she didn't answer. Finishing up with her bath, she looked for the towel that was there, but now was gone and scratched her head. She ran into her bedroom to get another towel.
It took her about forty-five minutes, to make herself presentable. Tonight she was going to allow herself a good time. She put a little blusher on, some light pearly lipstick. She checked herself once again in Natalie's mirror and finally liked what she saw.
End of Scene I
Act III Scene II
Int. Jillian's
The loud music and dimmed lighting greeted Julia as she entered the building of the Activities fun center. She scoped the room looking for her friends. Lisa spotted her and waved her over.
"This place is crazy." Julia said practically screaming. The loud music and the sounds of video games and electronic pinball machines whizzing in the background made having a conversation difficult. A waitress walked around taking drink orders. Julia ordered a beer.
"They have a separate room for the virtual reality. We set times up. Lucky you gets to go first. You can choose from three topics, superhero, dragracer or romantic lovers."
"Ah, what did you choose?" she asked Lisa.
"Superhero, I want to be Superman." Julia smiled. A couple of young men came up behind Lisa and tickled her. "Ah. Thanks guys. Hey let me introduce you to Julia Wolcott, we're in Advanced Microbiology together. Julia, this is Ted and this is David. Ted will be attending Harvard in the fall. Masters program in U.S Domestic Public Policy. David is a slacker."
Julia caught Ted's eye, and he smiled at her. "It's a pleasure."
Lisa turned back to Julia. "So have you decided what VR you want to do?"
"I think the romantic lovers has some potential."
"I've done that." David said. "It's interactive. They pick a guy to do the guy part and you do the girl part and see what comes out of it. It can get way out of hand at times. But you'll have fun. Hopefully you'll get a good guy out of it." He smiled. The waitress brought over the drinks and they all sat down companionably.
Julia sat and listened, quietly sipping her drink. She answered questions when asked. She enjoyed observing the room and the different types of people that congregated there. Lisa announced that it was their time for VR.
Julia walked into a darkened room and listened to the young boy explain the rules and conduct of using VR. He escorted her into a ring and put a VR helmet on her head. He explained to her how to move around and if she got dizzy to stop, take the helmet off and raise her hand. An attendant would be right there to help her. He gave her a couple of minutes to get acclimated to the helmet and the hand gears. She gave the thumbs up when she was all set.
The café was crowded and Julia saw herself, but she wasn't herself, she was tall and blonde. Wearing a beret with a short leather skirt, cut way up the thigh. Her legs were crossed and she shook a well-toned leg and spiked heels. A man walked over to her giving her a rose. She refused it. Julia turned around and saw what she had been waiting for. He had come. But she gave him the cold shoulder. He put an arm around her, begging her to forgive him. She could not. She would not. She got up and walked out of the café. A man on the street watched her wiggle as she continued down the street. The man followed her again, begging for a second chance. He smiled. The dimples had her. He knew she would give in to him.
She clicked a button and was in a house. The same man had changed into something more comfortable. Julia noted wearing a long flowing nightgown. Until then she didn't know the face, she hadn't quite seen him. Just the dimples. Julia whirled around the circle trying to see his face. The man tenderly kissed her, but she started fighting him off. Again, he kissed her even more passionately and she couldn't help but give in. Julia parted her lips in response. She moved her hands to wrap around him. She saw her legs give out underneath her body. His response and ardor became more than she could handle. She moved her hands down to her side. She felt something, but couldn't quite put her finger on it. Her breathing became labored. She watched as the man moved his hands up and down her body and she saw herself give in to his touch. Julia closed her eyes, imagining. But the moment was lost when her eyes were closed. Quickly reopening them, she saw him.
She became ferocious. Working herself into a frenzy. She could feel his hot breath against her neck. She moved her hand to her neck and mimicked his touches. She could feel herself becoming overpowered and breathless. She went after him with the same feral enthusiasm as he did. Her prowess didn't shock him at all. He encouraged, teased, and demanded of her. She didn't disappoint. The apex came and she sighed. The screen switched off, and she found herself trying to calm herself down. She sat down, shaking all over.
The attendant came into the room and flooded it with light. "The person that played against you has asked to meet you. It's up to you." Julia could feel the warmth in her face, as tiny dots of perspiration lined her forehead.
"Yes. I would like to meet him to." The young man walked in the other partner. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her body down. Her body felt positively electric.
The door opened slowly and before Julia had time to react, Christopher Darcy stood before her and smiled.
End of Scene II
Act III Scene III
Int. Jillian's
Julia watched Chris as he came into the room. She said not one word. He too said nothing, just watched her. He rubbed his eyes and shook his head. He wasn't expecting to walk into the room and see her. However, he was pleasantly surprised. He came within inches of her. She thought that had he touched her she would have exploded with finality of the exercise. Her head continued to spin.
"You were quite strong; you kept fighting off my advances. What made you give in?" He moved to the extra chair that was in the room and sat down.
She looked down and now the flushed look gave way to heightened color of blushing. He moved the chair closer to her and she felt his breath on her neck. She closed her eyes.
"You overpowered me." She said softly.
"Ah, but I didn't." he said honestly.
"We can't let anyone know about this. It's too embarrassing, and I'm sorry that you witnessed that. I seemed to have lost myself in the fantasy."
He smiled at her. "Don't be embarrassed. It's nice to know that you have a healthy appetite and quite a ravenous one at that. Fantasies can be quite rewarding." Julia rose and headed to the door.
"Julia?"
"Yes?" She turned to look at him.
"You look very beautiful tonight." He remembered her in the tub and smiled. "Just thought you'd like to know that."
"Thank you." She exited the room.
Lisa, Ted and David all spoke of their VR experiences. Julia couldn't tell them about hers, but did tell them that it wasn't quite what she had expected. Ted paid particular attention to Julia, and she liked the attention. He was very handsome with deep blue eyes and sandy-blonde hair. He was at least 6'2, with a muscular build.
"Would it be extremely bold of me to invite you back to my brownstone?" Ted suddenly asked Julia.
"It would be bold. But I could be just as bold and accept." She smiled to him.
"I have plenty of food, drink and anything else that you would need. My car is outside." He motioned to the door.
Julia told Lisa that she was heading out with Ted. Lisa smiled knowingly and sent them off. He helped her into his car.
"You've been quiet since your VR, did something go wrong?"
"Oh no, not at all. It was very interesting. The man they had me with was quite interesting."
He put his hand on her knee and stroked it lightly. She shuddered at first. But his touch was light and soft. "I think you need to tell me your last name Ted."
"Oh yes, Bingley. Sorry and yours is?"
"Wolcott. Perhaps we should just reintroduce ourselves?" He laughed then turned onto Commonwealth Ave.
"Sounds great. Hello, I'm Ted Bingley, and you are."
"Julia Wolcott, sir." She laughed out loud.
"Well that is a beautiful name, Miss Wolcott."
Julia blanched, "It's Mrs."
"You're married?"
She sighed sadly. "Just recently divorced."
End of Scene III
Act III Scene IV
Int. Ted Bingley's Brownstone
Ted made a pot of coffee and listened to Julia's tale of getting married at too young an age. She was eighteen, and her father had just succumbed to a fatal heart attack. She had met Matthew Wolcott during her first year at college, fell in love and married. The marriage lasted just under four years. She reiterated time and again that Matthew was a good person, the passion and love that they had two years prior was gone. Two struggling undergraduates with bills and responsibilities were doomed. Her mother was against the marriage, but supported her daughter.
Julia went on to tell of her mother and her devotion to her. "My mother is the one woman that I can always look to. She has instilled in me so many good qualities. She adored my father and he adored her. Losing him, nearly drove her crazy. They were together for nearly twenty years. We traveled a lot because of his job in the marines. We moved all over the place."
Ted smiled at her and let her continue. "The day I left Chicago was the day that my divorce became final. I was leaving everything that I knew for four years. Matthew didn't have the nerve to see me off. He was just as upset that it didn't work out." She allowed a tear to form in her eye. "The worst part about it was the ride to Boston. I was with the most vain person. I have never quite met anyone like him. Now he's dating my roommate. Blonde Goddess named Venus. But let's forget about him and my sad past."
Ted looked at Julia then slowly walked to her and pulled her into a strong embrace. She felt comforted by his strong arms and soothing words that he whispered into her hair. She looked up at him and stared into those beautiful blue eyes and became lost for a moment.
"Julia, you are very beautiful."
"Sometimes I am. You are beautiful, too." She smiled to him.
"I have the best of both worlds. Brains and some looks, but not much. I have another side to my family who put the beauty back in beautiful."
Julia laughed, then took his face into her hands and gently kissed him. "I guess that was too bold."
"No, I'd say that was just right." He smiled at her.
Chris couldn't get what happened earlier out of mind. He was still reeling with the knowledge that it was Julia who blew his senses to smithereens. He found himself impatient with Natalie. He didn't want to talk, but think. He didn't want company, but craved for quiet and solace. Two weeks ago, he was ready to kill her. What was going on? He didn't know. He couldn't begin to comprehend what he was feeling.
What he did need was a drink. Chris unceremoniously dumped Natalie back at her apartment and headed to the nearest dive pub. He wanted to be unknown and just sit at the bar and drink. He went into a dank and dirty bar, that old men hung out at. It smelled and looked disgusting, but it would suffice. Ordering a whiskey, he sat at the bar. He finished it in one gulp, then decided to order the bottle. He needed to clear his thoughts of Julia. The eyes, he thought. The magical black eyes, that haunted his days. He was being ridiculous. He had a gorgeous girl in Natalie. She did everything for him. She looked good with him. But he felt nothing. He always felt nothing.
He poured another drink and another drink. Until a guy came up to him and started in on him. Chris felt the blow to the back of his head and whirled around. The whiskey had started taken effect. He couldn't quite see clearly. But he knew he landed the punch, by the sound of breaking bones in the man's face. Another man managed to jump on him and bring him down, but he managed to get back up. He didn't know what was going on. He flung the whiskey bottle at someone's head, holding the broken shards of bottle in front of him. One guy came forward, and Chris mentioned that if he came any closer he would kill him.
Red lights and sirens greeted the patrons of the seedy bar. Chris was pummeling someone and never saw the baton come and hit him across the shoulders, he went down. The his hands were taken behind him and cuffed. He went into the van and deposited in the city jail.
End of Scene IV
Act III Scene V
Int. Ted Bingley's Brownstone
Next day
Julia awoke in a sitting position on the sofa with Ted's arms firmly wrapped around her. She tried to move her neck, but the stiffness made it hurt too much. He felt her movement and tried to move also, but couldn't also due to soreness. He managed to kiss her instead.
"Good morning, Julia." He said, very happily.
She smiled back at him. "And to think yesterday I didn't even know you." She joked. "I don't think the next time I sleep over it will be in this position or in this location." She quirked her eyebrows up suggestively.
"I have a great four-poster bed upstairs, I wonder how we neglected to use it?" he scratched is head sarcastically. "I'll make the coffee."
"Uh, Ted, you don't need to. I have a class in couple of hours, and I have to get going." She wrote down her phone number. "Call me later, we'll hook up." He leaned into her to kiss her and she gave in very willingly. She smiled to him as she headed out the door.
Julia arrived home in about twenty-five minutes and noticed that the apartment didn't look slept or lived in. She called to Natalie and received no answer. She knocked on her door and still received no answer. She opened and saw the room empty. She immediately thought of Chris.
Heading into the kitchen to make tea, she pushed the play button on the answering machine.
"Hi, Nat, it's me. I… uh…I need about a thousand bucks… I seem to have got into a little bit of a trouble. Okay, I'm in jail. Will you come down and bail me out. I can repay you when you get here. They won't let me pay."
Julia listened to the message again. He made the call late last night, and Nat never got it. "Oh God! Christopher, you stupid son of a -- What are you thinking of!" Julia grabbed her keys off the table and ran for a bus.
Frantically Julia arrived at the Boston police station, she could get no one's attention, and had no clue how to bail anyone out of jail. She finally tracked down a police officer who told her what to do.
"Can I at least see him?" she asked.
"Sure, what did you say the name was?"
"Darcy, Christopher Darcy."
The officer looked through a log and buzzed her into the secured area. He brought her down a narrow hallway, that was dimly lit and into an area where there about six jail cells.
"Anyone here named Darcy?" All the prisoners piped up claiming yes.
"He's British." She told the officer.
A lone "I am." Brought Julia to his cell. Julia walked over to him and saw his swollen face, busted lip and bruised ego. She slipped her hand in between the bars and touched his swollen-shut eye. "What happened?"
"I got into a little bit of a fight." He smiled.
"I see that. Why?"
"Where's Nat? I called her, why didn't she come?"
Julia sighed. "I don't know where Nat is. She wasn't home when I got home this morning. I just now picked up your message and rushed down here. I paid your bail." The officer opened the cage and let him out.
"You stayed out all night?" he asked curiously.
"Yes. I did." She said tentatively
"Did you have fun?"
"I'm a little stiff, but the man was very nice."
Christopher looked away. "Do you mind coming back to my place. I'm a little stiff myself. I got hit by the cop." Julia lifted his shirt and saw the huge welt on his back.
"Oh my God!"
Her eyes glistened with tears when she saw his back. "Of course, I'll help you at home."
Julia called for a cab to take them back to 16 Joy Street. To Julia, Chris' face resembled the Phantom's. Once they arrived at the house, Julia helped him out of the car. Once inside, Julia marveled at the décor. All white with splashes of color. A couple of famous paintings and over the mantel, two Ivory elephants. She stared at them for an inordinately long period of time. Chris headed up stairs and changed into flannel bottoms. No shirt. He gingerly sat and leaned against the sofa. She sat down beside him.
"Would you like some tea or coffee? Anything to eat?" He shook his head no. She couldn't keep her eyes off his well-toned smooth chest. "Do you have any antibiotic ointment I can rub into the wound on your back." He told her where to find the medicine. She found it and hurried back down to her patient. Chris had stretched on the sofa and his feet were dangling off the edge. She laughed when she saw such a sight. She sat into the curve that he created for her and started rubbing the ointment into his wound.
"Are you going to tell me what started this fight. I think a thousand dollars is a good reason to?" she said as she delicately rubbed the medicine into his back.
"I was clearing my head, having a drink, a guy was drunk, started fighting with me, and I pummeled him. Ow!"
"Sorry. Fighting never solved anything."
"So who was this guy that you bonked last night?"
"What? I didn't bonk anyone last night. I fell asleep in his arms." He turned his head to look at her, and gave her an incredulous look. "On the sofa, thank you. That is why I am stiff. That is why he is stiff!"
"Yes, in more than one place, too. So, who was he?"
"It's really none of your business. There I'm done. But I do need gauze for your eye, where do you keep it? And peroxide?" He gave her the directions, and she easily found what she needed again.
She took a cotton ball and soaked it in peroxide to clean the wound around his eye. His eye was so badly swollen that he looked like it would be permanently shut. He flinched a couple of times, but she would soothe him with soft touches. He wallowed in her soft touches. When she was done with her patient, she did what her mother would do when she was injured. With soft short strokes, she soothed the face with her fingertips. Mentioning that the pain was gone from here and there and there. She kissed two fingers and placed it on his eye. "To make the hurt go away even sooner."
"My mother did the same thing. I guess there are no cultural barriers on a mother's love." He said softly. He sat up and positioned himself so she was fairly entrapped between him and the sofa. "Thank you, Julia."
She looked up at him and smiled. "You were injured, and I tended to you. Any friend would."
An impulse took over and he lightly pushed her bangs off of her head. "You have beautiful hair, Julia. Black, long and luxurious." He dropped his hand to her neck and slowly stroked her with his fingertips. She momentarily lost semblance of anything and allowed him to touch her. She felt her head being brought closer to his. She knew that he was about to kiss her. She opened her lips and was ready until she put a hand on his chest to stop him.
"No, Christopher."
End of Act III