The Texan Violinist
"Okay, Marianna. You have a mission."
"I have?" Marianna was at the bar for a change, instead of behind it. She was talking to Neil, UPChuck, and Dream, and it was UPChuck who had just given her a mission. "If it's something along the lines of saving my husband, forget it!"
"No, nothing like that. Perish the thought. You have to help me save the Universe."
"I've been counting, like I always do, and I'm sure as heck you've only had one drink so far tonight. So... what are you smoking?"
"Why don't you check your email?" Marianna shook her head. What did email have to do with anything, especially saving the Universe? But she checked it anyway, seeing as the computer was right on the bar.
To:MDTrench@calypsomail.com
From:UPChuck@calypsomail.com
Re:Saving the Universe
Mari- I think Dream has met someone else in Newshreg. Orch. Help me get in NSO to get rid of this Texan violinist.
Marianna closed the file.
"You understand about saving the Universe now?"
"Yes... I still think you should take my advice. Or let nature run its course. It isn't the Universe, either, so just let it be."
"What are you talking about?" asked Dream. "If it's private, I'll leave."
"No, don't leave. Let's talk about the orchestra," said UPChuck.
"What about it? We're playing Standing Stone. There's this really good violinist, who's only in second chair but he should be in first. Well, I don't know about strings, but I think he sounds pretty good."
"I want to talk about how Mac is ever going to escape from those frogs," said Marianna, changing the subject at exactly the right time.
"You care?" said Ellie Zabul. Mari jumped. She hadn't seen Ellie come in and sit down.
"Well, I suppose I should. I mean, I guess Pollythene needs a father."
"Marianna, even Neil, to whom you are not married, would be a better father to Pollythene than Mac ever was."
"I guess. But still... I'm sure my parents and his would like him back. They arranged the marriage, after all, along with that gypsy woman." Mari shuddered. "I met her once- she said that she had the perfect match for my daughter."
"As perfect a match as you and Mac?" Ellie asked sarcastically.
"This was before my wedding. Way before Polly was born."
"Oh, weird. Well, if you want your husband back..."
"Maybe. Why?"
"I'm sort of an expert on Amphibia, the planet from which Frogman came."
"Amphibia?" Marianna was shocked. "You're an expert on a planet that I just heard of a week ago? What else do you know?"
"Frogman is really Crown Prince GeRitt Hopp-Tode. He plans on taking over the earth and using Mac as a negotiating tool."
"He's going to negotiate a hostile takeover?"
"Pretty much. Ursula, Marina, and Pollythene were at the library a couple weeks ago, and we were seeing what the new wireless Internet system could do. It can pick up information from other planets, apparently, and can translate them. It takes a long time, though. This week I've been picking up impulses from the frogship."
"So you know what's going on on that ship?"
"Yep. I'm starting to pick up their language, too."
"You always were one for languages, Ellie. But why am I always the last one to know these things?"
"I don't know, Marianna."
"I'm cursed!" She hit the bar with her fist, making glasses (and Dream) jump.
"Do you want me to save Mac, Mari?" asked Ellie.
"I think you should," said Dream. "I mean, it's really mean to keep him up there... even if you didn't ask the frogs to take him. As long as you can get him back, you should. I think."
"As long as I don't have to take his place," said UPChuck.
"No!" Marianna protested. "I'm not sure what I'm protesting to... hold on a minute... okay. Mac should be saved. There should be no hostages or persons being tortured by the frogs. Ellie should have an adventure. And I'm going to save the Universe." She winked at UPChuck. "In fact, I see the key to saving the Universe right over there," pointing to a table by the stage.
"Inda Nett is the key to saving the Universe?" asked Ellie.
"Don't ask. I can't say why right now."
"Okay. I'm going back to the library- no, I have to have lunch first. That's why I came here. Neil, could I get Calypso Shrimp with Bean Salsa?"
"Actually," said Neil, "it's called Calypso Shrimpies. Sure, though." He sent the order back to the kitchen.
Ellie continued a modified version of the sentence she had interrupted. "When I get back to the library, I'll look through my notes on the frogship, and I'll see what other information I can tap into. I should have Mac back by next week."
"Thanks, I guess," said Marianna, then headed over to speak to Inda.
"So, Uly," said Dream, "are you busy tonight?"
"No. Are you implying that you aren't busy for once?"
"I'm not that busy! I just have things to do sometimes... I was going to ask if you'd like to see a movie with me."
"I'm sorry. I'd love to see a movie with you." I'd love to do anything with you, to keep you away from that Sean guy, he thought.
"I have a sectional for pit orchestra. See you at seven?"
"I'll pick you up at the theatre."
"We're going to be at Tomas's house, actually, if you want to pick me up there."
"Tomas?"
"You know Tomas! The dancer? He decided to play horn, since Torturo isn't too big on dance numbers."
"Oh, that Tomas. Is he still living in Calypso Beach?"
"He's three doors down from you, Uly! On the other side of Cueball's house." She waved quickly and tripped lightly out the door. Tripping the light fantastic, thought UPChuck, though I haven't the slightest what that means!
Inda Nett was watching Myskalogy perform when Marianna came up to him. "I need to talk to you." No overture or introduction- Marianna felt it was best to be blunt when talking to people she didn't particularly like.
"About Marina?" Inda felt nearly the same way. "I'm going to enroll her in Layla:) Public High School. I hate that school, but it's a lot better than Newshregsburg Private in terms of getting an education."
"Ah, yes, Newshregsburg Private School, famous for... not offending any of the people funding it. I almost went there. Too bad I had to go to high school at all."
"I would agree, if you weren't saying it. Anyway, Marina has a few placement exams to take next week. Could you let her know?"
"Why don't you?" Marianna asked as she straddled a chair. "I am not her mother, nor her father, nor any other legal guardian."
"Fine. I'll tell her. Was that all you had to talk to me about?"
"No, actually, I wanted to talk to you about the Newshregsburg Orchestra. Particularly about the violin section. More particularly about a young gentleman from Texas."
"Gentleman? That yahoo rancher has been driving me crazy. He refuses to remove his boots, spurs, and ten-gallon hat during rehearsals!"
"Aww... how would you like to replace him?"
"I'd love it. Actually, I have to. He's going back to Texas to mourn his prize heifer."
"Oh my sox. Pardon the expression, I'm in a weird mood today. Do you have a waiting list?"
"Yeah, I do. Some kid from LPHS is next in line for the seat."
"Would you rather have an adult in the seat? Just replace our good friend Sean the Texan quietly, so's the little kiddie never finds out."
"And whom do you recommend for the job?"
"Ulysses Chuck. Remember him?"
"Of course... so you think he could handle it?"
"Oh yeah. But remember: very hush-hush. And I never spoke to you." Just then, the lights onstage went crazy. "Oh, feet. I'm just full of strange sayings today, aren't I? Inda, can you help with the lights?"
"Okay... you have that nice new system run by computers, right? Probably just a bug."
"My lighting computer has the flu!" Marianna said a little too gleefully. Inda rolled his eyes and went backstage. Marianna went back to the bar, left Priscilla in charge of the "adult" portion of the bar, and dragged Neil upstairs to celebrate her saving of the Universe.
To:UPChuck@calypsomail.com
From:MDTrench@calypsomail.com
Re:Saving the Universe
Mission accomplished. I hope you remember how to play. Inda will contact you as soon as he tells his daughter she has to go to school. And escapes her wrath. Sean was leaving anyway... some cow of his died. Gotta go, Neil's biting is starting to hurt. ~m.
To:MDTrench@calypsomail.com
From:UPChuck@calypsomail.com
Re:Thank you
Good job, Marianna. I knew you wouldn't let me down. As for Neil, I really didn't want to know. Have fun- I know I will (Dream and I are going to see Titanic again tonight). TTYL- Uly.
To:DSDryad@treemail.com
From:MDTrench@calypsomail.com
Re:Stuff and...stuff
Have fun at the movies- UPChuck says you will, anyway. Or that he will... call me, tho. Gotta talk about Mac and stuff. cya. ~m.
To:MDTrench@calypsomail.com
From:McTrench@calypsomail.com
Re:Frogs
Marianna, darling, I managed to break out of the forcefield I was being kept in, but I can't seem to get out of the ship safely. I've been in contact with Ellie Zabul at the library. She says she can have me back by Friday. Being away from you has made me realize how much I could really love you. I hope that when I get back, we can have the closeness of a traditional couple. Would you like to see Titanic with me Saturday night? We can go out for pizza with Pollythene beforehand, then drop her off at a friend's house for the night. Please consider this. I do hope that your relationship with Neil is just a fling, as were your relationships with Wizard Jini, Cueball, that Justinian person, and Ulysses. With all my love, Mac.
To:StJames@calypsomail.com
From:MDTrench@calypsomail.com
Re:last night
Love you so much, Neil... I'll never forget you, although Mac would have me try. He'll be back by Friday, I have faith in Ellie, but he actually wants me now (well, what male with all his faculties wouldn't?)... One last fling tomorrow night? Don't worry, you can still be my bartender, and what happens when we're both drunk can't hurt anybody :) cya, luv ~m.
To:MDTrench@calypsomail.com
From:LEZabul@lyberry.com
Re:Mission Mac
Isn't that a great name? Anyway, he'll be back by Friday. We've been emailing back and forth all night. Apparently Mac has been able to break out of the forcefield the Frogs were keeping him in. I'm leaving from the airfield (I built a small spacecraft) Friday morning. We'll be back, if all goes well, by ten or eleven Fri. night. Wish me luck. -Ellie
To:LEZabul@lyberry.com
From:MDTrench@calypsomail.com
Re:McMission
Teehee. G'luck. ~m.
That's all 'til next week, folks, when we see what happens when Mac is back, people are falling in and out of love all over the place, and the narrator lets real-life events get to her stories... in other words, life as usual at Club Calypso!