B1ue

Besides, I don't think anyone takes Jeremy or I seriously. We've been arguing over small crap for, what, a year now? Longer?

I've never gone, but most of my friends have. One of my friends has covered it for the various papers he's worked at every year since 2004, and I think he'd already had a couple years under his belt before then. It's not my scene musically, but I've heard nothing but good things from people that have gone. I can defintely see Will going, JJ less so. There's a slight amount of seediness associated with the festival. It's pretty mild, but JJ still might not want to be associated with it. See, I just didn't take any AP classes my senior year. Passing eight tests before then was quite enough for me. I mostly had study halls that year, since I'd run out of classes to take. Though I probably should have taken that third year of Spanish. Meh, it all worked out for the best.

I really liked the scene with Llwellyn. I know, you're all shocked, but like having Granger thrown into a situation where he doesn't quite know the rules, but he's willing to make the best of.

And this is exactly why Will will not be allowed anywhere near Provincetown, or anywhere like it, until he's at least 40. You do remember Rome, right? The real danger heading into his adulthood will be West Hollywood and the parties surrounding the Hollywood industry, but between them, Stephen, Robbie, and Brad have the connections and money to make sure Will is blacklisted anywhere worth bothering with. I'm not certain they'd have the reach and penetration needed to do the same elsewhere, though. I still maintain that personal ties to this event would be unnecessary. This was a tragedy that belonged to the entire country (I would say the entire world, but no, it was an attacked directed at us), not just those that directly lost kin or acquaintances that day. I realize your experience was different Jeremy, and that everyone you knew knew someone who died, but you live pretty close to ground zero. The Cramptons, frankly, do not. Honestly, a lot of the personal ties the story has found to historical events have pulled me out of the story, and made me enjoy it less. The Matthew Shepard storyline for one, and the bit about the Concorde crash, for example. That isn't to say they weren't well intergrated into the plot, they were, and the events of the story followed smoothly and naturally from both of those points. But they still left me underwhelmed. However, it's pretty apparent I'm in the wrong on this topic; if a connection was found for Matthew Shepard and the Concorde, then there will certianly be a character at ground zero. It just feels false to me. Like they couldn't possibly care unless that had something to lose, and that's an attitude I find insulting when it's directed towards me. I wouldn't want to insult even imaginary people the same way.

That's pretty interesting, since I don't see many that are all that far-fetched or out of the established character paths. A bit contrived, but that's not out of place either. Well, okay, the Provincetown one, and Jeanine moving back with her folks. Keeping Will AWAY from a setting like Provincetown would have to be a high priority with every adult in the CAP series, and I can't think why Jeanine would want to move back to New Jersey. So much to lose, and not much to gain. I could see her moving herself and possibly JJ to NYC proper, probably with Brad's financial blessing. I think he'd let the two of them try and find a fresh start somewhere, with better coaches on hand. But going back into her childhood, to face all the "I told you so's" and crap about being a lesbian with two children? Nah. Anyways, I'm eager as always to see what happens next. And now I see there's a Bridgemont chapter to devour, so I'll just be getting to that.

Yes, because living through the Politically Correct wars was ever so much fun. Don't you remember not being able to say the word "black" because it might offend someone? Not just in reference to those of African descent, but at all? I personally encountered more racism during the 90's than I did in the ten years since they've finished up, never mind that I was a child then and so blocked by my age from having to deal with most of it. My sisters, parents, and cousins had it worse, especially those that were in the military at the time. I'm sure I'm forgetting some point or another, but the last overt comment I've gotten that I can recall was immedietely after 9/11. when someone thought I was Arabic. Personally, I am not going to experience much nogistalgia for the 90s. The general wealth of the country did not touch me, after all, and on a personal level that entire decade blew.

I almost submitted this song to the theme song thread, but it really doesn't fit as a theme song for an entire character. However, when I think of how Wade and JP interact, and quite possibly how Wade is approching the opening chapters of this story, this song demands attention: The Judd's "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days)" It's one of my favorite songs ever, as evidenced by one of the few stories I've submitted here borrows a lyric for it's title.

No, that's Darius's theme song. Will's is something out of Britney Spears's repertoire. Womanizer and Toxic spring to mind, but only because I'm hazy on the lyrics from Britney's first album (I only really like her later, more heavily synthesized stuff. I DID mention I liked techno music.) No arguments on JJ's selections, but every other character we've seen that has been pushing against their bonds, starting with JP but also including Isiodore, a good portion of the Hayes clan, Peter, and others, eventually did find a place that felt right. Usually, they had to create that space, but that's alright. I wouldn't mind that as a narrative for JJ, and am eager to see how that would come about. With that in mind, an alternative for JJ, . Like many country songs, I feel it is less about running away than running towards, but your milage may vary. A couple other country songs, jsut because I can,a nd because someone should speak for the Clairemont contingent. For Ella, and a bit for Claire, For Zach, Look, I didn't pick the song titles. But this one screams Zach. Going to need to give Gathan some thought. Nothing in my playlist felt quite right. Country just might not be up to him, as he's, to me, defintely on the dark side characterwise, despite all the sexual healing he's experienced. Well, alright, I can think of a couple appropriate ones, but they are all songs by females and feel feminine (which doesn't always happen, as we all well know). And Gathan is pretty damn manly; any theme song will have to reflect that. I think I'm going to have to delve back into older country singers like Johnny Cash and Hank Williams (all three of them). Such a hardship *snicker*. Edit: Wow, that didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would. Almost immedietely, I was reminded about this: Yes, it's a cover, and so doesn't really count as country. But it's going to be a long while before I find something else that speaks to Gathan's basic meloncholy while sacrificing none of his power. It may not be his theme song forever, but right now? When he has everything and nothing? This is him.

He's going to do his enraged teakettle impression now, with "setting accuracy" being particularly high pitched. I agree with Centex, Grafton seems more interesting the more we get to know him. Those I still want to hose Will down, telling him that Straightish boys are the last guys you want to try and seduce, because they WILL turn on you, I recognize a lot of that comes from memories of ME attempting to screw anyone that would hold still.

I don't think I've been quite this annoyed with a character in some time. Thank you for the chapter Mark! Despite my earlier comments, I kind of like Wade and Matt together. So I hope Wade takes JP's words into consideration, but I'm not sure he's going to be able to. I know I woldn't, but I've a much greater tendency to explode, so I don't know in Wade's case. And, frankly, Matt doens't really deserve Wade to take a step back and reflect that there might be other things going on. Matt handed explosives to a potential enemy; you just don't do that in Wade's world. Should be interesting to watch.

Wade making dramatic statements like "This moment, this is where were we all became DOOOMED" probably didn't help much, though I can't imagine anything that would when their fundamental positions are so different. Besides channelling Scarlett O'Hara, I can't help but feel Matt telling ZWade he's bad at sex was a tactical error, even if it was at one point true. ESPECIALLY if it was at one point true, and that point was a particulary painful and tumultuous point in Wade's life. If Matt isn't willing to meet Wade halfway, even to the point of acknowledging that this entire situation isnt just all in Wade's head, then maybe a break is in order. Wade doesn't get off scott free either, there's a reason he didn't mention that he'd slept with Gathan, and he damn well knows he's at least as dangerous to his and Matt's long term relationship as Carl.

Not really the point, but I found your characterization of "Narty Republicans," said properly in a country club maven voice, to be laughable. Now, how much of all of that is known by anyone but the principles? Gathan has been having sex left right and center, but most of it has been with people that do not make great character witnesses. A 13 year old slut. A 60 year old slut. Parents that he has not spoken to, unless it takes the form of a fist to the face, in 15 years. An adopted brother who batshit crazy. Of course they wouldn't believe Brad gave Gathan the money for saving his life. I think everyone would assume he got the money because he's Robbie's cousin, especially since his sister was included in the largess. Compare someone who is actively and succesfully distancing himself from an unfortunate beginning, and manages to keep his dick in his pants once he's actually in a relationship against Matt, who has never met anyone he hasn't wanted to have sex with, and Tiffany "My Daddy tried to blow up the government" Van Der Boss, and well, yeah.

I did what now? You're going to make me go through all my previous comments, aren't you? Luckily, I don't talk much anyways. It does occur to me that Gathan and Wade would make pretty excellent political partners for one another. Aside from Gathan's father, Gathan just doens't have the kind of skeletons in his closet that Tiffany and Matt have, and is actually both interested and experienced with political matters. I imagine Mrs. Danfield could teach him to be an excellent Evil Overlord, given the chance*. And of course Wade has kept his life clean.

This was not terribly uncommon a couple generations ago. Actually, any large family will have at least one kid that was born near the tail end of their mother's reproductice life. If you're in the situation, it's not weird, it's normal. I was one such, in fact. I didn't think it was unusual or different until I saw how much close physical play my sisters and cousins had with their kids.

I still don't trust Zach, I think he and JJ will as soon as they meet will form the Anti-Gathan Leage, with Matt now as their social-secretary. I do like the way you ended this piece, though like others it seemed to come out of left field. Less because it's abrupt in and of itself, more that we just haven't seen much of Gathan lately, will all the tidying up Will seemed to require. I imagine the conversations involving Will went something like this: Mark: Writing team! We need to find a way to resolve Will's issues. Specifically, we need to find a way to remove the giant stick from Will's ass. Will (inside Mark's head): But I like it there! It feels awesome. Mark: Not helping Will. Will: I'll need something else up there in it's place. Mark: Hush Will. Will: Something. Anything at all. Preferably indiscriminating. Mark: I said hush! Go to your room. Will: By myself? Mark: Will! Go! Will: But what if I get lonely? Or cold? I get chilled, draping myself dramatically across my bed as I do, with no blankets or clothing on, and my body greased up like a wrestler for anyone to find. Mark: *is appalled* Will: Hey! Could I have a wrestler come with me? And a stick? Mark: Look you twice-baked harlot. Go to your room, or you will develop horrible flatulence during your next sex scene. Will: Meep! *flees* Writiing Team: *is very, very worried after having witnessed only one half of that conversation.* Mark: You know, twice-baked? Sun-baked and totally baked off JP's herb.

It's been my experience that, contrary to what Nifty would have us believe, it's easier to warp the circumstances of a smaller community towards acceptance than anywhere else. After all, as long as you don't make waves or try to stand out too much, as you didn't, you're one of their own. And almost anything can be forgiven once that's true. As a for instance, while I wasn't out as Gay until I'd almost left home (not becuase I cared about what the community would think, but because if my parent's decided to make my life hell, they still could, and so it wasn't worth the risk), my family was almost the entirety of the non-white population in the town I spent my teenage years. Once we got past being "new," which took oh, seven years or so, racism was almost non-existent. Most people saw us, see us, as locals first and Mexicans a very distant second. As for being gay, pfft. I'm Mary and Roger's son, Sandra's little brother, Teresa's cousin, and Candle's uncle. It's no big deal next to that. Last time I went home, the local parish priest asked me when I was going to settle down with a nice guy, and make my parents stop worrying. I have to agree with you here. Tony and Will are in completely different places in their lives right now. And, honestly, I don't think they'll catch up with each other even in their twenties. By the time Will is ready to leave school and start making a career for himself, Tony will (probably) have already settled into a life, and might be thinking about getting married and starting a family. Maybe in their thirties they'll reconnect.

But think how much energy being 19 took. I kind of like the slower pace of my life now. I disagree that it usually is. It can be, but sometimes rage is just rage. Speaking as someone who spent most of my teenage years and into my twenties angry. It wasn't even that my life sucked, it didn't, and I knew it then. It was that everyone and everything was so stupid and made no sense to me. Pretending to care about small crap like high school romances (that never last), pep rallies (whatever) and what's popular on TV (yeah, like I was going to sit still long enough to watch it) irked the hell out of me. And as for petty litle problems with my life and my friends? My advice was to get over it, and figure out how we weren't going to be trapped in that small town for the rest of our lives. Personally, I was pushing my body and my mind to the limits in every way I could, because I was better than a small town life, and was damnded if I was going to be stuck there, poor or not. While the anger has since faded, the arrogance is still there. Perhaps when I'm older that will wear off too, but I'm not holding my breath. Ah, that's a good explanation I hadn't considered. It would have never occured to me to buck my older sister's authority like that. Probably because they're all much older than me, so I never had to deal with them on a daily basis at school. And yes, I know Will is the younger brother, but that wouldnt have bothered me. No, really, it wouldn't. He'd have done his thing, I'd have done mine, and we'd be happy. And I'd have found ways to watch his back like he watched mine.

Angst? Nah. Rage. I maintain our favorite frosted cupcake is going to explode. The only thing where I see JJ as being insecure is when he turned in Ryan and his friend. They had it coming, but wasn't an action calculated to win friends and as Will said, violates the bro code. I wonder when the reason JJ decided to go to school rather than be homeschooled will show up. He sort of admitted he had his eye on someone, yeah?

I was thinking less "advice" and more "Look you little shit. You want to be treated like an adult? This is your chance to act like one." He'd inevitibly fail, and they could use that failure to prune back his ego for years. When it comes to manipulating the hearts and minds of others, there ain't no virgins in this family. I agree. What kind of example is Brad setting here? He should be demonstrating a fondness for good alcohol, not head-slamming swill. How else is Will going to impress the next college senior he attempts to seduce?

Except, he wasn't the one that freaked out unreasonably. Tony was. Thirteen or thirty, no one likes the friend speech, or admitting they went after the wrong person. And Will's reaction to both of these things was pretty in line with anyone else I know. Edit: The more I think about, the more restrained Will seems in his reaction. He managed to contain the drama between himself and Tony, and created niether scene nor conflict between Tony and the rest of the family. Thanks to Gathan and Kristin, it's possible no one picked up on it at all. I don't know that I would have been as reasonable had I woken up next to a guy I'd been quite obviously pursuing for a week and he accused me of rape. And Brad did not, at a similar age with less provocation, act as controlled. If he demonstrated emotional immaturity, it was that he went after Tony at all. Someone should have pulled Will aside at some point and said, "Hey, the guy has enough on his plate without a barely teenage puppy humping his ankle. We'd sort of like to repair the family connection with him, and that might complicate things." Yeah, WIll should have figured that out on his own, but there his age and lack of experience is working against him.

"Introduction" stories don't necessarily exclude concice plots. The first star wars trilogy, for example, was intended as a childhood for the main characters. Besides, it's not like any of the stories, besides "The Box," had all that tight of a narrative. This series is called a Soap Opera for a reason, this season we're focused on the kids, and haven't hit the run up to the series finale just yet. Edit: I don't mean that as a slam, either. I like that this is a Soap Opera. I simply have different expectations when I'm reading a Soap Opera instead of, say, a novel.

I was just remarking a couple weeks ago how beautiful and meaningful country from this time was, before the genre completed it's split from rock. Another song in a similar vein. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDHpkYI5_FY Wasn't one I'd heard too often, but this version of it is growing on me the more I listen to it. The barer vocals, for me, really evoke the poor, desperate background of the narrator and titular character.

From what my friends have told me, Tim has it correct. Just because you speak a language doesn't mean you're done. Also, that seems to have been the philosophy of my college classes. I could (and can) understand Spanish with a fair amount of fluency, but I could not write or read Spanish very well. So I got stuck in the second level of Spanish, despite growing up with half my family speaking English as a second language. Will might be farther along, in French at least, than we're giving him credit for. I've noticed that people tend to know grammar syntax pretty well, better than they think, without knowing the exact linguistic terms like present participle. So if he can speak French well enough to keep up with Stefen, JP, and Brad, he could probably figure out French television. I also wouldn't be surprised to learn he was taught Italian more formally than he was French, so he may very well be even farther along there. None of that would point towards exemption, though. I also don't think he'd try for one. Language study seems fairly important to Will, and I think he'd take the opportunity to either improve his French or learn Spanish.

Why an outdoor shower? Why not a stone floor, tiled, or brick antechamber leading from the beach door and a shower room just off from that room? Rich as they are, and famous as Robbie is, an outdoor shower seems like a pretty big and unneeded risk. I find it hard to believe JJ hadn't seen Will's dick, but for a different reason than Tim. If Brad managed to peek in on Will and Drew, why not JJ?

Addendum to the story. This is about 90% true. The police arrived just before this story ends, before she'd done much damage to the door. And my cousin did not tell me where the knife was. I already knew.