;)
--------
Inspired by Izzy-chan and the ML gang...
--------
Writer's note:  Hey guys, I've _never_ seen MTV's _The_Real_World_ so if
I'm a bit off on the presentation, lemme know.  I figure on dragging in
a total of five, at the most, roomates together, just put'em through
everyday stuff (Who the hell ate all the ramen?!)  Introducing the main
characters oughta be a small story each.  I think.

I'm doing this just as a fun little thing, and something to do while
I'm stuck on my other fanfic "The Pursuit Of Happiness" (sequel to "The More
Things Change) or editing Nigel's "Eight Days A Week" fanfic (Yes, Part 5
is in rough draft stage)

And so far, considering that it feels like Seinfeld in that "it's about
nothing!", I think I'll just call this one "ongoing"

-Rod M.

                          =Anime:  The Real World=
                                  by Rod M.
                               -M- Productions
                                BETA VERSION
                    -subject to change, in case it sucks-

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Ranma sat in the dojo, thinking.
   He looked at the letter he had recieved.  He was invited to stay at some
apartment for a couple of months, and get paid for it too.  It was a tempting
offer.  His dad was all for it, since there _was_ pay attached to it.  Mr.
Tendo objected at first, wailing about abandoning Akane, but Genma reminded him
about the cost of constantly fixing the house which was usually linked to Ranma
and his "friends" anyways.  Soun agreed to it as well.  And it was his vacation
time too, so he wouldn't be missing any school.
   But something was holding him back.
   "Ranma?"
   He turned nervously.  "Oh, hey, Akane."
   "Are you, um... thinking about that letter?"
   "Yeah.  But..." He was getter more nervous by the second.  He didn't
understand why.
   "But what?"  Ranma looked at Akane's face.  Was that actually worry that he
saw there?  Nah, couldn't be.
   *WHAM* -ringring-  "Nihao Ranma!"
   "Shampoo, get this thing offa me!"
   "Husband okay?  Ranma take Shampoo out to date now, yes?  You promised!"
   Oh man, Ranma thought, I knew she wouldn't forget about that.  Ranma had
recently required her help in one of those routine misadventures he seemed to
always get himself in.  Unfortunately, the price of her help was a date and as
usual he agreed without really thinking things through.
   And the end result?
   What else?
   "Ranma you JERK!"
   *WHAM*
   Ranma flew through the dojo wall and out into the street.  "Maybe it would
be a good idea for me to get away... for a while."

                                      *

------------

Scene:  Couch.  Ranma is sitting alone.  The camera focuses only on him.

INTERVIEWER:  So describe yourself for the folks at home.
RANMA:  Um, this is gonna be on television?
INT.:  Well, yes.  We're gonna be airing once a week.
RANMA:  But what's the show about?
INT.:  You guys, and how you handle living together.
RANMA:  ...  you're kidding, right?
INT.:  No.
RANMA:  Kinda strange show, isn't it?
INT.:  We're copying the idea from a hit American show.
RANMA:  Oh, an AMERICAN show.  No wonder...
INT.:  Anyways, introduce yourself.
RANMA:  I'm, um...
INT.:  Don't be nervous.
RANMA.:  Who's nervous?!  I'm Ranma Saotome.  I'm a high school student and a
         student of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts.
(brief pause)
INT.:  That's it?
RANMA:  Well, yeah.
INT.:  You're single at the moment?
RANMA:  Well, yeah.

(Ataru plops down into view, sitting next to Ranma)

ATARU:  Hey, you ain't telling them about your harem?
RANMA:  SHUT UP!  Akane's gonna kill me!
INT.:  Harem?  Akane?
ATARU:  Oh yeah, he's got these four girls chasing after him, and he's already
        engaged to three of them!
RANMA:  Ataru, I'm gonna kill you! (Lunges at Ataru)
ATARU:  Whoops!  Seeya later!  (Dodges and runs out of camera view)

--------

   The Tendo household watched the television, surprised.
   Akane sat, fuming.  "Why that..."  He's single?  He's single?!  I'm his
fianc-  Akane caught herself before that line of thought went any further.
   "Well," said Nabiki, "he must miss you after all.  He said your name on
national television."
   Akane blushed and said nothing.

--------

   "Hey, Lum!  Look!  It's that idiot Ataru on television!"  Ten pointed at the
monitor screen in Lum's spaceship.
   "Darling!  So that's where he's staying!"

-------

   "Hey, who's turn is it to wash the dishes?" yelled Ataru.
   "I did'em yesterday," said Ranma.
   "Sorry!  I'll do them in a minute!"  Kyosuke yelled.  He put a phone to his
ear.  "Sorry about that, Hikaru, I've gotta go now."

-------

To Be Continued...