Heres Escape 1, I'll put up 2 when I get back from filling in for a
friend at an ISP. Theres some material in this that really needs to be
reworked, I haven't gotten around to it yet. See ya in a while...
Every body who wrote me: I'll write back later today...I just found out I
have to go pick up the key to the office....arg.
Characters by Takahashi. Story by me.
Matthew Trotter, I hate working Tech support
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Escape From Nerima
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Part one: Must Be Magic
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Every little thing she does is magic
Everything she do just turn me on
Even though my life before was tragic
Now I know my love for her goes on
-The Police
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Morphine walked up behind Kasumi. She didn't notice him, her thoughts
seemed to be else where. He slipped into her mind gently and listened
in. She was wondering if she would win the trip to the mountains. She
thought it would be a sign from the gods for her to get out more. And
that would mean...Morphine smiled.
Mrs. Ejuki was waiting for the cashier to finish ringing up her bill,
"Good afternoon Mrs. Ejuki. How is the knee doing?"
Kasumi spun around in surprise, "Oh my!"
"Good day Mr. Morphine. I'm doing quite well actually. I think I
might not need to come in this week."
"That's wonderful. Think you'll win the trip this week?"
"Oh no, Mr. Disho already checked it for me. Its 80651 this week."
"Too bad. Looks like I'll be at the office this week end too, I'm,"
Morphine reached into his suit jacket and whipped out a ticket, "80650.
Tsk, so close too."
"Oh, you must be mistaken."
"Kasumi?"
"Well, 80650 is my number."
"Are you sure?"
Kasumi reached into her bag and pulled out her ticket, "Oh yes, see,
it says right. . .here . . . oh my..."
Mrs. Ejuki congratulated her, while Mr. Disho gave her some forms to
fill out. Morphine ripped up her ticket. Kasumi knew it was her ticket,
she had memorized the number on it. It was impossible for her to have
the winning ticket. But it wasn't unimaginable. She could just imagine
what everyone would say when she told them that she had just won a trip
for five to a cozy mountain resort. Father would be so pleased. It
would give Akane and Ranma a nice change of environment to argue in. And
Nabiki could probably use the time away, she had been acting a bit funny
recently. The only problem would be that one person would have to stay
home. She guessed it would be her. Then again, with no one in the house
there wouldn't be that much to do. She would probably be available to
help Dr. Tofu at the clinic....
"Glad you won the trip?"
Kasumi shook herself out of her reverie. Morphine was carrying one of
her bags of groceries...she had been on automatic for a bit, "I'm sorry,
I was just thinking of how happy everyone will be to get away. What did
you just say?"
"I was just wondering if you were happy to win the trip?"
"Oh yes. I think everyone could do with a vacation."
"I imagine with all of them gone it will give you plenty of time to
yourself."
"Yes, I suppose so..."
"You know, I really think Tofu needs some help around the office. I
mean, I'm there, but I'm mostly just in the way. Why don't you stop by
when you've got the time, I bet Tofu would be glad for the help."
"Well...if he really needs the help..."
"Only if you don't have anything else you'd rather be doing. I just
thought you looked like the type of person who likes to keep busy."
"I...I guess I do..."
Kasumi wondered about Morphine sometimes. He had just shown up one
day claiming to be some mystic, or sorcerer of some kind. Then a couple
of days later he started working at the clinic. From then on he just sort
of became a fixture. It was like someone had just pasted him into their
lives. If you talked to him much, you got the impression that he knew
far more than he ever let on. And more recently he'd begun showing some
interesting insights into peoples lives. Just like...wait a minute...how
did he know she was going to be staying home?
"Probably just a good guess."
"I'm sorry?"
"I said we'll probably just have raman again this week. Even if Mrs.
Tanaka pays us when her check comes in we still have the electric bill to
pay. I can't be sure, so its probably just a good guess."
Kasumi blinked. That was odd...oh well, "Would you and Dr. Tofu like
to come over for dinner tonight?"
"Why that's really kind of you, but I really couldn't. Not after
almost making the invitation myself. I don't think Tofu would approve of
that. Now normally, I'd be there like a shot, but Tofu says I have to
learn how to show compassion, and not to impose my will on others. But I
tell you what, if you really want Tofu to come over, I'll come along so
he won't feel bad and stay home."
"Well, I..."
"Great, its settled then, lets just stop by the clinic and pick up
Tofu while I drop off these groceries."
"I...guess..."
It was weird, Morphine seemed to be able to just talk in circles to
twist up everything you were trying to say. It was something relatively
recent. She hadn't really noticed him doing it much before. And she'd
never seen him do it to Dr. Tofu[1]. Of course he was acting a lot more
sociable than she had ever seen him before...When she had first met him
he had seemed to be angry and distant. Then as he worked with Dr. Tofu
he began to seem more withdrawn and quiet. But as of late he had begun
to act much more . . . well, she wasn't sure what he was acting like...
"Evil Sorcerorish."
"Excuse me?"
"Who me? I didn't say anything."
------
[1] Of course she wasn't there when Morphine would tactically name drop
her name to get out of explaining something either.
-----------
"What?!?!? But that doesn't make any sense!"
"Yes it does."
"But if he won the trip he was going to send Kasumi and Tofu off
together! Now ..."
"Well, he probably thought better of it."
"Better?! That was their big chance!"
"Did you fall asleep between the store and them walking home or what?"
"Shut up! I was paying attention."
"Then you really are as stupid as you act?"
Fellowship fumed, Sarcasm was trying to make her mad. He was always
doing that. She knew Kasumi was planning on helping Tofu at the clinic.
It was just that she wanted them to have some time alone. Some time to
get to know each other. Now if she were in charge she just make a little
change and...
"Yeah, but then things get yanked right off track and everything else
has to be worked on, and then of course there's the repercussions from
that..."
Sarcasm was reading her mind....she hated that. If he was going to
read her mind then she was going to think about things he didn't
like...like him wearing some nice colorful cloths...
"Oh...no. Not.....that. I can't ... stand..it. Oh...the pain...oh
the agony...oh the insult to good taste... What will I do now...I am
destroyed," Sarcasm pulled out a piece of wood and held it up to his
chest, "oooh. Eeeee. Arg. ... ... ... Arrrrg. Ohhh. Ahhh.
Ieee[1]. ..... .. .... ... .... Eeeek. Arg. Aaaaah."
"If you think that's funny, its not. Your just mad because I'm right."
Sarcasm put away the wood, "Oh yes, you must be right there. I'm sure
that everyone in Nerimia will come banging down Tofu's door when they hear
that Kasumi is helping out at the clinic. Why I bet there's a record high
populace of people standing in lines to get treated. There's nothing for
arthritis like a doctor who's off his head with love. Yes, I'm sure that
inspire of all the facts and past cases, this would be different because
your right. What could I have been thinking. I must be crazy."
Sarcasm was right, of course. Sarcasm was always right. He never went
on one of his little tirades if he wasn't sure. He only did it when he
was right. That made it all the worse. He was right. Who in their
right mind would show up at the clinic with Tofu all love crazy.
"Fine Mr. Know-it-all, I bet you even know how this is going to bring
Ranma and Akane together...or are they beyond consideration?"
Sarcasm leaned forward, "Hey, that was pretty good. Have you ever
considered being more sarcastic? It really suits you."
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[1] See the new IEEE Buffy Standard[2] for over acting.
[2] Here after referred to as IEEE BS.