Ann hangs up the phone, looking over to Billy and Scott with a rather bewildered expression.
“My parents aren't doing Thanksgiving. Their friends decided to go to Las Vegas last minute, and they invited my parents.”
“Woah, Thanksgiving in Vegas. Interesting.”
“I can't believe they're going to Vegas. My mother won't even play instant lotto.”
“Well Vegas is special. Besides, with all the Broadway show strikes, the best shot at getting a ticket is going to Vegas.”
Ann laughs, “That's true. My mother said she really wasn't looking forward to cooking anyway. They're going to go to buffets every night and have a grand Thanksgiving without me.”
“And get some quality alone time. Who knows, you could have another sibling in 9 months.”
Ann groans. “Scott! I don't need to hear about that.”
“You're right. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Does that mean the kid would have to be given away to Nevada?”
“Maybe. Forever an orphan growing up in a casino, learning the games, eventually falling in with the wrong crowd.”
“Until one day he decides to get even and stages an elaborate con on the casino bosses, taking it for millions of dollars.”
“And as the police are tracking him down, he unexpectedly finds his birth mother who helps him avoid the cops and they form a new bond of friendship.”
“Brilliant! Alert Spielberg! We've got his next movie!”
“Ummm...sure. I'll get right on that. But first I'm going to try and find Tabitha. Since we're all apparently going to be here for Thanksgiving, we should do it right. Turkey, Pie, Cranberry sauce..”
“Pumpkin pie!”
“A real Thanksgiving meal! This beats Frank's offer to buy everyone turkey cold cuts and a can of pumpkin filling.”
Ann is making a pot of tomato sauce for dinner, and Tabitha is nearby, studying for a test.
“Going home again this year Tabitha? Got a big meal planned?”
“Actually, I'm staying here. I know it's not that much money on Metro North, but I was just home last weekend and my mother rarely remembers that I'm a vegetarian and makes almost all the food with chicken broth or meat of some kind.”
“Bummer. I'm looking forward to going home. We're having deep fried turkey, and my father makes a delicious stuffing.”
“Deep fried turkey just sounds so disgusting. I'm just going to miss my uncle's apple pie. I'll have to have him make one for my birthday.”
“I think most of us are staying home. So you should have some company at least. Just don't let Scott try to cook anything.”
“I know better than that. I think I'll make a pumpkin pie.”
“Sounds terrific. I'm sure there won't be any left when I get back though.”
“Probably not with those two vultures staying.”
“Wow, you're right. I'm the only one leaving aren't I? Don't have too much fun without me.”
“I'll try to restrain myself. I'll probably end up doing some schoolwork anyway.”
“Oh poo. You can't do schoolwork on a holiday, that's just wrong.”
“If you stopped drilling me about thanksgiving plans and pies, maybe I could study now.”
“Oh? It's my fault is it?”
“Probably mine for trying to study out here. I figured it'd be semi-quiet since the guys and Sara went to the bar to watch the Islanders-Rangers game.”
“Well, it is quiet. I don't need to talk if you don't want me to.”
“Can I turn the tv off? It's just Ace of Cakes anyway, and Frank has this episode on DVD.”
“Frank has the Ace of Cakes DVD? That's kind of weird.”
“It was probably just an impulse buy. Him and Sara are not very good at saving money.”
“You know what? Forget it. I'm too hungry and the sauce smells too good to study. Let's watch Ace of Cakes!”
Sara arrives home after having dinner with some coworkers Friday night. The apartment is oddly empty, except for Frank, who is just watching cartoons and drinking a beer.
“Hey Frank. Where is everyone? You drinking alone tonight?”
“Oddly enough, Ann, Billy and Scott are all working, and Tabitha’s on a date.”
“Right right, she’s got that date with the lawyer tonight.”
“Still, drinking alone and watching cartoons isn’t your proudest moment.”
“At least I’m watching Family Guy, it could be worse. I could be watching ..I dunno, Fraggle Rock?”
“Hey! Don’t knock the Fraggles!”
“You’re right, the Fraggles are cool. I could be watching Dragon Ball Z or something. Better?”
“Yes. Okay, at least you’re not watching that. I guess, how about I join you and then you won’t be alone at least.”
“Grab a beer, pull up a chair, make yourself at home!”
“Luckily, I AM at home. I’ll sit on the couch though, more comfortable.”
Frank moves his feet from the couch, sitting in a more upright position and reaches for his beer.
“I’m empty. Better bring me a refill.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Then it’ll be you that’s drinking alone and watching cartoons.”
“Good point.” Sara replies, walking over with two beers.
“This beer is pretty good, what is it? Why is there no label?”
“That would be Scott. The last time he drank too much he decided he liked the surprise of not knowing what kind of beer he was getting, and removed all the labels.”
“What’d he do with the labels? I hope he didn’t eat them.”
“I think he just threw them out. Why would he eat them? ”
“Why would he pull the labels off?”
“Touche.”
They sat in silence a while, watching the tv and drinking their beers.
“It’s a little later now, I guess Tabitha’s doing okay on her date, hasn’t bailed yet.”
“Depends on where they went. Tabitha’s not the type to duck out of a movie or dinner before the check has arrived.”
“She ducks out of movies, what about when we all went..”
“Aqua Teen Hunger Force? She said she makes exceptions for really really bad movies, and I don’t blame her decision on that one, I wish I had gone with her.”
“I’m surprised you guys went to see it was us anyway. By the way, what are you doing for thanksgiving? You sticking around?”
“Yeah, I was planning on it. Unless no one else is going to be here, I don’t want to be alone.”
“I’ll be here. John is going to be away and he's the only one in my family that doesn't relentless implore me to give up poker and get a 'real job'. The last time I was home, my mother handed me the phone and said 'it's for you'. It was a job interview she had set up for me!"
"Ouch. That sucks. I'll be here too. We'll have to make a point to have some turkey and rolls on Thursday."
"Pumpkin Pie also. It'd help if Tabitha or Ann were staying, they're the ones that really cook."
"I know. I'm pretty sure they're both going home to their families though."
"Bummer dude."
“Bummer dude? Are you a Ninja Turtle or something?”
“Now there's a cartoon we could watch next!”
“Billy has some of them on DVD somewhere doesn't he? I'll go grab them. I always had kind of a crush on Raphael.”
Frank bursts out laughing. “Oh, I'm never letting you live that one down!”
Sara glares at Frank and retrieves the DVDs, and goes to the fridge to get another round.
“Uh, Frank...We're out of beer.”
“Out..but there was so many..” Frank trails off as he sees the many empty bottles littering the coffee table. “Oh..I guess that kind of makes sense.”
Billy enters Starbucks, walking over to Scott who is half-heartedly sweeping the lobby while chatting with one of his regular customers, Henry.
"Hey Scott, Henry, what's up?"
"Billy! How you doing? What train were you working on today?"
"The L Train. Next stop, 14th Street, Union Square! May you find plenty of union with pretty ladies upstairs!"
"Amen to that! Henry here was just telling me about his Thanksgiving plans. I think he's a bit insane though."
Henry: "I don't think attending the parade is insane. I am going with a lady friend though."
"You left that part out! A hot lady friend? Is this a date? You'll keep her out in the cold all day and then drop the 'Want to go back to my place and warm up?' line on her?"
"Oh! Sweet line. I don't have any plans for Thanksgiving yet. What are you doing Scott?"
"Wait, you haven't heard all of Henry's plans yet. He's not just spending all day Thursday at the parade, he's going to watch the balloons be blown up Wednesday night too."
"Watch them get blown up? People do that? I guess that could be neat, seems an awfully long time to spend with inflatable balloons though."
Henry: "I don't know if it's that crazy. We're going to go see the balloons, get some sleep, and then get up early to find a good spot. We'll load up on coffee and donuts to eat on line and see the parade. I've never seen it in person before, and it'll be over in time to get to my Uncle's for thanksgiving dinner."
"I'm sorry Scott, I have to agree with Henry. It's not that crazy, it sounds like a long day, but it could even be kind of romantic."
"You'll certainly work up an appetite standing around for hours. Is it supposed to be windy on Thanksgiving? I always love seeing the balloons get away."
Henry: "It's too early to tell."
"I hope so. Get lost Henry, I'm going to talk to Billy now."
Henry: "Roger. Seeya."
Henry departs, headed off down the block.
"So, you going home for Thanksgiving Scott?"
"Nah. I'll just mill around the apartment, watch football, eat nothing but pie."
"Yeah. Pie. That sounds good. Lots of pie. Think Tabitha or Ann will bake us some pies before they go wherever they're going?"
"Maybe. I think Frank might be staying here too. He's decided he doesn't want to put up with the job question this year."
"Don't blame him. Relatives always seem to think they know what is best for you."
"Who needs the girls anyway? We'll have a nice sports filled day, without any nagging or creamed turnips."
"I don't mind the turnips as much as the brussel sprouts."
Scott makes a gagging noise. "I'll pass on pretty much all the green stuff."
Ann is walking out the building to head to an afternoon shift at Catalina's when Tabitha comes running up behind her.
“Ann! Wait up!”
“Hi. Got class I guess?”
“Yeah, I'll walk with you to Catalina's. I want to change my answer for November.”
“You're answer? What?”
“You know, for your stupid monthly blog post.”
“Stupid huh? And you want to change your answer? It's not being graded you know.”
“Cooking! What a lame answer. I can bake any time of month, in fact, I was thinking about making a couple of batch of christmas cookies this year.”
“That sounds delicious. We've got half a block left, did you want to say something or is baking your final answer?”
“Shopping! I should've said shopping. Black Friday sales! Crazy stories about waiting for hours to find hard to get toys.”
“Sounds good to me. And this year, maybe we'll get some sort of horror story involving Chinese toy recalls and Santa taking back more toys than he drops off.”
“Speaking of crazy toys, I heard on the Rachel Maddow show about this new Japanese piggy bank coming out, called the Savings Bomb. If you try to take money out or don't put money in frequently enough it vibrates, lights up, and explodes, sending change everywhere. It's awesome! The company says, 'Users must pick up and collect the scattered coins and reflect on their laziness'.”
Ann laughs, “That's awesome. Okay, I gotta get working. I'll see you later.” Ann says, as she enters the restaurant.
Today's contributors are: Ann, Sara, Frank, Billy and Scott.
Subject: 6th Floor Blog goes to the movies: Saw 4
Possible spoilers ahead for Saw 4, you have been warned.
Sara, Ann, Frank, Billy and Scott are walking back from the theater after seeing Saw4. “Well, that was gruesome.”
“It’s to be expected in a Saw movie.”
“The timeline of this movie was a little confusing. I couldn’t tell if the last scene was supposed to be the beginning of the movie, or the end..”
“I was thinking end. But after the first scene.”
“Yeah. I think so too.”
“So this movie took place at the same time as the third one then right?”
“I barely remember the other ones. I think it would’ve been a little less confusing had we watched them before we went to see this.”
“There did seem to be a lot of references to the other movies. And the other characters. I think we were supposed to recognize most of those names. Especially the other officers.”
“Plenty of gore though. I liked the first game, where the junkie had to get out of the chair.”
“Yeah. That one was good. It helped explain the beginning of the story.”
“Right. It was the fourth movie that took place during the third movie, after the third movie, and before all the movies. Quite a fucked up timeline.”
“So I assume there is going to be a fifth movie too?”
“Certainly seems like it. But I’m not sure how exactly. I guess there is some sort of bridge story to connect the fourth movie to the others..”
“Probably.”
“This movie rocked. Way better than two or three. Could be that I liked it better than the first. It’s been a while since I’ve seen that flic though, so it’s hard to tell. I'd definitely go See Saw5. ”
"There's a playground a couple of blocks that way with a seesaw if you're really set on that."
"Are you going to make that joke every year Billy? It's getting old."
"If they stop making Saw movies, I'll stop making the joke, how's that?"
"Terrific. Just terrific." Ann says, unlocking the door the apartment as they arrive home.
Today's contributors are:Ann, Sara, Tabitha, Frank, Billy and Scott.
Subject:Welcome to November
“I think I'm on a sugar high.”
“Aww.Sugar highs rock.It’s a Halloween tradition!”
'They do at that.However, now that it's November, you know what I'm going to ask.”
“Yeah yeah.You and your 'what do you like about this month' blog entries.”
“Oh come on, they're not that bad are they?”
“As long as I don't have to write them, I guess I'm okay with it.Could be worse.”
“I'll even start!”
“Family.By the end of November it's the holiday season and I love seeing my family, particularly my cousins, and hanging out and eating and drinking.”
“You and your non-dysfunctional family.I always look forward to November, and the release of Jones Soda's Holiday pack.Turkey and Gravy Soda!”
“Ugh! That stuff is so disgusting.What was it, brussel sprouts soda last year?I want to throw up just thinking about it.
“I like Daylight Savings time, we push the clocks back Sunday morning.It never quite feels like winter and the holidays without it getting nice and dark early.”
“It’s rather depressing when it’s already pitch-black when you leave work though.Makes me feel like I missed out on the day.”
“Yet another drawback to those conventional 9-5 jobs.”
“I have a weakness for leftover Halloween candy.And it all goes on sale in early November too.Leaves me with plenty of sugar right up until chocolate turkeys.”
“Hmm. What do I like about November?Certainly not midterms..I guess I enjoy the cooking.There are all sorts of fun things to bake in November,Turkeys, Mince Meat Tarts, All sorts of pies…”
Billy, who had been gnawing on a leftover chicken leg, perks up at the mention of pie.“Who’s baking a pie?”
“No one. Tabitha was just saying that baking is what she enjoys about November.So what do you like about November Billy? Do we even need to ask?”
“Thanksgiving!It’s the Mecca of eating.”
“Billy, that makes no sense.Mecca’s a place, Thanksgiving is a day.”
“Fine.It’s like the First Class of eating.”
“Your analogies need some work.If Thanksgiving is First Class, what’s coach?”
Today's contributors are:Ann, Sara, Tabitha, Frank, Billy and Scott.
Subject: Candy Galore
It's Tuesday evening and Tabitha comes bouncing out of her room with a carved pumpkin. “Happy Halloween! We need to go buy candy to give out to little trick or treaters!”
“Maybe we should get tricks. No one ever gives tricks anymore.”
“Yeah, we could go to one of those joke shops and stock up on little magic tricks and the like.”
“Candy! You can't forgo the candy! Do you think you could find a joke shop open now before tomorrow?”
“Yeah, my favorite part of Halloween is eating the left over candy.”
“As long as you don't stop answering the door so you can keep it all to yourself.”
“What kind of candy did you have in mind? No Mounds, I hate Mounds.”
“Take 5 bars!”
“Take 5's are good. M&M's are always a safe bet too.”
“Or, how about some of those mint Aero Bars?”
“Those are imported though. They're like $2 a bar. I don't like these kids that much.”
“Candy Candy Candy!” Billy jumps up and starts running around the room. “Candy Candy Candy Candy!”
“Billy want some Candy?” Sara says, grabbing a Hershey bar that's been in the fridge and waving it at Billy.”
“Candy Candy Candy Candy!”
“Anyhow, while mint Aero Bars are awesome, I think we'll have to go with something more conventional. We could just get a variety pack.”
“We could get a whole bunch of different type of M&Ms. Regular, dark chocolate, peanut butter, etc.”
“That'd be cool. Hey, what ever happen to crispy M&Ms?”
“Hmm, I dunno. I haven't noticed them anywhere. That'd be a question for one of those chocolate blogs.” Sara glances at the computer, and Billy uses that moment of distraction to grab the chocolate.
“Candy Candy Candy Candy!” Billy sits down and starts unwrapping the chocolate bar and eating it. “Get some M&Ms, and a variety pack. That should cover all our bases.”
“Make sure you get enough though. You wouldn't want to go through what we went through last year.”
“That's when Tab was giving away anything she could find in the cabinets because we ran out of candy? You should've seen that poor kid's face when he got a handful of Taco Bell sauces. Priceless!”
“Sure, until the next day when we tried to have lunch and realized she'd given away just about every condiment we had.”
“We couldn't just turn away the kids!”
“You know, some people actually just give away money.”
“Money. Bah Humbug!”
“Halloween just isn't Halloween if every little kid doesn't have a massive sugar rush.”
“Amen to that.” Billy says, throwing away the Hershey wrapper.
Today's contributors are:Ann, Sara, Tabitha, Frank, Billy and Scott.
Subject: Casablanca
Scott is rifling through the mail on the counter, and picks up the newly arrived Netflix envelope. He opens it, glares at it, and walks into Ann's room.
“Are you responsible for this?!” Scott says, holding up the envelope.
“I haven't touched the queue in a while, why what is it?”
“Casablanca? It's a zillion years old. I bet there are no explosions either.”
“I doubt it. Special effects weren't quite up to snuff back in 1942.”
“Maybe Sara did it. I'll go bug her.”
“You go do that. We could always watch something else tonight, but maybe you'll like Casablanca.”
Scott makes a snorting noise, and heads over to Sara's room.
“Sara! Are you responsible for this?” Scott asks, waving Casablanca at her.
“Casablanca? No, not my type of movie. I put swordfish on the queue, but I didn't check what was coming next.”
“Tabitha! It must be her then!”
“We're watching Casablanca tonight then? We might need some caffeine to get through that.”
“You're telling me.”
Scott heads back to the living room where Tabitha is and tosses the envelope at her. “This is all your doing! How could you do this to me?”
“Huh? No, I didn't do this. I've seen Casablanca already. It's been a while though, I wouldn't mind watching it again.”
“What? It had to be you. Who else could it be?”
“Who else could what be?” Billy asks from the kitchen.
“Someone put this freaking movie on the queue.” Scott says, flinging Casablanca at Billy.
“Oh! It came. I've been wanting to watch this.”
“What? You pussy. Why would you want to watch that?”
“It's a classic. It's one of those classic movies that everyone has seen.”
“Classic is just French for bad.”
“I don't know if it's French, but generally classics are movies or books that everyone wants to have read but no one actually wants to read.”
“Exactly!”
“Well tough luck. We've already watched the other Netflix and sent it back. So Casablanca it is!”
That night...
Scott is in the kitchen mixing himself a drink and everyone else is around the television. Billy walks in and grabs the Netflix envelope.
“Casablanca time!”
Scott pours some more vodka into his drink and heads over. “Okay..let's get this over with.” Scott says, taking a big sip of his drink.
“Shit, it's broken!” Billy says, holding up the disc and showing Scott the crack in it.
Posts
