Toons of Theresa

“I've come to realize that life is not a musical comedy, it's a Greek tragedy.” - Billy Joel

“Hey Gale, what say you dump that boyfriend of yours and let a real man show how you should be romanced!” Neal then grinned at her and thumbing his chest. Gale laughed, shooting back, “First, you only wish you could measure up to Nix. Second, I ain’t got time to wait for you to become a real man and third remember that guy that got his head fried? You sure you want to be playing with me like that?”

“Hey, ok, ok I am just teasing shheeezzzz! You know I am just goofing.”

“I know Neal, that’s why I have not kicked your ass.”

“Er… can we get back to practicing.” Brian sighed in his typical non-chalet way, “we don't have much time and you’re going to be gone a week.” Gale often wondered if anything ever got to Brian and swore one day she was going to make him lose it somehow.

“Yeah but take a fifteen first, I need a smoke.” Then setting her guitar down she goes out side and stretches and then takes her cell phone out speed dials Nix as she lights up a cigarette and leans back against the wall.

Waling around Meri’s, Nix decides that the hall is the biggest place to practice in and drops his shirt on an old statue then takes a stance to begin. “Alright... the basics first.” He starts to move when his jeans vibrate and the song 'Everywhere I go' from Hollywood Undead plays as his ringtone. “Shit… phone.” and opens his cell, “Spooky Meri's Goofy assistant speaking?”

“Oh I am sorry I was calling for the Amazing…” Gale stops herself. ‘Wait stupid, don't be pissing him off now’ and interjects the save, “I mean the Baka Boy.”

“The Amazing Baka Boy speaking.” She can tell he his grinning that smart-ass grin of his, “We'll confirm the other part in Japan.” and her eyes roll as he laughs. “What can I do for the most wonderful girlfriend in the world?”

“Most woderfu... ok now what have you been up to now?” her curiosity and suspicion peeked by the unusual flattery and exhales from her cigarette waiting on what story she will get from him, they were usually really creative. Instead, she got “Whatever do you mean luv?” but can’t help but giggle anyway. “Oh don't play baka with me you.”

“I'm training right now, or was about too but I mean, if your like, in a secluded spot maybe I could go back to my room and hum... you know.”

“Oh you must be up to something with all that flattery... oh really? Have you forgotten... J..A..P..A...N?” spelling out Japan for him. Then her mind starts to walk that path, ‘although... no, no must wait, must wait.’ and she shakes her head to get get back on subject. “Besides, I haven't been on the pill long enough yet you know that.” Then her mind once more interjects, ‘but if he wore a… and pulled... NO, NO, NO, wait till Japan!’
“How you getting along at Meri's... I was thinking about you at while we practiced.”

“I'm always thinking about you.” he smiles, “I'm good I guess. Tiph sent Tomo and Lat to keep an eye on me... sort of... like I was going to do something stupid.”

“Oh... are you going to do something stupid?” then berates her self for the stupid question, of course the answer was probably yes if Tiph sent them to watch him. “Remember we promised each other; if we are going to do something stupid we talk to each other first no secrets remember?”

“Hey, you know me, I'm as tame as a little kitty cat... I would never. Don't worry; I don't know enough to do something stupid anyways. If I was though, I’d tell you, promise, sides, you know me. What about you? What are you up too?”

“I do know you, but I trust you anyway.” She giggles and then starts playing with her hair. “Anyway, like I said we are practicing and hitting it hard, trying to get in as much as we can in before Japan.” Seeing Neal come out to smoke as well looks at him, “OH and Neal says hi too, Nix!” punctuating Nix’s name for Neal and having the desired effect and he waves his hands ‘no’ with a ‘Are you crazy look?’ and runs back inside as she laughs.

“Oh, tell him hey! They’re all being 'gentlemanly' with you right. Why you laughing?”

“Oh yes...” laughing harder remembering Neal’s face in panic, “…oh nothing, anyway I am missing you is all. Last night was fun watching the movie with you and Nathan-chan sleeping on your lap. Sorry I fell asleep on you too but you are comfortable.”

‘Other things could of been done on my lap.’ he grins, “Was great. We should definitely do that again although, not soon... I think, but hey no worries.”

“Oh, by the way... do you know a keyboard player or another guitarist?”

“I know a few, need some new talent, looking to grow or is someone getting the boot?”

“No grow... I need keyboards for a lot of the arrangements I have written and Neal can do it but then I need another guitarist. So no one is getting the boot they are a good group of guys Nix. I was really lucky that...” she stops herself as she was about to say that Takumi got them, “…well I was lucky.”

“Well...” hesitating because he is not really sure he should but, “I know these girls, Twins…” Why in god’s name did he say that!? Yes, he knew them. Yes they were good musician but... 'I’m an idiot'.

“Twins?” interrupting, “Girls? Twin girls?”

“Yeah, they got booted from Julliard but they are tight... I mean very good players.” He swallows, ‘walk carefully, Nix, your in a mine field.’

“Twins girls YOU know.”

‘Ok REAL careful’ “Well, yeah, haven't seen them in like a year or so but anyways, they used to play in this snobby place uptown. Maybe one of them would be interested.”

“Oh... and just what… DO... they play?” Her voice frosty and Nix can almost swear it seems like ice forming on his phone.

“Pretty much everything and anything. Best pair of hands I've seen...” ‘oooh, bad wording recoup, recoup!’ “...best key players I've seen. Jewel was all about rock pieces in the past and Trin liked classical with a twist. But both could play anything people threw at them, hell, coolest Battery version I heard was done by them on a classical piano.

“Hands huh, and just how do you know them?” Then gale stops herself, ‘ok calm down... it was before you met him... it better damn well be before we met… breath, breath.’

“Well I used to solo in a bunch of place a while back. If it wasn't the street is was dives or private places. Met them during that time, we jammed twice together with another band and that was it.”

‘Think about the band, think about the band... not about twins and Nix... not about twins and Nix… twins and Nix.’ “Sure, I will give them a listen.” ‘What the fuck am I saying?’ “If they are good and can hang with my style...” ‘And keep their freaken hands off of… stop, stop, breath.’

“They were raised to be artists but then they both kinda rebelled at Julliard, trying new stuff.” and he makes a mental note, ‘Never mention THAT night where Jewel had... best forget it entirely.’

“Ok you know how to contact them?” ‘And the answer better be no.’

“I'll send you Jewel's number.” ‘FUCK!’ “I mean if she still uses the same phone, might be dead. Had it for like ever.” ‘SHIT!’ “Great... messaging it to you now.”

“WHAT? I... er… I mean good. Wait, ME? You want ME to call them?” ‘Oh yeah I will call them all right mister and they better look like pigs.’

Praying that the twins had changed terribly and weren't the hotties they used to be a year ago. “Ya, call em I'm sure they don't remember me anyways. Never really talked much.”

‘Better not!’ “Oh I am sure they would remember you.” ‘and if they do... oooohhhhh’

His nervous laughter is heard as he wonders if he should call them first and ask them to never talk about when he used to crash at their place. “Cool!”

Gale looks at the phone as it signals his text message. “Ok I got it... I guess I will call them now.” ‘and see just how much I will make you suffer.’ “Ok baby see you for movies then later?”

“Nah... Well, unless you come here but I was thinking, if people are truly after me, I'd rather keep you, your mom and Nate out of it. You know safe and all.” his concern genuine in his voice. “As much as I enjoyed last night, it was risky.”

“Ok I will see about a sitter for Nathan-chan then. I love you, baka boy and will call later.”

He smiles as he leans back against the statue. “Love me that much huh? Ok, love you more!”

“Yep gotta go now.” and she hangs up then quickly dials the number.

Nix closes his phone smiling but then his face turns to fearful, “I friggin hope they changed numbers.”

“It's easy to play any musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will play itself.” - J.S. Bach

“Gale you coming I thought you said…” Neal began before Gale turned on him, phone to her ear. “SHUT UP I WILL BE THERE WHEN I AM READY!” Neal turns around closing the door, “O… k… then.”

The line picks up and she hears an upbeat and beautiful answer, “This Jewels and Trin business line, Jewel's speaking.” Gale leans back against the wall, ‘fuck, she sound pretty’ then trying to sound professional lifts her head looking up. “Hi this is Gale, Gale Arasaka; I’m calling for Jewel or Trin.”

“Well, you got Jewel on the line.” and Gale can even hear her smiling. “Trin's otherwise busy right now.” Gale can hear laughing in the background and another girl’s voice telling Jewel to shut up. Gale mumbles about her even sounding pretty then realizes she is on the line, “Um… Nix, I mean James, James Phoenix gave me your number. You probably don’t remember…” Jewel screams ‘James’ and Gale moves the phone from her ear before continuing, “Oh... you do. ‘Fuck!’ Good you do remember him.”

Jewel calms down a bit but still excited asks, “James, how is he?”

“Ok… ‘bitch you don't have to sound so goddamn happy about it.’ …he is… ‘getting ready for traction is what he is’ doing good, real good.”

Hearing a voice in the background that she assumes is Trin, “That the guitar guy you totally fell for J?” and Gale twists her neck till it cracks ‘the band… think of the band.’

“Oh cool.” Then again Jewel talks to her sister, “Shut up Trin! Sorry miss, sisters annoying you know. So what's this about miss, hum, Arasaka?”

“No worries.” Gale laughs half-heartily thinking, ‘Cept me putting my foot so far up your…’ “Only child so I don't have that problem and call me Gale. Say could we meet for coffee or such and talk? Nix said you two might be looking for a band."

“Oh sweet, Gale... He did?” again she hears Jewel talk back at her sister, “He totally remembers me!” then giggles before she addresses Gale again, “Sure, I'd love... we'd love too!” She also hears Trin in the background talking, “Nice! He was funny at least but too skinny for my taste.”

Gale is fuming and doing her best to hold it together, ‘Too skinny? You fat…’ “I would love to talk to both of you. The Starbucks at Main and hazard say in fifteen?”

“We can make it!” Yelling back to her sister, “Get up now and stop playing WoW!” Back to Gale, “We'll be there! I'll bring some audio you can listen too. We recorded a few three weeks ago. And Gale, thanks a lot! Hum... hey, think I can get James' number off you?”

“Good will do the same... ‘His number? Of course not you…’ …er... yeah, sure when I get there totally... bye now.” As she goes into to the warehouse, there is a dark shadow across her face as she fumes. “About time you...” Neal begins then is cut off by a look and he feels his testicles retract. Gale’s voice is tight and low, “keep practicing I am going to be back later.”

“What you are bailing?” Shin asks and then wishes he hadn’t as Gale turns on him, “I SAID KEEP PRACTICING I WILL BE BACK LATTER!” then storms out slamming the door.

Brian looks up from his paper, “Only one thing gets Gale that mad.” he begins and then they all finish the thought in unison, “Nix!”

“I'm just a musical prostitute, my dear.” - Freddie Mercury

She puffs furiously on her cigarette and sips her mocha frap while sitting at the table outside of the Starbucks. She looks at each unattractive female becoming hopeful, then sighs as they walk past. Then her hopes all die when she sees two girls, both looking similar but for their clothes and to herself, “Oh no fucking way, shit! Smile; remember to smile...then kill them.”

One has long silky black hair tied in a simple ponytail and is smiling; wearing little makeup and she's a natural beauty. The kind of girl women love to hate and Gale was hating now. Short shorts, white t-shirt showing a shoulder and she bounces as she walks causing gale to give her own breast a quick glance, ‘Oh and of course big boobs... why me?’

The other, a bit more of a somber look with hair loose is wearing boots, fishnets under a small black skirt with an ‘I'm with stupid’ T-shirt. Blowing gum and smirking at her sister’s enthusiasm. Taking a deep breath Gale stands as the simple beauty stops infront of Gale. “Gale? I'm Jewel!” and smiles a beautiful smile. “This is Trin.” pointing to her sister. “Hi, nice to meet ya!” Trin greets her then blows a bubble, “Sorry... trying to stop smoking.”

‘Smile for the bitches’ “Yeah.. understood.” holding up her cigarette, “So hi and why don’t you both go and get you something to drink and then let’s talk.”

Trin tells them she’s got it, “You girls go ahead and talk.” and then asks if Gale wants anything. Gale holds her drink, showing her she doesn’t thinking, ‘You girls? What the fuck this ain’t no sleep over.’

“Just drinks Trin, no guys... this is business.” Then Jewel turns to Gale, “Ok cool. Trin is a bit of a man hunter.”

“Soka.” Gale smiles and nods, ‘I hate my life.’ “So, tell me a bit about yourselves. Nix said you both were good. How did you start playing, how long, what music do you want to play, when did you meet nix?”

Smiling at Nix’s name, “James said that? Excellent, hum, basically, Trin and I were raised in private school with a classical education. Our father pretty much made us learn piano, violin and cello from the time we were old enough to hold them. He was an Italian businessman and well, he fell in love with America but kept the old snobbish traditions alive.” Then grinning, “So what's James doing these days?”

“Oh not much.” ‘Cept getting ready for a hurt fest’ Gale waves her hand, “I mean you know Nix.”

“I wish I did.” smiling sheepishly, “I mean, he was actually quite a mystery to us but funny.”

“Mystery? Sounds like something serious… ‘bitch’ …how so?”

“Trin and me went to Julliard at a young age to further our classical studies and stuff... Then dad died and well, Trin lost it while I tried to keep it together. There was this little gang of us that played different clubs and stuff and James would just appear on different nights, jamming like a guitar king and then, woosh, vanishing. No one knew much about him really.”

Gale lights another cigarette listing as Jewel talks and notice her face becoming sad as she does. “Then one night, he showed up all banged up and beaten. I mean, somebody had taken a bat to him or something but he pleaded the owner at this bar to let him play.” Jewel looks at Gale and smiles weakly, “Even Trin felt sad but then he played this amazing jam and sang this heart wrenching song. I mean, people in the bar were friggin crying and stuff. So after that we just took him home.” and very much notices her smile at the memory.

‘What someone beat him? moutha fucker…’ “WHO? …I ahem… I mean did they find out who did that to him?” Jewel shakes her head no, “Well, Trin and I felt sorry for him and well...” Gale finishes the sentence for her, “one thing lead to another, I get it.” And she slumps some and tries her best not to look defeated.

“Sorry for who?” It was Trin back with the drinks.

“You sister was telling me how you both fell in love with Nix.”

“Talking about James... The night he crashed at our place.” then hearing Gale blushes. Trin starts laughing, again, a nice laugh, “Maybe her!” laughing more, “He's way too skinny for my taste but ya, he's a good guy I guess, had it rough looked like.”

“Oh is ok we are all grown up here and you two are definitely more grown up then I am.” looking at her breast for a moment and then back up. ‘Band... think of what is good for the band... and not how you want to tear their faces off.’

“So, do either of you sing, can you sing back up?”

“Oh, we can both sing, no problem.” Jewel reaches in her pocket and hands a small USB device to Gale, “Here.” Gale takes it, attaches it to an MP3 player and places the earpieces in and listens as Jewel explains, “So on this you got, Trin on piano and cello, some singing with a band called Grunge Mix. The band sucks but her voice rocks and there's me doing some piano, keyboard, some violin and singing a few rock, punk and classical songs.”

‘Fuck why the fuck did they have to be good? Their music was tight in spite of the other musicians... damn it all to hell.’

“I mean, we like to take our instruments out of the usual medium. I mean, why the hell can't a piano rock the Ramones right?” Jewel grins and takes drinks then Trin suddenly shouts out “Oh fuck! I knew I recognized you!” and pointing, “Your that Gale chick!”

“Eh?” is all Gale is able to get out, being taken by surprise.

“You’re totally popular and awesome!” Trin raves on and Gale points to her nose, “Boku?”

Jewel looks at her sister a bit worried and tries to calm her down as Trin continues on, “You were on the tube a while back... big scandal and all and then the media totally changed stance on you!” Gale facepalms and slumps down in her chair.

“Right, I'm not crazy right? Sorry, I just recognized some of the tatts... their cool by the way.” Gale’s head drops on the table face down, ‘Great just fucking great.’ and sighs, “Yeah...than was me.” Leaving her head on the table she pulls out a flyer and places it on the table and pushes it over to Jewel.

Picking it up Jewel looks it over, “Nightingale... oh ya, I heard... wait, that's your band?” and she breaks into a big smile.

Still facedown on the table, “Yeah... that’s us.”

“All smiles now she takes a picture of Gale with her phone, “Sorry! Just, so cool!”

“We are headlining... I need keyboards and back up vocals.”

At the same time Jewel and Trin both shout out, “WE CAN DO IT!”

‘Of course you can... my life sucks.’ Gale sighs, “The base pay ain’t great but we get a cut of the door spilt equally amongst all of us.” With her face still on the table she pulls out a card and pen, “From what I hear on this you guys are good.” She writes the address of the club and of the warehouse, they practice at, and pushes it towards them. “Be there tomorrow 11:00 am for audition.”

Trin takes the paper and grins wickedly, “We will so nail this like!”

Gale then sites up straight and look at both of them, “I am going to Japan for a week and during that time Brian is in charge. There will be no slaking off of practice I will be video conferencing in to check up.”

“Sure, that works!” Jewel pipes in looking so happy, “We won't let you down!”

“Second, no drugs.” Gale continues, “I find you doing drugs your ass is out! Third, don’t get wasted before a performance, you do I will kick your ass out.”

Jewel gulps and nods, “Got it.” and Trin smirks, “Fair enough.”

But Gale is not done yet, “Fourth, you play for Nightingale you play till you bleed. If you can't give 100% then you are wasting my time. Fifth, and this is a big one so listen up.”

Together Jewel and Trin nod vigorously wondering what's the last one.

“Nix... is MY boyfriend... hands off... or” Gale makes a fist and tightens it till her knuckles crack. Trin laughs and slaps her sisters back almost falling off her chair. “If you can abide by those and you are serious about making it to the top then be there at 11:00 am.” and Gale stands.

“Oh...” Jewel gets out before being slapped. “Hum... Ok, I mean, ya, hands off.” and she manages a smile. It's all good Gale. We won't disappoint you, promise.”

“Good,” Gale smiles, “see you then.” then starts walking off.

“Tomorrow at 11:00, yes!” Jewel calls after her and once Gale is a little farther away, slumps in her chair. Trin laughs and Gale hears it so seeing a can on the ground, kicks it in the air and then leaps up with a spinning kick sending it sailing into a garbage can; she then turns and smiles at them both. ‘Yeah get THAT message bitches.’

Trin can be heard laughing harder then says to her sister, “And she could totally kick our asses!” Jewel smiles weakly to her sister, “Well, at least we might have an awesome gig.”

“Yeah, but what if James there, J?” Trin laughs. “Well, if he's happy then... It's all good!” Looking up Jewel sees Gale standing behind her chair looking down on her. ‘How the hell did she…’

“Forgot to give you Nix’s number.” Gale states and then texts it to Jewel’s cell phone. Snapping her phone shut and grinning, “Go ahead and give hi a call. I am sure he would love to hear from you. Call him now and I will see you tomorrow!” Then with a wave she turns and once more leaves.

“Huh... thanks.” Not sure she wanted it now adds, “I might thank him for hooking us up. ‘Ok, ya, just thank him, that's normal right?’ See Ya!”

Watching and waiting for Gale to be well out of earshot leans over to her sister. “Either she's testing you or she's testing him... In either case sis, put James away ok. Nothing good is gonna come from this if you call him.” Jewel looks at her sister knew she was right but…

Gale walks as a part of her is smiling thinking that they could be the final touch to bring the music fully to life. Then smiles bigger, “Yeah, Nix is gonna totally squirm.”