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| The Man with the Light; Just a short story I started... | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Oct 15 2007, 03:54 AM (4,286 Views) | |
| Turnip05 | Jun 14 2008, 04:56 AM Post #76 |
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Majestic Turnip
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*kneads brain into cookie dough* ... *eats* ‘You’re kidding me?!’ Stanley laughed, and fell back on his bed with a thump. Beside him, Penny giggled and turned to Mrs. Gladys with a grin, but the old woman only shook her head. ‘He’s meant to be restin’ - not havin’ hysterics!’ ‘What’s wrong with being cheered up!’ the supposedly sick man cried, sitting up. ‘This is fantastic news! I can’t believe it all worked out for real…’ he started laughing again and started Penny off too. ‘They’ve still got to get through court, my pumpkin,’ Mrs. Gladys reasoned, hands on hips. Penny sighed and pulled a face to this. ‘Killjoy…’ she pouted, and then started giggling again as Mrs. Gladys tried to smack her on the legs for being cheeky. ‘But seriously, Penny,’ Stanley asked as she settled down, ‘was it really them?’ ‘Think I wouldn’t know? ‘Course it was! Although the Guards called them Harrison, so obviously Lansdale ain’t their proper name.’ ‘Makes sense.’ The girl nodded. ‘They were pretty beat up too, an’ Donald-or whatever his name is- was snarlin’ an’ stuff at the children followin’ - like a mad dog or somethin‘!’ Stanley’s eyes widened, but Mrs. Gladys didn’t seem so surprised. ‘Well, considerin’ the fact those two’ve managed to get out o’ everythin’ with the Fraudster Five so far, it’s probably a great frustration they got cornered this time. Probably got no sleep too, if you said it was a night watch.’ ‘Yeah, they had a lamp an’ stuff over their shoulders...makes you wonder where those two were hidin’ all day…’ There was a pause as Mrs. Gladys reached over the bed to collect the couple of empty mugs that Stanley had been drinking from earlier that morning, until suddenly, the young man gave a jolt. ‘Hey! They’ll have a report out now,’ he exclaimed, ‘it might have been to late to include the capture, but it’ll definably be good to see it in proper writing! - and we should tell Nina and Francis as well…’ ‘Well, those two must be somewhere in the house,’ Mrs. Gladys replied inclining her head out of the bedroom door, ‘but no need to worry about the Courier, my sparrow - my husband’ll be fetchin’ that from the corner shop on his way home from work.’ ‘But we could get a copy for the Hall!’ Penny suggested, clapping her hands. ‘And remind the Manager about what happened with the Lansdale’s again?’ Stanley gave an awkward chuckle, ‘I’ve only just got my job back…and anyway - I doubt the Hall would be that interested in something that isn’t really about them.’ ‘Well, I was only sayin’,’ Penny mumbled, pulling a face, ‘an’ I’m bored! I want somethin’ to do…’ ‘Then go find Nina and Francis and tell them the good news,’ he instructed, lying back down on his bed. ‘Meanwhile, I’m getting some kip,’ Stanley grinned, and lazily bundled himself back up under the bedcovers. Penny pouted and gave him a prod but he shuffled away. ‘I heard Nina creaking around in her attic so she must be in,’ he yawned, voice muffled under the covers. But the girl just pouted again, and Mrs. Gladys shook her head to Stanley, ushering out the sullen-looking mite as she went to take the dishes downstairs. Moodily, Penny obeyed, and having watched Mrs. Gladys bustle down the stairs to the kitchen, and feel the door close behind her, she wandered across the landing to the other stairs to climb them drearily to reach the top floor and attic. Despite the happy news that the long-time-troublesome Lansdales - or Harrisons as they were now discovered to be called - were gone, she suddenly felt as though the excitement was already done and over. It didn’t seem fair - she wanted everybody to be suddenly up and about! - racing around! - rushing to get the latest news! But instead they were all being so adult, so reasonable and annoyingly patient. Sure, Stanley had seemed delighted at first, but now he was back to being a bleary sick person again, and Mrs. Gladys had just doused the happiness with her discouraging comments instead of reacting properly. Maybe she’d get a better reaction out of Nina… Finally, she reached the top floor and ran along to the trapdoor up to the accountant’s room, cupping her hands around her mouth and calling up at the ceiling. ‘Hey! I’ve got news, Nina!’ she cried, ‘it’s about those Lansdales!…or should I say Harrisons?’ she added with a murmur. Either way there was thump from above, and in moments the trapdoor was thrust open to reveal the eager looking red-head. ‘Did they catch them?’ she cried frantically, frizzy hair hanging down as she leant over the gap. ‘Yeah! I saw them bein’ taken by handbell across to the police yard. Definably them!’ ‘Ahaha!’ Nina laughed ecstatically, and beamed down at Penny excitedly, quickly catching her thick spectacles as they nearly fell off the end of her nose. This is more like it! the young girl thought happily. ‘And this was just now?’ the lady asked, having hurriedly sorted out her glasses. ‘Mmhmm,’ Penny nodded, ‘when I was comin’ along Bradbury Lane. They were all beat up as if it’d been a proper struggle too!’ Nina’s eyes widened to this, and another grin plastered across her face. You could tell being in the Courier must have affected her somehow with such an eager ear for drama. ‘Oh! I’ve got to tell my sister!’ she rambled, and quickly gathered herself up, disappearing for a few moments before she came back into view with her ladder. ‘Mind yourself!’ she called cheerfully, and eased the ladder down onto the ground below with a grunt. Then scurrying down with a pole in hand, Nina reached the floor too. ‘I can’t believe we got them this fast! I thought it would be a few more days at least!‘ she exclaimed, ‘and I’ll go tell Mrs. Gladys I should be back by nine in case I’m imprisoned by my wonderful family!’ she told Penny with a chuckle, and hooked the end of the ladder to push it back up into the loft, knocking the trapdoor shut too. ‘Thanks! I‘ll see you later!’ she called, and was off like a trot down the stairs, red hair streaming out messily behind her, leaving Penny to watch her go with a bright grin. Now it’s Francis’ turn… Following after the swiftly descending woman, Penny clattered down one floor to reach Francis’ and Stanley’s level, but it was only when she actually reached Francis’ door with a skip that she realised she couldn’t actually imagine the artist getting excited over anything. Other than his wallpaper patterns of course… A little disheartened at this thought, she knocked on the door a little less enthusiastically than she’d planned, leaning against the post to wait for his reply. ‘Hey! Just tellin’ the news Francis,’ she called in awkwardly, ‘um, it’s about the-’ ’-Lansdales?’ The door opened creakily, and Penny jumped to see a messy looking Francis appear in the doorway, a wide smile stretched across his pale face at her sudden surprise. ‘I heard you talking with Stanley before…you’re quite loud you know,’ he murmured, answering the question she hadn’t asked out loud. ‘Oh. So you already know everythin‘?’ Penny asked, feeling silly. ‘The Lansdales are finally shackled in chains after all this time, and we‘re very happy to hear it.’ ‘Um…yeah.’ Francis gave a hiccupping chuckle to this and stood back from his door, turning away to a crooked easel perched in the corner, laden with a heavy looking canvas. It was smeared with various shades of yellow paint, slightly hinted with orange at the edges. It didn’t look as though he’d been working on it long… ‘I’m starting a painting based on the good news,’ Francis told her as he sat down at his stool, confirming her thoughts, ‘It will be yellow, because yellow is a happy colour.’ A little bemused, Penny stayed to watch Francis paint sheepishly, wondering if this was his way of celebrating, as Nina made herself terribly busy, and Stanley just laughed outright. She guessed they had been working at the Lansdales for a while now, so perhaps they had all known it would have been inevitable. Maybe that was why Mrs. Gladys was so un-impressed and Stanley so nonchalant… ‘Will you tell me when Mr. Gladys comes in?‘ Francis suddenly asked, still following his paintbrush across the canvas. ‘Yeah, o’ course. I think everyone’s waitin’ on him,’ Penny replied. The artist nodded, and dipped his paintbrush again. Realising there wasn’t much else to say since he already had the news, Penny turned around to walk out the door. Then, realising something else, she stopped in mid-step, and turned back round again. Better to ask now or never, she thought… ‘Hey, Francis,’ she called, waiting for him to turn back, ‘can I ask you somethin’? I mean I can’t really ask anyone else - but it’s not like, personal or anythin‘, so-‘ ‘-ask away,‘ Francis cut in gently. Penny beamed and felt her cheeks flush. ‘Well, it’s just I was thinkin’ yesterday an’ stuff whist I was at work, that I should really sorta thank Mrs. Gladys an’ Stanley, you know, for everythin’ they’ve done for me over these past months - an’ ‘cause I don’t think I’ve ever really said thank you - an’ I just wanta know…you know….what d’you think I should do to thank them? Like…properly?’ She felt her cheeks redden a shade more, but she kept her ground as Francis rested his gaze on her thoughtfully. ‘It’s just they’ve done a lot for me, you know, gettin’ me off the streets an‘ things...’ she murmured. Then slowly, she watched him gave her a soft smile. ‘I think…‘ Francis leant back on his stool slightly ‘…I think you needn’t to do anything Penny,’ he replied, ‘being yourself and helping around the house - that’s more than enough for them I believe.’ ‘But I want to do somethin’ special!’ she told him. But he only shook his head quietly. ‘You’d only make Stanley flustered, and no doubt Mrs. Gladys would refuse. They like it when you smile though, Penny. You already bring a lot of cheer to this house, so perhaps you’ve given your thanks and compliments.’ Smiling as he ended the last word, he flicked his brush off the canvas, and Penny saw he’d drawn an orange upward curve on his stretch of yellow - a smile for his happy news. She wasn’t to sure if she was supposed to reply to this, and just stood letting her blush cool down. ‘Thanks,’ she squeaked eventually, and then quietly moved away out the door. Francis didn’t answer, but she saw his smile widen as she stepped away… Back outside, the door closed wordlessly behind her, she suddenly found herself with no where to go. Stanley would be sleeping in a cocoon of warm blankets by now no doubt, and with Nina already gone, she only had the option of helping Mrs. Gladys out in the kitchen with lunch - but she felt too restless for that. And anyway, Mrs. Gladys always complained she got in the way of cupboards when they were both cooking in the kitchen at once… Her feet still walked her to the stairs though, and she leant down over the banister to see what was happening downstairs. There was a low murmur coming from the kitchen, and looking down as it stopped, Penny gave a start when she suddenly saw Nina trundle out of the door. ‘I thought you’d gone!’ she cried, and then smacked her hands over her mouth as she realised how loud she’d been. Nina froze at this, and then looked up when she realised it was just Penny. ‘Oh! Yes. Sorry. Got a bit carried away talking to Mrs. Gladys,’ the woman chuckled sheepishly, readjusting her spectacles to look up at the girl, ‘silly me…but I’ll be getting away now! Don’t you worry!’ To her word, Nina began to make a start towards the door, only to jump back as it was suddenly knocked upon from the other side. ‘Oh!’ For a moment she only stood there, and then realised she had to answer it, hurriedly opening the door in embarrassment. There, standing on the doorstep, stood a dutiful looking Guard, helmet and breastplate shining in the bright sunlight so he looked as if he was glowing. Penny blinked with surprise in synchrony with Nina on the stairs. ‘Ah! Good morning, miss,’ the policeman said politely, nodding. ‘Oh, er, good morning,’ she replied, a little flustered. ‘Is a Miss. Nina Cork in at the moment?’ The man knocked his helmet back up as he looked expectantly at the short lady. ‘Oh! You’re talking to her right now,’ Nina said cheerfully. ‘Ah! Good…then may I ask you to accompany me to the police station, miss?’ the Guard requested, and suddenly Nina felt her smile drop, ‘I’m afraid we have quite a few questions we wish to ask of you…’ |
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| Woo | Jun 18 2008, 07:35 AM Post #77 |
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Queen of all! bow before my might!
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ah! poor Nina! also, no eating brains! its not good for you.
and, MY EXAMS ARE DONE! I now have more time to read your wonderful story!
I've not been on Brackenwood in a little while, but this was one of the first things I checked out.
and, still amazing as ever.
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| Turnip05 | Jun 21 2008, 05:23 AM Post #78 |
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Majestic Turnip
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Hee - thanks Woo! - glad to hear your exams are over
It makes me so happy that people still like this The door echoed four steady knocks to signify Nina‘s return, and the company of three in the kitchen almost bolted out their seats to answer the call. After Nina had left with the Guard, Penny had run up to Stanley and told him the news as fast as she could, pulling him out of his sweet slumber and then worrying him sick about Nina. He tried to get back to bed, but his anxious mind wouldn’t let him rest, and his stomach was giving horribly uneasy turnings. It was hard to be sure of whether it was because of the illness or nervousness… ‘Now look what you’ve done!’ Mrs. Gladys scolded to the young girl as she dragged Stanley downstairs to sit in the kitchen, draping a blanket over his shoulders as he settled himself down worriedly in a seat. Penny only pulled a face and said ‘she’d only been trying to help’, and went back to eating her lunch. Trying to get the man out of his thoughts, Mrs. Gladys offered a bowl of soup to eat, or a cup of tea to drink, but he declined both, shaking his head. ‘I’m feeling a bit queasy for either,’ he murmured, ‘And I can’t stop thinking of what they want Nina for…‘ ‘I’m sure it’s nothin’ serious, my pumpkin,’ Mrs. Gladys tried to console, ‘the chap at the door seemed nice enough, Penny told me.’ Penny nodded, ‘he was polite, Stanley.’ But the young man only gave a frown. ‘Politeness can mean anything. The Lans-um, I mean the Harrisons were somewhat polite - but that doesn‘t mean they were nice chaps, does it?‘ Penny shrugged and pouted at her food. ‘And what if Nina’s accidentally done something illegal in collecting all that evidence?’ Stanley continued, ‘violated some law, or breached a code of conduct with the Courier?’ He ran his fingers through his hair messily. ‘We shouldn’t have asked her to do it. We knew it might have been risky…’ Mrs. Gladys sighed as she watched him, and shook her head. ‘You weren’t the one who asked her, my sparrow - it’s hardly your fault.’ ‘But she could still be in trouble!’ There was a pause as the old woman rolled her eyes. ‘I don’t know why I bother…’ she muttered. ‘But Stanley’s right!‘ Penny said between a mouthful of bread and cheese, ‘she might be fined or somethin’ even though she’s helped the police out…I don’t think it would be as bad as jail though…’ Stanley’s eyebrows raised. ‘I didn’t think about jail…’ he murmured. ‘Good! Now stop thinkin’ about it an’ worryin‘ so dramatically,’ Mrs. Gladys ordered , and pulled punishingly at the young man’s ear. ‘Ow!’ ‘I’ll not be lettin’ you go to the Halls otherwise, since you ain’t been keepin‘ up that promise o’ yours,’ she continued, and Stanley bitterly obeyed as she let go, now occasionally glancing up at the clock as they waited, and waited for Nina‘s return… It was so, that the poor woman was nearly swarmed as she came into the house. ‘Are you alright? What did they want with you?’ ‘Did they do anything?’ ‘No no! No worries! I’m fine,’ the pressed woman answered quickly, holding up her hands, ‘they just want me there at court.’ ‘At court?’ ‘Yes, I’ll have to stay at the Capital for a while,’ she replied calmly, removing her coat. Penny gasped. ‘All the way at the Capital?!’ ‘Yes, yes. It’s a big case - all five of the Fraudster group are going to be put on trial together.’ ‘But the capital?‘ Stanley questioned worriedly, still holding onto his blanket, ‘that‘s a four day’s journey away! Even by horse coach…Something could happen!…’ ‘Nonsense! I’ll be fine!’ she declared confidently, and strode past them into the kitchen, trailing all three behind her like some kind of bizarre parade. ‘And anyway, it’s hardly as if the trial will last long,’ she continued, ‘the Harrison couple running away is confession enough, don’t you think? And they’ve already got the rest under lock and key, so it’s not as if they can prove themselves innocent after being convicted already. Felicity Jones herself spilled the beans for the Lans- um Harrison’s escape plan.’ ‘Felicity Jones?’ Penny asked as they watched Nina search for the kettle. ‘Old member of the Fraudster Five.’ Mrs. Gladys frowned and began helping the woman search. ‘But how’d someone in jail know ‘bout the Lansdale’s escape route?’ ‘Well I don’t- oh thank you- I don’t know!’ she retorted, half-thanking, half-rebutting Mrs. Gladys as she was handed the kettle, ‘it was just mentioned sometime or other whilst I was talking to the chief officer…’ ‘So did you see the cells when you were down there?’ Penny pestered ever more. ‘What? No!’ ‘Then you didn’t see the Harrisons?’ ‘No!’ ‘Oh. So did they tell you anything more?’ ‘No! No, no, no. Why would they?’ Nina cried exasperatedly, throwing her hands up in the air and briskly turning round to face the child. ‘Look. I’m going to the Capital to help with the court case, and that’s all. The evidence was compiled in my name, so I have to go. They didn’t give me any other information than that - so stop asking!’ ‘But they must have told you about Felicity!’ Penny slapped her hand over her mouth, unable to help herself. Nina twitched visibly. There was a pregnant silence, as all waited for the redhead to explode, but instead she only sucked in her breath and proceeded to fill the kettle in a deathly, quiet manner. This was Penny’s time to escape, and escape she did, shortly followed by a wise Stanley who wasn’t willing to risk breathing in the same room for too long after seeing Nina slam the filled kettle on the bench with such force that the cupboards rattled on the walls. The two now hovered uncertainly on the stairs. ‘How long ‘til Mr. Gladys gets home?’ Penny asked to fill the silence. Stanley glanced up at the hall clock. ‘A little less than three hours?’ Penny gave a moan, and slumped onto Stanley’s blanket covered shoulder. The young man chuckled. A few moments later Mrs. Gladys came by with her handbag and shuffled them off their feet. ‘Here. I’ve got some errands for you bone idles - I’m poppin’ over to a friends. Get the washin’ in since most of it’s your own, and clean up your lunch dishes little lady. Nina’ll be goin’ out in quarter of an hour so I’d wait ’til then.’ Penny sighed, but agreed, and Stanley nodded as he shook the young girl from his shoulder. ‘I’ll go put this blanket back then…’ he murmured, and wandered back up the stairs. ‘Good. You keep your stomach down too, an’ I’ll see you later my sparrows,’ she said, and collected her coat before going out the house… The chores were soon done as Nina finally disappeared off to see her sister as planned, with the kitchen spick and span, and washing all in for pressing and ironing as requested. They’d done more than had been asked for, both being bored and Stanley not feeling well enough to go out, but eventually they were stopped as the front door was opened noisily, and a cheerful voice rang out through the house. ‘Hey ho! Any of you lot home?’ Mr. Gladys was obviously in a good mood, and as they heard the front door shut behind him, Penny and Stanley called out from the kitchen. ‘Ah! Good!’ the man called back, bustling into the now gleaming and spotless room to find the other two watching him from the table. There was a moment as he paused in the doorway and brushed himself down, and to the two spectators curiosity, cleared his throat with the expertise of one who wants attention. From behind him he produced a folded newsletter, and glancing cheerfully at his now bemused audience, happily began to read with enthusiasm from what Stanley could now see as the Blue Willow Courier. ‘Serious Fraud Operation Busted by Local Woman!’ the man read out loudly. Oh dear, the young man thought guiltily, We already know the story, and he thinks it’s going to surprise us… Glancing over to Penny, he could tell she’d realised the same thing. They shared a look. ‘…Dahl and Rosa Harrison, formerly known as Donald and Tetra Lansdale, were successfully arrested today by the city Guards for involvement in a major fraud attempt on this very company, the Blue Willow Courier. Evidence was given and gathered by fellow, diligent co-worker Nina Cork (23) who had been working in her own time to attempt to clean up, or indeed prove, the suspicious rumours surrounding the ‘Lansdale’ couple. All revealed astonishingly that the two star reporters - now not so starry - were both part of the infamous Fraudster Five, and are the last two to be captured and put on trial for the heavy number of crimes committed against the county’s many journalistic businesses; including the legendary bringing down of the Black Horse Express office in the Capital eight years ago. ‘Whilst the couple were discovered to have escaped after the collected evidence was passed on to the city Guards, Felicity Jones, an ex and three-year-jailed member of the Fraudster Five assisted the police in finding the dodgy duo, relaying old methods of get away used by the group. It has been confirmed the information was given voluntary, although reasons for such an action have not yet been given. ‘Schemes and records were found in the Harrison’s bags after arrest, all collectively proving Miss Cork’s evidence that they were planning to scam and bring down the Blue Willow Courier office for over 20,000 pounds(*), even after having befriended and helped expand the company dramatically these last six months. ‘Commander of the city Guards, Will Trudgen (38) had this to say on such an exciting capture - “It’s amazing and an honour to have finally rounded up this old organisation of criminals once and for all! - they’ve taken down nine major businesses already with their trusting tactics and clever scams, and I’m sure everyone will be happy to see the back of them.” ‘The Blue Willow Courier would personally like to thank Miss. Cork and her assistants in this matter for their hard, selfless work in uncovering the Harrison’s sinister scheme, and bringing it to the Guard’s attention. ‘The final trial for the Fraudster Five will be starting a week from now in the Capital, where high court judges will be re-evaluating the prison term of the group for their long-time major felonies against this country’s economy and people. ‘Matthew Parker for the Blue Willow Courier…’ Mr. Gladys looked up as he finished, and beamed. ‘What d’you think of that then, eh? After all the trouble those buggers caused us, eh? Our Nina upstairs too!’ Both Penny and Stanley said nothing, and watched as the old man’s smile disappeared. ‘What? You’re not happy about this?’ Mr. Gladys exclaimed in disbelief. ‘No, it’s just…we already know,’ Stanley said sheepishly, cringing as Mr. Gladys began to frown. ‘We hadn’t read the paper wer’selves, though!’ Penny added, ‘an’ it was definably good to hear it as somethin’ official an‘ proper! We were waitin’ for you to come home with the news, actually…’ ‘Really?’ the man asked, taken aback, ‘but…how on earth did you know?’ ‘We um…well really we were already in on the plot before it was published,’ Stanley explained nervously, ‘even helped Nina with the evidence at one point. But…it’s not as if we had much to do with discovering the Harrisons!…we just knew about Nina‘s and Johnny‘s work…I guess…’ ‘Johnny?’ There was a rustle as the old man began to search through the paper for the name. ‘Oh, er, I don’t think he was mentioned, but he was the one who suggested the investigation on the Lansdales in the first place. Johnny delivered the evidence too, but Nina’s name seems to be the one that was credited. She did do a lot of work on this, you see…’ Mr. Gladys appeared to wrestle with a few thoughts, still frowning at the newsletter page, but then gave a disappointed sigh with a shrug of his shoulders to the other two’s relief. ‘If you say so, although I was hopin’ for a better reaction,’ he grumbled, folding the paper back up again. ‘Sorry,’ Stanley apologised. The old man waved it away and shook his head. ‘Just make me a cup of tea will you? That’ll repay my disappointment…’ [size=1](*) I think I’ve used currency before, but just to explain I’m basing money value on old pre-decimal pounds (UK) which would be worth a lot more than today’s £1. It might be averaged at perhaps around £25, so 20,000 old pounds would be about £500,000 today. It’s hard to be accurate, but just so you know... EDIT: This is also why earlier on (not sure how far back) the urchin Francis gives a pound to thinks of the note as a 'fortune'[/size] |
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and, MY EXAMS ARE DONE! I now have more time to read your wonderful story!
I've not been on Brackenwood in a little while, but this was one of the first things I checked out.
and, still amazing as ever.

6:40 PM Jul 11