Bungalow 5

Pam moved the black leather couch so that it was against the wall and under the large picture window and then stood back, taking in the new furniture arrangement. Now she just had to wait a few more days before her electronics arrived from shipping. She looked around and saw a magazine on the bamboo coffee table and picked it up and began flipping through the glossy pages. Just as she was getting into an article on romance novelist Virginia Covington someone knocked on the door.

She tossed the magazine down on the couch and walked over to the door and opened it to find Jeff standing outside, once again. “Um, Hi Jeff.” She said, thankful she was pretty decent with names.

“Hi, I know I made an odd impression earlier and right this moment probably isn’t helping much either, but I’m going to go down to Jacob’s and I thought you might like to go with me.”

“Who’s Jacob?” She asked as she looked at her new co-worker and neighbor.

Jeff smiled, and for the first time Pam saw something very striking about him, “It’s a restaurant.” He said as he pushed his glasses up, “Nothing fancy, just your basic run of the mill diner. I mean you do need to get to know the town, right?” he asked.

Pam nodded, “I do.” She said with a smile, “And I would love to go with you.”

“Great!” He said enthusiastically as she grabbed her purse and then closed the door as they walked down the path to Jeff’s golf cart.

Legolas kissed the young girl roughly up against the wall of the backstage. She began to rip at his shirt before something caught her eye.

“What?” He watched as the girl walked over to a figure lying on the ground. She suddenly screamed at the top of her lungs.

Carlotta ran back stage. “What is it? What has happened?” She asked frantically.

“Kate Harris is dead!” The young girl exclaimed.

“My God…” Legolas muttered.

“Legolas, quickly call an ambulance.”

Legolas looked at her strangely, no one ordered him around.

“Go!” Carlotta screamed as she picked up Kate’s arm to feel for a pulse. “What has happened to you Kate … My Opera is ruined… ruined…”

Max Waterside walked onto the news set and turned on the prompter for the anchors and then for the weatherman. He stood before the green wall and then looked at the small screen that showed him the map. He was right; the machine kept showing only half the island and not the whole thing. He went over to the computer station where everything for the broadcast was put into the database. He brought up the map files and found out what was wrong. He hit a few keys and fixed the entire program.

Then he went around and turned off all the machines and walked back down the hall to his small office, with its white walls filled with posters and maps. Sitting in the desk chair he took control of the computer mouse and brought up an instant messenger program. He highlighted a name and began to type a message.

Peter Montgomery saw the instant message pop up on the screen of his laptop. Drying his hair with a white towel he tossed it on the bed and made sure the towel around his body was secure before sitting down on his desk and replying. He got up and went over to the black dresser on the other side of the room and pulled out a pair of boxers, and slid them on under the towel before tossing it onto the bed with the other. He then went over to the closet and took out a pair of blue jeans and a white wife beater. As he dressed he heard another message pop up and he went over and read it out loud, “How about we meet tonight at Jacob’s around seven.”

Peter sat down again and thought for a moment, “Great idea, but how will I know you?” he said as he typed and then leaned back in the chair.

When a new message came up it said, “I’ll have a book with a rose in it.”

Peter replied and a moment later Eddie started to knock on the door.

“Come on in Eddie.” He said as he closed the IM and then put an away message up.

Eddie came in, looking extremely sad, “Hey man what are you up to tonight?”

“I’m meeting someone for dinner. Why what’s wrong man?” he asked his friend and roommate.

“I just got dumped.” He said as he flopped down on Peter’s bed.

Peter’s heart jumped when he saw that but tried very hard to hide it. They had been best friends all this time and no way in hell would he let Eddie know he had more then friendly feelings for him. So instead he shook his head, “I told you, dating older women will get you nowhere. I’m sure you can find a nice girl our age to date.” He said as he had many times before.

“This one was different Peter, I mean she and I were made to be together.” Eddie said, sure that he and Carmen were soulmates.

Peter rolled his eyes, “Yeah that’s what you said about Sharon our freshmen year of college.”

“That was puppy love.” Eddie defended.

“Then what about Macy, and Callie, oh and lets not forget Alice. All of them have been the one. You haven’t found her yet Eddie.”

“Whatever, so who are you meeting for dinner?” Eddie asked as he sat up, leaning on his forearms.

“This girl, you haven’t met her yet and you won’t until I know what’s going on.” Peter told him as he got up and went to his closet and picked up a pair of sneakers.

“Fine, ya know it’s nice to see you dating again. You haven’t been with anyone since Abigail three years ago.”

Peter looked up as he finished tying his shoe, “Well sometimes it takes a while to heal.”

“I guess so man.” Eddie said as he got up and stretched, his t-shirt rising a bit to reveal his washboard stomach. “Have fun.”

She was near the point of sleep when someone began banging at the door. She groaned. “Ah… Who is it?” A technician stuck her head in. “Paula you’ve got to come see this.”

“What is it?”

“They’re taking Kate to the hospital. She fell down a flight of stairs… I think it serves her right.”

“All right. I’m coming.” They walked briskly to the scene. Kate was being taken away on a stretcher, Carlotta and Legolas were following close behind. The rest of the singers and stagehands formed big groups and gossiped about what had taken place. She started heading back towards her dressing room but was stopped by Devon.

He stared at her for a moment before saying, “We need to talk.”

Carmen sat on her and Alex’s bed wearing a light pink sweat suit and her glasses as she typed away on her laptop. Alex came in wearing his pajama bottoms and got on the bed next to her. “What are you working on?” he asked her as he picked up the television remote control.

“Just some stuff for the hospital fundraiser.” She lied as she continued to type, thinking about the time she and Eddie had sex in the pool house.

“Oh, so um are you on the committee for the new boardwalk?” he asked as he flipped through the channels mindlessly.

“No, I didn’t have time for it. I believe Karen got on it though.” She said as she finished typing up the bit she was working on and closed the laptop, “is this all we have to talk about at night?” she asked as she moved the laptop to the night table and removed her glasses.

Alex looked over at her and smiled, “Well we don’t have to talk.” He said as he pulled her closer and began to kiss her.

“I’ve missed this.” She said as she felt his lips on her neck.

“Me to.” Her murmured as he pushed her blond hair away, “I think we need to start scheduling time together again.”

Karen was dressed in a black dress as she sat at the bar drinking a long island iced tea and listening to the different conversations floating around. It was just another night for her, well she could go by Michael’s and see what he was up to, but she couldn’t. She had to let him be so he could have a life, she couldn’t depend on him forever and she knew that. Boy did she know that after what happened to her in college.

“Excuse me, miss.” Said a strong, British accent, “you’re shoe fell.”

She looked down and saw someone holding her silver pump, “thanks.” She said as the dark haired man slipped it back on her foot.

“No problem at all.” He said as he sat down in the stool next to hers, “I’m Jonathan.”

“Thank you Jonathan, I’m Karen.” She said as she turned to face him, “Are you visiting Ginger Falls?”

He signaled the bartender to get him the same as Karen and then looked at her, “Actually, I just arrived here in town. I’m planning on staying for a while.”

“What is it you do?” She asked as she played with the red plastic straw.

“I’m a novelist.” He said as he picked up his drink and took his first sip, “My first book is with the publisher now, I just had to get away from LA for a while.”

Pam and Jeff entered the diner and took a seat by the front window. A waitress came over and handed them each a menu and took their drink orders. “So where are you from?” Jeff asked as he looked at the menu he knew by heart.

Pam looked up, “I was in Pinõn Hallow, Colorado. I was going to school there. I just graduated before Christmas.”

Jeff nodded, “Did you leave a boyfriend behind?” he asked seeing what his chances were.

“Not really. I was engaged but that didn’t work out, and there was my best friend who I almost hooked up with, but in the end it didn’t work out either. I got this job and he’s off doing what he’s done for well forever. Working and hanging out with his brother and sister.”

He smiled, “Ahh, well I guess it’s his lost.”

He walked over and looked at Max, “Hi I’m Peter.”

Max smiled and stood up, “I’m Max, please have a seat.”

Peter pulled out the chair from across him and sat down, turning the coffee cup in front of him over. He looked at Max, and then down nervously, “I’ve never done this before.”

“Neither have I.” Max said as he took a sip of coffee.

“Why do you look so familiar?” Peter asked as the waitress poured him a fresh cup.

Max looked down with an embarrassed smile, “I do the morning weather on KGFT.”

“That’s it, okay good. I don’t feel so bad about watching naked once in a while.”

Max grew red, “morning shower?”

Peter nodded, “Yeah. Before I go to class.”

“You’re still in school?” Max asked surprised.

“Medical school. I’ll start my internship this summer. I’m hoping to stay in Ginger Falls.” Peter said as he added sugar and a creamer to his coffee.

“A doctor huh? A mother’s dream come true.” Max said as he began to twiddle his thumbs. “It’s been so long, I don’t remember how to act on a date anymore.”

Peter reached out and took a hold of Max’s hand, “I think we should just go with what feels right. Maybe it’s just me, but I think this feels right.”

“I think so to.” Max said as he squeezed Peter’s hand. “What are you doing this weekend?”

“I need to hang out with my roommate, he’s got a broken heart. Some Mrs. Robinson figure just broke his heart.” Peter said as he felt shock waves running through his body from holding Max’s hand. “Though, Saturday night I’m free.”

Max smiled, “How about you come over to my place and I’ll make dinner, and we’ll talk, listen to music, maybe watch a movie.”

“That would be great.” Peter said as he looked around and then saw Jeff. He felt his heart dropped and he then looked at Max, “I should tell you though, I’m not out yet.”

Max nodded, “Neither am I.” He said as they released each other’s hand, “Maybe it’s the best way for us to start out.”

“What is it Devon?” She shut her door and locked it.

“I know what you did Paula.”

“Excuse me? What in the devil are you talking about?” She sat at her chair facing the large mirror with lights surrounding it.

“You pushed Kate down those stairs, didn’t you?”

She looked at his reflection in the mirror. “O-Of course not Devon… what an utterly ridiculous thing for you to think.”

“I saw you. You two weren’t the only ones up in the fly rail.”

“That’s nonsense. This whole accusation is nonsense. You ask anyone in this Opera I don’t have a violent bone in my body.”

“Everyone at the Opera knows you hate her. Your whole plan would have worked out perfectly. Take out Kate, become the new prima Donna of this Opera. Your career would be sure to take off.”

“Might I remind you that everyone at this Opera hates Kate.”

“But not everyone hates her as much as you do…”

“Fine… What if I did do it? Hm? Do you blame me? That woman has been nothing but cruel and vicious to me ever since my first day. She constantly calls off rehearsals. We’re never prepared for a show. Do you blame me? Do you?”

“But Paula you can’t just go around pushing people down stairs…”

“Well what other option did I have?” She spat out in fury, regretting her words the moment they came out of her mouth. “I…”

“So you really did do it? I knew it. I didn’t want to believe it but I saw you…” He walked towards the door but she got in front of him. She gently rubbed her hands around his chest. “You know Devon… I’ve seen the way you look at me. Ever since you came here.” She pushed him down on a large black chair and straddled him. “I want you to know I feel the same way about you.” She slowly kissed his neck. He let out a brief moan of pleasure. “You’re really not going to turn in little old me are you? Not the woman who’s in love with you. You wouldn’t betray me that way, would you?”

“N-No… of course… not…” He said as he began unzipping the back of her dress.

Karen leaned in closer to the mysterious Jonathan, “So how long will you be on the island?”

Jonathan smiled, “Oh I don’t know it all depends on if I find someone worthwhile, or something to make me want to stay here in Ginger Falls.”

“Well I’m sure you will. This island has a way of sucking people in.” She said as she took the final sip of her drink.

“If that’s true, I’m sure I’ll see you quite a bit then Karen.” He said as he took a sip from his own. “Well as long as you’ll allow me to.”

Karen blushed, far from used to this sort of conversation, “I think that might be possible.” She said when her cell phone rang. “Sorry I have to take this.” She said pulling out the sleek silver colored phone and pressed the call button, “Michael, what the hell is going on?” she said into the phone and then waited a moment before she got to speak again, “You found what?” she asked rolling her eyes, “Michael, I’ll stop by later tonight and look it over. Good-Bye.” She then looked at Jonathan, “Sorry, it was business.”

“What is it you do?” he asked, figuring she was in real estate or something similar.

Karen smiled and then looked down at the bar, “I’m a lawyer, and I work in the District Attorney’s office.”

Jonathan could almost feel himself getting kicked in the head; he would of course pick someone who worked closely with law enforcement. “That must be exciting.” He said, realizing he probably wouldn’t be able to last in Ginger Falls for very long, three months at least, six months at the most.

Pam and Jeff had finished dinner and were finishing up coffee when the door opened and Ricky and Sam walked in, right past Pam and Jeff’s table. Pam dropped a spoon and she went to pick it up, her brown hair cascading down, covering her face.

Sam looked over towards the table, directly at Pam, having no idea it was her, just as he turned back to the counter where he and Ricky were sitting, she sat up and she and Jeff left the money on the table and left.

Ricky looked at Sam, “What the hell is wrong with you now, Beer Boy.”

Sam’s eyes shot Ricky a death glare, “Nothings wrong, I just thought I saw someone. But I was wrong.”

“Whatever.” Ricky said before ordering his dinner.

Michael was dressed in deep gray sweatpants and a Bon Jovi t-shirt as he sat on his couch flipping through the channels. Just a few more minutes and Karen would be over, he was sure of it. She couldn’t stay at Carousel all night, could she?

He looked over at the file on the trunk he used as a coffee table; at least the excuse was legitimate. She couldn’t kill him for lying since it wasn’t a lie.

The door opened and Karen walked in and saw him on the couch, “Where’s the file?” she asked as she sat down next to him.

He leaned forward and picked it up and handed it to her, “Here ya go red.” He said before leaning back and stopping on a romantic comedy.

“Thanks.” She said as she scanned it and saw what he had caught, “Wow, this is great this could win us the case.”

He smiled, “No problem. I had nothing better to do tonight anyways. So how was Carousel?”

“It was good, I actually met a guy that didn’t try to take me home right away. It was nice.” She said as she placed the file back down on the coffee table.

Michael sighed and tried not to look at her, “but you decided to come by and check on the case?”

Karen nodded and leaned back, resting her body against his, “If he’s really a good guy, I’ll see him again.” She said as her head leaned against his shoulder.

Michael wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer as they began watching the movie.

Jeff walked Pam up to her front door, “If you need a tour guide, I have some free time tomorrow.” He said as she unlocked her door.

Pam smiled, “That would be great. I would really like that.” She said before leaning over and kissing his cheek. “Have a good night Jeff.”