Post by K.I.S.S. on Aug 21, 2014 16:59:29 GMT -6
Pulling up the side parking lot of their familiar haunt, Bethany Kenyon turns off the car she is current sharing with Jeszika Gautier and nods to the bar before them. The sign announcing the place’s name, “Prey,” glows brightly in the night, sending out its siren call to all the happy boozers and rock fans in the area. having spent the night over at Bethany’s house, she and Jeszika stare at the building, neither looking sure about this at all.
Bethany Kenyon: You ready for this?
Jeszika shrugs.
Jeszika Gautier: As ready as I'll ever be.
Bethany nods and they make their way to the door of the bar.
Bethany Kenyon: Do you see Nik or Ash?
Jeszika looks around the bar, there's a few people around.
Jeszika Gautier: There, in the corner.
Bethany Kenyon: Looks like Ash already checked the place out some.
Jeszika Gautier: How so?
Bethany nods to her pocket.
Bethany Kenyon: I bet that’s an eightball in her pocket already.
Jeszika Gautier: Well if it is, she better share!
Nodding, Bethany swallows hard at the thought, not entirely sure she wants to go there totally even though she’d told Ashley it was cool.
Bethany Kenyon: Knowing her?
Jeszika Gautier: Yep, knowing her...
The two walk over to the far end of the bar and nod to their friends and partners.
Bethany Kenyon: How’s the night going?
Nikki Peltier and Ashley Kenyon both shrug.
Nikki Peltier: Ok, I guess. Stephanie says Carrie saw us come in and immediately took the rest of the night off.
Jeszika puts her hand on Bethany's arm.
Jeszika Gautier: She just needs her space, B... like Melissa...
Bethany nods and sighs sadly.
Bethany Kenyon: I know…
Ashley grins.
Ashley Kenyon: So, you guys ready to really party?
Jeszika Gautier: I guess so.. I mean we're here, right?
Ashley nods and quickly pulls the baggie from her pocket. Within seconds, lines of powder are lain out before them.
Ashley Kenyon: Hit it up…
Jeszika doesn’t hesitate, leaning in and taking a line.
Jeszika Gautier: Hopefully this will numb the pain at least slightly...
Ashley grins and hits her line. Nikki leans in and enjoys one herself.
Ashley Kenyon: God I love it when we do this!
Jeszika Gautier: I'm gonna go grab a drink, anyone else want one?
Ashley and Nikki raise their glasses.
Ashley Kenyon: Already got some.
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: Beer.
Jeszika Gautier: OK, I'll be right back.
She walks off to go get the drinks. A few minutes later, she returns and Bethany accepts her drink.
Bethany Kenyon: Thank you.
Ashley grins.
Ashley Kenyon: So, are we gonna kick ass or what?
Jeszika Gautier: Kick ass? As in here? Or UWA?
Before Ashley can answer, Nikki leans forward.
Nikki Peltier: Please don’t say both, Richie and the Hoods haven’t gotten here yet.
Jeszika Gautier: They haven’t? Weren't they meant to be here tonight?
Nikki Peltier: Yeah but they got a flat about an hour ago.
Jeszika Gautier: How far away do you think they'll be?
Nikki sniffs and then shrugs.
Nikki Peltier: He said they’d be here soon, it would just take them a minute.
Ashley Kenyon: They weren’t letting J.T. change it, were they?
Nikki shakes her head.
Nikki Peltier: No, Tim was.
Jeszika Gautier: Good thing, or bad thing?
Nikki Peltier: J.T. probably would have gotten frustrated, then pissed and then broken the car, his temper doesn’t allow…
Ashley grins.
Ashley Kenyon: So he’s like me?
Nikkii nods.
Nikki Peltier: Just a touch.
Jeszika Gautier: Uh oh... now you're giving her ideas...
Bethany Kenyon: Is Billy with them?
Nikki nods.
Nikki Peltier: Yeah, he is.
Jeszika Gautier: Am I going to be the only one not spending the night flirting?
Bethany shakes her head.
Bethany Kenyon: No…
Jeszika Gautier: Good, cause that would make my night very boring... and lonely...
Nikki Peltier: Richie said he was sober tonight, too.
Jeszika Gautier: Around us, will he stay that way?
Nikki and Ashley both shrug.
Bethany Kenyon: I really hope he left the heroin at home.
Jeszika Gautier: Would it be bad if I said I'd be wanting to try that? God... Anything to help me forget my pain, make me forget the mistake I've made... I'll take it.
Bethany Kenyon: Aw, God, Jezzy…
Jeszika Gautier: Hey you saw me yesterday, you know I drank myself to passing out mode, trashed my house... Are you really surprised?
Bethany tries to answer but can’t and just shakes her head sadly.
Bethany Kenyon: No…
Jeszika Gautier: I'm sorry I'm such a mess like I am... I never meant for this to happen....
Bethany nods. Just then, the Red Hoods take the stage and Nikki smiles sweetly.
Jeszika Gautier: Oh look they arrived.
Nikki Peltier: I'm gonna feel like an idiot for getting high now, but fuck it! We needed a good time and damn is he gorgeous!
Jeszika Gautier: why would you feel like an idiot?
Nikki Peltier: Cause he'll be sober.
Jeszika Gautier: I see...
Ashley Kenyon: Do you see Billy here?
Bethany Kenyon: He's over there in the corner and looks.. remarkably... sober...
Ashley Kenyon: Wow, he does!
Jeszika Gautier: I suppose that means we gotta put all this away now...
Nikki Peltier: Bethie hasn’t had any yet.
Bethany shrugs.
Bethany Kenyon: I…
Jeszika Gautier: She doesn’t have to have any if she doesn’t want any. Free world and all that.
Ashley starts to retort as Bethany leans over and indulges.
Bethany Kenyon: There… solidarity?
Jeszika nods.
Jeszika Gautier: Team building at its finest. We need more solidarity though, I mean for reals. If my agreeing to join the children still stands, this could well be our last match together for a while. We need to make it count...
Bethany sniffs as Ashley puts the rest away.
Ashley Kenyon: I can’t believe he’s here.
Bethany grins.
Bethany Kenyon: You should go talk to him, Ash.
Jeszika Gautier: Yeah Ash... Go talk to him.
Ashley Kenyon: But… what about you guys?
Jeszika Gautier: We'll be right here.
Bethany and Nikki nod and Ashley starts across the room.
Bethany Kenyon: That’s a beautiful sight…
Nikki nods.
Nikki Peltier: She hasn’t looked that happy in months…
Jeszika Gautier: It’s good to see her happy. Finally some happiness for us, maybe things will start looking up for us all.
Bethany nods happily.
Bethany Kenyon: We can hope.
- - - - - - -
A day later and all of Arsenal, Bethany Kenyon, Ashley Kenyon, Nikki Peltier and Jeszika Gautier sit in Bethany’s living room, Nikki working a computer pad wirelessly interfaced with the big screen television. She dials up Brody’s promo and it plays for everyone in the room to watch. As it ends, silence comes over the room, none of them quite sure what to make of it. Jeszika sits there shaking her head a little.
Jeszika Gautier: I expected nothing less. Why would he forgive me? But he did rescue Melissa for me, I just wish I actually had her back. I wish she was here with me...
She pauses.
Jeszika: Mona Lisa... What did he mean by that, B?[/color]
Ashley and Nikki nod and turn to face the now almost shaking Bethany.
Ashley Kenyon: Yeah, what the fuck was he talking about?
Tears seemingly start up in Bethany's eyes.
Bethany Kenyon: Oh my god... he was... It.... oh my God....
Jeszika rushes over and puts her arms around Bethany.
Jeszika Gautier: It’s ok, B. Just breathe...
She pauses as they all watch Bethany desperately trying to hold it together.
Jeszika Gautier: You don't have to tell us if it’s too much...
Finally, after a good couple of minutes, Bethany finds her voice.
Bethany Kenyon: I thought he was too drunk...
Jeszika Gautier: Is he talking about that night?
Bethany nods.
Jeszika Gautier: Does that mean what I think it means? Like he, I and Valhalla?
Bethany just continues to stare at the television and the frozen image of Brody Montgomery staring back at her.
Bethany Kenyon: I... thought he was too drunk, that he wasn't listening.
Ashley glances between the screen and her sister.
Ashley Kenyon: Listening to what?
Bethany continues staring in disbelief at the image on the screen.
Jeszika Gautier: You don't have to tell us if you don't want to, B...
Bethany nods slowly, her gaze remaining transfixed.
Bethany Kenyon: I just... we got talking, you know, drunk people babbling. After about his third bad joke, I told him he looked at women the wrong way and I talked about us as works of art to be worshipped instead of possessed and told him he should look for the Mona Lisa and... I thought he was too drunk to pay attention. But he wasn't, he was listening and he remembered...
Jeszika nods slowly.
Jeszika Gautier: So now you're concerned that night meant more than it was meant to?
Bethany tries to shrug, nod and shake her head all at the same time, managing to fail at all three simultaneously.
Bethany Kenyon: I...
Jeszika Gautier: You don't need to answer that right away, Chickie. Talk to him, B. Find out what he means and follow your heart and brain, suss out what YOU want to do in this situation. But don't be rash, be smart about it. We don't know how much things have changed him, for worse or for better.
Jeszika laughs a little.
Jeszika Gautier: God, dating advice from me, Queen for fucking dating up. That’s a laugh...
Bethany nods slowly.
Bethany Kenyon: Especially when it's about your husband...
As Jeszika starts to answer, Ashley can no longer contain herself.
Ashley Kenyon: So... wait, wait, wait... you went over to... their place in Vegas. Jezzy wasn't there, but Brody was. You spent the evening bullshitting with him and getting drunk. And things got said that meant things before you got a ride back to your hotel alone?
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: Yes.
Ashley looks from bethany to Brody and then back to Bethany.
Ashley Kenyon: Oh HELL no!
Everyone turns towards the suddenly angry Ashley.
Ashley Kenyon: You can’t be fucking serious on this one!
Bethany tries to answer but Ashley won’t hear it. She stands up and storms out of the room leaving the others sitting in awkward silence. Jeszika hugs Bethany again, knowing what’s probably coming next.
Jeszika Gautier: It’s gonna be ok, B.
Bethany nods, trying to believe it herself as much as Jeszika is. Knowing how her friends are, Nikki nods in their general direction.
Nikki Peltier: You should both get to hear that…
Bethany and Jeszika look up at Nikki.
Nikki Peltier: It’s gonna be ok.
They nod as Nikki comes over to join their embrace.
Fifteen minutes later…
As the other members of Arsenal sit in the next room, Bethany pulls out her phone and dials Aerynn Donnelly’s number for the fourth time in the last few days. And again, for the fourth time, she only gets Aerynn’s voicemail.
Bethany Kenyon: Hi…
She pauses, trying to think of what might matter in this situation.
Bethany Kenyon: Aerynn, I know you won’t believe me, you probably won’t even listen to this, but it’s not your fault.
Sighing heavily, Bethany
Bethany Kenyon: The offer stands if you need a place, my door is open.
As she ends the call, she looks up to find her sister, Ashley, standing there, mouth agape and shock written in her eyes.
Ashley Kenyon: You’re STILL trying to reach her?
Bethany nods and Ashley takes a step back.
Ashley Kenyon: You can’t be serious!
Bethany cocks her head, curiosity getting the better of her even though she knows she shouldn’t push this subject with her sister.
Bethany Kenyon: Why not?
Ashley crosses her arms.
Ashley Kenyon: She’s been throwing a fucking temper tantrum like a damn two-year-old for months now and you’re gonna try and get through to her with a phone message?
Bethany shakes her head, sadness creeping into her eyes.
Bethany Kenyon: It’s not…
Ashley frowns.
Ashley Kenyon: It’s not… what?
Bethany exhales forcefully.
Bethany Kenyon: It’s not a tantrum.
Ashley starts to retort but Bethany cuts her off.
Bethany Kenyon: Look at her eyes, Ash. There used to be fire there. There used to be light dancing behind whatever feeling she was displaying at the time but it’s just not there anymore. It’s like…
She pauses, shaking her head sadly.
Bethany Kenyon: She was dimmed a bit after her father died but they’ve been completely dead since Logan left her. It’s like that speech from Jaws about having a doll’s dead black eyes. It’s not a tantrum, we’re watching her breaking before our eyes, and we haven’t even been able to slow it down!
Ashley nods slowly, the annoyance seeping out of her voice.
Ashley Kenyon: I know you care, Bethie. It’s why everybody loves you. You love us and you want to try and hold on, to save us from whatever it is that’s killing us. You tried with Mama, you’re trying constantly with me, Daddy, Jezzy, Carrie, Melissa, Brody and now Aerynn but you can’t save us all. I’m not saying she’s not worth it and I’m not telling you not to try because you would no matter what. It’s who you are and I love you for it, but sometimes, you have to know when you’ve lost one. If she doesn’t want to be saved, she’s not going to let you no matter what you do…
Bethany nods, swallowing hard.
Bethany Kenyon: I know…
Ashley nods knowingly, almost sadly.
Ashley Kenyon: But you’re gonna try anyway...
Bethany nods and Ashley walks over to her, hugging her sister.
Ashley Kenyon: I love you, Sis. Thank you for not giving up.
- - - - - - -
Ashley Kenyon: So, here we are… again…
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: Yep…
Ashley shakes her head.
Ashley Kenyon: I hate you! I hate your bitch, I hate your twins, I hate their “sister” and I hate all those other nameless, faceless fucking pedantic sycophants marching behind you! I hate you for everything you’ve done to us and I hate you for what you’ve done to UWA! I hate you for thinking this is just a game and I hate you for not giving a damn about who you hurt in the process of playing this game!
Ashley glares into the camera while Bethany stands off to the left, allowing her sister the floor and all eyes on her.
Ashley Kenyon: I hate that you took over and destroyed the company before it was even started! I hate that drove away all of our lovers and went after some of our friends! I hate that you’ve disrupted our lives for no reason than it gets your rocks off! I hate that you can’t get enough of it and I can’t wait to make you eat it!
She storms off leaving Bethany standing there alone.
Bethany Kenyon: I have to give you credit, Joshua. You knew exactly what buttons to push…
She nods, looking off in the direction her sister has just rushed off in. After staring for a few seconds, Bethany turns back to the camera.
Bethany Kenyon: You took away Brody’s bravado and broke him right down the middle and you waited til we had started the crack for you to do it. You made sure Nick Daniels and Sentinel weren’t in the game to stop you and you made sure everyone else was either too preoccupied or too scared to care enough to really stand against you before making your move and then once you did, you knew the roster was far too fractured to really do anything about it.
Swallowing hard, bethany’s gaze falls to the floor.
Bethany Kenyon: You’ve managed to break, to some degree, Aerynn, Jeszika, Ashley and most of our significant others too and people have been telling me I should just give it all up. They’ve said I should just stop trying because I can’t save them all…
Bethany shakes her head, as her gaze remains transfixed on the floor.
Bethany Kenyon: But I say it’s not about saving them, it’s about being there for them and giving a damn about whether or not they live or die…
Her eyes move up from the floor to the camera.
Bethany Kenyon: And if anyone thinks you can make me stop doing that, then they haven’t been paying attention! If that makes me foolish or a stupid little girl caught up in some dream world, so be it but I will be damned before I let you shatter me that way! You’re damn right I’m caught up in a dream and it’s one I find worth fighting for against you and anyone else who thinks that’s a sign of weakness. Call me weak, call me stupid, foolish, whatever else you want, you’ll never make me stop, Joshua!
She nods calmly, almost as if a new found serenity has taken hold.
Bethany Kenyon: What are you gonna do when you can’t break the dream? What are you gonna do when you can’t break down the wall, Joshua? It’s too late to hit the brakes in time, what are you gonna do when you crash into it because try as you might, no matter what you threw at it, that damn wall stayed standing tall against you?
Shrugging, she starts to walk off.
Bethany Kenyon: Enjoy the crash, it’s all you’ve got left.
Bethany Kenyon: You ready for this?
Jeszika shrugs.
Jeszika Gautier: As ready as I'll ever be.
Bethany nods and they make their way to the door of the bar.
Bethany Kenyon: Do you see Nik or Ash?
Jeszika looks around the bar, there's a few people around.
Jeszika Gautier: There, in the corner.
Bethany Kenyon: Looks like Ash already checked the place out some.
Jeszika Gautier: How so?
Bethany nods to her pocket.
Bethany Kenyon: I bet that’s an eightball in her pocket already.
Jeszika Gautier: Well if it is, she better share!
Nodding, Bethany swallows hard at the thought, not entirely sure she wants to go there totally even though she’d told Ashley it was cool.
Bethany Kenyon: Knowing her?
Jeszika Gautier: Yep, knowing her...
The two walk over to the far end of the bar and nod to their friends and partners.
Bethany Kenyon: How’s the night going?
Nikki Peltier and Ashley Kenyon both shrug.
Nikki Peltier: Ok, I guess. Stephanie says Carrie saw us come in and immediately took the rest of the night off.
Jeszika puts her hand on Bethany's arm.
Jeszika Gautier: She just needs her space, B... like Melissa...
Bethany nods and sighs sadly.
Bethany Kenyon: I know…
Ashley grins.
Ashley Kenyon: So, you guys ready to really party?
Jeszika Gautier: I guess so.. I mean we're here, right?
Ashley nods and quickly pulls the baggie from her pocket. Within seconds, lines of powder are lain out before them.
Ashley Kenyon: Hit it up…
Jeszika doesn’t hesitate, leaning in and taking a line.
Jeszika Gautier: Hopefully this will numb the pain at least slightly...
Ashley grins and hits her line. Nikki leans in and enjoys one herself.
Ashley Kenyon: God I love it when we do this!
Jeszika Gautier: I'm gonna go grab a drink, anyone else want one?
Ashley and Nikki raise their glasses.
Ashley Kenyon: Already got some.
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: Beer.
Jeszika Gautier: OK, I'll be right back.
She walks off to go get the drinks. A few minutes later, she returns and Bethany accepts her drink.
Bethany Kenyon: Thank you.
Ashley grins.
Ashley Kenyon: So, are we gonna kick ass or what?
Jeszika Gautier: Kick ass? As in here? Or UWA?
Before Ashley can answer, Nikki leans forward.
Nikki Peltier: Please don’t say both, Richie and the Hoods haven’t gotten here yet.
Jeszika Gautier: They haven’t? Weren't they meant to be here tonight?
Nikki Peltier: Yeah but they got a flat about an hour ago.
Jeszika Gautier: How far away do you think they'll be?
Nikki sniffs and then shrugs.
Nikki Peltier: He said they’d be here soon, it would just take them a minute.
Ashley Kenyon: They weren’t letting J.T. change it, were they?
Nikki shakes her head.
Nikki Peltier: No, Tim was.
Jeszika Gautier: Good thing, or bad thing?
Nikki Peltier: J.T. probably would have gotten frustrated, then pissed and then broken the car, his temper doesn’t allow…
Ashley grins.
Ashley Kenyon: So he’s like me?
Nikkii nods.
Nikki Peltier: Just a touch.
Jeszika Gautier: Uh oh... now you're giving her ideas...
Bethany Kenyon: Is Billy with them?
Nikki nods.
Nikki Peltier: Yeah, he is.
Jeszika Gautier: Am I going to be the only one not spending the night flirting?
Bethany shakes her head.
Bethany Kenyon: No…
Jeszika Gautier: Good, cause that would make my night very boring... and lonely...
Nikki Peltier: Richie said he was sober tonight, too.
Jeszika Gautier: Around us, will he stay that way?
Nikki and Ashley both shrug.
Bethany Kenyon: I really hope he left the heroin at home.
Jeszika Gautier: Would it be bad if I said I'd be wanting to try that? God... Anything to help me forget my pain, make me forget the mistake I've made... I'll take it.
Bethany Kenyon: Aw, God, Jezzy…
Jeszika Gautier: Hey you saw me yesterday, you know I drank myself to passing out mode, trashed my house... Are you really surprised?
Bethany tries to answer but can’t and just shakes her head sadly.
Bethany Kenyon: No…
Jeszika Gautier: I'm sorry I'm such a mess like I am... I never meant for this to happen....
Bethany nods. Just then, the Red Hoods take the stage and Nikki smiles sweetly.
Jeszika Gautier: Oh look they arrived.
Nikki Peltier: I'm gonna feel like an idiot for getting high now, but fuck it! We needed a good time and damn is he gorgeous!
Jeszika Gautier: why would you feel like an idiot?
Nikki Peltier: Cause he'll be sober.
Jeszika Gautier: I see...
Ashley Kenyon: Do you see Billy here?
Bethany Kenyon: He's over there in the corner and looks.. remarkably... sober...
Ashley Kenyon: Wow, he does!
Jeszika Gautier: I suppose that means we gotta put all this away now...
Nikki Peltier: Bethie hasn’t had any yet.
Bethany shrugs.
Bethany Kenyon: I…
Jeszika Gautier: She doesn’t have to have any if she doesn’t want any. Free world and all that.
Ashley starts to retort as Bethany leans over and indulges.
Bethany Kenyon: There… solidarity?
Jeszika nods.
Jeszika Gautier: Team building at its finest. We need more solidarity though, I mean for reals. If my agreeing to join the children still stands, this could well be our last match together for a while. We need to make it count...
Bethany sniffs as Ashley puts the rest away.
Ashley Kenyon: I can’t believe he’s here.
Bethany grins.
Bethany Kenyon: You should go talk to him, Ash.
Jeszika Gautier: Yeah Ash... Go talk to him.
Ashley Kenyon: But… what about you guys?
Jeszika Gautier: We'll be right here.
Bethany and Nikki nod and Ashley starts across the room.
Bethany Kenyon: That’s a beautiful sight…
Nikki nods.
Nikki Peltier: She hasn’t looked that happy in months…
Jeszika Gautier: It’s good to see her happy. Finally some happiness for us, maybe things will start looking up for us all.
Bethany nods happily.
Bethany Kenyon: We can hope.
- - - - - - -
A day later and all of Arsenal, Bethany Kenyon, Ashley Kenyon, Nikki Peltier and Jeszika Gautier sit in Bethany’s living room, Nikki working a computer pad wirelessly interfaced with the big screen television. She dials up Brody’s promo and it plays for everyone in the room to watch. As it ends, silence comes over the room, none of them quite sure what to make of it. Jeszika sits there shaking her head a little.
Jeszika Gautier: I expected nothing less. Why would he forgive me? But he did rescue Melissa for me, I just wish I actually had her back. I wish she was here with me...
She pauses.
Jeszika: Mona Lisa... What did he mean by that, B?[/color]
Ashley and Nikki nod and turn to face the now almost shaking Bethany.
Ashley Kenyon: Yeah, what the fuck was he talking about?
Tears seemingly start up in Bethany's eyes.
Bethany Kenyon: Oh my god... he was... It.... oh my God....
Jeszika rushes over and puts her arms around Bethany.
Jeszika Gautier: It’s ok, B. Just breathe...
She pauses as they all watch Bethany desperately trying to hold it together.
Jeszika Gautier: You don't have to tell us if it’s too much...
Finally, after a good couple of minutes, Bethany finds her voice.
Bethany Kenyon: I thought he was too drunk...
Jeszika Gautier: Is he talking about that night?
Bethany nods.
Jeszika Gautier: Does that mean what I think it means? Like he, I and Valhalla?
Bethany just continues to stare at the television and the frozen image of Brody Montgomery staring back at her.
Bethany Kenyon: I... thought he was too drunk, that he wasn't listening.
Ashley glances between the screen and her sister.
Ashley Kenyon: Listening to what?
Bethany continues staring in disbelief at the image on the screen.
Jeszika Gautier: You don't have to tell us if you don't want to, B...
Bethany nods slowly, her gaze remaining transfixed.
Bethany Kenyon: I just... we got talking, you know, drunk people babbling. After about his third bad joke, I told him he looked at women the wrong way and I talked about us as works of art to be worshipped instead of possessed and told him he should look for the Mona Lisa and... I thought he was too drunk to pay attention. But he wasn't, he was listening and he remembered...
Jeszika nods slowly.
Jeszika Gautier: So now you're concerned that night meant more than it was meant to?
Bethany tries to shrug, nod and shake her head all at the same time, managing to fail at all three simultaneously.
Bethany Kenyon: I...
Jeszika Gautier: You don't need to answer that right away, Chickie. Talk to him, B. Find out what he means and follow your heart and brain, suss out what YOU want to do in this situation. But don't be rash, be smart about it. We don't know how much things have changed him, for worse or for better.
Jeszika laughs a little.
Jeszika Gautier: God, dating advice from me, Queen for fucking dating up. That’s a laugh...
Bethany nods slowly.
Bethany Kenyon: Especially when it's about your husband...
As Jeszika starts to answer, Ashley can no longer contain herself.
Ashley Kenyon: So... wait, wait, wait... you went over to... their place in Vegas. Jezzy wasn't there, but Brody was. You spent the evening bullshitting with him and getting drunk. And things got said that meant things before you got a ride back to your hotel alone?
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: Yes.
Ashley looks from bethany to Brody and then back to Bethany.
Ashley Kenyon: Oh HELL no!
Everyone turns towards the suddenly angry Ashley.
Ashley Kenyon: You can’t be fucking serious on this one!
Bethany tries to answer but Ashley won’t hear it. She stands up and storms out of the room leaving the others sitting in awkward silence. Jeszika hugs Bethany again, knowing what’s probably coming next.
Jeszika Gautier: It’s gonna be ok, B.
Bethany nods, trying to believe it herself as much as Jeszika is. Knowing how her friends are, Nikki nods in their general direction.
Nikki Peltier: You should both get to hear that…
Bethany and Jeszika look up at Nikki.
Nikki Peltier: It’s gonna be ok.
They nod as Nikki comes over to join their embrace.
Fifteen minutes later…
As the other members of Arsenal sit in the next room, Bethany pulls out her phone and dials Aerynn Donnelly’s number for the fourth time in the last few days. And again, for the fourth time, she only gets Aerynn’s voicemail.
Bethany Kenyon: Hi…
She pauses, trying to think of what might matter in this situation.
Bethany Kenyon: Aerynn, I know you won’t believe me, you probably won’t even listen to this, but it’s not your fault.
Sighing heavily, Bethany
Bethany Kenyon: The offer stands if you need a place, my door is open.
As she ends the call, she looks up to find her sister, Ashley, standing there, mouth agape and shock written in her eyes.
Ashley Kenyon: You’re STILL trying to reach her?
Bethany nods and Ashley takes a step back.
Ashley Kenyon: You can’t be serious!
Bethany cocks her head, curiosity getting the better of her even though she knows she shouldn’t push this subject with her sister.
Bethany Kenyon: Why not?
Ashley crosses her arms.
Ashley Kenyon: She’s been throwing a fucking temper tantrum like a damn two-year-old for months now and you’re gonna try and get through to her with a phone message?
Bethany shakes her head, sadness creeping into her eyes.
Bethany Kenyon: It’s not…
Ashley frowns.
Ashley Kenyon: It’s not… what?
Bethany exhales forcefully.
Bethany Kenyon: It’s not a tantrum.
Ashley starts to retort but Bethany cuts her off.
Bethany Kenyon: Look at her eyes, Ash. There used to be fire there. There used to be light dancing behind whatever feeling she was displaying at the time but it’s just not there anymore. It’s like…
She pauses, shaking her head sadly.
Bethany Kenyon: She was dimmed a bit after her father died but they’ve been completely dead since Logan left her. It’s like that speech from Jaws about having a doll’s dead black eyes. It’s not a tantrum, we’re watching her breaking before our eyes, and we haven’t even been able to slow it down!
Ashley nods slowly, the annoyance seeping out of her voice.
Ashley Kenyon: I know you care, Bethie. It’s why everybody loves you. You love us and you want to try and hold on, to save us from whatever it is that’s killing us. You tried with Mama, you’re trying constantly with me, Daddy, Jezzy, Carrie, Melissa, Brody and now Aerynn but you can’t save us all. I’m not saying she’s not worth it and I’m not telling you not to try because you would no matter what. It’s who you are and I love you for it, but sometimes, you have to know when you’ve lost one. If she doesn’t want to be saved, she’s not going to let you no matter what you do…
Bethany nods, swallowing hard.
Bethany Kenyon: I know…
Ashley nods knowingly, almost sadly.
Ashley Kenyon: But you’re gonna try anyway...
Bethany nods and Ashley walks over to her, hugging her sister.
Ashley Kenyon: I love you, Sis. Thank you for not giving up.
- - - - - - -
Ashley Kenyon: So, here we are… again…
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: Yep…
Ashley shakes her head.
Ashley Kenyon: I hate you! I hate your bitch, I hate your twins, I hate their “sister” and I hate all those other nameless, faceless fucking pedantic sycophants marching behind you! I hate you for everything you’ve done to us and I hate you for what you’ve done to UWA! I hate you for thinking this is just a game and I hate you for not giving a damn about who you hurt in the process of playing this game!
Ashley glares into the camera while Bethany stands off to the left, allowing her sister the floor and all eyes on her.
Ashley Kenyon: I hate that you took over and destroyed the company before it was even started! I hate that drove away all of our lovers and went after some of our friends! I hate that you’ve disrupted our lives for no reason than it gets your rocks off! I hate that you can’t get enough of it and I can’t wait to make you eat it!
She storms off leaving Bethany standing there alone.
Bethany Kenyon: I have to give you credit, Joshua. You knew exactly what buttons to push…
She nods, looking off in the direction her sister has just rushed off in. After staring for a few seconds, Bethany turns back to the camera.
Bethany Kenyon: You took away Brody’s bravado and broke him right down the middle and you waited til we had started the crack for you to do it. You made sure Nick Daniels and Sentinel weren’t in the game to stop you and you made sure everyone else was either too preoccupied or too scared to care enough to really stand against you before making your move and then once you did, you knew the roster was far too fractured to really do anything about it.
Swallowing hard, bethany’s gaze falls to the floor.
Bethany Kenyon: You’ve managed to break, to some degree, Aerynn, Jeszika, Ashley and most of our significant others too and people have been telling me I should just give it all up. They’ve said I should just stop trying because I can’t save them all…
Bethany shakes her head, as her gaze remains transfixed on the floor.
Bethany Kenyon: But I say it’s not about saving them, it’s about being there for them and giving a damn about whether or not they live or die…
Her eyes move up from the floor to the camera.
Bethany Kenyon: And if anyone thinks you can make me stop doing that, then they haven’t been paying attention! If that makes me foolish or a stupid little girl caught up in some dream world, so be it but I will be damned before I let you shatter me that way! You’re damn right I’m caught up in a dream and it’s one I find worth fighting for against you and anyone else who thinks that’s a sign of weakness. Call me weak, call me stupid, foolish, whatever else you want, you’ll never make me stop, Joshua!
She nods calmly, almost as if a new found serenity has taken hold.
Bethany Kenyon: What are you gonna do when you can’t break the dream? What are you gonna do when you can’t break down the wall, Joshua? It’s too late to hit the brakes in time, what are you gonna do when you crash into it because try as you might, no matter what you threw at it, that damn wall stayed standing tall against you?
Shrugging, she starts to walk off.
Bethany Kenyon: Enjoy the crash, it’s all you’ve got left.
