Bittersweet Candy Bowl

20. Hot Pursuit, original chapter posted 9/6/06

Page 8 of 14

Transcript

*The reporter continues holding out the microphone, looking shocked.*
Reporter: A kidnapped child on the brink of A TRAGIC GORY DEATH?!
*Mike waves his hands.*
Mike: Ahh, nonono! Hold on!

*The reporter holds her microphone in the air and puts a hand on her hip.*
Reporter: Places, everyone! We are going LIVE in three, two..
*Mike holds his hands up in panic.*
Mike: No, stop!! Don’t!

*Three cameras point at Mike’s face, as the microphone is held up to his mouth. He looks freaked out.*
Reporter: So, tell me.. How does your loss make you FEEL?

*The reporter finally pays attention as Mike explains.*
Mike: I haven’t lost a child! There’s nothing that dramatic going on!

*The reporter glares darkly.*
Reporter: what.
*Mike sweats.*
Mike: Guh!

*Back at Mike’s house, Lily sits on the couch eagerly watching the TV.*
Reporter: Listen, kid.. Either bring us a body or we’ll find one (if you know what I mean)..
Lily: Ooh!
*Blur and Yashy are out of frame, playing cards.*
Blur: Go fish!
Yashy: Damn you!

*Mike hastily grabs Lucy, briskly walking away from the reporter. Lucy looks surprised.*
Mike: Sorry!! Better luck next time!!
*The reporter glares at them angrily.*
Reporter: HEY!!

*Mike frowns and crosses his arms.*
Mike: She was our only lead..
*Lucy blankly looks back to the reporter.*
Lucy: I have to admire her dedication.

*Mike looks down, frowning. Someone is traveling up an escalator behind him, in the distance.*
Mike (thinking): Was this trip a dumb idea? Maybe I should have listened to Lily..

*Mike closes his eyes, looking defeated.*
Mike (thinking): There’s no way I’m finding her in this kind of crowd. We should just head back..

*Mike opens his eyes suddenly.*
Mike: ..!

*He turns around.*
Mike: …

*A few figures are on the escalator. One has a bow in her black hair.*

*Mike’s mouth hangs open in shock.*
Mike: …!!

Mike: SANDY!!
*Mike runs off, leaving a trail of dust. Lucy coughs.*
Lucy: Ack!! Mike!

*The dust clears. Lucy looks concerned.*
Lucy: Sandy?

Author commentary

Veronica: This is the kind of reporting that gives a bad name to journalists everywhere, oh boy!

Also Mike looks adorable being so cute and short and little. Poor guy never gets a considerable growth spurt, while everyone else around him does!

The store that’s behind Mike where he spots Sandy is inspired by the famous old F.A.O. Schwarz toy store. It was so pretty and see-through.. I’d say to go check it out, but it’s been gone for many years :(