Bittersweet Candy Bowl

30. Troubled Waters, original chapter posted 1/16/07

Page 9 of 12

Transcript

*Paulo hoists Lucy, Mike and himself out of the river. He looks tired. Sue rushes over, worried.*
Sue: Paulo! Are you alright?!
Paulo: Hah.. yeah.
*Lucy gasps for air.*

*Lucy hunches over on the ground, soaked and short of breath.*
Lucy: (cough) (cough)

*Lucy’s eyes flick open. Her brow is knit in concern.*
Lucy: …

*Lucy turns to Mike, and shakes him. She looks distressed.*
Lucy: Mike? Mike, wake up!

Lucy: He’s still alive, right..?
*Mike lies on the ground, his eyes still shut. Lucy leans over, watching his chest to see if it rises. Her eyes well up with tears.*

*Lucy straightens up and shakes him again.*
Lucy: Mike!!

Lucy: Please wake up!! Please!! Wake up! Mike! Mike!!
*Sue watches, teary-eyed and scared. Paulo averts his eyes, looking dismayed.*

*Lucy frantically presses down on Mike’s chest. She cries and shouts.*
Lucy: You have to! You can’t leave! You can’t!

Lucy: YOU CAN’T LEAVE ME LIKE THIS!!

*Mike suddenly jolts forward, spitting up water. A bruise is visible on the back of his head.*
Mike: Ack!! Cough!!

*Mike sits up, soaking wet and coughing up more water.*
Mike: (cough) (cough)
*Lucy looks on, shocked.*

*Lucy throws her arms around Mike.*
Lucy: MICHAEL!!
*Mike looks confused.*
Mike: Ugh.. Huh? Lucy?

*Daisy, accompanied by an adult, points to Mike. She is visibly shaken up.*
Daisy: He’s over there!!
Adult: Oh!

*The adult crouches down and puts a hand on Mike’s head.*
Adult: Oh no.. make sure you’re sitting up straight..
*Mike winces in pain, his head covered in bruises.*
Mike: Oww!! Hey!

Adult: We’ve got to get you to the hospital..
Mike: Erghh. I’m.. fine, I think..
*Lucy watches, looking upset.*

Adult: Was it just him? Is everyone else okay?
*Yashy jumps up into Lucy’s arm. She looks scared.*
Yashy: Home! Home!
*Lucy looks down at Yashy, tears still in her eyes.*

Mike: I’m feeling better.. It was just for a moment there..
*Lucy takes Yashy in her arms. She looks back at Mike, pouting.*

*The teacher dries Mike off with a towel. He is smiling and seems to enjoy the feeling.*
Adult: Just sit and catch your breath, okay?
*Lucy leaves, looking upset. Yashy sleeps in her arms.*

Author commentary

Veronica: Souppy said it woulda been amusing if Mike coughed up all the water onto Lucy.. and I agree, that woulda been great. Oh well, THIS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS NO TIME FOR COMEDY.

Poor Paulo, I’m sure if you let Mike die you STILL wouldn’t have won Lucy’s heart.. she might have held that against you for the rest of your life, actually.