STORIES
42 - In Charge
2005
Magical Michael is just visiting the Crew.
He has no dialogue because he isn’t mine.
Monday night, in Cammeo and Noli's room ...
CAMMEO:
There you are Noli, all ready for bed. Mez will be in soon to
read you a story. What is it luv, you look upset?
NOLI:
Mez forget me.
CAMMEO:
That’s a dreadful thing to say. Mez didn’t forget you.
He’s just … a bit busy is all.
NOLI:
Vanni never forget.
CAMMEO:
I know luv, but Mez is doing a lot of the things that Vanni used
to do. Plus he’s entertaining Magical Michael. So have a
bit of patience with him. He’s doing his best.
NOLI:
O-tay. ‘Meo - you pretty when you say Mez.
Noli think 'Meo like Mez lots.
CAMMEO:
Oh you do, do you?
NOLI:
Uh-huh, and Mez like ‘Meo too.
Noli know this for sure.
CAMMEO:
‘Meo knows this for sure too.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
NOLI:
Mez!
MEZ:
Hi – can I come in?
NOLI:
Hehehehe ... Look ‘Meo, you all pink.
CAMMEO:
blushing
You stop that Noli.
CAMMEO:
… And see, I told you he wouldn’t forget your bedtime story.
MEZ:
Oh yeah, the story. Right. Is it that time already? I can do that.
Oh and Cammeo – Lithium's back. He’s in the living room.
CAMMEO:
How lovely. I must go to him.
In the living room …
BRYNIE:
I'm so glad Lithium’s back. He's my little pal. Magical Michael, you want to hold him? Sure go on, it's easy.
BRYNIE:
... This is a great tent. I have an idea. Why don’t
we camp out in the living room tonight? It’ll be a lot of fun.
We could tell ghost stories and drink hot cocoa …
BRYNIE:
…You watch Lithium. I’ll get the sleeping bags. This is gonna
be great. And don’t worry, you’re doing just fine.
GRACE:
Look who I found at the front door, Magical Michael. This is
Racolo, Lithium’s dad. You remember, the wizard I told you
about who can’t cast a spell that works right.
RACOLO:
Grace, it's always a pleasure.
GRACE:
Thank you Racolo, what a nice thing to say. You know,
Daprima said you’d be back, and you didn’t believe her.
Don’t you feel silly now?
RACOLO:
Can I have my kid back?
CAMMEO:
Racolo, I'm so glad you've returned. Are you
hungry? I’m happy to fix you something.
RACOLO:
You don't have to go to any trouble ...
CAMMEOI:
It's no trouble at all. Magical Michael,
perhaps you'd like a little snack too?
RACOLO:
Michael was it? I'll take him now.
A little later ...
BRYNIE:
Hi Grace, where’d Magical Michael and Lithium go?
GRACE:
To the kitchen with Cammeo and Racolo.
What do you think of my new pop-up-tent?
BRYNIE:
Your tent? This is my tent. I picked it out last week.
GRACE:
No, it’s mine - so go away.
BRYNIE:
Just because you were here when it was delivered doesn’t make it yours. Fin ordered it for me and I’m sleeping in it tonight with Magical Michael - because it’s mine.
GRACE:
You're not putting one foot inside my pop-up-tent Brynie!
BRYNIE:
Oh yeah ! Just watch me.
MEZ:
What now?
BRYNIE:
Mez, this is my tent. I picked it out and everything. She thinks it’s hers. You need to set her straight
.
MEZ:
Why me? Where’s Daprima and Fin?
GRACE:
Daprima’s working late at the boutique.
BRYNIE:
Fin’s working late too.
MEZ:
Then - who’s in charge?
GRACE:
You.
MEZ:
No way. I don’t want to be in charge. You'll just have to wait for one of them to come home.
BRYNIE:
But Mez, what about Magical Michael? It’s his last night here
and by the time Fin gets home, it'll be too late.
So just tell her we’re sleeping in it.
GRACE:
That’s not fair. This is my pop-up-tent, yes it is.
and I want to play in it now.
MEZ:
You can play in it tomorrow. Mikey’s our guest.
GRACE:
He’s not my guest! And I don't want to wait for tomorrow.
If you hadn't taken so long to put it together, I'd already be
in it, yes I would! Tell Brynie it’s mine, tell him now.
CAMMEO:
Whatever is the matter? I can hear you all the way in the kitchen.
GRACE:
Cammeo, you’ll never believe what they’re doing to me!
Mez and Brynie have ganged up against me. It’s my
pop-up-tent and they won’t let me have it …
CAMMEO:
Everyone needs to calm down. Go get ready for bed, and by the time you’re finished, a decision will be made.
BRYNIE:
All I know is - I’m sleeping in this tent.
GRACE:
No you’re not Brynie! It’s my pop-up-tent and I’m going to be the first one to play in it, yes I will.
MEZ:
Damn tent! Why am I in charge? Where’s Karanthir and Es? They’re older than me and the two of them get to do whatever they want.
CAMMEO:
Oh my poor Mez ...
MEZ:
Mikey - Brynie said you two planned to spend the night in the tent. Is that right? OK. Then that’s what’s going to happen.
CAMMEO:
How will you ever tell Grace?
MEZ:
I’ll just lock her in her room.
CAMMEO:
I don’t think that would be appropriate.
MEZ:
Well, I'm in charge. She said so herself. And since Racolo needs the spare bed in my room, it’s a no-brainer.
CAMMEO:
I have a feeling she’s not going to agree with you. Good luck.
Cammeo leaves.
MEZ:
No, you don't have to come with me to tell her. That’s nice of you but … Are you sure? You’ve never seen her when she doesn’t get her way.
