NA: Llama, Interrupted (1/1) Time/Date: Nov. 8, 2004...afternoon-ish, concurrent with The Plane Truth, Part 3 Written by: Shele All real persons used with permission ***** "Thank you for sharing, Hank! I'm glad to hear you've stopped having nightmares about butterflies. If you keep making progress like you have been these last few months, I'm sure you'll be home in time for Christmas! Now, who else would like to share with the group? Bonnie, why don't you tell us what you've been doing during arts & crafts hour?" The petite redhead started at the sound of her name. Actually, she started at that and at having to 1) remember what she _had_ been doing at arts & crafts, and 2) talk like she was getting better, too. It's not as if she had expected fun and games, really, but five months with Nurse Rickets at Springbrook Manor was about five months too long. Sure, sure, it's not like she'd checked herself in or anything, but even court ordered treatment had to end sometime...right? Just yesterday her court appointed lawyer had successfully questioned the validity of the charges that brought her here (the rock climbing had been a disaster, true, but she was a llama, not a Sherpa...and when did impersonating a Sherpa become illegal anyway?), all she had to do was let them see that she was normal. That couldn't be too hard, could it? She'd been away from Toronto proper for some time. She'd cut herself off from contact with Vachon and the Inca, not to mention the Nunkies Addicts. She'd even begun to accept the idea that she was a person, not a llama. She almost felt things were finally turning around and that things would be okay. Someday soon, she could stop hiding herself away and join the outside world again. Be a regular girl, in a regular world. "I'm not crazy. Na na na na. You're the one who's crazy." While everyone in the group turned to face Bonnie, Nurse Rickets turned much more slowly. Bons grimaced, she'd taken too long and Nurse Rickets had obviously gone on to the next 'client' in their group. Talking out of turn meant only one thing: a visit to The Box. Truth be told, Bons didn't really mind visiting The Box, she just wished it was a better conversationalist. She got up to meet the orderly who would accompany her. Bons sunk back in her chair, filled with an overwhelming sense of dread. The surprising sense of well being. The sudden reversal of the charges against her. And, worst of all, month after month of seeing the same people and hearing the same recriminations, the impending arrival of the facility's new patien--_client_. Things were too good to be, well, good. *** Lisl sat in the cherry picker, going over her Nunkies Scouts manual. Fire Husbandry To earn this badge, do five of these activities: +1: Explain and demonstrate three ways to start a fire. (Easily done: lighter or match; friction; and derisive e-mails.) +2: Explain and demonstrate three ways to put out a fire. (A bit harder, that: removal of oxygen; inappropriate touching; and, well, massive apologies had some effect, but only a list owner could really close a flame war down...oh! Okay, done!) -3: Engage ten or more others in a physical development exercise. +4: Engage ten or more others in a mental development exercise. (Easy-peasy! Just two days ago, she'd worked a crossword puzzle with the whole team on Nunkies Rescue 4!) -5: Successfully navigate Nunkies Rescue 4 through the streets of Toronto. -6: Teach a less experienced person how to operate the three life saving devices on Nunkies Rescue 4. +7: Groom two or more others and know the names of the implements you use. (There was really no getting out of that one, what with the pictures and all... slicker brush, nail clippers and comb.) She'd already finished four of the requirements, and Shele had promised that, after today, she'd be able to sign off on Lisl having completed it. Lisl was hoping to lead the group during their pilates workout. But, given the fact that Shele had been hauled off by the police the day before, and then held over for a 72 hour observation period, and given that the NR4 was parked just outside the mental health facility where said observation was taking place.... A series of taps vibrated through the basket. "I'm *not* asleep! There's no sign of activity yet, Norman! What?! Where? Oh, I see 'em. Hm. That can't be a good sign." Lisl waved to her fellow Addicts as their bus headed into Toronto-proper. There were times she questioned her decision to pursue her upper-level badges, as traveling with Shele held its dangers, but a busload of Addicts usually meant one thing: Labor Camp. She'd trade that, anyday, for...for...for whatever scheme Shele had cooked up this time. It's not like she had planned something dangerous... or illegal. No, she'd planned something that was both. "Oh, man. I am so screwed. I wasn't planning to earn my Prisoner Guard badge until _next_ war!" Nervous clucking from the NR4 crew below did little to ease her mind. Most of them had been in the pen before and would do anything to prevent a reoccurrence. A reassuring thought, if that meant they were committed to the success of Shele's plan.... *** Bound and gagged. Like pain, these were things Smacky heartily approved of... *when* applied to others! Ach! The things she suffered for her art. (Okay, not _art_ so much as nonsensical rambling masquerading as faction writing...still, wheels within wheels, you know.) She'd agreed (i.e. been duped) into writing Bons while said llama-ish person was traveling for work. Unfortunately, Smacky doesn't do "llama". Nor does Smacky do "diary". So, oddly enough, "llama diary" was right out. A large box stepped into her field of view. "NEXT! Ah, Shele. Do you know why you were arrested? Do you? Let me tell you: Delusions of the proper use of a fire hose; Delusions of grandeur; Delusions of separateness; and Delusions of referring to yourself in the third person. Now you've been brought here for observation! We will determine if you are, indeed, a danger to yourself and others! What do you have to say for yourself? Eh?" Smacky blinked. "Remove her gag." Smacky blinked rapidly. "The rooster crows at dawn. I mean, I was drugged." "Really?! The toxicity screen did not show the presence of any drugs." "Oh, well... they dissipate kinda quickly. Feeling much better now. You can untie me. I'd really like to discuss my emotional problems with others like me." [This story better get moving along if I'm planning to stay within my self-imposed 1-post a day limit!] The box smirked. "You really are delusional, aren't you? Since this is war, and no 'permanent' harm can come to anyone, I guess we'd better let you go." "Let me go? You mean to group therapy, right? Uh.....yeah, 'cause I'm not ready to face the world yet. I need more support than any mere undergarment can provide!" "TMI, TMI! The group's meeting over there." Phase 23.1 was complete. Now all she had to do was grab Bons, knock her out, head for the window and wait for the cavalry, so to speak. *** "Ow! OW! What are you doing?!" "Oh! Hi Bons! Surprise! I've come to rescue you!" "Resc- OW!! Stop hitting me on the head! Rescue me from what? And why? And Stop Hitting Me On The Head!!!!!" "Yourself. Because I can. No." Although Shele hadn't rendered Bons unconscious, she had managed to herd her toward the window. She waved her arms much like a demented magician. "Open Sesame!" As if on cue (and what are the odds of *that*?), a torrent of water slammed up against the sugar glass, melting it away. "What the...? Oh no. You're not taking me back there. I won't do it! I won't go!" Bons and Shele looked at Nurse Rickets, who had fallen to her knees, wailing. "Iced mocha, baby! You're staying here - we're the ones leaving! Okay, Spanky, you can turn off the hose now...I said, Turn It OFF!" Shele pushed Bons toward the window. "Hey, we're on the second floor!" "No worries, bucko!" Shove. "Aah! We're all going to dieeeee! Oh. Hi Lisl." Lisl helped Bons off the basket's floor. "Hey Bons! Welcome to...the outside world?" "Good job, Lisl! Quickly now, Smacky wants to go back to the truck! Onward ho!" And away we go. Through an incredible coordination of effort, the ladder and basket returned to their storage positions while the fire truck pulled away from the facility. *** Securely seated at last, Bons looked at Norman and the other chickens coaching Lisl while she steered the truck; she looked at Shele trying to merge with her Smacky personality; she looked at herself and she knew.... There would never be enough fiber to make her or this world 'regular'. ********