by Дж. Р. Уорд
RHAGE (in his bedroom)
Abso-fucking-lutely. When?
VISHOUS
It’s going to rake some time to get there—
WRATH (in the study)
Do you think I don’t know you’re still gum-flapping?
Asses up here, now.
I’m in a pissed-off mood to begin with, and if I have to wait more than a minute and a half for you two, I’m going to put my fist through the wall.
VISHOUS
Coming.
RHAGE
Me, too, my Lord.
BOOK ORDER
June 20, 2006
CELLIE I
hi! I’m fairly new to die board and i usually lurk. i was curious what is the book order for the guys? who comes after butch etc? i wasn’t able to find the link so if it’s already been discussed, my bad!
J R WARD
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE to write Blay’s and also Qhuinn’s books.
YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUM
LASSITER (from his laptop, God only knows where)
WHAT ABOUT MINE
VISHOUS (in the Pit)
Sorry, she doesn’t bother with your kind.
LASSITER
You sure about that? Maybe you’re just worried she’ll forget about you.
VISHOUS
Yeah, right. Because you’re so fucking distracting.
How’s your car?
Ooops…I mean your pile of metal flakes.
LASSITER
Cheap shot, vampire. But then, I’d expect it from you. Sneaking in. Ashing a male’s place. Yeah, that’s some scary shit, right there.
VISHOUS
You had to know I was coming. Guess you just raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan away.
LASSITER
Hey, Vishous…when you look in the mirror, do you ever wonder what your daddy would think of you now?
RHAGE (in his bedroom)
Whooooooooooooooooa, okay.
Time to chill this out. Lassiter, get the fuck off the Boards—
VISHOUS
When you look in the mirror, do you wonder where that female of yours is?
LASSITER
Just for that, I’m sending you a little present in the mail, vampire.
WRATH (in the study)
Vishous, Rhage, off the Boards. NOW.
Lassiter, got a little news flash for you, buddy. You’re not making friends, asshole. And a guy like you…man, shit, you got plenty of people who want your head on a stake.
We’re more than happy to hop on that train.
You want a six-pack of enemies? You just keep this shit up.
LASSITER
Just looking for airtime, Blind King. Just looking for airtime.
And tell your boy V that he needs to run home to Daddy—
Oh! I’m sorry. Daddy’s dead, isn’t he.
VISHOUS
I will kill you. I swear to fucking God, I will—
LASSITER
Funny thing about my kind…we’re hard to see, hard to find.
You ever consider that maybe I’m right behind you?
VISHOUS
I’m out of here.
Kiss your sister for me, cocksucker.
LASSITER
Jesus Christ…
Check your mail, vampire.
Later.
WRATH
Vishous, you get your ass up to the main house.
BUTCH O’NEAL (in the Pit)
What the hell is going on? V’s shut himself in his room and—
FUCK!
WRATH
Cop…
Cop?
RHAGE
I’m going over there!
WRATH
*alarms going off like crazy*
*Wrath runs out of study*
ZSADIST (in main house)
*tears off in the direction of the Pit*
PHURY
*runs for underground tunnel with the rest of the Brothers*
BUTCH O’NEAL
*grabs fire extinguisher*
*kicks open V’s bedroom door*
*lets fly with the spray*
RHAGE
*burst into Pit*
*races for V’s bedroom*
*grabs first thing that he sees—a comforter*
*pulls a flying tackle, taking V down to the floor*
WRATH
*skids into doorway of V’s bedroom*
*looks at scene*
*sees huge scorched pattern on walls, ceiling, and floor, as if explosion went off*
*sees Rhage get thrown off Vishous*
*V wheels around, a savage expression on his face*
V…V, just chill—
BUTCH O’NEAL
*turns off fire extinguisher*
*listens to dripping sounds*
*smells smoke*
Holy…shit.
VISHOUS
*scrubs face with glowing hand*
*looks at brothers*
*becomes instantly composed, so calm he’s robotlike*
*glances at Rhage*
You okay? I tossed you hard.
RHAGE
Yeah, I’m good. I’m…ah, yeah.
*reaches out*
VISHOUS
Don’t touch me. Don’t anybody fucking touch me.
I’m going to the gym.
I’m…going to the gym and then I’ll come back and clean this shit up.
*walks out, heading for tunnel*
ZSADIST
*watches V leave*
*without making a sound, disappears into tunnel*
VISHOUS
*stops in tunnel*
For shit s sake, Z, I don’t need a babysitter.
ZSADIST
DO I LOOK LIKE A FUCKING BABYSITTER TO YOU
I’M WORKING OUT NOW
GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU OR YOUR FRYIN’ ASS
VISHOUS
I want to be alone.
ZSADIST
WITH ME YOU ARE ALONE
VISHOUS
*throws up hands*
*keeps walking*
*is very aware that Z is right behind him. All the way to the gym.*
WRITING SPEED & OTHER QUESTIONS
July 10, 2006
CELLIE 1
WARDen, I am amazed and in awe of your skill and talent. I hope the Brothers never stop talking. Enough said.
J R WARD
Me frickin’ too…
I have great hope for the new ones…John and Blaylock and Qhuinn and, yeah…the new ones.
CELLIE 2
And your hope gives us hope too, WARDen…
But not a sodding time machine in sight here…Bugger!
J R WARD
LOLOL!
CELLIE 3
And dare I add, Lassiter too!
J R WARD
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm LASSITER
LASSITER (from his laptop, God only knows where)
You rang?
J R WARD
Oh, hell, no…we are not doing this righ—
LEEBRA725 Site Admin
Oh, this is gonna be gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood………….
*grabs the popcorn*
VISHOUS (in the Pit)
Sorry asshole…she’s busy. LATER.
LASSITER
Busy, huh.
With you?
VISHOUS
She is permanently busy when it comes to you. How about that?
LASSITER
I’m going to make a liar out of you.
VISHOUS
Good luck. LATER.
LASSITER
Oh, I think Ima stay right here. Why don’t you run along. Run, run away—
J R WARD
Like I said, we’re not doing this right now. My eyelids are drooping and I have to—
VISHOUS
No offense, Challa, but you don’t get a vote.
Lassiter, do you remember the grave?
LASSITER
Yeah. What about it.
VISHOUS
Meet me there.
WRATH (in the study)
Hi, V. Remember me? I’m your Brother. Your king. The motherfucker who can put you on hiatus?
Okay…good. I’ve got your attention.
Now get the fuck off the Boards. And come to my study. NOW.
LASSITER
Vishous. I’ll be there. Hour before dawn.
You got any balls, you’ll show. It’s your fucking idea.
WRATH
Lassiter, you just don’t know when to quit, do you?
LASSITER
I have something you want, vampire.
Something you’re missing.
Be nice, asshole.
And what? You afraid your precious little Magic 8 Ball, that whacked-out FREAK, might get hurt?
J R WARD
I’m tired…can I go to be—
WRATH
I will be there.
Hour before dawn.
Don’t fuck around. I am perfectly capable of killing you just because you bore the shit out of me.
LASSITER
Well, well, well…
an audience with the king…
wonder what I should wear?
WRATH
With the mood I’m in? Body armor.
And do yourself a favor. Come armed. You might live longer.
LASSITER
You know my kind. Our weapons arc always concealed and always with us.
Hour before dawn.
I’ll be there, vampire.
LASSITER
Oh, PS leave the FREAK at home.
He and I don’t get along.
LATER.
VISHOUS
I’m going with you, my Lord.
WRATH
Fuck you, V.
He’s a shithead, but you are part of the problem.
VISHOUS
Then take Rhage. But you need backup.
WRATH
EXCUSE ME?
VISHOUS
You know what he’s capable of.
WRATH
GET THE FUCK UP HERE. NOW.
BETH RANDALL (from laptop in their bedroom)
Wrath?
WRATH
Not now.
BETH RANDALL
Yes, now.
WRATH
What.
BETH RANDALL
I know what he is. And the only way you are meeting him an hour before dawn without any support is over my dead body.
Period.
WRATH
Jesus Christ, leelan, what the—
J R WARD
Can I go to bed now? I have to get up at six—
BETH RANDALL
My. Dead. Body.
So who will you take with you?
VISHOUS
Thank you for talking some sense into—
BETH RANDALL
Vishous. stay out of this. And don’t go into the study.
Wrath? You were about to answer me.
ZSADIST
I’M GOING WITH HIM
WRATH
Shit. Is Z acceptable, leelan?
BETH RANDALL
Perfectly acceptable, as long as he is fully armed.
ZSADIST
WHAT THE FUCK
LIKE I’D CO IN BALLET SLIPPERS
WRATH
*starts to laugh*
*pushes wraparounds up on forehead and nibs eyes*
Fine. Fuck it.
Now, Beth…I gave you something you wanted.
How ’bout you come on down to my study and give me something I want.
BETH RANDALL
How about you make peace with Vishous and then come find me.
WRATH
V?
Quick, hook a Brother up.
We cool?
VISHOUS
Welllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll…
WRATH
You are a CRUEL motherfucker.
Come on!
VISHOUS
Beg me.
BETH RANDALL
Vishous, that’s just mean.
And that’s my line, not yours.
Never mind. Wrath. I’m on my way.
WRATH
*rises from desk, eyes trained on double doors of the study*
*peels off black T-shirt*
*kicks off shitkickers*
*undoes button on fly of leathers*
BETH RANDALL
*pushes open doors to study*
I tell you, Vishous can be such a—
HELLO.
WRATH
Hi. *dangles leathers from his hand* *tosses them to the floor*
So, leelan…how about you close that door. And lock it.
J R WARD
CAN I PLEASE GO TO SLEEP NOW? I’M FRICKIN’ EXHAUSTED.
J R WARD
Good night, Cellies!
LASSITER
July 11, 2006
WRATH (in the study, posting in Lassiter’s room on the board)
Hit me up when you get this.
LASSITER
July 11, 2006
WRATH (in the study, posting in the WAR Dens room on the board)
Come on, man. Hit me up.
DON’T FRONT
July 11, 2006
WRATH (in the study, posting again in the WARDen’s room)
After what happened last night, I owe you, Lassiter.
Are you alive? Come on, man…
VISHOUS (in the study)
Maybe he’s just fucking with us.
WRATH
He was shot in the chest. Thanks to taking a bullet for me.
I don’t think he’s got playing high on his list of priorities.
I think breathing is probably first and foremost.
VISHOUS
I can find him tonight if I have to.
WRATH
Oh, there’s a great fucking plan.
VISHOUS
I’m the best medic we’ve got.
WRATH
(After long pause.)
You go, you treat him if he’s alive. You incinerate him if he’s dead. The last thing we need is a body like his hanging around.
And you know what? My best little buddy Zsadist is going to go with you just to make sure you don’t get a hard-on and oft the fucker.
ZSADIST
I’M THERE
VISHOUS
Done. We leave at nightfall.
OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF FUCKING NOWHERE
July 12, 2006
VISHOUS
*materializes in front of run-down farmhouse*
How the fuck does he get an Internet connection here?
ZSADIST
*narrows eyes*
*listens*
SILENCE IS MAKING ME TWITCHY AS SHIT, MY BROTHER
J R WARD
The farmhouse is a single-story structure from the turn of the century. Overgrown with weeds and trees and brambles, it is bearded with greenery, but not a happy place. Its vines arc the kind that choke out the sunlight during the day and filter the moon in frightening ways at night.
There is a front door, two windows, and a shallow porch. No cars. The garage is falling down. The walkway up to the house from the dirt lane is strewn with branches from the storms that passed through during the day.
VISHOUS
Let’s go in. You got your heat out?
ZSADIST
NO THAT’S MY DICK IN MY HAND
WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK?
VISHOUS
I’d use the mhis, but he’d know we’re here immediately.
Let’s do this.
*V approaches the house, moving silently over grass that is still wet from the rains. The air smells like pine and earth and…something else.*
ZSADIST
*shakes his head as the door squeaks open*
*keeps SIG Sauer muzzle pointed forward*
WAIT WHAT THE HELL IS THAT—
VISHOUS
No, it’s cool. They smell l
ike that when they bleed.
*calls out* Lassiter? Yo, cocksucker, you breathing?
ZSADIST
IT SMELLS LIKE—
WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT ON THE FLOOR?
VISHOUS
They bleed silver…don’t touch it.
Lassiter?
*heads farther into the house. There is no furniture, and it’s cold even though the night outside is warm. No food, either.*
ZSADIST
HE USES MY DECORATOR APPARENTLY
VISHOUS
*pauses* *looks over shoulder*
Since when did you grow a sense of humor?
ZSADIST
I’D SAY GET OFF MY DICK BUT I ALREADY USED THAT LINE
SO I’LL GO WITH A CLASSIC
VISHOUS
Fuck you?
ZSADIST
BITE ME.
AND HOW ABOUT WE GET BACK IN THE GAME—
OH.
VISHOUS
Oh…wow.
*eyes high-tech laptop* *next to which is a pool of silver blood*
*V looks around the barren room, then turns back to laptop*
*Z goes over to the window and scans the grounds*
***FEMALE***
Have you come to finish the job? Or save him?
VISHOUS
*wheels around, ready to fire*
*blinks, stunned*
ZSADIST
*falls into firing position*
*curses*
OH SHIT
VISHOUS
*without lowering the gun, even though he knows it won’t do a damn thing against what they’re looking at*
Save him. Where is he?
***FEMALE***
I don’t know. I came because…well. I knew he must be hurt.
VISHOUS
Lassiter has friends in unexpected places, it appears.
***FEMALE***
I would say the same of you, vampire.
How was he hurt?
VISHOUS
For some completely unknown reason, he took a bullet for our king. Lessers.
***FEMALE***
He is not without a certain code of honor. Arid he is compelled to save the righteous.
VISHOUS
Oh, yeah. Right. I’ll add him to my Christmas list.
You must know where he might go.
***FEMALE***
I don’t. Going by the blood loss…and the fact that it was cloudy today? Not far. He needs the sun to survive, especially if he’s injured.
ZSADIST
THE ONLY REASON SOMEONE INJURED LIKE THAT MOVES IS BECAUSE HE HAS TO
SOMEONE ELSE IS HUNTING HIM
AND HE’S SMART ENOUGH TO COVER HIS TRACKS
WE WON’T FIND HIM
VISHOUS
Yeah, he’ll mask himself.
*lowers gun and addresses female*
You find him, you tell him we came. I can’t stand the guy…but we honor our debts.
*rolls eyes* As much as it’s really fucking painful sometimes.
***FEMALE***
Pray for clear skies tomorrow. And I don’t know if I’ll sec him again. If I do, I will.
VISHOUS
