Whatever The F He Wants

Driveway Skatepark

DICO & GLOMB

"You think any of this will get done without Bam?" Dico sniggered.

"Just look at the place!" Glomb gestured. "We're about almost done! You see that winding snake run, that's where the cameras will set up. We're getting a devil-bat spewing flame over there. And those glass displays will show off any flair the gang get from LA."

"Well, it's on your head, so be it," Dico crossed himself in prayer. "I give thee absolution. Man, if Bam doesn't like it - "

"Who says he won't?" Glomb bit back. "C'mon, man. I've not been sitting 'round doin' nothing. Even the cameras are here to make sure of that."

"Whatever," Dico raised his hands. "You stayin' for the sleepover?"

"What, with all those skater dudes flying in on a chopper?" Glomb blew his fringe out of his face. "Count me in. We'll have to pull sleeping bags into the living room and use cushions from the one seaters, but I've slept rougher. You remember that time Ape and Phil stranded us on an island?"

"Yeah, how could I forget," Dico chuckled. "Raab got puffy eyes and you skated naked. Don't get any ideas if we get any chicks round. Bam scoops them all up in the end anyway."

"You think Jenn knows?" Glomb walked beside him. "Or she just puts up with it? Man, that must be cruisy."

"Don't count on it," Dico shook his head. "Jenn's a good girl. My girl's always sayin' she should leave 'im."

"What about Missy?" Glomb's eyes lit up. "She's not coming? Ah, that's a shame. She's a looker."

"I figure Jessica will be happy," Dico sniggered. "Look, there's her car coming from the drive."

"Why's that? Where's she been?" Glomb waved a hand.

Dico jumped on the hood, snarling and spluttering, and jogged back over to Glomb.

"Stroud Preserve I bet. See, there's the dog, she's been walking him. How are you doing, boy? Good boy... "

"Can ya get us some beers?" Glomb shouted. "I don't think she heard me. Why'd you say she'll be happy?"

"Well, Bam told me not to say anything to her," Dico lowered her voice. "But her Jersey boyfriend's coming. I dunno what the deal is with them two. We all have eyes. They've gotta find some hole and get to know each other so we don't have to tiptoe round them."

"I know what you mean," Glomb laughed.

APRIL & JENN

"And we're the ones to clean up!" April huffed. "Pass me that tea towel, willya? Thanks."

"It was a lovely meal," Jenn nodded. "It still feels weird to eat at that table with all the medieval goblets. By the way, where's Jessica?"

"Oh, she's clearing the rest of it," April glanced upward. "You hear them? They've already spread out in the living room, not a care in the world. We're the ones down here. Thanks for drying, by the way. I'll get Jessie to put away."

"Can I ask," Jenn paused. "I've got a shift at Duffer's early tomorrow."

"Oh, hon. You don't have to ask," April squeezed her arm. "Well, ha. I suppose you do, or I wouldn't have known about it. I'll be back early to cook breakfast, not that Bam'll be back before then. I heard he's pulling an all nighter. Jenn, I don't know how you put up with him. And I thought he was difficult when he was a child! All this fame is going to his head. You look at that Danny Way. He's like Tony Hawk - sober and serious."

"I dunno," Jenn sniffed. "I heard Danny used to be quite adventurous in his youth. Quite a bad past. But he's made something of himself, and he never stops trying. I guess that's why he's the best."

"I say the same of Jessie," April chucked the tea towel over her shoulder and dusted her hands. "You know, she's into bird watching. Out at Stroud Preserve. I'd ask that girl why she's into such things - but then, she's also volunteering down at the library to read to school kids. She's such a good girl. She may not go as high as Bam, but she's as settled as Jess will be soon enough. You know him and Kelly have another on the way?"

BAM & JENN

"Babe, shift up. There's no room," Bam adjusted. "There's a free spot over there!"

"I prefer sitting with you," Jenn smiled. "Especially seeing how many girls you invited. Don't you see them looking? And they all think I'm too old for you."

"I'm serious," Bam lifted a finger. "You're givin' my knee a cramp. Take Tim's old spot."

"Are they still out there?" Jenn glanced to the balcony. "Danny Way was such a gentleman, offering his seat when she came over. What could they be talking about?"

"What else?" Bam chuckled. "Tim's been interested in my sister since day one."

"You don't mean that," Jenn frowned. "You're only saying that now. I didn't hear a word of it from you."

"Well, there they are. Whaddaya gonna do? She makes up her own mind about everything."

"He's very chatty," Jenn observed. "He fills every space with small talk. And you can see the way she looks at him. She must be so cold without a sweater!"

"I think that's the plan," Bam added dryly. "Give it a minute and he'll take off his sweat shirt. Babe, I'm bored. You wanna go to Rex's?"

"Not particularly," Jenn yawned. "I was thinking of running a hot bath before bed."

"Who wants to go to Rex's?" Bam raised his voice. "See? You'll have the place almost to yourself."

Bam ran for the balcony and slammed against the door.

"You two lovebirds geddinhere!" Bam hawked and spat against the glass.

APRIL & DUNN

"And how did it go?" April smiled. "I see Bam's still not back."

"Yeah, I drove back early," Dunn scratched his beard. "Place was pretty quiet. Still weird now not to have Bam here."

"He's always out," April shook her head. "What fun could he be having all night? I'm in bed by nine at the latest, with a mug of warm cocoa and a good book. I'll wake up the next morning with a headache to last the entire day if I stayed out as late as he did. Not to mention how bored I'd be!"

"He likes it," Dunn shrugged. "Is that my bacon that's ready?"

"Yes, that's your plate. Pass that to - thank you. You see how tall Danny Way is? I suppose that helps on the posters. Take the stool over there, you see how the kitchen is crowded with skateboarders. You'd think they'd never had a hot meal before. And how were the girls?"

"I heard Jenn got a ride with you into work," Dunn raised his eyebrows. "Jessie hit the hay pretty soon after Bam took his crew out for drinks."

"Oh, there she is. Jessie! Ryan, pass this plate to her, willya? Oh, Tim. You don't need to help with the washing up, it's all covered. But I can tell you're well brought up, don't you worry! Ryan, did you get it to her?"

"Yeah, she's sitting over on the lounge suite. It gets the best light from the balcony. Plus the kitchen's crowded at the moment."

"Oh, don't let her sit alone," April pleaded.

"She's not," Dunn lifted a finger. "Look, Danny's joined her. Look at all their faces; you'd think they couldn't discuss an ollie without him."

"Oh, he's a good guy," April smiled. "He knows how to make someone comfortable. And I'll tell ya, you see Tim just before? He offered to help. He knows how to behave in somebody's house. That's more than I can say for Novak. That's all I'll say."

Dunn paused. "I think he's back. That's his Hummer, him and a couple others. Yes, I'm sure. You hear them slamming doors? You better get another plate ready. He'll be starved or hungover or exhausted."

"Or both or all," April rolled her eyes. "It's everyday with this kid. But I wouldn't change it for the world. You must know how well he sets us up. I don't even have to go into the salon but to cover someone who's sick."