Life At Fanwood

Episode 4.1: Just a Little Problem...

Tinkerbell opened her eyes to look at her alarm clock.  It was 5:47 A.M.  She sighed and rolled over.  Thumbelina wouldn’t be awake yet and she didn’t want to disturb her roommate.

Just as she was about to drift back to sleep, thunderous music from the apartment above hers shook the paintings on the walls.  Tinkerbell sat bolt upright, now wide awake.  She growled in frustration as threw her blankets aside and stood up.

“It’s too early for this,” Tinkerbell mumbled to herself.  Her long, blonde bangs fell in her eyes and she irritably blew them out of the way.  “Way too early,” she finished.

 -

As soon as the organ’s triumphant melody pierced London’s subconscious, she shouted in surprise and promptly rolled off the bed.  There she lay for a few moments, willing her heart to stop its racing.  Her brow suddenly furrowed and she sat up, staring at the clock which read 5:47 A.M.

London narrowed her eyes and stood up.  “Erik,” she muttered, “The only person in the entire building who isn’t afraid to play the organ before six o’clock.”

 -

“GYAH!!” Paris shouted instinctively as she was awakened by a loud, unchallenged organ playing as loudly as it dared.  She was very mad.  Paris always woke up at exactly six o’clock.

EXACTLY.

SIX.

O’CLOCK.

Paris tromped out of her bedroom and was about to open the door to pay Erik a little ‘visit’ when Christine ran out to meet Paris.  Christine slid in front of Paris and blocked the door.

“Get out of my way, Chrissie,” Paris growled through clenched teeth.

Christine grasped Paris by her shoulders and looked directly into her eyes.  “Paris,” she said carefully, “He’s not worth it.”

“He’s not?” Paris asked.

Christine shook her head.  “No.  He is not worth the effort.  Go back to sleep,” she said softly.

Paris lowered her head and solemnly returned to her room.

Christine released a sigh of relief and stepped away from the door as the organ music was still playing.  “You owe me one, Erik,” she mumbled.

 -

Someone began knocking at London’s and Alice’s door in such a way that they knew whoever it was had to be in a panic.

Alice opened the door energetically and saw the 4th doctor standing at their door, his face flushed.  “May I help you?” Alice asked politely.

“Yes, I think you can.  I-Is London in?” he asked.

“Yes,” London said, leaping out of her chair and rushing over to the door, “How can I help you?”

“Ah… This is odd, but- I seem to have lost my scarf,” he replied sheepishly.

London’s eyebrows shot up.  “You… lost your scarf?” she asked.

The Doctor rubbed the back of his neck.  “Yes.  I don’t know how, but it was stolen.  And since you got my hat back, I figured…”

“Of course she’ll do it!” Alice chirped, “Nothing will make her happier!”

“Alice…” London started but Alice cut her off.

“She’ll get back to you very soon,” she said as slowly shut the door, “Bye, now!”

“Alice!” London exclaimed as the door shut, “I am perfectly capable to handle that myself!  Why did you-”

“Because I had too much caffeine last night!” Alice buzzed, and for the first time that morning, London noticed that Alice was indeed shaking.  “Toooooooo muuuuuuuccchhhhh ccccccccaaaaaaaaffffffffeeeeeeeiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnne…” she moaned as she eerily walked back to her room.

London blinked a few times as she stared after her roommate.  “Man, the Hatter’s tea must do something to your brain circuits, huh?” she muttered as she grabbed her coat and slipped out the door.