"Prattfall..." Part XVI

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"Prattfall..."

Disclaimer: Would Joss want his name associated with this? I think
not...But anyway all BTVS characters remain the property of Joss
Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and all other owner/creators of the Buffy the
Vampire Slayer series...Though his brother Mort gets nothing...

Archived at the Normalverse page of the Buffy Rebecca verse, www.buffyrebecca.com...

Summary: As you know I leave the "Pratt" to the Whedonverse, except
for this one little bit...

In early 30's Hollywood Spike offers advice to a distant relative...

Part XVI...

Elmo's Chop House...The inexpensive local haven of Hollywood's future stars as Pratt grandly put it.  Nodding to the said Elmo, a friendly-looking, if somewhat grubby, balding middle-age man in cooking apron, who offered a brief greeting as their group took seats...

"Not quite as elegant as the Cocoanut Grove and of course one must accept that Elmo is neither an interior decorator..." All eyeing the drably wallpapered walls enlivened only by cut-out magazine covers of various film stars...One or two signed...Though one might question whose signature. "...nor exactly a chef of wide-ranging talents." he noted.  "But he's always willing to stake a starving artist to a coffee and roll.  One can overlook appearances and make allowances for a good heart."

"Absolutely..." Margaret smiled at him.

Stay with the basics...Anything beyond spaghetti, steak, or hamburger is risky.  Pratt noted to Dru as she eyed the short menu...

"So long as it's rare and a bit bloody, I'm fine..." she smiled back.

"Now's there's a true English girl..." Pratt grinned at Spike.  Who bowed slightly in acknowledgement of the paid compliment...

................................................................................................................................................................

Despite her concerns, a suspicious Frances could find nothing to worry her in Margaret's behavior during their dinner.  She seemed, if anything, inclined to offer Dru generous support in her determination to soldier on in her new-found career despite the slight setback of the day...

And Dru seemed to appreciate said support...Without any sign of concern toward someone who could be her only real threat in this town...At least until that other kid, the true Slayer fraulein whoever she was, showed...

Still...A little watchful care never hurt.  And dearest Dru hadn't specifically put the nix on that, at least...

"It's the only way..." Margaret continued her campaign in tandem with Spike and Pratt to bolster Dru's spirits.  "Just go right back in and show them you can take it.  Believe me, we've all been kicked in our teeth in this town countless times, eh Fran?" Warm smile to Frances who nodded...

"No doubt about that..."

"Well, I intend to give it me all, girls." Dru agreed, smiling shyly. "Thank you..."

"There's the girl..." Pratt beamed at her from his seat.  "Dru, I've no doubts about your coming success.  Why in a few days you and Will here have managed better than all but a handful.  I doubt Chaplin succeeded as quickly..."

"Have you met Mr. Chaplin?" Dru asked, eagerly.

"Only from a distance..." Pratt smiled.  "Though like all of us lacking the look of a screen idol, I've tried to find and model a character to capture the public as he did.  Whenever ready to toss it all in the garbage and haul off for England, I go to see the Tramp on film and remember Chaplin started from nothing and now...The one universally recognized genius in the business...On all levels."

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