Normily: After Effects

In the Spotlight

It was early morning and Emily sat in the third row of the plane listening to music as it touched down in Atlanta. She debarked and got her guitar and duffel bag from the baggage claim. She caught a ride to her apartment from Lauren and Steven. Norman and Mingus would fly in later in the afternoon.

"So, you ready to go back to your NYC apartment?" Lauren asked.

"Well, not exactly," said Emily, "The utilities are off until next week."

"Forget to pay your bills?"

"Yep."

"Ouch," Lauren said, pulling up to Emily's place.

"Yeah," Emily said, "You wanna come in?"

"Sure," Lauren shut off her Challenger and got out with Emily. Emily grabbed her stuff and went inside. Lauren followed her in. Emily set her stuff down and grabbed some water.

"Your show is sold out, by the way," Lauren said, grinning. Emily almost choked.

"Really!?" she said, incredulously.

"Yep, I almost couldn't get a ticket," said Lauren.

"How'd it sell out?"

"Spoiling Dead fans," Lauren said.

"No, they didn't release anything?" Emily bit her lip. For one thing that meant that people had been on set who shouldn't have been. And for another, Beth fans would be pissed. All hell would break loose if this got out.

"Not that I know of," Lauren said, "They are mad that your kiss with Norman was cut."

"Well, Rob probably had a reason for it," replied Emily, as she began boxing stuff up and moving what she'd need for tonight toward the door.

Lauren went to Emily's liquor cabinet and got out a bottle of wine. It had been aged for seventy years in a dry cellar before anyone touched it. The vineyard then bottled the wine carefully and shipped it straight to Emily. She'd ordered it for a special occasion long since forgotten. Merchant Prince Wine.

Emily continued to pack as Lauren gathered all of her drinks and placed them on the table. After three hours between the two of them the apartment was ready to move out of tomorrow. Lauren's phone began to ring.

"Hello," she picked up.

"Hey, can you come get us?"

"Yeah," Lauren said, "Now?"

"Yep."

Emily listened as Lauren grabbed her stuff and headed out the door. Well great. Emily put her stuff in her guitar and music cases and moved them to the door. She grabbed her phone and dialed a cab.

Emily waited on the steps outside of her apartment for her cab. It seemed to take ages. When it finally arrived she loaded her stuff up and got in. She gave the address of the place and they headed out. She checked her phone for any news regarding Beth. Nothing. Relief. Emily didn't want anyone to know about it.

On the other side of Atlanta, Norman and Mingus had just got off the plane. They got their luggage and headed out the door. Norman dialed Lauren's number and waited.

"Hello."

"Hey," said Norman, "can you come get us?"

"Yeah... Now?"

"Yep."

Lauren hung up. Norman looked at Mingus, who was on his phone, headphones in, not paying attention. Norman laid a hand on his son's shoulder. Mingus looked up at his father, waiting for something. Norman looked him in the eye.