Here We Go Again – California, here I come! (12)

3 October 2008

11:15am

Joders has only one other person to visit before she heads home to ready herself for the big reveal.  She has left this one person until last because she knows that if this person has too much time to think about stuff, she can talk herself out of anything.

Joders pauses out the front of the house she is about to visit and takes a deep breath.  The importance of the preparation she has put in over the last few days and the enormity of the plan suddenly hits her.  She feels a little nauseous at the thought of explaining her scheme tomorrow and hopes that everyone involved will be happy.

Joders walks purposefully up the front path, onto the doorstep and knocks on the front door.  Then she waits.

And waits.  And waits some more.

Joders raises her hand to knock again, then spies a door bell.  So she rings it instead.

The door is wrenched open and a voice from within is heard before Joders can even see the person who belongs to the voice.

Voice from Within:  What now?  Oh!  You’re not him. 

Joders:  No, I’m not him.  Who’s him?

Voice from Within:  Whoever you are, I don’t want whatever it is you’re preaching about.

Joders:  I’m not preaching about anything.  I’m here to see your daughter.

Voice from Within:  She doesn’t want to buy anything from you either, dear.  And she has absolutely no interest in joining your cult.

Joders:  (looking confused)  Cult?

Joders is aware that she looks tired from all of her travelling over the last few days, but she doesn’t think she looks like a member of a religious sect.

Voice from Within:  Yes.  Cult.  You look much like that fair skinned, wild haired young man who has been knocking on the door every day for the last 3 days, asking after my daughter.  Wanting her to join him on the road.

Recognition sparks in Joders’ eyes as she realises who has been paying a visit each day.

Joders:  (smiling)  Mrs Scribonia, I can assure you that I am not a member of a cult, nor am I preaching, nor am I selling anything.  I’m here to visit with Anners.

Mrs Scribonia:  You’re very persistent, aren’t you?

Joders:  Yes, Mrs Scribonia, I am.  Is she home?

Mrs Scribonia:  I’m afraid she’s quite busy, putting the finishing touches on her grad school applications.

Anners:  Mom?  I’m not busy.  Who’s there?

Anners looks over her mothers shoulder and drops the gardening clippers and small bunch of flowers in surprise.

Anners:  Joders!  Oh my God!  What are you doing here?

Anners pushes past her mother and hugs Joders in greeting.

Anners:  Come inside.  Thanks Mom, I’ve got it from here.

Mrs Scribonia:  Anners dear, your friend?  Can she breathe?

Joders:  (still inside Anners hug and sounding muffled)  Yep.  I’m fine Mrs S, thanks for asking.

Anners:  Yeah, thanks Mom.

Mrs Scribonia acknowledges that she has been dismissed by her daughter and leaves the girls standing in the entrance way.

Joders:  (stooping to pick up the dropped flowers, having extricated herself from Anners’ hug)  So, what happened to John Frusciante after you were finished with him yesterday?

Anners:  (regarding Joders with amazement)  How did you know?

Joders:  (completely straight faced)  I know everything Anners. I live in the future.

Anners laughs as she leads Joders into the kitchen where she puts on the kettle for a cup of tea, then sets about trimming the stems of the flowers so they’ll fit into the vase she has chosen to display them in.

Anners:  You still haven’t told me what you’re doing here.

Joders:  Well, I was in the neighbourhood and I decided to drop by.

Anners:  Joders, be serious.  Just for a second.

Joders:  I’ve got this plan.  And I need your help to make it happen.

Anners:  Gosh Joders, that’s so descriptive!  Of course I’ll help!

Joders:  It’s vague.  I know.  Don’t think I don’t know how ridiculous it sounds.  But I can’t be more specific just yet.  Not until tomorrow.

Anners:  But tomorrow is….

Joders:  Yes I know.  And I recalled that you said you were going to visit tomorrow.

Anners:  I am.  I’m leaving this evening to drive there.

Joders:  (pushing an envelope across the kitchen table towards Anners)  You don’t need to drive. 

Anners opens the envelope and withdraws the contents.  She looks at the papers in her hand with confusion, then amazement.

Anners:  But this is…

Joders:  Yes, I know.

Anners:  But I can’t…..

Joders:  Yes you can.

Anners:  This is serious, isn’t it?

Joders:  Yes.  And without you it won’t work.  I know that you’ll be partying tomorrow night, but my gathering is at 2pm tomorrow.  There’ll be plenty of time to attend my meeting and then head into town afterwards.

Anners:  (looking at the paperwork again)  How did you…..

Joders:  It’ll make much more sense tomorrow.  I promise.  So, will you be there?

Anners:  I can’t believe I’m about to say this about a “plan” that I know absolutely nothing about.  But yes, I’ll be there.

Joders:  Fantastic!  You won’t regret it.  Your life will never be the same again, Anners Scribonia.  Wait and see.

Anners:  I’m terrified but excited at the same time.  I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight.

Joders:  Just think about John.  That’ll calm you down, I’m sure.

Anners:  Funny, Joders.

Anners invites Joders to stay for lunch and the girls retire to the back yard to eat and discuss one of their favourite topics of conversation.  Whorelando Bloom.

Anners:  This plan of yours Joders, it doesn’t involve Whorely, does it?

Joders:  No, it doesn’t involve Whorely.  That’s not to say that he won’t be involved once everything is settled of course.  Anything is possible.

Anners:  You are being so bloody vague and it’s driving me crazy!

Joders:  (smiling)  I’m vague by necessity I’m afraid.  I can’t reveal anything more until 2pm tomorrow afternoon.

Anners:  You’re exasperating Joders!

Joders:  Yep, I know.

So Joders farewells Anners, happy in the knowledge that her plan is to be revealed in grand fashion tomorrow, and heads for her final destination.  Someone is waiting there.  Someone who has been in on the secret since Joders started putting her scheme together months ago.  Stay tuned for the next chapter to see if what, who, why and how will finally be answered.