Birdy
Senior Member
This is Me I like you I like sharp things They suggest you run from Me Why?
Posts: 177
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Post by Birdy on May 29, 2005 6:47:16 GMT -5
I just wanted to write this story down, so that you could read it, coz I love this one... It's kinda long so I'll write it step by step... Be patient !
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Birdy
Senior Member
This is Me I like you I like sharp things They suggest you run from Me Why?
Posts: 177
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Post by Birdy on May 29, 2005 10:38:52 GMT -5
Dual Control, taken from the volume Dead Woman by Elizabeth Walter
"You ought to have stopped." "For God's sake, shut up, Freda." "Well, you should have. You ought to have made sure she was all right." "Of course she's all right." "How do you know? You didn't stop to find out, did you? " "Do you want me to get back? We're late enough as it is, thanks to your fooling about getting ready, but I don't suppose the Bradys'll notice if we're late. I don't suppose they'll notice if we never turn up, though after the way you angled for that invitation..." "That's right, blame it all on me. We could have left half an hour ago if you hadn't been late home from the office." "How often do I have to tell you that business isn't a matter of nine to five ? " "No, it's a matter of the Bradys, isn't it? You were keen enough we should get asked. Where were you anyway? Drinking with the boys? Or smooching with some floozie?" "Please yourself. Either could be correct." "If you weren't driving, I'd hit you." "Try something unconventional for a change." "Why don't you try remembering I'm your wife -" "Give me a chance to forget it!" "-and that we're going to a party where you'll be expect to behave." "I'll behave all right." "To me as well as to other women." "You mean you'll let me off the leash?" "Oh, you don't give a damn about my feelings!" "Look, if it hadn't been for you, I should have stopped tonight." "Yes, you'd have given a pretty girl a lift if you'd been on your own. I believe you. The trouble is, she thought you were going to stop." "So I was. Then I saw she was very pretty, and - Christ, Freda, you know what you're like. I've only got to be polite to a woman who's younger and prettier than you are - and believe me, there are plenty of them - and you stage one of your scenes." "I certainly try to head off the worst of the scandals. Really, Eric, do you think people don't know?" "If they do, do you think they don't understand why I do it? They've only got to look at you... That's right, cry and ruin that fancy make-up. All this because I didn't give a pretty girl a lift." "But she signaled. You slowed down. She thought you were going to..." "She won't jump to conclusions next time." "She may not jump at all. Eric, I think we ought to forget the Bradys. I think we ought to go back." "To find Cinderella has been given a lift by Prince Charming and been spirited away to the ball?" "She was obviously going to a party. Suppose it's to the Brady's and she's there?" "Don't worry, she couldn't have seen what we looked like." "Could she remember the car?" "No, she didn't"t have time." "You mean she didn't have time before you hit her." "God damn it, Freda, what do you expect me to do when a girl steps in front of the car just as I decide - for your sake - I'm not stopping? It wasn't much more than a shove." "It knocked her over." "She was off balance. It wouldn't have taken more than a touch." "But she fell. I saw her go backwards. And I'm sure there was blood on her head." "On a dark road the light's deceptive. You saw a shadow." "I wish to God I though it was." "Look here, Freda, pull yourself together. I'm sorry about it, of course, but it would make everything worse to go back and apologise." "Then what are you stopping for?" "So that you can put your face to rights and I can make sure the car isn't damaged." "If it is, I suppose you'll go back." "You underestimate me as usual. No, if it is I shall drive gently into that tree. It will give us an excuse for arriving late at the Bradys' and explain the damage away." "But the girl may be lying there injured." "The road isn't that lonely, you know, and her car had obviously broken down. There'll be plenty of people willing to help a damsel in distress... Yes, it's as I thought. The car isn't even scratched. I thought we might have a dent in the wing, but it seems luck is on our side. So now, Freda, old girl, I'll have a nip from that flask you've got in your handbag." "I don't know what you mean." "Oh yes you do. You're never without it, and it needs a refill pretty often by now." "I can't think what's come over you, Eric." "Call it delayed shock. Are you going to give it me or do I have to help myself?" "I can't imagine - Eric, let go! You're hurting!" "The truth does hurt at times. Do you think I didn't know you had what's called a drinking problem? You needn't pretend with me." "It's my money. I can spend it how I choose." "Of course my love. Don't stop reminding me that I'm your pensioner, but thanks anyway for your booze." "I didn't mean that. Oh Eric, I get so lonely, you don't know. And even when you're home you don't take any notice of me. I cant' bear it. I love you so." "Surely you can't have reached the maudlin stage already? What are the Bradys going to think?" "I don't give a damn about the Bradys. I keep thinking about that girl." "Well, I give a damn about the Bradys. They could be important to me. And I'm not going to ruin a good contact because my wife develops sudden scruples." "Won't it ruin it if they know you left a girl for dead by the roadside?" "Maybe, but they won't know." "They will. If you don't go back, I'll tell them." "That sounds very much like blackmail, and that's a game that two can play." "What do you mean?" "Who was driving the car, Freda?" "You were." "Can you prove that?" "As much as you can prove that I was." "Ah, but it's not as simple as that. Such an accusation would oblige me to tell the police about your drinking. A lot of unpleasant things would come out. I should think manslaughter is the least you'd get away with, and that could get you five years.Because please note that apart from that swig I am stone cold sober, whereas your blood alcohol is perpetually high. In addition, you're in state of hysteria. Who d'you think would be believed - you or I?" "You wouldn't do that, Eric. Not to your wife. Not to me." "Sooner than I would to anyone, but it won't come to that, will it, my dear?" "I've a good mind to - " "Quite, but I should forget it." "Eric, don"t you love me at all?" "For God's sake, Freda, not that now, of all times. I married you, didn't I? Ten years ago you were a good-looking thirty -" "And you were a smart young salesman on the make." "So?" "You needed capital to start your own business." "You offered to lend it to me. And I've paid you interest." "And borrowed more capital." "It's a matter of safeguarding what we've got." "What we've got. That's rich! You hadn't a penny. Eric, don't start the car like that. You may not be drunk but anyone would think you are, the way you're driving. No wonder you hit that girl. And it wasn't just a shove. I think you've killed her." "For God's sake, Freda, shut up!"
"Well, it was a good party, wasn't it?" "Yes." "Moira Brady's a marvelous hostess." "Yes." "Jack Brady's a lucky man. We ought to ask them back some time, don't you think?" "Yes." "What's got into you? Cat got your tongue? You're a fine companion. We go to a terrific party and all you can say is Yes." "I'm thinking about that girl." "She was all right, wasn't she? Except for some mud on her dress. Did she say anything about it?" "She said she'd fallen over." "She was speaking the literal truth. Now I hope you're satisfied I didn't hurt her!" "She certainly looked all right." "You can say that again. Life and soul on the party, and obviously popular." "You spent enough time with her." "Here we go again. Do you have to spend the whole evening watching me?" "I didn't, but every time I looked, you were with her." "She seemed to enjoy my company. Some women do, you know." "Don't torment me, Eric. I've got a headache." "So have I, as a matter of fact. Shall I open a window?" "If it isn't to draughty.... What's the girl's name?" "Gisela." "It suits her, doesn't it? How did she get to the Bradys'?" "I didn't ask." "It's funny, but I never saw her go." "I did. She left early because she said something about her car having engine trouble. I suppose someone was giving her a lift." "I wonder if her car's still there?" "It won't be. She'll have got some garage to tow it away." "Don't be too sure. They're not so keen on coming out at nights in the country, unless something's blocking the road." "I believe you're right. That's it, isn't it - drawn up on the grass verge." "Yes. And Eric, That's her. She's hailing us." "And this time, I'm really going to stop." "What on earth can have happened?" "It looks like another accident. That's fresh mud on her dress." "And fresh blood on her head! Eric, her face is all bloody!" "It can't be as bad as it looks. She's not unconscious. A little blood can go a very long away. Just keep calm, Freda, and maybe that flask of yours will come in handy. I'll get out and see what's up.... It's all right, Gisela. You'll be all right. It's me, Eric Andrews. We met at the Bradys' just now. My dear girl, you're in a state. What in God's name happened? Has someone tried to murder you? Here, lean on me..." "Eric, what's the matter? Why have you left her alone? Gisela..." "Christ, Freda, shut that window! And make sure your door's locked." "What is it? You look as if you'd seen a ghost." "She is a ghost... Give me that flask... That's better." "What do you mean - a ghost?" "There's nothing there when you go up to her. Only a coldness in the air." "But that's nonsense. You can't see trough her. Look, she's still standing there. She's flesh and blood - blood certainly." "Is there blood on my hand?" "No, but it's shaking." "You bet it is. So am I. I tell you, Freda, I put out my hand to touch her - I did touch her - at least, I touched where she was standing - but she's got no body to touch." "She had a body at the Bradys'." "I wonder." "Well, you should know. You hung around her all the evening, making a spectacle of yourself." "I never touched her." "I'll bet it wasn't for want of trying." "Now I think of it, nobody touched her. She always seemed to stand a little apart." "But she ate and drink." "She didn't eat. She said she wasn't hungry. I don't remember seeing a glass in her hand." "Rubbish, Eric. I don't believe you. For some reason you don't want to help her. Are you afraid she'll recognise the car?" "She recognised it. That's why she's there. We _ we must have killed her on the way to the party that time when we nearly stopped." "You mean when you nearly stopped. When you hit her. Oh God, what are we going to do?" "Drive on, I think. She can't hurt us." "But she could get inside the car." "Not if we keep the doors locked." "Do you think locked doors can keep her out? Oh God, I wish I'd never come with you. Oh God, get me out of this. I never did anything. I wasn't driving. Oh God, I'm not responsible for what he does." "Oh no, you're not responsible for anything, are you, Freda? Does it occur to you that if it hadn't been for your damned jealousy I should have stopped?" "You've given me cause enough for jealousy since we were married." "A man's got to get it somewhere? hasn't he? And you were pretty useless - admit it. You couldn't even produce a child." "You're heartless - heartless." "And you're spineless. A sponge, that's all you are." "I need a drink to keep me going, living with a bastard like you." "So we have to wait while you tank up and make ourselves late for the Bradys'. Do you realise, if we'd been earlier we shouldn't have seen that girl?" "It's my fault again, is it?" "Every bloody thing's your fault. I could have built up the business a whole lot faster if you'd put yourself out to entertain a bit. If I had a wife like Moira Brady, things would be very different from what they are." "You mean you'd make money instead of loosing it." "What do you mean - loosing it?" "I can read a balance sheet, you know. Well, you're not getting any more of my money. 'Safeguarding our interests' I don't think! Paying your creditors is more like it." "Now look here, Freda. I've had enough of this." "So have I. But I'm not walking home so there's no point stopping." "Then try getting this straight for a change - " "Eric, there's that girl again." "What are you talking about? Anyone would think you'd got DTs." "Look - she's bending down to speak to you. She's trying to open your door." "Christ!" "Eric, don't start the car like that. Don't drive so furiously. What are you trying to do?" "I'm trying to outdistance her." "But the speed limit..." "Damn the speed limit! What's good having a powerful car if you don't use it?... That's right. You hit the bottle again." "But the way you're driving! You ignored a halt sign. That lorry driver had to cram on his brakes." "What the hell! Look around and see if you can see her." "She's right behind us, Eric." "What, in her car?" "No, she seems to be floating a little way above the ground. But she's moving fast. I can see her hair streaming out behind her." "Well, we're doing seventy-five ourselves." "But we can't go on like this for ever. Sooner or later we've got to get out." "Where a re we? This isn't the way home." "Do you want her following us home? I want to lose her. What do you take me for?" "A bastard who's ruined my life and ended that poor girl's." "No one warned me you'd ruin mine. I wish the had. I might have listened. Warnings are only given to the deaf... Look again to see if Gisela's still following." "She's just behind us. Oh Eric, her eyes are wide and staring. She looks horribly, horribly dead. Do you suppose she'll ever stop following us? Gisela. It's a from of Giselle. Perhaps she's like the girl in the ballet and condemned to drive motorists to death instead of dancers." "Your cultural pretensions are impressive. Is your geography as good?" "What do you mean?" "I mean where the hell are we? I swear I've never seen this road before. It doesn't look like a road in southern England. More like the North Yorkshire moors, except that even there there's some habitations. Besides, we couldn't have driven that far." "There's a signpost at this next crossroads if you'll slow down enough for me to read..." "Well?" "I don't understand it, Eric. All four arms of the signpost are blank." "Vandals painted them out." "Vandals! In this desolate, isolate spot? Oh Eric, I don't like this. Suppose we're condemned to go on driving for ever?" "No, Freda, the petrol would give out." "But the gauge has been at nought for ages. Hadn't you noticed?" "What? So it is. But the car's still going like a bird." "Couldn't you slow down a bit? I know you didn't for the signpost, but she - she's not so close behind us now... Please, Eric, my head's still aching." "What do you think I'm trying to do?" "But we're doing eighty... I knew it. We'll have to go on driving till we die." "Don't be such an utter bloody fool. I admit we've seen a ghost - something I never believed existed. I admit I've lost control of this damn car and I don't know how she keeps running on no petrol. I also admit I don't know where we are. But for all this there's got to be a rational explanation. Some time-switch in our minds. Some change of state." "That's it! Eric, what's the last landmark you can remember?" "That blanked-out signpost." "Not that. I mean the last normal sign." "You said there was a halt sign, but I must say I never saw it." "You drove right through it, that's why. We shot straight in front of a lorry. I think - oh Eric, I think we're dead." "Dead! You must be joking. Better have another drink." "I can't. The flask's empty. Besides, the dead don't drink. Or eat. They're like Gisela. You can't touch them. There's nothing there." "Where's Gisela now?" "A long, long way behind us. After all, she's had her revenge." "You're hysterical, Freda. You're raving?" "What do you expect but weeping and wailing? We're in Hell." "The religious beliefs of childhood reasserting themselves." "Well, what do you think Hell is? Don't hurry, you've got eternity to answer in. But I know what I think it is. It's the two of us driving alone. For ever. Just the two of us, Eric. For evermore."
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Post by Frenchy Faith on May 30, 2005 6:36:52 GMT -5
[glow=purple,2,900000]Abigail's less evil than Gisela.. she never tried to push me to death... she's rather funny & nice, we have neat talk & all...
But this Gisela was right I guess... this guy is awful !!! I'm just a little sorry for his wife... THANKY for all the typing !!!!!! ;D[/glow]
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