#Molly: With high crime rates.

[luxeavenger]

My Girls

Rating: Mature (18+ only)

Words: 2522

Warnings: Drug use, true crime talk, fluff, and Clint Barton

Written for this ask from @trashpandagamer: Currently thinking about BP!Nat, BP!Reader, and BP!Alpine kicking the others off the bus for a girl's night in 🥰

If you like it, please give it a reblog! Your friendly neighborhood smut peddler loves that shit!

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“But I wanna stay!” Clint huffs petulantly.

“Puppy, I told you, it’s a girls night,” Nat says with a good deal more patience than Clint rightly deserves. She’d been trying to shoo him off the bus for the last 10 minutes. You, Nat, and Alpine were in dire need of a boy-free night. Bucky and Steve had, of course, understood completely.

Clint, on the other hand…

“I can be a girl! I’ll talk about anything you want to! You wanna talk about periods? Man, those heavy flow days, am I right? Then your boobs are all sore and shit… Cramps… Tampons... Midol an' stuff…” He trails off, knowing this is not a battle he’s going to win.

“You and I watched ALL of the Lord of the Rings AND Hobbit movies this weekend. I want girl time.” She straightens her spine, sweeps her feet out so they’re shoulder width apart, and her voice drops an octave, “Don’t make me throw you off this bus myself, Barton.”

Clint chuckles nervously, looking around in a frenzy, “Now where’d I leave those shoes?”

It takes him a full five minutes to find his shoes where he left them last night—in the shower. You remind him of this three times while he tears up the bus looking for them.

“Kitty, my shoes are wet,” he pouts, hoping he’s being cute enough for Nat to hold off on killing him for just a second.

“Wear some of Steve’s.”

“Steve’s wearing his shoes. It’s only his boots here, and he doesn’t like it when I wear them.”

“Because you spread grape jelly all over them the last time you wore them,” you remind him. “They got ants, Clint.”

He clutches his chest and looks at you in shock, “No! Not you too, lil mama! I feel so attacked. Why does everyone want me to leave?”

“Because—for the thousandth time—it’s girl’s night, puppy.”

“Oh, yeah. But-”

Nat says through gritted teeth. “Try Bucky’s shoes-”

Clint opens up his mouth to interrupt her, but she beats him to the punch, “If Bucky left his boots too, then take Scott’s shoes.”

I hate wearing Scott’s shoes,” he whines, “his feet are a size smaller than mine.”

You snort, “Then maybe don’t shower with your shoes on!”

“Shower shoes are a real thing, you know!”

“High-top, canvas Converse All Stars aren’t shower shoes,” you remind him, just as you had last night when he walked into the bathroom wearing nothing but those shoes.

“Clinton Francis Barton I swear to god-”

“JESUS KITTY WHY ARE YOU SO MEAN? Don’t use my full name. I hate that! You’re not my mom.”

“I feel like your mom right now.” Nat pauses, “Puppy listen. Hey,” she snaps her fingers to get Clint to focus, “pay attention. I'll tell you what. If you put Scott’s shoes on right now, and get the fuck off the bus, I will give you the last of my molly. It’s all for you, but you gotta fuck off.”

He grins at her and plops down onto the floor to throw on Scott’s shoes, “You got yourself a deal, kitty!”

Alpine winds around him, rubbing her cheeks on him, as he struggles to pull Scott’s too-small shoes onto his too-big feet. Once he’s done, he tackles Alpine and gives her loud forehead kisses until she swats at him and wriggles free. He takes eight hot-pink pills from Nat with a triumphant smile and gives her a kiss on the cheek. You get a hug and a wink.

“You guys don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” he says as he tromps down the bus stairs, “and if you do—take pictures.” He winks and cackles as he just barely dodges the foot Nat aims at his head.

Nat shuts the door with a heavy sigh. “Finally, it’s just us ladies,” Alpine headbutts her shin with a cheerful muurp, “isn’t that right, floof?”

You get Bucky’s laptop while Nat throws some popcorn into the microwave. “What should we watch, red?” you ask.

“There’s that Ted Bundy thing? Or, we can watch Saw again? Maybe something with lots of explosions?”

You mull it over for a minute, “I think I’m in the mood for the serial-killer biopic.” She nods in agreement.

Alpine hops up on your lap while you load the movie, making biscuits on your bare legs and head-butting your arm everytime it comes close enough to her face while she waits for you.

Nat comes back with the popcorn, and scoops Alpine up in her arms, “Watch it, furball, this lap is mine,” she gives Alpine a smooch on her forehead and spoons the purring kitty against her front, then plops her head down in your lap.

She sighs immediately, “You have the nicest lap, peach. Barton’s legs are too bony, and he doesn’t play with my hair right,” she complains, practically purring herself as your fingers card through her bright red hair to skritch her scalp. “Oh yeah,” she groans, “that’s the shit.”

Halfway through the movie you switch places, your head in Nat’s lap, with Alpine snoozing against your chest, purring softly. She rhythmically slips her fingers through your hair with one hand, and eats popcorn with the other.

Once the movie ends you get into a very involved discussion about who on the bus would be the easiest to lure into a vehicle to murder.

You both immediately discard Steve and Bucky as likely targets for a serial killer to pursue.

“I think Clint would be the first one to follow someone to a second location,” Nat muses. “Offer him drugs, candy, or sex, and you can pretty much get him to do anything, or go anywhere you want him to. Buuuuut,” she hedges, “even drugged—my money’s on Clint. He’s pretty fucking hard to kill. He disabled an attacker with a fucking shoelace once. And it wasn’t even his shoelace! I wouldn’t want to be the one trying to slip a knife between his ribs, that’s for goddamn sure.”

You nod slowly, “Clint would definitely be easy to lure, but I think Scott is the one most likely to be murdered.”

“Okay,” Nat nods, gnawing on the end of a Red Vine, “make your case.”

“Well Clint is easy to lure, sure, but he’s VERY hard to kill. I agree, that boy is scrappy as fuck, and I don’t think a serial killer would be prepared for that. But Scott is usually only inside the bus when he’s sleeping. So he’s outside more than any of us. And when he’s in the equipment trailer, working on the bus, or walking around, he always wears those big noise-cancelling headphones. If he’s not tinkering, he’s on the phone.”

“So there’s opportunity,” Nat nods thoughtfully.

“Exactly! And Scott is pretty scrawny, so it’d be easy to grab him, toss him in a trunk, and hightail it out of there. He’d also be easy to lure with food, drugs, or sex. And he’d be easy to kill too. He’s charismatic, and can talk his way out of some shit, and he knows his way around a fist fight, but I doubt he’d be able to defend himself against someone who was actively trying to murder him.”

“Right, cause he has no training.”

“Yes, exactly.”

“But you don’t have any hand-to-hand training either…” Nat trails off with a grimace, poking you in the shoulder.

“No, but I’d never follow anyone to a car, and I’m almost always with you, Steve, Bucky, or Clint when I go out, and we’ve already established that you guys are hard to murder. So…”

“You feel pretty safe,” Nat finishes for you.

“Relatively speaking, yeah.”

Nat starts digging around the RV for a piece of paper and a marker. “I know who would be the most entertaining person to watch someone attempt to murder.”

You both say Bucky at the same time, then burst out laughing.

“Yeah. It would be suicidal to try to kidnap someone that huge in the first place,” you snort, “You put a needle in his neck, and he may go down, but he won’t stay asleep long-”

“No shit. He’d for sure make a show out of being asleep though. Play along for awhile, then he’d just-” Nat makes a choking noise, and mimes snapping someone’s neck, while you chuckle at the imagery.

You both crawl into Nat’s bunk and lie beside each other eating pixie sticks and talking about anything and everything you can think of. By the time she runs out of pixie sticks your legs are tangled together and you’re both laughing so hard your abs hurt.

She extricates herself to crawl down to Clint’s bunk, and she comes back with two hot-pink pills clenched in her palm.

You laugh when she shows them to you, “I thought you gave Clint all your x?”

“So did he,” she giggles, “but I always stash a few pills in his bunk. He has never once found them.”

You open your mouth so she can pop the pill onto your tongue, and Alpine swats at your chin until you give her more treats. You start digging around in Nat’s bunk until you find her tin of nail polish, and insist on painting each other's nails.

Nat picks out a color for you—it’s a deep, rich red the color of her favorite lipstick. “This is my favorite polish, and it’s also the most expensive,” she explains, showing you the scrawled Louboutin signature on the front of the box, “so don’t you go letting those two boys of yours mess it up.”

For Nat, you pick a super glossy black, that goes on so smooth it looks like patent leather. Then she puts some drops on your nails, and ten minutes later they’re completely dry. “Sorceress,” you whisper, tapping the sleek red enamel in disbelief.

A scant four hours after Nat threatened Clint off the bus, just outside you hear, “Nah, I don’t think you need a ladder!” and “Go for it spider monkey!”

Then the trailer sways gently as someone slams into the side of it. There’s a clatter, a chaotic shuffling sound, then a thud, and Clint shouting, “MOTHER FUCKER!” followed by loud laughter from Bucky and Steve.

“NO! I CAN DO IT! I’M GOING AGAIN, DICKHEADS!”

“Come on, it’s not that hard,” Bucky’s muffled voice asserts, “watch!”

Then the whole bus cants heavily to one side as twin thumps sound on either side of the door. Bucky and Steve grunt, then there’s the sound of their rubber-soled Converse shuffling around on top of the RV.

Nat bangs on the roof and shouts, “CLINT DOESN’T HAVE SUPERPOWERS, IDIOTS. SO BE NICE.”

There’s a pair of muffled awwww’s and the thump of four-hundred-some-odd pounds of super soldier hitting the pavement all at once.

The door bangs open, and the three of them file onto the bus with Steve in the lead, a joint hanging out of the corner of his mouth. He saunters over to the bunk you and Nat are tucked into, and Nat makes grabby hands at the weed. He asks, "Did my girls have fun?", then passes the joint to Nat, and pulls you in for a kiss, shotgunning his lungful of smoke into your mouth. Alpine headbutts his arm until he scratches her chin.

Clint shoves him aside, “Move, I need my girls.” He clambers up into the bunk and lays on top of you and Nat with a groan. He mumbles into Nat’s cleavage, “Guys, I fell. I think I broke my ass.” Then he rolls over so his head is pillowed on your tits, and addresses you, “Your boyfriends are mean! I even gave them most of my molly. It took three tabs each to get those cocksuckers high.”

“So?” Steve snorts, “Whaddya want, a blow job?”

Clint hums, “I could use a blow job.” He blows Steve a kiss.

“Not even with Bucky’s mouth. Besides, you couldn't handle this roller coaster.”

“I don’t have to put up with this. I’m taking my hearing aids out," he pouts, making no move to actually remove his hearing aids.

Nat passes the joint to you, but Clint intercepts it. He takes a deep drag, but won’t give it to you, so you grab his wrist and bring his hand to your mouth so you can take a hit while it’s still pinched between his fingers.

“Not fair lil mama! It’s my weed.”

“Yeah, but it was my turn.”

“No one loves me.”

You wrap your arms around him from behind, “I love you, honey, but it was still my turn.”

“Devil woman,” he mumbles under his breath.

Bucky’s face appears in the opening of the bunk, and he grins at you, and loudly kisses your forehead. “You’re not the devil. You’re an angel. How’re my girls doin—HEYYYY do I smell pixie sticks?!?”

You giggle, “I want some of what you’re on.”

“Yeah, well, you can’t have any, because your boyfriends took it all,” Clint remarks sourly.

“Besides,” Nat stage whispers to you, “you already had some.”

“Damnit, you said you gave me the last of it!” Clint grumbles, rolling back over into Nat’s chest, “I’m gonna figure out where you’re hiding it, kitty. Mark my words.”

Nat scratches her fingertips over his scalp, “I know you will, puppy. Any day now.”

“Hey guys,” Scott calls, coming up the steps, “what goes on?" He aims a grin at Nat's bunk, "There's my girls!”

“HI SCOTTIE,” you shout, in chorus with Clint and Nat.

“Hi babies,” he blows a kiss in the general direction of your little pile of bodies.

“Hey man,” Steve rumbles from the couch.

“‘Sup, sucker,” Scott wiggles his fingers at Steve.

Bucky tips his chin at Scott.

“Hey swallower,” Scott grunts, returning the gesture.

“Eat your heart out, bitch,” Bucky fires back, flopping down on the couch and laying his head in Steve’s lap.

Scott arrives at his Captain’s chair, and scratches the back of his head. “So, ahhm… What the actual fuck is this?” He slowly spins the chair to expose the note Nat taped there earlier-

MOST LIKELY TO BE MURDERED.

“I’ll have you degenerates know, I am not the most likely to be murdered.” He points at you, “She is. Come on, look how goddamn adorable she is.”

Clint clears his throat, “Raise your hand if you think Scott is the person on this bus who is most likely to be murdered.”

Everyone’s hand shoots up in unison, except for Scott’s.

He looks aghast at everyone, “You ungrateful cum-stains. See if I find anymore strippers for you perverts,” he points at Clint and Nat, “or drugs for you assholes,” he points to Bucky and Steve. "And you…” he shakes his finger at you. “Oh, who am I kidding? You get a pass. I’d walk through broken glass for you, dovey.”

You smile broadly at everyone while they groan good-natured insults at you.

Before Scott falls asleep the next morning, he rolls the sign into a cone shape, and wears it over a few of his mohawk spikes like a dunce cap.

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[kevinsreviewcatalogue]

Review: Totally Killer (2023)

Totally Killer (2023)

Rated R for bloody violence, language, sexual material, and teen drug/alcohol use

<Originally posted at https://kevinsreviewcatalogue.blogspot.com/2023/10/review-totally-killer-2023.html>

Score: 3 out of 5

Totally Killer is a film where you can see the marks of Happy Death Day written all over it. That movie, which has grown in my estimation over the years, set a template for a kind of horror-comedy that Blumhouse has since come to specialize in, one that combines a slasher movie storyline with a big, high-concept hook straight out of a classic retro comedy (in Happy Death Day's case, it was Groundhog Day). In this case, director Nahnatchka Khan and writers David Matalon, Sasha Perl-Raver, and Jen D'Angelo not only put a slasher twist on the basic plot of Back to the Future and the Bill & Ted films, they went the extra mile and set large parts of the film in the '80s as well, having its modern-day protagonist confounded by the values of the decade as much as Marty McFly was by the '50s. The result is a film I enjoyed, but wanted to like more than I actually did given the wild ride that the trailers promised. On one hand, it nailed the comedy side of the equation and had a cool-looking killer, a great co-lead performance by Olivia Holt as an '80s mean girl, and a story that seemed to be going in some interesting directions, but on the other, the horror side was fairly rote, it held back on some of the ideas it leaned towards, and its leading lady Kiernan Shipka didn't do much to elevate the material. Ultimately, I'd sooner rewatch The Final Girls as a film that did a superficially similar story more effectively, but I can't deny that there's still a lot to like about this one, and I don't regret having watched it.

The film starts on Halloween in 2023, thirty-six years after Pam Hughes survived a killing spree where three of her friends were murdered by the "Sweet Sixteen Killer", a masked murderer who stabbed each of his victims sixteen times on their sixteenth birthdays in late October. Now, Pam is a soccer mom with a teenage daughter named (what else?) Jamie -- and tonight, she herself gets murdered by the Sweet Sixteen Killer, who was never caught and seems to have come back to finish the job. Jamie, distraught over her mother's death, suddenly receives two leads, first from a local true crime podcaster named Chris who tells her that Pam had received a note from the killer reading "you're next, one day" that she had kept secret, and second from her best friend Amelia, a science whiz who's trying to enter the science fair with a time machine that her mother Lauren designed but which she can't get to work. Thanks to some accidental intervention by the killer, Jamie somehow manages to figure out how to make the machine work, and gets sent back in time to 1987 on the day of the first murder. With a heads-up from the killer, she sets out to not only solve her mother's murder in the present, but also save her mother's friends in the past.

The comedy side of the film was clearly where Khan and the writers were most invested in the material. A lot of humor is mined from Jamie's reactions to not only how different the adults in her life were when they were her age, but also how the '80s were a very different time when it came to everything from politics to permissiveness, and not necessarily for the better, a rather appropriate perspective to take given how much of the film's plot concerns Jamie realizing just how much of a bitch her mother was back when she was her age. And on that note, Olivia Holt as young Pam was this film's heart and soul, not only looking like a perfect dead ringer for a young Julie Bowen (who plays her grown-up self) but understanding the assignment and feeling like nothing less than a more mean-spirited (if still heroic) version of the characters that her idol Molly Ringwald plays. Whenever Holt was on screen, which was fortunately often, this movie sparkled to life. The supporting cast, too, served as capable accomplices for Holt, whether it's their job to act frightened or make you laugh, and occasionally do both at the same time. (One kill in particular late in the film stands as one of the funniest "comedy" deaths I've ever seen.) The horror side of the film was a fairly boilerplate whodunit slasher that would be familiar to anyone who's seen Scream (a film that this one namedrops) or any of the films that followed in its wake. However, it was elevated by a killer whose look alone was creepy, wearing a Max Headroom-inspired mask that feels right at home in this movie's darkly comic sendup of the '80s and giving a twisted sort of edge to him. It may have just been aesthetics rather than substance, but those aesthetics were really damn cool, and given how much this movie is powered by a love of the visual and sonic landscape of '80s pop culture, it was exactly what the movie needed.

It was fortunate that this movie had Holt and its totally killer (sorry) style propelling it, because there were otherwise a lot of weak links here -- and unfortunately, they were some big ones. For starters, while I liked Kiernan Shipka on Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, I found myself very disappointed with her performance here, a problem given that she was supposed to be the main character. She acquitted herself well enough with the scares and as the "straight man" to the humor, but this film was built around Jamie's relationship with her mother, and while Holt carried her side of that story well enough, Shipka fell flat and couldn't get me interested in the character. What's more, the writing missed some very interesting and incisive directions that it could've gone in, tying Jamie's shock at her mother's awful behavior as a teenager to the jokes poking fun at the political incorrectness of the '80s and using both to craft a broader theme about how our memories of the past are all too often colored by selective nostalgia that glosses over the uncomfortable sides of the things we love. It's a dramatic throughline that was practically right there, waiting to be tapped, and yet the film barely even seems to think about how two of its primary elements might connect to one another. Finally, the reveal of the killer's identity was telegraphed almost from the moment we're introduced to one particular character, and the film did nothing to play around with it, resulting in a flat, uninteresting villain with a motive that's been done many times before and often better.

The Bottom Line

Totally Killer is goofy to a fault, seeming to actively avoid finding any deeper meaning in what it's saying in favor of delivering a sugar rush of '80s nostalgia. On that front, it delivered exactly what it set out to, a mix of retro aesthetics, lots of funny jokes, and a performance by Olivia Holt that ought to be a stepping stone to bigger and better things. If you wanna have some fun, check it out, though I do wish it got a bit meatier than it wound up being.

#totally killer #2023 #2023 movies #horror #horror movies #comedy #comedy movies #horror comedy #olivia holt #kiernan shipka #slasher #slasher movies #time travel #julie bowen #liana liberato #lochlyn munro #randall park

[watching-pictures-move]

Movie Review | Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise (Roth, 1987)

This review contains mild spoilers.

With most movies about characters in high school or college, it’s sort of a given that the actors will look a lot older than the characters they’re supposed to be playing. Movies like Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club stand out all the more for having actual teenagers in Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall playing the part of teenage characters. I’m not entirely complaining, as a lot of the horseplay (in the general unruly behaviour sense, not the Emmanuelle in America sense) are not things you’d want to see actual teenagers partaking in. And that age-inappropriate casting can work well in some cases. In this movie, Donald Gibb’s Ogre is obviously not the brightest bulb and is probably taking longer to get through his credits than the average student, so Gibb’s age works in his character’s favour. And Robert Carradine’s age nicely accents his character’s fundamental dorkiness. But then you have the head of the evil Alpha Beta fraternity played by Bradley Whitford, who is supposed to be this hunky, clean-cut all-American type, but let’s just say that age has not been kind to him. (I assume he would have voted for Reagan a third time if he could.) His hairline compares unfavourably to the magnificent coiffure sported by Ted McGinley in the original Revenge of the Nerds, and it’s hard to believe that the other Alpha Betas, who are characterized by their cruelty, actually look up to him and aren’t instead cracking jokes about his overdue midlife crisis.

The plot here restages the age-old snobs vs. slobs conflict of the original, but on a national scale. The boys from Lambda Lambda Lambda (but sadly not the ladies from Omega Mu) are invited to a national fraternity convention in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I have never been in a fraternity, but what I’ve learned from movies is that it’s just a bunch of guys getting together to paddle each others’ asses, so I assume a national fraternity convention offers an opportunity to paddle asses across state lines. Hey, I have nothing against ass-paddling, but I’d appreciate if those doing the paddling would be nicer about it. And this is a kindler, gentler Revenge of the Nerds, saddled with a PG-13 rating instead of an R, meaning that while it gets in a few racy jokes and ogling gazes, it thankfully avoids the outright sex crimes of the original movie. (The raunchiest this gets is in the name of the motel the boys stay at, the Hotel Corral Essex, which with a few malfunctioning letters in the neon sign gets a lot more enticing.) Miraculously, the boys learn to see the hot blonde here as an actual person. She’s played here by Courtney Thorne-Smith, a few years before her appearance in the Carrot Top vehicle Box Office Poison (R.I.P. Norm Macdonald), and is generally an agreeable presence although I wish the movie gave her more to do aside from the occasional flashes that she might secretly be a nerd deep down. She compares unfavourably to the sweet female nerd played by Michelle Meyrink in the original movie. The movie seems unsure whether to position her as a love interest or one of the nerds, seemingly forgetting that Carradine’s character had a girlfriend at the end of the first movie (the less said about the circumstances under which they met, the better).

Aside from that, you get the returning cast doing weaker versions of the shtick they did in the original. Anthony Edwards only appears for a few minutes (apparently he wasn’t excited about appearing in this and used his paycheque to buy a new pool), although his sincerity is sorely missed, as the movie lacks the heart he was able to give the original (when it wasn’t busy celebrating sex crimes). Curtis Armstrong’s Booger gets to be unhygienic and obnoxious, although he finds a new mentor in a wise old bum played by the great James Hong, who teaches him the art of hocking a loogie. Timothy Busfield’s Poindexter says smart things and walks into stuff. Andrew Cassese is no longer four feet tall, so the movie doesn’t know how to handle him. Larry B. Scott’s Lamar Latrell’s flamboyant homosexuality is toned down (you get a quick shot of a magazine in his luggage and some fashion choices, but that’s about it), although he steps up in other ways, including taking the lead again in the musical number. (Apparently Scott also choreographed the scene as well.) To be honest, it lacks the pure joyousness of the performance in the original (switching the synth pop and electric violin for generic late ‘80s hip hop), and is also less pleasurable to watch (opting for closer low angle shots that don’t let you savour the proceedings the same way), although you do get Carradine channeling David Byrne on the poster of True Stories with his gaudy cowboy outfit.

This is one case where the movie isn’t exactly hitting the same beats as the original. The song and dance in the original was the climax, but it comes earlier in this movie. The real climax involves the boys, Gibb and Thorne-Smith getting stranded on a desert island. Their rescue comes at the hands of munitions hidden by anti-Castro Cubans ahead of the Bay of Pigs invasion, and our heroes make their gallant return to the convention decked out in full military gear. Do they violently execute the Alpha Betas and install a new nerd junta to control all the fraternities in the free world? I won’t reveal the answer, but like I said, this is a kindler, gentler Revenge of the Nerds.

I dunno, this is obviously not very good, but if you like hanging out with the boys enough, this isn’t unpleasant to sit through.

#film #movie review #revenge of the nerds ii: nerds in paradise #joe roth

[spoilertv]

#SpoilerTV

[kayaklaw25]

Jim Morrison, Of The Doors, Strange And Controversial Death

the funeral site funeral programs funeral booklets funeral site Toussaint entertains with "Murder in the Buff," a cozy crime-mystery. Molly Darter is having a day. She's busted her husband kissing her sister right now she's chasing an obituary at the nudist colony on her behalf day job. When the naturalists suggest their friend, Barbara Jean, has been murdered, Molly doesn't know what's worse - searching for a murderer or having her dysfunctional personal. There become variations between States and funeral home s around plans offered and their costs. So, investigate and inquire questions. Fully grasp what a muscular before order a pre-need plan. Grandma's plan was "The Simplicity Plan," available at Stewart Enterprises Inc. There are additional plans possible. Simply ask your chosen local Funeral Home and they'll help you devise a pre-need plan that reflects you, your wishes alongside budget. The exact same thing can be said of the current financial meltdown. Most of product I commonly hear or read suggests that the crisis was caused by greed, particularly with the issue of sub-prime mortgages and subsequent bank failures inside the. To make matters worse, I'm sure many of you have find about the outrageously high salaries that were paid to your CEOs with their banks. Goods almost badly as the salaries that many professional athletes are paid back. At the same time, many individuals society are struggling to get by on low wages, social assistance, or you are getting underpaid for the work that they do. It seems that these two powerful the male is destined to clash. When Lillian Stoner's husband, Reggie dies under mysterious circumstances, Rossi is in to check into. Evans immediately attempts to bar Tom's efforts to get an autopsy of Reggie's whole. If an individual an Computer you can save a bundle of money for cartridges by purchasing them from retailers on eBay. Just be sure to check on their ratings before you buy the car from these guys. Just search towards the cartridge on EBay by printer name or by cartridge number, this conserve you you a bundle of your cash.

I picked up a newspaper instead. Presently there it was on the obituaries page: "Died this week, Sidney Sheldon: grand master of business fiction". Ended up being put rather delicately, I thought. The obituary was quite topical. More so than the Sheldon novel I had taken a crack at. Planning our daughter's memorial service any challenge because we do not belong to her house of worship. All we could do was rely on our instincts and concentrate on memorial service basics. Are actually these concepts? If happen to be like me and fear that someone will ruin your memory with a poorly written story, I have provided four reasons why you should write personal obituary.

#funeral program

[strawberryaziraphale]

An idea for your chats: Sherlock and Rosie acts as Molly's husband/child or just Rosie acts on her own as their child to get rid off a potential suitor :) got inspires by day 2 of 365 :)

excellent idea. somewhere along the way, mr. potential suitor turned into dr. creepyfuck. I hope you like it though, thank you… ♥♥

*Bart’s*

Oncologist: *leaning against the bench; smirking* One drink.Molly: *uncomfortable* I’m sorry, I’m just not interested.Oncologist: *rolls his eyes* Well, what do you want to do?Molly: *smiles slightly* Just my job, if that’s alright with you.Oncologist: *folds his arms* I asked nicely, Molly.Molly: *sighs* Please leave me alone.Oncologist: Not until you agree to go out with me *shrugs* simple as that.Rosamund: *runs inside; waving a bag of sweets* Mummy! Mummy, look! *leaps into her arms* Daddy gave me some money and the machine eated it and gived me this! *eating the sweets*Molly: *lifts her up; confused* Daddy?Sherlock: *enters; smiling* Yes, dear?Oncologist: …Molly: *pink; chuckles nervously* What’s going on?Sherlock: *sighs; hands her coffee* I’m sorry, my love, I hate bringing Rosie here as much as you do but she missed you and I couldn’t say no *smiles softly; kisses her cheek* forgive me?Molly: *nods slowly*Oncologist: *staring*Oncologist: *snaps out of it* What the hell is this?Sherlock: *rolls his eyes; gestures the coffee* Starbucks. Not my favourite but what the wife wants, the wife gets *wraps an arm around Molly* wouldn’t have it any other way.Oncologist: *to Molly; frowns* If you’re married, how come you don’t use his name?Sherlock: Because I didn’t go to medical school *pauses* who are you again?Oncologist: *looks between them; storms out*Molly: …Sherlock: *pleased with himself* Results ready yet?Molly: *nods slowly* Uh, y-yeah. On my desk *puts Rosie down* h-how did you know-Rosamund: *annoyed* I saw him in the window. He’s not a nice man, Aunt Molly.Molly: *sighs* No *ruffles her hair* thank you.Sherlock: *reading files* Perhaps we should make it official, though.Molly: *kisses his cheek* You took the words right out of my mouth.

#mychakk #sherlolly #mollock #a study in sherlock's proposals #sherlollytextchats #Rosamund: *happily* Can I be a bridesmaid? #Sherlock: *texting* Unless your father wants the honour... #Rosamund: *giggles* Don't be silly! Daddy doesn't have a dress... #Molly: *shakes her head* This day has been mad. This morning I was this close to kicking a coworker in the balls. #And now I'm engaged. #Sherlock: *smiles* Yes. And I'm determined to make it the best day of your life. #Molly: *hugs him* That's sweet. But I want it to be the best day of your life too. #Sherlock: *frowns* It will be. I'm marrying you. #Molly: *snuggles him* You don't want a big fancy wedding with flowers and ice sculptures and bloody djs. #Sherlock: What are you suggesting? #Molly: *looks up* We get John and Rosie and our parents Mycroft and Greg and just elope somewhere. Quiet and serene. #Sherlock: Somewhere in the country. #Molly: With high crime rates. #Sherlock: *delighted* Oh I love you *kisses her* #chatsforsherlollians

[mizjoely]

You Have No Proof

My second fictober 2021 story. T rated Robin Hood Sherlolly AU, anyone?

"You have no proof!" she cried, tugging futilely at the hard grasp trapping her wrist.

"I have all the proof I need," he said with a leer. "Your name whispered in my ear, your presence in my chamber today - oh yes, Lady Margaret - my dear, dear Molly - I have all the proof I need of your complicity. This so-called 'Robin Hood' will no longer be a threat once I've used you to trap him."

Moriarty's dark eyes, that she'd once found compelling, glittered with evil glee. Molly looked despairingly toward the room's narrow window...and her breath caught in her throat at the sight of the dark, hooded figure crouched upon the narrow stone sill.

"Wrong again, Moriarty," the beloved voice called out.

Her captor whirled to face the figure, face flushed with fury. "Very clever, you followed her, or did you arrive here first, to try to thwart her attempts to seduce me into an indiscretion she could use against me? Either way, this ends now...Sherlock."

Molly stifled another cry at the sound of Sherlock's name on their mutual enemy's lips; how had he found out, or had he known all along? It wouldn't surprise her, she thought bitterly, knowing how his lordship enjoyed toying with his prey before making the kill.

Of course, it wasn't usually his own well manicured hands that were dirtied by such doings; no, his faithful guardsman and cadre of assassins usually took care of such things for him. None of them were present now, even though all he had to do was call out to them. But he believed he had the upper hand; he wrenched Molly closer even as her thoughts brought her to that conclusion, and she went absolutely still at the feel of a sharp blade pricking the skin under her throat.

Sherlock stepped into the room at a leisurely pace, as if he had all the time in the world and no worries to speed his steps. He spared only a glance for Molly before visibly dismissing her to focus on Sir James. "Molly is a pawn," he said with a careless shrug. "Kill her or don't, it doesn't matter to me." He raised his sword, pointed it at Moriarty. "All I care about is bringing you down, villain, for the crimes you've committed against myself, my family, and the crown."

"And the good people of Sherwood?" Moriarty sneered. "Don't forget them, 'Robin Hood'."

Another careless shrug. "Caring about the rabble makes a good cover for a man who doesn't want his personal vendetta to be known. By the way, Moran is dead, and my brother's rounded up or silenced the rest of your assassins. Whether I kill you or not, it's over." He gave Molly a cool look. "So sorry about this, Lady Margaret," he added with the most insincere smile she'd ever seen him - or any man - wear. "But you're not exactly the one who matters most."

With a soft moan Molly went completely limp. She dimly heard Moriarty curse as her body slipped to the floor. She remained in a crumpled heap, feeling blood oozing from the shallow nick his blade had caused, heard her heart pounding and the sound of thumps and clashing steel and then, oh! the high pitched cry of a man mortally injured.

The only question was, which man had it been?

Someone thumped to their knees beside her; she heard the sound of a sword clattering to the stone floor beside her, and raised her head. "Molly!" Sherlock cried, lifting her into his arms and cautiously tilting her head back so he could more closely examine her wound. "That bastard, I'd kill him again if I could, for this indignity!"

Molly smiled and threw her arms around him. "Hush, love, it's only a flesh wound, hardly worthy of a bandage. Twas my own fault for not reacting quickly enough to your signal."

That signal had been the message they'd arranged while completing the night's plans. Sherlock had objected to using her, but Mary was heavily pregnant and John was injured and, as Molly had pointed out, Moriarty had no interest in taking either of those two to his private chambers. No, it was Lady Margaret he'd sought to woo and eventually wed, in order to gain control of her family's fortunes.

"You reacted more than quickly enough," Sherlock countered. "I should never have put you in such danger, I'm sor-"

Molly silenced him with a kiss, which he returned with equal fervor. When the kiss ended, Molly said, "Enough talking for now, dearest; there's only a little time left for us to make our escape. Shall we?" She gestured toward the window and the rope that Sherlock had used to descend from the roof.

He smiled down at her. "Practical as always, my lady - one of the many reasons why I, much against my wishes, fell so heavily in love with you." He swept her into his arms for an exuberant hug, then carried her, laughing at his antics, to the window. "Hold tight to my shoulders," he instructed her, "else it will be a very long fall to the bottom of Reichenbach Tower!"

She took position and kissed his cheek. "Then I will maintain as strong a grip on your body as you have on my heart, Sherlock!"

With a cheeky wink, he stepped out of the window and took them hand-over-hand up the rope and from there to the temporary safety of the roof. Moriarty was dead; Sherlock, Molly and indeed the good people of Sherwood could all breathe a little easier now.

#dis is mine #sherlolly #fictober21 #mizjoely writes #mizjoely's fics

[miz-joelys-sherlollilists]

Latest & Greatest Sherlollbrary Additions, Classic Cafe Edition, 01/11/22

Because I love You by startreknerd (Rated K, One-Shot) ff.net 2016

Drowning by MiLa63 (Rated T, Complete, Multi-Chapter) Fantasy/ Supernatural, Mer!lock ff.net 2015

I Hate Weddings by BriannaShenae (Rated T, Complete, Multi-Chapter) S3: Matters Most, Wedding (J/M), Hurt/Comfort, Bedsharing, High!lock ff.net 2014

Lies and truths by zcvoknout (Rated K, One-Shot) Post HLV ff.net 2016

Pale in Comparison by CuriousityKilledTheCatfish (Rated K+, One-Shot) S3: Matters Most, Wedding (J/M), Molly Follows Sherlock ff.net 2016

Safe by Pipsis (Rated T, Complete, Multi-Chapter) Post HLV, Flatmates, Abuse/Bullying ff.net 2015

Worlds Apart Minds Meet by MiLa63 (Rated T, One-Shot) ff.net 2015

Would You Like To Solve Crimes? by Wackelda (Rated M, Complete, Multi-Chapter) S3/PHLV ff.net 2016

#sherlolly #latest and greatest sherlollilist additions #classic cafe edition #go shoo read!

[mileycyprus-hill]

A Simple Kindness

Kieran x Reader 

Had this on the back burner for a while and realized I haven’t written a Kieran x reader fic. So here’s a bit of fluff.  

Summary: You begin to sympathize with the new O’Driscoll prisoner, and decide to give him a little help. 

Warnings: none.

You weren’t exactly sure why this O’Driscoll was in your camp, but you didn’t bother to question it. You were taught to despise any member of Colm’s gang and you thought to do the same to this poor man. 

That poor man. 

He didn’t seem up to par to the common O’Driscoll, sniveling and begging for mercy while tied to that tree. He never cursed at any passerby. Never threatened death upon anyone once he would be free. 

He only begged for mercy. 

You never met a man that soft. 

Was this man really an O’Driscoll? A member of a ruthless, bloodthirsty, thieving, murdering gang? 

Hardly. 

It had been a week since Arthur had brought him back to that cold barn in Colter. He was tied up in the back of a wagon during the trip to Horseshoe Overlook like some prisoner. 

Well, he is a prisoner. 

Left to blister in the sun on this high bluff with no food and what little water he could swallow from the passing rain. That poor man sat there, his arms tied behind him on that birch tree. The papery bark scratched against his tender forearms while the thick hemp of his binds cut into his wrists. Blood red cuts and rash marks painted his pale arms that lay exposed beyond his rolled up sleeves. 

The past few days, you watched him struggle to stand against the tree, his head dropped to his chest in exhaustion and self-pity. Sitting from the table across the way, you’d watch his legs tremble and buckle beneath him as he’d struggle to hold his own weight. He’d squiggle and squirm and whimper to get just a little more comfortable. 

You had half a mind to shout at him, tell him to ‘man up’ and be strong. But watching him pull against his binds was like watching a stray dog pull against a short leash. 

Frightened. Alone. Starving. The only attention came from the daily beatings and tongue-lashings. 

A scrap of bread would be tossed at his feet. Barely enough to satisfy a hungry dog. It’d lay there, taunting him as he’d struggle to kick it closer to himself. Even if he could, how could he grasp it with his arms bound behind him? 

You’d watch him struggle for it anyway, his will driven by hunger. Day by day, that piece of bread would lay there. What was left behind by the pecking chickens would turn to mold and only the flys would claim it.  

How much longer would Dutch allow this to continue? Until the man dies? Or when he gives information that he deems satisfactory? 

From what you’ve heard while eavesdropping, this young man wouldn’t know anything reliable, being Colm O’Driscoll’s abused stable boy. 

You began to fear for him. Truly. 

What would he know, being a newly initiated member of Colm’s circle? For all you knew, he was excluded. Cast onto the edge of the social circle of the gang, left to chat only with the horses and other members of the lowest caste. 

Day by day, you struggled. What was it your mother always taught you? 

“If you watch an evil being done unto someone and don’t stop it, you will be judged for the same crime by doing nothing.” She would say. 

Could you stand there and do nothing? What kind of a person were you? The men around would say you’re a survivor. But is this surviving—torturing a man for information in a petty rivalry? 

When you reach those golden gates and are asked, ‘Why have you done nothing?’, what would you say? 

Because it wasn’t your place to interfere? Because you didn’t want to get in trouble? 

...........

You awake just as a the sun rises and decide this is enough. Only a select few gang members are awake as they stayed up too late and too drunk the previous night. Those who’re up are tending to their own business or had already left.

Walking towards the back of the provisions wagon, you notice he’s alone. Looks like no one’s started the torturing ritual yet. Bill’s talking to Arthur about some stagecoach job over by the horses and Dutch remains shut in his tent with Molly. 

You step briskly as you saw your chance, walking towards the small cooking fire and grabbing a tin cup that rests on the ground next to the warm percolator. 

Looks like Pearson just finished making the coffee. You peek over to his work station and find him deeply focused on preparing today’s stew.

“Psst!” You hear from your right. 

You dare not to look towards the source to avoid suspicion. Discreetly, you turn your head only slightly, pretending to check the hem of your skirt and peek from the corners of your eyes. 

From your downward gaze, you catch Kieran staring at you. You watch him desperately try to get your attention without alerting anyone else. 

Pretending not to hear him, you walk past him with your cup full of coffee and ignore his whispering pleas for water. You stop at the back of the food wagon, hiding yourself behind its large wooden panels. A bucket of rain water sits by a steel dish tub on the table, waiting to be dumped into the tub and used as dishwater. 

You hear Kieran drop his head in defeat behind you. An aching, heavy weight pulls downward in your chest. 

Taking a sip of your coffee, you fake a look of disgust. You take another sip and repeat your act before dumping the contents from your cup. 

Quickly, you dip your cup into the water bucket to rinse the taste from your mouth. 

The cool water touches your lips but you don’t sip, keeping your lips tight against the rim of the cup. 

The coast seems to be clear. No one’s watching or noticing. Checking around you, you dart over to Kieran. He hears your quick steps against the grass and almost yelps in fear. He looks up and sees your face close to his, causing him to drop his eyes and cringe in submission like a beaten dog. He pants pathetically and waits for you to strike him. 

Avoiding eye contact, you grasp his chin and gently prop his head up. He lets out a tiny whimper until you bring the cup to his lips. His eyes grow wide at this merciful gift. The cold metal clanks against his teeth and the cool water rushes through his chapped lips. He feels his throat expand as the water flows like a spring flood rushing through a dry desert canyon, washing away the dirt and dust.  

You continue watching around you for anyone who may come walking and hear him slurp from your hand.  

No one seems to notice, so you move your eyes over to watch him. He sips greedily from your cup, making you tilt it towards him so he can gain every last drop. His Adam’s apple protrudes from his throat in a sharp angle and bobs with every gulp. 

With a final gulp, he exhales in relief and attempts to breathe a ‘thank you’, to which you quickly silence with a finger to his moistened lips. 

“Nothing happened.” You stare at him with such intensity, it’s almost threatening. 

You step away with your dry cup and hear him speak to you in the softest whisper. He mumbles a sweet “thank you” under his breath, nearly undetectable. You smile softly on your way back to your tent until you see a pair of eyes watching you. 

Shit.  

Mary Beth. 

She stands by the rounded table, her hands paused from opening the domino box and watching you curiously. You freeze in place and plead her with wide eyes and upturned brows. 

Please don’t tell. You beg with a silent, sorrowful look. You don’t know what would happen if the others found out, but you’re sure it won’t be pleasant for you. 

A tight-lipped smile grows on her face and she gestures with an open palm towards the dominos. Her invitation is met with hesitation. Can you trust Mary Beth? You haven’t known her for that long and have kept your secrets to yourself. But the look in her eyes show comforting sympathy, not judgement. 

Stepping with bated breath, you bring yourself to the chair across from her. 

Neither of you speak while she shuffles the dominos on the table. The gentle clicking of the ivory rectangles seem so deafeningly loud compared to the unspoken words you pass to each other. 

Mary Beth gives an understanding nod and looks into your eyes with a sweet smile. No doubt she’s gushing at how romantic and noble your simple gesture was to the prisoner. 

You didn’t realize how long you had been holding your breath until you let out a relieved sigh through your nose. You sincerely hope Mary Beth can keep a secret. Sitting here with her, you begin to believe she’s more trusting compared to the others. 

However, you still worry she may not be the only witness to your act of kindness.

.........

Another day passes by and you hear a startled cry followed by angry shouts. The eruption startles you and the grooming brush drops from your hands. Your horse beside you immediately senses your alarm and reacts with a twitch of her muscles and a jerk of her head. She promptly resumes to grazing while you bend to pick the brush off the ground. Holding the brush against your chest, your fingers run against its thick bristles. Your heart rate quickens and you step over to look towards the dead birch tree. A sickening unease washes over you as you watch Arthur, Bill and Dutch surround the Duffy boy. 

You stop in your tracks as you watch Bill hold a pair of iron tongs with a sadistic look on his face. The edges of the tongs are glowing red and sparks fly with every metallic snap Bill makes. Arthur’s broad frame blocks your view of Kieran, but you can barely see his trousers that pool around his ankles. 

Your feet remain frozen in place. You hear Dutch’s voice but your mind doesn’t process his words as you’re too focused on what torturous act is about to happen. 

Tongue fat and lips glued shut, you stand there in the open, unable to prevent Kieran’s frightened pleas from entering your ears.

Just talk, boy. C’mon. Your thoughts scream. An internal conflict burns within you: desperate to intervene but the paranoia warns you’ll be ostracized and labeled a traitor for defending an O’Driscoll boy. 

“All right, I’ll talk!” He cries. 

It’s as if Kieran heard your thoughts. He spills everything. Colm...Six Point Cabin. 

But you don’t feel relief just yet, eyeing a disappointed Bill who still holds the hot tongs close to Kieran’s naked bottom half. 

It isn’t until you see Arthur cut his bonds that you finally loosen the tight fists at your sides. Your fingernails leave marks against the skin of your palms.

Pulling his trousers up to hide his shame, Kieran’s eyes catch you across the way. He sees the fear wash from your face as he follows the men to their horses. He still looks deeply terrified, unsure of whether this ride with John, Arthur and Bill will lead to his execution. 

“Be safe, boys!’ You call to them. 

The four of them, including Kieran who sits behind a disgruntled John, turn to you in their saddles. They look at you as if hearing a babe say its first word. The slight surprise mutes them for a moment until Arthur finally speaks. 

“We’ll be fine, (Y/N)” he says, “Don’tchu worry.”

You watch them ride off down the hill to Six Point Cabin, the location Kieran mentioned. You may not read people as well as others in this gang, but his words seemed true and genuine. You can only hope your instinct is true until the men return, and then you wonder if Kieran will be turned loose...or killed after the job is done. 

You sincerely hope it’s the former.

...........

It’s late afternoon and supper is just ready. The men have been gone for several hours now and your thoughts are no longer kept at bay by busy chores. You don’t hear the subtle hoof beats entering camp, nor the teasing remarks passed between the riders. 

Until a shrill voice startles you from behind, causing you to early spill your dinner. 

“Get this man a bowl!” Bill’s voice yells behind you, “We ain’t found Colm, but this lucky bastard here saved Arthur from gettin’ a bullet in the head!” 

Mumbled voices around the fire exclaim in shock and relief for Arthur’s sake, but little ‘thank-you’s are expressed to Kieran. He steps behind you as you turn to smile at him and Bill, grateful for their safe return. 

You watch him happily grab a bowl of stew and sit on a log next to Uncle, who makes a grimaced look of disgust and moves to a different spot—preferably upwind. 

“Thank you Kieran,” you gently call over, “For saving Arthur.”

He looks to you with those big doe eyes and smiles awkwardly at your statement of gratitude. 

Standing and rubbing your sore hip with one hand, you walk over and extend your bowl to him. He scarfed his food so quickly that his bowl looks almost sparkling clean. 

“Here,” you offer the rest of your dinner, “You sure look like you could eat.”

Kieran stammers, “Oh, no ma’am. I couldn’t do that.”

“Please. I’m not that hungry anyway...Hate for it to go to waste. And Pearson never makes enough for everyone.” You give a gentle smirk. 

“Thank you miss,” Kieran blinks. “That’s very kind of you.” 

He holds his bowl steady with his eyes darting nervously across your face as you transfer your leftovers. You nod and start to walk away until he stops you.

“Oh, and miss?” He whispers.

You turn to him, an eyebrow slightly arched at his politeness.

“Thank you for...yesterday.” 

“Don’t mention it,” you smile. “It’s the least I could do.”

Little do you know when you leave, Kieran feels eternally blessed by your act of kindness. It may not seem like much to you, but to him that showed your true soul. This world is brutal and unforgiving, but your empathy and tenderness is what gives him hope and comfort. Something he hasn’t felt in a long time. 

#just a lil something #kieran needs attention #kieran duffy #kieran duffy x reader #rdr2 #red dead redemption 2 #fan fiction #fluff

[liunaticfringe]

By Scott Moore April 25, 1999 

 At first blush, Lucy Liu seems to have little in common with the character she plays on "Ally McBeal."

Unlike the assertive Ling -- soft L, soft G -- she doesn't growl. Neither is she sarcastic, rude or abrupt.

Rather, it's with enthusiasm, courtesy and a bit of a giggle -- traits Ling Woo would never permit -- that Liu explains the hardships of portraying this very litigious woman each week on Fox's "Ally McBeal" (Monday at 9 on Fox).

"I can barely keep a straight face most of the time in the scenes," she said.

The insulting Ling Woo has little time for emotion -- or so viewers first thought. After the death of a young boy, the character kept up the persona by declaring: "We knew he was dying, Ally. This isn't the world's biggest shock. The boy had leukemia. Get over it."

The true shock came moments later, when Ling was seen crying outside the hospital parking lot -- and later still when she apparently arranged for a blimp to convey a comforting sign to Ally.

The turn of events "are just as surprising to me as to the audience," Liu said.

The actress has had quite a ride since being introduced in the second week of the season as the ill-tempered friend of icy attorney Nelle Porter, played by Portia de Rossi. A potential cash cow for the law firm and a romantic target for perpetually excited senior partner Richard Fish, Ling instantly drew the scorn of the rest of the firm and the attention of a large fan base, helping move the series into the Top 20 in the weekly ratings.

The turn of events, like each week's story line, has been a pleasant surprise to Liu, who was rejected last year while auditioning for the role of Nelle.

"They said they'd think about me in the future," Liu said. "But I was the only person of color there at all," of the half-dozen actresses applying for the part.

However, a few days later, she was cast for a role that writer-producer David E. Kelley created for her. Further, color doesn't seem to have any detriment on Kelley's offbeat comedy, where interracial relationships are commonplace.

If anything, Liu's Chinese heritage works to her advantage. Kelley has used her ability to speak Mandarin in a couple of story lines -- Ling inadvertently instructed waiters to cook John Cage's pet frog Stephan ("Tastes like chicken") and addressed a jury with nonsensical phrases that Liu's mother helped her construct. ("It doesn't matter what I say here," said the subtitles, "because none of you speak Chinese. But you can see from my sad face . . . I'm sympathetic.").

As a result, Ling Woo has evolved from an Asian stereotype -- that of Dragon Lady or sexual object -- to a multi-dimensional character. In addition to the show of emotion, Ling recently was revealed to have a law degree and joined the firm.

Still, Liu's character certainly has draconian elements. Her appearance on screen is often accompanied by glares or "The Wizard of Oz's" Wicked Witch of the West theme. And Ling's creative foreplay-but-no-play romance with Fish has gained Liu a growing fan base and several job offers.

"I knew she was well-rounded from the beginning," Liu said. "There's friction, and she's blunt and honest, but I always knew she was a sympathetic character."

Sympathetic? Ling yelled at a man in a wheelchair to watch where he was going. ("It's bad enough you people get all the parking places.") She declares that "men are horny toads." She has sued a radio shock jock for contributing to sexual harassment and a nurse of a plastic surgeon for having natural breasts.

Ling would interrupt here to ask, "Do you have a point?" Liu only laughs.

"I have to study her a great deal so she can shoot them out," Liu said of her character's audacity. "She doesn't hesitate when she talks or after she talks. If I know the lines, I can be more secure when I try to express her.

"She's a very clear-minded, blunt person. She's not disciplined, so I need to discipline myself, so she doesn't get lost or muddled."

Liu, born in New York City's Queens in the 1960s (she doesn't reveal her age), began acting while majoring in Asian languages and cultures at the University of Michigan. She played the lead in "Alice in Wonderland."

She had recurring roles on "ER," "High Incident" and "Coach," and guest spots on "NYPD Blue," "L.A. Law," "Michael Hayes" and "The X-Files." She also had a regular role as a brainy student in the short-lived Rhea Perlman comedy "Pearl."

And after playing a former girlfriend in "Jerry Maguire" and a hooker in "Bang," she made a mark this year with her portrayal of a brutal dominatrix in the Mel Gibson action-thriller "Payback." Liu also appears in "True Crime" with Clint Eastwood, "Molly" with Elizabeth Shue, and the "Austin Powers" sequel, "The Spy Who Shagged Me." And she was just cast in Ron Shelton's "Play It to the Bone."

"I've come to terms with things the last few years, so I can appreciate things as they're happening," she said.

Her favorite part of playing Ling, she said, are the romantic scenes with Fish (played by Greg Germann, a fellow accordion player).

"They're a real challenge for me, because my roles before didn't involve sexuality," said Liu. "I think, Oh, I can't do that. But, hey, I'm a woman, why not find some sensuality in that? When you discover yourself and allow yourself to be sexual, it's a really liberating feeling."

In fact, Liu says Fish is the character to whom she is most drawn: "I'm attracted to humor. Laughter is the most important thing in the world -- it takes 10 years off your age."

So, Liu is able to laugh off criticism from those who try to attach stereotypical labels to her character. "Chill out, take a pill or don't watch the show," she said.

The line could have been Ling's, except it was accompanied by a giggle.

CAPTION: Lucy Liu: "I can barely keep a straight face most of the time in the scenes."

CAPTION: LUCY LIU

#Lucy Liu #Ling Woo #1999 #WaPo #ally mcbeal #dragon lady

[typingtess]

Tiptoeing through “The Frogman’s Daughter” guest cast

Kayla Smith as Kamran "Kam" Hanna Smith was last seen in “A Fait Accompli” leaving a parking structure under duress.

Michael King as Logan Reynolds King was Will in the OWN series Love Is_ and had guest roles in LA’s Finest, Black Lightning and Big Problems.

Alan Trong as Zee/Kyle McCarther Trong played Larry in Daybreak (2019) and appeared in episodes of Ghost Tape and The Leftovers.

Tiffany Smith as DHS Agent Megan Merkel Smith played Megan Markle in the TV movie “Harry & Meghan: Becoming Royal” in 2019.  Had guest roles in Into the Dark, Liza on Demand, Supernatural, Jane the Virgin and Con Man.  Smith worked as a host on unscripted series like Crafting Comics with Jim Higgins, CW Fan Talk: The Flash, DC: All Access and Collider Heroes.

Richard Balin as Andre Keller Played Marty in the season 10 “Hit and Run” episode of NCIS.  Had guest roles in McMillan & Wife, Sanford & Son, Adam-12, The Bob Newhart Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Rookies Delvecchio, Serpico, Starsky & Hutch, The Tony Randall Show, Rhoda, Lou Grant, Quincy ME, Trapper John MD, Charlies Angels, Alice Private Benjamin, Simon & Simon, It’s Your Move, What’s Happening Now!, Misfits of Science, The New Adventures of Leave It to Beaver, Blacke’s Magic, MacGyver (1986), Designing Women, Moonlighting, Our House, Knots Landing, Starman, Sledge Hammer!, Murder She Wrote, LA Law, Lois & Clark, Days of Our Lives, Wings, ER and 9JKL.

Elizabeth Roper as Blaine Was Molly in Overthinking with Kat & June.  Appeared in episodes of Modern Family, The Good Doctor, New Girl, Jane the Virgin, Faking It and Dark Wings.

Patrick Garahan as Isiah Estevez No credits.

Zach Tinker as Tyler Tinker was David West in the season 16 “Boom” episode of NCIS.  Was Fenmore Baldwin on The Young and the Restless.  Appeared in episodes of Law & Order: True Crime, Small Shots, My Crazy Ex, Murder in the First, Turnt, You’re the Worst, American Horror Story, Station 19, 13 Reasons Why and LA’s Finest.

Michael Manuel as Carlos Guest roles include NYPD Blue ER, Home and Away, Water Rats, Wild Side, All Saints, Charmed (2003), Without a Trace, Medium, Wonderland and Los Americans.

Sloan Robinson as Mrs. Peters Robinson is currently playing Old Miss Kim on The Neighborhood.  

Played Lt. Robertson in “The Princess and The Petty Officer” episode of JAG in season six.  Had guest roles in episodes of LA Law, Sparks, The District, Providence, Kate Brasher, Judging Amy, The Division, The Parkers, Boston Public, Family Affair (2003), Las Vegas, Ghost Whisperer, Scrubs, Girlfriends, House, Southland The secret Life of the American Teenager, Body of Proof, Shameless, 2 Broke Girls, The Mentalist, SMILF, Legion, Grey’s Anatomy and Lucifer.

Written by:  Indira Gibson Wilson and Jordana Lewis Jaffe Wilson played Sam’s sleeping wife in two episodes – “Found” in season one and “Betrayal” in season three.  She is a longtime working actress with both comedy and drama credits.  She also played a Technician in “Automatic for the People” in JAG’s 10th season and FBI Agent Filsk in “House Rules” in NCIS’s season 12.

For NCIS: Los Angeles’s season 12, Wilson has been the program’s executive story editor.   She wrote an episode of Bull (“Teacher’s Pet”) and was a story editor for the final season of Empire.

Wilson is married to former NCIS: Los Angeles writer Joe C. Wilson, who is now a co-executive producer of The Equalizer.

Jordana Lewis Jaffe wrote or co-wrote “Honor”, “Patriot Acts”, “Dead Body Politic”, “Paper Soldiers”, “Unwritten Rule”, “Big Brother”, “Iron Curtain Rising”, “Exposure”, “Savior Faire”, “Beacon”, “Defectors”, “Exchange Rate”, “Black Market”, “Payback”, “Battle Scars”, “Mountebank”, “Vendetta”, “Where Everybody Knows Your Name”, “Pro Se” “Heist”, “Born to Run”, “Provenance”, “Commitment Issues”, “Knock Out” and “War Crimes”.

Directed by:  Tawnia McKiernan, who directed “Exchange Rate", “High Value Target”, “Kulinda”, "Assets" and “Joy Ride”.

#tiptoeing #NCIS: Los Angeles #NCIS: LA #NCIS Los Angeles #ncis la

[kathyprior4200]

The Shadows of Hazbin

Alastor’s shadow isn’t the only being of darkness around.

 In fact, Hell is full of shadows and various monsters, just itching for flesh and chaos. We have seen Alastor controlling voodoo imps and shadowy deer, for example. The imps would burn buildings, feast on deer and loot stores. Every demon has a shadow that acts as its own entity, despite being connected to their owners. The shadows represent the dark subconscious desires of the host, desires both in Hell and the thoughts of the sinner when they were alive. In addition, the shadow reflects the full demon form of the sinner or Hell-Born and in fact, enables them to transform. When in their full demon forms, the demon hosts often give into their primal urges and evil natures, unless they can fully control…who they are inside.

 Alastor can control his shadow and minions…to a certain extent. If he is not careful, even the Radio Demon could be possessed as well.

 Like the Exterminators and angels in Heaven, there exists an evil conspiracy in Hell as well. The shadows want total freedom in Hell…and all the souls that come with it. They may even try to free Satan from the icy Ring of Treachery. Satan is the red goat, black suit-wearing evil counterpart of Lucifer. Like Lucifer, he is a powerful ruler of Hell, along with Beezlebub the fly lord, Leviathan the sea monster, Beal, etc. Satan was once a part of Lucifer before he was expelled from him and banished to the darkest district. Lucifer and Satan merged could stand up against God and Adina, the evil angel from Zoophobia. But with that much power comes the risk of Lucifer going deranged and initiating a Hell-wide massacre. Charlie, too, has her shadow and her dark side, and if left unchecked, she could engulf Hell and her friends in “cleansing” flames.

 There are a select group of shadows…the shadows of the characters! Charlie, Vaggie, Angel etc. all have shadows that look different and occasionally manifest, often when they are by themselves or sleeping.

 Eilrahc (eel-ra-uh-c): Charlie’s shadow.

Her shadow appears as a look-alike figure with two horns, sharp grinning teeth and long hair. The eyes are often orange-red. Her shadow is Charlie’s evil side/subconscious. Unlike Charlie who sees the good in everyone, her shadow wants Charlie to unlock her powerful potential and to instill fear in her subjects. Her shadow doesn’t believe in redemption, only in having people respect her completely. (Charlie wants to be loved and believed in, but it is hard). Charlie’s evil form is encouraged and brought forth by both Lucifer being stern and by Alastor’s trickery.

There are times when Charlie can get violent, such as when she fought Katie Killjoy on the table at the news station. Charlie going into her demon from was just for show, but the power was still there. Charlie’s shadow doesn’t believe in redemption, but will help Charlie reach her goal, even if it means forcing people to “redeem” themselves.

 Eiggav (e-gav): Vaggie’s shadow.

Eiggav appears as a look-alike to Vaggie, except with a gaunt face, two horns, glowing purple eyes and moth-like features. Her shadow has dark wings with glowing purple eyes, representing her full demon form.

Vagatha has hated men ever since she could remember. Her father, Valentino was abusive to her and her mother. Vaggie died of a brutal gang rape, the men taunting her for being a prostitute, a lesbian and for being Latina. Vaggie’s shadow is an expert in using weapons and represents Vaggie’s anger and desire to kill jerk men. Eiggav pours out anger and helps make Vaggie into a deadly fighter. But she also deters Vaggie from opening her mind and being more trustworthy.

    Tsud Legna (t-sud- leg-na): Angel Dust’s shadow.

This shadow briefly appeared during Angel Dust’s battle against the Egg Bois, standing behind Angel, very tall after sending an egg flying. His shadow is tall with six arms, venomous fangs and narrowed pink eyes.

Angel’s shadow represents Angel’s dirty thoughts and bad habits, also as Anthony when he lived in New York. Like Valentino, he encourages Angel to keep doing drugs, be a porn star and pursue a life of freedom. The shadow wants Angel to love who he loves, be violent and seek out money and stimulation. Yet the shadow is also his voice of doubt, saying that Valentino and Henroin will never treat him as an equal. That his father hates him for being gay and leaving the mafia. (His shadow likes to mess with him like the shadows of other demon hosts).

 Rotsala (rot-sala): Alastor’s shadow.

This shadow made an appearance during Alastor’s reprise dance number at the hotel. The shadow appears to walk in through the fireplace, grinning at Alastor before vanishing (like Dr. Facilier’s shadow). The shadow looks like Alastor, with deer-like tufts, sharp teeth, and antlers. At times, the shadow looks like a wendigo. He often has glowing teal eyes and a wide grin.

Like the wendigo, Rotsala is always hungry for the next kill. He was created by dark magic and serves as Alastor’s guide/spy. Rotsala appears to be a leader among the other shadows. Alastor can send his shadow to hunt or spy on people. His shadow represents Alastor’s murderous intentions, but also his deep seated fears such as fear of dogs and his abusive father. Alastor had many dark thoughts when he was surrounded by racism and violence in New Orleans. His shadow would love to see everyone possessed or tortured for entertainment. Like Alastor, Rotsala loves music.

 Rotsala is attracted to Charlie and her shadow, and reveals feelings and intentions that Alastor often hides.

 Ytffin (yeet-fin): Niffty’s shadow.

This small little shadow has a large yellow eye, curly hair and sharp teeth. She is as fast as Niffty, often enjoying “cleansing” parts of Hell and disposing of bodies. The shadow represents Niffty’s sexual obsession with men, along with a hidden fear of them. Niffty’s shadow urges Niffty to always be busy with cleaning, cooking, sewing, writing and pursuing men. As a Japanese woman named Nefuti in the 1950s in California, Niffty learned about housekeeping and cleanliness very early on (but also killed a man, which led to her death in a fireplace).

   Ksuh (k-suh): Husk’s shadow.

This grumpy shadow has Husk’s cat-like features and angry yellow glowing eyes.  The dark thoughts also apply to Husk as a human: Hilario in Las Vegas, Nevada. His shadow looks like Husk’s demon form: a fierce large cat that has the build of a mountain lion. Husk often takes this form when protecting Alastor from enemy attackers. Husk’s shadow represents Husk’s additions and his traumatic past. Husk developed a gambling and drinking addiction early on in life and also fought during several wars. The trauma got to him, and he died of over-drinking and depression at age 75. But his shadow encourages him to seek more money, drink more booze and shut people out. Husk enjoys magic shows and lived a while (nine lives) but his curiosity killed him in time (curiosity killed the cat). However, Husk has the potential to be softer and more open to others, even finding love, which he had lost years ago.

 Xov: Vox’s shadow.

Born in Russia as Vincent, he took control of the television industry in the U.S., hosting game shows and scamming people in pursuit of money. He was also racist to people like Alastor and treated women as trophies. He later died after a TV fell on his head. Vox quickly rose to power as a TV Overlord, gaining control of electricity and media brainwashing. He may even be more powerful than Alastor.

  Onitnelav: Valentino’s shadow.

Valentino was a wealthy Brooklyn pimp and human trafficker in his human life, before he was arrested and sentenced to death. He was also father to Vagatha. When he arrived in Hell, he took over the porn industry, taking many clients such as Angel Dust. Like Vox and Velvet, he enjoys his powerful status and manipulating others to his benefit.

 Tevlev: Velvet’s shadow.

Venessa was Velvet’s human name. In life, she was African American and became popular on social media. She enjoyed spreading gossip about others along with eating sweets and playing with dolls. But Vanessa was soon bullied and this led to her killing people with a knife while pretending to be innocent. She later stabbed herself to avoid being arrested. In Hell, she became the Harley Quinn-like demon of social media.

    Bmob Irrehc: Cherri Bomb’s shadow.

Cherri Bomb’s shadow has hot pink eyes and hair that appears as flames. Cherri was a rebel and feminist in Australia, who fought to the extremes in protests. She died at a young age in the 80s after an explosion she had caused. She is Angel Dust’s partner in crime. Her shadow represents her explosive tendencies and her fear of her abusive ex-boyfriend.

 Suoitnep Ris: Sir Pentious’ shadow.

Sir Pentious was an aristocrat and a black-haired evil inventor during the Industrial Revolution before he died from a mechanical failure in a blizzard. He commands his Egg Bois and wants to take over Hell. He also has a desire to be part of the “cool club” of Overlords Vox, Valentino and Velvet.

 Yojllik Eitak: Katie Killjoy’s shadow.

Katie basked in wealth and status. Katie Killjoy died in 1992 from being crushed by news equipment from above. Her shadow represents her love of gossip, sexual lust toward men and her love of bringing others down and high ratings.

   Hcnert Mot: Tom Trench’s shadow.

Tom Trench’s shadow also has a gas mask on, and is surrounded by noxious gas and green fumes. Tom is a blonde man who fought with the Nazis/Germany. He had killed many people but he didn’t have a choice. He eventually died from gas in the trenches, before becoming a news anchor in Hell. His shadow represents his violent tendencies and sexual remarks.

 Yllom: Molly’s shadow.

Molly’s shadow appears as a fierce spider with pink eyes and hearts.

 Ssinkcara: Arackniss’ shadow.

Appears similar to Angel’s shadow but even darker.

 Niorneh: Henroin’s shadow.

 Htilil: Lilith’s shadow.

Reficul: Lucifer’s shadow.

Elzzar and Elzzad: Razzle and Dazzle’s shadows.

Asleh: Helsa’s shadow.

Nahtaives: Seviathan’s shadow.

 Yzmim: Mimzy’s shadow.

Mimzy’s shadow has large lavender glowing eyes, thick hips and hair, and features of a mockingbird. Mimzy as Majorie in life, wanted fame, attention, wealth and love for many years, both on Earth and in Hell. She performs at her club and basks in the spotlight. In life, she was a star who killed her husband to get his insurance money. She was also in love with Alastor and gets jealous and emotional when she doesn’t get her way. Mimzy’s shadow represents her selfish and materialistic tendencies.

 Inimyrc: Crymini’s shadow.

Crymini’s shadow takes on the form of a hellhound with sharp teeth, skull markings and light red eyes. Her shadow represents her crimes in life and the afterlife: vandalizing, smoking, killing, drugs, porn, and being a delinquent. She was a typical My Chemical Romance emo teenager in the 90s until her death. Crymini has more porn than Angel Dust and might have more addictions than he does. Crymini’s good traits include her love of rock/metal music, her eventual growth as a Hazbin Hotel client, and her later acquaintance with fellow hellhound Loona.

  Retxab: Baxter’s shadow.

Baxter’s shadow takes on Baxter’s demon form, a large anglerfish monster with teal eyes and markings. Baxter’s shadow represents Baxter’s unethical experiments and his need to be alone all the time. Baxter had died on a boat and drowned in his life, while in pursuit to be the smartest most powerful inventor in Germany. Baxter often grows creatures in tanks, builds robots, makes deadly chemicals, weapons and drugs for Velvet, Sir Pentious and secret dealers.

 Eisor: Rosie’s shadow.

Rosie was born in Hell, is an Overlord and owns an emporium. She is like an evil Mary Poppins during the Day of the Dead. She likes to sing with Alastor and be a cruel CEO to her workers. She is an elegant woman of class and style, also a model.

Rosie seeks to gain more power and influence, wanting people to eventually become her sewing slaves. She believes that the Hell-Born are superior to sinners. Like Lucifer, she attempts to stop Charlie’s plan from working.

  Steggun Taf: Fat Nugget’s shadow.

 Oor: Roo’s shadow.

Roo’s shadow represents her demon form, taking the shape of a monstrous kangaroo with glowing orange eyes and teeth. Roo as Roxanne was born in Australia and worked as a trash picker. Kanga was her older sister and rival who went to heaven. Roo killed people and disposed of them in dumpsters and incinerators. She later died in an incinerator after trying to escape from police. In Hell, she is the Trash Queen, disposing bodies and consuming demons with her orange parasite from her mouth. She also lives in the junkyard, surrounded by trash every day. Roo likes metal music, herbs, feasting on demons and making trash into clothing.

 Alliv: Villa’s shadow.

Oztilb: Blitzo’s shadow. (the o is still silent)

Eixxom: Moxxie’s shadow

Eillim: Millie’s shadow.

Anool: Loona’s shadow.

Salots: Stolas’ shadow.

Aivatco: Octavia’s shadow.

Zzif Obor: Robo Fizz’s shadow.

#shadows #hazbinhoteltheory #helluvebosstheory #alasorsshadow