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Devil Woman - Part 1

In Jane’s room.

Daria: …is it just me, or are they louder than usual?

Jane: Trent got a new amp. Sounds like he’s still working out the kinks.

Daria: Oh

Jane: Let’s go say hi.

Daria: No…that’s uhhh…

Jane: C’mon, Jane said, tugging on Daria’s jacket sleeve

Jane: Yo, Trent! You wanna turn it down a bit?

Trent: Are you kidding? Gotta get the reverb just right.

Jesse: You guys outta come to the Mystik Spiral gig tonight. We’ll put you on the list.

Trent: Yeah. I’ve got someone I’d like to introduce you to—-

Jane interrupted: Noooo that’s okay. Not tonight. Daria and I already have BIG plans.

Daria: Ummm…we do…?

Jane: Yes. BIG plans. Don’t you remember, Daria? Actually, we’ve got to go now. Later.

Jane said tersely as she dragged Daria up the basement stairs.

Trent: Oh ok. Next time

When they were safely back in Jane’s room, Daria asked: What was that about?

Jane: Oh nothing. I uhhhh just wanted to uhhhh get your thoughts on my newest piece., she said, pointing to an almost blank canvas

Daria: Uh-huh. What’s really going on?

Jane: Damn. Sure can’t get anything past you, can I?

Daria: What can I say? I’m just too good at reading people.

Jane: Trent has a new girlfriend, and I didn’t want you to know.

Daria: You mean he’s back with Monique?

Jane: No, they really broke up for good that time…

Daria: Oh

Jane: But you know Trent. It’s probably just some random girl he picked up at a club. I’m sure they’ll be broken up by the end of the week.

Daria, shifting her gaze away from Jane: And uhhhh…what’s she like…?

Jane: Dunno. I haven’t met her yet.

Daria: Uh ok. Maybe I should just go home…

Jane: C’mon Daria. Don’t go. We still have the Sick Sad World marathon tonight.

Daria: I guess I could stay…

Jane: It’ll be fun., Jane said, turning the TV on

TV: Bikini clad and foaming at the mouth?! Rabid babes with rabies. Tonight on Sick Sad World!

The next morning, Daria woke to the unexpected smell of food cooking…? At the Lane’s…?!

Daria: Hey Jane…Jane…

Jane: ….hurgh…?, Jane groaned

Daria: Do you smell that?

Jane: Hrmmm…?

All of a sudden, there was a faint tap on the door. Then a familiar voice called out “Janey” as Trent entered the room.

Trent: Janey, there’s breakfast., he said, pausing briefly, “Oh. Hey Daria.”

Daria, after an uncomfortably long pause, mumbled “…Hey” as she reached for her glasses. Her face flushed as Trent’s outline came into focus.

Jane, pulling her head out of her pillow: …What are you talking about Trent? …And put some damn pants on, we have company.

Trent: Hmmmm? Daria doesn’t mind, do you Daria?, Trent chuckled as he walked out of the room, scratching his stomach. The sound of his coughing faded as he made his way down the stairs.

Jane: Wait. Did he just say breakfast?

Daria was silent.

Jane: Daria…? Hey Daria…? Hmmm…Hey girl with the red face who’s forgotten how to speak.

Daria: Huh?

Jane: Oh nevermind.

Daria: Oh, I—-

Jane: Let’s go investigate this alleged “breakfast.”

As they turned the corner into the kitchen, there she stood. An unfamiliar woman.

She was tall, curvaceous, and…bursty. In fact, she was almost too bursty for the tight black crop tee she was wearing. She had long auburn hair, green eyes, and a dangly bellybutton ring that stopped just above the top of her denim miniskirt.

Jane: Uhhhh hello there.

Trent: Hey. Janey. Daria. This is my girlfriend Esmeralda. She made breakfast.

Daria frowned. “Girlfriend?” she thought. The word stung like a splash of ice cold water to the face. “Is Trent really dating someone like her?” She didn’t look anything like Monique. Was she really Trent’s type? Just what exactly IS Trent’s type? Her inner dialog was interrupted by the new woman.

Esmeralda: Good morning!, she said cheerfully

Jane: Oh hey

Daria: ummm hello, she muttered quietly

As the girls sat down, Esmeralda said “Sooo Jane, Daria. Trent’s told me a lot about you.” Turning to Jane, she continued “He said you’re quite the talented artist. And you Daria. He said you’re a writer. That’s so cool.”

Jane: I’ve been known to dabble in the occasional oil paint or two.

Daria muttered: “Uhhh yeah”

Trent: Daria, Esmeralda’s like…a writer too. She’s a journalist.

Esmeralda: I just do a bit of freelance work for some magazines.

Trent: In New York City. She’s the real deal.

After another uncomfortably long silence.

Esmeralda: Ummmm I made blueberry pancakes, bacon, and eggs. There’s coffee and orange juice too. What would you like?

Jane: Oh uhhhh. I’ll have the works.

Esmeralda: How do you take your coffee?

Jane: black

Esmeralda: And you Daria?

Daria: Oh uhhhh…I’m not really hungry.

Trent: Have a pancake Daria. They’re good.

Daria: …oh. Ok. I guess I’ll have a pancake. Thanks.

Esmeralda: Coming right up!

Jane: So where did all this food come from?

Trent: Esmé went shopping this morning before she came over

Daria: Esmé?

Esmeralda: Oh, that’s just what Trenty calls me.

Jane: Trenty…?, Jane chuckled

Jane: So “Trenty,” how did you kids meet?

Trent: We just, ya know, hooked up after the Mystik Spiral gig a few weeks ago.

Esmeralda: I’m doing a piece on metal bands in middle America, so I’ve been going to gigs all summer. And one night I met Trent.

Trent: We started talking after the show and it was just like…meant to be, ya know? She gets me.

Jane noticed the growing look of anguish on Daria’s normally expressionless face as she pushed a sole blueberry around her plate.

Jane: Well, it was nice to meet you. But Daria needs to get home now. She’s got to ummm…

Daria: Help my mom…take Quinn…to the uhh…

Jane: …doctor. They’re putting her down.

Daria: Don’t wanna miss that.

Jane: Bye bye!

Daria: Uhhh bye

Trent: Later

A look of concern washed over Trent’s face as he watched the two exit the room. “Hmmm” he sighed.

On the walk to Daria’s…

Jane: Don’t look so down. You heard Trent, he said they just hooked up after a show.

Daria: Yeah. I did hear Trent. That’s the problem. Or did you completely miss the part where he said they’re meant to be?

Jane: Trent barely knows this chick.

Daria: He knows her well enough to invite her into your house to make breakfast.

Jane: We’re not too particular about who comes into Casa Lane. Plus it’s early. He’s not really a morning person. He probably didn’t even know what he was saying.

Daria: whatever

Jane: Trent’s a bit ummm idealistic when it comes to dating. He used to say the same stuff about Monique, and we know how that ended.

Daria: I guess you’re right…but she’s so…you know…

Jane: What?

Daria: Just forget it

Jane: Out with it, young lady.

Daria, flustered: She’s all…bouncy. Like Quinn. Is someone like that really Trent’s type? I can’t compete with that.

Jane: Oh. Yeah. She sure wasn’t Trent’s usual type, I’ll give you that. But…It’s not a competition. And besides, girls like that don’t have the brain capacity to be interesting.

Daria: Uh huh

Jane: C’mon Daria. She’s pretty. Men are dumb when it comes to pretty girls. I’m sure they’ll break—-

Daria: If she’s pretty then what does that make me?

Jane: I didn’t mean it like that—-

Daria: …sorry, I know you didn’t. Anyways, thanks for walking me home.

Jane: See you tomorrow?

Daria: Maybe

A few days later. On the phone…

Jane: Hey

Daria: Hey

Jane: Mystic Spiral has a show tonight, and Trent asked me to see if you’re coming.

Daria: Trent…? Asked…about…me.?

Jane: Yes, you.

Daria: I don’t know…I just don’t really feel like going out…

Jane: Trent thinks you’re avoiding him.

Daria: I AM avoiding him…

Jane: I could sure use the company.

Daria: Alright, I guess

Later that night at the club…

Trent: This song is called Devil Woman.

/ Your hair is red like fire / Your body is my desire / It’s hot where you touch / But I can’t get enough / Burn me with your love / Whip me with your words / Devil woman, drag me straight to hell / Devil woman, drag me straight to hell / Yeah

Trent: We’re Mystik Spiral. But we’re thinking about changing the name.

As Trent exited the stage, Esmeralda ran up and kissed him.

Daria: I think I’m gonna be sick

Jane: Can I get you anything? Glass of water? Bleach for your eyes?

Daria: How about a glass of bleach?

Jane: I’ll see what I can rustle up at the bar.

Jane: Here’s a soda.

Daria: What about the bleach?

Jane: Fresh out, I’m afraid. Oh lookie! Here comes Trent.

Daria: Great…,she muttered

Trent: Hey Daria

Daria: Uhhh hey

Jane: Where’d your girl go?

Trent: Hmm? Oh, Esmeralda. She went to talk to Jesse about something. So…Daria…what’d you think of the set?

Daria, thinking to herself, “It would have been better if the floor had opened up under the ‘Devil Woman’ and dragged her straight to hell.”

Daria: It was ok

Trent: Hmmm, Trent sighed

Trent: Well, thanks for coming. You haven’t been around much.

Daria: Yeah. I’ve been busy.

Trent: Can’t be helped, I guess then. Well, I’ve gotta help them load the equipment into the Tank.

As he walked past Daria, Trent put his hand on her shoulder and whispered “Give her a chance, Daria.”

Daria: Huh?

Daria turned around, watching Trent disappear backstage.

Jane: What’d he say?

Daria: Oh, nothing.

Jane: Oh no…no secrets, missy.

Daria: He told me to give her a chance.

Jane: Who? Esmeralda?

Daria: I guess so. He didn’t say.

They suddenly felt a hand on each of their shoulders. It was Esmeralda.

Esmeralda: Hey. The band is gonna be here for a while, so I was wondering if you wanted to get some pizza. My treat.

Before Jane could get an excuse out, Daria said “Sure.”

A little while later, at Pizza King.

Esmeralda: Are you sure one pie is gonna be enough?

Jane: Maybe. At least until the band gets here.

Daria: Yeah

Jane: So how does our humble pizza compare to the stuff in New York City?

Esmeralda: It’s cheesy. It’s greasy. It’s good.

Daria: So what are you doing in Lawndale if you live in New York?

Esmeralda: Oh! I’m back visiting my parent’s for the summer.

Daria: Oh

Esmeralda: I say visiting my parents…but they actually just needed me to house sit while they’re on a cruise.

Jane: That makes more sense.

Esmeralda: Gotta stay on their good side. They’re paying my tuition., she chuckled

Daria: What do you study?

Esmeralda: I’m studying mathematics…and philosophy.

Daria: Really?

Jane: Didn’t Trent say you were a writer…?

Esmeralda: He makes a bigger deal about that than he should. I just do a bit of freelancing to help pay the bills.

She paused long enough to take a bite of pizza.

Esmeralda: It wasn’t until I met Trent that I decided to pursue writing more seriously. Like as a career. There’s not many people out there who just do exactly what they want to and chase their dreams. Your brother is really special.

Jane: He’s certainly something else…

Daria shifted anxiously in her seat. She’d agreed to go out with Esmeralda reflexively, because of what Trent said. But the more Esmeralda talked, the worse Daria felt. She’d secretly hoped that this would be an insight into just how vacant and uninteresting Esmeralda was. Confirmation that she still had something unique to offer.

Daria: I don’t feel so good. Bathroom., Daria blurted as she rushed away from the table with her hands covering her mouth.

Just then, Trent walked in with the rest of Mystik Spiral.

Trent: Hey Janey. Hey Esmé. Where’s Daria?

Jane: Bathroom. She wasn’t feeling too well. Bad pizza. I’m gonna go check on her.

Trent: Let me.

Trent walked over to the bathroom door and knocked softly.

Trent: Daria? You in there?

There was no response.

Trent: Hey Daria. It’s me. Trent. Can you come out? I wanna talk.

Daria splashed some water on her face and rinsed her mouth out before slinking out of the bathroom.

Trent: Not here. Let’s get some fresh air.

They exited through the back door to avoid walking past everyone else.

Daria: You wanted to talk to me?

Trent: Yeah. You ok?

Daria: Uhhh…I guess

Trent: Why don’t I give you a ride home? We can talk in the tank.

Daria: Shouldn’t we say something?

Trent: Nahhhh. Jesse is probably going to eat at least two pizzas by himself. We’ve got plenty of time. They won’t even notice.

Daria: Ok. Thanks

Driving back to Daria’s house, in the tank.

Trent: Hmmm. Daria, I…

Daria: Yea, Trent?

Trent: I’m sorry.

Daria: For what?

Trent: You know…everything.

Daria: Huh?

Trent: The timing just wasn’t right…for me to introduce you to Esmé.

Daria: Oh

Trent: Hmm. She’s good for me, Daria. And I always kind of felt you understood the way I think, so I thought you’d like her too…

Daria said nothing. She shrank in her seat, wondering if the drive home from Pizza King always took this long. Trent looked over at her. A frown swept across his face as he furrowed his brows.

Trent: I haven’t seen you around the house much. Janey misses having you around.

Daria: I told you, I’ve just been busy…

Trent: I know. But it’s kind of lonely in the house…without you.

Daria: What?

Trent: Come around the house again, ok? Even if it’s just for Janey.

Daria: Ok…

Trent: Looks like we’re here., he said as they pulled in front of the Morgendorffer house.

Daria: Yeah. Thanks for the ride.

He leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek before she could get out of the car.

Trent: All right then, Daria. See you around.

He leaned against the steering wheel, watching her walk inside before heading back to the band, Jane, and Esmeralda.

The next day, Daria called Jane.

Daria: Hey

Jane: Feeling better?

Daria: Yeah. Sorry for just leaving like that.

Jane: No sweat. Trent explained that he drove you home.

Daria: Is that all he said?

Jane: He’s worried about you.

Daria: I tried, Jane. I tried to give her a chance. But she’s not just some shallow, air headed groupie…

Jane: I know…She’s actually pretty cool…and she’s good for the kid. Trent hasn’t been this happy in a while…I’m sorry.

Daria: Yeah…hey, can I come over?

Jane: Really?! Sure. Of course.

Daria: See you soon

Jane: See ya

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