//------------------------------// // New Neighbors (Part 2) // Story: Times Change // by redandready45 //------------------------------// There are at least three things, that no matter who you are, that WILL draw your attention; a model plane flying through the air, a beautiful rainbow in the sky or... "Wow," said somebody in the street ," a limo." The patrons in the Frosty Spring all stared as the 20 ft long symbol of affluence parked in front of the bar. They crowded around the glass windows as the doors to the limo opened, revealing who existed behind the darkened doors of that chariot. Nothing could prepare them for who got out. "Your gonna love this place," said Dennis to Kell as they came in through the door, "the guys here are very-," he paused seeing everyone stare at him. "Everybody," said a tall, thin, guy, standing on a table, "to mi amigo, Dennis, and his hotel chain, let it forever shine, so he can always buy us all a shot," than he started laughing, as did everyone in the bar, giving Dennis and Mr. Kell a mocking toast. "Ha ha," Dennis said sarcastically to the man, who wore a grey button-up shirt with jeans ," get off the table Jorge, people gotta eat off of that." He turned toward Mr. Kell ,"Stanford, this is my friend Jorge Mendoza." "It's a pleasure Mr. Mendoza," said Mr. Kell ,"what business do you participate in." "I work in accounting," said Jorge ," like my friend Dennis." "Well," said Kell ," for a man of your background, that's a very great profession." "Background," asked Jorge. "What I meant was," said Kell catching himself ," is that accounting is an excellent field to be in." He let go of Jorge's hand and turned toward Sadnik. "Mr. Sadnik you didn't tell me you worked in accounting, I thought you were in hospitality?" "Well," said Dennis ,"I am an accountant, but without my two guests, my house is pretty empty, so I figure, why not rent out a few rooms to the visitors of Saratoga County." "Ah," said Kell, "well let's not stand here, I'm thirsty." The two walked over to the stools. "Well, well, well," said the man in the stool next to him ," if it isn't the new big shot." The pair of new neighbors turned over their heads, and saw a man frowning at them. "Stan," said Dennis, seeing the two shake their hands," John Uhlenbeck, owner of the Knickerbocker Inn." "Competition," asked Stanford. "Don't worry," said John grinning," I only blow out the tires of his car on Wednesday. Today is Saturday, when I soil his kitchen." "Oh yeah," said Dennis beaming ,"I gotta get that tank of gas for your fire place, you know just throw it right in, and boom goes your house," he started laughing as did John, while Kell could only smile in confusion. Soon Zack in his beaming orange apron approached the counter. "Zack," said Dennis, "get us two Sam Adams dark." Zack just shook his head and put down two glasses "I'd like a Coors," said Kell. "Buddy," said Dennis, "your in New York, you'll drink Sam Adams." "Fine," said Kell. The glasses filled up, churning with frosty dark beer. The two men picked up their glasses. "A toast.-," said Dennis before seeing someone large and fat bolt up to them. "Hey Rodger," said Dennis annoyed ,"this is-," "Stanford Kell, oh my god," said Rodger as he took Kell's hand, rather forcefully, "Who knew my great friend Dennis who be living next to the greatest computer man since Steve Jobs." "Yeah," said John not even staring at Rodger,"if you're famous and coming to Saratoga County, Rodger will find you. He found Fiona Apple, Jerry Seinfeld," he put his hand on his forehead and said agonizingly, "George Pataki." "Yeah I remember," said Jorge shake ," it took three policemen to pull him off of him. We had to convince them the gun was fake." Zack just shook his head. "Yeah," said Kell who was smiling while trying to get his hand released from Rodger's rather forceful grip," So you've heard of me, Mr...?" he asked nervously. " Gross, Rodger Gross.Who could ignore one of the richest-," Rodger was stopped by Dennis' response ,"No Rodger, don't," "But-," said Rodger, who let go of Kell's hand "No," said John, not even looking at Rodger. "But-," "Callate," said Jorge. "But," Rodger started but was stopped by a glare from Zack. "Now come on," said Kell sympathetically ,"he's a grown man who has every right to speak his mind as he sees fit." "Thank you Mr. Kell," said Rodger. "Es tu funeral," muttered Jorge. "What?" asked Kell. "Nada." "Anyways," said Rodger ," I'm in the tire selling business. I sell tires to people across Saratoga County, and I say business is booming." "Yes and in spite of your success," said Dennis, his elbows on the table, "You drive a truck that leaks more oil than Trans-Alaska Pipeline." Dennis chuckled, and was met with a glare from Rodger. "Says the man who still drives some old Chevelle around," said Rodger. "That car is for leisure," said Dennis defensively ," and you don't go around-," "Enough," said Kell ,'I'd like to hear Mr. Gross' idea." "Thank you," said Rodger ,"at least somebody hear has manners." "Says the man who devoured 4 funnel cakes in one bite at the fair," said John. "Anyways," said Rodger, who was trying to steer the conversation away from his life ,"the tire business is pretty good, but it could do better, but all it needs is a little capital." "Oh," said Kell, " a business loan. So what is your proposal?" "Well, I've some studying," said Rodger ," and I learned that the Internet is an area of great growth potential for any retailer, as shown by the rise of Amazon.com. So I figure why not sell tires over the Information Super Highway. Gross Tires online I call it," said Rodger beaming. "Wait a minute," said Kell ,"you mean you wanna sell tires over the Internet. As in deliver them to people's doorway?" "Yes," Rodger "And how do you intend to profit from this enterprise," continued Kell. "Well," said Rodger ," Since Amazon.com does not sell tires over the Internet, I could be the first one to capture that ever growing market of online buyers who have no place to purchase a tire online." "They can go to a store," said Kell. "But the Internet is everything," said Rodger, "videos, games, shopping, news. In like twenty years, people will use the Internet for everything," he grabbed Kell by the shoulders, "They won't even get up to go to the bathroom. In the future we'll all be fat slobs sitting in a chair, doing everything from it." "Rodger's living proof," said Dennis, causing the rest of the group laugh. "Shut up," Rodger told the group ," so purchasing a tire online doesn't seem far fetched." "So your saying I'd have to fund a project for about two decades, hoping that the ROUTINE, of'a entire nation changes for this to work. How much would this cost me," asked Kell, narrowing his eyes. "About 350 million dollars," said Rodger, stoically. "We'll," Kell said, suppressing a chuckle ," I would need a copy of your business propos-sol." "Okay," said Rodger clasping his hands together, "when do you need it by." "Oh whenever," said Kell still stifling his laughter ,"j-just m-ail it to me." " Can I go get it right now," asked Rodger, ignorantly joyful. "No," said Kell, who was grinning, "mail it to me, right now I want to c-celebrate with my new neighbor." "Alright," said Rodger, "well time to get back to my store." He got up from his stool and walked away. After the ringing of the front door, Kell let out an uproarious laughter. He laughed harder than any drunk at a comedy club. Tears fell on his bloated face as he fell to the floor. "Is that guy for r-r-real," said Kell. "Yeah," said Dennis annoyed, " but after a while it's not even remotely funny, his behavior get's annoying." "Common Dennis," said John ," he's ridiculous but he is not a total idiot. Remember what he said about Enron." "Oh yeah," said Jorge ," that has been one hell of a ride." "Everybody knows the value of Enron," said Dennis ,"even Rodger would. A monkey could tell you to invest in Enron." "I agree," said Kell ,"any man know the value of such an enterprise. I myself have met Ken Lay." "You know Ken Lay," asked John. "I golf with Kenny," said Kell. "What's he like" asked Jorge. "A very reliable man," said Kell ,"very kind. One hell of a genius. He's made money in ways most people can't imagine." "Yeah," said Dennis ,"at least Rodger's smart enough to understand that." "Come on," said Kell, raising his glass "Let's stop talking about business, you still owe me a toast!" "Okay," said Dennis, raising his glass, "a toast to my new neighbor, Kell. United will shall overcome weeds, Jehovah's witnesses, and children throwing eggs at us!" They clacked their glasses and took a drink. Everybody cheered. - "But," said Lyra, who was sitting in her chair. "I said no Lyra," said Bonnie. "But-," "We can't risk it. We already have that to deal with "fireworks" show, so right now we need to lay low," said Bonnie. "But we are just meeting-," "No, I have to keep an eye out for you," said Bonnie forcefully. "I'm going to take a shower, and when I get back you better not be over there. I'm just trying to protect you. Remember when you got drunk, you almost blew. It only shows how much you need someone to watch out for you." "But,but-," continued Lyra, but Bonnie walked up the stairs, ignoring her. Lyra just sat in her chair, mulling over some words that an old man had mentioned to him. Cause it seems you let her run your life a little. You are grown up, y'know, and you shouldn't always have your friends running your life. Lyra frowned. I mean you shouldn't have to ask anyone's permission to visit someone. Lyra frowned harder Look inside yourself and ask ,'am I in control of my life?' Lyra thought for a minute. She rose from her chair, grabbed her astronomy journal, and ran out the door. I am in control of my life, she thought to herself. The slamming of the door was not heard over the sound of the shower. - In front of the old Radley farmhouse was a truck, and a pile of boxes, stacked about ten feet high in a pyramid. On the middle level of period sat a girl in her her late teens. Her hair was died blue down the middle. She wore a dark purple mini skirt, and a white sleeveless vest, with a cell phone on her shoulders, and wore pink sandals on her feet. She just sat with her left leg crossed over her left, and was just filling her nails. "Yeah, it's real boring," said the girl into the phone ,"just trees, all trees. Real lame." "Ann," said a tired voice. Sarah just stared at her nails which she continued to file. "Ann." The voice came from a man wearing a black button vest, black pants, and a white shirt underneath the vest. He had bald head and a wrinkled face. He was currently dragging a box a foot taller than he was. "Miss Ann I really could use your help," he said with a British accent. "Later George," said Ann, who continued to admire her nails with a gloomy eye. "Sorry," she said into her phone, "it's just my butler." "Miss Polly," said George ," could you please help me with the boxes." "I am," said Polly who was carrying a small box marked "TOYS" in red crayon," I gotta get Ms. Doll and her friends to their new room. I'll be back." The little girl walked into the house. "Where are the men from the moving company," asked George tired. "Oh they went on their lunch break," said Ann, now staring at her other hand. "It's 10 o'clock," said George looking at his watch "Yeah," said Ann, "well we all got to eat." "Yes," said George gritting his teeth ,"only in America can buggers get paid." Lyra walked up the hill an observed the scene. She walked over to the struggling butler. "Hi," said Lyra happily as she extended her hand, "I'm Lyra Hart, I'm staying at the farmhouse down the hill for a few weeks." The butler let go of the package and extended his hand. "George Dasurvur," said George," I'm staying here for life." He noticed Lyra slowly chuckling. "My are you depressed," he said deadpan. "I'm sorry," she said, "where did you get such a cool voice. I've never heard anything like it." "Practice," he said in that same baritone voice. Lyra only laughed harder. "You should be in comedy," said Lyra. "I would," said George, "but I afraid my agent has gone on holiday for six decades." She just chuckled some more. "Where are you from," asked Lyra. "I'm from London," said George ,"It's just outside of England." Lyra just stared at her. "I guess I can't always get a good laugh." "Do you need help with theses boxes," asked Lyra. "Well actually.." "Hay who's that," asked Lyra, who started walking over to Ann. "Miss Lyra, you said, you we're going to.." George said holding out his hand, but dropped it as Lyra walked over to Ann,"dumb bint," he muttered angrily to himself. Lyra walked over to the girl, who was currently chatting on her phone. "Hi," said Lyra, extending her hand, "I'm Lyra." A silence hung over the air, as only the sound of a file on nails was heard, as well as some groaning caused by heavy lifting. "I said," said Lyra, forcing a smile ," I'm Lyra." Ann continued to look down at her nails. A ring broke her out of her concentration, as well as causing Lyra to jump. She opened it and answered. "Oh hey Darcy," said Ann into her phone. " Oh man that is lame." "Oh my gosh," said Lyra yanking the phone away from Ann, "this is one of those handheld devices that allow communication over long distance. I think their called um, c-cell-," "Cell phones," said Ann risen from atop her box, "give it back!" "Cell phones," said Lyra ,"but what kind of cells?" She later put her mouth up to the mouthpiece. "Hello mysterious," she said into the mouthpiece ,"I'm talking to you with a cell phone! This is really-," she was stopped when Ann pulled the cell phone away from Lyra. "Sorry," said Ann, nervously ,"I don't know who that was." She paused. "Just let me call you back she said," hanging up the phone. "What's your problem" asked Ann, glaring at Lyra. "What," asked Lyra. "You know it's rude to bother someone while their talking," said Ann, crossing her arms ," let alone yank it out of their hands, idiot." "It's also rude to call people idiots," said Lyra, crossing her arms, "I'm just trying to say hello." "Well now I say goodbye," said Ann, who began walking toward the house. "Miss Ann," said George happily, "I see you came to help me unload these boxes." "Well-," said Ann stoically, before Lyra ran right in front of her. "Wow," said Lyra, "so that's your name. Ann, small name." "Could you go away," said Ann. "Why, we just met," said Lyra saddened. "I have to help George and Polly unload," said Ann. "Really," asked George smiling. "I help you unpack too," said Lyra. "That would be so helpful," said George. "Actually, I have to go meet a friend," said Ann, who began walking away. "Can I come too," said Lyra, who started to leap after her. "But I thought one of you was gonna help me," said George in a sad voice. "No, it's more of a friend thing," said Ann turning toward her. "But we are friends," said Lyra. "Can't you take a hint that I don't want to be your friend," said Ann, grinding her teeth. "I haven't gotten any hints, it's just you seem to wanna spend time with your friend in town," said Lyra quietly. "I don't have any friend in town, I made that up," said Ann. "You lied," said Lyra, "it's really bad to lie, you know." "It's also really bad to annoy someone when it's clear they don't want anything to do with you," said Ann ," I mean you yanked the phone right out of my hand." "Well you didn't seem to want to know me phone or no phone," said Lyra ," besides, I think your pretty cool with that cell thing." "Oh please, my dad could by me ten of those," said Ann. "Ten or ten million," said Lyra, "I think it's pretty cool you have one of those. I mean your likely to grow up in such an age with technology where you can still be with your friends, even when your not there." Ann thought for a minute, and seemed to drop her anger. "Yeah," said Ann," I never thought of it that way." She shrugged." Fine, my name is Ann Kell, and I guess I'll be staying here for a while." "I'm staying over at the Upstate Inn for a few weeks," said Lyra. "Wow," said Ann disinterested ," I guess you'll be getting out of here sooner than me. Lucky." "What," said Lyra, incredulously ," how could you not like it here. It's so beautiful." "It's boring," said Lyra, "they certainly call it Greenfield for a reason." "But Saratoga Springs is such a nice place, they've got-," "I don't care," said Ann. "But-," Lyra was stopped by a hand shoved in front of her. "I just,"said Lyra, before turning around, "fine, see you around," she said in a sad voice, and walked away like somebody who fought in a terrible way. Ann took notice, and sighed. "Fine," said Ann ," you can tell me all about it, but you have to help me unload the boxes while doing it." "Okay," said Lyra happily," I'll be right back." "George," said Lyra, "get me a box." "Really," said George, shocked and humbled by such a gesture, he began to tear up. "George, are you alright," she asked, bending down. "This is the happiest day of my life," said George crying tears of joy. He just knelt into the ground and began praying uproariously. Lyra just stood there, dumbfounded, before deciding to pick up the first box. She walked past Ann, and began to talk about Saratoga Springs. "The first great thing about Saratoga Springs," said Lyra, "is that it has trees, nice people," "Carry that inside," said Ann, pointing to the house with her nail file. "Right," said Lyra, and began walking toward the house carrying her package, while Ann sat on the big box, filling her nails, and smiling a little, ignoring her butler dancing for joy. - The two new neighbors drove home, sitting in the limo. They had just celebrated their new found friendship with booze, cheer, and a portion of their liver. They sat in the backseat, chatting on." "How's the otel buin'ness treating you," said Kell, who seemed a little dizzy. "Just fine," said Dennis, who began chuckling ," got two guests, each of them staying on my daughter's room," he continued to laugh. "Yeah, we're are your daughter's anyway?" asked Kell after breaking out of his drink induced euphoria. "Oh gone, away somewhere," said Dennis shaking, and smiling ," moving on with there lives," he chuckled. "Like my son.They all move on leave ya," he said with a strange smile on his face. "Wife?" "Gone to that place upstairs," said Dennis, snickering, like the kind you get when you learn that your company is bankrupt, the kind of snickering that usually precedes something harsher. "My first wife," Kell said, sadly, "she up and gone too. Not to heaven, no. She just said "I can stand it. I can't control my life." So she up and leaves you. Moved on like you said," said Kell ," only she leaves you with the young one." Dennis stopped snickering ,"Molly," he said, dazed. "No my elder one," said Kell, "Ann, named after her grandma. I remarried and met a new wife. Ruth." "Nice name," said Dennis, is voice down to a whisper. "She's Polly's mom. She's still in Houston, sorting out our affairs. Wonderful woman, I just wish Ann could see that. Getting into all kinds of fights. That's why I moved up here, thinking she would you know..." "Move on?" "Yeah." "Maybe I haven't moved on," said Dennis his voice barely above a whisper," You found someone you love, your Ann is still a girl." He swallowed. "I-I'm the one who needs to move on. I still have Crystal. But how could she replace," he stopped lips quivering, "how could I move on from Lind.." he paused, feeling tears flow down his cheeks. Kell noticed this and picked up the car phone. "Roy," said Kell, "Roy, pull over for a few minutes, my friend needs to get put himself in order." The driver though he couldn't turn around, needing to watch the road, held his thumb up in the air, and pulled over to grassy field. The car sat there for a minute, as Dennis let out a sadness he hadn't felt in a while, his tears moistening the leather seats, while his new friend pat his shoulder, telling him to let it out. - Bonnie walked down the stairs, wearing daisy dukes and a grey t-shirt, drying her blond hair, and her mouth open, letting out the silent moan of pleasure. "Best thirty minute shower ever," said, still luxuriously drying her head. She began walking down the stairs. "Lyra," she said happily, "I know we couldn't go visit Sadnik's new neighbors, but we still can do some fun stuff before returning to the project. We can go visit that cafe, and get that pie you like, what's called, "lemon meringue," and we can try that bowling thing," she continued before she saw the and found the room empty. "Lyra?" Bonnie asked aloud, before the realization his her. She gritted her teeth, "new neighbors!She'll blow everything" And then ran out the door, annoyed. - "And another great thing about Saratoga Springs, is that the first guy to found it also opened up a hotel, so since it's early history, people have always wanted to come and see it," Lyra continued, with her well gathered research of Saratoga Springs, still somehow carrying heavy package after heavy package," and his name was Gideon Putnam. Oh and the Battle of Saratoga was never fought in the town per say-," she stopped as she saw a limo pull up next to them. And saw Mr. Kell step out, slightly disoriented but still normal. "Hello there, Ms..." asked Kell. "Lyra Hart," said Lyra, "I'm a guest at Mr. Sadnik's hotel. Is he in there?" "Yes," said Kell, "but he's a little drunk, but I was hoping he could meet my family, who I think you've already met," he said peering toward his bedraggled butler, and his nails-obsessed daughter, sitting on one of the boxes, behind a half vanished pyramid. And his youngest daughter, Polly, who ran out of the house, arms open, screaming "Daddy!" "Baby doll," said Kell picking up that bullet of joy," how has packing been going?" "Great," she said, as he put her down. "Lyra helped me and George put the boxes in the house. Ann didn't." "Oh really," said Kell, walking over to his daughter," a hotel guest is willing to help me move, but mah own daughtah won't," he said getting into his daughter's face. "I didn't force her," Ann said without looking her father in the face," she volunteered." "Yep," said Lyra ," she agreed to listen to me and convince her why Saratoga Springs is a cool place." "And what did you learn," asked Kell. "I learned that it had a population of 24, 691 in 1990," said Ann, speaking in the automated voice of an answering machine, bulging her eyes, and shaking her head," and that it's area is 28-," "29, interrupted Lyra. "29 SQUARE MILES! Need I say more." "No just get yo' butt off the box and get it into the house. I expect you to be doing this, not some girl you just met." Ann just grunted, and pulled it in. The box revealed a label: "ARMCHAIR," as she continued to groan, using the gurney to carry the box in. "Really Lyra, I appreciate what you did," said Kell, tipping his hat. "Let me recompense you," he said pulling out his wallet. "No," said Lyra shaking her hand," it's fine really, I was just glad to help." She saw Kell extend his hand and reached out to grab it. "Fine young lady," said Kell ,"we could use a few around here," he said looking toward the house. "Lyra, there you are," said Bonnie, who was racing up the hill. "I'm sorry she bothered you sir," Bonnie said to Kell, smiling nervously, "I always gotta keep an eye on her." Bonnie began to tug on Lyra's arm. "Bothered me," said asked Kell ," you must be her roommate, I assure you..." "We really need to go," said Bonnie, tugging harder on Lyra's arm," let's go." "Your pulling me," said Lyra, getting slightly annoyed. "Let's go," said Bonnie. "Daddy I want to play with Crystal," said Polly, looking up at Kell, "you said I could when you got back." "I know but Mr. Sadnik got a little sick, and the juice won't kick in for another three hours." "But daddy-," "Look, it's 11:30 now. At 2:30, a promise to take you over once Mr. Sadnik recovers. Until then you can play with Chester." "But Chester is too BIG," said Polly, "you said I can't ride him." "If you don't wait, you can't ride her," said Kell, sternly. "Okay," said Crystal, quietly. "Chester," asked Bonnie. They saw a silver coated trailer pull in. Through the grill they saw what looked like an enormous grey stallion in the window. His eyes peered out, looking at everyone outside. Lyra couldn't help but stare. "Yep," he said, "one heck of a stallion. Been in my family for eleven years. He's grown quite a lot since I found him a tiny colt." "Yeah," said Bonnie,"we really need to go," she continued, tugging on Lyra's shirt. "Bonnie," said Lyra, "that stallion-," "Yes, Lyra," said Bonnie, "he's cute. now let's go." "But something about him felt wei-," "Goodbye Mr. Kell," said Bonnie, pulling Lyra away by her shirt. Kell could only look in astonishment. "What was that about," he asked, rubbing his head. Then he remembered the inebriated man lying in his car. "George," he screamed. "Yes Master Stanford," said George, lugging a box of vases on his back. "I'm gonna drop off Sadnik at home. Just keep packing." "Yes sir, " he said wearily. He continued to load, while Stanford and Roy decided to drop off drunk Dennis at home. All the while, no once noticed Chester, who's eyes seemed focus on the two girls who were walking away from them. A focus not common for horses.