The Jammed Omake Theater

[Rapierman]

Paul was scanning the police reports on his PDA. "So, we've got two witnesses that say they saw something?"

"That's right," Sonoda replied. "One male, one female. A couple of goths. I've got them sitting in separate cars to keep them from coaching each other."

"Excellent." He spotted an assistant approaching. "Keep them waiting. I'll talk to them personally." He walked toward the assistant. "Hey, Zack, whatcha got for me?"

The assistant, a tall man, long, brown, curly haired, pulled up his notebook. "Our guys fished out fifteen bullets. Here's what one of them looks like."

He held up an evidence envelope and pulled out a bullet with a pair of tweezers. Paul looked at it closely before he nodded. "A .45-ACP, hollow point."

"Yeah. I'll have ballistics take a look at it, but that's definitely the weaon of choice for this guy. Thing is, though, that's not the only type I found."

"Not the only one? What else is there?"

"We also picked up some fragments and one other bullet. It looks nothing like the .45. Ballistics should tell us what it is."

"Fair enough. Lemme know when you get something. Meanwhile, I'm going to have a chat with the locals."

He turned as Zack left and walked toward the waiting police cars. "So, if there's more than one type, does that mean that the guy's holding more than one gun, or are there two guys involved? Let's see what the answer is."
_________________
Paul Thompson
Head of Idol Security
Cubesoft Industries

The Rapierman: Keeper of the Arcane Knowledge.
"I sees all and knows all...well, okay, I know some...well, okay, not much, but what I do know I'm pretty sure of, and what I don't, I'll go hunt down some poor bastard and beat it out of him...er...I mean...I'll go find it and bring it."

[Atsushogob]

There were four guys around me. Two of them were to my left and right, and were unarmed. One was behind me and had a gun (to my head). The other was also behind me but I was unsure on his armament.

"So, is there any chance we can forget about all this? Just let me go now?" This statement earned me a kick in my injured leg and an angry mumble from beside me. I sighed, and resigned myself to waiting. I had asked for this, after all. I had tried to do that old 'warehouse' thing, where you go into a supposedly mafia-run warehouse and 'ask' for info, but it ended badly.

I heard a grunt from behind me and the gun left my head. I leaned on my uninjured right leg and delivered a devastating blow to the right guys kidney. he hunched over in pain so I turned and punched the other guy in the stomach, and then the face, laying him low. I looked behind me to see Hiroko standing there with a baseball bat and the two guys unconscious on the ground. She pointed the bat at one of the bodies.

"Took it from him."

"Took you long enough." She rolled her eyes at me.

"Look, let's just get going. Reiko is waiting at the house, and I need to bandage your leg anyway." With that she wiped the bat's handle with a rag, dropped it and we proceeded to head towards her house.
_________________
I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. The day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship. But it is not this day. This day, we fight! ~Aragorn, Return of the King

[Rapierman]

>walks up to microphone<

"Ahem."

The lighting comes up, revealing a small rock band in the background.


"This one's for my mother, who died some time ago."


>nod<


"I'm sitting here, I'm thinking back to a time when I was young,
My memory is clear as day, I'm listening to the dishes clink,
You were downstairs; you would sing songs of praise,
And all the times we laughed with you,
And all the times that you stayed true to us,
Now we say, I said, I thank you,
I'll always thank you,
More than you could know,
Than I could ever show,
And I love you, I'll always love you,
There's nothing I won't do to say these words to you,
That you're beautiful forever,
You were my mom,
You were my dad,
The only thing I ever had was you, It's true,
And even when the times got hard you were there,
To let us know that we'd get through, you showed me how to be a man,
You taught me how to understand the things people do,
You showed me how to love my God,
You taught me that not everyone knows the truth,
And I thank you,
I'll always thank you,
More than you could know,
Than I could ever show,
And I love you, I'll always love you,
There's nothing I won't do to say these words to you,
That you will live forever, always."



"Thank you."


>deafening silence<

>walks offstage to the right<


(For my mother, who died September 15th, 2007. I haven't forgotten.)
_________________
Paul Thompson
Head of Idol Security
Cubesoft Industries

The Rapierman: Keeper of the Arcane Knowledge.
"I sees all and knows all...well, okay, I know some...well, okay, not much, but what I do know I'm pretty sure of, and what I don't, I'll go hunt down some poor bastard and beat it out of him...er...I mean...I'll go find it and bring it."

[KristenAndrews]

Techmen, we're Techmen, with spirit true and faithful,
Backing up our team with hopes undying;
Techmen, Oh, Techmen, we're out to win today,
Showing "pep" and life with which we're trying;
V. P., old V. P. You know our hearts are with you,
In our luck which never seems to die;
Win or lose we'll greet you with a glad returning,
You're the pride of V. P. I.

Chorus:
Just watch our men so big and active,
Support the Orange and Maroon,
Let's go, Techs! We know our ends and backs are stronger,
With winning hopes, we fear defeat no longer,
To see our team plow through the line, boys,
Determined now to win or die;
So give a Hokie, Hokie, Hokie, Hi!
Rae, Ri, old V. P. I.


It's been a year and a couple days now, but the wound is still fresh.

As the daughter of a Tech alumnus ( Class of 64, go HOOOOOOOKIES!!!!!), it's hit hard. Dad came up for remembrances at Google's campus.

The support of my friends here and elsewhere has been most welcome and I am grateful.

Ryan Clark, Kevin Granata, Christopher James Bishop, Ross Abdallah Allameddine, Brian Bluhm, Austin Cloyd, Jocelyne Couture-Nowak, Daniel Perez Cueva, Mathew Gregory Gwaltney, Caitlin Hammaren, Jeremy Herbstritt, Rachel Elizabeth Hill, Emily Jane Hilscher, Jarrett Lane, Matt La Porte, Henry J. Lee, Prof. Liviu Librescu, Prof. G. V. Logananathan, Partahi Lumbantoruan, Lauren McCain, Daniel O'Niel, Juan Ortiz, Minal Panchal, Erin Petersen, Michael Pohl, Julia Pryde, Mary Karen Read,
Reema Samaha, Waleed Mohammad Shaalan, Leslie Sherman, Maxine Turner, Nicole White

Lost, Lamented, Loved
_________________
Kristen Andrews / Arisa Kanegawa
VP Kaizen and Workflow Systems
Toyota Takaoka

Efficiency, Accuracy, Control

[Rapierman]

>walks onstage to microphone in front of orange "VT" emblem on maroon background<

>pulls off red shirt to reveal burnt-orange shirt with white longhorn head sillouette<

>steps up to microphone<

"The University of Texas is still with you, Ginnie-Tech. Hook 'em."

The Eyes of Texas are upon you,
all the live long day.
The Eyes of Texas are upon you,
you cannot get a-way.
Don't you think you can escape us,
at night, or early in the morn.
The Eyes of Texas are upon you
'til Gabriel blows his horn.

"Thank you."

>walks offstage<
_________________
Paul Thompson
Head of Idol Security
Cubesoft Industries

The Rapierman: Keeper of the Arcane Knowledge.
"I sees all and knows all...well, okay, I know some...well, okay, not much, but what I do know I'm pretty sure of, and what I don't, I'll go hunt down some poor bastard and beat it out of him...er...I mean...I'll go find it and bring it."

[KristenAndrews]

Colma, California, City of the Dead, some time after midnight...

Kristen trudges slowly up the hill, her knee howling in protest.

How'd she end up on a fucking hill anyway? What jackassery of planning did this???

She winces as her knee sends another twinge up her leg. I pushed too hard I guess...I was inspired...inspired by her. Eh...it will be worth it...just not now on this godforSAKEN hill!

As she crested the hill, the familiar cold grey stone faced her. God give me strength, I have to do this...for myself and her. I don't know that I believe in ghosts, exactly, but her presence has never left me in over a decade...there will not be a second decade...the presence that has been a comfort has become a poison, seeping it's way into my worldview and coloring it in ways that would horrify her if she knew.

"I'm here, Siobhan...Cat...it's been a while I guess...um...sorry? I don't really know what to say so I will do something radical and cut to the chase since you always hated my birdwalking."

Kristen slowly lowers herself down till she is sitting next to her friend's headstone, and she leans back against it.

" I have to let you go..." Kristen chuckles suddenly " God help me, I hear a celestial Donald Trump saying, " you're fired!" That isn't what it is. I need to rejoin the living because I have given the dead power they should never have had. I love you and I'll miss you always but...I have to move on. It's well past time...I just hope to God I didn't figure it out too late..." Kristen leans back against the stone and sighs.

" I've rejoined the community..but you are still causing me trouble. I hold nearly everyone up to a godawful standard that isn't even really you, but an idealized you that I let you become over these years. It isn't fair to you, or them. NOBODY could be the person running around in my head! I've hurt people because of it, and in doing so, hurt and limited myself.

I've made an unholy mess for myself but I'm determined that *I* will decide my fate and take the reins back. You wouldn't even recognize me, but I'm working my way back to the place I was before..." she shudders. " before him."

Kristen chuckles bitterly " He's gone now...what passes for his heart finally gave out on him, or some shit...I didn't pay much attention beyond the fact that he was finally dead. I hope that gives you some measure of peace. I hope I can give you the rest...maybe wherever you are, you're hurt or whatever, and I'm sorry for that...the bleeding has to stop though, and I need to stop chasing what can never be. Happiness is right in front of me, and I nearly ruined it.

I am down but not out...I believe absolutely that I can make things right, or I never would have made it here...after all if there was nothing to fight for why bother? I will continue to fight and I promise you, nothing will get in my way this time. "

Kristen stands creakily, her knee silent for the moment after the rest.

" I'm sorry, Sister...you are always in my heart...but you've lived in my mind for too long."

Tears slip down Kristen's face as she pulls a small shovel and a worn and faded scrunchie out of her pocket. She digs a small hole near the headstone and places the scrunchie in it, covering it over.

" See I'm even giving you THE scrunchie...never know when you might need it...oh wait I forgot...you were the GOOD girl!"

Kristen giggles, which progresses to doubled-over rib-creaking laughter...and tears.

She turns to head down the hill, but turns back just before the stone slips out of sight. She bows her head.

" God if you have any mercy in you at all, let her rest...let us both rest. We've both done some incredibly dumb things...but like...you already knew that cuz you're...God...and shit."

Kristen giggles nervously.

" Is it not PAINFULLY obvious that extemporaneous prayer is SO not my thing? I am sincere, if crude, though. Please help me move on...there is too much at stake and I can't lose any more ground. The price of failure..."

Kristen sneaks a glance at the top of the stone still visible.

"...is too high. Shiv, you were a miserable, man-hogging cunt, and one Hell of a greedy motherfucker, but God I miss you. You take care."

Kristen turns, and walks slowly down to her car for the long drive home...

I now know how a snake feels when it sheds its skin...renewed, refreshed, a little vulnerable...and ready to start again.
_________________
Kristen Andrews / Arisa Kanegawa
VP Kaizen and Workflow Systems
Toyota Takaoka

Efficiency, Accuracy, Control

[KristenAndrews]

A lone person stands on a darkened stage, lit from behind so features are obscured. On a small screen just above the figures head, a random assortment of images are displayed: A mammography image, various implements lying on a sterile tray, a woman running through a park pursued by a horde of pugs and french bulldogs, row upon row of ripening grapes, a poster with the woman seen earlier, a surgical scar visible but all else concealed by a silk robe, done for charity, a snippet of dialogue from a chatroom...the screen goes blank, and as the lights come up, the figure is revealed to be Kristen. To either side of her, spotlights illuminate empty spaces. The music starts...

Kristen
There is no future - there is no past

A diminutive figure walks on stage, taking a place to the far right of Kristen.

Paul
Thank God this moment’s not the last

Another person takes the stage, taking her spot next to Paul.

Paul and Ai
There's only us
There's only this
Forget regret or life is yours to miss

Fusae and Chinatsu join the others, taking places next to Kristen (Fusae) and the other side of Paul from Ai (Chinatsu). Sarah runs on and takes the far left position.

All
No other road no other way
No day but today

The men begin singing a descant as the women continue on.

Women [Men]
I can't control
[Will I lose my dignity]

My destiny
[Will someone care]

I trust my soul
[Will I wake tomorrow]

My only goal
Is just to be
[From this nightmare]

Warren and Jake enter from opposite sides of the stage, Warren taking the other spot next to Kristen, and Jake between him and Sarah..

Without you
[There's only now]

The hand gropes
[There's only here]

The ear hears
[Give in to love]

The pulse beats
[Or live in fear]

Life goes on
[No other path]

But I'm gone
[No other way]

Cause I die without you
[No day but today]

I die without you
[No day but today]

I die without you
[No day but today]

I die without you
[No day but today]

I die without you
[No day but today]

I die without you
[No day but today]


ALL
No Day But Today

This has been a challenging year for me, with two surgeries, a ton of follow-up and a cancer scare. I am now and always will be grateful for the support of my friends as I deal with these things.

All persons are clearly not represented above, but please don’t take it personally. All of you, past, present, and absent mean a great deal to me.

Whether or not the coming year sees the full revival of Jammed Frequencies or not, I am thankful for the opportunity to serve as DM.

May you have a restful and peaceful Thanksgiving, and I wish for you many blessings of your own to celebrate this day. I can say in all honesty I love and am grateful and thankful for all of you.

Kristen Andrews/Arisa Kanegawa/Nekura Etowaru
_________________
Kristen Andrews / Arisa Kanegawa
VP Kaizen and Workflow Systems
Toyota Takaoka

Efficiency, Accuracy, Control

[Rapierman]

It was an hour or so into a party that was being thrown in the Omake theatre. The reason for it didn't matter. What mattered was that the attendees were enjoying themselves. H'ors derves were being served along with the booze, people hooked up, danced, sang...whatever the mood struck up for them.

At the stage, Paul signaled for the DJ to make the cross-fade to another song. As the transition was made, there was a defnite funk rythym starting up. The short Texan had four other guys with him, and they all approached the stage, starting off into a hip-hop dance as they sang:

Every all aboard.
Anybody wanna take this ride?
Anybody wanna ride?
All it takes is a nickel or a dime?

Be sure to get your ticket.
Hurry, don’t you miss it.
Everybody’s got to stand in line,
So make sure that you too will be right on time.

Everybody all aboard.
Everybody all aboard.

Mmm

Mmm

All aboard.

[Don’t you miss it, baby.]
If you miss that train,
Don’t miss the party train.
[Oh...don’t you miss it, baby]
If you miss that train,
Don’t miss the party train.

Everybody all aboard
Oh...baby
Everybody all aboard
Mmm

[Don’t you miss that train.]
If you miss that train,
Don’t miss the party train.
[Oh...ho...ho...ho...]
If you miss that train,
Don’t miss the party train.

Your ticket, ooh
Mmm, mmm
Everybody all aboard.
Hooooooooooh...ho!
Everybody all aboard!

Every all aboard.
Anybody wanna take this ride?
Anybody wanna ride?
All it takes is a nickel or a dime.

Every all aboard.
Anybody wanna take this ride?
Anybody wanna ride?
All it takes is a nickel or a dime.

All aboard!

Hoooooooooooh...ho!

Get down, get down, get down tonight.
Gonna party, gonna party on the train tonight.
Get down, get down, get down tonight.
Gonna party, gonna party on the train tonight

Get down, get down, get down tonight.
Gonna party, gonna party on the train tonight.
Get down, get down, get down tonight.
Gonna party, gonna party on the train tonight.

[Huh!]

[Huh!]

[Huh!]

[Huh!]

Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta get on board.
Hey, hey, yeah.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, gotta come get on board, baby.

Everybody all aboard.
Get your ticket, don’t you miss that train.
Everybody all aboard.
Get your ticket, don’t you miss that train.

Everybody all aboard.
Get your ticket, don’t you miss that train.
Everybody all aboard.....


The audience was loud with its applause as the DJ resumed his normal set. Paul and the other four moved off the stage, waving and bowing along the way.
_________________
Paul Thompson
Head of Idol Security
Cubesoft Industries

The Rapierman: Keeper of the Arcane Knowledge.
"I sees all and knows all...well, okay, I know some...well, okay, not much, but what I do know I'm pretty sure of, and what I don't, I'll go hunt down some poor bastard and beat it out of him...er...I mean...I'll go find it and bring it."

[StarStorm]

*whisper of a gigglie*

Bravi, Bravissmo~
_________________
I don't suffer from ADD...nor ADHD...no i'm worse off...I'm a GM that has ADOS...Attention Deficit.....OOOooooo.....Shiney!!! *pounce*

[KristenAndrews]

Arisa slams the bottle down on the table, her eyes red-rimmed, and her disposition foul. " Someone better fucking be dead to be knocking on the door at this hour." She shuffles to the door, and flings it open, revealing all three of her co-workers.

Fusae spoke first.

" We came as soon as we heard...despite the hour, we figured you would be awake."

Arisa sighs.

" I thought you might, so I called us all in sick tomorrow." The girls react with shock, causing Arisa to giggle.

"Yes...I called us all in sick so we can have some retail therapy...I know *I* need it, and I hate shopping alone. Will hogtie Sarah and make her go along, even."

Arisa pauses, letting out a long, very loud belch.

" I am and I'm not sad about it...life there was as stressful a situation as I ever need to be in...nothing like here...the union there is a big bag of ornery...and they are paying for it, in my humble O."

Ai pipes up, her voice cracking a little.

" Would you like us to stay, Arisa-chan?"

Arisa smiles.

" Might as well...got a busy day tomorrow!"

All laugh, then stand and head toward Arisa's room


New United Motors Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) 1984-2010

That place gave me an ulcer the size of Texas, but I meet its demise with no small amount of sadness. I wish all the former employees well.

- Kuresuthen Andaru-san
_________________
Kristen Andrews / Arisa Kanegawa
VP Kaizen and Workflow Systems
Toyota Takaoka

Efficiency, Accuracy, Control