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Interior, Judy's bar
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"You know we can't put it off any longer."

"Yeah. Bummer." Heavy sigh.

"Well, let's get it over with."

"OK." A pause. "You go first."

Sarcastically. "Gee, thanks!"

Robin, Ellie and Kymira slowly walked over to the corner table where the person who held their lives in her hands for the next 5 days sat idly shuffling a stack of index cards. Arranging themselves in a semi-circle, they waited, first patiently, then a little less patiently. Finally Ellie cleared her throat. "Excuse me, but can we just get on with this?"

Brenda looked up and tugged at her HoJo gimme cap, then fanned out the cards in her hand. "Sure...um, where are Jen, Kendra and Bran?"

Just then, Bran ran in dragging Jen behind her. Dodging tables and chairs, they finally stood with the other 3 frosh grrls.

"Sorry!" Bran wheezed, trying to catch her breath. "I couldn't get her away from the rugby field!"

Even in the darkened bar, Jen's eyes were sparkling. "All that sweat and bulging muscles. It was great!"

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," Brenda's voice was neutral. "You'll probably enjoy your community service job this week then." Handing Jen a card, she proceeded to dole out the remaining cards in her hand until there was only one left.

The freshmen eyed their cards with trepidation. All they knew was that they each had to perform 50 hours of community service in return for being allowed to leave Texas without permanent stains on their (so far non-existent) criminal records. The arrangements had been made by the General and the Padawan Ho who, since she was working on a Sociology minor, was well versed in all forms of community and charitable service in Estrogen County.

Robin read hers first. "Hmmm. The Food Bank. That shouldn't be too bad."

Brenda snorted. "Say that after you've been on your hands and knees for 10 hours sorting cans of soup."

Jen was next. "The Homeless Shelter?"

"They need the rooms painted and people to help serve meals. They asked for two, so you get to go, too," she nodded at Bran.

"Well, I got the SPCA," Kymira sighed in relief. "Thank goodness, I like animals."

Ellie looked away as she turned her card over, then slowly peeked at it. "Hey," she laughed. "I get to work at the children's shelter!" She looked back at the Padawan Ho who was frowning up at them. "These aren't bad at all. We were expecting something more like Litter Control on the highway."

"On a chain-gang," Jen added. The five grrls hi-fived each other, obviously relieved that their worst fears were groundless.

Brenda stood and raised her voice a little to cut through their excited chatter. "So, I'm not a Diva yet. You're lucky! The addresses and phone numbers of where you're going are on the cards, as well as a contact person for when you get there. You're expected early and you're expected to WORK," she met their gazes with a semi-serious one of her own, "so don't celebrate too late tonite." She looked back down at the last card in her hand. "Where's Kendra?"

"Don't know." "Haven't seen her." "Maybe she's still in her room."

They stopped and stared at each other, then back at Brenda. "You don't think..."

Just then Kirin walked up carrying a tray. "Mississippi Mud Pie, fresh from the freezer! Who wants some?"

"Sh*t." Brenda sat down with a thump and buried her head in her hands. "Thirty-seven." Six pairs of quizzical eyes quickly became understanding. "I counted Thirty-seven people on the bus at that last rest-stop. I forgot we'd added one.

"Oops," Jen's voice was sympathetic.

"Well, I guess I'd better tell the General one of his Ho's is missing."

end