Story Two
Having It Both Ways
... And Getting It One
By: Muse
Feedback, feedback! I tried living w/out it and I can't! Constructive critisism and compliments always accepted. However, my more liberated side wants to say that I write for myself not because of feedback. Although, my other side says that feedback speeds the process and constructive critisism may correct sylistic errors...
DISCLAIMER: What's Marvel's is Marvel's. What's mine is mine. What's Frank Zappa's is Frank Zappa's family trust.
To be sung to the tune of Frank Zappa's "Why Don't You Like Me".
Why are we angsty?
Why are we angsty?
Are we really that lame?
You're Lame! You're Lame!
You're Lame! You're Lame!
I hate my creator.
I hate my powers.
I am my brother.
And Scott is a pansy.
A pansy! A pansy!
A pansy! A pansy!
You take the retcon, I'll take the plothole,
we'll all go bankrupt: get Storm a life!
Jean is Maddie, Gambit made Harpoon
I'm so confused now -
Who's Peter Parker?
Wolvie's degraded!
Emma's clothes are X-Rated!
And Seagle thinks we look good to you.
Yes, they think we look good to you.
Obviously I didn't do the spoken parts, and if you've heard the live version I left out the part about Billie Jean (so to speak). Gotta love Zappa.
And now on with the show!
A few weeks later than story one.
"Ah jus' don' see why she has t'date him. He's a brat," Rogue said over lunch of the still sleeping Keith Schultz.
"What makes you say that?" Logan asked.
"What doesn't? Look at him. Hangs out in the city with all his actor/activist/indian chief friends- most of whom aren't even mutants! And ya know why? 'Cause he's ashamed of who he is. He admits t'never tellin' anybody he ain't serious about about it. He also says he didn't put it on his application t'college and grad school. He's ashamed and he don't belong here."
"Have you ever asked him?" KEeith siad, having walked in at the wrong moment and heard the whole diatribe. "Have you ever bothered Rogue? Or have you just judged him like, well let's see, like Remy? Or maybe like Joseph- judgements make for convenient fanatasies don't they Rogue? Well fuck you! I am not ashamed of my mutancy, I just accept it for what it is and get on with my life. That's a lot more than I can say for you. No, maybe I don't choose to boradcast it everywhere, but so be it. The world is not going to accept, and I would like to get a job, or an apartment or an education. If that means letting people get to know me before I tell them I'm also a mutant, in addition to being human I might add, I'll do it. I'm here for a year to try this out, because before I was offered a postion here I was going to be an actor and a social worker. I was not planning to live in a mansion secluding myself from a world who, quote unquote, hates and frears us. Becuase isn't that what we do Rogue? X-Men are just as afraid of getting left out as I am. So do not fucking judge me befor eyou get to know me and youself!"
"You don't belong here KEith. Ya belong with all your clubbin', self righteous, ass hole friends in the Village!"
"Enough!" Logan shouted. "Two of you got a problem, work it out in theDanger Room. Otherwise, we're a team- act like one."
"You're brooding, and feeling quite guilty too," Ororo said, entering Keith's room, where he had been sitting with a guitar since practice.
"Sorry."
"Keith," she siad, turning him around to face her and embracing him, "I am not upset with you. Only afew people are and they are judgemental, and thoughtless."
"I didn't... I didn't want to hurt the team. I just wanted her to know who I am. I do not like her Ororo, but Logan was right we're a team-"
"And we shouldn't judge one another. You had a right to do what you did, perhaps a more private and quiet approach would suffice for the next time however."
"I'm sorry for brooding I just didn't feel like dealing with anyone today."
"It happens to the best of us Keith."
"She really hurt me when she told me to leave. You mean so much to me, I
don't want to lose that Ororo. And I've made some good friends here, and am
proud that I am helping to make for a better future."
"I know that Keith. I care about you too, and believe me, the others feel you are a valuable asset to this team. You have a very powerful mind, and fortuantely, or unfortuantely, I am sure it will some day make or break a situation for us."
He kissed her, "Thank you."
"Come outside."
"I should-"
"Rogue is not out there. Now come along."
"You don't want to just stay up here? Alone?" He asked with a grin.
She kissed him, "I am looking forward to that later tonight," she whisepred throatily.
"Me too," he smiled witha gleam in his eye. "Everyone in the pool?"
"Yes. Should I give you a moment to change?"
"Yeah, I'll be right out. You could stay," he added witha grin.
"She did not?" Keith said incredulously. "Naked?"
"Yup. Petey wasn't the same for a week."
"Must we be discussing this?" Asked Ororo, of the coversation about her clothes-free aquatic escapades of summers gone by. She, Keith, Remy, Jean, Scott, and Betsy were sitting down to dinner in Il mulino before Keiths gig at Kenny's Castaways.
"We could talk about Keith's embarassing youth?" Betsy suggeested.
"Me? Embarassing, please those words have never been found together,"Keith scoffed, in a mock-pompous tone.
"Sure," Gambit snorted a laugh.
"My housekeepers car blowing up in the chool parking lot was mortifying- not embarassing," Keith said.
"Oh my God, that I'd love to see," JeEan said.
"I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours," Keith quipped sarcasticly.
"Yes, but Scott will get to watch," Betsy reminded him.
"I really don't like where dis conversation be headin'," Gambit grimaced.
"Look who's talking," Wolverine mumbled.
"I was tryin' t' protect Stormy."
"Do not call me that, and furthermore I am willing to share," She added with asly smile.
"I don't deserve you," Keith said, kissig her neck.
"Awwwwwww," chorused the table.
"So what kind of music does your band play?" Scott asked.
"Well, we have our own style really. We're mainly influenced by the Stones, Frank Zappa, Dream Theater, Miles Davis, and blues. I was brought up listening to blues, 60's rock, and jazz. As a teenager I got into more contemporary music. So now I listen to basicly everything but rap and country. I have tremendous respect for country musicians though, they're reall really talented people.
"And dey all realted too," Gambit joked.
"I promised myself I wouldn't make any southern jokes tonight," Keith said.
The others laughed, "It's probably for the best," Jean said.
"Yeah. I'm sorry about holing up in my room today. That was sort of
childish."
"Please, angst is a prequisite for being an X-Man. Since you didn't come
with any of your own, we had to give you some," Betsy replied.
"Oh I came with some, I am from a broken home."
"I think we all have you beat Keith. Admit it, you lead a charmed
existence," Scott siad.
"Up until a couple of months ago that is," Logan joked.
"Hey Keith," A sandy haired man said, embracing the afore mentioned X-Man.
"Mitch, what's up buddy?"
"Not much. Things are pretty calm right now. Hi Logan, Remy."
"'Allo."
"Hey."
"ORroro, always a pleasure. I swear you do wonders for the boy," Mitch said as they hugged.
"Hello Mitch. Where is Brian?"
"Gallavanting some where, honestly I don't know. He should be here by now," he said nervously.
"Don't worry Mitch, I'm sure something just went wrong at work. I'd
like you to meet some more X-Men. This is Betsy, Scott, and Jean. New editions
to my nearest and dearest."
"Hello."
"Hi."
"Nice ot meet you Mitch."
"Hello, hello, and hello. So how is the master of tripping over non existent objects doing?"
"Keith's a real asset to the team, his telepathy is impressive."
"Yeah, and he looks too good in spandex to let go," Jean smiled slyly.
"Watch it you," Keith smirked, wagging afinger at ehr.
"He does though," Ororo said calmly as all heads turned ot look at her. "Have a very powerful, and useful mind," she added, with a coy smile.
"So how do you two know one another?" Scott asked.
"Mitch is my closest friend from college. We started a band back then,
and haven't quit since."
"Did you go to Brown too?" JEan asked.
"RISD. I design and own a shop- that's my real job."
"What store?" BEtsy asked.
"Access on 7th and Colombus."
"You own that. I love that store. Jean, that's where I bought that wool
waistcoat last year."
"Oh my God, I love that coat."
"Thank you," Mitch blushed. "Why don't we continue this over there," Mitch gestured to a table. "And you sir, go set up," he instructed KEith.
"Yes master," Keith said, hobbling along doing his best to immitate Igor.
"Well have you seen polythene pam. She's so good looking that she looks like a man..." Keith crooned, opening the set with their trademark. Every set was full of LiveSpecimen originals, but was opened with a charged, crowd pleasing, sixties rock song. During the bridge between "Polythene Pam" and "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window", Keith spoke, "Hello. We're happy to be here tonight- as always. To my left, the man with elastic fingers Hector Ramirez," Keith announced, as an improved bass solo followed. "To my right, dazzling you all on the BC Rich Mocking bird, MR. Mitch Reddfield," Keith said, as the "Reddfield" was drowned out by a seemingly effortless yet equally phenomenal solo, "Supplying us with beat is Paul Faukner," Keith siad as his drummer made a fine spectacle of his Yamahas, "and I am as I ever shall be Keith Schultz- your faithful frontman," He siad, as the band picked up and they went into "She Came In...".
By the time their set was over, the crowd was on their feet. They were a tight group, who seemed to have it all. A charismatic, flamboyant, frontman who could sing, play guitar, piano, and write; a lead guitarist who had been asked by, most recently, Wynton Marsalis, to do some session work; both a bassman and a drummer from Berkely Cpllege Music. If their frontman was more available, they could be the best clubland group in the City.
"Of all the clubs Warren and I have gone to, I have never seen anything like you all," Betsy said, hugging Keith.
"Thank you," Keith blushed. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm
really pleased you all came, it means an awful lot to me. I hope you all had a
good time."
"Of course we did, you are a very talented group, " Ororo said embracing
him.
"Yeah, it was great," Scott enthused.
"Does this mean you'll go into Manhatten more often sweety?" Jean asked sarcasticly.
"Oh anything forbyou my love. But I think we're going to hit the road."
"Yeah, it's late for us old timers," Jean said, hugging Keith.
"All right then, drive safely you two," Keith said, shaking Scott's hand.
"What do I owe you for the drinks?" Scott asked.
"Forget it," KEith said, waving him off. "I'm jsut glad you all came and had a good time," he reitterated.
"Keith Schultz, my God! Someone catch me I'm going to faint, the boy has returned," A strikingly gorgeous Latin woman said strutting up to Keith.
"Maria! No one said you were going to be here tonight. It's so good to
see you," Keith said, embracin gher warmly. "Betsy, Remy, Logan,
Ororo, this is Maria. She and I have been friends since high school."
"It's great to meet you all. So how is the absent minded profesor
doing?"
"Rookie's doing all right. We just keep him outta the way of trip
wires," Logan grinned, offering her his chair.
"Thank you, and yes I hope you do. I all I remember is teaching Keith how to dnace, and we had to do poses. I had to literally grab his arms and mold him in the right position."
"Dat sound like Keith, no?" Everyone laughed.
"Hey! Faithful frontman, move your stuff!" Someone called from on stage.
"Be right back," Keiht siad with a sheepish smile.
"So you only play one set here?" Ororo asked.
"Yeah, atleast tonight we do. The other bands get up and play their set. It's fun," Keth said.
"Yeah and they get to go out and party earlier," Mitch's lover Brian, who arrived in the middle of Live Specimen's set, added.
"So true," Keith agreed.
"Speaking of that, I think we're going to head over to Moomba, I'll talk to you later Keith," MIthc said.
"Okay. Is anyone decent a Mercury Lounge?" Keith querried.
"Your favorite, Crystal Meth."
"Goody," Keith grinned.
"See you everyone," Mitch said.
"Bye guys," Brian added as they left.
"Any objections to Crystal Meth?" Keith asked Ororo.
"I hate to say it Keith, but it is late . Late that is for someone who
has a six AM training session. Besides, we are alone, and I have a feeling the
mansion is not all that crowded."
Keith smiled, "Not a problem. Some other time," he kissed her.
"It is nice to be alone. However I am surprised by Maria and Logan."
"I think Remy was as well," Ororo smiled.
"Yeah, really." Keith agreed. "Shall we dance?"
"Let's," Oror smiled, getting up.
She lay, intertwined with her lover, sipping wine, "I am so happy we are together Keith."
"So am I Ororo, you are a wonderful woman. I adore you and I adore us."
"My sentiments exactly Keith."
He kissed the top of her head, "I love you," he whispered. It was the first ime he had said it to her. It had been such a short time that they had been togther, and yet it seemed so right, it felt so good to him just to be near her He loved everything abou her. He loved her languid body, her calm disposition, her compasion, her strength, and her acceptance.
She looked in his eyes. They were tender, always a murky window towards his ever working mind. She had come to love him too. He was so warm, and so easy for her to speak to. He had such an easy way with everyone, and he was so passionate. She loved his intellect, his wit, and his body. "I love you too," She replied. It had been too long since she had said those words- to anyone.
A freshly showered, but still groggy Keith Schultz meandered into the kitchen at noon looking for breakfast.
"Don't get up to early Keith," Bobby chided him.
Keith grumbled in response, and poured himself some coffee. He fetched eggs, bread and cheese when the phone wrang. Passing an irritated look towards Bobby he went back to his work as the Iceman answered.
"For you," Bobby said.
"Hello?"
"Keith, it's Roger. God it's good to hear your voice. I know you're hung up on this whole X-Men thing, and you've sworn off theater and all that malarchy, but have I got the job for you!"
"Rog, seriously, can this wait? I just got up, and I was seriouse. I can't-"
"Just hear me out Keith. Angela Palmeri down at Roundabout just sat
down to lunch with me the other day, and she said that Hans Haupt was looking
for you to cast in his production of 'Long Days Journey Into Night", and
Angela wants to show some of your one act plays to her friends at NYTW- isn't
that great!?"
"Yeah," Keith said enhtusiasticly. "That's my favorite play,
this is a dream job! Oh my God, this is so fanatastic, I'm ecstatic. I-I-"
He looked at Bobby, who watched him quizzically, with an annoyed look in his
eyes, "I'll have to call you back," Keith said in a deafeated
monotone.
"What? Keith, are you manic?!"
"Yeah, sure, whatever. I'll call you Tuesday."
"Hold on Schultz, what's going on? What's wrong?"
"Roger, I can't just pick up and leave. I'm in a relationship, I dedicated myself. Tuesday is tomorrow, I understand this is a rush thing, but give me until then."
"Fine. Look, I understand. I just, well, this sounded like the perfect thing for you. You always told me it was your favorite play, and I know you love the stage. I almost had a coronary when you said you were taking a sabatical. But I understand. It had better be one helluva girl though," The agent said, and Keith could here his grin. "I'll be wating, and take care Schultzie."
"Will do Roger. And thanks, it means a lot to me. If I can't take it-"
"We'll take about that tomorrow. Bye Keith."
"Take care Rog," Keith siad, with a bittersweet smile, hanging up the phone. He turned to Bobby, who was visably annoyed, "Don't say a word Robert. Where's Ororo?"
"Love them an-"
"Shut up Bobby, just shut the fuck up! You don't understand, okay? I'll
find her myself."
"I understand quitting," Bobby mumbled as Keith stalked out of the
room.
Finding his beloved in the backyard he sat down and began weeding.
"Hi," Keith said, trying to hide all emotions.
"Hello love," She said, kissing his cheek.
"Can we talk?" He asked in a grave tone. "In my room, or yours?"
"Yours," she answered, sensing how imperitive it was that they speak.
She sat on his bed. "Perhaps we should have used your room, it's kind of messy in here," Keith said, more to himself than her.
"Speak. What is wrong? Has something happened?"
"Yes, but something very good. My agent called me. You know how I love Eugine O'Neil, and how I am vehemently enamored with 'Long Day's Journey Into Night'. Roger said that a director I'm familiar with, his name is Hans Haupt and he works with Roudabout, was looking for me to cast in that play. Problem is, the job starts soon. Soon enough that I'd have to quit the X-Men and go back to being a social worker," he paused to see her reaction.
"You'd be leaving?"
"Not us, just here."
"Keith I can't have a relationship like that, this is to demanding."
"I'm not proposing to you!" He yelled, angry at himself. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get angry. But I will not lose you Ororo, you mean so much to me. I love you, I mean that. But my feelings for you have nothing to do with me being here. I'm here because I Wanted to try this out. And to tell you the truth, I don't think it's me. I'm a pacifist, I've tried so hard to block out all the fighting I'll inevitably get into, but I can't. As a social worker I could fight in more peacful ways. And I love that work, it gives me the same feeling as this does to you."
She skirted around the fact that the X-Men was not just a job and replied," But Keith, how can I make time for you and this?"
"You have already-"
"While you live here," She said, exasperated.
"True, true. We'll see each other less, and that won't be easy. But we can adjust. Please Ororo, please don't let me lose you for the two thaings that make me happiest besides you."
"Keith it is just not possible, I do not want to lose you either, but it is just not possible. I am sorry."
"Fine! I can't understnad this though. You 'd rather seclude yourself, than have us. Makes no sense to me, but what the fuck, apparently you don't understand me either."
"I understand you Keith- you are a selfish noncommital jerk! I hope you learn your lesson by hitting bottom! But do not think of calling here when you do," she added crypticly."
EPILOGUE
Keith turned to look at he X-Men who had come to see him off. Jean, Scott, Hank, Logan, Remy, and Betsy. Warren, Bobby, Rpgue, and Joseph were either happy he was going or angry that he was breaking his promise of dedication. Ororo had not been seen all day. The young man sighed, "Well, here's to the good fight. If you see Ororo, tell her to call me. I'll be at Mitch's so she can page me or call me there. And I am sorry, but understand, this is the best for me."
"It's nice."
"Best yet."
"Two bedrooms, rent control."
"I have to decide today though."
"But haven't they sold out the first two performances already, and
covenant house already called and asked for you back."
"True, but..."
"But what?" Mitch asked, as they stood in the would-be-living-room of KeEith's future home.
"She didn't call Mitch. It's been a week. She hasn't called me. I can't do anything permamnant, or atleast I don't feel that I can, without any closure from her. I love her a Mitch. I want her back. I miss her," Keith mourned, tears threatening to fall from his eyes.
"Keith, you have to move on. you have so much to offer, this isn't good for you- for anyone. You're buying this place. That's all there is to it, I'll go get Elly."
"Fine," Keith siad, slumping against the wall."
Mitch put his hand on Keith's shoulder, "Keith you did the best thing for
you. That was the best thing for them too- you'd only hinder them if you
stayed. And I know you love Ororo, and I know what you feel like. But if you
don't move on you'll ruin yourself. You are a woderful person, don't let this
ruin you."
Keith nodded,"Go get Elly. You're right, you're right. I know you are."
"It'll be okay," Mitch said again. "You have your
friends."
Keith smiled, "I know. Go get her before I change my mind."
On To Story Three