1 00:00:10,290 --> 00:00:14,400 Hello and welcome to meters pod episode 15. I'm your host D 2 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:18,660 Mitas. For this episode we're bringing you it's my funeral 3 00:00:18,690 --> 00:00:23,640 from Pauline Pauline her as a writer of short stories, short 4 00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:27,840 plays and novels. She's a former Sydney journalist currently 5 00:00:27,840 --> 00:00:30,660 writing a series of young adult books involving time travel. 6 00:00:30,960 --> 00:00:34,680 That sounds right up my alley. She lives in Sydney with her 7 00:00:34,680 --> 00:00:39,360 husband, her twin daughters and twin pugs. You can find more of 8 00:00:39,360 --> 00:00:41,760 her short stories on our website, Pauling Turner 9 00:00:41,760 --> 00:00:45,840 writes.com. That's Pauline with an E. There'll be a link in the 10 00:00:45,840 --> 00:00:51,240 show notes. Telling this tale will be Andy wells. Eliza 11 00:00:51,240 --> 00:00:57,540 Reddington Jo monsell Cecilia Ramsdale Thomas G. Burt. Cassie 12 00:00:57,540 --> 00:01:03,120 Aldridge. Celeste Notley Smith, Callie Newcomb, Lucy homes. 13 00:01:03,480 --> 00:01:07,290 Brett Carol, and Rhiannon Bateman. There'll be links in 14 00:01:07,290 --> 00:01:09,990 the show notes to each of our actors as well as the author. 15 00:01:10,050 --> 00:01:15,510 Just visit Munis pod.com Without further ado, here's our story 16 00:01:35,070 --> 00:01:39,150 Oh, man, that was the mother of all nights out. What a headache. 17 00:01:40,770 --> 00:01:43,920 I can't remember much about it. Must have been a great night. 18 00:01:44,940 --> 00:01:50,040 But where am I? In a place with dark carpets? velvety wallpaper, 19 00:01:50,070 --> 00:01:54,840 fussy gold mirrors. Some woman's house I suppose. A sexy baby who 20 00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:57,600 whisked me back to her place for a nightcap and I've game of hide 21 00:01:57,600 --> 00:02:01,260 the sausage. was at the surfer chick from Bondi and the Bailey 22 00:02:01,260 --> 00:02:07,590 their bikini. Talk about hot and the way she wrote those waves. A 23 00:02:07,590 --> 00:02:10,320 bit of fun to mirror to see how bad I look and whether I need a 24 00:02:10,320 --> 00:02:13,860 shower. Tanja hate it when the girl gets a first peek at you in 25 00:02:13,860 --> 00:02:17,670 the daylight and throws up. That's weird. A trick mirror 26 00:02:17,670 --> 00:02:20,400 that shows everything in the room, but not your reflection. 27 00:02:20,640 --> 00:02:24,750 Cool. This girl has a sense of humor. I'm wearing blue board 28 00:02:24,750 --> 00:02:28,920 shorts, but I can't see my shirt anywhere. We must have gone 29 00:02:28,920 --> 00:02:32,100 partying straight from the beach or cracked open the icebox on 30 00:02:32,100 --> 00:02:36,660 the sand and got stuck in early. Sweet. And it would explain why 31 00:02:36,660 --> 00:02:39,840 I don't remember much. I can't wait for Tom to tell me what 32 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:45,030 happened. I'm scratching my head trying to guess which one of the 33 00:02:45,030 --> 00:02:48,120 three closed doors might be the bathroom when an older woman in 34 00:02:48,120 --> 00:02:51,180 a black suit barrels pass followed by of all people mum 35 00:02:51,180 --> 00:02:55,110 and dad to say I'm shocked doesn't come close. Who wants to 36 00:02:55,110 --> 00:02:58,740 be caught by their parents in situ in flagrante, as Tom would 37 00:02:58,740 --> 00:03:02,100 say he's a wanker with words but not a bad blog for a lawyer. 38 00:03:03,120 --> 00:03:07,230 Mom, Dad, I say they ignore me and follow the woman through the 39 00:03:07,230 --> 00:03:11,130 left door. Must be bad when your parents won't speak to you. I 40 00:03:11,130 --> 00:03:14,160 can't help grinning at 29 I thought I was slowing down 41 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:16,980 getting old and boring. Good to know. I'm still a party animal 42 00:03:16,980 --> 00:03:20,880 who can still gross his parents out. I wonder who the lucky lady 43 00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:24,840 was not that old girl was it? Is that one my parents look grim. 44 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:28,740 She'd be 50 If she's a day still wouldn't say no to all that 45 00:03:28,740 --> 00:03:33,300 experience. Another woman walks by mid 20s Pale blond hair and 46 00:03:33,300 --> 00:03:37,140 wispy white dress carrying a clipboard. And when she smiles 47 00:03:37,140 --> 00:03:40,920 she has a real twinkle going on. That must be my girl. I grin and 48 00:03:40,920 --> 00:03:44,790 wink, though I have absolutely no memory of her. But how on 49 00:03:44,790 --> 00:03:48,780 earth could anyone forget a smokin babe like that? Blondie 50 00:03:48,780 --> 00:03:51,090 heads into the room with the others and signals me to join 51 00:03:51,090 --> 00:03:54,510 them be weird but where she goes, I can't help but follow 52 00:03:54,570 --> 00:03:58,560 who? We we're in an office with serious furniture and a framed 53 00:03:58,560 --> 00:04:02,700 embroidery reading. Love never dies. The old woman Vera, 54 00:04:02,730 --> 00:04:06,690 according to her nametag talks in low tones. My parents not and 55 00:04:06,690 --> 00:04:11,430 listen, Mom sniffles she seems upset about something. Mom, 56 00:04:11,460 --> 00:04:14,910 what's wrong? Hot Stuff touches a finger at her lips. 57 00:04:17,700 --> 00:04:22,290 How can I make a decision like this? says Mum, it's too much. 58 00:04:22,380 --> 00:04:25,260 There are three plots available, says Vera 59 00:04:25,290 --> 00:04:26,760 passing some papers to dad. 60 00:04:26,910 --> 00:04:30,600 One has an ocean view. That's the premium option. 61 00:04:31,290 --> 00:04:35,850 We want that one says Mum Griffin loved the beach. Is she 62 00:04:35,850 --> 00:04:39,090 buying me some land with a view of Bondi what a generous mum, 63 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:41,880 the woman in white scribble something on a clipboard and 64 00:04:41,880 --> 00:04:45,450 smiles at me. She's impressed. I can tell all that love and 65 00:04:45,450 --> 00:04:47,070 generosity who wouldn't be 66 00:04:47,310 --> 00:04:51,540 why does he need a view says Dad what's the budget option? It's a 67 00:04:51,540 --> 00:04:52,200 very nice 68 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:55,680 plot says Vera squinting through business under a 69 00:04:55,680 --> 00:04:59,790 note tree next to a gentleman who was a father of three 70 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:07,560 divorced and she clears her throat am a serial killer. My 71 00:05:07,710 --> 00:05:09,810 boy can't risk next to a serial 72 00:05:09,810 --> 00:05:15,540 killer, says mom. He was a crime reporter says Dad, he'd probably 73 00:05:15,540 --> 00:05:17,370 find it exciting. We'll take it. 74 00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:21,990 We've got an opening for a funeral tomorrow at 4pm says 75 00:05:21,990 --> 00:05:23,790 Vera Does that suit 76 00:05:24,899 --> 00:05:28,619 funeral. Mom Dad who died 77 00:05:31,529 --> 00:05:34,919 Don't look at me but the blonde does and shakes her head in that 78 00:05:34,949 --> 00:05:37,709 get with the program why so many girls have done during my 79 00:05:37,709 --> 00:05:43,709 lifetime? Lifetime, which it seems is at an end. After 80 00:05:43,709 --> 00:05:47,729 breathing into a paper bag for a full five minutes I gasp so I'm 81 00:05:47,729 --> 00:05:51,869 dead. The ghost but how? Last time I looked. I was in great 82 00:05:51,869 --> 00:05:56,819 shape. Well, not bad. I wasn't at death's door anyway. Blonde 83 00:05:56,819 --> 00:05:57,899 refers to her notes. 84 00:05:57,959 --> 00:06:03,149 It seems you're drowned on Bondi Beach? Water. It was unusually 85 00:06:03,149 --> 00:06:07,169 big sir. A girl with a very small bikini expressed fear 86 00:06:07,169 --> 00:06:11,369 about entering the water. You said you loved danger. And this 87 00:06:11,369 --> 00:06:14,309 was nothing compared to the waves you'd buddy served in 88 00:06:14,309 --> 00:06:14,909 Hawaii. 89 00:06:15,120 --> 00:06:17,700 She flicks through the pages, which is 90 00:06:17,729 --> 00:06:22,199 strange as there's no record of you ever having been to Hawaii 91 00:06:22,919 --> 00:06:25,649 are careless with the truth. Oh, a Griffin. 92 00:06:25,679 --> 00:06:29,879 She asks Penn poised? Well, I'm a journalist, but I don't let 93 00:06:29,879 --> 00:06:33,959 the truth gets in the way of a good story. I see. She makes 94 00:06:33,959 --> 00:06:37,109 more notes. I'm starting to hate the sound of her pen scraping 95 00:06:37,109 --> 00:06:40,979 against the board. Can I ask who are you? 96 00:06:41,759 --> 00:06:43,319 You can call me angel. 97 00:06:43,530 --> 00:06:46,380 She says short for Angelique. 98 00:06:47,279 --> 00:06:51,779 Just Angel. I'm an assessment officer for inbetweeners. 99 00:06:51,990 --> 00:06:55,740 Like you a tweener? What's that? Most people 100 00:06:55,740 --> 00:07:00,210 clearly belong upstairs or down? But a small group Hava somewhere 101 00:07:00,210 --> 00:07:03,450 around the middle. We have to decide where to put you. 102 00:07:03,900 --> 00:07:07,890 Oh my fucking god. Sorry. I mean, gracious. What a 103 00:07:07,890 --> 00:07:15,630 conundrum. She makes more notes. At 4pm The next day, a group of 104 00:07:15,630 --> 00:07:19,500 about 30 people I know gather around a grave. Mine I suppose. 105 00:07:20,010 --> 00:07:24,720 Everyone looks sad. Mum sobs into dad's chest. Tom is glassy 106 00:07:24,720 --> 00:07:27,480 eyed and quiet which is weird as I've never seen him not joking 107 00:07:27,480 --> 00:07:31,380 around. Ruby my best friend since school has a new black 108 00:07:31,380 --> 00:07:34,800 dress on which looks great on her with a golden hair. Though 109 00:07:34,800 --> 00:07:38,340 her face is a mess. Black Eye Makeup streaking down her cheeks 110 00:07:38,340 --> 00:07:42,180 like a horror film Extra. I'm touched by their motion. Angel 111 00:07:42,180 --> 00:07:46,260 takes more notes. A casket sits in the grave. It's made of 112 00:07:46,260 --> 00:07:49,110 cardboard with a beach scene printed on it. It's actually 113 00:07:49,110 --> 00:07:52,590 pretty cool. But I know because I wrote a story about it once 114 00:07:52,710 --> 00:07:55,770 it's a cheaper option than a wooden casket. Three guesses who 115 00:07:55,770 --> 00:07:59,340 chose that? Does the amount spent on the funeral have any 116 00:07:59,340 --> 00:08:04,590 bearing on my final destination? I asked Angel some. Thanks again 117 00:08:04,590 --> 00:08:07,890 dad. A few family friends are here and a girl I was dating 118 00:08:07,890 --> 00:08:11,430 casually Cherie, plus a group from the office. There's my 119 00:08:11,430 --> 00:08:14,250 boss, Julianne who's like a second mother to me and keeps 120 00:08:14,250 --> 00:08:17,490 deodorant razors and a new shirt in her bottom drawer in case of 121 00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:21,660 emergencies. There are a couple of women I dated who gave me the 122 00:08:21,690 --> 00:08:26,070 let's be friends treatment. My arch rival is there to Lucien 123 00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:30,150 the city reporter. The guy's a total sleaze who lies and cheats 124 00:08:30,150 --> 00:08:33,840 to get what he wants. Well, I do that too, I suppose. But he's 125 00:08:33,840 --> 00:08:37,800 worse. Once he was interviewing a grieving mother, and when she 126 00:08:37,800 --> 00:08:40,350 went off to make him a coffee, He nicked a photo of her dead 127 00:08:40,350 --> 00:08:45,390 daughter. It was a low act. Quite a good turnout. Says 128 00:08:45,390 --> 00:08:45,840 Angel. 129 00:08:46,530 --> 00:08:49,230 I'll add 15% Because it's a weekday. 130 00:08:49,740 --> 00:08:52,860 So when it comes to funerals, size is important. 131 00:08:53,430 --> 00:08:56,220 Well, of course, though, we'll pretend it's not. 132 00:08:56,760 --> 00:08:59,520 And how close am I to going upstairs? 133 00:08:59,820 --> 00:09:03,570 Let's see how it goes here. And at the week, Shelby 134 00:09:04,020 --> 00:09:07,140 Tom makes a good speech about me mentioning the bingo calling I 135 00:09:07,140 --> 00:09:09,990 do at my nan's nursing home and my literacy work with 136 00:09:10,020 --> 00:09:13,080 underprivileged kids, which is really just hanging out with 137 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:15,510 some cool kids and correcting their spelling occasionally. 138 00:09:16,290 --> 00:09:19,410 Angel twinkles at that. Thankfully, he doesn't do his 139 00:09:19,410 --> 00:09:22,950 usual top 10 Vomit stories or mentioned the naked swim at 140 00:09:22,950 --> 00:09:27,330 SeaWorld at the end of high school. As the first handful of 141 00:09:27,330 --> 00:09:30,180 dirt is sprinkled onto the casket and Ruby steps forward 142 00:09:30,180 --> 00:09:33,810 and throws a red rose into the grave. She looks more broken up 143 00:09:33,810 --> 00:09:36,990 than I've ever seen her. I really wish I could console her 144 00:09:37,950 --> 00:09:40,980 angel has something like a lipstick tube which she points 145 00:09:40,980 --> 00:09:42,960 at people. What's that? 146 00:09:44,190 --> 00:09:49,080 An emotion gauge it measures units of genuine sadness. 147 00:09:50,610 --> 00:09:55,230 Everyone is still in serious but most dried cry you buggers. I 148 00:09:55,230 --> 00:09:59,730 want to yell the wake is held at my local pub. The stone crow 149 00:10:00,660 --> 00:10:03,960 monbulk the entire back section, which is like a French garden. 150 00:10:04,860 --> 00:10:08,070 Many of my favorite snacks are laid out. Mushroom arancini, 151 00:10:08,100 --> 00:10:12,750 calamari, pizza, zucchini fries, and there's an open bar. Can you 152 00:10:12,750 --> 00:10:15,750 limit people to three drinks that whispers to the barman? 153 00:10:16,199 --> 00:10:18,119 They can pay for their own after that 154 00:10:18,660 --> 00:10:22,530 angel overhears and makes notes. What you have to understand, I 155 00:10:22,530 --> 00:10:26,670 say is the dad can't help being frugal. It's no indication of 156 00:10:26,670 --> 00:10:28,920 the degree of His love or anything. It's just that he 157 00:10:28,920 --> 00:10:32,070 comes from a poor family. They were so poor all of his school 158 00:10:32,070 --> 00:10:33,120 shoes had holes in them. 159 00:10:34,109 --> 00:10:39,569 Interesting, says Angel, though I'm not seeing any whole issues 160 00:10:39,599 --> 00:10:40,739 in my records. 161 00:10:41,280 --> 00:10:44,040 So dad made up that story to justify being cheap for his 162 00:10:44,040 --> 00:10:49,440 whole life. Seriously. The family friends have a drink or 163 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:52,470 two a few nibbles and go on their way. But my office and 164 00:10:52,470 --> 00:10:55,920 school buddies settle in for the night. Tom sits at the bar with 165 00:10:55,920 --> 00:10:59,580 a large vodka. Cheers, mate. He says raising his glass. 166 00:10:59,940 --> 00:11:02,940 I'll miss your ugly mug. He made me look good. 167 00:11:03,660 --> 00:11:07,410 You too, mate. I say Tom chokes on his sip and looks around 168 00:11:07,410 --> 00:11:10,530 freaked. Can you hear me? I asked Angel. 169 00:11:11,400 --> 00:11:15,960 When people have a special bone, some low level interzone 170 00:11:15,960 --> 00:11:20,130 transmission is possible. A bit like an echo or a breeze. 171 00:11:20,790 --> 00:11:24,180 leucine hits the food table pops to Aaron cine in his mouth and 172 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:27,330 after a sneaky look around with his lizard eyes slips a few more 173 00:11:27,330 --> 00:11:31,230 in his pocket. Bloody thief. Not that I blame him. Urine cine 174 00:11:31,230 --> 00:11:35,910 here to die for our cruise around shamelessly eavesdropping 175 00:11:35,910 --> 00:11:40,830 on conversations grave. He was the best says one woman I dated. 176 00:11:41,760 --> 00:11:45,720 And the worst, says the other. Like a puppy 177 00:11:45,720 --> 00:11:49,470 who weaves on your carpet. He's annoying, but you can't help 178 00:11:49,470 --> 00:11:50,220 liking him. 179 00:11:50,610 --> 00:11:52,470 If only he could be needed to. 180 00:11:53,370 --> 00:11:58,440 Okay heard enough there. Cherie reveals her role as the Grieving 181 00:11:58,440 --> 00:12:03,900 girlfriend. Griffin could have been the love of my life. She 182 00:12:03,900 --> 00:12:14,250 tells the group with a dramatic sigh never know. Not a word of 183 00:12:14,250 --> 00:12:17,460 it is true. The pair of us didn't really gel. We both knew 184 00:12:17,460 --> 00:12:22,110 it. Then again, though I love women. And not just like that. I 185 00:12:22,110 --> 00:12:25,200 have more female friends and males. I've never really gelled 186 00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:29,460 with anyone romantically. Not quite sure why that is or was 187 00:12:29,970 --> 00:12:33,180 While angels attention is elsewhere. I do what any red 188 00:12:33,180 --> 00:12:36,660 blooded male ghost would do. Check out cleavage. There's 189 00:12:36,660 --> 00:12:40,650 Olivia, the office secretary and her heavenly mangoes. She's 190 00:12:40,650 --> 00:12:44,010 talking to Jeanette who is a more like beach balls. perfectly 191 00:12:44,010 --> 00:12:48,630 spherical. Like can't be real. When I hit into the ladies loose 192 00:12:48,690 --> 00:12:52,080 I follow. I've always wondered what goes on in there. Livia 193 00:12:52,080 --> 00:12:55,200 gets out of makeup purse the size of a brick and sets to work 194 00:12:55,200 --> 00:12:57,960 with brushes, pencils and tweezers. If this is a 195 00:12:57,960 --> 00:13:01,320 reincarnation deal, please Angel don't send me back as a woman. 196 00:13:01,860 --> 00:13:04,830 The cubicle door is a tad open. So I peek at Jeannette sitting 197 00:13:04,830 --> 00:13:05,520 on the toilet. 198 00:13:06,359 --> 00:13:10,139 I bet Lucy and makes a move on Ruby tonight, says Olivia 199 00:13:10,530 --> 00:13:14,400 really, says Jeanette pulling off a long piece of toilet paper 200 00:13:14,400 --> 00:13:17,880 and leaning forward. I stepped back some things even I don't 201 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:18,420 want to see. 202 00:13:19,109 --> 00:13:24,239 Lucien has always had the hots for Ruby. She continues, but he 203 00:13:24,239 --> 00:13:27,209 knew he didn't have a chance before. Because she was in love 204 00:13:27,209 --> 00:13:27,839 with Griffin, 205 00:13:27,869 --> 00:13:28,769 I suppose, 206 00:13:28,980 --> 00:13:33,330 says Olivia. What the Ruby my best friend since he or five was 207 00:13:33,330 --> 00:13:36,720 in love with me. She should have said something to him, says 208 00:13:36,720 --> 00:13:37,260 Olivia. 209 00:13:37,619 --> 00:13:40,769 Just goes to show. Life's too short to hang about. 210 00:13:43,200 --> 00:13:46,260 Back in the bar. I watch in horror as Lucien sits down next 211 00:13:46,260 --> 00:13:50,760 to Ruby. Angel hovers at my shoulder. So now you know. 212 00:13:51,660 --> 00:13:54,090 She says How does it feel? 213 00:13:55,050 --> 00:13:59,370 Like I died again. Here's the Griff says Lucien raising his 214 00:13:59,370 --> 00:14:03,180 glass departed this world too soon. Ruby has managed to stay 215 00:14:03,180 --> 00:14:06,720 staunch all day, but now she breaks down completely. Lucien 216 00:14:06,720 --> 00:14:10,530 wraps his arms around her a Python embracing a deer. Can't 217 00:14:10,530 --> 00:14:11,190 we stop him? 218 00:14:11,249 --> 00:14:14,399 I say she has to make her own decisions, 219 00:14:14,430 --> 00:14:19,350 says Angel. Get away from her a shout in Lucien Xia. He doesn't 220 00:14:19,350 --> 00:14:23,220 react but Ruby's brown creases. She definitely heard something. 221 00:14:23,700 --> 00:14:27,210 I go over to Tom slumped at the bar. Ruby needs your help get 222 00:14:27,210 --> 00:14:31,320 up. He looks around, rubs his ear and flops back. 223 00:14:31,739 --> 00:14:35,819 Okay, I've seen enough time to take this to the committee 224 00:14:36,420 --> 00:14:40,440 says Angel. We can't go yet Ruby's about to be devoured. 225 00:14:41,280 --> 00:14:48,150 We have a deadline here. A dead line a bit longer. You know not 226 00:14:48,150 --> 00:14:52,230 following protocol will go against you. And with the lying, 227 00:14:52,470 --> 00:14:55,170 laziness, lack of responsibility, 228 00:14:55,260 --> 00:15:00,450 I'll take my chances after a tussle over the credit card with 229 00:15:00,450 --> 00:15:05,250 dad. Mum orders cappuccino for everyone. My favorite drink? Is 230 00:15:05,250 --> 00:15:08,670 their cappuccino upstairs. I ask an angel. She snorts 231 00:15:09,780 --> 00:15:11,280 would it be heaven without? 232 00:15:12,060 --> 00:15:15,750 By now, Lucien has his hand on Ruby's arm. Get off her. I 233 00:15:15,750 --> 00:15:20,490 shout, but he doesn't blink. What can I do? Except it? 234 00:15:21,240 --> 00:15:26,070 It's not your worry. Apart from that, well, with training, you 235 00:15:26,070 --> 00:15:28,620 could make a small breeze. It's not 236 00:15:28,620 --> 00:15:33,210 much but Okay, show me how she tells me I have to picture a 237 00:15:33,210 --> 00:15:36,780 golden tunnel between myself and the person I want to contact and 238 00:15:36,780 --> 00:15:40,530 fill it with love. Sounds a bit like bovine excrement to me but 239 00:15:40,620 --> 00:15:44,370 what the hell? I tried transmitting to Tom, the love 240 00:15:44,370 --> 00:15:48,030 things that are embarrassing. He feels something waves his hand 241 00:15:48,030 --> 00:15:50,700 around as if showing a fly but doesn't budge. 242 00:15:50,970 --> 00:15:53,760 You know, Griffin is probably interviewing the serial killer 243 00:15:53,760 --> 00:15:55,410 in the plot next to him right now for 244 00:15:55,410 --> 00:15:59,730 the heavenly times. Lucien says edging closer to Ruby. That guy 245 00:15:59,730 --> 00:16:02,790 had great journalistic instincts. He had no respect for 246 00:16:02,790 --> 00:16:06,210 my writing. I say he'll say anything to get what he wants. 247 00:16:06,420 --> 00:16:11,430 And you wouldn't, says Angel. No, don't like this. No. Not 248 00:16:11,430 --> 00:16:14,880 taking advantage while I went down. Angel raises an eyebrow 249 00:16:14,970 --> 00:16:18,990 unconvinced. How are you getting home? Says Lucien. We could 250 00:16:18,990 --> 00:16:22,710 share a cab. I'll stay with you tonight. If it'll help. Nora. 251 00:16:23,610 --> 00:16:26,160 The whole room rumbles everyone looks around. 252 00:16:26,430 --> 00:16:28,260 Okay. Time's up. 253 00:16:28,530 --> 00:16:29,490 Just a bit longer. 254 00:16:29,820 --> 00:16:35,070 None of this is your concern anymore, Griffin. Let it go. 255 00:16:35,820 --> 00:16:40,740 I can't. She throws her hands up. It's your funeral. If she 256 00:16:40,740 --> 00:16:43,890 thinks I can walk away, turn my back on a friend in trouble. She 257 00:16:43,890 --> 00:16:47,100 doesn't know me that. Well. I may be a bit murky but more than 258 00:16:47,100 --> 00:16:51,300 a bit and take things too far. Sometimes, most of the time, but 259 00:16:51,300 --> 00:16:55,260 I'm not like Lucien. Some things I would never do. I really hope 260 00:16:55,260 --> 00:16:58,410 Ruby and Tom know that about me, as I know the best and worst 261 00:16:58,410 --> 00:17:03,450 about them. And then I have it. Of course, I know Ruby has 262 00:17:03,450 --> 00:17:07,050 strengths and weaknesses. One of which is that she's ticklish, 263 00:17:07,110 --> 00:17:10,920 especially on the back of her neck. I stand behind her picture 264 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:14,760 a tunnel and fill it with love. It's easy because I have so much 265 00:17:14,760 --> 00:17:18,300 for her. She's the first person I call when things go well or 266 00:17:18,300 --> 00:17:22,680 spectacularly bad in my life. She's a worst cook than me. And 267 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:26,130 that's saying something. And the bravest person I know. Though 268 00:17:26,160 --> 00:17:29,040 she hates the sight of blood and once fainted when I showed her 269 00:17:29,040 --> 00:17:32,460 some crime scene photos. She beats me in every category of 270 00:17:32,460 --> 00:17:36,810 Trivial Pursuit. Except Game of Thrones. No one I dated has ever 271 00:17:36,810 --> 00:17:41,280 come close. Why didn't I see it before? I have so much breeze to 272 00:17:41,280 --> 00:17:45,240 give, but I hold it until just the right moment as she picks up 273 00:17:45,240 --> 00:17:50,670 her coffee, then release it in a slow steady stream. The golden 274 00:17:50,670 --> 00:17:54,000 hair on the back of her neck wavers than ripples. She giggles 275 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:57,240 wildly and jerks and spills a hot coffee into loosens lap. 276 00:17:57,390 --> 00:18:01,560 Fuck he says jumping up sorry, says Ruby flapping a serviette 277 00:18:01,560 --> 00:18:02,250 at his groin. 278 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:04,020 waving back. 279 00:18:04,290 --> 00:18:08,130 Keep the language down might says Tom coming over. This is 280 00:18:08,130 --> 00:18:12,000 not the time or place. As Lucene heads to the bathroom to blow 281 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:16,620 dry his scorched crotch. Tom takes his seat. Hey, Ruby. They 282 00:18:16,620 --> 00:18:19,350 smile at each other. They've known one another for a long 283 00:18:19,350 --> 00:18:23,910 time. But this is a new look. A spark perhaps 284 00:18:24,210 --> 00:18:27,390 for a while Griffin says Tom will miss you mate. 285 00:18:27,870 --> 00:18:33,690 He and Ruby clink mugs. And I'll miss you. All of you. I say. But 286 00:18:33,690 --> 00:18:37,620 especially you Ruby. Ruby puts your mug down and looks right at 287 00:18:37,620 --> 00:18:37,920 me. 288 00:18:38,820 --> 00:18:42,720 Griffin is that you? She can see me. 289 00:18:43,590 --> 00:18:46,650 I reach out for her but Angel slaps my arms back and shakes 290 00:18:46,650 --> 00:18:49,140 her head. Let me say one thing 291 00:18:49,170 --> 00:18:56,790 I ask. No. Please, just I love you know, 292 00:18:57,360 --> 00:19:01,560 Ruby stares at the spot where I was blinks and rubs her eyes. 293 00:19:04,170 --> 00:19:07,140 I could have sworn I saw him standing right there. In his 294 00:19:07,140 --> 00:19:08,220 blue board shorts. 295 00:19:08,460 --> 00:19:09,450 Tom looks around. 296 00:19:10,530 --> 00:19:14,190 It probably is here. He says have never known him to miss a 297 00:19:14,190 --> 00:19:21,120 drinking session. Griff if you're listening. Do you still 298 00:19:21,120 --> 00:19:24,780 owe me 50 bucks May a hole Ask your dad for Gela. 299 00:19:29,580 --> 00:19:32,760 As Angel and I exit the bar, we're no longer in my local 300 00:19:32,760 --> 00:19:37,170 suburb. But on a road so wide. Its dazzling. Whoa, give a bloke 301 00:19:37,170 --> 00:19:40,980 some warning. I say holding my hand up against the glare. Do 302 00:19:40,980 --> 00:19:45,300 they have sunglasses in heaven and cleavage? I'll pretend I 303 00:19:45,300 --> 00:19:49,860 didn't hear that. Angel leads me uphill towards a mass of fluffy 304 00:19:49,860 --> 00:19:54,060 white clouds. Where are we going? Then? I asked her. She 305 00:19:54,060 --> 00:19:57,750 turns to me with a smile that is anything but angelic. 306 00:19:58,470 --> 00:19:59,940 Wouldn't you like to know 307 00:20:15,299 --> 00:20:17,999 Putting the story together was a lot of fun. Be sure and check 308 00:20:17,999 --> 00:20:20,639 out the links in the show notes to see what else there cast an 309 00:20:20,639 --> 00:20:24,149 author have been up to. Me This bothers me just media 310 00:20:24,149 --> 00:20:27,809 production. All rights reserved unless otherwise specified. Our 311 00:20:27,809 --> 00:20:30,899 music comes to us from odds bright. You can hear more of 312 00:20:30,899 --> 00:20:34,829 their work at odds bright.com Have a good one, folks, and 313 00:20:34,829 --> 00:20:35,909 we'll see you next time.