November 15th and that marks the halfway point of nanowrimo. I’m now at 25,028 words, even with my computer crashing just as I approached 25,000. Fortunately the program I’m typing it into saves after every 2.0 seconds of inactivity, so I only lost a couple of sentences.
Here’s today’s nibble:
After he got things started, he let the dogs into the kitchen and they immediately headed for Louie’s work room. They sat in the doorway, just watching, as they had learned quickly that no one, not Peter, and especially not a dog, entered Louie’s room when she was working. Her business had taken off and eclipsed Peters in profitability a couple of years ago, so as far as rules went around the house, Louise was in charge, even if her reign was a soft and benevolent one.
“Did you give these dogs those bones again?”, she asked, smelling their breath as they panted in the doorway.
“Yes. They love those bones”, Peter said poking his head around the edge of the door, “and they have reduced their flatulence by approximately seventy percent since we abandoned the vegan lifestyle.”
“But now their breath smells worse than their farts ever did!”
Smuckers and Foxtrot both shut their mouths after hearing this comment, and walked to the rug in front of the television. Law and Order was on, the favorite show of the household, and the dogs loved to watch the police on TV. Cops was better, but Law and Order would do. Smuckers had been on Cops once, but she’d never seen the episode where the Pierce County Sheriff was using her to find another dead hooker in the woods east of Tacoma.
“Look, you hurt their feelings”, Peter said watching the dogs lie down in front of the television.
“They’re fine, they love Law and Order.”
“Woof”, barked Smuckers.
“OK, pizza in ten”, Peter said walking back to the kitchen to finish cooking lunch.
Peter’s phone rang just as he started rolling the dough. He looked at the caller ID, it was Ralph.
“Hello?”
“Hey, it’s Ralph”
“Yes sir. How is your Friday? I’m making some pizza.”
“Cool. I’m doing great. I checked in at Camp Grandma, just to make sure that she had tried putting the kids on Craigslist, and now I’m getting my gear ready to hump over to The Lumber Mill.”
“Really? What’s happening at the lumber mill?”, Peter asked just to fuck with Ralph. He even thought of lower cased letters when he said, “the lumber mill?”
“You know, it’s the show. The Show.”
“I know, I was just messing with you.”
“Are you free after you consume your vittles?”
“I can be. Do you need some help with your gear, or are you just trying to recruit groupies?”
“I’ve got the groupies covered. You don’t know how big of a deal I am in this town!”
“Oh, I know you’re a deal. A huge deal. Just don’t let Sarah know about all those groupies, she seems like a jealous one.”
“She is, but I won’t let this go to my head. Can you head over here with your van after lunch?”
“I can and I will. I would estimate a two thirty arrival.”
“Fantastic. I’ll have everything staged for departure. I hope that The Lumber Mill is ready to be rocked!”
“I’m sure they can handle it. See you in a bit.”
Peter put the phone down and put the first pizza crust in the oven to give it a little pre-cooking. “Hey, Louie, Ralph wants me to help him with the van after lunch. I’ll be back by four to go to the post office.”
“OK”, Louise said from her room.
Peter made the pizza sauce and got the other crust ready, sliced the cheese and then put the pizzas together for the final baking. He brought them out after they had cooked and set them on the table in the living room.
“Are you going to be able to go the show tonight? Ralph and Sarah still have their kids stashed at Sarah’s mom’s house, so she’ll be there”, Peter asked, waiting for the pizza to cool down and for Louise to take a break.
“If you don’t keep bothering me I might get enough work done. Is it at eight?”
“Yes, and we won’t need to show up until eight, and we only have to hang out for a couple of songs.”
