On The Road... Again

Have you guys ever seen ‘Bad Boys’?

Of course Freddy. It’s a classic.

Really great movie.

Okay, so remember the scene when they’re in Marcus’ car and Mike gets agitated at how slow Marcus is driving?

You drive slow enough to be driving Ms. Daisy.

Driving like a bitch.

I drive this car off of this bridge we’ll be two bitches in the sea, huh? Wouldja like that? My wife know I ain’t no Bitch…

I’m a Bad Boy.

Bad Boys, Bad Boys, Whatcha gonna do?!

Or something like that.

Jack reminds me of Marcus in that scene.

Yeah? And you remind me of the Bitch.

I’ve got a point though Jack.

Oh do you? You can drive then Pissant.

I asked you to drive Jack.

Then ask Fred to shut it.

Don’t call me Fre--

Shut it Freddy.

I’m just saying ‘Delly’ can move faster than this.

I assumed Jerrald wasn’t in a rush.

What gave you that idea?

Because you’re never in a rush for this part.

I’m sorry, what part is this?

Reclamation.

Of?

*Tch* He’s here again, why?

Because I want him to be.

Hmph. Still don’t see the point.

You usually don’t.

You’ve been getting pretty lippy lately Pissant.

Oh, have I? You were the one who wanted me to have a Backbone.

And now, ironically, I’m thinking about removing it.

Y’see that Boss? Even when he gets what he wants he’s unsatisfied.

Leave me out of it.

You have to run every thought you have past him, don’t you? Must be exhausting.

Meh, I don’t mind it.

Oh yeah? I heard you in your studio the other night.

So?

So, Pissant, you seemed pretty upset.

I don’t see why that’s your problem.

I just find it comical, that’s all. “Y’see that Boss?” Please. His name was pretty interchangeable with “Mother Fucker” then… What were you so upset about Fred? Did you run that past him?

That’s none of your business!

Is it mine?

I’d rather not say.

I’d rather you do.

You really want to know?

In the time you’ve known me, have I ever asked a question I didn’t want the answer to?

…

Tell me… Now.

Well… If I’m being honest… I didn’t like how you canceled my last project. I had more ideas.

More paintings you mean?

Exactly. You saw the roll I was on.

Okay. So?

So… what harm would it have done if I just finished it up?

The irreparable kind.

I don’t think there is such a thing.

Your hand says different.

Ok, Jack.

Have you guys ever seen ‘The Notebook’?

Awful movie.

It’s decent.

*Pfft* You say.

You don’t like it. Why am I not surprised?

What’s to like?

A lot.

Very specific Fred. Great argument.

Well… The Underdog wins.

No, You mean the guy who left for years and comes back with a semi-decent speech spoken in a heavy downpour wins.

Spin it how you want, the underdog wins.

It’s pretty heartfelt… I like it.

I thought you would.

Well, I’m calling bullshit.

Why?

Because it just is.

Nice argument Jack.

Hrm…

Hey, if you can’t dish it…

Point taken. If you really want to know, the story doesn’t ring true.

How not?

How does Cyclops lose in that real world scenario?

Cyclops?

Jack refers to actors according to their greatest roles in his head. He’s talking about Lon.

Oh! Okay… I’m with you… Continue.

Don’t tell me what to do Pissant. Anyway, in that real world scenario, there’s no way Cyclops doesn’t keep the girl.

I don’t see why not, she clearly doesn’t love him as much as Noah.

Right… Except you’re not looking at all of the variables. May I?

Don’t smoke that in here!

I’m driving.

Boss!

He’s driving.

*Tch* At least roll down a window.

No.

Whatever. You were saying?

First point, the guys loaded.

That’s what you start with? Money isn’t everything.

Yeah, you’re right. It’s a lot nicer when we have some though isn’t it?

So?

So I ain’t sayin’ she’s a gold digger…

Nailed it.

Oh, I’m just getting warmed up.

Fine, I’ll give you that but if it’s all you have I’m not conceding.

Second, she hasn’t seen this guy in how long?

Years.

Exactly… Years. Now, I’m not an expert on love or anything and I avoid clichés like the plague--

But--

Leave it alone.

But one in particular rings true to me… You want to see this Jerrald?

No, I’m good. Thanks.

Fred?

No.

Fine. I’ll clip it… Anyway, one cliché rings true every time.

Let me guess, t--

No. Let me tell you, ‘Time heals all wounds.’ I’m saying this from personal experience. Well… From having to watch Jerrald’s actually.

Hardy-Friggin-Har, Jack. You getting to the point?

The point is, after all that time, you seriously think that strong, gorgeous woman wouldn’t be over the puppy love bullshit?

I’d like to think not… They had a genuine connection.

I’ll give you that, but Jerrald… How’s Hiss doing?

Who’s Hiss?

My first love… You’re a dick Jack, but to answer your question, I have no idea.

You guys had a ‘genuine connection,’ right?

Sure. But are we just going to ignore the fact that phrase sounds like an R&B group from the 90’s?

What phrase?

‘Genuine Connection.’ Like they were opening up for *NSYNC or something. This is going to drive me crazy.

Focus.

Right.

You still have her number?

Yup.

Facebook?

Yeah…

Still have those feelings she gave you in your tummy all those years ago?

No.

No?

No.

What about the heartache when you separated? Still feel any of that?

No.

No?

You a Parrot?

Yeah, Jack. I’m a Parrot. Polly is in disbelief... Jerk.

Well, it’s true. Frankly, she’s annoying if we’re still being honest.

Sorry about that Brotha. You were just a really good example.

It’s fine. Fuck me, right?

I said sorry.

And I said it’s fine. Continue.

Ahem… Anyway, the point is time heals all wounds.

I don’t agree.

You’re young.

We’re the same age Boss.

Technically speaking. But wisdom doesn’t come with age. Experience brings it along.

Well shit.

Pretty good right? May have ripped someone off there. Who knows?

Alright. Now onto my last point.

Enough points.

But--

Jack.

Fine.

Federico, I say this sincerely, your last collection was amazing. Seriously.

Then why didn’t you let me finish?

You know who you were painting for?

I do...

You know what you were painting for?

I do…

I now pronounce you getting to the point.

You’re so clever.

Always.

Anyway, after the situation changed, why would I let you continue?

I don’t know, okay! Because it was good!

Great actually, but you’d be painting forever if I didn’t stop you.

So?

So? You should’ve just let me take the hand Jerrald. He clearly hasn’t learned the lesson.

You’ve been going on about this lesson. Shut up Jack, alright? If I didn’t get the work that makes you a shit teacher.

Or you an inattentive student.

Enough. Freddy, did you know I used to paint?

Really?

Really, really. Nowhere near as good as you but nonetheless.You know what my problem was?

You sucked?

You’re a tool Jack.

What was your problem?

I realized, and way too late at that, that there’s an infinitesimally thin line between passion and obsession and I don’t know how to straddle it. That's why you're here. I need you to paint. I do, but that’s your job here. So when I tell you to stop, respect that and desist. I don’t need you obsessed. I need you focused.

It’s not that easy though Boss.

That’s the thing, though. It really is. You want to rage against me when I’m not around, that’s fine… But if I asked you to paint the woman responsible for that scar on your hand, what would you do?

Jack’s responsible for this scar.

Yeah, literally. Figuratively, the fault is your own. I mean, not that I mind either way.

I asked you what you’d do.

He’d rage to your face I’m sure.

I don’t know, probably.

I know. Definitely.

Look, enough with the handholding, Jerrald.

Jack…

No. Freddy, you have a right to be upset. It ain’t easy losing muses but you knew the rules coming in. Nothing comes before this thing of ours. You’re here because if this guy can’t paint without obsessing you need to be the guy who does. You’re not allowed attachments. Plain. Simple. You brought up The Notebook. We get where you were going but you’re leaving out a fundamental part of that story in relating to us.

Which is?

It doesn’t. The lesson we’re trying to teach you is know when to let go before it hurts you and continuing after it does only leads to more pain. You think I ask about your hand because I care? Please.

Then wh--

Because I hope it’s a reminder when I do! So going forward, do what’s asked and don’t do what isn’t. We need your left hand around here. I think we could make due without the right. I don’t want to keep teaching lessons. Learn it. When passion becomes obsession an artist becomes a creep.

Don’t be creepy Freddy. Noah may have won but in the real world, he’d be a creep.

I guess…

You guess? Pissant, you either get it or get out.

It’s my car Jack.

Get out.

Jack…

What? We’re here. You gotta get out too.

Oh… Well played.