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HotBlackSand's avatar
HotBlackSand
New Spectator
5 years ago

Curtis and Carol ... Update: Big Picture

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Curtis Stevens Update
When we left off with Curtis, he and Susan had just failed the 112 Day Challenge.
More importantly ... Curtis had just cut a deal with the District Attorney.

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He plead No Contest to a plethora of minor offenses, and the DA agreed to wave probation upon release.
Curtis has spent the last 4 months, 1 week and 2 days (into a 6 month sentence) ...
In the Bridgeport County Department of Corrections Minimum Security Detention Facility.

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Late morning, as the detainees headed about daily work assignments,
Warden Paul Smithers informed Curtis to stay behind in the gen-pop dorm.
The message was simple ... "I have bad news Mr. Stevens. No assignment for you today; stay there and I'll be by shortly"

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The Bad News
Not long after the other detainees had headed off, Warden Smithers arrived to bring Curtis the news.
Curtis was anxious, but tried to make light of things ...
He had a reputation as a model inmate, and always tried to make things easier on the people around him.

Curtis:
"Don't tell me Warden Smithers ...
You and Georgia finally went out on a date, you got drunk, and wrecked the facility truck.
You know I can fix it, but I am walking the straight and narrow now, so you're worried about your pension?"

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Paul Smithers:
"No Sir ... That's not it Mr. Stevens.
I truly hate to tell ya ... But I'm going to have to kick you out.
That's right ... I don't have a spot for you anymore."

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Curtis:
"WHAT ... What did I do?
What's this mean; am I going to the big house, so close to the finish line?"

Paul Smithers:
"Not a chance you low-life reprobate.
Even worse ... You're Getting Out!"

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Curtis:
"That's not funny, Warden Smithers ...
I mean the 'low-life reprobate' part I can handle, but let's not joke about getting out.
I want to do my time and get it over with."

Paul Smithers:
"Here's the deal Curtis, no joke ...
There were some protests downtown last night, nothing serious, but some looting, property damage and some arrests.
Frankly, the jail is overflowing, and they suspect a little more disturbance over the next few days.
Mark and Jack earned release last week, but we needed another bed for some short-timer.

I talked to my bosses, and all I could say, is that I have never encountered an inmate ...
Like you Curtis ... That was a 'changed man' before you ever went to jail.
So no joke, I brought you your clothes to change into, Georgia will do your paperwork ...
I'll buzz you up front when you are ready, and you're out of here."

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Caught off-guard and a bit unprepared, Curtis did as instructed and changed clothes.
As he walked towards the common area, a thousand things went through his mind.
He was in a bit of shock and regretted not thinking about better plans for his eventual release.

The bay doors whooshed open, and Warden Smithers was waiting in Out-Processing when Curtis arrived.
Georgia pecked away at her terminal, and didn't glance up.

Paul Smithers:
"Georgia's got your paperwork wrapped up and I think we are about ready to shove you out the door.
Just a few things before you head out."

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Curtis Interrupts:
"Speaking of Georgia, you got her chained to the desk or what?
I'm heading out and now she is ignoring me."

Paul Smithers:
"Well, Mr. Stevens ... We have had a good deal of inmates come through here.
I can't say that many have been as pleasant to have around as you have been.
I know it's terrible to say, since you're getting out, but Georgia's taking it kind of hard."

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Paul Smithers *chuckles*:
"But hey ... Back to you and more bad news.
Although Susan stopped coming by when she knew you weren't going to see her ... Her lawyers didn't quit trying to help you out.
Seems as though, everything else aside, the lawyers worked their magic.
They squeezed this 15k check out of BlackSand Industries LLC for your participation in their program."

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Paul Smithers Continues:
"Furthermore ... That broken down bike you were working on during the Challenge ...
Well, BlackSand Industries filled it up with gas, had a truck drop it in the parking lot, and here are the keys to it.
Everything else you need will be sent in a package to you, when you get a permanent address.

They can cash the check in the clerk's office at the Courthouse ...
All I have left to say is Get the Heck out of Here, and Don't Come Back to Stay!"

C-Ya Curtis ... It's been a pleasure."

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The Bike
The motorcycle Curtis had been working on was barely running when his Challenge days ended.
When he saw the bike again … Thoughts of Susan came rushing back.
He was uncomfortable for the second time that day as he thought about how he had left things with her.
He had done his best to cut ties with Susan … Against her protests otherwise.
He honestly thought she deserved better … But was suddenly thankful that through her lawyers,
He wasn’t on the street broke.

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Pushing his thoughts of Susan aside, once again, Curtis headed to the Clerk’s Office in the Courthouse.
Shortly after that he went to a bank for Travelers Checks.
Bridgeport bustled with business but brought back memories of darker times in his life.
There were shadows everywhere.

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Open Door … Open Road
After completing business in town …
He was increasingly haunted by the past he had just tried so hard to put behind him.
The answer was obvious … He put Bridgeport, and everything associated with it in his rearview mirror.

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To Be Continued …

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  • HotBlackSand's avatar
    HotBlackSand
    New Spectator
    5 years ago
    .

    Into the Lion’s Den
    Things seem to have been moving along at their own pace …
    and Summer was quickly drawing to an end.
    As Carol was getting back into the art scene,
    Both she and Curtis were revisiting their previous artistic pursuits.

    Although a bit unconventional …
    They could often be found behind their house,
    and not completely concerned with what the neighbors
    might think about their choice of attire.

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    Normally … It might not be an immediate cause for caution,
    but in the dog days of Summer,
    you are liable to end up with a rocking tan by noon absent that many clothes.

    Another thing about Hidden Springs just happened
    to be the customary Pool Party on Leisure Day
    at the Vanderburg House.

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    Renauld and Catarina were out of town this year,
    but Sebastian wasn’t going to let things slip.
    Carol received an invite and they decided
    to head over around lunch time.

    There were plenty of folks present,
    although quite a few worked at City Hall.
    Carol ran into Jenny Lho,
    who she had not seen in a while.

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    Jenny
    ”Wow girl … Surprised to see you,
    It's been a while.

    You’re looking great though,
    and I heard about you and that handsome man …
    Does he have a brother?”

    Carol
    ”Oh it’s great seeing you again Jenn,
    I’ve missed you,
    and I’ve missed our ice cream parties on the couch
    watching old movies.

    They don’t make them like they used to.
    Nowadays it’s all special effects and overplayed dramatics.
    Back then they had a small set and a script ...
    And still managed to make it work.

    Ah, but how have you been?”

    Jenny
    ”Oh, you know me …
    Bored, lonely, anxious.
    Nothing a liberal dose of booze and pills won’t fix.

    I’m just kidding and you know it.
    I have been missing you though.

    I heard you jumped back in the scene
    with Tucker and his gallery in Mapleton.
    How’s that going?”

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    Carol
    ”Tucker had the place remodeled
    and they did a fabulous job.
    He also has a lot of new works by some contemporary artists
    like Greene and Mercer.

    If you were to come by now,
    you wouldn’t recognize the place,
    and you can almost get lost in time
    when it comes to admiring some of Greene’s work.

    There’s a food court not far away from the gallery.
    You need to stop by one day
    and we’ll have lunch.”

    Jenny
    ”Oh I’m currently busy with a couple of pieces myself …
    Nothing I’m really excited about though.

    But the customer is paying,
    and that pays the bills.”

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    Carol
    ”Oh sweetie, I’m so sorry to hear that.
    It’s not uncommon in the art world
    and you cannot expect the customer to be as excited
    about your tomorrow,
    when they barely just got to know your yesterday.

    It is still good seeing you
    and you still have to come by.

    Don't make me break a leg or something.
    so I can convince Tucker he needs to bring you
    up for a week or two.”

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    Meanwhile … It looks like Curtis is catching up with Blake Grayson.
    Those two have always had a way of kidding around with each other.

    I’m not sure if their conversation is going to be PG-13
    But we’ll see.

    Curtis
    ”There’s my beautiful ray of sunshine.

    I’m glad you made it today
    and how has your Summer been?”

    Blake
    ”Terrible … Thanks for asking.

    I threw Ryan to curb over a month ago,
    and then I come to find out that you are
    already messing around with another woman.

    I appreciate the call you never gave me,
    so I may have had the chance of casting a shadow on your doorstep.

    Was there a lottery or something ...
    You don’t love me anymore?”

    Curtis
    ”Blake … Don’t be that way.

    You know you are one of my favorites.
    even though we fell a bit short of some serious quality naked time.

    Why hell … If I was blind and deaf,
    I would have married you the first day we met.”

    These two are just cutting up …
    It’s a good thing they actually like each other
    or someone would be getting their feelings hurt for sure.

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    Blake
    ”I’ll poke your eyes out and slap
    you up against the head if that helps my chances.

    No Curtis baby … I’m running out of eligible bachelors around here,
    and if things don’t start looking up,
    I’m going to have to up the bar and start hitting on married guys.

    I mean there’s Nicholas …
    The blind part wouldn’t be necessary,
    but the deaf part would practically be a must.”

    Curtis
    ”Well, you know Sherman Thomas is back in town …
    Staying at my old place.

    He’s always been kind of sweet on you,
    and you could get that chance to darken my doorstep after all.”

    Blake
    ”Don’t be silly …
    Sherman is a bit of a geek …

    Not my style.”

    Curtis

    ”What is your style anyways …
    Thank you ma’am, I'll leave the money on the dresser?

    Nah … Just kidding,
    but Sherman is a good guy,
    and he’d treat you right.”

    Blake
    ”Oh Curtis … I don’t do good guys.

    But … I am running out of options.
    Maybe if you teach him how to make those drinks I like,
    he can get me drunk enough, I’ll give him a chance.

    Otherwise … Jewel Song better watch out.”


    Well folks … I have heard of matchmaking before …
    But I’m not too sure that’s how it’s supposed to go.

    They just might want to refer to Adele Winterly’s
    book on the matter.

    Later … Curtis got a chance to talk to his boss.
    He thought he would take the opportunity to run something
    he had been thinking about up the flagpole …
    And see what Simon might have to say about it.

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    Curtis
    ”Look Simon … I know I have only been working
    up there at City Hall this Summer …
    But I heard there is a seat on the City Council
    coming open later this fall.

    Normally I wouldn’t give it a second thought,
    and not even consider it …
    But I don’t know, and I’m thinking about running for it.

    How would that sit with you …
    And do you think it would be worth me putting effort into it?”

    Simon
    ”Yeah, I heard Carl Abbot was dropping his seat,
    and wasn’t planning on running anymore …
    Said he had some other things he wanted to do
    and that’s understandable.

    You’re smart and have been a valuable asset around
    City Hall since you came to us …
    But I have to tell you,
    getting elected won’t be the hard part.”

    Curtis
    ”What are you talking about …
    I don’t know much of anything about campaigns.

    I mean you shake hands and meet people,
    maybe raise a little money,
    but I have never done any of that
    and I’m sure there’s got to be more to it.”

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    Simon
    ”There’s some of that of course …
    But that won’t be the hard part for you.

    Carl’s had that seat for a long time.
    You’ll basically be running unopposed.
    Nobody else in that district wants the job.

    You can shake some hands, let people know you are running
    and pretty much just walk through the door a freshman Councilman.
    That’s when the hard part is going to come.

    You may or may not know it …
    But the Mayor has been busy and there are
    a lot of things coming up in front of the Council this year.

    Getting the seat, and doing the right thing
    is going to make a difference.
    Those are decisions you are going to have to make,
    and that are going to affect a lot of people.
    even other people in Hidden Springs outside of your district.

    It would be a good Idea you try and make sure
    it's something you really want to do.”

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    Curtis
    ”I’ve thought about it …
    And I have been paying attention to things.

    I don’t know if it is something I want to do,
    or something I really need to do.

    There could be big changes …
    And in any case, I want to know what is in the pipe.
    I’m not big into politics though,
    and that will probably take some getting used to.”

    Simon
    ”Curtis, it’s not a bad thing you are not into politics.
    In some ways, it may be better that you aren’t.

    Don’t let the politics or general consensus pick your direction …
    Let your principles guide you, be consistent,
    and don’t promise anything you cannot provide.

    You’ll be there to represent the people of your district,
    but you’ll also be there to protect them
    and to look out for their long-term interests.

    It’s not an easy job, and thankless for the most part.
    Someone will always be upset with what you decide.

    Most people don’t understand that we don’t
    have the answer to every problem …
    Not to mention, that some things are
    really just none of our business.

    It’s a tough road to walk …
    If you do it right anyways.’

    Curtis
    ”A lot of that actually makes sense …
    And there are things I am sure I haven’t thought about.

    I haven’t decided for sure yet
    and need to talk it over with Carol first.

    If I do end up running,
    Is it okay if we meet often and talk things over?
    I’ll probably need some help and tips along the way.”

    Simon
    ”No problem Curtis …
    And I’ll always tell you what I think.

    One last thing … Compromise.

    It’s an overly used term that has lost some of its meaning.
    In reality … A compromise consists of
    when both sides are equally dissatisfied with the end result.

    Be careful what you choose to compromise along the way.”


    You know folks … That old Curtis has a strange way of switching gears.
    I think he skips second of third sometimes … And grinds it on into overdrive.

    I always thought he has been a bit flighty and more of the free-range type.
    The more I get to watching … He’s a thinker, and doesn’t really say a lot.
    I’m also starting to notice that he has a knack for asking the right people the right questions.

    But, enough of that … Let’s get some pie!

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    Curtis had felt a little odd discussing politics with Simon, and at the Mayor’s house …
    But Carol had made a key lime pie using Adele’s recipe and they had brought it with them …
    In a way, he kind of figured that made everything even.

    No one passed up a piece, and conversation settled down as folks got to stuffing their faces.
    There were no objections, and Carol helped Curtis clean everything up afterwards
    while the others went outside to enjoy the rest of the evening.

    Carol ran into the youngest Vanderburg … Emanuel.
    She even took the time to try and give him a hand with his homework,
    But that seemed to present an interesting quandary …

    Emanuel
    ”Ms Carol … Why do I have to learn how to
    divide and multiply fractions …
    Wouldn’t it be easier just to use decimals?”

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    Carol a Bit Stumped
    and Thinking to Herself
    ***How exactly am I going to explain the importance
    of a comprehensive approach to varied mathematical strategies
    and with an emphasis on the applied sciences … To a ten year old***

    Luckily … It looks like she was saved by the bell
    when Curtis came looking for her …

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    Curtis
    ”There you are Carol Anne … Sorry to interrupt.
    Baby, the other guests are gone, and it’s getting late.

    We might ought to head home …
    And I can use me a little Carol Anne time too …"

    Carol
    ”I know I say it all the time …
    But you had me at Carol Anne.

    Let me say bye to this fine young man …
    I’ll be with you in a second.”


    Well … I may be puzzled about one thing or another here and there …
    But there’s one thing I am almost certain of.
    That old Blake Grayson can forget about putting her hooks into Curtis …
    Nope, ain’t happening!

    Thanks for stopping by again,
    and I look forward to next time.

    Y’all have a lovely day!
    To Be Continued


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nhn9zBbv8gg


    Happy Simming!

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