The Anatomy of Melancholy, 69: Coupe’d Up
Table of Contents. Second Instar, Chapter 36. Go to previous. End of Second Instar; go to next. TWs: Canon-typical animal violence, surveillance mention, manipulation and abusive verbiage, drug use, dubcon, lascivious behavior. Excellence without equal.
A/N: Last chapter of Second Instar. Next chapter starts Third Instar, which will be posted as a new book in The Anatomy of Melancholy series. Thank you for your continued readership. Lord knows I wouldn't have got to nearly 190K on this monstrosity without y'all.
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Over the next eight days, ‘Choly spent some time with the Quincy survivors, but provided very little otherwise to the new settlers of Sanctuary beyond the material aid brought from Lowell and Billerica. Angel and Bogey tended to them far better than any physical assistance he could provide. The Handies helped straighten disheveled housing, toted scrap about for the humans to use for repairs, and delivered items and information with equal delight.
With Bogey helping out around the neighborhood, it worked out that Angel had more time to see to ‘Choly, as ‘Choly certainly needed all the help he could get. Rather than divide things up evenly, for the most part people just came and scrutinized the Rosa garage anytime they thought of something they needed. Just as he’d picked out an ensemble from the garments at the golf course, so had the Sanctuary settlers gained fresh additions to their attire, for the most part favoring effective layering than any sense of form.
More than anything, all ‘Choly wanted was for Sticks to come home. It only confused ‘Choly more, that Sticks hadn’t left altogether. The ghoul had been so wrapped up in the idea of urgency that they ‘beat the weather,’ only for him to drag his heels like this for over a week...
At least weather in the Concord suburbs permitted 'Choly to go about in something lighter than his bekesha-tulup and Vault suit. He’d only let himself pick one more shirt and pants from the Billerica haul, leaving the rest to Sanctuary’s settlers, but even just having multiple garments to wear, without military associations, felt like utmost decadence. He disliked the idea of going sock-foot in the house without further repairs to the exposed foundation, let alone barefoot, so he kept to his oxfords. Socks and underwear held utmost value of any garments. Sanctuary’s settlers agreed: they’d gone months with threadbare, ripped clothing after raiders had chased them from Quincy to Concord, unable to stop long enough to repair much of anything.
The only thing the settlers appreciated more than the cookware and decent condition clothing was the golf clubs with which they could now arm themselves. Simple and effective, and a great fallback when ammunition inevitably became scarce. He hadn’t found a complete set when they scrounged, but he found enough random clubs that he thought it wise to bring them to Sanctuary to build up a bit of an armory. He kept exactly one, his preferred 4-wood, for its versatility.
He’d imparted Sticks’s jest that one could turn the golf balls into cherry bombs, along with his addition of a slingshot to the ridiculous visual, but Sturges seemed to have taken the suggestion in earnest. The mechanic didn’t mention anything either of them were doing, without being asked about it. ‘Choly heeded Missus Murphy’s advice not to nose around Sticks until he was ready, and extended that advice himself as to not nose around people with whom Sticks had spoken. All ‘Choly knew was, Sticks was staying at the Red Rocket, would be staying at the Red Rocket until further notice, and was possessed with the need to restore a 2071 Chryslus Coupe.
Regardless of what he knew would do right by Sticks, he already felt lousy unable to know how to interpret Sticks’s behavior at such a distance. He sat at Jacob’s terminal--Sticks’s terminal--tapping at the keyboard keys without pressing any.
Frequent nightmares frustrated his attempts to just sleep through it all. The prospect of being put on ice again flirted with him often. He’d started a nightmare diary: not just as an attempt to process their substance, but also as a way to catalogue them in the off chance they spawned further writing inspiration. The most immediate entry came first, then the Duchesne nightmare. Many nightmares riddled the week, but memory of most beyond the panicked dread residues faded fast. He waffled over transcribing any of the times he had dreamt of Jacob leading up to learning he was alive (and wasn’t feral). Abruptly, he decided to drop it altogether: it felt too much like something that Jared would get use from.
He thought he smelled the salty musk of Jet, but waved it off as a byproduct of association.
He stooped in the chair to put in the new combination he’d set on the combination safe. It took some effort to hoist the six-inch printout binder filled with continuous stock paper onto the desk, and he steadied himself before staring it down. He’d been trying to get in a headspace where he could start reading The MKExceed Papers, but as far back as the events leading up to the Lexington fire, his brain had been afire for weeks now with anything pertaining to higher chemistry. Even just the slightest notion of effort to sleuth what mystery chem Olivia could’ve possibly given him fizzled upon formation.
After skimming and glossing and nothing grabbing him, he began to open to random pages, in an attempt to determine section markers. She hadn’t provided him with any table of contents, but it had printed out in some logical order. Each wing of the Deenwood Compound researched a different capacity of the human condition. In shorthand, physicians typically referred to seven of these traits as what made a person S.P.E.C.I.A.L.--strength, perception, endurance, charisma, intelligence, agility, and luck. The development of Psycho had fallen to Wing IX, under the condition of one’s breaking limits, he recalled, then later used to prove printed order. He peeled at the corner of the continuous stock feed on pages where he could discern where one wing’s data ended and the next’s began.
For the most part, the printout looked and read like the expected military pharmacology dossier, with breakdowns of the history of a formulation’s refinement as well as observation entries regarding its usage. Eventually, flipping back and forth through the binder, he noticed a massive gap in the years of the timeline in Wing II’s data, resuming with a second series, over a hundred years after any other entries. Everything dated 2234 had been written with a more personal tone, more like a diary. His face slacked as he finally absorbed himself in the literature.
The General had paid a group of mercenaries, including Laverne, to do recon on RobCo Towers’s ties with the SCYTHE Project. An explosion to the face had blinded Laverne, rendering her vulnerable to questionably voluntary captivity under the Deenwood chemist’s care. The General used chems to treat the damage in lieu of surgery, but the results from a chem named Glance proved rocky enough to require further development. Early formulations sounded like they had further disfigured Laverne’s face in some fashion, as well as inducing severe psychological distress.
“The eyeballs survived, but the bone’s splintered, and the force seems to have damaged the optic nerves and nasal structure. I’m no surgeon, but I did my best. Anything a needle and thread can’t fix, chems can.“
“X²-Cell would benefit her, but it’s too risky and costly to use broad spectrum modification as a long-term palliative for a single condition’s treatment... Glance 3.0 is a messy success... She’d be falling apart on me were it not for my mandatory on-base DayTripper regimen.”
“I’m going ease back on the doses. She may be getting too much Glance 5.0. We’re not going to take her off it completely just yet, in the chance regrowth hasn’t stabilized.”
Laverne and Olivia fell hard for one another during Laverne’s treatment, but Olivia already had a lover in Helen. The latter respected the personhood of higher robotics like Assaultrons, while the former respected only the value of commanding them. Olivia wanted the three of them to work out a less conventional relationship, but Laverne couldn’t understand why she had to ‘share’ Olivia with a robot. Olivia cared so much for Laverne that she couldn’t risk harming or losing her from so much as simple touch, having finally met someone the side effects of developing X-Seed on herself came between. Their falling out ultimately culminated in Olivia attempting to show rather than tell Laverne about X-Seed and its unique immune system damage, having obtained a Tribute from Voire for herself. Lacking the understanding of witnessing a two-person Unfolding, Laverne accused Olivia of cuckolding her with just about anyone and anything she could.
“To put it lightly, we don’t see eye to eye on robotics philosophy, but she wants to show me how to modify robots. To repay me for my commitment in restoring her vision. I’ve thought I do just fine with maintenance and repairs, but I might stand to learn a thing or two from her. Even if it might just be what not to do.”
This 2234 passage detailed the approximate arrangement that Deenwood had with the Furriers, as well, leading up to Olivia taking her next X-Seed dose to Unfold with a single Tribute. She’d send word to Voire she requested Tribute. Sticks would escort two Furriers. One Furrier would stay, the other would go with Sticks to deliver √X-Cell for that decade’s Unfolding. Olivia noted his ‘typical price’ was a Flamer tank refill, and a case each of Jet, Psycho, and DayTripper... but the actual cost of keeping him as their intermediary varied due to his ‘five-finger discount.’
‘Choly had questioned his recollection that the mess hall had once employed two Mister Handy chefs, but the text indicated that Laverne had hacked Remy and absconded with it to defend herself as she escaped the base.
A single entry existed for 2286: Olivia’s earliest worry that the robot-thirsty raider outfit that had taken up housing in RobCo Towers could have been led by Laverne herself thirty-two years later.
The moment he realized The MKExceed Papers mentioned Sticks by name, he flipped over to the CHR Wing IV section. Skimming for date gaps yielded a similar addendum. It may have lacked the romantic subplot that caused him to skim over it initially, but the passage substantiated everything he already knew about the ghoul’s forced involvement in the development of Magnetizer. The dates even matched up with when Sticks would have lost his hand to Ick. He spiraled into despair, racking himself to parse how such a chem even worked.
He jumped at raised voices outside. He whipped around in the chair to look out the broken exterior wall. Sticks and Angel were fighting. At a caution, he stood and approached to eavesdrop from the back wall which had once belonged to his bedroom, hoping to go undetected by at least one of them.
“I took care of Sanctuary myself for 210 years ALONE because you never returned! I simply cannot comprehend your malfunction, in how you don’t understand how betrayed I felt to learn you’ve been alive all along! My primary emotion at such news should not have been HURT!”
“Are you really railing me for not coming back?”
At first, ‘Choly thought they might have been arguing because Angel caught Sticks going through ‘Choly’s backyard chem station. But the more he stood there watching the pair, the more he understood Sticks had been using it.
“You were Mister Carey’s best friend when you lived here. When the Vault reopened in 2079 and none of the Sanctuary Hills natives reemerged, I figured Mister Carey had decided to move into the Vault for good. Without me.” The Mister Handy grabbed him in two pincers. “At least Mister Carey had an excuse for not telling me until this year!”
Sticks shoved it off with a hiss.
“I can’t stand Sanctuary. Everything is wrong. And it’s so unlike anyplace else I have memories of from before it was all destroyed. It feels too much like trying to go back to a simpler time. And it still smells an awful lot like Hell. You’re a robot. You can’t smell! And you have no idea what it’s like to turn into this.”
“Do you really, truly, not understand just exactly what you meant to Sir and myself? I stayed put here because I thought all I had left was tending to your house. In the event you did return home, I wanted to make sure to the best of my abilities that you had a home to return to at all.”
“I thought I’d lost him, too, you idiot. And you, too. The bombs dropped all kinds of tech like lead, from clocks to robots to army tanks. You were out cold, and I’m stupid, okay? How am I supposed to know the difference between a robot that’s ‘turned off’ and a robot that’s kaput? Why are we even arguing about this. We’re all alive. Isn’t that something? ...I have to get outta here ASAP, Handy. And if you’ll just let me finish this last batch of Jet Fuel, I can complete what I’m working on, and we can ALL get outta here.”
Sticks noticed ‘Choly, and the devastation on his face.
Of course Missus Murphy was right. She’s always right, Sight or not.
“You’re right. We’re all alive, and that is something. But is it so wrong to want to fix up the house and stay here?”
“Coming back here was the actual goal of dragging me out of Lowell, wasn’t it? Do you actually need medical care? Or did you make up the chem lab and all that shit?”
‘Choly’s jaw dropped.
“Mister Hawthorne, Sir, I strongly advise you to reassess whether Mister Carey has had any reason to mislead you, in any way.”
Sticks waved it all off with a sneer of hurt.
“Neither of you gets it. You’re so desperate to drag the future into the past. But time doesn’t move that way. Baggage goes forward, Alan. It can’t be exactly like the good old days. It never will be.” He deflated a bit, laying his hands on the milk crate on the lab desk. “I’ll only be a minute. And I’m almost done down the street, for what it’s worth.”
‘Choly squinted his eyes shut. A nod of uncertainty became a certain nod.
“--No. Come in the house right now. I don’t want to talk to you poking my head through the goddamn bedroom wall.”
“It’s not home anymore. Being here isn’t coming home.” The ghoul didn’t reject the request, but argued regardless.
“Do you need me to accompany you gentlemen? Or shall I give you some space, since it’s not believed I... get it?”
“I want to talk to him alone, Angel.”
“Besides, we both know you can eavesdrop from the end of the street.”
“Well, I certainly wish I did get it. Because it’s just wretched to think any of us could ever divorce his past from the present!”
Angel zipped off with the intention to remain nearby regardless, and Sticks strolled to the front door and entered. The ghoul stood with ‘Choly in the kitchen, dripping with sorry.
“Forgive the extra delay getting going. And forget about the argument. Please? This has just been a lot to process all at once. First, you, and now, standing here again.”
‘Choly trembled in place. He didn’t recognize his footing until Sticks reacted to his throttled body language with direct eye contact and tracing ‘Choly’s chin scar with his thumb. He sublimated on the spot, and fluttered back to the dry bar behind himself to pour half an old fashioned glass of whiskey. His breathing steadied after he’d stood there nursing about a third of it.
“Maybe I wasn’t ready to come back yet, either,” he mumbled to himself. He walked off to the terminal to sit. He noticed Sticks followed him, but spaced out a bit, staring silent at the broken bed. “Mine’s rotted out, too. Sorry I took the couch. You know I’d make a double bed roll again, if you wanted to sleep here.”
Sticks shook his head.
“I haven’t slept. Not yet. This... I spent so long here after the bombs.” He pulled a hand from his pockets to point vaguely at the bed, before slouching again. “None of the cars worked, and walking was beyond any of us. I laid in that bed for what felt like weeks.”
“I’m sorry if it was a bad idea for us to come here.” ‘Choly felt so small for feeling caught by his predatory habituations. “We really don’t have to stay.”
The ghoul snatched ‘Choly’s hands clapped between his own, wild-eyed with determination. A stupor beset ‘Choly.
“I get the feeling all three of us have some version of going a long time not knowing the other two were alive. And no, things can’t be like they were. But we can make new from the old. Partners with history, working together again after years apart. Think of all the enterprises ahead of us.” Nostalgia replaced his hauntedness. “I meant it when I said I was almost done. I came in when you asked. Come down the street with me. I want to show you.”
“Almost done? With the whole entire car?”
“Sanctuary may be off limits for me, but Little Boy Blue was my first car. I paid cash, all up front. What a thrill, to be able to get it without financing attached to chase after me and bite me in the ass years down the line. Even when I got him, folks were having a harder and harder time affording a vehicle at all. Sure, I got him secondhand, but he was mine, and he was my project. I can’t leave Blue behind, knowing he’s still here.”
‘Choly squinted through his encroaching inebriation. Sticks held him by the shoulders and gave him a saccharine peck on the lips.
“But that’s all a load of bullshit. You can’t believe I word I say. Just take all the effort and paraphernalia in good faith.”
When Sticks let him go, ‘Choly reopened the safe, and scooped up The MKExceed Papers to return the binder.
“Changed the combo? That’s fair. It’s not unreasonable to think the desk rifling at Glenn Johnny’s was me going through your stuff. If you thought that, anyway. But believe it or not, I was going through mine. I couldn’t remember where I put my Jet Fuel recipe.”
Sticks watched him expectantly. ‘Choly finished off his drink without another word and popped his holotape from the terminal deck, to slip it into his Pip-Boy. He glanced to the ghoul on his way out of the bedroom, to leave the empty glass on the kitchen island, anticipating that Sticks wasn’t done just saying things. While Sticks grabbed his milk crate from ‘Choly’s backyard chem station, ‘Choly grabbed his cane from the umbrella stand by the front door frame. And they got to walking.
“So I did smell Jet,” ‘Choly finally said, when Sticks wouldn’t continue conversation.
“Half-right! It’s why I brought my Flamer fuel with me. I brought my remaining chem stash with me for liquid assets, but it’ll do us more good that I burned through it this week. I figured I’d need the momentum after the things I learned at the Merrilurk boil. I anticipated some sleepless nights--or at least some all-nighters. Bare minimum, I could turn around and sell it later, y’know? It’s the one chem I actually know how to follow a recipe for. I still want to replace my Flamer, but I figure it’s easier to replace the gas than the weapon itself. I decided,” his gravelly voice cracked, “that I’d go ahead and crack into it! Using it for the car was a good thing. Neither of us has it in him to walk ten, twelve hours on foot like that. And what’s more!”
From the last planks of the Minutemen Bridge, the ghoul raced ahead the remainder of the way with unbridled enthusiasm, walking backwards at times anxious for ‘Choly to catch up. The chemist only wilted further.
“What’s more!!” The ghoul set the crate down on top of the coupe and popped the trunk in the front, to wave at its spaciousness. “Just think how much more we can haul, without us personally hauling it!”
‘Choly was more concerned with the back end of the Chryslus whose fresh, poor paint job had transformed it from sky blue to royal. His head tilted.
“The engine’s stable and in tact? And the engine shield?”
“I’m rusty with that part of the safety checklist, but Sturges helped me out with it. All I’ve been used to focusing on is engine stability, since it doesn’t hurt me personally anymore if a little rads trickles out.” Sticks held up his Pip-Boy. “This little beaut helped a ton too. Did you know it’s got a built-in Geiger counter?”
“I had no idea,” ‘Choly deadpanned, slowly circling the vehicle.
“Oh, come on, Mindy! Be excited with me! For us! This took me all week!!” The ghoul produced keys from his pocket with an excited jingling. “Eh? Ehh??”
‘Choly's attention fell instead on the unusual shape of the luggage rack on the roof. He didn’t remember it having one.
“Unsurprising, that you’d still have the keys after all this time. Impressive, that you don’t have to hotwire it.”
“Reviving Blue wasn’t selfish! I see the look on your face. I did this for you and your robot. It’ll conserve Angel’s fuel, if we strap it up top there. Its thruster will just barely make the clearance between the gull doors. Think about it. Sure, we could go pretty quick, if we outfitted Bogey like you did Angel, but boy does that brass bucket sure like it here. We can cut North so much faster with Little Boy Blue here. He could clock up to a hundred when I had ‘im all tuned up. I estimate the trip to Nashua won’t take us more than an hour, as long as we don’t encounter anything Blue can’t just run down. Power armor, automobile. Both are two tons of steel and can stomp people flat. You know me, and I prefer the class and luxury of a good Chryslus.”
‘Choly sighed. The idea of riding off into the sunset didn’t seem so bad, when he let himself imagine it. Sticks saw the flicker in his eye and nearly started to skipping as he paced around the car.
“Just imagine my shock and delight that the engine block wasn’t fused solid. Fusion’s the past tense of fission, right? The moment I knew I had something I could work with, there was no other thought in my mind than acting on it. It’s okay that we didn’t stick around Pawtucketville, ‘cause I would much rather have Blue patched up than trying to resuscitate yet another Fusion Flea. Engines are most likely to have survived, but I can’t hardly get my knees under the steering column of those things.”
“I’m going to stop distracting you and go see Sturges,” he said through a strange smile.
Sticks shrugged and popped the gull doors to dive inside.
“Suit yourself. You’re gonna get the full tour once he’s finished anyway! Guy’s probably out back, still trying to train that mutt to hunt molerats.”
“Molerats?” he murmured to himself, with an eye out as he rounded the corner past the milk machine.
He heard a pop and a squeal, but saw no person or creature out back. He continued down the slope of the hill, to find an opening not quite big enough to consider a cave. Several yards in, Sturges stood with a sack, balancing a lit cigarette in his lips. Dogmeat rounded back to him for pets.
“Oh, hey, Melancholy. Come to check on your buddy?”
“You could say that. I also came out here to check on you. Haven’t heard or seen much of you since I got back in town.”
“Been busy with this molerat den. If they dig in much deeper, it’ll collapse the Red Rocket. Can’t be losing my slice of paradise to a sinkhole. Dogmeat’s been helping me locate which burrows the pests are in. He’s a very good boy. Then I toss in a bit of explosives. Worked well so far.”
The mechanic held up a golf ball with a fuse to show ‘Choly, then snickered.
“I was kidding.”
“Turns out these things don’t kid around. The idea works like a charm. The plastic they’re made of really amplifies the burst of an overheated fusion cell. Watch.”
Sturges clicked for the dog’s attention. Dogmeat wafted about in the main chamber of a network of burrows ‘Choly could tell went for easily a hundred yards in any given direction. Once the German shepherd pointed to a hole, the mechanic lit the fuse from his cigarette’s cherry and underhand tossed the ball in from about ten feet back before retreating to the main opening on bated breath. Soon after, the pop rang out and several molerats squealed. Another burrowed out into the main chamber, to jump Dogmeat. But he knew it was coming, and managed to grab it when it bit his leg, and he shook it by the neck until it stopped moving. He dragged it over to Sturges, who gave him more pets for dropping it at his feet.
“Great job, Dogmeat. We’ll make you a hunting dog yet, boy. We’re eating meat tonight.” He chuckled quietly, before turning to ‘Choly. “Thanks again for bringing all the tools and parts out here. Not only did you replace stuff missing from the Red Rocket, but there’s a lot of things from the golf course a recoolant station wouldn’t have had. Can’t wait for your buddy to give me a chance to play around with most of ‘em. He’s been busy, to put it lightly.”
“Yeah, I’m kind of worried about him.”
“Just promise me you’ll make him sleep before you let him drive, all right? As far as I can tell, he’s been awake at least seven days straight. Ghouls do sleep, right? I relate as much as the next guy, how hyper focused I can get when a project gets going, but damn. Wouldn’t trust the guy to operate a toaster right now, honestly.” Dogmeat snuffle-whined at him. “All right, bud. I’m watchin’. You point, I toss.”
“I think we all get like that on occasion... Anyway. I’m pretty sure I’m just gonna be in the way. You’ve got it under control, guys.” ‘Choly held his hand out to Dogmeat, who smelled of it before letting him pet him. He smiled as the dog darted off in search of more quarry. “He’s warming up to me maybe.”
“Maybe if you came around more often.”
‘Choly let out a mused sigh on his way out.
“Good luck. And thanks for keeping an eye on Sticks for me.”
He ambled back up to the recoolant station. He reentered through the garage, taking in how meticulously Sturges had laid out all the tools, between the benches, rolling cabinet, and wall racks. Even things like the assortment of robot-specific tools like the GA-proprietary socket wrench kit found a home in the space. He wandered into the building proper, with the front counter, awed that in two weeks or less, the mechanic had repaired all the downed sectional panels, tucked away exposed wiring, and replaced damaged bulbs. He peeked at the Nuka-Cola machine in the corner, to whistle that it worked again, though it lacked any sodas to chill.
Deep down, Sturges must really want this to be Sanctuary’s social hub, he thought to himself with a smile. If only he knew how much it had been once. They couldn’t hardly keep the Port-O-Diner stocked. Everybody loved those sandwiches.
He found himself behind the counter, instinctively standing in the doorway to the back office. He bristled, but entered anyway.
Divorcing one’s past from his present.
He sat in the desk chair, stricken by a vacant inertia. His hands wandered the open spaces of the desktop. Everything had felt like a dream in itself since his last time here. Scraps of thought fluttered through him.
You may have thought things would come right again /
If you could only keep quite still and wait.
A grimace tugged at him. He wiped his brow. He wished he’d have thought to ask Angel for a Mentat. Looking to his Pip-Boy, he didn’t have a fever. He shivered.
His head prickled. His eyes wandered just enough for his ears to pick up metered breathing behind him. His breath stuttered as he whipped around where he sat, clutching at his chest.
“Jacob, fuck-me-in-the-mouth,” he wheezed out. “How long have you been standing there?”
The ghoul slouched against the doorway, arms crossed. He only smiled in response at first, his eyes slivers. He had put on a red and blue jumpsuit, the Red Rocket mechanic’s uniform. ‘Choly frowned agape as all the light drained from him.
“How long would you want me to have stood here?” Sticks strolled up to him, and leaned into his face with a heavy smile. The musk of Jet dripped off him. “I don’t have to just stand there.”
'Choly itched with anxious, tickled laughter, torn between compulsive clothes wiping and pushing Sticks away.
“--I take it --you’re, aH --you’re finished with --the caR--”
Sticks gripped his jaw one-handed and forcefully, fully kissed him. ‘Choly didn’t know where to put his hands, and clawed at the armrests of the chair and dug his heels into the broken teal vinyl wood. A moan squeaked from his nostrils. With ‘Choly throttled, Sticks’s other hand went to his throat. Mouth to mouth all the while, Sticks drew him up slowly to stand, and eased him back on the desk. The ghoul slipped between his legs, and his right hand wandered to the small of his back. ‘Choly squirmed, in a panicked dialectic of mortification and arousal. Attempts to break the deep oral kissing, unfettered by having to navigate only one nose, only resulted in the make-out melting sloppier and sloppier.
“--Jacob --Jhh, sTOP,” he giggled, practically hyperventilating. “--nOT --HERE,”
The ghoul hiss-snarled playfully against ‘Choly’s ear, hot and humid. He nipped at his earlobe and trailed down to kiss at ‘Choly’s neck. ‘Choly shut his eyes and unclenched. Okay, very here. Did it even matter whether Sticks knew what he’d done here two weeks ago? ‘Choly drew him back mouth to mouth, feverish and broken at the thought this could be another nightmare. In the moment, he let it be a dream. The two of them couldn’t hold back awkward, delighted chuckling.
A sharp finger-whistle cut through the compact acoustics of the office. The two scrambled apart. ‘Choly’s eyes widened in grief as he adjusted his glasses. He pawed at his shirt to check that all the buttons were still buttoned. Sticks coughed and slouched back to sit in the chair.
Dogmeat lowered his head, poised to lunge. Sturges put his cigarette back between his lips and crossed his arms with a repulsed scowl.
“S, ssorry for fooling around someplace less private.”
“Your need for privacy isn’t the issue here, and we know that. You couldn’t have picked a less appropriate location. ...Anyway. Just be glad it was me of all people that walked in on you.”
‘Choly sat up to the edge of the desk, and kept his eyes on the dog.
“I, yes, of course. Sticks, apologize.”
Hearing viscous, nasal breathing and little else, ‘Choly and Sturges looked to Sticks, passed out in the chair.
“Something tells me he burned his last scrap of stamina on you. And that he’s not the slightest bit sorry.”
“Something tells me you’re not wrong.” ‘Choly couldn’t look at Sturges. His voice faltered as he stared at the comatose ghoul. “Did you tell him?”
The question made Sturges break his cigarette. He stared at ‘Choly.
“He made it sound like you’d told him. I’ll know better than that next time. If there is one.” When Dogmeat growled, Sturges bent down to hold the dog by the collar. ‘Choly prickled. The mechanic told his dog, “Come on, buddy. Let’s get this meat back to the others.”
“We’ll be leaving soon. Once he’s up, we’ll pack it up. Don’t worry.” ‘Choly stared off into Sticks’s face. “...Would it be inappropriate for me to offer to help with that?”
“If you think you can handle a couple, I won’t turn that down, sure. It’ll take fewer trips. You okay with just leavin’ him here like that?”
“I doubt he’s waking up anytime soon. Let him sleep. God knows he needs it.”
On their way back, Sturges carried three molerats the size of small dogs, while ‘Choly carried two smaller ones closer to the size of cats.
“It might not be my place to say it,” the mechanic started, “but you’re a little too okay with what he just did.”
“I’m grateful you walked in on us when you did. He may have let me take the roleplaying too far otherwise.”
“...Don’t you mean, he would have taken it too far?”
“I meant what I said. He wouldn’t push buttons that weren’t there."
“There’s a load of difference between asking for it and asking him for it.”
“...Not with me, there isn’t. It’s fine, really. We'll figure things out.”
After he carried the two molerats back to Sanctuary, ‘Choly asked Angel to help him carry things from the house to the car. He lifted Blue’s keys from Sticks’s pocket, so he could start loading the trunk--not that he had much to load up. A majority of his belongings fit in the golf bag: his Syringer, his 4-wood, his dart cases, his spare clothes. He tossed his coat in the back seat. Anything more sensitive, such as the Merrick Index and The MKExceed Papers, remained in Angel’s internal false-bottom compartment. To his surprise, Sticks had already loaded his own things into the vehicle. He absently glanced through the suitcase, noting the cases of Med-X, Mentats, and Rad-X, as well as the case of empty inhalers he could tell had once contained Jet. He was about to thumb through the clothing, but Sticks put a hand on his shoulder.
“Giving yourself a head start on the tour?”
“A head start on packing. I wasn’t sure if we would do better, sorting like items,” he lied. “Clothes with clothes, chems with chems. You know.”
“You know I’m not about to let Angel guard my stash, right?”
“Well I wouldn’t want to,” it snubbed in passing, pacing about the canopy while it skimmed for anything to tidy.
“Are we good?” When ‘Choly didn’t answer, Sticks wrapped his arms around his waist from behind. “You and me?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Hey, while we’re in here. I keep forgetting.” Sticks leaned into the trunk to fish out a small tin. He shook something out into his hand, then guided ‘Choly to sit in the passenger seat while he took the driver’s side. “Had to wrestle ‘em from Bones. It’s wild, just how much she fancies you. Kind of unnerving, too.”
‘Choly stared at the poppy cuff-links emptied into his hands. He held one up to confirm the engraving on the underside did in fact read ‘A.C.’
“...What, you don’t think somebody could be into me?”
“Am I chopped liver? What, no. You didn’t like her attention either, whether you’ll admit it. It wasn’t that she fancied you. It’s how she showed it.”
‘Choly couldn’t admit he was right, flummoxed by the ghoul’s obliviousness.
“Thank you for retrieving them,” he finally said. “Why did you keep them all this time, anyway?”
“You’re reading too much into it. But I guess you could say, any time I laid my hands on ‘em again, you were a reminder I should be a little bit less of a shithead sometimes.”
“A little bit?” He couldn’t dull the sharpness of his laugh. He clenched the cuff-links in a fist. “You sold out the entire city of Lowell, just to get a fucking Pip-Boy. What do you even want with it? Clearly, you don’t even know how to use it in the first place.”
Sticks sat quietly in place for quite a time before looking to ‘Choly with a small smile.
“Well, my hand’s made out of the first Pip-Boy I had. It’s only fair that I ended up with one again, right?” He reached across the center console to grip ‘Choly’s hand, to shake it emphatically. “Just put it in perspective, babe. If that’s the price I’ll pay for something you think’s so frivolous... just imagine what I’ll pay for someone that means the world to me.”
‘Choly softened and fixated on the patched-together Nuka-Girl figurine glued again to the freshly polished dashboard.
“To the moon, I guess.”
End of Second Instar. Go to Next »»»
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Lots o’ lists.....my favorite records of 2017!
Alvvays- Antiosocialites (Polyvinyl)
The Dream Syndicate- How Did I Find Myself Here? (Anti)
The Golden Boys- Better Than Good Times (12XU)
GospelbeacH- Another Summer of Love (Alive)
Rays- S/T (Trouble in Mind)
The Legendary House Cats- Greatest Blips Vol 1 (Used Bin Pop)
Alex Lahey- I Love You Like a Brother (Dead Oceans)
Jillette Johnson- All I Ever See in You is Me (Rounder)
Arts & Leisure- Found Objects (Mystery Lawn0
Pale Lights- The Stars Seemed Brighter (Calico Cat/Kleine Untergrund Schallplatten)
The Courtneys- II (Flying Nun)
Scupper- Some Gauls (Blue Cheese Toothpaste)
The Luxembourg Signal – Blue Field (Shelflife)
Speaking Suns- Range (Anyway)
Rat Columns- Candle Power (Upset the Rhythm)
15 More….
Antietam- Intimations of Immortality (Motorific Sounds)
Fred Thomas- Changer (Polyvinyl)
USA/Mexico- Laredo (12XU)
Last Leaves- Other Towns Than Ours (Matinee)
The Improbables- Object to be Destroyed (Hidden Volume)
Sacred Paws- Strike a Match (Rock Action)
A Certain Smile- Fits & Starts (self released)
Kosmonaut- Misfits on the Horizon (Porterfield Recording Company)
The Granite Shore- Suspended Second (Occultation)
Land of Talk- Life After Youth (Saddle Creek)
Beach Fossils- Somersault (Bayonet)
Star Tropics- Lost World (Shelflife)
Whitney Rose- Rule 62 (Six Shooter/Thirty Tigers )
Bye Bye Blackbirds—Take Out the Poison (Bye Bye Blackbirds Recordings)
The Clientele- Music for the Age of Miracles (Merge)
Wait….15 more.
Eyelids- Or (Jealous Butcher)
The Feelies- In Between (Bar None)
Slowdive- S/T (Dead Oceans)
The Side Eyes- So Sick (In the Red)
Magnetic Fields- 50 Song Memoir (Nonesuch)
Rose Elinor Dougall- Stellular (Vermillion)
The Yellow Melodies- Life (The Beautiful Music)
The Jet Age- At the End of the World (Sonic Boomerang)
Tripwire- Cold Gas Giants (self released)
The Proper Ornaments- Foxhole (Slumberland)
The Stevens- Good (Chapter Music)
David West with Teardrops- Cherry on Willow (Tough love)
Rose Elinor Dougall- Stellular (Vermillion
Girl Ray- Earl Grey (Moshi Moshi)
Metz- Strange Peace (Sub Pop)
Other very good ones….
Fake Laugh- S/T (Headcount)
New Pornographers- Whiteout Conditions (Concord)
Mark Eitzel- Hey, Mr. Ferryman (Merge)
The Hellenes- I Love You All the Animals (Self Released)
Plax – Clean Feeling (Super Secret Records)
TSOL- The Trigger Complex (Rise Records)
Michael Head & the Red Elastic Band- Adios Senor Pussycat (Violette records)
Priests- Nothing Feels Natural (Sister Polygon)
Rich McCulley- Out Along the Edges (self released)
Guided by Voices- How Do You Spell Heaven (GBV Inc)
These folks also released records I enjoyed in 2017 as well- Bash & Pop, Richard X. Heyman, Ephrata, Church Girls, Flamin Groovies, Jon Langford, , Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Passengers, Quin Galavais, Lisa Said, The Telescopes, The Legends, Lost Balloons, Chastity Belt, School Damage, WV White, Fazerdaze, Fire in the Radio, The Bingers, Heather Trost, Xetas, The Rallies, Brent Cash , Lucy Dacus, etc .etc.
Top 15 Collections
U- Men- S/T (Sub Pop)
The Wild Poppies- Heroine- Complete Collection 1986-1989 (Omnian Music Group)
The Creation- Action Painting (The Numero Group)
V/A- C88 (Cherry red)
Look Blue Go Purple- Bewitched (Flying Nun)
The Orchids- 30 Year Retrospective (Cherry Red)
Three Wishes- Aberdeen, The June Brides, 14 Iced bears- The Part Time Punks Sessions (Used Bin Pop)
Aberdeen- What Do I Wish for Now: Singles Collection 1994-2004 (Used Bin Pop)
Duane Eddy- Guitar Star (Real Gone Music)
V/A- The Complete Loma Singles Collection (Real Gone Music)
Cheap Trick- The Epic Archive- Vol 1 (1975-1979 (Real Gone Music)
V/A- Honeybeat: Groovy 60’s Girl Pop (Real Gone Music)
The Sneetches- Form of Play: A Retrospective (Real Gone Music)
Aberdeen- Grey Skies Don’t Last Extras 1992-2012 (Used Bin Pop)
Armstrong- Fragments and Curiosities- the 4-track Sessions (The Beautiful Music)
(yes yes yes ....Husker Du’s Savage Young Du)
Top 12 Reissues
M.I.A.- After the Fact (Darla)
M.I.A.- Notes From the Underground (Darla)
The Terminals- Uncoffined (Hozac)
Buffalo Tom- Let Me Come Over (Beggars Banquet)
Helium- Ends With And (Matador)
Afghan Whigs- Congregation (Sub Pop)
Bobby Darin and Johnny Mercer- Two of a Kind (Omnivore)
Afghan Whigs- Up In It (Sub Pop)
Mortimer- One Our Way Home (Cherry Red)
Superchunk- S/T (Merge)
The Spinto Band- Nice and Nicely Done (Bar None)
Arthur Alexander- S./T (Omnivore)
10 EP’s
The Paranoid Style- Underworld USA (Bar None)
Stutter Steps- Floored (Blue Arrow Records)
The Luxembourg Signal- Laura Palmer (Shelflife)
Last Leaves- The Hinterland (Matinee)
Rat Fancy- Suck a Lemon (HHBTM)
Even as We Speak- The Black Forest (Emotional Response)
The Persian Leaps- Bicycle Face (Land Ski Records)
Secret Meadow- Same Old Fear (Jigsaw)
The Fireworks- Dream About You (Shelflife)
Whitney Rose- South Texas Suite (Six Shooter Records)
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Houses For Sale in Flemington, NJ
39 Chelsea Cir, Flemington, NJ
Price: $264900
This is a beauty, with numerous updates and enhancements – not the least of which is a new $4k slider door. New carpet, paint, updated bath and light fixtures. The kitchen must be seen to be believed. Spacious and with updated cabinetry and hard counter tops. Brand new Pro range, microwave and dishwasher plus custom fitted corner seating area. Open dining and living room takes in the expansive back yard area, also to be enjoyed from your spacious deck. HVAC have been replaced, same with hot water heater and windows. This home shows very well, as the pride of ownership is evident throughout.
5 Northridge Rd, Flemington, NJ
Price: $400000
Splendidly updated 3-bedroom Ranch on a flat and open lot, move-in condition! Kitchen updated (2014) includes all SS appliances, Electrolux induction cooktop, Electrolux convection oven, Electrolux refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher, Zephyr hood, Moen motion-sense faucet. Main bath updated (2011) includes Grohe fixtures, Koehler tub/sink, furniture grade cabinetry, granite countertops, heated flooring, frameless glass shower doors, custom tile walls. Master bath updated (2007) includes Koehler products, custom tile floors/walls. Paver stone front sidewalk (2016), paved driveway (2010), Roof (2013), paver stone patio (2006), Decorative vinyl shake siding, Pella windows, Hardwood flooring throughout, low voltage entranceway side walk lighting, storage shed (15 x 10). And much more!
20 Peach Ct, Flemington, NJ
Price: $180000
Two bedroom townhouse with ceramic floors throughout first level. Living Room/ Dining Room combo. Separate eatinf area off of kitchen
606 Village Cmns, Flemington, NJ
Price: $137000
One bedroom condo with loft, 1 car garage & plenty of storage. Light & bright with an open floor plan. Galley kitchen opens to a two story dining room. Gas fireplace in the living room. Two decks, one off living room, the other off the master bedroom. Master offers plenty of closet space. Condo has all new subflooring downstairs with hardwood flooring, upstairs is new carpet, new AC and brand new roof, all appliances are included. Fabulous finished garage, with built-in storage units. Basement also offers a separate laundry room and an additional storage room. This is a great co ndo at a great price! *these pictures were taken by the previous owner prior to the hardwood, new carpet, and updated kitchen backsplash
408 Hawthorne Ct, Flemington, NJ
Price: $219000
Concord Ridge townhome situated in a cul-de-sac level lot. This spacious townhome has an open floor plan with parquet floors in LR & DR, fireplace in LR., slider leading to deck overlooking a wooded area. Large eat-in kitchen with oak cabinets, all appliances sold in AS IS Condition. Master bedroom with ample closet space, full bath with jetted tub & shower. 2nd master suite with private bath features tub & shower. Full basement with laundry hook ups. Concord Ridge features a in-ground pool, tennis courts & open space area. This is a short sale and passing of title is contingent upon ba nk approval to release the lien.
77 Chelsea Cir, Flemington, NJ
Price: $199900
spacious townhome in flemington south estates! living room with access to rear deck! beautiful cherry wood floors in living room and dining room. dining room has elegant wainscoting! efficient kitchen. two large, master sized bedrooms! finished basement and one car garage! square footage taken from the njactb. as-is. all inspections, certificate of occupancy and repairs are the responsibility of the purchaser.
311 Larch Ct, Flemington, NJ
Price: $225000
LIGHT FILLED MOVE IN READY 2 bed 1.5 bath plus FAMILY ROOM in finished basement ! Well maintained and updated homewelcoming entry, spacious living room, EAT IN KITCHEN with sliders to the deck and walking distance to the pool. Second floor with two generous sized bedrooms and full bath. The basement family room offers a great extra space with separate LAUNDRY ROOM and storage closetfirst floor powder room, ATTACHED GARAGE with storage. Community amenities include pool, tennis courts, walking paths, playground, basketball courts and soccer fields. Award winning schools, easy access to major commuter routes !
108 Sequoia Ct, Flemington, NJ
Price: $228900
End Unit,2 BR,1.1 Bath,Fireplace, updated: Slider,HVAC, Granite countertops,Water Heater,Newer,Garage Door,Windows,Roof, Driveway & sidewalk,Backs to open level lot,Wrap around Deck,1 Car Garage
6 Bartles Corner Rd, Flemington, NJ
Price: $275000
TWO HOMES and a 2 car attached and 3 car detached garage, on .59 acres in the heart of the Rt 31 corridor. Near everything you’ll ever need! Excellent for small business or investment. This property is near retail, medical and professional offices and close to HealthQuest, Hunterdon Medical Center, nursing homes, schools, sports and recreational facilities, shopping and transit. The second home has a kitchen, dining room, 1 bedroom and 1 bath and would be ideal for a business.
1210 Normandy Ct, Flemington, NJ
Price: $101900
Bright 2nd floor corner unit with loft and in-house laundry. Open floor plan with lots of natural light and skylights. Living room has vaulted ceiling with skylights and sliders to deck. Loft features in-house laundry as well as access to unfinished storage area. Great space for relaxing, reading, office, craft or hobby area. Sliders to private deck overlook walking path and trees. Lots of privacy.
1 Pegg Rd, Flemington, NJ
Price: $619001
Amazing Center Hall Colonial. 4 bedrooms, 3 1 2 baths. Two story grand foyer and a modern open floor plan. Gourmet Kitchen with Cherry Cabinets, Granite Countertops, Butler’s Pantry, and Center Island PRICE REDUCTION!! Use the circular drive to come to your new home or park in one of the three car garage. The first floor office awaits it’s new owners, but with a finished walk-out basement a family business or professional business could be operated. An amazing Family Room offers a cathedral ceiling and a wood burning fireplace for those cool evenings. The gourmet kitchen has sliders tha t lead out to the fantastic trex deck. The electric awning will protect one from the suns heat during the summer. On the second level are four bedrooms, one being the master with a fantastic closet that you have to see!
9 Rolins Mill Rd, Flemington, NJ
Price: $649900
CHERRYVILLE MANOR Neighborhood Welcomes You Home! Nestled in the hills, you are Surrounded by Open Farm Land, Nature Trails yet have the Convenience of Nearby Highways and Public Transportation. This RIVERDALE Model Home Offers all the expected Upgraded Details such as a Granite EIK, Moulding Wainscoting throughout, along with a Tray Ceiling in the Dining Room and Vaulted Ceiling in the Family Room. The first floor offers a Front Facing Study, or Escape into the Sun Drenched Conservatory, Private with French Doors. Watch your Favorite Movies in the Home Theater area of the Finished Base ment which also offers a Half Bath and Refrigerator. Storage is Abundant! Entertain outside near your New, 2016 In Ground Pool. And keep the pup close as this Home has an Invisible Fence already installed! Enjoy a 3D Tour
11 Cross Creek Dr, Flemington, NJ
Price: $625000
Brinkerhoff constructed custom 4 bedroom colonial with true Brick front elevation. Quiet cul-de-sac location on private street. Situated on a premium lot in the Cherryville Crossing development of Raritan Township. Boasting amazing year-round views. This special home features an open floor plan, 9 foot ceilings with carpeting, ceramic tile, hardwood flooring on the first level. A two story grand foyer with brass chandelier welcomes all visitors. First level home office with bay window, large oversized eat-in Kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite center island easy access to t he backyard patio. Family Room with beamed cathedral ceiling, gas fireplace and back stairwell to second level, capacious sized formal Dining Room . Extra wide second level landing to the ample sized bedrooms.
133 Oak Grove Rd, Flemington, NJ
Price: $286200
Listing Broker & Seller assume no responsibility & make no guarantees, representations, warranties (express, implied or otherwise) as to the availability or accuracy of information contained herein.
257 Old York Rd, Flemington, NJ
Price: $429900
Sunset views from deck. High ceiling family room with brick wall above fireplace.Great for animals, horses, crops, etc.Rear yard plus pasture area fenced. Close to shopping, restaurants and Rt 202. 4 BR, 2.5 bath home with front porch and rear deck. Light and bright family room (lots of windows) open to kitchen. Furnace ’13 and water heater ’14. NATURAL gas heat (averages $72/mo for gas and $121/mo for electric). Master bath w/ skylite, soaking tub and updated corner shower. Owner has raised sheep, chickens and turkeys. Pasture area with water and 10 x 10 outbuilding to right rear of ho me. The rear yard is also fenced. Convenient location.
167 Stanton Rd, Flemington, NJ
Price: $175000
Your chance to restore a classic! 3 Bedroom home surrounded by larger classic historically preserved homes. LOCATION is the key, as this is in the Village of Stanton which is listed on the National and State Register of Historic Places. AS IS needs work and the classic “old home lover”. Will probably need either cash or a renovation loan to purchase. Several out buildings. 2 car garage/barn in rear has been re supported and is in better shape than other buildings. Oil tank in basement. Oil steam heat and circuit breaker panel box. Room sizes approximate.
21 Pony Ln, Flemington, NJ
Price: $489900
This Single-Family Home located at 21 Pony Lane, Flemington, NJ is currently for sale and has been listed on theochomesearch for 47 days. This property is listed by weichert.com for $489,900. 21 Pony Ln has 4 beds and 2 ½ baths. The property has a lot size of 8,240 sqft. 21 Pony Ln is in the 08822 ZIP code in Flemington, NJ.
51 Clover Hill Rd, Flemington, NJ
Price: $395000
Warm and inviting, light filled home features expansive, newer country kitchen open to family room, updated baths, 4 season sunroom overlooking backyard and IG pool. HW floors, new carpet, neutral paint. Home has been lovingly maintained and upgraded by the current owner. Kitchen features dbl wall ovens and Thermodor cooktop, separate beverage fridge, granite counters, under cabinet lighting, and breakfast bar w ample seating. Family room features newer carpet, multiple windows allowing for an abundance of natural light and views of the lovely backyard. Sunroom w HW floor and high ceili ng is perfect for relaxing w a good book. Upstairs hall bath was updated in a neutral palate pleasing to most and incl. granite counter and custom tile work. Newer windows, roof, well pump. Great backyard is perfect for your summer entertaining.
2 Morgan Rd, Flemington, NJ
Price: $524900
Freshly painted & tastefully updated, 4 Bedroom Colonial home; Baths are all renovated with: wood flooring, new vanities, stone, corian and glass accents, new fixtures; 3 wood burning fireplaces; New Brazilian cherry floors; FR with vaulted ceilings, ample windows brings in plenty of sunlight, brickwood burning FP;Kitchen features a butcher block center island, new stone countertops;new ss appliances; freshly painted cabinets w/ nickel accents; formal dining has open layout with a wood burning brick FP & mantle; Master BR boasts 3rd brick wood burning FP with french doors leading to a b alcony/library area overlooking the family room;Heating/Cooling replaced in 2009; New Washer/Dryer; Roof replaced 2013; New Siding; New windows and doors;Patio and Deck overlook a parklike level wooded corner lot.
193 Voorhees Corner Rd, Flemington, NJ
Price: $479900
** Comes with 1 Year Home Warranty ** Beautiful custom ranch home on a 1.53 acre wooded lot. With 3 bedrooms 2.5 baths, formal dining room, living room, family room, and den/office, this well constructed and perfectly maintained home provides plenty of living space and storage space. A massive 2600 sq. ft., partially finished basement includes a 32’ x 13’ workshop and separate 20’ x 9’ workbench. Hardwood floors throughout all rooms add to the warmth and the wooded lot provides plenty of privacy to enjoy the 33’ x 18’ pool. The two car garage is la rge enough for two full size cars/SUVs and has ample room for all the yard equipment. A huge wood-burning fireplace in the family room has a hidden ash trap to make clean up a breeze. Two large pantries assure plentiful storage for food and kitchen gadgets and many large closets assure ample storage throughout the home. A large attic runs the length of the house providing even more storage if needed. Other amenities include centrally monitored security system, central vacuum system, whole-home water softener and water filtration.
from Houses For Sale – The OC Home Search http://www.theochomesearch.com/houses-for-sale-in-flemington-nj/
from OC Home Search https://theochomesearch.tumblr.com/post/158143772555
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