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leelei1980 · 28 days

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Housemates - Part 10

The Whiskey Barrel

Mackenzie is out looking for love, or just a one night stand and Steve and Eddie, are keeping an eye on their girl- that is when things start to get a little complicated, and lines start to get a little blurry.......

Eddie:

The Whiskey Barrel was fucking hopping, though Saturday nights usually were. Everyone was ready to let their hair down after a shitty week at work, singles were ready to mingle and listen to live music, people were looking to drown their sorrows in the bottom of a shot glass. Saturday nights were my favorite nights. Sure, it could be absolute mayhem, but Shit, the tips were amazing.

I always made sure to dress a little slutty on Saturday nights. Tight Leather pants, combat boots, sleeveless T-shirts that showed off my tattoos, chicks fucking LOVED my ink, loved my "edgy" look. I would even use some of Harringtons hair products to tame my mane, keep my curls from turning into a hot fucking frizzy mess as I ran around behind the bar.

I would most definitely fucking flirt, I mean why not? Sometimes it lead to amazing tips, other times it lead to a wild night of fuckery, I was happy with either.

But this Saturday night things would be a little different,tonight is the night that I finally get to see my roommate Mack let her fucking hair down.

The girl was fucking incredible, cute, funny, sassy- it blew my fucking mind that she was still fucking single. If I was looking to be in a committed relationship I would 120% go after this girl. She deserves a man that will give her everything he has to give, all of the love that he has inside him, at this point I'm just not ready. It is not that I don't want that someday, I'm just so fucking afraid that I would go all in, have this special person be the center of my fucking world than they would fucking break my heart. I saw how broken Harrington was when his ex Nancy cheated on him and I never want to go through that shit.

I looked up from the bar long enough to notice Steve walking in, I nodded in greeting and he made his way over.

" This place is a mad house." He said, squeezing in in front of me. I put a drink down in front of him, knowing what he wanted without him even needing to say a word. " Thanks Munson."

I smiled. " Where is our girl at? Thought she was coming with you?"

" Robin is there, they are getting ready together. You know how Buckley gets to talking, sometimes she can't do two things at once so I figured I would come ahead and scope out the situation." Steve took a sip " Whatta we got tonight?"

" For you or for Mackenzie?"

" Both."

" Just remember we are in this together. We promised we would take care of her."

" I know, I know." He took another drink." There is just something about her going home with some random guy, it just fucking doesn't sit right. She deserves better than to be just another number to some asshole-"

I shook my head." But it's ok for you? Dude we do it all the fucking time-"

" But we are respectful -"

I leaned forward and dropped my voice down low." You need to be supportive and non judgemental and let the girl do what she needs to do to get a piece of ass. God damn, she deserves it. You couldn't go as long as she has, there is no fucking way-"

" Excuse me, Bartender!" I look over and see that I am being summoned at the other end of the bar. I quickly go down and take drink orders, turn them around in record time, hand them over with a wink and a smile and continue to work my way back to the other end of the bar where Stevie is looking lost in thought.

" It's not that I don't support her, I don't want to see her get hurt."

" Neither do I. But she is a big girl and we have to respect her decisions. She isn't doing anything wrong."

" I know. I'm just trying to protect her."

" That's why you are here, if there is a fucking weirdo, you will take care of him."

" Yeah."

" So sit back and relax Harrington. Your not exactly exuding a fun loving guy vibes, more like broody, serious vibes. I'm going to get back at it here, gotta make that money." He just nodded and I got back to business.

" What can I get ya doll?" I smiled. The woman was a cougar if I had ever seen one, and that is never a bad thing, I have had my fair share of older women and I fucking loved them. They were confident, knew exactly what they fucking wanted, and how they wanted it. There was no fucking guess work. This particular cougar however, look like she had been ridden hard and put away wet, but good for her for putting herself out there.

" I'll take your number handsome." She smiled, her leathery skin (most likely from years of tanning when she was younger)stretching over teeth that had bright red lipstick smeared across them.

I smirked." You look like trouble to me Sweetheart, I don't think I could keep up with you." I winked. " What are you drinking tonight Darlin? You look like a gin and tonic girl to me."

" You know you are right! Is that a special talent that you have?" She ran a bright red dagger down my arm." I bet you have many, many talents-"

" Steve!" My eyes flashed up when I heard Robins loud voice." We are here!"

My breath caught in my throat when I saw Mackenzie walk in. "Fuck," I whispered quietly to myself.

Mac looked, damn, the girl looked fucking delectable. Black ankle boots with a heel, skin tight jeans and a halter top that scooped low in the front, not too much, but just enough to give you a glimpse of what lies beneath, and as if that wasn't sexy enough, it was mostly open in the back, nothing but a couple pretty little ribbons were keeping that top together. Jesus Christ. Her long chestnut hair was pulled back into a high ponytail and her face, whatever the fuck she did with her makeup made her beautiful hazel eyes pop.

She looked almost nervous as she followed Robin over to Steve, and judging by the look on his face he had the reaction I did to seeing her in that outfit. He licked his lips as she walked closer and his eyes flashed over to me. I raised my eyebrows as if to say 'Holy shit!" And he nodded.

I heard a sigh," I see I've lost you to pretty young girl in skinny jeans."

I blinked, snapping out of it." I'm sooo sorry Sugar-"

The cougar chuckled." If I were a man I would be staring too. She's a pretty little thing-"

" She's my roommate.I have no business looking at her the way I just did." I busied myself making her Gin and Tonic.

" Honey, if there is even a slight spark between the two of you I would say go for it. Have your fun now, your only young once. When I was your age I was beautiful, got all the guys and had the time of my life. Now I've turned into a wrinkly old woman with dyed hair and saggy boobs that hits on attractive young bartenders for her cheap thrills. But I will tell you what,I don't regret a damn thing."

I smirked and set the glass down in front of her. " Can I be straight with you?"

" Of course Honey."

" Despite my hardcore, edgy exterior, I'm actually terrified of rejection and heartbreak."

" Aren't we all?" She drank half of her drink in one gulp." The thing is though, you could be missing out on something amazing all because you didn't dare risk it. That is something that you will regret. And as horrible as heartbreak is, you get through it. You can learn and grow from it."

I nodded. I knew she was fucking right." You know Darlin, I'm usually the one giving the advice. It's kind of nice to get some of my own. " I closed my hand around hers and winked .

She laughed." You are nothing but trouble, you know that? I bet a lot of win over a lot of women with that wink and your dimples."

I flashed her a toothy grin. " I don't have any idea what you are talking about."

The cougar smiled . " I think you do." She finished her drink than laid money down on the bar, more than enough to cover the drink, and a hefty tip as well. " Well cutie, as much as I would love to sit here and stare into your brown puppy dog eyes, I need to mingle."

" Absolutely, I wouldn't want to keep you from missing out on any potential suitors-what is your name Doll?"

"Darlene."

I picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles." It has been an absolute pleasure talking to you Darlene."

" And you as well-"

" Eddie."

" And you as well Eddie." She pinched my cheek. " If I were only 20 years younger...."

" In a heartbeat."

She laughed as she walked away.

My attention turned immediately back to Mac, who now had a smile on her face. Thank God. I served my way back around the bar until I was standing right in front of my friends.

" Good evening ladies! Welcome! "

I watched as their attention shifted from Steve to me and my stomach did fucking somersaults when Mac's smile widened.

" It's nice to finally see you in action Munson. " Mackenzie leaned forward on the bar and I had to use every fiber of my being to not look down her shirt. Jesus Christ, what the fuck was wrong with me tonight? She's my friend, she's my friend -

"Saw you charming the pants off some old lady over there." Robin smirked.

" Oh, you mean Darlene? Yeah we are tight."

I pulled out two shot glasses from under the bar, than grabbed some top shelf Tequila flipping the bottle in the air and catching it with ease. Mac gasped and Robin cheered. I ran a lime around the rim, dipped it in some rock salt and poured out two shots for the ladies, garnished them with the limes and slid them over.

" Let's start the night off with a bang." I smirked.

Mackenzie smiled. "It's almost like you want to get me drunk Munson."

" I want to see you get fucking wild."

" I can't get too wild, the point of me coming out tonight was to find a guy, right? I still need to have my wits about me if I'm going to get laid."

"Of course. Just loosen up a little."

"You are trouble."

" It's not the first time I have been called that tonight." I smirked." Down the hatch Sweetheart."

I watched as she picked up the glass, took the lime off, licked the salt, slammed back the shot and sucked on the lime. I noticed one eyelid flutter at the sourness of the lime and it was absolutely adorable.

" Like a fucking champ! Thats how you do it!" I smiled at her and she beamed.

Robin and Steve cheered, than Robin followed suit, slinging her shot back.

"Woo! Holy shit!" She exclaimed." Now it's Margarita time!!"

" I will set you ladies up before I get back to business." I quickly got to work assembling their drinks than delivered them with a wink . "Enjoy."

They both smiled and then they were off, making there way to the band in the corner of the bar.

I watched as heads turned in their direction as they walked by, and honestly I kind of felt what Steve described earlier. Like seeing the men ogling her, it kind of pissed me off. I needed to get over myself. It really wasn't any of my fucking business. I turned to Steve. "Keep an eye out for fucking creepers Kay?"

" You got it boss." He nodded and sat arms crossed over his chest

**********************************************************

The night was flying by in a blur, I was fucking running behind the bar with my coworkers , making drinks, making small talk, keeping an eye on my friends.

The girls, multiple margaritas in, were dancing on the dance floor, footloose and laughing. I smiled as I watched my roommate sway and move to the rhythm of the music, watched her cut loose, she was relaxed and fucking giddy and every time she would come up to the bar the smile on her face, the way her bright eyes crinkled in the corners and her fucking dimples, fuck, made my stomach do flip flops.

" Excuse me barkeep," she smiled and leaned across the worn wood," Would you mind fetching me another glass of the magic elixir you call a Margarita? "

" For you m'lady, it would be my honor and privilege." I bowed dramatically and she giggled, it was so fucking cute. It sent Robin into a laughing fit, not as cute, infact she sounded more like a hyena than anything.

" Awww Eds, you're the best! "

After I delivered the beverages I watched them go back out and dance, and that was when I saw the men approaching them. My stomach tightened.

I watched as a guy with a smug smile and backwards baseball cap walked up to Mackenzie, and started chatting. She was engaging in conversation, didn't seem uncomfortable with his lame ass attempts at flirting, so I turned my attention back to the task at hand, figuring Steve had a grasp on the situation.

From time to time I would look up from what I was doing to check on our girl, make sure that she was doing alright, knowing that Robin was also there to keep an eye on her, and even though Robin wasn't interested in the man that approached her she still carried on conversation. Steve, sat brooding towards the back of the bar , observing , clearly having a hard time watching as the man with the backwards hat danced,no he was not dancing, he was grinding into Mackenzie, but she didn't seem to mind.

" He looks like an Asshole."

" I'm not disagreeing, " I sighed. This was fucking rough, what the fuck were we going to do when she got an actual boyfriend? " But remember Harrington we are here to support her. We knew that this was going to happen."

" Look at the way he's pawing at her!"

" He's literally running his hands up and down her arms, I wouldn't call that pawing. She seems to be digging it, if she didn't she would give us a sign."

Steve sighed. " This is fucking hard to watch."

" I don't love it either, but she is our friend and we need to be here for her Steven, remember? She is a grown woman."

" Yeah , yeah ,yeah." He finished his drink than nodded."Look, they are heading this way."

Backwards baseball cap and trusty sidekick were walking straight towards us while the ladies headed off to the direction of the women's restroom.

" Did you see her fucking tits in that shirt? And that ass..." Hat man strolled up to the bar a cocky smile on his face as he talked with his buddy." I'm gonna be smacking that sweet ass tonight-"

Fucking Asshole. I forced a smile on my face. "What can I get for you?"

" I'll take a Heineken, and what the fuck was she drinking? "

His friend chuckled." Did she even have a drink in her hand? I was too busy staring at her rack. "

I clenched my jaw, out of the corner of my eye I saw Steve start to stir.

" Fuck it, just give me something fruity. She's feeling pretty fucking good and probably won't notice a difference anyway." He smirked.

" I, uh , believe she has been drinking margaritas. " I commented, grabbing his beer out of the cooler and grabbing another glass for Mackenzie.

" Whatever. Just as long as it makes her slutty-" Backwards hat and his friend laughed.

It was then that Steve piped up. Oh fuck.

" Trying to take advantage of a drunk girl? That's real cool."

" Who the fuck are you? "

" Steve-" I warned.

" I'm a guy that wouldn't fuck around with someone that isn't thinking clearly."

" Fuck you, she fucking wants it, shaking her ass and her tits around like that. She's a fucking dirty girl.I'll fucking give it to her, all fucking night long-"

" Don't fucking talk about her like that Man." I could see the flash of anger in his eyes.

" Steven-" I warned again, though I wouldn't mind popping this fucker right in the nose myself.

" You know her? "

" Yeah, she's my friend, I don't appreciate hearing you talk about her like that, she's a nice girl ." Steve huffed.

This was not good, so fucking not good. I looked over to our man by the door and locked eyes. Not that I wouldn't fucking jump in if need be, I was fast and scrappy, had been in plenty of fights, even won some too, but these guys were fucking built. Fucking muscleheads.

Backwards hat smirked and got in Steve's face ,"Even nice girls like to fuck nasty. I bet she can get really fucking nasty, the nice ones always do-" at this point he was clearly egging him on. I could tell Steve was on the verge of losing it, and that didn't happen very often.

" Look Asshole, why don't you and your fucking friend take a hike. " I motioned to the door.

" He fucking started it. Had to butt his fucking nose in where it didn't belong-" the friend said.

" And I'm fucking ending it. Leave now or I will have Mickey over there by the door, escort you the fuck out."

" Wha-whats going on here?"

We all turned and saw Mackenzie, eyes wide staring at all of us, a confused look on her face, Robin was standing beside her looking thoroughly amused.

" You wanna know what happened? Your 'Friends' here decided to stick their noses into a conversation that was none of their business."

Mackenzie looked from the man with the hat to Steve , then her eyes settled on me.

" Is there a problem here?" Mickey the bouncer slowly walked over assessing the situation.

" No," I shook my head." I believe these two Fuckheads were just leaving." I smiled widely at them.

If looks could fucking kill... didn't matter, I wasn't scared of them.

Baseball cap guy walked up to Mac and both Steve and I were ready to move, " Next time you go out looking for someone to fuck, don't bring your fucking boyfriends." He tilted up her chin,"It's a shame, we could have had a really good time together."

She backed away and we watched as the two assholes finally left the building.

I let out a deep breath, saw Steve finally sit back and relax. I poured him a shot of whiskey, watched as he downed it the instant I set it down in front of him. "Fuck."

Steve nodded." Fuck."

" What the fuck?" Robin asked, plopping onto a bar stool, Mac sitting at one beside her. "What the fuck happened in the short time we were in the bathroom?"

Steve waved his hand." Nothing."

" That was not fucking nothing!" Again Mackenzie's eyes flicked from Steve to me .

" The...douchebag that you were... cozying up to was saying some rather... Unsavory and crude things about you Sweetheart. Steven here called him out on it, some words were exchanged between the four of us and they left under their own free will. "

" Unsavory things?"

" No need for us to elaborate Dollface. Problem solved."

We watched as tears filled her eyes."You guys were going to fight for me."

Steve got up and put a hand on her bare shoulder. "Don't cry Mac, tonight is supposed to be a fun night-"

Robin leaned in and whispered." She always gets emotional when she drinks tequila. Tonight she didn't go overboard, probably a good thing. Once she does it's too late, she would have let that guy take her home, she would have been crazy , dancing on tables first but she would have gone home with him. And from the sounds of it, from what you guys are saying about this guy,she would have regretted it. I know she says that she doesn't care, that she is fine just hooking up but I know she would have regretted it. Thanks for looking out for her "

I nodded." Of course, she's the best." I watched as she hugged Steve, he wrapped her up protectively in his arms.

When she pulled away she looked at me, those big beautiful eyes fixed on me. " Thank you."

" That's what friends are for Princess." I gave her my most genuine smile and she smiled back."There she is, there is our beautiful, happy girl."

She sighed." He was so nice to me."

" Yeah, he was putting on a show for you, if he had been his true self you wouldn't have gone near him. Fucking Penisface."

Mackenzie laughed. " Think I could have another drink? Not quite ready to let go of this buzz yet."

" Sure thing Angel." I made her another drink. "There are other fish in the sea Sweets, go back out there."

" I'm fucking done with trying to find love tonight. I have found love, right here in this glass. A marg has never broken my heart. And I've got to say, damn, you make an amazing Margarita Munson."

" Thank you Darlin."

" Come on Kenzie, come dance with me! The night is still young! If guys come around we will tell them to fuck off!" Robin pleaded.

" Go on , get back out there!" Steve encouraged.

She finished her drink and let Robin drag her back to the dance floor.

Things finally started to calm down behind the bar, the Saturday night rush was close to over, the band had left and the crowd was starting to thin out. My co-workers were all starting to clean up the aftermath and I stayed behind the bar just in case for stragglers.

Harrington was flirting with a pretty woman that had come up to him shortly after the 'incident' with the assholes. She had seen and overheard the whole thing and told Steve that she thought he was sweet for standing up to the assholes and sticking up for his friend. She admired his bravery. He got major brownie points for that, and they really seemed to be hitting it off. Looks like Harrington was going to be the only one getting lucky tonight.

I wasn't getting as much action tonight, plenty of flirting of course, I wasn't expecting much considering Robin and Mack hanging out at the bar quite frequently but that was fine. I was glad that they were finally having a good time.

I could tell that Robin was starting to wind down, she had switched to water a while back and was starting to sober up. Mac on the other hand was still blissfully tipsy, a silly smile on her face. She deserved so much better than to be alone. She deserved love, and passion, thought finding someone that was good enough for her would be the hard part.

" I think I'm going to head out of here, I have had enough excitement for one night." Robin smiled." Hey Ken, want me to take you home?"

I watched as she twirled the straw around her water, and shook her head. " I think I'll stay a little longer. "

" Are you sure?"

" Yeah, we got her Rob. Don't worry, she will get home safe and sound. It's almost quitting time anyway." I reassured.

Robin looked at her watch and nodded, went over and gave Mack a hug." Coffee tomorrow?"

" I'll probably need it!" She hugged Robin back.

" Call me when you get up!"

" I will, promise!"

"Goodnight Munson."

" Goodnight Buckley."

She smiled then headed out waving goodbye to Steve on her way.

"How are you feeling Princess?" I leaned across the bar in front of her.

She smiled." I'm good, thanks to you guys." She sighed. "For a little while there I was almost excited. When Josh, his name was Josh you know, was leading me around the dance floor with his hand on the small of my back, when he was close behind me, dancing, I almost forgot about what it was like to be lonely, ya know?"

I traced my finger along the pattern of wood grain on the top of the bar. " I know exactly what your talking about."

" But your never lonely-"

" That's why I'm never lonely."

She searched my eyes. " I just want more. I don't want to jump around. I just want something stable. I don't have the heart for fucking around. Jesus, I'm going to end up a cat lady, I just know it."

I laughed and pat the top of her hand." Don't worry, there is no fucking way I will let that happen- I'm allergic to cats."

She chuckled." I say we make a pact- if neither one of us are where we want to be relationship wise in two years, we start dating. We literally know everything about each other."

I raised my eyebrow at her." You would be able to overlook my shady, promiscuous past?"

" For you I would." She sipped her water and smirked. "Especially since I'm sure you can find a g-spot and a clit without a map-"

I burst out laughing." Jesus Christ Mack! But you know your right, I have always had a good sense of direction."

She narrowed her eyes at me, knowingly." I've gotten that vibe from you. I'll just have to be celebite for two more years, I'll practically be a virgin again...."

" I don't think you will go that long before finding someone babygirl. They just have to be worthy of you. Don't fucking settle." I set a bowl of fresh bar mix out in front of her and winked.

She popped a pretzel in her mouth and pondered.

" So, uh, guys," Steve walked up behind Mackenzie, biting his lip and rubbing the back of his neck." So , uh Julie over there," he wiggled his fingers at her and she smiled." She kinda wants me to go home with her tonight...."

" Your bailing on me Harrington? After everything we've been through tonight? After you scare off the only prospect I had all night? Then reap the benefits of it.That's real nice."

Steve's face dropped." You know your right, we are all in this together. I'll -"

Mackenzie laughed." I'm fucking with you Harrington, relax, go have a grand time. Eddie here will take me home."

I nodded. " As long as you dont mind staying a little longer, I have to close-"

" It's fine. It's not like I'm in a rush to go home to a cold, lonely bed. I can hang out."

" Ok great, so I'll see you in the morning?"

" Bye Steve." We both waved and watched him walk away, a pretty girl on his arm.

We also watched as the rest of the patrons were shoo'd out of the building, the rest of my coworkers grabbed their things and left for the night. I bid them farewell then locked the door behind them to ensure that no one else made their way in.

" Let me help. What can I do?" Mack asked following me around as I grabbed the big push broom.

" You really don't have to do anything Sweetheart-"

" No seriously, what needs to be done?"

"Dishes are done, I'm going to do a quick pass with the broom, wanna wipe down the bar?"

" Sure!"

I glanced up at her as I swept the floor, watched her dance along to the music playing from the jukebox, in her own little world as she sprayed and wiped the bar down. I smiled to myself. If I wasn't careful, I could almost see myself developing feelings for this girl. Like for real. Maybe it was just a culmination of feelings that I have had all along. I looked back to the floor.What, am I going fucking soft ?Pull yourself together Munson.

The next song switched over and I heard a long sigh." I love this song."

I tuned into it, it was "Take my breath away." By Berlin. " Yeah, it's a decent song. I little sappy for me but it's good."

I watched as she bit her lip," Eddie?"

"Yeah Doll?"

" Will you dance with me?"

Fuck. She looked at me with wide pleading eyes and I was a fucking goner." I'll warn you Princess, I'm a shit dancer."

She smiled and ran over to me." Thank you Eddie."

I smiled back and put my arms around her waist. In an instant she had her arms around me, head resting on my chest and we were rocking back and forth to the beat of the music. With the warmth of her soft skin, her scent, the swaying of our bodies, it was almost hypnotic.

Neither one of us spoke, just held each other, and before I knew what I was doing I was pulling her closer, resting my cheek on the top of her head. Eddie Fucking Munson don't you dare sniff her hair, don't fucking do it- fuck,she smells like flowers. Her body is warm and soft and she smells like a goddamn fucking meadow. And now she's cuddling into my neck, humming along to the song. I closed my eyes, turned off my brain and enjoyed the moment.

" Eddie?"

It took me a moment to realize that the song was over, had been over and we had just been dancing around in circles to a completely different song.

I chuckled." Sorry Darling, guess I was in my own little world there for a minute."

" Me too. It was nice. One more time?"

" For you Sweet Girl, anything."

We continued to move together in circles to "Angel" by Aerosmith, and at the end of the song I made the mistake of looking down at Mackenzie, her beautiful face looking back at me, dreamy and content. My eyes wandered down her face, her hazel eyes looked dark, her skin looked smooth, and her lips .... My eyes lingered on her lips. They looked so soft, so fucking kissable.....I felt my heart pounding in my chest as I brought a hand up to cup her cheek. I watched her breath hitch. I shouldn't be fucking doing this, I really shouldn't be doing this... I leaned forward, a little, giving her the opportunity to make the decision to back out if she wanted, but she didn't. She stood on her tip toes and closed the space between us by pressing her lips to mine.

So soft. Her lips were so incredibly soft, full, just how I thought they would be. And they were needy, needy after being neglected for so long. So I would just have to give them the attention that they deserved.

I kissed her slowly, lazily, thoroughly.If I was going to break the rules I was going to make it count. I felt her whimper into my mouth, I felt her fingers in my hair. We both knew it was wrong, that we were crossing a line but we didn't care, we were just savoring the moment until we both pulled away breathless.

I rested my forehead against hers, my breathing evening out. "I, I'm so fucking sorry, I don't know what came over me-"

" Eddie," she whispered." Please don't apologize." She pulled her head back, staring up into my eyes." That was... Incredible. And I know that it wasn't supposed to happen, that we just got caught up in the moment, and I know that it can't happen again, but it wasn't a mistake or something I regret. It was absolutely amazing, thank you for sharing that moment with me." She lightly tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear and smiled.

I sighed, thank fucking God, I couldn't lose her. " No, thank you Princess. For a moment I was afraid I fucked everything up. We won't let this change us, or our friendship."

" No. I Pinky promise." She wrapped her pinky around mine and smiled again.

I pulled her hand up and brought it to my mouth, placing a light, chaste kiss there. "Promise." I winked.

She shook her head " Nothing but trouble."

I smirked." But you love it."

We silently went back to work, finishing up the tasks that needed to be done before closing the bar up for the night. We were both quiet,but not awkward, it was obvious that we were both thinking about the kiss, bashfully smiling when our gazes crossed the same path. The car ride home much the same, idle chit chat, laughing, joking. Things would be back to normal by tomorrow, it was just so fresh still. I swear I could still feel the ghost of her lips on mine. It was just a kiss. A fucking kiss that felt more intimate in that moment than any other kiss. But it was fine, things were fine.

I opened up the apartment door and we went inside, I threw my keys in the bowl on the counter than finally kicked off my boots with a groan.

Mackenzie did the same, but neatly placed her boots against the wall." Well at least I won't have a hangover tomorrow."

" Margarita Mack didn't come out to play, no dancing on tables -"

" I only did that once-"

I laughed." You actually did that shit? I thought Robin was just embellishing on the truth!"

" No it happened. Not my finest moment. I try not to make a habit of it." She stretched and yawned, and I saw a little flash of her stomach as she raised her arms in the air. She smiled sleepily. " Thank you Eddie. Thank you for looking out for me. You guys, you're always there for me and I can't tell you how much it means. Tonight was a little crazy," she bit her lip. " But wonderful and I needed that."

I smiled at her, ran a hand through my hair." You know I am here for you anytime Sweetheart-"

" I know, and if you ever need me, there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you, you're so important to me-." A bashful smile spread across her face.

" I know Angel."

" I, uh suppose I should be going to bed now. It's late and I know Robin will be coming around early for coffee-" she twisted her fingers together and took a couple steps backwards towards the hall.

" You should get some sleep Princess." I watched her hesitate a moment then take a couple more steps towards her bedroom door. "What's the matter darlin? What's going on in that pretty little head of yours?" I took a couple steps in her direction, catching up to her, my heart fluttering in my chest.

"It's nothing-"

" It's something." I lifted her chin up gently with my finger. She wanted to say something, it was written all over her face." Remember, no secrets."

She bit her lip again, looking up at me with those big doe eyes." I, I was thinking, fuck," she sighed." I was thinking that maybe since we already crossed the line earlier, maybe -"

My heart jumped into my throat." Maybe what?"

" Maybe it would be ok if we kissed again?" She blurted out." You know,wipe the slate clean tomorrow? You're just so good at kissing, and it's been so long for me and I trust you, and we both know that we can be just friends after this. Nothing will change. But I understand if you don't want to, completely understand -" she rambled.

I didn't hesitate, I cut her off with a kiss, overtaking her mouth with mine, my hands cupping the sides of her face, my body walking her backwards and pressing her up against her bedroom door. I felt her gasp, then felt her arms wrap around me. My tongue lightly danced along her lips until she opened her mouth in invitation. The kiss deepened, her body felt so fucking good against mine, it was all I could do to not run my hands all over it. Kissing we could move on from, but the moment I put my hands all over her body there would be no turning back.

I slowly pulled away from her, running my thumb over her kiss swollen lower lips. "Goodnight Angel, Sweet dreams" I lightly kissed her forehead, the tip of her nose.

Mackenzie looked up at me, a dreamy look in her eyes, then I heard a soft." Goodnight Eddie." Slide past her lips before she ducked into her bedroom and closed her door.

I leaned against the door jam still fucking reeling over the events that had taken place. Holy.Fucking.Shit. I needed a minute to process, I needed a fucking drink.

I walked down the hallway and grabbed a bottle of Jack off the counter, than plopped down into a kitchen chair and took a drink. Mackenzie and I were going to be fine, but shit, now we have to tell Steve because, no secrets right? Fuck.

As always thank you for reading ❤️ Comments and re-blogs are always appreciated ❤️

#eddie munson #eddie munson smut #eddie munson blurb #steve harrington #steve x eddie #steve and Eddie roommates #housemates #leeleiwrites #Spotify

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realmackross · 8 months

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PARTIES: @longislandcharm, @realmackross TIMING: The night of July 29th (after the sleepover) SUMMARY: Winter and Mack have a heart-to-heart after the nightmare Barbie themed sleepover. WARNINGS: death mention tw, murder mention tw

Winter was still reeling from the events of this Barbie sleepover, so much so that she was still on the living room floor after everyone else had already left. She wanted to talk to Mack; she just didn’t know how to really broach this subject. Still, sitting on your dead friend’s floor for hours after she came back to life and ate a bunch of brains probably wasn’t the best way to cope. Talking. Talking was a good thing, right?

The medium finally stood up from her very comfy safe place, her ghost friend actually looking a little concerned as she made her way through the house looking for Mack. She hadn’t been here before so nothing was familiar but luckily she found the other girl in what she presumed was the master bedroom. Standing in the doorway, Winter cleared her throat to alert Mack of her presence. “So…that was something.” Her ghost raised an eyebrow and she shrugged at it. What else could she say? It wasn’t like you could comfort a woman who had just taken a swan dive in front of everyone and showed off her magical healing powers.

Moving into the room, Winter clasped her hands together in front of her while she searched for something else to say. She definitely couldn’t relate to this so it was difficult. “I get why things were a little complicated for you now. I guess it just takes a night of mayhem and weird to really understand someone else sometimes.” She paused, biting the inside of her lip before sighing. “You want to talk about it?”

—

Mackenzie felt like any resemblance of a life she had was over. Everyone knew what she was, and from there she felt like it was going to be so easy to piece together that she was the one who killed Brody. She didn’t know what to do. After the way things had ended, all she had wanted was for everyone to leave. Lonely had become her middle name, and she felt like nothing more than someone you’d see being portrayed in a Lifetime movie.

Laying in her bed with the covers pulled up to her neck, Mack refused to move. She had still been in the same clothes she had died in and hadn’t felt like washing the extra stench of death off. What was the point anyways? But what she didn’t expect was to hear a familiar voice at the doorway of her bedroom.

Without acknowledging Winter, Mackenzie let out what sounded more like a pitiful squeak of a sentence than anything else, “What’s there to talk about? Now, you know why I left.” Her vision was still somewhat blurry and the bruising around her neck remained. It was going to take a while to fully heal from this one, and she’d probably have to eat again in a little while, but at least she was in an almost normal state of mind again. Slowly turning her head, she looked to Winter, “Aren’t you afraid I might eat you? There won’t be anyone here to save you or your ghost this time.” She had finally acknowledged the man standing next to Winter as only what she could assume him to be.

—

“Yea…still could have called.” Her lips quipped at her own joke but somehow she didn’t think Mack would appreciate the comment. Amusing herself wasn’t a bad thing though, especially after the night they’d had. “Well, you already tried to eat me once and you were pretty damn slow. I’m sure I can find some sort of weapon or even run away. You’re like one of those George A. Romero zombies. I never could figure out how people couldn’t outrun them.” Rambling was not a usual trait that Winter had but it was hard when one had no idea what one was talking about. It was unusual not knowing what to say.

“Not that I know how this works or anything but didn’t you just eat? Should I be worried?” Winter bit her bottom lip, suddenly a little nervous as she stayed rooted into place. No need to get any closer if she had to worry that the girl might lunge at her. The last thing she needed to worry about was becoming a ghost herself. Who would translate how pissed she was at Mack if she were part of the afterlife?

“Wait.” Something Mack said had just registered and even more confusion set in if that were even possible. “You can see him? Have you been able to see him this whole time?” As if she needed further proof that the world she’d stepped into when coming to this town was vast and she had no idea what she was dealing with. This was the second person that could see the person following her around and Winter wondered if it had something to do with the town or something else was at play here.

—

Mackenzie wasn’t amused by Winter’s smartass remarks. And she turned her head back the other way to stare at the wall, the colors and patterns of her wallpaper running together, “So that’s what I look like.” It was a very self-aware moment for the young zombie, since she was pretty much brain dead when she was that bad off. “Guess I won’t have to find a mirror now.” Her tone was flat, no insinuation that she was making a joke or being sarcastic.

Should she be worried? Mackenzie wanted to say no, but she honestly wasn’t sure at this point. She had only ever died once. This was a new experience for her, and it had felt somewhat different than before, “I don’t know. I didn’t feel like this the last time I died. I was hungry, but I don’t know. I would just stay where you’re at, so you can leave if you need to.” She didn’t want to hurt someone else she loved.

At the word wait, Mack set her glazed over gaze back on Winter, “Yeah. I can see him and his gross looking arm.” She set her eyes on him, “Sorry.” before looking back to Winter. “I’m dead, remember? I just have a bit more of a form than he does. But it’s not like I could tell you for obvious reasons.” Turning over slowly, she made sure to keep the covers over her body, “So I guess you really can talk to ghosts, huh?” It was kind of nice not focusing on the situation that had just happened for a minute, but she wasn’t sure how long it was going to last.

—

“I never said that’s what you looked like.” Winter rolled her eyes with the words, ignoring Mack’s warning to stay further away and moving towards the bed. If she got eaten then she got eaten. “I was talking about your speed, thought that was implied. You looked a little crazed but it’s not like your skin was rotting off or something.” Taking a seat on the edge of the bed, Winter made sure to keep a little bit of distance between the two of them. She could attempt to run if she needed. “I didn’t realize a lot of this existed…the supernatural, I mean. Zombies, things flying around by themselves, some kind of fox thing, it’s all a little insane and yes it’s scary. But Mack, you’re still you, you know? You’re not actually a George A. Romero zombie with no sense of who they used to be. I never knew there was a difference with you until tonight.”

It was obvious Mack hadn’t been a zombie for long. If she didn’t know about when she needed to eat or what would make her go feral again then the logical thing to assume was she hadn’t been one for the majority of the time they’ve known each other. “How many times have you died? How long have you been like this?” So many questions were swimming around Winter’s head, her curiosity a continuous trait throughout her life. Some people liked to call her nosy but she liked to think she wanted to know how things worked.

Her ghost nodded to Mack politely when the girl apologized to him which made Winter’s mouth drop open in shock. He had never been so civil to her. “What the fuck, dude, I thought you were a bigger asshole than I was.” Again, his glare was set on her and Winter made a face at him before looking at her friend again. “So you can see him because you’re dead? So all zombies can see them?” Going silent with Mack’s question, she looked away and towards the bedroom door. It wasn’t easy for her to admit this. Nobody except Winter’s family knew that she had been faking everything on her tv show. But secrets were being shared tonight and Winter knew it was only fair that she share hers. “Actually…I never could see or talk to them. At least not until a month or so ago. I did this ritual thing from one of my great grandmother’s books and he showed up and he hasn’t left my side since. But he won’t talk to me.”

—

Mackenzie’s brain still wasn’t functioning at its highest level. And she wasn’t as well prepared for Winter’s smartass remarks as she normally was. She was doing good just to be having a coherent conversation and to actually recognize this woman and her ghost, “Oh good. Glad to know I didn’t look like something out of the Walking Dead.” Her words were still monotone. Inflection just wasn’t something she was vibing with at the moment. “What do you mean fox thing?” That’s new information. And things flying around the room? She hadn’t planned for a full on horror show. The production quality must have been of high value to have other freaky shit happening all while she was trying to eat her friends. Well, she guessed they were still her friends. She wasn’t entirely sure anymore.

“Thanks for saying that. I’ve been trying my best to keep it quiet, you know? It’s not exactly something I want to shout from the rooftops. Mackenzie…Mackenzie…” She struggled to remember her own name and gave up for now. “You get what I’m trying to say.” She let out a sad sigh with a breath that was more for show. It was like she had taken on the ultimate acting role after dying…pretending to be alive, “I’ve only died one other time. The day I became like this. And it was around two years ago, when all those rumors circulated that I had died on the set of Dropped? They were true.” She looked at her friend with sad, tired eyes. “Oh, and since coming here, I’ve been shot in the face with fireworks and almost eaten by a huge spider. But tonight, probably takes the metaphorical shit cake.”

She watched the banter between Winter and her ghost. It was amusing to say the least, and it made Mack wonder if he had been following her around since they had first met several years ago. Ironically though, Mackenzie got her answer, “So he hasn’t been your sidekick since we first met? And why are you telling me this? I mean, I’m not gonna say anything, but why tell me? Aren’t you afraid of ruining your career?” That had been one of Mackenzie’s biggest fears since the whole becoming a zombie thing had happened, but more than that, that she would be disowned by everyone who loved her after they found out about Brody. It’s one of the reasons why “disowning” them first, had worked to her advantage, slightly. “And uh, I mean yeah, but I don’t know about all zombies, because I don’t know of any other zombies. Kinda alone in all of this.”

—

“I would have killed you myself if you looked like that.” Says the girl who literally cowered against a wall when Mack had gone zombie. Winter one hundred percent believed that once she gained her wits about herself she would have been able to though. At least, that’s what she was telling herself. Headshots were the best way to kill a zombie, right? Or did the entertainment industry get that wrong too? Not that she planned on killing her but it might be useful information to have. Raising an eyebrow at the surprise, Winter turned so that she was able to face her friend better. “One of your friends turning into a fox? Her clothes were literally on the floor and she was naked when she turned back into a human. The fox was crawling all over the one who looked like she'd never had a fun day in her life.”

Huh, turns out not all rumors in Hollywood were made up for publicity. “How did nobody on that set know that you were actually dead? Didn’t you tell me that was a horrific fall?” If Winter remembered correctly, Mack had said something about actually falling but not being as hurt as people thought she’d been. Had they ever told the truth to each other? Not that Mack could really tell her something like that without Winter wanting her family to get her into therapy. “Fireworks and a giant spider? Are you sure you want to stay here? Like, you have this great house and all but this town seems extremely off.” It was like she’d temporarily forgotten she was talking to a zombie and she herself could see ghosts. But after asking the question Winter realized that maybe the two of them did belong in a town that was just as strange as them.

“No, he hasn’t. Only a month or two now.” She sighed, rising from the bed and throwing her hands in the air. “I guess I trust you, I don’t know. You’re the only one I’ve ever really felt close to. Besides, rumors about me being a fake had been spreading since the show started, it’s nothing new. People believe what they want to believe and enough believe in me to keep the show going.” Shrugging her shoulders, she turned back to her friend. “You can’t be the only one. I wonder if there’s a way to track zombies down.”

—

“Guess it’s good to know I’ve got an out, if my looks ever fail me.” She let a small smirk slip onto her lips for the first time in a while. Every time something happened, it felt as though Mackenzie would lose a little piece of herself. It’s like she would eventually come back and be a functioning humanoid creature again, but the spark of her humanity and life had seemed to be dimming, and it truly scared her. She didn’t want to lose herself and become permanently numb. Mackenzie had always been so full of life and excitement. The idea of that not being her norm anymore was frightening.

“So you’re telling me somebody literally sprouted four legs and a tail and started running around my kitchen? What? I know I’m still struggling to process things, but that doesn’t sound real…” Mackenzie had a fox in her kitchen? “Who was it? And the other person you’re talking about, did she look like a sad version of Wednesday Addams? Cause if so, that’s Nora.” What the hell happened while she was in full on zombie mode? Maybe she needed to talk to Alex or, even Elvira herself…Nora.

“Your guess is as good as mine, but I did also eat a PA, which was part of the coverup. The studio paid a lot of money to keep people quiet. And at this rate, do you think that most people would really believe I ate somebody?” If Mackenzie could sweat, she would. She had eaten Brody after all, but Winter didn’t need to know that. Nobody did. “And when people thought that I was invincible it helped ratings spike like they hadn’t before. My death seemed to be a win for the studio and my career. But if I could go back to that day and change it all, I would.” She cast her eyes downward again knowing she couldn’t hide the regret in them. “As for staying here, I don’t really have a choice, Winter. People back home aren’t going to know how to handle me or take care of me if something goes wrong. The only reason you’re all still alive tonight is because of Alex.” She looked back up and locked eyes with Winter.

After a brief pause, Mack spoke up, “Well, I trust you too. And I trust that you’re not going to say anything to anybody about this. Please. You know I would never tell anybody what you’ve told me in private. You’re my best friend, Winter. And the only part of home I have left.” She bit at her bottom lip. “As for tracking zombies, I don’t know. It’s not like I can really smell anything, so I’m guessing if there were other zombies, they couldn’t either.”

—

“There she is.” She said the words as if Winter was seeing Mack for the first time in a while, glad that a little spark of humor was starting to shine through. “I was waiting for you to show up.” Her shoulder dipped into Mack’s playfully, the girl becoming more comfortable as time slipped by without another zombie incident. It had been hours anyway, she figured if Mack needed to eat something else she would know by now.

“Guess you don’t know your friends very well, huh?” She paused, realizing that people could say the exact same thing about her since Mack hid this whole being dead thing for so long. Had she never really paid enough attention to notice that things were completely off these past couple of years? “Doesn’t sound real? You realize you're a zombie, right? How far-fetched could someone turning into a fox possibly be?” Winter really was trying to think of these people’s names but with everything that had happened the beginning stages of the party slipped her mind. She couldn’t recall a single one while she sat there with Mack. “I don’t remember her name. I think she was the one who brought the sangria? And that must be Nora even though I thought every version of Wednesday Addams was sad.”

With that news, her stomach started to feel a little queasy. Eating a PA was weird enough on its own but knowing the studio covered up the whole thing was…well, not surprising but still pretty awful. “Could you imagine the headlines? ‘Mackenzie Ross the Cannibal’ has a nice ring to it. The gossip rags would have a field day.” As much as she was trying to turn this into another joke, Winter’s voice had quieted. As awful as she had been to some of her PA’s over the years she couldn’t imagine causing one of their deaths. Locking eyes with her friend, the medium rolled her eyes, trying to shrug off the discomfort that had risen within her. “You wouldn’t have eaten me, I refuse to believe that. As for staying here, I guess I’ll need to stick around for a bit.”

Winter scoffed at Mack’s words. “I’m offended that you’d even suggest that I would tell someone.” So, she had a big mouth. That gave Mack no right to think she would blab about all of this. “I’m not going to tell anybody what we talked about just like I’m not going to tell anyone what happened at the party. I promise. And you know I don’t do that easily.” Making a face, the girl sighed at her best friend. “That sucks. How are you supposed to learn about this crap?”

—

A soft smile spread across Mack’s face as Winter nudged her. At this moment, it felt as if everything was starting to be okay. She was glad Winter had stuck around and hadn’t left with everyone else, but she couldn’t have blamed her if she had, “Yeah, lets just hope it lasts.”

“I mean a lot of them I saw at a party a while back. Besides, I’m sure most people don’t want to go around spouting off that they’re a fox or zombie or some other weird, unnatural thing. Who knows what kind of people are out there waiting to get their hands on people like us?” Winter could even be put in that category considering she had a new little buddy following her around. “I guess you’re right, and that doesn’t help much, because I don’t even know who brought sangria. I was more so focused on hoping people were having a good time, until I died. And Nora’s in a league of her own.”

“Yeah, I’d be on the next episode of Dateline or the next Lifetime movie.” Mackenzie shook her head. There was still a very big possibility it would happen considering the other teeny tiny bit of information she was keeping to herself. “I really hope I won’t eat you, but I can’t really control it if I get into a situation like dying or not having food. I guess it’s good you at least know what to look out for now though.” She couldn’t live with herself if she had ever hurt Winter, and in that moment, she had almost wanted to ask her friend to put more distance between them, but she also didn’t want to freak her out again.

She knew she could trust Winter. Despite how feisty the woman could be, she had always been a good friend to Mackenzie. Besides, who was she going to tell anyways. It’s not like Winter had that many friends in Wicked’s Rest either. I mean, she did have friends back in California, but Mack wasn’t going to let her mind go there, “Hey, as much as I don’t like it, I’ve gotta ask these things now, but you’re DD, so I trust that you and Ghosty there have my back through all of this.” God, she had hoped she wouldn’t say anything. “Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe I can go hang out in cemeteries and see if any zombies show up.” She shrugged.

—

“I just didn’t know there were so many…different things. I mean, ghosts, yeah a lot of people believe in them without any proof, but now I know there’s zombies and some kind of X-men running around. What next? Is my dad going to tell me he's a swamp thing?” Winter hadn’t even thought about people wanting to come after those like Mack or even herself. “Wait, what do you mean? Like the government wanting to do experiments? I feel like this isn’t new, they probably know about this already.” Or at least she hoped. Maybe that was why most people could go their whole lives without knowing the supernatural was a thing? Shrugging a shoulder, Winter didn’t know what else to say to her friend. She couldn’t pull a name out of thin air. “Then I couldn’t tell you. Guess we’ll just have to call her Foxy or something.”

Again, Winter went quiet when Mack tried to explain that she couldn’t control herself. The medium didn’t want to think about what could possibly happen if her best friend got hungry around her again. She didn’t want to know that at any moment Mack could start gnawing on her like her cat did with her chew toys. It wasn’t something she was willing to believe. “Sure, okay. But I still think there’s something in you that would stop you. You know, like in the movies when someone loves someone else too much to hurt them under mind control or something? Yea, that’ll be us.” And there was no convincing her otherwise. Mack would have to prove that wasn’t the case even if Winter never wanted to see her hungry again.

“That’s right, bitch, I’m DD and you’re my BB. There’s no way I’m letting this cat out of the bag.” Even with her hesitancy to get close to Mack before she immediately wrapped an arm around the other girl’s shoulder and pulled her into a side hug. “And it’s not like that asshole talks, so we’re good.” There was a noise as the ghost blew a raspberry, Winter raising her free hand and sticking her middle finger up at him while still hugging Mack. She lowered her hand, pulling away from her friend with a sigh. “Maybe I should hang out with you. I’m starting to see more ghosts so it could lead to some help with my issue too.”

—

Mackenzie was right there with Winter. Just because she had worked in the movie business that held whatever your imagination could think up, didn’t mean she believed all of it was real. But now there were a whole slew of creatures that had opened her eyes up to a lot more and the sad realization that this probably wasn’t just some virus that could be cured, and she’d be stuck like this forever, “Get in line. I just thought this was some weird, freakish virus I had that could be cured, but I guess it’s not. I guess zombies are real and so are other things that I only thought could exist in movies.” She glanced down, her smile dropping slightly. “Government experiments. People that want to kill us…” Her eyes moved back to meet Winter’s, “We just have to be careful, okay? And Foxy…right? I guess I’ll just go around calling everyone Foxy until they look super nervous. Then I’ll have my answer.”

Mack could see the denial on Winter’s face, and it hurt her, but she needed to make her friend understand that it didn’t work that way. As much as she had loved Brody, even he couldn’t stop her, “Winter. No. If I get like this, you have to run, okay? Don’t be stupid. Yeah, you’re my best friend, and I love you so fucking much, but don’t wait for that movie moment, because it will never come.” She swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. Mackenzie couldn’t wake up from the trance she fell into as a zombie to find someone else she loved and cared about deeply, ripped apart by her own hands. She just couldn’t.

Taking a deep breath, she let out a sigh and let her mood lighten, “That’s why I love a DD, because she’s a loyal bitch.” The hug had caught her off guard, but it had been something she had longed for since leaving her home. Just to be close and feel loved by those who loved her. She had felt like it was forbidden ever since she had killed Brody. Like she didn’t deserve to be loved by anyone or touched with affection. But just as the Grinch’s heart had grown, hers, she could have sworn, seemed to beat a little harder and faster for the briefest of moments, “You don’t know how much I needed that hug, Winter. God, you just don’t know.” She had completely ignored Winter’s ghost and managed to barely take in what Winter had been saying about hanging out with her in cemeteries, because she didn’t want to lose the feeling of being held just a little longer, even if it had been with her best friend. And in that moment, Mackenzie made it a point to never take hugs for granted ever again.

#para: winter #para: night of the living barbie #longislandcharm #wickedswriting #{closer to fine; plot}#death mention tw #murder mention tw

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scotianostra · 1 year

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John Mackenzie the filmmaker and director was born on May 22nd 1928 in Edinburgh.

McKenzie attended Holy Cross Academy then studied history at the University of Edinburgh. He went on to study drama and joined Edinburgh's Gateway Theatre Company.. He worked as a teacher and moved to London in 1960 where he worked for the BBC, his talents were spotted by the distinguished director Ken Loach, who made him his assistant, working on such socially significant teleplays as Up the Junction and the famously controversial Cathy Come Home. The experience of working with Loach proved invaluable and Mackenzie gained a wide experience of movie making and, not least, working within a tight budget.

Mackenzie did get some solo directing jobs on such programmes as ITV's Saturday Night Theatre but his first television drama was There is Also Tomorrow in 1969 and two feature length films including Made, which was shown at the Edinburgh Film Festival last year.

In the late 1960s Mackenzie started working with the Glasgow-born screenwriter Peter McDougall. Their first major success, Just Another Saturday, detailed the harsh working conditions of the Glasgow shipyards. The two collaborated on three other commanding films - all with Scottish backgrounds. The Elephant's Graveyard and Just a Boy's Game explored life and social conditions in Scotland.

But in 1979 the two made their most accomplished and dramatic film for STV - A Sense of Freedom, which starred David Hayman, Hector Nicol and Fulton Mackay. Based on the violent life of Jimmy Boyle, the film magnificently captured the very essence of evil that Boyle represented - from the opening sequences in Glasgow back streets filmed in semi-focus with a searing jazz rhythm being played in the background. Mackenzie then cut to a smoky bar and Boyle enters in smart suit and menacingly says to the landlord: "I hear you have had a bit of bother recently. I might be able to get rid of them for you."

The film made uneasy viewing. The Scottish Prison Service would not allow Mackenzie to film in its prisons, so he had to use Dublin's Kilmainham Prison. But the film won much praise and the rigour and unflinching direction from Mackenzie was widely admired.

One critic wrote: "Like it or loathe it, A Sense of Freedom should be watched by any budding film makers. Certainly it is one of Scotland's finest film exports ever."

There then followed The Long Good Friday, which was set against the development of Canary Wharf in London and follows the fraught efforts of the Hoskins character to mastermind a dubious property deal with the Americans.

Mackenzie kept a tight grip on the direction and in scenes such as when Hoskins is turned down by the Americans he allows Hoskins to let rip with a powerfully invective speech only for him to get into his car and be confronted by a gunman (played by Pierce Brosnan in his debut film role).

Post production was beset by problems - not least Hoskins threatening to sue the American distributors if they dubbed his Cockney accent. The original television producers wanted the IRA content softened but Mackenzie and his colleagues resold the rights to George Harrison's Handmade Films so that it could be seen in cinemas. In one interview Mackenzie said of the storyline: "A mysterious syndicate is trying to muscle in on his action, and Harold wants to know who they are. He finds out soon enough, and bloody mayhem ensues."

It was that keen sense of drama, balanced by irreverent humour and directorial zest that has made The Long Good Friday a cinema classic.

Mackenzie returned to Scotland in 1998 to film Looking After Jo Jo for BBC Scotland. The drama starred Robert Carlyle. Again the story is sordid and uncompromising. It centres on a petty Edinburgh thief and drug dealer (Carlyle) who menaces the Sighthill housing estates. Mackenzie's sense of pace and his ability to draw a subtly threatening performance from Carlyle brought the film warm praise.

Other films that McKenzie directed include The Fourth Protocol with Michael Caine, Blue Heat, with the late great Bian Denehey and Ruby, with Danny Aiello

Mackenzie died following a stroke on 8th June 2011, some three weeks after his 83rd birthday

#scot #scotland #scottish #filmmaker #director #films #history #television

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justmoreocs-writing · 11 months

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Crossovers

Florence Pennyworth, I’m thinking that it would be interesting to see her with Leanna ‘Leah’ Elfman. I don’t have much for her, but I think it would take a little while for the two of them to get along. Leah might sometimes worry Dick is replacing their friendship when he moves into Wayne Manor - not that he’d do it on purpose, but part of her would wonder about it. That being said, I think when Leah can get passed that - they probably have a conversation which makes her realise she was overreacting a little - they’d be OK. Maybe not the closest, but Leah would know something was up when Florence goes missing. She’s out of Gotham by then, but they’d probably text or send silly things to each other, and it’s not like Florence to miss that; so, when she does, Leah does what she can to try helping her friend.

Leonie Murphy and Mackenzie ‘Kenzie’ Merritt would be a reporting team not to be trifled with. Honestly, these two would go at every story they could, determined to quell their insatiable curiosity. Initially, both of them would try to keep things from the other - after all, Vic being Cyborg is a secret Kenzie is determined to keep for him - but eventually they’d be a team to rival even Lois Lane. Also, can we talk about them helping each other with things? Training montage and suit making for Leonie, and her being there for Kenzie when Jason dies and Vic can’t be around?

Tessie Vannelli, the Coles and Tae all grew up in Haly’s Circus with Dick. Viola spent a lot of time with the Vannelli’s after she and Kit arrived - and their lives were turned upside down with the death of their parents getting there - for the pure fact she’s a fire breather; though, she starts as a juggler and progresses there. Tae loves making costumes for her - she’s one of his favourites - and they’re pretty close because of it. All three of them are devastated when her life is turned upside down, and though they’re willing to be there for her, when she goes missing they’re desperate to find her. When it becomes clear it might be more than they can handle, the boys have to get Viola to stop. Even when Haly’s disbands, Viola refuses to give up; and when she hears rumours about Joker? She’s terrified, especially for her friend. So, when Dick returns with their old friend, and the truth of the rumours is revealed? Cue heartbreak but also the three of them trying to help her; Kit is the one who finds it all the hardest, just because that’s the sort of person he is, and Tae is honestly a little afraid of her. Overall though, Circus kids stick together, and they’ll do what they can to make things easier for their childhood friend. Also, I have a feeling Tessie would be shipping Kit and Tae alongside Viola.

Brandy Hayes with Elodie Klecko (a multiverse OC of mine); they’re both part of the Statesmen. I feel the two of them would be pretty good friends, and they’d try to look out for each other whenever possible - be it on missions or just in general life. I can imagine the mayhem they’d cause together, but also banding together when things are happening within the Statesmen.

Callie Raeken with Camila and Ryan McCall (Scott’s cousins). They wouldn’t really have known her before, and I can see Camila taring her with the same scepticism she shows everyone; Ryan would be far more sympathetic towards her, and constantly be trying to make sure she was OK; he’d do the same for Theo as well, but I have a feeling Callie might need that support a little more than her brother. I could totally see him having a crush on her at some point - if it’s reciprocated or not, I don’t know - but he’d always be telling her random facts to try helping. Eventually, Camila would probably realise that Callie wasn’t so bad, it would take a while for them to get there, but when they do she’s one of the most loyal friends a person can have.

Elvira Levitsky and Irisa Kuznetsov. Both of them are Healers - though Elvira’s Tailor skills as well would be something Ris would love to learn more about. Depending on how Elvira left the Little Palace would shift their relationship I think. Irisa left the Little Palace because she hated it there; she ran away, and if they were there together that might make things rocky for the two of them; on the other hand, it might also actually make them closer. Irisa needs someone who can help her figure out what she wants, because this is really the first time she’s done something for herself. The Crows would be a massive help, but if she had someone who understood her a little? That would help her immensely.

Hope Wood would adopt Phoenix Dumbledore on sight. I can totally see Hope sticking up for the girl, especially if she’s sorted into Hufflepuff because Hope misses Cedric. She’d totally be up for taking Phoenix under her wing if she needed the help, and would prank anyone who even tried getting on her nerves (think the twins protecting Harry during second year, and you’ve got how I could see it going). That being said - and I haven’t actually posted anything about them because they became a side characters in Hope’s story - but I have a couple of Beauxbatons OCs. I can’t remember names - they’re in a folder somewhere for old fanfiction planning - but one was a prankster girl who was constantly in trouble, and her best friend who was always trying to get her out of it. I can see him having a soft spot for Phoenix - at least one parent is a teacher - but his friend doesn’t really get along with her due to the connection with Fleur. However, both of them are willing to try helping the girl smile when she needs it, and I feel like at least one of them would occasionally ask Fleur about her when they go back to school.

If I’m sticking with the Nico universe, seeing Teagan O’Neal with A.J. and Teddy Kane would be a lot of fun, I think. I can see A.J. being protective of Nico with everything; especially because of how Teagan and Dick appear to be sometimes as well. I think Teddy would be a little intimidated by her, but would totally be up for helping her integrating a little more with the Titans. I have a whole heap of DC OCs that could also be interesting to explore, but I need to develop them a little more. But I love the idea Teagan and A.J. not exactly seeing eye-to-eye, but if Nico was ever in danger you can bet everything that they’d work together to protect him. No matter what.

Booker’s sibling. I have a really rough idea for another friend of the group, possibly a cheerleader but who doesn’t take things too seriously. They’d probably have issues with Terri in a way, but when things start getting real I can see them helping each other out, and finding a friendship there that they never saw coming (one day I’ll introduce these guys properly, but I hope this is okay for a rough idea at the moment).

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p0pcu1tur3d · 1 year

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What if Brian[yes, that's his name] was in the Overwatch Shapeshifter AU?

I was thinking he'd be a (1)Barn Owl, (2) Tiger, (3)Ape, (4)Mackenzie Valley Wolf, or a (5)Badger. I tried out the Barn Owl route and it turned out decent(ly shit🤣) Hope this gets noticed by @overdrugs-mayhem who is the author & originator of the whole AU. Along with @racoonjohn as well.

[W.I.P]

Owl art credit - https://www.drawingtutorials101.com/how-to-draw-a-barn-owl-printable

Hair art credit - https://pin.it/3m1u3Oy

#overwatch shapeshifter au #overwatch #original character #oc #au ocs #digital art #ibispaintx

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mcbastardsmausoleum · 1 month

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Lamberto Bava’s Italian Horror Classics DEMONS and DEMONS 2 return in 4K UHD and remastered Blu-ray this August from Synapse Films!

Please Note: These are the Standard Editions releases for DEMONS 1 and 2 and do not feature any new material or restoration work from our 2021 releases.

They will make cemeteries their cathedrals and the cities will be your tombs… in 4K UHD and remastered Blu-ray!

“Perhaps no films better capture the essence of '80s Italian horror” - Nathaniel Thompson, Mondo-Digital.com

Regarded by horror fans the world over as two of the greatest Italian horror films ever made, Lamberto Bava’s Demons films are not only major cinematic nightmare fuel, but also hugely entertaining splatterfests of the highest order. Synapse’s 2013 Blu-rays and 2021 Limited Edition UHD remain two of their most popular releases, and now they’re bringing these favorites to Standard Edition 4K UHD and remastered Blu-ray in spectacular 4K restorations! These horrific splatter classics produced by Dario Argento (Suspiria) have never looked or sounded better and are packed with hours of special features, making this the ultimate home video release of these horror favorites.

In Demons, a masked man offers tickets to a horror movie sneak preview at the mysterious Metropol cinema. When a patron is scratched by a prop displayed in the theatre lobby, she transforms into a flesh-ripping demon! One by one, the audience members mutate into horrible creatures hell-bent on destroying the world! Can anyone escape this gory orgy of terror? In 1986’s ambitious sequel Demons 2, the apocalyptic terror continues! A televised horror film spells doom for the residents of a luxury high-rise apartment, as demons are unleashed through the TV screen at a young girl’s birthday party. As more and more residents are infected and transformed into blood-thirsty demons, a young couple fights to survive as they try to escape Hell on Earth.

DEMONS (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)

- Two versions of the film: the full-length original cut in English and Italian, and the shorter U.S. version featuring alternate dubbing and sound effects.

- Uncompressed DTS-HD MA English & Italian 5.1/2.0 audio mixes on the original cut derived from the archival audio masters

- Uncompressed DTS-HD MA English 2.0 U.S. theatrical mono audio newly remastered in 2021 by Synapse Films

- Audio commentary by critics Kat Ellinger and Heather Drain, co-hosts of the Hell’s Belles podcast

- Audio commentary with director Lamberto Bava, SPFX artist Sergio Stivaletti, composer Claudio Simonetti and actress Geretta Geretta

- Produced by Dario Argento: a visual essay by author and critic Michael Mackenzie exploring the legendary filmmaker’s career as a producer

- Dario’s Demon Days: interview with writer/producer Dario Argento

- Defining an Era in Music: interview with Claudio Simonetti

- Splatter Spaghetti Style: interview with long-time argento collaborator Luigi Cozzi

- Carnage at the Cinema: Lamberto Bava and His Splatter Masterpiece

- Dario and Demons: Producing Monster Mayhem

- Monstrous Memories: Luigi Cozzi on Demons

- Profondo Jones: The Critical Perspective

- Splatter Stunt Rock: interview with Ottaviano Dell’Acqua

- Stivaletti Q & A at the 2019 UK ‘Festival of Fantastic Films’

- Original Italian and English international theatrical trailers

- U.S. theatrical trailer

- Newly translated optional English SDH subtitles for the English version

- Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian version

DEMONS – 4K (2160p) STANDARD EDITION UHD BLU-RAY

VIDEO: 4K 2160p Widescreen (1.66:1) Presentation

AUDIO: DTS-HD MA English & Italian 5.1 and 2.0

SUBTITLES: English SDH (English Language Versions) / English Subtitles (Italian Versions)

REGION: ALL

ITEM # SFD0229

UPC: 654930325292

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $44.95

DEMONS 2 (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)

- Uncompressed DTS-HD MA English 5.1 & Italian 5.1/2.0 audio mixes derived from the original archival audio masters

- Uncompressed DTS-HD MA English 2.0 true stereo theatrical mix remastered in 2021 by Synapse Films

- Audio commentary by film critic Travis Crawford

- Bava to Bava: interview with Luigi Cozzi on the history of Italian horror

- Creating Creature Carnage: interview with Sergio Stivaletti

- Demonic Influences: Federico Zampaglione Speaks

- The ‘Demons’ Generation: Roy Bava discusses a legacy in lacerations

- The New Blood of Italian Horror featuring Sergio Stivaletti

- Screaming for a Sequel: The Delirious Legacy of DEMONS 2 with Lamberto Bava

- A Soundtrack for Splatter: interview with composer Simon Boswell

- Together and Apart: a visual essay on the space and technology in DEMONS and DEMONS 2 by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

- Original Italian and English theatrical trailers

- Newly translated optional English SDH subtitles for the English version

- Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian version

DEMONS 2 – 4K (2160p) STANDARD EDITION UHD BLU-RAY

VIDEO: 4K 2160p Widescreen (1.66:1) Presentation

AUDIO: DTS-HD MA English & Italian 5.1 and 2.0

SUBTITLES: English SDH (English Language Versions) / English Subtitles (Italian Versions)

REGION: ALL

ITEM # SFD0230

UPC: 654930325391

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $34.95

ALSO AVAILABLE ON 1080p BLU-RAYS

DEMONS – 1080p STANDARD EDITION BLU-RAY

VIDEO: High-Definition 1080p Widescreen (1.66:1) Presentation

AUDIO: DTS-HD MA English & Italian 5.1 and 2.0

SUBTITLES: English SDH (English Language Versions) / English Subtitles (Italian Versions)

REGION: A

ITEM # SFD0231

UPC: 654930325490

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $34.95

DEMONS 2 – 1080p STANDARD EDITION BLU-RAY

VIDEO: High-Definition 1080p Widescreen (1.66:1) Presentation

AUDIO: DTS-HD MA English & Italian 5.1 and 2.0

SUBTITLES: English SDH (English Language Versions) / English Subtitles (Italian Versions)

REGION: A

ITEM # SFD0232

UPC: 654930325599

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $34.95

Because of space limitations of the 1080p Blu-ray format, a smaller selection of Supplemental Features will be included on each Blu-ray:

DEMONS (1080p BLU-RAY)

- RmTwo versions of the film: the full-length original cut in English and Italian, and the shorter U.S. version featuring alternate dubbing and sound effects

- Uncompressed DTS-HD MA English & Italian 5.1/2.0 audio mixes on the original cut derived from the archival audio masters

- Uncompressed DTS-HD MA English 2.0 U.S. theatrical mono audio newly remastered in 2021 by Synapse Films

- Audio commentary by critics Kat Ellinger and Heather Drain, co-hosts of the Hell’s Belles podcast

- Audio commentary with director Lamberto Bava, SPFX artist Sergio Stivaletti, composer Claudio Simonetti and actress Geretta Geretta

- Produced by Dario Argento: a new visual essay by author and critic Michael Mackenzie exploring the legendary filmmaker’s career as a producer

- Dario’s Demon Days: interview with writer/producer Dario Argento

- Defining an Era in Music: interview with Claudio Simonetti

- Dario and Demons: Producing Monster Mayhem

- Splatter Stunt Rock: interview with Ottaviano Dell’Acqua

- Original Italian and English international theatrical trailers

- U.S. theatrical trailer

- Newly translated optional English SDH subtitles for the English version

- Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian version

DEMONS 2 (1080p BLU-RAY)-

Uncompressed DTS-HD MA English 5.1 & Italian 5.1/2.0 audio mixes derived from the original archival audio masters

- Uncompressed DTS-HD MA English 2.0 true stereo theatrical mix remastered in 2021 by Synapse Films

- Audio commentary by film critic Travis Crawford.

- Creating Creature Carnage: interview with Sergio Stivaletti

- The ‘Demons’ Generation: Roy Bava discusses a legacy in lacerations

- Screaming for a Sequel: The Delirious Legacy of DEMONS 2 with Lamberto Bava

- A Soundtrack for Splatter: interview with composer Simon Boswell

- Together and Apart: a new visual essay on the space and technology in DEMONS and DEMONS 2 by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

- Original Italian and English theatrical trailers

- Newly translated optional English SDH subtitles for the English version

- Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian version

The Standard Edition DEMONS 1 and DEMONS 2 4K UHDs and Blu-rays will be released on August 13, 2024.

Pre-order these releases now via the Synapse Films website at www.synapsefilms.com

#Lambert Bava #Synapse Films #Splatter #Italian Horror

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