Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Read 7,355 times)

[gapeach]

What happened in that room???

[André DiMera]

Chapter 22

SALEM INN - STUDY
SAMI: You did this to him. Didn't you?
E.J. looked blankly at Sami. To tell the truth, he was confused.
SAMI: You s.o.b.! I can't believe you did this to him! How could you?
Sami picked Johnny up and ran out of the room.
E.J. put his hand down. He looked dazed and confused.

HALLWAY
A little while later, E.J. was walking down a hallway. He wasn't sure where he was going, but he just wanted to get away from his wife and son. How could she accuse him of hurting Johnny? He wouldn't do that. He would never do that. It made E.J. so mad! He didn't know what to do! Where did she get off talking to him like that? It was the same as always.mShe could never forgive him for that little accident. She always held it over his head like some dark cloud. Then, E.J. saw the door to the Gold Ballroom.

BALLROOM
E.J. walked in. As with every room in the hotel, it was empty. He walked up to the bar counter. He stared into the mirror at his reflection. He put his head in his hands.
E.J.: I would given anything right now for a drink. I'd give my bloody soul for a lager or beer.
Then, he lifted his head. Strangely, he saw that the shelves behind the counter were fully stocked. He could've sworn Roman or Bo had said that they get rid of all the alcohol when they leave. But, there they were, right in front of him: rows and rows of assorted alcoholic beverages. He also saw something else. Or, someone else.
E.J.: Evening, Max.
E.J. looks around for a moment.
E.J.: A little slow tonight, isn't it?
He laughs. There, behind the counter, stood Max, a bartender.
MAX: Yes, it is a bit slow, Mr. DiMera. Now, what can I get for you?
E.J.: Now, I am very glad you asked, Max. You see, I have two Jacksons and two Hamiltons in my pocket at the moment. I thought they were just going to sit there and collect dust until May comes along. So, here's the deal. You slip me a bottle of your best bourbon, a glass and some ice, and you can have all four bills. You can do that, can't you, Max? Not too busy, are you?
Max smiled.
MAX: No, not busy at all, sir.
E.J.: Excellent. You set them up and I'll knock 'em back.
Max gets a bottle of bourbon and sets it down on the table. He then grabs a glass, fills it with ice, sets it down on the table and pours some of the liquid into it.
E.J.: It's the man's burden, my friend. The man's burden.
E.J. gets out his wallet and notices that it's empty.
E.J.: Max, I seem to be a bit dry at the moment. How's my credit here?
Max smiles.
MAX: Your credit is fine, Mr. DiMera.
E.J.: Good. I like you, Max. I've always liked you. You were the best of them. Best bloody bartender from Seattle to Springfield, Illinois. Springfield, Maine for that matter.
MAX: Thank you for saying so, sir.
Max sets the glass down. E.J. picks it up and looks at it.
E.J.: Here's to five miserable months on the wagon, and all the irreparable harm it's done me.
E.J. drains his glass in one swig.

[fluffysmom]

I have a feeling EJ really did make a deal with the devil unwittingly.

[gapeach]

I think you might be right!!!

[André DiMera]

Instead of a preview this weekend, I'm going to give you all an extra chapter, to make up for my absence during spring break.

Chapter 23

SALEM INN - GOLD BALL ROOM
MAX: How are things, Mr. DiMera?
E.J.: Things could be better, Max my man. Things could be a lot better.
MAX: Nothing serious, I hope?
Max fills E.J.'s glass.
E.J.: No, not too serious. Just some trouble with her highness, and I don't mean Queen Elizabeth. Nothing I can't handle, though.
Max chuckles.
MAX: Women. Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em.
E.J.: Words of wisdom, my friend. Words of wisdom.
E.J. downs the drink.
E.J.: I never laid a hand on him. I swear, I didn't. I would never hurt a hair on his head. I love the little bugger. I'd do anything for him. Any bloody thing! But, that woman! I'll tell you, for as long as I live, she'll never let me forget about it!
Nervously, E.J. looked around, just to make sure no one was watching.
E.J.: I did hurt him once, okay? But it was an accident. An accident! Could have happened to anybody. And it was three bloody years ago!! The little bugger had thrown all of my papers all over the place. All I did was try to pick him up and move him out of the way.
E.J. sighed.
E.J.: A momentary misjudgment of strength coupled with a slight loss of muscular coordination.
Using his hands, E.J. imitated a broken arm. Just then, Sami ran in.
SAMI: E.J.? E.J.! Oh, thank goodness you're here!
There sat E.J., staring into the mirror behind the counter. Strangely, Max was gone, as was E.J.'s drink and all of the alcohol. It was as if they had never been there in the first place. Even the glass was gone, back up on the shelf, just as clean as it had been when Max had taken it down. Sami put a hand on E.J.'s shoulder.
SAMI: E.J., there's someone in the hotel with us! There's a crazy lady in one of the rooms! She tried to strangle Johnny!
E.J. swung round suddenly, a sharp look on his face.
E.J.: Are you out of your bloody mind, Samantha?
SAMI: No, it's true! I swear it's true! One of the doors to one of the rooms was open, Johnny went in there, he saw a crazy lady in the bathtub and she tried to strangle him!
E.J. sighed.
E.J.: Which room is it?

[fluffysmom]

EJ must be relieved that Sami no longer blames him for hurting Johnny.

Thanks for the bonus chapter André DiMera.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 24

ST. PETERSBURG HOTEL - FLORIDA
It was the middle of a warm night in St. Petersburg, Florida. Abe Carver was sitting on his bed watching the evening news. In truth, he was kind of enjoying his time away from the Salem Inn. The hotel he worked at during the winter had a smaller, more friendly atmosphere to it. But, he couldn't help but be concerned for Johnny and his parents up at the Salem Inn. There was something not quite right about that place. Then, Abe opened his eyes wide. He was getting a message. A telepathic message from Johnny. He was showing him the events that were happening may miles away in the outskirts of Salem that very night.

SALEM INN - HALLWAY
The open door of Room 237.

BEDROOM
Johnny was lying in bed. He was shaking. He was also trying to send a message to Abe.

ROOM 237
E.J. walked into the room. He was sure there was nothing in here. It was just in Johnny and Sami's imaginations. It had to be. He looked all around, and there was nothing. Nothing but a sound coming from the bathroom. It sounded like the shower was running. He went to investigate, and found that he shower was, indeed, running. He drew back the curtain and found a naked woman in there. She looked up at him and smiled. E.J. smiled back. She was beautiful. Her blonde hair was completely soaked with water from the tub. She was the most gorgeous woman E.J. had ever seen. As the woman stood up and got out of the tub, any thought of Sami completely left E.J.'s mind. For what seemed like the longest time, the two stood there, getting lost in each other's lives. Goodness sakes, she was beautiful. She put a wet arm around E.J., and then the other. E.J. wrapped his arms around her. Then, they kissed.

BEDROOM
Johnny was still shaking, and still sending his message to Abe.

ROOM 237
E.J. and the woman continued making out. Then, E.J. felt something strange brush against his skin. He watched in horror as the formerly beautiful young woman quickly turned into a ugly, wrinkled old woman. With every passing second, she looked less like a woman and more like a hag or a witch. She cackled evilly as she got back in the tub. Then, she laid down, and drowned herself in the tub, laughing a horrible cackle all the while. Disturbed by this, E.J. ran out of the room.

ST. PETERSBURG HOTEL
Abe got up and ran to the telephone as fast as he could. He dialed the number for the Salem Inn, which he knew by heart now.
OPERATOR (over phone): I'm sorry, but your call cannot be completed as dialed. Please hang up and try again. If you need help, please contact your operator.
Abe hung up the phone and put a hand to his head.

BEDROOM
While Johnny pretended to sleep, Sami was sitting nervously on her bed. What would E.J. find when he went to investigate? Would he find anything? Were they all going crazy? What was going on? Just then, the door opened.
SAMI: E.J.?
E.J.: Yes, it's me.
E.J. walked in.
SAMI: Oh, thank goodness!
Sami wrapped her arms around him.
SAMI: Did you find anything?
E.J.: No, nothing. Nothing at all.

[gapeach]

Man this is getting good. Poor Johnny and (can't believe I am typing this) poor EJ. Wonder why he didn't tell Sami about the naked ghost.

[fluffysmom]

I'm glad Johnny can communicate with Abe. EJ must be freaked out.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 25

SALEM INN - BEDROOM
E.J.: Didn't see a bloody thing.
SAMI: You went into the right room, right? Room 237?
E.J.: Of course.
SAMI: And you didn't see anything? Anything at all.
E.J.: Absolutely nothing. Now, how's Johnny?
SAMI: He's asleep.
E.J.: Good. Well, I'm sure he'll be himself again in the morning.
SAMI: Are you sure it was even the right room? I mean, maybe Johnny made a mistake.
E.J.: It had to be that room. The door was open, the lights were on, even the shower was running.
SAMI: I don't understand this.
Sami sat down on the edge of the bed.
SAMI: What about those bruises on his neck? Someone did that to him.
E.J.: Samantha, we may have to look into the possibility that he did it to himself.
SAMI: No, no way. That's not possible!
E.J.: Look, we've ruled out all the other options. I didn't do it, you didn't do it, and there's no crazy lady in here. There's no other explanation. And really, when you think about it, it wouldn't be that different from that spell he had before we came here.
Johnny was still pretending to be asleep. Then, Zane gave him another vision. He showed him a door. It looked like the bedroom door. It had a word written on it. No, not written, scrawled in a red liquid. Just one word, in all capitols, with some of it reversed. The word was REDRUM. The vision ended as soon as the vision came, it went.
SAMI: E.J., whatever the explanation is, i think we should leave. We have to get Johnny out of here.
E.J. stared.
E.J.: Get him out of here. You mean, leave the hotel?
SAMI: Yes.
Then, another vision came. It was the elevator of the hotel. There was blood gushing out of it. It flowed faster and faster. Soon, there was so much that it was carrying the furniture away. That vision stopped soon after, too. E.J. stood over Sami
E.J. (yelling): This is typical of you! It's so bloody typical of you when I finally have a chance to accomplish something big, when I'm finally into my work! Oh, I could really write my own ticket if I went back home now, couldn't I? I could shovel out driveways in the winter! Maybe I could get a job at a car wash! Or better yet, I could flip burgers at some low-rent, cheap, tacky fast food joint! How would you like that, Samantha? Any of that sound appealing to you?
Sami was taken aback.
SAMI: E.J...
E.J. got down so he could look Sami in the eyes.
E.J.: Let me tell you something, Sami...
Strange, he had never called her Sami before, despite the number of times she'd asked him to. Something was seriously wrong.
E.J.: Let me just tell you something, you have been screwing up my life for the longest time. Well, I am not going to let you screw this up! Not when I'm so close, when the dream is in my grasp! No, you'll not screw this up for me, darling.
Furiously, E.J. walked out the door, slamming it shut, and leaving Sami in a state of shock, tears rolling from her eyes.

[fluffysmom]

Sami needs to take Johnny and get out of the hotel. Poor Johnny having those frightening visions.

[gapeach]

RUN SAMI RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[André DiMera]

Chapter 26

SALEM INN - KITCHEN
E.J. stormed through the kitchen, throwing everything into disarray. He tossed the coffee maker against the wall. He knocked over the row of glasses. He also took a fork and put it in the toaster.

ST. PETERSBURG HOTEL - FLORIDA
Abe stood in his room, telephone to ear.
BRADY (over phone): Forest service.
ABE: Hello, this is Abe Carver, head chef of the Salem Inn.
BRADY (over phone): Evening, Mr. Carver. How can I help you?
ABE: Well, I've been trying to make a phone call up there, but the operator informed me that the lines are down.
BRADY (over phone): Yep. Most of the lines in the surrounding area are down due to the storms we've been having.
ABE: Well, sir, I'd hate to make a fuss over this, but there's a family up at the hotel with a young kid. With this storm, and the phone lines being down, I'm a little concerned. I'd really appreciate if you could give them a call on the CB, just to check in with them, if you could.
BRADY (over phone): No problem. I'd be glad to. Give us about half an hour and call back.
ABE: Thanks very much. Bye.
Abe put the phone down.

SALEM INN - BALLROOM
Click the link to hear the music that's playing:
E.J. walked into the Gold Ball Room. There was a party in full swing, with guests dancing to old music. E.J. said hello to a few of them, then walked up to the bar.
E.J.: Max, I'm back. I've been away for a while, but now I'm back.
MAX: Good evening, Mr. DiMera. Good to see you.
E.J.: You too.
MAX: What'll it be?
E.J.: Hair of the dog that bit me, Max.
Max smiled.
MAX: Bourbon on the rocks.
E.J.: That'll do.
Max prepared the drink and set it down on the counter. E.J. reached into his pocket, took out his wallet, and laid a 20 down.
MAX: No charge for you, sir.
E.J.: No charge?
MAX: Your money's no good here.
E.J. looked confused.
MAX: Orders from the house.
E.J. (confused): Orders...from the house.
E.J. put the money back in his wallet.
MAX: Drink up.
E.J.: You know, Max, I'm the kinda guy who likes to know who's buying his drink.
MAX: That's not really a matter that concerns you, Mr. DiMera. Not at this time, anyway.
E.J.: Whatever you say, Max. Whatever you say.
E.J. picked up his drink and walked around. Just as he was, a waiter carrying a tray of drinks bumped into him. The waiter scrambled to pick up the spilt drinks. E.J. stepped in to help.
WAITER: Sir, I am so sorry! Oh, look at this! Just look at this! I've made a terrible mess of your jacket!
E.J.: It's okay. Really, it's...
WAITER: I'm afraid it will stain, sir. It's an advocaat. I...I think the best thing to do would be to get some water on that. Come with me, sir.
Nervously, the waiter gave another server the tray which had previously held drinks, but now only held a few ice cubes and some glasses. Meanwhile, he and E.J. went into a restroom nearby.

BATHROOM
WAITER: Here we go. Should be able to get some water to that, sir.
E.J.: Looks like you have a bit on yourself there, jeeves.
WAITER: Oh, that's not important. You're the important one, sir.
E.J.: Well, that's very nice of you. I was intending to change my jacket before dinner, though.
WAITER: Very wise, sir. Very wise.
E.J.: So, what do they call you, jeeves?
WAITER: Kiriakis, sir. Philip Kiriakis.

[fluffysmom]

Uh oh. EJ is going crazier by the minute.

I'm glad Abe is trying to find out if Johnny is okay.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 27

SALEM INN - BATHROOM
Philip got a cloth, wet it, and started rubbing the stained parts of E.J.'s jacket and other clothing.
E.J.: Kiriakis?
PHILIP: Yes, sir.
E.J.: Philip Kiriakis?
PHILIP: That's correct, sir.
E.J. cleared his throat.
E.J.: Um, Mr. Kiriakis...haven't I seen you somewhere before?
PHILIP: No, I don't believe so, sir.
Philip rubbed a little more.
PHILIP: It's coming out now, sir.
E.J.: Fine, yes. Mr...Kiriakis, weren't you once the caretaker here?
Philip chuckled.
PHILIP: No, sir. I don't think so.
E.J.: You a married man, Mr. Kiriakis?
PHILIP: Yes, sir. I have a lovely wife and two little twin girls.
E.J.: And...where are they now?
PHILIP: Oh, around here somewhere, I should think.
E.J.: Mr. Kiriakis, you were the caretaker here. I recognize your picture from the papers. You chopped up your wife and kids to pieces, and then shot yourself in the face.
PHILIP: That's peculiar, sir. I don't recall that at all.
E.J. took the cloth from Philip.
E.J.: Mr. Kiriakis, you were the caretaker here.
Philip stood so his eyes looked directly into E.J.'s. He became suddenly colder.
PHILIP: I'm sorry to be contrary with you, sir, but I'm afraid that that's not possible. You are the caretaker. You have always been the caretaker. And I should know, because I've always been here.
E.J. blinked.
PHILIP: Did you know, Mr. DiMera, that at this very moment, your son is trying to bring an outside party into this situation? He is.
E.J.: Who?
PHILIP: The cook.
E.J.: How?
PHILIP: Your son has a very special talent. One that I do not think you are fully aware of. But, he is trying to use that gift against your will.
E.J.: He is a very willful boy.
PHILIP: Very willful indeed, sir. He's a very naughty boy, too, if I may be so bold.
E.J.: It's his mother. She...interferes.
PHILIP: Perhaps they need a good talking to, if you don't mind me saying so. Perhaps a great deal more. My girls didn't take to the Salem Inn at first, either. One of them actually stole my book of matches and tried to burn the place down. However, I soon...corrected them. And when my wife tried to prevent me from doing my duties, I...corrected her.