SCENE 1 (Trent's car, late Saturday morning)
(Shot of Daria standing on the curb outside her house, her back to us. Trent's car approaches, stops. Daria opens the door and climbs in. cut to inside frontal shot. Trent's driving, Denise sits beside him in the front passenger seat, and Jane sits in the back, on the right hand side. Daria settles in on the left hand side, so that she's behind Denise. Trent takes off.)
TRENT: Hey, Daria. How's it goin'?
DARIA: Okay. How 'bout you? (before he can answer) You're awake this early on a Saturday??
DENISE: (bubbly) I kinda had to wrestle him out of bed.
(Trent chuckles, coughs.)
TRENT: Yeah.
(Daria looks at Jane, shocked. Jane rolls her eyes.)
JANE: (under her breath) Don't ask. (Pause. smirks wickedly) So, have you heard from Barry, yet?
DARIA: (also hushed) He's called three times. And each and every time, I've managed to be in the shower. (Bt) I'm hoping he'll reach the conclusion that I've decided to grow gills and live underwater with the rest of the fish-people, and leave me the hell alone.
JANE: From what I've seen, I think he'd view it more as a turn-on.
(Daria rolls her eyes. Beat)
TRENT: So, Daria, we were thinkin' we could stop off at the market and pick up some stuff to eat in the park.
DENISE: Yeah, we can't last for hours on beef jerky and a stick of black licorice.
TRENT: Some of us can't. (glances pointedly at Denise)
(Daria and Jane don't see it, but Denise rolls her eyes. A long pause follows. Then Daria leans toward Denise, a wicked smirk slowly spreading across her face.)
DARIA: Denise. We haven't had much of a chance to talk yet, have we?
DENISE: Nope. Can't say we have.
DARIA: So why don't you tell me a little about yourself. (Bt) Like, oh, how you and Trent first met.
(Denise giggles.)
DENISE: Sure, okay. (Bt) Well, like, I first saw Trent at McPatty's. That's a girls' grunge club. See, McGrundy's is, like, a guys' grunge club 'cause "Grundy's" is kinda all tough and rugged (growls a bit as she says "rugged"), whereas Patty is a girl's name, so --
DARIA: (deadpan) Yes. Your point is clear.
DENISE: Oh, okay. (Bt) So anyway, I play the drums in this band, along with Trent's friend, Monique --
(At the name "Monique," Daria cocks a depressed eyelid.) [*] see "Pierce Me"
DENISE: -- and, so one night Trent was, like, there in the audience an' so Monique brings me down and introduces us and says, "Yo Denise, you wanna real stallion to ride?? Well I've got one for ya!"
(Daria's and Jane's eyes widen.)
DENISE: (continuing) So she got me rappin' with Trent, and I gotta say, from that night on, I haven't been disappointed.
(She slaps Trent lightly on his upper thigh, which surprises him and causes him to swerve the car a bit. cut to close-up Daria. She sinks down in her seat and heaves a sigh, as if to say, "It's gonna be a long day." fade-out.)
(fade-in to: )
SCENE 2 (the supermarket)
(Shot of the car parking in the parking lot. Trent, Denise, Daria, and Jane all climb out. They appear to be in mid-conversation.)
DARIA: (to Denise. deadpan) Wow. I didn't know you could get pierced on that part of your body.
(Denise giggles.)
DENISE: Well ya can't legally, but Axl told me he'd let it slide if I slipped 'im an extra fifty and claimed all liability.
DARIA: That's what I call operating strictly according to the letter of the law. [*] see "Pierce Me"
JANE: (to Denise) But doesn't it hurt when you and Trent -- (Daria elbows her hard.) Owwwwww!!!
(Cut to shot of the supermarket's sliding doors, as seen from the inside. Trent, Denise, Daria, and Jane walk through. Jane is still rubbing her arm. Leans toward Daria.)
JANE: Okay, so maybe the answer's obvious -- but what d' you think of Denise?
DARIA: She speaks in complete sentences.
(Beat)
JANE: You sure? (Bt) She lost me a little when she claimed she had the power to channel Kurt Cobain through her Buddhist chanting.
DARIA: At least that was the one intelligent thing she said. (Bt) Is she like this all the time?
JANE: From what little I've seen (rolls her eyes) yes.
(Daria groans.)
JANE: (trying to find a silver lining.) Well c'mon, maybe we should give her more of a chance.
(Daria sneers in response.)
DARIA: (thought voice-over) A chance, she says...
(fade-out. fade-in to shot of Daria and Denise standing a short distance apart at the bread aisle. They're both examining the shelves. Finally Daria selects a French loaf. Denise, meanwhile, looks and looks, then selects pita bread. Turns to Daria.)
DENISE: Y' know, pita bread is really good soul food. They say when you're depressed, eat a slice with some hommus an' your mood'll clear right up.
(Beat)
DARIA: (deadpan) Well, I think it'll take more than bread to cure my seventeen-year long depression, but thanks for the advice.
(Denise shrugs.)
DENISE: (nonchalant) Don't mention it.
(Pause. Daria turns back to face the shelf, but her eyes are on Denise.)
DARIA: (thought voice-over) He could do much, much better...
(fade-out. fade-in to shot of freezers of soda, beer, and other related beverages. Daria's already standing there, trying to figure out which soda to buy. Denise walks up and, as before, stands a short distance away, perusing the alcoholic drinks. Finally she slides open the door and takes out a couple of wine coolers.)
DARIA: (thought voice-over. deadpan) Alcohol. (Bt. to herself) Now, now, she's over twenty-one -- it's her prerogative.
(Denise turns to Daria, holding up the wine coolers.)
DENISE: You an' Jane'll have to have some of this. It tastes just like orange soda, only with more zip.
(Beat)
DARIA: Zip. Super.
(Denise giggles and exits off screen.)
DARIA: (thought voice-over) Offers alcohol to a minor. (Bt) Subtract five from the checklist...
(fade-out. fade-in to shot of Daria, purchases in hand, walking down an aisle toward the checkout counter. She's frowning.)
DARIA: Dammit, what does he see in her?? Is she an example of the kind of girl Trent goes for?? (Bt) Dammit, I don't have much, but I am smart, I --
(from off screen, voice-over: )
MARCELLO: Daria, you're an intelligent woman who deserves more. You have so many gifts to share with the world, and you need someone who can appreciate you...
(Cut to shot of a line at one of the checkout counters. Jane, Denise, and Trent are already standing at the end of it. Trent's looking through a tabloid magazine, and Jane's perusing the rows of candy. Daria approaches them. As she does so, Denise is saying to Trent: )
DENISE: (slightly peevish) I can't believe you read that kind of stuff.
(Jane looks up from the candy, surprised.)
JANE: (to Denise) I can't believe you don't.
TRENT: (slightly defensive) Hey, so I like looking at the photos of alien spaceships. What's it to you??
DENISE: I just don't like the way they represent people, that's all.
(Pause. Daria's face registers some surprise. Jane turns to her.)
JANE: So Daria, I was just telling Trent about Barry, your new boyfriend.
(Daria makes a sour face.)
DARIA: Barry?? My boyfriend???
JANE: (pointed) Yes, I was telling him what a cool and interesting guy he is. (exaggerated wink. Daria gets it.)
DARIA: Oh, right. Barry. My boyfriend.
(Trent looks up from his magazine. Cocks a subtly-impressed eyebrow at Daria.)
TRENT: Yeah, glad to see you've found somebody. (Bt) Is all that stuff Janey said true?
DARIA: What stuff, exactly?
JANE: (before he can respond) Oh, nothing much -- just how Barry tells you every day how beautiful and special you are, and how each morning he checks on you in homeroom to make sure you made it to school safely.
(Beat)
DARIA: (to Trent) Oh yeah. Every word.
DENISE: (slight frown) Hell, wouldn't that be nice.
(Trent glances at her briefly. Jane rushes on.)
JANE: Also, I told Trent how Barry's always complimenting you for being so mature and sincere and thoughtful, and for always listening to his problems --
DARIA: Now, Jane, don't go overboard. (makes a big "Ix-nay" gesture)
JANE: (getting it) Oh, right.
(Pause. Daria glances stealthily at Trent, looking for any sort of reaction. His face is unreadable. Finally he cocks his brow again.)
TRENT: Sounds cool.
(Pause. Daria sizes up his comment, then glances at Jane. Nods a curt "I'm going for it.")
DARIA: Yes, it is cool. (Bt) And yet, I'm not so sure Barry's the right guy for me. I mean he's nice, but I'm looking for someone a little (glances pointedly at Trent) older.
(Trent's expression doesn't change.)
DARIA: (continuing) A guy who carries wisdom and life experience. And (another pointed glance) who knows me almost as well as I know myself. Like an old friend. (Bt) Gee, I wonder where I'll find such a guy. Do you know, Jane?
JANE: I only wish, Daria, I only wish.
(Pause. Both looks at Trent. Meanwhile, Trent and Denise act as though their remarks haven't registered. Finally: )
TRENT: (to Daria) Too bad you're lookin' for someone new. (Bt) That Barry guy sounds nice.
(Daria makes a sour face.)
DARIA: (weakly) Oh, um, he is.
(Pause)
DENISE: Hey, we're up. (points to the cashier at the register)
(Daria and Jane look at each other with expressions of defeat. So much for Quinn's advice.)
(cut to: )
SCENE 3 (drivin' to the park)
(Shot of Trent, Denise, Daria, and Jane riding in the car. Daria and Jane still wear defeated, somewhat contrite expressions. They're listening to Denise talk.)
DENISE: ... And so, like, I didn't think anything would help me after my brother got paralyzed in the car accident, but I found that Buddhism, like, really centered me, and gave me strength to handle the crisis --
(Daria and Jane glance at each other uneasily. fade-out)
(fade-in to: )
SCENE 4 (the park)
(Wide shot of a long stretch of green grass, with an amphitheater at one end. We hear folk music being played. On the grass, people are scattered about, lounging on blankets, et cetera. cut to shot of Daria, Jane, Trent, and Denise lounging on a blanket on a grassy mound. Daria and Jane are eating. Daria pauses to examine her food.)
DARIA: So this is pita bread. (Bt) Not bad.
JANE: (eating the same thing) I do feel strangely cheery.
DENISE: (pleased) What did I tell you?
JANE: (to Denise) And you say eating these cherry tomatoes will make you more tranquil under pressure?
DENISE: Yeah -- 's what I learned in my course on nutrition and the body. (Bt. sardonic) I think your brother's scarfed a few too many.
(She points to Trent -- we see he's spread out, hands behind his head, nodding off.)
JANE: Trust me, he needs no external substance to produce that reaction in him.
(Denise giggles wildly. This time, Daria and Jane don't act annoyed. Beat.)
DARIA: (to Denise) Wow, it's pretty cool you're earning a bachelors in NutriSci and playing in a band and taking care of your brother.
(Denise shrugs.)
DENISE: It's a struggle, sometimes, but I try to stay balanced.
(Beat)
JANE: Um, yeah. (Bt. turns to Daria) Hey, Daria, you wanna take a trip with me to the bathroom?
DARIA: Don't you mean port-o-toilet?
JANE: Whatever. Come on. (takes Daria's sleeve)
(Daria looks annoyed, leaves with her reluctantly. They walk a distance away, then stop. Jane turns to Daria.)
JANE: (amused. resigned) So isn't this about the time you start playing hardball with Denise?
(Pause)
DARIA: Sure. I... was just plotting my course of action.
(Beat)
JANE: Oh really?
DARIA: Yeah.
(Pause. Daria looks down.)
DARIA: I can't do it.
(Pause)
JANE: Me neither.
(Beat)
DARIA: I didn't expect her to be sort of...
JANE: Cool.
DARIA: Yeah. (Pause. resigned. philosophical) Well hey, if Trent had to end up with someone other than me, at least she's a decent person.
JANE: Yeah. (Pause. shrugs) I guess we'd better head back, then.
(Daria nods slowly. cut to shot of Denise and Trent on the blanket. Trent's snoring lightly. Denise's looking at him with a slightly peevish expression. Daria and Jane return, sit down.)
JANE: (to Denise) I decided I could hold it in.
(Pause. Daria turns her attention to Trent and gazes at him longingly.)
DENISE: (to Daria. also looking at Trent) Y' know, it's funny, Daria: your talk about your boyfriend earlier got me thinking.
(Daria glances at her, surprised.)
DARIA: About what?
DENISE: I dunno... about how certain people can seem so right for you, but that maybe, y' know, they're not the one...
(Jane glances at Daria.)
DARIA: (trying to sound nonchalant) Oh really?
DENISE: Yeah. (looks at Jane, too) I hate to say it, 'cause the person I'm thinking of is so sweet 'n' nice --
(Cut to close-up Daria, reflective.)
DENISE: (off screen) -- and there really aren't a lot of nice guys around, but...
(fade-out. fade-in to the fantasy future scene. Older Daria is standing with Marcello at the door, as she was earlier. The sounds of "You're a Liar, I'm On Fire" have subsided. Daria looks confused.)
DARIA: Marcello, I don't know. This is all so sudden...
MARCELLO: (urgent) Please, Daria, you must get away from this place.
DARIA: But hey -- why should I go with you? You'll always be married to your work more than to me.
MARCELLO: It's not myself I'm thinking of, Daria. I don't care who you end up with, so long as it's not --
(Suddenly the older Trent walks on screen. Marcello and Daria look at him. Marcello frowns, while Daria appears stunned and guilty.)
TRENT: Hey, Daria, what's up?? Who is this??
MARCELLO: Just someone who cares whether she has a happy future.
TRENT: Yo, hey, I make her happy.
DARIA: (trying to defend him, but with little enthusiasm) Oh yeah, he does.
MARCELLO: (to Daria. suspicious) Does he really? Do you and he work together?? Do you have any exciting plans --??
TRENT: Yo, mister -- I've got exciting plans. My band, Mystik Spiral's about to put out its first album. And we're getting a new name.
(Pause. Marcello looks slightly mollified, but Daria gazes at Trent, shocked.)
DARIA: Your first album --?!
(Cut to close-up shot of the present Daria, listening to Denise, wearing an uncomfortable expression on her face. cut to wider shot. Jane is also listening, with a solemn expression. Trent has rolled over onto his side, but is still snoring lightly. Suddenly Daria breaks in: )
DARIA: But, um, what if you tried talking to this person? I bet he'd listen to you if you said you were dissatisfied.
(Beat)
DENISE: I dunno, I wish it was that simple. But, sometimes it just seems like there's this wall between us, and we're shouting and shouting, but the sound, like, won't go through. You know what I mean??
(Pause)
DARIA: (subdued) Probably.
(Cut to close-up Daria, again lost in thought.)
DENISE: (off screen) Sometimes you and some people can't see each other's needs. An' if that's the case, then you've got, like, nothing...
(Cut to close-up of the older Daria. She wears a pissed-off expression.)
DARIA: (to Trent) Twenty years --
(Cut to wider shot of her standing with Trent and Marcello.)
DARIA: -- and you haven't even put out your first goddamn album, yet??!!
(Beat)
TRENT: (surprised at her anger. defensive) Hey, we've been trying to work out the kinks in "You're a Liar, I'm On Fire."
DARIA: (scathing deadpan) Ooh, the showpiece of the album.
TRENT: What's your problem??
(Daria cocks an eyelid.)
DARIA: You have to ask??
TRENT: Why're you getting weird on me all of a sudden?? Is it 'cause of him? (points to Marcello)
(Daria rolls her eyes.)
DARIA: No. Trust me, Trent, it's all you. I can't believe I fell for a guy like you. What the hell was I thinking??
TRENT: (cocking a brow. cold) And what's so wrong with me??
DARIA: The list is a mile long, but let's start with the big black heading. You're a lazy-ass and a good-for-nothing.
TRENT: Hey, what did I just tell --?!
DARIA: What, that you're getting a new name?? I'll believe that when I see it.
(Pause)
DARIA: You're never gonna get a new name, are you, Trent?
(Pause. Trent looks resigned.)
DARIA: (more solemn) And if you're stuck in a rut, I don't think I want to be there with you. (Pause) I'm going with Marcello. (steps toward him)
(Beat. Trent hangs his head a little.)
DARIA: (to Marcello) Could you give me a lift to the airport?
(Beat)
TRENT: (to Daria. serious) You sure you wanna do this?
(Beat)
DARIA: (resolute) Yes.
(Suddenly Jane comes back to life on the couch. Lifts her head.)
JANE: (to Daria) If I were you, I'd stick with Marcello. (Bt) He's cute. (collapses into unconsciousness once again)
DARIA: Point taken.
(Beat. Trent gazes right at her.)
TRENT: You know, we could've had a great life together, Daria. We really could've.
(Daria stares right back at him.)
DARIA: Could've, would've, might've... I doubt it. (Bt) It just wasn't meant to be, Trent.
(Cut to close-up of the present Daria, frowning slightly.)
DARIA: (thought voice-over) ...it just wasn't meant to be.
(fade-out. fade-in to: )
SCENE 5 (drivin' around)
(Shot of Daria, Jane, Denise, and Trent riding in the car, silent. Daria and Jane look worn out and somewhat depressed. Trent drives, looking sleepy, even after his nap. fade-out.)
(fade-in to car stopped at the curb of the Morgendorffer house. Daria gets out, waves goodbye, shuts the car door, walks up the walkway. fade-out.)
(fade-in to: )
SCENE 6 (Daria's room, sometime later that day)
(Shot of Daria lying on her stomach on the bed, facing the door. She's holding up Othello as if she's reading it, but her eyes appear to be wandering. Suddenly the phone rings. Daria reaches out her hand in a mock attempt to pick it up. Doesn't get it, puts her arm back down. long pause. Then, off screen: )
JAKE: (calling) Kiddo! You're little friend's on the phone!
(Beat)
DARIA: (to herself) Jane's calling to make a play date? (Bt. yelling back) Thanks, Dad!
(She sits up, picks up the receiver and puts it against her ear.)
DARIA: (deadpan) What's up?
(From the receiver, a squeaky voice: )
BARRY: Hi, Daria, it's Barry.
(Pause. cut to split screen, Daria on the right, Barry on the left. Behind Barry, we can see several cases of stuffed animal skins -- cats, squirrels, et cetera. Meanwhile, Daria's got on an "ugh" expression.)
DARIA: Oh... hi... Barry.
BARRY: Boy, you sure take a lot of showers.
(Beat)
DARIA: Oh, um... the doctor says they're good for my contagious skin condition.
BARRY: Huh??
(Daria groans softly.)
DARIA: Nothing.
BARRY: So anyway, I was wonderin': would ya wanna go out with me tonight?
DARIA: (deadpan) And what's the occasion again?
BARRY: Ah-ha-ha, you're funny! (Bt) I thought we could go to the movies -- the cineplex is showing the "Phantom Menace."
DARIA: So art imitates life?
BARRY: Huh?
DARIA: No -- at least that menace is invisible.
BARRY: (missing the jab) Ha-ha-ha! (Bt) I hope you don't mind if my mom comes along --
DARIA: To spoil our perfect evening?
BARRY: Just to warn ya, she's mourning the anniversary of Captain Kirk's death, so she'll be appearing in her Star Fleet uniform.
DARIA: This just keeps getting better and better.
BARRY: She's fluent in Kling'on. Bet she'd give ya a few lessons if ya want 'em --
(Suddenly we hear the beeping sound of call-waiting.)
BARRY: What's that?
DARIA: Another call. (Bt) Sorry Barry, I really have to take it -- could be a matter of life and death.
BARRY: But --
DARIA: See ya.
(She clicks over. Barry's screen is replaced by Jane's.)
DARIA: Hello?
JANE: Daria! Wait'll you hear the good news!!
(Daria's eyes widen.)
DARIA: What??
JANE: Denise broke up with Trent! They've broken up! You've got a shot at him again!
(Pause. Daria looks stunned.)
JANE: Daria?
(Beat)
DARIA: (struggles to sound enthusiastic) Oh... cool. That really makes me happy.
JANE: Yeah, I thought it would.
DARIA: So where's Trent now?
JANE: Dunno -- he left a short time ago. To cool off, I guess.
DARIA: (monotone) I guess. (Bt) Well, I s'pose I should concoct a new strategy, then.
JANE: (crafty) Yeah, and I'll be right there to back you up if ya need me.
DARIA: Oh, I know you will. (Bt) Listen, I --
(She's interrupted by the sound of knocking at her door.)
DARIA: Listen, I'd better go. That's probably Dad with my new training wheels.
JANE: Huh?
DARIA: (shaking her head) Don't ask. (Bt) Anyway, I'll see you later.
JANE: Okay, bye.
(Daria hangs up. cut to full shot of her room. She sits there for a second, then gets up and walks slowly to the door.)
DARIA: (calling as she gets there) What??
(She opens the door. We see Trent standing outside, holding his guitar case. Daria's face takes on a stunned expression.)
TRENT: Hey, Daria.
(Beat)
DARIA: (taken aback) Um, hey.
JAKE: (calling, from off screen) Hey kiddo! Jane's brother's here to see you!
DARIA: (calling back) Thanks for the warning, Dad! (Bt. to Trent) Um, so what d' you want?
(Beat)
TRENT: Well I was thinkin' 'bout the concert this afternoon --
(Daria watches receptively.)
TRENT: And, well, (lifts the guitar case) it really got me inspired.
DARIA: (surprised) You can actually remember the concert??
(Trent chuckles, coughs.)
TRENT: Yeah, I guess I did nod off there for a while. (Bt) But the stuff I remember's helped me come up with a bunch of song ideas. Wrote some down. (reaches into his pocket, retrieves some crumpled papers)
DARIA: (looking at them) Oh.
(Beat)
TRENT: I wanted to know if I could run them by you. You could change the words if you think they're not right. (Bt) So how 'bout it?
(Pause. Then Daria cocks an eyelid and smirks.)
DARIA: Sure, I'm game. (Bt) I mean, what're friends for?
THE END [roll the credits.........................]
COMMENTARY
The question I asked of Amy in "The Tie That Chokes" is the same one I could ask of Trent: why wouldn't he be dating anyone?? The only plausible explanation (since I doubt it's because he harbors a secret, burning desire for Daria) is that he's too lazy. Actually, the more plausible reason is that the show's writers just want Trent to appear available so Daria can long for him.
A question for me: why did I write this fic? Well, there are three reasons. One, it seemed like a good "breather" episode after the intensity of "That Thing You Say." Although Trent having a girlfriend is an angst-ridden subject, the episode proved to be significantly lighter to write and, probably, to read. Secondly, it seemed like the episode that would follow TTYS, since that one ended with Daria and Trent putting on a song for Helen. I always knew that I would write a cynical 'shipper, but it wasn't until I started writing TTYS that I decided "'Shipped Out" would be my fourth fic.
The major reason, though, is that I agree with Glenn Eichler's take on the Trent/Daria romance. In TOON, Issue #18, he said that for people to get wrapped up in "will they, won't they" and to de-emphasize other aspects of the show would be like someone eating the sprinkles on an ice cream cone and then throwing the rest away. There's so much going on with the show, as I'm sure the majority of 'shippers realize. And one of the things we can plainly see is that Daria has opinions and aspirations that wouldn't mesh with Trent's.
I consider Trent to be mainly Daria's transition guy, from Beavis and Butt-Head to a guy who's like herself. However, I will be interested to see what happens between those two. The writers, apparently, want to string the "romance" along for as many seasons as possible. :-) There's the remote chance that Trent and Daria could get together briefly, but, like the other cynics out there, I've gotta say that I harbor my doubts.....
Now, points of interest
Barry: The poor guy probably didn't deserve the scalding he got from Daria and Jane. But remember... this is Daria and Jane we're talking about. Besides, it is slightly creepy that a guy would get his kicks from stuffing dead animal skins (which is what "taxidermy" is).
Different flow: Writing this fanfic was quite a different experience from writing my previous three. For the first time, I got to portray Daria front-and-center in all her droll glory. In the first two, she was droll, but in the background, and in TTYS, she was in the foreground, but hardly had anything to be droll about. What a nice change of pace! Also, whereas my previous fics contained several tight scenes that built up a sort of tension throughout, this one has several very long, leisurely scenes (ex: Daria and Jane at lunch in Act II, the market in Act III). I can even say that I improvised more in this fic than in previous: in Act III, I wasn't exactly sure what Daria was going to do with Denise. I had several scenarios envisioned, but finally I went with the one where Daria slowly warms to her. I figured that to make Denise too much of a ditz would be to give Trent little credit for having taste.
Where's the family??: Speaking of change of pace, this is the first fic that hasn't prominently featured Helen, Jake, or Quinn. I'm not sure why, except in the case of Helen: after the emotional rollercoaster I put her on in TTTC and TTYS, that poor woman needed a break!
Where's the Fashion Club??: Well, they -- at least Stacy -- were there in spirit. I guess they took a vacation at the spa during this episode...
No glasses: This is the first fic in which I haven't mentioned Quinn's vision problems... oops.
New intro 10 Spot promo: It occurred to me that if I'm doing "Next Wednesday on the Ten Spot," I ought to include the 10 Spot promo at the beginning of each fic as well. Ugh, my work keeps growing... :-)
Now, on to the games............!!!
It seems as though the postscript game for TTYS was a little harder for people than I expected it to be (hell, I proofread my fics so many times, I could practically recite them line-for-line by now). I panicked a bit, and even made a desperate plea (with some subtle blackmail thrown in) to the people on my mailing list for someone to play it. Finally, duh-duh-duhhhh... Robert Loudner, the champion of my last postscript game, stepped up! Way to go! Here's what he found:
I asked, which of the following three lines occurs in all three of my first three fanfics?
a) What's that supposed to mean?
b) What d' you think?
c) Mmrrrrrrrrrrr....
Robert found that it was c... and he's right! Here's who and where:
"Rose-Colored Lenses": Act III, when Daria and Jane hear Brittany calling to them.
"The Tie That Chokes": Act I, when Helen's irritated at Jake for not wanting to come with her to meet Amy.
"That Thing You Say": Act III, when Daria's sitting in O'Neill's class, the morning after her big fight with Helen.
As for the runners up:
a occurs in the following
RCL: Act II, Quinn gets ticked off in DeMartino's class when he says she's not a scholar like Daria.
TTTC: Act III, Amy gets angry at Helen after Helen accuses her of being closed-off.
b occurs in the following
RCL: Act II, Quinn comes out to show the family her new clothes.
TTTC: Act I, Daria asks Amy how she likes her room
Robert even pointed out some oopses I made with my question. I was so sure each line only occurred once per episode, but he pointed out places where they'd been said twice. b in RCL, Quinn nervously asks Daria how she likes the glasses ("Um... so what do you think, Daria?"). c in TTTC, Helen is grumbling about Amy's chummy relationship with Daria ("'Cause you see, with you she's mmrrrr-mmrrrr-mmrrrr..."). Congrats, Robert! I dub thee Superfan. :-)
Now here's the new game. I've made it slightly easier in order to get more people involved. Which of my four fanfics has the most made-up characters? I mean completely made-up, never before mentioned on the show. (Hint: Marcello isn't one of them.) If this one doesn't get any takers, I'll go back to single-episode trivia (i.e: the counting, etc.) If that doesn't get any takers, then sniff, sniff, I'll lay my games to rest....
I've written enough fics where I can now establish an Oops list:
Acknowledgements: As always, I have to give thanks to the library that is Outpost Daria. And to Martin Pollard, for putting me on the F.A. page... :-)
If you want to join my mailing list, e-mail me at scar@uclink4.berkeley.edu. But please refrain from sending me any nasty comments about this fanfic...
Dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot.............. and more dots. Thanks for reading!
This fanfic is the property of Kara Wild, copyright June 1999. All rights reserved.