Rent/Voicemail #2
Jennifer Jareau shifted from foot to foot in an attempt to stave of the cold. Outside the phone booth the wind howled ominously and dark clouds gathered overhead. It looked as though it was going to be a white christmas after all. She dialed the familiar phone number and tapped her foot impatiently as the phone rang.
“Hi. You've reached Penelope and JJ. Leave a message and don't forget "Over the Moon" -- My performance, protesting the eviction of the Homeless (and artists) from the Eleventh Street Lot. Tonight at midnight in the lot between A and B. Party at Life Cafe to follow (BEEP)” JJ sighed tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder.
“Don't screen, Penny It's me -- JJ Your substitute production manager. Hey hey hey!... Did you eat?... Don’t change the subject Penny... But darling you haven’t had anything to eat since last night!.... You won’t throw up…. Sweetheart you won’t throw up I promise… No, the digital delay didn’t explode.” JJ glanced at her reflection in the shiney metal before her. Her eyebrows were ever so slightly singed.
“There may have been one teeny tiny spark… You’re NOT calling Kevin!”
Erin Rossi nee Strauss had her cellphone pressed to her ear as she wove in and out of traffic. She glanced out at the darkening sky with annoyance.
“David darling,” she said cheerfully as she drove toward 11th street “You sound sad… She what?... Oh, David I’m so sorry love, I’ll be home as soon as I can… yes I just need to straighten up this mess with Garcia and the boho boys… I know, I can’t believe those two after everything I’ve done… Every since our wedding I’m dirt…. They’ll see, it’s all in their best interest… I’m almost there darling but I’ll see you soon… Merry Christmas to you to, bye.”
“Penny I’m not a theater person!" JJ said in exacerbation. "Could never be a theater person… Hello? Penny are you there? Hello?”
“Hello?” Kevin said cautiously into the phone. Behind him Hotch was tossing old screenplays and posters into the stove and attempting to get a fire going. It was so cold Kevin could see his breath in front of him.
“Penny?” He asked in surprise. “... Your equipment won’t work?... What about-?... No, I…. Okay, alright, I’ll head over there right now.”
“Hi. You've reached Penelope and JJ. Leave a message and don't forget "Over the Moon" -- My performance, protesting the eviction of the Homeless (and artists) from the Eleventh Street Lot. Tonight at midnight in the lot between A and B. Party at Life Cafe to follow (BEEP)”
“Well, Jenny -- We're off to the Johnson’s Christmas party.” A serious sounding male voice said. “I tried you at the office. And they said you're stage managing or something…”
“Remind her that those unwed mothers in Harlem need her legal help too.” A female voice interrupted.
“This is Emily. I can’t come to the phone right now. Leave a message and I’ll get back to you soon as I can. (BEEP)”
“Emily, darling, this is your mother. Call me and Dad when you can. We’re leaving for the airport right now. You can call Daisy for our itinerary or Alfred at Pound Ridge or Eileen at the state department in an emergency. We'll be at the spa for new year's… Unless the senator changes his mind.”
“The hearing!”A man’s voice called from somewhere far away.
“Oh yes sweetheart- Mummy's confirmation hearing begins on the tenth. It would mean the world to me if you would come. We could make a holiday of it. I’m sure I could arrange another hotel room for you. Hope to see you by the sixth.”
“Remember we have plans for brunch tomorrow. We’ll be expecting you, ALONE, at ten.”
“Harold! Don’t listen to him Jennifer, we’d love for you AND Penelope to come. It’s just that your grandparents will be there and, well Penny can be a bit, uh, overwhelming. Actors you know. Perhaps if you got her to tone it down just a bit?”
“Honestly Emmy, you should see your mother. The hearing is three weeks away and she’s already nervous.”
“I am not!”
“You know, maybe tell her to do without the blue eyeshadow and pink hair extensions.”
“And wear a dress.”
“Oh, and Emily,”
“Have a merry…”
“And a bra!”