Lights... Camera... ACTION!!: A Hollywood Quest

Movie Pitch: Iron Lung
TITLE: Iron Lung

GENRE: Horror

SUBGENRE: Psychological Horror, Existential Horror

FORMAT: Roughly 80 minutes

BASIC PROMPT: Takes place almost entirely in a small submarine, very isolating. Depicts the Main Character's slow descent into madness before pulling themselves from the brink and reaching surface once again(could be subject to change and simply have them be trapped and not escape which would follow the themes more closely in essentially being left at the bottom and forgotten under the waves, but would be much more nihilistic). The ocean itself is the main horror. Lots of submechanophobia. The ocean has zero regard for you. In any other scenario like being lost in the woods or in the desert, you still have your legs and can still see and move but the ocean does care that we are not adapted to it and that every second that we spend in it without a man made creation leaves us completely at its mercy. The ocean also doesn't care about our understanding of it and it also doesn't care about our monuments. Like with photos of submechnophobia and you see the different great things that we've built and no matter however big or small, sentimental or otherwise, you see them beneath the water and there is this destitute sense of something being forgotten. No matter what level of sentimentality we apply to something, the ocean just does not care and it creates a strange sort of liminal space that while we are looking at it and we wish for there to be some sense of cherishing or memory or simply something sacred, there is none to be found. Roughly 9% of species in the ocean are logged with roughly 20% of the ocean mapped, which means that 80% of the single largest body on the planet is a complete mystery as are many of the events that take place on or within it. The Mariana Trench is so deep that you can take the entirety of Mount Everest, put it at the bottom, and you would still have a mile to go before you reached surface. The largest structure on land and the ocean will take it all and bury it so deep, we would never even know that it had done so in the first place. It is wrong in every sense that something should be wrong, it's inhumane, it's unreasonable, and it's uncaring. The ocean is infinite nothingness and it doesn't even allow the curtesy of being able to see the infinite and absolute abyss. This is the horror that Iron Lung is built off of. The character gets trapped phenomenally deep underwater with a limited supply of oxygen and is slowly going mad from the limited supply of food, of water, of space, of light, and air while also going mad from the isolation and hallucinations that start to plague them and the horrors relating to the cruel and uncaring ocean where things are forgotten.
 
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Tabletop Fun
"What am I doing?" You yawned with tiredness lacing into your voice, with the same feeling washing over to your eyes as you rubbed them while looking at a piece of cardboard with colours on top of it, some words and a border line at the edge of the map.

"Oh yea..having the bright idea to create a board game based on the Napoleonic Wars." You groaned as you now see the label 'The Plains of Marengo' at the border of the cardboard field. "And now..I have to create paper decals of different units.." You facepalm as you read through a notebook of what the game consists of..boards of different terrain that will be fought in with a rolling system using a die to decide the weather of that time.

Additionally, another few notes on having a turn-based nation building and diplomacy system while the battles would be real-time with a set of rules to avoid unrealism such as somehow running as fast as a car in a bayonet charge.

"When I said I'd like to educate people about the Napoleonic Wars..I never expected it to be a project that'll take me months to complete." You sigh to yourself as you step away from the chair you were sitting on to stretch your limbs before you hear a knock from the door leading to the building's hallways.

"I wonder who that could be.." You muttered to yourself as you walked towards where the sound was coming from with a dragging motion of your limbs with your arms sore from working on the board.

"Hello?" You called out as you opened the door to find a red-haired teen that was carrying a backpack while also carrying a book or two with her life arm. You look at her face with an eyebrow raised. "You bunkin' off today?"

"School's over." She deadpanned as she took a look at you. "Just woke up?"

"N-no, just working on another project." You weren't sure if you heard her sigh, but you did remember regalling her of his research in the pitch ideas you were creating, moreso Renaissance just to know the history of what led to it and what came after the time period to develop alternate historical scenarios coming from the insertion of Luciano into the era. "Tired?"

"Just tell me when you last ate something." She asks you as she walked into the room from the hallway, you closed it as you answered her.

"I just ate.." You look at the clock and face palmed with a groan. "Since breakfast apparentl-"

You widened your eyes as she pushed you to an empty chair, and gave you a bowl of fruits that you set up on the dining table. She looked at you with narrowed eyes and puffed cheeks, saying only a single word. "Eat."

After your eyes taking a light gander at the room, you could feel your stomach hurting from the lack of food, prompting you to quickly eat the fruits that is in the bowl.

(Scene Change)

"What are you working on?" She asks you with curiosity in her voice and eyes while you return to working on the game pieces such as dice, units, and terrain/weather cards for the battle system to function.

"Trying to find a way for..this monstrosity of complexity to work." You replied back to her as you crunched in the numbers into another instrument you bought, the proclaimed Scientific Calculator. Something you found interested in after it started selling this year, additionally it is a handheld device compared to the other calculators you found when visiting the electronics store.

"I still can't believe I can't use one at school." She huffs, looking at the calculator in frustration. "I would've been able to complete my work in less time than less efficient mathematical and scientific strategies."

"You can use them at home, yah?" You asked her after having to change the weather terrain to debuff gunpowder using units.

"Mom said to do it the proper way, to build 'good academic habits' by not cheating." She retorted while crossing her arms, leaning back against the chair she was sitting on, and watched you as you kept working on the Marengo board. "I wouldn't be surprised if the world's greatest scientists are already using them in their works."

"They are quite willing to use the quickest and efficient ways to reach their answers." You agreed with her after finishing the last bit of calculations you had to do to make it work in how it was intended. You look back at her while gesturing to the board. "Want to try it out?"

"Sure." She replied, interest peeking through her presence while you gave her the Austrian Units while you had the French Units.

"This one dosen't have a name, but I'm thinking to designate it as: 'La Chanson de la Victoire'." You say to her as you placed the cardboard board between the both of you, nearly filling out the distance as you were facing each other. You place another cardboard with the edge facing the ceiling and tall enough for the both of you to not look at the other's formations, although you are able to only look at each other's eyes despite the block.

"To start this segment of the game I'm making, We start with rolling a dice to see which weather is occurring in this battle." You say to her as you roll the dice..

(1d7
  1. Clear Skies
  2. Rain
  3. Somewhat Cloudy
  4. Very Cloudy
  5. Rainstorm
  6. Fog
  7. Harsh Heat

Rolled: 5)

"And..a Rainstorm happens." You deadpanned while she giggled in amusement. "Would you agree to not fighting during this weather?" You ask her with dull eyes.

"This general says yes, General Bruce." She smirked at you while you rolled the die again.

(1d7
Clear Skies
Rain
Somewhat Cloudy
Very Cloudy
Rainstorm
Fog
Harsh Heat

Rolled: 3)

"And the weather is somewhat cloudy, not much clear, but not too dark." You speak to her as you begin placing your French Units into formations and positions. "At this turn of the game, you begin placing your units into formations and positions of your liking. To have a bonus to your rolls when firing against the enemy, you place your general near them." You say to her while placing Bonaparte with the Artillery.

"Ready?" You ask her as you can hear ruffling paper from the other side of the board.

"Wait a minute..and done!" She nodded after a moment or two before agreeing with a nod of her head.

"Alright, let it commence!" You speak out with excitement coming out of your voice, removing the board that covered both sides of the battlefield.

"You're using the standard line forward with artillery back formation?" You asked her in surprise, additionally she had some cavalry units being placed at the back of the artillery.

"Yep." She spoke out cheerfully before looking at your placements. "Really? Cavalry Pronged attacks?" She raised an eyebrow.

"I'm impressed right?" You ask her with an excited grin that you could see was replicated by her in front of you.

"Don't think that'll be effective compared to mediaeval armies." She noted, you remembered, she did look through your Renaissance notes about the warfare that existed during the time period. She smirked while you narrowed your eyes at her. "You'll see."



(Rolling outcome of the battle: 1d20

Carrie: Nat!20

Bruce: 8

Carrie Wins the game)

"H-HOW?!" You spoke out in shock as her cavalry units encircled Napoleon as the rest of the army either dead or leaving the battlefield.

"Y-your reaction!" She giggled while letting out a faux-smug smile. "Told you it was a mistake to place cavalry first."

"I'll show you next time!" You promised to her with a smile you can't suppress.

"Although..this roll system you're using for the game is quite interesting..especially when it affects the chances and how the armies fight the other." She places a hand on her chin. "We could..also combine roleplay with it."

"I was thinking of adding a diplomacy and statecraft element to the game." You answered her as she looked at you with interest. "It's quite complex, believe me."

"Can we do..something simple?" She asked out loud as she took out a pen and paper and began writing things on it. "We could make it so the players play their own selves in an adventure made by..the Game Master?" She asks you while your head begins to turn, seeing where you could make the game become.

"Let's make it take place during the Mediaeval era, there are more chances for the players to enjoy running around villages being bards, knights, bandits." You rattle out in excitement as you stand up and join her as the both of you begin creating something new.

"The dice will decide their chances..how about a statistics system to add bonuses to add more value to the stats too?"

"That can work." You muttered as your brain began picking up new ideas that would help out. "If you want, we can also add magic to the entire world."

"Magic? Like Lord of the Rings?" She smiles brightly with excitement and passion burning through them, making you stop and couldn't help but look in awe and warmth filling your entire being.

"Bruce?" She calls you once you realise you were staring at her with nothing in your brain but herself instead, you did also notice at that moment that her cheeks looked quite flustered.

"U-hm.." You coughed away from her as you turned back with your wits and creativity flowing again. "Yes! Like Lord of the Rings..we could add more to the magic system though if you want to."

"Certainly!" She responds with excitement as she writes down what you said onto the piece of paper. She stops while placing the stalk end of the pen near the bottom of her lip as she asks you a question. "If we're adding magic..can we add in other fantasy entities?"

"If we're already adding them, go ahead." You shrugged.

The time passes with the both of you utilising ideas such as adding dragons, dark wizards, dungeons, anything fitting that can be come up with into the idea paper of the roleplay-esque game you two are making ideas of.

"Let's call it, Castles and Dragons?" You ask her as it was nearly the time for Carrie to go back home.

"Dungeons and Dragons?" She proposes with a shrug. "We can decide tomorrow..if you want to."

"S-Sure! If I learned anything today, it is the fact that I love creating new things with you!" You say to her with absolute sincerity and genuine feeling bleeding through and from your declaration.

"I enjoyed the entire time with you!" She replied with slightly flustered cheeks and a smile that replicates yours with the same feelings. "I just wish we could do this all the time.."

"I'll always make some time for you." You replied to her with a promise as the both of you walked towards the building's front door to see her off..after another enthusiastic handshake after a brief hug.

N/A: I didn't expect to create the World's first Roleplay TableTop game after creating a much more advanced and roleplay version of Waterloo with diplomacy and statecraft mechanics based on turns with real-time military battles..Didn't expect for the both of them to actually create a roleplay game idea together based on their interests, Fantasy (Carrie moreso) and History (Bruce moreso).
 
Movie Pitch: Monster in the Mirror
TITLE: Monster in the Mirror
GENRE: Drama
SUBGENRE: Horror-Tragedy
FORMAT: 80-minute movie
BASIC PROMPT: Karen Kennedy returns to her home town ten years after she left. With her is her psychiatrist Monica Hansen, who has come with Karen in order to help her deal with a traumatic incident that haunts her to this day, in which she claims a five-eyed monster attacked her when she was a child. What starts as a simple visit to a hometown begins to unravel into something far stranger as neighbors and family members are clearly hiding something, but is it something that Monica wishes to find out?

Plot:
Karen Kennedy and her psychiatrist Monica Hansen get off a early morning train in the summer. The two are forced to walk into town when their taxi fails to show up. The trek from the train station to the town itself is a mile long walk down a forest road, the atmosphere making something as simple as the wind blowing the limbs of a tree seem frightening and off-putting. Monica asks Karen if she's made any progress with her exercises and if she can handle looking in mirrors any. It gets revealed through their talk that Karen has suffered severe breakdowns ever since she was in her teens whenever she looks into a mirror, and has been seeing a psychiatrist for her problem the last five years. Monica suggested that Karen revisit her home town in an attempt to find the root of her fear after not making any progress in the city.

A passing truck stops and offers the two ladies a ride, turning out to be a kindly older gentleman by the name of Bernard Bird who Karen seems happy to see. The two catch-up, Bernard revealing that he used to run a Ornithology club back in the day. "Not much else you can do with a name like mine." He jokes to Monica. Karen reveals she spent a good part of her childhood at the bird studying club, as she loved listening to all the different music they'd make. Bernard sadly reveals that the club was disbanded after too many noise complaints, but he still takes care of the birds from a Aviary he tends to just out of town.

Bernard drops Karen and Monica off at Karen's parents residence. Karen's mother is already waiting for them and Monica catches her giving Bernard a scowling look which the man returns before driving off. Karen's mother is named Grace, and welcomes her daughter back with a hug which is returned. She shows Monica around the house while Karen gets situated in her old room, and the whole affair is friendly enough until Karen asks about the upstairs room which seems to be locked. Grace says that it's just where they keep some of their valuables, and any further questioning is interrupted by the arrival of Karen's father, George. George comes off rather stiffly to Monica, and makes it clear in subtle little jabs that he doesn't think much of his daughter needing therapy.

That night the four of them have dinner, where Grace reveals that she used to be an up and coming science-fiction writer, having a few things published in old magazines before having to settle down after she became pregnant with Karen. George says it was a dead-end career anyways, and the two get into an argument which ends with George stomping off and the dinner turning awkward. Karen tentatively asks her mother if she can think of any reason that she's so terrified of mirrors, and after a moment Grace reveals that it might have something to do with Bernard.

Grace tells of the last time Karen visited the bird club, where she was attacked and scratched by an owl, and upon returning home saw the scars in the mirror and didn't act the same ever since. Karen says she doesn't remember any attack like that happening, but Monica points out that traumatic events have a way of being blocked by a persons mind in order to protect them from further stress.

That night after everyone falls asleep, Monica gets up to use the restroom and examines the upstairs room that is locked. She notes that the lock on the door is fairly new, but before she can examine it any further she hears George and Grace arguing from their room. Creeping up to the door, she listens in on the couple as they complain about Grace mentioning Bernard, and that if Monica or Karen talk to him it'll only cause their daughter more grief. Monica sneaks back to her room.

The next morning Karen and her mother decide to go visit the fabrics store like they used to, and Monica spots the elderly next door neighbor watching the mother and daughter. Monica approaches, and the old woman by the name of Ms. Green seems hesitant at first to talk to the woman. When Monica reveals that she's here to help Karen deal with a past event that traumatized her, Green says that all sorts of terrible things happen in this town, and that monsters are real. When asked what she means by that, Green reveals that she remembers the night Karen came home from Bernard's bird club, so much crying and screaming that night, and the next day she saw the young girl with bandages all over her back. A simple bird couldn't have done that, it must've been a monster. The old woman retreats back into her home before Monica can ask any more questions.

Monica heads over to the Aviary that Bernard had mentioned the other day, meeting up with the older man who is tending to all sorts of different birds. He reveals that the ones behind the bird club closing down was actually Karen's mother and father, who had enough pull with the mayor to make it happen. When asked why he didn't fight back against it, Bernard reveals that the bird attack against Karen actually did happen, though he claims he didn't think it as serious as it was at the time, and felt that if he couldn't protect a little girl under his care he certainly didn't have a foot to stand on in arguing his case. Although Bernard continues to claim that the attack wasn't that serious.

Returning back to the Kennedy residence, Monica walks in just as Grace is shouting at Karen and the older woman roughly grabbing and shaking her daughter. When Monica intervenes and asks what's going on, Grace reveals that Karen knocked over a pot of boiling water she was preparing for spaghetti and she was simply worried that her daughter could've gotten hurt. "I care too much some times." Grace states, before giving her daughter a kiss on the forehead and walking off to fetch a mop. Karen is still shaken but states it was her fault for being clumsy, though the way she remembers the accident paints it as her not even realizing she bumped the pot.

That night Monica asks to see Karen's scars, and reluctantly the girl agrees, revealing a back laden with old scars that are long and scarily thick. Much too big for the work of a simple owl. Later in the night Monica hears footsteps above her in the room that was locked, and all she can do is stare up at the ceiling in slight dread before the footsteps exist the room, go down the stairs and pause at her door. She sees the door knob turn slowly before stopping, and the footsteps recede away.

The next day Monica convinces Karen to pretend to be sick in order to stay home while her mother and father go out for the day, before revealing to Karen the noises she heard last night. Karen states she heard them too, and the two women head up stairs intent on finding out what is in the room with the lock on it. After searching around for a key to the lock, Monica goes into Grace and George's room where she finds the old magazines that Grace mentioned contained her excerpts of her science-fiction writings. Instead of praise, Monica finds that most of the magazines are more mocking in their reviews of the stories. Hearing a loud banging noise, Monica runs back up stairs to reveal the door to the room is open, the lock laying broken on the floor next to a shovel.

Rushing inside she finds Karen standing in the middle of the room, looking frozen in fear. Monica rushes over to her to calm her down, looking around the room and taking note of the emptiness of it all except for a large standing mirror in front of Monica that's cracked at the top, a old leather flogger hanging from a hook on the wall. Footsteps rush up the stairs and Monica is terrified until Grace enters the room. She asks what the hell the girls are doing in here, before Karen lets out a horrified scream and falls to her knees crying, screaming that the monster is back. Monica is confused until she looks up at the mirror where she sees Grace's reflection, the cracked portion of the mirror showing her face split apart, five eyes looking back right at them.

Karen continues to cry and sob, screaming about the monster over and over as Monica and Grace just stare back at each other in silence.

Main Cast

Monica Hansen:
A woman in her thirties. The psychiatrist for Karen. Caring and kind while at times also disregarding dangerous situations. Is curious to a fault. More like a big sister to Karen than a professional doctor.

Karen Kennedy: A young woman barely in her twenties wracked with deep anxiety over an incident from. Friendly and shows deep love for Monica and Bernard, but also deeply scared of mirrors and what they mean for her.

Grace Kennedy: A woman in her forties who appears caring but also has a quick temper. Appears to be wearing more of a mask than letting her true self show.

Bernard Bird: A man in his fifties who Karen is absolutely on good terms with. He feels regret over Karen's trauma which he believes is his own fault.

George Kennedy: A man in his fifties who is dismissive of therapy and seems to always be angry over something.

Ms Green: An elderly woman in her sixties and neighbor to the Kennedy's. She claims that monsters are real and that a beast gave Karen her scars. Is more nosey than caring.
 
Video Games!
"Bruce..What is that?" Carrie asks in wonder as you were finishing setting up a new piece of machinery that you agreed to buy from some salesman from the company Magnavox.

"Some machinery called.." You look at the front part of the instructions manual to see the machinery's name. "Odyssey."

"Homer's story Odyssey?" She asks as she slowly walks in after closing the door, looking at the machine in awe and scepticism. "You know as well as I do that buying machines from wandering salesmen is quite sketchy."

"And that Carrie." You grinned at her as you looked back to the almost set up machinery after plugging it into the TV. "Is why I looked through it all! Don't want you to say 'I told you so' after our game a few days ago." You retorted as she snorted in amusement.

"Still not over that?" She smirks.

"Yeah yeah.." You scoff at the statement while waving your hand in a casual manner. "Would you like to join me in testing this thing?" You ask her as you screw back the cover of the Odyssey to the machine base. "Or you'd like to do homework?"

"Interested to see how it'll work out..besides any smoke coming out of it." She retorted as she placed her homework on the table with some distance from the screen.

"Won't explode..I think." You started out with full confidence before ending with an honest and blunt statement with half of the feelings you were imbuing into your speech.

"You think?" She raised an eyebrow.

"I think." You nodded back as silence permeated the area before the both of you bursted out in laughter.

"Anyway..here we go." You speak out as you pick up a card and place it into the slot of the console while walking up to the tv to turn it on. "Says we have to change it to a third channel.." You muttered to yourself as you turned the knob of the television until arriving at channel three, expecting for the frizzy screen of lights to appear.

"Wow.." Carrie breathes out in awe as you nodded with her, instead of the static noises that would've been heard from going to this specific channel, instead there are three glowing lights in the shape of squares, the one at the middle being smaller in size than the other two that are at the sides of it.

"That explains about these." You said out loud while taking out a green but slightly transparent overlay that was noted in the instruction manual. "It'll be easier on the eyes now thinkin' about it."

"Now I'm interested." She said softly while sitting beside you, looking at what seems to be two rectangles with knobs at the sides with the labels on the top saying 'Horizontal', 'Vertical', 'Reset', and 'English'.

"Told you there's no need to doubt my technical ingenuity!" You smirked at her while placing the tennis-based overlay on the screen..

Only to see the right glowing block to hit the smaller square that bounces from the left block, having the ball ricochet to the right side background.

"Hey!" You jumped and looked back to see an innocent-looking Carrie who was whistling while looking at the instruction manual for the console.

"What's wrong, Bruce?" She looks at you before she failed to subtly press the reset button to have what can only be assumed as the game's tennis ball return back to the middle, having you quickly go to the free controller to have the left block quickly hit the returning small square back at the right, which Carrie counters by hitting it back at your side..

(Rolling who wins the second round..

1: Bruce
2: Carrie

Rolled: 1)

"Ha!" You smiled with good fun as you managed to get another point..which you are scoring mentally as the game didn't have its own score system. "Finally won at something!"
"That's great!" Your opponent replied with her own smile that spoke of the fun she had playing with you on this new machinery. "I never expected something like this to be fun."

"Me neither." You said back to her with a look of wonder at the screen. "I think I should pick up one of those magazines based on technology, never know you have another thing like this to appear on your door."

"So, want to go for another round?" She asks you with a competitive smirk, her hands already at the controller knobs.

"Got nothing better to do than hanging out with you, so I'll say yes." You smile back at her with a genuine feeling, missing her slightly flustered state before they shifted back to their usual complexion.


N/A: And when I said "might forgot", I meant video games :D Carrie and Bruce is now introduced to Odyssey, A video game console with 12 games and cards (old way of saying cartridges) that was released two months before Pong.
 
Mary Jane's Last Dance
Mary Jane's Last Dance

Newton's Third Law, with every action there is an equal yet opposite reaction. It's a law that is meant to solely govern physics, but sometimes Carrie Fisher believed that it applied to the entirety of human lives. Her whole life could be described as such, being born into Hollywood royalty, growing up rich and never wanting for anything or ever having to work a day in her life. But in return for her wealth she had a distant deadbeat dad, an abysmal social life, a loving mother who was most often too busy with film to be actively present despite her best efforts, and a brain that gave her both the highest of highs and lowest of lows.

In the past few weeks, Carrie's life had seen a remarkable upturn. Everything was going good at school. The fights at her home quieted down and her Mom had a break in filming that she was using to spend more time with her and her brother. And perhaps most importantly she met the most wonderful and amazing guy in aspiring actor Bruce O'Brian. It had only been a little more than a month since they started dating, where aside from a couple of romantic dates they mostly hung out together, but it had felt like months longer and she LOVED every second spent with the Irish boxer. Bruce was just so kind, smart, funny, supportive, creative, and an all around wonderful guy who you think would only exist in the movies. For her first serious relationship, it felt to Carrie like she hit it out of the park with a 10/10, a perfect home run!

But of course, like everything in her life, what goes around comes around, and what followed in the previous near week was one of the worst experiences in her life. For the past couple of years, Carrie had been smoking marijuana, something at first done out of the excitement of doing something taboo, then for the pleasures, and over the past year a necessity as weed proved to be surprisingly effective in controlling her mood swings. When she was too high and excitable, it kept her level-headed and grounded. When she was depressed and wanted to cry a river, it kept her calm and prevented any downward spirals.

Carrie had been very blessed that her early weeks with Bruce didn't see any issues. She was just a normal girl going on normal dates with a hot guy who didn't care about her last name. However, last week things had started acting up again and fortunately for her she was only in one of her high moments when with Bruce, who didn't seem to notice or just thought she was having a good time. Desperate for control, she wanted to turn to weed but her stock ran out and Joan's supplier was having issues so she had to go cold turkey for a couple of days. When she got a new batch, Joan commented that it was a new batch based on new seeds and to go at it carefully, but Carrie had only assumed it would be a tiny bit stronger, boy how she was wrong.

Whatever the hell was in those joints she smoked made her body go into total haywire instead of feeling cool and calm. Her mood swings only grew worse as she went from high as a kite to some of the most depressed she's ever been while her body started losing all of its energy and she had killer headaches and started vomitting.

Not wanting her mother to sever her first friendship, Carrie had lied and said she found some LSD at school and had experimented again only for the batch to prove terrible. While Debbie at first wanted to punish Carrie, as her body just getting worse she focused on keeping her comfortable, saying that her pain was enough of a punishment. Though at the end of the day she did get a stern lecture and a reminder that both her and her father told her not to take Acid, but beyond the stern warning that was it. After all, saying no was easy, it was Carrie's own fault for not listening to simple and sound advice! Turned out Richard Nixon was wasting billions on the DEA when the national drug crisis can just be solved by saying no!

As she laid exhausted and feeling like a pile of crap on her bed, Carrie reasoned to herself that it was just one bad batch of joints, that all of her previous experience had been a good time and all she needed to do was just be smarter and take things slow in the future. Yet as she threw up in the nearby bucket for the upteenth time, Carrie confessed to herself that she was kidding. She had a gut feeling that if she didn't stop soon then she'd just get into the harder stuff. And if she got into this terrible of a shock over marijuana, the "safe and cool" drug as Joan described it, who knew how the hell she would take cocaine or heroin?

Unfortunately, while Debbie was a comfort for the first few days, the call of Hollywood returned and safe in the knowledge that Carrie wasn't on death's door after a doctor's visit, she continued with her work. Thus leaving Carrie with Todd who thankfully showed his softer side and was present as a supportive brother, and the nightly phone calls with Bruce. With Joan being the current cause of her predicament, Carrie wasn't exactly in a mood to converse with her main friend, especially after a support visit from Joan caused Carrie to lash out with a flurry of slurs and insults for poisoning her body. The next day Carrie came to her senses and apologized, and Joan thankfully accepted it fully and stated it was completely understandable on her part and she'd never give Carrie anything without testing it first and would give her supplier absolute hell for the shoddy job. Still, Carrie did go a bit too far in the lashing, and a part of her was too mad to spend time with Joan, fearing she'd blow up again in anger or go into a sorrowful collapse, and thus she decided some space was best until October at least.

As such that only let Bruce to turn to in a time of need. After she informed him that she was "Sick" he had been a constant presence on the landline each night, spending hours making conversation, or rather doing the bulk of the talking and giving her words of comfort and sympathy to ease the pain. He even offered to come over one day to help with anything around the house or just keep her company. It was one of the sweetest things she ever experienced, something she never saw in her parent's message, but she refused him each time with excuses of not wanting to infect him, thus he played support on the telephone.

The main reason was that she didn't want him to see her weak. She could tell that Bruce was just as head over heels for her as she was, something that confused the life out of Carrie considering she was so plain and boring compared to someone like him, especially since he started calling her princess or my lady as playful pet names. She had been called such many times in her life, but for the first time it was for who she was and not her blood, something Carrie didn't think was deserved. How could she possibly keep that image if he saw her in such a pathetic state, or learned that she took drugs at all! Making her feel all the more guilty was that over the phone it was clear that he was more than a bit exhausted and stressed from his ongoing war with CBS, yet he still took time each day to talk with her, something that made Carrie very guilty.

It was on Saturday when Todd whined about how she had been on the phone with Bruce for six hours and that he wanted to call his friends that Carrie came to a realization. If Bruce was being so considerate now, spending several hours of day just to keep her company in a time of need, if he didn't once judge her for her name or try to use her as a prop to fame, if he was a living hero who risked his life to save ten complete strangers from a fire on a crapsack of a show, praised by his peers and the film establishment for being a professional miracle worker? Then maybe he'd be accepting of her problem, and even somehow find out?

And even if he wasn't, perhaps it would be better to confess her sins and break things off now before they got too serious and any rejection later down the line for being a reefer wouldn't result in even greater heartbreak and depression. Better to have ended things so soon in honesty then set up a relationship built on lies and ending in abysmal misery.

She desperately prayed before leaving that it wouldn't happen.

After giving a call to her mom that she would be hanging out with Bruce until dinner, or rather notifying her Mom's secretary, a rather usual occurance, Carrie rode out to Bruce's apartment after school, waging a mental war with her cowardly self to see things through. When she got to the door, Carrie stopped herself and pondered. Was she really going to do this? Unleash a load of drug history and asking for help from a guy who while completely amazing so far, hasn't even dated her for a month?

Still, was there literally any other option besides going to some strangers and eventually being outed to the press as Debbie Reynold's Druggie daughter? Her mom was always focused on her career and if she was there to support, it would just be hiring a Quack to tell her to just quit. Her best friend got her introduced to marijuana in the first place and accidentally gave her one of the worst experiences in her life. Her little brother shouldn't be burdened with stopping his big sister from getting high. And then there was the Dad who at best showed up for holidays and birthdays. Thus she was left with Bruce.

But before Carrie could back down, her muscle memory kicked into motion and she gave a couple of strong knocks on the door. Carrie hoped that Bruce had lied or was busy with a last minute emergency, but as always he had been a man of his word and showed up to the door quickly, carrying an excited and goofy grin that he always sported whenever he laid eyes upon her, as if looking at her was the highlight of this day.

"Hey Carebear, happy to see that you're feeling better and everything's flushed out your system." Bruce said. Carrie winced heavily at the comment, well aware that Bruce was just talking about the Flu she made up, but at the same time experiencing another reminder of why she came.

"Yeah, can't say I'm back to 100% but everything was decent enough at school." Carrie said shyly. Though even if she did continue to feel sick, few would probably notice. Once the freshmen became adjusted to the fact that she was Debbie's daughter and realized she wasn't going to get them free movie tickets or autographs then she'd fade quietly into the background, just a photo for the Yearbook at Beverly Hills High.

"How's everything going with the crew?" Carrie asked, walking in and settling herself.

The current state of Bruce's apartment was amusing to her as when the first time she came over to watch the M*A*S*H premier with him it had been cleaned spotless, but now that she had been over repeatedly and they had gotten used to each other, Bruce showed his true colors and didn't keep his place in prestine condition. It wasn't as if it was a pig sty, but more of an organized mess with books sprawled all over, the kitchen a litter ground of boxes and cans, and the tables and chairs being resting grounds for papers and projects in the works like his games. For the most part Carrie found it charming as most of the debris was from his work and pursuits, showing his dedication as an actor.

"Well everyone gave their two cents and we went over all the pros and cons of staying and leaving. The meeting ended two hours ago and for now we're just going to spend the night doing some soul searching and we'll come to a consensus first thing tomorrow. At this point it's probably 50/50, wouldn't blame anyone for going either way."

"Do you want to stay?" Carrie asked. Considering how popular the show was getting, signing up for Season 2 was one of the best path's moving forward for Bruce, especially if he got bumped to a major character thanks to fan support. At the same time, it was a victory for his and the cast's abusers at CBS and would just serve to justify any future disaster sets.

"Honestly I don't know. It wasn't a one hundred percent terrible experience. I got to meet some really amazing people, got some much needed acting work and when everything did turn out right on a rare occasion, it could actually be fun. I would love to continue the story if everyone was in and we had actual competence on set. But...CBS probably hates my guts, I'd just be getting the wallets of idiots fatter, and I'm not sure if I'd be setting the best example. Gonna have to sleep on it and see which way everyone's flowing tomorrow before I make a final decision. All I know is that if most of the guys quit I'm joining them in arms. Can't abandon your squad after all." Bruce said, giving a light chuckle at his Army pun.

It brought a brief smile to Carrie's face before it fell into a frown. While she wanted to give her own thoughts on the subject and help Bruce go through with it, she remembered why she came and felt guilty again for dumping her problems on Bruce when he had his hands full.

Fortunately, it seemed her sorrow didn't go unnoticed. "Carrie, are you alright?" He asked tenderly, sitting down on the couch next to her, their hands wrapping as he gave her a look of deep concern.

Carrie did her best to hold back the pool of tears in her eyes from breaking a dam at his touch, to feel such genuine and honest concern which was a rarity in her life. Feeling one of her crazy episodes coming on, Carrie resolved to be brave and do her best before she lost control. "No, I'm not. Bruce, the reason I came over today is because I have something to confess. You deserve to know if we're going to continue things, and...and..I need help."

"Is something happening at home or school, anyone giving you trouble, hurting you?" Bruce asked carefully, a fierce look of determination in his eyes blazing.

Carrie rapidly shook her head, "No, it's nothing like that. It's not that someone's hurting me, it's...something." Carrie confessed, and then began her admission that she had a history of experimentation and marijuana, revealed her mental weirdness and crazy moments she had been fighting to keep away from him, and how she wanted desperately to end it.

The full story took about half an hour, the length being increased by multiple points where Carrie had to stop and take a break to get the power to continue on, or just spiraling on into rants and vents that mostly focused on everything and nothing. Throughout it all Bruce sat in comforting silence aside from a handful of questions and sympathetic comments. He didn't show much emotion aside from his face showing that he was processing everything that was laid out. But on the bright side he never let go of her hand, his grip only growing stronger, but in a gentle instead of harmful manner, and he never said anything condemning or damning, which far better than most of her predicted scenarios.

At the end she had lost control and collapsed in a pool of tears as one of her moments kicked in and Carrie felt herself drowning in a sea of sorrows. Fortunately there was a lighthouse through the storm as instead of being creeped out or overwhelmed as she felt Bruce had a right to be, he just hugged her tight and gave her soothing whispers of encouragement and comforting pats.

Thankfully her dark clouds started to eventually recede, and after a comfortable silence where she went through what was at least half a tissue box, Carrie found the strength to continue. "I want to stop this time, I really do. It's just that, if I stop smoking and never touch a joint again, then I won't have anything to keep me grounded. We could be hanging out or on a date, and I'll just go spastic or shut down, and you have to deal with me, I don't want you to date some freak or a druggie!" Carrie whined.

"Carrie Fisher, I think you are many things, but a freak is most certainly nowhere near that list." Bruce strongly replied. Carrie wanted to protest, but he continued. "And sure you may have a problem right now, but that most certainly does not make you a terrible person. This all started because you wanted to be cool like your neighbor, and you only continued it because like you said, it helped with the issues and made you feel normal. Besides, you wouldn't be the first teenager who did weed. There was always a double digit reefer population back at my high school and some of them were the nicest and most decent people I ever knew."

"You don't think I'm a terrible person?" Carrie asked in shock. Astonished that Bruce despite being such a strong and good person who other M*A*S*H actors in interviews said was one of the hearts of the group wasn't casting her down as an evil addict.

"No, you just stumbled a bit and made some mistakes. A little worse than most people our age sure, but nothing that made you evil. While I don't approve of marijuana usage, I'm not gonna judge someone as the spawn of satan for taking a joint, especially when cancer sticks are still legal and most actors in Hollywood like to use them." Bruce said, causing Carrie to mentally remind herself to never touch a cigarette.

"Also while I can't say that I can understand completely what you're going through, I have seen more than a fair share of addicts in my life."

"What do you mean?" Carrie asked.

"Well, it's a terrible stereotype that the Irish are nothing but lousy drunks, but stereotypes usually come from somewhere. My personal family can handle liquor fine and mom and dad taught us of the dangers of binge drinking, but I've had a couple of relatives who lost themselves to the bottle. I had a second cousin who came this close to losing his wife and kids after a really bad night."

"Did your family beat him up?" Carrie asked without thinking. Fortunately Bruce took it in stride with a laugh.

"No, but my Dad said he wanted to give him the old Joe Louis treatment when he heard. The thing about O'Brians is that when one of us messes up, while we do have to face the consequences, when we're truly in trouble and did wrong, we all chip in and help the person who fell get back up. The men got together in the family and had an intervention where they laid out his family was on the line and he needed to be the man he wasn't or else he'd lose them forever."

"So they got him to stop right away?" Carrie asked, surprised when Bruce shook his head.

"Not overnight. He was banned from hard liquor and someone was always on hand to make sure he never got more than a cup or two and didn't drink with his kids or take out anything on his life. The thing about addiction is that when you stop hard and fast, even though you're not taking whatever's causing the problem, by that point your body's gotten so used to it that if you get cut off completely, it just goes crazier than when you had a full night."

The statement caused Carrie to think back to the last week, how her spiral all started because she went cold for a few days, and how after taking the bad joints she had stayed off until now, and even still didn't feel like her old self. Maybe she went about it the wrong way and had to wean down until she didn't have any urges?

"It took several months to get him clean, with lots of family support and presence, plenty of involvement for friends, and praying to the Lord and attending daily mass. But within a year, Ralph O'Brian was able to stay clean from the cup and aside from sips of communal wine he's been sober for the past 14 years.

The story brought a soft smile to Carrie, glad to know that even if it wasn't weed, Bruce wasn't exactly foreign to the concept of addiction and he wouldn't be shutting her out of his life. "Could you perhaps, do the same and help me?" Carrie asked in a bit of a whisper, finally laying out why she came and asking the impossible request that no guy who had been dating for a month should be burdened with.

"I'd be honored to be by your side and help you through every step of the way Carrie." Bruce said earnestly, causing Carrie's jaw to drop in shock. "Even if we weren't dating and were just total friends, I'd still promise to do my best and help you through. This probably won't be easy, and I don't know a single thing about helping to break addiction, hell I never even got to play a Doctor on the show." Bruce joked, helping to lighten the mood with a giggle from Carrie. "But whatever happens you don't deserve to struggle alone and I'll always be here to help, whether that's coming with you for appointments or support groups, or anything you need to get through the day and wean off, I'll be happy to help."

Hearing such supportive words that seemed impossible to Carrie more than an hour ago helped the tear ducts to open again, but this time releasing tears of joy. However, there was still one final hurdle left, the main obstacle that would likely prevent Carrie from quitting entirely "Hypothetically, if I do get clean and stop using weed or any other type of drugs, would you be okay if I start going weird, and get really excited or depressed?" Carrie hesitantly asked.

Bruce pondered for a couple of seconds before responding, "Well if that does happen, I can't promise I'll react perfectly or even understand it's happening unless it's obvious. But now that you told me, I have context for going on and I'll try to help whatever I can. Bruce said, with Carrie noding in acceptance, happy that one of the best scenarios was playing again. "Did the Doctors ever give you a name for what's going on?" He asked.

Carrie shuddered at the memory of many frustrating visits, "Every time I tried to bring it up, they just thought I was being a regular teenager and it was just hormones, even though I know it's something far worse! Everything I've read just points to a bunch of contradictory nonsense, and I'm scared that one day some Doctor is going to think I'm crazy and send me away." Carrie confessed, a nightmare likely to have happened to countless girls her age who didn't have a wealthy mom to buy silence.

"I know it's nothing similar, but whenever I get really angry or heavily sad, I use meditation that Master Bruce taught me to help keep myself calm and focused and go through the rest of the day fresh. Recently whenever M*A*S*H is giving me issues, I do some Tai Chi and that does wonders in relieving the stress. Maybe whenever things start acting up you can try doing that to help. You were a natural last time we did it." Bruce suggested.

"Yeah, that could work." Maybe it wouldn't be a perfect replacement, but when Carrie did Tai Chi with Bruce she felt like she was at peace and on cloud nine for the rest of the day and the next. If she started practicing reguarly, then she wouldn't have the immediate need to keep smoking joints, and she'd be replacing it with an alternative that would keep her healthy and active.

"Well, just like the weed, this'll be something we go through together. Probably not going to find any easy answers soon, but we'll get there. At the end of the day this is who you are, and I wouldn't trade Carrie Fisher for anyone else in the world." Bruce said earnestly.

At those words, Carrie went in for a strong hug which Bruce reciprocated. The road ahead wasn't going to be easy, and she could definitely fall again, but at least she had someone to catch and help her back up.

A/N: Welp, this was a bit of a heavy chapter that kind of deviated a bit from my usual fanfic materials across sites. As someone who never personally been in Bruce or Carrie's position for addiction, I hoped I portrayed the situation as sensitively and respectfully as possible, and if I did anything wrong with either that or the Bi-Polar stuff, please feel free to point it out.

Looking back, perhaps I did jump the gun a bit and should have waited until far later in the relationship to choose to help Carrie like this, but I wanted to do it now so that we can stop the problem as early as it can before it escalates thanks to unfortunate Magoose Dice, and thus I have to own up to it and write this for support. As was pointed out, I wanted to get the basic gist in that even though something like this is a bit of a stretch in disbelief; Carrie had a really intensely painful episode of Bad Weed that caused her to have a come to Jesus moment to push for this kind of thing. And for now her only options were the woman who caused said bad episode, a deadbeat Dad, a mom who tries her best but often misunderstands and is focused on acting, and her little brother, not to mention as pointed out earlier, all her medical experience amounted to "Just say no" or "Be normal". So yeah, Carrie is pushed into desperation due to it being the '70's and luckily Bruce is there.
 
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The Tale of Cú Chulainn, By Bruce O'Brian
The Tale of Cú Chulainn, By Bruce O'Brian

Bruce liked history. While the lad wouldn't call himself some history buff he had a decent grasp of it that he didn't believe others really had. And mythology was one of the oldest parts of history, every culture had them from the Greeks to the Indians. And every mythology had one thing in common, Heroes. The English had Beowulf, the Scandinavians Sigurd and the Greeks had the most famous hero of them all, Heracles better known as Hercules.

Ireland also had heroes; Conchobar mac Nessa, Fergus mac Róich, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, Fionn mac Cumhaill and many many more. Bruce's favourite was the Hound of Ulster, Sétanta better known as Cú Chulainn. So when he learnt that no one knew who he was talking about Bruce set out to correct that. And what better way to teach people about myths than through song, it worked 4000 years ago so it'll work now.

In the sodden snow of the Irish hills
Was born a Tuatha's child
With a fightin' heart and immortal skill
And a spirit fiery and wild

Through a prophecy he was bound and doomed
To a short but a glorious life
He bore the name Setanta till
A famous fateful night

With his hurley in his hands
His name would cross the lands

-Instrumental-

Well his Uncle Connor who wore the crown
Of Ulster on his head
In the home of Culainn the smith sat down
For mead and mutton and bread

At the door lay the Cú, the faithful hound
A huge and terrible beast
When a thief or enemy trod his ground
Their bones bеcame his feast

Well Sеtanta joined them late at night
And the hound he leapt to shred
But he raised his hurley, pucked the ball
Right through the poor beast's head

He spoke remorse as the smith he cried
For his lost and murdered hound
'I will be your Cú now from this night
Till another you have found'

So he lay outside the door
One eye watching on the moors

And the name Cú Chulainn
Was sung out loud that night
In a tale of rage and ruin and of might
And the name Cú Chulainn
So furious and wild
To remain in myth and memory
A legend of the isle

Cosantóir tragóideach
Fuil dhiaga Lú
Finscéal an Chú
Cosantóir tragóideach
Fuil dhiaga Lú
Curradh lán le fiúnach
Finscéal an Chú

Cosantóir tragóideach
Fuil dhiaga Lú
Finscéal an Chú
Cosantóir tragóideach
Fuil dhiaga Lú
Curadh lán le fiúnach
Finscéal an Chú

He trained on the Isle of Sky and Shadow
And sired an abandoned son
Met his battle brother Ferdiad
Many a tale they spun

He fought with the strength of many men
Was a beast who bloodied the fields
In a bloodlust battle frenzy
His skin would shift and peel

His son would find him as man
But would not tell his name
So he took a spear to his own child
And doomed himself to shame

When the canny Queen Méabh attacked his land
To steal the bull of brown
She sent out Ferdiad to fight
Cú Chualainn struck him down

Blood of son and brother fell
He wailed and cried farewell

And the name Cú Chulainn
Was sung out loud that night
In a tale of rage and ruin and of might
And the name Cú Chulainn
So furious and wild
To remain in myth and memory
A legend of the isle

[Instrumental]

Cosantóir tragóideach
Fuil dhiaga Lú
Finscéal an Chú
Cosantóir tragóideach
Fuil dhiaga Lú
Curadh lán le fiúnach
Finscéal an Chú

When the father of fair Emer
Refused to give her to wed
Cú Chulainn tore his castle down
And left the whole place dead

They loved each other, man and wife
Despite his many affairs
Then he met the Morrigan, turned her down
And earned her vengeful glare

She weakened him and took his strength
With trickery and lies
By feeding him the poisoned flesh of dogs
Three crones were her disguise

The Queen and Lugaid saw their chance
To fight the Cú and win
When he battled next 3 spears were thrown
And one tore through his skin

So he tied himself to a mighty stone
By his guts and belt he hung
And so he still stood on his feet
Till the last breath it left his lungs

And a light shone out so grand
Till the raven came to land

And the name Cú Chulainn
Was sung out loud that night
In a tale of rage and ruin and of might
And the name Cú Chulainn
So furious and wild
To remain in myth and memory
A legend of the isle

A/N: Actually made by YouTuber masterofsound. Highly recommend you check him out, his songs are bangers
 
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Some Nights: Part One
Some Nights: Part One

The chilly air that pricks my skin as I move slowly, amongst of the shouts, fights, and screams that was the defining moment of my life. A father who's there, yet gone. A Mother who's here, yet not.

My feelings acted up, screwed up even. In a quick motion that I didn't consider until I realised what happened, I dropped out.

A moment of my highest of highs brought down the lowest of lows, a sudden violence that only would've been contained when around him by throwing my books at the principal's office. Good thing my rationality still remained as I refused to hurt anyone.

I would've gone to him, yet he had to go there. Meeting with his fellow members of the show I hid when neither of my parents were around. Refusing to have them found out who he really is to only have the only sun amongst the seams of darkness, stars bright yet hollow, and seeing them, more so mother, drinking with their heads in the curtains.

Amongst all things that will grip my mind is the chill and lone tone and notes of a piano with claps of the audience all around it, ignoring the haunting and alone feeling the star of the show would feel after going through everything I have.

Ever since he came into my life he was the only one, the one who understood, tried to understand, and loves to know me as..me.

Sounds of the opera, accidents in harmony, yet the lone singer echoes on as the stringers of chaos and tension mounted on and on. If one were to notice, they would ask 'how long?' How long will I last if I were to stay the course?

I've planned to come to London, but what I didn't take into account is finding that special someone, not some one-night stand that increased the chill in your spine, as if by premonition you knew that would occur without him. My gut adding motifs into the overall theme of a bright star with a hollow tragedy like a Greek's play.

No..I couldn't continue that. Not when life has finally given me the wrench that stopped my further downfall, becoming like father..like mother..

'A bunch of hypocrites.' My mind couldn't help but remark, a foul mood has only increased with the sudden movements to sadness and anger. You could still remember the scolds, reprimands, and a chilling statement to return to school or to never see him again..

A sent to the room later, and already I could see the writing of the wall that my weed-stained eyes have failed to see, a great career but broken life. Dominated by the bloodsucking peers that attempt to take advantage of all the eager and earnest people..To either leave in disgrace, or join them in disgrace..

A frustration fueled by anger and an entire multitude of emotions that I didn't know I had yet known I felt, I finally decided to jump ship, finally being free from the shackles of home life and the expectancy of being a daughter of the Fishers..the child of America's sweetest couple..to be used for my body and connections..

These spiral of depressive thoughts only built up the resolution and tension I felt swelled in my heart, tired at how my life was before he entered, the fear of losing him and entering what felt to be the predetermined path that will only occur when he's gone, the frustrations and anger at hearing shouts, my attempts in self-control only proving worse with the substance used just fueled the illness much worse..

I love acting, the ideas of theatres filled me with excitement and passion..but how can I love them when I can't move in with the only stability I know best? How can I move when stardom will only be the anchor that drowns me to the Mariana Trench of television and screen?

I only know one that I wouldn't trade for the entire world, someone who accepts and likes you just the way you are..only filled me with that warmth I was neglected of for many years that I couldn't remember.

So with a heart of uncertainty, resolution, and that wanting of freedom. I checked my backpack that holds the trinkets, books, and items I will bring with me into the new era that held me in my arms that day..I left.

I finally smiled as strength pours into me with every step I take, adrenaline rushing in as the ones looking at my form at night made me sprint with my illness for the first time helping me as they kept fueling this bursting energy with emotions from both sides of the not-extreme spectrums.

It was when I felt a hug from the only arms I can only accept into my entire being, that the waterworks had finally faltered, crying tears of happiness with a brilliant smile while I wrapped my hands around him as I finally felt right in the world..

I'm finally home.

N/A: What do you think? @Kaiser Chris
 
Some Nights: Part Two
Some Nights: Part Two

"Some nights, Bruce." She sighs, remembering something you guess. "I stay up cashing in my bad luck." She tells you with a serious expression as she looks at the window showing a full moon in the sky, with glows of light being seen at the side and below the apartment. "Some nights I call it a draw."

You held her in a hug in silence, offering her support through your actions combined with the emotions you're expressing with it in sincerity.



"Bruce?" She asks you with nervousness in her tone, with a look of uncertainty being seen on her face as she continues forth. "Ever thought of..a celebrity's success being the death of their personal life?"

You blinked at her question as your mind rolled into thinking of those words repeated in the labyrinth of the mind. You remembered there are scandals and affairs being generated as if it were bullets during wartime production being used by reporters and celebrity stunts to feel a frenzy in themselves and the others around them. You remember the balls and galas, the drama they generated with other celebrities, and everything you've experienced in the two years as a minor Hollywood Star. The dark side of Hollywood with CBS's direction of M*A*S*H being a great example in the top of your head, and many times in your past you have been tempted, an example being having thoughts of sharing a story based on sexual harassment to the press but decided it wouldn't be worth it as you aren't a big shot to get away with sharing the story.

"No..not completely." You finally responded as those swabs of information encompassed the analytical part of your brain. "But.." You slowly spoke as you've mapped out what you want to say in brutal honesty. "Thinking about it..I can see what you mean from what I've seen in my two years of being an actor."
"Mmm.." She nodded as she pulled out a pen and paper from the living room's writer's desk (You placed one there so you can just write in the living room once a sudden inspiration entered your brain). "I want to see about something..you know, based on how a person hit it big and all.."

"You mean a story of success?" You ask her with curiosity and intrigue, lacing your eyes, voice, and tone. "Not many have shared their experiences based on it, rather they focus on only telling the good parts of fame-"

"Then let's be the first ones to expose them!" She spoke out in excitement in a sudden switch. "I-if you want to." She replied bashfully with flustered cheeks after she caught on what she said.

"Of course I'll help.." You replied back to her earnestly with her excitement taking a hold on you. "After all, I do have some ideas that'll also help you out.."



(Carrie's POV)

"There are Some Nights I hold onto every note I ever wrote..

Some Nights..I said duck it all, and stare at the calendar..

Waiting for catastrophes, imagining they'd scare me

Into changing whatever it is I am changing into.."


I wrote down on a piece of paper as the words flowed through me with the haunting melody that I can still remember of the life I have now left behind. I didn't want to confront them, yet Bruce has recommended channelling the feelings that still linger into something productive and/or creative..like writing.

The memories of our tabletop session made me smile in fondness, a first foray in writing something because you want to write, not because of homework or requirements or notes on a test. Just simple writing to let your mind wander and create something out of..well something.

Seeing the other movie prompts that Bruce made had lifted a fire of ideas out of me, with his advice in flowing negative emotions into an activity made me begin writing out what comes through my mind.

"'Cause there are some nights I hold you close, pushing you to hold me

Or begging you to lock me up, never let me see the world

Some nights, I live in horror of the people on the radio

Tea Parties with their litter, I've never been so bitter.."


"Bruce." I spoke out with excitement imbued into my voice after writing the last phrases of what I've written as he looked at me with curiosity that I couldn't help but smile at seeing it. "I think I've got something!"

"Let's see that!" He replies with the same energy as he sits beside me, with me subconsciously leaning into him while he looks at what I've written down. "Song lyrics?" He asked while raising an eyebrow.

"Something part of a wider picture!" I looked at him with a smile as I grabbed the paper and gestured my free hand to it. "Something like those Beatles movies! But much more story-based!"

"You mean we can criticise Hollywood actors and Musicians in their..scandals and what not?" He asks in a mischievous smile while I giggled while closing my eyes, imagining the faces of all those big shots being exposed to the wider public.

"That's the spirit Bruce!" I hugged him with happiness being shown through my actions and genuine expression, leaving the paper on my lap as he hugged me back with support and happiness.



TITLE: Some Nights
GENRE: Musical-esque, Life
SUBGENRE: Life, Struggles, Fame, Music
FORMAT: Film 1-3 Hours
BASIC PROMPT: Some Nights is starred by a musician at the brink of successful fame with his hopes, dreams, and fears.

(This prompt and plot of the movie is based on the Poster's Making of Some Nights: the Albulm.) | The Songs that come with the album are part of the soundtrack like what The Beatles and The Beach Boys used in their movies.

Beginning and End Plot:

Scene one starts with the main character, Nate Rusfield, and his band performing a song as he hosts a party on his birthday with celebrities attending as they heard of his sudden success. (The song he performs is Some Nights (Intro)).

The Movie ends with Nate's last performance, Out on the Town, a summary of what he went through during the entire trip that he released as a single.



I yawned as I opened my eyes, sunlight coming through the windows in its soft tone and gradient while I smiled at it. I leaned back towards this warmth with a beating heart beat..before blushing as I realised that I slept leaning into Bruce's embrace last night.

More alert, my eyes reached the coffee table that had papers with writing strewn on them, I didn't know how but the two of you made song lyrics to come hand in hand with the story as the songs represent important scenes in the movie idea the two of us were creating..

I smiled as memories came in about finally showcasing the two sides that represents a celebrity's life, their frontman faces and their crumbling insecurities as Nate, the main character, becomes more exposed to the life of a celebrity and how he made risks beforehand and tried pushing forth, leaving the stability of his personal life into shatters as he moved on every obstacles and important moments in the movie. With it ending with his performance once releasing his new single.

My stomach rumbles, pulling the tracks of my mental railroad out of the cliff as I quickly look around to see if no one took notice of it before facepalming as I realised it was just Brucce and I in the room.

'I'll get cereal!' I thought with a smile as I walked towards the kitchen's pantry (after scouting the kitchen's layout) to take a box of Vanilly Crunch that was beside an opened Lucky Charms. 'Looks like Bruce has a clear favourite.' My smile turned fond as I checked in the box to find a half-empty pack of cereal.

After opening the Vanily Crunch, I pour the two cereals into two bowls that were in the dish cabinet and take out a glass of milk from the fridge to place some milk into the cereal that has the Crunch.

After placing a spoon for each bowl, I walk back to the living room with both bowls of cereal at hand while the glass of milk is held by my elbow and pressed to my side to keep it from slipping out that easily. I placed the three items on the coffee table then removed pieces of paper from where I was placing them to turn around, just to see Bruce's curious gaze as he took in the scene in front of him.

"No milk?" He asks me with a hint of amusement and happiness in his voice as he sat on the floor facing the table and spilled some milk into the dry bowl of cereal before eating it up.

"Thought you'd be angry about milk and cereal like how others debate about which comes first." I commented as I smiled, imagining a scene where Bruce is complaining about putting cereal first before milk, and whatnot.

"I'm not a Congressman." He retorted with a straight face..then we bursted into laughter.

"Anyway." He speaks after getting his laughter under control. "We haven't titled the story yet..any ideas?"

"Hmm.." I thought to myself after chewing a bit of cereal as I looked at the paper of songs and the fun we had on a night that became a life changing event..

"Some Nights." I answered as I chewed another scoop of breakfast.



N/A: Was originally planning for Bruce to create 'Some Nights' before realising Carrie fits the entire album. So essentially the movie prompt was started by her with Bruce helping along as the co-writer of the entire project and soundtrack lyrics with her.
 
A Sudden Turn of Events Turn 16 Results (September-October 1972)
-[X]The MASHTERFUL Reunion: They came crawling back, trying to get you on for a second season. You and everyone else. Lets see who has the Leverege now? DC: 0 (You can negotiate with them. Or you can write in no, and see how they react.)
--[X] Team up with the other actors that hasn't abandoned the ship during the entire run to decide whether or not we should actually continue the series together, or tell the CBS to shove it where they won't see the end of day. (If we do not get convinced, we're not joining for a second season). If the cast is in majority agreement and we're in tell CBS you will entertain this as possibility only if they sign on a much better contract regarding working conditions and money. Cooperate with the Screen Actor's Guild to help secure the deal for yourself and also hopefully make sure CBS doesn't slack on its other properties.

Rolled:D100 => 13

Cast Roll:D100 => 84

The Guild Involvement:D100 => 80

CBS Backlash Acceptance:D100 => 34

You did not want to be here. That was something that most of the other cast members and creative minds of the show did not share. It seems after the suit that came to nearly destroying CBS, which only lead to MASH swooping in and saving the entire company like Batman in a comic book…

But you digress. Nothing made you happy to be here, except for the simple fact that Mclean was happy, and seemingly over his long stay at an Asylum.

The producers and executives of CBS… were not so happy to see you.

At all. "We can't have this meeting with him." One spoke before you sighed.

Alan however spoke up, before there could be anything from you. "Except that we are here because we are all acting together." He replied. "That includes Bruce."

Even Wayne, who did not like you, was standing beside you, and he was very happy to see you look uncomfortable. Yet in the end, it was very clear that he was just as unhappy as you were.

Most of everyone else on the cast had made things abundantly clear that they were not going to leave, and if you weren't there, none of them would remain. "So… you wish to make another season?"

"Two." The suit said quickly. "Without him." He pointed to you. "Bruce O'Brian is someone we will never work with again, and hopefully never finds himself working in the business of television again."

That was where Loretta and Alan Laughed. "Oh god, you really don't understand the situation, do you?"

Alan was laughing nearly hysterically now. "He's part of this now. And Bruce, for all of his possible misgivings-" You raised your eyebrows as that before you realized he was setting them up for a very hook. "Is a member of this crew, dare I say, one of the more important ones. And in my opinion, one of its best."

Even Wayne was surprised at Alan's, either humility or just plain old batsmanship… but he was right. In your mind at least.

"Now, since you, assholes did everything you could to kill this show, and it became a success despite it… you really want to piss us off, and throw our friend under the bus?"

At that, they lost. They knew they lost, and all they could do was accept that.

(Continued at the end of the Update.)
-------------------------------------

-[X]A Date with Carrie: Carrie wants to go on a date with you. You will oblige. DC: 25
--[X] She wants to be an actress, you're a theatre school kid. Take her to go see a proper Shakespearean play! Then after take her to a nice Chinese restaurant, wow her with your ability to speak multiple languages. It pays to show off sometimes. Rolled: D100 => 81+20=101

You took her to your favorite play of Shakespeare. And no, it was not Hamlet, it was Henry the V. You loved the story of Henry the King of England because he was a young man, perhaps not thrust into the position where he grew up and became a better man.

That was of course, step one. It was almost impossible to screw up. Even with the acting actually being absolute dog shit.

The Chinese restaurant was actually on the side of the town you would get a lot more if you didn't have so much money.

However, it was a place that Bruce liked, and you could get away with speaking a bit of Cantonese.

The chef there was from Hong Kong, and he loved watching Fist of Fury.

And you impressed Carrie by speaking the same language as the chef, who treated you like one of the family. and ordering a dish you fell in love with while in Hong Kong.

It was a simple noodle dish, but instead of pork, it was chicken, mixed with egg and rice.

By the end of the date, it really just ended with you both spending time in your apartment. You didn't really do anything serious, but cuddle.

You didn't even kiss you when she moved forward with it, giving you the silent nod to do so, because you knew it wasn't the right moment.

You didn't want to be the one who initiated it, because you feared you would be taking advantage of her.

If anything, that made her realize what a good friend you were.

Reward: You had an extremely successful date with Carrie, and you have proven yourself not only a gentleman… but a very good man that she could only have dreamed of.

You have made an impression that would take something horrible to break.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

-[X]Helping Carrie: Carrie has come to you asking for help. Trying to help her kick her Drug Habit. DC 20/50/70
-- [X] Be there with her for support as addiction can be a lonely and isolating experience. Let Carrie know that you are there for them and that you support her in their efforts to overcome her addiction. Offer to accompany her to appointments, support groups, or other recovery-related activities Rolled Autopass!

It started with just walking her to the doctor on a fateful day. It was when she finally wanted to try and get help. It was almost impossible to get her to stop being afraid, yet instead, it was easy.

You were there after all.

"It's going to be okay." You said to her. It was almost impossible to realize that. "You can get through this."

It may have not been something you were really able to do… properly. But you could be here.

After the first visit, there was a sense of ease that Carrie had. She was almost certainly feeling calmer, but that was when she was with you.

You realized that she had been… trying to stop. There was a sense of ease when you were there.

Yet every meeting with the doctor, or the meeting, you said the same thing. "It's going to be okay. You can get through this."

It was those same words that seemed to allow you to see just how well she could be.

You saw her go from being afraid.

To be happy.

It was not always going to be the end. You knew the struggle was there.

But you knew, as long as she had help, or she had faith in herself… There was going to be light at the end of the dark tunnel.

But the best thing you saw, at least for Carrie… Was Debbie walking to you one day, and merely saying. "Thank you for helping me see the pain my daughter is in."

You didn't know what prompted it. But you knew Debbie Reynolds was doing her best. Just as you were.

Reward: Carrie has begun the Long road to recovery from her addiction.

But you've built a wall of support for her, by being there. And it's helped Carrie immensely. Perhaps in ways you don't really understand.
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-[X]Your Birthday: You haven't celebrated your Birthday in two years. Time to enjoy it. DC: ??? Rolled:D100 => 12

You don't really remember what happened last night.

Well, you knew something, but at least you weren't in jail. Homeless, or out of money.

You just got blackout Drunk going on a bender to celebrate your 18th birthday.

Reward: You got drunk for the first time, and… thankfully, nothing bad happened to you. Though you have no idea how you managed to get from the bar, to your apartment, and not leave a huge mess everywhere.

You are now 18 years old, and can now vote in the next state and federal election.
------------------------------------------------------

-[X] Talk to Clint: You want to ask Clint a few questions, like how he met your father? DC: 0 (You just ask Clint about ancient history) Rolled:D100 => 29

You and Clint sat down across from each other, and you were trying to get the best question to ask. "Clint… How did you meet my dad?"

That caused Clint to laugh. "Ancient history? You wanna learn about that time when you were not even a thought?" There was joy in his tone, and old times glinting in his mind. "We met on the set of Rawhide, and that's about it. He was an extra. Sometimes he got a line or two but never had that much ambition."

"Really? Dad not having ambition doesn't seem like dad?"

"Well, that was before he met your mother." He replied. "She brought out the best in him. Always had. Even more than the directors and the cameramen." He then laughed. "Come on, why you ask?"

"Dad never liked talking about the past." You replied.

"Because he gave up his chance for glory to be with your mother." He replied. "I think he made a good trade."

You nodded. "I think he did."

Reward: You and Clint talk about the past.

He might be ready to have a future part for you.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
-[X] Call your parents: You need to call mom and dad, and see how they are doing. DC: 10 (You call your parents and see what they are doing) Rolled:D100 => 8

A Letter came from Dad, that only read:

"Gone to Ireland. Helping Cat."​

Failure: They will be out of the country for the next two turns.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

The MASH Negotiations!:

What do you want to do for MASH:
[]Remain on the Show: You will remain on the Show… But you are sure that there will be some changes.
[]Leave: You want CBS to go fuck themselves.

If you remain on the show, what do you want in terms of payment, as safety and job site ability have already been placed as negotiations?

What do you want?: (A Reminder, you are being payed minimum wage per episode, and only make 2% residual)
[]Write in for contract negotiations. (Either Payment, residuals, or something that you can extract from CBS, like award bonuses, or something else)

AN: enjoy.
 
Before the Dance
(Chronologically takes place before Mary Jane's Last Dance)

You gave the girl that was attempting to seduce you a weird look.

You were here to pick up Carrie to visit the park together to enjoy the warm yet cool breeze that permeated Los Angeles that day. That was also why you brought your guitar with you to play music when the both of you arrived at a bench later to relax and allow the cool breeze to bring forth nature with a pinch of city pollution.

"Excuse me?" You asked in confusion as you back stepped away from this..weirdo.

"You don't need to be near that nerd, when you can spend time with me instead." She attempted to seductively smile that only brought you more confusion and head motions to look for the delusional girl's supposed boyfriend.

"Look miss, I think you've got the wrong guy." You attempt to placate her with palms up and facing her while backing away again.

"I'm looking at him." She looks at you with fluttering eyelashes..and you thought that was just a cartoon trope popularised by the work of Disney.

"Bruce?" Carrie runs to you with happiness radiating from her expressions and movement before her eyes settling onto the girl that was attempting to seduce you with tropes. "Who's..this?"

"Some girl thinkin' I was with her or somethin'." You responded before the girl ever could. For some reason though, you could've sworn there was a glaring match between the two before shaking that thought away as you look towards the direction of the park. "C'mon Carrie, let's go."

"Agreed." Carrie takes a hold of your arm while the two of you walk towards where the park was located.

(Scene Change)

"I'm sorry miss, I'm already with someone." You replied with a close to being ending patience with your voice bordering on irritation as the girl kept persisting in her attempts to ruin the 'Nerd's Date'.

"I already told you! You don't need her around a hunk like you are!" The girl kept persisting, ignoring Carrie's glare and holding on to your left arm.

'If saying 'no' multiple times isn't enough..' You think to yourself as a sudden light of inspiration astounds you for a second as you can finally hit two birds with one stone.

You open the guitar case and pick out the instrument as the first lines of the lyrics that just came to you after trying to find a way to say to the girl that no, you're not interested in her and only have eyes for the one holding you.

"Nah, nah, Honey I'm good..

I could have another, but I will not do so

I've got somebody at home.."


This stopped the two ladies as they looked stunned at you seemingly pulling this out of nowhere, but you're here right now to just bluster this lass off from your park date with Carrie.

"It's been a long night here, and a long night there

And these long, long legs are damn near everywhere

Hold up now, you look good, I will not lie

But if you ask where I'm staying tonight, I gotta be like

Oh, baby, no, baby, you got me all wrong, baby

My baby's already got all my love.."


At first the strumpet looked victorious while Carrie looked crestfallen before the emotions changed once you ended the verse. The former flinched as if back slapped by you while the latter smiled as tears of happiness began appearing from her eyes.

Again, the lyrics spewed forth from your mind with utmost focus on delivering the message to the persisting teenager that attempted to sabotage your park date with Carrie.

"..I will stay true."

N/A: This idea has plagued me for a few days until I managed to place this in a writing form.
 
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