orangetoughguy | log post II

Uh huh. I am happy because Larry told me that I get to walk you home and ask you what you wanted for dinner. He is at work right now.

[This information is shared without a question. There's no scent of alcohol or weed...or cigarettes even on him.]

Did you have a good work day? Oh. And what would you like for dinner?

[This Larry waits until the kid is ready to walk.]

[No cigarettes is the biggest red flag for Freddy Newendyke. Larry smells so fucking...fresh...it's weird. Real weird. Also, Larry told Larry?? What gives??]

It was okay. I retrofitted a lot of hydraulics. [The kid rolls his shoulder to show while it was interesting work it's left him sore. Wait wait, what are you doing Newendyke. This isn't...Larry...or something.] Hey, give me a second.

[And out comes the device. He's not just texting the old man, he's calling him. So pick up.]

[Brown eyes blink as he nods except it's plain to see with one look he has no idea what hydraulics are or what retrofitting is. He nods when Freddy asks for a moment.]

Okay. I can give you more seconds if one isn't good enough.

[Meanwhile...the Larry picks up his device.]

Hey, kid. Are you off already?

[O...kay.]

Yeah. Where are you if you're not here standing next to me asking me what I want for dinner?

[There are the sounds of casino workings around him. Freddy is on the line with the real deal.]

At work. That guy right there showed up early this morning. He told me he's my clone or something. As you mighta figured out he's not bright at all. I gave him a list of errands to keep him busy. I should have told you, I thought he would have been held up by then.

[Picking up the laundry, shining shoe for starters. Seemed like a miracle at the time to the old man that he got the concept of following a list. Then again, the old man was short on patience trying to get to work on time.]

If you want him out of the way just give him something to do. I should be home in about two hours.

Are you for real? A clone?

[But wait, time for a reality check, Newendyke. He's thinking about a customer who came in "twice", seeing two people working at the coffee machine over lunch, and look there right across the street, a lady strolling along while a lady who looks like that lady lugs all her shopping bags.]

Okay. [Sigh. Freddy rubs his roman nose. Now he speaks loud enough for the both of them.] I want spaghetti and meatballs. With lots of cheese.

We're talkin' real sci-fi shit for you.

[The gears are turning then? Larry stays on the line. After all, he's the one dealing with the head trip head on.]

Consider it done, lots of cheese. I'll send the lug for it.

[Clone Larry is waiting nearby. He's got a pencil and a pad of paper to write down the order.]

Will you be okay with him until I get home?

I can handle you can't I? [In other words, "Yes, I'll be fine."] Don't worry about it. I'll see you later.

[And for good measure he gives the clone a smile and a nod.]

See you, tough guy.

[Back to the grindstone for the original Larry. Clone Larry's smile gets a particular brilliance when Freddy smiles at him.]

Are we ready to walk home? Oh and how do you spell spaghetti?

[Same body. The old man's stance is skewed. He seems to not know how to be as light on his feet as Dimick.]

Yeah, we're ready.

[He pockets the device and...really? Sigh. Well the kid's not gonna lose his patience on this lug. He might even prove himself to be entertaining, after getting over the initial weirdness of course. Despite the way he carries himself, this Larry still looks exactly like the original. It takes someone familiar with Dimick's character to tell the differences.]

S-p-a-g-h-e-t-t-i. [he spells out from around an unlit cigarette wedged between his lips.] Have you been running around town all day?

[Each letter is given extra precision on the note pad as though it would make or break this man's capacity to do the order right.]

Thank you. It's a difficult word.

[Walking with ease hum de dum.]

Yes, yes I have. I've been very very good at it too. I have told nobody my name and I have a key and have not let anyone into the apartment in my comings and goings.

Yeah, don't sweat it man.

[Difficult, for a five year old. Light, puff puff. Freddy runs his fingers through his floppy in-need-of-a-trim hair then looks at the other Larry while walking. No names? Larry taught Larry well.]

Good, cause that's important, not just for you but for me too. We can go by White. [A point at Larry.] And Orange. [A point at himself.] Or there's Tim Strawn. [A point at Larry.] And Harvey Logan. [A point at himself.] I dunno if he gave you those names yet. Have you met Sam?

[Now there's a real litmus test of this Larry's disposition. Who knows, he could be sweet and happy go lucky now then whip out his two guns and mow down a paperboy just for calling him an asshole.]

[Either this Larry is childlike or just not meant to be a brain surgeon, it isn't to be seen yet. He nods as Freddy talks and for a moment makes as though he's going to write it all down to remember.]

No he didn't. He said that I'm Larry but not to tell anyone but you.

[Walk, walk.]

I have. I like Sam. I fed him fruit and we watched TV. That was on the list.

[Freddy almost spits his cigarette out.]

You watched TV with Sam?

[Now that is a marvelous sort of thing, if only the kid could get over his initial surprise first.]

Yes. I did. That is a good thing, right? Larry told me to.

[The extreme nature of Freddy's physical response has the guy looking like he's in for trouble.]

He wouldn't tell me to do something bad, would he?

No no it's totally fine. [Recovering, recovering. Freddy smiles again.] Just a surprise you know? Sam's a cool guy of course--and so are you.

[But Sam and Lawrence Dimick together, watching TV, hah. Er, as for that other thing, Freddy can't answer it honestly without possibly making the copy worry...or does the copy also have a disregard for the law? Anyway.]

So what'd you watch?

Sam is very cool. He makes funny noises. I cleaned his cage after watching TV with him. We watched the Flintstones.

[Nice recovery, the Larry is happy go lucky once more. Belatedly he stops at one point...]

I'm glad you think I am cool. Larry said you're super cool. I think he is right.

Well he's a toucan, what other kinds of noises is he gonna make?

[Cleaned his cage did he? Larry wrote a proper list for Larry. As for the Flintstones, well that seems like something Sam would enjoy. He looks like a dinosaur for one, and Larry is a dino--er, nevermind that thought. Puff puff. Aw at that compliment the kid can't help but grin.]

Cool dudes hang out with cool dudes, that's just how it is.

[He wonders if Larry told him to say that.]

I don't know. Are there more noises?

[Smiling is good. That means that Larry did a good job. And they're heading home like they're supposed to. Look at all this productivity. The Larry will be so pleased.

That must be why I am supposed to walk you home.

A couple. If he pet him he purrs and if you whistle he chirps.

[At that the original Freddy leans in to give the copy Larry a light bump to the side.]

Probably. I like the company.

[Copy Larry opens the door and holds it open for Freddy as they step into the apartment. The walk home ended up with telling Freddy about what happened in the Flintstone episode as though that is what he needed to know. While the apartment was already clean, the floor has been swept and mopped. There's a lemon cleanser smell that hits the senses. And someone has dusted, he's been a busy clone.]

...I think that Fred should be nicer to Barney and Wilma because they like him.

[Freddy's been playing along the whole time, listening and nodding over the episode recap.]

Well they're definitely not the Jetsons.

[Whoa the smell of the apartment is so...clean, clean like Copy Larry. There's only a small hint of smoke in there and really it's only when you get closer to the upholstery like the pool table and coats in the corner. What a busy clone. Sam over by the window croaks and clicks, eager to be let out.] Hey buddy.

[Hmm. He looks at Larry.] Wanna let'im out?

They don't live in space.

[...Which is not what Freddy was talking about at all. Copy Larry is taking out his note pad and crossing off a few things. Right as he should.]

Okay. [To the cage he goes with Freddy smiling at the bird as he hops here and there.] Hello, Sam. I brought Freddy with me like I said. [Clink of the latch and he puts his hand down so the bird can hop on.]

I think he missed you. [He lightly places the bird bearing paw on the kid's shoulder so Sam can sit there. To Copy Larry all of this is no thing at all.]

...Wow.

[Freddy watches this whole process like it's some bizarre National Geographic program wherein a bear befriends a bird and the two are the best of buddies despite being on opposite ends of the predator-prey spectrum. Oh right, he offers his shoulder for the hopping creature who croaks happily.]

Well I missed him too, right buddy? Did you have a good time with Larry?

[E-e-ee-ee-e-e-e. Sounds like a yes.] So what else is on your list? [A roll of his non-bird bearing shoulder. Sore.]

That is what I said when I saw Sam.

[Happy smile for the reuniting of the bird and his man.]

He has a big, big beak. It feels funny in your hair.

[Freddy is a nice looking man. No wonder Larry likes him so very much.]

I am supposed to get your food when you want it, organize the albums and then ask you what else needs to be done.

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