THE ANGELS SAGA

Pop Culture Meanderings

The Final Part of New Bridlington – Strength to Run Solo

e-mail: danielthomasandrewdaly@live.com.au

Profile: Daniel Thomas Andrew Daly

Work: Author, Video Producer

Genres: Mixed

Stories:

New Bridlington 8

Superstar

Devotions

Strength to Run Solo

Cat Lady 5

New Bridlington 9

New Bridlington 10

New Bridlington 8

Jerahmeel rounded the corner of the road. There was a dead animal as he turned the corner.

'Best get it off the road,' said Muriel.

'Agreed,' replied Jerahmeel.

He got out of the car, and dragged the dead kangaroo, roadkill, to the side of the road. He looked at it. It was in a sorry state. He presumed animals probably went on in spirit in some afterlife afterlife as it where. But God only kenw the truth of that. He got back in the car, and they continued on down the mountain, heading for home. When they arrived Muriel took the picnic basket from the boot of the car, and took it inside. Jerahmeel parked the car in the garage and came into the house through the garage entrance. He plonked himself down on the sofa and looked at the clock. A quarter to 10. They'd been out for a while. She came in shortly with hot chocolate and cookies, and they spent the evening relaxing, listening to classical music, and chatting lightly. Morning came the following day.

'Are you going to risk this Catchfire jaunt?' asked Muriel. 'Samael and Saruviel are intent on the trip, like the others. A few are going to go in and apparently ratify this new olde world nation.'

'I'm thinking it over,' replied Jerahmeel. 'It could be a thrill.'

'And what's life without a bit of a thrill,' replied Muriel. They finished their breakfast and Jerahmeel got off to work for the day at Jerahmeel's Jollicles. Around lunchtime Daniel walked in and ordered a Jollicle.

'You know,' said Daniel. 'It is dangerous, but that's part of the excitement. We'll be well protected though. And I know a bit about magic if you must know.'

'Funny,' replied Jerahmeel. 'Yeh, we're thinking it over. Could be the excitement we may need, or may not need. Sort of feel we are comfortable at the moment, and not really looking to be disturbed.'

'Well, you think it over,' said Daniel, licking on his Jollicle. 'And let us know.'

'Will do,' replied Jerahmeel.

All that week he thought about it and in the end concluded that a bit of adventure wasn't the end of the world, and Muriel wanted to disappear off to a store down sequence a bit, a PNG Olde World style store, which had the kind of fashion, for want of a better word, which would prove appropriate for Catchfrost. Jerahmeel accompanied her. They tried on robes and looked at weapons, and Muriel chuckled they should probably train if they were serious about stuff like that, and Jerahmeel considered that an actual possibility. Soon enough they had their wardrobe, and returned home, and as the year trundled along Jerahmeel started looking forward to the trip. The grande olde world of Catchfrost. Just what would they get from this experience? Time would only tell.

The End

Superstar

Cherubim Daniel Thomas Andrew Daly was on Joinquay in the first heavenly realm.

'Ay,' said Gloryel. 'What are you doing here?'

'Just getting a hamburger,' replied Daniel.

Geri kicked into gear from her jogging, and made it over to the cafe seats. She sat down next to Daniel, sweat all over her skin, earphones on from her music, and in a cute bikini shirt sort of top, and bicycle pants, and sneakers. She looked like Ultrawoman out on the prowl to Daniel.

'You look hot,' said Daniel to Gloryel.

'I am hot,' she replied, fanning herself in the heat.

'Yep, you're hot,' said Daniel, and continued eating his hamburger.

Silence for a while.

'Where's Taylor?' asked Gloryel, looking at a menu.

'Back in the Realm,' replied Daniel.

'So you are on your own on a holiday, are you?' she asked, taking off her earphones.

'Work,' he said. 'Commodore 64 related club activities and gaming in Joniquay. Some of my own creations.'

'Right,' nodded Gloryel. A waitress came over and she ordered a bottle of vitamin water and some fish.

'Fish?' asked Daniel.

'Not much on this menu is that good for you,' replied Gloryel. 'Not even the fish, but it's tolerable. Lots of batter, but I can afford it,' she replied, patting her butt.

'Cute butt,' said Daniel, now starting on his chicken kebab.

'You really shouldn't eat that shit,' said Gloryel.

'Hey, I exercise regularly enough. I've got a tough constitution, Seraphim lady, and I can afford it. So go shoot a blonde.'

'I know many blondes I would like to shoot,' said Geri, musing to herself.

Daniel looked at her, and chuckled. 'You're not alone,' he said, smiling.

'Right,' she said, nodding to him.

The meal came, and Geri took off the batter, but ate the rest of the fish, and sipped on the water.

'You...looking for a friend while you are here?' asked Gloryel.

Daniel looked at her. 'Sure. I love B grade movies of a life.'

'B grade movie life,' replied Geri.

'Passion. It has A grade songs, but the C grade songs give it a B grade average. Same for Scream if you Wanna go faster.'

'You're a fan I see,' replied Geri, rubbing her arm.

'Well, yeh. So is Callodyn. And Daniel obviously.'

'Oh, he's all over my music, replied Geri. Silence for a while. Gloryel was examining the Cherubim. 'You are closer to my human age, aren't you? 1972 generation. Daniel and Callodyn are actually later, when it's resolved, all that confusing data on the issue.'

'Yeh. Probably,' replied Daniel.

'Right,' she said. 'So you knew the Spice Girls in their heyday.'

Daniel sipped on his drink and looked at her.

'What of it?'

'Did you buy anything?'

'Fine, I'll keep you company,' said Daniel.

'And be my superstar,' said Geri, now shining.

'Your superstar,' replied Daniel.

The End

Devotions

'He better not cheat,' said Taylor, furious.

'He won't cheat,' replied Ed Sheeran. 'How do you plat this game anyway?'

'I'll show you,' said Shane.

A cat stroked itself against Ed's leg, and he jumped. 'Oh, a cat. How original,' said Ed. He looked at Taylor. 'You have a feline obsession.'

Taylor was standing there in the living room of the house she shared with Cherubim Daniel Thomas Andrew Daly, hand on her chin, thinking.

'We visit the second heavenly realm, and put on a friendship concert. We win his attention,' she said.

'He's faithful. Don't bother,' said Ed.

She looked at him. 'Sometimes we have to go to great lengths for our chosen,' she said. 'To remind them we care, and they should stay loyal.'

'Right,' nodded Ed, looking at his feet as the cat rubbed itself against his legs.

'Don't bother with Daniel,' said Katy, coming into the room. 'He's faithful as fuck but faithless as fuck. You sort of get both with the idiots. They play the field, but remember their little black books. Fundamental to their existence.'

Taylor looked at Katy and threw her hands in the air and said 'Unbelievable.' She looked at the game being played. 'You really suck at this don't you Ed.'

'Shaddup,' he replied.

'He's ok,' said Shane.

'Concert, concert, concert,' said Taylor, disappearing off to the back room.

'She's upset,' said Ed.

'You think?' replied Katy, sitting down.

'You should console her,' said Ed.

'I would. But I don't care. Know Daniel's too well. They do what they want. Make all the promises and commitments in the world, but still do what the damn they will do. Fake, but genuien sort of people. They keep their promises, but break them as well. It's a solid contract, but beware the unwritten caveats.'

'Right. Probably true,' said Ed, who seemed to be improving at the game.

'I have a concert booked,' said Taylor, coming back into the room. 'Next month. They had a free hall.'

'That was quick,' said Ed.

'Just filled a form, clicked pay, and it was accepted,' replied Taylor. 'The Love Dome in central Joniquay.'

'Funny name,' said Shane.

'I've been there before,' said Taylor. 'Very liberal sort of place.'

'Sure that's what you are looking for,' replied Ed.

'It will have to do,' said Taylor. She looked at Ed playing the game. 'Your instincts are kicking in.'

'I know these games somewhat,' said Ed, handling the joystick. 'You remember and adapt.'

'Obviously,' replied Taylor after a moment. 'Dinner!' she exclaimed, and wandered off to the kitchen.

'Never a dull moment,' said Ed.

'Tell me about it,' replied Katy.

The End

Strength to Run Solo

'I don't get much activity here. Mostly solo girl,' said Geri.

'I see,' replied Daniel, running his fingers over Geri's Joniquay house bookcase. 'You read a lot I guess.'

'Not much else to do. Sariel is usually off with his others, and I don't see him much. Christian visits regularly enough, but he's with someone else usually. Other affairs. I run solo a lot.'

'I see,' said Daniel. He sat down next to Geri, and she put his arm around him. She kissed him on the cheek.

'Miss Halliwell. Are you sure you should do that. I'm a married man.'

'Jesus Christ!' swore Geri, moving away. 'You're no fun Daniel san.'

Daniel sat there, in his pullover in christmas design, and thought it over. 'I'll do so much,' he said. And he leaned over, grabbed her, and started kissing her.

'That's it baby,' replied Geri.

They made out for a while. After about half an hour Geri started massaging Daniel's crotch, and Daniel soon got an erection. Then she pulled away. 'Wanna go to the bedroom?' she asked.

Daniel looked at her, touched her hair, and said 'What's for dinner?'

Geri looked at him squarely for a moment. 'I guess like you said,' she replied getting up. 'So much, but no further right?'

'Something like that,' he replied. 'What? Are you claiming fidelity to Cherubim 347 now or something? Usually Seraphim 45 is more your style as far as Daniel's are concerned.'

Geri looked at him. 'I get to 347s from time to time. Page 347 is common enough. It's a concern.'

'Funny,' he replied. 'I suppose so.'

'Right,' she said, straightening herself out after her passion. 'What do you want to eat?'

'Make it healthy,' said Daniel, picking up the remote, and turning on the TV. 'And if you commit to me as a friend eternally, I might give you a little more love than that.'

Geri looked at him, a cog clicked in her brain, and she wandered off to the kitchen. A little voice said to her in the kitchen 'He requires permanent friendship.' And she nodded softly, and began the meal.

The End

Cat Lady 5

'The X4 Cartridge, the 4^th in the X series, redefines Commodore Gaming,' said Greg, Daniel's younger brother.

'How so?' asked Taylor.

'Game manipulation. It's more than an extra lives cartridge and unlimited energy and so on. The first 3 X cartridges did that to the nth degree and offered lots of great gameplay options, especially screen colour variations and music variations. But X4 goes much further. It analyzes the game code, and modulates in a set of over 100 specific ways variables in the game to enhance and excite and make a very enjoyable experience. It changes things radically, and with its own dictionary vocabulary of names, and special minigame challenges, it breaks new ground in Commodore programming. It's the best of me.'

'Sounds awesome,' said Taylor. 'Where is it then?'

'Currently in planning phase,' replied Greg, and looked at the ceiling.

'He's an idiot,' said Taylor.

'I know,' said Daniel.

A cat walked past and rubbed Greg's leg. Greg reached down and patted it, and it spent the next half an hour rubbing against Greg's leg.

'It obviously likes him,' said Taylor, as they sat watching Rocky III on VHS.

'Greg is pretty good with animals. It's the st Francis in him,' said Daniel.

'That's right,' replied Taylor. 'It's one of his middle names, isn't it.'

Greg yawned and said 'That's right. Saintly Greggo.'

'Will Saint Greg order us all dinner?' asked Taylor.

'Fine,' said Greg. 'As long as you pay.'

'Tightarse,' replied Taylor.

'I'm on a budget,' replied Greg.

'He watches his money,' said Daniel. 'He's got enough of it, but he's careful.'

'You pay for your share, St Francis,' said Taylor, looking at him from the sofa. 'And I'll pay for our share.'

'We'll split the delivery 3 ways,' said Gregory.

'I want exact to the cent. One third exactly,' said Taylor. 'And the remainder goes to charity.'

'Fine,' said Greg. 'But I choose the charity.'

'I'll allow that, as long as it's not the Gregory Daly fund for ripping of Taylor Swift.'

'Hey, that's my secret fund,' said Daniel. 'In my name. I've been adding payments from your account to it for years, Tails.'

'Funny,' she replied.

'It's 2 cents,' said Greg. 'Surely you can let me keep that.'

'No frikking way,' said Taylor. 'And I'll expect a receipt, buster, as proof. I'll let you handle it.'

'I choose, then. The meal.'

'Pizza will do,' said Taylor.

'One each and some drinks?' asked Greg.

'I eat most stuff,' said Taylor. 'Just no drongo choices, and it will be fine.'

'I'm not an idiot,' said Greg.

'That remains to be seen,' replied Taylor, softly under her breath.

'What was that?' asked Greg, picking up the phone.

''Nothing,' said Taylor.

The cat continued rubbing Greg's leg. The movie was watched. Soon enough the pizza came.

'I requested the discount us slightly, and take off a tad of cheese, to round it down to a price which came out exactly in multiples of 3, so there is no need for the charity donation,' said Greg.

'Smart,' said Taylor. 'Good choices,' she said, hooking into her Chicken Supreme, with extra cheese, but slightly less than extra. 'He makes wise food choices at least,' said Taylor to Daniel.

'He's got it together well enough,' replied Daniel, as they continued on with the Rocky movies, now on number 4. And the day passed.

The End

New Bridlington 9

'I think, of the Nut Bar,' said Jerahmeel.

'Coated with chocolate, with chocolate in stripes, or no chocolate whatsoever?' asked Muriel.

Jerahmeel continued wiping the counter of Jerahmeel's Jollicles, and mused on that. Eventually he had an answer. 'Yoghurt. Those Uncle Toby's ones covered in yoghurt.'

'There the best,' replied Muriel. 'Junk food though. Pretend health food.'

'Like Jerahmeel's Jollicles. We're 100% Enjoyable Food for a reason.'

'You know,' replied Muriel. 'It's a tad misleading in many ways. That slogan. 100% enjoyable. I mean, it gives the illusion of being positive in some ways. Almost healthy.'

'It was wisely chosen,' replied Jerahmeel, continuing his cleaning.

'I suppose so,' replied Muriel. She turned the page of her newspaper. After a while, 'You know. You could add in some healthy choices which are yummy. Stuff which passes on being nutritionally acceptable. Like Smoothies.'

'That's the competition,' replied Jerahmeel. 'I have convictions.'

'Convictions about what, Jerry?' she asked, looking at her newspaper.

'Competition. There are no strict laws which says you can't enter a field, but others are making their living in that arena. I don't want to try and take out the competition. They guy down the street a bit, at the healthy snack bar. He does smoothies. It could take custom from him. Not kind. I'm an angel. We're not really supposed to do that sort of thing.'

'Tell that to Daniel and Valandriel and the other angels.'

'They don't change their programs too much these days,' said Jerahmeel. 'And people get a kick out their rivalry with Michael and Ambriel and co. It works for the world. Something to natter on about.'

'Sorbet then,' she said. 'Vitari like sorbet.'

Jerahmeel put down his wiping rag and looked squarely at Muriel. 'I do Jollicles, and bit of coffee and cake and stuff. That's the business. It's understood.'

'Just saying,' she replied.

'Fine,' said Jerahmeel. He spent some time, then, thinking over New Bridlington economy.

'We can get a cash injection into the economy. Slight increase, if we make a commitment to a new product. The council will allow it if there is sufficient demand. I don't want to interfere with local businesses, but there might be something. Sorbet might be a goer.'

'Good,' she said, standing. 'I'll see you at home tonight. I'll buy something nice for our dinner.'

Jerahmeel nodded, and a customer came in, and he got on with his day. But he was thinking over her suggestions, and Sorbet might be the way to go. A healthy choice they could introduce for a fresh spin on things. An interesting idea.

The End

New Bridlington 10

Spaz closed up 'Spaz's place at 10 that evening, with no customers left,' locked the front door, and took off down the street westwards. He arrived at Woolworths Supermarket, which was open till midnight, bought some cheezels and ginger beer. He continued walking till he got to 'Lake Placid Greens', and sat down on the Daffy Duck bench, looking at the flashing coloured lights around Lake Placid Greens. It was like this every night in this parkland, surrounding Lake Placid. Flashing coloured lights, on little poles which stuck out of the green grass, and there was classical music playing softly on the speakers in each pole, which you could here wherever you went in Lake Placid Greens. It was low cost and easy to maintain and was judged an embellishment, so given the go ahead. On all the benches were plastic cartoon characters at the side end, a different one for each bench around the park. Daffy Duck was his favourite to sit on. So that is what he did. He sat there, eating his cheezels, and working through his 4 pack of Bundaberg Ginger Beer. The night passed. Around 11:30 a black cat wandered past him, looked at him briefly, hissed, and continued on its way. Spaz shrugged it off. At 11:45 a Tom cat slinkered past, presumably following the black cat. Another amusing thing, but there were a handful of strays around the CBD. He sat there, and started on his 3^rd bottle, working through the cheezels. Around midnight the trolley lady rolled into the park, and pushed past him. She glared at him, and he offered her a cheezel, but she just shook her head and continued on her way. The classical music kept on playing. At 12:05 the black cat walked back the other way, but didn't hiss this time, and the Tom wasn't far behind. When he started his final drink, he finished the cheezels, and the trolley lady appeared. 'Can I claim that bench for the night?' she asked.

'Sure,' replied Spaz. 'I'll be off shortly.'

She nodded, and sat down next to him.

'Must be a hell of a life on the streets,' he replied.

'I don't care. Don't want to change my ways, and I've got a bad name. It's my lot in life.'

'You could try. You've been doing this a long time Gladys.'

'And I'll be doing it a long time still, Spaz. Won't forgive the bastard.'

'He's moved on, you know. He's changed his attitude. You could lighten up on him.'

She glared at him. He thought better than to push it.

'Here's your seat,' he said, and got up. He looked at her. 'And I bet you don't even mind, when it comes right down to it. Your spite gives you the patience for this shit.'

She opened a can of lollies, and started sucking on one. Then she brought out a pillow from the trolley, and a blanket, and laid down on the bench.

'Don't wait up,' she said.

Spaz chuckled, and moved on. Eventually he got to his place, and sat down on the couch. He clicked on the stereo, and smooth jazz played. And, taking a bottle of scotch from the bench, he settled down, let the jazz play, and drifted off to sleep around 1:30.

The End