Touché

b100dsuckr: ASL

pink_jewel: 14 f lv u?

b100dsuckr: 102 M LV c2c?

pink_jewel: umm... k. r u rlly 102?

b100dsuckr: Yes I am, Pink. Do you mind if we use complete words in our messages?

pink_jewel: OMG!!!!! ur a vamp!!!!
pink_jewel: sure i dont mind

b100dsuckr: I am indeed a Vampire-American.

pink_jewel: lol i heard about you guys going public but i didnt think id see one of you in a chat room

b100dsuckr: We are not as inept with technology as many mortals seem to think. There is a lot of misinformation throughout the media regarding my kind.

pink_jewel: like what?

b100dsuckr: That we are not sensitive to the needs of mortals, for example. It has been whispered that Vampires only want one thing, and we will do anything to anyone to get it.

pink_jewel: what thing?

b100dsuckr: Blood.

pink_jewel: i knew that

b100dsuckr: I never said that you did not. At any rate, our unemotional character is being dragged through the proverbial mud.

pink_jewel: whos been saying that stuff? thats so mean

b100dsuckr: Fremont Armstrong. Yes, his lies are painful.

pink_jewel: but isnt he a vamp too? o, im sorry for bringing it up!

b100dsuckr: You do not have to apologize, darling. Do you mind if I address you as "darling"?

pink_jewel: no

b100dsuckr:
b100dsuckr: To answer your question, darling, Armstrong is a vampire. He wants to make a name for himself championing mortals rights by slandering the name of his people.

pink_jewel: what a jerk!

b100dsuckr: Armstrong is a defamatory turncoat.

pink_jewel: lol

b100dsuckr: What is funny darling?

pink_jewel: the way you talk

b100dsuckr: Is there something wrong with the way I talk?

pink_jewel: no its nice. you just sound so sophisticated and proper

b100dsuckr: Thank you.
b100dsuckr: Speaking of propriety, I have not introduced myself. My name is George Stockard.

pink_jewel: hi george im julie

b100dsuckr: I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Julie darling.

pink_jewel: nice to meet you too

b100dsuckr: May I ask a favor of you, darling?

pink_jewel: ummm... okay

b100dsuckr: Can I see a photograph of you, Julie? Would it be too much trouble to e-mail me one?

pink_jewel: i dunno...

b100dsuckr: I would like to see who I am getting to know, who I am beginning to care for.

pink_jewel: oh jeeez! okay its sent

b100dsuckr: Thank you, darling.
b100dsuckr: You are a very attractive girl, Julie.

pink_jewel: no im not

b100dsuckr: Yes you are. I can not recall the last time I saw such blossoming beauty.

pink_jewel:
pink_jewel: can i have one of you?

b100dsuckr: Of course, my darling. I am sending you a photograph of an oil painted rendering of myself. It was completed less than a month before I was transformed, so it is still quite accurate.

pink_jewel: mmkay
pink_jewel: wow you look dashing. like a fairytale prince.

b100dsuckr: Thank you, darling. In my living days, it was very important to appear at your best in a portrait.

pink_jewel: you look like youre at your best. cant see a zit or anything

b100dsuckr: My deepest thanks again, my darling Julie.

pink_jewel:
pink_jewel: so whats it like being a vamp?

b100dsuckr: Lonely, Julie. Constantly being denied the warm sun and friendly companionship has turned my heart steely cold. If a Vampire ever offers to change you, do not accept. Run away.

pink_jewel: i could outrun a vamp?

b100dsuckr: Well no...

pink_jewel: okay... thats kinda bad advice then isn't it?

b100dsuckr: Yes, I am sorry for advising you so poorly, Julie.

pink_jewel: omg brb

b100dsuckr: What Julie?
b100dsuckr: Julie?
b100dsuckr: Are you there darling?

pink_jewel: back i thought i saw something by my window but there wasnt anything there

b100dsuckr: Is there anyone home with you Julie? Someone that could check outside for you?

pink_jewel: no my mom is at work till 4
pink_jewel: i could get a better look outside?

b100dsuckr: No Julie. You had better stay inside where it is safe.

pink_jewel: alright ill stay in just as soon as i go get ben

b100dsuckr: No. Julie. Stay here with me, darling.
b100dsuckr: Julie?

pink_jewel: im back gaw its hot outside. thank god we have ac

b100dsuckr: Why did you go out after I told you not to? Do you not think I have your best interest at heart, darling?

pink_jewel: i had to let ben in

b100dsuckr: Who is Ben, darling? Is he your boyfriend?

pink_jewel: no lol hes my dog

b100dsuckr: Have you had a boyfriend before, Julie?

pink_jewel: there was a guy i was kinda seeing at camp

b100dsuckr: Have you kept in contact with him since camp?

pink_jewel: not really

b100dsuckr: I am sorry to hear that, Julie. Losing contact with your first love can be traumatic to a young heart.

pink_jewel: i never said i loved him

b100dsuckr: Oh?

pink_jewel: yeah we just had fun ya know?

b100dsuckr: Like what kind of fun, darling?

pink_jewel: you know

b100dsuckr: Unless you tell me, I do not.

pink_jewel: i cant omg its too private

b100dsuckr: Did he ever hold your hand?

pink_jewel: sure

b100dsuckr: Was he ever bold enough to kiss you on the lips?

pink_jewel: umm... yea

b100dsuckr: I bet you I could kiss you in a superior location.

pink_jewel: i dunno it was pretty romantic by the lake

b100dsuckr:
b100dsuckr: I am sure the setting was perfect for your first kiss.

pink_jewel: it wasnt my first

b100dsuckr: I am sorry for assuming. Please forgive my arrogance, Julie.

pink_jewel: ive kissed lots of boys. im probably better at kissing than you

b100dsuckr: Would not kissing a man as old as I am be disturbing to you?

pink_jewel: no you boys are all the same

b100dsuckr: Touché Julie

pink_jewel: you mean touch?

b100dsuckr: Pardon my French my darling, would you like to show me how kissing should be done?

pink_jewel: umm... alright

b100dsuckr: When would you like to school me?

pink_jewel: gosh i dunno

b100dsuckr: How about tonight?

pink_jewel: tonight?

b100dsuckr: I would like a lengthy lesson before your mother gets home from work, Julie.
b100dsuckr: Hello?
b100dsuckr: You still with me, darling?

pink_jewel: umm... okay lets meet. only somewhere i feel safe.

b100dsuckr: Of course. Certainly. Where would that be?

pink_jewel: my house

After saying his farewells and writing down Julie's address, George put his laptop in sleep mode. He stared at the black screen with a grin. Tonight was shaping up to be a very, very good night. Since the Proclamation of Vampiric Existence, George's complexion had become paler than he was comfortable with, or rather, the human herds he came into physical contact with.

George closed the laptop and set it on the couch before making his way to his bedroom closet. He was trying different clothing combinations against his naked form when the answering machine picked up an incoming call.

"Stockard, its Armstrong. I know we've had our differences in the past, but I'm hoping we can work through them. We've been pals for too long to thr-"

George glared at the machine. "You sound so human. What did they do to you in that prison of theirs."

"Wull, I guess you're out getting dinner, so I'll try to catch you later, man."

George snorted. "No, no you will not, pal." He slid into the selected clothing, making sure to the top three buttons undone. Once dressed and groomed, he went to the garage with keys jingling and mouth whistling. George took one look at his car and decided he would fly to Julie's house in order for his hair to be best introduced.

The 14-year-old's one story house was box shaped but quaint and far from the Las Vegas strip where her mother probably worked. George scanned the neighborhood with no street lamps. Even in the dark of night, all the homes had a lived in look, generations of renovations and new families built up this block from sand. George stuffed his hands into his pants pockets as he approached the concrete driveway leading to Julie's front door. With one last perimeter check, he knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" said a young female voice.

He heard her press her weight into the door. 'Probably using the peephole, he thought,' George considered before replying. "It is George. Can I come in?"

The sound of a deadbolt unlocking would have quickened his heart beat if he had one. As the door glided open, George bent over to see inside the house. He caught a glimpse of Julie's slender back side padding down the hallway. "Julie? I can't come in unless you invite me, darling."

"Oh right," she said disappearing around a corner. "I'm just going to get my ice tea and then I'll be right there."

"Yes, you should get your drink. It is thoroughly unpleasant to be thirsty." George became stoic as he waited for her return.

"That's him, Armstrong. 20 years ago that man that abducted my little sister!"

Before George could turn to face the shrilly, accusatory voice, blinding UV light lit him up in every direction. He fell to his knees, covering his smoking and melting face by sacrificing his hands to the light. While in the fetal position, his hearing was assaulted.

"Hello Las Vegas, I'm Fremont Armstrong, host of To Catch A Vampire..."

"Gottem? Sure?"

Click, click, click. George felt heaviness encircling his wrists.

"Set the undead pervert on fire!"

"If you are just now tuning in, we've caught yet another sick, degenerate fiend allegedly attempting to feed and murder an underage girl..."

"That thing drained my daughter!"

"Hold his legs."

Click, click, click. George's ankles began to sizzle.

"... time to make the vampire face the pain he's inflicted, the torment he's caused the families of those he's fed upon..."

"No," George coughed.

"Yes George, I'm afraid it is," said Armstrong. George tried to lunge for Armstrong's voice, but his restraints made him collapse. "Cut the lights. He's neutralized."

"Why?" George rasped.

"Because you have to pay for what you've done, Stockard." Armstrong bellowed and the group of mortals cheered. Then he crouched down beside George and whispered, "No more prison dinners for me."