All My Toys: 294

Previously on All My Toys...

It was a night to end all nights as everyone came together to rock their frocks in Swans Crossing. Former flames were rekindled between Sydney Rutledge and Garrett Booth. Glo performed to a thrilled crowd and found herself one step closer towards a job opportunity at Club Ritz. Miss M found herself falling more and more for Dick Tracy. Big Boy Caprice was made aware of upsetting news, one of his henchmen, Cletus, was missing from his "time out" in a safe house. Already in trouble, Cletus being back on the streets could only create more trouble...

Club Ritz, off hours...

Hushed conversations fill the silence of the multi level club.

The Brow: Are you caught up?

The Rodent: I'm behind a week. Is Drew still being drugged?

The Brow: Yes! The actor though, he acts so well with his eyes since he can't speak right now.

???: What are you talking about?

The Brow: General Hospital.

???: Oh lord. Soap operas. Where the stories drag on and on and the dialogue and acting is... questionable.

The Rodent: Soap operas are an art form, trust me doll, you watch a few episodes, and bam! You're drawn right in.

Jason: Sorry, club is closed right now. 

Glo: I know, that's why I'm here, for an opportunity to interview. As a singer.

Jason: Lana knows you're coming?

Glo: I'm assuming. I was told to come here by Mr. Caprice. I'm friends with his daughter. 

Jason: (gruff) Yeah well, if Lana doesn't know, you might have to come back at her convenience. Talent goes through her.

???: Oh wow! It's you! Jason, stand down. Lana knows. I am freaking out right now. I saw you open for Sandy Swan in Swans Crossing. I can't believe you might work here! Wow, what a gas. I'm practically dizzy. I'm Breathless.

Glo: Oh, well do you need to sit? Or loosen your corset some? Step outside for some fresh air?

Breathless: Oh! Haha. No. My name is Breathless. Breathless Mahoney. And I am a huge fan. 

Glo: Well thank you. I'm Glo, but you already know that. I have heard so much about this place. My friend's dad...

Glo: (notices gambling table, and pauses) Is that real?

Breathless: As real as you want it to be, but also, you never saw it. (winks) There are some things you learn to ignore here, and honestly, when you're on stage, you get lost under the spotlight anyway.

Glo: Interesting. (starts to doubt this potential job offer) This place, it's so big. Bigger than I was expecting.

Breathless: I know. Big Boy wants it to be the coolest ticket it town. I can't believe you want to sing here. Come on, let me introduce you to Lana. She can be a bit much. You'll get used to her though, if you get the spot.

Glo: Ok. Can I just pause for a moment. I want to understand. I heard rumors that there was illegal gambling here, but actually seeing it... Does this place ever get raided by the police?

Breathless: Oh honey. I shouldn't turn this into a gabfest, but the police know to stay away. This place would be closed otherwise. We're talking the most open secret in town. Don't let that deter you though, we really need another act, and you would be perfect.

Glo: (a little nervous) Ok. So, what next?

Breathless: We go up to the top spot. We perform on each floor, but the third floor, it's truly the best place. Come on, I'll take you there.

Across town, at coffee hot spot Hey Bestie!

Glory: Zap me like a Shock Tart, I can't believe my sweet brother is finally making time to see me! Thank you for the drink by the way.

Garrett: Sure, sure. I have been busy though, ya know? Thanks to our lovely president, the housing market has been a bit volatile. I am hustling to make ends meat. I made it to your concert though. That's gotta count for something, right?

Glory: Right. About that. Care to explain why you rushed off with Sydney? Please tell me you were just making sure she got to her car safely. (pauses) Garrett!

Garrett: What?!

Glory: Garrett. Sydney is engaged. You can't continue to do this dance with her. She has finally found someone she is happy with. I wish you could do the same.

Garrett: And who says she is happy?

Glory: What does that mean? Of course she is happy. Sydney is getting everything she could ever want. He comes from an empire. He has the potential to take her beyond the royalty of Swans Crossing into even more royalty. Like, crazy Dynasty style royalty.

Garrett: And you think that is what she wants?

Glory: Garrett. Sydney has wanted nothing more than to magnify her wealth and status, and now she can take that on a global scale. 

Garrett: She also wants love Glory. More than money or status. She wants love.

Glory: Oh? And you're just the man to do that huh? You two have been so incredibly toxic towards each other. Since we were kids! I mean you tried to mastermind a plan to insinuate that Sydney and Sandy were swapped at birth! 

Glory: You two have never been able to make it work. And then there is Mila. Mila is so sweet, why can't the two of you ever make it work? There can still be time!

Garrett: Why are you trying to play matchmaker Glory? I don't understand where this is coming from.

Glory: Can't I want you to finally settle down? We're not getting any younger Garrett. 

Garrett: Yeah, well, Mila and I can't work out. She's perfect. Incredibly sweet. She's overcome so much. It's too much pressure to be with her. With Sydney, it's different. One minute I want to pull my hair out and the next I can't stand to be apart from her. There's passion there.

Glory: You are insane. And playing with fire. You can't keep seeing Sydney. Promise me you will leave her alone so she can be happy. 

Glory: Garrett! Promise me!

Garrett: Alright! Alright. I promise. Sydney and I are in the past. Contrary to what you think, I want her to be happy too.

Glory: Good. Ok. I'll stop being bossy. Did you at least like the concert?

Garrett: Of course. You know I did.

Glory: Good. I'm glad. Now. Let me ask you this. How would you feel about being an uncle?

Garrett: Excuse me?

Glory: Well, I wanted to wait to be sure, but it looks like J.T. and I are expecting.

Garrett: Glory! 

Glory: I know. We are cautiously excited. It's a slightly high risk pregnancy due to my age, but it should be ok. I just know I am incredibly happy. All of the craziness from the past number of years, it's all calm now and I am ready for the future.

Garrett: I am happy for you. Incredibly happy. J.T. and you both deserve this. 

The two smile and laugh as they embrace the news.

Back at the Club Ritz...

Jason: Sorry, but we're not open yet.

Dick Tracy: I'm not here as a patron. I'm a detective, here to talk with Mr. Caprice. I have some questions for him.

Jason: Do you have a warrant?

Dick Tracy: That's not how this works. I just have a few questions. Is that a card table?

Jason: This? No. Replica. For a casino night charity event.

Dick Tracy: Right. Where can I find Mr. Caprice?

The Brow: Who wants to know?

The Rodent: Yeah? We don't entertain coppers.

Dick Tracy: That so? Not the best response to say to me. Look wise guys, let's make this easy. I'm just here to talk to Mr. Caprice.

Big Boy Caprice: Outta the way boys. 

The Brow: Big Boy, wait.

Big Boy Caprice: Nah, I'm not scared. I have nothing to hide.

Big Boy Caprice: Detective eh? Got a name?

Dick Tracy: I'm Detective Tracy. You're a hard man to track down, Mr. Caprice.

Big Boy Caprice: Nah, I'm just a busy man. Usually here. How can I help you detective?

Dick Tracy: I'm looking for information, are you aware that a man was murdered on one of your properties? Your space downtown being used to lease a Sunny Bros. Pizza kitchen? 

Big Boy Caprice: What? This is news to me.

Dick Tracy: Do you happen to know a man who calls himself Deathstroke. Real name Slade Wilson?

Big Boy Caprice: No, I don't think that name rings a bell. 

Big Boy Caprice: Although, now that I think about it, that's not a property of mine.

Dick Tracy: That so? So, you aren't the owner of Manlis LLC?

Big Boy Caprice: Oh detective, you might be slacking in your skills. When my dear friend Lips died, his LLC was split between me and his wife. Sweet Lips, he didn't want Trish to carry that burden on her own. We split everything up, I took the club and everything else was hers.

Dick Tracy: Interesting.

Big Boy Caprice: Indeed. Check in with my bouncer, the man that greeted you. He'll pass along the information to contact Trish Manlis. I'm sure she'll know more.

Dick Tracy: Very well. Thank you for your help.

Dick Tracy: I'll reach out again if other questions come up.

Big Boy Caprice: I'm sure that won't be necessary detective.

Club Ritz. Third floor.

Breathless: Lana! You won't believe who is here for the lounge act!

Lana: Oh?

Lana: Who might we have here?

Breathless: This is Glo. She's a big deal.

Glo: I'm really not, Breathless is being too kind.

Lana: Now, why does Breathless think you are a big deal darlin?

Breathless: (jumps in) Well, Glo was a part of the girl group Shad3. Then went solo and released an album that sent her on a world tour. I just saw her at Sandy Swan's final reunion show as the opening act! We would be set with her on board.

Glo: You are far too kind.

Lana: Very kind, because I have heard of none of your music, or even who you are. You're just a stranger to me I'm afraid. Tell me, what would a world renowned star want with a lil club like this?

Breathless: Lana, this is...

Lana: I have heard enough from you darlin. I want this famous star to speak. Well?

Glo: I'm from here. And I'm wanting to focus on staying in town. (pauses, uncertain about sharing personal details of her life) I have friends here, I want to stick around and work, but still want to be able to sing.

Lana: Interesting. Well if you want work, the Sunny Bros. Pizza kitchen is hiring. Kidding. But what happens if you get this job, and then you decide to go off on a new world tour again? I need my girls to stick around. This may not be a flashy giant world stage, but we have a reputation here. How can I be assured you aren't going to run off in six months?

Glo: I bit off more than I could chew with my solo career. The tour took a lot out of me. I'm not planning to leave. I know Mr. Caprice, I'm friends with his daughter, and I am interested in being at one place. This is a lovely opportunity, if I'm given the chance.

Lana: (snickers) So in other words, you couldn't cut it?

Lana: And no need to toss around your connections. Mr. Caprice doesn't make the choices for talent here, I do. Do you understand?

Glo: Yes. I've been told a few times already.

Lana: Great. What's your style? What type of music do you sing? Breathless over here, she does a lovely tongue and cheek burlesque. I tend to sing sultry ballads. We have other singers that do moody soft rock. What might you bring to the table? I do hope something that can impress me.

Glo: I can bring anything to the table. I can do pop songs. Dreamy ethereal music. Torch songs. Rhythm and blues. I even play the piano.

Lana: Well, well, aren't you impressive. 

Glo: I am actually. 

Lana: Oh! And you have some bite. Not bad for an artist I've never heard of. Or have I? So far you seem pretty generic to me.

Glo: Look, I don't need this. This whole diva high bitch priestess gatekeeping act, I've dealt with it before. I'm here to audition, not engage in a catty back and forth. 

Lana: And that is exactly what this is, an audition. Surely you didn't think it'd all be singing now did you?

Glo: This is not like any audition I've been to before.

Breathless: Hey, maybe we should just hear her sing.

Lana: Shh Breathless. This isn't like any other place, you'd be smart to remember that. 

Lana: The Club Ritz brings in power players and the wealthiest people from all over the world. You'll be singing to an audience of people with true power, not to the screams of tweens. Are you cut out for that?

Glo: I have no doubt.

Lana: We shall see. I'm slightly curious for more. Come back on Thursday night, next week. Your audition goes live.

Glo: What? Just like that?

Lana: Yes darlin. I'm more of a sink or swim kinda gal. If you can generate interest with a live performance, than this might be the job for you. See you then. Breathless, see her out.

Breathless: Oh wow. This is huge, and you are going to be great.

Glo: I dunno. I don't think she likes me, my clap backs probably didn't help.

Breathless: Pay no attention to her. Lana is a lot of things, and bitch is at the top of the list. Thursday night can be slow or busy, but it's no matter. I've seen you perform, you absolutely have this.

Glo: You really want me to work here.

Breathless: Yes, don't you?

Glo: I have to admit, I was a little more excited before I got here. I feel like I might be in over my head.

Breathless: It is a lot, Lana is a lot. This place can be a lot. But trust me, we need you here.

Glo: Why?

Breathless: Because you are a genuine person. We need that around here, more than you could ever know...

Later on in the day, as evening begins to fall, trouble slinks around the corners and alleys of the city...

Cletus: (high as a kite) Uhh, HeLp. Some. One. hELp.

Cletus: I'm. Being. Followed. Death. Death. Is. Following. Me. HElp.

Cletus: NoOoOo. Leave. Me. Alone. Death!

Batman: I'm not here to hurt you. I want to help.

Cletus: No. Way. heLP.

Batman: Do you remember shooting at me? That tattoo. I've been hoping to run into you, I need to know why you shot at me.

Cletus: I. Shot. You?

Batman: Yes, and my friend. At the hotel. Let me take you somewhere, get you clean, and maybe get some answers.

Cletus: Death. Death! HELP!

Batman: Wait! 

Cletus: (experiences sudden erratic burst of energy) Help! Help! Death! He is near!

Batman: Stop! 

Batman: Damn junkie!

Suddenly a car screeches to a halt and loud voices call out- "Get him!"

Batman: What?!

Across town, Sydney's mansion...

Garrett: (whispers) Sydney?

Garrett: Syd- oh. There you are. Are we alone?

Sydney: Don't be an idiot. You wouldn't be here if I wasn't alone. Thank you for coming. 

Garrett: What is this getup for? I don't know if I should be turned on or worried that I'm in trouble.

Sydney: Oh Garrett Booth, you are always in a lot of trouble. (rolls eyes) I was out riding. I'm getting back into teaching lessons, and need... you know what. You don't care. Come on, let's get upstairs for some riding of our own...

Garrett: Hey, I care. We don't have to rush. You've been on my mind. Did you hear about Glory's news?

Sydney: I am sure I will find out, why are you wanting to talk? Are you a pod person or something? 

Garrett: I'm the real me. I just. Forget it. Come on, let's go upstairs. Take the riding crop too. 

Sydney: Ha. Oh Garrett, never change.

Garrett: I don't think I can.

In another part of town, a different kind of sleep over is about to commence...

Miss M: I can't believe you are staying the night. Our first sleepover. Well, since the college days.

Dick Tracy: How are you feeling about that?

Miss M: A little nervous. But, I'm also super excited. 

Dick Tracy: I am too. It's a little like the old days. 

Miss M: Yeah. With a place that is slightly bigger than our dorm rooms. Ha.

Dick Tracy: It's perfect. Are you hungry? Want me to cook something? Or go pick something up?

Miss M: I mostly use my kitchen for storage. And I don't think you should leave. Food might have to wait.

Dick Tracy: Oh?

Miss M: Yeah. I think there is something else that needs to happen first Mr. Tracy.

Dick Tracy: I am warming up to this idea.

2-Way Wrist Radio: ...Calling Dick Tracy! Kidnapping reported in front of Hey Bestie coffee. Needed asap.

Miss M: Oh. That sounds serious. 

Dick Tracy: (sighs) Yeah. I need to check that out.

Miss M: I understand.

Dick Tracy: I'll be right back though. I'll even come back with a sweet treat.

Miss M: Do what you need to do. I'll be here.

Miss M: Be careful!

Dick Tracy: Always doll.

Miss M: Guess this gives me time for a new blog post...

Moments later...

Dick Tracy: You saw what happened?

Batman: Yeah. I was following this man around, with a snake tattoo on his arm.

Dick Tracy: You think he was the guy that shot us a few weeks back?

Batman: Yeah, pretty sure.

Dick Tracy: What happened next?

Batman: He got scared and ran off, out into the street. Where he was nabbed by two guys in suits in a slick car.

Dick Tracy: What did they look like?

Batman: Couldn't tell. One guy seemed to have these marks on his forehead. I got some numbers off the plate.

Dick Tracy: Is that so? 

Batman: Yeah, I'll see what I can find. I'm sorry for calling you, but I think this is connected to the murder.

Dick Tracy: You're probably right. Looks like it will be a long night. I need to call my girl, let her know I'll be later than expected.

Batman: Oh. Sounds like things are getting serious. 

Dick Tracy: They are. She's a cool gal. And I want to do what I can to make this city safe for her, and everyone.

Batman listens and remains silent. 

Up Next: Diary of a Dorkette, through All My Toys, pays tribute to William Bruce West

As I shared in a previous post, it is with great sadness that the blogging community lost one of our own: William Bruce West. My heart goes out to his family, including his wife Lindsay and two daughters. Will contributed so much to the toy/comics/pop culture blogging and podcast community. His opinions on pop culture are the stuff of legend. Please check out the West Family GoFundMe and consider donating, they need our support more than ever. If you can't donate, please spread the word. West Family GoFundMe