Latest Blog Posts

 

Just a quick one shot for my TBBT fans, set in the present season after the current episode, 7.18

Casting About

Stairway outside Apt 4A and 4B

Leonard rounded the last flight of stairs onto the 4^th floor landing.  Sheldon was close behind him.  In Leonard’s hands was a bouquet of daffodils.  Instead of heading toward 4A he went to the door to 4B.  Sheldon looked over at him with a rather irritated look.

“Really Leonard, first we have to stop to get Penny some flowers and now you have to deliver them before letting us into the apartment.  This is not the first time she’s came home disappointed from an audition.  She should be used to failure by now.”

Leonard turned from the door to 4B toward his roommate.  There was a look of exasperation on his face.

“You know Sheldon there are days, no make that at least every day, that you really are thoughtless.  Penny had three auditions today.  If none of them worked out she’s going to be pretty down.  So use your own key and let yourself in.”

Sheldon pulled his shoulder bag toward him and started looking in it for his keys.  They were of course in a pocket toward the top where they always were.  He pulled out his key and started to unlock the door as Leonard entered 4B.

Leonard was shocked to see Penny sitting on the couch.  She was still dressed to the nines as she’d gone out this morning for her auditions. A mid length black dress still on her but her heels sitting on the coffee table next to a half empty bottle of white wine.  She had half glass of the wine in her hand.  Leonard could see she hadn’t been crying she was close.  He quickly closed the door behind him then walked toward the couch.  Penny just stared at him and the flowers in his hand.  She gave him a small smile.

“Those for me sweetie, were you going to try to cheer me up for a bad day?”

Leonard swallowed hard then just nodded, “I thought you’d be later and flowers are good to celebrate with as well.”

Penny shook her head, “Nope no need for the other auditions the producer offered me a part on the first audition.”

Leonard advanced taking a seat beside her on the couch.  He smiled and was about to say something but Penny continued to just stare at the flowers then take another sip of wine.  Instead of talking Leonard got serious.

“Well I’d say that’s great but something tells me there’s a problem.”

Penny finished the wine in her glass setting it on the table.   She then reached over and took the flowers.  Penny looked at them and then up at Leonard.

“Some days I forget how really ugly this business can be.  I could have had the part today, it had lines and several scenes but there was a catch.”

Leonard looked over his glasses at her, “Nude scene, sex what?”

Penny smiled for a moment before looking back at the flowers, “Oh I could handle that, besides it was a part on a TV show.  No Leonard it was the price I would have to pay to get the part.  The producer was sleazy.  To get the part all I had to do was sleep with him and his girlfriend.  A little three-way and I’d have the part.”

Leonard’s eyes had grown large.  He shook his head several times, “He can’t ask something like that, that’s, that’s well wrong but it’s got to be illegal. What piece of sh”

Penny reached over and touched his arm, “It’s not the first time I’ve been asked to give to get Leonard.  There are people in this business that really try to take advantage.  I didn’t get upset or blow up at him.  I simply declined and left.  I don’t want the reputation of an actress that actually might have some prissy morality or anything.”

Penny reached over and poured herself another glass of wine.  She brought it to her lips and took a large sip. Then looked back at a speechless Leonard, “It really kind of soured my day so I cancelled the other auditions then I went shopping.”

Leonard struggled for what to say, “I um you must really be mad”

Penny looked like she was thinking about it for a second then smiled, “I was but I’m really just sad that there are people like that guy.  Then I thought that maybe that kind of thing is what it takes to be a star.”

Leonard started to protest but she leaned in suddenly then kissed him. She pulled back and looked into his face.

“If that’s what it takes I think I’ll just be a waitress.”

Leonard smiled softly at her, “You’ll be successful Penny because you’re not like that.  I guess to be a star a lot of things have to line up just right.  But I believe in you, just keep trying.”

Penny moved her hand to his and held it, “I’m going to, but people like him make me wonder if it’s worth it.  I mean this wasn’t some little show on cable Leonard.  This was a network show.  This guy must have that reputation.  I’m beginning to wonder why my agent sent me.  She’s pissed at me as well for cancelling the other auditions.  The next audition was for a part on a commercial for tampons I just couldn’t get out of being angry.  So I bagged it.”

Leonard was starting to get angry himself pulling at the collar of his green recycle shirt and twisting his neck.  He continued to hold her hand with his left hand.

Penny watched him, “It’s alright sweetie nothing you need to get upset about.  This is not the first time I’ve been offered a part for sex. I can handle it.”

Leonard looked shocked, “Have you ever made the trade?”

Penny looked aghast for a second, “You know me better than that and of course I’m always sober at auditions.  No I’ve been tempted to once or twice but the guys and yes women who have suggested it were always creepy, especially after suggesting it.”

Leonard seemed to relax a bit, “Isn’t there anything you could do about it?”

Penny took another sip of wine, “It is what it is Leonard.  If I knew someone high up in the business I could let them know and the word would get around.”

The three knocks at the door startled them.  It was followed by, “Penny”, then three more knocks.  They waited until Sheldon was done knocking then Leonard got up and moved to the door.  He opened the door wide.

“What is it Sheldon?”

Sheldon was standing in the door with a cup in one hand and a note in the other.

He walked in and took Leonard’s place on the couch then set the cup on the table.  He looked over at Penny with his cute little grin.

“Here’s a nice cup of hot chocolate for you Penny.  Leonard said you might be having a bad day.”

He held out the piece of paper to her, “This is a phone number of my friend James Earl Jones.  I called him and told him about you.  He looked at your picture on Leonard’s Facebook page and think’s you might be perfect for the show he’s helping to produce.”

Penny was speechless, her mouth hanging open.  She looked first at Sheldon then Leonard then back at Sheldon.

Sheldon seemed happy with himself then frowned, “There’s a catch though.”

Penny was taken aback.  Leonard at last closed the door and started walking over.

“Penny is not sleeping with James Earl Jones Sheldon.  My god what were you thinking.”

Sheldon looked very confused then turned back to Penny, “Oh no there’s no coitus involved.  He said they were thinking the part might require a woman with dark hair and would Penny be alright with wearing a wig.  I remembered that she wouldn’t wear the wig for the Wonder Woman costume so I told him I’d ask.”

Now it was Leonard mouth that hung open.  Penny threw her arms around Sheldon.  He patted her gently on the back saying.

“It’s only a wig Penny it will be okay”

Not sure why this came to me but it did.  Hope you enjoyed it, SOK

Driven to Distraction, A new tag scene for The Friendship Turbulence Episode

Penny walked into her living room from the bedroom wrapped in her short pink robe.  Her purple teddy peeked from underneath as she walk over to the kitchen island.  She reached onto the top of the island picking up the key to her new car then stared at it.  A small smile appeared on her face as she pulled her key ring from her purse.  She worked the key slowly onto the ring then held it up by the car key looking at it.  Penny slowly set the keys back on the counter, “What would I do without Leonard?  I’m at the point where I can’t really remember life without him.”  She had almost whispered it but the apartment was so quiet she quickly looked toward the bedroom.

Penny tilted her head from side to side listening, no sound or sign of Leonard having heard.   She opened up the fridge pulling out a half empty bottle of white wine.  Penny poured her glass about half full then moved to the couch sitting on the far cushion nearest the kitchen.

Penny’s Bedroom

Leonard sat up in bed his head resting on his left hand, the elbow pressing solidly into the bed.  He ran has hand over the warm sheet where Penny had been earlier, a smile slid slowly onto his face.  Leonard held very still not wanting to let her know he was awake.  He could feel a tear welling up in his eyes then reached up and wiped it away with his right hand.  He turned his head and listened.

Penny’s words were very soft floating in from the quiet living room.  The conversation she was having was quiet in almost a whisper.

“He didn’t get it for me because he wanted something or even to make me feel better.  Leonard bought me a car because I needed it.  He did know it would make me feel better I guess.  I was so surprised I couldn’t even say anything then he told me I didn’t have to.  Bernadette it was the most perfect moment I can ever remember.  He smiled at me the whole time.”

Leonard heard the pause, he hadn’t realized she was actually on the phone with Bernadette but then he heard more.

“Well call me when you get this message, but no before nine, night.”

Leonard tried to lie back down but it was too late, Penny had moved too quietly for him to hear.

Penny walked into the bedroom and saw him.  Her face suddenly showed embarrassment then she scowled at Leonard.

“Well I suppose you heard that. I thought you were asleep.”

Her scowl was almost an embarrassed smile now.  Leonard’s face was the same smile he’d had earlier when he’d produced the keys to her car.

He tilted his head slightly, “I already knew you appreciated the car but it was still nice to hear.”

Penny put her robe on the chair then slid in next to him across the sheets into his chest.  She kissed him as his right arm went around her lower back.  Penny pulled back then snuggled her head into his shoulder.

Penny eyes were open though Leonard’s had closed,

Her voice was very soft, “It’s not just the car Leonard, but the thought and caring it represents.  I need you to know that I appreciate you.  It was something I’ve always been afraid of but it’s happened.  Leonard I can’t live.  No that’s not it, Leonard I never want to live without you.  I could but I don’t ever want to.”

Leonard never said a word but his eyes opened wide.  Penny waited then smiled wickedly, “Who’s got commitment issues now?”

Another final scene I’ve had liked, hope you enjoyed it, SOK

This would be one additional scene at the end of Locomotive Manipulation.  Enjoy, SOK

Valentine’s Day Massacre

Leonard walked in to Penny’s apartment to find her sitting on the left edge of the couch.  She had a cute yellow top on with her jeans and matching yellow flip flops.  Penny had a rather sad contemplative look on her face as she turned toward him.

She managed a “Hi Leonard”, in a low key sad tone.

Leonard moved to the couch and sat down a concerned look across his face, “What’s got my girl so down in the dumps today?”

Penny looked at him sarcastically, “Really Leonard, I just destroyed another Valentine’s Day and you have to ask me what I’m down about?”

Leonard was about to speak when Penny was suddenly standing up and pacing about the couch in front of him.

Penny’s speech became more strident, “Let’s see our first Valentine’s I got the flu and missed a trip to Europe.  Last year I was a total bitch and made everybody miserable.  This year I’ve poisoned Raj’s dog and spent the evening at the vets.  I don’t even want to talk about Thanksgiving and that nightmare.  Leonard I should just skip holidays especially Valentine’s Day.  It’s just a recipe for disaster.”

She fumed for a few seconds more under her breath then came and sat by Leonard on the couch.

“Really I’m not sure why you put up with me.”

She looked over at Leonard who had a soft toothy grin on his face.

Penny smiled back, “Okay I know why you put up with me.  But will you be like that forever?  Will you love me so much that one day you won’t decide to bag it?”

She continued to look at him with worry on her face now.

Leonard continued to smile, “I promise I will love you and not decide to bag it.”

Penny seemed placated then leaned into Leonard for a hug resting her head on his shoulder.

Leonard spoke softly to her, “In your defense you really couldn’t help getting the flu, though I think I did say something about getting a flu shot that year.”

Penny grimaced as he continued, “Then last year it all ended up pretty well.  We got things where wanted them though you still need to work on your proposal timing.”

Now Penny rolled her eyes but smiled almost laughing.

“Now this year we tried to keep it low key and if it wasn’t for the gas station chocolates we would have had a great day and besides we always have a good Christmas.”

Penny seemed to consider this for a moment then nodded her head in agreement.

She turned toward him, “What about Thanksgiving?”

Leonard grimaced now, “Nope, nope that was a nightmare.  No real upside there except the annulment.”

Penny got a thoughtful look on her face, “Well at least we took care of it before we got married?”

Leonard smiled now.

Penny touched and twirled the heart shaped locket around her neck between her fingers then in a very quiet voice, “Leonard let’s get married.”

Leonard looked stunned for a second.  He didn’t stutter this time, “Okay let’s get married.”

Penny closed her eyes with a tear slipping out and down her cheek, “Well that’s settled then.”

Leonard was almost in tears as he heard Penny’s phone ding on the coffee table in front of her.  She reached for the phone looking at the text message.

“Oh my god, Sheldon kissed Amy and he liked it.”

Leonard raised his head, “Oh yeah, that’s what I came over here to tell you.”

Penny slapped him hard on the arm, “You should have told me right away.”

Leonard looked stunned again, “Well if I’d done that we wouldn’t be engaged right now and beside Sheldon couldn’t decide if kissing Amy was better than a nine fingered banjo player.”

Penny just looked at him in disbelief and confusion.

That’s how I would have liked to see it end, a quiet moment.  SOK.