This week's prompt was inspired by last week's thread, and it is a word that has several connotations, but some seem to have dropped out of our lexicon ... Joint

So many possibilities....

Hey, what's it take to get some stories goin' in this joint?

Pulling up the collar of his leather jacket against the cold rain while skirting a puddle, Joe walked up to the door of the Snack J. He was about to yank open the door when he paused for a moment, listening. He frowned, the sound of loud music and laughter greeting his ears. He glanced at the clock on the building across the street. It was only 9:00pm, not that late for a Saturday night. Intrigued, he slowly pushed open the door with his shoulder and was amazed at the sight before him. The place was packed to the gills with customers and it was standing room only, that is, if you could find a place to stand. A mass of patrons were gathered at the bar, and he saw Jun hastily serving drinks. Joe tried to catch her eye, but she was just too busy to notice. One of the waitresses, who was very short, was trying to make her way through the crowd with a tray of orders hoisted above her head. It seemed she had her work cut out for her for the evening as all of the tables were taken. The jukebox against the far wall was blaring out a disco song, multicolored lights swirled and flashed from the ceiling, bathing everyone and everything with crazy spots. They made Joe's eyes swim and he blinked a few times to clear his vision. Dozens of bodies gyrated on the small dance floor, and people were actually dancing between the tables. What the hell was going on? he thought as someone shoved past him with a drink in their hand. Jun's joint was jumpin'.

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I'll leave it to someone else to pick this one up.

Redbird, I'm glad Jun is making a profit, for once!

RB -- I can almost hear the house music! TJ -- *sigh* That felt sooooooooooooo good!

Originally posted by Transmute Jun I'll leave it to someone else to pick this one up.

Whaaat? Don't leave us hanging TJ! (Glad Jun enjoyed her massage, personally I can never relax during them....).

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Redbird, I'm glad Jun is making a profit, for once!

I know right? Maybe at some point we'll find out why she was so busy that night!

Originally posted by ElectricWhite RB -- I can almost hear the house music!

Yep, very loud. I feel bad for poor Joe though, I don't think he likes disco! He's more of a kinda guy. LOL.

Rebird - Now the question is what did Jun do that attracted such a crowd? TJ - That makes me want to go for another massage. Haven't had one in over a year. Jun is lucky.

I'd say it's not just getting the massage that makes Jun lucky.

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Redbird: Hehe, a perfect use of this week's word! TJ: Oooh, I'm a total massage nut, and now I really, really want one. Especially from Ken! I bet no one else on the team gets this kind of treatment. (Though that could be pretty funny.)

CW: Loved the descriptions of the various activities going on in the house--not to mention the handful of hairs and "pocket lint". It's a wonder how Nambu can concentrate with all that noise. Poor Joe! Hakase is definitely going to have some questions for him! TJ: As for Jun's massage, did the rest of the team know what Ken was up to? I think it was a gift from all of them. LOL.

Chris, I like the way your'e developing Joe's personality here: he doesn't want to discuss everything, but he understands priorities, and he does what needs to be done. I can't wait to hear Nambu's side of things! Redbird, I didn't really put much thought into the backstory of the massage gift, but I figured that if the gift had come from Ken. Jun would already be suspicious. Um, let's just say that Ken planned his 'personal intervention' without the knowledge of the others.

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CW - so Adam is a smooth talker who sometimes smokes a joint that he apparently has shared with Joe at some point who's also a pilot. Joe is going to have some explaining to do, but at least now he knows it really was Ken. EW-That'll teach Ryu not to check over a rental car before he gets in it.

EW, it seems like Ryu is being set up here.

Redbird: A pocket isn't an ideal evidence delivery system. I imagine that Nambu is kind of used to it by now. I bet he has a hard time working at home when it's too quiet, heh heh. TJ: I'm curious to see what Nambu's gonna say too, hehe. I'm glad you like how Joe's coming along. I struggle sometimes with making him too chatty or "sensitive" and frequently have to make adjustments. EW: Oh dear! So much for Ryu's good day. Becky: I'm experimenting with what Nambu would have been looking for in Ken's slot if he didn't have a Ken, but trying to give Adam his own personality.

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Love it, KT! I'm glad Jun knows when to seize the moment!

KT -- I must say, "Great timing, Jun!"

Oh nice one KT! LOL. Good move Jun!

KT: Hehe, Ken's going "please for the love of god let this be Jun kissing me and not some random goon"

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Long time no talk, MK! Yeah, the world must be acutely aware of being stuck in the middle. I do like that at least one episode of the series dealt with someone pissed off about that (the one where they go canoeing and running around in their bird styles while supposedly trying to maintain a low profile *rolls eyes*).

RB: Once again, Joe thinks too much. Just go in and enjoy the fun, man! TJ: Mmmmm..... mmmmm......I SO need one of those now! Massages, not Kens. Oh wait, maybe Kens too. And Joes.

CW: I love how you build up the intrigue! Can't wait for the next installment.

EW: Que pasa con estos policiacos? KT: What indeed?

Originally posted by ChrisW KT: Hehe, Ken's going "please for the love of god let this be Jun kissing me and not some random goon"

DT -- Que puedo decir? Es una trastada!

MK: The last scene literatily had me cringing! Great description!

Originally posted by ElectricWhite DT -- Que puedo decir? Es una trastada!

Learning new spanish words while on Gatchamania -- two birds with one stone! Or should that be "two birdies"? Hmmmm....

KT - So if Jun's there, Joe and Jinpei can't be far behind. MK - interesting use of 'joint'. It's amazing that Marc had to point out the world knows its stuck in the middle of the battle.