When The Bear Meets Himself

TP reaches out with the feather, gently stroking Monitor Man's toe.  The sound returns. House, TP and Mural Man look at each other smiling and laughing quietly.  TP flutters forward getting closer to his prey.  Using the feather the faerie makes one long stroke along the most ticklish portion of the foot.  A full laugh emerges from Monitor Man that ends with a snort.  Writer Lady raises her head and opens her eyes to find Monitor Man looking at her.

“Did you just snort?”   She asks.

“Who me?   Of course not.”

“What was that sound?”

House and TP stifle their laughter from the shadows.

“Maybe it was one of the cats.”   Monitor Man suggests.

Writer Lady looks around, “There aren't any cats in the room.”

“The little dragon?”

“He's not in here either.”

“The big dragon?”  Monitor Man asks.

Writer Lady starts to answer and then stops, thinking for a moment.   “You've never seen Diomedes.   How do you know there's a big dragon?”  She asks.

Monitor Man cups a hand to one ear as if cuing fate to offer up an answer quickly.  “I heard about him?   When a big dragon appears suddenly word gets around.”

“Diomedes doesn't sleep in this part of the house and besides, he's a gentleman.  He never snorts.   If you two had met then you would know that.”

“I don't snort.   If I did...I would hear it.   Besides I'm an actor.  I'm not allowed to snort.  Well, only if it's in the script.”

Writer Lady looks at him assessing his honesty.  “I'm sorry I accused you then.”

“Actors are good liars too.”  TP says giggling.

“Is that you TP?”   Writer Lady asks.

There is more giggling.

“TP!”

“It's not just me,” the faerie answers giggling.

Writer Lady rolls over and reaches for a light switch, after several seconds of waiting for their vision to adjust...the pair find out who exactly is in the room and Monitor Man gets his first glimpse of...well...himself.  Writer Lady uses some inappropriate language.  She looks at Monitor Man.  “It seems that we have an audience.”

“An audience?  An audience to what?”   Monitor Man asks.

“That's a good question.”   Writer Lady says.

“I'm glad that you liked my question because I have a few more.  Who are these people?  Why are they watching us?  Why does that guy look just like me?”

There is a marked silence.

“Well?” Monitor Man asks.

“I'm thinking.”   Writer Lady answers.  “I guess that the first thing to do here is to make some introductions.  You know TP.”

Monitor Man gives TP a nod.

“The willowy brunette on the wall next to him is House.”

Monitor Man says “Hello.”

“Hello back sexy.”  House responds in her most sultry voice.

“The...man closest to you is Mural Man.”

“Hello.”  Monitor Man and Mural Man say, greeting each other in unison.

“He's your twin.”   TP giggles.   “I made him so that Carp could see you and Writer Lady together.”

“But they aren't together.”  House says pointedly.   “He's with me.  Mural Man is my husband.”

Mural Man makes his way along the wall back to House.  “Your husband.”  He says. “I thought that you had commitment issues.”

“I do. I have issues with you being with anyone else. Now you're my husband.”

“I'm not sure that's the best reason for committing yourself to another person.” Mural Man says.

“It's what you want. Does it really matter how we get there?” House asks.

“No?”   Mural Man asks.

“Then shut up and smile.”

“Shutting up and smiling.” Mural Man says.

“House is not very nice, is she?”  Monitor Man asks looking at Writer Lady.

“She is a diamond in the rough.”  Mural Man says, answering Monitor Man's question.“We're working on it.”

“I can see what's missing from Mural Man's limited dimensions.”  Monitor Man whispers.

“His nuts.” TP says giggling.

“If any important aspects of my character are missing it's only because you are missing those characteristics as well.”Mural Man counters.

Monitor Man looks at Writer Lady.

“Mural Man..what happened?  You're always so kind.”  Writer Lady says.

“I am.  I have to apologize to you Writer Lady but House is special to me. Monitor Man...”  Mural Man says, motioning with his head, “is saying not very nice things about her.”

“I'm sure that Monitor Man didn't mean it that way.”

“She's right.”Monitor Man agrees.“But being understanding of others does not mean that you should let them treat you the way that House is treating you.”

Mural Man's face begins to turn red.

“I think...” Writer Lady says, changing the subject, “that it is nice that you two are getting the chance to meet. Aren't you curious about the person you were created in the image of? Won't it be nice to get to know what Monitor Man is actually like and learn some new things.”

“I can teach Monitor Man a few things.” House purrs.

“You already have a husband.” Mural Man says.

“I can have two. You have to sleep sometime.”

Monitor Man shakes his head. “Writer Lady is right Mural Man. We should spend some time together. I think that I can...”

Writer Lady slides her hand across the bed. She reaches out and pinches Monitor Man.

“I think that we...” Monitor Man says correcting himself, “could learn a lot from each other.”

“Maybe Monitor Man can help you grow a pair.” TP says.

Monitor Man unsuccessfully hides his smile. “You really shouldn't let people tell you what to do all of the time.” He says.

House leans in and whispers something to Mural Man.

“You're right.”Mural Man admits.

“Tell us Monitor Man, you yummy thing you, how much of your life is spent doing what other people tell you to do, even when you aren't working.  How exactly did you end up in this bed with Writer Lady?   Didn't you just follow Tinkletoes' orders?”