This is a short chapter (even for me) but I generally
cut off chapters where I feel where they belong. Maybe I ought
to post more than one chapter at once, but I do need the [very
little] feedback I get one thes before I move head. Gomen.
	I forgot to do this in all the other chapters, but
the characters belong to yadadayada and all that other stuff
we've memorised now.



Chapter 19
 
[Ucchan's, Afternoon]
 
(A somewhat tired Ranma-chan enters the empty restaurant.
 She's covered with cat scratches)
 
Ranma-chan: *Boy, Shampoo's as persistent as ever... I wonder
 what I would have done if Mousse hadn't been there*
 (Frowning, pouring some hot water over herself)
 *What am I going to do about Akane, though? I bet she's super
 ticked off* (Glancing at the phone) *I do owe her an apology...*
 
(Cut to the Tendo Hallway)
 
Akane: (Storming in, hearing the phone ring, and picks it up)
 Mosh moshi? 
 
(Half the screen shows Akane, the other half has Ranma)
 
Ranma: (Nervously) A-Akane?...
 
Akane: (Recognizing the voice, and starting to hang up) Leave me
 alone.
 
Ranma: (Frantically) No, no no! Listen, please!
 
Akane: (Surprised enough by 'please' to listen) Ok, you have two
 seconds to tell me why you stood me up.
 
Ranma: (Sighs) I tried to get there bu-
 
Akane: Shut up.
 (Tries to hang up. At this point Ukyou and Nodoka have entered
 the hallway and are watching Akane with some interest)
 
Nodoka: Wh-
 
Ukyou: (Index finger to mouth) Shh.
 
Ranma: FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, LEMME EXPLAIN!
 
Akane: (Turning red from anger) Oh, so now you scream at me.
 
Ranma: What do you expect! You're just being unreasonable!
 
Akane: Why should I be reasonable with you?! All you've ever done
 since you've arrived is be mean to me!
 
Ranma: You honestly think anyone would bother to be nice
 to a uncute, impatient tomboy like you? Get real!
 
Akane: (Holding the receiver, staring at in anger) Ranma.....
 I HATE YOU!!!
 (Throws the receiver into the wall, and runs upstairs)
 
Ranma: Akane? Oh, shit! Akane, don't ha-
 
Nodoka: (Picking up the receiver) Ranma?
 
Ranma: (Going into shock) MOM?!
 
Nodoka: (Surprised) You know my voice? Oh well, that doesn't
 really matter right now; where are you?
 
Ranma: *Oh great!* I'm calling from out of town, heh heh.
 
Nodoka: (Sadly) Is that so? (Becomes more serious) Ranma, what's
 wrong with you and Akane?
 
Ranma: Me and Akane?-
 
Nodoka: (Correcting her) Akane and I. *Strange, didn't Ranko make
 that same mistake earlier today?*
 
Ranma: Yeah, that's it. Anyway, you could say we're having a fight. 
 
Nodoka: Oh, my. Would you like me to get her back on the phone?
 
Ranma: (Relieved) Oh please do.
 
Nodoka: I'll be back.
 (Nodoka walks up to Akane's closed bedroom door, and knocks)
  Akane?
 
Akane: What is it?
 
Nodoka: Ranma wants to speak to you on the phone.
 
Akane: (Sourly) Tell him to go jump into a pit of cats. (Shouting)
 And tell him I hope the cats tear his limbs off!
 
Nodoka: Oh oh. (Goes back to the phone) I'm sorry Ranma,
 she doesn't want to see you right now.
 
Nabiki: (The screen splits into three, showing Ranma, Nodoka
and Nabiki) Actually Ranma, to be more specific she told you
 to jump into a pit of cats, and wishes you the best of luck in
 having all of your limbs torn off.
 
Nodoka: Nabiki! How did you get on?
 
Nabiki: I have my own phone.
 
Ranma: (Turning pale) She said that?
 
Nabiki: Oh yeah, after Auntie left she corrected herself by saying
 that she's rather do the job of tearing you apart.
 
Ranma: (Shaking slightly) If that's what she said, then tell her that
 being her fiancee is THE LAST THING I WANT!
 
 
 (Slams to receiver onto the base of the phone)
 
[The scene fades]
 
 

	I love conflict, don't you?


	Isabel Arantes