MarkArbour looks at the directions again. Left on maple, right on Main Street. “I can’t believe it. I’m going to get a sneak preview of Chapter 7, 8, and 9 of TOU!" He re-reads the card... "Congratulations Mark, as one of DomLuka’s best fans, you have been invited …"
Mark knocks on the door, his heart beating a mile a minute.
“Mark?” An attractive young man answers the door. “Come on in, my name is Jeff, we’re waiting in back.”
“I’m not the only one here?” Mark inquires.
“Oh no, a few other super fans have also been invited.” Jeff leads him through the hall.
“Oh cool, not only do I get to see more TOU chapters, but I get to meet a few more fans. Maybe Green, Ann, Michael, or Sara will be here too!” Mark follows Jeff behind a door, stops dead in his tracks when he scans the room. Gulp.
“Mom, Dad?” Mark croaks to the older couple.
“Hi Mark dear, come on in.” Mom says in that motherly tone he hasn't heard in years but knows all too well.
“Yeah son, it’s safe here.” Mark’s dad smiles at him.
“Jenny, Tyler?” Mark looks over at the younger versions of himself.
“Hey big bro, we love you man.” Tyler beams.
Mark pans the rest of the room, there’s his neighbor and bowling buddy Craig. Jill and Marge from work, his life partner Cameron. Everyone’s smiling at him. There are a few other unknown faces in the room.
One of the strangers speaks up. “Hi Mark, you don’t know me in real life, but my name is DomLuka. Mark, we’re here because you have a problem.”
“What are you talking about, and where’s Chapter 7, 8, and 9???” Mark demanded.
“Mark, you’re spending too much time on the internet.” Cameron starts in. “You used to before, but not like this. You have a problem. One day you’re smiling, giving me kisses and extra hugs; then for the next 7 days you’re sweating, you snap at me, you’re swearing at your computer. You just haven’t been yourself for the last couple months. I thought you were just in one of your moods, but it’s been getting worse.”
“Dude, you’ve missed our last couple bowling games.” Craig, Mark’s neighbor joins in. “You said you were sick, but when I checked with Cam he said you weren’t sick, that you were surfing the internet all night.”
“Mark, you missed my birthday, the first one you missed in 20 years.” Sister Jenny frowned, “You never miss my birthdays!”
“But, I’ve been busy. And why are you all ganging up on me?” Mark stands up defensively.
“Mark, we aren’t ganging up on you dear. We love you and just want to help you with your…problem.” Mark’s mom comes over and puts a reassuring arm around his shoulder, “Now sit down and relax.”
“I don’t have a problem! I just like reading Dom’s stories.” Mark remains standing and crosses his arms defiantly.
“Mark, you’re not a normal reader like most of my other fans.” Dom pipes up, “At first I thought the whole Domaholic’s addiction bit was funny, but dude, you really are obsessed.”
“Poodle, you aren’t eating and you’re only getting a couple hours of sleep a night.” Cameron adds, “And when you do get some shut eye, you’ve been talking in your sleep.”
“What?” Mark’s eyes shoot over to his partner.
“Yeah, you’ve been saying things like ‘I’m gonna go down that dark alley and do whatever I have to get my fix. No one can stop me!' ” Cameron continues, “At first, I thought you were doing drugs, but then I realized it was worse, you’re a Domaholic.”
“Son, you’re a Domaholic. I can't say I understand what that means, but it's wrong and you’re destroying yourself.” Mark’s dad steps in “But don’t worry kiddo, were going to help you.”
“I DON’T HAVE A PROBLEM, YOU ALL DO!!!!” Mark screams at the top of his lungs.
“Mark?” The cute, up till now quiet darked haired guy finally speaks up.
“Who the f**K are you?” the annoyance dripping from Mark’s voice.
“Mark, it’s me Vic, Naper_Vic from the group. This is really all my fault, I started talking about this stuff as an addiction, but I meant it in a bad way. I mean, we shouldn’t like this stuff so much. It should be bad. But you and a couple others, you’re actually PROUD of your addiction. That’s pretty sick man.” Vic shakes his head.
“Mark, you’re going to have to accept that you have a problem.” Jeff takes over.
“But, But…” Mark lowers his head and rubs his hands on his temples.
“Mark, we’re here to help. We really care about you and no one's gonna leave you.” Mom adds.
“But, you’re not allowed to read anymore of Domluka’s stories.” Cameron firmly states.
“WHAT!” Mark screams.
“We’re going to kick you off the group and revoke your access to gayauthors.org.” Dom joins in.
“And poodle,” Cameron adds, “We’re getting rid of our internet access.”
“WHAT!!!!! YOU CAN’T!!!” Mark’s eyes shoot around to everyone in the room.
“And Mark, we’re restricting your access to these sites at work. Your work has really suffered these last couple months.” Jill from work finally speaks up.
“Mark, we can stop you and we will. We’re doing this for your own good.” Mark’s brother Tyler adds, “But we’ll be here for you bro.”
“Mark, you have to accept this. We all think this is best for you. You have to accept our help.” Mark doesn’t even know who said that. It’s all so overwhelming to him.
“How will I go on?” Mark Sobbs.
“It’s going to be tough Mark, but this group of people loves you and we’ll be here every step of the way." Vic puts his hand out, "Now hand over your decoder ring.”
……………………………
Full Version: Intervention
Ooooo - I remember this one. Mark being called 'Poodle'. Could that count as an oxymoron???
Sharon
Sharon
QUOTE (sat8997 @ April 24 2005, 04:33 PM)
Ooooo - I remember this one. Mark being called 'Poodle'. Could that count as an oxymoron???
Sharon
Sharon
Poodle. Grrrrr.
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