Sundays With Ingrid
There were two stools onstage. Ingrid sat on one. Mr. Santos sat on the other, the script in his huge hand, oil stains under the fingernails.
“Anytime,” said Jill Monteiro, from somewhere in the darkened seats.
“Me?” said Mr. Santos.
“From the top,” said Jill.
Mr. Santos frowned at the script. “I’m at the top,” he said. He shook himself, as though discarding the character of Mr. Santos and allowing the inner Mad Hatter to emerge, then cleared his throat, forcefully enough to cause bleeding, Ingrid thought, and spoke through gritted teeth: “Okay, paisan, time’s up on that freakin’ riddle.”
Out in the darkness, something dropped on the floor. Ingrid opened her mouth, closed it, began again: “I give up.” Her instinct was to be breezy in the tea-party scene, but following Mr. Santos’s lead, she tried nervous instead, flashing him an anxious glance. “What’s the answer?”
Mr. Santos laughed suddenly, startling her—a loud, cruel, triumphant laugh, but more Daffy Duck than Joe Pesci. For such a big guy, Mr. Santos had a surprisingly high voice. “How the hell would I—” he began, before a cell phone rang in the pocket of his overalls. “Geez.” He fished it out and said, “Santos,” listened for a moment, then rose and peered past the footlights, shading his eyes. “Hey. Screwup down at the station. Be back as soon as I can, okay?”
Jill’s voice came out of the darkness. “No hurry,” she said.
“Thanks,” said Mr. Santos. He turned to Ingrid and in a stage whisper said, “That scared look you did—wow. Just like Diane Keaton in Godfather Two.”
Mr. Santos left. Jill called out, “Send another Mad Hatter.” Then to Ingrid: “This will probably be a little more conventional.” And to herself, so quietly Ingrid almost didn’t hear: “Please God.”
From Down the Rabbit Hole.
Tags: Echo Falls Series
This entry was posted on Sunday, August 8th, 2010 at 9:58 am and is filed under Chet The Dog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
5:16 am on August 8th, 2010
We loved the Ingrid series so much that we may read all 3 again.
We usually don't read books more than once, but we have read both C&B books twice so far. Even though you know the story line, they are still extremely entertaining.
Rio, I wasn't really yelling at you last night. My paw hit the cap lock and I was too tired to retype the post. And hey, we found the joke this morning–it was the old Italian father and Vinnie one.
Melanie, How is Dan, and are more puppies departing today?
5:18 am on August 8th, 2010
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1281276886-B.jpg[/img]
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1281276910-S-H.jpg[/img]
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1281276966-Abbie.jpg[/img]
Alice will look a lot better once she has her eyes in…..
and Rio's ID tag is shot at an angle, but you get the idea…
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1281276988-Alice J..jpg[/img]
I have Jasper and Fatty Kitty and Rio over NYC to do today.
Staff
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1281277039-bed bug inc.jpg[/img]
5:37 am on August 8th, 2010
Good morning. I wonder if Chet and Bernie are listening to Elvis.
5:40 am on August 8th, 2010
http://www.wildearth.tv/static/wildearth/channels…
I have been watching the Operation Migration 'crane cam' this morning. It is a view of the crane chicks that are training behind an ultralight aircraft to learn their migration route south. This is the 10th year they have been training the chicks this way. I love to follow them on Journey North, but now they have a webcam where you can watch them all day!
Staff
6:19 am on August 8th, 2010
Staff, they are beautiful! Is that B. Stover's? By the way, I meant to tell you the quilt you are thinking of putting in the living room is grand.
I wouldn't mind "conventional" like Jill Monteiro. In fact, I wouldn't mind a boring day here or there.
Two more pups leaving today. Miss White and Miss Pink. We have them inside, because Zoë just gave them baths and both like the dirt.
I guess the best way to put how Dan is doing . . . hmmm. His pictures of what it would be like being home, do not match reality. He's finding that difficult.
Oh, and Staff? I found your pictures on the Caring Bridge site. Love that lap top! It is like command central there.
6:34 am on August 8th, 2010
Heh Melanie,
Mostly I feel like Commander Rio. Except when I forget to bring the phone and then I feel frustrated. I must be able to contact Mr Staff to be in control.
6:38 am on August 8th, 2010
Melanie I am sorry Dan is having trouble. I know that the constant attention of nurses and care aids etc to my least little need was something I was afraid to leave. I felt fairly helpless there for a while.
I am sure Dan is not at all used to being helpless and I bet he thought he would be as strong as before if he could only get home. I hope he can 'plunder on' through this. I don't suppose reminding him to rest does any good at all.
Good luck there.
6:40 am on August 8th, 2010
Yes, BStover's is the lovely embroidered green B. I added the corners, which I think of as wings. I hope she won't mind.
Staff
6:45 am on August 8th, 2010
Staff!… I’m having a hard time imaging how this Wall Quilt is going to look in the end….snort!… Do you have some design in mind?… grunt!
6:49 am on August 8th, 2010
Love the squares! Do you think you will be able to upload an image of the finished quilt for us to see?
Barb just went to the B & N website, and they have great prices on the Echo Falls series paperbacks. First time she read them, she had purchased Down the Rabbit Hole, but the other 2 were from the library. We have DRH in hard cover, but just ordered the other 2 in paperback.
It has been thundering very loudly here and I hate thunder. Lost power once, but rain may be ending soon. They had such bad flooding here two weeks ago that they are trying to get the area declared a disaster area with FEMA. Some people had their basements filled and water counter high on the first floor. Home insurance policies do not cover flooding.
6:52 am on August 8th, 2010
Staff: They're wonderful!!! I was afraid that mine would be so different that it wouldn't fit in with the rest but that background is perfect! The "commands" on Rio's background along with his picture yawning makes an oxymoron! It's going to be a very beautiful quilt.
Melanie: Remind Dan that our motto is "one just plunders on" and tell him we are all concerned. He just needs to try to be patient.
7:14 am on August 8th, 2010
Bee, We agree, it is going to be a wonderful, unique, one of a kind treasure. We are sure SQ/PA feels very honored. Did you send the white square and then Staff put it on the colored print? Do you call that a chain stitch? It looks like very nice work.
Do you think Rio performs all those commands? Heel, sit, stay, roll over, etc? Somehow I don't think so!
7:20 am on August 8th, 2010
Rio sweetie,
No use trying to plan this until all the blocks are here. Then we shall see. The use of black and white fabrics throughout is supposed to give it some sense of cohesion. Once I get all the squares I can consult with Wookie's mom. I don't like sashing but we might be forced to use it.
I am thinking it will be more of an 'interesting' quilt than a beautiful one…heh
So, what do you think of a dark blue with glow in the dark stars for your NYC skyline? Yes or No?
and yes, you will all get a link to a Flickr photo of the finished quilt.
Staff
7:24 am on August 8th, 2010
B, Yes I just HAD to put those commands in on Rio's block. Too funny! They 'spoke' to me. heh heh heh
Staff.
7:32 am on August 8th, 2010
Barb&Maggie: Thank you. Yes I sent the square to Staff and she put it on the lovely paw-printed background. There is satin stitch on the upper right part of the B and on the left bar just below the middle. The rest was too wide for satin stitch so I used continuous chain stitch to fill in the rest. You can see single chain stitch on the three connecting lines.
Staff: I'm wondering what "sashing" is.
7:34 am on August 8th, 2010
And as far as Rio ("sweetie"…I like that!) performing all of those commands…I think the yawn says it all!
7:43 am on August 8th, 2010
Staff. the squares are super!!! Stover, you did a good job on yours, looks great! Green is mom's favorite color. Let me tell you guys how talented staff is…she made my signature look good. Mom and I are definately no talents.
I'm glad the goats didn't intercept Rio's package. We would have had to send Chet and Bernie after them. Chet might really enjoy catching goat perps. Bernie, not so much.
Wishing the best for Dan…it does take time, more time than we think it should.
7:58 am on August 8th, 2010
FK: The Librarian has gone to the dogs today.
Lib: Yes, I've spent the morning at Melanie's website reading about the Newfs and looking at all the pictures. They're so noble looking – and the puppies are look like so much fun (I know they're a lot of work though)!
FK: I admit that the puppies look interesting. They might be fun to tussle with, if they
let me windon't mind losing.8:21 am on August 8th, 2010
Staff and everyone: Rio asked me to embroider a square with our motto, One Just Plunders On. I said no but I think I could do a square and get it mailed by the end of the week. I'd use the same cream background with tan single chain stitch on three of the words, and gold satin stitch (if it fits) on "Plunders." Yes or no?
FattyKitty: How do you cross off lettering like that?
8:46 am on August 8th, 2010
Staff!… My friend said she sent some dark blue fabric with stars for the NYC square… snort!… You no likey?… grunt…. I would need to see a picture of the glow in the dark stuff you are thinking of using first ….wheeze!… And you did not consult with me on the background fabric for my official business card either!… grumble!
Stover!… Please do a Motto square! I think the Charming Mr. Abrahams will really like it!…snort!
8:52 am on August 8th, 2010
Gee Whiz:
Those squares look good enough to eat.
B. Stover: Your satin stitched and chain stitched B is magnificent. I think it will be the first square the eyes will be drawn to when the quilt is finished. Very unique. I vote yes on the plunders on square.
Abbie and Alice: Very colorful. Very apt
Siber H: You are wonderful for someone who says he is a no-talent (from a real no-talent). The signature is great.
Rio: Your talents never cease to amaze.
I'm getting kinda choked up as I see all your efforts coming together to make this quilt a reality.
Librarian: Isn't Melanie's site fun? I may try to get some more reading done on Dan's book today. I suppose you have finished it already. I got side-tracked by work.
9:07 am on August 8th, 2010
Yes to our motto! Thanks B. Stover
FK: One on one; you would probably win. By the end of today we will have eight left. How do you feel about 8 vs 1?
Trying to find my other two Ingrid books. Can only find Into the Dark.
Want to reread. That's all my brain is good for . . .
Riö and commands? Giving, yes. Taking, no.
9:14 am on August 8th, 2010
Oh no… My friend just learned that another cousin died this morning… sniffle!… Will it never end this year? …groan…. We are going to go sulk in our chair and maybe read a little…later
9:50 am on August 8th, 2010
FK: Ah, B. Stover. I'm quite the clever Cat, no?
Lib (in the background): Quit being a pompous ass and just tell her.
FK: (Sulk)Oh All Right. Above the white square you type into to post something, there are some instructions written above it called "XHTML." The instructions for crossing letters off is called "striking."
When you want to change some of the text, you type an XHTML command in front of the text you want to change (it's called a "tag"), and a command tag behind it as well.
The tag in front tells it to change the text,
and the tag in back tells it to stop and go back to being regular.
The tag in front of your text looks like this: and in back it looks like this: except never use those quotation marks. Do you see that the tag at the end (which tells it to STOP the change)has a slash in front of the command word?
So if I want to strike through some text, first I write the command "strike" in those little brackets right before the text (no space) and right after (no spaces), I type "/strike" in those little brackets. Try it out.
9:55 am on August 8th, 2010
Argh. My example tags didn't show up. The brackets made them into some kind of tag that doesn't show up. That's the beauty of the brackets – they are a command that doesn't show up in your finished typed text.
So. Let's see if I can figure this out.
Each tag is inserted into these brackets: in back. They are the ones above , (comma) and . (period) on your keyboard, and staff uses them to do this: >^..^<
To cross words out, I type "strike" in between those brackets, and to stop crossing them out, I type "/strike" in between those brackets.
Sob!Sob!Sob! Now everyone will know how to do it.9:57 am on August 8th, 2010
Now I learned something. No matter how often I type those brackets, neither they nor what's typed in between them will show up. Just look at the example above the white posting box and you'll be able to see the brackets. How did they do that?
10:32 am on August 8th, 2010
Bee, We also vote yes for the Plunder square.
Don't think we are going to try that strike out up above. Too complicated for my fuzzy brain.
10:35 am on August 8th, 2010
Baby chix are being picked up by Kim in a few minutes. We did get sort of attached to the fluffy little tykes, even thought they are going to grow up to be "pooping, feather dropping, bawk bawking chickens". To quote someone near and dear.
10:49 am on August 8th, 2010
Fatty!… I’ve learned so much from you!…snort!….First the Avatars now this!… wow!
10:51 am on August 8th, 2010
Rio: I'm sorry about your friend's cousin. Let her know she has my sympathy.
10:51 am on August 8th, 2010
Hey!… Now I can write the way Admin does!…heh!….This is fun!
10:52 am on August 8th, 2010
Okay. I'll start the motto square.
I'm going to see if I can strike out anything.
This line will be struck.10:54 am on August 8th, 2010
Now I'll see if I can put a title in italics. Dog On It.
10:55 am on August 8th, 2010
I have to see what strong does. One Just Plunders On.
10:56 am on August 8th, 2010
It works! Thank you FK.
10:56 am on August 8th, 2010
Stover!… thanks – I will let her know what you said… sniff!… She is very, very depressed today…snort!… I am trying to cheer her up. She says she probably will not be reading that book either, too disturbing, and now it would be over-the-top disturbing for her… grunt!
Strike Out!… Testing the Strike and Strong command together!…
The Angels need to go down.… heh!10:56 am on August 8th, 2010
How did you do that Rio?
10:57 am on August 8th, 2010
Wow!… Now I can really yell when I need to!… burp!
10:59 am on August 8th, 2010
Rio won't tell me how he got pink type. Let's see what this does. Is this pink?
Of is this…
11:01 am on August 8th, 2010
HEH!
Does the b make it bold? Is this bold?
11:04 am on August 8th, 2010
Stover!….By using the XHTML commands….sniff!… It is a programming language for web pages….I will try to lay this out so it will show up…. I am putting the commands into quotes, but DO NOT USE quotes when you use the actual commands. It is the only way they will show up in my directions.
1. Type “
strike this text out”2. Type “ To use bold the text ”
3. You can use all the commands listed after the “XHTML” below.
11:07 am on August 8th, 2010
Crap!…. Let me try it again this time I will use Spaces in between the characters that I am trying to show you….grunt!
1.Type
strike this text out11:08 am on August 8th, 2010
Nope!… It is not going to show the commands…Sorry!
11:11 am on August 8th, 2010
Stover!… Yeh! You are writing programming code my dear!…heh!…Way to go!
11:19 am on August 8th, 2010
IT IS FUN!
11:48 am on August 8th, 2010
Rockies!…They are winning today, bottom of the 9th and it is 8 – 4…snort!… I am testing the “cite” command, <cite> Wooooooo!</cite>
12:04 pm on August 8th, 2010
I know Rio will no doubt gag when he hears the word "tomato" again, but here goes anyway. We had so much rain and wind that 3 of the biggest tomato plants blew over today. Now Barb had to go out, with my encouragement, and pound 6 foot tall metal fence posts in the ground next to the cages and then tie the cages to the posts. We are now back inside in the AC and we are both panting!
Baby chicks are gone, and I for one, am glad to have all that cheeping out of here. Barb wouldn't let me nap in the laundry room when they were here, so now things are back to normal. Hallelujah!
12:21 pm on August 8th, 2010
Oh! ….And by the way!… Wooooo!
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1281302478-clap!clap!.gif[/img]
12:22 pm on August 8th, 2010
MagPie!…Too bad you didn’t get at least one of those nasty little chickens before they left!… snort!
12:36 pm on August 8th, 2010
Fatty Kitty:
12:38 pm on August 8th, 2010
Hmmmmm. THAT didn't work.
12:52 pm on August 8th, 2010
Rio, I didn't get much of a chance, my friend. They were heavily guarded 24-7! They would have been perfect little hors doeuvres,too.
I did manage to grab 1 empty egg shell off the counter, but it wasn't too tasty.
1:04 pm on August 8th, 2010
Hey!… Now Dawson is writing code!… snort!… Goodness, we are a smart group of guys and dolls!…grunt!
1:24 pm on August 8th, 2010
Great pictures yesterday of the newfs (sob) and baby goat and chicks. I'm just catching up.
Macy MinPin: I would be so happy if the Detroit Tigers won one in between losses. They are close to hitting the bottom after briefly being in first place.
1:27 pm on August 8th, 2010
<code>Oh hey! We did win one against the Angels.</code>
1:30 pm on August 8th, 2010
<cite>I'm off to read some of Dan's book on Melanie's site. I won't read much because I need a nap.</cite>
1:47 pm on August 8th, 2010
Like this?
1:47 pm on August 8th, 2010
woo hoo we did it!<code>now what?
1:49 pm on August 8th, 2010
<a>Belle <abbr title="">Holly <acronym title="">Annie Biddie
1:50 pm on August 8th, 2010
<a href=""belle
1:51 pm on August 8th, 2010
ok, we are getting miffed
1:51 pm on August 8th, 2010
does the command go before or after the text?
1:53 pm on August 8th, 2010
<cite>Dawson, anybody can win, just so long as they stay away from our Rangers.
1:54 pm on August 8th, 2010
Macy<abbr title="">
1:54 pm on August 8th, 2010
Well we did it ONE time, now can't figure it out again. Rats.
1:55 pm on August 8th, 2010
Mace, What are you doing????
2:13 pm on August 8th, 2010
We were trying the tags, sometimes worked sometimes not. Macy bummed!
2:31 pm on August 8th, 2010
Heh heh heh,
http://werbach.com/barebones/barebones.html#gener…
I think we are going to get really fancy here very
soon.
Alice Johnson
2:36 pm on August 8th, 2010
Drat!!!
It won't let me using the blink command. I really wanted Alice Johnson to blink…
I guess the commands shown above are the only ones enabled for us to use.
Staff
2:42 pm on August 8th, 2010
Miss Pink
2:43 pm on August 8th, 2010
Miss PInk
2:44 pm on August 8th, 2010
Okay, how'd you get the Pink writing?
2:48 pm on August 8th, 2010
Well, I was going to be wonderful and use the pink writing for Miss PInk but can't figure that out.
So here's a story that Zoë wants me to tell . . .
Miss Pink was picked up today. We had her in the living room all alone. 🙁
She was not pleased.
Her new owners came in and she was the star of the show, she was the center of attention and just glowed!
Her new parents gave her a treat and she went in front of the gate, lay down in front of all the other puppies and ate that treat then went back for more and did it again and again.
Her tail wagged and wagged. She LIKES being the ONLY one. A little like someone else we know. (snicker)
2:49 pm on August 8th, 2010
Off to do laundry and then read. I love reading.
2:56 pm on August 8th, 2010
Staff!…Yup, it’s pretty limited, but I will try to find something more updated than 1999…heh!…Lots of stuff in software changes day by day… wheeze!… So a page of commands from Ten years ago is a million years in software development time… grunt! … cough!…How are the quilt squares coming along?….sniffle!… And how are you feeling today my dear??
2:57 pm on August 8th, 2010
I must say, that saying that <blockquote cite="you can't teach an old dog a new trick"</blockquote> is completely wrong. It must be an old humans' tale and you know they don't have any tail at all.
Way to go, "lil' doggies."
2:58 pm on August 8th, 2010
Argh. Foiled at my own game. Forgot to close the first tag with >
2:58 pm on August 8th, 2010
Melanie: <q cite="">Goodby to Miss Pink (sob).</q>
2:59 pm on August 8th, 2010
All right…how do you make the text pink?
3:03 pm on August 8th, 2010
Pink!… I think Miss Pink! will be okay in her new home…snuff!…She already knows how to get multiple treats and show off in front of her siblings…heh!… A gal after my own heart, even though I don’t have any siblings to show off in front of…sniff!… She has quickly learned the art of being “Top Dog” and getting her own way… yippeee! … You go Girl!…heh!
3:10 pm on August 8th, 2010
The pink is em.
3:21 pm on August 8th, 2010
Thank you B. Stover.
3:23 pm on August 8th, 2010
Food!… Well, after doing only the most necessary jobs today to get her through the week at work…snort!…She is now cooking some pork for a great big pot of HOT over-the-top HOT Green Chili!….grunt!…She says he has to use up last years Hatch Chilies so she can go spend her whole paycheck on the fresh ones at the Farmers Market this weekend….wheeze! …Gawd help me! Even the smell tomorrow night will make me want to drink all my water!…cough!
3:25 pm on August 8th, 2010
Test!…This is some text!
3:26 pm on August 8th, 2010
Well!… I think Staff is right!…grunt!…The only tags we can use are the ones The Fabulous Baker Boy has allowed us…grumble!
3:50 pm on August 8th, 2010
Rio, Your last post reminded me of the Fabulous Beekman Boys show on the Green channel. What a hoot, has anyone else seen it? Also, you are much more computer literate than we are!
Staff, My bro, the doc, says 2.2 is very good for a brand new kidney!
3:53 pm on August 8th, 2010
On one of the PBS stations here Inspector Lewis is on. It's a repeat from 2009, "Allegory of Love."
4:19 pm on August 8th, 2010
Good luck, Miss Pink. Sleep peacefully, Dan.
Rio, stay away from the chili (and Staff, too)!
I mean, Staff, stay away from the chili, not for Rio to stay away from Staff. TeeHee.
4:30 pm on August 8th, 2010
Ahhh!…We saw Stover’s post too late….snort!…Now James Taylor and Carol King are singing for money on PBS… grunt!… He still sounds good. Haven’t heard Carol sing yet… sigh….My friend is being drawn back to “Dixie”… she knows it will not improve her state of mind at all by reading another chapter or two….grunt! I am trying to sit on “Dixie” so she can not see it…sniff!…It will do no good for her to be so depressed and disturbed over things she cannot FIX …. Stop! Do NOT READ THIS SAD STORY TONIGHT…you!… sniffle!… I think she is backing off and sitting back down again away from the book …wheeze!whew!close-call!
5:42 pm on August 8th, 2010
Fatty Kitty: You have opened a can of worms/. 🙂
5:02 pm on August 8th, 2010
Stover!… Have you seen the new show called “Rubicon”?… snort!…It is totally interesting!..heh!…We are watching the second episode tonight right now… grunt!
5:30 pm on August 8th, 2010
Rio: I haven't seen Rubicon but I can get it On Demand. Is this the first season?
5:36 pm on August 8th, 2010
Yup!….Rubicon, it is on AMC tonight after Mad Men, but we cannot stay up that late….grunt!…Luckily On Demand has it and yes it is the first season….sneeze!…Seems to be a good puzzler type show so far. I am really enjoying it….sniff!
5:43 pm on August 8th, 2010
I'll watch the first episode On Demand tomorrow. Tell your friend to get some rest Rio.
5:58 pm on August 8th, 2010
Macy wants to be a computer whiz
6:01 pm on August 8th, 2010
What does it take?<q cite=""> Annie wants to know too
In fact, even Holly wants to get in the action.<code>6:03 pm on August 8th, 2010
Nitey, nite, sweet dreams Miss Pink in your lovely new life.<blockquote cite="">
Macy out.
6:32 pm on August 8th, 2010
Barb and Maggie, It was 2.0 on Friday. Here's hoping for better tomorrow. I think the ARC is bringing me luck.
I just peeked in to see what was going on. Have to put my feet up for a while. My blood pressure seems to be just as good without the stupid pills that gave me a headache yesterday and last night. They seemed to think I could just take the bp pills and some percoset and everything would be hunky dory (whatever the heck that is.) Sometimes I just wonder about those dr.s
I get to read chapter 6 tomorrow.
See you all then. nighty night
Staff
10:59 pm on August 8th, 2010
so far, no good
5:20 pm on August 9th, 2010