Wills & Dills in Westpoint, 9

Three of them went into the shop, the others sat at two of the tables.

“Brothers eh?” William grinned at Christian.

“Yeah, shocking isn’t it? You haven’t got any brothers?”

“No. Dills has got one, but I haven’t. Have you got any?”

“I did have, 2 brothers and 2 sisters. They’re all just little and they still live with THEM.”

“Tough.”

“Yeah, tough on the kids.”

“You wouldn’t go back then?”

“Not without Roman.”

The others came back with the drinks and they sat at the two tables, watching the world go by. An older woman, pushing a little girl in a pushchair, came along, stopped and looked at them. It was probably not her kid, she was a bit old. It more likely belonged to the younger, very pregnant, woman with her.

“Hello Boys. Behaving yourselves, are you?”

Roman answered, “Always are, Mrs. Lewis, in public anyway.”

“We won’t ask about the rest then. Since when do you boys mix with movie stars?”

“Movie stars?” Robert said. “Do you mean with Whozzat? We’ve always known them, everyone does.”

“Around here they do, yes. But I wasn’t talking about Whozzat. You are William Scott, aren’t you?”

William blushed and said, “Damm!”

“Busted!” Dylan laughed.

Robert said, “His name’s William, but he’s not a movie star, he’s just a kid.”

“Thank you, Robert. I show the movie, ‘Rocks on the Roof’, to my year 9 classes every year, as a film study. Now we know how much attention Robert paid to it.”

The Westpoint kids all stared at William.

“Well, bugger me!” Christian grinned. “That was you, wasn’t it? That little blond guy in Rocks on the Roof. Why didn’t you tell us?”

“It was just one little film and it was years ago,” William blushed. “It’s not a big deal.”

“That’s my Wills!” Dylan beamed proudly.

Mrs. Lewis said, “I’m pleased to see that it never went to your head, William, and it was a big deal. It’s an excellent little film, one of the best to come out of New Zealand in years.

I’m Emily Lewis, I teach music and drama at Westpoint High. Your drama teacher, Geraldine Crase, is an old friend of mine and she told me all about it.”

“Mrs. Crase told everybody, but I didn’t know she told the whole country!”

“Maybe not the whole country, just those she knows, and why not? She was very proud of you, William. I still tell people about Whozzat’s Movie, and that was years ago.”

“So was mine.”

“Not as many as Whozzat’s though.”

“Were you involved in Whozzat’s Movie, Mrs. Lewis?”

“Not really, but our boys, Peter and Jay, are in Whozzat. Crispian filmed and produced it. He used me for a sounding-board, because he had no-one else, but that was all.”

“I had no say at all in my movie. I just did what I was told.”

“Of course you did and you did it well. It’s something to be proud of, William. You haven’t done any acting since?”

“None at all. But we’re going to be in the Operatic Society’s show this year – just as chorus members.”

“That’s important too. I hope you enjoy it.”

“Mum,” the younger woman said, “We’ve got to keep moving. Justine’s getting bored again. If she dirties herself, she’ll stink the car out.”

“We don’t want that! We’d better go. It’s lovely to meet you, William. That will be something to tell my year 9’s. Enjoy Westpoint and don’t let these young hooligans corrupt you. Goodbye, Boys.”

“Bye, Mrs. Lewis.”

“Bye, Claire.”

“Bye Hooligans!”

They walked away. William said, “The little girl is another ‘Justine’. Is she named after Superboy?”

“She is!” said Christian. “Claire is Justin’s best friend, after Billy of course.”

“It’s a small town.”

“It’s a great town.”

Robert said, “Her next baby’s going to be named after Billy.”

“They must be good friends.”

“Simply the best.”

“It’s a shame that we won’t meet Superboy.”

“Yeah, shame. You’re meeting his town anyway.”

Dylan said, “It’s not really his town, is it?”

“Might as well be.”

William finished his drink and put the cup down. “So, Villains, going to corrupt us, are you?”

“No!” Dylan stressed. “They are not.”

“Spoilsport.”

“Behave yourself, Wills, or we’re going straight home.”

“How are you going to do that? The car’s broke and it’s a long walk.”

“We’d get there. I could ring your dad and he’ll come and get us.”

“Okay, I’ll behave. I love you, Dills.”

“I love you too – very much!”

“Oh, aren’t they sweet,” Roman grinned.

“Sickly sweet,” Robert replied. “Maybe we could corrupt you, I have got these.” He pulled some DVD’s out of his pocket.

“What’ve you got there?” Dylan asked suspiciously

“Grown-up movies – adult stuff.”

“Pornos?”

“No, not porn. These are real films, but they’re R18’s, so hopefully they’ve got a story as well as the good stuff.”

“You’ve got R18 movies?” said Ross. “Where did you get them?”

“From the Music Center of course.”

“The Music Center? I didn’t see you at the counter with them and I was there the whole time we were in there.”

“Counter? What counter? I just used the old five-finger discount.”

“You stole them?” William was horrified.

Ross exploded. “Fuck it, Robert! You can’t do that. They belong to Superboy’s other brothers and you’re taking food out of their mouths.”

“Settle down, Brother. Peter and Jay have got lotsa money anyway. No big deal.”

“It is a big deal, and it’s not right! You take them back right now – or else!”

“Or else what?”

“Or else I’ll tell Ma.”

“Fuck! Don’t do that. She’d kill me.”

“Take them back then.”

“I will. I will. I’ll take them back on Monday, I was going to anyway.”

“Why did you nick them?”

“I didn’t nick them, I just borrowed them. They’re all rentals anyway. Mum’s away, Sandie’s away, we’ve got to do something with the weekend. George and Crispian are a couple of old fuddy-duddies, they’d never let us have R18 stuff, so what they don’t know won’t hurt them.”

“Well . . . all right then. But you bloody take them back and pay the rental fee. I won’t be watching them anyway, I’ve got better things to do.”

“I’ll pay for them – later. You can stick with the Cartoon Network if you want to.”

“Cartoon Network!” Ross huffed. “I’m not coming home, we’re going to a party tonight.”

“A party? Where?”

“At Sammy Swan’s place, just me and Trina and you’re not invited.”

I wouldn’t go anyway. Swan’s a jerk and their parties are boring. You’re welcome to it.”

“Thank you very much.”

“Welcome!”

The twins sealed a truce with grins.

Dylan said, “I don’t think we’ll be watching them either.”

“Don’t be a prude, Dylan. They’re just films. I’ll bet there’s nothing in them that you two haven’t already done.”

“Are they gay films?” William was interested.

“One of them is, they others aren’t. Never know, you might learn something.”

“Doubt it!”

“Yeah, so do I,” Dylan grinned.

“Well then,” Robert shrugged.

“No, we’re not watching.”

“Aww! Dills.”

“No, Wills, we’re not. We could stay in town anyway, there’s a place down by the beach there. The sun’s out, so we could put the tent up.”

“I wouldn’t bet on it,” Christian looked at the sky. “Those clouds are coming over, you’d get wet again. No, come back with us. Robert can watch his filthy movies on his own.”

“I will then,” Robert shrugged. “It might be educational, and, for gayboys, you’re all a pack of old ladies.”

“Shut it, Mathieson,” Roman grinned. “We’ll watch something else and you can take your DVD’s, and your tissues, to your room.”

“Tissues?” said William. “Oh. Those tissues.”

“Shut up, Ladies!”

“What are you lot fighting about now?” Another woman, with a little boy in a stroller, came come along the sidewalk.

They all looked up and Robert beamed, “Mary! Where’ve you been?”

“Never you mind,” she smiled. “I was busy. I had an appointment with Roman’s father actually.”

She grinned and winked at Roman. “How are you, Big Boy?”

“I’m good, Mary. Never been better.”

“That’s good. Still gay?”

“Definitely!”

“Dammit. And who have we got here? A couple of fine-looking boys, especially you, Sweetie, you’re gorgeous!”

Robert said, “They’re William and Dylan and they’re gay too.”

“Oh, what a waste! Robert, Sweetie, we’re going home now. Want to come and mow my lawns for me?”

“Yeah, sure. I can do that.” He jumped to his feet. “See you later, Guys. I may not be home tonight.”

He started walking with her, but stopped and came back. He picked up the DVD’s with a sheepish grin and slid them into his pocket. “Nearly forgot! Be good, Ladies.” He hurried after the honeypot.

“Bloody Idiot!” Ross stood up. “Okay, Guys, I’m gone too. Have a good day.”

Christian said, “Back to just us then. What’re we going to do now?”

“We’ll go out to the Bay,” Roman stood up.