Episode 76: The Window and the Waves

 

Episode 76

 Episode 76: The Window and the Waves

The fluorescent lights in the shared washroom flickered with a rhythmic, dying hum that set Ted’s teeth on edge. He stood over the long double-sink, the smell of industrial soap and damp concrete hanging heavy in the air. He’d just finished his shift—**one hundred and fifty people** through the dining room, each with their own set of demands—and his muscles felt like frayed wire.

He splashed cold water onto his face, letting the chill shock his skin. When he looked up into the spotted mirror, he wasn't alone.

Gage was there, leaning against the doorframe of the washroom with a casual, maddening grace. The guy looked like he’d just stepped off a magazine cover, not like he lived in a dorm where the showers grew mold and the walls were paper-thin.

"Small world," Ted said, his voice flat, carrying that blunt, heavy Washington grit. He didn't turn around. He just watched Gage’s reflection. "Though usually, we like to keep it a bit more quiet this late. Some of us actually work for a living."

Gage didn't miss a beat. He stepped further into the room, his heavy boots thudding with a confidence that felt like a territorial claim. He walked right up to the second sink, claiming the space beside Ted.

"I hear that," Gage said, turning on the tap. The water hissed against the porcelain. "I'm looking forward to getting started. Shelly told me you’re one of the best servers they’ve got. Said you really know how to handle the 'important' guests."

Ted’s knuckles turned white as he gripped his hygiene bag. Hearing Shelly’s name in that easy, breezy tone made a hot spark of anger flare in his chest. "She talk about me a lot, did she?"

"Enough to make me want to meet the legend," Gage replied, splashing water on his face. He looked at Ted through the mirror, a single droplet clinging to his chin. "Anyway, I’m headed to bed. See you in the morning, Roomie."

Gage turned and headed toward the far end of the hall—Room 6. Ted watched him go, a dark silhouette shrinking down the long, narrow corridor. He felt the weight of the building pressing in on him. This wasn't just about a new coworker; it felt like a siege.

Ted retreated to Room 1, the door clicking shut behind him with a finality that offered no real peace. He slumped onto his bunk and picked up his controller, the dim glow of the screen the only light in the room. He lost himself in the digital chaos for an hour, the frantic movements of the game finally numbing the "Tire Gage" of it all.

When the tension in his neck finally eased into a dull ache, he set the controller aside and clicked off the light. The room plunged into a thick, heavy darkness.

He had just started to drift when the door pushed open. Marco stumbled in, the scent of salt air and hard exertion clinging to him. He was glistening with sweat, his breath coming in ragged hitches from his late-night run.

Ted shifted in his bunk, a dry, tired chuckle escaping him. "Marco, do us both a favor and go take a shower. I really don't want to smell you all night."

Marco let out a low, breathless laugh. "Fair enough, man. Fair enough." He grabbed his towel and his supplies, the bathroom door creaking as he headed back out. Ted closed his eyes, the silence of the room finally swallowing him whole as he fell into a deep, exhausted sleep.

Across the hall and up the stairs, the girls' dorm was filled with the soft hiss of steam. Shelly had just returned from her movie, her hands bare as she gathered her makeup remover, her nightclothes, and her expensive bar soap. She made her way to the row of six narrow showers, her fingers gripping her washcloth.

The stalls offered a meager bit of privacy behind thin curtains. Shelly stepped in, the hot water drumming against her shoulders, washing away the grit of the day. In the stall next to her, she heard the familiar splash of Maria.

"Hey, Shelly," Maria called out, her voice echoing off the damp tiles. "Word around the center is that you had a proper lunch date with Gage."

Shelly smiled despite herself, her hair pinned up as she lathered the soap. "Is that what they're saying? For a place that claims gossip is wrong, it sure happens a lot."

"So, is it true?" Maria pressed.

"Yeah, it’s true. It was good. He’s a new coworker, you know? I wanted to make him feel welcome."

Maria poked her head out from behind her curtain, her eyes dancing with mischief. "Alright, Shelly... so just *how* welcome did you make him feel?"

Shelly smirked, leaning her head out of the spray. "What? I was just being a good host."

"Yeah, right," Maria snorted. "A 'good host' to a man who looks as good as he does? Pull the other one, Shelly."

They finished up, wrapping plush towels around their bodies and smaller ones around their hair. Back in the safety of their dorm room, the mood shifted as they applied moisturizer and pulled on their nightclothes.

"So, seriously," Maria said, sitting on her bed. "Did anything happen after the meal?"

"No," Shelly insisted. "We watched a movie in the staff lounge. We were almost done when Ted interrupted. He called him 'Tire Gage.' You have to admit, Maria... that was actually pretty funny."

Maria didn't smile. She leaned forward, her voice turning uncharacteristically grave. "Shelly, do you actually have a thing for Gage? Because Ted is a nice guy, and he’s gone through a lot. You weren't here for the drama I haven't told you about yet."

Shelly froze. "What drama?"

"Ted was in the hospital, Shelly. He was pushed off those cliffs. And it wasn't an accident. You remember Cindy? And you remember my old roommate, Chloe?"

Shelly’s heart skipped. "Chloe? I knew she was friends with Cindy, but..."

"They were psychopaths," Maria whispered, her eyes dark. "Cindy was obsessed. She tried to get Ted to sleep with her—even stripped off her clothes on the beach once—and he rejected her. She sent him a fake message, making him think he was meeting Allyson at his favorite spot on the cliffs. When he got there, it was Cindy. He was distracted, looking out at the ocean, and they pushed him."

Shelly clutched her pillow, her stomach churning.

"But that's not even the worst of it," Maria continued. "The night Ted left to go back to work, he got a call from Cindy. A taunt. He drove back to the beach house, crept up to the window, and looked inside. He saw them, Shelly. He saw Allyson and Andrew Miller passionately making love right there on the living room couch. He watched his whole life shatter through a pane of glass."

Shelly’s breath caught in her throat. She looked down at her lap, her voice trembling. "That’s awful. I know he’s been through a lot... but he broke up with me on a phone call. He pursued Cindy, then tried to come back to me. I don't know if I want to get back together. He hurt me."

She lowered her voice, her face flushing as she gestured toward her lap. "And Maria... I’m still a virgin. No one has been down there. I don't believe in that yet. If he’s used to women like Allyson, I don't like it. Did they... did they go all the way? Were they actively making love or just doing other stuff?"

Maria sighed, her expression weary. "I don't know, darling. I saw them kissing, playing in the surf in their suits... but whether they had sex? That’s something you’ll have to ask Ted. And you’ll have to decide if you believe him."

Shelly lay back against her pillow, the dark room feeling cold despite the summer air. The image of Ted standing in the dark, watching the window, wouldn't leave her. As the moonlight crept across the floor, she realized that the "Shifting Sands" were deeper and more dangerous than she ever imagined.

Episode 75 How to Gage pressure

 

 Episode 75

Ted pushed through his duties with a frantic energy, scrubbing the tables as if he could polish his way to freedom. Marco was still clearly bothered by something, a dark cloud hanging over him, but there wasn't a moment to address it while the work was piled high. Once the gas situation was sorted and the last guest had finally departed—leaving nothing behind but a settled bill—Ted shut the doors tight.

He cleared the last of the tables and finally sat down for a quick lunch. Marco dropped into the chair across from him, his eyes heavy with suspicion. "What's going on with you?" Marco asked, leaning in.

"Nothing, really. Like I said, it's nothing," Ted replied, his voice a bit too thin. He tried to keep his eyes from drifting toward the window, where the new guy was sitting out on a picnic table. Ted had always thought Marco was far too observant for his own good. He looked down at his plate, but the food was unappetizing; he took only two or three bites before pushing it away.

With the staff so thin, there was barely a heartbeat of free time between the lunch rush and dinner prep. Ted stood back up and began the desperate process of wiping down the tables and resetting them for the evening meal. He worked with a blur of efficiency, every second saved being a second he could use to find out what Shelly was up to.

Fifteen minutes before Ted finished, Shelly and Gage had already clocked out for the day. Gage leaned against the siding of the building, looking relaxed. "Why don't we have a late lunch or early dinner at a place in Cannon Beach?" Gage suggested. "I believe it’s called Moe’s. We could go there, and you can fill me in about life here."

As he spoke, Gage reached out and tucked a small piece of blue sea glass behind Shelly's ear. She flushed, looking a bit uncomfortable. "Well, you see... I don't know if that would be exactly..."

Gage cut her off with a smile. "Hey, it’s just friendship. Just a meal. You can tell me all the cool things about being at the beach and we can just continue to talk."

Shelly hesitated. She knew Ted would be done in the next half hour, but then she remembered the breakup. He was the one who broke it off. *I guess I’m free,* she thought. Gage seemed cool, and it was just as friends. She looked up and said, "Okay, Gage, let's go."

They caught the shuttle from North Cannon Beach to South Cannon Beach, laughing and joking. They walked into Moe’s and ordered burgers, fries, and milkshakes, all served in the restaurant's signature frisbees. Shelly briefly thought about how many times she and Ted had come here, but she pushed it out of her mind. This wasn't the same Ted she had fallen in love with. She and Gage had a great time for over an hour, dipping fries into their shakes and enjoying the meal. Afterward, they chose to walk the two and a half miles back up the beach, watching the gulls swoop and the waves crash. Gage thought she was beautiful, but he kept his intentions respectable; he just wanted a peaceful new start after the bad blood at his old job in Washington.

Meanwhile, Ted finally punched out and rushed to the laundry area where the time cards were kept. He saw Shelly’s card was already clocked out. He dropped off the loading dock and ran to the ice cream shop, but she wasn't there. He felt a brief spark of relief that she wasn't there with Gage. He then rushed to her dorm and knocked on the kitchen door.

Maria came down the stairs. "She’s not here," Maria said simply. She had seen Shelly head off with Gage from a distance, but she didn't like getting involved in other people's business. She shut the door, and Ted went to the beach to ask around, but no one had seen her. Frustrated, he went back to his dorm to try and relax for the two hours he had free before the dinner shift.

When the dinner shift began, 150 guests flooded the dining room. Ted worked hard, especially at the table with the guest speakers and the founders' children, who always requested him. They had complicated, weird orders, and he buzzed around making sure they felt they had preferential treatment. Once the shift ended at last, the staff sat down for a meal of beef tips in a delicious sauce. Ted ate only because he hadn't eaten all day.

Thinking he would save some work for the morning, Ted only threw on the tablecloths, leaving the napkins and silverware for later. But the dining room manager came out and demanded they finish the reset. Ted tried to be cheeky with her, but she wasn't having it. "Please reset, and then you can go," she said. It was 9:30 PM by the time they finally finished and clocked out.

Ted made one last sweep. The ice cream shop was closed and the courtyard was empty. He went back to the girls' dorm and knocked. A girl named Zuri, short and dainty, answered with a bit of an attitude. "She's not here. It's after 9:30 and we have an early shift. We don't like the knocks."

Determined, Ted used his key to enter the staff lounge. As his eyes adjusted, he saw Shelly and Gage sitting together watching a movie. "Oh, Ted, how was your day?" Shelly asked.

"Stressful," Ted muttered. He looked at Gage. "You can pause the movie, **Tire Gage**," he snapped, making fun of the name. He asked Shelly to speak outside. He told her he had worked fast specifically to see her and have a fresh start. "I saw how much fun you were having on that park bench, and now I find you here. What did you do all day?"

Shelly crossed her arms. "It's none of your business, but he invited me to Moe's. We had a meal and walked the beach. Now we're watching a movie. You can't claim every spot as yours, Ted, especially since you broke up with me. You're welcome to watch with us, or we can talk tomorrow on our day off."

She went back inside, leaving Ted in the cold. He trudged back to his dorm building. He went to the restroom to wash up, where he ran into Arnold, the scrawny assistant gardener.

"Hi, Ted," Arnold said. "I got a new roommate. I think his name is Gage."

Ted’s heart dropped. Not only would he have to see Gage with Shelly, but now he was going to be living with the man. He’d have to be nice to him, or everyone would think he was picking on the new guy. It was the perfect end to a miserable day.

A WORD FROM ME

Greetings my readers

I hope your enjoyed my movie reviews and my drama series 😀 

I write these e in hopes that it brings joy to you.

I get no financial benefit from doing this it just fun for me.

Just providing a entertainmentint  to the world 🌎 

Im currently watching Star Trek Voyager just thinking 🤔 about writing new episodes.

That's all for now!

Andy 

Movie review: RV with Robin Williams

 

Free on Tubi 

Movie Review: RV (2006)

​If you need a laugh after a long day, RV is a classic. It’s one of those movies that’s just pure entertainment, perfectly capturing the chaotic nightmare of a family road trip gone wrong.

​The Cast:

Robin Williams is brilliant as Bob Munro. He brings that manic, lovable energy we all miss, playing a dad who is desperately trying to balance a high-stakes job with a family that’s drifting apart. It also features a young Josh Hutcherson (long before The Hunger Games and right around his time in Journey to the Center of the Earth with Brendan Fraser). He’s great as the son, Carl, who’s more interested in his music and weightlifting than his dad's "forced bonding" trip.

​Why It’s Worth a Watch:

​The Comedy: From the infamous "stinky slinky" septic tank incident to the RV literally rolling into a lake while the family is still inside, the physical comedy is top-notch.

​The Gornickes: Jeff Daniels and Cheryl Hines play the overly-friendly, full-time RV-living family that becomes the Munros' unintentional shadow. They are hilariously cringey but ultimately heartwarming.

​Relatability: Any parent who has tried to fix a family problem with a "great idea" that backfires will feel Bob’s pain.

​The Verdict:

It’s funny, it’s lighthearted, and it makes you feel a lot better about your own family vacations. Robin Williams carries the film with his signature wit, making it a staple for anyone who likes a good laugh.

Episode 74: Shards of Peace

 

Episode 74: Shards of Peace

The morning began in the heavy, suffocating silence of the bedroom. Andrew was the first to move, his body aching from the tension of a night spent on the edge of the mattress. He sat up slowly, the room still dim with the grey 

Cannon Beach mist. Without a word to the woman beside him, he stood and headed for the bathroom. The sound of the shower starting was the first crack in the silence—a lonely, steady hum of water as he tried to wash away the literal and metaphorical blood from the night before, letting the steam soothe the angry swelling on his cheek where the glass had struck.

In the bed, Sarah opened her eyes to the sound of the pipes. The weight of her choices felt like a physical pressure on her chest. She sat up, still wearing the oversized T-shirt of Andrew’s she’d slept in and the black lace panties he’d bought for her. It was a cruel contrast—wearing the gifts of a man she had just wounded. She moved quietly, reaching for her heavy grey sweatpants and pulling them on, layering herself in thick fleece as if she could hide the guilt underneath.

She turned to the crib and scooped up little Alice. The baby was warm and oblivious, her soft weight a grounding force. With Alice on her hip, Sarah headed downstairs to the kitchen, leaving the sound of the shower behind.

The kitchen soon filled with the domestic sounds of a "normal" morning, though nothing felt normal. Sarah worked with a frantic, desperate focus. She started the bacon, the sizzle echoing in the quiet room, and set about making eggs for Andrew, scrambled eggs for Alice, and a portion for herself. 

She moved like a ghost, her eyes constantly flicking toward the stairs. She was terrified, yet hopeful—praying that this meal could be a sign, a peace offering to show she was sorry without having to find the words just yet.

When the shower finally cut off and Andrew walked into the kitchen, the air seemed to vanish. He looked worn, his hair damp and messy, but the sight of the discoloured, angry swelling on his face made Sarah’s hand tremble as she turned the bacon. He was nervous, his eyes darting to the plates and then to her, searching for any sign of a truce. He sat at the table and bowed his head for a silent prayer that felt like it lasted an eternity. Sarah placed the plate before him, her heart hammering, and sat down to tend to the baby.

The silence was broken abruptly when Alice began to choke. Her little face reddened as she struggled with a bit of egg. Andrew didn’t hesitate; he leaned over instinctively, his large, steady hand patting her back with practiced care until she spit it up. Alice immediately bounced in her chair, letting out a triumphant squeal of joy as she looked up at her father. Andrew gave her a small, guarded pat, and the meal resumed. Sarah ate nervously, her eyes constantly searching his face for any sign—any crack in the stone—that he might forgive her.

Once the plates were cleared, Andrew poured himself a cup of coffee and stepped out onto the deck, needing the open air.

Outside, the seagulls were being their usual rowdy selves, squawking and circling the eaves of the house. Andrew stood at the railing, the steam from his mug curling into the damp, salt-heavy air, wondering if their lives would ever be right again. Inside, Sarah finished cleaning Alice up. The baby waddled over to her bouncy toy, chirping out the word "balance" as she begged to be put in. Sarah lifted her into the toy, watching her bounce with a joy that felt a million miles away, before taking a deep breath and stepping out onto the deck to face him.

"Andrew... I'm so sorry," she began, her voice trembling. "I’ve just been so angry. First, everything was great... then those women... then Allyson... and then you were dead. I was scream-stricken. I did foolish things. And then you weren't dead, and I’m so happy, but I’m just as angry as I am happy. But I never wanted to leave you. Can we work things out?"

Andrew turned to her, tears silent against his bruised face. "I accept your apology," he replied, his voice thick. "But Sarah, you need to get out whatever you need to get out. Shout at me. Slap me. Whatever it takes... but I can’t stand it when you look at me with those cold, angry eyes. That’s worse than being shot. I want only loving eyes from you."

Sarah paused, letting his words sink in. "I want to work things out," she whispered.

"I do too," he replied.

Without another word, Sarah lowered her tea mug to the deck boards alongside his coffee cup. In the sharp, biting chill of the morning, she reached down and pulled off her sweatpants, standing before him in nothing but his shirt and the black lace. She moved in close, straddling him, and for the first time, a genuine smile touched her lips.

Sarah reached up, pulled the T-shirt over her head, and tossed it to the deck, exposing her breasts to the freezing coastal wind. Her nipples pebbled and grew hard instantly in the chill. 

As they moved together, their lips met in a hungry, desperate kiss. Andrew’s hands traveled up, his fingers brushing against her hardened nipples, sensitized by the cold and the sudden, overwhelming rush of intimacy. In that moment, with the gulls screaming overhead, they both finally felt a sense of true peace.

Happy death day 2 you

 

FREE ON TUBI: The Sci-Fi 

Why You Need to Watch Happy Death Day 2U. . 

​If you’re looking for a movie that treats time travel like a hilarious contact sport, look no further. This isn't just a sequel; it’s a total genre-bender that swaps the typical slasher tropes for something much more clever and emotionally resonant.

​The Chaos & The Comedy

​The film is a absolute riot. There is a certain darkly comedic brilliance in watching the lead character, Tree, navigate her own demise over and over. You’ll feel every ounce of her mounting frustration as she wakes up to the same day, forced to solve a multiverse-level puzzle while being hunted. It’s frantic, it's funny, and it perfectly captures that "here we go again" madness.

​The Ultimate Dilemma

​Beyond the laughs, the movie throws a massive emotional curveball. It’s not just about surviving a killer; it’s about a heartbreaking choice.

​The Conflict: Imagine being stuck in a reality where the person you miss most—the one you’ve spent years grieving—is suddenly standing right in front of you.

​The Stakes: Do you stay in a "perfect" world that isn't yours, or do you fight to get back to your real life?

​The Verdict

​It’s a wild ride that balances high-stakes science fiction with deep, personal longing. You'll come for the "how-do-we-fix-the-timeline" mystery and stay for the surprisingly touching story about family and sacrifice.

​"A brilliant mix of dark comedy and time-loop frustration. It makes you laugh, then it hits you right in the heart."

​Stream it now for free on Tubi—just don't forget to breathe when the clock resets.

Movie review: Frozen.Thriller 2010

Spanish available below

  Español disponible a continuación

Free on Tubi 

MOVIE FROZEN 2010 THRILLER 

​This movie is really unique. It has nothing to do with Elsa and a castle. What it does have to do with—ironically—is snow.

​The story follows a couple and a best friend who go skiing and find a cheeky way to avoid paying the lift fees. But the mountain closes during their final ride, and they are the only ones left. The staff shuts everything down, thinking the mountain is clear.

​They are stuck 25 feet off the ground in the freezing cold, and the wolves are just waiting below to eat them up. There are a few grizzly wolf scenes as they do their best to figure out how to survive.

​Along the way, the woman and the best friend have to work out their differences under extreme pressure. Will they survive? Will anyone survive? Or will the wolves have a nice snack for dinner? No one knows.

​I really recommend it. It’s premiered again on Tubi, so it’s your turn to watch it.

​My Rating: 7 out of 10

🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬♥️

Gratis en Tubi

MOVIE FROZEN 2010 THRILLER

Esta película es realmente única. No tiene nada que ver con Elsa y un castillo. Lo que tiene que ver con -irónicamente- es la nieve.

La historia sigue a una pareja y un mejor amigo que van a esquiar y encuentran una manera descarada de evitar pagar las tarifas del ascensor. Pero la montaña se cierra durante su último viaje, y son los únicos que quedan. El personal cierra todo, pensando que la montaña está despejada.

Están atrapados a 25 pies del suelo en el frío helado, y los lobos están esperando abajo para comerlos. Hay algunas escenas de lobos pardos mientras hacen todo lo posible para averiguar cómo sobrevivir.

En el camino, la mujer y el mejor amigo tienen que resolver sus diferencias bajo una presión extrema. ¿Sobrevivirán? ¿Sobrevivirá alguien? ¿O los lobos tendrán un buen bocadillo para la cena? Nadie lo sabe.

Lo recomiendo mucho. Se estrenó de nuevo en Tubi, así que es tu turno de verlo.

Mi calificación: 7 de 10