(no subject)

[itsastretch]

Ralph has received the note from Sue, and is, appropriately, in tears. Sure, he knows what the scent is all about, has seen the rest of the message, and is just a good enough actor to cry on command... but hey, its all about appearances. Especially because he knows his phone is bugged, and he knows he's being watched. After all, if he wanted privacy, he'd use his cel that he checks consistently, and wouldn't be near the window.
He's left a couple messages on Sue's machine about 'paternity tests' and such, properly emotional, before a very tired and defeated looking Ductile Detective slumps onto a chair and picks the phone up, dialing a number he knows quite well by now.


"Ollie... you there? Look, pal... its Ralph. I really need to talk to you. Enough that I'm buying. Bring Wally... and not Carter... he...wouldn't understand. Alright, I'll be home. Give me a call, ok?"

Comments

[mrs-dibny.livejournal.com]

::Ralph feels something in his chair. It's a small key that unlocks a filing cabinet in the basement of thier townhome. Concidering Sue keeps a neat house, this might as well be a note to head where there are no prying eyes.::

[straight-arrow.livejournal.com]

*the phone rings*

Ralph? Buddy, you there?

[itsastretch.livejournal.com]

Time to put on a show. Given the stakes, he knows Ollie will understand. For now, time to get the word out.
So, its a rather distraught Ralph who unsteadily answers the phone. "Yeah, I'm here. Need to get out of the house for a bit."

[straight-arrow.livejournal.com]

Man, what's wrong?

...Is it Sue? The baby?

[itsastretch.livejournal.com]

There's a long sigh from the other end of the line, then an admission. "Yeah, should have figured you'd guess. Look, I need to get out of the house, grab a beer with the guys... kind of like old times. If you've got a bit, grab Booster, Wally... whoever... just not Ray or Carter... I'll tell you there."

[straight-arrow.livejournal.com]

...I'd guess what? Is Sue okay? She seemed fine at the meeting.

I'll give some poeple a call. I shouldn't leave Star City right now, tough. Can you get down here?

[itsastretch.livejournal.com]

Ralph considers a moment, then pauses. "Sue is... I'll come there, and tell you in person. This phone is probably being monitored, like most of our lives. I'll get there... can you get hold of Wally and Booster or something while I head that way? I... suddenly have plenty of time on my hands, so travel isn't a problem."

[straight-arrow.livejournal.com]

I'll put out the word. Wally, Booster, Ted...all the pick-me-up brigade.

[itsastretch.livejournal.com]

Ralph's voice falls. "Uhm... Ollie... not Ted... Sue.. couldn't handle the dangers of the super hero life... she's leaving me... for Ted."

[straight-arrow.livejournal.com]

...

What?!?

What is this, a belated April Fools' joke!?

The Osmonds of the cape-set, splitting up?

I do not need this kind of chain-jerking right now, Dibny!

[itsastretch.livejournal.com]

"I wish I was kidding Ollie. I wouldn't joke about something like this... I joke about a lot of things... but never Sue. She left me the note, and gave back the diamond ring."

He puts some added emphasis, very carefully, on the last words.

(Ollie is one of the 6 or 7 people on Earth who would know the reference - the raing Sue wears isn't diamond, its cubic zirconium because that's what Ralph could afford when they got married. She's gotten diamonds since, but insists on wearing the original ring. But only a few people who are close friends, or were involved with one specific mystery know that. - he's hinting there's something more going on, but needs to keep up appearances, especially having already said the line is probably tapped.)

"Look man, I'll try and catcha flight when I can. Just let Booster and Wally know, huh? I just need to get out of here a while."

[straight-arrow.livejournal.com]

Gotcha, buddy. I'll let you know when and where once I make a couple of calls.