December 19, 1972, 2:00 p.m. - Slums North, Mulan Yi’s apartment -
Jack Frost stands outside of Mulan’s apartment knocking on the door repeatedly. “Mulan,” he continues knocking, “open up. I know you’re in there. Why aren’t you answering my calls? I’ve been ringing you all morning.”
There’s no answer, but Jack continues to knock anyway. “Humpty said he hasn’t seen you leave all day.” He tries the doorknob again but just rattles it when it doesn’t turn. “Mulan.”
Jack takes off his glove and grasps the doorknob, and ice slowly coats the shiny metal. Jack pulls down on the knob and it breaks off the door. He pushes the door open, but it catches on the chain lock clasped on the door. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
He places his finger on the chain and breaks it, too. He pushes the door open and steps inside.
“Mulan?” The record player in the living room is wobbling slowly. Cups and plates litter the floor, and Jack kicks a bottle of liquor on his path to Mulan’s room.
“Mulan?” He pushes open her door slightly and sees Mulan laying face down in bed. He walks over slowly. “Mulan.” He slides his glove back over his hand and nudges her slightly, but she doesn’t move. He nudges again. When she doesn’t move, Jack begins to lightly shake Mulan. “Hey,” he leans in, “wake up. Mulan, wake up.”
Mulan sighs and turns slightly. Jack turns his head away. “God, your breath smells like tequila.” He looks at the ground and notices an entire empty bottle laying next to the bed. Jack sighs and pulls Mulan onto his shoulder. “Come on.”
He sets Mulan on the bathroom floor and turns on the shower. He turns and lifts up her shirt. “Help me out,” he tugs. Mulan lifts up her arms and leans her head against the wall. Jack pulls off her shirt. “Lay back,” he lowers Mulan on the ground and helps her pull of her pants. He tosses them to the side and lifts Mulan lightly, setting her in the shower under the water.
She looks up into the water and shakes her hair out. She opens her mouth, gurgles the water, and spits it into the drain. Jack crosses his arms and turns away. “It’s been awhile since we’ve done this.”
Mulan doesn’t say anything and slouches again in the shower, letting the water run over her body.
December 19, 1972, 4:00 p.m. - Slums South, Chester Feline’s apartment -
Dorothy stalks into Chester’s apartment as soon as he opens the door. “Sure,” he closes the door behind her. “Come in. I didn’t know we were making house calls now.”
“Oh, Chester,” Dorothy spins around to face him. “I wish you were as funny as you think you are.”
Chester touches his heart. “Oh, Dorothy. I like you, too.” He smiles and walks over. “What’s going on?”
“Did you handle it?”
“You’re quick,” he smiles. “I handled it. Calm down. I talked to her last night. It’s handled. Okay?”
She crosses her arms and sighs. “You said something like this would never happen. We shouldn’t have ever gotten started doing this in the first place.”
“Will you calm down?” He puts a hand on her shoulder, but she brushes it away. “You’re getting worked up, and you don’t need to be. Take it easy. I’ve got this. I’m on the hook just as much as you are, maybe more.”
“They’d have my job on the 13th Floor for this.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. It’s not going to happen. She’ll do as I asked; I know she will. Are you working on your part of the bargain?”
“I’m still figuring it out,” she nods. “A few more kinks to work loose, and it’ll be ready.”
“Good.”