Antonio awoke the next morning in the rectory, at his desk. The only problem with his new nocturnal existence was that it left little time for sleeping. But it was worth it. Becoming Exodus was the best choice he ever made. It was definitely the most sensible one he had made lately...
Antonio decided that the only way he could find peace within himself was to become two people. His alter ego could do all the things that the meek and mild-mannered Antonio couldn't. He could make a difference in the world where Antonio had failed. Exodus was the way he could find the light he had lost....
Oh my God...it's 11:00!!!?!
Antonio peeled his face off the Bible he had been sleeping on and dashed towards the mirror. There were bags under his eyes and his hair was a mess...and Ricardo was going to be here any minute!
Well, OK. So there were other drawbacks to his nightly rounds as Exodus. Namely the fact that he had yet another secret to keep from Ricardo. Well, perhaps this was the bigger one now! Ricardo and Gabi had broken up, and he felt somehow at ease with the fact that he had made love to Gabi. Not that it was any easier now that she was sort of...available. Nah! He had put that behind him, and they had re-established a friendship. (Well, if you call longing gazes and a total erotic dream relapse a friendship. )
No. He had put what happened behind him, and that was that.
Ricardo: Hey, T! What's happening, man?
Antonio: Not much, bro...just trying to fix myself up a little bit here...
Ricardo: (smiles) I don't believe it! Did you just wake up? Mr. Crack O'Dawn isn't a morning person anymore? Apocalypse, here we come! Hey, man, where were you last night, anyway?
Antonio: Oh...I was just visiting....
(looks at a copy of National Geographic on desk)
Antonio: ...Mrs. Madagascar. She's a..you know... very sick old lady.
Ricardo: That's just like you, man.
Antonio: What's the matter? Did you need moral support during your little game of manhunt last night?
Ricardo: Hey, how did you know about that?
Antonio: Oh...I called the station looking for you. They filled me in your top- secret mission to find Exodus. I get the goods on everybody, huh? "Who's HE gonna tell?," they probably think. Priesthood definitely has its perks!
Ricardo: Well, the verdict's still out on THAT!
Antonio: So...do you have any leads as to who this guy is?
Ricardo: Not one! The guy's smart, and pretty fast too. But don't worry. Once I get' im, I'll find something to put him away on. If he's got some kind of vendetta against crime, there's no telling what'll push him over the edge...I don't care who he thinks he is, but I can handle this town pretty well without any Boy Wonder on the street!
Antonio: (gulps) That's for sure!
Ricardo: Well, I'd better get going.
Antonio: Ricardo...one more thing. How are you doing...you know, with the break-up and everything?
Ricardo: Oh, I'll bounce back, you know that. I guess Gabi and I just weren't meant to be...
Antonio; No, I guess not...
Interlude
Man: Hello? Creed? Yes...it's me, Gerard. I'm surprised you still
recognize my voice. Yes, I know, I haven't been in the brig THAT long. But it
was long enough...
Oh, no. I'm not using up one of my phone calls. No, you see, I'm a free man now. By my own accord, too...and one very heavenly laundry chute. So I'm back in Sunset Beach. Oh, sure, to visit of course, but we've got, ahem...business to take care of. You see, there's a young woman that I have a little score to settle with. Yeah. The one that got me thrown in the clink...her name is Gabriella Martinez....
Ricardo sat at his desk at the police station going through the files of every resident in Sunset Beach.
Ricardo: It's probably just like the comic books--it's always the guy you'd least expect. Let's see...AJ Deschanel? Nah, too stuffy. Brad Nicholas? Too wimpy. Hey, how did this picture of Antonio get mixed in here? I'll just put this back beside my coffee mug where it belongs...there we go...aw, dammit! I give up! Exodus could be anybody!!
A pink purse with sparkles on it dropped to his desk with a thud.
Ricardo: Annie! What brings you here? And when's the trial set for?
Annie: Oooh, very funny! Look, Ricardo, I have an offer you can't refuse...I can help you find out who Exodus is.
Ricardo: Oh, really? Well, last time I checked, I had it under control.
Annie: Oh, please! Ricardo, your idea of an investigation is telling someone, "Talk a little louder into my police badge!" You couldn't find a lead in this case if one smacked you in the face!
Ricardo: Gosh, you're really scoring some major brownie points here, Annie!
Annie: The problem is, Ricardo, you're just so damn predictable. But I'm not. If I go undercover, Mr. Superhero's all washed up before he can get his face printed on a pair of UnderRoos. So, what d'ya say?
Ricardo: Here's the big question Annie...what do YOU get out of this? Or more importantly, what does Gregory get?
Annie: Look...Richards Communications has been swamped for weeks. Everything is Exodus this, Exodus that. It's an all-out media blitz. People are having the audactity to ask for raises! So, it's in Gregory's best interests for this guy to be caught. You get my drift? So, is it a deal? I get a happy Gregory, you get your man, bada-bing!
Ricardo: You know, Annie...normally I would've thrown you out of here before<
you even got your opening shot in...but for now, it's a deal.
Annie: Yess!! Ricardo, you won't be sorry. Just wait until you hear my plan--
Ricardo: Ah, ah, ah, but you see, now I AM throwing you out. As much as it pains me to say this, I'll be in touch...
Gabi walked into the rectory with a sigh. She tried to think of a way to say what<
she needed to say without hurting him...but there was just no way.
Antonio: Gabi! I thought you might be coming by, so I made lunch. Wait until you get a taste of my capicola on wheat!
((((( Gabi: How about I give you a taste of this??
She seizes his lips with hot, throttling kiss.... ))))))))))
Antonio: Gabi? Gabi, you didn't answer me. Do you like mustard?
Gabi: Huh? Oh! A picnic lunch...that's just GREAT, Antonio. What's next on the agenda for today? Bowling? How about Yahtzee?
Antonio: Gabi...what's wrong?
Gabi: It's just...the way you've been trying to be...I don't know, buddies, lately! Just don't go there, Antonio. We can't go back.
Antonio: But, I thought we put what happened behind us! I thought we were
trying to be friends again...
Gabi: I...I just can't. I mean, it's awkward enough working with Ricardo at the station on this whole Exodus thing...
Antonio: You're...working on the Exodus case?
He was horrified to notice that the desk drawer with his mask in it was wide open. He bit his lip, nudged it shut, and flashed a nervous smile.
Gabi: Yes I AM, Antonio, and don't try to show your "buddy" concern by trying to talk me out of it!!
Antonio: Gabi, please! I didn't even say anything!
Gabi: You don't have to! You're giving me that look!
Antonio: What look?
Gabi: That sad puppy look! Antonio...let me just say what I came to say...I don't think we should see each other anymore.
Antonio: What?! Why? Do you hate me that much?
Gabi: It's...it's not hate at all.
Antonio: Well, then what is it?
Gabi: I...I love you, Antonio...and that's why this has to stop!! There's never
going to be a you and me... it hurts too much. I've let go of Ricardo...I have to let
go of you too.
Antonio: No, I-I couldn't take that, Gabi, please...
Gabi: No! You just have to deal, Antonio! This friendship is unacceptable, you're driving me crazy and furthermore--
She tripped and fell right into him, as she always seemed to during these tense
moments. She felt shock waves through her spine as his hands steadied her
gently.
Gabi: And...and fix your floor!!
She turned and walked away. Antonio felt like she was stretching his heart
along with her.
Gabi: I'm sorry...I....goodbye...
His eyes welled up with tears. In the back of his mind, there was a vague
awareness that he was still a priest, that nothing had changed...but right now, all
that mattered was that he didn't want her to go away.
He picked up a paperweight and flung it at the mirror...staring at his fractured
reflection in disgust.
Every dream I touch turns to dust...
But that was only half true. It was only Antonio that couldn't dare to dream....
He pulled the black mask out of his desk drawer...
If Antonio can't have Gabi...maybe Exodus can....