[Veritas]

Dear Dimi:

Hope this letter finds you well in college. How are your classes going? Are your professors nice? Did you decide on a major, or are you still undeclared? Are you eating well? We know dorm food is not the greatest, but it's no excuse to pig out on junk food from the vending machines. Do you have enough money? We trust you didn't already max out the credit card your Uncle Christopher gave you.

Did you pledge a sorority as you had planned yet? Please say you didn't go to any wild frat parties during your first week! We don't want anything bad to happen to our sweet girl, you know. We want you to make friends at college, but be careful--there are too many predatory types out there!

Believe it or not, your Uncle Christopher is contemplating marriage to Sandra. He was out looking at engagement rings just yesterday at the jewelry store at the Luxor. Don't spread the word around just yet, as nothing is official--your famous uncle's celebrity makes him a target for the rumor mill, and even a hint of marriage will send the paparazzi after him like a pack of wolves.

Your grandmother is doing well back in New York. She may be coming to LV for the winter--the cold has become too much for her to handle, plus the danger of slipping on the ice could result in a broken hip at her age. If you're lucky, she could come up to see you on campus! Wouldn't that be nice?

Remember, if you need anything, just call. We're here to help you any way we can. No matter what happens, you can always count on your family.

Write back soon. Love ya, sweetie!

Mom and Dad

PS: Are you coming home for Thanksgiving? Let us know soon.

[Veritas]

bump!

[RACHEL02189]

At the house Criss was looking at some stuff on-line when JD came in. "I thought I'd find you here what are you looking at". "Just thinking"he replied. "Well power it down you have a meeting". Criss turned off his computer but JD noticed as Criss got up he looked like he is in some discomfort. "You all right Criss?"JD asked. "I'm not sure I've just been uncomfortable when I'm standing"he replied. "You probably pulled something when you helped Costa move his furniture out of his apartment". "Also I've got heartburn"Criss replied. "How bad?"JD inquired. "You can have a cook-out in my chest" as Criss burped. "Have you noticed any lumps on yourself?"JD asked. "Why?". "Because some of the symptoms you're talking about means you could have a Herina". Criss pulled up his shirt and JD saw one on his abdomen.

"Congratulation Criss you've got a herina you need to see a doctor". "Sometimes I wonder if you went to medical school JD" asCriss looked up a number. "No I've got a nurse for a wife so I learn a few things from her"he stated as Criss dialed a number. "Well if I need surgery will leave to professional"Criss said as JD chuckled.

[RACHEL02189]

I'LL ADD ANOTHER

Back in the dorms Dimi was reading the letter her mother sent her. "Holy smokes"she said as her friend looked up. "What's up Dimi your uncle cutting himself into thirds this time". "No he's thinking of taking the plunge again"she replied with a smile on her face. Her friend walked over. "Wow antidepressant will sky rocket when your uncle's fans find out this" as Dimi snickered. Back at Serenity Criss was on the phone as Sandra walked in. "Thanks I'll see you tomorrow" and hung up. Sandra saw Criss was in a bit of pain as he got up. "Christopher you all right?". "I've got a herina"Criss replied. "Is it bad?"she inquired. "Nothing a few hours under anesthesia won't cure"he replied. "When are you having surgery?". "Tomorrow I'm flying to Los Angeles to have it"Criss remarked. "Why Los Angeles and not here". "The doctor can't make it out here so I'm flying to him. (burp) Excuse me"Criss replied. "Anyone coming with you". "Costa don't worry it's just a hiatal hernia". Sandra softly gave Criss a hug and a kiss.

[Veritas]

Whew! It's been eight months since anyone updated this story. Better get it going again! Anyone reading this can add onto it.
*********
Dear Dimi:

Hello, it's us again, your loving parents. Hope all your classes are going well. Have you decided on joining a sorority yet?

We got some bad news on this side: your Uncle Christopher has developed a hiatial hernia and has to have an operation in LA. They say it's not too serious, but anything requiring surgery is not to be taken lightly. Please pray for his recovery. Still no official word about his engagement to Sandra (remember: don't go spreading it around.)

How are you doing on cash? Did you find a part-time job yet? Don't let it interfere with your schoolwork--that's why you're there in the first place. We are all proud of you and want you to succeed in your chosen field.

Love,

Mom and Dad.



"So, Quay tells me he's got to take a course in nutrition," Syd Krupermann told JD as he leaned over the counter of the Luxor's new health store. "I asked him why bother since he pratically grew up in a vitamin store and his mother's a nutritionist herself. But, they said it was required, so..."

JD had stopped in Syd's store to pick up some Omega-3 for his mother that morning. Being old schoolmates, they had fallen to chatting about this and that: their marriages, their careers, their families, and now their kids in college.

"Well, he'll ace that class for sure, then," JD said.

"Ace it?" Syd echoed. "Hell, he could teach it! He knows every vitamin from A to zinc and what it does!"

JD chuckled. "So, how's everything on your end?" Syd asked.

"Well, Dimi's planning to join a sorority--didn't say which one. I'm sure she'll be okay."

Syd smiled. "I know what you're thinking. You're afraid she'll end up in some snobbish clique or the female version of Animal House, right? Don't sweat it, dude! My wife's niece belongs to Delta Gamma, and they're the most civic-minded group of girls you'll ever have the pleasure of meeting--not a snob or a slob in the bunch! These Greek organizations have a lot of fun, sure, but they do have high standards of conduct. Oh, sure, the frats have the occasional beer bash, but they're Boy Scouts compared to the stereotypes shown in the movies or on TV. Trust me, joining a sorority will be the best thing your daughter will ever do. The connections will help her even after graduation. Anyway, it looks damn good on a resume, let me tell you!"

JD smiled. "Thanks for the pep talk, Syd,"

Suddenly, he remembered why he had stopped in the store in the first place. "Oh, I'm gonna need some Omega-3 for Mom."

Syd pointed down an aisle. "First shelf to your right."

JD walked to the shelf where the Omega-3 was kept. "So, how's that crazy brother of yours doing?" Syd asked.

JD walked back to the counter, "Christopher came down with a hiatial hernia a few days ago--"

Syd whistled. "That's bad."

"Yeah, he was pretty sick for a while," JD concurred. "He flew to LA for the operation--came through with flying colors, as always. He'll be home by this weekend to rest up." He sniffed in derision. "If we can get him to rest up, that is."

"A real workaholic, huh?"

"Oh, yeah."

Syd straighted up. "Well, I can't prescribe anything since I'm not a licensed pharmacist," he said, "but I can suggest a few good vitamin supplements that'll help him get back on his feet."

JD's ears pricked up. "Oh, yeah? Like what?"

Syd turned around and selected a few large bottles from the shelf behind him. He held up one, its label stating it was a men's vitamin supplement. "This is really good for metabolism," he said. "It's got extra iron for blood rejuvination, which is what your brother's gonna need after surgery."

He held up another. "Now this one's good for tissue repair. After a hernia operation, he's gonna need a boost to repair the damage. And this one's an energy booster. It's kinda strong for someone who just had surgery, so it's best to hold off on it after a few days' recovery."

JD reviewed each bottle, reading their labels carefully. "I'll take all of them," he said. "Christopher's gonna need all the help he can get."

Syd rang up the sale, bagged the bottles of vitamins, and handed JD the receipt to sign. "There you go," he said cheerfully. "Just make sure to follow the directions on the label. These aren't your everyday over-the-counter drugstore variety. They're pretty potent."

"Thanks a whole lot, Syd." JD said.

He had just turned to leave when he saw a formidably familiar presence striding toward the store. Even Syd was startled. He leaned toward JD. "Who is that?" he murmured.

"That," said JD, "is Big Luke Macaffey, chief of security, the Luxor's top cop. He used to be a prison guard at a supermax before he came here."

"Pretty tough customer, huh?"

JD nodded. "The toughest."

Syd watched as Big Luke strode into the store. "He doesn't look happy," he said.

"When you see Macaffey," JD said, "it's never a happy occasion."

Macaffey strode up to the counter, looming large over the two men. "Morning, gentlemen," he grunted.

"Hey, Macaffey," JD said. Syd just murmured hello.

Macaffey turned to Syd. "You the owner of this store?" he asked.

Syd nodded. "Uh, this is Syd Krupermann," JD said, leaping to his friend's rescue. "We used to go to school together."

Macaffey merely grunted and handed Syd a sheet of paper. "Post this in your window where everyone can see it," he ordered. He handed another sheet to JD. "Same with you," he said.

"What's the deal?" JD asked.

"City's cracking down on truancy," Macaffey explained bluntly. "Any school-age kid caught in your place of business during school hours, and you're slapped with a hundred-dollar fine. Get the picture?"

Syd read what was printed on the paper:

NO ONE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE
ALLOWED IN THIS ESTABLISHMENT
DURING THE HOURS OF 8:00 AM AND 4:00 PM
ON SCHEDULED SCHOOL DAYS
BY ORDER OF THE LAS VEGAS
METROPOLITAN BOARD OF EDUCATION

.

"Okay," said Syd. "We'll get right on it."

Macaffey nodded once. "Good."

He turned and left. Both men breathed a huge sigh of relief after the chief vacated the store. "All of a sudden, I felt like I was back in grade school facing one of the bullies who used to beat me up!" Syd said.

JD shook his head. "Macaffey's not the bullying type," he assured him. "He's tough on crime, but he's fair. Stay on his good side, and you'll get along fine with him."

"Oh, yeah? Which is his good side?"

JD smiled. "The one farthest away from him!"

[Veritas]

Hey, c'mon people! This is a GROUP story project. Join in! Write something! It's no fun writing it all by myself!

[RACHEL02189]

After JD finished talking to Syd he left the store. As he was walking to his car the phone rang and saw it was Costa. "Hey Costa how's Criss?". "Pretty good but they're going to keep him over night for observation"Costa replied. "Why it was herina surgery not by-pass surgery". "Criss had a reaction to the anesthesia after he came out of it he started vomiting I mean he couldn't even keep down the medication they gave to stop the vomiting than he started shivering like he went outside butt naked in minus twenty degree weather" Costa remarked. "Costa calm down these things happen sometimes so just relax". "All right I'll call you later" and JD hung up. When JD walked into the house his mother was there with Lynn who looked shaken up. "What's wrong everything all right?".

"I just talked to Dimi Maddie was attacked last night when she was coming back from a date". "Is Maddie all right?". "Yea but the bad news is they didn't catch the person now I'm nervous that Dimi maybe the next one on that flithy creature hit list"Lynn stated. "How about this I'll go talk to Dimi and ask just to move back home untill this guy is caught"JD suggested. "I think that's a good idea"his mother replied. At the dorm Dimi was picking up a few things for Maddie when a knock came to the door. She opened the door and saw her boyfriend Jordan. The first thing she did was give him a big hug. "You all right Dimi Neil told me what happened to Maddie is she all right" he said. "For now she's in critical condition I'm just happy that the campus police heard her screaming before that sicko did anything worse" as chills went down her spine. "Well I'm just happy you're all right"he remarked.

[RACHEL02189]

After talking with her boyfriend she started to pack some stuff for Maddie when a knock came to the door. She opened the door and her father was there. "Daddy what are you doing here?" she inquired. "I want to talk to you for a minute" he said. She let her father in and they sat down. "So how's Uncle Criss I heard he had surgery for a herina". "He's all right he'll probably come home tomorrow but I heard from your mother what happened to your roommate"he stated. "Yea thankfully she wasn't force to do something she didn't want to do" she put nicely. "I know this is going tobe a tough answer for you considering but your mother is scared that this guy may come after you so to easy her fear she would like for you to come home temporarily untill this guy is caught".

"Dad I'm going to be fine I know how to defend myself and Uncle Costa gave me some mace,". Reminder kill Costa for giving my daughter mace JD thought. "So don't worry". "It's not me who's worried it's your mother but just think about it please for your mother". "All right dad I'll think about it". She gave her father a kiss and he left. When JD got back to the house Lynn had left for work and saw there was a message on the phone.

JD, it's Costa I just talked to the doctor about Criss and they said that Criss should take it easy but knowing Criss he'll want to go back to work however the doctor warned our baby brother that if he didn't take it easy Criss could injury himself more so maybe someone should be with him at Serenity so he doesn't push himself too hard and I know what you're going to say what about Sandra? Unfortunely she's in Arizonia for a wedding and mom has decided to go to Florida for the winter instead of Las Vegas. maybe you can talk Dimi into it. Call me

"Thank you dad"JD muttered and gave Dimi a call. "Hello daddy and no I haven't decided yet-". "No sweetie I need your help with your Uncle Criss. The doctor wants him to take it easy so I was thinking maybe you could stay at Serenity untill he's better for me and your grandmother". "Dad Uncle Criss's house is way far away from the campus"she stated. "How about this I'll rent you a car so when youhave to go to class you have a way of getting there". "All right dad I'll be there tomorrow"Dimi remarked. "Thank you sweetie this may make your mother very happy too" and JD hung up.

[Veritas]

You need to start using some commas; your sentences tend to run on.

[RACHEL02189]

sorry (blushing)