Wreck it Ralph: Gene's Drinking Problem

Part 2

"Eight Thirty. Only twenty nine minutes to go before this darn party starts." Felix sighed, trying hard to mend the sickening feeling deep inside his stomach. "I need to get ready but I'm not feeling well. It's too late to cancel because everyone is going to be here soon thanks to Gene spreading the word this morning at Game Central. Ugh, why am I such a people pleaser all the time? Why can't I grow a backbone and say no for once?"

Releasing another sigh, Felix carefully got up off the couch and headed towards his room to get ready for the party.

He took off his trusty tool belt and placed it on the bed, then he proceeded to remove his jeans and work shirt, throwing both in the laundry hamper.

"I hope nobody walks in on me right now….I'm only dressed in my undies."

Just as Felix mentioned that, his wife Tamora walked in.

"Hey Felix…..how was your OH MY!"

The greeting made Felix jump, quickly placing his blue jean cap over his unmentionables.

"Tammy….oh it's you! I didn't hear you come in. My day was…..ok I guess."

"Is everything alright? I heard through the grapevine you're having a party tonight."

"Yeah…." Felix answered, sounding very depressed.

"You don't sound excited over it. I thought you loved parties Felix?"

"I do…but Gene…he's already drinking for goodness sake. He'll be drunk before ten."

"So? What's wrong with getting a little bit wasted? It is after all the weekend. We work hard and for that, we play even harder when the work is done."

"I know…..but with Gene, he's always drinking morning, noon and night. I don't like it when he drinks. He gets rather…..violent, unpredictable and tongue loosening. You know how some people get when they had one too many? They do stupid things." Felix shuttered as memories of his 29th birthday came back into his mind.

He put his hat down on the bedside table and went into his closet to pull out his party ensemble; tears once again threatening to fall down his cheeks as he choked back a sob.

"Felix, are you ok?" Tamora asked when she heard the sobs coming from her husband.

More sobs escaped Felix's throat as he turned to his wife and shook his head.

"No…I'm not." was all Felix could say.

"Felix, it's only a party and what Gene does is nobody's business but his own. There's nothing to get upset over. My brigade gets drunk and does stupid things all the time. I just….. let it go."

"No, Tammy." Felix began as he sat down on the bed, still holding his party outfit. "I was just thinking of….a very painful memory that happened a while back. It was my 29th birthday and the Nicelanders decided to throw me a bit of a surprise party. Unfortunately my birthday was held during the middle of the week which in my case is a very big no-no. Of course knowing the Nicelanders wouldn't take no for an answer, I allowed them to go ahead with the party. I let it last until 3 in the morning and that's when things….that's when things took a turn for the worst. You see, the other Nicelanders had no problem with my decision; however Gene at that moment and time was so intoxicated he didn't want the party to end. I told him it was the middle of the week and I had work to do in the morning but he didn't care. He went on to insult me….calling me the most horrid names….he even called me 'JUNIOR' and I personally HATE being called that to my face. I told him and the others to leave which most of them complied except Gene. I had to take drastic measures throwing him out of my penthouse. As soon as I threw Gene out, he continued on with his rant and vicious name calling. He told me that he could do a better job at being a super…vowing to get rid of Wreck it Ralph once and for all so that everyone could finally live peaceful lives."

"I'm sure he didn't mean to say those things Felix. People do things all the time that they have no recollection of when they sober up. That's what alcohol does to a person honey. It's not to be taken seriously. Now come on….pull yourself together Soldier. We're now fifteen minutes away and you're still in your tighty whities. Get freshen up and dressed. With me here, I'll assure everything will work out just fine! Ok sweetie?"

Felix nodded as Tammy gave him a kiss on his big nose. "Alright then, I'll see you out there Fix-it!"

She stepped out of the room, leaving the little builder with severe honey glows to get dressed.

Tamora walked out into the living room and began getting things ready for the party.

She turned on the dance floor and party lights before walking over to the stereo, looking through Felix's CD collection for a good soundtrack to kick this party off to a good start.

"Ok, let's see what we've got here for music…..Pure 80's, Now 80's, The 80's, Super Hits of the 80's, gee Felix, I know this is your decade and all but don't you have any other decade besides the 80's?"

"Yeah actually, I do!"

Tamora turned around to see Felix all dressed up and ready for a good time.

"There you are Felix….you wanna help me find the perfect CD to kick this party off?"

"Sure Tammy, this one here is a good one. You can't go wrong with some good ol' 70's disco." Felix said holding up a cd entitled 'Pure Disco'.

"Let's see what songs it has." She remarked, taking the CD from Felix's hand. "YMCA, Celebration, Dancing Queen, Ooohh Hot Stuff, one of my personal favorites….let us begin with this song shall we?"

Tamora placed the CD into the player and pressed the button to number four before turning back to Felix.

"Dance with me short-stack!"

Before Felix could answer, he was dragged onto the dance floor and began dancing alongside his dynamite gal.

Tammy began shaking her hips to the music, giving Felix the honey glows something fierce as he watched her move provocatively on the floor.

"You like what you see Fix-It?" She asked, taking Felix's hands in hers, luring him closer to her body as she danced.

"Y-y-yes m-m-ma'am." Felix stuttered, getting lost in the feeling of Tammy's body rubbing up against his.

He was so occupied with Tamora that he didn't see Gene come in with the entire arcade close behind him.

"Lookin' good there Felix!" Gene yelled above the music as he joined in on the dance floor. "Great way to get this party started in the right direction. You sure know how to pick em'!"

"Actually Gene, Tammy chose this song cause it was her favorite!"

"Um Felix, I know this is a bit off topic but have you tried out the pie I made you yet?" Mary asked curiously.

"Not yet…it's still in the fridge."

"Oh dear, don't tell me your stomach is still feeling a bit on the icky side?"

"No Mary….I don't know what came over me earlier but I'm over it now, I think."

"That's good dear! Gene darling, could you make me a little something to drink please?"

"Sure thing, you want anything to drink Felix?" Gene asked as he made his way over to the bar.

"No..I'm good, thank you!" Felix answered as the sick feeling began to creep back into his stomach once more.

"Felix, it's going to be alright." Tammy assured him when she noticed Felix had that look of fear on his face.

He let out a sigh as he continued to watch Gene mix the drinks.

"I don't know Tammy. That's a lot of booze for just two people in that container."

"Like I said Fix-It, it's none of our business what Gene does or how much he consumes. Just relax and have a good time. Maybe something to drink might loosen you up a little bit. On second thought Gene, you don't mind making Felix and I some brandy sours would you?"

"Not at all Serge….two brandy sours coming right up." Gene answered as he poured a glass of Martinis for Mary as well as himself. "There you are MI 'lady. Enjoy!"

"Thank you Gene. Ooohh you're such a great bartender." Mary commented.

"I always do my best. Now then brandy sours…. I'll need some brandy, curacao, a bit of sugar and finish it all up with some lemon juice. Give it a bit of a shake, shake, shake…and voilà…..two brandy sours for Felix and the Missus. Enjoy!"

Both Tamora and Felix took their glasses and toasted one another, each taking a sip.

"WHOA….Jiminy jamity Gene, how much liquor did you put into this thing?" Felix inquired, shaking his head from the sudden wooziness he was feeling.

"Not much Felix…but then again I know you don't take alcohol that entirely well. Sorry about that." Gene replied. "Would you like another one only less strong?"

"No…..I'm good. Thanks anyway." Felix said, handing the rest of his drink over to his wife who was more than happy to accept.

"You don't want any more Fix it?" she asked.

"I don't think I could handle any more of that stuff Tammy. The last time I drank something that strong…let's just say things didn't turn out so good, plus I woke up with a massive hang over too. Thankfully it was the weekend and Litwak's was closed so it gave me some time to recover. Due to my size and how much I weight, I can't handle strong drinks like that."

"Suit yourself."

"Besides, I'm not much of a drinker to begin with anyway. I'll just go over and make myself a glass of lemonade or something."

He was just about ready to head over to the bar when Deanna stopped him.

"Felix….you're needed on the dance floor." She announced, pulling his arm.

Everyone began doing the 'Fix it' dance as the song 'Celebration 'played on in the background.

Tammy smiled as she watched Felix finally unwinding and having a good time with his fellow tenants and guests.

'Hopefully this will get his mind off Gene.' She thought, finishing up the two drinks before heading back to the bar to make more.

The clock read a quarter to three in the morning as the party still continued in full swing.

Felix was extremely antsy for Gene wasn't the only person stumbling around in an intoxicated state.

So too was his dynamite gal Tammy.

He stood there in the corner surveying the situation, trying to come up with some kind of solution to end the party once and for all.

His eyes scanned the bar; taking in every bottle that sat there, some half full while others were empty.

But before he could make a move, Tammy stumbled over to where Felix was standing interrupting his thoughts.

"Felix, why are you standing in the corner? What's wrong?"

"Tammy, uh…..I think you should go to bed honey." Felix carefully stammered, afraid of her reaction because she was intoxicated.

"I'm fine Felix….don't worry. Come on; let's have some fun short stack!"

She took Felix by the hand and began towards the dance floor, nearly tripping over her own two feet.

"No, Tammy you're not fine….Gene is not fine and neither are the guests. You're all drunk and I seriously want this party to end right now. IT'S OVER!"

Felix walked over to the stereo and turned the music off to prove his point. "Now come on guys…everybody out."

"Hold on you guys…" came Gene's drunken voice as he stumbled over to Felix. "This party isn't over til I say it's over. Felix, you seriously need to learn how to unwind and let yourself go one of these days. The night is still young…..we still have booze in need of finishing…..everyone back on the dance floor and continue having a good time!"

Felix's heart began to race in his chest as a sudden rush of anxiety quickly filled every void in his body for he knew a confrontation was about to happen, something he had been dreading since the party began hours ago.

"Now who died and made YOU THE BOSS round here tubby?" Tamora stepped in, defending her husband. "The last I checked, this here is Felix's apartment. Not yours. Now Felix said this party is over. Everyone head home NOW!"

Quickly the remaining party guests obliged…leaving the penthouse and headed straight for the train station which would lead them back to Game Central and their respectable homes.

Ralph, who was returning from his usual visit to Tappers noticed everyone running from the apartment building and wondered exactly what was going on as he stepped off the trolley.

"Oh, things are getting nasty between Sargent Calhoun and Gene. I'm not sticking around to watch the fireworks though." One guest answered the nine foot tall man as he jumped into the exact trolley Ralph just exited.

Releasing a sigh as the party guests made their way out into the tunnel, Ralph quickly headed towards the building.

Back in the penthouse, things were getting rather heated between Gene and Tamora.

"Gene, Tamora, please stop. Please." Felix pleaded as he struggled to control his breathing.

"Now you listen here bleach blond bimbo nightmare, I'm the Mayor of Niceland…..not you. What I say goes around here." Gene continued with his argument.

"I'm going to be sick you guys, please stop." Felix pleaded again as he quickly rushed over to the couch, feeling extremely light headed.

"So you think you have the right to control Felix too huh? You think you have the right to tell Felix what he can and cannot do in his very own home?"

"In case you haven't been informed Serge, Felix belongs TO ME."

"Ha, in your dreams Shorty…..the last I checked, I wear his ring!"

"ENOUGH! BOTH OF YOU PLEASE STOP ARGUING."

Tamora and Gene stopped and looked over at Felix who now was lying down on the couch… struggling to breathe before passing out completely.

"Felix….." Tamora cried as she rushed over to her husband's side, nearly tripping over the coffee table in her drunken stupor. "Felix honey…what's wrong? Please talk to me."

When she couldn't get Felix to respond, she quickly rushed over to the phone and called Surge Protector for help.

"Gene, get out of here now."

"But…."
"I SAID GET OUT! ….. Surge, this is Tamora Jean, Felix's wife calling from Niceland Apartments, Fix it Felix Jr. I need your help. My husband isn't responding….No he hasn't been drinking. He just suddenly passed out; I can't get him to wake up. Ok, please hurry."

She hung up the phone and quickly rushed back over to Felix, checking for a pulse and a heartbeat.

Gene however still remained at the door, watching as Tammy frantically worked on her husband shaking his head in disbelief.

"Tamora, you don't even know what the hell you're doing! You're just as drunk as I am plus you're panicking as a result of it. I'm sure Felix will be fine! You're blowing everything completely out of proportion."

"Gene, I thought I told you to GET THE HELL OUT! I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm not panicking. I've done this for a long time…..I can do this drunk or sober. HELL, I can even do this with my eyes closed! Don't start telling me how to do things around here. You may be the 'MAYOR' and own all of Niceland and the people who live here, but let's get one thing straight right here and now, nobody owns ME or Felix."

"If anything should happen to Felix in your complete and utter stupidity…..so help me!"

"Is that a threat Gene?"

Gene kept his composure despite the venom that dripped from Tamora's voice.

There was no way he was going to be intimidated by someone who wasn't even a part of this game!

"Yeah, it is….cause if anything happens to Felix, so help me Programmers you'll be the one to blame for our falling out. Especially if we one day find ourselves homeless. Technically, this isn't YOUR GAME Tamora Jean Calhoun, there for you have no word on anything we do around here."

"You got that right Gene, this isn't my game, and it isn't your game either. This is FIX IT FELIX JR. HIS GAME. This is HIS home. Technically, he should be the one barking orders around here! Now this conversation is over Gene….go home to your apartment and stay there. Ugh…where on earth is the Surge Protector? How long does it take for him to get from Game Central to here?"

"Maybe he's got something else to do first…..after all this isn't a REAL emergency we're dealing with here….like I said, Felix will be fine. I bid you good night." Gene said as he turned on his heel towards the elevator.

"Yeah, about time you left the scene Gene…..why is it that when you've had one too many you become an even bigger asshole than when you are sober? Seriously, we've got ourselves an emergency here and all you can say is it's no big deal as well as accusing Tamora of 'utter stupidity'….she's deeply concerned for Felix right now and so am I…get out of here before I literally THROW you down that elevator shaft!" Ralph growled as he stepped out from the stairwell, struggling to gain his breath from the long ascend.

Gene stepped into the elevator and headed down towards his floor while Ralph walked into the penthouse.

"Are you ok Tamora? What happened to Felix?"

"I'm fine Wreck-It. Felix on the other hand…..I don't know. How much did you hear of our argument?"

"Uh…from the part when Gene said if anything should happen to Felix due to your complete and utter stupidity to now. I take it Felix probably had an anxiety attack of some kind because of it."

"Is that probably what happened cause when Gene and I were arguing, Felix had a sudden shortness of breath as well as saying he was going to be sick all the while pleading with us to end it. Oh Felix, I'm so sorry…..Ugh, what is taking Surge Protector so long to get here? I called him ten minutes ago!"

"Maybe he can't get here due to all the guests heading home from the party. No worries…I've got this!"

Ralph stood up, raising Felix's legs gently till they were level with his heart.

Slowly Felix began to stir as blood and oxygen rushed to his brain.

"Felix…Felix are you alright? Say something honey?"

"What happened?"

Tamora breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank Programmers you're alright Felix…..you passed out after Gene and I were arguing about your decision to end the party. Seriously, who does that guy think he is?"

"Sad as it is Tammy, Gene is indeed the mayor here…..he does have a say on what goes on around here, but thank you for standing up to my decision."

"You're welcome Short Stack. I'm just so glad you're alright."

Felix smiled as Surge Protector came knocking on the door.

"Someone call for medical assistance?" He asked.

"Cancel that Surge….everything is ok, thank goodness. Felix regained consciousness."

"Well, I still have to do a checkup to make sure everything is alright…even if the victim has regained consciousness. Ok Felix, mind if I open up your shirt here so I can listen to your heartbeat?"

Felix did as he was told, lifting up his navy blue checkered vest and unbuttoned his shirt to allow access for Surge.

After listening for a bit to his heart and breathing, Surge gave the ok and left the building with no further incident.

"Hmm, I didn't know Surge Protector was also a medical personal too…..I thought he was just a security guard at Game Central." Ralph thought as Felix slowly got up and headed towards the bedroom. "I guess you guys are going to bed now huh?"

"That we are Wreck-It…it's been quite the exciting night…plus I seriously need to sober up a bit."

Ralph nodded as he headed towards the hallway. "I'll lock up here for you guys…Night!"

"Good night Ralph."

"Good night Brother."

"Good night guys. Sleep well." Ralph said as he stepped out into the hallway, closing the door behind him.

Author's Note: For those of you who have been watching this story, so deeply sorry for keeping you all waiting. Every time I went to work on this story, I kept getting writer's block and struggled with what the scene should be next. Anyway, thank you all for the kind words, as well as adding this to your favorites. I hope you all continue to enjoy this story as I continue working on it! :)