house of gold

matthew c. brennan twenty one - leo - fun as heck i'll answer to matthew or matt - matty if your blood alcohol level is above the limit. i like seeing the world, eating pizza without the sauce, and making workout mixes instead of actually working out. i joke about how i ate my twin in the womb to assert my role as the alpha child in the family, but no one else seems to think that story is as funny as i think it is.

[takematt]

“-- I don’t look stupid. You look stupid --- stupid.” Matthew Brennan: a twenty one year old college student who gets into arguments with ten year olds.

[ishmaelwells-deactivated2015123]

“That’s a pretty smart thing to tell them, honestly. I should have thought of that,” he commended. He could tell their styles of leadership were quite different. Connor liked to let the kids enjoy themselves and let loose as much as possible - they got enough rules and regulations during the rest of the year. Connor took in Matt’s suggestion with hesitance, kind of off-put by his word choice. “Look man, like I said, musics not my favorite thing to do here. That stuff sounds great and you should try that and see how it goes. Maybe you could hold a small concert at the end for them to show off,” he started, trying to hide the annoyance in his voice, “I just think thats a bit serious, camp songs are fun. It’s kind of what you expect when you go to summer camp - to learn cheesy camp songs that get stuck in your head.”

[takematt]

That comment, alone, was good enough to put air in Matthew’s chest as smugness seeped into his expression. A veteran counselor telling a new one that he was doing a smart thing? Hell yeah, that did wonders for Matt’s pride and ego. “I think I will have a concert at the end,” the boy responded, arms crossing over his chest and gripping onto each bicep that hid under a monotone-colored t-shirt. “It’s totally not serious; it’s fun! If you don’t learn something new everyday, it’s a day that’s been wasted, and I want to make sure they’re actually learning things- not just mindless campfire songs. How are those going to get them far in life?” Matthew never went to camp - ever. So, he had no experience to look back on; he was winging everything. Whether his teachings were conventional or not, he was going to make it his mission to teach some deep-seeded knowledge to the campers; knowledge that’ll actually help them in life. 

With his head cocking slightly to the side, arms still in their defensive position over his chest, Matthew purposely allowed his filter to be in hibernation as he spoke up. “So, they have absolutely no problem re-hiring you, again and again, every summer?”

[takematt]

I am... Helper Man!

Name: Helper Man (obviously)

Costume: I traced my hand over a piece of forest-green construction paper, cut it out, and glued to a bandana that I tie around my forehead. I’m using a bedsheet for my cap that I bedazzled the letter H around a circle on its center.

Abilities: Helping people, duh. Especially those who are less fortunate. They need me the most. Whether it’s homework help or stopping a car chase, I am here to make everyone’s life a little bit easier.

Sidekick: Ellie; she needs to pick up her slack. The kitchen still smells.

[sal-spano-deactivated20150624]

Taken a bit aback by Matthew’s comment, Sal caught himself from making a sarcastic comment. “You’d think I would, but every summer is the same. Not like at home where, once II move in I stay there until it’s time to move out.” His attitude turned more secretive and alert as he remembered this week’s theme. “Oh, right. Maybe you should ask one of the directors to give you a break at the next job shuffle?” Sal sat up, hoping his body language could provide an unspoken confidence. “That’s really for me to know and for you…to hopefully never find out.” With a wink and a grin, he turned from the other counselor to the lake, hoping that Matthew couldn’t see through his lie. 

[takematt]

“Then why keep coming back if it bothers you so much?” Matthew’s tone came off more rude than he had planned, but he was asking a question that he genuinely wanted to know the answer to. Matthew shook his head as his fingers blindly played with the wrapping of his bottle. “No, no - I’m not here for special treatment. I’ve learned to deal with the cards that I’ve been dealt with. But, I’m just saying, I need to get either Sports of Wilderness next time. I would rock the crap out of those jobs.” The brunette’s head cocked to the side, trying to see the face of the other as it turned away from him. “So... You’ve got nothing, I’m guessing.”

[ishmaelwells-deactivated2015123]

God, he hated hearing that this was going to be his last summer at Greco. He didn’t want to accept that, but he would have to eventually. “Yup, I’m going to make this summer last as long as possible,” he stated, offering a small smile. He knew some of the other counselors had to think he was nuts for wanting to come back here year after year, but it was just so fun. He couldn’t think of another word to describe it. Connor laughed, “Oh yah, I’m sure they love going to bed on time and waking up early.” He’d always hated his punctual and demanding counselors, but that was just because he loved to stay up late and sleep all day, and that wasn’t really how Greco worked. “Honestly, I let them fiddle around with the instruments before teaching them an easy camp song, it never sounds good but they enjoy themselves I guess. You just have to mix banging around and making noise with some guided learning,” he explained, rambling a little, “Musics not really my favorite job here.”

[takematt]

"Good luck with that,” Matthew snorted out, rubbing the bottom of his nose. “I’m sure the kids don’t want to miss out on a single second of eating and having fun. I have to tell them that when it’s lights out, because it’s harder getting them to bed than it is to wake them up.” It worked out on Matthew’s favor on most nights, given that he was a morning person. He wasn’t sure what to expect as advice, but, he didn’t exactly find Connor’s to be that helpful. “Okay...” He was biting on his tongue, trying to hold back on his own commentary -- but that only lasted for a brief moment. “Here’s just-- just a small suggestion, you know, nothing against the way you teach things or whatever, but what if - what if - I gave everyone their own instrument and by the end they’re able to play a piece together. Brasses get their own special day, followed by percussion, etc. I think that’d make the most sense. I’d want them to learn something that they could go back home proud of, instead of a camp song that they’ll get bored of once they grow out of their summer camp phase.”

[jessabarrish]

“I didn’t,” she replied with a shrug, “I’ve just been struggling on the brink of non-existence for the past twenty-two years, and luckily, it seems like I finally have someone to save me from myself.” She didn’t mind playing along, the idea that she couldn’t figure out the world around her seemed to be far nicer than the reality; besides, it was nice to have someone to rely on for once. Giving a golf clap as she watched him rocket the balls into the bin, chuckling at his suggestion. “It’s super lame, but it kinda fits. And ‘The Helping Hand’ sounds probably a bit too pornographic for summer camp, so your options are slim. I was thinking ‘Gym Class Hero,’ for myself, or maybe go old-school Greek mythology and just make everyone call me Artemis. Get, like, a bow and shit,” Picking up the last of the stray balls, she tossed them underhand into their new home and headed for the sunlight that streamed through the open door, grabbing a baseball on her way out and dropping it a pile of worn gloves on the field. “Not bad, maestro,” she answered with a nod, “probably a good idea sticking with the classics. I bet if you learn some One Direction, though, the little girls will just about love you.” Looking around the field, she suddenly felt far more at home on the baseball diamond than she had anywhere else at camp, and she had a feeling it was going to be a good week, and possibly, maybe even a great summer. “Maybe you can just get the kids to call you Music Man,” she mused, giggling, “get a cape covered in music notes and whatnot.”

[takematt]

Although Jessa’s words seemed almost too good to be true, it was within Matthew’s intuition to eat them right up. It brought a smile on his face; a smile that was deep enough to permanently leave an imprint on his cheeks, not caring so much so about the pain it was giving him. “Well, if you need me for anything, then, you can find me in Marcia.” Trading cellphone numbers seemed useless given that everything was a short walk away, and Matthew didn’t want to be stuck with numbers after the summer was over that he would end up never contacting again.

Even just receiving mock applause was all it took for Matthew to mentally decide that Jessa was his favorite company within the camp, by far. “Oh, I already figured out my porno name a long time ago when someone told me it was just your mother’s maiden name and the street you grew up on. So, Devon McDowell, at your service, if life plans A through Y decide to fail on me,” Matthew delivered with a rather stern nod because, yes, he obviously had thought out that life plan through and through already. “Go with Artemis,” Matt encouraged as he stopped a rolling ball with the side of his foot, “Although they’re kind of obsolete right now, Gym Class Heroes might sue you for copyright infringement. Plus, with Artemis, if a kid asks you why you pick that name, or they have no idea who that is, it’s an easy way to drop some knowledge on them - know what I mean?”

With the limited skills that Matthew had from playing various pick-up games of soccer, he was able to pull the ball onto the toe of his shoe before kicking it high enough into the air for him to catch it, tossing the last one back into place, thus finishing his good deed for the day. With hands going onto his hips, he paused in place, slightly dumbfounded. He should have learned One Direction instead - how could he not think of that? “Well,” he paused, trying to think of the quickest way to cover himself up without completely lying, “I was planning on that, actually, but I wanted to see how the first day went. I may just win them over with my personality.” Even with the fake smile that came over that, even Matthew didn’t believe his own words.

At Jessa’s suggestion, Matthew found himself snorting. He shook his head as he leaned down to pick his guitar up. “Helper Man is more my tune. I wanted something that portrayed me 24/7, even when I’m not working as a counselor.” Matthew went ahead and put the guitar around his body, pushing the instrument around his shoulder so that it hanged off his body and against his back, allowing his hands to enter the pockets of the shorts he had on. “You know how to throw the perfect curve ball?” Matthew had asked after deciding not to walk away just yet (they both had a good amount of time before the kids would be running to their designated stations). “I can show you if you don’t. Or anything else baseball-related, for that matter. I’ve got skills.”

[sylensio]

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[reidcharlie-deactivated20151104]

His perplexed expression caught her off guard, biting on her bottom lip nervously as she drew out her stash from under her chair, an assortment of candy kept in a inconspicuous light grey bag. “Well, it’s not much..” She began, pulling it up slowly to reveal it to him, but that was a blatant lie. Anyone could tell the was almost overflowing, and Olivia couldn’t hide the other candy wrappers poking out from the pocket of her shorts, “I-I mean, it wasn’t exactly on the packing list, but that’s totally fine.. right?”

[takematt]

“You... You have a problem.” It was Matthew’s initial reaction to be amazed, given that it looked more like an obsession, than anything else. Sticking his fingers into the bag, scanning its contents, it was definitely a lot more than she was implying. With a glare in her direction, Matthew removed his hand from the bag. “You can keep those hidden from the kids, right? I already had to clean four sheets because they basically had chocolate hand prints all over them.” But Matthew’s biggest concern was giving the kids more reason to be more hyper than they already were- Matthew was still trying to learn, and control, his children dose intake. “I prefer Reeses, anyway, so it’s all yours.” Matthew offered a smile; an attempt to show that he didn’t mean to come off as rude and controlling as he probably did. “I’m going to guess that you’re a new counselor? Welcome. I’m Matt. You can find me teaching Music Education and Camp Marcia for the time being.”

[ishmaelwells-deactivated2015123]

“Ten months out of the year I am beyond ‘R’-rated, it might take me a while to get back into Disney Channel mode,” he joked, chuckling. Connor prided himself on being the most experienced at Camp Greco, it made him feel important (which was kind of lame, now that he thought about it). “If you make each of your cabins love you, your life will be a lot easier. Besides that, I guess, don’t take things too seriously here?” Despite being a veteran, he didn’t really know how he made things so enjoyable for himself. It kind of just happened.

[takematt]

After enough time, Matthew was finally able to do the math in his head. “You’re twenty five, right? Last summer here, huh, man?” Matthew, personally, couldn’t imagine going back to Camp Greco time and time again, then more time so when he was able to counsel - but, then again, everything about the camp was out of his comfort zone, and the primary reason why he had signed up to do it. If Matthew had plans to return next summer was still high in the air. “Oh, my cabins totally love me. I make sure they’re in bed by curfew and up exactly when they have to be. No one from Cabin Marcia is slacking this week.” Matthew was genuinely curious to hear advice from such an experienced-counselor, hence the continuous slew of questions. Obviously, the other had to be doing something right to be allowed back each year. “I’m teaching Music Education right now, what’d you do with that job?”

[jessabarrish]

“Hey,” she whined, faux-hurt in her voice, “that’s not fair. Just because I’m completely helpless doesn’t mean I wouldn’t survive.” She pursed her lips, holding in a smirk. Throwing the dodgeballs one by one into an empty bin, she looked at Matt again. “And it’s not like I won’t get you back; I’m sure one of these days I’ll save your ass, Chef Boyardee.” Continuing to clean up her mess, she paused for a second, before adding on, “You’re pretty good, y’know,” and she gestured toward the instrument he’d discarded by the shed door, “on the guitar, I mean.”

[takematt]

“How did you survive the real world before me?” He loved that- feeling like his presence was needed. It gave him life; a better energy-booster than the mug of coffee he chugged back earlier that morning. Matthew took it upon himself to “Kobe” each ball into the bin, shooting it with an L-Formation coming from his arms, hoping to reach nothing but “net” each time. “If you learn one thing about me this entire summer is that I’m the person who never needs help. I’m the-- the superhero, if you will.” Matt smiled at the realization, given the week that they were given. “Helper-Man isn’t a lame name, is it?” Matt had mused out loud his sudden burst of inspiration for a superhero name. He grabbed another ball, this time trying to pass it behind his back and into a spot inside the bin - it bounced off the edge and rolled away. Matthew jogged over to pick it up. He looked back up just in time to catch Jessa’s gesture, and crooked grin found its way onto his face. “I got Music Education this week, so I spent most of the night trying to learn the chords to a Beatles’ album. I only got to Lucy in the Sky before I passed out. The slow internet here made learning a three minute song take three hours, otherwise I would have taught myself some more.”

[ishmaelwells-deactivated2015123]

Connor shrugged, stuffing his hands into his jean pockets. He kind of expected that. Their were other veteran counselors, sure, but Camp Greco was in his blood basically. “Like I said, no one will understand how happy I am to be here. This place is like a fu-dging second home to me,” he explained, swallowing back his swear, “I’ve been a camp counselor here for, uh, seven summers. But I started coming here when I was eight… So I’ve been here a while. This your first year?”

[takematt]

“Sounds like someone is having a hard time transitioning back to G-Rated-ness.” He snickered lightly to himself, oddly amused at the situation. “Oh, wow. So a really long time, then. You’re probably the most experienced one, yet. Got any tips for someone who just started here a few weeks ago?”

[reidcharlie-deactivated20151104]

“What? I– no!” Olivia protested quickly, wiping the remaining chocolate off the edge of her lips. If one thing was certain, it was that Olivia Park was terrible at lying, her eyes immediately betraying her almost-earnest tone. That, and the candy wrapper she had in her hands that she hurriedly balled up into her fist, “That– was definitely not a Twix, a-and even if it was, that was probably the last one anyway.” A beat of silence, before she dropped her guard, a hesitant smile tugging at her lips, “Okay, fine.. Maybe it was a Twix, and.. maybe I might have sneaked in a little more, but if I give you one, you’ll promise not to tell the campers, right?” 

[reidcharlie-deactivated20151104]

[takematt]

Well, if it wasn’t chocolate, then Matthew was not at all prepared to have a conversation like that. His mouth was slightly agape, a single eyebrow arched, and his eyes narrowing at the other counselor. Matthew wasn’t at all expecting to have to berate counselors, but, he knew someone had to do it. “And give the kids more reason to inhale sugar? No, I would never.” His head craned to try and find a bag, or a purse, that was on the girl. Matthew’s face was still in deep puzzlement. “Exactly how much candy did you bring?”

[ishmaelwells-deactivated2015123]

Connor looked around and let out a sigh of relief. He was happy to be back at Camp Greco. Not only was it his “happy place”, but it was his last summer and he was going to make the most of it. “I don’t think anyone will understand how fuc-reakin’ happy I am to be back here,” he said, catching his curse word. He was going to have to get back into the habit of holding those words in.

[takematt]

“You know,” Matthew took a brief pause to finish off the remaining drops that he had from the bottle of apple juice he was drinking from, “I’m pretty sure that’s the first time I’ve heard that, and I’ve met, like, five of you veterans.” Once he was standing directly in front of the other, he flashed a big enough smile (it was meant to expose friendliness than anything else). “How many summers have you’ve been coming here for?”

[sal-spano-deactivated20150624]

Sal found a patch of grass near the cabins and laid down on his back. He placed his clipboard to his right and brought both hands to the back of his head. The campers he was responsible for were all at their free choice activity and, since he was on Night Watch, was free to take a break and rest before his shift. “Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy getting to know all the campers every couple of weeks, but all this moving from cabin to cabin is tiring.” He turned toward the other counselor, “So what’s your assignment this week?” 

[takematt]

“Haven’t you done this before? Figured you’d be used to it,” Matthew admitted as he hopped from the porch of Cabin Marcia and walked closer to where Sal had be laying down. “Let’s just say it involves the kitchen, and me beginning to accept the fact that I’m never going to leave that place because I was on Kitchen Duty since Summer started.” Were they even allowed to tell everyone else what their task was? Matthew wasn’t sure, but, he definitely knew that he was going to be the first one to complete his task, hence why he gave as little information as possible. He sat down in front of Sal, legs crossed Indian-Style with a notebook and pen on his lap. “You haven’t figured out a Superhero identity and name yet, have you?”

[jessabarrish]

“Thank God the directors did something right and gave me Sports this week,” Jessa exclaimed, her voice loud and excited as she rummaged through the recreation equipment shed. “Now, if I could just find a lefty glove and some bats, maybe I can actually teach these kids a thing or two about baseball.”  Opening an overhead cabinet, the blonde was caught completely off-guard by an avalanche of foam dodgeball balls, and she let out a groan. Frowning, she looked toward the doorway at the other, pleading with a lopsided grin on her face, “D’you mind getting in here and giving me a hand?”

[jessabarrish]

[takematt]

There’s a small (small for now, at least) twinge of jealously within Matthew, given the fact that he was looking forward to finally achieving a spot in working with sports with the kids. He knew the jobs were randomized, but, if he needed to work in something that gave a better chance for competition before he started to crack - and he could feel that moment arriving rather soon. However, Matthew would be lying if he didn’t feel somewhat better at the avalanche that had happened; better to happen to Jessa than himself. Except, Matthew could only look at the mess for so long before it started to make him feel uncomfortable and he couldn’t turn down Jessa’s plea. He put down the guitar that he had in hand and sped-walk towards the blonde, picking up the first dodgeball that he came in contact with. “I’m starting to think you wouldn’t survive this camp without me, given how every time we met so far, I’m always helping you out.” 

[mercyhayes]

“Yes. And it was one of the most awkward experiences of my life.”

[takematt]

It took a moment for it to sink in, and, once it did, a smile slowly creeped upon the boy’s features as he let out a soft laugh. “How’d you explain it to them? How old were they, even?”

[finnwxlfe-deactivated20150718]

[takematt]

Matthew scoffed under his breath at the sight, shaking his head. His knuckle tapped against the window, hoping to startle the sleeping counselor. “In case you forgot, we’re suppose to be on duty.”