The Class of '81

[caspai]

Alexandria

The whole thing was just too priceless. He had managed to do it all to himself. I pick myself up off the floor, taking the offending shoes off as I do. I feel the sticky wine seep through my stockings, but it doesn't matter. This night could only be made more perfect by one thing. Walking over to Kent, I look down at him and say:

"Kent, your fly is open, and little Kent is flopping for all the world to see." As I wallk away, I hear flash bulbs in the background, followed by a loud groan from Kent. Ah yes, the demons are now dead...

 

[germangent]

Mark shows up and sees Alexandria

Sneaking into the reunion is not his style at all. And why should he? As the captain of the football team he was used to attention and he got it wherever he went. Part of it due to his athletic built and part due to the fact that he was a loud guy in the first place. So naturally, he did not even bother to check for his nametag.
Mark busted into the room with loud “Hi” and “Howdy” like a second-class car salesman. When he remembered the ill-fated 10-year reunion he knew that he did not have the great career some of his other classmates. He was just in middle management and not on TV like the infamous Dr. Good. But he had something better – he would always be the captain of the team and he would always have married the sexiest of all the girls in class – Nancy.
Watching her standing across the hall in her provocative outfit he thought back at why he made sure he had some time to himself before joining her. A wicked smile ran over his face as he thought of the surprise for her. Interestingly enough, she let him off on the lame “freshening up” excuse. Could there be other motives? Maybe she wanted to be alone as well to get some things started.
And sure enough, she is standing awfully close to KENT for chrissakes ! Watching them chatting as I move over across the dancefloor. All of a sudden he spots Alexandria in all her glory. All of a sudden the memories of the last reunion are positive indeed. The memories of the encounter beneath the table were just too precious. Mark notes that she is wearing almost the same stockings as last time, even though a little soiled.
“Hi Alexandria, good to see you – seems that you are already having some fun here”, testing weather his husky voice would still have an effect on her.
“Need any help?” he added with a wicked smile.

 

[TXExpress]

Kent is ... confused, but interested

*zip*

Geez ... could this get any worse?

And then ... there he is. Mark. Still huge. *sigh* Still looking like he could — and would — kick my ass. And there he goes, right over to ...

Alex?

Hmmm ....

I peer out from under the table and up at Nancy — yet another in the crowd sans panties, and VERY provocatively attired overall — who can't yet see me.

I, of course, was at the root of my problems 10 years ago, but Nancy was both on my mind and in my sights then, too. We were chatting, amiably I thought, at the punchbowl. Mark was off somewhere, probably bench-pressing something, and my wife ... well, my wife was nowhere to be seen. Based on what I suspected then and confirmed through later experiences, she was likely the one under the table then, and that would not have been a cocktail weiner in her mouth.

But I digress.

The talk between Nancy and I went from fumbling around the fringes of married life to guessing the color of each other's undergarments (still wore 'em 10 years ago). But the mixture of tequila and buffet food and tequila and punch and tequila caught up to me and ... well, the rest is history. As would I be, if spotted by Mark.

So, while his sights are set on Alex, I will pull up on the side of this tablecloth, stand up and try to find a new hiding spot.

Only it's not the side of the tablecloth.

It's the bottom hemline of Nancy's dress.

 

[Mistress Jorja]

Nancy

Mark broke up the idle chit-chat and lame pick-up lines that seemed to be the base of most conversation scattered around the dance floor with his boisterous manner. He almost trampled the tuxedoed waiters who didn’t move out of his way. I winced at his lack of class...and wondered, not for the first time, if I really did only marry him for the sex as the rumors said.

Draining the whiskey sour, I started to stand to get something more strong that would, hopefully, counteract the sobering effect of Mark’s give-me-attention-now attitude. In the middle of my fight with the chair and table to let me rise gracefully, I felt a sharp tug at my dress. With a cry, I sat back down sharply, and raised the table cloth.

Mentally groaning, I saw the bespectacled face of Kent staring back at me, those puppy dog eyes innocent as ever. Never choking for a moment, I glared at him icily.

“Not trying to ruin another of my dresses, are you?”

 

[TXExpress]

Kent is ... surprisingly happy to see Nancy

"No, Nancy. I am not."

*sigh*

"Look, I am sorry. I am sorry for everything. I am sorry for ralphing on your dress 10 years ago. I am sorry for ruining the damned punchbowl. I am sorry for being there then. And I am sorry for being here now."

With a flustered expression, I begin to get up and, Mark be damned, head for the door and forget this ever happened and get on with what is left of my life.

A hand stops me. It is Nancy's.

 

[Mistress Jorja]

Nancy

I smiled at his flustered statement, and the look in his eye. Perhaps my tone had been a bit more sharp that I had meant it to be...

Glancing in Mark’s direction, I made sure he was involved with usual ritual of seeing how many women he could hit on before I dragged him away. His record was 23, I decided to give him a fair shot at breaking it.

“I’m sure you didn’t mean it, I was only joking...”

Stopping Kent with a firm hand on his chest, I brushed back the blonde hair that had fallen in from of my eyes.

“Would you like to get a drink or something? I’m gonna need it if I plan on lasting through this night.”

 

[caspai]

Alexandria

As I am walking to the door with my shoes in my hand, chuckling, I see Mark. Oh, yes, Mark. I smile at the memory. Ten years ago at the reunion, he hadn't recognized me. I was still modeling, and he had been more than a little bit drunk. I had let him think I was someone's date. Didn't tell him who. It wasn't until after...well, after, that I had told him who he had just trysted with. The look on his face had been priceless.

If I remembered right, he had had this thing about silk stockings. And of course, all I ever wore were silk stockings. The kind that take the garters, not those tacky things with adhesive around the top. This could be interesting. I must investigate...

I square my shoulders and begin to walk toward Mark. A jock is always a jock, but at least they have stamina...

 

[TXExpress]

Kent is ... feeling the best he has felt since Friday

I glance nervously up at Nancy, then even more nervously at Mark, who will be in deep trouble if Alex is ever dusted for fingerprints.

"Against the best judgment of history, I'll have a tequila shot. You'll understand if I don't accompany you to the bar."

As she ... well, walks isn't quite the word ... over to the bar. I start to think. About time, some would say. I would tell them to shut up, but no matter.

I am being such a lame-ass coward. I mean, look at Mark. He is squeezing Alex like a ripened cantaloupe, and Nancy ... sigh, lovely Nancy, so innocent despite the killer looks (as far as I can remember, anyway) ... just has to put up with it. Sure, he could kill me with one punch ... but, dammit all, that is no reason to keep hiding.

This is it. No more hiding. One way or another, Kent Zachry is going to have a FUN REUNION. RIGHT? RIGHT!

I wait for my glass of courage to arrive.

 

[Mistress Jorja]

Nancy

Leaning against the wooden paneling of the bar, I studied the man preparing my drinks. He looked familiar, or, I should say, his greasy dreadlocks looked familiar, but maybe it was just another case of 80's déjà vu. Stopping for a amiable brush of the lips with Mark, just to let him know I hadn’t totally abandoned him (when in truth I had), I tossed a slit-eyed stare at the woman he was unscrupulously throwing himself upon, just to make things interesting.

Balancing the glassware, I wove my way through the crowds and back to Kent, with my offering of tequila for him and a perfectly chilled Cosmo for myself. Twirling the thin stem of the drink between my fingers, I raised it to my lips in an attempt not to smudge my lipstick. Note to self: Look into a new brand of smudge-less color.

Never missing a beat of the conversation while keeping a hawk’s gaze upon Mark, I decided to take the plunge.

“So Kent, still have a lady to warm your bed on cold, wintery nights?”

 

[TXExpress]

Kent is ... aghast that his thread fell to Page 2

"Nancy ... that night 10 years ago altered my life like none has before or since.

"You knew I couldn't find Amy that night, didn't you? We hadn't even been married three years at that point, and she didn't know 95 percent of the people at that reunion. And yet ... I'd bet money she was off in a linen room, exercising her jaw muscles and God only knows which other ones.

"But, of course, she's in there for the great moment of truth, isn't she? She sees what she wants to see: Kent with Nancy, Kent turning more shades of green than Sherwin Williams ever dreamed of, Kent projectiling into the punchbowl, and the resulting concoction winding up on that Cinderella dress of yours. If I haven't apologized sufficiently, allow me to again.

"Anyway, long answer to a simple question. We got divorced about a year later, and I'd be willing to bet I haven't gotten laid five times since. Just never felt right, you know? I'd get interested, then I'd get scared. Thank God for video rentals."

Ha, ha, ha, she is supposed to say. But the look in her eyes says something else, something infinitely more powerful: that she is about to fall asleep. The slight slump forward also is a dead giveaway.

And apparently, she's not the only one falling asleep at the switch. I look over, and Mark's attention is far less on Alex and far more on ... *gulp*

 

[germangent]

Mark spots trouble

Alex still looking wonderful - just like 10 years ago and at school for that matter. Standing close to her he let his hands brush against her stockings - slowly brushing upwards to feel her garter belt.

His eyes lit up with lust as he felt what he was looking for. Lovely Alex - still the tease after all these years. And he was a good recipient for this teasing. Always an easy kill for a sexy lady.

"So Alex, are you going to change dear ? Seems that you had a little accident. Love those heels Alex - they really show off your legs very nicely" and her derriere, he forgot to add due to lack of liquid confidence.

His hands still on Alex thigh's he felt Nancy's stare on his back. Turning around he saw her and Kent standing together and chatting - chatting way too intimately and standing way too close for Mark's comfort.

He felt his hands getting warm - not from the fact that he was stilll caressing Alex' thighs but because he was - jealeous. Abruptly, he turned away from Alex mumbling a barely audible "Be right back Alex" and stormed off to Nancy and Kent. Barely noticing that befuddled Alex was following him towards the bar.

Stomping over to the bar - pieces of their conversation annoyed his ears.

So Kent, still have a lady to warm your bed on cold, wintery nights

Nancy ... that night 10 years ago ...

He knew it all along - they were having a go at each other that day. His eyes now full of anger as he reached the two.

Not even giving Kent the chance to stumble any explanations or apologies Mark put his hand on Kent's shoulder and turned him around.

"HEY! What the f....", Kent shouted but when he saw who the hand was attached to, he quickly held off finishing the sentence.

Poor old Kent, still a little coward sometimes.

"Kent, get your dirty hands off my wife you wimp"

Something in Kent's eyes told Mark that this guy has changed. Seems that Kent would not simply budge in. In a sort of unsympathetic admission Mark had to conclude that Kent did come a long way from the high school days where he did not even make the team.

 

[caspai]

Alexandria

Looking at the scene in front of me with malicious laughter in my eyes.

"So, what have we here? Remembering gone past? Must say, Nancy, you do have strange taste. I mean, Kent? Really...."

Putting my hand on Mark's shoulder, I lean in and whisper in his ear.

"Let them alone. Let them have their fun. She can't very well be angry with you for having your fun if she is making plans in that same line herself."

I watch as a look of understanding slowly dawns in Mark's eyes. Smiling wickedly. Men in general were easy to guide, but a jock...hardly takes any work at all.

 

[TXExpress]

Kent is ... suddenly nervous again

Oh, beautiful.

Mark is about to attempt a reconstruction project on my face because I am trying to nudge Nancy, obviously riveted by my tale of woe. Alex, dress not exactly as form-fitting as before because of Mark's less-angered reconstruction project on it, is gently trying to pull him away — akin to a chihuahua trying to gently persuade a locomotive to screech to a halt ... and I am pretty sure I just peed my pants. As many liquids as have been spilled, thrown or otherwise displaced this evening, who knows?

I pull myself up to my full height, remove my glasses and set them on the table and am prepared to at very least get the final word before going to the hospital, when ...

*BANG*

 

[Cutie Lillie]

Susie Shepard

*CRASH*

A body flies backward into Kent knocking him to the floor - again.

On top of the now protrate Kent, lays an sorta plain blonde. The women wore glasses and her skirt immodestly had flown up over her body, slip and unmentionables showing to the world.....

Her hair covering her face, the only sound out of her at first was "oof", meant that no one was quite sure who just fell on Kent like a lumberman at a speed tree cutting contest..

Slowly she moved. Her hands reached up to adjust her glasses and wipe the hair from her face... along with a not overly suprised "Oh, my. OH, my...I...I....I.." stammered from her lips.

She sits up, which caused an "oof' from the body she is now perched on top of.

"OH, mY! I..I...I.. I'm so sorry"

This is Susie Shepard. Not an ugly women, just very shy and prone to breakage...of other things...and sometimes other people. She arrived late to the dance due to locking her keys in the car, getting rained on while waiting for AAA, and failing to signal during a left turn causing a very little fender bender which her insurance would cover one-quarter of the cost.

Realizing that she needed to get off the floor, not to mention the body under her, she awkwardly rearranges her legs....only to dig a high heel into Kent's right kneecap.

When he squeals out in pain, Susie jumps scrambling to get to her feet, apologizing profusely..though at the same time Kent was tying to scramble to his feet... a mix of legs and bodies lasting only seconds...

Then stopped suddenly.

There on her knees, inbetween Kent's legs, and peeking out from her tossled tresses, Susie looks into the eyes of the body she had pancaked....

"Oh my." Blushing profusely, she whispers. "Hi, Kent."

She smiled as best she could under the circumstances at the boy-next-door for whom she carried a torch for all four years of high-school and secretly in her heart ever since.

 

[TXExpress]

Kent is ... sore

"OUCH! God-d... Susie?"

Susie Shepard and her family lived next to me and mine for the first 25 years of my life. We had played baseball together until the unfortunate Front-Tooth Smash of 1971. We played doctor together until the even more unfortunate Sorry, I Didn't Know It Was Supposed to Swell Up Like That incident of 1974.

Always the tomboy growing up, she had never turned my head unless something she had thrown had glanced off of it. But now ...

She tried hard to stay plain, what with the glasses rather than vanity contacts, but ... Susie had grown up nicely. I hadn't seen her at the 10-year; something about her winding up in Centerville that night after messing up the directions, I heard later from my folks.

But her long, blonde hair — albeit covering most of her face and currently fanning out in 29 different directions — glistened under the obligatory '80s reunion disco ball. And the repositioning of her skirt showed ... well, promise. She always had a cute figure (I guess), but now ... not bad at all.

"Drop in anytime," I joke lamely. "Same ol' ..." whoa!

In a flash, she grabs my right arm, scratching a gash into my hand with one unfiled nail, and lifts me to my feet. I smile at her, then wince as the pain in my knee inflicted by her heel becomes evident.

"Wanna ditch this joint?" I ask quickly. When she nods affirmatively, I add: "First, I gotta take care of one thing.

"Mark?"

This momentarily distracts him from the catfight being waged in his honor (or so he would believe, the smug prick), and he turns to glower at me.

That is when I bring my uninjured left leg up and drive my dress shoe into his groin with a sickening *thud*

Ooooooooooooooooh, the crowd groans

"Ladies, he's all yours. Susie ... exit, stage right."

We bolt for the door, stumbling over each other's feet in our haste.

 

[AngelicVixxxen]

Carole Montrose

All in all, it had NOT been a good night. Judging from the looks of the place, it had not been a good night for a lot of people. My plan to seduce Kent had gone awry somewhere around the time he had looked up my dress and screamed. God, what a klutz he was – I can’t believe I thought he was so cool.

Shaking my head in disbelief, and with a sound of disgust, I head towards the door – vowing that I will not be coming back to another reunion.

My mind on other things, I don’t notice the very tall, rather muscular looking woman blocking the doorway until I crash into her. Gripping onto each other while we try to maintain our balance, we stare into each other’s eyes with recognition coupled with disbelief. Well, if it isn’t my old teacher!

“Mr. Malone??? I ask, in shock. Ted Malone??? Is that you in that dress?

Laughing Hey, maybe the reunion wasn’t a complete bust after all!

 

[AngelicVixxxen]

Marissa Good

Now wrapped safely in my black silk coat, I stand leaning against the wall, watching the dozens of little intrigues play out… watching to see who is leaving with whom. And, look, even Carole/Carl seems to have found someone. Who the hell is that? Oh, my God, it’s Mr. Malone! Maybe I should get those two to put in a guest appearance on my show.

I’m amazed by what’s happened here tonight. My first plan, which was not to come to the reunion, was the one I should have gone with, but I really wanted to see Kent. sighing I really wanted to see if there could be anything between us… still like that stupid little naïve girl that I was in high school… always wanting what I couldn’t have.

Well, there’s always my career. I was just paged by the station managers who saw me in all my nude glory on the 11 o’clock news, and they told me that they want to discuss some huge deal with me. There’s also talk of a movie. But, you know, I’d trade it all for one crack at Kent.

With a final glance back, I then slide by Kent and the woman he’s leaving with, wondering momentary how two such uncoordinated people are going to get it together. Our eyes connect, but his thoughts are not obvious to me. Not sure why I’m doing it, I press my business card into his hand… the card on which I’ve written my unlisted home number. Some girls just never give up.

 

[Mistress Jorja]

Nancy

“Strange taste, indeed...”

I spat back at Alex, with a emphatic glance at Mark. A loud crash came from Kent’s general direction and I spun on my heel to look, catching my balance only with a steadying grip on Alex’s almost non-existent dress.

And she makes a diving tackle for the ball...

More violence than your average football game in here tonight, I thought, as Susie perched not so daintily on Kent, batting her eyelashes at him. With a few words whispered in conspiratorial tones, they headed for the door. Almost as an afterthought, Kent walked up to Mark and kneed him ferociously, sending the much larger opponent to the dance floor with a satisfying groan.

Ignoring my husband sprawled unceremoniously on the ground, I snagged a glass of something-or-other from the wandering waiter and downed it as I turned back to Alex. The band, unfazed by the chaos of the room, picked up a bright melody, so bright in fact that I had to yell over the happy tune to make myself heard.

“So Alex, fun reunion, huh???”

 

[Cutie Lillie]

Susie Shepard

I hang on to Kent's hand... trying desperately not to fall either off my own high heels or over someone else's appendages.

I hear ....noise...I think.. well it was something off in the distance...as we weave through people towards the light of freedom, the door to the lobby.

I'm not seeing a whole lot as I hang on, as my hair is wildly clouding my sight. Not to mention how often I have to look down so as not to fall down..

We pass by some woman in black, who presses something into Kent's hand. No idea who that was. Maybe some insurance agent.

The music seems to have cresendo'd to cover the wallor in the room.

We pass by two huge women. I only can blink for a second in wonder about that.. only to shake any thought clean away as I almost slip on a puddle of something red on the floor.. and keeping to the task at hand...

The clean getaway...

We make it to the door and break through.... stopping in the sudden peace called "The Lobby".

Panting from nerves from seeing Kent again, as well as the gauntlent we just survived, I can only start giggling at the sight of both of us.

How long has it been? How many years? Did he have any idea of the attraction he had over me? That he still has standing there in front of me...disheveled, bruised, stained and probably the most abused guy on the plant.

 

[TXExpress]

Kent is (glad this thread still is alive, and) feeling grateful

"You saved my life."

Look at us. We look more like we've been in a wrestling match than at a high school reunion. It's safe to say that no one, short of the world's sickest masochist, would look at us and even remotely be turned on. I could only imagine how I looked; thank God there were no mirrors around where we stood. Susie ... well, by comparison she looks great, although her hair is going more directions than can quickly be counted. Her dress, while disheveled, still is filled out well and ... I must admit ... probably is revealing more than intended. And the effect is ... well, nice.

"There is no way I can thank you enough for that. Last time I talked to my folks, they said your folks told them that they weren't sure if you were coming. The last thing in the world I thought I would need this weekend is a rescuer; I had no idea it would be you when it happened."

I looked at her as she brushed her hair from her eyes, and there was a smile on her lips and in her eyes. Perhaps it was the adrenalin talking from having cogged Mark, or perhaps it was the tequila, having been ingested in more reasonable doses this time, or perhaps ... well, perhaps it was something I had always wanted to do and simply never realized it, but ...

"Listen, my room is on the 14th floor. I don't know how long you were there, but I never got a chance to get anything to eat in all the commotion. Wanna go up and maybe order some room service and just forget about all this? My treat."

 

[Cutie Lillie]

Susie Shepard

For some reason I can open my mouth like a loon yet cannot make sound...

Looking shyly up at the boy-next-door turned man...my mouth makes strange contortions as sound unsuccessfully attempts to come out.

Oh, gosh! Upstairs? Room? Um? Alone?

Heck, I wasn't a teenager anymore. Why did I feel like I was doing something naughty? Though he did mention food. That's good. I hadn't really eaten anything all day. What's a little club salad between old neighbors?

Kent stands there...waiting... both of us wondering if anything is going to escape my mouth... till...viola.. something worked on my insides and I croaked out

"Sure"..


During the ride up the elevator I study the faux marble wallpaper to see it they overlapped the seams correctly... then checked out the job the polishers did on the faux brass doors...

"Hmmmmmm"

I glance over at Kent every so often, and if he catches me looking I just twitter a giggle and smile and look away..sure I looked as cool as any cucumber could.

 

[TXExpress]

Kent is ... strangely calm

For the first time this whole godforsaken weekend, I suddenly feel very peaceful. I keep looking over at Susie; hell, maybe I just hadn't noticed all those years with her right next door, but ... damn, I could be doing a helluva lot worse right now.

Even with the bruises, contusions and other mishaps ... I just felt good, and cannot help but smile.

The elevator door opens at 14, I hold it open, Susie steps out and stumbles slightly. I chuckle (can't help it), then step out, trip and bang my elbow against the ash can nearby. To this day, scientific explanation or no, I still don't understand why they call that damned thing a "funny bone."

"OWWWWWWWWW!"

Susie, a couple of steps ahead, turns to look at me, takes another step and bumps the wall, knocking her glasses to the floor. So there we sit, me shaking my elbow, her on all fours fumbling for her glasses, when she all but crawls into my lap.

"Hi there. Come here often?"

We both giggle at the line, and then ... I pull her close and kiss her, quickly and passionately. Maybe she winced because her upper lip bumped my teeth; not sure. But, all in all, she seems both surprised and happy. So we kiss again.

I smile, help her to her feet, and we begin walking down the hall toward room 1413.

 

[Cutie Lillie]

Susie Shepard

Kent unlock the rooms door and holds it open for Susie...

She breezes into the room, continuing her air of nonchalance...well.. her attempts at it anyway.

She spots the bathroom and quickly feels the need to find refuge..ah... freshin up...

"Do you mind, Kent"? pointing to the bathroom do while Kent scurries to pick up bits and pieces he had left out earlier....

He says "Of course not, take your time"... so Susie closes the door behind her and breathes a sigh of relief? nervousness? excitment?

She looks around the sterial standard hotel bathroom, and takes off her soiled suit jacket. She leans over the sink and for the first time takes a close look at herself.... cringing at the beast of the swamp that looked back at her in the mirror.

She tries to freshen up. Takes a brush to her wild field of hair. Washes off all the make-up that had started to travel to parts of her face where it did not belong.. and shedding the pantyhose that had been unslavagablly torn downstairs.

Finally feeling she was at least a representative of the human race again... clean.... and feeling better....

She stopped for a moment at the door with her hand on its handle...

Taking a deep breath she turns it and enters the room where she hears Kent on the phone with room service.

barefoot, stockingless, and with only her skirt and camisole on.. Susie stood and stared at the man who once took her heart and she never asked for it back...

 

[TXExpress]

Kent is ... ordering

"OK, for room 1413, bring me ... two filet mignons with baked potatoes ... he cups his hand over the phone Sour cream and chives, OK? ... returning to the phone yeah, all the way on those. Uh, two slices of cheesecake with strawberries, and a bottle of your best champagne ... It's how much? ... OK, a bottle of your third-best champagne. That's 1413. Thanks."

I turn, and see ...

Not the girl next door.

A woman.

Her shoes and stockings ... gone. Covered only by a camisole and skirt. I begin to wish I hadn't ordered the food ... not only does she look good enough to eat, but precious time could be wasted waiting for room service to arrive.

"A little TV while we wait?"

She nods quietly, and I turn on ... DAMMIT! ... I must've left it on the pay-per-view channel ... this is NOT the time for "Stewardess Sluts IX."

*hurried click*

"Sorry." I am sure I am beet red right now.

"You know, for all that has happened to us, you look lovely."

I shouldn't have bothered with the qualifier. She looks lovely, period.

 

[Cutie Lillie]

Susie Shepard

The giggle rises from her toes. Her face breaks into a huge grin as she tries to keep quiet. Oh, if he could the flush along his neck and cheek right now.. it's just too cute....


Kent finally finds some travel show on Italy or was it Germany..all those villages can look the same.... that giggle stayed just under the surface, making her feel as if she had already had a few glasses of champane.

Looking around, the best place to sit was the bed. So, even if it did seem trite, she perched herself up on the end, her legs bent next to her..

Her throat seemed to take her voice captive again and she could only sit and let that giggle form a permanent smile on her whole face. Her attention was no where near the alps of Europe....